The 2026 Sala Italiana Excellence Awards ceremony took place on May 5th in the prestigious setting of the Sala Capitolare of the Senate of the Republic in Rome , as part of an initiative promoted by Milano Wine Week and Wine List Italia .

Among the 2026 edition’s honorees was Nicola Dell’Agnolo , Maître and Restaurant Manager at Il Luogo Aimo e Nadia in Milan . The award, sponsored by the Senate of the Republic, involved 30 restaurant professionals, selected for their contribution to the evolution of dining room and service culture .

For Nicola, this is a milestone in a consolidated journey, which in recent months has seen him obtain the title of Best Maître 2026 awarded by Le Guide de L’Espresso.

The “ Excellence of the Italian Dining Room ” award focuses on aspects that are often less visible but central to the gastronomic experience: the ability to welcome, listening to the guest, the balance between presence and discretion, and the ongoing dialogue with the kitchen.

At Il Luogo Aimo e Nadia , Dell’Agnolo works closely with chefs Alessandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani , contributing to the creation of an experience that integrates service and culinary offerings into a coherent narrative. This approach is in keeping with the philosophy of the Territori project , which guides the group’s work and is based on the valorization of people, relationships, and identities, finding authentic expression in the dining room and in dialogue with guests.

The words of Nicola Dell’Agnolo:

Being awarded the Excellence of Italian Dining Room Award is a great satisfaction, not only for me personally but also for the entire family and the team at Il Luogo Aimo e Nadia. You never win alone: every award is the result of shared work, built day after day with the people who work alongside you. I hope this award can also be a positive and motivational message for young people and for the entire Italian cinema.