The Grand Hotel et de Milan is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, so it’s a splendid time to call at Caruso, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, to check out the recent renovations. Luckily the owners seem like the types to never throw anything out, so the designers were able to go all Indiana Jones in the hotel’s warehouse and emerge with some beautiful – and unusual – period pieces to create a bit of vintage glamour.
Why unusual? Old soup tureen lids as wall decorations, that’s why. One doesn’t see that every day. More common items brought back from storage obscurity include some of the chairs, while others such as the Saarinen executive model designed for Knoll were new additions. The Murano glass chandeliers are original pieces dating back to the 1920s, and designers Dimore Studio hovered around that period as they created the lion’s share of the bespoke items that have been commissioned especially for the new space; the sand coloured glass topped tables and flamed bronze bar are examples of Dimore’s skilled handiwork. Legendary tenor Enrico Caruso may be long gone, but like his music, this restaurant that shares his name will be enjoyed for many years to come.
