This November, to celebrate his love of all things Italian Sir Rocco Forte and Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair will stage a festive ‘Italian takeover’ of the hotel’s restaurant and neighbouring Donovan Bar by two ‘masters of Italy’ – celebrated chef Heinz Beck and drinks maestro Salvatore Calabrese.
For this special six week takeover Heinz Beck of three Michelin starred ‘La Pergola’ in Rome will create Ora, an Italian inspired pop-up in the hotel’s restaurant and drinks legend Salvatore Calabrese will take residency in the Donovan bar celebrating the art of the aperitivo with a specially curated Martini and Negroni menu.
Heinz will make a return to London on November 13th serving a specially created Italian menu at Ora including signature dishes brought from La Pergola that exemplify his approach to Italian cooking that melds classic techniques with surprising but also comforting elements. Example dishes will include: Tagliolini with black salsifies, chives and white truffle from Alba and John Dory with curry, red beetroots on a light pesto sauce.
Regular visitors to Brown’s will notice the dining room has also been taken over by designer Ashley Hicks for the festive period.
Also launching on the 13th November, The Donovan Bar at Brown’s will see drinks maestro Salvatore Calabrese take residence to curate a special Martini and Negroni menu featuring some of his finest creations. These will include the now famous Martini he created whilst in residency at The Dukes Hotel in the 1908s and an extensive Negroni menu including Salvatore’s classic recipe alongside exciting twists such as the Negroni Svegliato and a very special Vintage Negroni.
Heinz Beck comments: “I’m excited to return to London and bring with me some of my favourite dishes created at La Pergola in Rome. It’s an honour to serve guests in such an illustrious hotel and I’m sure will be a fantastic six weeks!”
Salvatore Calabrese comments: “For me the Martini and Negroni are kings, they epitomise the perfect cocktail despite their simplicity they have stood the test of time and have remained forever popular and iconic. They are both close to my heart as the martini helped me to establish a name for myself back in the 80’s when I developed my method for the direct Martini and the Negroni was the first cocktail I attempted to make at the tender age of 12 for which I received a slap round the ear! ”