Two years ago, on 6 May 2023, the five-star boutique hotel La Gemma swung open its doors in the heart of Florence, bringing with it a family story of hospitality and an eye for contemporary luxury. Today, the hotel marks its second anniversary with a gastronomic surprise: a brand-new seasonal menu enriched by a first for the Tuscan capital: pintxos, the celebrated small bites of the Basque Country.
A Spanish whisper in the Renaissance city
From 15 May, guests will find a line-up of six pintxos curated by Italo-Argentinian chef Paulo Airaudo. The dishes draw inspiration from Airaudo’s San Sebastián restaurant Ibai, which earned its first Michelin star this year, while weaving in Italian produce and sensibility.
Served exclusively in the Lounge between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., the pintxos form an informal, convivial counterpoint to Luca’s, Airaudo’s fine-dining restaurant inside La Gemma. “Pintxos are about spontaneity, food you can enjoy standing, chatting, laughing,” says the chef. “We keep the essence of San Sebastián but speak Italian in the details.”
Six small masterpieces
The inaugural selection showcases the hotel’s commitment to prime ingredients and essential technique:
- Artichoke tempura | citrus mayo, Colonnata lardo
- Oyster tempura | pico de gallo, oyster emulsion
- Calf sweetbread | black garlic, parsnip espuma
- Chickpea hummus | chive oil, raw seasonal vegetables
- Pan tomate | toasted bread, grated tomato, jamón ibérico de bellota
- Insaladilla | Basque-style Russian salad with bonito belly
Each bite is designed to be eaten in two or three joyous mouthfuls, ideally paired with a glass of Spanish cava or a Tuscan vermouth spritz.
A tribute to conviviality
Luca’s was conceived as an homage to the late entrepreneur Luca Cecchi, remembered for his passion for food and the pleasure of gathering around a table. Airaudo shares that vision: “Whether in Florence, Barcelona or Hong Kong, my cuisine revolves around excellence of raw materials, clarity of flavour and the happiness of eating together.”
La Gemma’s new pintxos offering fits seamlessly into that philosophy, reinforcing the hotel’s identity as an international meeting point where tradition and innovation converse with ease. It also expands Airaudo’s growing gastronomic constellation, which already includes two-Michelin-starred Amelia in San Sebastián, one-star Aleia in Barcelona and two-star Noi in Hong Kong.
