One of the most anticipated events of Pitti Taste 2025, Luca’s Restaurant hosted a dinner party with the presence of the two-starred Paulo Airaudo, Chef Patron of the restaurant of the 5-star Hotel La Gemma located in the Renaissance heart of the city.
Luca’s Restaurant is located inside Palazzo Paoletti, a boutique hotel inspired in its colors and precious details by the magnificence of the nearby cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with many references to the retro elegance of the early 1900s.
The restaurant’s cuisine is entrusted to the supervision of the famous Argentine chef of Italian origins Paulo Airaudo, two Michelin stars with his restaurant Amelia located in San Sebastian in Spain. A bond, the one with Italy, that led him to work at Borgo Santo Pietro where he met the General Manager of La Gemma, Laura Stopani, who together with the Cecchi family, owners of the structure, decided to “bring him back” to Tuscany.
I love working with small producers and artisans and connecting them, through cooking, with our customers.
(chef Paulo Airaudo)
Here, with resident chefs Olivia Cappelletti and Tommaso Querini, Airaudo creates a cuisine that mixes Basque influences with Italian roots and many oriental touches.
The evening was dedicated to some of the Argentine chef’s signature dishes, such as the “rose” of amberjack sashimi in tomato water, pigeon cappelletti, wagyu with onion and maitake accompanied by its sauce, and goat cheese and sweet potato flan.
A fun, frank and colorful journey, which has as its common thread the perfect knowledge of the ingredients and how to make them delicious with elegant combinations that add depth without interfering with the distinctive flavors of the raw material.
The dinner was preceded by an aperitif at Luca’s Lounge, an enchanting cocktail bar characterized by a fascinating play of ceiling mirrors and refractions, based on a selection of excellent Italian wines, including Derbusco Cives and Ricasoli 1141.
The wine list is also excellent, with about 200 labels, curated by the attentive Restaurant Manager Vito Angelilli.
You can follow Lucas’s social networks to stay updated on the next gourmand events that Hotel La Gemma regularly hosts.
The Secret
Even the welcome cocktail at Hotel La Gemma is emerald green, a drink based on Gin, Matcha tea cordial, cordial foam, and ginger beer topping.
Useful Info
Luca’s Restaurant
Via Dei Cavalieri 2C
50123 Firenze
Tel. +39 055 0105200
Tasting menus: from 130 euro 4 courses
