Chef Mario Comitale - A Taste of Emilia

Set within the historic greenhouse of Relais Roncolo 1888, nestled in the green hills of the wine estate Tenuta di Roncolo, Ristorante Limonaia offers a unique dining experience where Emilian culinary tradition meets modern elegance. Once home to the estate's lemon trees, the greenhouse is bathed in natural light and boasts a terrace with sweeping views of the Matildic hills; a tranquil escape that fosters the estate's sustainability, biodiversity and the timeless charm of the Emilian countryside.

Chef Mario Comitale, originally from Naples, is a tireless researcher of quality raw materials sourced mainly from small local producers and has been instrumental in creating the fresh, modern Emilian cuisine that Ristorante Limonaia has become known for. His menu presents a contemporary twist on classic Emilian cuisine. Each dish draws inspiration from the renowned bounty of 'Italy's Food Valley', featuring iconic ingredients like aged Parmigiano Reggiano, traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia, the estate-own organic Lambrusco, succulent cured meats and an impressive range of DOP and IGP products. Sourcing primarily from Roncolo's organic gardens and trusted local producers, Ristorante Limonaia embodies a farm-to-table philosophy rooted in the principles of regenerative agriculture.

Highlights of the menu reflect Emilia's vibrant flavours and textures. Begin with the Culatello di Zibello, served on Pan Brioche with butter and a delicate Giardiniera, or savour the Suckling Pig paired with carrots, agretti, and a tangy mustard grain sauce. For pasta lovers, the hand-made Cappelletti in a rich 24-month Parmesan cream offer a deeply satisfying taste of local craftsmanship, while the Seven Tomatoes Risotto celebrates the natural sweetness of the region's sun-ripened produce. Seafood dishes like Spaghettone with Spring Onion, Cuttlefish, Prawns, and Fish Soup Extract bring a touch of the Mediterranean to the Emilian hills, and for something truly memorable, the Grilled Celery Root with oyster leaves, béarnaise sauce, and vegetable stock is a plant-based delight.

Complement your meal with a curated wine pairing specially selected to highlight the flavours of each dish. With every bite and sip, Ristorante Limonaia invites you on a journey through Emilia, blending the estate's heritage with a modern dedication to quality and taste. Here, surrounded by the beauty of Terre di Canossa – discover the art of Italian cuisine in its most authentic form.

Within the estate, stay at the once noble country pad of Marquises and Counts – the Roncolo1888 is a boutique guesthouse-hotel dating back to the 16th century set within 130 hectares of organic land and the Venturini Baldini viticultural estate in the heartlands of Emilia.