I am going to Florence next week. There are two caffes mentioned in A Party in San Niccolo that I would lie to go to. The Caffe Medici and Pizzeria San Frediano. Does any one know of these???

It's a lovely book, but it is fiction: not every location is going to be real. There are plenty of regulars on the board who know Florence intimately, but I wouldn't hold your breath for an accurate identification...

BTW, did you ever find this site when you were looking into fictional Florences a few weeks back?

Jonathan

Nothing found with a search of the "Pagine Gialle".....

Sounds like the names may be "fictional" although they might be based on real places. I don't know the book so I can't help you.

Is it a good book? I always see it when I'm looking at the English language book section, but haven't been moved to pick it up.

There is a bar that I think is called Caffe Lorenzo de Medici at the end of via Tornabuoni- walk away from the Arno, past Piazza Antinori, and it's on the right just before the intersection of vias Panzani, Banchi and Cerretani. Even if it's not the one in this book, it's a great place to stop.

The neighborhood around Porta San Frediano is the one I know best, and I've never seen a pizzeria with that name around there.

Jonathan,

That link is great!
Thanks,
jan

Hi,
I know San Niccolo pretty well and I have never heard of either of those locales. However there are LOTS of good bars on both Via dei Renai and Via San Niccolo in the center of the little rione that is San Niccolo. So it is good place for bar hoping at night if that is of interest to you.

San Frediano is a different rione than San Niccolo. Both fall under the quartiere of Santo Spirito. They're not smack next to each other either... Don't know if this pizzeria S. Frediano exits but if it does it would be in San Frediano. I am sure it is not in San Niccolo.

Maureen, I read it about 18 months ago and remember enjoying it - nothing very deep, but a nice portrayal of the English expat community there. Though I don't know that part of Florence well enough to be either intrigued or irritated by the accuracy or otherwise of the portrayal. So - not exactly life-changing, but a pleasant way to while away a couple of afternoons.

Glad you like the ficionalcities site, Jan. For anyone else interested, it covers Venice and London, as well as Florence: lists of titles, brief reviews of many of the books, and some good pictures.

Jonathan