Categories
Archives Restaurants

Rosso Crudo in Florence: Review

Rosso Crudo in Florence: Review

During our last trip to Florence (Firenze), the staff at our hotel recommended that we try Rosso Crudo for dinner. The location suited us, being only a block from our hotel, the Domux Home Ricasoli, on a day when we hadn’t slept much the night before. We wanted something nearby but delicious as our culinary entry into the city.

Specialty: steak and pasta

Dress: Business casual

Price: antipasti 5-19 Euros; primi platti (pasta) 8-12 Euros; Steaks 17-24 Euros or, for premium cuts, 5-8 Euros per 100 grams.

What to order: steak, pappardelle cinghiale, proscuitto e melone

Categories
Archives Hotels

Domux Home Ricasoli in Florence: Review

The Bargello Room in the Domux Ricasoli Apartments in Florence
The Bargello Room in the Domux Ricasoli Apartments in Florence

We never would have stayed in the Domux Home Ricasoli in Florence if my husband’s colleague hadn’t found it first. I argued that I wanted a full-service hotel, with a front desk and housekeeping, not an apartment. My husband wanted to stay in the Domux Home Ricasoli because of the reviews. Eventually I relented after reading what he had. Even so, the reviews didn’t prepare us for the luxury within. We had a real wow moment when we stepped inside. Despite my fears, our trip to Florence had begun in style.

Décor: Contemporary

Location: a block from the Galleria dell’Academia and down the street from the Duomo.

Most surprising: the luxurious dual bathroom with the tiled, jetted tub and rain shower head.

Room size: huge, with a living room, kitchenette with island, enormous bathroom, and king-size bed.

Disadvantage: Housekeeping every other day. Front desk is manned only during business hours.

Security: You are given a security code to be used on the front door keypad to gain entry.

Categories
Archives Travel

Three Days in Florence, Italy

Three Days in Florence, Italy:  View of the Arno River from the Ponte Vecchio
Three Days in Florence, Italy: View of the Arno River from the Ponte Vecchio

Get on your walking shoes because this week I cover three days in Florence, properly known as Firenze. You will clock some serious distance on foot.

The Centrale, or old city center area, holds all of the interest, with the immense, colored marble Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (better known as the Duomo) dominating it all.

Most iconic sights: Florence, as seen from the Duomo, and the Arno River, as seen from the Ponte Vecchio.

Best secondary church: Santa Croce

Favorite Museum: the Uffizi Gallery

Best foodie activities: comparing gelato across the city and sampling foods in the Mercato Centrale

Local specialities: Florentine steak, Ribollita, Paparadelle al Cinghiale, anything with truffle (tartufo.)