Il Gatto sull’Albicocco”: Between Felliniesque Nostalgia and Hospitality, the Manifesto of Woman & Hospitality 2026
In the maze of narrow streets in Rimini’s historic center lies a place that has made hospitality its absolute mantra. Il Gatto sull’Albicocco is the restaurant that, under the guidance of chef Luca Racis and restaurant manager Simona Saragoni, is spearheading a concrete project to promote front-of-house service and hospitality through its "Woman & Hospitality" initiative.
The very name, Il Gatto sull’Albicocco ("The Cat on the Apricot Tree"), evokes a narrative rooted deep in Romagna folklore. It draws inspiration from the poetry of Tonino Guerra, which famously influenced Federico Fellini for one of the iconic scenes in Amarcord—the eccentric Uncle Teo climbed up in the tree, shouting his desire for love to the world.
Opened in June 2021, this intimate 14-seat restaurant stems from the couple's vision to put their background in hotel management to good use, enriched by culinary research trips and internships around the globe.
The third edition of Woman & Hospitality has already kicked off with an inaugural evening on January 21st, featuring Allegra Tirotti Romanoff and Stefano Bizzarri from the restaurant Dalla Gioconda in Gabicce Monte. The event celebrated a collaboration between two young women professionals who share an approach to hospitality that strikes a balance between elegance and informality.
The calendar continues with two upcoming events:
- February 20: Simona Saragoni will co-host the evening alongside Andrea Gionchetti, Sommelier and Restaurant Manager of Qafiz, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Santa Cristina D’Aspromonte (Reggio Calabria).
- March 31: Maria Pia Costanzo and Pascal Tinari from Villa Maiella—holder of both a Red and Green Michelin Star in Guardiagrele (Chieti)—will join Simona as fellow Ambassadors for Noi Di Sala.
Completing the experience are Chef Racis’s dishes, promising creative pairings that combine culinary audacity with prestigious wine selections. Hand in hand with Simona Saragoni—Emilia-Romagna Ambassador for NDS (Noi Di Sala)—the goal is to serve as a reminder that hospitality is, above all, a matter of dedicated time and poetic roots firmly planted in the soil.
