Welcome to London, you've just come from Italy
Where I believe you won a special prize
from the Michelin guide as chef mentor
and a Michelin star for IT Milan
Yes! I primarily take care of restaurant
Torre del Saracino in Vico Equense
and together with
Alessio Matrone and
a bunch of reckless guys
we began this project
called IT
We started from Ibiza simply because
of a coincidence and a number
of situations, then we liked the idea
of doing something in Italy too
because, for us, it was a good format
also for the Italian market
So we opened IT in Milan where
indeed we focused a lot on
adapting the concept for
Milan's guests and after just a few months
We got a Michelin star. In the team
There were both the resident chef, Aldo Ritrovato,
who is still chef there
and his sous chef, Adrian Rausa
who is about to become head chef at IT London
in this new experience, new mission
in Dover Street, the heart of Mayfair
We are trying to offer the right balance
between a contemporary Italian
restaurant, capable to
express dishes from the
great Italian tradition
comfort food that is reassuring,
and an enjoyable place too where food
can be appreciated in a casual way
We have a varied offer. You can eat
something on the fly at the bar counter
or comfortably sit in the dining room
or take advantage of our private room
We want to tell the history of Italia cuisine
in a way that is suitable for London
a bit more cotemporary
It has never been easy for Italians [to open a high-profile restaurant] in London
I can imagine this is quite a challenge for you?
We have approached this challenge
with a lot of focus and,
most importantly,
an attitude that is not to try
and colonise London, rather trying
to offer a point of view on
Italian cuisine, respectful of what
this audience knows about
Italian cuisine, which is
A bit more traditional
and also a message
that aims to be for them a
little discovery
However, what I believe is important
is the process of creating this place,
a very modern process which celebrates
not one the food but the overall experience
Isn't it scary with this Brexit which
seems to be happening though it's not very clear
But what is Brexit?  Did you get it, exactly, what it is?
No, no one knows, not even those who promote it
capita nessuno neanche che la sua
No, I don't think that the
British people will be so narrow-minded to accept
such an extremist position
that can't lead to a growth
I think that the strategy for any
government is key to
the well-being of
the citizens
but certainly on the background
are the progress' fundamental
principles, that
definitely cannot be neglected
When someone goes to It London, what dishes
should they try?
Well, I would suggest to start with the basics
Spaghetti al Pomodoro, just to understand
how Italian we are
and then you can move on by yourself
Thank you very much. Thank you!
