Il Palagio — Restaurant in Florence

My partner and I (now fiancé) had a private dining experience here.

Initially I was unsure whether to book the restaurant through the hotel, but as soon as I made the booking they emailed me back with loads of alternative options for the special day/evening.

The communication: I'd like to give a special shout out to Patrizia who was fast, patient and understanding with any new changes and requests I made, her communication was clear and took away any nerves or stress I was feeling whilest also understanding the discretion needed. I was also in contact with Robeto and Giulia who both had the highest level of communication throughout the week building up to the evening.

Problem solving: On the day unfortunately the outdoor table would not be possible as it was 38° and 28° in the evening. They preempted this and emailed me at 4pm 3 hours before the meal. This was not a problem for them as they found a new alternative, which was just as nice and special for the occasion.

On arrival Robeto met us at the door and took us to our Private dining experience, they had music playing and a rose petel display. (needless to say my nerves started to kick in) as I still had the ring on me, Robeto took me to the front desk for a private word and told me I could leave it with them until the moment. I might also add they were also accommodating enough for me to leave it with them a day before.

Past this point we opted for the 9 course taster menu, which was superbly presented and served, a true master class of skill and flavour. Paolo Lavezzini is a genius along with all the other kitchen staff and Chefs. Giulia was a true professional in all senses of the word. Guiding us through the menu and service along with the other staff. Thank you.

As the eveing progress, 2 new surprises were in store for both of us: A personal vist by Paolo Lavezzini and the main course presented by himself.

The moment arrived, but before it did we were taken to the very top balcony of the hotel for dessert, an intimate spot with the view of the city and Duomo. Another surprise to me and my Partner. Stunning! They allowed us our moment and were kind enough to take pictures and offer a celbratory cake and champagne.

To everyone at the Four Season Hotel and Restaurant...

Dinner had started off very well, with some very tasty amuse bouches declination of tomato. However, the rest of the dinner was a disaster. The octopus was insipid, unseasoned and the garnishes complementing it would not be enough to qualify or justify this tasteless plate. The rabbit was incredibly salty and it wasn't the reduced jus that was guilty of this. However, it was cooked very well in spite of everything. The cuttlefish linguine was again awash with salt, and it wasn't its natural sodium that stood out, but the seasoning. The agnolottis of Livornese cockerel were likewise far too salty, and the truffle sprinkled over were surprisingly weak in flavor for such wonderful product. Nevertheless, the agnolottis were cooked to a very satisfactory al denté. My partner's main course, the turbot, was dry, overcooked and once again drowned in salt; for such a delicate fish, it’s a shame. A bone was found from the very first bite, it was acknowledged by both your garçon de salle assigned to our table and your chef de rang whom was in disbelief, not because of the distress from this unfortunate event but more like it wasn’t possible even though it was in plain sight for him to see. As far as I was concerned, the pigeon was very well cooked, but again, with a saltiness that would make even the Red Sea jealous. After so much sodium, you could see for yourself that our plates were still in « shape » so to speak since we were unable to tolerate any more salt. Cerise sur le gâteau, your chef de rang made a highly inappropriate remark that would ruin the rest of this already bitter diner. Claiming that it may be because of our "origins" that we can't appreciate the flavors of some of your dishes. Unacceptable. We’ve never heard such a pretentious and uncalled for statement from any restaurants that we went to. Yet, judging by the profile pictures of some people that shared our tasting misadventure with the saltiness of your dishes, we don't come from the same "regions" as them. This lack of decency in assuming that we're necessarily from Asia without even bothering to ask where we're from, i.e. France, where we've grown up and lived for over thirty years was utterly vile, execrable and...

We dined at Il Palagio, the Michelin one starred restaurant located within the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, to experience their renowned tasting menu. Having been underwhelmed by other Michelin experiences in the past, I approached this meal with cautious optimism. However, Il Palagio exceeded all expectations.

The ambiance was both elegant and inviting, reflecting the restaurant's setting in the historic Palazzo della Gherardesca. We also had breakfast at this restaurant while staying at the Four Seasons, which was fantastic, as well.

I started with a gin martini with twist. So yummy. We chose the Gherardesca tasting menu, a culinary journey inspired by the hotel's private garden. I won't even begin to talk about how beautiful the garden is. :) The menu featured dishes that showcased the chef's ability to blend traditional Tuscan flavors with innovative techniques. Notably, an appetizer incorporated Kimchi, seamlessly integrating this element into the dish's flavor profile. As a Korean, I found this a nice touch, personally.

It was a 6-course meal, but they offered multiple appetizers so it felt like a 9 or 10 course meal. Each course, from the amberjack fish to the lamb, was meticulously prepared and presented, highlighting the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Unlike previous Michelin experiences, every dish here was actually both delicious and satisfying.

While we did not opt for the full wine pairing, the sommelier provided excellent recommendations that complemented our meal perfectly. The staff's attentiveness and knowledge further enhanced our dining experience.

Il Palagio offered a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, making it a standout choice for those seeking a memorable dining experience in Florence. The service was so nice. Super attentive, friendly, and proactive. The manager later stopped by to talk to us and offered some chocolates. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to indulge in exceptional cuisine within a historic and...