Georgia News

Fiorenza Italian Bringing Tuscan Dining to Alpharetta

Expect fresh pasta, Tuscan-inspired dishes, Florentine steak, and an upscale neighborhood atmosphere.

Picture courtesy of Fiorenza Italian.

ALPHARETTA, GA — Jessi Qilafi and his wife, Brooke Qilafi, are preparing to open Fiorenza Italian at 11500 Webb Bridge Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005, with a targeted mid-June opening. The locally, family-owned and operated restaurant will bring a Tuscan-inspired Italian dining experience to Alpharetta, Qilafi told Business Debut.

What to Expect

Fiorenza Italian will be an upscale Italian restaurant, but not a fine dining concept, Qilafi told Business Debut. The goal is to create a neighborhood Italian restaurant where guests can celebrate a birthday or date night, while still feeling comfortable coming in with family on a Tuesday evening.

The restaurant will seat about 90 guests inside, including bar seating, with roughly 30 more seats outdoors. The full bar will include about 14 to 15 seats and a back bar designed with arches inspired by Florentine and Renaissance architecture, Qilafi shared with Business Debut.

Fiorenza takes its name from Florence, Italy, where Qilafi grew up. He said the restaurant is inspired by the Tuscan flavors he grew up with and the idea of bringing a Florence-style experience to Alpharetta.

Menu highlights will include pappardelle al ragù, one of Qilafi’s favorite dishes from childhood. He described it as a wide pasta served with a Tuscan-style ragù similar to Bolognese, but made with different techniques.

The menu will also feature pici cacio e pepe, a thick spaghetti-style pasta from Siena made with Pecorino Toscano and pepper. Qilafi said guests can also expect Florentine steak, described as a large porterhouse-style steak for two, cooked simply with Italian-style seasoning on the grill.

Fiorenza Italian will make fresh pasta in-house using a pasta machine brought in from Florence, Qilafi told Business Debut. The restaurant plans to offer weekly specials, seasonal pastas, different meats, truffle menus when truffles are in season and fresh porcini mushroom dishes when available.

Ownership and Background

Qilafi began working in restaurants in Florence when he was 14, starting as a dishwasher before working through multiple positions and later serving as a general manager. He also worked in restaurants in Manhattan before moving to the Atlanta area in 2022.

Brooke Qilafi is also involved in the restaurant, including marketing, public relations, tasting menus, food, drinks and design decisions, Qilafi shared with Business Debut. The couple lives locally and wants Fiorenza Italian to serve Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell and the surrounding communities.