Craig Cisero

Exploring the city, discovering niches, meeting unpredictable characters, having a clutch pick-up line and an excuse to be creepy, late nights with a purpose, networking, and creating a product that will be of help to others.

On my way to a follow-up interview with a bar owner – a 70-something retired singer/songwriter – the owner called me, obviously intoxicated and lamenting the departure of his girlfriend. When I arrived, he drunkenly proclaimed that our new professional relationship would involve me working and living with him at his horse ranch in the Tuscan countryside. When I told him I had no intention of doing that, he became enraged and yelled at me in that manner known to Italians as “casual debate.” Anywhere else in the world, I would have run for my life, but I knew he was just being all Italian about the situation. Anyway, he kept calling me a good guy and pouring me drinks, so I hung around. Eventually the owner of the restaurant next door came by, equally upset because his wife had just left him. The three of us ended up drinking all night, talking about hard love, playing drunken guitars, and cursing the Italian government.

I’m a mix between Lucas and Jonah in that I love both sports and music. Depending on the environment, I could go either way. You might find me chilling with some wine with Jonah at Piazza Santo Spirito as easily as you might find me crushing beers and singing Lady Gaga songs at The Red Garter. On second thought, maybe I’m a bit of an Adriana.

First thing I do is to grab an espresso and pastry at a café on my way to the Mercato Centrale, where I pick up some fresh fruit and groceries and make a sandwich for the road. Then I bike over to Cascine Park to join a pick-up soccer game. After working up a sweat, I walk to Le Pavoniere for some swimming and an early afternoon buzz, then home for a nap. Once rejuvenated, I head to Pop Café with some friends for the aperitivo. If there’s a soccer match, we continue our pre-game at Fiddler’s Elbow before heading to www.partyearth.com/florence/clubs/blob-2/ to get reckless late into the night.