La Bottega di Parigi

La Bottega di Parigi is a restaurant and a sunny island outside the gates of Florence, with an elegant, yet homely, atmosphere. The menu includes land and sea dishes, and the cuisine skillfully mixes Tuscan and French traditions. On each table is a bouquet of flowers; the chairs are lined with a handcrafted fabric with a 1960s texture. Landlady is Mihaela Ursu, and she does have a talent for details, from the furnishings to the dishes to the scenographic wine list written entirely by hand and full of literal references.

The wine list is extensive and fun, with many Italian and non-Italian artisanal wines. Here you can taste back vintages of Brunello di Montalcino and Etna, the volcano on Sicily. Wines from most of the Italian regions are represented, as well as an intelligent selection from Loire, Burgundy and other countries like Armenia and the US. Not to forget is the selection of Italian sparkling wines and Champagne.