Month: May 2016

This is an abridged guide to Firenze, Roma, and Milano created especially for Chief who is indeed perfect. This will be long, although abridged, filled with recommendations, tips, and places that I enjoyed.

To begin: Firenze

This was technically home for a bit. That being said, I feel that I qualify as a basic expert if that is a level of anything. I might design a badge to make it official.

For Coffee

Ditta Artigianale is the place to be for a true coffee. The other little cafes don’t have much going for them. Ditta’s owner is a 3 time barista champion that values quality, aesthetic, and time making their two locations a fantastic place to drop by.

For Cannoli

You have two options and they distinctly differ. First is Don Nino which is a chain however, the Florence(literally by the Duomo) location is the best for cannoli. The ricotta flavor is strong however, it’s a bit sweet. What I find cool is that you can either get the basic, ricotta filling( my favorite) or pistachio filling. The toppings range from chocolate chips( you know this is what I stuck with), crushed hazelnuts( best value), crushed pistachios, and powdered sugar. The rival is Ara. Ara’s cannoli are less sweet but the ricotta is more diluted. I enjoyed the cannoli shell as well. It doesn’t overwhelm the palette with s u g a r but it isn’t authentic either. Ara also has amazing arancini balls and high quality gelato.

For Pizza

Again, two options. Il Pizzaiuolo or Gusta Pizza. Both are great but be cautious of your belongings when around the crowds. Some people are slick.

For Authentic Italian Cuisine

To eat like a local, you  must go to I Buongustai. It’s ran by sisters and gets very packed so be wary of lines. The line is worth it. Very worth it.

For Snacks

Two doors down from my old address, Panificio Brunori has fist size pizzas, amazing pastries, and all for about a euro, each. This was terrible to live next to because whenever I wanted something I could get it in under 2 minutes. They have a braided pecan pastry that changed my life.

For Cioccolata Calda

La Milkeria. The. End.

For Gelato

This is it. Florence is the city to be in for real gelato. This is your moment. Shine. To make this experience better, all the places that I am recommending are 1 euro per scoop. Visit them all. First, La Carraia. Go to the location that is 2 bridges from the Duomo. They have an amazing almond flavor. Next, Gelateria della Passera. This is my personal favorite and they make the absolute best nocciola( hazelnut) gelato. They put actual hazelnuts in it. They have other fragrant flavors so you might enjoy those as well. Gelato del Cantina has the best exotic flavors. They have a pineapple, mint, ginger flavor that is refreshing especially after walking everywhere. They have a location on the Arno River near Ponte Vecchio.

 gelato tip: if you can see it rising over a container, it is fluffed up with air and that is no bueno. Typically, you want to go for the stuff kept in a container like della Passera or del Cantina.

For Paninos

There are two places on via de Neri but honestly, I am not a panino fan so have at it.

THOU SHALT VISIT

Piazzale Michelangelo, the Rose garden, and the Iris Garden

Roma

I absolutely loved Roma and wish you the best on your visit. You will be tempted to get gelato but be warned, it will not hold a candle to the gelato in Firenze. At that rate, if you see a Grom, stick with that.

For the best Italian steak dinner of your life

Bella Napoli. Do come for dinner, it will be the best decision you’ll ever make. Another great place to go but is further from the city center( as in you should explore the area because it’s nice) is Da Enzo al 29( BOOK THE RESERVATION NOW OR WAIT FOR HOURS). Personally, Bella Napoli was better but Da Enzo is worth a visit.

For the best fresh made pasta of your life

Pastaciutta happens to be conveniently located next to the vatican museum. I went 3 times in 3 days. Yes, it is the best pasta of your life. It’s also 7 euro a plate. You’re welcome.

For the best breakfast pastries

Novecento Tredici has croissants so flaky that you’ll think you’re in paris.

For the best, most renown bakery

Biscottificio Innocenti was founded in 1920 with the original family still in ownership, running the shop. It’s in the same neighborhood as Da Enzo so you can make a night out of it.

Milano

It wasn’t as impressive as I thought it would be but three places you must eat are

1) Princi

2) Eat me& Go

3) Pave

Enjoy!

It’s been a while.

Not really.. It’s been a few weeks. That’s forgivable.

I am back in the United States of In n Out, amazing weather, and singing siblings. Yes, I’m riding high on the #westcoastbestcoast . It’s strange. As aforementioned in a previous post, I discussed how being away made me more thankful for what I do have. I have so much to be thankful for.

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”

– Terry Pratchett

So, I’m back. This is not to say that homehomehome is necessarily better because it isn’t. I’ve realized there is no “better”. It’s different than Italy, for sure. I don’t know how to articulate it yet but I am different. And while being away made me miss the idea of home, I am significantly more conscious of familiarity.

Familiarity: the quality of being well known; recognizability based on long or close association

Alone, familiarity can be comforting but it can also be a limiting reagent. It is based on multiple interactions with a common idea or experience. As far as limiting reagents are concerned, prior concepts or traits are expected as personality constraints and while some change is different, others are unwelcome. To sum it up, I am different but preexisting notions have me bound to expectations that discourage evolution.

Weird, right?

I want to react, respond, and be proactive in ways I’ve grown accustomed to but they’re not so much welcome. For example, with friends, they make references to something that you once thought was hilarious but, for some reason, isn’t the slightest bit comical anymore.

Dependence on familiarity can also cause apprehension towards difference and growth. As observed from my peers, the slightest change can cause a thousand adverse reactions. I’m not sure I like this.

But it’s human, instinctive, and I, too, am guilty of reacting poorly on countless occasions.

Enough with the negative. It’s good to be home. I love the familiar smells of the kitchen, familiar embracing of my family and close friends, and the familiar sun.

Speaking of sun, it was 75 degrees Fahrenheit at 9 AM today. How awesome is that?

ps i will upload UK photos eventually