A Golden Ticket Moment

Dear SOON(ER) to be traveler,

To Voucher or not to Voucher, an almost daring question to ask come dinner time at 8 p.m. Don’t get me wrong, the booklet of 18 vouchers allows one to know what Charlie felt when he received his “Willy Wonka Golden Ticket.” As a college student, being able to feel the sense that you are getting “free” food is a sensation that is indescribable, even though we did in theory have to pay our way into the “chocolate factory.”

After spending almost two weeks in Arezzo and trying all of the delicious restaurants on the voucher list, the question became more frequent. It is terrifying to try new restaurants in a foreign country, but it is also a necessary prerequisite in immersing yourself in the culture. Going to the same restaurant twice is an injustice to a country so widely known for its diverse food.

The first time I stepped into the Piazza Grande, it felt as if I was walking onto a movie set in Hollywood. The dramatic architecture of the buildings laced with the medieval crests of prominent Tuscan families is enough to feel like you are in Heaven and the smell of the food from the restaurants wafts off the square. I scanned my voucher list, desperately wanting to be a part of this dynamic atmosphere, only to realize the OU vouchers were not applicable in the Piazza Grande. Looking up from the list, I was met with the smell of sweet Tuscan tomatoes and the sound of soft laughter coming from Ristorante Logge Vasari. Before I knew it, my feet were walking up to the door and “ciao” left my lips. Looking down at the menu, the food choices matched the exquisite view of the square.

To start off, I ordered the “raw ham” and cantaloupe. Over the past few weeks, I have learned that the food is brighter here. When the dish came out, I immediately noticed that the cantaloupe matched the bright orange in the Tuscan sunsets. The buttery yet salty ham intertwined to create a savory flavor. Next, I ordered the carbonara. The presentation of the green floral plate beautifully contrasted the yellowish cream color of the noodles. I originally thought the smell of the fresh ‘eggy’ parmesan pasta was intoxicating, but after one bite I just wanted more. The dry noodles melted in my mouth, and each bite had the juiciest bacon. When in Arezzo try to “voucher” out to Ristorante Logge Vasari. Ciao for now!

Boomer,

Arabella