Photography by Luke Alland
You’ll find some of the world’s best and most sought-after restaurants in Florence, such is their culinary expertise. We have the pleasure of visiting the city twice annually due to menswear tradeshow, Pitti Uomo, that takes place every January and June. In build up to these trips, restaurants like Cammillo, Sostanza and Coco Lezzone for example, need to be booked months in advance if you’re looking for a big dinner setting. Whilst it’s a worthwhile necessity, it’s not always possible to book a spot for every single meal for the entire week.
With a 30-minute break for lunch one stifling hot summer’s day, we stumbled upon a pizzeria with outdoor seating which had just opened and immediately sat ourselves down. The staff, who had begun their shift, welcomed us and we utilised the pre-lunch rush to chat to them about the food, the restaurant, and of course, football. The 30-minute break ended up lasting just shy of three hours, with several pizzas, beer and antipasti consumed within that time. It’s safe to say, Ristorante Pizzeria Ginori immediately became a favourite of ours.
In fact, every Pitti Uomo since that day, we’ve visited Ginori at least twice during the week, be it for beers, lunch or dinner. In fact, on one occasion between meals we just used the seating to take some shelter and let the water-mist fans work their magic.
For the launch of our latest cigar collection, we wanted to visit locations that are close to our heart, and of course, Ginori was top of the list. It also helped that SimBIOsi, our favourite specialty coffee spot, is located a couple of minutes up the road.
The EGM Bleco cigar we find to be the perfect pairing for a hearty lunch, especially when pizza and beers are involved. Should you not drink, a soda (I prefer Diet Coke) or sparkling water works just as well. The menu at Ginori is expansive, which gives you the opportunity to light up your cigar and peruse without being rushed. The outdoor seating, located opposite the restaurant on the other side of the narrow road, is surprisingly spacious and with a good amount of sun and shade—depending on your preference. It’s the perfect place to dine al fresco and enjoy a cigar or two, with good company, delightful staff and delectable Tuscan cuisine.
