184 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK AU G U S T 2019
Long-time haunt of the Italian fashion set,
Milan’s Emporio Armani Caffè & Ristorante
in the Quadrilatero district has a new look.
Its soft, iridescent tones, metallic finishes
and clean lines are very much in keeping with
the brand’s spirit. ‘I was inspired by elements
from the 1930s, the period the building dates
back to,’ explains Giorgio Armani, who has
been closely involved with the historic venue’s
refurbishment. ‘The layout and colour scheme
create an elegant and contemporary look.
I wanted it to be a welcoming space,’ he adds.
The café, which sits together with Armani’s
flagship store and hotel, gets an additional
touch of glamour with large, dark terrazzo
tiles – a modern nod to traditional Venetian
flooring – and gleaming brass trims. In this
luxurious setting, customers can devour sweet
treats made by the in-house pastry chef and
‘Armani/Dolci’ delicacies by famed chocolatier
Guido Gobino, all while relaxing on armchairs
and banquettes upholstered in lustrous blue,
green and red Rubelli fabrics. Come evening,
brunch and lunch are exchanged for aperitifs
- often accompanied by live DJ sets.
Upstairs, the formal restaurant (right) and
Champagne bar are adorned in the same
elegant palette of glistening green and blue,
while slender glass panels decorated in a palm
leaf print from the ‘Armani/Casa’ collection
create an intimate feel. The menu comprises
light Italian and Mediterranean fare, such as
spaghetti with tomatoes from the Mount
Vesuvius region and saffron risotto: classics
with a twist – nothing less than you’d expect
from Armani (armani.com/restaurant/it).
THE RESTAURANT
EMPORIO
ARMANI
CAFFÈ &
RISTORANTE
Secure your table at Milan’s newly
updated and hotly anticipated eatery,
overseen by Giorgio Armani himself
‘THE LAYOUT AND
COLOUR SCHEME
CREATE AN ELEGANT,
CONTEMPORARY LOOK.
I WANTED IT TO BE A
WELCOMING SPACE’