Casalinga means housewife in Italian, a much nicer word I think. My husband often comments that I don’t linger around the house much.
This restaurant was suggested to me by fellow blogger, Janine from Destination Umbria who loves to eat here.
At lunchtime I had to queue to get a table and then had to share with a couple of gentlemen and another couple. No problem, I could see that the food coming from the kitchen looked excellent.
The restaurant is tiny, although I think there may be another room at the back.
Waiting patiently.
One of the bonuses of sitting at a share table was that I could photograph what the others were eating. The 2 Florentine gentlemen were happy to hold up their food for me.
That one is a bit blurry, but you get the idea.
I ordered scallopina del limone with a side order of peas. I love the way peas are cooked here.
I resisted the urge to order dolce, although I saw some delicious things being delivered.
The restaurant is a hole in the wall in Via dei Michelozzi, near the Piazza Spirito Santo on the Palazzo Pitti side of the Arno.
Trattoria Casalinga was to close for a month after my visit for renovations. It will reopen at the end of March 2012.
Thank you Janine for the recommendation.
Great to know about another home style trattoria in Florence. Your scallopine looks just the way I like it. My only worry is whether they would allow “Tequila” to sit under the table in her travelling bag while we have lunch…
By: mulino dominillo on March 8, 2012
at 7:23 am
I’m sure Tequila would be welcome. I see lots of little dogs out with their owners here.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 7:07 pm
Debra! How wonderful!!! But it’s me who should be thanking you! I’m reading this just before I run off to cook dinner and my mouth is watering!!! This is really a special place for me and a perfect spot to eat ‘alone’ – because you never do! There is indeed another big room out back but it still manages to fill up very quickly. I love the mix of tradesmen, bankers, office workers and visitors you get at lunchtime especially. The passing parade makes waiting for a table much more interesting.
By: janinevasta on March 8, 2012
at 8:42 am
I like the customers as well. You know a restaurant is good when all the local workers eat there.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 7:08 pm
I ate here my last night in Florence last spring. My hotel was right around the corner. Loved it!
By: paninigirl on March 8, 2012
at 12:49 pm
It is a find!
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 7:09 pm
I’m not much of a pea eater, but the pastsa looks delicious–as does the bread. Just finished breakfast here in the US, and I’m ready for lunch looking at these photos. LOL
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on March 8, 2012
at 1:44 pm
I love peas! Even as a child I liked to eat peas, raw, cooked, any way at all.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 7:09 pm
The meals look simple and scrumptious. I salivated plenty when I saw the scallopini and peas dish! I liked the homely atmosphere of the trattoria with its collection of photos, paintings and pottery. Little wonder there is a patient queue at lunchtimes.
By: Sandra H on March 8, 2012
at 1:58 pm
It was fun having lunch with the local Florentines.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 7:10 pm
This looks a great place for lunch the day we will be shopping in Florence in April. I am keen to try your dish of scallopina del limone with those little green peas.
Only five weeks until i arrive. I hope early spring will be in the air about then- maybe wishful thinking- doesnt matter really as i love it any time of year.
Dianne Cant
By: dianne Cant on March 8, 2012
at 2:04 pm
If we go early perhaps we won’t have to wait.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 7:11 pm
My favorite! Don’t miss their ribollita. Great place!
By: loisreynoldsmead on March 8, 2012
at 3:56 pm
I’ll have to go back to try the ribollita, thanks for the tip.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 7:12 pm
Looks like I have yet ANOTHER eatery to add to our list for May…never enough time to enjoy them all..but we will do our best!
Thanks for sharing the photos and making me hungry – even though I just ate lunch 🙂
Susan
By: Susan and Wade on March 8, 2012
at 7:38 pm
You would need several lifetimes to do and eat everything you need to in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 8:35 pm
Simple, elegant fare. I love peas – how do they cook them there that makes them so special?
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on March 8, 2012
at 8:04 pm
I don’t know what they do to the peas, but they are delicious. They are slightly overcooked and a bit squashy. I think they are cooked in stock and perhaps prosciutto is involved.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2012
at 8:37 pm
I love Italian dining, esp. with good company of friends and family. I’m up-ping for the 4 -5 courses. I don’t mind ballooning my belly. They use healthier olive oil anyway. 😀
I love the dessert too, gelato, tiramisu, even fruits. Don’t care as long as it’s a good part of the dining experience. 😀
By: rommel on March 8, 2012
at 10:45 pm
It is very easy to eat well in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2012
at 2:10 pm
Suddenly I’m starving.
By: Shelagh on March 8, 2012
at 11:16 pm
Looking at food can do that to you.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2012
at 2:10 pm
Casalinga just sounds better than very average sounding ‘housewife’. love the sounds of this place!
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on March 9, 2012
at 7:10 am
Housewife sounds quite dreary in comparison.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2012
at 2:12 pm
Buon Appetito, Debra!!!
By: roberto alborghetti on March 9, 2012
at 11:15 am
Grazie!
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2012
at 2:12 pm
Nothing quite like authentic Italian trattoria.Casalinga in Florence looks perfect and yes the option to sit with and enjoy eating with the locals is special. A couple of things occur to me: Debra do you have good conversational Italian and what are your readers favourite authentic Italian restaurants outside of Italy. I love Grossi’s in Melbourne.
By the way the weather in Brisbane is just perfect today, hot, but not too humid. Cool and barmy in the evenings.
By: elizabeth keogh on March 10, 2012
at 1:58 am
My everyday Italian is OK. I would be better if I studied a bit, but I can have a conversation with the locals, especially involving food.
We like Beccofino in Brisbane. I have been to Grossi in Melbourne, it’s great!
By: Debra Kolkka on March 10, 2012
at 7:33 am
what a beautiful meal. i can’t wait to try it. shooting for next april 2013. it will come fast. ciao.
By: george miori on March 10, 2012
at 8:25 pm
There will be lots of good meals for you here.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 10, 2012
at 8:29 pm