For the ‘4 questions for’ section, we spoke to Adriano Feraco, host at the Ristorante ‘Da Adriano’ in the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski in St. Moritz. In addition to sharing his signature dish, Adriano also told us about the best compliment he has ever received.
Adriano, you have been the soul of Ristorante ‘Enoteca’ at the Kempinski St. Moritz since 2006, and the restaurant has borne your name ‘Da Adriano’ since 2022. Before that, you spent 12 years on the high seas and ran the Italian fine dining restaurant on the MS Europa 2. You have had countless encounters with guests and celebrities. Without naming any names, what was the craziest or most special experience with a guest?
I had a particularly exceptional experience with an international guest who came to our hotel with his family for several years. With my best service manners, I made sure that he and his family felt completely at ease. A few years later, he invited me to his home country of Baku, Azerbaijan, to return the favour for my hospitality. During my stay there, I had many unforgettable experiences and breathtaking adventures.
What fascinates you about the hospitality industry
What fascinates me most is the direct contact with guests and the trust that quickly builds up – similar to a hairdresser. As a host, I rely on receiving immediate feedback, and that’s what makes it so appealing. I find it particularly exciting to work with people from different cultures and nationalities. If you master your profession and live it with honesty and authenticity, you immediately feel the appreciation and success of your work.
What is the best compliment you have ever received from a guest?
I receive many compliments from guests and each one means a lot to me. After all, it shows me that I’m on the right track. The fact that our restaurant has been ranked in the top 120 in a short space of time and is number 1 in its category is a great success and proof of the passion we put into our work.
But the most honest and valuable compliment for me is the trust that has been placed in me to run my own restaurant under my own name at the highest level. It takes a lot of commitment and passion – and that is exactly what makes this trust one of the best compliments I have ever received.
Which dish is a must-try at Ristorante ‘Da Adriano’?
All the dishes at ‘Da Adriano’ are unique and are prepared with great dedication by our chef Michele Caglioni before I present them at the table. But one dish is particularly close to my heart because I discovered it on one of my trips around the world and immediately added it to our range:
Spaghetti con Caviale al Burro – sautéed spaghetti served with caviar ‘a part’ for individual savouring. This dish is a real favourite and is often chosen as a special delicacy.
