A Pasta a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

This is a not-so-humble brag that I’m currently writing to you in Florence, Italy. Surprise! For the next two weeks I’ll be sharing some adventures around Italy. Hopefully you can live vicariously through the bites, sights and whatever else comes ahead.

I’m flying solo throughout Florence this week before taking a train down to Rome for another week-long Italian escape. I’m also still catching up on sleep from a long weekend in London, where I actually had some great bites. Let’s get into it.

🗣️ North London Forever 🔴⚪

It’s where the trip started: seeing Arsenal play in North London.

Now, I have to preface: I had some of the most bland stadium food here with a burger and fries. And I was warned that the burgers sold outside the stadium are far better than inside, but I just wanted to get there. But enough about the food – that’s not why I was there.

I got a chance to see Arsenal play in Philly this past summer against Liverpool in a pre-season matchup. Although they lost, it was fun to see all the support in my home city and be in that atmosphere.

This time, I had far more expectations for an in-season match at home. To not relive the same emotional rollercoaster of that night, I’ll share the facts: Arsenal went up 2-0 and looked like they controlled the whole game. Eventually Aston Villa came back with two quick goals and held firm to end the night in a draw.

To say I had chills would be an understatement. The pint at half time was good for the nerves, and the pint after was to try and settle down, along with waiting out for a crowded Tube ride after.

This trip to North London felt like a pilgrimage of sorts. And a much appreciated connection – my uncle’s cousin showed me around the stadium, sharing many stories of supporting Arsenal for 60+ years and welcomed me to the supporters’ club he belongs too. (Think of a small house/room with a bar for members to gather before entering. A British version of tailgating, I guess.)

Now a quick rundown of the London food of the weekend…

Food expectations definitely leaned on the Italy side of this trip rather than these three days spent in London. So what did I eat?

• Lunch at Dishoom, Bombay comfort food – after dropping my bags at my hotel, I stopped by this fantastic recommendation from my coworker. (Shoutout, Sindoor!) What I ordered: House Chaat, Black Daal, Chicken Tikka. Admittedly this was far too much food for lunch, but after a red eye and before a long day of work, I had to fill up. Damn good. Would get it all again, and some chai.

• The obligatory fish and chips from a local pub – A nice 10-minute walk to a pub with well rated food was perfect for the night. After a couple pints there, I stopped into another pub for a Guinness, another obligation.

The next morning was when the battle with the jet lag started. So naturally I got up and walked nine miles, getting to see all the London hits, before eating anything... crazy, I know… Anyway, working up an appetite, I made my way back to where I was staying and stopped an outdoor market for some Thai. Which coincidentally was also the type of my final meal in London after the Arsenal game, before calling it an early night for my 5 a.m. wakeup call before getting moving for my flight to Florence.

“Next time I get to Europe, I’m going to Italy”

That’s what I’ve said for years. So when the stars aligned for a trip to London, the next thought was about where I was going in Italy. From many friends recommendations, Florence was an easy choice, and since then, countless others have said how much they love this city as well.

And from what I can say this far, I get the hype. It’s beautiful, the perfect size for a trip – whatever the time span – and it’s easy to get to. Now I am also here in January when it’s much less crowded than other season, but I’m a fan already after a day and a half.

And on that same note, I’ve been here for that long and I can already tell the food is just right. Everything about it. I’m writing all this after a great food tour that I learned about different cheeses, meats, breads, pastas, braised stews and gelato. And of course there was wine. Plenty of it. Even got to have a wine window experience.

More of all the first week of Italian food next week. Here’s where I’ll look to cook at least one meal, even though I’m sure there’s no point with so much food around:

Being able to spend an extended period of time here is a true blessing. So a big shoutout to my company allowing for work-from-anywhere time mixed with PTO, and also my family for holding down the fort back home – AKA taking care of the high-energy that is Lucy. Treats to come for all.

Ciao for now, and of course, Go Birds ✌️