Three Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura, whose Osteria Francescana restaurant in Modena is considered one of the best in the world, has just opened a new restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey, inside the high-end Italian food mall chain Eataly.
Called Ristorante Italia, the new establishment, inaugurated on May 27, will not be a replica of Osteria Francescana, Bottura clarifies. It will take some inspiration from it, but plans to be “an entirely unique proposition.”
In fact, as explained on the restaurant’s website, Bottura “has reworked 100 classic Italian recipes from the northern Alps to the southern tip of Pantellieria to embrace the diversity and bounty of Italy. Iconic Italian dishes that have been challenged, reimagined and transformed from this repertoire include Mozzarella in Carrozza, Osso Buco with risotto, Spaghetti Cetarese, Bollito Misto and Tiramisu.”
Ristorante Italia will use high-quality products imported from Italy, as well as local ingredients from Turkey and Eataly's in-house dairy production. Members from the Osteria Francescana's team will head up the new enterprise, with Bottura expected to make regular appearances.
Bottura’s Osteria Francescana was crowned third best restaurant in the world at The World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards 2013, which are considered the Oscars of fine dining, and has been listed in the top 5 since 2010. Earlier this year, the Modena-born chef was awarded the White Guide Global Gastronomy Award 2014, which some refer to as the “Nobel” prize of gastronomy.
