Bodine Foccacine

Like a lot of people I enjoy fine dining, but every once in a while I just want something simple and fresh – like a plate of fresh sea-caught fish grilled lightly and seasoned with salt, pepper and lemon. While I didn’t get that in Florence for this trip, my friends and I went to Bondi Focaccine for simple and fresh local food. The place was suggested by a classmate who lived in the city. According to her, it serves “Hot focaccia filled with your choice – patate (potato) and pesto to die for!” Now, who can pass up food with that kind of description?

Naturally, we trekked over to the place and found a small eatery that looks like what I call a bamboo bar. Why? Because the latticed walls and wooden tables and benches remind me of bamboo huts-cum-restaurants-bars in Southeast Asia. If it weren’t for the stuffed boar head, dried corns, and chilis hanging on the walls, I would have thought I was in a scene of Miss Saigon…..ok, I am exaggerating, but it felt like that.

At the end of the hut, I mean shop, is a glass counter which showcases a multitude of fillings. Ready to take orders with a frown and tons of grumbles is the Grumpy Bread Dude. He frowned and criticized everyone’s combinations of fillings. Hence, he warrants the title.

I had chosen three different fillings for my foccacia – tomatoes & olives, porcini mushrooms, and prosciutto ham. The Grumpy Bread Dude picked up a piece of foccacia, sliced it in half, put the fillings on top and placed everything in an oven/grill behind him. When properly done, he will signal for one to pick it up. Because he had grumbled about my choice of fillings for a good 40 seconds, I was determined to like my bread whether it tastes good or not. Luckily, Lady Lucky was smiling at me that day. While I don’t know what the “to die for” potato and pesto tastes like (simply because I didn’t order it. I don’t like potatoes unless they are fried), eating my trio combo was a marvelous death.

Out of curiosity, I asked my friend to share another one; this time to have the unhappy bread man compose a filling that he considers “to die for.” He made us a spinach and calamari filling. I. Didn’t. Like. It. At. All. Because I have been taught to keep silent if I have nothing nice to say, I didn’t frown, grumble, or criticize the man. Instead, the politeness in me ate every morsel. I had to wash it down with lots of coke. On the other hand, my friend enjoyed hers with a bottle of Corona.

Now that I am back in Paris where every vendor is grumpier than the Grumpy Bread Dude, I have to admit I miss his bread. Next time when I go back, I will definitely order the spinach & calamari with a bottle of Corona…..and, yes, he will grumble but I am sure he will nod at my choice.

Bondi Focaccine
Via del Ariento (between Viazionale and Via Zannoni, in Mercato di San Lorenzo)

Chocolat

I just got back from Italy for a school fieldtrip and all I can think of is Chocolat.   Not just any chocolat but this Chocolat. As the name suggests, the place specializes in all kinds of chocolate but it also offers great coffee, pastries, jams, balsamic vinegar… For my 6 days in Milan, I was only able to visit the store twice while, for the other four days, I bugged my classmates into making the trip to Chocolat again, and again, and again, and again… Unfortunately, we couldn’t squeeze it into our tight schedule (life is hard, isn’t it), and I didn’t want to make the trip alone after the “uneventful accidents” of two classmates. Sorry to say this, but Milan is a ghetto disguised as a fashion city…nevertheless, I walked away with great memories of these:

Spicy Amarene (sour cherries) Chocolate Tart – while the combination may sound unappetizing, this tart is surprisingly refreshing and has that little kick from the chili sprinkled on top.

A simple slice of premium dark chocolate cake………..sometimes the best things in life are the simple things.

Amarene Cholocate Cake – my favorite in the shop.

Who would have thought Italians make such wonderful crosissants???? The crust was crispy and flaky while the inside is soft, meaty and chewy. This particular one was oozing with a smooth abricot jam……..why can’t they make jam-filled croissants in France?

What can I say? The coffee is just as decadent as the chocolate.

Last but not least, the best gelato in the world! The Chocolat Fondente (extra dark chocolate) gelato is a class of its own – smooth, sticky, and chewy – and goes especially well with the hazel nut gelato…….classmates, we should have gone there everyday!