In the centre of Milan, on the top floor of the Luigi Rovati Foundation, stands Andrea Aprea’s two-Michelin-star Restaurant. This is a haute cuisine project that showcases the chef’s philosophy of exploring the relationship between memories and taste. Overlooking the internal courtyard is the Caffè Bistrot, a space whose offer aims to satisfy customers at any time of the day, with quality raw materials and the typical flair of the Neapolitan chef.
The interior design of the Restaurant, by Flaviano Capriotti, was conceived to create a path of discovery and surprise, in a continuous intertwining of light and dark, as in the dialogue among the surfaces in black bucchero and the long glazed path, to give a sense of theatrical intensity to the space. The same architectural studio has designed the Caffè Bistrot, proposing a narrative that develops around a palette of neutral tones and an undisputed predominance of wood combined in several finishes and processes – from natural to stained, blond and burnt, smooth and ribbed – to create a warm but not excessive environment that welcomes guests without overloading the atmosphere.
The restaurant covers an area of 400 square metres, with 36 seats spread over 8 tables facing the kitchen, which is completely open. The flagship is its wine room, a walk-in area seamless with the lounge, where guests may admire the 650 labels from all over the world that are on display.
An incredibly valuable collection, for which it was necessary to create specific units in terms of dimensions and technical features, able to perfectly preserve the bottles, while enhancing their display. The custom-made project was produced by Prisma, a Veneto-based company with over 40 years of experience in the catering field as well as special know-how in wine cellars.
The wine room glass doors show refrigerated stainless-steel compartments divided into shelves of different heights and enhanced by a specially-designed lighting system which enhances the labels, making them decorative elements. The internal ventilation allows for an even distribution of temperature, which is vital not only for the correct conservation of bottles, but also and foremost for their tasting. Finally, in the lower part of the columns some refrigerated compartments have been placed to store water bottles and other drinks.
On the other hand, the Caffè Bistrot, on the ground floor, welcomes its guests in a more casual setting, with twenty-two seats, plus another twelve in the outdoor area overlooking the secret garden of the palace. The panorama is directly connected to the interior design, as if framed, also thanks to the wide wrap-around windows. Once again Prisma has contributed here with the making of display showcases, refrigerated and heated, to preserve the labels and some of the sweet and savoury offerings of the venue. Elements of discreet elegance, which well match the timeless refinement of Capriotti’s design.
