Belmond Announces Exclusive Partnership With Da Vittorio Group
Belmond announces the opening of a new restaurant, DaV Mare at Splendido Mare, a Belmond Hotel, Portofino. The exclusive partnership with Da Vittorio Group, brings a new level of gastronomic excellence to the Ligurian coast, combining Belmond’s legendary art of hospitality with the Cerea family’s internationally renowned culinary expertise.
‘The Mare’ re-opens on 16th April 2021 following a complete renovation and restaurant DaV Mare, with its open-air terrace, is set to become the beating heart of the Piazzetta di Portofino.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Da Vittorio Group for the opening of DaV Mare. When we looked for a partner who could interpret the relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere within Splendido Mare and offer an elevated casual dining experience with creativity and vision – the Cerea Family, with their unrivalled reputation, was the perfect match. Together we want to make DaV Mare the most desirable place to meet and gather with friends and family and share in the extraordinary dishes created by the talented team.’ Comments Robert Koren, SVP EMEA, Belmond.
TASTE OF THE MARE
DaV Mare is founded in the quest for the best seasonal and locally sourced ingredients; fish and seafood, fresh from the Portofino bay, will be the main feature of the menu, alongside traditional flavors of the region such as ‘cappon’, served with a creative reinterpretation. Internationally renowned signature dishes from Da Vittorio’s restaurants such as ‘Paccheri alla Vittorio’, a pasta dish made with a delicious tomato sauce, finished at the table in front of the guests, will feature on the menu alongside novel creations including a Risotto with Pesto and Santa Margherita Ligure shrimps.
Commenting on the news, Cerea family said: “When we opened our first restaurant, Da Vittorio in Bergamo 55 years ago, we brought seafood to Lombardy and now, over 50 years later, we are bringing our culinary knowledge back to the seafront for the first time and fulfilling a family dream.
Like Belmond, we are passionate about heightening simplicity and finding contemporary ways to reinterpret tradition and we are looking forward to a rewarding and inspiring partnership.”
DaV Mare will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as morning coffees and evening ‘Aperitivos’, as the sun goes down over the iconic harbour and the bustling crowds gather in the Piazzetta. The restaurant will also provide 24-hour room service for the 14 rooms and suites of Splendido Mare, providing the option to enjoy casual fine-dining from a private terrace and the mesmerizing views over the harbour.
FAMILY LEGACY
The first Da Vittorio restaurant opened in 1966 by Vittorio Cerea in Bergamo and was awarded 3 Michelin stars in 2010, it is now a family business now run by Vittorio’s wife, Bruna, and their children: sons Enrico, Roberto and Francesco and daughters Rossella and Barbara. The Da Vittorio Group includes 2 Michelin starred restaurants – in Shanghai and St. Moritz – as well as a 10-room guest house in Brusaporto and historic properties in Bergamo Alta, Northern Italy. Da Vittorio’s vision for traditional Lombardy cuisine and creative genius ensures great Italian gastronomy continues to evolve through the family’s commitment today.
CHEF’S AT THE HELM
Executive Chefs, Enrico and Roberto Cerea and Paolo Rota, combine their culinary expertise and creativity with Roberto Villa, Executive Chef at Splendido Mare’s local knowledge and skills. Together they will seek out the best ingredients, using simple cooking techniques to elevate the flavors, with an emphasis on slow food principles, a movement that originated in Italy.
Enrico ‘Chicco’ Cerea developed an early interest in worldwide cuisine, taking every opportunity to study international culinary secrets. His extensive travels have shaped him into the careful connoisseur of the world’s finest ingredients which he masters using the skills and recipes passed from father to son. Roberto ‘Bobo’ Cerea, shares the family obsession for good food and having completed many international apprenticeships, his refined technique is to be discovered in mouth-watering and tempting recipes inspired by the highest traditions of Mediterranean cuisine.
Paolo Rota, joined Da Vittorio family back in 1990, when he was just 24. Passionate and curious, he was soon noticed by VittorioCerea who sent Paolo abroad to train under international culinary legends, such as Lasarte, in the Basque Country, run by multi-starred chef Martin Berasateguì and in England with Michel Roux,. Together with his brothers-in-law Chicco and Bobo, they are the creative mind of Da Vittorio.
Executive Chef, Roberto Villa has worked at Splendido Mare for 20 years, a true character of Portofino. Over the past two decades, he has developed in-depth knowledge of local cuisine and relationships with fishermen and suppliers to source the freshest and best ingredients for his kitchen.
LET’S MEET AT THE MARE
The interior design of DaV Mare by Festen Architecture reflects the relaxed sophistication of the overall theme of the charming 14 room guest house, Splendido Mare. Detailed references to the humble beginnings of the fishing harbour are blended with the iconic glamour of the 1950s, designed to make guests feel at ease but to also feel the historical spirit of the hotel. Benefiting from the prime location in the centre the piazzetta, DaV Mare’s indoor and outdoor restaurant will offer impeccable service and an inviting place to take time to enjoy beautiful cuisine, whilst being surrounded by the natural beauty of Portofino, enriched by the spirit of La Dolce Vita.
