Could not agree more about State St. Fish, or cut bait. I favored the idea of a pedestrian promenade years before it was done. There were several town halls devoted to concepts like this well before COVID. Seeing it in practice, I no longer feel that way. We are wasting money and time trialling corny projects that are all done in half-assed, cheap feeling ways. How could one even measure the "success" of a project like the one stated? Such a joke. Among the solutions for downtown include adding more market rate housing, and returning public places to the actual public, not the select few homeless who have unfortunately spoiled public resources for the many. Everything else being done on State St. feels like moving deck chairs around on the Titanic.
I am excited that they’re trialing and testing different things so we know what works when they finally build the master plan!
Also, there is already a 2-way bike path down the middle. Not sure what bringing back a car lane would fix, you can just take chapala and can’t park on state anyway.
Wow. What a complainer! It would have been better if you had eaten better? What's better than Florentine food? I lived in Florence for a year + while I admit, the crowds are a bit overwhelming and they do love their dogs, hint hint, it's such a fabulous place that that it has earned a permanent spot in my heart. Did you go to a chamber orchestra in one of the ancestral Palazzi? Did you go to the Palazzo Davanzati? How about the Casa Buonaroti? I stayed in a convent the last time I visited and had a beautiful, quiet and peaceful visit where I could hear the bells ringing for Mass. You sound like a miserable person, however your photos are great!
And you seem like a real peach.
Tamara there is no need to announce that you are cooking your healthy meals sister! Just keep on doing what’s right for you and there is no need to let everyone know. We don’t care.
R.
Tamara there is no need to announce that you are cooking your pie healthy meals sister! Just keep on doing what’s right for you and there is no need to let everyone know. We don’t care.
R.
Thank-you for this response to an oddly negative review written by one who is clearly undeserving if the ‘gift’ before her. The birthplace of the Renaissance, the Art that is ever-present and breathtakingly beautiful, the Medici marvel. My heart sank when I read the description of Michelangelo’s ‘David’.
First off I’d like to compliment you on your photography. You have some great shots! My girlfriend and I have been to Florence three times, and I’m so excited to take my adult children there in August. As you may guess by what I’ve written so far our experience is a bit different than yours. In fact, it is our desire to move there upon retirement. I get what you’re saying about the crowds, but there’s a reason for that. There are certain things you did not mention that I’m assuming you did not do that I highly recommend if you go back. First, the city is super walkable. Stay in less touristy areas like Oltrarno or the east side of city center. Second, speaking of Oltrarno, eat in Oltrarno. That’s where the locals eat. They have amazing trattorias there. Try Trattoria Giovanni. They have the best Pappardelle al Cinghiale! It’s the first and only time I’ve wept upon trying a dish for the first time. Third, climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome. It is an amazing architectural feat. Plus the view from the top terrace is beautiful! Third, go to the Ufizzi Museum. It is one of the best museums in the world! Fourth, aperitivo at a rooftop bar. Fifth, lunch at Mercato Centrale. Sixth, Great idea to hit Piazzale Michelangelo, but did you stay for the sunset? One of the best sunsets you’ll ever see. Bonus, get a pizza at Pizzeria Antico Porta. It is delicious! I hope you go back to Florence. It is such an amazing city. Cheers!
God you seem absolutely wretched. I’m so glad everyone in Firenze treated you poorly and I hope you don’t come back. What did you expect? People like you with dumb travel blogs ruin places for everyone else…so…maybe go your own way and stop with this pedantic journaling.
Perhaps we should just call it NoGo then
Beautiful photography. Mine pale in comparison.
Mission City looks yum and I like their branding.
I agree with you William! And I've been living in Florence for a year now.
Agree 100%! I thought the review exhibited ignorance.
I stopped reading there!
I'm glad you have had a better experience there than I did, but I take some umbrage at the insinuation that we were treated badly at Zeb for any reason other than he's a total jerk, and online reviews bear that out: https://www.yelp.com/biz/zeb-firenze?rr=2#reviews. Truly, he was rude to us from the moment we stepped inside.
I have been to Florence about 5 times, most recently this January and stayed 7 nights. I couldn’t disagree more with a number of points here. I had zero issues with air quality. You were standing in the birthplace of the Renaissance and you complain about a rude restaurant employee? Usually you get what you give. I have never had any issues with rudeness and I have been there far more than you. I would encourage people to bin this review and enjoy the Medici hometown and marvel in the greatness that Firenze.
Me thinks it is clearly in a residential neighborhood, and unless that monstrocity behind the court is their house, I predict a swift shut-down of this operation. And being a non pickleball player, is it traditional to have the courts line up end to end? I would think the ball coming into the game from behind would make a short-fused player implode?
Municipal Winemakers did a successful SMBX campaign last summer to partially fund their Ventura expansion. You can read more about it in Edible Santa Barbara:
https://ediblesantabarbara.com/departments/small-bites/municipal-winemakers-growing-community/
Ryan, out of curiosity - who is denied from or otherwise unable to visit Crushcakes?
It would be nice if the city would keep clean the walkway between State Street and Dollar Store’s parking lot. They seem to ignore that block down through Gutierrez Street. Perhaps the new, upcoming UCSB presence will bring attention to this matter.
Tomato, avocado, cucumber is $240 at Bar Lou?? I hope that’s a typo.
County email going unanswered? What has worked for me in the past is to cc your District Supervisor. You should not have to do that especially with questions about property taxes!
Where are the pickleball courts located? Interested as it looks like a residential neighborhood and the website doesn't specify anywhere.
I think a great example of something in Florence that would make sense: the “il Mercato Centrale Firenze” (look it up). Perhaps the city could take possession of the old Macy’s building in Paseo Nuevo. Convert the bottom floor to a continuous open farmers market. Convert the second floor to a public market similar to the one we already have in town (yes, we can handle two).
