Il Mercato del Duomo

Sala Alessi in Palazzo Marino crowded this morning for the presentation of an ambitious project, signed by Autogrill with the essential contribution of Slow Food and Niko Romito Formazione.

It’s called Il Mercato del Duomo, it’s opening on April 30th in the most famous square of Milan and it will be «an outpost for artisanal intelligence, in the heart of the city», explained Marco Bolasco of Slow Food opening the conference. «A place capable of generating work, starting from high quality food», said the mayor of Milan Pisapia who christened the morning «a project in coherence with the international prestige our city benefits from, especially with regards to food themes». «Such a farsighted and innovative project», said Autorgrill’s president Gilberto Benetton, right after that, «that there is almost no equal among other public and private projects». «A great team work», concluded a beaming Carlo Petrini, «without rhetoric, an extraordinary research on origins, roots, which in Milan are extraordinary and deep. It will be a great success».

It will be a multi-concept store in Piazza Duomo spread on 4 flours for a total of 5K square metres, of which 3K open to the public. There will be 320 employees involved, an investment of 13 and a half million of euros. In particular, the first two floors will be livened up by a covered market, run by Compagnia Alimentare, 500 square metres managed by local producers, selected by the Università di scienze gastronomiche in Pollenzo. The idea is to return to the true meaning of “market” as the «centre of a city, experienced and not only consumed, a meeting with food in its basic form», they explain. There will be various stands, divided according to food category: meat&charcuterie, dairy products, delicatessen, bread and cakes... A step backward and at the same time a step forward towards the atmosphere of a local market, «a formidable effort to restore the ancient relationship between producer and consumer». Here are the names of some of the producers: C’era una torta from Seregno, bakery Grazioli from Legnano, Gastronomia Falcone from Verzuolo (Cuneo), milanovino.it.

On the floors above there will be important establishments such as Bistrot Milano Duomo with many islands such as La Griglia, Ovobar, Salsamenteria and Caffetteria. And also Motta Caffè Bar, Terrazza Aperol, the latter will also be a showcase for cultural events and activities. A preview of all the sections can be seen here.

As we said, the collaboration with Niko Romito and Niko Romito Formazione at Casadonna in Castel di Sangro was essential. After opening Spazio in Rivisondoli, Abruzzo, and atEataly Roma with Oscar Farinetti, here’s the debut on the great stage of Milan: Spazio Milano will be located on the last floor of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. «I’m proud to bring my restaurant-laboratory to Milan», the excited chef explained, «a place combining fine dining and bistro, with medium prices. I can’t wait for this adventure to begin».

While we write his words, it is natural to return to the words Romito pronounced only this summer: «I miss the link between the training school and the real work world», he told us on a sunny day in July at Casadonna. A few months later not only that link was created but it was multiplied in the most important cities in Italy (since a few days ago there’s also "Bomba" at Gourmeet in Naples). A chef with a rare and very clear entrepreneurial vision.