INEO – ROME`S BEST KEPT DINING SECRET

What is it ? – INEO , a fine dining restaurant located within the five-star Anantara Palazzo Naiadi hotel in the vibrant multicultural neighbourhood of Esquilino, Rome. Opened in 2023 Chef Heros De Agostinis has crafted a careful study between past and present, aesthetics, creativity, technique, and neoclassical elegance married up with authentic warm Italian hospitality defining a very special relationship between food and an intimate sensory dining experience.

Who`s Cooking ? – Heros De Agostinis, the Rockstar Executive Chef at INEO is a true flavour globetrotter. He cooks up what he calls “Italian metissage,” a wild cooking style blend of Italian heart and diverse international soul. With an Eritrean dad and an Abruzzese mum, Heros grew up eating homemade pasta one day and African Berbere spiced meals the next, giving him a passport-stamped palate from day one. He’s a veteran of world-class kitchens, having trained under World famous master chefs like Heinz Beck (La Pergola) , Joel Robuchon, Gualtiero Marchesi, Heinz Winkler, Marc Veyrat and even managed a dozen restaurants as Executive Chef at the Ritz-Carlton in Bahrain. Heros`s extensive career spans over 25 years, with leadership roles in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels across Europe.

What`s Cooking ? – The menu at INEO is a journey of cultural discovery, with dishes inspired by Chef’s international travels and personal heritage, including influences from Africa , Italy, Thailand and more. Chef Heros has created a dynamic and innovative menu that tells his story through an exploration of exciting flavours whilst remaining fundamentally Italian. Chef uses his years of experience to put a modern, creative, and inventive spin on the classic Roman flavours.

What should I expect ? – The`journey around the world` is the perfect menu for those who love to travel, discover unusual tastes, and experience unconventional flavours, aromas, perfumes, and spices from different cultures around the globe. All this being blended with chef’s Roman flair and transformed into very unexpected dishes in a culinary masterclass.

Must Order dish – Forget the one dish and just go for the full 8 course experience with wine pairing – You only live once.

What will it cost me ? INEO typically offers two types of tasting menus, with the option to add an exciting wine pairing.

4 courses: €150 with snacks and sweet treats included.

8 courses: €170 with snacks and sweet treats included.

Cheese trolley – Available for an additional €35

Wine pairing (5 glasses) – €60

Wine pairing (6 glasses) – €85

My thoughts – Chef Heros – WOW , what a guy , what an entertainer, both in and out of the kitchen he was the ultimate host.

What`s the Atmosphere like ?. The imperial-style decor provides a romantic and sophisticated atmosphere but to be totally honest I really can`t recall looking around the restaurant. I was so tied up in conversation with my dining companions , Chef and Mirco (cocktail master) that six hours passed in a flash. NOTE TO SELF – Next visit I must drink less and study more.

What`s good ? I was really impressed with the Bread selection here , the only problem being that it all arrives at the very beginning of a very long menu. It`s an absolute killer, playing games with the diners will power . A stunning and unique `award-winning` selection of specialty breads, which won the “Best Bread on the Table” award from a top Italian food and wine guide. Chef Heros explained to us that the Bread starts with the traditions of Abruzzo – served with extra virgin olive oil from Lazio and salted Normandy butter. The cart’s offerings tell the stories of Chef Heros and his Worldwide travels, with breadsticks, crackers, Roman pizza, Alto Atesino with rye flour, lemon zest and cumin…and more. Be warned – It`s so easy to totally fill up at this early stage of the meal so please choose wisely as there`s multiple courses of delights to follow.

What`s even better ? – Maccheroni – A handmade pasta with an Eritrean beef stew and aged parmesan foam , very much a `stand-out` course for me. This dish was a true example of `mastery of a dish` – Perfection in Pasta.

Any Negatives Would I return ? – Rome is a simple `hop on a plane` job for me and a life changing city to experience so absolutely YES , we`ll be back on another trip to this amazing historical city of stunning scenery and culinary delights like no other.

Restaurant Address – P.za della Repubblica, 46, 00184 Roma RM, Italy TEL –+39 06 4893 8061