Vending machines, cafes or informal restaurants are now an old memory, even museums marry good food. Among breathtaking works of art and architecture, i museums become real temples ofhaute cuisine. While in our country this trend has begun to spread in recent years, abroad museum sites have been in accord with great chefs to give a culinary experience up to the exhibitions. This is because food is also an art form that creates fashion and attracts customers. Here are some more successful examples of the sacred union between art and cuisine.
Museo Novecento – the new café by Vito Cortese (Florence)
Inside the ancient Spedale delle Leopoldine in Piazza Santa Maria Novella is the Museo Novecento, dedicated to Italian art of the twentieth century with a selection of about 300 works, in which it will arise the new cafeteria designed by Vito Cortese. Just under the portico, in the premises of an old tourist agency which will serve not only museum visitors but also external visitors. An ambitious and revolutionary project by chef Cortese, the first to bring thevegan raw food pastry in our country. His kitchen does not include any type of cooking. No starchy, refined sugars, mild, egg or milk derivatives. Only ingredients of vegetable origin, therefore lots of dried and fresh fruit.
Pirelli HangarBicocca – Iuta Bistro (Milan)
At HangarBicocca, a space created in 2004 on the initiative of Pirelli, is located at Jute Bistro which has taken the place of the informal format Dopolavoro Bicocca. The basic idea remains the same: The key value is inclusion, therefore the possibility of being able to guarantee everyone a quality and varied gastronomic offer. Two types of menus can be chosen, one designed for a quick, light but tasty lunch, the other for a more "demanding" gustatory journey. Characterized by a contemporary environment and a refined cuisine, the Iuta Bistrot always focuses on new trends, using high quality ingredients and taking advantage of the seasonality of fruit and vegetables. There is also a large choice for customers Vegetarians e vegans.
Rotonda Bistro – MUBA (Milan)
It is located in the green oasis in the heart of Milan Rotunda Bistro, inside the Rotonda della Besana a late Baroque building from the XNUMXth century in the former basilica of San Michele, seat of the MUBA, Children's Museum of Milan. Surrounded by an enclosed portico with exposed brick arch segments, the Bistro was created for the children of the museum, but is also open outside especially for happy hour. We start early in the morning with croissants and sweets to continue with lunch with a menu of simple but tasty dishes: focaccia, sandwiches, salads and some more elaborate preparations.
MAXXI – Mediterraneo, Restaurant and Garden (Rome)
Inside the MAXXI in Rome, the National Museum of XNUMXst Century Arts is the restaurant Mediterranean, Restaurant and Garden, an innovative project that mixes historical and contemporary elements through the kitchen, the environment and the pastel colors. High ceilings and elegant, yet welcoming and comfortable furnishings, studded with the so-called "Homy", circular structures in the shape of an igloo made with bamboo canes, all immersed in a green oasis almost far from the chaos of the metropolis. Inaugurated in the year of the pandemic, the restaurant is open from morning to evening, with a dynamic and creative menu that draws on the history of many cultures to bring different flavours, aromas and ideas to the table. chef Emanuele Pompili, of the “sushista” Francis Di Cori and finally the pastry chef Irene Tolomei, finalist of the latest edition of Bake Off Italia – Dolci in Forno, the talent show hosted by Benedetta Parodi on Real Time.
Arengario Terrace – Giacomo Arengario (Milan)
The Giacomo Arengario restaurant represents one of the landmarks of Milan. It is no coincidence that it is located in one of the most fascinating locations in the city: the Museo del Novecento. The Art Deco architecture fits perfectly with the place which is divided into period rooms characterized by different styles and colours. But it's the dehors to make the difference: with its iron and glass structure it almost seems to touch the Milan Cathedral. In the kitchen, in addition to the fish classics such as seafood crudités and tagliolini with scampi or prawn tartare, red mullet and oyster fillets, there are some quick dishes ideal for a light Milanese lunch, and the Novecento menu which includes dishes from the Milanese tradition revisited in a modern key. While the desserts come directly from the homonymous pastry shop in Via Sottocorno.
Centro Pecci – Myo Restaurant and Bar Bistrot (Prato)
In the spaces of the Centro Pecci (reopened in 2016) in Prato, the Myo Ristorante and the Bistro Bar. Driving it chef Angiolo Barni which offers two formats: Myo Ristorante, a refined place dedicated to haute cuisine, and the Myo Bar Bistrot, an informal meeting place where you can enjoy a breakfast with artisan pastries and a wide choice of teas, herbal teas, centrifuges, smoothies, milkshakes and matcha tea . But also a lunch and aperitif according to the Tuscan tradition with a pinch of contemporaneity.
Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation – Spazio7 (Turin)
On the first floor of the Exhibition Space of the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation, an association dedicated to contemporary art, stands the kitchen of Spazio7, one Michelin star since 2019. Minimal but refined environments, as evocative as the collections hosted by the Foundation, all accompanied by contemporary dishes but innovative of the chef Alessandro Mecca. Only selected high quality raw materials that change daily so as never to become banal.
Palazzo Pfanner – The funnel (Lucca)
Since 2018 the restaurant "L'imbuto" signed by the chef Cristiano Tomei it has changed location and is now located in Lucca, inside the Pfanner Palace-museum (set of the film The Marchese del Grillo). Beyond stereotypes, trends and culinary clichés, Cristiano Tomei is known for his creative flair, such as pasta cooked in pasta or steak cooked on bark. In his restaurant you choose the tasting path and once you have declared any allergies you rely totally on the skilled hands of the chef from Viareggio.
MUDEC – Enrico Bartolini (Milan)
Enrico Bartolini certainly needs no introduction. You are the only chef in the history of the Michelin Guide to have won 4 stars all at once, two of which at the restaurant that bears your name inside the MUDEC-Museo delle Culture in Milan. The restaurant of the most starred chef in Italy offers classic-contemporary haute cuisine but always on the lookout for new recipes and ideas.
Amistà 33 – Byblos Art Hotel (Verona)
A stone's throw from Verona is Villa Amistà, a splendid XNUMXth-century villa revisited to house an elegant luxury hotel. Not in a museum, but art is not lacking here either: the complex houses a permanent collection of contemporary art which, together with the designer furnishings curated by Alessandro Mendini, makes your stay at the Byblos Hotel a unique experience. All accompanied by the creative and performing dishes of the chef Marco Perez. A cuisine made of origins, of love for the land and raw materials, simple but at the same time technically complex.
Arena di Verona Foundation Museum – AMO Bistrot
I LOVE Bistro it is the meeting point between music and good food. Next to the prestigious Palazzo Forti, the Museum of the Arena di Verona Foundation dedicated to Italian opera. The setting is elegant, ideal for a dinner before or after the theatre, with a fusion menu that offers traditional oriental dishes in a contemporary key dosed with refined creativity. Excellent cellar and music selection.
Triennale Terrace – Osteria with a View (Milan)
Among the restaurants with the best view in Milan is Terrazza Triennale – Osteria con Vista, directed by starred chef Stefano Cerveni. The glass structure is located on the top of the Palazzo della Triennale and overlooks the fascinating Milanese skyline: the ancient Castello Sforzesco and the modern skyscrapers of Porta Nuova, united by the greenery of Parco Sempione. The cuisine, attentive to seasonality, embodies the style of the modern tavern. A journey through the flavors and aromas of our country, passing through the most typical recipes and food and wine of Italy.
Panza Villa and Collection – Luce Restaurant (Varese)
The contemporary art collection put together by Giuseppe Panza di Biumo since the 50s is famous throughout the world. An eighteenth-century villa where over 150 contemporary works are exhibited, inspired by the themes of light and color in a Renaissance setting. Immersed in 33.000 square meters of park enriched by Light restaurant. At midday a light lunch, with sandwiches and simple dishes, while in the evening you can enjoy the creative cuisine of the chef Matteo Pisciotta and Andrea Piantanida, but always with an eye to the Italian tradition and, in particular, to the Varese area.
