Bruno brothers open Florenza, an exciting new restaurant, in Eastie
Stefano Bruno and his brother, Nicholas Bruno, have opened Florenza, a brand-new restaurant where they are proudly offering “a dining experience where every slice, every sip, and every scoop tells a delicious story.”
their new restaurant, Florenza, located at 164 Sumner St.,
East Boston.
The Bruno brothers opened their pizza and panini palace at 164 Sumner St. in June, and the community has quickly made Florenza one of the neighborhood’s most popular dining spots.
“The reception from the neighborhood has been great,” said Stefano. “Our restaurant does authentic Roman-style pizza, gelato imported from Italy, a coffee bar, and a really good selection of paninis. We also have salads and snacks.”
The restaurant, which is exquisitely designed, has seating for 50 people.
What was the inspiration for the opening of the new dining establishment?
“I’ve always had a passion in the culinary world – I’ve been making pizza since I was a little kid,” said Stefano. “My grandmother, Florenza, for whom the restaurant is named, taught me how to make pan pizza as a child.”
Meet The Bruno Brothers
Stefano Bruno, 33, is a 2009 graduate of Lynnfield High School. He was a highly skilled amateur boxing champion who compiled an 18-0 record in the ring.
Interestingly, the Brunos personally built out the restaurant, having a family background in construction. “It was a long process,” related Stefano. “It took about two years to build it. My family and I designed the entire interior and the menu. My mother [Donna Bruno] and my wife [Patricia Bruno] were a big part of the design process.”
Stefano and his wife have two children, Valentina, 3, and Stefano II, who was born on the day the restaurant opened.
“Once he was born, I had to shut down the restaurant for three days,” said Stefano, smiling. “But we opened back up right after.”
Nicholas Bruno, 29, is a 2013 graduate of Lynnfield High School. He played baseball in high school and later at Northern Essex Community College, where he helped lead the team to the Junior College World Series.
Nicholas Bruno is engaged to Sydney Kenyon and they will be married in 2025.
Favorite dishes at Florenza
Stefano Bruno said the Margherita cheese pizza has been a particular favorite among diners.
“I love the Margherita pizza. It’s phenomenal,” said Stefano. “We have a special dough. We bring in the flower from Italy – it’s non-bleached, non-bromated. It’s made for this type of high hydration pizza that we make. We’re at 85-90 per cent hydration with our dough. There’s a lot of water content in the dough, so you get a very airy, bubbly crust. We import tomatoes from Naples and make the sauce in the back of the house. And we use a really, high-quality cheese.”
Also making waves are Florenza’s 18 flavors of gelato, which is imported from Farina, Italy, and four dairy-free sorbet choices.
A family venture
Stefano Bruno said he’s happy to be working with his brother, in what has emerged as “a family venture.”
“My whole family has been involved in this process and it’s been an enjoyable journey,” said Stefano.
Said Nicholas Bruno, “I’m very proud to work with my brother at the restaurant. It’s always been a passion of Stefano’s, and I thought I would help him out in achieving his dreams. He’s been a great role model for me. Growing up, I always looked up to him and I still do today.”
Stefano said when the two brothers lived together at the family home, “I would be clanging pots and pans at midnight, and Nicholas would wake up, come downstairs, and ask, ‘What the heck are you doing?’”
“I’d respond, “I’m working on dough. I need to achieve this perfect dough.”
Mission accomplished.