Grab a quick coffee
and read a bit about Firenze

The Relax page is the place to come, take things easy for a few moments, and find out what's happened, been happening and will happen here at Firenze.

Il mio Bello Zabajone

A few years ago local suppliers Danilo and Alison of Just So Italian presented us with one of the most beautiful bottles of Italian Liqueur we'd ever seen - Zabajone. After a long and luxurious evening of tasting, we discovered it was absolutely divine, so we just had to have it. In Summer over ice, and slightly warmed for the perfect winter tipple, either way, it's perfect.

We also found out that the ago old secret recipe for Zabajone was on the brink of being lost forever, that was until a family run producer - Amerigo 1934 saved it and has revived it for yet another generation to enjoy and we're very proud to be supporting them and so many other artisan producers both in Italy and at home in England.

Not only do they make Zabajone, but working with an old local factory, they have revived an impressive range of other traditional liqueurs too, one that really appeals to us, but have had the pleasure to taste, is the Walnut Riserva, a liqueur made by brewing unripe walnuts to an 18th century recipe. It is only brewed in very small quantities and aged in small wooden barrels for it final couple of years - doesn't it would fantastic. Watch out for it on the our 'Sweets & Stickies menus soon.

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo

Bring in the New Year Firenze style with a sumptuous tasting menu, enjoy Bellini to begin and Prosecco to end and lots of yummy things in the middle.

£85.00 per person Places are limited so book soon!

December 2009 Open as usual, Monday - Saturday up to 24th December. Closed 25th - 28th December 2009

Precious Pearls and Crystals by Emma Benson. Wednesday 16th September 2009

Come and hear from the lovely Emma as she shows us her stunning work with its own unique quality and style. Using a variety of freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals each piece is individually made to order. Too beautiful to miss!

12 noon for 12.30. A glass of Prosecco on Arrival. £17.50 per person. Payment in advance no longer required

To Book please ring 0116 2796260. Places are limited so do book soon.

Introducing the new lunch menu at Boboli, Prezzo Fisso. It's going to be a star.

Our ever popular Piatto Unico lunchtime menu at Firenze prompted us to offer something similar at Boboli. We have great pleasure to introduce you to Prezzo Fisso.

At just 10.00 for two courses, and 15.00 for three, including our famous coffee, you'll soon see why it's going to be big.

Served Tuesday to Saturday 12 noon to 2pm, for advance bookings call us on 0116 279 3303.

Of course, if you can't wait until 12 noon, from June, Boboli will be open all day from 10am, and we all know what that means.

Coffee, homemade cakes and delightful pastries in the morning, the new Prezzo Fisso menu at lunch, and yet another new menu, the Boboli bite menu, Boboli Pomeriggio, which literally means, afternoon. Oh, and if your still hungry, we've got evenings covered too.

So when your not at Firenze, we'll see you all soon at Boboli.

Salt like mama used, and it rocks

In the kitchens of Firenze, we're always striving to keep a large proportion of our ingredients local, but some things just won't do.

Take our cooking salt for instance, in may be nostalgia, but we love our Italian Sama Sale Grosso, it's like the salt mama used at home in Bergamo, it's a gorgeous course rock salt with a refined, delicate flavour and superb to cook with.

The simple, strong graphic box makes us all feel right at home when we see it sitting on the Firenze kitchen shelves.

Firenze loves Olive - Olive loves Firenze too.

Of course we love olives, those gorgeous, tangy little Italian treats we serve at the beginning of every meal, but just for a second, we're talking about the BBC magazine - Olive.

Just recently Firenze had a delicious review, and to make it even more special, it was a reviewed by another Italian chef.

With comments like "I love Firenze's veal terrine with mushrooms, which is neither too course nor to smooth" and "Other great northern Italian specialties include lovely risottos and an excellent ravioli of pumpkin and amaretti biscuits served with butter and sage" we're feeling very happy.

Fungo gigantesco

Lino and the gang actively search for the finest local ingredients, which has, for the past few years included some stunning boxes of the freshest allotment goodies we could wish for.

These are usually dropped in by villagers, friends or green fingered customers, but nothing has come into the Firenze kitchens quite like this.

Organically grown by one of our long standing customers, this is one giant mushroom, a Puffball Mushroom to be exact. Apparently these can grow to almost 70cm in diameter, so ours isn't quite the largest.

As ever, such a fine gift can't be passed by without something yummy being created in the kitchens, so we made a seriously tasty risotto with, a little fresh sage, garlic and parmesan for an evening menu special.

Keep the boxes coming, we love the challenge, the taste and the excitement of everything being so local.

SAN VALENTINO, FIRENZE STYLE Opening especially for you. Sunday 14th February

If there’s one celebration that has to be done with Italian flair, it’s Valentines. It’s about showing someone how much you love them, that they deserve the best.

Firenze will be opening Sunday 14th February in the evening - especially for you. We’ll be serving up romance on a plate with a luxurious taste sensation at £50.00 per person. We'd advise early booking to avoid any Valentines upsets.

Cinguettio (Twitter in Italian)

Everyone knows how much we love talking about food & wine here at Firenze, but sometimes we just don't get the chance to talk to everyone.

So, we've just joined the ever growing Twitter community, which means we can share our little daily experiences, last minute offers (just for you Twitterers) and anything else we think you may find of interest.

We'll be hooking up with people we admire (Antonio Carluccio, Sharpham Park and Slow Food UK have already grabbed our attention), and also the people who follow us. Those 140 letters really do help us all get to know each other.

Follow us at http://twitter.com/FirenzeEngland we'd love to follow you too.

Once Upon a Time. From Recruitment Management to Children’s Books with Donna Doy. Ladies Lunch with a touch of a child's enthusiasm on 6th October

Come and hear from Donna of Usborne Books and how her career changed from recruitment management to children’s books.

Tuesday 6th October 2009, 12 noon for 12.30. A glass of Prosecco on Arrival. £17.50 per person.

To Book please ring 0116 279 6260. Places are limited so do book soon.

Touch The Dolomites. A very special night at Firenze, Friday 12th June

A tasty look into this beautiful region of Italy, hosted by Franz and Silvia Koster of Posta Zirm Hotel, and one of our favourite merchants, Juliusz of Bianca Wines.

Join us on Friday 12th June at 7.30 for a glass of Prosecco on arrival, followed by a fabulous four course supper reflecting the Dolomites, served with accompanying wines.

There will also be an opportunity to enter a free prize draw for a short holiday break at the Post Zirm Hotel.

What an evening, and just 45.00 per person, its already had huge interest, so book your places before its too late. Give us a quick call on 0116 2796260

Summer Blooms with Claire O'Brien. Ladies Lunch goes all flowery on 20th May

Claire has consistently wowed regular customers at Firenze with her stunning flower arrangements.

We never fail to be inspired by the simplicity and beauty of the way she entwines the delicate flowers, perfectly reflecting the changing seasons.

After the first, and hugely successful Ladies Lunch Claire did, we vowed to ask her to do a second, so, once again we have the pleasure to be entranced by her creations just for Summer.

Places are ever popular, so please call 0116 279 6260 for reservations.

Bei Caffè - The coffee we've been waiting for

Not content with just enjoying their coffee, in 1923 Guido Nannini and Giovanni Bei founded 'The Coffee Society of Lucca'. They believed great coffee was an art, and constantly endeavored to seek the highest quality beans for their customers.

Even today the coffee company that was founded on a single passion for quality is still run by the same families and bears their names - Bei & Nannini.

By using traditional machines and modern roasting techniques they consistently produce notably the finest coffee in Italy.

Always wanting to serve the very best Italy has to offer, we at Firenze have really acquired a taste for this new coffee, and the new cups are absolutely gorgeous too.