San Carlo Group and Sunset Hospitality Group have opened Signor Sassi Mare in Porto Cervo for an exclusive summer residency.
The opening marks the first time Signor Sassi has returned to Italy, bringing its Italian dining experience to Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda.
Founded in London’s Knightsbridge in 1984, Signor Sassi has become known for Italian dining, hospitality and glamour.
Acquired by the Italian family-owned San Carlo Group, led by the Distefano family, the restaurant has grown from a London institution into an international luxury hospitality brand, with locations spanning Dubai, Riyadh, Doha and Miami.
Now, Signor Sassi Mare brings the brand to Porto Cervo, one of the Mediterranean’s best-known summer destinations.
Located at You Marina Restaurant and Lounge Bar in Piazza Azzurra, overlooking Porto Cervo’s marina, Signor Sassi Mare combines the cuisine and hospitality of Signor Sassi with a Sardinian coastal setting.
Set against a backdrop of luxury yachts, clear waters and Porto Cervo’s social scene, the residency is designed as a celebration of Italian summer living.
The concept centres on alfresco dining, seafood, seasonal ingredients and Italian classics.
The menu pays tribute to the region’s culinary heritage while embracing the energy that has made Porto Cervo a destination for international travellers, yacht owners and luxury guests.
At the heart of the experience is a dedicated Pescheria – From The Sea selection, allowing guests to choose from whole market fish and shellfish prepared to their preference.
Options include grilled, salt-baked, acqua pazza style or served with freshly made pasta, showcasing the catch of the day in Italian coastal fashion.
Alongside the Pescheria offer, guests can choose from crudo dishes, oysters, seafood towers, caviar and raw bar specialities.
Signor Sassi favourites also feature across the menu, including lobster linguine, black squid ink spaghetti, seafood risotto and Milanese-style veal.
Reflecting Porto Cervo’s international summer audience, Signor Sassi Mare will also introduce Yacht Sushi, an exclusive sushi menu featuring sashimi, nigiri, uramaki and signature rolls.
The menu has been designed to complement leisurely lunches, sunset aperitivos and evenings by the water.
Desserts are inspired by Italy’s southern coastline, including pistachio cake, lemon delizia, homemade gelato and tiramisu.
Marcello Distefano, CEO of San Carlo Group, said: “We are delighted to bring Signor Sassi Mare to Porto Cervo, one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic coastal destinations. As an Italian family business, it is particularly meaningful for us to bring the Signor Sassi brand to Italy for the very first time.
“Following the success of our expansion to locations such as Dubai and Miami, this opening marks another exciting chapter in the brand’s evolution. We look forward to welcoming guests to a truly vibrant celebration of Italian summer living on the Sardinian coast.”
Lorenzo Marras, President of Dining at Sunset Hospitality Group, said: “My connection with Signor Sassi runs deep; we first brought the brand to Dubai, and watching it become part of the city’s dining fabric was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
“This partnership with San Carlo Group feels like a story still very much in the making. Porto Cervo is a destination that demands the very best, and together, that is precisely what we intend to deliver.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to a summer they will not forget, and to many more ventures with San Carlo Group to come.”
The summer residency marks a significant new chapter for Signor Sassi, bringing the brand’s Italian hospitality, seafood-led dining and international glamour to one of Sardinia’s most celebrated coastal destinations.
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