Restaurants Worth A Special journey: Villa Crespi Restaurant in Italy Joins Fine-Dining Elite

Villa Crespi, led by chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo, in Orta San Giulio, joins the elite of the fine-dining world with three MICHELIN Stars.

@Villa Crespi, led by chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo, in Orta San Giulio, joins the elite of the fine-dining world with three @MICHELIN Stars.

A new restaurant, Villa Crespi, joins the exclusive three MICHELIN Stars family.

Set against the magical backdrop of Lake Orta, in a historical Moorish-style residence immersed in age-old grounds, this remarkable success story began way back in 2003, when the restaurant was awarded its first MICHELIN Star, followed by a second in 2006. Sixteen years later, the chef from Italy’s Campania region, sees his Piedmont-based restaurant awarded three MICHELIN Stars, an honor reserved for fewer than 140 restaurants worldwide.

With the confirmation of all Three MICHELIN Stars awarded in the 2022 selection, the 68th edition of the MICHELIN Guide Italy brings the number of restaurants “worth a special journey” in Italy to 12:

Villa Crespi Orta San Giulio (NO), Piazza Duomo in Alba (CN), Da Vittorio in Brusaporto (BG), St. Hubertus in San Cassiano (BZ), Le Calandre in Rubano (PD), Dal Pescatore in Canneto Sull’Oglio (MN), Osteria Francescana in Modena, Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, La Pergola in Rome, Reale in Castel di Sangro (AQ), Uliassi in Senigallia (AN) and Enrico Bartolini al MUDEC in Milan.

@Villa Crespi – @Michelin Guide Italy 2023

Italian gastronomy celebrated in its diversity and variety of regions and territories.

The most dynamic regions in the 2023 Michelin Guide Italy edition are Lombardy with 7 new entries, followed by Tuscany and Sicily with 5 new entries, giving the island a total of 20 MICHELIN Starred restaurants (3 two MICHELIN Stars, 17 one MICHELIN Star).

In the regional Star ranking, Lombardy retains its leadership with 60 restaurants (3 three MICHELIN Stars, 5 two MICHELIN Stars, 52 one MICHELIN Star), Campania confirms its second place with 48 restaurants, (7 two MICHELIN Stars, 41 one MICHELIN Star), and the third step on the podium goes to Piedmont with 44 restaurants (2 three MICHELIN Stars, 3 two MICHELIN Stars, 39 one MICHELIN Star). Tuscany ranks fourth with 42 restaurants (1 three MICHELIN Stars, 5 two MICHELIN Stars, 36 one MICHELIN Star), while Veneto is fifth with 32 restaurants (1 three MICHELIN Stars, 4 two MICHELIN Stars, 27 one MICHELIN Star) in the Guide.

At a provincial level, Naples is confirmed in first place with 29 restaurants (5 two MICHELIN Stars, 24 one MICHELIN Star), followed by Rome, which takes second place with 22 restaurants (1 three MICHELIN Stars, 3 two MICHELIN Stars, 18 one MICHELIN Star), and then by Bolzano, third with 21 restaurants (1 Three MICHELIN Stars, 3 two MICHELIN Stars, 17 one MICHELIN Star) ahead of Milan with 17 MICHELIN Star restaurants (1 three MICHELIN Stars, 3 two MICHELIN Stars, 13 one MICHELIN Star). Cuneo slips back into fifth place with 15 (1 three MICHELIN Stars, 1 two MICHELIN Stars, 13 one MICHELIN Star).

In the regional Bib Gourmand ranking, Emilia-Romagna confirms its top spot with 32 restaurants. Right behind it, Lombardy (30 restaurants) climbs to second place overtaking Piedmont (29 restaurants), while Tuscany, with 25 Bib Gourmand restaurants, and Veneto with 22, confirm their fourth and fifth places respectively.

@Sintesi/Di Lorenzo

4 new restaurants awarded two MICHELIN Stars:

The MICHELIN Guide ceremony, live-streamed and hosted by radio presenter Petra Loreggian, was a rollercoaster of emotions. There were 38 new Stars, spanning 13 regions, with 4 new additions in the two MICHELIN Star category of restaurants which are worth a detour:

Acquolina – Rome – chef Daniele Lippi

Inside The First Roma Hotel – the young chef delivers cuisine in which technique and imagination glorify products in a way that is never ordinary but which avoids pointless extravagance. Three tasting menus present different visions of the chef’s culinary style, dominated by the Mediterranean, with its products, aromas and traditions.

Enoteca La Torre – Rome – chef Domenico Stile

The dishes of this chef from Campania celebrate creativity with energy, exuberance and the intense flavors typical of the Mediterranean and Campanian tradition. Domenico Stile’s love for his homeland combines tributes to the gourmet history of the capital and the great classics of Italian culinary tradition, taking you on a delicious and varied journey that can reach far beyond the borders of the Bel Paese.

@St. George by Heinz Beck/Tarantino

St. George by Heinz Beck – Taormina – chef Salvatore Iuliano

Whether you indulge in the two tasting menus or choose an à la carte meal, every dish features the lightness that is the signature of Heinz Beck and the hallmark of the talented Calabrian chef, Salvatore Iuliano. His cuisine swings between creative dishes with traditional touches and tributes to Trinacria, for those looking for unconventional Mediterranean cuisine.

Locanda Sant’Uffizio Enrico Bartolini – Penango – chef Gabriele Boffa

In a former monastery, converted into an elegant hotel, the kitchen is run by a chef who possesses uncommon professionalism and talent. Gabriele Boffa, a native of Langhe and an acute connoisseur of Piedmontese cuisine, boasts outstanding technical skills acquired thanks to extensive experience in the world’s finest restaurants. His cuisine covers everything from great regional classics – such as the extraordinary Agnolotti del Plin – which he interprets faithfully to tradition, to dishes which, while being more creative and innovative, still express a link with the territory.

33 restaurants obtain their first MICHELIN Star.

There are 33 new additions to the one Star category of the MICHELIN Guide 2023 Italy. They include Cannavacciuolo Vineyard, a restaurant in Casanova di Terricciola in the province of Pisa, with young chef Marco Suriano at the helm: more good news for Antonino Cannavacciuolo. Also of note is a Star awarded to I Tenerumi, a vegetarian restaurant on the island of Vulcano, which has also been awarded a MICHELIN Green Star for its commitment to more sustainable cuisine.

19 new MICHELIN Green Stars awarded for a total of 48.

The MICHELIN Green Star acknowledges restaurateurs who are leading the way in terms of sustainability and can be awarded to any restaurant, regardless of their culinary distinction. The inspectors consider numerous factors when assigning the MICHELIN Green Star, among them: the production of raw materials, respect for labor and support for local producers, waste reduction and management, actions aimed at minimizing the use of energy resources and the impact of the establishment on the environment, and, last but not least, the sustainable training of young people, are just some of these factors.

@Il Colmetto/Benedetti

Four Special Awards in the MICHELIN Guide 2023 Italy selection:

The MICHELIN Young Chef Award (with the support of Lavazza), attributed to a professional considered inspiring for his/her generation, went to Davide Guidara (I Tenerumi, Isola di Vulcano, Eolie).

Michael Falk and Eleonora Corazza (Apostelstube, Bressanone) received the MICHELIN Service Award (with the support of Intrecci – Alta Formazione di Sala) for their warm and attentive care to guests.

This year, the MICHELIN Mentor Chef Award (with the support of Blancpain) was awarded to Enrico Bartolini (Enrico Bartolini at Mudec, Milan), for his professional achievements and his positive influence on younger generations.

Sommelier Stefano Quero (Condividere, Turin), received the MICHELIN Sommelier Award (with the support of Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino) for his impressive expertise and his way of proposing unique pairings.

The 2023 MICHELIN Guide Italy at a glance:

• 12 three MICHELIN Stars restaurants (of which 1 new)
• 38 two MICHELIN Stars restaurants (of which 4 new)
• 335 one MICHELIN Stars restaurants (of which 31 new)
• 257 Bib Gourmand restaurants (of which 29 new)
• 48 restaurants awarded a MICHELIN Green Star (of which 19 new)
• A total of 385 Starred restaurants in Italy

The full selection for Italy is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The restaurants join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in Italy and throughout the world.

Every hotel in the Guide is chosen for its extraordinary style, service, and personality — with options for all budgets — and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selection for Italy features the country’s most spectacular hotels, including intimate, design-forward boutiques like Soprarno Suites in Florence, standouts from our “Plus” collection like Palm Suite and The Hoxton in Rome, canal-side architectural wonders like Il Palazzo Experimental in Venice, hotels made from entire towns like Sextantio in Abruzzo, hotels made from old monasteries like Eremito in Umbria, and hotels made by Francis Ford Coppola like Palazzo Margherita in Basilicata.

@Villa Crespi, led by chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo, in Orta San Giulio

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Now Open: Evidence-Based Wellness Leads At Highly-Anticipated Sensei Porcupine Creek

The 230-acre private estate, which is now open to the public for the first time, has impeccably designed grounds that immerse its guests in the healing properties the desert landscape is known for.

@Sensei Porcupine Creek

The highly-anticipated Sensei Porcupine Creek opened its doors, welcoming guests to the luxurious wellness retreat in Rancho Mirage, CA. As the first standalone retreat under the Sensei brand, the property boasts a boutique experience with 22 luxurious accommodations; evidence-based wellness programming designed to give guests the tools they need to live a longer, healthier lifestyle; a private Sensei by Nobu restaurant; and premier spa, fitness, golf and tennis facilities.

Set within the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains near Palm Springs, California, a true desert oasis awaits.

Sensei Porcupine Creek has transformed a private 230-acre estate – sought after by professional athletes, celebrities and dignitaries – into an intimate wellness retreat featuring peerless golf and tennis facilities, luxurious accommodations, lush spa gardens and Sensei by Nobu dining exclusively for resort guests.

Sensei Porcupine Creek offers guests 22 exquisitely appointed accommodations, including sophisticated Estate House rooms, spacious Casitas with private outdoor heated spas and freestanding luxury villas.

At the heart of the retreat stands the elegant Estate House, which is grand in scale with high ceilings and windows that flood the space with natural light. Situated beyond the Estate House lies a refreshing lagoon-style pool, garden spa treatment rooms, a Fitness Pavilion with industry-leading equipment and a Yoga Pavilion, all boasting expansive views towards the Santa Rosa Mountains to ground guests in nature.

Created for wellbeing enthusiasts, guests are immersed in the brand’s philosophy of the Sensei Way which distills preventative health science into three simple paths for everyday living: Move, Nourish and Rest. Led by best-in-class Sensei Guides, all of whom have advanced degrees in their fields, guests work alongside highly-skilled wellness practitioners, as well as golf and tennis professionals to learn how to improve their daily practices to reach their personalized goals.

Guests can choose from one of the retreat’s wellness packages, which offers an opportunity for them to tailor their experience from the moment they book their stay. Each package allows guests to determine how structured or flexible they would like their retreat experience to be, with personalized itineraries and a dedicated team available to apply and translate science-backed insights into actionable takeaways for continued wellbeing journeys.

@Sensei Porcupine Creek

The new luxury resort has curated a robust and enriching menu of wellness experiences to bring the paths of Move, Nourish and Rest to life throughout the guest experience.

All resort guests have access to a collection of complimentary daily small group classes, lectures and weekly activities among indoor and outdoor spaces designed to connect you to nature – from guided walks and hikes, to yoga and meditation, fitness, and more.

To rejuvenate the body, guests can book one of the many spa treatments designed for ultimate relaxation. Sensei Spa Experiences include the Gua Sha Uplifting Facial, a massage technique used to uplift the dermis layer of the skin through tailored sculpting rituals that restore, revive and oxygenate the skin; Desert Herb Poultice and Oil Massage, a full-body massage applies a steam-heated therapeutic poultice of herbs, seeds and leaves followed by warm oils infused with desert herbs to provide moist and nutrient-rich relaxation to the skin and muscles; and Thermal Body Mapping and Massage, an innovative treatment where a practitioner will use exclusive Sensei-developed thermographic technology to create a visual map of the body, revealing asymmetries, muscle tightness, and possible areas of inflammation.

@Sensei Porcupine Creek

At Sensei Porcupine Creek, guests are immersed in a desert oasis of natural surroundings encouraging connection, healing and relaxation.

The lush estate grounds are home to world-class sculptures and an art collection worthy of museum display. Sensei Porcupine Creek features renowned works and sculptures from Robert Indiana, Keith Haring, Jaume Plensa, David Ellis, Nancy Lorenz, Valeria Nascimento, Visarute Angkatavanich, Lita Albuquerque and more. The artwork and sculptures on property also weave in a blend of local artists from California, such as Audra Weaser, Cari Guerin, and Katlin Evans, as well as numerous Japanese pieces from artists including Yoshimoto Nara, Shiryu Morita, Kokuta Suda, Kazuhito Takadoi, Mikio Watanabe and more, paying homage to the property’s Japanese-inspired design and California roots.

@Sensei Porcupine Creek

Exclusive to Retreat Guests, Sensei by Nobu Embodies Wholesome Cuisine with Local Ingredients

Open exclusively to retreat guests, Sensei by Nobu, a collaboration between world-renowned Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Dr. David Agus, artfully blends classic Nobu flavors with locally grown ingredients. Harnessing a wholesome philosophy, the menu intertwines nutritional balance with personal enjoyment for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Guests can enjoy Sensei by Nobu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evenings, a relaxed Sushi Bar invites guests to nourish their palate with signature Nobu dishes. Additional dining options include an all-day poolside menu and in-room dining from the comfort of guests’ accommodations.

@Sensei Porcupine Creek

Premier Golf and Tennis Facilities Open to the Public for the First Time

The crown jewel of Sensei Porcupine Creek is its 18-hole golf course, which is known for its nearly 75-acres of turf and sand bunkers, glimmering water features and grand Santa Rosa Mountain views. The legendary golf destination has attracted some of the world’s top players and is now open exclusively to Sensei resort guests for tee times or customized private lessons with a Golf Professional.

In addition, Sensei Porcupine Creek is home to premier tennis facilities, built to match the professional courts of the nearby Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which hosts the annual BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament. Now exclusive to resort guests, those wishing to perfect their game or have a bit of fun can reserve time on the clay court or two hard courts.

Sensei Porcupine Creek’s sister property and first retreat, Sensei Lāna’i, A Four Seasons Resort, is set within the secluded Hawaiian island’s 90,000 acres in the spiritual uplands of Ko’ele. Sensei was founded by Larry Ellison and Dr. David Agus, with the goal of inspiring people to live longer healthier lives.

@Sensei Porcupine Creek
source @Sensei Porcupine Creek

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