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BYOB in Italy

BYOB usually means bring your own bottle ( full) to a party- but in Italy it has taken on new meaning. Bringing your own empty bottle to Vino Sfuso shops where they fill your empy bottles with wine from large demijohns or even large stainless steel vats, saving you money. No labels, no advertising, no…

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Edible Florence: Obica’ Mozzarella Bar

I had a student say to me that all they had been warned that all places downtown Florence are touristy and to stay away. It is not true, many trattoria’s, restaurants and wine bars are in the same place they have been for generations and happen to be visted by tourists as well as locals….

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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…

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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…

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Italian way to cool down

caffe shakerato, I asked for milk in mine When the temps rise here in Italy, the land that frowns on air-conditioning…. there are several ways to beat the heat. One of course is to get thee to a gelato shop NOW!  There is one in almost every neighborhood, I suggest ordering the smallest size and…

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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…

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Edible Florence- Trattoria Sergio Gozzi

  There are few things certain in life; Florence is one of the best cities of art in the world and that Sergio’s is a favorite in the San Lorenzo Market. Often hard to find, both because of location and name, half of us say we are going to Sergio’s the other half say Gozzi’s!…

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Florence – Wine Bars- Casa del Vino

    wines by the glass- price on bottle One of my regular places for a light lunch or snack is Gianni Migliorini’s Casa del Vino. Located behind the open air market onVia dell’Ariento. It is a place where, if you can get it,you eat and drink elbow to elbow with the locals and if you…

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Judy Witts Francini

Originally from California; Tuscany has been my home since 1984. I found the city of Florence to hold all my passions, food, wine, art all in one place. When I am not in Tuscany, I am often found in Sicily, my other favorite place to be. Always searching for recipes to share and exploring for the guides I write to my favorite cities for food and wine.

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