Last Supper

These pictures were taken from the last night that everyone was in Florence. It was such a nice night celebrating being done with finals and saying goodbye to Florence. We went to Osteria Santo Spirito and I got ravioli with walnut cream sauce. Studying in Florence was the best experience of my life, I know it's cliche, but people say it for a reason! Being home is nice, but I miss all of my new friends and I can't wait to visit Italy again.

Buon Natale!

It seems almost overnight that Florence has turned into a winter wonderland. The streets are lined with lights, there is a tree in front of the duomo and men selling roasted chestnuts on every street corner. I thought I was going to miss Christmas time in New York, but Italy is just as good! Tonight is my last night in Florence, and parting with this beautiful city is bittersweet. On the one hand I get to go home to my loved ones, but I really will miss all the magic of Florence. I know I'll be back sooner or later!

Eating my way through Florence

With the time winding down, I've just been chowing down. The food speaks for itself:

1 & 2. Turkey, brie, spicy sauce and roast onions, Antico Noe

3. Stuffed chicken, mozzarella, rose sauce, Antico Noe

4. Cappuccino and chocolate croissant Il Magnifico

5. Pizza with anchovies and capers, Gusta Pizza

6. Cranberry and brie grilled cheese, Homemade

7. Nachos, Ristorante Messicano Tijuana

8. Chicken and spicy sausage quesadillas, Ristorante Messicano Tijuana

9, 10, 11. Dough rolled in cinnamon sugar, Santa Croce Christmas Markets

12. Truffle gnocchi, Osteria Santo Spirito

13. Mac & Cheese with peas and bacon, Homemade

Best panino Italiano in the World!

These pictures are from two days ago when I had the ultimate day of gluttony! I had class for three hours at the academia, took the bus up to campus, had class, walked for an hour down to Florence, ate so much, had more class, took the bus back up to campus for the art show and then walked home! I was exhausted, but enough of that...food time. I had THE BEST sandwiches of my life at this tiny place called Semel, located in the least touristy part of Florence. It was recommended by my Italian teacher as the best panini in Florence, but I think he undersold it! The first panino I got had wild boar with polenta and olives. It was so simple, but amazingly delicious. Then Caroline and I split two more panini. The first had duck breast and orange and the second was herring with pecorino cheese. I wanted to savor each bite, but I ate it all so fast! Their popular panino has donkey, but they were out of it by the time I got there...guess I'll have to go back!

Then we went to Il Pizzaiolo and split a pizza four ways since my teacher also recommended it. THEN...immediately after that we met up with my teacher and the rest of our Italian class to get gelato at a place called Dario's. I would never be able to find it again, it's such a tiny bar (not even a gelateria) in the middle of no where. Dario, who we met, makes all the gelato himself using his own ingredients and an old-school process that still involves eggs! It was like eating a piece of cake it was so thick! I'm still recovering from all that amazing food in such a short time.