Gucci announced the opening of the third Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Tokyo on 28th October 2021. Located on the top of the Gucci Namiki flagship store in Ginza, this will herald the contemporary Italian restaurant’s second global outpost outside of Italy, after Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, USA.
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura are contemporary restaurants with the same values and principles under one Gucci Osteria umbrella. Adding creativity, elegance, playfulness and sensuality to traditional Italian cuisine, guests in Tokyo will enjoy a unique dining experience that will also incorporate the diversity and identity of its location.
Seating 48 guests in the main dining room and 12 on the terrace, the new restaurant will serve lunch, dinner and Italian aperitivo. The kitchen will be led by head chef Antonio Iacoviello, bringing the youthful energy and philosophy of the original Gucci Osteria in Florence to Tokyo.
The menus have been developed by internationally acclaimed chef Massimo Bottura (owner of 3 Michelin Starred Osteria Francescana, voted The World’s Best Restaurant in 2016 and 2018), Karime Lopez, head chef of Gucci Osteria in Florence, Italy (awarded its first star in the Michelin Guide Italy 2020) and head chef Antonio Iacoviello.
The à la carte menu will include Gucci Osteria signature dishes such as the legendary Emilia burger and Tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano cream. There will also be creative takes on Italian-centred dishes and new seasonal Japanese-inspired creations. These will include Parmigiana Ramen and Milanese Wagyu.
Massimo explains, “Like Italy, Japanese food and produce are so intertwined in its culture that it has rightly become one of the greatest global cuisines. Japan holds a special place in my heart, and I’m excited to be able to welcome everyone to our little piece of Tokyo.”
A wide variety of drinks will also be available, including a wine list of over 350 bins and a cocktail offering. Guests will also be able to enjoy champagne and light snacks as a traditional Italian aperitivo from 4-6 pm daily, served on the restaurant’s rooftop terrace.
The carefully curated interiors at Gucci Osteria Tokyo take inspiration from the original Florence outpost, with references to the Italian Renaissance and the eclectic mix of aesthetics embraced by Gucci. At the private lift entrance on the ground floor, a mysterious enfilade sets the tone for the upstairs. Gucci Décor’s Tian wallpaper enriches the trellis woodworks, resembling the dream-like atmosphere of winter gardens. Once inside, a vibrant green palette defines the spaces through each room, where rich peacock velvet banquettes complement the pea-green panelling, marble dining tables, wicker chairs and the Gucci Décor tableware.
Unique elements that distinguish the Gucci Osteria Tokyo include its wood flooring, hand-painted with a pattern inspired by antiques collected by Creative Director Alessandro Michele. The recurring symbolism of the star appears both in the ceiling lights of the hall leading to the main room as well as in the mosaic floor in the terrace, adorned with traditional Japanese plants. In addition, hidden behind patio doors, is an ornate private dining room named Room of Mirrors, which hosts up to 8 guests, where antique European mirrors, ebonized boiserie, and the Radura wallpaper from the Gucci Décor collection provide a truly intimate and exclusive dining experience. The exterior glass façade of the entrance facing Namiki-dori street is designed to allow a fluid perspective–offering a view of the linden trees on the roadside, the symbol of Namiki-dori Street.
