Florence (Firenze)

Best aperitivo in Firenze?

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I’m not a huge drinker by any means, but so far the best aperitivo I’ve enjoyed in Florence is at the Fusion Bar at the Gallery Hotel Art.

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Their craft cocktail menu will amaze you.  I had a “Medley” which is made with bourbon and other spirits.  It was very nice.

 

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Of course nice nibbles (as above) are appreciated, but when they brought out the tapas as part of the happy hour, I was gobsmacked.  Great food!  Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures.  You’ll just have to take my word for it!

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My companion ordered a smoked cocktail, and it really was smoked!

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As you might expect, the art installations at the Gallery Hotel Art Hotel are typically pretty amazing as well.  Currently they have an installation of giant pin wheels gracing the exterior of the hotel.

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And the very best part of the whole thing, for me, is that I live right across the Viccolo from the bar!

Fresh artichoke and parmesan salad at Cantinetta Antinori.

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Last week I had the great pleasure of dining at Cantinetta Antinori, one of my all-time favorite Florentine eateries. As a starter, I enjoyed a raw artichoke and parmesan cheese salad. It was dressed with the finest olive oil and fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper.

I didn’t get the chance to photograph my salad, as sometimes that just seems inappropriate. But, I haven’t forgotten the salad and today I found a nice primer on how to prepare it.

http://www.academiabarilla.com/en/italian-recipes/search-recipes/parmigiano-reggiano-artichoke-salad.aspx

I didn’t take a photo of my lunch, but I did capture the place and time!

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Buon anno! Auguri!

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Wherever you are, whatever you are doing to celebrate the arrival of 2017, I send you auguri!

I’ve been busy, although I haven’t been posting much this past week.  But today I share with you the photos I took today of the Badia fiorentina, complete with its Nativity scene.  Two major tombs are part of the interior of this fine, ancient church in Florence, as well as a gorgeous coffered wood ceiling.  Also, a fine altarpiece by Fra Filippo Lippi is still in situ.

At the end of the pictures, I’ve included the offerings from the shop attached to the church.  Here one may buy jams and jellies, spirits and wines, soaps and lotions, all made by the monastic orders.

Please enjoy!

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Giardino Bardini, Florence

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One of the prettiest places in Florence, with incredible views of the city, is Giardino Bardini.  Here are a few of my fav photos I took last summer of the garden and its views.

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Here comes the first view of the Duomo dome as one walks up and into the garden.

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And here is a view of Santa Croce with it’s campanile at the back and its white marble encrusted facade at the front (left in picture below).

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Here’s a zoomed in shot of Santa Croce from Bardini garden.

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Now I am high enough in the garden to photograph the actual garden, for now some of it is below me.

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Turning around, here’s the garden terrace above me.  Those Renaissance landscape architects sure knew how to make use of a hill when creating a garden!

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I mean, really, how lovely is this garden?  I love this shot below.  The sky is so dramatic!

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Some blooming dahlias in the garden.  Flowers are not a big part of Italian (or French) formal garden design.

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Here is the path I am following.  Gorgeous architectural and horticultural details all along the way to keep you intrigued.

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And it may be a hot summer day and you make have pea gravel in your sandals.  You may find the passage challenging because it is mostly uphill (because it is).  But then, there’s this:

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What a view!

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Come back soon for part 2 of this garden tour.  Ciao!