Three F words - Flowers, Food & Florence
A florist’s dream, a foodie’s paradise, and a grand piano thrown in for good measure
Who doesn’t love great food, the undeniable romance of Florence, and the intoxicating beauty of flowers? Now imagine all three intertwined in one breathtaking setting. Yes, I was excited!
When in Florence…
Whenever my husband’s work takes us to a new city (which is quite often), I have a ritual. I don’t bother with those “Top 10 Must-See” lists. My first search? Botanical gardens. Bonus points for a greenhouse. The holy grail? A water lily garden. Then, I scout out the best florists, the most enchanting flower shops, and only then do I start fantasizing about food and the restaurants that might fill our nights. Priorities, please.
So, imagine my sheer delight when, ahead of a trip to Florence in May last year, I stumbled upon Jardin La Ménagère, a florist tucked inside the gorgeous La Ménagère —a restaurant, bistro, bar and homewares store so effortlessly chic. Labelled one of Florence’s coolest restaurants and a concept-restaurant amongst flowers and music.
Sleek Red Vespas Parked Out Front
On my first solo visit, I had set off with determination, dodging flocks of tourists, intent on finding Jardin La Ménagère. I had accidently veered off my google map path but, in the end, I then quite literally stumbled upon it—serendipity at its finest. Nestled in the cobbled stoned heart of the centro storico, housed under ancient arched and timeworn ceilings, it was a place where food and flowers coexisted in poetic harmony. At the entrance, pots billowing with fresh flowers greeted guests, while stunning floral installations adorned the verandah walls. Sleek red Vespas parked outside on the cobble stoned street, like they were waiting for Audrey Hepburn to hop on. Inside, the mood was set with funky jazz music.
The Florist Shop, a Sensory Feast
The florist’s shop itself? A sensory feast. Vases overflowing with fresh blooms, wreaths of dried and preserved flowers, flickering candles, floral themed books, draping fern plants and trinkets artfully arranged in baskets, an instagrammers (should I dare say ‘that’ word on Substack!) delight. A florist’s paradise, seamlessly woven into the charm of a bustling restaurant. Naturally, I claimed a table with a front-row view of the shop and savoured my cappuccino and my torta del giorno (or 'cake of the day') and basked in the floral magic.
The main counter displayed shelves of stunning homewares, hand painted ceramics, fancy silver cutlery, jewellery, the obligatory tea towels, cushions, the glassware, crystal candlesticks and the tableware exquisite. Even the printed menu paid homage to the floral world - dishes named after flowers: Dishes named after flowers, The food a curated selection of Tuscan food from the region and a dedication to sustainable, locally sourced ingredients.
The Flowers Cont’d…
That very evening, I insisted that we head back for dinner, determined to soak in the floral magic once more. At this point, my excitement was barely containable, so I casually dropped the fact to the maitre’d that I was a florist (a habit of mine that, at times 'irks' my husband). And wouldn’t you know it, we were offered an impromptu self-tour of the entire restaurant whilst we waited for dinner—not just through the flower-filled spaces, but also the kitchen where the chefs table draped with a Toile de Jouy printed tablecloth was drowning in blooms, the candleholder room, the cozy English library with its flower-draped side table, secluded corners of the restaurant, the funky bar, the intimate English library that housed the one thousand botanical books, the candlelit lounge, the verandas which were lined with vertical flower installations and the expansive long table lined by a rainbow of illuminated colourful vases. So much to see!
And the Piano man Played
We celebrated the end of the day with a glass of champagne and dined on gnudi with ricotta and spinach and black truffle then beef fillet “alla Rossini” and foie gras and finished off with fragola, basilico e Limone (strawberry, basil and lemon). A truly delicious meal in the most perfect setting. All consumed during a grand piano performance including 'Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps' an old Doris Day classic from the movie "Tortilla Soup" (Yes, that is a Spanish film, but let’s roll with it). And top it all off, the florist kindly gave me a gift of a single orange rose. Superb!
And as if this magical space were not enough, I recently discovered that La Ménagère has now opened a second location in Rome. A reason, if ever I needed one, to plan another floral pilgrimage.
It’s funny how travel weaves together various parts of our past and present. In my youth, I played the piano—a grand piano still sits in my home, though it is rarely played these days. So, to find myself in a place where flowers, music, and food blended together so effortlessly felt like coming full circle. A reminder that the world is a garden waiting to be explored.
Your posts are such a delight! A little vicarious travel, and a feast of beauty. Thanks for the idea to start a new city with a botanical garden.
Wow. That stone wall with the 3 arches and shelves lined with plants is gorgeous 😍 and those colorful glass bottles! I could get lost in a place like that!! Beautiful photos and lovely story 😊