La Menagere, Florence

Unusually for us, we arrived in Florence without having done any prior research on the latest places to eat. We’d been there in 2001 on our honeymoon and thought we’d just wander about, revisiting the sights. After checking in to our hotel on Piazza di San Lorenzo, we thought we’d take a stroll down some of the smaller streets, which is when we stumbled across the delight that is La Menagere.

With 1,500 sq ft, set in an stripped back vaulted historic building, the decor has a semi industrial feel with high ceilings, concrete floors and bare walls. Add in modernist furniture, a touch of vintage paint, a huge (wonderful smelling) flower bar complete with hanging plants, cocktails, bistro and homeware store, plus the best coffee in Florence and you have the ingredients for success. The ‘coffee to cocktail’ concept is a brilliant one. On one day we visited for breakfast (scrambled eggs, pastries, fresh bread) and then returned for drinks and dinner!

Dinner was impressive. We shared two starters – burrata with scallops and pea veloute and a pepper and onion tart, followed by Yellowtail with wasabi potatoes and rocket pesto.

After a week’s feasting on pasta and pizza in the wilds of Tuscany this contemporary menu was a welcome change with fresh, zingy ingredients combined to perfection.

Dessert didn’t disappoint either! Apricot ice cream with fresh peaches and toasted pistachio… all washed down with a beautiful bottle of Verdicchio.