We believe that eating is not just nourishing, but feeling real emotions, those that arise from the harmonic balance of ingredients

The strength of our restaurant also lies in our ability to welcome guests into a comfortable, air-conditioned environment. It’s ideal for those seeking a venue for a business lunch in Florence, with a friendly and familiar atmosphere.

THE CONGREGATION OF THE VANCHETONI AND THE SUPPER FOR A HUNDRED PAUPERS

In via Palazzuolo, the street running from piazza Ottaviani (via de' Fossi) to via del Prato, stands the Church of San Francesco dei Vanchetoni. In the past, anyone passing by the church around five o’clock on the last Sunday of Carnival (the last Sunday before Lent) would have seen a crowd of people gathered in front of the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside. Besides the dignitaries, many noblemen, eminent professionals, and even a number of foreigners were present, all holding their invitations prominently, as entry was restricted to a limited number of guests. The crowd’s curiosity was entirely justified, for inside the church, a most unusual event was taking place: a moving and poetic ceremony set in an environment of great artistic value.

From the door opening onto the church, the high altar at the end could be seen, brightly lit and adorned with beautifully engraved silver trays. The dais, where the dignitaries, including His Grace the Archbishop, were seated, was also visible, with the Archbishop wearing the symbolic white apron for the occasion. The guests were seated along the side walls of the church in wooden stalls, exquisitely carved by Giambattista Paolesi, while in front of them, lower down, sat the hundred poor individuals who had been invited, positioned before laden tables. There were five tables on each side of the church, each occupied by ten local poor individuals over the age of fifty, all dressed identically in black cloaks with white bands around their necks, awaiting the lavish banquet with solemn joy. When everything was ready, the procession would begin, followed by a special ceremony during which the food was distributed.

The Ostaria dei Centopoveri, which opened on December 5, 1992, is named after this fascinating ancient tradition of the supper for the hundred paupers.