My friend/fashionista/foodie, Monique, recently went to Italy and has graciously offered to share some of her favorite food experiences with us from her trip! She lived in Italy for a few years, so she is my new go-to girl for tips on everything Italy. Read her guest post below! xo- Lindsey
{Everyone, meet Monique!}
Recently, I was lucky enough to take a mini vacation to one of my absolute favorite spots in the world – Bella Italia! Aside from the beautiful sights I saw and the amazing people I met, I have to say, what they say about Italy is true – Their food is the absolute BEST, a must-try, and completely worth the 7 hour flight and jet lag. Put Italy on your ‘Bucket List’ and while you’re there try some of my all-time favorite Italian dishes.
I’m not even a coffee drinker but there is something about the way they make these delicious little treats that makes it worth a try. There’s a café on practically every corner so they aren’t hard to find. Coffee breaks are such a big part of their culture that it’s definitely an experience that can’t be missed. (I also recommend the Macchiato! )
This is a no-brainer. While in Italy an absolute must-have is their pizza. You can get all sorts of fresh toppings but my favorite is just the classic ‘Pizza Margerita’ with red sauce and fresh mozzarella de buffalo. (Some advice: Try this in Naples. They are known for the best fresh mozzarella in Italy, and take it from me – it’s a HUGE difference. So good!)
Now, here’s that mozzarella I was talking about. Paired with fresh tomatoes or prosciutto, the texture and taste of mozzarella from Italy is completely different from any served in the U.S. My sister and I got to enjoy this while looking over the Napoli Bay.
While in Italy I made friends with a restaurant owner who invited me to her place, La Gratella for lunch. I ordered the Spaghetti Pomodoro which was super yummy. Simple ingredients but so tasty! My sister got the catch of the day which was paired with fresh boiled potatoes. Everything was so delicious, I’m pretty sure I ate BOTH of our meals.
Florence is known in Italy for their meat. If you ever find yourself in Florence I recommend trying the steak. I ordered this meal (steak paired with fried veggies) at a well-known restaurant in Florence called, ‘ Perseus’.
Let’s not forget about Dessert! From their creamy gelato to their bakeries on every corner…There are countless goodies to try to satisfy your sweet tooth. My favorite is the yogurt flavored gelato.
Italy is all about the experience you have with food. Dinners can take up to 4 hours and they encourage you to savor your every bite. Believe me when I say I could write a book about the amazing dishes I was able to try – and I wish I could share them all with you — but maybe, just maybe, that will give you some incentive to go and try it for yourself. Ciao Bellos!
