#INTERVIEW: Mariano Ricciari On The Power of Italian Excellence

Dubai - a city that never stands still; instead, it builds, reinvents and refines at a pace few global capitals can match. Beneath its momentum lies something more enduring, and in this landscape that continues to evolve, L’Amo Bistro del Mare has maintained its position through precision and consistency. At the helm, stands Mariano Ricciari, Milan-born hospitality leader and General Manager, whose journey from his father’s bar to the world of luxury fine dining has shaped a global leadership style. In conversation with L’Officiel Arabia, Ricciari reflects on sustaining award-winning standards, building bonded teams and why true hospitality begins long before the first plate reaches the table.

L’Amo Bistro del Mare has had an incredible run lately, picking up several major awards. As General Manager, what has been the main driving force behind keeping that winning momentum going?

Mariano Ricciari: At L’Amo Bistro del Mare, the main driving force behind our continued momentum has truly been our people and our shared vision. Equally important is maintaining a strong team spirit. We focus heavily on keeping the team motivated, inspired, and united. When the team feels valued and connected, that energy naturally translates to the guest experience. Finally, we place great emphasis on understanding our guests. Who they are, what they love, and how they want to feel when they dine with us. Our goal is always to ensure L’Amo feels like home: warm, welcoming, with exceptional food and drinks. When guests feel that genuine sense of belonging, the awards become a reflection of our consistency and passion.

A restaurant’s soul lies in the relationship between the General Manager and the Executive Chef. How do you and Chef Alessandro Salvatico work together to ensure the front-of-house vision and the kitchen’s artistry are perfectly in sync for every guest?

I work very closely with our Executive Chef to ensure we are completely aligned, from menu development and creativity to the overall guest journey. That collaboration between front and back of house is essential; it allows us to deliver a seamless experience where cuisine, service, and atmosphere all speak the same language.

At L’Amo Bistro del Mare, the relationship between the dining room and the kitchen is at the heart of everything we do. My partnership with Alessandro Salvatico is built on constant communication, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the guest experience.

We work very closely to ensure we are fully aligned, from menu development and creative direction to how each dish is presented and described at the table. Before anything reaches our guests, we spend time tasting, discussing, and refining, making sure the story behind each plate is clearly understood by the front-of-house team. That way, service doesn’t just deliver food; it conveys the passion and intention behind it.

Dubai’s dining scene is famously fast-paced and ever-evolving. Beyond just following trends, what is your strategy for staying ahead of the curve and ensuring L’Amo continues to offer something unique that guests can't find elsewhere?

In Dubai, following trends is not enough, consistency and clarity of identity are what create longevity. At L’Amo, our strategy is built around four core pillars: quality of raw ingredients, seasonality, personalisation, and disciplined execution. Everything begins with the product. The integrity of the raw ingredient is fundamental. If the product is exceptional, the dish does not need unnecessary complexity. That is why we prioritise direct sourcing from trusted suppliers in Italy and the Mediterranean, ensuring that what arrives in our kitchen reflects authenticity and freshness. The quality of the ingredient sets the standard for everything that follows.

From there, we evolve the menu seasonally to keep the offering dynamic while remaining true to Italian heritage. We also offer flexibility through elements such as our fish display, where guests select their preferred catch and decide how it is prepared. That interaction creates a sense of ownership and makes the experience more personal.

Finally, consistency remains non-negotiable. In a fast-moving market, guests return because they trust the level of quality, not only in the food, but in the service and atmosphere. Chef Alessandro’s engagement with guests reinforces that connection and ensures the experience feels confident, not staged.

Looking back at the Acqua di Parma collaboration this past festive season, how did the collaboration transform the guest experience, and in what ways did it elevate the venue’s atmosphere beyond what typical festive decor could achieve?

The collaboration with Acqua di Parma was approached strategically. We wanted it to feel integrated, not decorative. Every touchpoint was considered: from curated menu items to the use of scent through candles and diffusers in reception and washrooms. The fragrance created a subtle but immediate sensory impact, which elevated the atmosphere without overpowering it. The alignment worked because both brands share Italian heritage and a commitment to craftsmanship. It was not simply a visual partnership; it was experiential. Most importantly, it demonstrated how lifestyle collaborations can enhance the guest journey in a way that feels natural and premium. It’s something we intend to continue building on.

Sustainability is a huge topic right now. How are you and the team continuing to work with ethical suppliers, like the small-boat fishermen in Spain and Greece, to ensure your quality remains a step above?

For us, sustainability and quality go hand in hand. We receive daily deliveries of fresh fish from the Mediterranean and Galicia, working closely with small-boat fishermen who follow responsible practices. This guarantees both freshness and traceability. Seasonal vegetables are selected carefully, and our culinary team works directly with suppliers to ensure standards are maintained. In fine dining, ingredient integrity is non-negotiable. If the sourcing is correct, the execution becomes stronger. Sustainability is part of operational discipline.

We’ve seen L’Amo becoming a go-to for high-profile private events lately, such as the recent jewelry showcase with Damiani and their global ambassador, Jessica Chastain. Since these are often full-venue takeovers, how do you scale the L’Amo standard of service to ensure that even with 100+ guests, the experience still feels refined and personal?

Luxury brands such as Damiani, Acqua di Parma, Kiton, and Ferrari choose L’Amo Bistro del Mare because we understand detail. For each event, we collaborate closely on menus, layout, lighting, and overall atmosphere to ensure their identity is reflected. Operationally, we scale through planning, increasing staffing ratios, assigning section leaders, and conducting detailed briefings before service. Each team member understands their responsibility clearly.

Even with 100+ guests, the objective remains the same: precision, attentiveness, and control of the room. If the team is aligned, the guest experience remains seamless.

You often talk about the importance of a bonded team. In such a high-pressure environment, how do you ensure the team remains unified and works seamlessly together to deliver an extremely high level of service every single day?

A bonded team requires structure and trust. We start with strong communication, daily briefings, clarity of expectations, and defined responsibilities. In high-pressure service, confusion creates mistakes. Clarity creates confidence.

Beyond operations, we invest in relationships. We celebrate milestones and personal achievements, and we create opportunities for the team to connect outside of service. When people feel valued and supported, they perform at a higher level. Consistency in guest experience always reflects consistency within the team.

You grew up watching your father run his bar in Milan. What’s the biggest lesson from those early days that you still use today when leading a high-end venue like this?

The biggest lesson I learned from my father is that hospitality should always remain simple and human, regardless of the setting. He ran a bar, but the principle was the same as in fine dining, every guest matters. Whether someone came in for a quick espresso or stayed for hours, he gave them the same level of attention and respect. He built relationships over years, sometimes decades. That consistency created loyalty. What stayed with me is the importance of genuine connection. In high-end venues, it’s easy to focus only on standards, presentation, and technical execution. Those are essential, but without a human touch, they mean very little. At L’Amo, I apply that same philosophy. Whether a guest joins us for a coffee, a business lunch, or a full three-course dinner, the experience should feel personal. We aim to recognise returning guests, understand their preferences, and build relationships over time. Loyalty is not built in one visit; it is built through consistency and trust.

As you look ahead at the rest of the year, what is the ultimate goal for you and the team?

Our focus is to build on a year of strong momentum while maintaining the standards that brought us here. The progression to two toques in the Gault&Millau UAE 2026 guide was a defining moment for L’Amo. It reflects not only culinary refinement, but also the strength of our service culture and operational discipline. Advancing at that level in such a competitive market confirms that we are evolving in the right direction. We also continue to build on recognitions such as being named Best Italian Restaurant in Dubai by Time Out, achievements that reinforce our positioning within the city’s fine dining landscape.

Looking ahead, the goal is to sustain and elevate that level of performance. We want to continue highlighting these milestones while ensuring they are supported by consistent execution every single day. Equally important is strengthening the loyalty of our regular guests, creating an experience that encourages them to return not occasionally, but consistently, because they trust the quality and feel connected to the team.

We will also continue developing meaningful brand partnerships and collaborations with like-minded luxury houses, ensuring that every collaboration enhances the L’Amo Bistro del Mare experience rather than distracting from it. For us, growth must be intentional and aligned with our identity. Ultimately, the objective is clear: maintain consistency, strengthen relationships, build on our achievements, and continue elevating L’Amo’s position as one of Dubai’s leading Italian fine dining destinations.