Enoteca Pinchiorri
Voted one of the Top 50 Restaurants in the world by Restaurant Magazine this year, Enoteca Pinchiorri is a stop not to be missed in Florence. The Michelin starred restaurant leaves one amazed at the creativity and talent of its chefs. The recent recruitment of pastry chef from the number one restaurant on the list, El Bulli in Spain, shows Enoteca’s dedication to be the best, not only in Florence but also in Italy and on the world circuit. We ordered the famous tasting menu and we were filled with awe at the continuous flow of delectable food served with the most exquisite wines. It was a feast fit for a king. Service was impeccable with up to four or five waiters attending our table at any one time, including a sommelier who gave us an after dinner tour of the spectacular wine cellar which is home to 10,000 bottles of wine. The gastronomic details were exceptional down to the extensive water menu and the five or six choices of salts, peppers and olive oils from Italy and around the world.

To be a part of the, Enoteca Pinchiorri must cover the four Cs in the Group’s charter, they are: character, charm, courtesy and cuisine. These are all met, if not exceeded by the restaurant. The attention and care given not only to the food but also to the guests makes Enoteca Pinchiorri a true delight.

Giorgio Pinchiorri and Annie Feolde started in the business in 1972 and have not given up their passion for perfection. They say they study the evolution of taste and their goal is to spread the culture of the best Italian food, wine and hospitality to the world. After a few hours feasting on our tasting menu and enjoying some of the finest wines from their cellar, I agree that they are not only meeting, but also exceeding their goals.
Mr. M enjoying his 7th or 8th glass of vintage wine which accompanied the tasting menu. I think we rolled out of there and then dashed off to the spa - it is a tough life sometimes!

Members only MayfairVisited Morton’s of Mayfair for work - completely refurbished in 2004, Morton’s sits amongst a successful portfolio of restaurants and bars owned by Marlon Abela. Abela’s portfolio of restaurants includes Michelin starred The Greenhouse and UMU in the UK, with the trendy A Voce and Gaia in New York and Connecticut.

Morton’s home is a townhouse overlooking the green of Berkeley Square. The place has had many lives, first as a home for a Victorian family in the 1800s, then as a casino and for the last 75 years as various private members’ clubs.

First-rate service, partnered with a relaxed atmosphere, best illustrates what Morton’s is all about. Members are treated with such care that one can do nothing but relax, sip a cocktail and admire some of the fabulous artwork in the Grade II listed building – there are Matisse acquatints in the main dining room and Julian Opie portraits adorn the main bar - I love Opie’s work! I walk by it every day in the Ernst and Young building.

All staff including the head chef, lively and entertaining general manager and the extremely knowledgeable and cute sommeliers have been trained at the finest establishments around the world, so you feel very taken care of. Their wine list, has over 2,500 wines on it - we nicknamed it, ‘the Bible’, as it is so large; there are wines on there from the year 1875?!

D & I had a great time and met some interesting members who happened to be extreme wine fanatics. We got to sample some of their 1990 L’Extravagant De Doisy-Daene dessert wine, which tasted heavenly with a honey flavour that was absolutely divine! Find a member to take you for dinner or a drink it is a relaxed place to sip a cocktail and people watch.