As well as being home to some of the most important artistic treasures in the world, Florence has a fine selection of exclusive, Michelin-starred restaurants. In the heart of the historical centre, Ristorante Santa Elisabetta (2 Michelin stars), located in the ancient Byzantine Pagliazza Tower of the charming Brunelleschi Hotel, is a perfect example. Executive Chef Rocco De Santis from Campania serves up minimalist cuisine showcasing the flavours of his homeland. Born in Salerno in 1979, Chef De Santis grew up in a village in southern Italy where everything was made at home, from fresh pasta to desserts.
Santa Elisabetta
Brunelleschi Hotel (Fi)
My mentors taught me the utmost respect for KNOWLEDGE
He has brought this tradition to his cuisine, without it becoming a constraint, creating contemporary and innovative food incorporating influences from other cultures he has experienced during his career, working with some of the top international chefs, including Gennaro Esposito and Georges Blanc. “Babà Evolution”, Chef De Santis’s signature dish, is a tribute to his native Campania but has an exquisite contemporary twist with the exotic addition of passion fruit and mango and crisp notes of lemon grass.
A recipe of this sophistication calls for the precision of a Giorik oven.
