Contender for the most interesting window display in Florence……
Eleuteri Boutique, Florence, Italy
Via Tornabuoni is considered to be one of the most fashionable shopping streets in Florence so the Eleuteri Boutique has world-class competition from its neighbours, but I think this window display takes the prize. The shop, which has branches in New York, Rome, Venice and other significant shopping destinations for those with significant sums to spend, has the most delicious treasures on display. Their business is to collect and sell really exquisite and unique gems and objects from all over the world. Their windows are always like mini-museum visits to me.
We had lunch today at Podere 39, the brand new restaurant in our neighbourhood of Porta Romana. The place is run by a very creative couple. He cooks and she takes care of the front. Their sign tells their story……”Podere” is the word for a little farm, usually part of a larger group of farms, the number 39 is their address on via Senese in Florence, and “Botega con Cucina di Campagna” is the Italian way of saying Deli with Country Cooking. They do what the sign says…….they use local farm sources to create seasonal food in the Tuscan style. Really fine cheeses, breads, cured meats, freshly made sausages, bread, wine, jams and condiments are all for sale as well as used as ingredients in their lunch and dinner menus.
Podere 39, Florence, Italy, Table for Two
Podere 39, Florence, Italy, Front Room Tables
They spent six months putting the place together…..they did all of the work themselves, from the quirky and unique mis-matched tiles to the cedar plank tables to the slick lighting fixtures. Herbs and vegetables serve as table decorations, aside from the jug of giant calla lilies that graces one of the larger tables.
Podere 39, Florence, Italy, Work Station
The work station is overflowing with goodness……fresh bread, wines, hams waiting to be sliced. It feels as if the place has been here forever and it’s not even a week old.
Podere 39, Florence, Italy, Lunch
The creativity continues into the kitchen. We went for pasta dishes today……and what a treat. Ravioli was elevated by a rich red meat sauce made using young beef from a local farm and pici noodles were enhanced by a white sauce using game hen, raisins and almonds. The house wine of a rich Tuscan red was just right…..and so was the strong espresso that ended it all. Opening a new restaurant in any town is a challenge of epic proportions…..in a restaurant town like Florence the challenge is practically olympic. But I think we have a winner here………..and it’s right down the street from home!
