From Your Personal Shopper in London: Alain Ducasse enlightens Dorchester Hotel

In the world of glitzy hotel restaurants, Alain Ducasse and his work at Plaza Athene and Le Louis XV at Monaco’s Hotel de Paris reign supreme. Ducasse’s latest undertaking is at London’s prized Dorchester located on Park Lane overlooking Hyde Park.

Alain Ducasse is one of the world’s most decorated chefs. Known not only for his incomparable French cuisine, Alain Ducasse has created innovative dining concepts reflecting international influences, and consequently has earned a reputation for phenomenal cuisine.

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester offers contemporary French cuisine along with a professional bespoke and friendly service.

Experience creativity, generosity and impeccable cuisine at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. Guests are taken on an unrivalled culinary journey starting with beautifully presented amuse-bouche served in a delicate porcelain egg and finishing with classic ‘Chamonix’ cakes gifted at the end of the meal. The restaurant’s four bespoke trolleys provide the perfect ending to an enchanting dining experience with offerings ranging from Mignardises to fresh infusions.

The jewel of the restaurant is the stunning ‘Table Lumière’, a private room surrounded by 4,500 shimmering fiber optics which drop dramatically from the ceiling and adorned with specially selected sets of Hermès china, Puiforcat silverware and Saint-Louis crystal.

Designed by Patrick Jouin (Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel tower) the restaurant draws inspiration from British traditions, Hyde Park and even the cuisine of Alain Ducasse himself. Patrick Jouin has succeeded in merging tradition with modernity. The dining room is contemporary, soft and elegant, showcasing the unadorned beauty of natural fabrics such as leather, wood and cotton to amazing effect, in a palette of tan, cream and taupe. The design includes quirky elements such as walls studded with thousands of silk buttons in different shades of green.

An exceptional selection of tableware has been chosen by Alain Ducasse, in complete harmony with the restaurant. It highlights traditional French craftsmanship and an interesting variety of materials. From Coquet porcelain to hand-made butter dishes in pink marble, to French artist Jean-Paul Gourdon unique vegetable ceramics, the finest tableware has been created exclusively for the restaurant.

From Your Personal Shopper in Milan: Carlo Cracco, Innovative Cuisine Combining the Milanese Tradition

The Cracco Restaurant was born on 1st July 2007.

The internal completely renovated and amplified has been left to the fantasy and knowledge of the two architects Gian Maria and Roberto Beretta that have created an elegant and comfortable environment, enriched from the boiseriè of cherry wood that goes around the walls.

The kitchen run by the chef Carlo Cracco offers an innovative cuisine combining the Milanese tradition with the now-days tastes for a always more simple and light food.

The cuisine of Carlo Cracco is emphasise from a unique wine cellars of 1800 labels, the result of an accurate selection from all the best wines present on the world market.

ABOUT CARLO CRACCO

In 1986, he began his professional career at “Gualtiero Marchesi”, in Milan, the firs Italia restaurant awarded three Michelin stars.

Today, only 4 restaurant in Italy have been awarded two Michelin stars, an honour bestowed from the well-known Michelin restaurant guide.

Following, Cracco worked at “La Meridiana” of Garlenda (Savona) part of the famous Relais & Chateux chain.

For the next three years he resided in France, where he learned on French cuisine at Alain Ducasse (Hotel Paris) and Lucas Carton (Paris, Senderens).

Cracco finally returned to Italy where he was appointed Chef at “Enoteca Pinchiorri”, Florence. During his tenure, the restaurant was awarded the three Michelin stars.

Gualtiero Marchesi called him back for opening of his restaurant “L’Albereta”, Erbusco (Brescia), where Cracco worked as chef for the next three years. Soon after. He opened the inn “Le Clivie” in Piobesi d’Alba (Cuneo). Which after only one year, was awarded the Michelin star.

A few years later, he accepted an invitation from the Stoppani family, owner of Milan’s famous gourmet shop “Peck – in Milan since 1883”, to open “Cracco Peck restaurant”.

The restaurant opened on 2001, it is in an elegant building in the city centre and cuisine re examines Milan’s traditional dishes in a contemporary way. It was awarded of two Michelin stars. Since July 1st 2007 Carlo Cracco is the only owner of Cracco Restaurant.