Loading
Chef Of Three Michelin-starred Italian Restaurant ‘8 ½ Otto E Mezzo Bombana’
Bombana
A native of Bergamo in Northern Italy, he was trained at Centro di Formazione Alberghiera and apprenticed under the talented Ezio Santin at Antica Osteria del Ponte, now a Michelin starred restaurant outside Milan. His impeccable talent soon took him around the world. In 1983, he joined the famous Rex Il Ristorante in Los Angeles, where he was lauded for his simple yet refined regional cooking. The restaurant, owned by Mauro Vincenti, is a regular venue for post Oscar parties. Adding to his foundation were stints in the kitchen with other top chefs such as Gianfranco Vissani, Michel Rostang and Pinuccio Alia.
Bombana then arrived in Hong Kong in August 1993 to open Toscana and quickly established it as an iconic destination of the fine dining scene. His distinctive flair and passion for modern yet authentic northern Italian cooking offered Hong Kong 20 years of impressive dining.
Chef Bombana was awarded the Best Italian Chef in Asia by the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF) in 2002 and then Worldwide Ambassador of the White Truffle in 2006 by the Piedmontese Regional Enoteca Cavour (Italy).
In January 2010 Chef Bombana made his dream come true to open 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA in Hong Kong, to delight the gourmet palates again with his unique sophisticated and yet contemporary culinary creations. It is a tribute to his favorite Italian film director Federico Fellini’s 1963 autobiographical movie “8 ½”, which is a celebration of both Italian lifestyle and art. In December 2010, the restaurant was awarded with two Michelin stars after only eleven months of opening. It has further achieved three stars in 2012 Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau and retained the honor in 2013 edition, becoming the first Italian restaurant outside of Italy to achieve such honor. In 2013, Chef Bombana’s restaurant in Hong Kong is listed one of the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants”.
Chef Bombana aims to bring authentic flavors and an elegant, relaxing dining experience to food lovers in Beijing.
Andrea Susto
Executive Chef of Opera BOMBANA
At the end of 2020, Opera BOMBANA welcomed new executive chef Andrea Susto, who has trained under Chef Bombana for many years.
Born in the small town of Merano in norther Italy, Chef Andrea has a natural affinity for the culinary arts, including an innate appreciation of high-quality ingredients. After graduating from a well-known culinary training institution in 2008, he went on to study wine, starting his career journey as a certified sommelier in a number of Michelin-starred restaurants. In 2015, Chef Andrea moved to Hong Kong to work with Chef Pino Lavarra’s team at Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Tosca at the Ritz-Carlton. In 2018, he joined 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana as sous-chef, working under the personal guidance of Chef Bombana.
After years working under Chef Bombana, Chef Andrea has inherited his unique culinary philosophy. He has an in-depth knowledge of Italian cuisine, particularly in terms of the selection and use of premium ingredients. At the same time, he has studied and experienced the latest trends in the global food and beverage industry, working hard to strike a balance between tradition and innovation — a hallmark of the Bombana brand. Chef Andrea is committed to building on Opera BOMBANA’s existing foundation as a landmark for Italian cuisine.
Born in the small town of Merano in norther Italy, Chef Andrea has a natural affinity for the culinary arts, including an innate appreciation of high-quality ingredients. After graduating from a well-known culinary training institution in 2008, he went on to study wine, starting his career journey as a certified sommelier in a number of Michelin-starred restaurants. In 2015, Chef Andrea moved to Hong Kong to work with Chef Pino Lavarra’s team at Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Tosca at the Ritz-Carlton. In 2018, he joined 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana as sous-chef, working under the personal guidance of Chef Bombana.
After years working under Chef Bombana, Chef Andrea has inherited his unique culinary philosophy. He has an in-depth knowledge of Italian cuisine, particularly in terms of the selection and use of premium ingredients. At the same time, he has studied and experienced the latest trends in the global food and beverage industry, working hard to strike a balance between tradition and innovation — a hallmark of the Bombana brand. Chef Andrea is committed to building on Opera BOMBANA’s existing foundation as a landmark for Italian cuisine.
Vincenzo Stratoti
Restaurant Manager
Restaurants, as an important facet of modern urban living, are not simply a place to eat; they are also a place where people can experience the culture and customs behind the food they are eating, and connect with each other as well. An experienced restaurant manager with in-depth knowledge of a restaurant’s culture and concept is a key part of this process.
Opera BOMBANA is excited to welcome new restaurant manager Mr Vincenzo Stratoti, who brings with him a wealth of experience across multiple continents, countries, languages, and cultures.
Born into a family of restaurateurs in southern Italy, Vincenzo grew up around diners and tourists from all over the world; communicating with these diverse customers sparked his passion for restaurant management. Later, a desire to see more of the world led him to leave Italy and embark on a career journey that would take him all over the world.
Since entering the restaurant industry in Italy at just 15 years old, Vincenzo has traveled to London, Canada, Russia, and Qatar, before finally settling in China. In 2019, he joined Michelin-starred 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA in Macau. Now, chef Umberto Bombana has personally chosen Vincenzo to join the Opera BOMBANA team in Beijing. He brings with him diverse experience and a global vision, as well as a deep understanding of Italian food and wine culture.
Having worked in different cities across China, including Shanghai and Macau, Vincenzo has also developed an understanding of local food culture and dining customs. “I joined the BOMBANA family because I am passionate about creating authentic Italian dining experiences for customers around the world. I hope to create an inviting, relaxed environment where Beijing diners can enjoy the best of Italian cuisine.”
Opera BOMBANA is excited to welcome new restaurant manager Mr Vincenzo Stratoti, who brings with him a wealth of experience across multiple continents, countries, languages, and cultures.
Born into a family of restaurateurs in southern Italy, Vincenzo grew up around diners and tourists from all over the world; communicating with these diverse customers sparked his passion for restaurant management. Later, a desire to see more of the world led him to leave Italy and embark on a career journey that would take him all over the world.
Since entering the restaurant industry in Italy at just 15 years old, Vincenzo has traveled to London, Canada, Russia, and Qatar, before finally settling in China. In 2019, he joined Michelin-starred 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA in Macau. Now, chef Umberto Bombana has personally chosen Vincenzo to join the Opera BOMBANA team in Beijing. He brings with him diverse experience and a global vision, as well as a deep understanding of Italian food and wine culture.
Having worked in different cities across China, including Shanghai and Macau, Vincenzo has also developed an understanding of local food culture and dining customs. “I joined the BOMBANA family because I am passionate about creating authentic Italian dining experiences for customers around the world. I hope to create an inviting, relaxed environment where Beijing diners can enjoy the best of Italian cuisine.”