Travel & Truffles...

Hawaiian Style Shoyu Chicken Recipe

2013-01-30T21:58:00.000-05:00

ALOHA! Welcome to Hawaii! If only....

But shoyu Chicken is a Hawaiian dish! Shoyu means soy sauce in Japanese, but in Hawaii soy sauce is referred to as shoyu also. It requires some marinating, but that's the most time consuming thing about this recipe. You can grill this for the true island BBQ, or bake it in the oven, as I did. It is typically served over rice. There's many different versions of this, but this is the one I used because it was simple and flavorful. This is a super easy DELICIOUS dish. You can buy skinless thighs to be healthier, but personally, I think that's where the best flavor is! If you are missing the tropical islands (like I am), try this for a taste! And now, I'll let the photos speak for themselves...

INGREDIENTS

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup water

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root

1 tablespoon ground fresh pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)

1 teaspoon ground paprika (optional)

5 pounds chicken thighs

INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, garlic, onion, ginger, pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and paprika in a large bowl. Add the chicken thighs, and toss to evenly coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. The longer you marinate this, the better the flavor in the chicken.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over, and bake for another 30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Brush with sauce every 10 minutes during cooking.

MAHALO!

Sandy

Photos from Hawaii 2012

Sheng Wang, Chinatown NYC

2013-01-29T23:02:00.000-05:00

I LOVE CHINESE FOOD. I mean home-style, authentic, Chinese food. And luckily the Chinatown in New York has some of the best authentic Chinese food on this side of the world. I discovered Sheng Weng through what I think was, divine intervention. I get Yelp emails to my inbox because I love food! The email of the day was the best ramen spots. This instantly made me crave a big bowl of home-style ramen! This restaurant had amazing reviews so I had to trek downtown to try it for myself. From the outside, the place looks ordinary, much like the other Chinese shops in the area. But step down into a world of wonderful! Apparently I'm late on discovering this gem because it was pretty busy for dinner. But thankfully, the restaurant has plenty of seating. This place is unique because this place pulls their own noodles! They also make their wontons and dumplings - the old fashioned way - and right in front of you too! I ordered 12 steamed dumplings to start, which costed a few dollars, and it was so perfect! I ordered a bowl of beef noodle ramen and it was SO good! You can taste the freshness in every dish. The prices are cheap but the food is not cheap quality! This place is blows my mind for ramen! You just have to try it for yourself!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sheng-wang-new-york

Average Plate Prices

Hand-pulled noodles $4-6

Special Appetizers $2-4

Rice Plates $3-6

DIY: Terrarium

2013-01-24T17:09:00.002-05:00

I was inspired by Pinterest and Martha Stuart to create a terrarium. Mine didn't come out as nice as hers, but they are still cute! When you need a little greenery around the house, but want it to be low maintenance - these are perfect! I can't keep a plant alive to save my own life! So I am a fan of these little suckers - I mean succulents. You can buy the plants and dirt at Home Depot and the glasses and rocks from a craft store like Michael's or AC Moore. Make sure to put a few rocks on the bottom for water drainage. Then add the dirt, and decorate with more rocks on top. The aloe on the left eventually got so tall I had to move it to the tall glass vase on the right, and it still outgrew that. My advice for potting these... give them room to grow. Get a little dirty and have fun!

xoxo,

Sandy

Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

2013-01-24T15:40:00.000-05:00

I think ground meat is something that's always great to have in the refrigerator/freezer. Its easy to work with and versatile. But instead of making the same tacos and hamburgers again, mix it up with some Thai food! The flavors are so tasty and refreshing. This recipe uses turkey ground meat because I think its a little healthier. It also calls for some fish sauce, but don't worry, its not very pronounced. A lot of Asian foods have fish sauce, and you dont even realize. You can serve this by itself or over hot rice to make it a heartier meal. Give this a try and I guarantee that you'll love it!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

1/2 minced red onion

1/2 cup of red peppers in strips

1 1/4 pound ground white meat turkey

3 tablespoons fish sauce

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 juiced limes

1 bunch green onions, (thinly sliced)

2 red jalepenos, seeded, de-veined, and thinly sliced

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup chopped mint

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

lettuce leaves

cooked rice

Instructions

1) Heat canola oil over medium heat in a large non-stick skillet. Lightly sauté red onion until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes.

2) Add turkey and break apart with a spatula. Continue to cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any juice or fat and turn off the heat, cooling meat for 5 minutes.

3) Add fish sauce, soy sauce and lime juice to turkey and stir. Add the red peppers and continue to saute. Taste for seasoning then put in a serving bowl.

4) To serve, put 1/4 cup of meat in a lettuce leaf, then top with some green onions, jalapeno pepper slices, a pinch of cilantro and mint, and a sprinkle of peanuts. Serve with hot rice.

Danny Brown, Queens NY

2013-01-24T13:38:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite restaurants in my hometown of Forest Hills is Danny Brown. A Michelin recommended restaurant in Queens? Yeah, you bet! It is such a hidden gem tucked away on a small street. It gives you a Manhattan feel but with a local crowd. You'll see new and old families dining here as well as young trendsetters. The wine list is extensive, the food is always impeccable, and the service has never disappointed me. There is something for everybody here. As posted on their website, "Danny Brown... embodies the pleasures of a French wine bar, an Italian "Enoteca," and a Spanish Tapas bar, as well as that of a conventional restaurant." Below are some plates I have tried here - a cheese plate, steak, and confit of duck. Whenever I'm in my neighborhood, I try to have a meal here - reservation permitting! The wait can sometimes be long. But there is a reason why its always crowded, so the wait is worth it!

Danny Brown

Wine Bar and Kitchen

104-02 Metropolitan Ave.

Forest Hills, New York 11375

Brand Attire Casual to Business

Reservations Accepted and Recommended on Weekends

Stuffed Chicken Divan with a Sherry Dijon Sauce

2013-01-24T12:50:00.000-05:00

In my college years, I used to love to eat this frozen package of broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken by Barber Foods. I never liked to eat many frozen meals, but as a college student, this was a staple! It's better than ramen and pizza diet, right? I wanted to recreate this - but fresh - and assumingly, healthier. I found this great recipe from Food Network that is similar to my college memory. You can create own variation to this, such as stuffing it with spinach, skipping the dijon sauce or the cheese, etc. Any variation will taste amazing. Overall, I am very happy with this recipe. And yes, it's much tastier than the frozen version I loved in college. However, stuffing the chicken was more time-consuming than I realized. So if you want to give this recipe your best, just make sure you're not in a rush. Bon Appetite!

Total Time: 60 min

Prep : 30 min

Cook: 30 min

Ingredients

Cooking Spray

2 cups (4 ounces) fresh broccoli florets

1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Gruyere Cheese

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

4 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup low-fat evaporated milk (I skipped this)

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup dry sherry

1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

Instructions

1) Preheat the broiler and we will begin cooking broccoli first. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until bright green and crisp tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and run under cold water until cold. Drain well again and squeeze dry in paper towels. Chop the broccoli and toss in a bowl with the Gruyere and garlic.

2) Stuffing the Chicken - there are 2 methods to doing this. I choose the 2nd version, which I pulled from another recipe. Either way works!

Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of each chicken breast to make a 3-inch deep pocket. Stuff each chicken breast with equal amounts of broccoli.
Pound the chicken thin without creating any holes. Stuff each chicken breast with equal amounts of broccoli and then sew it closed with a toothpick.

Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with oil and thyme and season with salt and pepper.

3) Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. Put the chicken in the pan and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. If the chicken begins to brown too quickly, turn the heat down to medium to finish cooking through. Mist a shallow rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer to the baking dish and put in broiler.

4) Meanwhile, combine the milk and stock in a small pot, season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir the sherry and cornstarch until smooth and pour, whisking constantly, into the sauce. Cook until just thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan. Top each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of sauce and place under the broiler. Broil until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.

5) Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes and then cut each breast in half on an angle. (I served mine whole)

Nutritional analysis per serving

Calories 347; Total Fat 11g (Sat Fat 5.1g, Mono Fat 3.9g, Poly Fat 1.1g) ; Protein 50g; Carb 10g; Fiber 1g; Cholesterol 126.5mg; Sodium 433.5mg

Sprinkled with Parmesan Cheese

Topped with the Sherry Dijon Sauce

Served over Brown Rice

Sweet & Sour Chicken

2013-01-24T00:31:00.004-05:00

The thought just occurred to me that I should cook more Asian food. The ingredients are minimal, the flavors are delicious, and its so easy! This is one of my favorites and who doesn't love a stir-fry? Here is a super simple recipe for the next time you are in the mood for Asian food.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup broccoli
1/2 cup chopped carrots
4 teaspoons cornstarch, mixed with 4 teaspoons water
1 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained with 1/2 cup reserved juice
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tbsp chili garlic sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a large non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Season chicken cubes and add to pan. Brown chicken and remove to plate. Add the vegetables and stir-fry for a couple minutes. Stir in pineapple chunks, juice, sugar, vinegar and chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer until sauce begins to reduce. Stir in cornstarch mixture and bring liquid to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Serve over rice.

WD-50 - Molecular Gastronomy

2013-01-24T00:14:00.000-05:00

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS KIND

WD-50 is one of the Top 10 best Molecular Gastronomy restaurants in the world. It lives up to it's reputation because this was one of the most unique dining experiences of my life. Wylie Dufresne is the owner and one of the pioneer chefs of this "food-science" genre. This man is an absolute artist in his creation of all the dishes from the cooking methods to the styling. He was first made famous on Bravo TV, but his excellence has carried him beyond 15 minutes. The food is fascinating with its play on flavors and presentation. It is truly a cerebral food experience. After dinner, our table was graciously invited to tour the kitchen and I met the man himself creating the dishes! One wouldn't think the actual owner would be the person cooking all of the food, but he humbly said, "of course I'm cooking back here, my name is on the door." The entire kitchen is meticulous, very much like a laboratory. Overall, the food and experience was amazing, but not for everybody, especially if you prefer traditional "comfort" style food.

Turkey Ratatouille

2012-08-02T13:33:00.005-04:00

Ratatouille originated in the area around present day Occitan Provença (French: Provence) and Niça (French: Nice). The French touiller means to toss food. - Wikipedia

Although one of my favorite animated movies is Ratatouille, its not why I cooked this! I was in the mood to eat something really healthy with lots of vegetables and lean protein. I started browsing various online recipes and I found one for ratatouille. It seemed like Divine Intervention! Below is a little variation of my own recipe.

There is much debate on how to make a traditional ratatouille. One method is to simply sauté all of the vegetables together, which is what I did here. Some cooks, including Julia Child, insist on a layering approach, then baked in an oven. This recipe calls for the vegetable cubed, although you can do slices also. I think its a great summer dish because there's so much fresh vegetables involved. But at the same time. its also hearty. It is almost a stew - packed with flavor! Its so easy, you have to try it!

Total Time: 40 minutes

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutess

INGREDIENTS

3/4 pound turkey breast tenderloin, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

1/2 pound ground turkey

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Red pepper flakes (I like a lot)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups stir-fry bell peppers and onions

1 small eggplant cubed (2 cups)

1 medium zucchini, cubed (1 cup)

1 large potato, cubed (1 cup)

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Handful of fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

Sprinkle turkey with pepper.

Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook turkey chunks in oil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown. Saute ground turkey meat. Break it up when cooked.

Stir in stir-fry vegetables. Cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in eggplant and zucchini. Cook 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender. Season with red pepper flakes.

Stir in tomatoes; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is desired consistency. Sprinkle each serving with cheese and parsley.

Bon Appétit!

- Sandy

Happy 4th of July! I'm going to Canada!

2012-07-03T19:12:00.000-04:00

Flights to Europe were a little too expensive at the last minute on a holiday weekend. So to celebrate America's Independence Day... I'm going to Canada! On July 4th, Ill possibly be on a boat getting soaked under Niagara Falls. Then in the evening, I'll definitely be at the waterfalls, which will be illuminated and watching the fireworks. Then going through Toronto and will try to stand on the glass floors of the CN Tower. The rest of the trip will be wandering around old Montreal, getting lost in the city and soaking in the French culture. I'm nostalgic about Paris so I'm definitely looking forward to immersing myself among the French! Happy 4th!

1) NIAGARA FALLS

STOP 2) TORONTO

3) MONTREAL

Venice Day 2 - Last day in Italy!

2012-06-29T21:24:00.003-04:00

Last day in Italy... Bittersweet.

Got a good view of the city from the bell tower, enjoyed Italy's annual Carnival festivals in every city. The food and people were incredible! I'm glad this long trip is ending in Venice because it really is a magical city! Ended the trip with a gondola ride at dusk, which Ill post later. But I could definitely come back and sit by the water a little more but its time to go! Will definitely be coming back to Italy, but on the Amalfi Coast in the spring/summer.

GOOD BYE VENICE! ♥ UNTIL NEXT TIME!

Love Sandy

Island of Burano [ Color & Lace ]

2012-06-29T21:04:00.004-04:00

A hop, skip, and jump away is the island of Burano. There aren't enough words to describe how beautiful and unique this island is, so I will just let the photos speak for themselves. This is an island famous for its colorful buildings and its lace. Its so beautiful and unique and you simply cannot be in a bad mood on this island because its so happy and colorful! I absolutely love the photos of this island. This is a stop you can't miss!

Burano in Wikipedia

Murano, Italy [ Island of Glass-making ]

2012-06-22T13:25:00.001-04:00

The Hotel Ai Mori D'Oriente in Venice offered a complimentary taxi service to the nearby island of Murano. This island is the home of famous Murano or Venetian glass. Through the hotel, I was able to get a private demonstration of how glass is made and it was fascinating. The glass-maker was so talented and was able to make a whale and a case in a matter of minutes! After the tour, you walk through a glass museum and can purchase some of the most beautiful intricate glass pieces you can imagine. If you're visiting Venice, look into the tours offered by the island.

Murano in Wikipedia

The Taxis are so fancy in Venice - they're little mini luxury boats!

The glass making process - blow into the metal pipe, and then mold the glass with pliers

Bake in Oven and repeat the molding

So much pride

The finished glass product is so hot that when a paper touches it, it instantly ignites in flames.

Also serves as a lighter for cigarettes

Murano glass animals

Cherries

Murano Glassware

Its cold out!

Murano Glass Art on the Island

Venezia - Day 1 at Night

2012-06-05T22:03:00.001-04:00

If you thought Venice was beautiful in the daytime, it is even more charming at night. Its relatively safe, so dont be afraid to wander the streets and get lost. In fact, I encourage you to! You'll find lovers holding hands, hidden alley-ways and small canals, and local streets alive with bars and restaurants. An absolute must visit when I travel if its available is to go to Harry's Bar. Sure, its overpriced with its cocktails at 20 euros, but its an experience. And if you're going to splurge, you have to go to the Harry's Bar here because it originated in Venice. Dinner was at a local osteria by my hotel - Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente. I will say this - Tuscan food is so much better, but then again, you dont come to Venice for the food. You come to Venice to be in love! And at night, you will understand why Venice is considered the most romantic city in the world.

In front of Basilica di San Marco

Facade of Basilica di San Marco

Gondolas

One of the many charming alleys

Venice Carnival Masks - Just ended when I arrived!

Dusk

Gondolas Parked

Harrys Bar Cipriani

Inside Harry's Bar

Doge's Palace lit up at night

Venice streets at night

Dinner at a Al 40 Ladroni

Shrimp Polenta

Home-made Gnocchi with Crab Meat

Venezia - Day 1

2012-06-05T21:32:00.001-04:00

I was on the Trenatalia from Florence to Venice, when suddenly the train tracks were suddenly surrounded by water. At that moment, I knew I landed somewhere magical.

To get around, you will need a "Vaporetto Pass" for the water buses. They allow for unlimited travel for the time period purchased - 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours etc. And like New York City's train system, they run almost constantly. However, they run on the large canals surrounding the lagoon, and can't fit in the narrow and shallow canals through the local streets. That's what the Gondolas are for. The most famous square is San Marco and that's where you will spend most of your time, happily. There is not much to sight-see, you just sit along the canal, get lost in the labyrinthes of streets, and enjoy the views.

The Rialto Bridge - the oldest bridge in Venice, the first of only four bridges to span the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge is lined with shops and is a gateway to the Rialto Market.

Gondolas Parked

On the Vaporetto or Water Bus

Doge's Palace, the Campanile and the Basilica

Piazza San Marco

The View

Along the Canal

Ponte dei Sospiri or "Bridge of Sighs." Though it looks highly ornamental, it transported prisoners to their cells for execution. They would sigh after looking through the narrow windows where they got their last views of Venice.

Gondeliers at dusk - the best time to go on a gondola ride.

Old Doors have history

The Shadows of Doge's Palace at dusk

Zodiac Tower Designer Store

Last night in Florence. Dinner at Acqua Al 2

2012-05-15T22:09:00.003-04:00

In the States, there are weeks that go by without me feeling a need to drink coffee. But whenever I'm in Europe, I am suddenly drinking cappuccinos twice a day! There is nothing more satisfying than breaking up the day of sightseeing than unwinding in a coffee shop, people-watching, and finding relief in seeing the bottom of the cup. So the evening began the same way the morning began... with a cup of cappuccino.

Sadly, tonight is the last night in Florence. This is such an incredible city and is my all-time favorite city, rivaling Paris. Dinner had to be especially special tonight and I've always wanted to try Acqua Al 2 from hearing how great the restaurant is from people who have ate here. They have 3 restaurants in the world - Florence, San Diego, and their newest one in Washington DC. The food was very delicious and would highly recommend this restaurant. The downside was the wait time for a table because this place is VERY popular. However, the maître d' was very accommodating. He gave us patrons a glass of Prosecco while we waited. How nice right? To get a sample of everything and to make things easy, I would highly recommend getting the chef's tasting menu. The pasta tasting menu consisted of 5 pasta dishes. One pasta dish after another kept coming out, which made me very happy. The entree tasting was of both of their famous, world-renowned steaks - blueberry and balsamic. I personally like balsamic steak better because it isn't as sweet as the blueberry. But they are famous for both steaks, so regardless, you have to try both! Dessert was a tiramisu (my fav). The tiramisu is like a pudding here, and was very delicious. Overall, this restaurant was a great experience, and if I'm ever in San Diego or Washington, I'd eat here again to take me back to Florence, Italy... if only for a few hours.

Acqua Al 2

Via della Vigna Vecchia, 40 50122 Florence, Italy
055 284170

Pisa, Italy. A day trip from Florence

2012-05-12T19:13:00.000-04:00

From Florence, you have the option of taking a couple day trips. I really wanted to go to Cinque Terre, which is 5 towns built on a coastal cliff-top. However, all the locals advised not to go because it was winter, the town was unfortunately flooded, and the trails were closed. Instead, I ended up venturing to Pisa, which I do not regret for a second! Words cannot describe the awe that struck me when I finally turn the corner of the street and see this tower actually leaning over!!! Obviously, I knew what to expect after seeing this is countless photographs, but it still did not prepare me to see this sight in person. The tower looks unreal, and its shocking to me how it hasn't fallen over yet! It truly is one the the world's most famous and precarious architectural feats.

Here's what I learned about the tower mostly while eavesdropping on a tour group. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually a bell tower. Work on the ground floor of the white marble campanile began on August 8, 1173 and construction continued in three stages across 177 years. And of course, the infamous question - Why does it lean? The architects failed to realize was that the soil was unstable. After the first three stories were constructed, the ground began to sink, and the tower began to lean. Restoration is continually ongoing to stabilize it. This took my breath away and I felt like a kid seeing this. It still shocks me to this day.

The grounds of the tower are beautiful with its luscious green lawn, which everyone kept sneaking on to take a "propping up the tower" photo despite all the "keep off grass" signs. There is the Piazza del Duomo, dating from 1063. The first thing you notice upon walking up to the Duomo is the details in the bronze doors. Inside, it feels like a gallery housing several statues and important at works, all under a sixteenth century gorgeous wood ceiling. It reminds me of the Siena Cathedral with its striped marble, gothic architecture and the center marble pulpit. There is also the baptistry, a round white-marble building. Also inside are also some impressive statues.

Lunch was at La Buca. In my travel book, it was dubbed "a popular spot in the heart of Pisa. Buca draws the crowds to its pleasant terrace and the set-price lunch menu, which offers Tuscan cuisine at a reasonable price." Again, so hard to find a bad meal in Tuscany. Everything was delicious. If you ever find yourself in Pisa - go here. Pisa overall was such an incredible trip and my second favorite stop, next to Florence. I have what I think are some of the best photos here!!! Enjoy them below!

Yes it really looks like this!

Entering the gates...

In fronf of the Duomo and Leaning Tower

Love this place!

Amazing!

Bruschetta

Fresh Pizza

Fresh pasta

Interior of La Buca

Detailed bronze doors

The interior marble reminds me of Siena Cathedral

Marble Pulpit

Lavish ceilings

Gallery of artwork inside

Gelato Break!

Details of my outfit

Back to Florence

Florence Day 2 Dinner at Ristorante Il Latini

2012-05-05T17:53:00.000-04:00

This is a restaurant that is hard to find and located in an obscure street. It took forever to find. A lot of locals hadn't even heard of the street. Finally, I smartened up! Instead of asking, "dove via del palchetti?" I asked, "dove il Latini?" and immediately, the local faces lit up and they knew! Once the restaurant decides to reveal itself to you, you'll see how busy it is! From the store front, you can see whole prosciutto hams hanging from the ceiling. And it didn't gross me out the way it does back in the States! It was quite beautiful - like art work. (I would never describe meat hanging as art work by the way!) There is no menu here. No prices. Only specials of the day. You come in and plates of food start coming to your table. The waiter will ask if you want house wine - say yes (very good). They will give you a carafe of delicious red wine. Then they'll ask if you want antipasto. If you say yes, they will bring you an assortment of cured meats and bread. Then once you're done with that, they'll ask if you want the primi piatti, which consists of pasta - ravioli or gnocchi. Both are hand made and delicious. Then they ask you what you'd like for secondi, which is a meat extravaganza. You can choose chicken, steak, pork, lamb, etc. The veal* chop is excellent. By now you know the ritual. They ask if you want dessert. If you're completely stuffed by the endless plates at this point as I was, you will politely decline the dessert. But the waiters will still bring out Moscato or a Vin Santo and a sampling of several pastries, cakes, and almond biscotti. Very good! When you ask for the check, the waiter simply looks at what you ate and how much you drank, and will hand you back a tab. It is reasonably priced and quite the experience.

Ristorante Il Latini

Via dei Palchetti, 6/r 50123 Florence, Italy
055 210916

Florence Day 2 - Campanile, Uffizi, Piazza de Michelangelo

2012-05-05T11:26:00.000-04:00

"Buon giorno Firenze!" This morning I tackled scaling all 414 steps of the Campanile known as Giotto's Bell Tower. The spiral staircase is so narrow that you have to stop at the top or bottom of a flight to let people pass you in the opposite direction! I definitely felt like I wanted to faint at times because the stairs seem never-ending and the wind and cold was unbearable (this is February after all). But once you get to the top, it is so rewarding! You have views of all of Florence and an incredible one of the Duomo. If the lines aren't long, this is worth it.

Since Florence is the cradle of the renaissance, the Uffizi Gallery is home to some of the world's greatest art collection. Here I got to see my favorite painting of all time in person - The Birth of Venus by Botticelli. The painting is beautiful with its soothing colors, feminine elements, and romanticism. After getting lost in the museum, I went to the San Lorenzo Street Market. Florence is well known for leather, so try to pick up something leather. I saw so many gorgeous handbags and jackets, but walked away with a pink leather wallet and some souvenir novelties. Have cash on hand, but I noticed some stands do take credit cards (surprisingly). As with any crowded foreign place, beware of pick-pocketers, since its common here. And be prepared to haggle.

Lunch was at a random trattoria called Mastrociliegia. The prices were fair and the food was good! Im finding out its hard to pick a bad place to eat in Florence. Every where you go, Tuscan food is amazing. At dusk, I already knew the place where I wanted to be and that's the Piazza de Michelangelo. This is a little far outside the city so my best advice would be, take a cab! Especially if you're trying to catch sunset like I was. Its a square built on a hilltop and you get a panoramic view of all of Florence while being away from it. Take some time to appreciate the piazza itself. Dedicated to Michelangelo, it has a replica of the David Statue, amongst other works of art. This is one site you'd be foolish to miss. And even if you're not frozen as I was, end the night with a little cappuccino.

Giotto's Bell Tower

One of the small windows from the Bell Tower

Duomo

View of Piazza Republica from the Campanile

Birth of Venus by Botticelli c. 1486

San Lorenzo Market

Santa Maria Novella by SMN Station

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Painter at Piazza Michelangelo

View from Piazza Michelangelo

Florence Day 1 Dinner at Trattoria Pandemonio

2012-04-27T16:45:00.001-04:00

Il suo tempo per la cena! = Its time for dinner!

Luckily i didnt have to do too much research of restaurants in Firenze since John knew the city like the back of his hand. Obviously, if you go to Florence, you have to try their bistecca fiorentina, and this restaurant was the perfect place to have it. If you go here, order their signature appetizer - called pandemonio, which comes out with 8 different plates of various things to pick at like peppers, eggplant, quinoa, etc. It almost seemed like it would never end. I also really developed a love for artichokes in Italy. It is in everything - in the pasta, on the pizza, on the bruschetta, on the side of the entree, everywhere! I don't love fried foods, but peeling off the crispy petals off a fried artichoke is so delicious! And the bistecca fiorentina - wow! So flavorful! They first show the meat to you raw on a wooden slab first to make sure you like the cut and the marbling and when you approve it, they grill it to perfection. Hands down - amazing. And of course, when in Italy, you have to have tiramisu. The one served here is delicious. As you can see from the photo, It wasn't layered like a classic tiramisu and it was mostly mascarpone - but it was one of the best I've ever had.

Trattoria Pandemonio

via del leone 50/r firenze

Florence Day 1 - La Dolce Vita

2012-04-27T15:59:00.001-04:00

Goodbye Siena! Its time for Florence (the best portion of the trip!) I had a pre-booked train ticket to go to Florence from Siena via Trenatalia, but I learned by talking to the locals at the station that taking an express bus to Florence is faster, leaves more often, and is a more comfortable ride. You bet its a better idea to take the bus! I arrived in Florence at the time that I would just be leaving the Siena station by train. It was so worth the 10 euro - definitely recommend this! The first must-see sight was the Florence Cathedral and the Duomo. It dominates the Florence skyline with its the russet-domed cathedral, with its pretty façade in green, pink, and white marble. Go inside the Sante Croce to see the burial tombs of history's greatest renaissance men - Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo, Galileo among others. The baptistery is defined by its gold doors. Dante and the Medicis were baptized here. Dont miss the Accademia Gallery, which has a replica of The David by Michelangelo outside among other beautiful statues.

Lunch was at Trattoria del Gatto e La Volpe, a family-feel restaurant. You get fresh ingredients and large portions for a very modest price. I went to the Medici Riccardi palace after. The Medicis were a powerful family that ruled Florence. Their chapel was a symbol of their power and wealth. Next door is the Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of the oldest churches in Florence. It's a nice sanctuary to visit if you want some peace and quiet to break up any craziness of your day sight-seeing. At dusk, I walked along the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone bridge that connects the banks of Florence. It's filled with these old shops that when closed, the store front looks like an old wooden treasure trunk. It doesn't feel like you re on a bridge at all, but rather a street of shops! Its beautiful and iconic in any photo of Florence. Finished up the day with some sweets - the perfect way to end the day.

Florence Cathedral

Florence Baptistry

The doors of the Battistero of San Giovanni

Sante Croce - Danti Aligherio's Tomb

Piazza della Repubblica

David in Piazza della Signoria

Palazzo Vecchio

Osteria il gatto e la volpe

Magi Chapel in Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Basilica di San Lorenzo

The Basilica di San Lorenzo Cloister Garden

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Jewelry Shops at Ponte Vecchio Bridge

A copy of David in Piazza della Signoria

Siena - Dinner at Enoteca I Terzi

2012-04-25T18:44:00.004-04:00

This was one of the best restaurants I tried in Italy. One thing about me - I do a very thorough research before I travel to make sure I'm seeing the best and especially... eating the best. At the first bite, I instantly knew Tuscan cuisine would be 100 times better than Roman food. Don't get me wrong - the pizza in Rome was good, but this is on a whole other level! This restaurant is frequently changing their menu to whatever is fresh for that day. They have an extensive handmade pasta list and main course options including sucking pig. I got there around 6pm or so and the restaurant was closed (I guess for Siesta). I waited around 2 hours just for it to open. And it was well worth the wait! The Pasta special of the day was penne with ricotta and radicchio and the meat special was straccetti with artichoke and potatoes. Both were amazing! I also tried this heavenly artichoke-stuffed puff pastry that was quite possibly the best thing I ever ate. The other entree I tried was suckling pig that was pretty good also. If you're ever in Siena, go here! But Ill let the photos speak for themselves... Tuscany is off to a VERY good start!

Enoteca I Terzi

Via dei Termini, 7 53100 Sienna, Italy
0577 44329

Siena - Cathedral and Piazza Del Campo

2012-04-25T17:32:00.001-04:00

This morning, I traveled from Rome to Siena on Trenatalia and made it a stop for the night before moving on to Florence. I was interested in Siena because it is the embodiment of a medieval city. I stayed at Hotel Italia and it was perfect. The breakfast was amazing, the room was clean, and the staff was friendly. The location was 5 minutes from the main transportation hub in Siena, but a nice 20 minute walk to town. I immediately went into town to the Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horse races take place. Its amazing how this piazza gets turned into a dirt race track. It is so small and I can clearly see why this is considered, a very dangerous race. Clearly, I missed the Carnival celebration here, because there was confetti all over the floor of the Piazza. I always hate arriving just when the party ends! I feel like throughout Italy so far, I've always missed the Carnival celebration! Of course I had to see the famous Siena Cathedral and it was the most beautiful Church in all of Italy. The interior is so opulent and of gothic architecture. It was built to be grander than the one in Rome, and I think it succeeded. It rivals the beauty of Gaudi's Sagrada de Familia in Barcelona for me. It also blows my mind how much money and power the church had when you're inside a structure like this. You cannot miss this! Overall, this town is what you would picture when you think of a medieval city. It is desolate and very hilly so be prepared to hike! Despite that, this town was very charming. Its perfect for a couple that just wants to relax and drink wine through Tuscany.

Piazza Del Campo

Carnivale Celebration

Gelato Italiano

One of the many hills and alleys in Siena

Siena Cathedral

Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture.

The hexagonal dome is topped with Bernini's gilded lantern like a golden sun.

Medieval Architecture

The pulpit is made of Carrara marble and was sculpted between the end of 1265 and November 1268

The Main Alter

Siena - A medieval hilly countryside town

Last Day in Rome - Piazza Campidoglio & Campo Dei Fiori

2012-04-23T19:39:00.000-04:00

Sadly, this is my last full day in Rome! It went by so quick! It was a little of a rainy day, but luckily, it wasn't heavy enough to stop me from sight-seeing (not that it would have anyway!). At this point, I've done everything on my list for Rome, except for... of course.. shopping! But its okay, because the Porta Portese flea market is only open on Sundays! (I plan well). I took advantage of the Roma Pass I purchased by taking the bus along the Tiber river to the very end of the line to get here. It is swamped with people buying really cool items from jewelry, antiques, clothing , shoes etc. But be careful of your belongings because of pick-pocketers! I ended up walking away with an Indian Silver spiky necklace before it started pouring! So back on the bus I went. From there I went to Campo Dei Fiori, which is like a farmer's/food market. I'm sure it is much nicer in the morning, but it seemed like most of the stands were closed already. However, the walk around this area is amazing. One thing I love about Rome is the ruins everywhere! You can walk in the street alongside ruins that are centuries old. Lunch was at Vinando, which I highly recommend. It eventually got really packed, even though its located in a hidden alley - always a good sign. After that, I once again used the Roma Pass for free admission to the Musei Capitolini in Piazza Campidoglio. There are a lot of statues in there that are worth seeing - like this giant Zeus looking one. The last night in Rome, I hopped around grabbing drinks at various bars and ordered osso bucco and the house wine for dinner and it was the perfect way to leave this Ancient City.

Rome Day 2 - Castle & Carnivale

2012-04-22T23:08:00.004-04:00

After the Vatican, I headed to the ancient castle that's a few minutes away. In fact, it was built so close because there is a secret passageway that leads from inside the Vatican walls to the castle walls to protect the Pope in case he faces any danger. The views are one of the best in Rome and its worth it to climb to the top. I timed it to be here at sunset, and got the best view of the sun setting over Rome. After, I walked long the Tiber river to Piazza del Popolo (the People's Square) just to sight see. By luck, I caught the very end of Roma Carnivale! There was a horse show, flame throwers, dancers, and it was just one big festival. I wish I came sooner, but even watching the ending was magical.