Foodie In Florence: One Small Bite For Foodie Kind

I woke up this morning excited to follow my "Foodie Itinerary" for Florence in my Fodors travel guide. Then I remembered the last stop of my adventure would take me to the Central Market where I'd be chowing down on a boiled cow intestine sandwich...I very quickly lost my appetite.

Trying to keep my mind off what would be my lunch, I grabbed my guidebook and walked across the Arno River to the area known as the Oltrano. My first stop was at Caffe Ricchi where I was to get the best cappuccino south of the Arno, and it was delicious! Cappuccino's here only come in one size, and are frothy and to die for (I'm already fretting my cappuccino withdrawls) I can vouch for Caffe Ricchi, it really was a delicious way to start my morning. Caffe Ricchi is located in the beautiful Santo Spirito square with a fountain and benches where I enjoyed my apple purchased from one the vendors. It also has a magnificent view of the church of Santo Spirit.

From there I headed back towards to Arno and popped into one of the most beautiful gourmet food shops called Olio e Convivium. They not only have wine, olive oils, pastas and chocolate, but a restaurant that is so cozy you'd pay to stay there all day. They even ship their goods! 

Next stop was Procacci, which is a tourist free cafe where I was told to order a glass of prosecco and to order the panino tartufato. It's a teeny tiny sandwich about the size of your thumb and is filled with cream cheese and truffles! It was overly priced but so delicious! I skipped the bubbly (11:00 am was a bit too early for me, even for prosecco.) 

Last but not least, I was heading to the central market. I'd been there before for grocery shopping but never for a boiled cow intestine sandwich. My stomach was empty yet I was full with dread. Previously this semester a professor had us try tripe, which is cow stomach, and that wasn't the most fabulous dish I've had in Italy, that's for sure. I knew I had to buck up if I want to call myself a Foodie after all.

I found the Nerbone's food stall and luckily it was bustling with people. From the regulars to tourists everyone was getting in line for the lampredotto sandwich. I ordered confidently and made sure I got both salsa verde and red salsa on my sandwich. Honestly, it looked pretty good and....tasted even better! I can see how people with a softer disposition may be turned off by the fatty texture but I loved it. It tasted like pork and roast beef but with a chewy, fatty consistancy and the spice was just right. Phew! I washed it down with a German beer and dubbed myself foodie of the day and possibly foodie of the week.

Here's your challenge: Try one new food today that you've always secretly eyed but never bought. Even if it's a different cup of joe, or the cupcake on your coffee break, enlighten youself and your taste buds!

Buon Apettito!