The Search for the Best Tiramisu in Florence, Italy

I have this delicious honey crisp apple picked off a tree in the beautiful Annapolis Valley just waiting for me to take a bite. 

 Yet, all I can think about is how I wish I was back in Italy, throwing caution to the wind over any poor eating habits as after all when in Italy, you must Mange! It would be a crime to be visiting a country such as Italy and not take advantage of the fresh made pasta, tousled in traditional tomato sauces which reminded me of my close friend Vienne’s Nona Erminia (God rest her beautiful soul); she was born in Sicily and studied in Rome to become a teacher, married a United Church Minister.

Below starting at the left (photo from 90s) is my close friend Vivienne, Nona Erminia is in the centre & Vivi’s Mom Evelyn.  Three generations of beautiful Italian ladies! 

 Nona Erminia made the best chicken cutlet sandwiches, she was your traditional sweet Italian grandmother who would say “Eat! Eat! You’re so skinny! You need to eat more! Eat!”. I loved going over to her small apartment in Gatineau, Quebec and as soon as you opened the door you would be hit with a wall of warm savory scents from a crowded table groaning with bowls upon bowls of delicious homemade Italian comfort food.    

One of my greatest food weaknesses is ice cream or gelato, and gelatterias are everywhere in Florence, Italy. Surprisingly I only had gelato once while I was in Italy just a couple of weeks ago. I had pistachio and a dulce caramel combination. Pistachio is my go to flavor, and hazelnut. 

 My original goal when in Florence was to try all the different gelato spots, but I soon turned towards a different mission. I was out to try as many Tiramisus as I could in Florence. 
 

The first one I tried was in the dining room at our hotel Mulino di Firenze.  It was divine…

The second one was at a Pizzeria which offered four mini samples. One was traditional, then with amaretto, another with sweet wine     and a creme brûlée one. It was good, but I am a traditionalist when it comes to my tiramisu.

We also tried one at Gilli, an outdoor/indoor cafe/restaurant which we tried their Tiramisu but did not get a photo of, however I do have one which I took the same day! 

I found this photo below online of a Tiramisu from Gilli with photo credit included.  Ours looked exactly the same!

It was delicious ofcourse, but it wasn’t pause and enjoy the moment worthy. Still, if in Florence and at Gilli I would recommend. 

Then on our last night in Florence celebrating our one year anniversary we went for dinner at a restaurant locals recommend & I will be reviewing. Quattro Leoni is the restaurant & we tried their Tiramisu.

It was tasty, but I have to say for all the buzz I heard on this  restaurant, I was disappointed with their Tiramisu. It was muddled & lumpy I found, maybe the lady fingers weren’t soaked long enough, and the waiter himself was advising patrons to go for the cheese cake. Don’t get me wrong, it was still pretty good. 

I think Tiramisu is a bit like pizza, it is always pretty good, but some are more exceptional than others! 

The winner goes to Mulino di Firenze! 

We had their Tiramisu three times I think. It was one we had to stop ourselves from ordering. 

Both Brian and I cannot say enough good things about this place! If you can get a deal on staying here like we did, it is worth while. Close enough to the downtown action, yet far enough to give you a feeling of being tucked away in the Tuscan hills. 

I will be reviewing Mulino di Firenze soon if you want to know more about Florence’s best kept secret! 

Ciao! 

Peace & Love – Rachel