Galanti Firenze – Andrea Galanti

See you at Galanti's

Under the imposing portico of Piazza della Libertà in Florence, the Florentine cuisine second tradition, 1500 labels in wine shop and the advice of the Best Sommelier in Italy 2015 Andrea Galanti.

A passion for wine and good food passed down from father to son (or, better yet, "from ladle to ladle"), the ability and opportunity to turn all this into a successful business. In the heart of Florence, the Galanti Gastronomy and Wine Shop offers a gourmet break with traditional dishes or convenient and efficient home delivery. The family opened the establishment way back in 1960, and since then, the business has grown and improved, looking to the future thanks in part to the vision of the young Andrea Galanti. Thirty-five years old, a degree in economics and a master's in retail management, but winemaking is in his heart, for no particular reason.“In my previous job I was not emotionally involved,"tells"”This is why I chose to return to manage the family business and become a professional sommelier in 2011. My grandparents Aldo and Tosca took over this delicatessen from a previous owner and it has always been a family business run together with my great-grandparents, Andrea and Lisa, and my parents.,” explains Galanti.

Elegant and bright, the restaurant overlooks Piazza della Libertà in the shade of an imposing portico. The dishes reflect not only the quality of the product but also the ability to give each dish the added value of authenticity.“What has always distinguished us is bringing traditional Florentine and Tuscan cuisine to the table – Andrea underlines – a menu that follows peasant customs, between memories and revisitations of classics.” From soup, to ribollita, to chicken galatina, passing through cod and peposo. But also pasta, lasagna, roasts.“We have never abandoned the recipes of the past,”Andrea confides“but, at the same time, we have tried to adapt to the new needs of customers.”

The big leap in the care and entrepreneurial approach of the business came when Andrea achieved the coveted title of Best Sommelier of Italy AIS in 2015, emerging in the difficult competition in Milan.

“We decided to expand the place in 2016, building on the visibility we gained from winning first place in the competition. Since then, people have come to us for wine advice, others to do a private wine tasting with me. Thus, from the small cellar my grandfather created in the 1960s, I have now grown to a beautiful collection of 1,500 labels..” How to give these bottles a worthy “home” and, at the same time, breathe new life into the restaurant? Andrea's meeting with Aba Arredamenti led to a momentous renovation of the delicatessen.

“I already knew Aba's professionalism from work carried out for other structures and I was impressed by their ability to adapt to the environments they deal with..” Gastronomia Galanti is located in one of the most historic and prestigious Florentine buildings: the building was in fact the seat of a ministerial government during the period when Florence was the capital of Italy in the 19th century. The cellar is even older, dating back to the 15th century and originally used as stables.“This north-facing space proved ideal for storing wine, thanks to the optimal temperature,”Andrea explains.“The idea was to add a touch of novelty. Something beautiful, pleasant, and timeless. Relying on professionals for this renovation is essential. Just like when choosing a car, if you choose a fully equipped one, you're unlikely to have any shortcomings..”

“In my previous job, I wasn't emotionally involved, so I chose to return to manage the family business and become a professional sommelier in 2011.”

Massimo Giaccherini oversaw the layout and architectural design, creating a highly contemporary space using premium materials—wood, marble, and Corten steel—and a lighting design that showcases our products and conveys a sense of grandeur throughout the space.

The renovation involved all floors, from the kitchen to the deli counter, from the outside of the porch to the cellar.“In my wine shop, I wanted to give customers the opportunity to see and touch all the labels, even the most expensive ones, without the risk of someone stealing them. That's why, together with Massimo Giaccherini, we developed a special type of wine shelf. It wasn't easy, especially because each bottle has a different shape and size, but we managed it, and the result is astonishing..”

A place with a welcoming and authentic feel but with a contemporary style, which combines practicality and style.