A Florentine Gold Table & Tortellini Caesar Salad

(Picture from Wikipedia)

Florence is the capitol city of Tuscany in Italy.

It is known for Ponte Vecchio one of the many

bridges crossing the River Arno. 

Ponte Vecchio has always been filled with

vendors shops, but now those shops are

mostly filled with gold, beautiful displays

of expensive jewelry, art and souveneirs.

Florence is known for being the birthplace

of the Renaissance as it housed many famous

Italian Renaissance geniuses - Da Vinci,

Botticelli, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galileo,

and many more.

This tablescape was inspired by the gold displays

of jewelry along Ponte Vecchio.

We were able to stay for a few days in Florence

after our cooking class in Tuscany.

What a beautiful city filled with history,

art, gardens and architecture.

Florentines reinvented money - the gold florin so gold

has a long history in Florence.

These gold edged free form plates

and large soup/salad bowls

are bubbled and

extremely heavy.  They sit atop a heavy ceramic charger

that is gold leafed and on a gold beaded place mat.

Gold wine and water goblets are added.

They are not exactly matching as the

larger water goblet is a mat finish and

the wine goblet is a shiny finish but

the patterns are very close.

A sheer cream and gold napkin is tucked into the

water goblet.

The weather is still lovely so we are out in our

garden gazebo that has a hand painted Italianate

canvas in the back for privacy.

After completing the gazebo and feeling like

the back canvas that we had installed for

privacy was boring, we called our friend

Paula and she brought over books of

Italian Renaissance art.  I chose a

piece from the books that was the

inspiration for the canvas.  It has been

up for 7 years and has gone through rain,

snow and shine in our Utah weather.

These lovely carved wax candles are

battery operated.

The cherry tree shrouds the gazebo.

We usually host a dinner party here in the month of

September with the cooler evenings.

These gold plates are very versatile and I always

choose them for one of my holiday tables.

One disadvantage to all of the gold ware is that

everything has to be hand washed.  But the rule in

our family is if you cook, you don't have to clean.

Florence was established by Julius Caesar in 59 BC so

a Caesar salad served in a Romanesc serving bowl

seems only appropriate.

I created this salad as a heartier version of a

Caesar Salad

for my son's wedding reception.

Tortellini Caesar Salad Recipe

2 heads romaine lettuce, washed, chopped and chilled

8 oz. cheese filled tortellini, cooked according to pkg.

2 C. chunky croutons (packaged or homemade)

1/2 C. grated parmesano reggiano cheese

(from Costco)

additional shaved pieces of cheese

favorite Caesar dressing

( we love Cardini's Original Caesar - the

flavor is great and the kids aren't grossed

out by sardines!)

Toss everything together and top with

shaved parmesano reggiano.

The table was finished off with a few pink edged

Peace roses that are loving the cool weather too

and some fabulous carved candles.

This is so easy to make for a crowd and is loved

by both young and old.

Hope you enjoyed our little trip to

Florence.

I will be posting this

with

Centerpiece Wednesday

Tablescapes Thursday

Foodie Friday

and

Pink Saturday.

Gold rimmed plates and bowls - Target - 15 years ago

Gold chargers - Target - 15 years ago

(I don't think they have had anything this

fabulous since!)

Beaded place mats - Pier 1

Gold flatware - Best

Gold water goblets - Horchow catalog - 15 years ago

Gold wine goblets - TJ Maxx/Homegoods

Italianate Serving bowl - Tai Pan - 2010

Carved wax electric candles - TJ Maxx/Homegoods - 2010

Salad tongs - Tuesday Morning - 2010