Really Playing for Pizza: ACQUA IS NUMBER 1!

The signature dish at 'Aqua al 2" - the Filetto Al' Balsamico. (Balsamic Steak!)

When people discuss the best things about Italy, they glowingly talk about the culture, the wine, the history, the food, and on and on... However, of that list, by far the most amazing - and most satisfying - has to be the FOOD. It comes in a variety of forms - sweet desserts, spicy pastas, crunchy pizza, and most surprisingly, some very original combinations as well.

With this in mind - and borrowing the mantra from Eat, Pray, Love - we have made it our mission to seek out exceptional food experiences. We had one of those moments on Monday night in Florence when we were lucky enough to be tipped off (from my Dad's Doctor back in Seattle!) to the amazing 'Acqua Al 2 Restaurante.'

Firenze and San Diego - not exactly the normal pair you think of when it comes to partners. However, you also don't normally think of Steak covered in Balsamic Vinegar!

The restaurant itself, pronounced "Acqua Al DUE," sits on a quiet side-street a few blocks behind the Uffizi Gallery near the romantic Arno River. It is an eclectic place inside - with dark lighting and walls decorated by white plates autographed by famous patrons. Perhaps most interesting, Acqua Al 2 boasts a sister restaurant, in of all places, San Diego! The prices here are extremely reasonable for Europe, and the food was absolutely outstanding! (One might say, 'write home about' - but nowadays one could instead say, 'write blog about')!

The plates of famous people line the walls...

One of the many unique things about this restaurant is that they allow you to order a "Sampler Plate" for each course, allowing you to try many different flavors in an easy way. We opted for the "Aspaggio di Primi" - first course sampler - and were not disappointed. FIVE different pastas were served consecutively, each with a distinct taste and getting more rich as they went on. They included:

1) MACARONI WITH BROCCOLI

2) ZITI WITH SPINACH

3) RISOTTO WITH ARTICHOKE

4) PENNE WITH RAGU

5) MACARONCINI WITH RED PEPPER (The Best!)

If this wasn't enough, the REASON for the visit came next: Balsamic Vinegar Filet! As mentioned earlier, Dr. Egge back in Seattle told my Dad before their trip, "If you go to Florence the ONLY THING you must do is try the Balsamic Steak!" (Not to be confused with the traditionally 'Bistecca Fiorentina' - which is a thick steak served rare and made famous in the region.)

Knowing that we love Balsamic now more than ever (and have even looked at getting it injected intravenously into our bloodstream), we were not disappointed. It is a taste one can almost not describe - a sort of sweet and sour at the same time, familiar but also new. Either way, extremely GOOD!

For dessert - ANOTHER SAMPLER! How can you go wrong with Chocolate Cake, Tiramasu, Panna Cotta, and Cheesecake?! All for only 5 Euro!

After dinner, we chatted happily for a couple hours and relished the moment. (Is that the correct usage of 'relish' - or is it better used on a hot dog?)

As a final note, I tried to talk the waiter into letting me sign a plate, but apparently I am not yet 'FAMOUS ENOUGH.' I then and there vowed to return to Acqua Al 2 ONLY when I am famous enough to be GIVEN a plate to sign.