Florence is so lucky, master pizzaiolo, Giovanni Santarpia just opened tonight in Florence, located behind the Sant’Ambrogio market. I am not a huge pizza fan, as I find most places rush the process and make a heavy dough but Giovanni has made me a pizza lover! Giovanni’s dough is made with love. He carefully selects…
Ivana’s Bread Bakery- Edible Florence
For 20 years I lived just in front of the Mercato Centrale in Florence. What a blessing. Such a choice for ingredients and shopping. In front of the market, hidden behind the stands selling leather, is one of my favorite bakeries in the area, Forno Ivana. Tuscany is famous for the saltless bread, which for…
Meat Museum- The Masters of Meat
As you all know, I adore my butchers. The men and women that turn meat into meals. I was inspired, as I often am, but my soul-sister Kate in Camont, France. Her article on the red and white butcher shops reminded me of the foto shoot I just did for Dario, my master butcher, in…
Pancetta Progress- Charcutepalooza
You know you are living in the right place when a sign like this is at the exit of the grocery store, to make sure you know about it. At the Meat Counter you can reserve your pork for salting. The cool air in January is perfect for families to age their own cured pork…
Tuscan Treasures- Corzano e Paterno Cheeses
Years ago I bought some cheese at the artisan market in Piazza Santo Spirito from a young Swiss shephard, living in Chianti, Tillo. The cheeses are from the family estate, Corzano and Paterno and are now one of the most sought after cheeses by local restaurant owners that it is almost impossible to buy the…
Amici Miei- Andrea Bezzecchi
Why is it that a traditional balsamic vinegar from Reggio Emilia or from Modena is $125 a bottle? If you ever have seen what it takes to make it, it seems like a real bargain! Start with grape juice and lose 70% in cooking it down. Invest in 5 to 7 different…
Tuscan Treasures- Macelleria Marianelli
Antica Macelleria- Norceria Marianelli- Montopoli I must have a gourmet guardian angel. We reserved tickets for a dinner and a show as part of a new “Utopia del Buongusto”, a series of theater pieces arranged by Andrea Kaemmerle and his Theatre Company. As we had never been to the village where the show was being…
Edible Florence- Coccole
When I was down at Q.B the other day, someone also mentioned a new chocolate shop- say no more.. I was off on my search. I walked up Via Ginori and found Coccole on the left hand side of the street, where an old furniture store had been not far from Q.B.(update- Q.B. is now…