Reale Ristorante – Niko Romito

Reale

Il Ristorante Reale è il centro e il motore del mio universo creativo. Si tratta di un vero e proprio laboratorio di ricerca e sperimentazione sulla materia e sul gusto, dove prendono vita tutti i miei progetti. Tutto parte da qui, ciò che creiamo al Reale si sviluppa poi per adattarsi a diversi contesti. Solo grazie allo studio e alla ricerca si può fare innovazione e io voglio che i piatti che propongo al Reale non siano solamente buoni ma che facciano riflettere e che aprano delle strade nuove.

Niko Romito

La cucina del Ristorante Reale è una cucina di ricerca, in costante evoluzione. Niko Romito studia la materia prima per coglierne la sua essenza più profonda e sviluppa delle complesse tecniche di trasformazione per poter esaltare il gusto in una forma più pura, sintetica e incisiva. L’accoglienza di Cristiana Romito, accompagna l’ospite nel suo percorso al Reale, rendendo l’esperienza unica

Niko Romito

story

The journey for Reale started in 2000, in Rivisondoli, when Cristiana and Niko took over the trattoria his father Antonio had opened in the small village center, which was previously the family-run pastry shop. Niko and Cristiana quickly developed their own idea of cuisine and hospitality rooted in the territory and tradition but innovative in its nature. The beginning was difficult, because customers, did not catch right away the value of the new path Reale was carving out. Regardless the difficulties, Cristiana and Niko never gave up and after a few years they were awarded by food critics. In 2007, Reale Restaurant clinched its first Michelin star, and in 2009, the second one, both awards for the relentless research and innovation work carried out. In 2001, Cristiana and Niko moved Reale Restaurant to Casadonna which became a boutique hotel first and then home for Niko Romito Academy, the Advanced Vocational Culinary Academy. In 2014, they clinched the third Michelin star.

Cristiana Romito

Cristiana Romito è general manager di Casadonna e maître d’hotel del Ristorante Reale. Dopo essersi laureata come traduttrice ed interprete in francese e tedesco, inizia ad occuparsi della sala del Reale dal 2000, quando, insieme al fratello Niko decidono di rilevare il ristorante del padre Antonio, venuto a mancare prematuramente. Dopo un corso professionale del Gambero Rosso sull’ospitalità e il diploma di Sommelier presso l’Associazione Italiana Sommelier, Cristiana sviluppa negli anni la propria la propria visione della sala e dell’ospitalità. Un’accoglienza familiare, ma sempre attenta e precisa, una sala presente ma discreta, un lavoro che si fonda su una profonda conoscenza e un continuo scambio con la cucina e una squadra orizzontale, costruita senza rigide gerarchie.

Along the years, Cristiana has been honored with many awards: in 2012 she clinched the award Le Marchesine “Best Maître” by Identità Golose Guide; in 2018 the award Cantine Ferrari as best ‘Dining Room Hospitality’ by the culinary association ‘’Le Soste’’ and in October 2019, the award Mauviel 1830 “Best Dining Room Director”. The most and the greatest award of all, is the ‘Best Dining Room Manager’ by Les Grandes Tables Du Monde.

simplicity

“È essenziale accogliere il cliente con molta naturalezza, per far sentire a proprio agio, tanto i clienti avvezzi a un certo tipo di ristorazione quanto quelli più intimiditi dalla prima esperienza stellata. Non servono artifici particolari, basta essere sé stessi, autentici. L’accoglienza per me è qualcosa di naturale, non è un protocollo da seguire.”

flat hierarchy

“Hospitality has clear rules but as far as I am concerned none of them can be overwhelming or strict. We do not follow the pyramidal hierarchy of the brigade system and hospitality. Each of us has his/her own role following my model based on flexibility, cooperation and mutual understanding. You can feel it all around and it helps guests to be well.”

in-depth

“Studying is at the core of our professionalism, it means having a perfect understanding of the dishes, ingredients, techniques and the ideas behind them. Each of us always tries to get to the bottom of the dish and catch the deep meaning it embodies. Similarly, having a deep knowledge of the place we are working in, is crucial, knowing why we chose a specific piece of furniture or a particular work of arts, means being able to communicate that universe to guests through one’s own way …”

essentialy

“I do want a warm and personable service but with no frills. We always explain dishes without being overwhelming. I want my guests to decide the interaction they prefer to have. There are people who don’t like talking too much, others instead who want to know more, we need to be flexible and capable to adjust our communication to their needs and make them have the best experience possible.”

Ristorante Reale, is today the beating heart of Niko Romito’s universe, it is the laboratory where research is an ongoing process and all new dishes for Reale are brought to light. But it is also where his creative drive stems from, laying the foundations for all his projects.

tasting menu

Reale Restaurant culinary offer is constantly changing and evolving with the seasons. Its menu reveals Niko Romito’s research and insight imbedded in a tasting and a-la carte menu, where diners can choose between iconic dishes and new creations.

cellar

La cantina del Ristorante Reale si trova dove una volta c’era le stalle di Casadonna: qui, tra gli abbeveratoi originali di cinque secoli fa sono conservate circa 10.000 bottiglie di vino di oltre 500 etichette, prevalentemente da Italia ed Europa. La temperatura si mantiene pressoché costante tra estate e inverno con una media di 14 – 17 C° e un tasso di umidità tra il 70-90%.

In addition to the wine list, Reale Restaurant offers a selection of spirits, Vermouth and a cocktails list. Lunches and dinners are enriched by the pairings from the extensive selection of wines or by more creative and unique cocktails and infusions pairings.

The wines and the wine list are curated by Gianni Sinesi, the Sommelier who has been working with Cristiana and Niko since 2004.

La modalità di selezione dei vini sposa la filosofia di cucina del Reale, con un’enfasi su pulizia e piacevolezza, e la ricerca di una spiccata bevibilità anche nelle etichette più giovani. Una rete di rapporti allacciata con piccoli produttori di qualità permette a Gianni di inserire al fianco delle grandi etichette anche bottiglie meno note ma di notevole interesse.
Particolare il focus sull’Italia e soprattutto sull’Abruzzo, suo territorio di adozione, di cui sa raccontare le realtà produttive ancora da scoprire.

An experimental vineyard surrounds Casadonna, it is mainly growing Pecorino grapes – a local variety- with a few rows of Riesling and black Pinot grapes. It is undoubtedly a heroic vineyard grown at 860 metres above sea level. It produces a sharp mountain Pecorino wine, the Casadonna wine. Riesling and black Pinot grapes are still being experimented to study their ability to adapt to local territory.

A high-altitude Pecorino, born between the Alto Sangro and the Cinque Miglia plateau from the encounter with the three-starred chef Niko Romito. Limited edition for a collector’s wine.

cellar

Our wine list is constantly evolving.

Oltre ai vini il Reale offre una selezione di alcolici, Vermouth e distillati, ed una Carta Cocktail con bitter, essenze e fermentati artigianali. Nei paring dei pranzi e cene al Ristorante Reale è possibile spaziare nella profondità e ricchezza della carta dei vini o farsi guidare in abbinamenti più creativi a base di cocktail, infusi e bevande.

The wines and the wine list are curated by Gianni Sinesi, the Sommelier who has been working with Cristiana and Niko since 2004.

The logic of wine selection follows the philosophy of Reale’s cuisine, with an emphasis on clean and savoury aromas and an eye on strong palatable peculiarities even among the youngest labels. A network of relationships with small top-quality vintners, allows Gianni to offer renowned wines alongside lesser known but nonetheless noteworthy ones. Particular focus is dedicated to Italy and above all to Abruzzo, about whose new wine producers Gianni delights in helping customers discover.

A high-altitude Pecorino, born between the Alto Sangro and the Cinque Miglia plateau from the encounter with the three-starred chef Niko Romito. Limited edition for a collector’s wine.

Packages

ESSENCE AND STARS

“The place where culinary research, creativity, food and local identity meet each other”

A one night stay for two people in one of our Classic or Superior room

Tasting menu for two people at Ristorante Reale (3 MICHELIN STARS); (3* MICHELIN).

Mineral water and coffee

Sweet and savory gourmet breakfast by chef Niko Romito.

Between peace, silence and absolute relaxation.

SUGGESTIONS OF ABRUZZO

Two days in Abruzzo between peace, silence and beauty. A complete stay in Casadonna with dinner at the Reale Restaurant and breakfast and a day immersed in the archaic charm of Santo Stefano di Sextantio, the widespread hotel in the medieval village in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.

Voucher

You can gift a special person with an experience at Casadonna. Choose the experience you wish to gift, write the person’s name and the message, if any. The Hospitality staff in Casadonna will take care of the rest.

Casadonna Experience

A full immersion in the universe of Casadonna: 24 hours of tranquillity, silence and relaxation, with lunch or dinner at Reale and gourmet Breakfast.

Reale tasting menu

Niko Romito’s signature tasting journey made precious by Cristiana Romito’s hospitality. The menu perfectly embodies research, innovation, territory and seasonality.

Reale tasting menu with wine pairing

Niko Romito's signature tasting journey, Cristiana Romito's hospitality and the wine pairing by Gianni Sinesi, Sommelier at Ristorante Reale.

Reale tasting menu with a bottle of wine

Niko Romito’s signature tasting menu, Cristiana Romito’s hospitality and a bottle of wine chosen from Reale Restaurant wine cellar.

Reale tasting menu and aperitif

Niko Romito’s signature tasting journey and Cristiana Romito’s hospitality with a welcome drink when dinner starts. Water and coffee included.

book a room

Voucher

Casadonna Experience

A full immersion in the universe of Casadonna: 24 hours of tranquillity, silence and relaxation, with lunch or dinner at Reale and gourmet Breakfast.

Reale tasting menu

Niko Romito’s signature tasting journey made precious by Cristiana Romito’s hospitality. The menu perfectly embodies research, innovation, territory and seasonality.