LUCA’s by Paolo Airaudo
Florence’s hottest new restaurant
La Gemma Hotel invites you to sample Florentine food at its finest LUCA’s by Paolo Airaudo is the much talked about design-led restaurant at the heart of La Gemma hotel. A gourmet destination located in the very centre of the city just moments from the Duomo and River Arno.
This new high-end dining concept has been established by the dynamic, creative, and entrepreneurial Cecchi family, alongside the highly-acclaimed Michelin-star chef, Paolo Airaudo.
Airaudo has worked around the world – from Mexico to Peru – and gained his experience in legendary restaurants including Arzak in San Sebastián, The Fat Duck in London, and Magnolia in Italy.
In 2015, Airaudo opened his first restaurant in Geneva’s historic centre, a forward-thinking contemporary trattoria called La Bottega, which was awarded its first Michelin star within just four months. His flagship restaurant, whose name pays homage to his daughter, Amelia, received its first Michelin star within seven months of opening and today celebrates two Michelin stars in San Sebastian.
“The concept of fine dining is evolving, people desire happy places where they can have fun and spend pleasant moments”
PAULO AIRAUDO, HEAD CHEF
Airaudo’s signature style is to draw inspiration from classical dishes and quality, seasonal ingredients, before elevating them to contemporary heights. He achieves this with extraordinary innovation and exceptional artistry.
It’s no surprise then that the Cecchi family wanted this particular chef to head up their impressive new Florentine restaurant.
Just look at LUCA’s by Paolo Airaudo sample menu. To start you can enjoy amberjack, turnip, tomato water & ume kosho, followed by a primo course of lobster risotto, pumpkin, fresh ‘nduja and nasturtium, and an il secondo of pigeon, onion and porcini mushrooms accompanied by its sauce.
Desserts, meanwhile, combine unique flavour combinations such as goat flan and cherry, or Jerusalem artichokes and white chocolate.
The restaurant’s interiors similarly mimic this marriage between contemporary and traditional, simple and innovative.
With a soothing melange of Tuscan greens, it’s a dreamy space inspired by the art deco period and elements of the nearby duomo (cathedral), with velvet cocktail chairs and banquettes, plus a wall of wines that glows like a Byzantine altarpiece.
Sitting comfortably in its glamorous position on Florence’s Via Calimala, known for its fashion-forward boutiques, LUCA’s by Paolo is set within La Gemma’s historical residence on the first floor and is open to non-residents of the hotel.
We highly recommend you book a table for this memorable dining experience now – before there’s a long wait list!
Location
La Gemma Hotel is located within the 19th century Palazzo Paoletti
Palazzo Paoletti sits along the historic via Calimala 3, on the corner of via de’ Lamberti. The rear of this 5-storey palace faces onto via dei Cavalieri which is where you will find the entrance to Hotel Le Gemma.
History
Palazzo Paoletti was constructed in 1895 and designed by the architect Tito Bellini. Previously, the building on this site was the residence of the Guild of Hoteliers. Bellini constructed a much more imposing structure using rather grand, finely cut ashlar. The palace, while simplistic in its architectural style now stands rather grandly on the via Calimala.
La Gemma Hotel will have 38 Rooms in total along with:
Gourmet Restaurant ‘LUCA’S’
Lounge and Bar
Al-fresco Lounge
Exclusive Cellar Spa ‘ALLURE’
Signature double room starting from EUR 450
including breakfast and VAT
The Owners
A true family business in every sense, the Cecchi family (original founders of the Monge group) have always been lovers of good hospitality. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a design-led focus. This new generation of creative minds come together to launch an inspiring hotel concept in Florence.
La Gemma Hotel – Florence’s hottest new 5* hotel
Opening in April 2023, La Gemma Hotel brings a stylish sense of glamour to the heart of the city
La Gemma Hotel charmingly captures the essence of Florence’s unique elegance and distinctive sense of timeless sophistication.
An inspiring concept hotel located on the famous via Calimala, surrounded by the city’s most iconic landmarks and stylish shopping streets. Just moments from Piazza della Repubblica, the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza del Duomo and via de’ Tornabuoni, La Gemma Hotel offers an oasis of serenity in the heart of Florence’s vibrant city centre.
La Gemma Hotel is indeed the perfect destination for those travellers interested in the arts, fashion, design, architecture, and contemporary Florentine culture. A design-led hotel created and masterminded by the Cecchi family, a young dynamic team who share a breadth of knowledge and experience in the arts, architecture, fashion and design. Their combined aim is to offer the very best hospitality in the city. A charismatic, Florentine experience where guests feel they are being hosted in a luxurious home, yet with 1st class services and 5* amenities.
Reflections of Florence
Architecturally, La Gemma Hotel marks a new era for this prestigious Florentine property and its transformation fittingly draws inspiration from its surroundings. The concept and interior subtly pay homage to Florence’s famous cathedral with its distinct colours and sculptural design elements. La Gemma Hotel’s interior reflects the innate splendour of the famous cathedral featuring a palette of vibrant greens, powder pinks, and gentle ivories alongside bold geometric patterns, opulent marbles, sumptuous textiles and elegant furnishings.
At home in the city
Offering exclusive Florentine hospitality within a historic palazzo, located over five floors, La Gemma Hotel’s accommodation includes a selection of rooms and suites with several featuring private terraces overlooking the city.
Rooms and suites are impeccably presented and finished with vibrant silk wallcoverings, Italian bedlinens, and bathrobes by Rivolta Carmignani, marble bathrooms are furnished by Devon & Devon with ceramics by Gio Ponti. Complimentary products are by Votary whose Rosemary & Chia series is both elegant and naturally perfumed.
The impressive Prestige Suites are perfect for family vacations and include a sofa-bed, open-plan kitchen and living space.
A Renaissance experience
La Gemma Hotel sits within the most prestigious shopping and dining area of the city making it the ideal choice for guests wishing to immerse themselves in local culture. The 24hr Golden Key Concierge is available to tailor-make unique experiences, bespoke activities and VIP excursions. La Gemma Hotel’s highly experienced concierge team can arrange exclusive access to private artisan workshops, design studios, art collections, perfumeries, wineries and more.
Flavours of Florence
At the heart of La Gemma Hotel is Luca’s restaurant and lounge, a beautifully presented space inspired by the Art Deco era. Gentle arches divide the room into comfortable dining areas, while the panelled walls, open wine cellar and handcrafted bookcases add warmth, character, and charm.
The concept of Luca’s gourmet menu has been lovingly created by the Cecchi family. Honouring the classic traditions of Florentine cuisine yet reinterpreting these with a strong, contemporary vision, meals that are both authentic, innovative and mouthwateringly delicious.
Celebrating locally sourced Tuscan ingredients, menus at Luca’s pay homage to the much-loved Florentine street-food where classic dishes are given a modern twist and presented with exceptional artistry.
Luca’s restaurant is a place to gather with friends and family to savour a true taste of Tuscany in a relaxed, yet sophisticated setting.
Perfectly complementing the restaurant is Luca’s lounge, a welcoming space accentuated by a glamorous cocktail bar and opulent chequerboard marble floor. Luca’s lounge is the perfect space to meet with friends, relax and listen to a little vintage jazz, sample a signature cocktail, or enjoy a mixology masterclass.
Escape in the city
Completing the La Gemma Hotel experience is the sophisticated sub-terranean spa ‘Allure’ which offers guests the ultimate setting for total escapism. A tranquil space designed to restore the mind, body, and soul. Allure Spa is furnished with natural materials and features a muted palette that further adds to the sense of calm.
At the Allure Spa and Wellness, therapists use Biologique Recherche offering guests the highest quality bespoke treatments in a serene space dedicated to relaxation. The Biologique Recherche Method is based on a scientific and visionary approach allowing ultra-personalisation of beauty treatments.
Featuring a boutique wellness area, Turkish bath hydro-massage bath, ice shower and two therapy rooms Allure’s team of experienced therapists offer tailor-made treatments and bespoke therapies.
HOTEL LA GEMMA
Via Dei Cavalieri, 2C, 50123, Firenze (IT)
lagemmahotel.com