I remember the first time I discovered Il Santo Bevitore. Stopping outside a large glass window via di Santo Spirito, I peered into a restaurant full of diners looking at ease beneath the elegant arched ceiling of the dining room. With low lighting and lots of candles, there was serenity and warmth in the room. This drew me to the menu displayed on a plinth by the restaurant entrance, and my senses were intrigued: I must dine here. And I have many times since.
Il Santo Bevitore is one of those restaurants you keep returning to if you enjoy seasonal Italian produce with a twist on tradition. Opened in 2002 by siblings Marco and Martina Baldesi and friend Stefano Sebastiani, their aim was for quality food at smart prices, and it doesn’t disappoint. The restaurant’s name translates to “the holy drinker”, and the décor is a testament to this. Just look up to see rows of bottles from the 100 wines displayed around the dining room. You can have fun pairing the perfect wine with the meats and cheeses sourced from small artisan producers across Italy. Or your main dishes inspired by Italian produce yet with a modern flair.
The dining room sits in an old coach house
Simple yet elegant, with white walls, dark wood tables, unpatterned china, and clear glassware. Il Santo Bevitore creates the ambience to suit a romantic dinner for two or a group ready for a foodie night out. Years after opening in 2002, Il Santo Bevitore remains a hub of activity every night of the week. Head chef Luca Marin creates dishes that change as regularly as the seasonal produce they source.
Vegetables are bought from local greengrocers. However, the combinations are not the traditional Italian norm. Confit duck thigh with turnip blossoms and orange or Cauliflower foam soup with fried quinoa, capers, and coffee. With a range of seafood, handmade pasta, and vegetarian dishes, Il Santo Bevitore is an exciting place for passionate eaters.
In 2008, the team opened their bar equivalent, Il Santino, a few doors down the cobbled street. This small wine and gastronomic bar is established within the restaurant’s old wine cellar. So, be it a substantial meal or just a quality glass of wine, the Santo team can offer the perfect solution.
Photo © Sofie Delauw
