Hotel Hassler Roma invites you to celebrate Valentine’s Day with timeless Italian romance. The Michelin-starred restaurant Imàgo and the Hassler Roma Bar present exclusive recipes from their gourmet multi-course Valentine’s menu created by Executive Chef Andrea Antonini. Featured dishes include Red Mullet with Foie Gras and Pomegranate, Seafood Fusilli, and a refined Millefoglie dessert. Below are two highlighted recipes — the Millefoglie dessert from Imàgo and the Hassler Roma signature cocktail “Stand By Me” — adapted for home preparation.
Imàgo’s Millefoglie, reimagined by Executive Pastry Chef Mariasole Martella under the direction of Chef Andrea Antonini, balances crisp texture with lightness, combining vanilla, wild strawberries and a touch of balsamic vinegar for a sophisticated contrast of sweet and tangy. To complement the dessert, Hassler Roma Bar’s bartender Stefano Santucci offers the “Stand By Me” cocktail — a velvety, berry-forward drink that mirrors the complex emotions of love.
Millefoglie Dessert
Recipe for 4 people:
This version of Millefoglie is crunchy yet light, with a puff pastry that achieves classic flakiness without butter or hydrogenated fats. The dessert is completed with a smooth vanilla crème pâtissière and topped with wild strawberries and a drizzle of raspberry balsamic vinegar for brightness.
Ingredients
- 5 cups milk
- 1/3 cup water
- 5 3/4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 11 egg yolks
- 2 3/4 cups cornstarch (maizena)
- 4 Bourbon vanilla pods
- 1 tsp salt
Imàgo Puff Pastry
- In a bowl, mix 1/3 cup water, 7/8 cup flour, 1 tsp salt and 5 3/4 tablespoons olive oil until combined.
- Roll out the dough thinly and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 7–8 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow to cool and crisp further on a rack before assembling.
Vanilla Crème Pâtissière
- In a saucepan, combine 5 cups milk, 1 cup whipping cream and the seeds from 4 vanilla pods. Heat to just under boiling, then remove from heat.
- Whisk together 3/4 cup sugar, 11 egg yolks and 5/8 cup cornstarch until smooth.
- Temper the egg mixture by pouring one-third of the warm milk into it while whisking vigorously.
- Return the tempered egg mixture to the saucepan with the remaining milk and cook over medium heat, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth and glossy. Continue cooking gently for an additional 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Transfer the crème pâtissière to a bowl, press cling film onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming, cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until needed.
To assemble and finish: Layer crisp puff pastry sheets with chilled vanilla crème pâtissière. Top with fresh wild strawberries and finish with a light drizzle of raspberry balsamic vinegar for a bright, tangy lift. Serve immediately so the pastry remains crisp.
“Stand By Me” Cocktail at Hotel Hassler Roma
“Love is a complex sentiment and this cocktail embodies its many facets.” — Stefano Santucci, Hassler Roma Bar
Ingredients (per serving):
- 8 teaspoons berry purée, prepared with cinnamon syrup and a dash of Cherry Heering
- 4 teaspoons Baileys Irish Cream
- 4 teaspoons vodka (Grey Goose recommended)
- 4 teaspoons milk cream
Garnish: Two fresh raspberries and a light dusting of nutmeg. Serve in an Old Fashioned glass.
Method:
- Blend fresh raspberries and strawberries with 10 ml cinnamon syrup, 2 tsp raspberry syrup and 2 tsp Cherry Heering to create a smooth berry purée.
- Place a layer of crushed ice in an Old Fashioned glass and pour the berry purée over the ice.
- Gently pour Baileys, vodka and milk cream over the ice so they create layered textures. Do not stir vigorously — the visual layering adds to the experience.
- Garnish with two fresh raspberries and a light sprinkle of nutmeg. Serve immediately.
Even if you can’t be at Hotel Hassler Roma this Valentine’s Day, these recipes bring a taste of Imàgo’s refined generosity into your home. The Millefoglie offers delicate crunch and aromatic vanilla, while the “Stand By Me” cocktail adds a velvety, berry-kissed finish to a romantic evening.