Fiorenza, a new family-owned Italian restaurant is taking root in Alpharetta. At the center is Jessi Qilafi, who grew up in Florence, began working in restaurants at age 14, and absorbed the rhythms of Italian hospitality firsthand.
“In Florence, dining is more than just food. It’s about tradition, family, and creating memories,” he says.
After gaining experience at Forza Storico, Storico Vino, and Storico Fresco, as well as Cooks & Soldiers, Qilafi decided to go out on his own. He plans to open Fiorenza in mid-June, just after his 30th birthday. Here, Qilafi aims to mirror the pacing and ease of a neighborhood Florentine restaurant rather than a tightly turned dining room…