Ibiza has a new highlight: Cipriani’s DOWNTOWN IBIZA in the five-star Ibiza Gran Hotel. This fourth-generation family-run company with headquarters in Venice and New York has restaurants and bars in many cities around the world: Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, Porto Cervo, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul and Monte Carlo. For a long time, Cipriani fans had been hoping that the family’s unique hospitality would finally come to the glamorous setting of Ibiza, because Cipriani’s is not simply a restaurant, it is an experience, an attitude towards life and the very name epitomises sheer style, refined living plus exquisite cuisine. You will definitely feel at home in the unique atmosphere of this attractive new top location with its polished walnut, marble and fine teak. There’s the bar with sensational drinks, including of course, the world-famous Bellini invented at Harry’s Bar, there’s a restaurant serving classic dishes such as Carpaccio Cipriani, plus a poolside area. Guests dining on the rooftop terrace with it’s fix menu barbecue have magnificent views right across the harbour and over the Old Town.IBIZA
STYLE editor Jürgen Bushe took time out to talk with the driving force behind this latest Cipriani venture, the charming and very personable Giuseppe Cipriani.
What led you to open a Cipriani Downtown in Ibiza? Was it the Island’s frenetic magic, or rather the magical attraction of business expansion?
Both. Ibiza is such a beautiful place, a wonderful island. The more time you spend here, the more you begin to understand the Island. I first visited Ibiza in 1984 and have returned almost every summer since. I have spent a great deal of time here these last two years, including during the winter. What’s so special about what is happening now on Ibiza is that many people are rediscovering it and the clientele has become much more international, exactly the kind of guests that our restaurants attract worldwide, and that was one of the reasons for opening here.
What is the secret of Cipriani’s success?
Simplicity, simplicity – that and hard work!
You have plenty of luxury yachts owners among your clientele based just around the corner in Ibiza’s Marina. Was that one of the main reasons for choosing this location?
Well, as you know, we come from Venice, so water forms an integral part of our daily lives.
Are you planning on setting up a catering service for yachts?
Yes we are, we are right in the middle of doing just that.
This restaurant was designed by local architect Jaime Serra and Italian architect Michele Bonan, wasn’t it?
Jaime Serra and I worked jointly on the layout and Michele Bonan was responsible for the interior, as in all our restaurants. This design is our current theme, as used recently at our other recently-opened venues. Actually, we’ve featured this design just three times: in London, Abu Dhabi – and now here.
What special plans are in store for the rooftop terrace? What will you be offering apart from terrific views?
Well, we’re planning to have a sort of barbecue area. There will be pizza and a wide selection of starters, and then meat or fish fresh from the barbecue to follow.
Is there a special bar or lounge in planning?
Yes, we will close the doors down here to the terrace at 1:00 am, and then it becomes a lounge area. We’ll have DJs too, so it will be a kind of small, intimate club.
A few quick questions:
Ibiza is … fun
My favourite drink is … a Bellini
My favourite food is … Carpaccio
The book I last read … my father’s, called ‘50 Years in a Box’. It’s about Harry’s Bar in Venice.
The music that I like most … I don’t know, anything really.
What I would like to do at some point in life … ah, well, I once felt like murdering someone – but I didn’t go through with it! (laughs loudly)
