Le Guide de L’Espresso: I Ristoranti & I Vini d’Italia
Once again the gourmet world of Istria caught the eye of connoisseurs. A group of Italian food critics rated a dozen Istrian restaurants for the new edition of their notable I Ristoranti d’Italia guide. Published since 1978 and sold in 110.000 copies, it is highly regarded in Spain, Portugal, France, the UK, the USA, and China.
Although focused on places operating in Italy, they also celebrate restaurants in the neighborhood. In 2011, they checked out Istria for the first time and reviewed 10 places for their prestigious guide. It was a splendid homage to the culinary art of nearby Istria, where many Italian traditions still live and thrive.
They evaluate restaurants using the gastro sensibility typical of Italy. Ease of preparation
and freshness of ingredients are their top criteria; the experience of menu, milieu, and service rank high as well. Reviews take the form of narratives specific to each restaurant. Their legendary Chef’s Hats are used in ranking restaurants on a 1 to 5 scale. Restaurants rated with 1 Chef’s Hat have “a good kitchen”, and 5 hats mean “absolutely the best”.
Golden Chef’s Hat, introduced in 2018, is awarded to the new classics of Italian cuisine. Restaurants and cooks are also honored with sponsors’ prizes in several categories, such as Best Pasta of the Year, Best Coffee of the Year, and Best Performance of the Year.
Le Guide de L’Espresso: I Ristoranti & I Vini d’Italia 2021
2 toques
Marina, Novigrad-Cittanova
Monte, Rovinj-Rovigno
Pergola, Savudrija-Salvore
1 toque
Badi, Lovrečica-S. Lorenzo, Umag-Umago
Batelina, Banjole
Damir & Ornella, Novigrad-Cittanova
Hotel San Rocco, Brtonigla-Verteneglio
Hotel Valamar Riviera Spinnaker, Poreč-Parenzo
Hotel Villa Meneghetti, Bale-Valle
Konoba Buščina, Umag-Umago
Without toque
Čok, Novigrad-Cittanova
Gostiona Toklarija, Sovinjak, Buzet
Zigante, Livade
Le Guide de L’Espresso: I Ristoranti & I Vini d’Italia 2020
2 toques
Damir & Ornella, Novigrad-Cittanova
Monte, Rovinj-Rovigno
Pergola, Savudrija-Salvore
1 toque
Batelina, Banjole
Hotel San Rocco, Brtonigla-Verteneglio
Hotel Valamar Riviera Spinnaker, Poreč-Parenzo
Hotel Villa Meneghetti, Bale-Valle
Konoba Buščina, Umag-Umago
Marina, Novigrad-Cittanova
Without toque
Badi, Lovrečica-S. Lorenzo, Umag-Umago
Čok, Novigrad-Cittanova
Zigante, Livade
Le Guide de L’Espresso: I Ristoranti & I Vini d’Italia 2019
Batelina, Banjole
Čok, Novigrad-Cittanova
Damir & Ornella, Novigrad-Cittanova
Hotel San Rocco, Brtonigla-Verteneglio
Hotel Valamar Riviera Spinnaker, Poreč-Parenzo
Hotel Villa Meneghetti, Bale-Valle
Konoba Buščina, Umag-Umago
Marina, Novigrad-Cittanova
Monte, Rovinj-Rovigno
Pergola, Savudrija-Salvore
Gostiona Toklarija, Sovinjak, Buzet
Zigante, Livade
