ROME - ABRUZZO - ITALY
Niko Romito***
In the stunning scenery of Abruzzo, just a three-hour drive from Rome, triple Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito crafts cutting-edge and forward-thinking cuisine that redefines modern gastronomy. Such a spellbinding culinary journey.
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Two exclusive journeys designed with Chef Niko Romito
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Tasting dinner at his triple Michelin-starred restaurant, Reale
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Wine tasting – montepulciano & trebbiano – with the chef’s sommelier
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Panoramic picnic at Rocca Calascio castle
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Meet artist craftsmen in Pescocostanzo & Castelli
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Visit the Vatican before opening hours
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Cooking atelier in a gastronomic speakeasy in Rome
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Michelin starred dinner in Rome
PRIVATE ESCAPES
These private journeys to Abruzzo and Rome are flexible and can be tailored to your preferred date and customized to suit your desires. Feel free to reach out.
From €2,310 per person*
on a double room basis
Departure from Rome
From €5,990 per person*
on a double room basis
Departure from Rome
*Prices may vary when booking depending on availability
Niko Romito shines brightly not only in Italy but also on the global stage, celebrated for his innovative approach to cuisine. As a self-taught chef, he reimagines Italian cooking traditions in his very own restaurant, the Reale, nestled in the Abruzzo wilderness, as well as in the prestigious menus of the Bulgari luxury hotels in Pekin, Shanghai, Dubai, Milan and Paris. Embracing raw flavors over heavy food, Romito's extraordinary talent has earned him the well-deserved distinction of three Michelin stars.
Nestled in the heart of Abruzzo, this self-taught culinary genius keeps building his "empire of taste". At Accademia Romito, his cooking school, around thirty students are trained each year.
Meanwhile, at Laboratorio Niko Romito, he spearheads research on bread and exports biscuits, panettoni, pandolci, and bread worldwide! These crunchy bread loaves, served piping hot, are a standout dish at Reale Ristorante.
Castel di Sangro also serves as a launching pad for his creative, contemporary Spazio restaurants in Rome and Milan and for ALT Stazione del Gusto, for healthy made in Italy fast food for travelers.
In his restaurant Reale, Niko Romito takes his art and technique to the next level, focusing on pure and light cuisine where "the challenge is not to add ingredients but take them away!"
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His next challenge was his collaboration with Bulgari hotels all over the world, in their Il Ristorante
tables.
Niko Romito's reserved elegance still hides the little boy who used to run through the streets of Rivisondoli with his sister Cristiana. She has always been by his side as his truest supporter through his exceptional destiny none could have predicted!
Niko Romito used to study economics at the university of Rome and to dream himself as a high-flying financial analyst.
His father’s passing led him instead to take over the family osteria, the Reale in Rivisondoli, at the age of 25. A decade and two Michelin stars later, he settles in Castel di Sangro, in a monastery dating back to 1512.
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The absolute lightness
"I believe that this cultural revolution, which consists of intensifying flavor by eliminating fat, is my identity. I have achieved it after twenty years of research. And I hope that this work will influence younger generations of chefs."
From Milan to Shanghai, and Paris too, the Chef reimagines all the great Italian dishes, with "Made in Italy" ingredients and flair.
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Niko Romito's cuisine is an obsessive quest for simplicity. This ideal lead him to his three Michelin stars, setting new standards for Italian cuisine where taste and intensity of flavors prevail.
 
Niko Romito's cuisine is an obsessive quest for simplicity, while respecting tradition.
This ideal lead him to his three Michelin stars in 2014, setting new standards for Italian cuisine where taste and intensity of flavors prevail. "I cherish clarity in both cooking and life."
“I don't do anything like everyone else. Everything about me is a challenge.”
As I was heading to Abruzzo to meet Niko Romito, a legend of Italian gastronomy, I was totally excited! I was nervous as well.
Meeting Niko
by Juliana Angotti, founder of Hiddenist
How should I address someone that impressive? How should I interview him without being trite? How should I capture the essence of his work and share it with gourmet travellers who choose Hiddenist to get a glimpse into his universe?
​He sat under the shade of the centennial tree that is the emblem and talisman of Casadonna Reale – just as he did that fateful night of 2009 when he decided to purchase this medieval site, transforming it into the hub for his new restaurant, hotel, and culinary school.
I was barefoot on the grass, the sole of my feet anchored in the soil of Abruzzo that is so dear to Niko Romito. I don’t think anyone ever interviewed the Chef barefoot! It brought a smile to his face, his eyes twinkling with playful amusement.
"A stay at Casadonna is a truly special experience. This former monastery reflects Niko Romito’s culinary creations: elegant and luminous. In the luminous rooms overlooking the vineyards, one feels at peace. "
He then told me of his childhood, sharing tales of the long walks he used to take up in the mountains with his beloved grandfather, who knew the land like the back of his hand; of his special bond he shares with his sister, Cristiana, co-manager of Casadonna Reale; of the profound significance of bread in his life; and of his enduring friendships with winemakers, butchers, and cheesemakers, whose exquisite products you'll have the pleasure of tasting during your journey. The main dining area of Ristorante Reale exudes minimalism, adorned only with a few artworks by Ettore Spaletti and simple white round tables. This same simplicity echoes in the dishes, expertly served by a youthful, dynamic brigade, wonderfully orchestrated by Cristiana. It's all about lightness! And that very same lightness are evident in the Milanese veal cutlets at Il Ristorante – Niko Romito at the Bulgari Hotel Paris, where I often have lunch. Italy is full of hidden gems. May your journey to Niko Romito’s Abruzzo bring you as much deep emotions as it did for me.