Born in 1989, originally from the province of Taranto, just eighteen years old Marco Fabbiano he throws himself into entrepreneurship by opening his first bar in his home country. Soon, however, he realized that he needed to grow in more dynamic and international working contexts, so he moved to Rome, gaining experience behind the counter of some prestigious venues, such as Buvette and the DOM Hotel 5 stars. He has the opportunity to work closely with chefs of the caliber of Heinz Beck. After six years in the capital, he spent a brief period of his professional life in the Canary Islands before leaving for Singapore. After an intense year of guest shit in the Asian country he returns to Italy and joins the family of the Mag Café and the 1930 Cocktail bar, until he decides to leave Milan and in 2018, in the heart of Lecce, he inaugurates the Laurus Cocktail Experience. On May 20, 2022, the Laurus Terrace, a project that was born thanks to the four years of collaboration and consultancy that Marco Fabbiano and Laurus have provided to Palazzo Presta. Marco Fabbiano's favorite cocktail? Whiskey Sour without egg white, served in a glass.
Laurus Cocktail Experience
Since its opening, Marco Fabbiano's place has received numerous awards as one of the best emerging cocktail bars in Italy. Classic bar atmosphere, soft lights, jazz music in the background, the Laurus it is a sort of wedding favor hidden in a little corner of Lecce, in Vicolo Boemondo 26. Great research and accuracy in the choice of raw materials, the drink lists designed by Laurus aim to entertain, to dialogue with the customer, stimulating all the senses, from taste to 'smell as far as sight, with presentations always up to par, original also with regards to the choice of glasses. Behind every recipe there is a storytelling that transports the customer towards a unique and experiential journey. There is a strong focus on whisky, with more than 200 labels present, whiskey flights and tastings are the order of the day.
Presta Palace and Laurus Terrace
Laurus Terrace it is part of the splendid Palazzo Presta, a sea view hotel in Gallipoli, in Salento. Conceived as a deco-style boutique hotel, it has 10 international rooms inspired by travel and the most fascinating places in the world. There are many experiences that can be had at Palazzo Presta, and for those who want to relax while enjoying a cocktail made by expert hands, Laurus Terrace represents a unique experience. As already mentioned, the magnificent rooftop bar with the brand was inaugurated on May 20th Laurus, where the brilliant art of the bartender Marco Fabbiano and his team is reflected in a refined and innovative mixing proposal. All in a superlative location.
The terrace is divided into two levels. In the lower one, a little more secluded, there is the bar, with tables, deckchairs and sofas. The second level, raised, houses the actual rooftop, from which it is possible to admire the sea of Gallipoli and enjoy a breathtaking view. Terrazza Laurus is accessible to both hotel guests and patrons, every day from 6.30 pm to 2.00 am, and will remain open until October, to reopen the following year with the arrival of the summer.
Mixing
The drink list proposed in Terrazza Laurus, curated by Marco Fabbiano, the head bartender Danilo Brunacci and the rest of the Laurus Cocktail Experience team, includes ten signature cocktails created ad hoc. The blending proposal is based on the use of Italian and international distillates, with an eye to the issue of sustainability and waste. In cocktails we look for freshness, flavors with soft hues but capable of satisfying every kind of palate. The use of raw materials and spices from all over the world is central, as are the homemade preparations for the creation of cocktails. Each drink is inspired by different countries and cultures, and preserves and recalls the style and identity of the Laurus Cocktail Experience. In fact, the drink list includes the The Gong, The Flor de Paloma and the Sugarloaf, the three best cocktails that have contributed to increasing the success of the Laurus Cocktail Experience, and which have been included in the Terrace menu to underline its identity.
The The Gong, for example, is a fusion style drink, with cinnamon leaf gin, lime juice, Sichuan pepper, an oriental infusion with 27 spices inside and the Laurus House Bitter, a blend of 10 bitters with a cut of Laphroaig . Or the Sugarloaf, based on mezcal, presents Apricot Brandy, an apricot brandy from Laurus, obtained by macerating Italian brandy together with fresh apricots for a month, and finally filtered with the addition of sugar. Another much appreciated drink on the Terrace is the Tortuga, based on mezcal in cocoa butter, obtained first through the low-temperature infusion of mezcal with raw cocoa butter, and subsequently through the fat washing technique, which consists of flavoring a liquid by adding a fatty product and eliminating it afterwards.
A cocktail of great refinement is the Time is Love. It is a punch based on Roku Gin, with Roger 65 passion fruit, an artisanal fruit puree produced by a laboratory in the historic center of Galatina, which supplies the Laurus boys with 100% fruit extracts. With soft notes and a fresh flavour, Time is Love is a cocktail to drink at all hours of the day, within the reach of every palate.
The choice of spirits, raw materials and spices is designed to evoke, within the cocktails, the cultures and flavors of the countries and continents they are inspired by, helping to amplify the experience of travel and discovery in customers. The presentations are sober and elegant, in perfect harmony with the magical and refined context of a roof top overlooking the sea. There is no shortage of low alcohol cocktails, such as Koyasan, a tribute to Japan, and which, being a sake base, has a low alcohol content. To accompany the cocktails there is a food proposal of tapas and tartare, varied and appetizing, such as for example the monkfish and potato meatballs with mint, the tacos with guaamole and salmon tartare or the tuna tartare, burrata, friscous, caper in powder and katsuobushi.
In short, Terrazza Laurus is truly a unique experience, where you can relax while sipping excellent quality cocktails immersed in a breathtaking location, and being able to admire the beauty of Gallipoli from above. A daydream.
PHOTO CREDITS: PALAZZO PRESTA & LAURUS COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE
