Aperture

🍕 Pietro Fontana, born in 1983, transitioned from food product sales to pizza making, training under experts like Piergiorgio Giorilli and Gabriele Bonci. In 2020, he opened his pizzeria "I Fontana" in Somma Vesuviana during the pandemic, without external partners, just his wife Melania. They secured a fundamental loan to start the business. Pietro dedicates hours to perfecting his dough and seasonal toppings. "I Fontana" offers around 140 indoor seats, plus 120 outdoor in the summer. The autumn menu features "Vecchio Ricordo" pizza, while the Pizza concept section includes creative options like "Metamorfosi di carciofi." The pizzeria is located at Via Annunziata, 58, Somma Vesuviana, and can be contacted at 081 7081589 or visited online at www.ifontanapizza.it.

🏛 Space Hotels announced the addition of Sweet Hotel, located near Vicenza with 76 modern and elegant rooms and suites. Sweet Hotel features restaurants La Veneziana and Mediterraneo Brasserie, Mar Café for drinks, an outdoor pool, and a meeting room. Amenities include free private parking, e-bike rental, and fast Wi-Fi throughout. Focus on sustainability and personalized experience, it's a starting point for exploring Vicenza's hills, vineyards, and Brenta river landscapes. The hotel partners with local distilleries Poli and Nardini for tours and tastings.

🍕 Michele Express, a faster format of Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, is opening two new locations on December 14 in Campania, Italy: Corso Umberto I, No. 214 in Cava de' Tirreni and MaxiMall Pompeii, Via Plinio 56, Torre Annunziata. The Cava de' Tirreni outlet is open every day from 11:00 to 23:00, while MaxiMall Pompeii operates from 9:30 to 00:00. The MaxiMall Pompeii features over 50,000 square meters with 160 shops, a 4-star hotel with 135 rooms, and various entertainment options. The new openings are part of Michele Express's strategy to combine traditional pizza with modern street food offerings.

🍷 Located in Piazza San Carlo 9-10, Palermo, Minimarket Club, a speakeasy-style bar, recently opened, featuring a dual ambience connected by a mirrored labyrinth. Forno Santa Maria, less than a year old at Via Giovanni Meli 35, specializes in gourmet pizzas and cocktails and participated in the second Palermo Cocktail Week (November 18-24, 2024). Villa Igiea, a luxurious hotel with a history dating back to 1899 and frequented by celebrities, was acquired by Rocco Forte Hotels in 2019 and restored to its original grandeur. Sartoria, a cocktail bar located at via Discesa dei Giudici 1/A, was founded by Matteo Bonandrini, Ivan Geraci, Fabrizio Candino, and Andrea, offering tailored experiences in a former chapel and tailor's shop.

🏡 Marriott's W Hotels will launch the W Florence in Florence, Italy next spring. Owned by Progetto Majestic S.r.l., this new hotel marks the luxury brand's expansion into Tuscany, adding to its portfolio of approximately 60 hotels worldwide. W Florence is steps away from Via de’ Tornabuoni, centrally located between Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. The hotel will feature 119 rooms, including 16 suites and a highlight Penthouse Suite with a private terrace offering Duomo and Santa Maria Novella views. Additionally, the W Lounge on the ground floor will merge the city's vibe with live music and cocktails, while the rooftop garden aims to become a fusion of classic elegance and contemporary style.

🍜 Wagamama, founded in London in 1992 and in Italy since 2017 under Chef Express (Cremonini Group), opens a new restaurant at Milano Centrale station managed by Grandi Stazioni Retail. This addition bolsters the gastronomic offerings at one of Italy's major railway hubs. The new venue, strategically located in the mezzanine of the Galleria dei Mosaici, employs about 25 people and offers 120 seats. Wagamama introduces a refreshed autumn menu featuring Tom Yum soup and various Roti wraps, complemented by their take away service and an app for table reservations.

🍔 Centro Carni Company of Tombolo (PD), with over 40 years in the beef industry, introduces Mini Burger di Scottona for Horeca and Food Service. The 40g gluten-free, lactose-free burgers cater to finger food trends in banquets and events. Raffaele Pilotto, Marketing Director, emphasizes quality from carefully selected meat. The company processes 70 tons of meat daily and operates on a 14,000 sqm site. Their products are known for quality and innovation.

🍕 Pizzeria Veterale opened on Thursday, December 12, in Volturara Irpina, featuring a young, innovative format that blends local culinary tradition with contemporary pizza. Owner Pierpaolo Candela, having overcome health issues, established the pizzeria in a historic building, linking it to the area's rural history. Ingredients are predominantly local, including gluten-free options, with special mention of the Pizza Crunch. Candela's expertise is backed by training at Accademia Pizza Doc and mentorship from starred chef Antonio Pisaniello. The pizzeria also showcases regional wines and craft beers.

🍕 Giacomo Garau, a talented pizzaiolo from Alto Casertano and owner of Olio e Basilico in Calvi Risorta, is opening a new pizzeria in Vitulazio, Caserta. Recognized by Il Mattino with "3 Galletti" and ranking in the "50 Top Pizza," Garau's new venture will launch on December 15. Awarded "Due spicchi" in the 2025 Gambero Rosso's Pizzerie d’Italia guide, he brings his experience from the Accademia della Pizza to offer both classic and gourmet pizzas at the new location.

🍔 Opening today, Wednesday, December 11, in Camposampiero (PD), Italy, is the new Burger King restaurant, the 3rd directly owned store in the province of Padova and the 101st in Italy. This location features 24 employees, spans 406 square meters, and includes 118 indoor and 38 outdoor seating options. The restaurant offers a “Play King” indoor play area, Drive service, digital ordering through QR codes, a loyalty program “Be The King,” table service, and Home Delivery. In 2024, Burger King continues to grow with 284 restaurants in Italy, 34 opened in 2023, catering to over 20 million Italians.