Enjoy Italian regional cuisine in May

By Yun Suh-young

May is the month to grab the opportunity to taste Italian cuisine from 11 regions in Italy.

The Italian Food Festival, which will be held until May 31, presents regional cuisine from 11 restaurants in Seoul which are members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ITCCK) and its Food & Beverage Committee. This is the fourth time the festival will be held in Korea.

Throughout the month of May, each of the participating restaurants will offer exclusive menus, including typical and authentic dishes from a specific region in Italy. Each of the restaurants represents a different region.

The restaurants joining the festival are Atrio (Conrad Seoul) in Yeouido, Brera in Beotigogae, Buon Posto in Mok-dong and Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, CasAntonio in Itaewon, Cornerstone (Park Hyatt Hotel) in Samseong-dong, Harmonium in Hannam-dong, kitchen485 in Seogyo-dong, Peninsula (Lotte Hotel Seoul) in Sogong-dong, Ristorante Eo in Cheongdam-dong, Sky Lounge (Intercontinental Coex) in Samseong-dong, and Vera in Itaewon.

All the menus consist of a series of courses following the Italian serving order and they also include an “aperitivo” which is an appetizer offered as a relaxing prelude before dinner. In Italy, the “aperitivo” ritual is accompanied by delicious, bite-sized food with refreshing light alcohol drinks such as a cocktail, wine or beer. During the festival period, Italy's premium beer Peroni Nastro Azzurro will be offered as part of the "aperitivo” menu.

The cost of the set menu ranges from 39,900 to 168,000 won.

For more information, contact the ITCCK at itcck1@itcck.org or 02-402-4379 or each restaurant (information provided below).