Stendhal Milano restaurant in Rome

Matteo Lippera

• Arquitectos

Vudafieri-Saverino Partners unveils the Stendhal Milano restaurant in Rome: an icon of Italian culinary culture opens in the “Eternal City” A traditional restaurant since the 1980s, Stendhal Milano is a tribute to Milanese style interpreted by architects Claudio Saverino and Tiziano Vudafieri, who worked on the furnishings, finishes, colours and materials to create an easy chic restaurant.

A bistro atmosphere, authentic cuisine, and a retro style skilfully blend with contemporary design features. The architecture studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners designed the new restaurant Stendhal Milano inside the jewel of Art Nouveau architecture of Galleria Alberto Sordi, in the heart of Rome. A homage to the refined Milanese style of the 1980s and 1990s, made contemporary by architects Claudio Saverino and Tiziano Vudafieri, who worked on the furnishings, finishes, colours, and materials to shape a sophisticated yet informal restaurant. The restaurant, led by executive chef Edoardo Ferrara, serves all day, from lunch to after-dinner.

photo_credit Matteo Lippera — Matteo Lippera

With a history of traditional cuisine, the restaurant Stendhal Milano, opened in the Brera district since1980s, now inaugurates its new venue in Rome, across from the headquarters of the Italian government in Palazzo Chigi and just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain.

The new Stendhal Milano in Rome is a restaurant rich in authentic flavours that continues to be “a place to enjoy every day, not just special occasions”, as the owner Marcello Forti said. Architects Claudio Saverino and Tiziano Vudafieri said: “We retained the visual codes of Stendhal Milano in the new restaurant, but with a contemporary Milanese twist, reflecting Rome’s festive vibrancy and easy-going nature. We created a welcoming space that fosters sociability.”

The concept of the project offers a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Milanese restaurant, adding a dash of humour. The two floors, covering 130 square metres, evoke the same retro atmosphere as the Milanese venue. Vudafieri-Saverino Partners focused on key elements such as the “Stendhal Green” colour as a unifying theme; bespoke wallpaper in green hues, with a design that, through arches and openings, mirrors the historic hosting Galleria; and luxurious materials like brass, marble, textured glass, and wood. The wood pattern was designed by architects Claudio Saverino and Tiziano Vudafieri.

With a total of 60 seats, the restaurant is spread across the ground floor and the main dining area on the mezzanine level, where a more intimate atmosphere has been crafted around an open kitchen. Around the small, ribbed wood counter, with a marble top, there are three seats allowing diners to watch the chefs at work.

photo_credit Paolo Valentini — Paolo Valentini

The large windows highlight the relationship between the contemporary interior and the Galleria's historic exterior. At the entrance, the architects introduced a striking feature: a large bespoke bar counter in green lacquer, with a marble top and green tile inserts. Behind it, a back counter with an antiqued mirror and a suspended bottle rack, which reinterprets Vienna straw, with brass mesh used for the shelf's edging.

On the wall next to the staircase connecting the two floors of the restaurant, a neon writing from Stendhal’s Promenades pays tribute to one of the writer's reflections on Rome: ”Il n'y a aucune logique à Rome, mais la sensibilité passionnée y vit toujours – There is no logic in Rome, but passionate sensibility always lives there.

Culinary selection

The launch of Stendhal Milano brings authentic Milanese cuisine to Rome for the first time. Executive Chef Edoardo Ferrara's culinary selection focuses on tradition: the “yellow” Risotto Milano carnaroli Riserva San Massimo, Mondeghili, Riso al salto with Silter PDO fondue, Ossobuco in gremolada, and the iconic Cotoletta Milanese (veal cutlet). The menu includes a Rome-dedicated section: Tonnarelli cacio e pepe, Carbonara, and Leonessa potato gnocchi all’Amatriciana with smoked pecorino, supplì with tomato and basil, all’Amatriciana, and the “Meneghino Stendhal” with gremolada fondant. The menu also features a selection of light lunch, snack, or aperitif options, including Hamburger, Toast, and Royal Lobster Roll. For a more sophisticated experience, the tasting menu showcases Stendhal Milano's iconic dishes, perfectly paired with cocktails. The beverage selection is equally impressive, boasting a wine list with approximately 150 names and a drink list of classic and signature cocktails.