Author Archives: Osteria di Giovanni

February is a mad month in Florence!

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February is carnival time. The last day of Carnival, (Shrove Tuesday) falls on the 9th of February this year. In all the bars and pastry shops in Florence now you will be able taste some wonderful goodies that are not available at any other time of the year: Cenci (fried dough smothered in icing sugar), Frittele   …Continue Reading


It’s beginning to look a lot like …

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Christmas is coming and everyone is getting just little over-excited, including us!


Thanksgiving 2015!

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Good news everyone, it’s that time of year again! What began as a special treat has now become one of our favorite traditions here at Osteria di Giovanni. Thanksgiving Dinner! We love the mix of Italian and American flavors and we know that you will too. Here is our take on the classic American meal,   …Continue Reading


Wine Tours of Tuscany

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We have come to the conclusion that it’s practically impossible to travel to Italy and not go on a wine tasting. And we may be a little biased given where we live, but it seems to us like Tuscany is the place to be for a wine tasting in the fall. For one thing, the   …Continue Reading


What to see in Florence this fall!

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If you’re lucky enough to be in Italy this fall, you simply can not miss out on the opportunity that is the International Biennial of Antiques in Florence. This world-famous biannual art and antiques fair is definitely one of the best things to do in late September / early October. Set in the gorgeous Palazzo   …Continue Reading


7th September is the Festival of Lanterns

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If you are in Florence on the 7th September you don’t want to miss this one! It’s called the “Rificolona” – the Festival of Lanterns. Bright lanterns will light the streets of Florence for an event that kicks off in Piazza Santa Felicità at 8.00pm. At 8.30 pm the procession (complete with bands playing music)   …Continue Reading


Hot, hot and them some more hot!

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In case you haven’t heard, it is hot in Mediterranean Europe this summer. Hot. All the time. Hot! Here follow some useful tips for keeping your core temperature from exploding if you are visiting Florence this summer. if you have a quiet place with air-con to go in the very hottest hours (between about 2   …Continue Reading


Something really quite beautiful, made by hand!

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We came aross this rather exciting sketch on the web and thought that we would share it with you. Just how lovely is this?! Credit to Alvin Mark     Sunset over the Arno River sketch after watching Mad Max. The movie was intense and the concept art brought me back to my animation days!   …Continue Reading


There really is only one L’Osteria di Giovanni!

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So today we are going to touch on a some what potentially delicated subject! We will do our very best to be tactful and discreet … L’Osteria di Giovanni  has become rather famous in Florence. We are enjoying a share in the limelight as one of Florence’s renowned eateries and that does indeed come with   …Continue Reading


Winter fruits – all bursting with flavour and goodness

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Food in Italy is fabulous all year round but there is definitely some extra love put into all the dishes and desserts around Christmas time! For dessert the most simple Italian sweet is fresh fruit. Freshly picked mandarins and melograno (pomegranate) that come straight from the orto (fruit and vegetable garden) and are all bursting   …Continue Reading