Classy Sunday Funday

When people found out I was headed to Florence, it was highly suggested that I visit the Westins rooftop for a drink and of course to see the view. After some gelato and sitting on the bridge ... apparently something a tourist should do, check. We made the decision to head to the Westin. It was the perfect evening for it both weather wise and timing, as the sun was setting. 


When we got up there I was completely taken aback, it was like I was seeing the city for the first time again. I think my favorite part was that there was a rainbow that evening. What's better than a rainbow over the Duomo? Not much in my book. 

I decided I would be fancy and order prosecco and Kristen got her bellini that she has been dying to have. I love at most spots around the city they would bring out something to nosh on. This go around we had almonds, hazelnuts, and chips! It wasn't cheap, but ay, you only live once and when in ... Florence right?!

Lunch Across the Ponte Vecchio: Gusto Panini

Sunday Funday! The Gosselin's arrived in Florence! This was also the same day I had the sandwich that changed my life. We'll get to that a little later, because obviously I had it another time. This was also the same day Kris and I had to haul our luggage up 96 stairs. Yes, we counted and it was 96 stairs to get to and from the apartment. That alone gives reason to eat bread baskets and drink tons of wine. 

As we were showing the newest arrivals around, it soon became feeding time. Since we were across the bridge, we weren't too familiar with the area but found Gusto Pizza which was supposed to be amazing. The place was jammin' too, but as we walked up to the door, we quickly found that it was locked. Clearly they were serving lunch but maybe it was a siesta thing?! So we kept it moving and landed at Gusto Panini. For Kris and I it was a salad kind of day with a side of grilled veggies. 


We were able to sit outside which I always appreciate. My salad was Gorgonzola, tomatoes, walnuts on a bed of mixed greens in a balsamic dressing. Kris went with the Greek Salad. 

The veggies were interesting but a little too grilled and flavorless. They needed to mingle a little while longer with the olive oil and be treated with some salt and pepper. 

Bike Tour Through the Countryside

Oh Chianti how I love you!! So why not do a bike tour through the country side where Chianti is made. Uh done! This was on Kristen's list of things to do while in Italy. The morning of we thought it would be fab idea to have cappuccino's and pastry's before the bike ride ... we couldn't break tradition.

On the walk over it was only sprinkling, we weren't even sure if they'd even do the tour or not. Once everyone had arrived we hopped in the van and were whisked off to the countryside! 

The ride up there was breathtaking, I could hardly wait to get out and just look around ... but more importantly drink Chianti. And don't worry we just being whisked away to a castle! Ohhh just another day in Italy. Our tour guide Jason, who was quite possibly the best tour guide ever, showed us where the wine was stored and gave us a quick lesson on how it was stored. We then made our our upstairs to where the olive oil was produced. And if you can believe it, its the process only happens for about 2 months then they are done production for the year. I want that job.

Then the tasting began. We were welcomed by full glasses of wine and plates of bread and olive oil. 

A little pre biking energy if you will. The decision was made, we would be biking it, and lets just say it was no longer sprinkling. Now I don't want to sound like a princess, I used to play soccer in the rain but that was different. But I sucked it up and headed for the rain. We were given our bikes, mines name was Oompa Loompa, Kris was Brad Pitt and Meg was Minnie Mouse. Gangs all here! The first leg of the trip I think was like 5 miles. The first hill, which was like a slight incline really slapped me in the face, hard.

After almost freezing to death, we made it to our destination. We arrived at Il Ponte, a family run restaurant in the countryside. I should have asked if they needed anyone to wash dishes ... hey, a job is a job when in Florence. Lunch of course started with a jug of chianti and bread. As every meal for the rest of my life should. We had three pasta options, pesto (my fave of the three), pink sauce, or spicy red sauce. It worked out perfect because each of us got one and we ended up having bites of all. 

The wine was still flowing as moved into dessert. We had a choice of gelato or panna cotta. No one wanted the gelato because we were all frozen but I still got it. I love gelato.

Just as we were getting warmed up, whether it be from the booze or the heater they had running, it was time to leave ... and yup you guessed it, we had to get back on the bikes. So now that we were full of pasta and wine we had to bike the last leg of the trip. I think it was 6 miles on the back end. To shut me up or maybe because I was actually shivering Jason was kind enough to lend me his sweatshirt. If you ever go on this tour and need to borrow an article of clothing, he's your man! I'm not sure what came over me but I hoofed it. I was sick of being in the rain and being cold. And then there was the hill. The other tour guide, Alessio, kept telling a group of women, strong powerful women, that we shouldn't bike the hill. That right there was a challenge to me. While I was only able to make it half way up and almost died ... I felt accomplished!



Bike Tour Tuscany

http://www.tuscany-biketours.com/

Dinner with Family in Bologna

This was truly the highlight of my trip, Bologna. I was able to visit with family and it was beyond amazing!! The train ride was a little over an hour and Kristen and I tried to brush up on our Italian, as my family spoke no English and I spoke no Italian. It was going to make for a fun afternoon!

My family asked that I make a sign with my name and their name on it so we could find each other at the station. People were looking at me like I was a crazy person, but that's okay, this was well worth it. We finally found my cousin, Andrea and I had to do a double take ... he looks just like my dad and uncle combined, it was scary!!

They showed us all around Bologna which was very different from Florence. I felt it was a little more industrial and city like. We also stopped for hot chocolates which Meghan kept ranting and raving about and I can see why. It's basically like a Hersey's chocolate bar that has been melted down. It was soo good and we needed it because it was cold and rainy!

Then we were off to dinner. We went to ... you guessed it an Italian restaurant!! Rather than bringing out bread, they brought out what looked like a pizza just with nothing on it. My family didn't eat it was olive oil and balsamic but I had to have some in my life. We'll call the start of the meal brizza. Bread pizza.

Kristen and I went 50/50 at dinner. Pizza and pasta. For pizza we just got funghi (mushroom). On the table was another bottle of olive oil that had a redish hue to it and what looked like crushed red pepper on the bottom. Alessandra, the wife, told me it was spicy olive oil. I tried a little on my pizza and fell in love! I then proceeded to dost the entire half of my pizza in the oil!

The other dish we order was shrimp and pasta. Again, you know you're from the States when they bring you don't know that their going to bring over the entire shrimp, face and all. Kristen tackled that and got the meat out of the shell which really wasn't alot. With a little bit of cheese, it was a delight!

Davido, Alessandra and Andrea's son also got a pasta dish with broccoli and mussels. When I went to ask what kind of pasta he was having because it didn't look familiar, he thought I was offering him a bit of my pasta! Ohhh how things get lost in translation. He then offered me a bite of his and it was realllly good! Almost took on a pesto like flavor.

All in all, it was a great experience and I'm so lucky to have met my family! Despite the language barrier, there was a lot of love and lots of hand motions!

Best Afternoon Ever: Panini Palace

It was Friday already ... and the game plan for the afternoon was to head to Bologna to see my family! This certainly didn't stop us from going to see the Duomo in the morning, having lunch and of course some wine! Meghan kept mentioning 'PaniniPalace" and how good it was. Now, this certainly wasn't it's real name but thats what the girls were calling it. I'm not sure how we found our way back to this spot but we did.

It was a gorgeous sunny day and we were able to get a table outside at this busy eatery. Kristen left the ordering up to me. For both a panini and salad it was create your own. Each got five ingredients. For the sammie, I got mozz, red peppers, onions, sun dried tomatoes and eggplant. The salad I got us romaine, artichokes, tomato's and carrots.

This was one of my favorite afternoons. I was with my bestie in Florence, the sun was shining, we were drinking Chianti at noon and the music they had bumpin' was the best station ever! Now that's what I call a siesta.

We're Adults Now: ZaZa

Kristen and I wanted to show our hospitality to both Meghan and Nikki (their cousin) by taking them out to dinner. We let them pick a place that they wouldn't typically go .. because you know Kris and I are at baller status (ha!). They chose ZaZa's. I had heard about this place and people rave about it. So we got all dolled up and headed to dinner.

I already loved ZaZa's when I saw that they had outdoor seating. While it did get cool at night in Florence, ZaZa's was smart and had heat lamps. Oh how I love dinner and outdoor seating. First things first, wine. We ordered a bottle of white and a bottle of red. Next comes the bread. Oh gosh I could get used to this lifestyle.

We started the meal with the ZaZa sampler. This included a fried egg with truffles and truffle oil, brushetta, some pates and more bread. I mean c'mon fried egg with truffles. They had me right there.

For entrees Kristen and I split the truffled seabass with fresh veggies and spaghetti carbonara. The fish was amazing. The flavors weren't too overwhelming but certainly present. Truffles, seabass, veggies ... can that just be my diet from here on out?!

Meghan got truffled pasta. Homemade pasta in a truffle sauce and Nikki got salmon and they certainly didn't skimp on the meat there!

We topped a delicious meal off with tiramisu and cheesecake along with a cappuccino. I wasn't disappointed after this meal but was certainly filled to the brim!

ZaZa

Via Chiara, 2-red
Florence
055 210756

Menu

Jersey Shore Pizza

What would a trip to Florence be if we didn't stop at Jersey Shore Pizza?! Here you can't just get a slice, you've either got to sit down and get a whole pie for yourself or you can take it to go. We decided we would take it to go. It was just very convenient that the pizza shop was near the apartment we would be staying in when Kristen's parents arrived. We figured now was the time. Rather than sitting down and eating, we figured walk and eat aka walk and enjoy life.

Everything is made fresh. With three pizzas order, three pizza pie's were being throw in the air. We went with the standard pizza which here was plain with basil. The staff was really fun, being crazy, dancing and drinking behind the counter ... the way work should be! While we patiently waited for our pizzas to get out of the brick oven we danced around as well!

Pizza's out and ready. They then fold them in half and wrap them up in the wax like paper and you're on your way. I will be honest. I wasn't impressed. The pizza Kris and I made was much better. Meghan did say that the way to eat this pizza is sitting down ... but there was no time, we had to get to Piazza di Michelangelo. And thank god thats where we were headed because that was a haul ... Jersey Shore pizza was walked off!