Published by Trazzler
Hip locals seem to bike everywhere in Europe. But in cities like Amsterdam and Paris, who has the time to worry about navigating through labyrinth streets without running into vendors? Instead, visit Lucca, a tiny Tuscan town just outside of Florence.
Lucca is still nestled within fortress walls of the Middle Ages long passed. Get off the train and enter the town through a portal two minutes away from the station. There are cheap rental shops immediately beyond the gate, with ramps leading up to the city walls just blocks away.
That's right—Lucca has turned its barrier into a walking/bike path. Pedal through throngs of Italians, peering over the sides to see orange-tiled houses and blooming gardens to your right and the rolling hills of Tuscanny to your left. In just an hour, you can circle the city twice and work up an appetite for dinner at one of many nearby trattorias. This evening trip is easy, fun and cheap, with a little workout, too.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Friday, August 27, 2010
Gorging on the Best Aperitivo in Florence
Published by Blending Magazine and Trazzler
On my way to my first Kitsch aperitivo, I was less than enthusiastic. I had tried aperitivo at a few places in Florence before—Ganzo, Moyo, La Dolce Vita—and though they were all delicious, all began to taste the same after awhile. Each place featured an Asian rice dish, pasta, polenta, bruscetta, etc. I was ready for something new.
Fortunately, Kitsch was one of those places that lived up to its hype. When I first laid eyes on the huge platter of roasted vegetables, my mouth dropped. Orange carrots, yellow bell peppers and green zucchini were all arranged on the plate like a multi-colored flower. This was how every aperitivo should be.
At first, I was so overwhelmed by the two-table spread that I couldn’t find the plates. When I finally located them, I didn’t know where to start.
I first saw juicy pieces of hot dog, chopped up like Mom used to do, surrounded by
seasoned cubed potatoes. A huge tureen of creamy cauliflower and broccoli, roasted brown, sat on a shelf above them. Fresh green beans in savory potato sauce, peas with onion, and couscous with veggies (the only typical aperitivo dish) lined up along the table. I couldn’t even resist the brussel sprouts; trying the vegetable for the first time, I was greeted by a creamy, though slightly bitter, taste. A good aperitivo will make a picky eater adventurous, which is how I knew Kitsch was one of the best.
Despite wanting to try new foods, I would usually prefer to know what exactly I am about to eat, but aperitivo provides a bit of risk in that department. I was pleasantly surprised when I bit into a casserole I took for chicken and tasted broccoli and potatoes. Yet when I tried another potato dish with tomato sauce, I got a mouthful of something fishy. I suppose I missed the obvious signal of baby octopus thrown in with the tubers.
For 8 Euro, I definitely got a good amount of delicious food. With the outside eating area lit pink and blue from below and a hip, old-meets-new interior, the atmosphere was just right for students.
On my way to my first Kitsch aperitivo, I was less than enthusiastic. I had tried aperitivo at a few places in Florence before—Ganzo, Moyo, La Dolce Vita—and though they were all delicious, all began to taste the same after awhile. Each place featured an Asian rice dish, pasta, polenta, bruscetta, etc. I was ready for something new.
Fortunately, Kitsch was one of those places that lived up to its hype. When I first laid eyes on the huge platter of roasted vegetables, my mouth dropped. Orange carrots, yellow bell peppers and green zucchini were all arranged on the plate like a multi-colored flower. This was how every aperitivo should be.
At first, I was so overwhelmed by the two-table spread that I couldn’t find the plates. When I finally located them, I didn’t know where to start.
I first saw juicy pieces of hot dog, chopped up like Mom used to do, surrounded by
seasoned cubed potatoes. A huge tureen of creamy cauliflower and broccoli, roasted brown, sat on a shelf above them. Fresh green beans in savory potato sauce, peas with onion, and couscous with veggies (the only typical aperitivo dish) lined up along the table. I couldn’t even resist the brussel sprouts; trying the vegetable for the first time, I was greeted by a creamy, though slightly bitter, taste. A good aperitivo will make a picky eater adventurous, which is how I knew Kitsch was one of the best.
Despite wanting to try new foods, I would usually prefer to know what exactly I am about to eat, but aperitivo provides a bit of risk in that department. I was pleasantly surprised when I bit into a casserole I took for chicken and tasted broccoli and potatoes. Yet when I tried another potato dish with tomato sauce, I got a mouthful of something fishy. I suppose I missed the obvious signal of baby octopus thrown in with the tubers.
For 8 Euro, I definitely got a good amount of delicious food. With the outside eating area lit pink and blue from below and a hip, old-meets-new interior, the atmosphere was just right for students.
Fighting for Food at a Playhouse in Florence
Published by Blending Magazine and Trazzler
First-time diners at Teatro del Sale be warned: pace yourself. I received the same piece of advice on my first night at the restaurant but promptly ignored it when I saw the platters of antipasti spread across a big table, surrounded by locals clamoring for a taste. Beans, hummus, salads, polenta with a hint of cinnamon and warm focaccia are only the beginning of the delicious home-cooked buffet. Every few minutes, a chef leans out the kitchen window, ringing a bell and shouting in Italian the names of the next courses- meatballs, pasta bolognese, chicken and roasted potatoes.
After the guests consume as much of the half dozen courses as they can, drink a few glasses of wine and top off their meals with espresso and chocolate tart, the wood-paneled dining room transforms into a theater. The night I attended, we enjoyed an hour and a half of Simon and Garfunkel, Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan, courtesy of an Italian cover band. For 30 Euro (plus a 5 Euro membership fee), Teatro del Sale guests get the whole package: unlimited food, great entertainment and a fun, cultural experience.
First-time diners at Teatro del Sale be warned: pace yourself. I received the same piece of advice on my first night at the restaurant but promptly ignored it when I saw the platters of antipasti spread across a big table, surrounded by locals clamoring for a taste. Beans, hummus, salads, polenta with a hint of cinnamon and warm focaccia are only the beginning of the delicious home-cooked buffet. Every few minutes, a chef leans out the kitchen window, ringing a bell and shouting in Italian the names of the next courses- meatballs, pasta bolognese, chicken and roasted potatoes.
After the guests consume as much of the half dozen courses as they can, drink a few glasses of wine and top off their meals with espresso and chocolate tart, the wood-paneled dining room transforms into a theater. The night I attended, we enjoyed an hour and a half of Simon and Garfunkel, Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan, courtesy of an Italian cover band. For 30 Euro (plus a 5 Euro membership fee), Teatro del Sale guests get the whole package: unlimited food, great entertainment and a fun, cultural experience.
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