Join us for the best club sandwiches in town
Photo by Andrea Dughetti
Text Martina Olivieri
While its origins are American, the Club Sandwich is now the most loved and appreciated sandwich all over the world. There are many versions, from the classic to the more gourmet, and it’s perfect for a casual lunch or a fancier aperitif. Thanks to the event organised by Davide Paolini, Gianni Mercatali and Gruppo Editoriale, held at Palazzo Portinari Salviati on the Fuori di Taste programme, Florence cannot resist Club Sandwich Mania. If you too would like to find out where to try the tastiest ones, come with us!
ATRIUM BAR (FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE)
The place-to-be, with an international flair, the iconic Atrium Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is the perfect venue to sample Chef Paolo Lavezzini’s special seafood Club Sandwich, made with grilled octopus, sliced smoked salmon bacon and lumpfish roe, always served with hot chips and a pinch of salt.
IRENE BISTRÒ (HOTEL SAVOY)
The common thread running through the menu at Irene Bistrò is authentic dishes that pay homage to regional ingredients, and the Club Sandwich is certainly no exception. A true delicacy, served in its most classic and mouth-watering style, its uniqueness lies in the ingredients used in the preparation and the way they are combined, in a recipe from Fulvio Pierangelini, and executed to perfection by Head Chef Giovanni Cosmai and the kitchen brigade.
ATTO DI VITO MOLLICA (PALAZZO PORTINARI SALVIATI)
Set in the frescoed Emperors’ Courtyard of fabulous Palazzo Portinari Salviati, Atto di Vito Mollica is the gourmet restaurant led by chef Vito Mollica that offers an à la carte menu and two tasting menus. Also in Palazzo Portinari is the Bistrot, a café-restaurant that’s the perfect place to enjoy the chef’s mouthwatering club sandwich, made with three slices of brioche, chicken, pancetta, tomato, mayonnaise, romaine lettuce and egg.
PICTEAU BISTROT & BAR (HOTEL LUNGARNO)
With just a few tables, Picteau offers a unique view of Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River, giving the sense as if you were actually on a river boat. A favourite haunt of foreigners and Florentines alike, here you can enjoy the fabulous Club Sandwich of Chef Claudio Mengoni’s classic recipe, made with great attention to detail: 3 slices of white bread, chicken breast, bacon, egg, tomato, mayonnaise and plenty of romaine lettuce, accompanied by a generous helping of crispy chips.
CIBRÈO RESTAURANT & COCKTAIL BAR (HELVETIA & BRISTOL FLORENCE – STARHOTELS COLLECTION)
It’s impossible to talk about Club Sandwiches and not mention Cibrèo’s iconic one. To prepare the sandwich, chef Oscar Severini toasts three slices of Pane Santo, spreads them with Dijon mustard, finely chops roast beef and dips it in Picchi’s Elegant Sauce. With a layer of romaine lettuce on the bread, and served French fries, mayonnaise and the Cibrèo’s Ikkeciappe as a side dish, this is a treat to be relished in the modern and cosy restaurant.
SESTO ON ARNO (WESTIN EXCELSIOR, FLORENCE)
A spectacular rooftop bar and restaurant with a breathtaking view of the city that can be enjoyed both from inside through large windows and from the large terrace, Sesto on Arno offers a range of delicious sandwiches, including the mouth-watering Avocado Sandwich. Chef Marco Migliorati makes it with a multigrain sandwich loaf, rocket, avocado, shallot, tomato, smoked salmon and egg, accompanied by seasoned baby lettuces, fried chips, ketchup and lime mayonnaise.
WINTER GARDEN (THE ST. REGIS FLORENCE)
Situated on the banks of the Arno River, overlooking Ponte Vecchio and the picturesque hills of Tuscany, The St. Regis Florence is a symbol of elegance and refined hospitality. Here, local flavours come together in gourmet Tuscan cuisine and beyond! Gentian Shehi’s Club Sandwich, in fact, is a tribute to Salento and is made with 100% Senatore Cappelli durum wheat semolina sandwich bread, grilled octopus, burrata cheese, confit tomatoes, octopus mayonnaise, turnip greens and cuttlefish veil.
LE BISTROT (VILLA CORA)
The Club Sandwich at Villa Cora’s Le Bistrot restaurant is a must-have, where chef Alessandro Liberatore offers it in its classic version. Made with toasted sandwich bread, grilled chicken breast and cripsy oven-baked bacon, julienne lettuce, tomato, hard-boiled egg and freshly prepared mayonnaise, it’s served with a classic side dish of chips.
IL VERROCCHIO AND L’OLIVETO BISTROT (VILLA LA MASSA)
The delicious VLM Club Sandwich by chef Stefano Ballarino can be enjoyed at L’Oliveto, the bistro face of the Villa La Massa dining scene, as well as at Il Verrocchio, the hotel’s exclusive restaurant with a wonderful terrace overlooking the Arno River. And just what can you expect? Three layers of Montespertoli bread with chicken, eggs, escarole salad, Florentine Costoluto tomatoes and mayonnaise.
DA GIACOMO AL SALVIATINO (IL SALVIATINO)
A Club Sandwich with a panoramic view over the city. This is the gastronomic experience waiting for you at Da Giacomo at il Salviatino. Here, chef Rudy Saderi serves Giacomo’s mouth-watering Club Sandwich, made with sandwich loaf bread, lettuce, Ramato tomatoes, mayonnaise, eggs, bacon, turkey, sage, thyme, rosemary, potatoes and Maldon salt.
HARRY’S BAR FIRENZE 1953 (SINA VILLA MEDICI)
A name that needs no introduction: Harry’s Bar is evocative, all over the world, of incomparable style, refined service and gastronomic excellence at the highest levels. In Florence, in the beautiful setting of Sina Villa Medici, it is even more impressive to enjoy a Harry’s Club Sandwich 53, by chef Mirko Cesari. The ingredients? 4 slices of American sandwich bread flavoured with curry, Marie Rose sauce, Argentine prawns, buttery lettuce, celery and panko bread. Served warm with thin-cut chips, accompanied by mango mayonnaise and ketchup.
OSTERIA PAGLIAZZA & TOWER BAR (BRUNELLESCHI HOTEL)
Two Michelin star chef Rocco De Santis of the historic and elegant Brunelleschi Hotel is a big fan of the Club Sandwich. To make it he uses large sandwich loaf style bread, romaine lettuce, mayonnaise, tomatoes, chicken breast with herbs, crispy bacon and fried egg. As a side dish, of course, are fried chips.
SAPORIUM (BORGO SANTO PIETRO)
A Club Sandwich like you’ve never seen before, from Chef Ariel Hagen of Saporium, who has created an innovative Stuffed Quail Mimosa Club Sandwich for his guests, with toasted bread, chestnut and mimosa cream stuffed quail and as a side dish, delicious tomatoes dauphine!
RELAIS LE JARDIN (HOTEL REGENCY)
The gourmet-style Relais Le Jardin restaurant at the Hotel Regency serves dishes masterfully prepared by chef Claudio Lopopolo, who unites tradition and creativity in every course. His Club Sandwich d’Amore is prepared with pancarrè bread, lime mayonnaise, orange juice, red prawn from Mazara del Vallo, radishes, goat cheese, cream, fresh spinach and plum tomatoes, and is always accompanied by beetroot chips.
