Where the heart of Palazzo Taverna once throbbed in its central courtyard, a new outpost of taste now stands: the Da Vittorio Café Louis Vuitton, capable of combining the elegance of the French maison with a modern format of luxury snacking. A few steps away, in the historic frame of Via Bagutta 1, you can instead enjoy the dishes of DaV by Da Vittorio Louis Vuitton: a partnership that reinforces the link between fashion and haute cuisine.
The News
Via Montenapoleone, the epicenter of Milanese luxury, is enriched with a new jewel: the renovated flagship boutique of Maison Louis Vuitton. An opening that is not just an expansion of space, but a true declaration of love to the city, its roots and Lombard construction mastery. For years, the famous French brand has woven an indissoluble bond with Milan, naturally blending the elegance of its savoir-faire with the renowned quality of Italian craftsmanship and unmistakable local taste. An alchemy that continues to radiate a vibrant energy in the international luxury scene. Every detail of the renovated spaces, the result of the vision of architect Peter Marino, celebrates this union. Fashion collections, accessories and the refined “Art de la Table” line coexist harmoniously in an environment that now also houses an elegant café and restaurant. But the effervescence of the new Louis Vuitton space does not stop at the elegance of the collections and sophisticated design. The beating heart of this rebirth also beats at the table, thanks to the prestigious collaboration with the Cerea family of the three-starred Da Vittorio restaurant.
“It is a source of pride for us that a brand as iconic as Louis Vuitton has chosen us to manage the food offerings inside its store on Via Montenapoleone; today, the sincerity and simplicity of Italian cuisine represent one of the highest examples of luxury in the world, because they are a concentrate of history, culture and passion," the Cereas recount. "With this idea, Louis Vuitton opened the doors of its new Milanese home, sharing with us the desire to celebrate the best of Made in Italy. Luxury, after all, is the genuineness of an experience that remains in the heart."
Da Vittorio Café Louis Vuitton: the location of the new gourmet address in Milan
Where the heart of Palazzo Taverna once throbbed in its central courtyard, a new outpost of taste now stands: the Da Vittorio Café Louis Vuitton. Stepping through a balustrade and colonnade from Via Montenapoleone, or accessing from the boutique's main atrium, one discovers an unexpected courtyard, a quiet corner that evokes the atmosphere of a Brianza villa rather than a building in the middle of the city center. A glass ceiling transforms the space into a luminous jardin d'hiver, loosely inspired by an old photograph by Cecil Beaton. Underfoot, a floor artwork made of stones that fade from white to black reproduces a sophisticated design by Martin Kline.
Meticulous restoration of the walls has brought back the original arches, enhanced by perspective devices that amplify their depth. Attention to detail is also evident in the furniture, entirely produced by Lombard workshops, and in the hand-painted fabrics. Among the tables, a lush, natural atmosphere takes center stage, thanks to a clever mix of ornamental asparagus and ferns, whose light foliage dances at the slightest breath of air. At the entrance, under the porch, majestic laurels grown as shrubs in uniquely designed green terracotta pots will ensure guests' privacy. And a surprise awaits passersby above the portico of Palazzo Taverna: the elegant Alexander palms, a novelty that will bring an exotic touch to Via Montenapoleone. The care of the greenery, in every corner of the store, is entrusted to the sensitivity of Milanese landscape architect Marco Bay.
The restaurant: a dialogue of flavors between Italy and France
The curation of the gastronomic proposal is entrusted to the expert hands of chefs Chicco and Bobo Cerea, at the helm of the legendary Bergamo-based brand. A further step into the Louis Vuitton world that confirms its leading role in the LV Culinary Community, a fertile ground for exchange with renowned French chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frederic, who have always been dear to the Maison. This ongoing dialogue, this confrontation between transalpine savoir-faire and vibrant Milanese energy, perfectly embodies the cultural contamination that Louis Vuitton values.
Da Vittorio Café: informal luxury and authentic flavors
The café's menu focuses on an idea of “luxury snacking,” where simplicity meets elegance, creating a cozy and familiar atmosphere, but with a touch of refined lightness. The philosophy of contamination translates into novel dishes that celebrate the seasonality of ingredients and wink at local and international flavors.
The toast, elevated to a veritable “signature,” tells the story of Italianness through a trio of tomatoes (confit, dried and fresh), creamy mozzarella and aromatic pesto, encased in a toasted shell-shaped bread. There is no shortage of intriguing offerings such as king crab gaufrette and carpaccio with crispy wheat flakes. A separate chapter deserves the selection of eggs, declined in four delicious variations: scrambled hen, poached quail, salmon eggs and caviar, served with a velvety potato mousse, sour cream and a sautéed apple compote. A tribute to Louis Vuitton's iconic desserts is embodied in a triptych of vanilla (in the prized blue, Madagascar and Mexican varieties), a mouthwatering hazelnut entremets (also available in a dark version) and a delicate charlotte of seasonal fruit scented with tonka bean and vanilla. To accompany every moment of the day, a curated selection of fresh herbal teas, served loose, is always available.
DaV by Da Vittorio Louis Vuitton: a temple of taste on Via Bagutta
Just a few steps away, in the historic frame of 1 Via Bagutta, an address that has always been linked to dining, now stands DaV by Da Vittorio Louis Vuitton, a true temple of Italian culinary culture. The entrance, an elegant Portaluppi-designed opening, introduces a contemporary, lively and assertive design environment. The intense, joyful colors of the rooms welcome a diverse clientele, in contrast to the formal image of the street. On the main wall, a pop work by Katherine Bernhardt catches the eye: the Pink Panther holding up a pizza while wearing a pair of Nike shoes, a touch of irony in a context where sophistication is palpable in every detail. From the chairs designed by Carlo de Carli to the iroko wood panels that mimic the iconic texture of Louis Vuitton leather, revealing, upon closer inspection, a sophisticated interplay of perforations from which the light from back panels filters through. The star patterned parquet flooring, made from reclaimed wood from old Lombard homes, adds a touch of history and authenticity. The mise en place, with plates, glasses and cutlery from the Louis Vuitton Constellation “Art de la Table” line in vibrant shades of orange and pink, completes the experience.
Seasonality and sophistication: the promise of a unique experience
With 44 covers arranged on two levels, the DaV by Da Vittorio Louis Vuitton restaurant enhances a “Casual Fine Dining” concept that invites conviviality and sharing. Appetizers are presented in the center of the table, in a homage to the tradition of Venetian bacari. The cuisine is an ode to Italian flavors, with a subtle thread that refers to Louis Vuitton imagery. An emblematic example is ossobuco with saffron risotto, where yellow rice takes on the iconic shape of the Monogram flower. The same creative approach is reserved for vegetables and fruits. The use of seasonal ingredients and a preference for local suppliers are the hallmarks of Da Vittorio's quality. The white eggs come from free-range wild chickens, the sauce in the famous pacchero is an explosion of different tomato varieties that change with the seasons (from jarred tomatoes from Puglia to oxheart to yellow tomatoes from Vesuvius), and the butter comes from the alpine pastures of the Bergamo mountains. This meticulous attention to the quality of raw materials, which has always been a hallmark of the Cerea family's work, marks the beginning of a new chapter, an Italian story of passion and dedication intertwined with Louis Vuitton's timeless elegance.
DA VITTORIO CAFÉ LOUIS VUITTON
Via Montenapoleone, 2
Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
DaV by Da Vittorio Louis Vuitton
Via Bagutta, 1
Monday through Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
