Aromi, Riccardo Lucque’s first restaurant in Prague got a full renovation last fall, when it moved from Manesova to Namesti Miru, undergoing a full transformation from logo, to decor to the available space.

It has been one of my favorite restaurants from the beginning where you suddenly felt transported into a cosy Italian restaurant of New York, with its classic atmosphere, dark wooden furniture, great food and swift service. The new Aromi with its large front area, second room opening both on a balcony and onto the kitchen, and a lower level leading to the garden, unfolds itself on a full new scale, which I was happy to photograph when a group of journalists were invited there for breakfast.

The large front area flooded with light reminds you this time of some sort of contemporary palazzo where the subdued colours of the armchairs play elegantly with the more energetic hues of the long bar. Beautifully populating the ceiling, a modern and graphical interpretation of traditional chinese lanterns replaces the crystal chandeliers you would expect in such an airy space. And it feels like you could stay for ever chatting with a good friend over a light salad or nice pastry in this last declension of the neo-bistro trend. Indeed, while the first room is devoted to the bistro atmosphere, the second room overlooking the garden feels more cosy and conducive to business lunches and dinners over the last menu of Chef Robert Loos whose Crispy Octopus, Ravioli allo zabajone e tartufo nero and Scallops au Gratin and Tuscan pappa al pomodoro all sound very promising.

The breakfast served that day consisted of a fresh fruit salad, yoghurt and cereals, egg Benedict and pancake with syrup prepared by the Chef himself. Bon Appétit!