Denis & la pizza di montagna.

Little could I imagine, when I started working with my friend & Colleague Christian Kroeller to bring #HORTO up on the best rooftop of Piazza Cordusio, what would follow. Throughout a pandemic, we made it so that the new exclusive restaurant by Norbert Niederkofler -the great 3 Michelin Star Chef- will open soon in #Milan on #TheMedelan panoramic rooftop. And that was more than enough, for my heart to skip a beat already!

But life is a tasty dish and synchronicity has a sharp knife. 

In 2021, I get a call from an amazing manager and private investor, Marco Santini from Food Partners, with whom I had the honor to work in different moments in time and I call a friend, now: “Monica, we need you to find the right locations for the most innovative, light and crispiest pizza ever! We have joined a mountain pizza master who rocks and we are starting up a new restaurant brand. Milan first”. 

Deal. I start reading about this special #pizza #master, as I always want to know more about my Clients. I get fascinated with by his story, but when I finally get to know Denis Lovatel, I fall in love with his creative and qualitative approach to his crispy and sophisticated yet simple pizza di montagna, as I learn about his never ending search for taste and his special way of using mountain raw materials and herbs.

Where you open is as important as your #menu, your ingredients and your chef. The #location you pick, talks about your #concept and your #purpose, way more than you may be aware of.

The best location is not necessarily the most convenient or the fanciest. It must be the perfect bridge between your intentions to deliver your food to a certain target and that same people you want to talk to, crossing the right space with the right time.

So I search and search, until I find this unique place, and old Milanese restaurant looking for a new story to tell, with both open and closed spaces, several different levels, lots of natural light and some beautiful greenery on the cozy veranda. When Denis, Marco and the other investors approve the location, I know this is going to be the perfect place to start this new adventure with #pizzadimontagna.

Denis' naming, branding, positioning, tone of voice, all graphics, in-store communication and overall communication strategy was created by MIND:IN Communication Agency and I find it just fresh and flawless. The perfect #design of this restaurant was curated by Milanese Architect Cristina Raimondi and delivers #harmony to the guests and the food.

BUT, GUESS WHAT?

I then discover a great bond of friendship and cooperation between Denis Lovatel and Norbert Niederkofler and that makes my heart skip the second beat: Chef Norbert partnered up with Denis to care for his pizza offer at Wine Bar & Grill @ Hotel Rosa Alpina in San Cassiano. Denis on his end, was always deeply inspired by Norbert's philosophy, Cook The Mountain: the kitchen, intended as a catalyst of cultural processes, for the dissemination of a sustainable development model in our delicate and important environment. The two Gents are beautiful minds and amazing creative food experts, grown up in the wild beauty of the Dolomites mountains.

It's just #magic: I had no idea our paths would cross in such unexpected ways, thanks to food. #Food is a #manifesto, gathering people with common values and shared visions; most of all, it is a cradle of #sustainability and actions for the #future. Food teaches a lot and I am a lucky learner, here. 

SO, NOW IT’S THE TIME!

Denis just emerged from the woods, taking with him his #mountainpizza, which he now prepares for anyone who wants to explore a higher level of this great dish.

The silence, the clean air, the fragrant herbs, the crystalline water: all this goes into a light and crunchy dough, treated with passion and patience, garnished with fresh, seasonal, selected ingredients. 

“It is the special #umami, the fifth #taste given by the natural herbs in the mix” Denis tells me, with his wise smile: he looks like an ancient master, who came from the mountains to help us discover the new frontiers of #pizza. But “I just know I want more, Denis!” as I bite into another slice. It’s almost addicting and that umami thing makes your mouth watering, craving for more. 

The #mountainpizza #journey has just begun, in a totally renovated location in the heart of business & nightlife in Milan, Moscova district.

Come visit Denis in Via Statuto, 16, enjoy the green/wood/white design, creating a cool and relaxing #atmosphere and try the #lightest #pizza ever, with that incredible #flavor.

Also, keep an eye on Denis Pizza di Montagna IG profile https://www.instagram.com/denispizzadimontagna/ for upcoming news and updates on Denis’ adventures.

And now, onto the next location, because this pizza di montagna deserves to be tasted by the many people!

Much love (for Denis' #pizza) to you all xxx

Monica @ YOUNICORN

#mountainpizza #food #future #respect #nature #mountain #reuse #addvalue #seasons #pizza #restaurant #pizzadimontagna #denislovatel #denis #magic #retail #realestate #weareyounicorns