My daily ritual usually involves a sandwich. Walking around Florence you will be tempted by a plentiful display of them. But if you can save your appetite, walk towards ‘Ino in Via dei Georgofili. ‘Ino is not just any sandwich joint; it’s a testimony to superior ingredients. Alessandro Frassica, the owner, travels extensively around Italy on a quest to find quality producers. The result can be admired, bought and savored at his store. For Alessandro a ‘panino’ is just the instrument to introduce people to excellent ingredients. Nothing is cooked or transformed … just placed carefully in between crunchy ‘ciabatta.’
To cater to local fans and well-informed foreigners [‘Ino has been featured in an array of international publications], Alessandro is supported by a smiley staff: Hiroko, Carlotta and Serena. While they prepare the made-to-order panini, Alessandro is a charming host; a reminder of his previous career in sales.
I eat my panini ‘italian style’: standing at the bar with a glass of wine and a group of strangers. First up: ‘finocchiona’ [Tuscan salami flavored with fennel seeds], ‘pecorino alle erbe’ [herbed sheep cheese] with ‘mostarda di peperoni’ [tangy mustard]. Oven toasted, super tasty and the perfect cure-all for a nippy winter day. I’m already anticipating my next panino: Filetti di tonno [marinated tuna], cime di rapa [brocolli rabe] and pomodoro secco di Pantelleria [dried tomatoes from a tiny and windy island of the Sicilian coast]. Another winner!
‘Ino has succeeded in doing something special indeed: showcasing small food producers; modernizing the panino tradition, and in between, giving Florence another great foodie experience.
‘Ino Firenze, Via dei Georgofili 3r-7r, every day from 11:00 – 17:00, Tel +39 055.219208.
Read more about ‘Ino Firenze in The Florentine.
Snippets of thyme January 13, 2012
Thank you for showing snaps of Florence, a city that stole my heart when I was there 2 years ago. My husband was in meetings all day and I wandered up and down so many of the streets of the city. Yes, I often picked up that simple sandwich for lunch instead of sitting in a restaurant.
Sofie Delauw January 17, 2012
Hi Riley, that’s exactly how I spent my first months here! Walking by myself [plus my camera] … getting lost a couple of times
… exploring is a fantastic feeling.
Roos van der Wielen January 16, 2012
Prachtige foto’s, tanti complimenti… Ino is echt een super plek (hij staat ook in ‘mijn’ stedengids 100% Florence (Mo’media)…
Ciao,
Roos
Sofie Delauw January 17, 2012
Bedankt Roos! Je blog is heel leuk! Woon je ook in Firenze?
Kiarina January 16, 2012
Il mio posto preferito x il pranzo del sabato mentre giro in centro facendo shopping.
‘Ino è un posto magico, da mettere nella toplist dei migliori locali della città sicuramente.
k belle foto che hai fatto, complimenti!
Sofie Delauw January 17, 2012
Grazie Kiarina! Il sabato è anche il mio giorno preferito per andarlì
Sara January 17, 2012
Thanks for suggesting this “delicious corner” next time of sure I will go definitely, I am a lover of panini!!!
One day if you are around Livorno, let me know, will be a pleasure to me to know you amazing panini livornesi.
Love,
Sara
Sofie Delauw January 17, 2012
Thank you Sara! I am very curious to try panini livornesi
. I will definitely let you know when I am in the neighborhood. A presto!
Lucie Bleumer February 2, 2012
Via het blog van Saskias Balmaekers je mooie sites bekeken.
Wil graag op je mailing list. Ben net terug uit Rome en food- en Italie-fan.
Sofie Delauw February 2, 2012
Ciao Lucie, bedankt voor jouw reactie. Ik werk momenteel nog niet met een mailing list [maar maak daar heel binnenkort werk van
]. In tussentijd kan het misschien handig zijn om via The Curious Eater Facebook pagina [http://www.facebook.com/TheCuriousEater] op de hoogte te blijven? Veel groetjes! Sofie
Alberto May 15, 2012
Ciao Curious Eater,
I tried a panini there with a nice glass of red wine… great suggestion, looks like a hidden secret place!
Should you happen to be in Milan, try out this one [http://www.paninogiusto.it/en/] … To me the very best panini ever… the “Re Sole” is perfect! Ciao
Sofie Delauw May 16, 2012
Grazie Alberto!