After a little rest and a nice long shower we got dressed and headed to the restaurant where my mouth watering, thought consuming, belly craving, highly talked about dinner was waiting. I know what you're thinking, how can she be hungry after inhaling so much for lunch and all of this afternoon snack...but still, nothing compares to a florentine steak! So we drive into Florence which is approximately 20 minutes and find ourselves at this family run restaurant with prime seating in the garden.
There was no question that steak was on the menu all around, but what they brought out to show us was unbelievable. Fred Flintstone couldn't have been happier. These steaks were 3 inches thick and fed three people each. We were going to get three but two turned out to be more than plenty. One of the things that made this culinary feast doable this weekend is that contrary to expectations, there are very few carbs served with (Tuscan) meals. Unless you go for the pasta or lasagna or whatever, side dishes are typically veggies. We went with a grilled portobello which was the perfect accompaniment to this heavenly steak.
After the last slice was gone and we sat back in our chairs with 6 happy faces, a taste of lemoncello, a coffee and off to Michelangelo Square (not the real David pictured here of course, but still to scale and massive) to the gelato festival. Fortunately by the time we got there it was too late and we were spared, but that didn't mean after walking around the city we weren't bound to walk into a gelateria to get a small single cup as opposed to 5 small samples.
Of course when it comes to gelato everyone has their own favorites and explores new tastes. It was recommended to try a few new flavors so I sampled the rose flavor and K got a Gorgonzola. Neither one were for me. Instead I went with classic mint and dark chocolate which was a winning combination and essentially the end of me for the night. Filled to the brim and toppling over. Kaput.
We walked some more and by this time it was getting pretty late. We got a sneak peak of Piaza Santa Croce, and the Church of the Greats where a few historic names are buried, such as Raphael and Galileo. Pretty powerful stuff. It's interesting knowing who and what is inside and then seeing how it has become a social late night hangout spot for young people. We were too old....
We also visited and rubbed the snout of the boar which is supposed to be god luck. Then you put a coin in his mouth and the water takes your coin and wish. Of course mine was the only coin that didn't actually get into the well, but this is no longer a surprise that this would happen but I hope everyone else gets their wish.
It was time to call it a night, but not before we glanced at the precession honoring the death of a family of 5 whom were killed by a Maffia car bomb 20 years ago. The Maffia set off three bombs all at the same time in three cities, Florence, Rome and Milan to prove their power to the government. Really sad but really interesting to hear how the Maffia has developed. Scary really. But I don't want to write about it here because I don't want to become a target...
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