Like a delightful secret, Marco Stabile’s Ora d’Aria is safely tucked away in Via dei Georgofili. A couple of weeks ago, I contacted Marco for The Curious Eater. I received a reply, inviting me for a lunch at his restaurant and a talk on a ‘full stomach’. I willingly accepted.
Walking into Ora d’Aria I am welcomed by Federico who offers to take my coat and escort me to my table. The dining room is intimate, modern [with white Saarinen tulip chairs!] and provides a wonderful view of the open kitchen. On the background some smooth jazz tunes by Billy Holiday. A glimpse at the menu tells me that deciding on just a few dishes will be a difficult task. The suggested tasting menu comes to my rescue. And what better way to sample Marco’s cuisine? I start with poached egg on crispy porcini mousse … delicate and perfectly executed. I continue with a Sardinian inspired spagettino with capers, lime and mullet roe … a feast! I stop myself from cleaning my plate with a piece of bread. I also taste beef carpaccio [brilliantly paired with sweet pear], and an exquisite mini sized hamburger [loved the mustard seed potato puree]. I am amazed I still have room for dessert: a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate soufflé.
I finally get to meet Marco Stabile. He is a charismatic man, in a simpatico and approachable way. As a child, Marco picked up his love for cooking from his mother. Six years ago, in 2005, he started his own restaurant Ora d’Aria. Inspired by his training and his travels, Marco creates modern and exciting dishes bringing Tuscan cuisine into the 21st Century. It took him three years [without paying himself a salary!] to win over the hearts of the Florentines. At the end of our shoot I show Marco one of my portraits of him, with a smile he remarks ‘sembro un cuoco’ [I look like a chef]. A remarkable one: last week Marco’s Ora d’Aria received it’s first Michelin star.
Ora d’Aria, Via dei Georgofili 11R, Firenze, +39 055 2001699.
Further reading about Marco Stabile and Ora d’Aria: New York Times & The Florentine
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Iris @the yummyblogsisters 22 November 2011
I so want to go there after reading this!
The Curious Eater 4 January 2012
Would love to hear your thoughts after!
Gene 23 November 2011
Awesomeness! You truly are a curious eater!
The Curious Eater 4 January 2012
Thanks Gene!
Sanny 23 November 2011
What a great article! Now I am hungry, very hungry
Cristina 8 January 2012
I was looking for rest suggestions for Florence, and I found your blog, is simple,helpful and very fresh to read.
We will definitely try this restaurante next week.
Thanks for sharing and for the smiles!!!
The Curious Eater 9 January 2012
So happy to hear Cristina! Say hi to Marco from me
Cintia 14 January 2012
Sophie, wouldn’t it be interesting to have a legend with price ranges for the places u visit? Everybody likes that.
Sofie Delauw 17 January 2012
Thank you for the suggestion Cintia. It’s a great idea … I will talk to my WordPress wizard