One of the Most Coveted Seats in Florence Comes to Manhattan in March: Osteria delle Tre Panche
Seats available at Bistrot Leo until April 2
Osteria delle Tre Panche — renowned for its Tuscan fare and famous for its truffle dishes — is popping up at Soho’s Bistrot Leo from March 4 to April 2. Reservations are available via Resy.
The original was known for tight quarters, “three benches,” though the newish location in the Hotel Hermitage in Florence offers a rooftop view. We caught up with co-owner Andrea Bista to learn more.
BP: First, wondering if you can offer a little commentary about the pop-up. What can diners expect? And what is a don't-miss dish or drink?
AB: This pop-up represents the second experiment of Osteria delle Tre Panche abroad, again in NY after our pre-COVID extraordinary success at Chefs Club in Feb 2020. Even though my restaurant has only three tables and it's the smallest restaurant in Florence, if not in Tuscany, it happened to be famous around the world as Florence is a very renowned and busy tourist destination.
Our customers expect genuine and traditional Italian cuisine. Our menu works around one of the most incredible and mysterious creations of nature: truffles, of which Italy claims to have the best quality on Earth.
Many of the recipes date back to 1986 when the restaurant was born. Among them, don't miss the handmade tortelli di Pecorino di fossa with fresh truffle and the secret-recipe Osteria delle Tre Panche cheesecake.
What's the last restaurant you went to?
Yesterday I went for a wine tasting in Bolgheri and tried a new restaurant in the actual village of Bolgheri, Bolgheri Bistrot.
What's a recent standout moment in your work life?
For many colleagues, COVID has been terrible. Many had to shut down their restaurants for good. On the contrary, COVID allowed my partner and me to open a second location on top of the Hotel Hermitage in Florence, which has a marvelous terrace overlooking Ponte Vecchio, so that we could keep serving our clients, open-air, even during the pandemic.
What’s the mistake you’ve learned the most from?
If you truly trust yourself you should never be negatively influenced by other's people opinions: just go ahead and do what you feel.
What's your go-to way to chill out?
I own a Ducati and live right next to the countryside. No need to further explain.
Three things we’ll always find in your refrigerator?
The real carbonara ingredients, obviously: farmer's eggs, guanciale, and parmesan cheese.
What was the last thing you cooked?
Vieri's (my partner) last catch: wild boar ragout.
What are you most famous for?
We are famous for truffle recipes and secret recipe cheesecake.
What is your favorite city for food and why?
My favorite city for food is Florence because it has a lot of untouched and traditional recipes.
What’s your forever brand? Doesn’t have to be food-related.
Ducati motorcycles
Martini: gin or vodka?
Vodka, possibly prepared rigorously by Italian bartenders at the Dukes Hotel in London.
Still or sparkling?
Still, please.
Sit at the bar or a table?
Alone or with a lady?
Favorite app?
Don't really use them a lot.
The last thing you ate?
The best artichokes carbonara, made by me.
