Most are seasonal and some are only monthly:
Arezzo at the Piazza Grande; Florence at Teatro Tenda/Lungarno Aldo Moro; Lucca at Piazza San Giusto and Piazza Marconi; Prato at Piazza del Comune; Porto santo Stefano; Cortona at Palazzo Casali; Pistoia
Wine In Tuscany
June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Major Wine Regions of Italy:
Abruzzo; Aosta Valley; Apulia; Basilicata; Calabria; Campania; Emilia-Romagna; Friuli-Venezia Giulia; Latium; Liguria Lombardy; Marches; Molise; Piedmont; Sardinia; Sicily; Trentino-Alto Adige; Tuscany; Umbria; Veneto
Wineries Within Tuscany
Casa Emma; Castello Di volpaia; Isole E Olena; Monsanto; Enotecas; Fattoria Del Barbi; Biondi-Santi; Enoteca La Fortezza
What would a good Italian meal, or trip to Italy, be without acknowledging and exploring the wine? Wineries in Tuscany are famous the world over as producing some of the very best wine to be found. The weather in the region, its terrain, the knowledge of the vintners and the great tradition all contribute to exceptional wines.
A few varieties of grape in Tuscan wine are: Sangiovese, Pascale, Vermentino Nero, Malvasia di Sardegna and Nuragus. Those in the list barely scratch the surface of the great variety to be found in wineries in Tuscany. The best bet is to simply visit a few wineries when you travel to Italy. Reading about it will not give you the flavor and experience that tasting it and learning about it at the winery will.
Wine tasting vacations of Tuscany are available, as well as side trips within your travel to Italy. Whichever you decide on, a trip to at least one winery is compulsory for a well-rounded trip to Tuscany!
Regional Food In Tuscany
June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
ORVM Bar & Restaurant
Executive Chef Giuseppe Dalla Rosa specifically utilizes local herbs and flavors prepared in Mediterranean tradition.
Il Rifrullo
Local, authentic, home-cooked meals based on “century-old family tradition.”
Dino
Now in its second generation of family ownership/operation, this restaurant offers “many dishes from the Medici family period, while others are inspired by market availability and seasonal specialties.”
Restaurant Natalino
This restaurant has been there for over 120 years, in the building of an old church. In addition to the traditional dishes you can dine on, you have a fantastic Florentine view from the window. And inside you will be held in incredible ambience and decor.
Gourmet Restaurants della Toscana
June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Enoteca Pinchiorri
Chef Annie Féolde, working closely with Italo Bassi and Riccardo Monco, provide fare that brings gourmands “from five continents.” Surely not to be missed!
Il Colombaio
Chef Vincenzo Di Grande produces authentic, traditional Tuscan fare as well as his own creations. Local flavors and the freshest meats and produce are used for this gourmet experience in a “rustically refined” atmostphere.
Villa la Vedetta
Celebrated and lauded for service, atmosphere and food (of course) prepared by Chef Andrea Accordi. Located in town and situated within a hotel.
Al Lume di Candela
I could find no website for this restaurant, but it comes highly recommended so I am including it here. I suggest writing down the name and looking it up when you get there!
Food and Restaurants in Florence, Italy
June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Indulge in the flavors of Italy!
Traditional/Regional
Wine In Tuscany
Open Air/Outdoor Markets
Food in Italy is varied by region. Northern (Rome), Coastal Northern/Central (Tuscany), and Southern (Sicily). Each has its own distinct tradition, style and signature ingredients.
Northern features more cream-based sauces (such as Alfredo sauce) and meats such as pork. Central/coastal regions (Tuscany) feature more beans and soups. Bread figures prominently.
Southern Italy/Sicily is where you find the more traditional Mediterranean type of cooking. Tomatoes, olive oil, onions, garlic and seafood. Swordfish figures prominently, as do vegetables such as eggplant.
Even pizza varies by region. Each area has so much to offer and the wholesome, healthy, hearty and delicious food from this country is just another reason to love Italy. Desserts here are also amazing.
Dining almost anywhere in the country would have to be a positive experience. But take the time and money, if you can, to visit at least one of the gourmet restaurants and one of the “regional” family-owned restaurants. Just to give yourself the full treatment and taste of true Italian cuisine.
Most of the information on this page came from knowledge I have acquired over the years. But I also did some fact-checking on this page in Wikipedia: Northern versus Southern Italian Cooking
And just to give credit where credit is due, I owe a lot of what I know to watching Giada De Laurentis’ show, Everyday Italian and reading her cookbooks.
Connect!