4 breakfasts and still room for gelato ... Vestri, Firenze

It did take a fair bit of walking around Firenze - wandering through the leather markets and over the Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) before we could even think about gelato ... but we had read about Vestri, a famous little gelato and chocolate shop tucked away in the centre of town.

We find the quaint little Cioccolato d'Autore. We squeeze on in - it appears as if they are doing some sort of chocolate appreciation course in the rear half of the room. We spot the counter with the gelatos kept in stainless steel wells, which is said to keep the gelato temperature better controlled. Today we are picking our flavors from a board on the wall, not as many touristy-places would have you pick from a giant showcase, each tub of gelato piled high and overworked with frou-frou and flowers.

I select the Pistachio de Bronte and the chocolate bianco e fagoline di bosco. The pistachio is a very promising natural green color, and not that horrible fake hulk green.. The flavor is intense, and the gelato takes on the texture of pure ground nuts, leaving a smooth coating throughout the mouth. The white chocolate and wild strawberry, divine, and the two flavors work wonderfully together.



Kim has selected the Pesca bianaca and cioccolato gianduia. The chocolate is a rich milk and super creamy. The white peach so fresh and vibrant.



This is indeed a fine example of the frozen treat, everything down to the temperature, texture and even the way in which it was served demonstrated that the crew at Vestri's are serious about 2 things, chocolate and gelato.

Amazingly we resist the temptation of stocking up on chocolate spread before we leave ...



Piazza Santa Croce
Borgo Albizi, 11r
Florence
+39 (055) 234-0374

Frienze; A tale of four breakfasts: part 4

Starting to feel a little full from our various breakfasting we took a wander around the Mercato Central, taking in all the amazing produce for sale especalliy outside in the fruit and vegatable section.

We had heard of a little place on the corner of the market square where all the market vendors go, only problem was we were still feeling fullish so we gave that one a pass and took a walk down towards the river where il Fratelli is located, Florences oldest panini bar, it's been around since 1875, so that should be enough time to get the art of the panini right.



We rock up to the lane where the shop's located and theres a fairly decent line facing into a tiny hole in the wall, must be the place then. The line moves quickly and before we know it we're at the front, there's two guys working in a tiny space whipping out dozens of panini made from the wicked ingredients in the showcase to on side. Decisions decisions ...



Kat ends up with a prosciutto arrosto, crema tartufa (roast proscuito with truffle cream) 3€



I with the salsicca cruda melanzane (fresh sausage and roast eggplant) 2.5€



with these in our hands and another glass of wine (when in Rome people) we picked a spot on the side of the lane and enjoyed our forth pre 12-noon meal of the day.



Via dei Cimatori,
38r, 50122 Florence (FI),
Italy‎ - 055 239 6096

Firenze; A tale of four breakfasts: part 3

After a pleasant encounter with Max and the crew at the little bar we stumbled across for our not-planned second breakfast, we make our way to the Mercado Centrale (Central Market). We find the butchery section over to one side of the market. Their are cases filled with all types of fresh meat including chickens and calves head & feet.



We know the infamous sandwich must be close .... We turn a corner and see the Nerbone counter deep with people. Old Italian men ordering their lampradotto, the tripe version, but just as many in the que for the bollito, the boiled beef version. We jump on in and place our order at the counter.



We are then handed our tickets and proceed to the opposite end of the stall, where the heavenly morsels are being made.



Firstly, the lamprodotto. The crusty bun is cut in half, with the cut side being dipped into the delicious cooking juices. Chunks of tripe are then removed and roughly chopped before being stacked on the bun. A precise ladel of fire-red chilli sauce and then another of vibrant green salsa verde are draped over the top.



The bollito version see's the bun cut and dipped in the same way. It is then piled high with sliced of the boiled beef, which are sitting in the juice, and come apart with pull of a fork. The same bright green & red sauces are ladeled over.



There is a reasonable sized seated area off to one side, which we noticed was home to many tourists, who also knew about the wonders of Norbone ...



but what had our interest, was the counter at the end. All the locals perched here enjoying their breakfast, most of them with a glass of wine in hand. We jump right in and join them. 1Euro each sees a small tumbler placed in front of us, with bottles of house wine, mineral water and some soft drink there for enjoying. It's customary to do a "Salute" with whoever is close by, so there is "ching ching" all around.



While sitting there savouring our delightful breakfast, we even see an Italian gentlemen a little ways from us, look to Salute with someone, but no one was in reach, so he just "ching ching's" the wine bottle.

Nerbone
Piazza Mercato Centrale
47/R, 50123 Firenze, Italy
Phone:055 219949