Bown's Best
Independent reviews of the world's best restaurants, hotels and travel by the acclaimed critic Francis Bown and his team.
Independent reviews of the world's best restaurants, hotels and travel by the acclaimed critic Francis Bown and his team.
The world’s finest restaurants demand my finest clothes. That is why the picture
shows me in white tie, made for me by Henry Poole & Co. of Savile Row. I never
dress down for dinner. But going to the magnificent La Pergola to enjoy the
superlative cuisine of Heinz Beck, I could do no other than transport the tail coat
and starched linen to Rome to look my best for my friends. Those friends include
one of mankind’s greatest chefs (next to me in the picture), a restaurant manager
famous throughout Europe for his pursuit of perfection (Simone Pinoli, on the
left) and a sommelier who presides over a cellar of surpassing magnificence
(Marco Reitano, on the right).
The Savoy Hotel in Florence occupies the perfect position: mid-way between the Duomo and the piazza Vecchia, on the corner of the piazza della Repubblica. I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Rocco Forte on this visit, and I know that his hotels always have magnificent locations. And there can be none better than this. In a handsome late 19th Century building in the Classical style and surrounded by shops for the Beautiful People, the Savoy is itself a temple of contemporary elegance - full of works of contemporary art, including paintings by Luca Pignatelli. But, as is the way with Sir Rocco’s establishments, its modernity is of the comfortable and welcoming kind and there is a sense throughout that all is of the highest quality. It also boasts a very good chef.
An elegant suite overlooking the city of Rome, with fine restaurants within the
same building - there is a lot to enjoy when you stay at the Cavalieri Waldorf
Astoria Hotel. It is in an affluent suburb of Rome, on top of one of the hills.
Externally, the building is modern in appearance, although its straight lines are
softened by carefully placed vines. Inside, the sense is of great space and of good taste – for the hotel is packed with impressive pieces of art. If you like fine oil paintings and antique furniture (and which civilised person does not?), you will
love it here. My own billet was on the 3rd floor.
