Aperitif....to the hairdresser!!!!

After having spent the entire day at the BTO, the fair of tourism on line, I ended up with a terrible headache.

I had an appointment with my favourite hairdresser and I was happily surprised that on Monday, as they close late in the evening, they asked Salamanca, the Spanish restaurant beside them to bring some tapas, the Spanish aperitif and between a shiatsu massage and a coffee; it is nice to grab some tacos and sauces with sangria. Jo explained me that if they have to stay open late in the evening it is nice to offer something to customers and I have to admit that this is “taking care of customers”…

Hairforce
Via Ghibellina 74r
Open from Monday to Saturday (Monday opens in the evening as well).

What's on this weekend in Tuscany

A rich week end of events....

This week end at Villa Strozzi, in via Pisana, Florence, the Lailac Japanese centre organizes again the Japanese festival.
It will be not a fashion event to underline all the news coming from that country but a truly jump in the Japanese culture where LAILAC tries to promote the language, the writings, the arts, food and so on. Trough ancient dances, ancient tradition and martial art the event will be at the LIMONAIA of Villa Strozzi, in via Pisana 77 from November 14th to November 16th from 11an to 8pm.

-Then on Saturday November 15th from 5pm to 9pm the guys from Officina Vintage opens their second shop few steps from the Medici Chapels, in via del Giglio 41/r. Clothing and accessories from the 70ties and the 80ties. Buffet for free.
-Tuscan buffet at Serafini Bar in Via Gioberti. This bar will stay open until 9pm to offer their customers a rich aperitif where the quality is essential. Tuscan appetizers, ribollita, ham, salami and cheese all from Tuscany.
-If you are still looking for Tuscan food don’t miss in largo Annigoni very close to the St.Ambrogio market the second wine and food biennale where you can taste different kind of food from Tuscany but also from other regions of Italy: lampredotto, arancini (from Sicily), focacce form Genoa, northern Italy pork and other things such as cakes, and a taste of different beers.

And if you fancy going outside Florence…

- Arezzo: Agritur, a fair dedicated to agriturismi
- San Miniato, between Florence and Pisa, there is the famous fair of the white truffle, another place where you can taste and buy this precious stone is also close to Siena, in San Giovanni d’Asso.
- In Certaldo there is the sweet fair of chocolate

- In Montespertoli at Castello of Sonnino the fair of bread and extra virgin olive oil and also the exhibition of white truffle again.

- And finally in Rufina on Sunday November 16th from 9am in the historical centre, the fair of the saint patron, S Martino. Concerts, wine tasting and chestnuts, games. Information: 055 8396529

Vintage store in Florence

OFFICINA VINTAGE - TWICE!!!

A young, talented, creative group of friends opened Officina Vintage last year in a hidden corner outside the historical centre of Florence and it was immediate success. Now, after one year, they are ready to open another shop this time in the historical centre of Florence just few steps from the Duomo, in via Del Giglio 41/red. At Officina Vintage you can find vintage clothing of the 70ties and 80ties : a more complete selection of clothing and accessories dedicated to all Vintage lovers and those who want to dress with a very personal taste but especially to own a unique and
inimitable item.
The grand opening of this second shop will be on Saturday, November 15th from 5pm until 9pm in Via Del Giglio 41/red, near the Medici chapels. Come to visit this colorful shop full of creative ideas: the verve of these four guys will conquer you!!!
Time openings:
Monday from 3pm to 8pm
Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to
2pm – 3pm to 8pm
Sundays (until Dec. 31st) 10am to 2pm – 3pm to 8pm

New year's eve 2008 , Florence, Italy

Here are some events for new years eve celebration in Florence Italy 2008.

At florentine Restaurant Le Murate in the center of the city, close to Piazza Signoria and Piazza Santa Croce, there will be a special menu for the dinner of the 31st of December.
In a charming location, with the original and unique frescoes of Dante, you have the opportunity to taste some italian specialties. As an appetizers Capon stock with hand made ravioli and Valdarnese hen’s special egg. Then Red prawns from Sicily, turnip tops sauce and bresaola from Chianina beef. As first dish tortelli stuffed with burrata and ricotta cheese, sea bass ragout. After this a Pumpkin soufflé, foie gras, black cabbage sauce.
The main course is Free range lamb from Casentino country: leg stuffed with artichokes, stewed shoulder and fried chop.
For dessert a variation on chocolate and citrus fruit: dark chocolate cake with tangerine sauce, orange jelly and white chocolate mousse.
Price for the dinner 150 euros.
For info and reservation: silvia@allemurate.it
see some pictures of the restaurant here

Other dinners and events? soon on this blog! I will tell you all the party and celebration of 2009 in Florence!

See also christmas markets in Florence with the Florence Noel market 2008 at stazione leopolda.
See also the post about my dinner at this elegant restaurant in Florence.

Wine and olive oil tasting in Chianti

Last Sunday, I went with some friends to visit a farm in the surrounding areas of Siena, in Badesse, for a wine and extra virgin olive oil tasting.

The farmhouse, Il ciliegio, has been organizing for the past 3 years a full day dedicated to the tasting of some typical Tuscan products such as ham and salami, bruschetta, fettunta, polenta, ribollita, chestnuts with also the opening of the wine cellars. It is such a beautiful idea to spend some time in the country side especially with the November sun.
We liked also the exterior part of the farm where we saw animals, new born rabbits, vineyards and olive trees in a magical atmosphere.
It is praiseworthy to see Luca, the young owner of the farm to dedicate his life to work in the fields or with animals.
Luca also explained us how they keep the wine in French barrique and how the grape raisins need to stay and rest in a dry place before they become the famous Vinsanto, for six months. I also tried the buristo (the interior of pork), nothing exceptional, but it was good to try.

Wine and food biennale in Florence

From November 10th until 24th Florence will host the first Wine and food biennale: a rich festival where you will have the chance to taste our best products.

We start with the opening day, the 10th with homage to a symbol of Florentine gastronomy, the Florentine T-bone steak. (here in the picture) On Tuesday, the 11th there will be a charity event with the partnership of Caritas Firenze together with the producers of Chianti IGT.
From November 13th until 16th in largo Annigoni (sant’Ambrogio area) stands will propose a mix of traditional Tuscan food together with other Italian products or even ethnic food, such as kebab.
On Saturday November 15th from 3pm to 7pm it will be the occasion to taste the Wine of 2007 and the Riserva of 2006 at Villa Poggio Reale
Instead the following Saturday, November 22nd at Villa Malenchini (Antella), a Medici villa, there is the annual extra virgin olive oil with cooking lessons taught by excellent chefs.
On Sunday November 23rd only 80 lucky people will have the opportunity to taste a fine selection of the best Riserva Chianti Rufina, introduced by the famous gastronomic journalist Leonardo Romanelli.
Then, grand final on November 24th with a lecture on how the food in Florence has changed between today and its glorious past.
Lastly in these two weeks 80 restaurants in Florence will propose in their menus, different kind of old recipes.

OIBO' a nice place for a drink

Few steps from the beautiful Piazza Santa Croce, at the corner with via de’ Benci, stands a modern, essential bar where you can taste delicious food and drinks, aperitifs, but also lunches. Even if it is located in one of the most touristic areas of Florence, the bar is full of young florentine too.

The aperitif buffet is open every day from 6,30pm until 9,30pm: perfect before going to Theatre Verdi few meters from OIBO’. You can find, finger food, cous cous, pasta, meat, focacce, salad and other delicatessen. While I was taking some pictures, I was blindingly obvious by a bottle called FI.GA, an allusive play on words of an Italian bad word, that it is only a beverage with a guaranà base.
I tasted and it was good. They explained me they use to do cocktails.
As I said before you can taste also something for a cheap lunch and if you are in the area I highly recommend it. The interior design is nice and well cared.

OIBO’, via de’ Benci 53/red Tel 055 2638611