RE STAU RANT OF TH E MONTH
Luxurious culinary delights from Italy in the heart of Vienna Il Melograno is one of Vienna’s most exclusive places for Italian gourmet adventures. With a special focus on Apulian original recipes, the passionate team around Roberto d’Atri brings delicious rarities onto the plates. TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: IL MELOGRANO
Il Melograno (‘pomegranate’ in English) can already look back at a long history in Vienna. The d’Atri family is originally from the Apulian Gargano-coast and has been completely at home in the world of gastronomy for seven generations. They passionately follow their culinary mission in various countries and don’t just bring Italian gourmet treats to guests but also show what Mediterranean hospitality means. Firmly established in Vienna’s high-end dining scene, Roberto d’Atri continues the tradition and cooks with original family recipes. The main focus lies on using topquality and strictly limited products. “All of our fish is exclusively from wild-caught 36 | Issue 76 | July 2019
stocks in natural habitats and our meat is from the classic Chianina-cattle in Tuscany. From Southern Italy we import the unparalleled Sicilian honey tomatoes and Sorrento’s wonderfully aromatic lemons, among other things,” says Roberto d’Atri. High-end Italian cuisine, genuinely exclusive ingredients and the top quality of, for example, the daily changing fish dishes, make Il Melograno the place to be for any gourmet. The restaurant’s interior design by Rooms Atelier continues this gusto for life’s luxurious pleasures and convinces with original Italian products such as Carrara marble and Italian oak flooring. The highlight is the rotund light dome, which shows
a detailed representation of the church dome of ‘Duomo di Parma’. Thanks to its heartfelt hospitality, a visit to Il Melograno often feels like an invitation to a friend’s house. Head chef Cristiano Amoroso contributes to this cosy atmosphere: every evening he plays some Italian classics on his guitar, and sings. Truly romantic vibes can always be felt at Il Melograno. www.ilmelograno.at
Il Melograno Blumenstockgasse 5 1010 Vienna Opening Tuesdays to Saturdays: 12pm – 3pm and 6.30pm – 11.30pm Kitchen: 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 7pm – 10pm Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Open during holidays.