Andree restaurant — Restaurant in La Spezia

Sequestered behind a commanding metal door, Andree in La Spezia, Italy, stands as a stronghold of culinary innovation and impeccable service. Helmed by the gifted Chef Besana, the restaurant showcases a repertoire of modern Italian gastronomy that truly astounds with its mastery of fresh, simple ingredients.

Dining at Andree on two separate occasions, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a diverse array of Besana's creations. The kitchen team didn't disappoint, delivering plates that blurred the lines between tradition and innovation, while retaining the soulful flavors of Italian cuisine.

The Mussels and Chickpeas elevated by lemon zest and a pesto of radish greens, spoke volumes about the chef's dexterity in nuanced flavor profiles. The warm pigeon breast salad presented a delightful contrast of textures and flavors, with blueberries, succulent grilled peaches, and subtle hints of spices. Lastly, the Fiordilatte and Eggplant Tortelli, served with sun-infused roasted tomatoes and black olives, was a testament to the kitchen's respect for Italian culinary traditions while deftly breathing a modern spirit into them.

Housed under a historic 13th-century brick-vaulted ceiling, Andree perfectly fuses the past and present, offering a dining environment steeped in history yet adorned with contemporary lighting and tastefully modern window decor. This creates a truly intimate and comfortable dining space, an oasis amidst the bustling pedestrian streets of La Spezia.

The service team, from the warm reception to the attentive waitstaff, upheld the highest standard of professionalism, contributing significantly to the overall dining experience. A special accolade goes to the young sommelier, who left a remarkable impression with his insightful wine pairings, showcasing an intriguing rare collection of local and international labels.

We left Andree quite impressed. The restaurant is undeniably performing at a level deserving of a star in the Michelin guide. We anticipate seeing that well-deserved recognition in the near future. Indeed, Andree offers more than just a meal; it provides a vivid testament to the endless potential of modern...

Quite a good surprise

We found this restaurant a bit by chance while scrolling across ones with good reviews. Once through the heavy entrance door, you immediately see the semi open kitchen on the left while you are welcomed by the staff. You are then led to the intimate dining room (~30 seats) that has a cave-like touch with its arch-shaped brick ceiling.

We were served a squid minestrone appetizer with a marinated radish slice, with a touch of mayonnaise made with champagne vinegar. Four types of bread were available during the diner, and they were all excellent (French people here, we are very picky on this topic). We both chose the two-course menu, with pairing wines (one glass with each course). The nettle leaf gnocchi with blueberries were great, and the lamb crepinette was an interesting setup. It was the first time we tried amberjack, therefore we did not know what to expect, but we liked it. The rice of the white asparagus risotto may have needed a longer cooking as we found it a bit too crunchy. The wine were all Italians, and the rosé coming with the lamb is a local product from 5 terre. The restaurant's choice for pairing them with the food was good, although we chose to switch glasses between the gnocchi and the amberjack. The blueberries brought some acidity and the selected wine reinforced that taste, a bit too much. The wine coming with the amberjack was sweeter in comparison, and the balance was better. On the other hand, we thought the acidity brought a different dimension to the fish. We continued with desserts, and the black forest was exquisite, although it definitely did not look like one. The blueberries cream tart was very light, and crunchy at the same time. Finally, when we thought we were done, we were brought sweet chocolates (a kind of mignardise), stuffed with various flavors (raspberry, coconut...), and a candied fruit paste.

We also had the opportunity to discuss with the chef when we left. He told us a bit about the background of the restaurant and he offered us to try other mignardises.

Total bill was 132 EUR and it was definitely...

Ambiance, presentation, pretentiousness - 10. The actual food itself, good, but not worthy of the hoopla surrounding it.

The risotto was coated in ponzu sauce which completely over powered the dish. When that was removed you were left with honestly very well seasoned risotto that was sadly far over salted.

The cold spaghettini was a very nice noodle. The tomatoes were fresh and quality. However, when serving a cold dish it is all the more important for the flavor profile to be on point… and this was lacking. It had anchovies in it, but far too little for it to add meaningfully to the flavor profile. For starters it could use some basil and pepper.

Lastly I had the smoked cod. Definitely fresh fish, smoked fantastically, and that flavor really came through. The sauces however somewhat detracted from the flavor of the fish without really adding anything. What a pity as the fish was really prepared quite well.

The wine pairing was good.

Overall a fantastic choice if you are trying to impress your date, but a poor choice if you or your date enjoy...