Members had the pleasure of dining at Isola Ristorante Italiano on a beautiful Monday evening. A wonderful experience with perfect weather for dining al fresco. Food, wine, and company made for a dinner to remember.

Let's talk food! Chef Francesco and his kitchen brigade worked their magic to create superbly balanced, delicious dishes.

Wines were paired with the food excellently by our new member Maître Sommelier Unnikrishnan Anilkumar who we congratulated. As a Chaîne member, Unni is looking forward to meeting fellow members at a wine event in Venice.

Now the menu. We started with gourmet pinsa and sipped Zonin Prosecco. An antipasti dish of Mediterranean swordfish roll with eggplant and Bronte's pistachio, was accompanied by Salealto Cusumano from Sicily.

Pasta with amberjack, celeriac cream, taggiosco olive powder and tropea onions followed. It was partnered by Inzolia Feudo Principi di Butera from Sicily.

Next, we savoured beef tenderloin, Agria potato cream rosemary smoked, chanterelle mushroom and mixed vegetables together with Dezzani Barbera d’Asti from Piedmont.

And then desserts: firstly, a pistachio and candied orange cannoli, then we indulged in tiramisu, both paired with Marsala Superiore Garibaldi Dolce Pellegrino from Sicily.

The service brigade was exceptional. They quietly and efficiently fulfilled our requests. Our glasses were topped up with cheerful disposition.

We congratulate all those involved in making this “hidden gem” better known to us. Overall, an unforgettable evening with good food, wine, and companionship.

Frederik Haentjens
Chargé de Presse