I left snowy, icy, windy Denver and Kansas City to come back to Spring in full swing in Tuscany.
Velvety green hills, a nice breeze and today was warm enough for gelato!
We headed down to Florence with a suitcase full of cookbooks to take to some of my friend shops which will be selling them, Conti and Baroni in the Central Market, Casa del Vino and the English language bookstore on Via delle Oche, Paperback Exchange.
To get to Paperback exchange, one must walk right by Grom Gelateria, one of the newer, “best” gelato’s in town. The line coming out the door was long, so I headed around the corner to an old favorite, Perche Non. Open since 1939, you know they have to be good or would not have lasted that long.
I opted for a icy granita- two flavors- lemon and strawberry. They hit the spot.
My husband, the Florentine has always gone to Perche No for their semifreddi, which are more like soft flavored whipped cream than gelato- truly decadent!
The shop itself is tiny, but there are a couple of benches all the way in the back and one at the door. I adore the hip marble and mosaics as well as the RED- neon lights, accents and even lights under the counter in the front giving off a cool glow!
Here is a list of some of my favorites in town.
Downtown:
Carabé
Via Ricasoli, 65/r
Tel: 055.289.476
Web
Perché No?
Via dei Tavolini, 19/r
Tel: 055.239-8969
Read my review!
Le Carrozza
Piazza del Pesce
Near the Ponte Vecchio
Tel: 055.239-6810
Read my review!
Caffè Ricchi
Piazza Santo Spirito,10/r
L’Alpina
Viale Strozzi, 12/r
Tel: 055.496-677
Vestri
Borgo degli Albizi, 11/r
Tel: 055.234-0374
Read my review!
Vivoli
Via Isola delle Stinche, 7/r
Tel: 055.292-334
Web
By the stadium:
Badiani
Viale dei Mille, 20/R
Tel: 055.578-682
Web
Oh, I am a big fan of Gelateria Grom! But any good gelato will do. Do you know Gelateria Neri — on Via dei Neri? That’s my all-time favorite in Firenze.
Enjoy a big scoop for me!
You say you left Denver…..as we are currently in Colorado Springs, is your book for sale in the area? Would love to get one.
Good choice Judy, I must confess that Grom didn’t impress me at all, never understood the hype.
I must say it is hard to have BAD gelato- some are just better than others.
Cindy- sorry no books in Denver- I ship!
Ilva- I think Grom is about the quality of ingredients, which can seem way too understated in flavor, but I love!
yes I know but I know gelaterie that cares just as much about quality ingredients and manage to produce, in my opinion, better icecream (taste and texture) so I suppose it is a matter of taste and of marketing.
This post makes my mouth water!! Reminds me of the gelato (helado) served in Argentina, which is made like the Italian type rather than American style ice cream.
I visited Tuscany for a just a few weeks last summer and i LOVED it…you are so lucky to visit so often! And i love your quote “when life gives you lemons, make limoncello”…it is by far my favorite drink of all time!
Jourda,
I am really lucky…I LIVE HERE!
I moved to Italy in 1984!
Now, you’re making me want to make gelato. Spring is here also! It was a long wait. Tiime to put away the bread-baking and take out the ice-cream maker. How good it looks!
“diva”,
That is awesome! I can’t wait to go back! I’ll make sure to store up all these great restaurant names you’re throwin out there so I can visit them 🙂