Tag Archives: Brie Cheese

Antico Noe: Sandwich Shop In Florence

I was given a recommendation from my boyfriend’s brother (who studied abroad in Florence) to go to Antico Noe for lunch. It was only a short walk away from the museum we were touring in the morning, so it was very easy to get to. At first I thought he was suggesting us to go to the mother restaurant right next door, but when I read his email again he told me to get the #9 on the menu (and the main restaurant didn’t have the food labeled by numbers). But right next door was a small sandwich shop that had it’s sandwiches labeled by the number. We ordered a few sandwiches, including the #9 of course. Written on brown paper and practically stabled outside of the front door were our panini choices.

The #9 included: turkey, brie cheese, roast onions, and a spicy sauce. I was hesitant at first because I am not a fan of brie cheese, but I went with his recommendation and ordered it. Just one bite in, I knew I owed him big time! The baguette was so fluffy and crispy I realized that all of the baguettes I have ever had in the U.S were crap. (Here’s what I thought a baguette was really like: hard, difficult to chew, mostly thick crust, difficult to slice… so not what it really is.) It was also fresh right out of the oven so it was perfectly warmed but not soggy. I was also happily surprised when I realized that I really do enjoy brie cheese when it is paired with other ingredients. Would I ever buy a brick of brie and slice it and put it on crackers? No way. But since I returned home to the U.S I have bought brie and added it to my sandwich for lunch.

Another sandwich that we ordered included: pork sausage (yup, I ate pork), spinach, egg plant, and pecorino cheese. It took a bit longer for them to prepare this sandwich because they cooked the pork sausage nice and fresh. But I was surprised when I admitted that this one was my favorite sandwich out of them all (the #9 was almost tied for 1st place). The spinach was perfectly cooked and the pecorino cheese added a powerful flavor when mixed with the pork.

When I go back to Florence, I plan to eat all of my lunches here at this little sandwich bistro. Located right under this small arch-way, we sat outside in the shade and people watched as we waited for our paninis to be prepared. Until I return… I’ll dream of the decadent (yet simplistic too) ingredients held together between the most heavily, crispy, soft, fluffy, warm baguette.

antico_noe_florence

Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread

Remember how I told you that paninis were one thing you would constantly encounter in Italy? Well, here it is! My first post on an Italian Panini (yes, there will be more).
There was something about the paninis in Italy, such a small snack (or lunch) would be created with only a few simple ingredients that were always as fresh as you could possibly hope for.
My first impression of what a panini really is came from what I learned in the United States … obviously the Americans have it all wrong. Over on this side of the pond, just about everyone has been to a Panera and almost everyone who has been has ordered one of their paninis. Whenever I eat one I feel like I have committed a crime! They are filled with countless ingredients and are full of calories, they are also very unhealthy. So naturally, this is what I thought a panini was. WRONG! The panini pictured below only had 3 ingredients: bread, salami, and cheese. Yes, that is correct everyone, I ate salami! And I loved it! I was in shock that I loved salami so much; it was probably because there were no preservatives and the meat wasn’t as salty as it would be over here. And pair salami with brie cheese and it’s all over for me. This sandwich was cut into four because my family and I were treating it as a snack before heading to the Trevi Fountain, but I am currently wishing I ordered another one because this panini was so delicious I am actually declaring it as the best panini I have ever had to eat! (And I must give my mother 100% credit on picking out this panini… as they say, mother knows best! Thanks mom for making me try it, yummm it was so tasty!)
salami panini