I’ve been trying to understand why everything tastes better
here. Some of it I know is because I am away from home for a brief stay, and I am taking the time to savor every new flavor.

There is the physical presentation of food to consider. Unlike going to Starbucks or Panera where everything is the same and frequently packaged “to go.” Here even a coffee and soda are a work of art. Tranformed to “capucinno” and “bibita gassata.”

One the first places we sampled sweets in Santa Lucia was Bar Moncelli Pasticceria. Pastries are beautifully displayed and possess a melt in your mouth sweet freshness, requiring you to moan while eating.

On her way home from church my sister found this amazing place nearby for dinner.

“La Ribalta”

Where the chef prepared a tasty array of fresh local Tuscan treats while we sipped the house wine in a contemporary artistic setting.

Our antipasto was an assortment of ham, prosciutto, cheeses, tomato and other spices sandwiched in a tender pastry pie-like crusts.

Pizza assortment entre

La dolce, our desserts, a fruit filled torte and chocolate cheese cake with currants were a wonderful way to complete our taste of Tuscany.

Then sometimes a panino and acqua are just enough when you can eat them in a quiet park on a sunny day. And it doesn’t hurt to be surrounded by olive grove and vineyard lined mountains.