The Catch of the Day

The Catch of the Day

25 June 2012 • Eating in Florence, Eating in Tuscany • by

It’s not easy to find a good place to eat seafood in Florence. ‘The catch of the day’ is all about freshness. Finally I can enjoy a wonderfully prepared ‘merluzzo’ in my neighborhood. 

‘Trattoria Pane e Olio‘: a teensy Mediterranean bistro at the foot of Via Bolognese. For decades it has been serving Tuscan fare. Today you can find  young Neapolitan chef Aldo preparing a small but delightful fish menu. Meanwhile his charming ‘socio’ Gianluca rules the dining room with precision.

  

The day of the shoot, I join Aldo in his compact kitchen. There is just enough room for me and my camera. He perfectly executes a ‘passatina di zolfini’ [a tuscan bean purée] with seared prawns and fresh dill. Definitely one of my favorites: light, delicious and an ideal way to awaken my appetite. Next is a velvety scallop and clam risotto. Back to work: I set up my tripod next to one of the bistro tables close to the entrance. Gianluca brings out a tempting ‘merluzzo’ accompanied by oven toasted cherry tomatoes, asparagus and fresh maggiorana. Aromatic and delicate!

  

I almost don’t want to leave. That’s the intent: Aldo and Gianluca keep their doors open all day for anybody who wants to stop for a coffee or ‘aperitivo’.

I end my visit at Pane e Olio with their Mojito inspired dessert [Gianluca is also a sommelier and barman]: lime, rhum and mint … freshness indeed!

Pane e Olio: Via Faentina 2r, Ponte Rosso [Florence], lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, T: +39 055488381.

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I am Sofie: a lifestyle and food photographer based in Florence, Italy. I love to show the beauty and light of everyday life. As a freelance photographer I work with restaurateurs, chefs, business owners and designers. I believe working in team creates the best results. My work has also been published in editorials in the US, Italy and Belgium. I think I have the best job in the world!

6 Responses to The Catch of the Day

  1. stefanie kronemeyer 31 July 2012 Reply

    Hi Sophie, I love your blog. I am a luxury travel writer and have a blog featuring the best of Florence. I will certainly follow your advice and mention you on my article.

    • Sofie Delauw 31 July 2012 Reply

      Thank you very much Stefanie. Happy to hear you find my blog useful :-) . Let’s keep in touch!

  2. Ramone666 26 October 2012 Reply

    Thanks for the recommendation Sofie. Had dinner in Pane e Olio a couple of days ago and loved it. Cheers!

    • Sofie Delauw 28 October 2012 Reply

      So happy to hear!

  3. Lila Brown 19 March 2013 Reply

    Your blog is beautiful, I lived in Florence 10 years ago and am always on the look out for fabulous new restaurants when I return. I will definitely have to try this out.

    • Sofie Delauw 19 March 2013 Reply

      Great to hear Lila! You will not regret :-)

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