Balazs Paroczay
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Saporium is one of those restaurants where the Chef seems to have forgotten a basic truth: a restaurant exists to serve guests — not the other way around.
Yes, creating a special atmosphere and crafting a unique concept is great. But when that becomes more important than the guest experience, something’s gone wrong.
We spent €742 on an 8-course tasting menu for two people. The first half was excellent:
• Welcome bites
• Bread
1. Antipasto (Snail) – absolutely amazing
2. Risotto – very nice, perfectly balanced
3. Pasta – a great addition, light and flavorful
4. Veal – rich taste, beautifully prepared
Up until this point, we were extremely happy.
But then things took a negative turn:
5. Manzo – disappointing. A slimy, tiny portion of beef with an almost invisible veggie
6. Pre-dessert – a single Magnum-style ice cream bite
7. Main dessert – sponge cake drowned in plain milk with a splash of alcohol
8. Post-dessert – a couple of bonbons
For a Michelin-starred restaurant, dedicating nearly 40% of the menu to dessert is baffling. Post-dessert should be a kind gesture — not a counted course. This feels like a cheap solution for this money.
When we asked about the missing eighth course, the deputy manager told us the bread was one of the courses, because “the Chef considers it a separate plate.” Sorry — that’s not how tasting menus work.
The wine list looks impressive — but prices are outrageous. €450 for a bottle of Ornellaia? Completely out of touch.
To make matters worse, the closing vibe was cold. One staff member, the guy with long curly hair, literally kicked us out...
With this ending, Saporium Firenze felt more like a stage for the Chef’s ego than a place for genuine hospitality.
I regret coming here.
PS: The €200 deduction in the bill photo is just the prepayment required to book.