Flying to ITALY for Lunch at Andreina

What is it ? – Ristorante Andreina is a family-run, 1 Michelin-starred restaurant in a residential area of Loreto , Italy, that has been showcasing Spit roasting and open-fire cooking since 1959. Originally a cozy hunting tavern started by Andreina Isidori and Bruno Bartolini, it is now run by their grandson, Chef Errico Recanati. He blends their traditional spit-roasting heritage with modern techniques to create “neo-rural” dishes like ember-cooked Cacio e pepe and various roasted Vegetables. Pull up a seat around the massive open grill to taste the ultimate mix of the Italian Marche regional history and modern food.

Where is it ? – The restaurant is located on the East Coast of Italy in the historic hilltop town of Loreto, a prominent Catholic pilgrimage destination.

Just a heads-up on getting around: taxis here are pretty tough to come by and expensive – i paid €50 for a quick 3-minute round trip from our B&B. You can easily catch a train from Ancona to Loreto station every hour, but you’ll still need a cab to the restaurant from there. Since there are no rideshare apps or fast local taxi companies, your best bet is booking a ride well in advance.

What`s Cooking ? – The 2 multi course tasting menus “Smoke” and “Flames” are definitely my recommendation in order to enjoy the body and soul of Andreina.

Who`s Cooking ? – Chef Errico Recanati honed his craft under World class culinary legends such as Albert Adrià, and Quique Dacosta before earning a Michelin star at Ristorante Andreina. This training directly inspired his signature “neo-rural” cooking style, merging modern high-tech methods with traditional open-flame charcoal grilling.

What should I expect ? – Expect a mind-blowing meal driven by the chef’s pure obsession with open-fire cooking. Chef Errico flips old-school rustic traditions upside down using wild, modern techniques that have piled up serious awards—including a Michelin star and the prestigious Italian “Performance of the Year” title. The highlight is his signature “Smoke Trapping” cloche, which unleashes a cloud of rich wood smoke right at your table to supercharge the food’s natural aromas. You will get to dive into legendary, smoky creations like `Spaghetti Cacio e 7 Pepi` cooked straight over glowing embers and incredible ember-roasted hanging vegetables. It is a wildly creative experience that tastes deeply historic but at the same time feels entirely futuristic.

Must Order dish – The 4 grilled vegetable dishes that Chef Errico cooked for me from his Youtube video were absolutely outstanding and well worth the journey to Andreina. Ask well in advance and you might just be lucky enough to experience these delights.

What will it cost me ? – You have two main tasting options to choose from: the Smoke Menu for €135 or the Flames Menu for €155. Keep in mind that snacks at the start of the meal will add an extra €8 to your bill. If you want to try their iconic pasta courses, they are priced individually; both the `Cacio and 7 Pepper` and Nonna Andreina’s `Tagliatella Ragu` sit at €30 each. For drinks, a glass of bubbles is €20, or you can opt for a wine pairing package: it’s €55 for three glasses, €70 for four, or €85 for five – worth it for a special night out!

My thoughts – I acted on impulse , watched chef cooking on YouTube , booked the restaurant , booked flights , booked hotels and made the long journey just to eat here. Was it worth all the money and effort ? ABSOLUTELY YES – Anyone into food adventures , it`s an absolute treat. Watch the video HERE and just go for it.

What`s the Atmosphere like ? – The dining room vibe changes completely as the night goes on. At the start of service, it’s pretty quiet and low-key. But once everyone gets a few drinks in them and start to unwind, the room comes alive with a pleasant and lively energy.

What`s good ? – Few culinary elements compare to the rich depth of woodsmoke and ember-grilled cuisine, which represents the pinnacle of flavour in my own personal palate. This passion of mine led me to Stockholm a few years ago solely to dine at Ekstedt, where I experienced an unforgettable tasting menu cooked entirely over varying stages of burning silver birch. I have developed a true appreciation for the art of open-fire and smoke cooking, and I`m always eager to travel anywhere in search of that exceptional culinary experience.

Any Negatives Would I return ? – An exceptional destination marred Only by a complex journey My experience at Andreina was outstanding, and under different circumstances, I would undoubtedly become a regular patron. However, potential visitors should be aware of some logistical challenges involved in reaching it. For international travellers, the journey is rather multi-layered. Travelling from Whitehaven (west coast of northern England) required connecting through Manchester, Rimini, Ancona, and Loreto, followed by a final taxi ride. Because of this lengthy and awkward commute, a return visit is unfortunately impractical for me in the near future, however the destination itself is well worth the effort for a definitive, one-time visit.

Restaurant Address – Ristorante Andreina , Via Zona Industriale Brodolini, 2, 60025 Loreto AN, Italy Phone – +39 071 970124

Website – https://ristoranteandreina.it/en/

THE FLAMES MENU – €155

SNACKS.