There are a lot of new cafes and restaurants opening up in Florence lately which is really exciting as most of them are offering really good food!  One place that you must visit is Tuscan Bites, located a few steps from Piazza Santa Croce.  I found out about this place offering authentic Tuscan ‘bites’  from my lovely friend and Chef Arturo Dori who has been responsible for setting up the kitchen and collaborating with Monica Balli, the mastermind behind this new concept of Tuscan ‘fast food’.  Monica Balli is no stranger to the hospitality industry having worked for many years as an event organiser and caterer for some of the biggest and innovative events for celebrities in Italy and Hollywood.  Her philosophy is simple:

“Our passion for traditional Tuscan food weds innovation.  Created by us every day for you, with selected and trackable ingredients, served in eco-sustainable sets.  A healthy Tuscan habit that is tasty and quick with no compromise.”

The menu is simple and authentic respecting the Tuscan tradition by using only the freshest of ingredients in season.  Pop past in the morning and choose between a Budino di Riso,  a Ciambellone filled with Nutella or maybe you just want a slice of bread with butter and jam.  For lunch, try the hand-made pasta or if you are like me, you wont be able to resist the coccoli with fresh prosciutto and stracchino!  Another thing that I love about the menu is the ‘Merenda’.  Translated, meaning snack,  choose from the typical Florentine mid-afternoon snack of Pane, Burro e Acciughe / Bread with Butter and Anchovies or Pane e Nutella!  I know which ones my boys would choose!  If you feel like desert then you are in for a tough decision!  There are three choices of Tiramisù to choose from and also Arturo’s signature dish, Crema alle Mele, (available during May & June only)  spiced apples baked with custard cream and sugar and served slightly warm.

breakfast or merenda

lunch

desert

The kitchen is open so you can see your meal being prepared as soon as you place your order and everything is served on biodegradable and disposable plates and cutlery but if you eat in, you will be able to enjoy your wine out of a actual glass.  Their philosophy and use of local organic foods or OGM free certified is something they are very proud of;

“The selection of all our ingredients bases itself, first of all on the reliability of the company and its owner. The meats, the milk products, the eggs are all certified and controlled with a strict italian certified trackable origin.”

 

 

 

 

Via Dell’Anguillara 37/r

50122 – Firenze – Italy

Tel. +390550464760

Buon Appetito!