FIRENZE TRATTORIA BACKGROUNDER

In 1994, owner Barry Podwell chose the name Firenze (Florence) for his new restaurant because the Italian city is “very artsy…with lots of culture.” The name also set the mood for a décor that includes large Italian frescos and a multi-regional Italian cuisine famed for its infusion of fresh, fragrant ingredients.

Located in east Encinitas on the cusp of Rancho Santa Fe, Firenze Trattoria is a neighborhood treasure that offers succulent Italian dining that is casual at lunch and elegant at dinner, amid a Tuscan-like setting. The flower-laden patio area is reminiscent of a stylish Italian villa accented with crisp linen tablecloths and fresh tabletop bouquets.

Originally, the building was home to several failed restaurants and sat vacant for several years before Podwell found what he considered a jewel of a location. In 1993, Podwell rented the building and hired Italo Peveri, the brother of famed local chef Giulio (of Giulio’s in Pacific Beach), to serve as head chef. Together they developed a Tuscan- flavored menu that offers appetizers and antipastos, soups and salads, pasta and risotto, grilled poultry, seafood and beef, nightly house specials and an inviting selection of elegant desserts.

Signature dishes include: Rigatoni alla Vodka e Fungi – a rigatoni tossed with wild mushrooms, peas and shallots in a fresh tomato sauce with vodka and a touch of cream; Filet Mignon al Casion – a prime filet with brandy red wine mustard sauce served with garlic mashed potatoes; Vitello Di Alba -- a veal cutlet stuffed with cream cheese, porcini mushrooms and prosciutto, sautéed with white wine and shallots topped with mozzarella cheese and baked; and, Matrimonio – shrimp, scallops and mushrooms sautéed in a brandy cream sauce with garlic and onion served over risotto, topped with fresh grated parmesan cheese and baked.

Firenze’s cosmopolitan lounge offers a full bar and a provocative wine list that features an extensive selection from both California and Italian vintners.

Firenze’s dining and bar encompass a 2300 sq. ft. area that offers indoor and outdoor seating totaling 168. A private dining area, used often for special events and parties, can accommodate up to 50 guests. The patio fountain, strung with lights, serves as the focal point for outdoor dining and offers one of the county’s most romantic settings. The restaurant provides full-service catering for special events, including weddings, bridal showers, bar mitzvahs, birthdays, graduations and more. The entire menu is also available for take-out.

Since opening its doors in March 1994, Firenze has become a favorite haunt for Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas and other North County locals. The establishment’s success is enhanced by Podwell’s generous community support for a wide range of local events and charitable gatherings including Make a Wish Foundation, San Diego Restaurant Week, Helen Woodward Animal Center, The Nice Guys, San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Hope for a Cure Foundation, among others. The restaurant has also been recognized for its exceptional cuisine having received an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for the past four years, and as a finalist in the California Restaurant Association, San Diego Chapter competition for Best Italian Restaurant for the last three years.

In early 2005, Podwell undertook a major remodeling and expansion effort to give Firenze 50 percent more space and a well-needed hostess/lounge entryway to include a contemporary waterfall and comfortable seating area for guests. The renovation includes a significant enhancement of the interior décor and additional private dining space. The expected completion date for the construction and remodel is November 2005.

The restaurant: Firenze Trattoria
Location: Eastern end of the West Village Mall, 162 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, CA 92024
Price Range: Salads and appetizers, $6.95 - $18.95; entrees, $13.95 - $33.95. Nightly specials vary in price
Hours: open daily. Lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday, 11:30 to 10 p.m.; Sunday dinner, 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Manager: Julie Clark
Website: www.firenzetrattoria.com
Phone: (760) 944-9000