23 May Scudieri
Nestled in the corner of Piazza Del Duomo sits the eighth wonder of the world, Scudieri. Scudieri is an adorable coffee and pastry shop conveniently located right down the street from our apartment. The decor in Scudieri is to die for. Two massive crystal chandeliers hang from either side of the bar, the furniture looks like it could come to life and sing “Be Our Guest”, and wide open windows provide a direct view of the Duomo. The pastry bar extends through the majority of the building, with an array of treats fit for a king (or a Medici). The first time I went to Scuderi I got a “Macedonia”, a tower of fresh fruit dressed with raw sugar and lemon juice. The second and third times I went I ordered a “fazzoletto alla crema”, a croissant filled with a thick cream and topped with powdered sugar. I’ve had the pleasure of ordering a caffe latte on three occasions, each time better than the last. Because of the significant price difference, each time I’ve stood at the bar to eat. I was first introduced to this concept in Rome, as it seems that Italians take coffee so seriously sitting down to enjoy it is just not an option. One thing I found interesting about Scudieri is their selection of alcohol. Like any self respecting Italian establishment, they have a wide variety of drinks. Mixed among the display of high end gins, vodkas, and wines from all over the world, sit two little tastes of home. Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey and Evan Williams Kentucky Burboun. I couldn’t help but laugh at the fact two whiskeys made in southern small-town America were sitting on that dark wooden shelf, next to a huge chandelier, 500 feet from the Duomo in Firenze.
