Who's afraid?

It's stories like these that inspire me.  

Here's this guy who had a successful business career and risked it all to follow a passion of owning his own business  in something that excited him: biking and later, coffee.  He listen to his heart, and put it on the line.  He went through fiscally tough times, but stuck with it.  He found his place and, in turn, found success.  

I always talk about my dream of owning my own shop.  Coffee, wine and community.  But will it ever become a reality?  How much risk would their really be?  Is success truly a possibility? 

Wine - Cinque Terre

As you hike through the five small villages of Cinque Terre you may notice, on the steep sloping hillsides, lush green vines budding with potential grapes!  "What vineyards do these belong to and where can I find this wine?", you may ask yourself.

As opposed to single vineyard owning these vines, the towns and regions have "Azienda Agricola" (basically farms) that cultivate grapes and then sell them for wine production.  

Last night we found a spectacular white from one of these "Azienda Agricola".  If you're able to get your paws on one of the 4,500 bottles of white produced in 2008, do it.  

Cheo, Cinque Terre - 2008

Vernazza - Italia

Medium bodied.  Robust floral with hints of honey and basil.  Excellent with shell fish and Calamari.  

Cinque Terre Day Trip

Cinque Terre is a tourist destination extraordinaire.  It's a well known destination spot for individuals traveling through Tuscany.  But did you know you can do Cinque Terre in a 3/4 day trip (from Florence) including: have an amazing experience, see/eat your way through all 5 towns and get one hell of a workout in?  You can!  You need to prep yourself for quite a bit of physical activity (i.e. walking a HILLY 6 miles in a day).  But if you're game, here's an example of how (as experimented yesterday by me and my husband)...

10:30 - 12:30 Drive from Florence to Riomaggiore

This will be a quick and rather senic drive to and through La Spezia.  Bring some good tunes to keep you amped.

12:30 - 13:15 Park & walk from Riomaggiore (town #1) to Manarola (town #2) via the Via del' Amore

This can be tricky as parking fills up early in Riomaggiore.  You may be forced, as we were, to park way up the hill away from the town center.  Be prepared for the walk home when you're done, if this is the case.  This first town to town trek is an easy and paved path.  You'll get your first brethtaking views but it will be extremely crowded so if you're moving quickly, be prepared for the people dodging.  Make it a game and you're all set.  

13:15 - 14:15 Walk from Manarola (town #2) to Corniglia (town #3)

Similar to the first town to town walk, this will be a gradual and paved road.  Very crowded.  Be ready to dodge more people on the path.  Corniglia is the smallest of the 5 towns.  It's narrow windy streets seem like they would be fun to explore if you wanted to take a little more time to adventure there.  

14:15 - 15:45 Walk from Corniglia (town #3) to Vernazza (town #4)

And now it begins.  There are signifigantly less toursist on this part of the trek.  For very good reason.  It's longer, steep and the terrain is harder to navigate.  Wear good shoes (especially if it's raining) as there is loose gravel and rocks.  But it's worth it.  Both pictures included here I took from this part of the hike.  Take time to soak in the views and lush viniculture you pick your way through along the way.  

15:45 - 17:15 Treak from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare (final town!)

This trek is very similar to the one listed above.  You'll have a very steep hill for the first 1.5k.  Suck it up and look forward to the top.  It's the best view you'll get all day.  Then enjoy the rest of the gradual windy downhill to Monterosso.  

17:15 - 20:00 Enjoy Monterosso!

Spending time in this charming little sea side town was 100% worth every kilometer trekked.  Cool off by taking a dip in the ocean.  Enjoy a prosecco or beer in one of the water side cafes or just wonder through the mellow but beautifully decorated streets.  I highly recommend Cantina di Mickey for dinner.  It's casual and will seat (and feed) you before 7.  Delicious.  Order anything with seafood and be sure to have a chilled local bottle of wine with it!

20:00 - 23:00 Take the train from Monterosso back to Riomaggiore, find your car and drive back to Florence!

Light Coconut Pancakes (GF)

These tasty little cakes are extremely light, fluffy and deliciously tropical.  It's like biting in to a fluffy (yet rich) little tropical cloud.  

14 oz coconut milk (use "light" for lower fat recipe)

2-4 Tbs Sugar (more if you use non-sweetened coconut)

1/4 cup flour (gluten free optional)

3 cup grated coconut

3 Tbs lemon juice & 1 Tbs lemon rind

1 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

3 eggs

1. In a small sauce pan, bring coconut milk & sugar to barely a boil
   
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, coconut, salt, baking powder and lemon
   
3. Stir in coconut milk
   
4. lightly whisk the eggs and add to mixture
   
5. Stir until all is combined
   

Makes lovely little silver dollar pancakes for 4-6 people

Cantina Sabrosa

Via dell' Agnolo 91r

Florence, Italy

055 242 645

Type: Latin Fusion

Food: C+

Hit or miss.  Some of the meat dishes were right on: well salted, tender with a good combination of spices.  In some of the dishes, they forgot to add flavor.  Stick with  the more basic meat selections: mixed grill, burritos, tacos.  Stay away from the vegetarian dishes and nachos (also forgot the flavor ticket).  Ask for salt up front, remind them not to be stingy on the spice and keep drinking- it'll help wash the lack of flavor down.  

Service: B-

They tried, they really did.  But they appeared understaffed and scattered.  The waitress confused 2/6 orders and forgot to bring one dish all together.  They were extremely friendly and polite, but unfortunately, that doesn't  make up for food not being in our bellies.  

Ambiance: B- 

You could tell they were going for bright and lively latin: Mexican fiesta meets Spanish tapas bar type of feel.  But what they got was too much light, uncomfortable seating and  lack of distinction.  We appreciated the colors and festive latin music, but pull back a little: turn down the light and ease up on the background noise.  

Booze: C+ 

Strong drinks, great selection, lots of ice, delicious Sangria, but they don't know how to do a margarita.  How can a primarily Mexican food restaurant not know how to do a very basic margarita on the rocks?  Margarita martini?  Uh, no.  Mojito with dark rum?  Not so much.    

Overall, great concept in Florence and we appreciated the diversity of the meal (not always easy to find decent Italian food alternatives), but didn't hit any of the categories on the nose.