Reale
Castel di Sangro, Italy
⭐3 Stars
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Housed in a 16C monastery amid gardens and vineyards in the foothills surrounding Castel di Sangro, this restaurant boasts a simple, minimalist style which is echoed in its cuisine, created by one of the most easily identified and recognisable chefs in Italy. For years, Niko Romito has been renowned for his minimalist-style dishes which are prepared from just a few ingredients, featuring sauces with an Italian rather than classically French flavour, and this remarkable chef continues to research and evolve. He focuses on ingredients and recipes from his native Abruzzo, paying particular attention to vegetables and creating dishes that are striking for their intense flavours. As ever, his dishes are apparently simple yet often the result of complex preparation that leaves his guests full of spellbound admiration.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
- Minimalist Cuisine in a Historic Setting: Reale is housed in a 16th-century monastery, yet it maintains a simple, minimalist style in both its architecture and cuisine, focusing on a few ingredients to create intense flavors.
- Emphasis on Local Ingredients: The restaurant highlights the use of ingredients from Abruzzo, transforming humble local products into culinary masterpieces, reflecting the region's influence on the chef's philosophy.
- Authentic Service Approach: Cristiana Romito oversees the service, advocating for an authentic and natural reception, ensuring that every staff member understands the nuances of the dishes and conveys the restaurant's ethos and cultural context.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
- Carrots: Used in a visually striking dish featuring carrot extraction, sliced carrots, and carrot puree, all presented within a pyramid structure created by carrot slices.
- Red Onions: Featured in a delicate gratin called "Filigrana di cipolla," which showcases finely shredded red onions, Montepulciano, and Angostura bitters, highlighting intricate flavors and textures.
- Tomato Concentrate: Possibly derived from the pomodoro riccio, this ingredient adds a bold flavor reminiscent of oil paint to certain dishes.
- Lamb Sweetbreads, Lung, and Liver: Used in a dish that highlights Abruzzo's local ingredients, though the execution may vary.