Il Giardino del Gusto

The story

Il Giardino del Gusto, Ventimiglia – Contemporary Seafood with Piedmont Roots

Chef Emanuele Donalisio

Born and raised in the Piedmont countryside, chef Emanuele Donalisio developed his love for cooking in his family home, surrounded by the scents of vegetable gardens and undergrowth. After formal studies, he refined his skills at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant on the Thames under Michel Roux, then travelled the world, gathering inspirations that would later define his own style. That style, he explains, is a synthesis of tradition and international realities – a point of view that earned the restaurant a Michelin Recommended recognition.

The Cuisine

At Il Giardino del Gusto, the menu changes with the seasons and draws from three key elements: the day’s catch from the sea, vegetables and legumes from the restaurant’s own potager “La Ciapeleta,” and the rich bounty of the mountains, including game and cheeses from the hinterland. Donalisio is committed to spreading knowledge of local ingredients, especially those less known or at risk of disappearing, to preserve biodiversity. The result is contemporary cooking that pairs local raw materials with global aromas – never forced, always intriguing.

Signature Dishes

Among the antipasti, foie gras appears with scorpionfish, black cabbage, and the house démi-glace – a dish that balances richness and depth. The tortelloni of Iberian ham, lobster, and Piennolo tomato is a first course that has become a staple. For the main, a gratinated cod heart with almond and nori crumble, sea urchin, parmentier, and savoy cabbage showcases the kitchen’s precision. A dedicated “L’orto del vicino” menu offers a three-course selection of vegetables from the garden, changing daily.

Tasting Menus and Atmosphere

The tasting menus are built around a journey through these elements. The #Signature JRE menu, for example, moves from raw fish with artichoke to the foie gras and scorpionfish, then to a carnaroli risotto with Hokkaido pumpkin, marrow, pink prawns, and liquorice powder, finishing with the cod heart and a banana millefeuille. The setting in Ventimiglia, on Piazza XX Settembre, is casual elegant – long trousers and closed shoes requested for men, and pets welcome with advance notice. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesday lunch.