We were lucky enough to be traveling on a beautiful day and the backdrop for the tower and the baptistry was just beautiful. We took some disgustingly touristy pictures holding the tower up and such (because you just have to). Then I hopped on a train from centro to the aeroporto and then got on my flight to London.
That night we went to dinner at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in London. I have to say, I have been wanting to go to this restaurant more than any other, possibly in the world. The philosophy behind this food institution is brilliant and it occupies a space in the world that is full of potential. The resource that this restaurant is and is expanding upon taps into a world of power and hopefully promise. I sat in the dining room, but there is also a bar and a trattoria and they are also open for lunch and dinner. I have to commend them for being able to capitalize on as many shifts as they can and stay packed (the couple next to us told their server they had been trying to get in for 2 years).
That being said, I was slightly disappointed by the meal. The service was good but slightly inattentive (water glasses empty at times and we were given the amuse bouche once at the beginning of our meal and once in the middle - incorrectly of course) and upon eavesdropping on the server at the table next to us who was doing wine service, he seemed to be, frankly, bullshitting.
The meal had some highlights though! The amuse bouche was delicious, some combination of ginger, scallops pomegranate, etc. Perfect size and definetely woke up the palate. Next came primi piatti. We had devonshire crab (well seasoned and tasted fresh) and beef carpaccio. The carpaccio had good flavor (balsamic, arugula, cheese) but was sliced too thick which made the texture funny.
Next came pappardelle with ragu and "bocca di lupo" which is a superstitious phrase meaning "mouth of wolf". Italians say it instead of good luck. Apparently it is also a pasta shape. Well the flavors were amazing, lemon and some sort of nut and deliciousness but the pasta was undercooked! Not al dente. Not cooked. Weird.
Next came the pork (well cooked, tender) which was a tiny portion. And the Turbot which was paired beautifully with jerusalem artichokes and spinach. But the turbot was too oily and the top was overcooked making it taste like a potato latke. Dessert was good, chocolate semifreddo with blood oranges (soaked in liquor to the point of not being able to recognize them) and lemon tart (perfectly torched sugar on top) with creme fraiche. The end!
So the next day I saw all of London in a day! Buckhingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Big Ben, House of Parliament, The London Eye, the NAtional Gallery. I think thats it! The National Gallery was my favorite part. I saw The Ambassadors, which I had been studying two days before in one of my classes, and van Gogh's Sunflowers, and works by Rembrandt, Turner, Hals, etc. It was amazing. And free!!! Then I hopped back on a plane, train, automobile, train, another train, etc. Finally I am home and midterms are coming up and such so I am working hard on that. Elle comes this Friday and we are going to Rome! fun fun! I am planning lots of trips and such.
On Thursday nights there is a jazz jam at a local cafe/bar between some nyu music students (unbelievable talent) and local florentine musicians. Its super fun and the aperitivo is delicious and the wine is awesome. And, its every thursday. Anyway! I got to run, dinner time (fettucine alfredo with brussel sprouts). Ciao ciao
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