Style Inventory: Mathieu Palombino
We always have style on the brain at FR headquarters, so from time to time we reach out to our best-dressed chef friends to hear about their favorite designers and why it's never OK to wear chili pepper pants in the kitchen. Next up, Mathieu Palombino, chef-owner of New York City's Motorino. His newly opened shop in Hong Kong is turning out Neopolitan pies that are textbook perfect, striking a delicate balance between char, chew, sauce and cheese. He's finally giving the cosmopolitan city the grown-up, and authenic, pizzeria it deserves.
How did you get into cooking?
I realized that I was not going to become a lawyer or a banker at an early age, but I felt proud entering a kitchen. I knew I was going somewhere special with that.
Who is your style icon?
Keith Richards.
Favorite labels and designers?
Brooks Brothers & Tommy Hillfiger.
Shoes?
Bally & Cole Haan.
Accessories of choice?
Patterned wool scarves and a Borsalino travel hat.
What's your grooming regimen like?
Pretty minimal – I don't even shave every day!
Last splurge?
A Rolex Explorer
Anything you'd never wear?
A baseball cap
What do you wear during service?
A dishwasher's uniform shirt.
What are your favorite Hong Kong restaurants?
I ate 25 times at Boqueria last month, and learned that I love Spanish food. I also really like the large Chinese restaurant, Yung Kee, near the Coach store.
Favorite things to eat?
Chocolate, salads, mango, grilled steak and fish, ice cream, and of course, pizza.
Drink of choice?
Gin martini.
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