

3

"Conventional wisdom says to steer clear of all dining directly on a major piazza or near big tourist attractions. But little about the Rocco Forte group’s Hotel Savoy and its restaurant, Irene, is conventional — even as its surroundings are some of the most recognizable in Florence. Irene is parked on the Piazza della Repubblica, midway between the Ponte Vecchio and Duomo and anchored by a 19th-century triumphal arch, several historic cafés and a trademark carousel. The streetside terrace is a chic spot to watch the world go by with a glass of vino while staying cordoned off from the chaos; window seats in the cheery-glam interior offer a similar vibe for colder days." - Mary Gray