Every year he spends his holidays in Sardinia, at least a couple of weeks, based on the Costa Smeralda and sailing a yacht along the island's shores. Franco Nuschese, 64, now Italian-American, loves the sea: he was born in Minori, on the Amalfi Coast, and can't help but appreciate the Sardinian sea, which he has frequented for over thirty years. His name is much more famous in Washington than in Italy, and certainly carries as much weight across the Atlantic (or perhaps more) than that of the Italian ambassador. He is a true embodiment of the American dream, a successful entrepreneur built over the years thanks to hard work, but also to his ability to understand what the rich and powerful want when they visit his "Cafè Milano" restaurants, which bring Made in Italy to the world.

The Island

"I've been coming to Sardinia for over 30 years. I've met the Aga Khan, the management of the Costa Smeralda, and especially Tom Barrack. I even visited him on a boat," he says from his yacht in the Gulf of Orosei. Every year around this time, he gathers on the island with a group of friends—Arabs, Americans, and others—"then everyone goes their own way, to France, Corsica, and so on." For him, Sardinia "has enormous potential. It boasts outstanding hospitality professionals, such as the great Andrea Di Mauro, in Cala di Volpe, who has always impressed me. There are so many excellent establishments. I know that this year the hotels won't close until October 31st, but I think they might stay open until December. Entertainment is a draw, but in my opinion, what makes Sardinia unique is what it offers: sea, beautiful beaches, tranquility."

US power

The Amalfi Coast, where Nuschese was born and where overtourism is a reality, doesn't guarantee the serenity of a Sardinian vacation. And he has made the guarantee of tranquility, privacy, and the ability to please his customers a hallmark, appreciated by American politicians and especially US presidents, from Clinton to Biden, while Trump plays at home in his establishments. "I was fortunate enough to open Cafè Milano in 1992, after years of following my mentor. The day Clinton took over the country, after the presidency of Bush Sr., I opened in Washington. We were preparing for great changes; I found a place near Georgetown University and the adventure began," he says. US politicians have since made it a meeting place, starting with presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Bush Jr., and most recently Biden, who frequented Cafè Milano even as vice president. And even from abroad, anyone passing through Washington couldn't help but spend an evening at Cafè Milano: Arabs, Israelis, Middle Easterners. The powerful know Franco Nuschese. "Even the New York Times wrote about it: the foundations for the Abraham Accords were laid in my café, when I seated Netanyahu in a room where prominent figures from the Arabian Peninsula were present," he reveals.

Philosophy

The top-quality ingredients captivate guests, and Nuschese's kindness and discretion, complemented by his availability, do the rest. "We don't have carbonara on the menu, but if someone asks for it..." he says, revealing that Giorgia Meloni, on one of her last visits to the US capital, complimented him, saying that to eat good Italian food, you have to go to the States. "I often sit at the table with my guests, but everything happens in complete privacy, and they trust me. I've always explained to journalists that certain things just can't be said." This is his philosophy, combined with his ability to connect: Nuschese is now a member of the Atlantic Council and the National Italian American Foundation, with which they recently honored Carlo Cimbri, "an illustrious Sardinian, one of my friends from the island along with Natale Ditel." The Italian Embassy, in short, has an annex at the Cafè Milano in Washington, and the White House's decisions also involve Italy.

Joseph Deiana

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