The hotel group Romeo Collection has acquired the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Quattro Passi, founded by the Mellino family in Nerano, according to reports from NapoliToday and Repubblica. The transaction moves the acclaimed dining destination to a new home as the primary restaurant inside the upcoming ROMEO Massa Lubrense resort at Punta San Lorenzo, overlooking Capri. The agreement positions the family to lead the brand’s culinary expansion.
Quattro Passi Relocates to ROMEO Massa Lubrense After Nerano Seizure
According to NapoliToday and Repubblica, the acquisition provides a new operating base following a difficult period for the restaurant. The historic Nerano location has remained closed since January 30, when a judge ordered a preventive seizure of the complex amid an ongoing investigation into alleged unauthorized subdivision and building infractions, as reported by Repubblica. Prosecutors allege that the area underwent decades of transformation without proper building titles, drawing scrutiny that also touched the municipality of Massa Lubrense. The Mellino family has contested these allegations, arguing that the works consisted largely of individual structures that were already authorized or amnestied, and pursued legal challenges through the regional administrative court (TAR). Although the family initially hoped to reopen for the summer season, they announced in May that the restaurant would stay closed while awaiting developments in the legal dispute, according to Repubblica.
Operational Roles and Resort Integration for the Mellino Family
Under the terms of the agreement cited by NapoliToday and Repubblica, brothers Fabrizio and Raffaele Mellino will maintain operational control over the culinary program. Fabrizio will continue as executive chef, while Raffaele will serve as F&B manager. Beyond managing the restaurant itself, the agreement tasks the brothers with helping design the broader gastronomic offerings at the new hotel, spanning the wine cellar, room service, breakfast operations, and guest relations.
Development Timeline and Architecture of ROMEO Massa Lubrense
The new resort, designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates, will rise within a private natural fjord at Punta San Lorenzo, according to Repubblica and NapoliToday. Scheduled to open between late 2026 and the spring of 2027, the luxury property will feature 63 rooms and suites, independent villas, private swimming pools, a spa, a beach club, three bars, two restaurants, and a private yacht dock alongside an international art collection.
Group Expansion and Culinary Strategy Across Italian Destinations
Founder Alfredo Romeo has invested in high-end gastronomy for nearly two decades, integrating dining as a core component of his hotel developments, according to NapoliToday. The Romeo Collection opened ROMEO Napoli in 2008, where the restaurant Il Comandante earned a Michelin star in 2012. In 2024, the group partnered with chef Alain Ducasse to direct dining at the Naples property—marking his first venture in the city—and subsequently brought him in for the ROMEO Roma hotel project designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, as reported by NapoliToday and Repubblica. While previous company plans positioned the collaboration with Ducasse as the unifying thread for all hotel destinations including Massa Lubrense, the purchase of Quattro Passi marks a shift toward acquiring and scaling an established local culinary brand rather than importing an international chef, according to NapoliToday. Moving forward, the Group Romeo announcement indicates ambitions to develop the Quattro Passi identity into new formats and destinations both in Italy and abroad, transforming a traditional family-run seaside restaurant into a scalable international brand.
Did You Know? Quattro Passi earned its third Michelin star in November 2023, making it the only active three-star restaurant in Campania despite its current closure, according to NapoliToday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Quattro Passi now?
According to NapoliToday and Repubblica, the restaurant has been acquired by Alfredo Romeo’s hotel group, Romeo Collection, though founding chefs Fabrizio and Raffaele Mellino retain operational control.
Where is the new location of Quattro Passi?
The restaurant is moving from Nerano to Punta San Lorenzo, where it will serve as the main dining venue inside the upcoming ROMEO Massa Lubrense resort, as reported by Repubblica.
When is the new hotel scheduled to open?
According to NapoliToday, the ROMEO Massa Lubrense resort is projected to open between late 2026 and the spring of 2027.
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