When I decided to leave my previous job at Banca Monte Paschi di Siena to move back to Milan, my colleagues gave me a farewell gift that probably is one of the most appreciated ever: a 2 persons dinner at Enoteca Pinchiorri, a true institution in the gastronomic and wine universe in the world. And the expectations were fully met…if not exceeded. Wow, what an experience!

Our "gift" was a tasting menu ("Discovering the menu…" or in Italian "Scoprendo la carta…") that had all the most relevant creations of the current menu superbly prepared by Chefs  Alessandro Della Tomassina and Luca Lacalamita under the supervision of the Executive Chef Riccardo Monco. Needless to say that the restaurant is for years awarded 3-Michelin Stars, but I am not exaggerating if I say that for the quality of food, the level of service…and, above all, for the breathtaking wine cellar (really unique in the world) it's really a shame there is not a 4-stars award.

Our menu proposed the following 7 courses:

• Orata marinata all'erba cedrina e menta, riso selvaggio all'aglio novello, avocado e ricci di mare

• Bocconcini di San Pietro al nero di seppia, spinaci novelli, salsa bernese e gelatina di camomilla al limone

• Spaghetti alla chitarra con frutti di mare, briciole di pane e bottarga

• Ravioli di cappone, code di gamberi al vapore e passato di zucca mantovana

• Costata di vitello in tegame con chicchi di pepe fresco, radicchio, patate, ravanelli, cipolline borretane al burro e dragoncello

• Maialino di razza Mora Romagnola allo spiedo, con carota al cumino e scalogno in agrodolce

• Castagne, cioccolato e latte alla cannella

The wine pairing was amazing:

• Chassagne Montrachet "Champ Gain" 2014 by Marc Colin
• Bourgogne Haute-côtes de Beaune 2014 by Sebastien Magnien
• Stefano Ricci 2010 Cuveé Giorgio Pinchiorri (this was a superb idea with glass and bottle uniquely designed for Pinchiorri in collaboration with the stylist Stefano Ricci)
• Muffato della Sala 2010 by Antinori

All in all in my opinion it is really astonishing to experience a perfect food journey  where you always know what you eat. No sophisticated experiments or chemical food transformation processes. Whereas in most 3 stars restaurants the current trend is "to surprise the guest first" with special effects, at Enoteca Pinchiorri the true special effect is the quality of ingredients and the superb chefs' technique that put the food in its true essence at the first place. And probably you realize the real meaning of 3 Michelin Stars according to Michelin Guide: "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey"

Of course you cannot leave the restaurant without the chance to visit the wine cellar…this is a really "wow" experience per se. I personally have never seen anything similar. It's kind of unique location where you will be shocked not just for the wide and rich wines selection, but by the quantity of rare bottles all concentrated in one location. Here below a few snapshots from our visit…but really don't represent what you feel when  you are there.

Finally I would give a special mention to Sommelier Antonio Rosolino, extremely kind and competent, who took care of us for the entire dinner and wine cellar visit.