Birmingham's newest spot blends Italian cuisine with floral shopping

Birmingham’s newest restaurant and retail floral concept pair together from metro Detroit’s highly acclaimed chef Luciano DelSignore. Called e Fiori, meaning “and flowers” in Italian, set to open Wednesday, June 17, and billed as the first of its kind in Michigan. E Fiori is operating as a “bottega,” a first for Birmingham, which in Italian tradition and by definition is a studio or workshop of a major artist that may include other artists.

In the space formerly occupied by Mare Mediterranean at 115 Willits St. in Birmingham, DelSignore draws menu inspiration from Italy’s 20 regions, and as a chef who honed his craft training in Abruzzo, Italy. Operating in the nearly 7,000-square-foot space at the same time as the Italian restaurant is floral designer Darin Lenhardt’s handcrafted European-style flower and gift store called the Shoppe. Guests enter through the floral shop and retail space before stepping into the e Fiori’s bar and formal dining room.

“E Fiori is a place people will continue to fall in love with,” said chef DelSignore in a news release. “The more they come, the more they’ll like it — because they won’t be able to take it all in on one visit, or two, or three. It’s going to require many visits to really experience everything we have to offer.”

From the e Fiori bar is a cocktail program that features Italian spirits and aperitivo culture plus wines hailing from nine Italian regions.