La Ménagère, as hipster as Florence could be

La Ménagère, as hipster as Florence could be

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La Ménagère is a sophisticated and cosy place in Florence expected otherwise in New York’s SoHo or NoHo. Everything inside seems perfect: the colour of the orchids, the arrangement of glasses, the glow of a piano that none plays, or the tone of the lighting. The comfortable facilities of this multipurpose space (restaurant, bar and coffee, flower and household shop) resemble a neat stage. So neat that, even though it is in front of my house, I only enter it on occasional dates. I still haven´t made up my mind on whether it fascinates or scares me. I am that kind of person. To me, in Florence traditional is better, so I rather prefer used and grooved premises, where the photos on the walls are really old and made by the owner. There, where objects and space are not the result of the careful work of an interior designer, but of some mime and sincere dedication of its owner. Imperfect places reflecting a dubious taste, becoming beautiful and, at the same time, enigmatic. In spite of it all, I have been told that La Ménagère is sure a good eat.
La Ménagère. Via De’ Ginori, 8/R, 50123 Florence FI, Italy

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Fiaschetteria-Osteria Nuvoli, «crostini» for 1 euro

Fiaschetteria-Osteria Nuvoli, «crostini» for 1 euro

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In Florence, the small and narrow premises usually stand as an attraction impossible to refuse. However, and although the Fiaschetteria-Osteria Nuvoli has a dining space on the lower floor, it is much more pleasing to eat and drink outside its door, watching all, as well as being seen. Ideally, it is a place to take a bite when not having much time or hunger. Among its snacks are crostini cheese, mushrooms, salami, prosciutto, panini tartufati and more. The wine selection looks as almost endless. Crostini for 1 euro, each meatball costs 1,5 euros and a large wine glass 5 euros. Count on a rustic location and definitely friendly service, and is right in the heart of the city.
Fiaschetteria-Osteria Nuvoli – Piazza dell’Olio, 15/r

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St. Regis Winter Garden Bar, a 5 star inner garden in Florence

St. Regis Winter Garden Bar, a 5 star inner garden in Florence

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Florence, with its artistic wonders and cosmopolitan air, has become the universal dream of any traveller. The present and past essence of the Tuscan capital can be breathed in the atmosphere of historical The St. Regis Florence Hotel, which boasts a superior category in piazza Ognissanti since the mid-18th century. Placed in central Florence, at the former Palazzo Giuntini, the picturesque St. Regis Florence has been the favoured stop of experienced travellers for decades. Granted with the Gambero Rosso BAR D’ITALIA prize since 2015 and for four consecutive years, its Winter Garden Bar provides visitors with an exceptional and personalized experience. Gratify yourself with an aperitif, an afternoon tea or after dinner drink accompanied by live piano music and savour the creations arranged with fresh ingredients and masterfully prepared by Bar Manager Christian Pampo and his crew. Everyday, Bloody Mary from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., afternoon tea from 3:30 to 5 p.m., and champagne ritual from 7 to 8 p.m. Open to the public, welcoming and exquisite service.

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Le Murate, Florence cultural meeting point

Le Murate, Florence cultural meeting point

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The first and only time I was in Le Murate was in March 2015. It was a blind date and I fell in love with him. The relationship prospered, although soon after it became complicated and exploded. A thousand pieces of my heart flew through his room. I picked up a few and I took them with me, in case they were needed for the future … Today I return to Le Murate to reconcile with my past in this city. Because one really starts to belong to a city when the memories of a certain ‘past’ happened on that particular place ……

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Three-Sixty rooftop bar at Minerva Grand Hotel: panoramic aperitivo in Florence

Three-Sixty rooftop bar at Minerva Grand Hotel: panoramic aperitivo in Florence

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Located in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, this 4-star superior hotel-boutique has been recently renovated. Heading up to the sixth floor, one finds the Three-Sixty panoramic rooftop bar, with a peerless sight of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and the most representative buildings and historical monuments of Florence. One of its first guests was the American poet Longfellow, who stayed here while working on the translation of Dante´s Divine Comedy. The terrace of this historic hotel — it is said the oldest in Florence — includes a swimming pool (exclusive for hotel guests) and a bar where, during the high season – May to September – from 7:30 p.m. onwards, one can have the aperitivo for 20 euros and touch Florence’s sky with the fingers.
To reserve a table or the private terrace for an event on the panoramic terrace, contact booking@grandhotelminerva / +39 05527230
Minerva Grand Hotel – Three-Sixty -Piazza Santa Maria Novella 16, 50123 Florence …

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Palazzo Guadagni, aperitif deluxe in Florence

Palazzo Guadagni, aperitif deluxe in Florence

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Rooftop views are unparalleled in Florence, proof of it is the rooftop garden bar at the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni. This ancient palace in the Oltrarno area has a privileged view from the loggia, which turns the palazzo’s terrace garden bar into a marvellous setting for having a red wine or a cocktail in Florence. It is a novel space neither overly exploited nor well known in Florence yet, thus you can take an aperitif as a local and without the need of a previous reservation. The views, the atmosphere and the service are simply unique and it is the perfect spot to amaze dates and visitors.…

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B-Roof, the rooftop bar of Grand Hotel Baglioni in Florence

B-Roof, the rooftop bar of Grand Hotel Baglioni in Florence

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The Grand Hotel Baglioni Firenze (4 stars, 192 rooms) is located in the very centre of Florence in an impressive building dated from the 19th-century, where past and present coexist in perfect equilibrium. On the fifth floor, one feels overwhelmed by the beauty of the magnificent panoramic view enjoyable from the restaurant-bar-terrace B-Roof, from where you can admire the skyline of Florence and contemplate the splendour of the city.…

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PanicAle, craft cocktails and beers in Florence

PanicAle, craft cocktails and beers in Florence

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Heir of Lo Sverso, at PanicAle (Via Panicale, 7/red) one can drink special cocktails and draft beers, and have tapas. PanicAle is one of the more authentic places among the outdoor premises of the San Lorenzo Market, where it is located in Florence. Its waiters were trained at the Jerry Thomas Academy in Rome, one of the most prestigious schools for bartenders, in which the old style of mixing prevails. The best of PanicAle is its unique seasonal cocktails, created after personal experiences, travels, songs … their flavours resemble the ones from the drinks created during the Ottocento.

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Where to eat lampredotto, the typical Florentine fast-food

Where to eat lampredotto, the typical Florentine fast-food

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I guess the last thing a vegan would eat in Florence is a trippa sandwich … The sandwich of the working class is the lampredotto — the Florentine fast-food par excellence. The panino di trippa o lampredotto consists of flour sèmelle local bread roll, stuffed with boiled and sliced beef entrails, rolled and seasoned with spicy sauce. This speciality is served in the trippai (little stands in the street which only serve guts). It is quite cheap and generous in size, prepared to kill hunger on the spot but providing a bunch of calories and cholesterol, as the sandwich is dripping grease.…

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The best pasta in Florence at Trattoria Il Giova

The best pasta in Florence at Trattoria Il Giova

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Although I am not a big fan of pasta, I must admit that I have started to look at it differently after my regular lunches at Il Giova in FlorenceThe place is small, modest and there is nothing remarkable in the decoration, but the food … the food is simply amazing! At Il Giova, the menu is so varied that they can serve spaghetti alle vongole, salmon ceviche or frying fish and seafood.…

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