There is a piece of Milanese restaurant history that has begun a new chapter in 2024. Established in 1999, Isola dei Sapori has long been recognised from the very beginning for its distinctive gastronomic identity, characterised by Sardinian influences and a strong emphasis on seafood. Now under the umbrella of Gruppo Sapori Italiani, the venue is consolidating its already established reputation while elevating its offering to celebrate a profound connection with the local territory.
– Luca Bertoluzzi –
At Isola dei Sapori, “the sun is always shining”… on the plate! This is how Luca Bertoluzzi, the group’s CEO, likes to summarise this acquired reality from last year. The atmosphere is that of a warm seaside trattoria, with cosy wood furnishings and nautical maps adorning the walls, framing the four dining rooms. The ecosystem it operates within is the vibrant Milanese restaurant scene, which attracts a discerning and international clientele, in a sector that is inherently dynamic and constantly evolving.
Bertoluzzi himself welcomes us for a tasting and, when asked about the peculiarities of the Milanese scene, he painted the picture thus: “Milan is characterised by a highly competitive and saturated restaurant market. It remains, to this day, the most attractive and dynamic market in the country, where the interests of major international groups and local operators converge. The offering is broad, with a wide range of options available to its clientele, from traditional venues to ethnic, innovative, or fine dining establishments. From our perspective, the best strategy to compete in such a scenario is to focus on Italian traditional cuisine, well-established or recognised historic venues. Quality of service and recognition from our guests of the quality of our food and wine offerings – recognisable, reliable, reassuring dishes. We are not innovators; we are conservators, custodians of tradition.”
The menu exudes Sardinian flavours and whets the appetite from the very first courses. The dishes showcase Chef Emanuele Ballesio’s mastery and the finest raw ingredients, accompanied by a wine list rich in prestigious labels to complement. Starters include a variety of hot and cold antipasti, featuring fresh catches of the day such as scampi, tuna tartare, amberjack, wild Alaskan salmon, skewers, scallops, octopus, small squid, and Breton oysters.
– Spaghetti Rosario –
The menu continues with fresh pasta dishes, where the ‘Rosario’ spaghetti, born from an improvisation for a regular guest who was undeterred by the winter snowstorm, has become a symbol of the venue. The selection then moves on to main courses, including Catalan-style prawns, mixed grill, royal fried seafood, seafood stew, gratins, and the ever-present raw fish. The meal concludes with a wide array of desserts, among which the traditional Gallura seadas are particularly popular.
“We firmly believe in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. We are convinced that, despite exploring various culinary proposals, people always seek comfort and reliability in the flavours and dishes of tradition. That’s why we offer a cuisine that we like to call reliable. The experience we want our customers to remember, whether they dine at Cavallini, Al Fresco, or Isola dei Sapori, is authentic and complete, going beyond just a meal. We want them to feel they have experienced genuine Italian hospitality, where the quality of the food blends with the unique atmosphere of the venue, attentive service, and the intrinsic history of the place, leaving a mark of warmth, tradition reimagined, and impeccable well-being,” Luca Bertoluzzi explains.
The group has demonstrated sustainable economic growth over time, supported by key financial indicators such as approximately 180 employees, €15 million in turnover, a net profit margin between 10% and 12%, solid cash flow, and low debt exposure. Isola dei Sapori is the latest entrepreneurial venture launched by Sapori Italiani, whose strategy is centred on a development model within shopping centres across northern Italy. Currently operating ten venues across Lombardy, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna, the group primarily focuses on brands associated with pizza and traditional Italian cuisine. The trio in Milan’s city centre, in addition to Isola dei Sapori, includes Al Fresco Milano, an urban oasis with a garden acquired in 2019, and Antica Osteria Cavallini, purchased two years later, which recently celebrated its ninetieth anniversary.
“In the future of dining, I foresee even greater competition and consolidation,” Bertoluzzi explains before bidding us farewell. “Milan is growing very well, both with its domestic market and tourism. Recent fiscal policies have generated strong interest and attraction towards Italy, particularly Milan. As a result, we are very keen to continue expanding within the city centre rather than in the suburbs. We are still seeking out historic venues,” he concludes.
Discover even more @ www.ristoranteisoladeisapori.com
Article edited by Dafne Ambrosio