"Located in Piazza del Cestello, Essenziale challenges Florence’s otherwise sluggish experimental dining scene. As the name suggests, the restaurant focuses on the essential aspects of modernist dining, with a minimalist atmosphere that keeps attention on the plate. Chef Simone Cipriani is known for deftly diverging from the heavily regimented repertoire of Florentine cuisine and revisiting classic dishes, like turning pappa al pomodoro into a savory doughnut. Expect unusual shake-ups to Italian foundations with tacos slathered with ’nduja mayo, banana gnocchi, squab yakitori, riffs on panna cotta with almond and Sichuan pepper, and offal spins on classic pastas. The rotating themed tasting menu is exciting at various price points, starting from 65 euros." - Coral Sisk
