Spotlight On: Lost In Florence

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1. Who are you?

Ciao! My name is Nardia Plumridge. I am a journalist by trade who started out in London covering music and film. Not a bad way to start a writing career. Yet people and places has always been my passion, so I naturally evolved into travel and lifestyle. Food and wine feature heavily also, so I feel I cover all the best things in life (in my happy opinion). I am passionate about independent, artisan places and authentic experiences. One of my favorite parts of my job is discovering new locations and meeting locals. I take a traditional approach to my research and literally walk the backstreets and ask natives what I should find. Being lost has never been more fun and in travel today, been more desired.

2. What is your site about?

Lost in Florence was created as a magazine style website to showcase independent yet stylish places in the Renaissance capital. “Chic, Boutique, Unique” are the benchmarks for venues. Florence is a very popular tourist city yet beyond the main squares and museums is a city rife with unique places to discover – especially in the past three years there has been an explosion of new, funky locales. The city also boasts a heritage with hand made, artigianale crafts. There are a number of inspiring studios where young artisans are continuing traditions yet with a modern, fashionable flair both in fashion and in food.

3. What is one food tip you would give about Florence?

For meat eaters you must try Bistecca alla Fiorentina. It’s a T-bone steak of Chianina beef weighing in on average one kilogram for the smallest serving. It only comes served one way – bloody! Seared over a grill, it’s crispy on the outside, red in the middle, and lathered with olive oil after cooking. It’s served up simply on a plate and you decide on one or two seasonal side dishes. Even an entry-level size is enough for two people, so be warned. As for places to try it, my first experience was at a family run trattoria, L’Brindellone, in San Frediano many years ago and a food experience I’ll never forget. For a true Tuscan meat feast, carnivores should venture out to Dario Cecchini’s eatery in the town of Panzano in Chianti. Yet it’s not all meat on menus. For vegetarians, try the quaint veggie haven of Il Vegetariano in San Lorenzo, Florence.

4. What is one travel tip you would give about Florence?

Take the backstreets and see what you discover. I really believe in getting “lost” when travelling – this normally uncovers the most memorable travel experiences. Between the main squares in Florence, there are hundreds of pedestrian-only cobble lanes where you’ll find old artisan workshops, cafes filled with locals, and the best gelato in town.

5. What is the best thing to eat in Florence?

Too many to say, we are in Tuscany after all! But I devour the Tuscan salami, finocchiona, whenever possible and I go crazy for cavolo nero (black cabbage) in the winter. Then there are the truffles, the wine…

  Florence, Italy, Lost In Florence, Nardia Plumridge