Hello there!
I’m Francesca. Introvert and antisocial to the extreme, kind of opinionated and obsessed with a few “little” things including cleanliness and neatness. I hate winters, small talk, getting up early in the morning, driving and jealous people. I love food (with a few big exceptions), books, flowers, anything beautiful, spending time with myself and, above all, my bed. I’m an impossible person to buy presents for, I’m romantic as only a bedside table can be and I almost never show excitement for anything.
I married my exact opposite: Stefano is social, brilliant, cheerful, compassionate and generous. He is a great leader and a wonderful team player at the same time and he belongs to that tiny category of human beings that can talk about pretty much anything, including the sex of ants, in a meaningful way.
We were both born and raised in Italy and we have been living in the United States for several years now, definitely by choice. Our house has been blessed by the birth of Her Majesty (our little girl) and, very recently, by the addition of our second “child” which, as opposed to the first one, has four paws and is kind of furry. Her name is Sofia and she is our beloved chocolate labrador.
I have been thinking for a long time that Italy should create a “SFU” – Special Food Unit, with officers going around and reprimanding, in the name of the good food law, all those people around the world who cook and serve food labeling it “Italian”, even if the dish is just flat out not Italian and you would never find such dish on any table in Italy.
This is what gave me the idea of this blog, which is meant to be a sort of documentation of what is going on our Italian table. A little warning, though! I have no professional cooking background. To be completely honest with you, up to five years ago, I thought that my kitchen was a total waste of space since I had never used it and I wanted to convert it into my dream walk-in closet. So do not expect me to make those sophisticated, over complicated dishes calling for never-heard of exotic ingredients that everybody seems to love nowadays. My food and my recipes are very simple and unpretentious, but at least they are authentic Italian.
The true expert of the family is Stefano. He is a certified sommelier with the Italian Sommelier Association and he writes beautifully and competently about wine pairing recommendations to go along with my recipes, reviews of wines that piqued his interest and cool information and events about the wine world.
Stefano is also a photographer who mostly does nature, wildlife and some portraiture work (check out his Web Site if you would like to take a peek!), but I got him involved in my project to take care of the food photography part for Flora’s Table… under my supervision as the self-appointed (and pretty demanding) art director! 😉
Since friends keep asking us for restaurant recommendations anytime they travel to Italy or come to New York (although home for us is currently in Fairfield County, CT, not far from the Big Apple), every now and then we will post mini-reviews of select restaurants which we personally tried out and, in our opinion, we found outstanding.
All this food and wine writing will sometimes be interrupted by posts about books, blogs, items and initiatives that caught our eye and we could not help but brag about because we truly like them and/or we think they deal with issues that really matter to us.
Thank you for stopping by and reading. I wish you a wonderful day, afternoon or night (whatever it is in your neck of the woods 🙂 )!
Francesca xx
Flora's Table 
Love the photos, and BTW who did the drawing at the top of the page?
Thank you for stopping by and liking our blog. All the drawings have been done by our friend Alexandra. Aren’t they wonderful? We will upload Alexandra’s profile soon to our Who We Are page. So stay tuned if you want to know more about her and her artwork.
Great blog! Love the food pictures, really makes me hungry just looking at them! 😀
Thank you so much girls! Hope we are going to keep your mouth watering 🙂
Great Blog Francesca! Will be looking forward following you via your blog. Ciao, Letizia
Ciao Letizia.
Thank you so much. That’s so nice of you! Love all the information about Italy you are sharing on your blog 🙂
Ciao Francesca! Thank you as well 🙂 we share the same passion for food and Italy and I love to know more about the USA as well, so love the concept of your blog. Buona giornata!! Letizia
Thanks for visiting my blog! I will be sure to check out yours as well! I love the premise for it…
I know I have found kindred spirits! My mother was Italian, and believe me,I NEVER go to Italian restaurants and what people sometimes pass as Italian food scares me! (“Tonette” was my mother’s way of cutting her mother’s name[Antonietta] to what she thought was ‘easier’ in America;she was so wrong!)My husband would no more allow a jar of Prego in this house as I would…and he is not Italian. His father’s mother, and his own mother were great cooks; it’s a good thing I could cook!
I haven’t taken a lot of time on the angle at my blog yet but I also want to encourage people to tell their family stories and get to know each other…and food is a great ice-breaker, and cultural stepping-stones,(leading in every direction).
Thank you, Tonette. I could not agree more: food brings people together and puts a big smile on their face 🙂
Hi Francesca! I nominated you for a Liebster award today. Check out my blog post if you’re interested! Have a great day!
Thank you so much, Sarah! This is awesome news! I’m very honored and flattered by your nomination. In light of the upcoming holiday, I guess I have one more thing to be thankful for. And now …off to work on my award post 🙂
How funny! I would LOVE to go to Italy one of these days! 🙂
Hi Carol,
Thank you for stopping by: I am sure when you go you will certainly have a good time, eat and drink well more likely than not 😉 and will find plenty of cool photo opps.
Take care
Hi Francesca and Stefano, I just nominated you for the Sunshine Award! Here’s the link to my post if you are interested in re-posting: http://cooktolove.com/2012/11/15/blog-awards-accolades-and-a-great-big-chocolatey-thank-you/
Hi Laura.
Thank you so much! So thoughtful of you. Congratulations again on your multiple awards. Well deserved! Your “little blog” (as you like to call it) is such a wonderful project 🙂
Hi Laura,
I just wanted to join Francesca in thanking you very, very much for this: enormously appreciated!!!
And, congrats on your winning streak! Well done and well deserved.
Take care
You’re very welcome, Stefano.You certainly deserve it! And, thank you for the kind words!
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my website. I’ve decided it’s a very bad idea to browse around food blogs before i’ve eaten lunch.Your recipes look great. I’m drooling over the keyboard! Stop by anytime!
http://www.domesticingenuity.com
Thank you! I will 🙂
ciao! luvFAB blog.
thebestdressup
Thank you very much!
I hope to get to Italy one day. What a lovely blog!
Thanks a lot! I’m sure you would enjoy it immensely 🙂
Hello Francesca, Stephano and Nicole,
Happy Thanksgiving and happy Inspiring Blogger Award day to you all! I nominated you for this award because you actually do inspire me to cook more! If you so choose please swing by my blog to pick it up! Cheers!
Thank you very much, Kimberly. This is crazy awesome! The best Thanksgiving ever.
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Hi Francesca,
Thank you so much for stopping my blog ! 😃I really appreciate 😃
Love the food pictures that makes me so hungry😊
Thank you, Violet. Your artwork is amazing!
Dear ★ Francesca, Nicole, Stefano ★,
I have nominated you/your inspirational blog, for the Blog of the Year 2012!
Congratulations!
Please pick up your badge and information/rules on how to pass the torch at:
http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/
Wonderful Holiday Season to you and yours!
😀 Fae.
Fae,
Thank you so much!:-) You are way too kind. We are very honored to be nominated by you.
Cari Francesca e Stefano,
I really like your blog, and, even if I see it is not the first time for you, I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! Please check my post at http://zanzanaglob.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/zanzana-and-the-liebster-award/ , keep in touch! 🙂
Cara Zanzana,
Thank you very much. That’s so gracious of you! No complaints here for another nomination…quite the opposite!:-) I’m really enjoying reading your wonderful posts.
Thank you Francesca, me too, yes, you are collecting the awards 🙂
I have nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award! Congratulations – you deserve it! 🙂
Daisy and the Fox
Thank you so much! This is such a great nomination. We are honored and thankful.
This blog is going places Francesca! And I found it early!
Thank you, A.H. I remember…you were one of our first followers. Maybe you are my lucky charm. 😉
Hi, I have just nomimated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Hope you enjoy participating, find out what it’s all about here: http://lovelybuns.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Thank you so much, Candy. You just gave us one more reason to celebrate. 😉
Happy holidays to you and your family.
Happy Holidays!
Dear ★ Francesca, Stefano and Nicole ★,
I have nominated your delicious/sweet blog for the Super Sweet Blogging Award!
Congratulations!
Please pick up your badge and information/rules on how to pass the torch and pay it forward at: http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/super-sweet-blogging-award/
Have a Fantastic New Year 2013!
Enjoy!!! 😀 ))) Fae.
Oh gosh, Fae! Thank you so much. We are very honored by your nomination. 🙂
Happy Holidays ♪
Dear ★ Francesca, Stefano and Nicole ★ ,
I have nominated your generous blog with one more ☆ Blog of The Year 2012 Award!
Congratulations, and thank you for your continuous support of passing on the nominations!
Information/rules on the award is at:
http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-2nd-star/
Enjoy!!! 😀 Fae.
Thank you, Fae. That’s so sweet of you! 🙂 We’ll toast to your generosity and our additional star tomorrow night. 🙂
Have a fabulous 2013 🙂 🙂 🙂
Well, well well!
Congratulations, you have received another ☆ for your Blog of the Year 2012 award!
Other than adding another ☆ to your current badge, I do not expect any action to be taken, or
for you to generate a post (unless you wish to pass it on). Just enjoy the additional star.
Your blog has been awarded at:
http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-3rd-star/
Happy New Year !!! 😀 Fae.
Oh Fae! You are too much! 🙂 Another star to celebrate… As the famous song says…you are just too good to be true. 😉
Have a wonderful celebration tonight!
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – congratulations! 🙂
Happy New Year!
Daisy and the Fox
Oh wow! Thank you so much. So sweet of you! 🙂
Happy New Year to you and your family too!
no worries!! You most certainly deserve it! 🙂
Hi, I nominated you for both the Reader Appreciation Award and The Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. You can see it on my blog: http://dutchgoesitalian.com/2013/01/13/awards-a-good-way-to-start-2013/. Happy Sunday! Letizia
Letizia,
Thank you so much! It is most appreciated and we are very honored 🙂
I truly enjoy your blog and have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Bloggers Award, please see the details at: http://oilpastelsbymary.com/
Thank you, Mary. So kind of you to nominate us. Looking at your wonderful artwork always makes my days better. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words!! Have a great week ~ Mary
I LOVE your blog and I am looking forward to reading more! (Thank you for liking mine too!).
Thank you! I look forward to reading your future posts too. 🙂
great recipes with great photograph, Excellent blog!
keep up your great work !
Thank you very much! 🙂
You have a very nice blog with great recipes and imagery yourself!
Thank you for stopping by.
Just wanted to say thanks for visit my blog today and for the helpful advice. Much appreciated
Thank you for stopping by, Simon, and for taking the time to comment!
All the best 🙂
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This is a beautiful and very informative site. Thank you for so much information about my favorite activities!
Thank you, Elizabeth. Looking forward to your future posts as well.
Adore your blog!!
Thank you so much. That’s very kind of you.
Greetings from Australia
I really enjoyed the sincerity and openness of your biography. It was refreshing to read and I sincerely wish you and your family all the best living in the United States.
God bless you and your family
Thank you so much! 🙂
You are most welcome; the pleasure and honour are mine indeed. 🙂
Ciao Francesca. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I see you’re doing something quite similar here. Happy to follow and support. Where are you guys originally from in Italy?
Alessandro
Ciao Alessandro. So glad we found each other! Stefano is from Genoa and I’m from Rome. I read you are from Bologna. I look forward to reading and learning about the food of your wonderful region. I must admit I don’t know much about your culinary tradition (shame on me!) so … happily following you as of now. 🙂
Take care,
Francesca
Enjoyed reading about how this blog came to be. It’s true, food brings people together and it really helps to bring down the walls. Italian food is my favorite indulgence so look forward to learning about real Italian cooking. (I do love me some good American food too!)
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Awfully nice of you!
Bravissimi!!!!
Grazie mille! Greatly appreciated.
I’m compelled to like this again! 🙂
And I’m compelled to say that you are awfully nice! 🙂
I’m finally getting around to digging deeper into your archives–I caught the phrase “culinary bulimia” and googled it, wondering whether anyone else had any insights into your brilliant insight (binging and purging–excess and deprivation, accurately describes what I hate about our current food culture). I’d love to hear more about how you came to the notion to call it that. Very original, and insightful.
Congratulations Francesca, I’ve nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. Please go to http://oilpastelsbymary.com/ for the rules. You deserve this award!
Thank you so much, my dear Mary!!! This is such a great award and we feel honored that you decided to pass it on to us. Francesca Xx
Lovely photos and interesting post : )
Thank you! 🙂
Relocating to another country has it’s challenges, food has a large role in this. I’ve lived abroad so I can understand. Also many ethnic restaurants in the US are fusion, tailored to fit an American palette so they are more accepted. The exception is going to an area filled with people from that country. In Chicago, we have a mix of cultures. I’ve had authentic Peruvian, Indian, Italian and Ethiopian food. I’m fortunate to live in such a cultural melting pot and my taste buds are thankful.
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Hi, Nice too meet you! you have a lovely cool blog here! I love it too! 😊
many Greetings from a Foodie from Belgium! Thanks again for subscribing to my blog! 😉
The pleasure is all mine! Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to reading your lovely blog.
😉
OMG. Francesca you sound some how like me!!! As you can tell this is my first time visiting your blog but I am very interested because I love all things unpretentious, and I think true authentic italian food is unpretentious. Right? Anyways I think I’ll be following you from now on.
Grazie mille
Right! Well at least, most of the time! 😉 Thank you so much for your kinds words! I tried to find your blog but I couldn’t. Would you mind sending me the link so I can find out a little bit about you as well? Thanks!
Pleased to have found your tasty blog. Looking forward to appetising reading! Regards Thom.
Hi Francesca,
I’m so glad I found your blog via Margot. I love the real Italian food and Italy 🙂 Looking forward to reading and trying more recipes from you.
Linda.
Hello Linda!
Welcome and very nice to meet you too!
I look forward to working with you on our new exciting project! 😊
Hi Francesca, I would like to nominate you for The Versatile Blogger Award. I know you have been nominated before, but why not again 🙂 I love your blog, delicious recipes, and beautiful photos. I look forward to the next tasty creation! Good luck with the Dinner Party Collective 🙂
http://zoale.com/versatile-blogger-award
Dear Antonia, Thank you so much! So, so very kind of you! I’m flattered and I really appreciate that! I love your recipes and their Greek flavors. They are a feast for my Mediterranean eyes! 😉
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Ciao Francesco and Stefano, I’m just checking in because you haven’t posted anything for a long time. I hope everything is alright?
Hello there! I do apologize! It took us forever to get back to you! So nice of you! We appreciate your concern more than we can say. Yes, we are fine and all is well – thank goodness! We have been busy with other project and Her Majesty and I spent the whole summer traveling. When we got back – we decided to change the concept of the blog a little bit – in order to reflect our multiple interests better and Stefano is working on transferring FsT to the org platform, which is taking longer than expected because he has been really busy at work.
We are hoping to be able to publish a new post by Xmas and reconnect with our blogosphere’s friends!
Hope everything is well with you and your husband!
Talk to you soon! xo
Looking forward to reading your new posts too !