The journey to Pesaro, Italian capital of culture 2024, is long, magical and detailed. “The nature of culture” is the slogan of the event, chosen to express the desire to explore all the interactions between art, nature and technology. A collective operation to rethink urban space in terms of proximity, identity, sustainable mobility and relaunch the cultural heritage of a city, starting from an idea of widespread, inclusive culture in dialogue with the environment. All this in Pesaro is expressed in many forms: on a gastronomic, artistic and hospitality level. A journey that can be experienced to the fullest by following these three stages.
Let’s begin the discovery of Pesaro with Our restaurant and the kitchen of Stefano Ciotti. We are located a stone’s throw from the sea and from Pesaro’s Piazzale della Libertà, where the Big Sphere created by the sculptor Arnaldo Tomato. Made for the Montreal Expo, it arrived in Pesaro at the beginning of the seventies. Nostrano opened in Pesaro in 2015 and all its essence is already in its name. A place that wants to talk about belonging to the roots. Being “Lostrani” for Stefano means being strongly connected to one’s places. The interiors, with attention to the smallest details by architect Andrea Trebbi, focus on light, and together with the warm tones reproduce the sensations of sea sand. The large windows are inevitable to fully exploit the proximity to the sea and which make visual immersion in the Adriatic pleasant. From the oak wooden floor, comfortable armchairs and naked tables in brass and resin stand out. The wine area designed like a small glass vault is immediately striking. Everything is ready to welcome guests in a “Day at the beach”. It is no coincidence that this is the name chosen for the restaurant’s flagship tasting menu.
Stefano Ciotti and the staff
Nostrano’s cuisine starts from a clear leitmotif: “In front of the sea, happiness is a simple idea”. From this assumption Stefano Ciotti wanted to create a special menu to bring back child guests for a few hours. The aim is to remember the beauty of the first time at the seaside, the enthusiasm of the “fairytale” that represents the sea. The perception of the land, combined with that of the sea, marks the meaning of the menu. In the room to accompany the experience Ion Chelicirestaurant manager, e Stefany Piga, whose precise and punctual service gives further value to all proposals. They complete the team, Fabio Pellizzaro, the right hand in the kitchen and, last but not least, Giorgia Stocchi, Stefano’s wife. A perfectly functioning gear that has already boasted a Michelin star since 2017.
Sepia in the wind
The gastronomic journey begins immediately with a tribute to art and the territory. A “Tomato au gratin in the 21st Century” is a clear dedication to the large sphere just mentioned by Arnaldo Pomodoro. It arrives immediately after what is probably one of the aesthetic protagonists of the dinner, the Cucciolone and Spritz. A seafood spritz prepared like a classic Venetian one with only the addition of a sea water bitter, and one of the most famous childhood ice creams, the Cucciolone. This time in the chef’s tasty savory version, the biscuit has a filling of fois gras, balsamic vinegar from Modena and passito verdicchio. Among the dishes on the menu, the pappardelle with cacio e pepe, squid stew, broad beans, lemon and juniper stand out. The intent is clear, to bring the sea to the mountains, combining the slightly spicy creaminess of the pecorino filling with seafood.
Puppy
How can we not also mention “Monte San Bartolo in spring”. Another dish with a clear reference to the Marche region. A dish created thanks to the weekly walk of the restaurant boys on the mountain overlooking the Adriatic. A mix of herbs and flowers, fennel, broad bean hummus, Cau&Spada pecorino first salt, vegetables such as asparagus and peas and marine influences such as paccasassi and seaweed. Nostrano keeps you hooked until the end with fun and characteristic elements. To greet the guests he asks for a hand from one of the most famous people from Pesaro: Gioacchino Rossini. The small pastry samples are served inside a custom-made theater, which lights up upon arrival at each table. Each taste brings with it references to the composer’s works, ranging from Inganno Felice to Gazza Ladra.
To accompany high-level culinary experiences, from 2023 Pesaro boasts a new high-profile hospitality, with the Charlie Urban Hotel, a ten minute walk from the Nostrano restaurant. The new four stars of Lindbergh Hotels & Resorts it is the third Pesaro hotel of the chain, opened just under a year ago. Born after an important redevelopment work of the former Cruiser hotel, one of the most iconic buildings in the city, Charlie Urban Hotel is a meeting point and exchange of ideas for Pesaro Capital of Culture 2024. The structure, in full modern and innovative style, it was renovated according to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability criteria. In fact, all the greenery in the hotel is irrigated using a rainwater recovery system while a photovoltaic system will be built on the roof. In each of the 117 rooms there is a latest generation system which, using sensors, detects the presence of the guest in the room and activates automation mechanisms to control the air conditioning, the lights and the room facilities in general. In the absence of guests, the room turns off, thus limiting energy consumption and its impact on the environment. The hotel’s name takes inspiration from Charles Lindbergh, the creative pioneer and aviator who inspired the founder of the Nardo Filippetti group. The Charlie Urban Hotel presents itself as an urban-style hotel that offers an authentic Italian experience. Inside the hotel there are also five meeting areas that can be modulated together for a total of eight different rooms, perfect for becoming meeting spaces, two of which directly overlook the sea. To complete the hotel’s services there are the Charlie Bar, a panoramic venue located on the top floor, and a conference room.
In Pesaro a place that touches the heart is the one dedicated to the famous composer from Pesaro. “He was a genius on the run. / From his time, from mediocrity, / from the revolution, / from the music of the future, / from his land, from the obvious, / from pedants, from modernity. / And obviously, like everyone else, / by himself”. This is how he describes it Gioacchino Rossini Alessandro Baricco, honoring one of the greatest artists in Italian history. And the Rossini National Museum it does the same with spaces that tell the life, the man and the greatness of the artist, but also the relevance of Gioacchino Rossini’s work. Visitors to this immersive museum are invited into Rossini’s world, told like an opera, a musical metaphor of his intense life. A fascinating journey, divided into ten rooms, which follows the biographical stages of the composer and the boundless operatic production of his career, set from time to time in the historical context, between places and characters (relatives, teachers, impresarios, singers, musicians, politicians , rulers). The museum is the narrative of a long artistic and sentimental journey, one of a kind, compelling, dramatic and full of curious anecdotes; of a life lived as a melodrama at the same time serious and comical, painful and loving, with fiascos and incredible successes. Gioachino Rossini is the undisputed protagonist of the museum and also of the city of Pesaro. A great “star”, son of an era that generated the first ante litteram pop star in European musical history.
Cover: Rosa di Pesaro
