La Cantinetta
Where? La Cantinetta (Florence, Italy) Map
When? Tuesday April 4, 2017
Who? Me
Food Style? Italian
I'm dying for a Florentine steak. However today I learned that the famous bistecca alla florentine is a massive 1kg T-bone designed to be shared. What a bombshell. I need to find a steak place that doesn't serve only bistecca alla florentine, so TripAdvisor has recommended this place right next to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, which is an indication it's probably going to be pricey and touristy. Oh well. I'm desperate. Their menu of the day has chicken liver pâté on crostini for entree and a steak for mains, so it's a done deal.
Antipasto
Crostini Toscani ai Fegatini - chicken liver pâté on toasted bread
The crostini is good but definitely inferior to last night's. The salad kinda cheapens the dish, it didn't quite feel like it was in place. The pâté was decent though.
Secondo Piatto
Costata alla Fiorentina con Patate Arrosto - beef steak with roast potatoes
The steak arrives and it's big! The first thing I notice is that though I've asked for medium rare, the fat has not been rendered at all, so it's completely gross and inedible. The steak itself is okay, nothing really outstanding about it. It's lacking flavour, it would have been good with a garlic or wine sauce. The roast potatoes are soggy like they've been microwaved, not crispy at all. And there's that cheap salad on the side again.
Disappointing :( Damn you, stupid TripAdvisor reviewers.
Posted by Jeremy at 9:36pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments :: 
Osteria I Riffaioli
Where? Osteria I Riffaioli (Florence, Italy) Map
When? Monday April 3, 2017
Who? Me
Food Style? Italian
I am at an Italian restaurant where there is no trace of English. This place has been highly rated as one of those places that the locals go to, and I know I'm in for a treat. The lovely lady in charge of the restaurant tries her best to explain what every item on the menu is, and it's overwhelming to take in but in the end I use Google Translate to do most of the work. I've gone for the grigione and the magretto, even though I don't know what they are. I do however recognise a few words: Toscana (Tuscan), crostini, arancio (orange), spinaci (spinach). I've also accidentally ordered a quarter carafe of wine.
Appetizer
Grigone al Taglio con Crostoni Toscani
The grigione comes out. I have hit the jackpot - it's liver pâté and I love it. It's so rich and tasty, and goes so well with the salty cured meat. It's not like prosciutto, it's much harder, almost nearing jerky toughness. When the crostini is done, I move onto the complimentary bread and douse it with olive oil - and the olive oil TASTES like olives!! - to finish the rest of the meat. So good. I am halfway through the carafe and I should slow down.
Secondo Piatto
Magretto d'Anatra all'Arancio con Spinaci Croccanti
The wooden board with the grigione is taken away and quickly replaced with a plate of duck, orange and spinach. First bite - mind blown. Absolutely beautiful meat, cooked perfectly so that it's still slightly pink, and a wonderful orange zestiness coming through without being too sweet. I love that they've included the rind in the dish, and with the onion, it's made an excellent sauce that I am soaking up with the bread. I can't stop smiling because I am enjoying this so much. And I am also getting quite smashed off the wine.
Dessert
Tiramisu
With such a homely feel, I have to have the tiramisu. It's excellent and the perfect way to finish off such a memorable meal. Molto bene!
Posted by Jeremy at 8:54pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments ::
La Grotta
Where? La Grotta (Riomaggiore, Italy) Map
When? Sunday April 2, 2017
Who? Me
Food Style? Italian
I'm so tired after walking the whole day and I just want food, and I want it quick so I can catch the sunset of my final day in Cinque Terre. I've gone for the seafood spaghetti with the intent to have a tiramisu for dessert. Probably no alcohol for me today.
Primo Piatto
Spaghetti with mixed seafood
The plate arrives and the food is wrapped in tinfoil. Interesting! I've got seen this done on MKR before and it was a disaster. This however is not too bad. There's a lot of seafood - clams, mussels, prawns, squid - but I wish there was a nice sauce that went with it, especially as the bread is doing nothing by itself. I don't like that I have to peel the prawns too, but I do like they kept the prawn heads in. Definitely the weakest meal I've had in Italy, but it wasn't unenjoyable. Can the tiramisu save the meal?
Dessert
Tiramisu
It's also okay. It's been drowned in so much liquor that the sponge disintegrates in my mouth. But it tastes fine. Not the best way to end my time here, but I've had a good run in Riomaggiore.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:48pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments ::
Veciu Muin
Where? Veciu Muin (Riomaggiore, Italy) Map
When? Saturday April 1, 2017
Who? Me
Food Style? Italian
Don't ask me to pronounce the name of this restaurant.
It's less than 100m away from my accommodation, and I spent the whole day just chilling out and taking a break since it was a little rainy. I spot a few interesting things on their menu - swordfish! The last time I had swordfish would have probably been in San Francisco at Fisherman's Wharf.
Antipasto
Bruschettona pâtéd'olive - large bruschetta with olive pâté
I've got the house white and a large plate of olive pâté bruschetta to start with. The bruschetta isn't as crispy as it should be and in essence it just feels like toast, but the olive pâté is exquisitely salty and nicely seasoned with a sprinkling of herbs.
Secondo Piatto
Pesce Spada alla griglia con rucola e pomodorini - grilled swordfish with rocket and cherry tomatoes
The swordfish comes out. It's tasty and seasoned well, perhaps slightly overcooked, but I love the sautéed red onion on the side. The olive oil, bread, fish and lemon juice combo makes this is a satisfying meal.
Dessert
Bicchierino di Sciacchetra e Cantuccini - Glass of Sciacchetra wine and Tuscan biscuits
I spot the famous Cinque Terre sciacchetra (shah-ket-tra) dessert wine on the menu so that is a definite pick too. Oh my goodness it's good. Not too sweet, has a slight orange peel taste, matches perfectly with the biscotti on the side. It has a memorable golden colour, very reminiscent of the beautiful sunsets that the area is known for. I am well and truly smashed.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:39pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments ::
Il Grottino
Where? Il Grottino (Riomaggiore, Italy) Map
When? Friday March 31, 2017
Who? Me
Food Style? Italian
It's back to the coast and seafood is on the menu. Riomaggiore is a small town that is mostly just tourists, so I imagine the food here can be hit and miss. Nothing like a bit of food adventuring! I'm not too hungry so I've gone for something simple.
Secondo Piatto
Calamari e Seippie alla Griglia con Insalata Mista - grilled squid and cuttlefish with mixed salad
It is damn tasty. It's well seasoned, perhaps slightly overcooked but the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice on the salad makes this an excellent, simple meal with great ingredients. Just what I needed.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:27pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments ::