In our class, we made Italian dinner and dessert crepes (delicious). The chefs were quite handsome and very entertained by our initial fumbling in the kitchen. At the end of the evening, the chefs invited Katie and me to stay for a glass of wine, which of course we did. After a few hours of slowly cleaning the kitchen and brushing up our Italian, we made our way home full and smiley.
But a few days later, in my humble kitchen, I decided to tackle spaghetti al pomodoro e basilico and bistecca alla griglia, a Florentine specialty. Both turned out better than expected and my bruschetta was rather tasty. I am logging away all of these culinary gems in hopes of sharing these newly acquired skills with everyone back home.
I've noticed an unavoidable pattern of food-based posts, but it seems that food has been the focus since I've arrived. From the adjustments we've made--paying to sit or paying for water-- to the surprises we've discovered--friendly family-owned restaurants where the service is incredible-- meals have been the center point for much of my learning. Since I've arrived, restaurants have been one of the best windows into Italian culture.
Two places that have permanent places in my memory so far are Il Cantinone and I Che C'e' C'e'. Il Cantinone was one of our first sit down, full-course meals. We had read about it in one of our travel books and the experience was interesting if nothing else. We walked down a set of stairs into a little front room where we spoke to the host who asked us if we'd like wine while we waited. We kindly declined the wine and sat to wait. Less that a minute later another host came around the corner with four full glasses. Once we sat, starving and excited, we began to order... so much food that the waiter stopped us. Our first course, three different pastas for the table to share, was an adventure in itself. We ordered a seafood pasta that had what we were convinced had to be models from the movie Alien. When the server brought the second course, he accidentally spilled some steak juice on my pants. I wasn't nearly as worried as he was, but he rushed me into the next room and quickly sprayed a mystery substance on my pants and handed me a giant scrubber brush. At the end of the meal, after we had paid our check, we were sitting and chatting when the server brought over dessert wine and biscotti. We all looked up and he replied, "don't look at me weird," and scurried away. So, not the perfect meal, but by far an excellent group of people and an gorgeous dining room tucked away in a cosy wine cellar.
It would be hard for any restaurant in Florence to compete with I Che C'e' C'e'. Gino Noci, the owner, and his wife are not only the sweetest people I've come across in Florence, but they serve a mouth-watering dinner. From the moment I walk in, I feel like a special guest. Having only met Gino twice now, I am eager to go back again and again. The warm, friendly atmosphere makes every meal feel like he's prepared it just for you. And let's not forget, the food is great! He serves little deep-fried appetizers as a salty, crunchy start to the evening. The spaghetti al pomodoro is fresh and perfect. Everything that comes from his grill is mouth-watering. And, let's just say, you can't leave without a taste of 'Caterina de' Medici' (a chocolate flan with strawberries, that I'd personally kill for) and their panna cotta that Gino's wife will happily prepare right at the table. Gino and his wife are a delight, and the limoncello is always perfect. If you are hoping to experience a one of a kind, personal taste of Florence, I Che C'e' C'e' is it.
So, I have shared all of my culinary knowledge for now. Perhaps I will find another topic for blogging over the next few days... Until then, I'll be eating with the best of them.
