The Mediterranean
The Mediterranean hot list
March 2025
What we’re loving in March 2025 (and you will too)
Stay informed and stay inspired! The Mediterranean hot list is your monthly dossier of what’s shaping the cultural and creative landscape across the Mediterranean. From smart new openings and design-forward projects to events worth pencilling into your diary, we spotlight the ideas and initiatives that matter. Whether you’re a local with a keen eye on your surroundings or a traveller seeking authentic inspiration, this is your curated guide to the things that are getting our attention (and deserve your’s, too).
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Top photography courtesy of Casa Brera
01
Arrogant Verneuil: a fusion of design, art and fashion in Paris
Located in the heart of Paris’s Left Bank, Arrogant Verneuil is a boutique, gallery and home all in one. Brought to life by Rozemarijn de Witte and Pierre Traversier, known for their boutique hotel, Los Enamorados in Ibiza, the couple has infused the same vibrant energy into this Parisian space. The gallery occupies a 300-square-meter area that once housed the Epoca gallery, previously owned by Mony Linz-Einstein. In 2021, de Witte and Traversier, with the help of French interior architect Rafael Pialoux and Fabien Cosson, transformed this historic venue into a curated haven of vintage design, art, fashion and handmade objects. At the front you’ll find a shop with rare objects, clothes, ceramics, furniture and accessories gathered by the couple during their travels and at the back is the gallery space that is more exclusive and intimate since it is also their place of residence.
Arrogant Verneuil
60 Rue de Verneuil
Paris
France
Photography courtesy of Arrogant Verneuil
02
Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère: mountain stay in Auvergne-Rhônes-Alpes
In the heart of the French Alps, the Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère redefines mountain hospitality. This 4-star hotel offers bespoke rooms with breathtaking views of the Vanoise massif. The interiors, curated by designer Dorothée Meilichzon, feature a harmonious mix of rustic wood, deep green hues and rich terracotta tones, creating a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance. This hotel is home to two exceptional dining establishments. L’Aigle d’Or, a grand brasserie, serves regional specialties in a warm setting adorned with wood-paneled walls and a glowing fireplace. For a more intimate experience, L’Aiglon offers traditional Savoyard dishes like raclette, tartiflette and fondue, all crafted from locally sourced mountain produce. We also love the hotel’s signature cocktail bar – serving creatively crafted cocktails.
Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère
101 Rue de la Poste
Val-d’Isère
France
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Photography courtesy of Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère
03
Dop: exceptional fine-dining experience in Porto
Established in 2010 by the acclaimed Chef Rui Paula, Dop restaurant is housed within the 18th-century Palácio das Artes, a building that has gracefully transitioned from a monastery to the Bank of Portugal and now to a fine-dining haven. Upon entering Dop, you are greeted by a redesigned interior that pays homage to its historical roots while embracing modern design elements. The recent renovation by Atelier Sergio Rebelo features soaring ceilings, arched windows and a harmonious palette of warm wood tones complemented by vibrant red accents. Chef Rui Paula’s menu is a testament to his philosophy that there is no future without memory. Signature dishes like the innovative squid carbonara, where squid is artfully transformed to mimic tagliatelle, showcase the chef’s creativity and dedication to honoring local flavors.
Dop
Lgo de S. Domingos 16
Porto
Portugal
Photography courtesy of Dop
04
Casa Brera: a design-forward stay in Milan
Located in Milan’s historic Brera district, Casa Brera is a luxury hotel that embodies the city’s design-forward spirit. The hotel’s architecture, a testament to the rationalist designs of Pietro Lingeri, has been revitalized by renowned designer Patricia Urquiola. This collaboration has resulted in 116 unique guest rooms, including 15 suites and the opulent Milanese Suite. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love staying here. Not just one or two dining options but four! Etereo offers a unique rooftop setting with an outdoor pool, amazing views and delicious sharing plates. Living is a stylish cocktail bar where you can enjoy bespoke cocktails, light bites, aperitivo and live music. A rare collection of sake and authentic Japanese flavors are found at the prized restaurant, Odachi, by Chef Haruo Ichikawa. Lastly, you have Scena, by Michelin star Chef Andrea Berton, that places authentic Italian cuisine in the spotlight.
Casa Brera
Piazzetta M. Bossi 2
Milano
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Casa Brera
05
Fellows: Paris’s pasta paradise
In Paris’s 10th arrondissement, Fellows is the latest venture from the creative minds behind Maslow, offering a fresh take on vegetarian dining with a focus on handmade pasta. Chef Mehdi Favri has curated an inventive menu that celebrates fresh, handcrafted pasta, prepared daily using French agro-ecological flour. Highlights include the butter-cheese pici, featuring thick spaghetti tossed in a creamy Béarn tomme sauce, topped with smoked alpine tomme foam, mustard pickles and burnt onion powder. Another favorite is the pici cacio e zaatar, combining Basque tommette cheese with zaatar, sesame and pepper. The interior, designed by Juliette Rubel, exudes a chic and welcoming ambiance. You can choose between seating at the sleek counter, gathering around a communal table or enjoying the spacious terrace when weather permits – we love the downstairs area, which houses the pasta-making station.
Fellows
84 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis
Paris
France
Photography courtesy of Fellows
06
Romeo: Rome’s newest chic hotel
In the centre of Rome, just steps from Piazza del Popolo, the newly unveiled Romeo Roma hotel offers a stay steeped in historical grandeur and avant-garde design. Housed within the 16th-century Palazzo Capponi, this luxury boutique hotel is one of the final masterpieces conceived by the late architect Zaha Hadid. Her signature fluid aesthetics are evident throughout the property, easily integrating with the restored original frescoes. The hotel doubles as a living gallery. The interiors are adorned with works by contemporary artists such as Mimmo Paladino and Mario Schifano, alongside historical artifacts unearthed during the building’s restoration, including a marble bust of Livia Drusilla, wife of Emperor Augustus. Other highlights at this hotel include the Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse, offering the cuisine of Michelin-starred super chef Alain Ducasse and the expansive 13,000-square-foot La Spa Sisley Paris, which offers a range of treatments rooted in the Phyto-Aromatic philosophy.
Romeo
Via di Ripetta 246
Roma
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Romeo
07
Le Bistrot des Serruriers: a French bistro inspired eatery in Nice
Located below the Hôtel du Couvent in Nice, the Bistrot des Serruriers offers an exciting fusion of traditional French cuisine and contemporary flair. The interior has a warm, inviting atmosphere, reminiscent of a classic French bistro. The decor features vintage furnishings, large mirrors and an array of paintings. Under the guidance of Chef Endy Le Page, formerly of Pic at Beau-Rivage, the menu showcases market-fresh ingredients, many sourced from the restaurant’s own garden and the nearby Ferme Notre-Dame. Signature dishes include a delectable terrine of rabbit and Taggiasche olives, a flavorful pissaladière from the Boulangerie du Couvent and perfectly roasted sardines with olive oil and lemon. For dessert, the tarte au citron is a standout. The wine list, curated by sommelier Agathe Szucka, features natural wines that pair beautifully with the menu.
Le Bistrot des Serruriers
16 Rue des Serruriers
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Le Bistrot des Serruriers
08
La Veste: there’s a new quirky boutique in Paris
La Veste, the fashion label launched by Maria de la Orden and Blanca Miró in 2018, has unveiled its first physical boutique in Paris. The boutique’s interior, crafted by the Barcelona-based design studio Quintana Partners, reflects the brand’s Iberian roots and distinctive aesthetic. When you step in you are greeted by a kitschy-yet-charming ambiance, featuring unique carpeting, Dalí-inspired furniture, fringed curtains and vintage display cases filled with art books. Originally celebrated their diverse range of blazers, La Veste has expanded its collection to include dresses, blouses, accessories and notably, the popular Pippi striped pants. The Paris boutique offers exclusive items, such as the new Orangerie bucket bag and plans to introduce monthly capsule collections, starting with a junior line.
La Veste
4 rue de Tournon
Paris
France
Photography courtesy of La Veste
09
Palazzo Citterio: Milan’s most anticipated art museum is open
After decades of anticipation, Milan’s Palazzo Citterio has opened its doors in 2025 as a modern art museum. This 18th-century palace now houses over 200 masterpieces from the 20th century, including works by Boccioni, Modigliani, Morandi and Picasso. Designed by Mario Cucinella Architects, the renovation respects the building’s historical elements while introducing contemporary features. A notable addition is the Little Temple, a circular wooden pavilion inspired by Donato Bramante’s Tempietto in Rome, serving as a connecting point between the palace and the adjacent Botanical Garden. Palazzo Citterio also hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events.
Palazzo Citterio
Via Brera 12
Milano
Italy
Photography courtesy of Palazzo Citterio
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