In the lush “secret garden” of the Atrium at Alexander’s Lounge, the team of the Hotel Grande Bretagne welcomed select journalists and food lovers for a special evening dedicated to gastronomy.
Amid olive trees, blooming flowers, and the aromas of Italian cuisine, Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis of the iconic hotel shared the inspiration behind the renewed Il Giardino Segreto menu, centered around the queen of Mediterranean cuisine — the tomato. Guided by his culinary instinct, he set out to grow his own tomatoes and succeeded, sourcing rare varieties such as Datterini, Nelly’s Grape, Marmande, and Fiorentino Costoluto. Grown by hand using natural methods by a small-scale farmer on the slopes of Mount Pateras, these tomatoes are transformed into a homemade sauce, cooked with fleur de sel and extra virgin olive oil, and preserved in glass jars.
In front of the guests, the chef prepared fresh pasta with this exceptional sauce and aged San Michali cheese.
The menu also featured handcrafted sourdough pizza with slow fermentation — crispy on the outside and soft within — served in four delectable variations:
- Tomato, mozzarella & basil
- Feta, pepper, olives, onion & capers
- Mortadella, buffalo stracciatella, basil pesto & Aegina pistachio
- A cacio e pepe-inspired option with pecorino, ricotta, parmesan & freshly ground pepper
Additional highlights included:
- Focaccia with confit peppers and anchovy
- Panzanella with burrata and sweet cherry tomatoes
- A fine selection of Italian cheeses and cold cuts, freshly sliced on an impressive vintage slicing machine.
The evening concluded with sweet creations by talented Pastry Chef Alexandros Koufas. Alongside the authentic tiramisu and handmade gelato buffet, he presented the spectacular Armenoville live: a fresh parfait gently softened and enriched with caramelized nuts and meringue, served with warm chocolate sauce.
The dining experience was perfectly paired with two exquisite sparkling wines from Ca’ del Bosco — white and rosé. These renowned Italian Franciacorta wines, produced in the internationally acclaimed Lombardy region, are made using the traditional champagne method, offering superior quality. The white Ca’ del Bosco will also be available by the glass, giving guests of the Atrium the opportunity to explore one of Italy’s most distinguished wine regions.
The evening concluded with an unforgettable experience that combined the signature hospitality of the Hotel Grande Bretagne with an exceptional, sustainability- and locality-inspired menu — all within the most atmospheric garden in the city.
ATRIUM OF ALEXANDER’S LOUNGE
IL GIARDINO SEGRETO MENU | 17:30 – 23:30
Tel: +30 210 3330748..
