Tell Swide a bit about your story…

Beniamino Nespor: I was born in Milan but I moved to the States. Then I was back in Italy being a comis-chef and then an internship in a Michelin-starred restaurant. I already knew Beniamino from School and we decided to open here in Milan with Al Mercato.

Eugenio Roncoroni: Both my parents have travelled a lot, my mother is American and I have been back and forth. They taught me to get used to different flavours from different cultures. I did live in Milan until the end of high school and after some work experience I left for the States.

How is your cuisine? What do you want to communicate?

B.N.: We want to educate people about flavours different to the Italian ones.

E.R.: "There is more to life than pizza and spaghetti"

We think Italy needs quality ethnic food.

What do you like about Italy?

It is a beautiful country: the people are beautiful, although they are a bit small minded and they should be more open. We also have too much bureaucracy.

What is it that you always have in your fridge?

Usually we answer: water! It's the base of everything. But we also always have sriracha, a sauce made of chilli that is common in Thailand and California. It's essential in our dishes.

A quick recipe for Swide readers?

Tongue boiled in broth and sliced and seasoned with the green sauce (a typical Italian sauce used to accompany boiled meat, with parsley, boiled eggs, vinegar). 

Interview by: Elisa della Barba