All'Antico Vinaio

All’Antico Vinaio

Every time I go to Florence (so quite often), 'All'Antico Vinaio' is the first thing I think of. Sometimes I even think about it when I'm not in Florence; sometimes I dream about it at night.

For those who still haven't been, All'Antico Vinaio is a small take-out in the centre of Florence that serves toasted 'schiacciate' (an Italian white flatbread) filled in front of you with Tuscan ingredients. All'Antico Vinaio's first store was opened in 1991 by the Mazzanti family in Via Dei Neri, a stone's throw away from Piazza della Signoria and Gli Uffizi gallery. It was immediately successful - so much so that there are now two other stores in the centre of Florence as well. Additionally, it's become so famous in the last few years that, in 2014, it became the most widely reviewed take-out in the world.

What's made All'Antico Vinaio's 'schiacciate' so famous, in addition to the kindness of the owner, is without a doubt the quality of its products. The tuscan 'schiacciate' are also very imaginative, and they're not limited just to the simple ham and cheese filling.

One of my favourites is the so-called "La Favolosa", or, in English, 'the fairy-tale' (and it really is!), made with 'sbriciolona' (a type of Tuscan salami), pecorino cheese, creamed artichokes, a grilled aubergine, however "La Dante", made with 'capocollo' (an Italian pork cold-cut), 'stracchino' cheese (from the north of Italy), truffle cream and rocket, isn't to be joked about either.

In addition to these two, there are also more summery fillings, like one with prosciutto ham, mozzarella, fresh tomato and basil.

Obviously, if you don't fancy any of the 'schiacciate' on the menu (which changes regularly anyway), it's possible to order your own 'schiacciata' with your unique choice of ingredients. However, each 'schiacciata' is typically made with some kind of cold-cut and cheese (either fresh or aged), fresh vegetables and some kind of cream, which is obviously home-made by the guys in All'Antico Vinaio.

The value for money is excellent too, considering the 'schiacciate' cost 5 euros and they leave you satisfied and feeling full.

Even the 'schiacciata' bread itself is a true delight: crunchy but not too much, tasty, perfumed and light.

The only downside of All'Antico Vinaio, which you'll notice as soon as you get close to the take-out, is the endless queue that you can find every single day of the year at lunch time.

However, I can assure you that it's well worth waiting for a 'schiacciata' from All'Antico Vinaio!