Attention, all suburbanites who tire of driving half an hour for a good Italian meal: there is life after the 'burbs for the discerning truffle lover. And you thought you couldn't find a decent black ink spaghetti without hopping on the tollway.

Attention to all suburbanites who tire of driving half an hour for a good Italian meal (or settling for one that comes with coloring books for the children), we bring good news from Peachtree Parkway: there is life for the discerning truffle lover in Norcross. Tucked behind a nondescript facade is some of the best and most authentic Italian food in the area, with a menu that holds its own against some of the most revered Italian spots inside the perimeter (and actually might even exceed a few of our ITP favorites, thanks to the fact that all of Firenze's pastas, bread, sauces and desserts are all made from scratch in-house by a chef who was born, raised, fed, and trained in Italy). And you thought you couldn't find a decent truffle-topped veal dish without hopping on the tollway.

The space previously housed game meat emporium The Thorn Tree, but now, the decor of taxidermic lions and safari-themed menu have given way to a quiet, relaxing ambience and an outstanding lineup of authentic Florence-style dishes helmed by Chef Andrea Montobbio, who's sprinkled his homegrown Italian culinary magic on places like Pricci, Veni Vidi Vicci, and a bevy of restaurants in Northern Italy. The outcome? A menu of indulgent antipasti, handmade pastas, smoky wood-grilled pizza, and hearty carne e pesce dishes, replete with entrees you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the 'burbs. The prosciutto e arugola pizza is a flavorful heap of prosciutto de Parma, fresh arugula, and parmigiano atop a perfectly charred wood-fired pie. The mezzeluna pasta dish is rich and hearty with roasted butternut squash tucked inside handmade ravioli, served with plump scallops in a brown butter and sage sauce. After tasting it, I understood why the chef laughed and answered "All of the pastas!" when I asked what his favorite dish on the menu is.

So, to recap: Firenze has a beautiful, comfortable interior, a multi-star-worthy menu of high-caliber Italian dishes, and a talented chef (who's actually Italian!) taking the reins in the kitchen. Feels like Buckhead, tastes like Florence, and… priced like Norcross? We could get used to this OTP thing.

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Menu Highlights:
Rosticciana (Rosemary Pork Ribs), $9
Fritto Misto (Calimari), $10
Prosciutto e Arugola Pizza, $11
Spaghetti Dell Elba (Black Ink Spaghetti), $17
Agnolotti al Tartufo (Veal, Beef, & Pork Ravioli), $19
Mezzelune (Butternut Squash Ravioli), $22
Filetto al Pepeverde (Filet Mignon), $26

Hours:
Lunch:
Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner:
Monday - Friday, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Closed Sunday