We had always had the certainty that the greater attention paid to vegetables by almost all Italian chefs not only met with increasing approval from the public, but had raised the general level of Italian cuisine. Now the applause also comes from guide We’re Smart Green which rewards restaurants where the creative use of seasonal vegetables prevails, the percentage of fruit and vegetable dishes on the menu, the minimization of waste and, in general, a strong focus on eco-sustainability. The idea came from the Belgian chef Frank Fol, former owner of the starred restaurant Sire Pynnock and now "green consultant": he reviews the places around the world recommended for their approach to garden products. The 2020 edition, recently presented online, has 1000 of them scattered across different continents, but for the first time Italy is making a good leap forward. There are 31 places who conquered five to one radish.

You are at the top

There is a fact that is particularly pleasing. In the list there are historical or very trendy names of our cuisine, but also lesser known places, in the province or managed by enthusiasts who are not part of the circuit. Our gallery is dedicated to them. At the top there are obviously Piazza Duomo in Alba led by Enrico Crippa (green award in the last edition); Arnolfo from Colle Val d’Elsa with Gaetano Found in directing; Joia (which in 2018 had won the Best Veggie Restaurant Award) by Pietro Leemann in Milan; Lume by Luigi Taglienti always under the Madonnina; the new steak La Madernassa in Guarene with the young Michelangelo Mammoliti to lead the kitchen, and the Montali Country House in Tavernelle di Panicale, in the province of Perugia.

Tuscany protagonist

Here are the other winners. With four radishes: Il Margutta (Rome), S. Hubertus (San Cassiano, Bz), Krèsios (Telese Terme, Bn), La Montecchia (Selvazzano Dentro, Pd), Villa Feltrinelli (Gargnano, Bs). With three radishes: Avignonesi Le Capezzine (Valiano di Montepulciano, Si), Le Calandre (Sarmeola di Rubano, Pd), Exki Italy (it's a chain), I Portici (Bologna), Accursio (Modica, Rg). With two radishes: Osteria Le Logge (Siena), Osteria Perillà (Rocca d'Orcia, Si), Restaurant Sadler (Milan), Taverna Vesuviana (Nola, Na), Villa Crespi (Orta San Giulio, No), Chi Burdlaz (Rimini), Dagorini ( San Piero in Bagno, Fc), Il Nazionale (Vernante, Cn), Il Povero Diavolo (Poggio Torriana, Rn), Il Vegetariano (Florence), Magnolia (Cesenatico, Rn). With a radish: La Grotta (Montepulciano, Si), Osteria La Porta (Monticchiello di Pienza, Si), Mandarin Oriental silk (Milan), Al Fornello da Ricci (Ceglie, BR).

The best dishes

Among the prizes awarded by the guide, even those for single dishes, which form an ideal international menu, from appetizer to dessert according to Frank Fol. Here they are: Radish salad, peas, fresh herbs and flowers. Benoit & Bernard Dewitte – Zingem, Belgium; Stuffed lettuce braised with fennel, mango, lemon, oregano and croutons from L’Oustau de Baumanière, Les Baux de Provence, France; Mushroom tartlets with fresh Bon Bon thyme – Brussels, Belgium; "Kalette" sprouts with olive oil and fresh black truffle by Xavier Pellicer – Barcelona, ​​Spain; Belgian endive “Tarte tatin” with Graanmarkt mustard leaves – Antwerp, Belgium; 3 x kohlrabi by Enrico Crippa, Piazza Duomo; Potatoes, sea lavender and Bord’eau butter – Amsterdam, Netherlands; Grilled cardone, grapes, lemon and basil from the Château de Bourglinster, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; Cucumber, avocado, lemon, crumble and Zilte flowers – Antwerp, Belgium. Also note the three best 'green' restaurants on the planet, according to the guide: the French Culina Hortus by Thomas Bouanich and Maxime Rémond in Lyon, Vanilla Black of the spouses Andrew Dargue and Donna Conroy in Holborn, London.