mike

I'm OK with eggs, cheese, etc. (OK, even fish sometimes). We will be staying in Ponte Vecchio. I see ribollita (white bean soup) seems very popular. Soups and bread? Would like to go beyond olives, cheese, bread, etc. (the backbone of any vegatarian diet is, of course, generous quanities of the local red). Thanks much for any help. Mike.

Paige

Definitely try the ribollita. Good stuff! There are zillions of fabulous options for vegetarians there. Get a little Italian dictionary and learn how to say you're a veg and you should be set. One of my favorites is funghi porcini (woodsy mushrooms) pizza. Also good is a dish of white beans in olive oil, something like fagioli al olio (anyone know Italian?). Another good soup is something like pappa al pomodoro, with tomatoes, spices and bread. I'm a vegetarian, too, and Tuscany is absolutely my favorite place to eat!

Jon

Check the Restaurant reviews for Florence on this website or check their book. One of the restaurants reviewed (I forget which one) has a number of vegetarian dishes. Avoid Il Latini, the menu is almost all meat, however they did have the Riboletta, which was awesome. The bruschetta everywhere we had it was awesome, especially at Pasquini and Angiolino's. We just got back 2 days ago after 5 nights in Florence and 5 in Rome.
Bon Appetit!

Thyra

Mike, I ate incredibly well on a vegetarian diet in Florence! Especially if you do cheese and eggs. There are a variety of pasta dishes that are just tomatoe and pasta or various other veggie ingredients, Pizza margharita is just pizza with cheese and tomato and they have tons of frocasia (sp?) sandwhiches that you can order from any sidewalk cafe and ask them to heat up. Plus there is always the gelato, since you do dairy, pity we can't just live on that! Have a great trip.

sam

Florence has the best soups in the world. I am not sure sure what the base is but it is basically a veg. soup. I believe true Ministome (sp) zuppa is veg. based. (except sometimes here in the US.

Larry

I am not vegetarian but I would highly recommend the Porcini any way you can get them - also there are numerous vegetarian rissotos (don't know about the stock used though) and an infinite variey of vegetarian pizzas. If dairy is okay, go for the gelato.(Vivoli's and Perche' No) Also a note on the wine - no sulfites = no headaches. My wife frequently gets a headache from red wine and none for 17 days in Italy!! Enjoy

mike

Thank you all for your generous replies. I will take your replies w/me to Florence and let you know my experiences. Anyone eat in Japanese (sp) rist. in Florence? They are usually good with fish. thanks again, ciao, mike.

Thyra

I didn't see any Japanese rest. while in Florence, but frankly I wasn't looking for them. Generally speaking I have always been able to find Chinese and Indian food while in Europe, but I will say that THE BEST fish dish I ever ate was in Italy, it was, linguini Pescadoro (sp?) which translates to something like Linguini Fisherman... OH my Heaven. It was so incredible. Usually when in Europe I fall back on my Indian/Chinese take aways when the local cuisine is meat heavy, but never had to do so in Italy!

jwagner

Gnochi!

scigirl

My husband and I are also vegetarians. We had no problem at all eating in Italy - it was by far the easiest country we visited to manage a meat-free diet. From what I recall every restaurant had plenty of vegetarian dishes. Be sure to try real pizza - it is nothing like pizza in the USA - and fresh mozarella is soooo wonderful. We also had no problem getting salads and veggies, and pastas all over Italy. A menu translation book is a big help - some words when "translated" into Enlish don't quite make sense. Being able to look up the word in Italian makes ordering a lot easier. (e.g. zuchinni was translated as 'dwarf marrow' - something called 'rocket' appeared on many menus. This may be the UK English rather than American English - but we had no idea what we were getting sometimes.)

elizabeth

"Asparagus Bismarck"!!

A Tuscan dish that is often not on the menu but just ask. It's really simple, but delicious (as is most Italian fare!)

Steamed asparagus topped with gently fried eggs and a hint of lemon (not oily at all) When the eggs hit the asparagus it creates an almost hollandaise like sauce.........mmmmmmmmmm..........

mike

Thank you all very much for your help and sharing some of your favorite vegatarian dishes. Anyone else have a favorite dish or know of a good rist. in Florence (Ponte Vecchio)? mike.

Paulo

Excuse me Mike ... but leave Japanese, Chinese, whatever restaurants for another occasion. Best fish we got in Florence was at the La Capannina de Sante (Tel. 055/688345; Piazza Ravenna; only dinner; pretty expensive).

On top of some mentioned above, a few vegetarian dishes we were introduced to are: soups like pasta e fagioli, zuppa di farro and acquacotta; pasta like penne ai funghi, ravioli alla salvia, and tagliatelle alla limoncella; specialities like tartino di carciofi, fagioli all'uccelletto and panzanella; ... and so many "dolci" ...

But I can't do without a bistecca alla Fiorentina once, each visit

Paulo

mike

Thanks Paulo, I've read your replies on this board before and they are always knowledgable. Any ideas about buying leather in Florence (such as a well styled jacket/sport coat)? Any shops you would recommend? thanks much, mike.

Louise

Hi Mike, You might also look for grilled vegtebales - sometimes on the appetizer menu. Italian chefs do wonderful things with fresh vegetables! The Buca dell'Orafo (in Florence) has some wonderful vegetarian pasta dishes, and the best salad misto I've ever had. It's at Volta de'Girolami 28r, near the Ponte Vecchio - hard to find but worth it.

What-A-Paradox

A Vegetarian who wears leather ??!

Paige

There's a restaurant called something like Cinghiale Bianco (sp? White Boar) on the same side of the river as the Piti Palace on a street parallel to the river (I think). It was divine! We got there when it opened and it was packed soon after. I think what Thyra was talking about is focaccia bread (that still may be spelled wrong).

Paulo

I've seen your other post concerning leather jackets. I was about to answer when I realized I really don't remember the details. I don't recall if you indicated when you would be travelling but if it's not right away I may be able to dig in my old paperwork and come up with something.

Last time in Florence we bought 5 jackets (one for each of us; my wife took 2). They are manufactured all in genuine "vera pele" and have a neat, modern design. We bought them at a store in the San Lorenzo market area (there are several of them ... and since my memory is aging I really don't remember if it was directly in front of the church or on the walkway perpendicular to it; I also think we paid an average of around $200 each but I may be way off. I still have the receipt somewhere. If I find it both matters may be cleared in no time).

If you're an expert in leather goods, that is, what's good leather and not quite so, good quality of the sawing (many goods may fall appart in a year's time), etc. you may be able to get the best quality to price ratio in the market itself if you are also good in bargaining. If you're not an expert, I would advise not to try (many goods in the market have defects of one kind or another, not visible for the unitiated). The principle is simple. A store has a name to care for. A guy with a booth in the market has no responsability at all. The risk of being taken for a ride is therefore lower in a store. Unfortunately, though, bargaining is a must also in stores. I can remember that in the average we didn't pay more than 60% of the initial asking price. Also, with US hard cash it's possible to get better prices than paying not only by credit card but also by Italian cash (we payed our bill, part in cc, part in Italian and US cash).

The jackets are now 3 years old and look perfect. Considering the quality of the leather and design, we feel that we did a very good deal.

Paulo

mike

Thanks Paulo, no need to look into the leather thing any deeper, I'm certainly not able to tell good from bad. From what I'm reading, I'd be better off buying here (in the States - on sale at the mall) than buying in Florence. Thanks again for your help.

As for a vegatarian wearing leather, I am vegatarian for (MY) health reasons, and while I understand and respect other lifestyles, (my vegan friends don't hesitate to remind me of my vegatarian shortcomings), it is a path I choose not to follow. mike.

Thyra

Mike, I am also a vegetarian who wears leather,(vegetarian for health etc.) And I do have a small tip that may not apply for buying leather. I don't know where you live, but the very best time of year to buy leather coats is Mid-July or anytime of year that there is a heat rave raging. My husband and I always find 50% off sales on leather coats and clothing during heat waves.