FOOD PHILOSOPHY
Authenticity and honesty are at the heart of each dish we create at La Bottega del Buon Caffè .
Our Michelin starred restaurant offers an innovative and inspiring ‘Farm to Plate’ experience where guests can enjoy the very freshest ingredients harvested from our own kitchen gardens.
Respecting our Florentine Location our seasonal menus are designed to reflect the region’s unique gastronomic heritage and vibrant culinary culture. Artisan butchers supply the kitchen with exceptional cuts of locally-reared meats whilst the very freshest fish are delivered from the Mediterranean.
This season our unique menus reflect the beauty of the Tuscan country harvest and include homemade Cappelletti pasta with pigeon, butter and thyme and our very popular Amberjack fish served in three ways (tartar, belly, fillet) with baby onions, asparagus and caramelised onions.
THE CHEF
Creative Head Chef, Antonello Sardi, originally started his career as a kitchen assistant.
It wasn’t long however, before his impressive culinary skills were applauded by customers, colleagues and food critics alike. His natural flair and inquisitive style has lead to a notable career in gourmet cuisine and most recently he was awarded his first Michelin star for his unmistakable and exceptional Florentine cuisine.
Antonello is an imaginative chef and has worked with some of the region’s most respected names in the industry including Enrico Bartolini at Cavenago di Brianza. During his time with Enrico, Antonello focused his skills on working with fresh and natural ingredients sourced from local farms, vegetable growers and butchers. On returning to his native Florence, Antonello worked with innovative chef Francesco Gasbarro, creating beautifully executed seasonal dishes.
As Head Chef of La Bottega del Buon Caffè and Il Lounge, Antonello’s philosophy for using the very freshest local ingredients with care and imagination shines through. His innovative approach to Tuscan cuisine has earned him a reputation as one of Tuscany’s most talented young chefs.
WINES
La Bottega del Buon Caffè has an exceptional wine list created by our respected Sommelier Vito Angelilli.
La Bottega’s outstanding collection of more than 1100 labels showcases prestigious and boutique wines from Tuscany, Italy and around the world, where big names sit alongside artisan producers hand-picked for their ability to faithfully reflect the local terroir. Our cellar highlights notable Tuscan wines, such as Masseto, Sassicaia, Bolgheri, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico, alongside labels selected from the length and breadth of the Italian peninsular, ranging from the Langhe in Piemonte to Mount Etna in Sicily. An impressive variety of foreign wines also makes an appearance, such as the cream of French Champagne and Bordeaux Rive Gauche, and sought-after Spanish, Australian and US labels.
Listed by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the best restaurants in the world.
“After moving to a smart new space on the south bank of the Arno, Claus and Jeanette Thottrup’s latest venture (they also own rural boutique hotel Borgo Santo Pietro), La Bottega del Buon Caffé, has become one of Florence’s top tickets thanks to the deft hand of chef Antonello Sardi. His assured, nouvelle-Tuscan cuisine gives equal billing to meat and fish, showcasing produce from the farm at Borgo Santo Pietro. Standouts on the current menu include foie-gras crème brûlée with red-onion ice cream and rack of venison, its sauce enriched with chocolate. It all looks gorgeous, as do the handsome surroundings with lots of dark, knotted wood. Not that hungry? Sink into a squashy sofa in front of the fire for a glass of wine and a little something from the snack menu.”