Taste is back in town from March 7 to 9, along with the citywide food event, Fuori di Taste, and both are bigger than ever to celebrate 10 years of the Florentine food festival. Here’s our top 10 of Fuori di Taste. For the full listing, see theflr.net/fuoriditaste2015.
1. MozzarellaThe mozzarella bar par excellence, Obicà Firenze (via de’ Tornabuoni 16), takes cheese to another level at lunch and dinner on March 5, 6 and 7, showcasing 10 Italian producers in special dishes. For more information, call 055 2773526 or e-mail tornabuoni@obica.com. Price: 35 euro.
2. MortadellaTry a mortadella tasting menu on March 5 and 7 at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro (lungarno Acciaiuoli 80R), with ingredients from Macelleria Mannori in Prato and Venetian seafood producer Orizzonti del Pescatore. For more information, call 055 290423 or e-mail fabio@ilborro.it or andrea@ilborro.it. Price: 12 euro per dish.
3. CocktailsOn March 3, 4, 5 and 6, slip on your dancing shoes and head to the lobby of Four Seasons Florence for an evening of 1930s and 1940s cocktails and dancing. Mixologist Luca Angeli creates retro-style cocktails using natural liqueurs from Liguria. For more information, call 055 2626450 or e-mail ilpalagio@fourseasons.com. Price: 15 euro.
4. Street partyOn March 6, from 6 to 8pm, borgo Ognissanti goes all out with cheese, chocolate, cake and wine tasting at Kartell and Tela Lintea. On March 7, the street party continues throughout the day at Galletti Shop and Vinoutlet, with cake, cheese, wine and beer tastings. For information, call 055 288237 or e-mail telalintea@yahoo.com. Free event.
illustration by Trinity Mitchell
5. GinGet some ‘ginspiration’ on March 6 at Ditta Artigianale (via dei Neri 32R) with more than 100 types of gin from all over the world. Keep a clear head by tucking into some tapas. For more information, call 055 2741541 or e-mail info@dittaartigianale.it. Price: depending on tasting.
6. Food circusWhen the food designers and architects of Food Circus hit the bookshop Todo Modo on March 7, fire-eaters, weight lifters and dancing elephants will all be part of the fun. Sweet treats offered by Pasticceria Avidano from Piedmont. For more information, call 0552399110 or e-mail libreria@todomodo.org. Free event.
7. TeaIf all the food action gets too much, have a relaxing cup of tea at the Odeon Bistrò (piazza Strozzi 8R) from 7 to 9pm on March 7. Fine Dammann Frères teas will be served with decadent Domori chocolate. For more information, see www.odeonbistro.it. Free event.
8. Gluten-freeTake part in the food challenge at Ristorante Quinoa (vicolo S. Maria Maggiore 1) on March 7 at 7pm as Florence’s most famous street food, lampredotto, takes on the kebab. For more information, call 055 290876 or email info@ristorantequinoa.it. Price: 15 euro.
9. OrganicStock up on organic ingredients at the Ortobello zero food mile market on March 8 from 9am to 4pm in the courtyard at Riccardo Barthel in via dei Serragli 234R. For more information, email francesco@riccardobarthel.it. Entrance is free.
10. PastaFlorence’s food place of the moment, Mercato Centrale, adds to this year’s Fuori di Taste events on March 8, at 7pm, with a live jam session by Don Pasta, a unique mixture of food and music. For more information, email eventi@mercatocentrale.it. Free event.
