REAL CASADONNA, THE GOURMET BREAKFAST IN CASTEL DI SANGRO
A very small escape in a restless summer: 130 kilometers by car from Naples and you get to Castel di Sangro, in Abruzzo, dove, on top of a hill, stands out Casadonna, the structure of Niko Romito and his sister Cristiana.
A beautiful white complex with essential elegance, result of the recovery of a sixteenth-century monastery, which encloses a boutique hotel, the professional cooking school Niko Romito Academy and the restaurant Real, three Michelin stars. All around, the mountain vineyard run by the Feudo Antico di Tollo company (Chieti).
Usually those who choose to stay here do so as a supplement to the dinner at the Reale, so as not to leave immediately afterwards in the late evening; instead we did it "regardless", because the restaurant was sold out, but we did not want to give up the welcome experience, as well as the gourmet breakfast reserved for guests only.
Upon arrival, a welcome drink is served in the room, with a sweet or savory treat of your choice. We opted for the more sugary alternative and so we received a slice of pandolce, very soft leavened product with extra virgin olive oil signed by chef Niko Romito (purchasable through the online shop). Extraordinary in its simplicity.
Each room is also equipped with a minibar with drinks offered by the house.
ALT – STATION OF TASTE
To make up for the lack of a seat at the Reale restaurant, we went to eat in another format of the Niko Romito Group: Alt – Station of Taste, always in Castel di Sangro.
A “gas station” style restaurant open from breakfast to dinner, which serves as a cafeteria, restaurant, rotisserie and diner.
Do not miss the main dish, the Fried chicken: a free-range chicken weighing over a kilo marinated in a mix of flavorings and spices, steamed and then fried whole. Soft and very tasty.
To be combined as a side dish on request, chips or dark new potatoes.
The famous one is also on the menu Bomba created by Niko Romito, in savory or sweet version (we talked about which).
Lots of products to buy and take away: the amazing fresh bread, the focaccias and packaged artisan products of the line Niko Romito bread like cookies, the rusks, baked desserts (including the aforementioned Pandolce), jams, spreadable creams, and nectars.
THE GOURMET BREAKFAST
And we arrive at the much desired breakfast in the morning.
Guests are asked to communicate in advance the time they wish to go down to the Il Porticato room to sit at the table, since the preparations are made at the moment.
Casadonna's breakfast is a fantastic ensemble of products prepared in the kitchens of the Reale and others from local artisans.
Sweets straight out of the oven like two types of fragrant brioche (with dark chocolate drops and custard and sugar pistils) and an exceptional apple pie; bread prepared with native grains, rusks and abruzzo ferratelle, on which to spread jams, hazelnut cream, honey and cream butter.
E ancora, fresh yogurt from the Cianflocca farm in Castel di Sangro, freshly squeezed fruit juices and almond water.
In più, you can choose a la carte between savory or sweet dishes. As we are a well matched couple, we tried both options, ordering a poached egg and an eggnog.
Savory options also include omelettes, toast with ham and caciocavallo, selection of cheeses by Gregorio Rotolo di Scanno.
Casadonna's breakfast is an incredible taste experience, which perfectly completes the pleasant stay. Come già detto, it is not available for those who do not stay overnight (unlike what happens in other structures, ad esempio Villa Rosa Nonna Rosa by the starred chef Peppe Guida).
Perciò, since only available rooms are 9, lovers of gourmet breakfast should think about it seriously and get organized in good time.
At the time of check out you are given a loaf of bread, now an icon of the Romito house: what better memory for a food lover?
Casadonna - Royal
Contrada Santa Liberata - Castel di Sangro, L’Aquila
such. 0864/69382
www.nikoromito.com/casadonna/
Alt – Station of Taste
State 17 km 150, 3 - Castel di Sangro, L’Aquila
such. 340/3501857
www.altstazionedelgusto.it/