Angelo Cavalieri-General Manager at Le Menagere
Not far from the famous San Lorenzo Market (Mercato Nuovo) which recently opened a huge space offering the best of Tuscan food products, La Ménagére offers a warm and sincere welcome.
During a recent trip to Florence I had the great good fortune of meeting Angelo Cavalieri, the General Manager at this gorgeous new Florentine restaurant. His welcome and the food (!) will bring me back every trip from now on.
Once home to a famous Florentine housewares store, this creative new space incorporates a tribute to the origins by offering beautifully designed Italian housewares and flowers…but the real draw here is the food and atmosphere. And did I fail to mention the wine list?
In the spirit of training the next generation of Italian restaurateurs, the owner partners with a local hospitality school in providing internships for students who wish to learn the real world of running a restaurant. Your servers will, most likely, be participating in this unique program. Angelo and the other staff keep a close, trained, eye on each and every one.
Dinner, culled from their incredible winter seasonal menu, was Orecchiette with broccoli and clams followed by Maialino, mela arrostita, topinambur e salsa arancione (Pugliese special pasta with broccoli and clams followed by a perfectly prepared pork cutlet served with roasted apples, Jerusalem artichokes-a first for me-and orange sauce). Eat your heart out!:) For dessert? A unique twist on a traditional dolce: White chocolate mousse with Shezuan pepper and apple sorbet. Incredible.
Here are links to the Winter Menu (in English and Italian) along with their Wine List.
Winter Menu La Ménagére
Wine List – La Ménagére
During the restoration, the owners made the wise decision to keep the space bright. Daylight enters the back of the space through skylights and stunning Italian lighting adds to the creative design of the place.
The Bistro, right, offers flavorful pastries and panini throughout the day and well into the night. The large ‘farm to table’ inspired dining table welcomes foodies and passionate wine enthusiasts alike to enjoy meals together.
There are two separate areas off of the dining space, one with small tables and, for those truly passionate about Italian food, chef’s tables.
After Hours? How about live jazz in the cantina restored below the main dining and bistro levels of the restaurant. A marvelous and unique corner of bella Firenze.
The meals enjoyed in this space, the warm welcome by staff and the creative, modernist concept of the space, makes it all more than well worth the trip for lunch, an aperativo, dinner or late night.
In a word? GO! Enjoy! Buon Appetito!