Spain is one of those countries known and recognized because of its great gastronomy. Madrid is the city par excellence where you can find almost everything you want. It is overcrowded with a huge and varied offer of restaurants: providing from the most traditional and classical cuisine, to the most avant-garde and gourmet one. In that sense, when it comes to open a new business, there must be something else than food to be taken into account. It is the case of “Aió”: an Italian restaurant which has become one of the favorite places of foodies all around the capital.
A multicultural idea
In 2011, Marcello Caschili and Andrea Pirastu arrived to Madrid looking for a total change in their professional life. That is how the two Sardinian friends opened “Aió”, an Italian restaurant with one clear objective: offering a different and innovative concept of the most traditional and homemade Italian food. However, the history and creation of “Aió”did not started in Madrid, but in several places all around the world.
The place and environment
The restaurant is located in Malasaña, one of the most popular and visited districts in Madrid. An area full of leisure facilities for all kind of tastes, with great atmosphere and filled with young people.
“We could not have chosen a better place: it totally represents our motto and lifestyle”
Marcello and Andrea wanted for Aió just that: a place in which gastronomy, culture, entertainment and originality meets under a site with an industrial air. That is how they reflected it when designing the restaurant. They put their own personality to make it a simple, friendly and comfortable place. Despite its scruffy appearance, every detail is cared: soul music, soft lights, old photo panels and furniture from the 80s.
Following the style and atmosphere of Malasaña, both owners decided to add a bicycle parking on the downstairs floor. They wanted to dedicate a space for this vehicle which is gaining more and more popularity around the city. Moreover, you can also find in the restaurant an exposition of “Abici”: Italians handmade bicycles which can be purchased. Just like the furniture that decorates the space. It is from “La Brocantrie”and it is also on sale; you just need to ask for its price.
From the traditional “pizzettas” to the Aperol Spritz.
The restaurant’s specialty are “pizzettas”: a typical dish originally from Sardinia. It is a kind of individual pizza, which is folded in half and filled with different ingredients. They have become really popular, as both owners have tried from the very beginning to make them with natural and fresh ingredients from Italy. In that way, their initial objective was to bring a small piece of Cagliari and its tradition to the city center of Madrid. However, this is not its only offer. They have a varied menu with all different Italian dishes.
But, there is another different proposal through which Marcelo and Andrea are bringing closer Sardinia’s culture within Madrid. They have called it “Aperaió”. On Wednesdays from 8:30 pm, it is offered the official “Italian buffet” which includes an Aperol Spritz: the famous Italian aperitif that combines a mix of seltzer, champagne and Aperol and which is finished with a slice of orange and plenty of ice. During this specific night of “Aperaió”, people can taste the real Italian aperitif accompanied in most of the times with live music.
Even though, Wednesdays are not just the unique day in which they offer an alternative idea. They have different proposals all over the week, as it is the example of their "Black Mondays". What is more, the Italian restaurant is increasing its popularity, not only because of the aforementioned, but for the wide variety of wines and beers they also present in their menu.
Since 2011 “Aió” has tried to adapt to the bohemian environment of Malasaña without forgetting its origins: Cagliari. These days, many are the ones who identify and define the Italian restaurant as a “travel”to Sardinia and its tradition, without leaving the heart of Madrid.
As Marcello and Andrea explains, now that they have fulfilled their initial objective: creating and consolidating an Italian culture of pizzas from an innovative approach, it is time to “open up borders and rise above the challenges of a new project”. What it is still unknown is what they have in mind, so there is no other alternative than keeping waiting until everything is ready.