Accademia Italiana della Cucina honored the Belvedere Restaurant with the symbol – "4 temples" – the highest rating, awarded to only the best restaurants in the world.

On March 23, Belvedere hosted nearly 30 members of the Academy – food and wine lovers from the worlds of culture and politics, journalists and experts on Italian culture and language, at a special dinner dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi, which they evaluated.

The menu for the evening was composed in accordance with the favorite recipes of the famous composer and was based on traditional Italian dishes and original Italian products. The guests evaluated the quality and taste of food, the wine selection, the service and the organization of the dinner as well as the atmosphere of the restaurant. The highest ratings were given to the Risotto a la Verdi (the recipe for which you can find below) and the dessert – a white chocolate mousse with Zubrowka vodka (our Belvedere and Polish touch on the Italian menu).

 "We felt not only 'pampered' culinary-wise, but also a truly friendly, homey atmosphere and a perfectionist approach in every way," wrote Ms. Anna Pavoni, a representative of the Academy in Poland.

Accademia della Cucina Italiana was founded in 1953 in Milan by Orio Vergani. The main idea behind this organization is to safeguard and promote traditional Italian cuisine, which the members of the academy see as the source of civilization and a form of expressing national culture. Through educational programs, seminars, fellowships and awards, the Accademia is fighting for the supremacy of culinary culture over the commercialization of food. The Accademia currently counts 212 Delegations in Italy and as much as 78 abroad, with a total of 7,000 members, who actively and work for the cultural heritage of Italy free of charge.

The Accademia publishes numerous publications on catering- and cooking-related subjects and a guide listing the restaurants which were awarded the "I ristoranti dell'Accademia" title. The guide (also available on-line) distinguishes with "temples" (from one to four) these restaurants which respect tradition and quality and which effectively combine professionalism and hospitality.

For over 50 years of its activity, the Accademia evaluated thousands of restaurants in Italy and around the world (including the USA, Canada, the Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Singapore, Turkey, Uruguay and major European cities). To date, only 180 restaurants worldwide were rated with four temples. Belvedere is the first Polish restaurant that received this highest distinction.

More at www.accademiaitalianacucina.it

Carte d'Or at Trou Madame and the Amfiteatr

In March, the Belvedere-Cafe Łazienki Królewskie company signed a contract with Unilever - owner of the Carte d'Or brand. Starting from April, you will be able to enjoy a new range of flavors at the Lazienki Park cafés Trou Madame and Amfiteatr.

Carte d'Or ice cream are created for those who adore authentic and unique flavor sensations. Highest quality ingredients are used to make them: vanilla ripening in the unique climate of Madagascar, Belgian chocolate that is widely regarded as the best in the world and raisins harvested in sunny California. Combining the creamy ice cream with specially selected ingredients guarantees a unique taste that will satisfy even the greatest connoisseurs.

In mid-April, we invite you to try out new ice cream desserts on the summer menu of both cafes. On Sundays in April we also invite you to visist the Belvedere Restaurant for family brunches with a Carte d'Or ice desserts station.

April at the Lazienki Park

On April 15, as part of the Salomon's Glasses educational series for children, we prepared a workshop entitled Noon of a Faun, during which the kids can have a fun time with the Faun, listening to his favorite tune and creating animals that no one has ever seen before, such as shoe-dragons or teddy-sauruses.

The Museum Education Center at the Royal Baths Museum and the K40 Association invite you to a special month at the Poetry Salons. In April, actors – Friends of Duśka – will read the greatest works of the great dramatist, donating their fees to the Daria Trafankowska Foundation. In the classical setting of the Old Orangery, every Sunday in April at noon (except April 8 – Easter Sunday) you will have the opportunity to hear great works of Shakespeare, accompanied by live music:

April 15 "Hamlet" read by: Mariusz Bonaszewski, Krzysztof Stroinski, Krzysztof Stelmaszyk with the accompaniment of song (Anna Sroka-Hryń) and piano (Jacek Kita).
April 22 "Romeo and Juliet" with guitar accompaniment by Adam Świtała, read by: Ewa Bułhak, Paweł Wawrzecki and Tomasz Traczyński.
April 29 "King Lear", accompanied by harp (Anna Sikorzak-Olek), read by: Jerzy Trela ​, Agnieszka Suchora, Dominika Kluźniak i Katarzyna Traczyńska.

Coffee and tea at the Poetry Salons is sponsored by Belvedere Restaurant.

More at:
www.lazienki-krolewskie.pl

Recipe of the month

Risotto a'la Giuseppe Verdi

Ingredients:
250 g Carnaroli rice
100 g fresh porcini mushrooms
1 liter of broth
4 pcs green asparagus
150 g Parma ham
150 g cherry tomatoes
50 ml extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
1 onion
4 bay leaves
100 g butter
100 g grated Grana Padano cheese
freshly grated black pepper
dry white wine

Heat oil in large saucepan. Fry garlic and onion, then sliced ​​mushrooms. When the water evaporates, add dry rice and fry for about 2 minutes. Then add salami and raw asparagus cut into pieces, add bay leaves, add broth in batches, until the rice becomes almost soft (about 15 minutes). Add tomatoes chopped into strips and ¼ cup white wine and simmer for about 3 - 5 minutes. Set aside from the heat and add raw butter and Parmesan cheese. Season with freshly ground pepper.