Italy and Cheese

I had the most wonderful appetizer of warm taleggio cheese served with toasted walnuts and honey at a restaurant in Florence. In Rome I'd recommend trying cacio e pepe (pasta made with pecorino cheese and fresh black pepper). Have fun in Italy! What a delicious country...

I can only recommend something in my own town (Florence). When you are in Florence, look (or ask for) the MERCATO CENTRALE DI SAN LORENZO (Central Market). Inside this large building (they open mon-sat until 2pm) there are all type of vendors (produce on the 2nd floor, everything else on the ground floor). Start walking around those delis and buy all the cheese you like. They also let you taste anything you want. There are also a few cheap eateries/trattorias inside. Some of the best (and cheap) Florentine food is there. It's ideal for a cheap lunch, most locals working in the area eat there. The most famous, of course, it's the mythical "Cerbone". Don't miss it.

Pecorino! (Pienza!) mostly found in southern Italy, and agree about the cacio e pepe (Rome) ! Each region has it's own specialty, so enjoy.

In Florence: Golden View Open Bar near Ponte Vecchio in the Oltrarno. Ask anyone for directions. It's a little pricey with a great view of the Arno River. Stop in for a glass of wine and have their "salad" a beautifully pealed and cored pear, with the top/stem replaced on top, drizzled with honey and topped with sprinkled walnuts sitting on top of a fan of the famous Pecorino Toscano cheese we loved it so much, that we search Italian deli's here in the U.S. and buy it and eat it with pears/honey/walnuts. Incredible! Their entres are also delish, but like I said, they're a little pricey, but worth it just to enjoy the view and this special "salad."
Just found the address 58 Via dei Bardi 58.

I agree with Ellen about the Pecorino cheese in Pienza. I don't care for the Pecorino cheese that we get in the U.S. but I absolutely fell in love with the Pecorino Fresco cheese that we sampled in Pienza. We took a small wheel home with us to the States & have subsequently ordered it from the same store after returning home. Like you Leslie, I love, love, love cheese & can't get enough!! Thanks for the post.

Here in the Veneto, the two types of cheese to try are Asiago and Grana Padano. Asiago is ubiquitous and many restaurants/bars will have it. It's delicious soft or aged. Grana Padano is basically the same as Parmeggiano Reggiano but it's made locally and though it tastes just as good (personal opinion), you're not paying for the name so it's cheaper than Parmeggiano. I prefer my Grana Padano to be aged minimum 24 months. Also, most of the restaurants in this area (including Venice) will give you shredded Grana to put on your pasta. My favorite way to eat it is to break off small chunks and enjoy with a hearty, robust red wine such as Amarone. EDIT: I almost forgot about my favorite local cheese - Collina (or, "Collina Veneta"). It's not as widely produced as most others in the area so it might be hard to find in Venice but if you do have a chance to try it, it is magnificent. If I'm not mistaken, I think it's even won some awards as Italy's best cheese.