Luxury is freedom

Two Massimo A Star

By Sophie Verchère

Direction the left bank. In the heart of St Germain des Prés, to the right of the famous Lipp brasserie, opposite the institutions that are Flore and Les Deux Magots, the Armani brand has been a fixture for 25 years. A beautiful space for the look and the taste buds and one thing in common: elegance. It’s time for tasting. Like the Armani clothing brand, there are two culinary lines. “Luxury ready-to-wear” with the Emporio Armani Caffé brasserie on the ground floor and “La couture” with the gourmet restaurant L’Armani Ristorante nestled on the first floor

Bienvenue en Italie. Tout, ici, resimo Mori Welcome to Italy. Everything here exudes refinement and excellence but without fuss. Elegant minimalism is essential. From decoration to tableware, each element bears the ultra-refined and sober imprint of the world of Monsieur Armani. Massimo Mori, the owner of the place, ensures the exception, from the brasserie to the Michelin-starred restaurant. Co-owner with Mr. Armani of this temple of Milanese cuisine, this Italian has a contagious joie de vivre. Singing accent, sunny words, playful smile, laughing eye, he exudes good humor. A word for everyone, he knows the families of this Parisian and international clientele over two or even three generations.

He knows that a certain customer prefers his wire spaghetti to be cooked even more al dente than it should be, he knows and anticipates the requirements of the regulars from the table to the plate. Everyone adores this child from Lombardy, nourished by family love, perfect work, beautiful products. He learned from his mother, an accomplished cook, about local crops, respect for the seasons, and healthy products. It’s called quality! A good passport stamped with the precepts of his father, creator of shoes with luxury leathers, namely customer service and business lessons. After studying hotel management at Bellagio on Lake Como, he had a series of experiences, each more enriching than the last, at the Sporting Club of Monza, at the Villa d’Este, at the Grand Hôtel de Lausanne, all in the service of the King of Spain then in France.

In 1975, he embraced Paris. Unexpected encounters, happy coincidences...but does chance exist? No career plan, Massimo thrives on enthusiasm and feeling. “We attract what we put out.” If this law does not apply to Massimo Mori, to who else? In 1998, another magnificent meeting with Mr. Georgio Armani. The fashion designer entrusted him with the creation of an Emporio Armani Caffé restaurant, above his boutique, on the corner of Boulevard St Germain and rue de Rennes. Massimo Mori is “the ideal man” with his multiple experiences in cuisine, wines, event planning and his sense of hospitality. Immediate success. After a very successful facelift in 2017, the place offers two different experiences with the gourmet brasserie and the starred restaurant for different occasions and moments

The felt simplicity gives the feeling of entering a cocoon. Here we are in the most Milanese of Parisian Italian restaurants, a gem of contemporary transalpine cuisine. Simplicity in the service of products. Massimo Tringali is the talent behind the piano. The two Massimos share the same vision of “honesty on the plate”. Massimo Tringali rose to the forefront of haute cuisine in 2003 at IL Carpaccio at Royal Monceau under the direction of chef Davide Bisetto. Another memorable experience in Porto-Vecchio, in Corsica at the Casadelmar restaurant which won a star while he was part of the brigade. Another star will be earned after he leaves. Return “home” to Italy with the objective of becoming a chef, rich in all these years of rigor. Some time later, Corsica became relevant again! The Casadelmar having lost a star recalls it. Massimo likes to think that he has something to do with the revival of the lost reward. Three years later, meeting with the other Massimo. This duo understands each other, contributes to each other, values each other. Obtaining the star in 2018 was not received without a certain emotion for the one who takes our taste buds to 7th heaven! Impossible to describe the insalata di carciofi, the asparagus risotto, the lightly smoked sweet Giarratana onion with chestnuts and raisins in Marsala wine, the crispy Milanese breaded egg and Parmigiano fondue or the pistachio linguine from Bronte…Always respecting the seasons, the Sicilian chef knows like no one else, with audacity, to put all the ingredients in majesty, to twist the royal langoustine or pork cheek with vegetables, perfect olive oils, aromatic herbs or spices..

This taste journey cannot do without the unmissable tiramisu or the simply to die for affogato! The wine list is as good as the food list, which is also remarkable.

Massimo Mori and Massimo Tringali have Italian cuisine in common and above all humility.

Nothing moves them more than wide eyes during customer tasting.

The excellence, the know-how, the good vibes of this establishment are located at 7 place du Québec, in the sixth arrondissement of Paris