I have never been a true lover of pies. But that’s the thing with living in Italy: you end up changing your mind about food. A good friend introduced me to Dolci & Dolcezze:  a small pastry store in Piazza Beccaria, only a two minutes walk from the Sant’ Ambrogio food market.

It’s like walking into a time machine: a curved glass ‘etalage’, neon pink ‘caffe’ sign, emerald green walls, polished silverware, crystal chandelier and carefully selected vintage objects. It’s romantic, but in a very good way.

It’s impossible to just have a coffee here. Ilaria Balatresi’s delicate and beautiful ‘Brioche’ and ‘tortine’ [little pies] will not leave you indifferent. A flourless fondant, lemon curd pie, ‘The Marchesa’ gianduia pie, meringue and raspberry, wild strawberries cream pie … just to name a few. And if you are lucky enough to taste her cheese cake … it’s probably the best I’ve ever had.

Everything wonderfully presented on silver trays, a side of a splendid coffee and with Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’ playing in the background.

Dolci & Dolcezze, Piazza C. Beccaria 8r, 50121 Firenze, T: +39 0552345458