Travel Series Episode 3: Top Florence Eats

Tuscan nibbles, a Cinque Terre stopover, Four Seasons Tuscan buffet

Back from Florence, slightly tanner, calmer, and I’d say happier but I feel like I’ve been on a high for a while now. A post just for the heart of Tuscany, the last time I went being years ago with my ex-fiancé, but this time was much better with more valuable company (oops I said it).

shoutout to Stas for taking some food pics almost as beautiful as her <3

1. Papardelle ragu and bruschetta at Antico Noe. My friend and I raved about this place the whole trip– what a gem! A quaint osteria tucked away in a side alley, quietly dishing up powerful flavour. In all seriousness, this was probably the best bruschetta I’ve had in my life (and I feel like I can say that having an Italian friend and past Italian lovers…). And the tomatoes, the tomatoes! The sweetest you’ll find, chopped into an overflowing mountain on bread so crisp and sturdy it stands up to a liberal ladle of olive oil, oil as pungent and rich as only the quality stuff here gets. Now the papardelle with duck ragu was the star of the whole meal for me, and if you had to choose a pasta I’d recommend this one. The truffle taglierini was buttery-smooth and good too, but the ragu, so rich and sweet and sticky, coats each tight and eggy strand, warming your stomach and heart.

2. Was introduced to these sweet and crunchy Italian biscuits, or brutti ma buoni, which funnily means ‘ugly but good’. Sounds like what someone can use on their dating profile! Jk. They’re made from meringue, hazelnuts and almonds, and crazy good. Though I’m almost finished with the whole pack, which isn’t good. They have this distinct rugged appearance due to the meringue, and I love how each biscuit was different in shape despite being store-bought. No way can you get that in the UK (or Singapore, unless they’re clearly homemade). Also discovered Lindt’s pear chocolate flavour which I’m not sure they have elsewhere in Europe or the UK, but I’m always fond of poires au chocolat, or the elegant combination of gentle, floral notes in pear (that can be poached) and rich, sweet melted chocolate.

3. The Tuscan buffet at the Four Seasons Hotel. Hello. Another big thank you to Stas who suggested and booked this! You usually can’t vouch for quality in a buffet, but at the Four Seasons, you can’t go wrong. Firstly, you get to dine in one of the most beautiful outdoor terraces with waterfalls and statues and bright green squares all around. You get premium service, fresh food made with quality ingredients, and you get french toast or pancakes to go with your cold/hot buffet selection. There were roasted vegetables, fresh pastries, buttery scramble, cold meats and cheese, and my favourite part: homemade Italian cakes– cherry cheesecake, carrot cake, and torta della nonna brimming with pine nuts. The coffee was fresh and sharp, the pancakes soft and buttery, and even their caramelised french toast lived up to my standard. Still prefer a heartier version that’s thicker and eggier in the middle, but a healthy dousing in butter and maple syrup fixed that.

4. It’s so important to travel with someone just as excited about food and the small luxuries in life, like this gelato! Withstand the snaking queue and head here. Vivoli gelato, which is hyped as classic gelato for a reason, is also known for their affogato, so if you have time for a second trip there you should definitely try that. Aside from the usual classic flavours of pistachio and hazelnut, get the ricotta and whole milk flavours! The gelato melts quickly on the tongue into robust and distinct flavour. Fresh, more ‘melty’ and with almost a dense whipped texture than your usual gelato, and so creamy. Already excited to try the other famous gelato spots there next time.

By the way, if you’re interested in quality gelato in London, you better head to