passion4food4fashion

Pistoia is a beautiful, sophisticated, modern city in an ancient setting. There are wonderful old buildings…as you would expect.

My past visits to Pistoia have been day trips, but this time I stayed overnight. The city comes alive as the sun goes down. People are out walking, shopping and the restaurants begin to fill. The atmosphere is fun and vibrant.

Pistoians have an excellent selection of stylish shops. More investigation is needed.

The food markets are full of delicious things.

I was most fortunate to have the charming, beautiful and stylish Michela Ricciarella as my guide. She has to be Pistoia’s best ambassador. She loves the city and knows it like the back of her hand.

Michele invited me to the family restaurant, Pollo d’Oro, Golden Chicken. The restaurant was begun by her husband, Stefano Parenti’s father, who famously brought the first rotisserie to Pistoia, hence the golden chickens.

The ground…