italia

Recently, I have spent quite a bit of time practicing Italian, calculating directions on maps, and entering coordinates into the gps. It can be all-consuming, but I think that is what I love about it. The planning. I love to plan things. Planning involves so many complex factors, from the big triumphant overall outcome, and down to little specific (but oh so important) details. The best part, of course, is when everything all comes to together, in a wonderfully successful package. But, like I said, proper planning for most anything is all consuming. Perhaps, it need not be, but it's just so darn fun. So I suppose, that's part of my temporary absence recently. That, and my obsession with steak tacos. Today, I figured I'd post the top seven things I'm most excited about on this trip, although really there is much, much more, but I guess then that keeps you in suspense for the aftermath. Right, I reckon I should mention that Jeff and I are going to Italy for an entire month this summer! And that I am excited. Very, very excited! Top seven things I'm most excited to eat in Italy! 1. Last trip, Jeff and I weren't able to make it to Hosteria Giusti, as it was closed for ferie, the fantastic Italian custom of taking a vacation in August (just no so fantastic that we were in Modena in August). However, this time, I have made a reservation and I hopeful that we will be able to find it. A 4-table restaurant, in the back of a salumeria just sounds too good to be true. 2. A little pasticceria in the Tuscan town of Certaldo called Dolci Follie. I never imagined that chocolate cornetti, the Italian version of croissants, could be so divinely good. And in the back of the pasticceria, is the restaurant La Saletta, that I must check out. Noticing a trend? 3. Emilia-Romagna: Parma, Modena, Bologna. Beyond expectations. 4. Sandwiches at Nerbone at the Mercato Centrale in Florence. 5. Drinking Montepulciano in Montepulciano. 6. Granita and pillows of whipped cream at Cremeria Monteforte in Rome. 7. Espresso at Sant'Eustachio. More to come!