Pasticceria de’ Cenci – Arezzo
Janie Trayer
Hello from Arezzo! As I sit here writing I’m listening to the sound of church bells ringing all over the city. I am lucky to be staying in a great apartment with a huge giardino (garden) right in the center of town. I love that I can walk out my door and be in the midst of all the action – shops, bars, cafes, restaurants. I seem to be taking part in a constant food fest, as I cannot stop myself from making a purchase in just about every food shop that I enter. If you’ve been to Italy before, you know that about every third store has something to do with food!
I definitely have a sweet tooth, but I would say that I’m more partial to candy than to pastries, that is until I get to Italy. I’m fascinated by the pasticcini (little pastries) that are sold here. Walk into any pasticceria (pastry shop) and you will see the most gorgeous tiny pastries, not more than a few bites each. I am smitten by these tiny sweets and since they’re small, you can buy a few different ones and decide on your favorite.
Here in Arezzo my favorite shop for these delectable pastries is Pasticceria de’ Cenci. A few years back I actually spent a few weeks in an apartment right across from the shop-now that was dangerous! The selection is amazing but I am partial to a little oval tart that is filled with ricotta. I always have to order at least one of these and then sample something new. If you buy more than a few, they wrap your purchase up in beautiful blue paper and tie it with gold ribbon-the perfect gift to take to a friend. I know I’d be happy if someone showed up at my house with this pretty package.
If you ever are lucky to visit Arezzo, make sure you sure you stop in at this delightful shop.
Pasticceria de’ Cenci
Via de’ Cenci, 17
Arezzo