THE GUCCI OSTERIA DA MASSIMO BOTTURA OPENS IN SINGAPORE
The one-of-a-kind restaurant marries Gucci’s visionary spirit of eccentricity with world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura’s culinary magnificence, through the unique interpretation of chef Karime Lopez
Singapore, 9 April 2019 – Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura – Singapore edition, the highly lauded concept developed by Gucci, in collaboration with chef Massimo Bottura – of three Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana – for Gucci Garden in Florence, Italy will open in Singapore from 1 May 2019 to 2 June 2019. The highly anticipated Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Singapore edition will be housed in The Arts House, a 200-year-old historic conservation building within Singapore’s Civic District that is a prominent enclave for culture and the arts. Paralleling the Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence where the Gucci Garden is located, both buildings have strong ties with the legacy of arts and culture in their respective cities.
In Singapore, the 60-seat restaurant presents an unparalleled gastronomic affair that encourages exploration and eccentricity, underpinned by the daring, energetic creative direction that is synonymous with the Italian fashion House. Conceptualised by chef Massimo Bottura and chef Karime Lopez – the head chef of Gucci Osteria – the team will create a range of signature dishes with unexpected twists that draw inspiration from Karime’s travels around the world and Bottura’s memories.
A Taste of the Gucci Universe Helmed by head chef Karime Lopez, 36, from Gucci Osteria in Italy, the Singapore Edition is a collaboration that aims to deliver the same imaginative experience.
“We are excited to be able to bring Gucci Osteria to Singapore – a city with a vibrant culinary landscape,” says chef Karime Lopez. “At our first international edition, we want to showcase the best of global cuisine, as a country’s cuisine is no longer confined to its birthplace – it can always be reinterpreted and refined. The cuisine we are presenting is not just traditional Italian, but rather a cultural expression that resonates with the global diner of today.”
Diners will savour delectable Italian signatures presented on a range of Gucci Herbarium crockery from the Gucci Décor collection. For lunch and dinner, meals will be served on plates and bowls crafted with Richard Ginori porcelain, featuring Gucci’s Herbarium motif — a whimsical Toile de Jouy design of cherry branches, leaves and flowers inspired by a pattern previously used on other items in the House’s ready to wear collections. The red crockery is specifically made for the Gucci Osteria and is only available for purchase at the Gucci Garden in Italy.
Apart from the tableware, guests will be immersed in a spectacular space with a contemporary Renaissance vibe, complete with the signature red Gucci Herbarium motif as a wallpaper, for a one-of-a-kind dining concept where art and cuisine intertwine.
A One-Of-A-Kind Dining Experience
The restaurant will open for lunch and dinner on select days from 1 May 2019 to 2 June 2019. Diners can choose a specially curated four-course lunch ($128++), a seven-course lunch ($228++) or seven-course dinner ($278++) tasting menus that showcase a selection of dishes inspired by Bottura’s travels.
Highlights include Bottura’s signature The Crunchy Part of the Lasagna, which is inspired by the crunchy top layer of  his favourite childhood dish. The dish, consisting of pasta chips balanced over dollops of ragù and airy béchamel, invites diners to relive the childlike glee of scoring the very best part of a pan of lasagna. Next, the Taka Bun is a dish affectionately named after chef Karime Lopez’s husband, Japanese-born Takahiko Kondo – the sous chef at Osteria Francescana.
It comprises a crisp yet tender sweet-sour pork belly, coated with umami hits of a balsamic-miso sauce, marinated coriander, yuzu, raspberry vinegar, and apple bits, sandwiched between sliced, steamed mantou buns. The dish is finished with a generous serving of crunchy red cabbage for texture and colour. The Charley Marley is a dessert that was created as a tribute to chef Bottura’s second-born son, Charlie, who loves chocolate. This rich, decadent treat layers kaya cream and dark chocolate ganache within a sandwich.
“We are thrilled that Singapore has been selected to be the home of Gucci Osteria as this is the concept’s first international foray outside of Italy. We are proud that SAVOUR, a home-grown brand has managed to secure this world-class dining experience,” says Ms Ranita Sundra, Director of Dining and Retail at Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “This bears testament to the city’s standing as a vibrant culinary destination — a forefront of the international dining scene. We look forward to welcoming Gucci Osteria, as well as locals and visitors to Singapore to experience this unique gastronomic affair.”
The Gucci Osteria Singapore edition is brought to you by SAVOUR, a Singapore-founded F&B lifestyle company that specialises in unique culinary experiences.