Secret Bakery....2:15am
Florentine Secrets....
 |
| the entrance, slightly cracked open... |
These locations have no signs, but the smell that hits you a few blocks away is a great indicator that you are on the right street. Word of mouth is how these places make business to locals, and from the line that was forming behind us, they aren't doing so bad.
You walk through the cracked door, and an Italian man is there to greet you. You give him your order (there isn't a menu) or point at something and that's that. Best of all. Its only ONE EURO! can't beat that! Where ever will I find these in the states?
 |
| my delectable croissant filled with chocolate |
 |
| The kitchen |
FAVOR ALERT!
So my blog got featured on Bus2Alps.com website, and it is now a finalist in the chance to win a free trip!.... So if you like my blogs, please support me here:
http://blog.bus2alps.com/2010/11/27/bus2alps-why-we-ride-blog-finalists/
I really appreciate it! Thanks!!
Ciao Ciao,
B
Florens 2010
 |
| Grass at the Duomo?! |
Grass in Florence? The (fake) David on top of the Duomo? I knew something had to be going on but what could it have been? So it was saturday evening and I decided to take a stroll through the streets of Florence hoping to do some discovering. And this is what I ran into...
International Week on Culture Heritage and Landscape
Piazza della Republica housed a huge food market where I managed to leave with some delicious goodies. I took my time and surveyed all the delectable options. Fruits, Veggies, cheeses, honey, cured meats and delightful sweets made of CHOCOLATE. Bought my favorite Pecorino Cheese and some fresh extra virgin olive oil (its OLIVE SEASON!). The man who sold it to me told me it was just bottled the day before! Also bought some sweets: dried orange peels dipped in dark chocolate. Man was it heavenly.
I also stopped at Palazzo Strozzi where the crafts market was and purchased a braided leather bracelet. After enjoying the crazy atmosphere of lovely Italians out and about in the piazza, I took my recently purchased sweets and decided I would get lost across the river. Stumbled into many little shops and interesting stores. Had a blast doing it and have yet to discover more of it!
Here are some photos I shot that day...
 |
| This little girl was too adorable in her coat! |
 |
| My artisan bracelet |
 |
| Artichokes: Italians pride themselves on it! |
 |
| creepy clown |
 |
| CHEEEEEESE |
 |
| Piazza della Republica |
 |
| Roasting hazelnuts I believe |
Ciao Ciao until next time,
B
Quando piove a Firenze...
The weather in Florence is incredibly unpredictable. One day its beautiful and sunny, and the next you find yourself stranded in the streets during a downpour with no umbrella. But I'm starting to appreciate these rainy days more and more. Its my time to relax, catch up on much needed sleep, and often get creative in the kitchen. Sadly, as the calendar days quickly pass before me and my travel days are tentatively over (a depleting bank account is to blame), these days spent indoors have me reaching out to some old hobbies. Sketching, reading, and of course COOKING. So I'm taking this time to share some of my new favorite Italian combinations that will have you appreciate the simple things.
Fresh PEARS from the farmers market, so juicy and ripe along with
aged (or fresh) Pecorino di Pienza cheese (purchase from the cheese farmer himself)
Freshly baked BREAD toasted in a pan with olive oil
Hungarian Salami
HONEY with a saltier cheese is just indredible
A great morning at Mercato Centrale
Garden Fresh Salad:
Radishes, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, Salami, Pecorino Cheese, Lettuce
Drizzled in a Balsamic reduction
When little time prevails..
Farfalle Pasta with Zucchini, Cherries tomatoes, mushrooms
onions, tuna, fresh MOZZARELLA and a smash of Marsala Wine
seasoned with: salt, pepper, oregeno, basil, garlic powder
an unusual combination...
Pasta with PESTO, mozzarella
Over medium fried EGG
Radishes
Keep a look out for my Italian Cuisines from Italian Restaurants! A London Blog, and Florens 2010.
Ciao Ciao,
B
Barcelona...
Beautiful, Cultured, Full of life
Yes Barcelona is full of distinguishable art and sightseeing wonders, yet all I really wanted to do was be apart of the day-to-day lives of the Spanish. Our first night in Barcelona we tasted the coastal cuisine at a restaurant overlooking the docks in Barceloneta. We feasted on the largest dish (and first dish I've tried) of Seafood Paella. To foreigners, this is said to be Spain's national dish, but in fact it isn't (originated in the region of Valencia). Regardless, it was the most delectably, scrumptious dish I had in Spain.
One of the days me and Christine (my travel buddy) decided to check out Barceloneta during the day and boy were we blown away. The weather was just perfect; sun was shinning and the wind was slightly blowing a cool breeze. With no agenda, or any idea what the city had to offer, we just started walking and stumbled on some pretty spectacular places. We did some damage at the local mall we found right off the docks in Port Vell (we're girls we can't help it), found a little antique flee market, dipped our toes in the ocean, and lunched at a restaurant on the beach. After feasting on fajitas and nachos, we bumped into a festival called the "Obra Social La Ciaxa. It was promoting unity among the community and the world (just love it!). This incredible band played music and the whole crowd was dancing away (spotted the cutest old lady just having a ball). I knew I should have been born Latin! I have a new appreciation for Latin MUSIC.
Our night finished at an authentic SALSA club. Saw incredible professionals, fell in love with Latin ballroom, accomplished my only goal in Spain and Danced the night away...
The following day we rented bikes and returned to the beach cities and rode them down the boardwalk and throughout the city. Reminded me of home just a little. The weather was still sunny but just a tad chilly. Nothing beats bike riding through unfamiliar places. Why I didn’t study in Spain is beyond me. .(I still love you Italy)
I’ll be seeing you soon Spain!
Ciao Ciao
Beatrice
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
