A blurred picture of the old gent who sits in charge (front of house) at the tiny but perfectly formed Lo Sdrucciolo just around the corner from the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.
Watching us struggling to capture the garlicky tomato mix tumbling from our bruschette al pomodoro, he decides to abandon his accustomed seat by the door, and approaches us with hands held high.
“Con le mani, con le mani!”
He implores us to eat like Florentines, then nods with approval when we follow his advice, and drop our knives and forks.
He is right. This traditional Italian fast food, beautifully seasoned and oozing olive oil, tastes so much better without the prissy use of cutlery.
The old man is busy: waiting on tables, teaching us Italian, and every so often enjoying a rest on his chair to keep an eye on the street.
Another simply delicious Firenze feast.
Lo Sdrucciolo
Have Paprika, Will Travel 