Apertif Season

We’re back & better than ever!

Quick hit foodie news:

• This $400 Sweetgreen tote sold out in a day & I’m … confused

• Your last chance to get free coffee at Blank Street as part of their Summer Fridays Free People Collab is this week 7/14!

  • The Brown Sugar Shaken Cold Brew tastes like coffee ice cream & I’m into it

• Fini Pizza (same owner as Misi and Lilia) officially opened in The Hamtons & I can’t wait to try

• Our Place x Selena Gomez collab with gold accents? wow

Kicking off Apertif Season with a bang, 10 days in Italy meant lots of steps, wine, pasta, gelato and more steps. In this newsletter I’ll be breaking down the best food & highlights of our trip through Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Portofino and Milan.

Days 1 - 3: Rome

We were in Rome about a day too long if I’m being honest. I’d suggest two days here max if you’re planning on visiting. We did have some amazing pasta and gelato though.

Our first night we went to Roscioli Ristorante Salumeria - 10/10 way to start the trip. The pasta was perfectly al dente and delicious. The burrata might have been the best i’ve ever had, just the right amount of salty, savory and creamy. This restaurant is my #1 Rome dinner recc & they take reservations.

Days 3 - 6: Florence

I absolutely loved Florence. Much more quaint and cute than Rome. The city itself is smaller & easier to navigate by foot.

Night one in Florence we went to Osteria Pastella — one of my top three meals and experiences of the entire trip. The Taglietelle Flambe Tartufo Al Fresco was the best pasta I’ve ever had. It’s made in a cheese wheel table side and they even let me have a turn mixing it up and plating it. The restaurant is super well run — they make fresh pasta in the window, greet you with a glass of Prosecco/appetizer and serve complimentary limoncello at the end of the meal. It really doesn’t get much better than that. Highly highly recommend coming here & making a res beforehand! The lines do get a little crazy.

Day two we did a bike tour through Florence followed by a pasta & tiramisu cooking class at night. Hosted by a local chef in her apartment, it was a fun way to experience more of the city, the food and the culture. Also learned a few tips I’ll definitely be taking back to my kitchen with me.

On our last day in Florence we ventured out to Tuscany to a local farm where we learned how to make cheese and experienced a more local, agricultural side of the region. Fun & Yummy! Highlight of the afternoon was the affogato from Cafe Vivoli. Dreaming about it still.

By that point, we were pasta and cheesed up and longing for a break. We had a perfectly timed reservation at Buca Lapi — the oldest restaurant in Florence that invented Bistecca Fiorentina in the 1880s. The steak was super flavorful, juicy and had an amazing crisp crust.

Days 6 - 9: The Cinque Terre

This was my favorite part of the trip. We stayed in Riomaggiore in an airbnb literally perched on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean. It was amazing.

The highlight of the entire trip and our time in the Cinque Terre was this pesto cooking class at Nessun Dorma. The views were breathtaking!! This region of Italy makes some of the best pesto in the entire world, so this class is a must do if you’re in the Cinque Terre. Everything about this experience was a 10/10. I was smiling the entire two hours.

Honorable mention to Ristorante Belforte - delicious food & gorgeous outdoor seating. Amazing place to go for dinner in the Cinque Terre.

Day 9: Portofino

By far the most expensive city we visited. Everything was gorgeous and felt very luxe. Our bed & breakfast was 200 stairs straight up but had the most amazing view of the city & water. Everything we ate here was amazing but of course need to mention dinner at Strainer. The waiter recommended we split the truffle pasta & fresh lobster pasta so of course that’s what we did. It was unbelievable.

Day 10: Milan

We really only had 24 hours here so didn’t get to see much, but we’ll be back at some point for happy hour at Bar Basso.

Ready to plan our next trip now!! If you’re interested in seeing our itinerary let me know & I can send it to you.

Current Craves Food Edition:

• Sugarfish - could eat here every night. My #1 craving when we got back from Italy

• Culture Yogurt every night for dessert — my obsession may have reached its peak

• Pop Up Bagels x Jennifer Fisher salty spicy everything cream cheese - WOW

  • if they bring this flavor back you must try, it’s everything to me

• Misi continues to amaze me, if you have a chance to go this summer please do! It lives up to the hype

In case you missed the last newsletter check it out here

That’s all for now,

Em