Industry News is Sponsored by HEWI
As long time visitors of Forte dei Marmi, Jason and Irha Atherton are no strangers to the unhurried pace of passeggiata, with a paper twist of sugared almonds from the vendors on the seafront. This summer, for the first time, they bring their vision to Forte Dei Marmi with the opening of MARIAS at Principessa Forte dei Marmi, Autograph Collection. The new restaurant concept is created exclusively for the hotel and is thoughtfully shaped for this stretch of the Tuscan coast. It is located within the newly launched Principessa Forte dei Marmi, Autograph Collection, a new 36-room boutique hotel and contemporary coastal retreat set directly on the Tuscan shoreline.
Sculptural design inspired by the silhouette of a yacht moving towards the sea, integrating with the surrounding seaside and mountain landscapes, the property invites guests to embrace the gentle rhythm that has long defined summers in Forte: slow mornings by bicycle, afternoons shaped by sea breezes, and evenings filled with conversation, gastronomy, and connection at MARIAS: a social hub, welcoming both hotel guests and the local community.
Forte dei Marmi is one of Italy’s most established summer enclaves, a place where families such as the Ferragamo and Versace dynasties return year after year, and where holidays are marked less by novelty than by continuity. It is not a conventional resort but a ritual: pine-lined boulevards, striped beach cabanas passed down through generations, and long evenings that unfold slowly between the beach and the town’s quiet streets. MARIAS is created for this rhythm, for both returning families and new visitors.
At the heart of the project is Jason Atherton, the two-Michelin-starred chef behind acclaimed restaurants in both London and Dubai. He has spent years visiting Forte dei Marmi and will be heavily involved in nurturing the concept and opening.
While the vision is Atherton’s, MARIAS kitchen is led day-to-day by Executive Chef Giorgio Cicero, whose experience includes leading roles at Pollen Street Social, Frantzén, and Quince, restaurants recognised among the best in London, Stockholm and San Francisco. Cicero will oversee the kitchen, producers, and long-term culinary direction, shaping a restaurant built from the ground up in Forte dei Marmi.
The menu is seafood-forward, but ultimately a reflection of Tuscany’s extraordinary produce. Fish and shellfish are sourced daily from the Livorno market, just north along the coast, and prepared with simplicity and control. Pasta and fish are cooked over wood fire, bringing a directness of flavour that defines the kitchen’s approach. The structure follows the Italian sequence of antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni and dolci, with space for seasonal expression and signature dishes to evolve throughout the summer.
Across the menu, from breakfast through to dinner the team is working closely with Tuscan producers, building relationships over time to reflect the region with authenticity and consistency. Championing refined ingredients, guests can start the day with a selection of dishes including French toast with banana, Pancakes with wildflower honey, or Croque Monsieur toast.
The culinary approach continues into the evening, with starters including Viareggio langoustine with garlic mayonnaise and lemon, Sicilian ‘sarde alla beccafico’ with fennel pesto, or Tomato carpaccio with baked ricotta and oregano. Mains follow with Gnocchi Sorrentino style, Linguine with local clams, Squid and tomato skewer or the Meat steak served with lemon and rosemary potatoes. Italian heritage is also reflected through the restaurant’s drinks programme, where a house digestif is created from herbs personally foraged in the nearby Apuan mountains and served frozen, showcasing a direct expression of the landscape surrounding Forte dei Marmi.
MARIAS is designed for every moment of the day. Located poolside with direct access to the beach, it offers a setting that moves naturally from long lunches to aperitivo and into evening dining. The design is understated and coastal, with natural light, travertine, and warm, tactile materials that reflect the environment rather than compete with it.
The atmosphere is elegant but relaxed – a restaurant that feels considered rather than formal, welcoming families as well as couples and long summer tables of both locals and visitors. It is playful, but never performative. Service begins with a simple ritual where guests are invited to taste two seasonal Tuscan olive oils on arrival, selecting the oil that will be used at their table for the evening. The experience is designed to be unhurried, shaping the tone of the meal ahead.
Later this year, Atherton and Principessa Forte dei Marmi will introduce a second restaurant at the property with a more intimate fine dining concept that will further develop Atherton’s presence on the Tuscan coast.
Jason Atherton said: “Forte dei Marmi has such an iconic sense of place and timeless glamour. MARIAS captures that spirit through food – relaxed, elegant and deeply rooted in Italian flavours and culture. It’s about celebrating the beauty of long lunches, exceptional local produce and unforgettable summer evenings.”
Giorgio Cicero, Executive Chef, said: “MARIAS is about expressing the spirit of Tuscany through ingredients, seasonality and the warmth of Italian hospitality. We are working closely with exceptional local producers to create a menu that feels both rooted in this coastline and welcoming to every guest, whether they are visiting Forte for the first time or returning for another summer.”