Table for One – Florence!
I was early back to the apartment and not very hungry but it
was far too early to call it a night so I decided to take a stroll and see
where the Arno took me?
Staying in an apartment on the East Bank of the river was
interesting but I had only explored the busy end of the West side. As I was meandering across the Ponte Santa
Trinita I was overwhelmed by the smell of cologne and instinctively followed
the scent. The owner of the odor was, in
some ways, similar to the financier of the Bridge, Frescobaldi. This guy, let’s call him Harry, was indeed very
fresh, nearly baldy and was probably also Italian.
He had a healthy looking comb over and for his age had a
very strident gait. I guessed he was about 58, was in finance or law, married,
or divorced, took very good care of his appearance and was fairly active. I know all of this from the back; I’m, indeed, a
genius. He was suited in the Baroque style of the bridge, wearing a velvet
jacket with a silk hanky hanging from the left chest pocket. Now I really am imagining things because I'm
behind him and can't actually, see his front.
I falter when he takes a left at the end of the bridge and, for a
millisecond, I consider going right but no, I keep following him.
I continued to tail him and nearly crashed into him as he
stopped to look at his phone. He tasted
delicious. Yes, I was that close. Realising I was a bit too vicino I pulled back a bit and as he
crossed the road I continued to stroll nonchalantly on the other side. Playing it cool although he didn’t even know
I was alive.
My Harry was then greeted by another man outside of a very
unassuming bar and I decided to cross over and have a look inside. As I entered I was confronted by, not one,
but three Maître D' looking types who were all very dapper, handsome and keen
to know if I had booked a table. I
smiled meekly, looking down at my dusty shoes.
The gentlemen the scrambled to arranged a
table for me in the bar area. I was made to feel very special indeed. I
didn't have the heart, or the bottle, to say I'd only strolled in following the
scintillating smell of a stranger!
I soon forgot about my new-found squeeze when I was handed
the most satisfying Mozzarella stick I have ever tasted. As I held the oozing, hot, firm, tasty stick
of deliciousness between my fingers, cologne guy was promptly filed away in my
memory. My story would now be of Harry's
Bar and I was in good company with Paloma Picasso, Margot Hemingway, Burt
Lancaster, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor and Franco Zeffirelli.
Since being founded by Enrico (Harry to me and you) Mariotti
in 1952 Harry's Bar has become one of the most renowned restaurants in Florence
because of the attention to detail, care, awareness, responsivenss and kindness
it gives to every customer who enters the bar.
It has an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere created by the beautiful
lamps made from Murano Glass which light up the interior like warm flickers of
a charming, homely dining room.
Using high quality materials from Tuscany and Florence,
which relate to both season and tradition, they create mouthwatering dishes linking with their old-school ethos of providing an experience of unique charm,
in a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you
want a cocktail, fresh pasta or beef tartare, you can take comfort in the fact
you are experiencing the very best Florence has to offer.
I opted for a chicken
salad because I was still digesting the 4-course lunch I'd had in Rocco's at
the Sant Ambrogio Market. My meal was
brought to me by Lapo who called me Signora Glasgow and he was so genuinely
attentive and charming I'd go back simply to chat with him again. They also make their own butter which I spooned
into my mouth with no bread as it was creamy and moist with hints of anchovy
and garlic and I almost...STOP!
(that’s for the naughty version of my next book)!
(that’s for the naughty version of my next book)!
Anyway, if you're thinking of taking a trip to Florence then
Harry's Bar is a must and will make your visit to this stunning city an even
more memorable one. Say hello to Bilal,
Filippo and the charming Lapo for me?
For now; back to the subject of Harry; next time I smell a guy from
behind, if it attracts me and I follow the trail; who knows where I might end
up?
A horse, a safari, my heart twined around his suspenders or
me rendered with my face on a bar room floor?
Table for One?
Yes please!
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