Our favourite spot for lunch was at the Trattoria ZaZa, a few steps away from our hotel and next to the central city market on the Piazza del Mercato Centrale. Outside the door and projecting into the piazza was a large open-air seating area under cover of a canvas awning. We particularly liked the atmosphere out there, but it was a little tricky when the rain came down quite hard on one occasion while we visited the establishment. The food was delicious, the wine superb and the waitresses very friendly.
Even the little birds hopping between the tables looking for crumbs were a delight. Not quite so delightful were the pigeons that tried the same stunt. One even had a cripple foot (perhaps some cat nearly got him), but still managed to get along well.
We thought their logo was amusing - the little bee going zap zap on the buttocks of the chef.
We also paid a visit to the Central Market. This is the view from the back, as one sees it from the Trattoria ZaZa. It is huge and the range of goodies on offer is astounding. The breads, pastas, sausages, meats, cakes, sweets, wines and much more all looked quite delectable. Most of the wares are in the food line, but other goods like clothing and leather items are also on sale there.
The new market on the Piazza de Mercato Nuovo was another lovely street market for browsing and finding gifts to take home. The leather wallets, handbags, jackets and coats were to die for. The vendors are happy to negotiate the price and one comes away feeling that you have got a bargain, but who knows? Maybe this tourist got fleeced after all.
This statue of the Little Pig, Porcellino, at the Mercato Nuovo is a bronze copy of the sculpture "Wild Boar" now on display in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, but it originally came from the house of Paolo Ponti in Rome. They say you should rub Porcellino's nose for luck, so that must be why it is so shiny.
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