Europe's Hottest New Artists

Roberto Bolle
Dancer, Milan

It’s nearly impossible to get past ballet dancer Roberto Bolle’s staggering good looks and focus on his talent (go on, just look at that photo), but talent is his, in spades. A child prodigy, Bolle was just 11 when he began training at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala. Almost 2 1/2 decades and a glittering roster of plum roles as one of La Scala’s étoiles (stars) later, this season Bolle becomes a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (May 18–July 11; 212/362-6000; abt.org) in New York. But Milan, with its mix of patrician quarters and gritty corners, retains a firm hold on his heart. “It’s not the most beautiful, or even the most appealing, city in this country. What Milan has instead is the modern human dimension—it’s a città vivante,” he explains. “The architects, artists, and dancers who live and work here are creating a vibrant Milanese culture.” —Maria Shollenbarger

Bolle’s Milan

Brera District “It’s still the best place to go for an aperitivo and be in the middle of things. It’s youthful and vibrant, frequentatissimo by the art students—though they can’t possibly afford to actually live here anymore, of course.”

Café Victoria “This is invariably where I meet friends for a late dinner after performances. It’s just a two-minute walk from La Scala, and has reliably good food—Milanese basics, always fresh. Plus, it’s great looking inside.” Dinner for two $102.

Chocolat “I tend to watch what I eat, but Chocolat is my weak spot. It has absolutely the best gelato in Milan—maybe in Italy.”