BY THE ARNO
Ph. Helen Farrell
Executive Chef Andrea Quagliarella prepares quietly impressive dishes at five-star Villa La Massa’s riverside hotel restaurant. Open to non-guests, arrive before dinner for a creative cocktail made using Santa Maria Novella pharmacy elixirs, segued by niche and well-informed wine waitering over the candlelit cuisine.
Ristorante Il Verrocchio
at Villa La Massa
Via della Massa 24, Candeli / €€€
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IN THE TOWER
Seven tables for seven gourmands (and their guests) at ancient-meets-modern Hotel Brunelleschi in Central Florence. Campania-born chef Rocco De Santis, hot from Michelin-starred Il Vistamare restaurant in Latina, wields a skilful hand in this gourmet gem a raindrop from the Duomo. Eclectic wine list, from French bubbles to Tuscan micro wineries.
Ristorante Santa Elisabetta
at Hotel Brunelleschi
Piazza Sant’Elisabetta 3, Florence / €€
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FARM TO TABLE
The focus is on local farmers at this upbeat outpost for 20-something Florentines and foreigners. Wade through the bizarrely ordered menu to reach the nicely prepared and presented food, available in half portions when the heat saps your appetite. Superb Tuscan wines by the glass for as little as 2.50 euro (Capezzana’s white Trebbiano is a steal).
Foody Farm
Corso dei Tintori 10/R, Firenze / €
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ON TOP OF IT ALL
Catch the city at its classiest up on the roof of Grand Hotel Baglioni, near Santa Maria Novella station. Head for the “hanging gardens” of Florence and sip a carefully crafted aperitivo before grazing on Tuscan haute cuisine on the one of the many terraces, big or bijou depending on your group.
B Roof at Grand Hotel Baglioni
Piazza dell’Unità Italiana 6, Firenze / €€
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