Mogano

The story

Mogano in Formello: A Contemporary Italian Kitchen Next to a Craft Brewery

The kitchen and its philosophy

Mogano in Formello operates as a modern Italian kitchen where regional produce meets techniques gathered across South America and Europe. Since opening beside the Ritual Lab brewery in September 2021, the space maintains an intimate footprint of five dining tables and a single chef station. This compact layout encourages direct observation of how local vegetables transform through precise heat control. Continuous recognition from the Michelin guide and the Green Guide reflects a steady commitment to seasonal sourcing.

Ingredients and pairings

The tasting menus range from three courses to eight, allowing guests to explore how cellar-aged craft beers complement each phase of the meal. House-made kombucha and botanical infusions provide alternative routes through the same flavor architecture. On Sundays, the entire venue opens for fully customized culinary journeys that begin with a brief consultation about dietary preferences. Those visits often include a walk through the adjacent fermentation rooms, followed by hands-on preparation steps.

Chef Matteo Faenza’s path

Matteo Faenza built his foundation at the Caprarola hospitality institute before spending formative years working alongside the Pomata family in Carloforte. His subsequent postings at Malabar in Lima, Nerua in Bilbao, and Boragó in Santiago equipped him with a toolkit of Latin American and Basque techniques. He now channels those international lessons into everyday Italian cooking that prioritizes ingredient integrity. The current brigade includes sous chef Riccardo Rossini and sommelier Denise Ranalletta.