Aperture

🍕 Giomà, a pizzeria in Tuscolano, Rome, was inaugurated by Giovanni Spinelli and Marco Bonanni and features a renovated space with a capacity of 90 seats. Francesca Scali leads the team at Giomà, which offers a diverse menu including classic fried appetizers, hamburgers (200g chicken/turkey, or 250g Angus beef), and pizzas like the 72-hour leavened "tonda" that combines Roman and Neapolitan styles. Giomà is open every evening from 19:30-23:30 at Via Calpurnio Fiamma, 40-44, Rome, contactable at 06 7674 717.

🏨 Ray Lo Faso, General Manager of Gruppo Bulgarella, active in construction for over a century, focuses on hospitality investments, especially in the 'quadrilateral' cities of Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, and seaside structures. Bulgarella is renovating the ex Motel Agip in Palermo with completion expected by early 2025, and working on projects at ex Colonia Olivetti in Marinella di Sarzana, and Hotel Bristol in Viareggio, aiming to expand to Rome and Milan. Challenges include unclear renovation bonuses and lack of a unified tourism strategy, affecting investment and development.

🏠 Gruppo Numa inaugurates its fourth venue in Milan, "Numa Sempione," located at Corso Sempione 39, featuring 36 units with a total of 72 beds designed for short-term stays. The property, converted from offices and residences following a renovation by Investire SGR, is situated 700 meters from CityLife Shopping District and 15 minutes on foot from Arena Civica. Umberto Ottaviani, the group's Italian General Manager, emphasizes high-quality, flexible, and sustainable lodging offerings, hinting at further expansion across Italy in cities like Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples, Verona, and Turino.

🌿 Dreamfarm, a plant-based food innovator, introduces a new ricotta cheese alternative made from fermented almonds and cashews. Initially available exclusively at Esselunga and select 100% vegan stores in Italy, Dreamfarm's plant-based ricotta is set for future distribution in other European markets and Conad stores. The company, which also offers Mozzarella, Spread, and Stracciatella, plans to launch a new Spread flavor with herbs and garlic and will showcase products at London's Plant-Based Expo on November 13-14. CEO Giovanni Menozzi aims to enhance sales performance internationally and launch new products by early 2025. Dreamfarm collaborated with Milanese venues Giardì and Essenza Sushi for exclusive recipes featuring their plant-based ricotta.

🏖 Nikki Beach Hospitality Group is partnering with Ayre Group to launch Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua, offering an 82-room hotel, beach club, and 181 branded residences with up to four-bedroom accommodations. The complex will feature five dining spots, a boat drop-off point, Tone Gym, Nikki Spa, a water center, and a private gym lounge for apartment owners.

🌋 The Bregolin family inaugurated the M2Pools thermal pool and Spa complex in Montegrotto Terme, repurposing a former hotel site with a significant investment. M2Pools, adjacent to Hotel Marco Polo, features three pools over 500 square meters each, set in a 3,000 square meter park with adult-only daily access. The Spa offers 48 hydro-massage stations, a cave, a sauna, an emotional thermal path, and energy self-sufficiency through photovoltaic panels. The initiative began in 2019 after acquiring the ex-hotel Bagno Romano area, with plans diverted from a retirement home due to a collaboration with the administration. The project overcame COVID-related delays and rising raw material costs, supported in part by the Veneto Region.

🍰 Celebrating its bicentennial, historic Italian pastry shop Marchesi 1824, acquired by Prada Group in 2014, has launched a collector's volume titled "Pasticceria Marchesi: Savoring the spirit of Milan" by journalist Julia Buckley, published by Assouline. Offering a sensory journey through the Milanese tradition since its inception in 1824, the book features evocative photographs capturing the essence of both the brand and Milan. Available at Marchesi 1824 confectioneries, Assouline stores, and Assouline's website worldwide. Marchesi 1824 remains true to its tradition, with stores in Milan and London, serving as a testament to nearly two centuries of artisanal excellence and Milanese style.

🏨 RMH Modena Raffaello Hotel & Residence offers 67 deluxe rooms and suites with 4-star services and 31 spacious apartments. The hotel has implemented an advanced access control system by dormakaba, including Saffire handles, SR readers, and Ambiance software, ensuring secure and simple access across the property. For business occasions, the hotel provides equipped meeting rooms, a plenary room for up to 270 people, three 40-person meeting rooms, and two Boardrooms for 8-10 people, all secure with dormakaba's Confidant handles. The hotel aims to exceed mere hospitality by combining safety, comfort, and design.

🍨 Casa Optima School, a school for making "true Italian artisanal ice cream," inaugurated its first Portuguese branch in Vilamoura - Quarteira, Algarve, on October 8, in partnership with Sulcones, MEC3 distributor for Portugal. The school features a facility with 6 fully equipped individual workstations for the 'one to one' method. The inauguration was attended by Quarteira Mayor Telmo Pinto, journalists, and clients who previewed trendy flavors and Salty Creations, MEC3's savory ice cream line. The first course, ABC del Gelato, was held from October 9-11, with plans for more courses throughout 2025. Lessons are offered in Portuguese by Alessandro Iacono, a Product Specialist at Casa Optima, and Ricardo Mendonça, a Sulcones technician.

🍽 TUYA, a renowned restaurant from Mykonos and Bucharest, opens in Milan on October 29 at Piazza Bo Bardi Lina 7. Boasting over 500 high-level wine references and a seating capacity of 160 including a 30-seat club area, the restaurant offers a glamorous Mediterranean dining experience. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 19:00 to 23:30, TUYA Milano is more than a dining spot; it's a destination merging Mid-Century modernism with classic Italian style, featuring a unique light installation and a wood-structured “curtain” for privacy. Their menu includes shared contemporary dishes, TUYA Plateau Royale, caviar, oysters, and signature cocktails. For details, visit www.tuya.it.