By Federico Donti
In this issue we find ourselves telling exciting life stories: families linked to the Italian tradition, the beautiful ones that leave their mark; Fernando and Andrea belong to the Pioppi family, renowned throughout the territory for the Forno di Mantignana – which has been churning out artisanal specialties for more than 60 years. At the age of 50 (and with twenty years spent in the family business), Fernando had decided to change course, with a precise dream to realize.
So on June 19, 2022, Fernando Pioppi, his wife Alessia and his brother Andrea inaugurate a new restaurant: Il Sultano!
We are in a green valley at the foot of Monte Tezio, where in a very strategic point Fernando and his family have decided to open their creature, managing to gather all the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, of all ages. They started with a small artisanal ice cream parlour, which is still the flagship of the business.
In addition to his wife, Fernando also has his brother Andrea on his staff, who has an enviable curriculum and is a teacher at the University of Flavours (on topics such as ice cream, pastry, leavened products, savoury and so on).
In his youth, Fernando was the multifaceted organizer par excellence for friends and acquaintances, with his philosophy of fun: for this reason, they gave him “Sultan” as a stage name! As well as in life also in work and in fact, shortly after the ice cream parlour, the idea was born to offer a few more services: the place and the location lent themselves very well.
This brings us to the present day: today the Sultan offers everything from breakfasts to aperitifs, up to evening events. But let’s go into detail, with the assumption of informing you that all the products are of its own production, its great proposals feature espresso dishes, therefore made on the spot.
Tasty and summery are the aperitifs and cocktails to pair with their focaccia, pizza in pala and fried foods! Obviously, as a good sommelier, Fernando also offers a large selection of matching wines inside the Sultan, organizing real themed food and wine events.
In addition to a large indoor space, the restaurant also has an outdoor one so that you can organize cultural occasions, private parties, charity events; the Sultan’s staff is prepared to take care of the necessary choreographies and set-ups down to the smallest detail.
Il Sultano is in fact an artisan workshop where Andrea finds the answers to all the various problems that have arisen in recent times: intolerances. So, he is looking for quality flours to churn out vegan and lactose-free artisanal productions, shortcrust pastries and doughs for cakes and pies – even for religious celebrations: panettone, Easter cakes and doves. Obviously, the same attention is also paid to ice cream.
Fernando gratefully states that his project has come true thanks to all the friends and patrons of the restaurant who have grown fond of him since the first day, he thanks his family, his father and mother, who have been able to impart the necessary education and culture.
Info: Il Sultano, Via Johann Gutenberg 70 / Colle Umberto (PG) / Tel. 351 7294239
Open all day from 7 am to 12 am, except Mondays.