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Locanda Vini & Olii

RESTAURANT SUMMARY

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Where a century-old pharmacy's original shelving and rolling ladders frame Chef Michele Baldacci's rustic Tuscan mastery, Locanda Vini & Olii New York City transforms Brooklyn's Clinton Hill into an intimate Florentine sanctuary that honors both architectural heritage and culinary tradition.

Founded in 2001 by industry veterans Catherine and François Louy, this distinguished restaurant found its soul when Florentine chef Michele Baldacci brought authentic Tuscan cooking from Florence's legendary Buca Lapi. The 1894 building's remarkable history as a neighborhood pharmacy adds profound context to every meal, with original dark wood fixtures and vintage apothecary elements creating an atmosphere of old-world reverence. In 2010, Chef Baldacci, sommelier Rocco Spagnardi, and General Manager Michael Schall assumed ownership, deepening their commitment to preserving this unique culinary and architectural legacy while establishing themselves among New York City's most authentic Italian dining destinations.

Baldacci's cuisine celebrates Tuscan simplicity through dishes that transform humble ingredients into richly flavored masterpieces. His menu showcases traditional preparations like perfectly executed chicken livers, slow-braised tripe, and seasonal grilled meats that honor centuries-old Florentine techniques. The kitchen's commitment to authenticity extends to baking traditional Tuscan bread in-house, ensuring every element reflects genuine regional character. This approach to fine dining emphasizes ingredient quality and traditional methods over contemporary trends, creating a tasting experience that transports diners directly to the Tuscan countryside through each carefully crafted dish.

The restaurant's intimate 40-seat dining room preserves the pharmacy's original architectural elements, creating an atmosphere that feels simultaneously historic and warmly inviting. Sommelier Spagnardi curates an exclusively Italian wine program that perfectly complements Baldacci's rustic cuisine, featuring carefully selected varietals that enhance traditional flavors without overwhelming the food's inherent character. Service reflects genuine Italian hospitality—attentive yet unhurried, knowledgeable yet unpretentious—allowing guests to savor their meal at a leisurely pace that honors the restaurant's philosophy of authentic dining.

Reservations at Locanda Vini & Olii offer access to one of New York City's most transportive dining experiences, where architectural history and culinary tradition create an evening that feels worlds away from typical Manhattan fine dining. Book well in advance to secure your table at this Brooklyn treasure, where every meal celebrates the timeless appeal of genuine Tuscan hospitality.

CHEF

Michele Baldacci

ACCOLADES

(2025) Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #469

(2024) Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #494

CONTACT

129 Gates Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

718-622-9202

FEATURED GUIDES

NEARBY RESTAURANTS

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