Florence Finds: Favorite Bar & Restaurant

Hi friends! Another Italy update - this time being my favorite restaurant and bar in all of Florence. Read below to find out why!

Irene: Favorite Bar

I love Irene because it has AMAZING sparkling cocktails like their strawberry puree'd Rossini or their version of a French 75 (my fave cocktail ever), the expensive price is worth it. My friend Nikki (pictured below) and I didn't go out every night so we justified the price by that we were "catching up" with everyone else who did go out all the time - sounds reasonable right?

Pietrasanta - a boozy milkshake

The "Barbie" Drink

French 75

I think Nikki likes it..

Rossini

La Giostra: Favorite Restaurant

La Giostra is DEFINITELY one not to be missed in Florence. Many celebrities have been there and it's easy to see why; from the complimentary sampler plate & glass of prosecco upon walking in to the twinkling lights that cover the ceiling, this place is a dream like no other. My highlights include the Burrata appetizer (kind of expensive but so amazing), the pear ravioli (sounds weird but tastes awesome - and I don't even like pears), and the tiramisu (best I've ever had - and I even made one in one of my cooking classes). Either way though, you can't go wrong - everything I had there tasted amazing!

Complimentary Sampler Plate

Burrata

Penne Pasta

Pumpkin Risotto

Pear Ravioli

Tiramisu

If you're ever in Florence - give these beauties a try. They won't disappoint!!

Ciao!

Touring Tuscany: Siena, Cortona & Chianti (again)

Another travel post! This one is from my trip to other parts of the Tuscan region of Italy (besides my home away from home, Florence). Follow along below!

Siena

First stop on our tour was the beautiful city of Siena. From the churches lined with history (like a piece of Jesus's cross - how crazy is that??) to the square where Quantum of Solace (the James Bond movie) was filmed! I had no idea this city had so much history within it. I also now get why there's a color called "Siena Brown" since a lot of the building are the same reddish-brown color!

One of the oldest banks in the country

The Square

Fun Fact: Families in Siena used to each belong to a "clan" of sorts that each had a mascot of an animal - think of it like a predecessor to neighborhoods. Each house would have the animal on the outside of their house present (statue, flag, etc) and it was a big deal when a child was born. They would be christened into their symbol by a basin with the matching animal on it (see one of the basins for christening pictured above). The city would have a race every year around the city and each animal would have a team to cheer for - putting ribbons on their houses for decoration to cheer them on!

Amazing dessert - the creme puff was so good! 

The little cookie next to it is a specialty of Siena.

View from our hotel - one of the prettiest ones I went to in all of Italy!

Relic of the Cross

Cortona

This town is known as the location for the movie Under the Tuscan Sun - my roommates and I actually watched it before we went and it helped get a feel of the city a bit more!

Chianti Region (round 2)

We toured a castle that got turned into a vineyard and the grounds were so beautiful as well as the wines and food we tried!

Fresh Rosemary

Lemon Trees

Tried a Chianti & a Super-Tuscan - I approved of both! The salami & prosciutto were great too along with the olive oil we tried on the bread later.

Cantucci with Vin Santo

That's it for now, see you in the next post!