«We don’t make signature dishes»: the contemporary approach of Enoteca Pinchiorri beyond every commonplace

There’s a common and old short circuit of understanding – a sort of preceptive sliding! – of what Enoteca Pinchiorri really is today.

For sure, it’s a place overloaded with glory and history: established as "Enoteca Nazionale" in 1972, exactly half a century ago (we wrote about it here), almost a lifetime ago, and endless time, compared to today’s rhythms. Of course: it’s the most long-lived three starred restaurant in Italy, with the three macarons having arrived already in 1993 (Dal Pescatore reached the same goal only three years later), and then of course with the pause between 1995 and 2003 but it is in Florence that we can find the most ancient experience of excellence at those standards. It’s also sure it’s a place with a classic charm, in the 18^th century Palazzo Jacometti-Ciofi: it has the almost sacred allure of the temple of food and wine, the elegant look of a noblewoman, the charm of a historic maison, with patron Giorgio Pinchiorri who looks like a whimsical lord from the past when he welcomes guests, and director Alessandro Tomberli who directs with delicateness and careful irony, a sort of old-style master of ceremony, with crystal clear class. There’s also the fact that the leading chef has been directing for almost three decades, crazy stuff; and there are the tens of thousands of bottles that rest in its guts for who knows how long... everything, in other words, recalls the idea of a place that is always coherent to itself, timeless, and hence inevitably out of the ordinary; faithful to a glorious past that they want to preserve, like the Orient Express, like Nice in the Belle Époque or the Grand Tour d'Italie.

After that, however, it’s finally time for the food.

After that we discover that the cuisine of Riccardo Monco and Alessandro Della Tommasina is fresh, contemporary, dynamic, authorial, brilliant, inventive rather than creative. In the sense that it’s not experimental but it’s precise, based on constant and tested research, that is to say sound in its being innovative as it’s the result of a long sedimentation of ideas, from the "dirty work" in the lab behind the scenes. There’s a sense of respect so big towards the establishment that it suggests the chefs a further effort, almost as if there were official "dish worthy of Enoteca Pinchiorri" and "dish not worthy of Enoteca Pinchiorri" stamps that cuts the legs to recipes that might be excellent, and yet do not fully reach the standards. As a consequence, the offer is not trendy, in the sense that it doesn’t chase trends, but for sure it is free of the ephemeral and of shortcuts. And it tries to be always more inclusive to reach the younger generations.

And here is the reprimand we must make, because it’s really an element in which Monco and Della Tommasina are not really contemporary (we told them in person, mind you). That is: they are too honest, with themselves and with others. Too much at work in the kitchen, and hence away from the spotlight. Too dedicated to the cause – almost in love! – to place themselves above the brand, for instance when they explain: «We’re in a restaurant called Enoteca Pinchiorri. The cuisine must not create difficulties for the cellar», as if to say that they’re not joking and there are no prima donnas. The place requires seriousness, all this while they are smiling friendly, the kind of people you’d like to bring with you on holiday.

And hence they have never wanted to impose a signature dish, which is an easy road to take in terms of communication, «because we always like to change, based on the product, the season, or just the taste of a client», which is a good paradox that reveals a lot. The restaurant has an undeserved fame of being a little static when in fact it’s everchanging. Enoteca has a natural storytelling, practically incorporated, hence Monco and Della Tommasina do almost without it, by passing themselves, «instead you should convey the reality of your recipes» we felt like recommending.

For example: our surprise at Enoteca Pinchiorri was to taste a pigeon that was not matched – say – with foie gras, as usual. But in perfect double cooking, suavely and originally) (Almost fried pigeon, half cooked in tempura, half barbecued, vermouth cherries, steamed aubergines, sunflower seed cream). To taste the memorable Cuttlefish tripe marinated in 24-month Parmesan milk, fermented lemon powder. Or a Beetroot pizza (in sauce and sliced), garlic, oil, salt, fried capers and sedum telepium. And then,  Almond soup, juniper marinated lobster, bergamot aubergines, cell olives, mock lobster paste olives which seems like a Pinchiorrian interpretation of Aimo e Nadia’s work (in some way, the same applies to Roasted, not boiled, burnt wheat ravioli filled with endive  and mascarpone cheese, smoked herring mousse, bottarga which follow the same logic of excellence: the recalling and development of an Italian flavour, in a new dish. Or, in a global-local perspective, Chiocciole vignaiole cooked in a pan with herbs, spicy avocado puff pastry, mangetout and coconut sauce, mock burnt onion leaf). The fabulous Almond soup, juniper marinated lobster, bergamot aubergines, cell olives, mock lobster paste olives, that is to say the de-trivialization of the crustacean, «used as an ingredient». And so on.

It's basically impossible to criticise them. The technique is excellent. The rich dishes are truly rich as in their intentions; and the more delicate ones are simply masterful.

And now our dinner, with photos from Tanio Liotta.

Translated into English by Slawka G. Scarso