2 months ago
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Posted On: August 10th 2026, 06:36 am
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Introducing IL PRESIDENTE @ilpresidentehk an atmospheric throwback to the heyday of Italy’s glamour era, opening on Central’s Duddell Street.
Evoking the decadent spaces inhabited by the power brokers and fur-draped socialites of Italy’s VHS era, IL PRESIDENTE brings vaunted classics of both the gastronomic and liquid traditions under one roof with a full restaurant and cocktail bar programme.
Guests first ascend the historic Duddell Street granite steps before entering via a sunset-orange façade. Inside the 70-seat space tells a broader story of Italian sprezzatura that brings back to life a time when well-dressed signore e signori had no qualms about enjoying life to the fullest.
In the kitchen, Executive Chef and co-founder Marcello Scognamiglio @marcymakk executes a “new classic” food philosophy that focuses on elevating recognisable Italian dishes through the use of exceptional ingredients, honouring the inherent brio of regional cooking.
Chef Marcello explains: “IL PRESIDENTE is inspired by nostalgic Italian flavours. The menu thrives on unapologetic Italian classics, honouring the rich history of regional Italian cooking without any desire to reinvent it. Instead, the kitchen anchors itself in time-tested, foundational recipes — the very dishes that define Italian comfort for generations.”
IL PRESIDENTE treats its bar as an equal priority to the restaurant, elevating the traditional aperitivo hour into a focal point of the evening. Designed to accommodate 10 to 14 guests around an intimate, L-shaped counter, the bar is helmed by Simone Ciambrone @lord.ciambr whose global provenance includes The Ritz London, Donovan’s Bar at Brown’s Hotel, The Dorchester, and most recently the Bvlgari Ginza Bar in Tokyo.
IL PRESIDENTE’s first cocktail menu hews closely to this philosophy. Endeavouring to bring guests back to the most iconic periods of modern Italian history, the collection of 12 cocktails serves as a snapshot of Italy – when American influence on Italian pop culture was reaching its zenith, the Serie A football league ruled TV screens, and Cantautorato Italiano blared from radios across the country.
Evoking the decadent spaces inhabited by the power brokers and fur-draped socialites of Italy’s VHS era, IL PRESIDENTE brings vaunted classics of both the gastronomic and liquid traditions under one roof with a full restaurant and cocktail bar programme.
Guests first ascend the historic Duddell Street granite steps before entering via a sunset-orange façade. Inside the 70-seat space tells a broader story of Italian sprezzatura that brings back to life a time when well-dressed signore e signori had no qualms about enjoying life to the fullest.
In the kitchen, Executive Chef and co-founder Marcello Scognamiglio @marcymakk executes a “new classic” food philosophy that focuses on elevating recognisable Italian dishes through the use of exceptional ingredients, honouring the inherent brio of regional cooking.
Chef Marcello explains: “IL PRESIDENTE is inspired by nostalgic Italian flavours. The menu thrives on unapologetic Italian classics, honouring the rich history of regional Italian cooking without any desire to reinvent it. Instead, the kitchen anchors itself in time-tested, foundational recipes — the very dishes that define Italian comfort for generations.”
IL PRESIDENTE treats its bar as an equal priority to the restaurant, elevating the traditional aperitivo hour into a focal point of the evening. Designed to accommodate 10 to 14 guests around an intimate, L-shaped counter, the bar is helmed by Simone Ciambrone @lord.ciambr whose global provenance includes The Ritz London, Donovan’s Bar at Brown’s Hotel, The Dorchester, and most recently the Bvlgari Ginza Bar in Tokyo.
IL PRESIDENTE’s first cocktail menu hews closely to this philosophy. Endeavouring to bring guests back to the most iconic periods of modern Italian history, the collection of 12 cocktails serves as a snapshot of Italy – when American influence on Italian pop culture was reaching its zenith, the Serie A football league ruled TV screens, and Cantautorato Italiano blared from radios across the country.
Comments (20)
2 months agopaul_charms
Absolutely fantastic ! Great deco and amazing food ... expect nothing less from Felix !
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