A Florence Thanksgiving for Everyone, 2019

Thanksgiving at the Golden View

For all of the American residents, visitors, and students and their Italian friends, there will be more than enough opportunities for turkey this Thanksgiving in Florence. The city has a variety of restaurants to fill the American holiday void with many ways to inspire gratitude.

Guests can find any kind of Thanksgiving in Florence that they want: an extensive selection of lunches and dinners is offered on Thursday, November 28 and even menus that utilize leftovers the next day. There are many special meals and deals: dine at a restaurant that passes on the cost to charity as a way to give back; delicious dinners for clients with dietary restrictions; and chefs who create recipes with a Tuscan flair for those who wish to dine in the company of Italians. Students who wanting to save after all their traveling during break, can find great and cheap meals. People desiring to splurge on the holiday dinner will also find special evenings organized at the finest hotels in the city.

The American Thanksgiving is about gratitude and originates with the first New England settlers. Tradition holds that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the 17th century English pilgrims and the Native Americans to rejoice in a successful harvest in the New World thanks to resilience and solidarity after difficult beginnings. Americans celebrate this holiday with a meal of turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin, and more to be eaten alongside family and friends. Below is a guide to a wide range of options in the city of the Renaissance.

THANKSGIVING DESSERTS

Vanilla Cake Bakery (Piazza Acciaiuoli, 7/r, Galluzzo; 055.046-2755)

If you are having Thanksgiving at home or are a guest at one and need to purchase the grand finale, head to the Vanilla Cake Bakery. The owners chose the name because the word is the same in both Italian and English, complementing the London-trained baker’s goal to create both Italian and American treats in Florence. This year there will be a choice of apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies in normal, large, and extra-large sizes. The normal size pie is around €13, with the pecan pie being an extra €1. Pumpkin cupcakes with either cream cheese or buttercream frosting (the buttercream needs to be ordered in advance) are also available. The cupcakes come in normal and large size for €1.30 and €2.50 respectively. Sweet holiday treats can be ordered at info@vanillacake.it or call the number above.

SHARING WITH CHARITIES

Golden View Open Bar (Via de’ Bardi, 58/r; 055.214-502)

For those that are wishing to pass their gratitude on, the cost of this meal will be given to charity. This lovely restaurant with a view of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio will be adding delicious Italian expertise to a traditional Thanksgiving. Lunch or dinner will start with a mini potato, cheese & green bean quiche; the main course are helpings of stuffed turkey and baked ham, gravy and cranberry sauce. There will also be sides of braised pumpkin with walnuts, mashed potatoes, and creamed corn. Dessert will be pumpkin cheesecake, a spin on the classic pie. The proceeds will go to two nonprofits, Healing Photo Art and the Iris Garden next to Piazzale Michelangelo. The first donates beautiful prints for the patients to the walls of hospitals and hospices; the latter contains all the irises (the flower is the symbol of Florence) from 1957 onwards entered in the annual international competition. The meal is €40 excluding drinks and a service fee. Students pay only €20.  

A BUDGET THANKSGIVING

Salumeria Verdi, Pino’s Sandwiches (Via Verdi, 36/r)

Pino’s Sandwiches is the time-honored stop for Thanksgiving for Americans studying abroad. In addition to its usual menu, Pino and his family have created a holiday sandwich just for the occasion. The panino has turkey, gravy, chestnut stuffing, and brie nestled between slices of focaccia bread.

Thanksgiving goers can also have turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole with creamy onion sauce in their deli. Guests can stop by all day, from 9 am to 9 pm, to participate in the holiday and share what they are thankful for. Sandwiches are €5 and the meal from the deli is €6.

Readers are invited to participate in Pino’s Thanksgiving sandwich and meal GIVEAWAY.  Either follow us on Instagram (@magentaflorence) OR like the Magenta Florence & Vista Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/VistaMagenta/) by Wednesday, November 23 at 12 noon participate in a random drawing of four lucky winners.  The names will be announced on the Magenta Facebook page and on the Pino Sandwiches Instagram account by midnight of the same day.

La Cucina del Ghianda (Via dell’Agnolo, 85/r; 055.386-0534)

This beloved restaurant will be changing up their Thanksgiving meal this year. The head chef has been inspired by the English Christmas meal for this American holiday and will be adding a personal touch to the tradition. At both lunch and dinner, a 40 lb. (18 kilo) turkey will be carved publicly, so both meals will last till the turkey is completely carved and gone. The turkey’s stuffing is made with chestnuts, herbs including sage, rosemary, as well as nutmeg, and sausage, there will be gravy to top it all off. The plate will also include a baked potato, Brussel sprouts, carrots, and cranberry sauce. At lunch (at an extra charge), dessert will be spiced sweet potato pie, while pumpkin pie will be found at dinner.  Lunch starts at 12:30 for €10 including water; dinner is at 7:30 for €15, not including water.

THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY EXPERIENCE

Ristorante Accademia (Piazza San Marco, 7; 055.217-343)

This restaurant will be having Thanksgiving for its 19th consecutive year. The menu promises to be very American due to the influence of the owner’s wife originally from New York. This year in addition to its traditional dinner from 6 – 10 pm, lunch will be served between 12 – 3 pm. The menu features pumpkin soup, cornbread, turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and creamed corn. For dessert, customers will have their choice of apple strudel, pumpkin or pecan pie. The meal is €35 per person, excluding drinks. The next day, Friday the 29th, customers can come back for the complete experience thanks to a repeat menu of turkey day leftovers at lunch for €15.

Il Porcospino Firenze (Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini, 11/r; 055.217-700)

This trattoria promises a true American holiday in the setting of Florence. The trattoria is located in front of the Medici chapel and just a few steps away from the Duomo. Their Thanksgiving service has been celebrated consecutively for 12 years after American students helped the kitchen organize the first Thanksgiving meal at Porcospino.

Dinner comprises a stuffed traditional turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, sweet potatoes, and green beans. American apple pie will be served to finish the meal, and the restaurant will be decked out in traditional decorations. The menu is €28 per person including water and will be served 7:30 – 10 pm.

JUST LIKE BACK IN THE STATES

Hard Rock Café (Via dei Brunelleschi, 1; 055.277-841)

For their #ARockingThanksgiving, the international chain will be offering a traditional Thanksgiving: slow-roasted turkey breast, fresh vegetables, classic stuffing, mashed potatoes, with cranberry sauce and gravy. The meal will be served with pumpkin pie and customers have the option of adding a special espresso martini with their meal. The options are having a two-course meal with soda or beer, or a three-course meal with a special cocktail. The price for one person ranges between €30,45 and €39,20. The menu is already available for turkey fans to reserve.

Gilò (Via dei Fossi 44/r; 055.283-393).

The elegant locale is the only one in Florence to present latest Thanksgiving trend—macaroni and cheese—as a first course.  This will be followed by turkey, with sides of chestnut and sausage stuffing and caramelized pumpkin. Real American apple pie is the designated dessert.  The meal is available between 8 and 10:30 pm at €40, including water and a glass of wine.

THANKSGIVING FOR BOTH AMERICANS AND ITALIANS

Francesco Vini (Borgo dei Greci, 7/r; 055.218-737)

The Florentine husband and American wife (from Florida) team who head Francesco Vini are planning Thanksgiving for the ninth straight year in 2019.  The meal, which costs €40, including water, will showcase cream of pumpkin soup with jumbo shrimp, stuffed turkey with gravy, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes with truffle shavings, and apple pie with cinnamon ice cream. This restaurant is the only one in Florence offering their regular menu along with the special holiday menu, beginning at 6 pm.

Harry’s Bar (Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, 22/r; 055.239-6700)

Harry’s Bar was the first establishment in Florence to celebrate Thanksgiving, starting all the way back in the 1960s. For the last 60 years, the restaurant has served a meal that would make any American feel like they are back home for the holiday. Dinner this year will open with creamy pumpkin soup with bacon. The main course will be roast stuffed turkey with chestnuts, accompanied by carrots, onions, and cranberry sauce, corn and sweet potatoes. The dessert will be citrus cheesecake. Mineral water, coffee, and small pastries will come with the meal. The price is €65 per person, not including wine.

B.O.r.G.O. (Borgo San Frediano, 145/r; 055.223-449)

This restaurant will be serving a sweet and savory Thanksgiving dinner from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. The starter is a pumpkin and leek soup with caramelized pear topping. The main course will feature stuffed turkey, sauce and a sweet potato puree. The savory side will be creamed corn with Tuscan mushrooms and bacon. The meal, which will be finished with a slice of pumpkin pie, includes water and coffee at €40 per person.

THANKSGIVING WITH A VIEW

Angel Roofbar, via Calimala (to book a table, send an email to reservations@angelroofbar.com or call 055.093.6360).

The new Angel Roofbar near Ponte Vecchio is offering a €30 Thanksgiving dinner (excluding beverages) complete with a welcome drink, pumpkin soup, organic roasted turkey breast, chestnut-truffle stuffing and cranberry sauce.  This will be served with corn bread, green beans and roasted potatoes, followed by a dessert of Italian tiramisu. 

TOFUTURKEY – THANKSGIVING FOR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

Ristorante Quinoa (Vicolo di Santa Maria Maggiore, 1; 055.290-876)

This restaurant specializes in gluten-free food within a former 16th-century cloister in the city center. Despite its central location near the Duomo and Piazza della Repubblica, the restaurant feels like an oasis with the plants and garden located inside. If you or your guests have any issues with gluten or are wanting a different kind of Thanksgiving, Quinoa has prepared a three-course meal for Thanksgiving. The gluten-free meal will consist of butternut squash soup, turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and vegetables, pumpkin cake with ice cream. The dinner is €25 per person and includes water.

L’Ov Osteria Vegetariana (Piazza del Carmine, 4/r; 055.205-2388)

This Thanksgiving meal will appeal to those on a gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diet who would still like to indulge in a traditional meal with a twist. Guests can build their meal by choosing a starter, entree, and dessert. The starters include a choice of butternut squash soup with toasted almonds; potatoes with goat cheese and cauliflower au gratin; or a mushroom and onion quiche. One of the main courses are sweet potatoes stuffed with a bean, avocado, and cheese filling. Another choice is roasted celeriac with Brussel sprouts, apples, and walnut salad with cranberry sauce. There will be another option of braised soy with chestnuts and a side of mashed potatoes. For dessert, guests can choose between brownies with vanilla ice cream or New York cheesecake. The meal is €25 per person and reservations are recommended.

UPSCALE HOLIDAY DINING

Irene Firenze at Hotel Savoy (Piazza della Repubblica, 7; 055.2735-891)

Thanksgiving is returning to the Hotel Savoy this year, promising guests of the hotel and restaurant alike a classical and updated American holiday. Located within the Piazza della Repubblica, guests can indulge in pumpkin lasagna with baked ricotta and chestnuts. That will be followed by roast stuffed turkey with cranberry sauce and gravy, alongside sweet potato puree and green beans. Dessert will be an apple crumble with hints of ginger and lemon and cinnamon ice cream. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance, and the dinner will cost €65 with water and coffee included.

Bernini Palace (Piazza San Firenze 29; 055.288-621)

The Hotel Bernini Palace, a sumptuous 5-star hotel located centrally between Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi gallery, which were the seats of the House and Senate respectively when Florence was capital of Italy.  There are beautiful frescoes scattered throughout the hotel from the peak of its grandeur.

Thanksgiving festivities will take place during an extended cocktail hour (6 to 9 pm) straight out of a classic American movie with the turkey and the trimmings at a buffet table, accompanied by live piano music and drinks such as “Manhattan 81” with Wild Turkey 81, vermouth and Angostura bitters.

Il Palagio Ristorante at the Four Seasons Hotel (Borgo Pinti, 99; 055.2626-450)

For an elevated and elegant Thanksgiving, the Michelin star restaurant is the best place to head. Guests will be first served prawns and king crab in a light ginger, carrot and leek reduction. Then, a first course of a Jerusalem artichoke risotto with cheese and black truffle will be carried to the table. The main course will be the signature turkey with herb stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato puree. Dessert brings chestnut biscotti, amaretto bavarois, pumpkin and cinnamon ice cream, followed by coffee and small pastries. The price is €115 per person, excluding wines. Reservations recommended.  (jax viteznik/additional reporting by rosanna cirigliano)