Raffaele’s Stella Brienza’s Florence Favorites
Adopted Florentine and the designer behind Mani del Sud shares his local hit list
Behind the Scenes with Florentines
After nearly thirty-three years, Raffaele Stella Brienza feels very much at home in Florence.
Born and raised in Potenza, in the southern region of Basilicata, he moved to the city to study. First philosophy, and later fashion design.
His brand, Mani del Sud, began with handmade bowties and has since expanded to include hats, scarves, and shirts, all intricately crafted by hand.
The bows remains his signature.
The simple, yet evocative symbol is an homage to his birthplace, and the non-pretentious elegance and artisanship he associates with southern Italy.
The bows represent Raffaele himself, a product of two very different places, seamlessly entwined.
He told me his story over coffee in his atelier in the Oltrarno district. Once we dissected the origins of his brand, we talked about his love of Florence.
Read more about Raffaele and his brand here.
Florence can feel impenetrable, not only for tourists but also for Italians who weren’t born and raised within its storied city walls.
By now, the city has embraced Raffaele. He credits Florence with the innovation and energy that fueled the creation of his brand. He adores the small dimensions of the city, that make it easy to get around which allows you to experience all shades of its beauty and aesthetics in a single day.
Read on for Raffaele’s favorite places in the Oltrarno district and beyond.
We’ve got coffee, drinks, gelato, a must-see museum, two of his favorite works of art, a perfect walk for a blast of natural inspiration, and a modern-day café with old school salon vibes, a bookstore, and live music.
*Premium subscribers have access to the full list, but here’s a little taste….starting with wine, of course!
A drink after work: Spontaneo
Spontaneo Wine Bar, as the name suggests (spontaneo is Italian for spontaneous, as in fermentation), is a beloved neighborhood natural wine bar.
If the crowds are any indication, Raffaele is not alone in his recommendation. Wine is focus, the word on the street is that the food is even better. Traditional and artisanal dishes are driven by seasonality and personality. Wine and food pairing here is a delight.
Free from pretension and for natural wine newbies, a great place to dip your toe in.
Enoteca Spontanea
Via Maggio, 61r,
TEL + 39 055 049 8258
@enotecaspontanea
Best local Gelato: La Sorbettiera
La Sorbettiera in its original location in Piazza Tasso is the undisputed favorite in Oltrarno as far as I can tell.
What they lack in historical capital, the current owners make up for with a genuine respect for Florence’s patrimony of gelato production. Rigorously fresh, driven by seasonal ingredients, creativity never supersedes quality.
Many flavors are inspired by the owners’ travels, for example a Thai recipe incorporating lemongrass and coconut. The New England 1776 is creamy maple syrup with candied bacon. The salted caramel is ethereal.
Check the site for more locations in town. They’re blowing up for good reason.
La Sorbettiera
Piazza Tasso, 11r
SITE | @lasorbettiera
Relax with coffee, books, and wine at La Cité.
Opened in 2007, La Cité was inspired by Florence’s vibrant history of café culture. The multi-use space includes a bookshop with upwards of 5000 titles, new and used. Come mid-afternoon for coffee, wine, and small plates with a dose of old-school salon sophistication.
Conversation and lively debate are encouraged. As the night progresses, book and film presentations and live music pepper the schedule. The founders envision a city within a city, a cultural sanctuary from the traffic and the frenetic day-to-day of modern urban life.
La Cité Libreria Café
Borgo San Frediano, 20r
TEL +39 349 901 1105
SITE | @lacitefirenze
Premium subscribers, read on for the full list.
