Bulgari and Sembikiya

Tokyo's Michelin-starred restaurant Bulgari Il Ristorante Luca Fantin, operated by Italian luxury brand Bulgari, has collaborated with fruit experts Nihombashi Sembikiya, whose famous fruit sandwiches we recently reviewed, to produce a one-of-a-kind takeout dessert fusing the best of Italian dolce and premium Japanese fruit.

Named "Bulgari Afternoon Dolci Box x Sembikiya," this beautifully presented double-tiered fruit dessert box will be available from August 1st, 2022 for a limited time and by reservation only.

Comments from the collaborators

Luca Fantin, the Executive Chef of Il Ristorante Luca Fantin, says, "Fruit is best eaten as is." He and his team are passionate about bringing out the best of nature's bounties. "If I were to create a fruit dolce," he continues, "I would combine the best flavors of fruit with traditional Italian pastries to create a fresh, Italian dessert unlike anything you have ever tasted before."

Meanwhile, Mr. Yushio Oshima, Managing Director and General Manager of Planning and Development at Nihombashi Sembikiya, says, "We examine the condition of each piece of fruit grown by the grower and carefully determine when it is ready to eat (...) In this collaboration, (...) we used our network to create a system to deliver the fruit at the most appropriate time and in the most suitable condition."

Product Details

Box on left, clockwise from top left

  • Peach: Tiramisu. Savoiardi (finger cookies) are soaked with peach juice instead of espresso, and then filled with a smooth premium mascarpone cream that enhances the delicate aroma of the fruit and its pulp.
  • Pineapple: Babà Napoletano. In this twist on the boozy dessert famous in Naples, cake dough is soaked with pineapple juice and rum.
  • Plum: Cannolo. Cannoli are a Sicilian pastry favorite among Italians. In this dessert, layers of plum pulp, ricotta cheese and chocolate cream are layered with crushed cannolo.
  • Melon: Biancomangiare. Another Sicilian delicacy. The slight bitterness of Sicilian almonds enhances the sweetness and deep aroma of the melon.

Box on right, clockwise from top left

  • Pione grapes: Zuppa Inglese. Pione is a large-berried, purple skinned, table and rosé wine grape. In this Italian trifle, Pan di Spagna sponge cake is drenched in Alchermes, a red Tuscan liqueur with notes of citrus and spice, then layered with vanilla custard and chocolate custard.
  • Passionfruit: Meringa con Frutta. As meringue made with almond powder melts in your mouth, you'll appreciate perfect blend of fresh cream and tart yet aromatic passion fruit.
  • Shine Muscat grapes: Panna Cotta. Shine Muscat is a large-berried, yellow-green skinned grape with crisp flesh texture and muscat flavor. In this Piedmontese dessert, it is matched with Tahitian vanilla evoking the aroma of anise and bitter almonds.
  • Mango: Crostata. This rich tart features fragrant mango paired with a cream studded with Madagascar vanilla beans.

To reserve

  • Name: 「ブルガリ アフタヌーン・ドルチ・ボックス x SEMBIKIYA」("Bulgari Afternoon Dolci Box x SEMBIKIYA)
  • Reservation period: Monday, August 1st through Friday, September 2nd, 2022
  • Price: 50,000 yen (tax included) (*Two boxes, eight desserts in total)
  • Reservations with Bulgari Il Ristorante Luca Fantin at OMAKASE.
  • Reservations must be made at least 5 days prior to the pick-up date.
  • Pick-up dates: Any date between August 6th and September 2nd, 2022, excluding Sundays and Mondays
  • Inquiries: Luca Fantin, Bulgari Il Ristorante at 03-6362-0555

By - grape Japan editorial staff.