The usual cracks me up. I was recently at the bar and I asked to get Ettore a pastry, whatever he usually gets and I found out it was alla crema. When I am there he gets integrale. I love that the barista told on him.
After spending several weeks in Italy, for us the best coffee was what we would refer to as a “long black”, and in recent years when on a cruise ship, were told it is an “Americano”, this coffee was had in a very pretty small village called Tuscania, not far from Civitavecchia. What a wonderful holiday that was.
Really--is there anything better than being recognized at your local coffee bar and settling down to "il solito"? For an American in Italy, it's the ultimate sense of belonging. Especially knowing that I could go to a Starbucks in New York for 20 years and never see a glimmer of recognition...
I was in Italy in October and I found it so interesting that I could be sustained on a coffee and croissant for breakfast. If I did that here in Canada I would be hungry in an hour and later become "hangry" as we call it. I guess you just eat like a local where you are! This is great information - thank you for sharing it!
It made us laugh when we visited Palermo a couple of early springtimes ago having spent a few weeks enjoying incredible granita in Catania and Taormina only to be told by a waiter ´it’s too cold for granita, we don’t serve it here until May’!
Even though I live in Rome, I think breakfast in southern Italy is the best. I could eat sfogliatelle and pasticiotti and drink caffè leccese everyday!
One of the best things about breakfast in Italy is that it is perfectly acceptable to eat cake for breakfast - something that should be adopted far and wide!
Reading this letter has made me very hungry. Breakfast for me, especially when I'm on vacation, is
very important. We recently had a cookathon with my niece and her children. She wants them to
learn of our traditions. We made Zeppolle and they were a big hit.
Growing up my mother would make us pizza fritte on the weekends. These were made from bread dough and fried in oil. Then we would sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar or pour maple syrup over them. Yum.
When I was in Florence last spring my favorite breakfast was a cappuccino with apple cake. When I came home I bought Cucina Povera and now I make your recipe for apple cake when I want to be reminded of the cafe experience! It is so delicious! I love your descriptions in this post! Thank you!
I think you left out "a latte." Most Americans think they know what that means. Most Americans are stunned to get a glass of, usually, tepid milk.
Ahahah! you are right! a tall glass of warm milk! :D
Going to Italia next week! Looking forward to breakfast!
What will be your first breakfast in Italy?
Forse, un cappucino e cornetto a Fiumacino!!
Italia has some of the greatest food on Earth.
I find Ponce Livornese quite special containing espresso, sugar, rum and lemon zest. It so delicious and comforting in the winter.
I love the tradition behind ponce alla livornese, too! Even though I wouldn’t recommend it for breakfast! :D
Hehe agree it’s not best breakfast drink. Love your account. So many beautiful stories so much fantastic food. Looking forward to the new book!
Thank you so much, Agata! Happy to have you here!
The usual cracks me up. I was recently at the bar and I asked to get Ettore a pastry, whatever he usually gets and I found out it was alla crema. When I am there he gets integrale. I love that the barista told on him.
ahahah! this is smart!
What about a flat white? (Cappucino, but hold the foam off when adding the steamed milk)
we can have that in some special coffee places in Florence. I remember I had it once, it was excellent!
What would you ask for, in Italian?
Lovely post Giulia, brava. C'è da aggiungere anche il "Marocchino" and they call it an "Espressino" down in Pugila.
After spending several weeks in Italy, for us the best coffee was what we would refer to as a “long black”, and in recent years when on a cruise ship, were told it is an “Americano”, this coffee was had in a very pretty small village called Tuscania, not far from Civitavecchia. What a wonderful holiday that was.
Really--is there anything better than being recognized at your local coffee bar and settling down to "il solito"? For an American in Italy, it's the ultimate sense of belonging. Especially knowing that I could go to a Starbucks in New York for 20 years and never see a glimmer of recognition...
I was in Italy in October and I found it so interesting that I could be sustained on a coffee and croissant for breakfast. If I did that here in Canada I would be hungry in an hour and later become "hangry" as we call it. I guess you just eat like a local where you are! This is great information - thank you for sharing it!
And, of course, granita e panino or brioche in southeast Sicily.
It made us laugh when we visited Palermo a couple of early springtimes ago having spent a few weeks enjoying incredible granita in Catania and Taormina only to be told by a waiter ´it’s too cold for granita, we don’t serve it here until May’!
I know! 4 hours by car away from Catania but it's a different world in Palermo .
Even though I live in Rome, I think breakfast in southern Italy is the best. I could eat sfogliatelle and pasticiotti and drink caffè leccese everyday!
Love how you described the Italian breakfast!
One of the best things about breakfast in Italy is that it is perfectly acceptable to eat cake for breakfast - something that should be adopted far and wide!
Reading this letter has made me very hungry. Breakfast for me, especially when I'm on vacation, is
very important. We recently had a cookathon with my niece and her children. She wants them to
learn of our traditions. We made Zeppolle and they were a big hit.
Growing up my mother would make us pizza fritte on the weekends. These were made from bread dough and fried in oil. Then we would sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar or pour maple syrup over them. Yum.
So macchiatone in Tuscany is like Espressino in Puglia?
To add: caffe' speciale from Polignano. Coffe, cream, amaretto and lemon zest. You have to try it, my treat
When I was in Florence last spring my favorite breakfast was a cappuccino with apple cake. When I came home I bought Cucina Povera and now I make your recipe for apple cake when I want to be reminded of the cafe experience! It is so delicious! I love your descriptions in this post! Thank you!