Semel Street Food
Piazza Ghiberti
Florence, December 2022
“Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading food, dining culture, news and wine publication powerhouse, came out with the 2017 edition of its street food guide to Italy and guess who touts the title for Tuscany? Marco Paparozzi’s Semel in Florence. Semel serves just panini and wine- and a few forgotten old-fashioned Italian sodas like Tassoni Cedrata and Chinotto. Water is served as a last resort. Marco has been officially recognized for having the best street food in Tuscany- by the most food and drink culture publication in the country. This tiny humble panini shop in Sant’Ambrogio, by now an institution for locals and culinarians alike, sits perched on the market’s doorstep. He creates distinctly flavored fillings that are based on Tuscany’s culinary identity- not just your usual salami and cheese carb stack. Think stewed boar, porchetta with robust winter greens, pork loin with candied tomatoes, wild boar ragù taglierini or tortelli pasta (carb on carb), saffron laced chicken and more. The offerings change daily/with the season but you’ll always find some fillings as permanent fixtures such as the truffle, pear and pecorino, And all of this served with soulful humor by Marco and his nephew Niccolo, dressed dapper daily in dress shirts, ties and pins- even in the summer.” (Semel, Curious Appetite)
