On this day of discovering the flavours of the Marche, we are in the picturesque town of Porto San Giorgio, overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic. Here, amidst the hues of the sky reflecting on the sea and the sound of the waves caressing the coast, lies our destination: the L'Arcade restaurant.
We are greeted by an elegant and modern atmosphere, in a warm room that speaks of the land while offering us a breathtaking view of the Adriatic seashore.
He tells us that his winding path starts with his studies in political science between Russia and Italy, but continues with the discovery of his love for the Marche region and for cooking, spurring him to open L'Arcade in 2013 in Porto San Giorgio.
In 2021, the restaurant moved to larger premises closer to the sea, and the chef continued on his path of culinary growth without ever losing his curiosity, creativity and always surprising customers, so much so that he was awarded a Michelin star.
The Marche region and its products are the inspiring muses of his creations and the raw material is always the protagonist in this harmonious dance between land and sea. The dishes translate into works of great personality that convey all the chef's attention to creating a surprising balance and refined control of flavours, amidst gustatory ups and downs that captivate the palate.
We are therefore eager to get on this merry-go-round of culinary excellence and enjoy lunch at the L'Arcade restaurant.
We start with a very special seafood salad. The “Profondo Rosso” is a refined dish that combines fresh king prawns and scallops, accompanied by ragusa in potacchio, a typical Marche sauce that involves braising in a sauce traditionally based on white wine, olive oil, garlic, herbs and aromatic fennel. Chorizo oil adds a spicy, smoky touch, while the radicchio leaf, marinated in mulled wine, provides a sweet-sour and aromatic contrast. A perfect balance of flavours and textures.
The first course, “Triglia e Pesta”, is a sophisticated dish combining flavours of the sea and the land. The al dente pasta is enhanced by the delicate flavour of fresh mullet and the velvety texture of foie gras, creating a luxurious contrast. The herb cream adds freshness and a herbaceous aroma, harmoniously binding all the elements.
This is followed by the surprising “Cardoncello and Oyster”, an elegant recipe that features the cardoncello mushroom cut into “petals”, alongside a creamy cannellini bean sauce. The cubes of the mushroom stem, with their sauce, add depth and texture to the dish, and the oyster, delicately warmed and cooked, offers a touch of the sea and contrasts harmoniously with the earthy flavours of the mushrooms.
We end with a dish that celebrates marine flavours and vegetable freshness. The Salad of Succulent Herbs and Fasolari combines the succulent flavour of the mollusc with a salad of fresh succulent herbs and gelled salad. Herring caviar adds a salty, luxurious note, while the potato wafer provides a crunchy, delicate base. A perfect balance of textures and flavours makes for a refined and memorable dining experience.
The wine list is the result of years of selection resulting in some 1200 fine labels. The cuisine and the wine list are in perfect harmony with each other, thanks in part to the choices of Leonardo Niccià, maître and sommelier at L'Arcade, who offers wines from famous and small wineries to always surprise guests with daring and apt pairings.
And there is no better match for San Benedetto Millennium Water, Antica Fonte della Salute, originating from a thousand-year-old aquifer with only 0.0001% nitrates. This water of excellence enhances flavours with its lightness and completes the table with its elegant glass format.
Our visit to the L'Arcade restaurant was a journey to the frontiers of taste, among curves and ups and downs that captured and amazed our palate. The goodness of the Marche and the fine ingredients of the region were the protagonists of an innovative cuisine, the result of the chef's talent and years of evolution, which offered us an unforgettable experience in front of the splendour of the Adriatic coast.
This restaurant is part of JRE - Jeunes Restaurateurs, an association of young restaurateurs and chefs with a common goal: to share their talent and love of food with like-minded people.
L’Arcade, Porto San Giorgio (FM)
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