Our journey through Italy was orchestrated by Chef Andrea Rumere from Via Roma Restaurant at the Kempinski Beijing. Chef Andrea, brand new to the Beijing scene, delighted us with food inspired by his mother’s recipes.

For the reception an Italian market setting usually only seen in movies was created in a part of the restaurant. There was a cornucopia of Italian delights, such as freshly carved prosciutto, an abundance of olives, Italian breads, cheeses, salami, coppa and pizza fresh from the oven.

Gentle piano music added to the pleasing ambience. Pass around canapes were arrancini on tomato sauce and onion as well as garlic and anchovies stuffed calamari. The drink of choice was a Ferrari sparkling wine from Italy (of course!) with Italian-inspired cocktails available too.

Dinner took us on a journey through the Italian regions portraying their specialties. We started in Milano ending with an excellent “Tour of Italy” dessert.

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Milano
‘Italian market’ themed reception
Ferrari Metodo Classico Brut Trento NV - Trentino

Amalfi
Octopus, scampi, blue mussels
parsley potatoes, sun-dried herbed tomatoes, smoked black olives
Torre Rosazza Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli 2015 - Friuli-Venezia-Giulia

Genova
Traditional Italian minestrone

Bologna
Homemade tortellini filled with beetroot and ricotta
butter sage sauce, Parmigiano foam
Bricco dei Guazzi Gavi di Gavi DOCG 2014 - Piedmont

Palermo
Limoncello sorbert in the herb forest
Bottega Limoncino - Sicily

Vicenza
Slow cooked codfish
yellow corn polenta, red wine, onion and white truffle sauce
Planeta Chardonnay 2013 - Sicily

Torino
Barolo beef cheeks
mashed potatoes
Antinori Tignanello IGT 2013 - Tuscany

Tour of Italy
Zabaione mousse, chocolate black truffle, cannolo Siciliano
Planeta Passito di Noto 2015 - Sicily

Selection of homemade biscuits

Enthusiastic thanks went to Managing Director Torsten Dressler, Food and Beverage Director Daniel Herrmann, Chef Andrea Rumere and their teams for delivering another most successful dinner at Via Roma.

Vive la Chaine!!

Bernie Sperk
Bailli