The food entrepreneur opened his restaurant near the Sant’Ambrogio market on September 8, 1979, with local fare always at the centre of his much-appreciated dishes. Tuscan flavours are ever-present, even evidenced in the name, with cibrèo said to be a favourite of Catherine de’ Medici, consisting of chicken giblets, liver and crest, cooked with egg.
Simple, rustic Florentine cooking made well were the hallmarks of his cooking, working with his first wife, Benedetta Vitali. The more accessibly priced Trattoria Cibrèo came to be opened next door, followed by Cibrèo Caffé in 1989 that had more bistro vibes. Upon separating from Vitali and meeting his second wife, the actress Maria Cassi, Teatro del Sale was added to the empire in 2003 as a membership-based cultural club blending food and theatre.
Time in Japan in the 80s and 90s led to the 16-seater “tosco-orientale” eatery, Ciblèo Tortelli e Ravioli, inaugurated in 2017 in via del Verrocchio. Beyond these culinary combinations, he was also keen to pass on the tricks of Tuscan cooking, he introduced the Accademia Cibrèo to teach traditional tips to both professional and amateur cooks. A grocery store was next, with C.Bio opened in via della Mattonella in 2017, selling organic ingredients, selected Italian produce, food-focused handicrafts and a delicatessen counter. Author of several books on his area of expertise, he was also politically engaged throughout his life.
The hotel world was next for the Cibrèo enterprise, with the splendour of the five-star luxury hotel Helvetia & Bristol near piazza della Repubblica chosen for Cibrèo’s first forays into the sector. His son, Giulio, is expected to continue the business, having taken over management in recent months.
