trattoria cammillo, firenze

I love going out for dinner when on vacation in Italy. It's always an anticipated event. And not just for the food, although, I certainly wouldn't argue. But there is something to be said for getting dressed for dinner, taking a leisurely stroll on the way there and getting lost on the way there, enjoying one's company, the surroundings, having a glass, or two, of wine, chatting animatedly, and then meandering home again, but not before lingering over a gelato and a fantastic view. That would perfectly summarize our evening to Trattoria Cammillo, on the Oltrarno side, of Florence. Everything is very, very good, from the service, to the wine, to the food. Nothing too fancy, nothing too simple, but yet elegant and lovely all in one. Tavolo, table. Vino and acqua. Jeff and Dad and surroundings. Dad is now a mozzarella and pomodoro addict. Mom loved the tortellini with a simple tomato sauce, filled with cheese. Jeff had, and I tasted, the risotto alla sepia, with squid ink. The pieces of squid were also very tender, one of the best risottos I've had in awhile. Too bad I couldn't get my shadow out of the way! I can't resist buttery tagliatelle with porcini. To die for! I had to have something fried, "fritto". This was all vegetables. You can just barely see the zucchini blossom peeking out. Crispy, and delicious. Mom & Dad swooned over the chicken parmigiana. Who can go wrong when there are vats of butter involved? Jeff had the veal milanese, and of course with butter! But it deceptively, looks like more butter than there was...there was a sauce there too. He wouldn't have a parade about it, he says, but still very good. Rabbit spiedine. You'll have to excuse me, as I am partially translating between English and Italian, as in some cases, things aren't always translatable, exactly. At least not for me, as I am still adjusting to speaking solely in English, and not in half Italian, and half English, and half whatever other language seems to pop up! This literally was grilled rabbit on a skewer with rosemary, and it was as tender and juicy as I'd like for anything grilled. Very, very nice. After a slow saunter back across the Ponte Vecchio, a covered bridge lined with jewelry shops and mostly swarming with people... We stopped at one of my favourite gelateria's of all time, Gelateria delle Carrozze. You can order from the counter, or sit and order at a table. Not only is the gelato, virtually perfect, but the mousse, oh my, the mousse. Ferrero Rocher MOUSSE! Trattoria Cammillo, 57R Borgo Sant Jacopo, Florence, Italy, 055 212427 Caffe delle Carrozze, Gelateria, Piazza del Pesce n.3/4/5r (Ponte Vecchio),

055 2396810