Armando de Pantheon

After being submersed in Italian cuisine for a few months, I am beginning to truly understand the importance of fresh, natural ingredients to Italian food culture. When our class visited Armando de Pantheon, a restaurant known for its fresh ingredients, I got a chance to talk with the owner who truly respects natural ingredients in his cuisine. Armando gets his fresh ingredients every morning from the open markets and prepares it that day because he wants to respect the seasons. He says that a set menu with consistent dishes is not fresh and doesn’t respect the seasons. That is why he only cooks with the produce that is available that day. His menu also changes with the seasons as well. He said food is more than putting ingredients together, but an emotional and personal thing. It comes from the heart and is inspired by his family's traditions. His restaurant is well respected for this reason and he has a lot of regular customers (especially famous painters). Some artists love it so much that they will donate a piece of their art and the owner hangs it up on the wall. He is very loyal to his customers and considers them all his friends. He is inspired by them and says that each painting has sentimental value. Armando is an incredible chef and I can’t wait to finally experience his cuisine!