Streetsmart: Sdrucciolo de' Pitti

Besides having the coolest street name this side of the Arno—or perhaps the Atlantic—Sdrucciolo dei Pitti sees its fair share of foot traffic. The street’s unofficial sindaco Renzo Regoli (see below) proudly flaunts his status as its last permanent resident, and stands guard over those walking between piazzas Pitti and Santo Spirito. Nighttime noise, he says, doesn’t bother him: a little bit of casino keeps the soul young. It seems to be working for lo Sdrucciolo, too.

Renzo Regoli | Ph. Michelle Davis

I GIOIELLI DI CAMILLA

Camilla Pistolesi is the daughter of an accomplished goldsmith, but he wasn’t always convinced his wobbly line of work would be suitable for his daughter. But after some intensive post-graduate study, Camilla defied the odds and launched her own jewelry line in 2010, selling understated pieces with a refined-yet-rustic look: drop rings and square-shaped designs are two of her top looks. The soft light of her cheery yet bare-bones bottega will instantly put you at ease in an otherwise rowdy road.

GIULIA MATERIA

The power pair behind this shop is Enzo and Giulia, partners in life and in art. According to Enzo—a dynamic DJ both in-store and in off-hours—their iconic backpacks are their biggest sellers, working as walking advertisements when worn by customers. Those with folksy-feminine styles will find themselves at home here, and the handmade sketchbooks and pencil holders could inspire anyone to draw.

LA COVA TAPAS BAR

The newest arrival on lo Sdrucciolo, La Cova looks miniscule from outside but is spread over two floors. Run by an enterprising group of four Pratese friends—all of whom have lived or spent time in Spain—the atmosphere is more cute than caliente, but this doesn’t detract from the serious quality of these snack plates: all the varieties of jamon are imported directly from small producers in Spain. Made-fresh sangria is leaps and bounds above the fruity syrup found in lesser locales.

CARDUCCIO

A trip to Carduccio is a crash course in Seasonal Eating 101. The tiny farm-to-table eatery and minimarket receives daily deliveries of organic and biodynamic produce, which serve as the road map for the day’s menu. Tasty cold-pressed juices and frozen coffee are regular staples, but the rotating quality of what’s served and stocked is what locks down customer loyalty. That, and the big salads.