Serving a nature-Inspired menu to champion food sustainability in Shanghai.
Hong Kong – La Scala, the signature Italian restaurant located at the new contemporary lifestyle hotel The Sukhothai Shanghai, is now open. Michelin-starred guest chef Theodor Falser and chef de cuisine Stefano Sanna put their own stamp on the restaurant concept, crafting creative Italian cuisine that prizes authenticity, refined quality and sustainability.
The delightful gastronomic experience at La Scala is about discovery – through the wholesome ingredients in the purest form, thoughtful flavour pairing that brings palate-pleasing sensation and unexpected twist to traditional recipes, inventive ways of cooking stem-to-root and nose-to-tail, and artful presentation that accentuates the restaurant’s culinary philosophy. A master-and-disciple team, chefs Theodor and Stefano have meticulously devised a menu inspired by the pristine nature, shining light on recipes that call attention to low carbon footprint, local and sustainable sourcing, low waste, and zero frozen and processed ingredients, paying homage to food, land and its people.
“Food sustainability is a topic very close to my heart,” says Chef Theodor, who has a well-earned reputation for masterfully creating the flavours and aromas of authentic Italian cuisine with natural and seasonal wild and local ingredients, perfectly aligning with his “taste nature” food philosophy. “La Scala is born out of a simple desire to present authentic Italian cuisine that features fresh, clean and high-quality ingredients, celebrates the many innovative ways of transforming food scraps into delicious and exquisite dishes, while raising awareness of our environmental impact and driving positive changes.” Chef Theodor also takes the helm of the Johannesstube restaurant at Wellnesshotel Engel in Nova Levante Dolomiti, Italy, which has been awarded with one Michelin star and the prestigious title of Italy’s Restaurant of the Year by the Italian Sommelier, Bibenda Guide in 2017.
Signature dishes at La Scala include Hand Cut Tuna with tangy orange reduction, served on crispy venere rice chips with nutty flavour and garnished with wild sea asparagus; Risotto La Scala features three types of rice native to Italy, including carnaroli, venere and ermes, in classic bagna cauda to create the hallmark creamy texture, served with octopus slow-cooked in beetroot juice; all-time favourite Spaghetti Alla Chitarra with Fresh Tomatoes Sauce, Taggiasche Olives, Basil and Chilli comprises a flavour-packed sauce house-made with raw ingredients and pasta from the golden brand Pastificio Mancini; Slow-Cooked Pork Neck with tender and succulent milk-fed pork marinated in pesto, served with house-smoked potatoes and sweet honey-glazed beetroots, resulting in an intriguing mix of sweet, creamy and earthy aromas.
“Our dishes are about the multiple textures and flavours subtly at play, ingredients serve an important role,” comments resident Chef de Cuisine Stefano Sanna. “We always start with high-quality ingredients at their peak quality that are supplied by a group of artisan producers and growers we work very closely with, then we compare and pair different ingredients to give a distinctive depth of character to each dish.”
The menu is accompanied by a selection of over 180 premium wines, champagnes, dessert and fortified wines to deliver the most exquisite culinary experience to guests.
Inspired by the Italian Renaissance garden, the interior of La Scala showcases the classical notions through the use of hand-glazed, emerald green ceramic tiles, teakwood parquet flooring, and hanging lights framed by gridded wood columns, calling for a sense of contemporary sophistication. The Chef’s Table is the focal point of the restaurant, putting the theatre of cooking on display where diners can enjoy the chefs’ performance and flair.
“We fully embrace the vision of Chef Theodor and Chef Stefano, and are very committed to integrating food sustainability into our operations, along with other environmental stewardship initiatives undertaken in the hotel,” says Marcel N.A. Holman, General Manager of The Sukhothai Shanghai. “La Scala does not represent a trend, it is a way of life.”
La Scala is located at 1/F, The Sukhothai Shanghai, 380 Weihai Road, Jing’an district, Shanghai.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
