The starry sky is the limit

Milan, Venice, Hong Kong, Dubai – Enrico Bartolini’s empire now spans ten restaurants on two continents. No matter which destination, the ambitious and talented entrepreneur shoots for the stars. Quite successfully without a doubt, since collectively, his venues currently hold a total of nine Michelin stars.

Enrico Bartolini, born in Tuscany in 1979, is one of the most talented and successful chefs in Italy today. He learned and perfected his skills in the kitchens of Pierangelo Barontini in Pistoia and Paolo Petrini in Paris, among others, as well as at the Commonwealth Club in London under head chef Mark Page. He also spent a full three years in the gastronomic ventures of the Alajmo family in their restaurants La Montecchia and Le Calandre. When he managed the Le Robinie restaurant in Oltrepò Pavese, he was awarded his first Michelin star at the age of only 29.

Just like works of art, Enrico Bartolini’s dishes evoke emotions and broaden culinary horizons. When food culture is elevated to an art form, what better place to open a new fine-dining destination than in a museum? In 2016, the all-round talent did just that. Since then, Milan’s Museo delle Culture (Mudec) has become home to the restaurant Enrico Bartolini - Mudec. The ultramodern building in the heart of Milan’s design district was devised by British architect Sir David Chipperfield and serves as a perfect backdrop for a type of cuisine that is equally artful and impressive.

Enrico Bartolini does not play tradition and innovation off against each other. He rather blends both currents into a style of cuisine he calls “BE Contemporary Classic”. With a keen eye for creativity, he experiments with ingredients, flavours and textures:

Original and well-balanced compositions are the result of the team’s strive for excellence in both taste and aesthetics. Italian love of food and culinary heritage are infused into visionary ideas. A melting pot of flavours, worlds and traditions is turned into a sophisticated gourmet adventure.

When it comes to Michelin stars, Enrico Bartolini is one of the world’s leading restaurateurs, with a total of nine stars across all his establishments. In 2016, he conquered Italy’s gastronomic firmament when he became the only chef in the history of the Michelin Guide to be awarded four stars simultaneously, including two for his eponymous venue at Mudec. The outstanding achievement was topped even further when his Milan restaurant was crowned with a third Michelin star in 2019.

Gourmet experiences at Restaurant Ikarus are always under a lucky star. In March 2022, however, there will be several of them thanks to Enrico Bartolini. In his dishes, he masterfully combines down-to-earth Italian cuisine with opulence and creativity. An alluring invitation to celebrate the art of indulgence.