The London Lounge

I am planning on visiting Florence sometime early next Spring. I was wondering if anyone knows of any hotels and restaraunts worth using?

Also of any shirtmakers, clothiers, and tailors worth visiting.

Thank you,

James

Leo Bugelli Shirtmaker

Stefano Bemer Shoemaker

and if you need a tailor let me know

Ugolini is also worth trying out for shoes, especially if you are looking for a very good bespoke shoe and have budget constraints. As far as clothiers, Tie Your Tie is a nice enough shop.

We stayed at the Regency Hotel which is quite nice and far enough out that you don't get the roar of the greasepaint and smell of the crowd.

A few addresses I have found on the internet and these two addresses do I will visit when I am in Tuscany:

http://www.princepsalexander.com/

http://www.liverano.com/indexen.htm


I go visit this two addresses and of course Bugelli, Bemer, Tie your Tie and a lot more.

In April 2004, I stayed at the refurbished Relais Santa
Croce. The service was excellent, the junior suite was
spacious (with large closets) with a view over the rooftops
toward the facade of Santa Croce.

http://www.relaisantacroce.com/en/index.htm

via ghibellina 87
(yes, the address is shared by enoteca pinchiorri)

For shirts, I wasn't familiar with Bugelli at the time,
but I have had some success with Simone Abbarchi. The
experience is more MTM than full bespoke.

I'm not familiar with too many of the ateliers in the city, but I will second the recommendation for Bugelli (21 via Fra Bartolommeo) and Bemer (143 Borgo San Frediano). Both are great guys.

Enoteca Vino e Carpaccio
via Pier Capponi 72/A
50132 Firenze
055 500 0896

A small and intimate ristorante specialising in carpaccio. The interior fitout is in the classic Parisian Bistro style (authentic , actually stripped from a French bistro and shipped to Florence !)

A father and son team (father used to be a top fashion designer from the fifties through to the late seventy's. Very interesting man). Both extremely passionate . You may rely absolutely on their menu advice.

Try the scampi crudi ...amazing !
I went to heaven one evening over a bottle of '94 Tignanello and una piatta di Spaghettini con Bottarga ... Incredibile !


Hotel Lungarno.
Brilliant location. Just an easy stroll across the Arno. Away from the tourist hordes yet close to Palazzo Pitti (beautiful gardens you must see), Uffizi Galleryand in the antique quarter of Florence.
http://www.lungarnohotels.com/

Best gelato at Vivoli ...ask the concierge how to find it.

You'll have a great time. Just follow your nose and enjoy getting lost in the maze.


bluscuro

I had a positively magical diner at a restaurant called Four D"acqua two years ago. Four D'acqua is not your typical Tuscan affair, far more Venetian. The owners owns fishing boats and the days catch is delivered to the restaurant at about 5:30 in the afternoon. I suppose that they have a menu, but the reality is that you will end up putting yourself in their hands as the menu depends on the day's delivery. The proprietor and the waiters speak some English and you just have to go with the flow. If you like the Italian approach to fish, this is not to be missed, not ever.

Ristorante Fuor d’Acqua a Firenze
Via Pisana, 37/r
055 222299 for reservations
Reservations can also be emailed to: pesce@fuordacqua.it
Closed Mondays

More traditional for your bisteca, try Buca Lapi whose cellar decor dates back to the 1950's and is splendid time capsule. If I remember correctly the barrel vaulted ceilings are covered with shellaced travel posters from the "Pan Am" age. Old fashioned to be sure, but all the way right-on. We ate at a wonderful neighborhood restaruant called Perseus which I would try again in a flash. There are also some great young chefs cooking in the city, the restaurant scene is fairly dynamic and a good concierge should be abel to help you out.

We stayed at the Brunellschi which was OK for the price and you cannot beat the location just behind the Duomo. Part of the Hotel is a medieval tower. I did not love breakfast though which was a buffet service. I'd love to know what the upgrade is.

Florence is just a perfect city though. Do not miss the Fra Angelico frescos in the convent of San Marco. There is an annunciation, the beauty of which makes me nearly weep.

DDM

For somethig typically Florentine you can also try Sostanza aka "il Troia" in via Porcellana and for something unique order the Artichoke Tart (Tortino di Carciofi).

I was there decades, ago . . . still remember my first glimpse of those riveting red rooftops. You can't miss Santa Maria del Fiore, or the statue of David. Also, you may enjoy Sirio Maccioni's book: Sirio. Delves into the rastaurateur's beginnings, in Florentine establishments.