Vestri, Cioccolato d'Autore

[randomness]

Vestri is a chocolate shop which serves gelato, mostly in various flavors that include chocolate, like chocolate-orange or chocolate-ginger. Chocolates and gelato. What a combination!

Vestri, Cioccolato d'Autore
Borgo degli Albizi, 11r
Florence, Italy
Tel: +39.055.2340374
http://www.cioccolateriavestri.com (more Flash)

(main location at
Via Romana, 161
Arezzo, Italy
Tel: +39.0575.907315)

As is standard in Florence gelaterias, you can get your gelato in a cup or a cone, and there are three sizes, starting at €1.50 for a piccolo (small). Also standard is that a small can include two flavors. I got the chocolate-orange, which tasted just like the candy, and giandula (chocolate-hazelnut, recommended by KJ's Italian instructor). KJ got the chocolate-ginger, which she likes. I think if I liked ginger more I'd like it but it's got quite a gingery taste. Great if you love ginger.

Comments

[rednikki.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for this. Anything for Rome or Venice?

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

For Rome, try Palazzo del Freddo Giovanni Fassi, which I haven't yet written up myself, but which mudpuppy and I liked. However, Let's Go says:

"V. Principe Eugenio, 65-67(06 446 47 40), off P.V. Emanuele II, southeast of Termini. Also at V. Vespasiano, 57, near the Vatican. This century-old gelato factory is famous throughout Rome. Try riso (rice), try coco (coconut), try them all. Its most famous flavor is la caterinetta, a delicate honey and vanilla concoction. Cones, cups, and shakes €1.30-2.60. Frulatti and ice cream sandwiches €1.80. Open Tu-F noon-12:30am, Sa noon-1:30am, Su 10am-12:30am."

It's one metro stop from Termini, on Line A, to the Vittorio Emanuele station, from which it's about three and a half blocks eastish on Via Principe Eugenio to #65 and 67. Or (again from Termini) you can take the #105 bus three stops past the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele station to the nearest stop, then walk the last 100 meters to the gelateria. In either case, it's on your right as you walk away from the piazza.

It's not the finest of neighborhoods--although I notice Rome Chinatown seems to be nearby, if the Chinese language shop signs are anything to go by--but we went in the evening and didn't feel like we were in danger of mugging, just solicitation from streetwalkers.

We haven't been to the branch near the Vatican yet.

There's also a gelateria near the Pantheon, called Giolitti. This is again from the Let's Go page.

"V.d. Uffici del Vicario, 40 (06 699 12 43; www.giolitti.it). From the Pantheon, follow V.d. Pantheon (with your back to the portico) to its end and then take V.d. Maddelena to its end; V.d. Uffici del Vicario is on the right. If Gaudi ran an ice cream shoppe, this would be it. Makes wonderful gelato in dozens of flavors, as well as ices laden with fresh fruit, both to take-out or eat-in. Choose your flavors before you step up to the bar. Festive and crowded at night. Cones €1.55-2.60. Open daily 9am-1am. AmEx/D/MC/V."

Definitely more touristy but if you're near the Pantheon already...

I think I liked the gelato at Giovanni Fassi better, but they're both good. The lines at Giolitti are much longer, however. In fact, when we went to Giovanni Fassi, we were pretty much alone; I get the impression their location has hurt business. On the other hand, the Via Vespasiano may be doing better business.

As for non-gelato...um, I have two writeups for restaurants in Florence and two more recommendations offhand which I'll try and give you ASAP. The writeups are:

Trattoria Zà Zà Firenze, Italia http://www.livejournal.com/users/r_ness/55263.html
Trattoria Baldovino Florence, Italy http://www.livejournal.com/users/r_ness/16140.html

One of the recommendations is for Borgo Antico http://www.bellinitravel.com/florence/restaurants/borgo_antico.html Piazza Santo Spirito, 50125 Firenze (between Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo)

Can't remember the last one but I'll look for it.

There was some really nice restaurant in Rome that sticks in mind but I can't remember where it was or what it was called and unless I unearth the receipt, I don't know that I can come up with it.

There was a relatively snooty place in Venice that had good food but I didn't like it much because of its attitude. Venice is full of attitude, alas. One of my friends who went to school in Bologna says the Venetians are well known for it. I have a recommendation for a nice place to stay near the station, but I'm guessing you're set for lodging.

Good luck, and enjoy!

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Gak, I messed up and commented to my own posting. However, please see that posting if you're looking for more info.

Also, I forgot to mention Brek, an Italian chain of cafeterias. Italians will probably wince that I'm suggesting this, but they're a) pretty decent for an inexpensive, quick meal, b) all over Italy, c) noticably better than their competition. I wouldn't go out of my way to find one but if you do run across one--there's one in Rome Termini station, for example--it's a reliable choice.

mudpuppy and I agreed that if they opened up in the States they'd clean up.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I realize posting all these Florence recommendations probably isn't still useful, but I remembered last night after going to bed what the name of the other place there was.

(From http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ad/resource/0,1976,FOOD_9947_22475,00.html)

Acqua Al Due
Via Della Vigna Vecchia 40R
Florence, 50122
Italy
Tel: 055-284-170

Food Network also mentions it has long lines, which was true, yes. I also didn't know it had been on Food Network when I went there. I guess I should tell KJ.