Karen Livermore
PETER Nette, owner of the famous Floria chiringuito and known as ‘The Greatest Host on the Coast’, was celebrated in a touching memorial yesterday.
Family and friends gathered as a memorial bench was unveiled on the site of his legendary restaurant in honour of the much loved and missed restaurateur following his tragic death just over a year ago.
Peter’s widow Karen told the Olive Press: “I am feeling very emotional, but I am so proud and happy that we have this lovely tribute.
“Peter was very famous throughout the Costa del Sol.”
Peter’s chiringuito was the go-to place for locals, expats and British royalty with Fergie, the Duchess of York and even Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall enjoying languid lunches at the Manilva beach bar.
Sadly, The Floria was destroyed in the fierce storms in the autumn of 2016, and Peter was forced to move his restaurant – renamed Floria Rustico – inland off the beach after the local town hall would not give him permission to rebuild his beloved beach chiringuito due to Costa maritime laws.
“The local council did give us permission for the memorial bench,” said Karen, “I was moved to see so many of Peter’s friends and former customers today.
While Olive Press publisher Jon Clarke was unable to attend – launching a paper in Murcia – he sent a tribute. “It was always the coolest, friendliest spot on the coast and Peter the most intriguing and generous host. I miss both him and the place.”
“It means a lot. We married at Floria’s – it is such a special place for me.
Apart from Peter’s lively personality which shaped the atmosphere of the bar and earned him many friends and loyal customers over the years, he also served the most amazing food.
“Yes his prawn pil pil was famous,” Karen recalled, “I have a new restaurant, Florita in Sabinillas and I still serve Peter’s dish and our customers still love it.”
