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Ein Prosit: Italy's Food & Wine Festival With the World's Best Chefs
Ein Prosit presents a rare opportunity for food and wine lovers to explore Udine, a historic Italian city, meet some of the world’s best chefs and enjoy some fine dining dishes from around the world. In addition to the dinners, Ein Prosit offers multiple wine-tasting masterclasses with sommeliers and small growers. Stay for four to five days to enjoy the city, or take a day trip to some of the nearby vineyards or some of the world’s best restaurants in the nearby area. Here is a guide to navigating Ein Prosit and Udine.
Ein Prosit in Udine shows posters of the chefs on show over the coming days.
The Highs
The Lows
The Highs
The Lows
Ein Prosit, 100s of Michelin Stars in Four Days
Ein Prosit clusters different chefs to create guided tasting menus and presents an opportunity to meet some of the world’s best chefs. Each night, there will be various scheduled dinners, usually between two to three chefs, usually from a restaurant with at least one Michelin star, and often they are listed in the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list and/or in regional lists like LATAM’s 50 Best, MENA’s 50 Best or Asia’s 50 Best.
Chefs such as Italy’s Niko Romito (Reale, 3 Michelin Stars), Massimiliano Alajmo (Le Calandre, 3 Michelin Stars), Enrico Crippa (Piazza Duomo, 3 Michelin Stars) and Riccardo Camanini (Lido 84, 1 Michelin Star) cook alongside Slovenia’s Ana Ros (Hisa Franko, 3 Michelin Stars), UAE’s Himanshu Saini (Tresind Studio, 2 Michelin Stars), Japan’s Zaiyu Hasegawa (Den, 2 Michelin Stars) or Spain’s Dabiz Muñoz (DiverXo, 3 Michelin Stars), assembling tasting menus as well as meet with guests during and after dinner.
Ein Prosit offers the opportunity to meet some of the world’s best chefs in person: Dabiz Muñoz, Massimo Bottura, Zaiyu Hasegawa and Ana Ros
2023 prepares to be no different with the stars and World 50 Best Listings breaking down as follows:
Thu: 31 Michelin stars and 7 World’s 50 Best Listed Restaurants.
Fri: 25 Michelin stars and 7 World’s 50 Best Listed Restaurants.
Sat: 26 Michelin stars and 11 World’s 50 Best Listed Restaurants.
Sun: 26 Michelin stars and 6 World’s 50 Best Listed Restaurants.
Tasting menu prices vary considerably, usually trending with the chef’s prestige. Dinner starts from around €90, most hover around €130 and go upwards to €180 and €275. While these dinners are pricey, they are usually considerably cheaper than the tasting menus in these featured restaurants. Of course, having them all in one place is very convenient.
Is it worth it? Ein Prosit is my benchmark for food festivals. The whole city leans into the fun. I ate some of the best dishes ever to pass these lips. Real fine dining and food fans get together over drinks to share the experience, share their recommendations and just talk about the one thing they love: superb food and wine. The chefs are relaxed and often just as excited to see their peers and meet people as enthusiastic about great food.
Massimo Bottura’s Gucci Osteria group flew in from Beverley Hills, Seoul, Tokyo and Florence to prepare signature dishes from each one of these restaurants.
Chefs such as Italy’s Niko Romito (Reale, 3 Michelin Stars), Massimiliano Alajmo (Le Calandre, 3 Michelin Stars), Enrico Crippa (Piazza Duomo, 3 Michelin Stars) and Riccardo Camanini (Lido 84, 1 Michelin Star) cook alongside Slovenia’s Ana Ros (Hisa Franko, 3 Michelin Stars), UAE’s Himanshu Saini (Tresind Studio, 2 Michelin Stars), Japan’s Zaiyu Hasegawa (Den, 2 Michelin Stars) or Spain’s Dabiz Muñoz (DiverXo, 3 Michelin Stars), assembling tasting menus as well as meet with guests during and after dinner.
Ein Prosit offers the opportunity to meet some of the world’s best chefs in person: Dabiz Muñoz, Massimo Bottura, Zaiyu Hasegawa and Ana Ros
2023 prepares to be no different with the stars and World 50 Best Listings breaking down as follows:
Thu: 31 Michelin stars and 7 World’s 50 Best Listed Restaurants.
Fri: 25 Michelin stars and 7 World’s 50 Best Listed Restaurants.
Sat: 26 Michelin stars and 11 World’s 50 Best Listed Restaurants.
Sun: 26 Michelin stars and 6 World’s 50 Best Listed Restaurants.
Tasting menu prices vary considerably, usually trending with the chef’s prestige. Dinner starts from around €90, most hover around €130 and go upwards to €180 and €275. While these dinners are pricey, they are usually considerably cheaper than the tasting menus in these featured restaurants. Of course, having them all in one place is very convenient.
Is it worth it? Ein Prosit is my benchmark for food festivals. The whole city leans into the fun. I ate some of the best dishes ever to pass these lips. Real fine dining and food fans get together over drinks to share the experience, share their recommendations and just talk about the one thing they love: superb food and wine. The chefs are relaxed and often just as excited to see their peers and meet people as enthusiastic about great food.
Massimo Bottura’s Gucci Osteria group flew in from Beverley Hills, Seoul, Tokyo and Florence to prepare signature dishes from each one of these restaurants.
Ein Prosit, Two Days of Guide Wine and Champagne Tasting Sessions
Ein Prosit kicks off over 35 wine and champagne-tasting masterclasses with sommeliers and growers over the weekend. Who doesn’t want to start Saturday morning with a champagne tasting? Many of these tastings are back to back, either in the Hotel Astoria (see below) or the grand cavernous Palazzo D’Aranco. Beer fans can also find a few beer tastings.
I highly recommend taking advantage of the wine tastings, especially if you cannot find those grapes or regions at home. Most wine tastings are between €25 to €4, but some stretch to €50 for the most premium or rare bottle tastings, including champagne. You need to plan because the tastings book up quickly.
Highlights included a sparkling wine vertical tasting from Gaspare Buscemi from 1991 to 2021. Gaspare Buscemi is a small Fruili-Venezian winery; you should look out for any of their natural sparkling wine.
This Friuli region is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, among other varietals. A horizontal seven-glass tasting between nearly Austrian, Slovenian and the local Friulian variety showcases terroir’s impact on this popular grape variety.
Udine features various art pieces around the city include this oversized floppy octopus by a canal.
I highly recommend taking advantage of the wine tastings, especially if you cannot find those grapes or regions at home. Most wine tastings are between €25 to €4, but some stretch to €50 for the most premium or rare bottle tastings, including champagne. You need to plan because the tastings book up quickly.
Highlights included a sparkling wine vertical tasting from Gaspare Buscemi from 1991 to 2021. Gaspare Buscemi is a small Fruili-Venezian winery; you should look out for any of their natural sparkling wine.
This Friuli region is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, among other varietals. A horizontal seven-glass tasting between nearly Austrian, Slovenian and the local Friulian variety showcases terroir’s impact on this popular grape variety.
Udine features various art pieces around the city include this oversized floppy octopus by a canal.
Ein Prosit is my benchmark for food festivals. The whole city leans into the fun.
Ein Prosit, Udine’s Best Wine Bars in Udine
Local wine bars like Enoteca Giardinetto feature both regional natural wines of Friuli and some broader Italian fine wines like bottles of Barolo for those looking to splash out. Italian Secret in Piazza San Giacomo is a good time place with both indoor and al fresco seating options – great for people-watching. Piccolo Bar Udine is a classy affair inches from Palazzo d’Aronco, mixing local wine with cocktails, fresh oysters and cicchetti (bar snacks).
A few of the bars in Udine serve rounds of cocktails before dinner including this Bonanto Spritz.
Do not sleep on the bartending masterclasses and events scheduled during Ein Prosit. Dom Carella coordinates the agenda. Dom Carella is an award-winning mixologist and runs Carico in Milan, a 50 Best Discovery bar. You should also head towards Udine’s De Room for after-parties and Dom’s unique cocktails.
De Room is a popular bar in Udine that hosts after-parties in the capable hands of Dom Carella, head of the beverage programme at Ein Prosit.
Sometimes, the dining events sell out very quickly. Consequently, only some of your best-laid plans may come to fruition. You still have to eat. Here is a guide to some local cafes and restaurants in and around Udine that stood out.
Hostaria Alla Tavernetta (Smart Casual). It is a charming local restaurant with classic, slick interiors, an excellent wine list and beautiful glassware. Think rustic with white tablecloths, but casual enough to wear your good jeans. Hostaria Alla Tavernetta, listed in the Michelin Guide, is known for serving traditional Friulian cuisine, including stuffed ravioli and frico, a delicious cheese dish that resembles a Spanish tortilla without eggs. Hostaria Alla Tavernetta also features an outside terraced area if you want al fresco dining.
Hostaria Alla Tavernetta, Via di Prampero Artico, 2, 33100 Udine, Italy. Hostaria Alla Tavernetta’s Instagram. Tel. +390432501066.
Hostaria alla Tavernetta is a smart casual restaurant showcasing Friulian cuisine, like this pappardelle with smoked bacon and a poached egg.
Osteria Al Cappello (Casual). Osteria al Cappello is a rustic, casual restaurant in the middle of Udine within moments of Piazza San Giacomo. It quickly became a base for Ein Prosit, where you can also catch the headline chefs in the gathering for swift espressos (or more). Osteria Al Cappello is very affordable, with large portions of local dishes available for very reasonable prices. The staff also speak excellent English, if that’s important to you. Standout dishes include the crispy, gooey frico, cured meat plates, natural wine selection, and even cooked offal like the Friulian lungs. I walked away, wishing I had one in my neighbourhood.
Osteria Al Cappello. Via Paolo Sarpi, 5, 33100 Udine, Italy. Osteria Al Cappello’s Instagram. Tel. +390432299327.
Caffé Al Portello (Bar). It is a bar inside an arched arcade perfect for swift drinks and small bites to pass the time between tastings and dinners. We enjoyed reasonably-priced glasses of regional wine and small bites of olives and pastries. I highly recommend joining the locals after work while sipping glistening glasses of Aperol Spritz. Enjoy looking around this small space. Grab a seat in the nooks in the back and look at the painted ceilings.
Caffé al Portello. Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, 11/15, 33100 Udine, Italy. Caffé Al Portello’s Website. Tel. +393406832387.
Caffe al Portello features both an inside and al fresco drinking areas with snacks.
Hell’s Bistrot (Casual Cafe). A very casual, budget-friendly cafe serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and takeaway sandwiches. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast here with the owners, who also have a small dog with bags of character. It is family-friendly, no reservations required, and it is placed inside a little labyrinth arcade, allowing for some al fresco dining.
Hell’s Bistrot. Corte Savorgnan, 9, 33100 Udine, Italy. Hell’s Bistrot’s Instagram. Tel. +393281352290.
Castellarian (Cafe). Your quintessential espresso and pastry grab-and-go. Think espresso, cappuccino, cornetto (or croissants) and other sweet treats. Catellarian features a lot of al fresco eating space if you want to sit outside and look at passersby across the little piazza.
Castellarian. Piazza XX Settembre, 13, 33100 Udine, Italy. Castellarian’s Instagram. Tel. +390432630580.
Agli Amici (Fine Dining). Agli Amici is the most accomplished and formal of the restaurants on this list. There is a chance it will be busy hosting the other visiting chefs from the Ein Prosit event. However, you can book a wonderful lunch at this two Michelin-starred restaurant. You can read my full review here, but – spoiler alert – it was one of the best restaurants I visited. The service is warm and impeccable. The platting and cooking are exceptional. Agli Amici is about 15 minutes by car outside the city, but if you can get here, you’ve done very well and will regret nothing.
Ristorante Agli Amici 1887. Via Liguria, 252, 33100 Udine, Italy. Agli Amici’s Instagram. Tel. +390432565411.
Agli Amici is a two Michelin-starred restaurant just outside Udine serving stunning dishes.
Osteria Altran (Fine Dining). Osteria Altran is far from Udine, about 45 minutes from the city centre. Like Agli Amici, it may also host some of the headline chefs in its venue. However, it is worth a journey based on the one dinner I enjoyed here with two visiting chefs. Osteria Altran is a one Michelin Star restaurant in the Friulian countryside, holding one star for 20 years. It’s smart interior is homely with libraries of books and an open dining room (but see if you can get a reservation inside the bright teal green dining room on the side). Chef Alessio Devide’s food leans modern Italian with a clear focus on ingredients and presentation. It would be wise to come here for lunch so you can return to Udine for dinners and evening parties.
Osteria Altran. Via Cortona, 19, 33050 Ruda, Italy. Osteria Altran’s Instagram. Tel. +390431969402.
There were some other restaurants that I needed the opportunity to check out. These restaurants are La Nicchia – Ristorante con Cucina Sarda & Bottega, a Sardinian restaurant, Aquila Nera Ristorante and Vitello d’Oro.
Inside Osteria Altran’s private dining room and a selection of their recent Michelin plaques.
Astoria Hotel Italia. This larger, historical four-star hotel is very comfortable and – conveniently – doubles as an event space for some wine masterclasses on the ground floor. It is an easy 5-minute walk from Piazza San Giacomo and within 5 to 10 minutes of Udine’s restaurants and sites. The rooms are on the larger European side (so smaller for American or Middle Eastern visitors). The wifi is reliable, the showers are hot, and the hotel team are supportive and helpful. The Astoria Hotel Italia is the ‘no-brainer’ option for Ein Prosit, but you should plan because it books up quickly.
Astoria Hotel Italia. Piazza XX Settembre, 24, 33100 Udine, Italy. Astoria Hotel Italia’s Website. Tel. +390432505091.
Scenes around Udine’s historic architecture and piazzas
Hiša Franko (Fine Dining). Forty-five minutes away lies Hisa Franko, one of the world’s best restaurants led by Ana Ros, former Best Female Chef award-winner. Hisa Franko sports 3 Michelin Stars, and it is a frequent lister on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Therefore, you need to book far ahead. I recommend a comfortable lunch here overlooking the Slovenian mountains and nearby fields. See if you can bag a restaurant tour, including the exceptional wine cellar. Hisa Franko offers one of the best juice pairings I’ve ever experienced if you are considering driving back to Udine.
Inside Hisa Franko, one of the world’s best restaurants led by Ana Ros.
A few of the bars in Udine serve rounds of cocktails before dinner including this Bonanto Spritz.
Ein Prosit, Two Days Bartending Masterclasses
Do not sleep on the bartending masterclasses and events scheduled during Ein Prosit. Dom Carella coordinates the agenda. Dom Carella is an award-winning mixologist and runs Carico in Milan, a 50 Best Discovery bar. You should also head towards Udine’s De Room for after-parties and Dom’s unique cocktails.
De Room is a popular bar in Udine that hosts after-parties in the capable hands of Dom Carella, head of the beverage programme at Ein Prosit.
Ein Prosit, Eating in Local Restaurants
Sometimes, the dining events sell out very quickly. Consequently, only some of your best-laid plans may come to fruition. You still have to eat. Here is a guide to some local cafes and restaurants in and around Udine that stood out.
Hostaria Alla Tavernetta (Smart Casual). It is a charming local restaurant with classic, slick interiors, an excellent wine list and beautiful glassware. Think rustic with white tablecloths, but casual enough to wear your good jeans. Hostaria Alla Tavernetta, listed in the Michelin Guide, is known for serving traditional Friulian cuisine, including stuffed ravioli and frico, a delicious cheese dish that resembles a Spanish tortilla without eggs. Hostaria Alla Tavernetta also features an outside terraced area if you want al fresco dining.
Hostaria Alla Tavernetta, Via di Prampero Artico, 2, 33100 Udine, Italy. Hostaria Alla Tavernetta’s Instagram. Tel. +390432501066.
Hostaria alla Tavernetta is a smart casual restaurant showcasing Friulian cuisine, like this pappardelle with smoked bacon and a poached egg.
Osteria Al Cappello (Casual). Osteria al Cappello is a rustic, casual restaurant in the middle of Udine within moments of Piazza San Giacomo. It quickly became a base for Ein Prosit, where you can also catch the headline chefs in the gathering for swift espressos (or more). Osteria Al Cappello is very affordable, with large portions of local dishes available for very reasonable prices. The staff also speak excellent English, if that’s important to you. Standout dishes include the crispy, gooey frico, cured meat plates, natural wine selection, and even cooked offal like the Friulian lungs. I walked away, wishing I had one in my neighbourhood.
Osteria Al Cappello. Via Paolo Sarpi, 5, 33100 Udine, Italy. Osteria Al Cappello’s Instagram. Tel. +390432299327.
Caffé Al Portello (Bar). It is a bar inside an arched arcade perfect for swift drinks and small bites to pass the time between tastings and dinners. We enjoyed reasonably-priced glasses of regional wine and small bites of olives and pastries. I highly recommend joining the locals after work while sipping glistening glasses of Aperol Spritz. Enjoy looking around this small space. Grab a seat in the nooks in the back and look at the painted ceilings.
Caffé al Portello. Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, 11/15, 33100 Udine, Italy. Caffé Al Portello’s Website. Tel. +393406832387.
Caffe al Portello features both an inside and al fresco drinking areas with snacks.
Hell’s Bistrot (Casual Cafe). A very casual, budget-friendly cafe serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and takeaway sandwiches. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast here with the owners, who also have a small dog with bags of character. It is family-friendly, no reservations required, and it is placed inside a little labyrinth arcade, allowing for some al fresco dining.
Hell’s Bistrot. Corte Savorgnan, 9, 33100 Udine, Italy. Hell’s Bistrot’s Instagram. Tel. +393281352290.
Castellarian (Cafe). Your quintessential espresso and pastry grab-and-go. Think espresso, cappuccino, cornetto (or croissants) and other sweet treats. Catellarian features a lot of al fresco eating space if you want to sit outside and look at passersby across the little piazza.
Castellarian. Piazza XX Settembre, 13, 33100 Udine, Italy. Castellarian’s Instagram. Tel. +390432630580.
Agli Amici (Fine Dining). Agli Amici is the most accomplished and formal of the restaurants on this list. There is a chance it will be busy hosting the other visiting chefs from the Ein Prosit event. However, you can book a wonderful lunch at this two Michelin-starred restaurant. You can read my full review here, but – spoiler alert – it was one of the best restaurants I visited. The service is warm and impeccable. The platting and cooking are exceptional. Agli Amici is about 15 minutes by car outside the city, but if you can get here, you’ve done very well and will regret nothing.
Ristorante Agli Amici 1887. Via Liguria, 252, 33100 Udine, Italy. Agli Amici’s Instagram. Tel. +390432565411.
Agli Amici is a two Michelin-starred restaurant just outside Udine serving stunning dishes.
Osteria Altran (Fine Dining). Osteria Altran is far from Udine, about 45 minutes from the city centre. Like Agli Amici, it may also host some of the headline chefs in its venue. However, it is worth a journey based on the one dinner I enjoyed here with two visiting chefs. Osteria Altran is a one Michelin Star restaurant in the Friulian countryside, holding one star for 20 years. It’s smart interior is homely with libraries of books and an open dining room (but see if you can get a reservation inside the bright teal green dining room on the side). Chef Alessio Devide’s food leans modern Italian with a clear focus on ingredients and presentation. It would be wise to come here for lunch so you can return to Udine for dinners and evening parties.
Osteria Altran. Via Cortona, 19, 33050 Ruda, Italy. Osteria Altran’s Instagram. Tel. +390431969402.
There were some other restaurants that I needed the opportunity to check out. These restaurants are La Nicchia – Ristorante con Cucina Sarda & Bottega, a Sardinian restaurant, Aquila Nera Ristorante and Vitello d’Oro.
Inside Osteria Altran’s private dining room and a selection of their recent Michelin plaques.
Ein Prosit, Where to Stay In Udine
Astoria Hotel Italia. This larger, historical four-star hotel is very comfortable and – conveniently – doubles as an event space for some wine masterclasses on the ground floor. It is an easy 5-minute walk from Piazza San Giacomo and within 5 to 10 minutes of Udine’s restaurants and sites. The rooms are on the larger European side (so smaller for American or Middle Eastern visitors). The wifi is reliable, the showers are hot, and the hotel team are supportive and helpful. The Astoria Hotel Italia is the ‘no-brainer’ option for Ein Prosit, but you should plan because it books up quickly.
Astoria Hotel Italia. Piazza XX Settembre, 24, 33100 Udine, Italy. Astoria Hotel Italia’s Website. Tel. +390432505091.
Scenes around Udine’s historic architecture and piazzas
Ein Prosit, Culinary Day Trip
Hiša Franko (Fine Dining). Forty-five minutes away lies Hisa Franko, one of the world’s best restaurants led by Ana Ros, former Best Female Chef award-winner. Hisa Franko sports 3 Michelin Stars, and it is a frequent lister on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Therefore, you need to book far ahead. I recommend a comfortable lunch here overlooking the Slovenian mountains and nearby fields. See if you can bag a restaurant tour, including the exceptional wine cellar. Hisa Franko offers one of the best juice pairings I’ve ever experienced if you are considering driving back to Udine.
Inside Hisa Franko, one of the world’s best restaurants led by Ana Ros.
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