Saturday, October 8 is an important day for me. It is the day I move (almost) permanently to Florence to follow on-site my second year of Enology at the University of Florence. I need to start establishing a connection with this city, to empathize with the environment and the people, to make stable those fleeting contacts made last year during short two- or three-day “blitz” visits, which were also characterized by large binges of stuffed schiacciate and various expressions of “Tuscan-ness”.
Then one day I met Gianni. Gianni Ugolini, on paper a photographer. Actually, a great photographer.
But my first approach with Gianni was particular, certainly centered on food and on his genuine Tuscan character (can it be defined like that?).
Once with a stracotto al sangiovese, another time with the “five Cs” of his unforgettable Fiorentina (article and video not to be missed). And then the surprise of his Fulin.
I read “Luxury Chinese Experience”, and I don’t know what to expect.
But it doesn’t take long to understand why “Luxury” and why “Experience”.
The atmosphere is the kind that immediately makes you feel at home. Gianni seems to have transferred to the whole staff that warm attitude that removes any kind of embarrassment. But, knowing Gianni, it couldn’t be otherwise…
We were saying “Experience”. Yes, no flavor is the same as another. One surprise after another.
Pairings that on paper seem impossible but in the mouth are absolutely possible. Spicy and sweet-and-sour delighting the palate.
Surprising ingredients appearing where you least expect them. And so, the excitement of waiting for the next dish…
And then the duck. My pre-adolescence was struck by duck.
Since I was thirteen I have loved duck and forced my father to cook duck breast for me.
Of course my expectations for Fulin’s Peking duck were sky high.
Expectations met, but we will talk more about Fulin’s duck in another video.
82 dishes on the menu. 82 little gems to discover. But trying everything at the table with Gianni, with his stories and his enthusiasm, is something else. Gianni should be put on the menu as a plus. Two different prices: “absolute” dish or dish with Gianni at the table.
We had this privilege 🙂
