Le Charlie in Porticcio Earns Its First Michelin Star

Chef Richard Toix © Le Charlie – Bella Vista

Le Charlie earns its first Michelin star in Porticcio

Less than a year after opening, the fine dining restaurant Le Charlie, located within the Bella Vista in Porticcio, has earned its first star in the 2025 Michelin Guide. A meteoric rise that celebrates the ambitious vision of a committed trio and the inspired cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Richard Toix.

© Le Charlie – Bella Vista

A star for a complete vision

Beyond culinary performance, this star rewards a rare synergy between the dining room and the kitchen. At the origin of the project: Frédéric Salini, owner of Bella Vista, who has brought together a close-knit team, led daily by Stéphanie Ottavi, operations manager, and Laure Toix, dining room manager and the chef’s essential partner.

“Le Charlie was born from a shared dream: to offer Corsica an exceptional dining experience, rooted in its terroir yet open to the world.” – Frédéric Salini, owner

© Le Charlie – Bella Vista

Chef Richard Toix, artisan of emotion

Originally from Perpignan and an ardent USAP supporter, Richard Toix honed his skills with the Roux brothers in London (3 Michelin stars) before forging his own path. In 2007, he opened Passion et Gourmandise in Saint-Benoît, awarded a star in 2008, just nine months after opening.

Today, at Le Charlie, he brings an honest cuisine, inventive and sensory, where each dish tells the story of Corsica at its most vibrant. A seasonal menu, bold combinations, and Asian influences — all driven by a passionate brigade.

© Le Charlie – Bella Vista

An enchanting setting facing the Gulf of Ajaccio

Overlooking the pool, the restaurant’s dining room has been redesigned to blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The décor, blending natural materials, lush vegetation, and touches of exoticism, changes with the light. Shades of blue come alive at sunset, in a calming atmosphere.

A gastronomic interlude to discover

Le Charlie stands out as a unique destination on the Corsican scene. An address where the experience goes beyond the plate, carried by a team whose hospitality matches its culinary ambition. A thoroughly deserved star.

List of Michelin-starred restaurants in France 2025: See the 2025 Michelin Guide stars

A Michelin star, the reflection of a rare balance

This star also rewards a global vision: a precious balance between the dining room and the kitchen, between gastronomic excellence and the warmth of hospitality. It consecrates the work of a team united around an ambitious project, initiated by Frédéric Salini, owner of Bella Vista, and coordinated daily by Stéphanie Ottavi, operations manager, with the unwavering support of Laure Toix, dining room manager and the chef’s essential partner.

“Earning this star is a milestone. It validates our determination to raise Bella Vista to a level of excellence while remaining true to our values: sincerity, conviviality, and love for our land. I am very proud of the whole team – Richard, Stéphanie, Laure – and of what we build together every day.” – Frédéric Salini, owner of Bella Vista

“This star belongs first and foremost to a team. It rewards the work of passionate, dedicated people, attentive to every detail. It also celebrates the beauty of this island that I deeply love and that fuels my inspiration. Working here, with Laure by my side, gives meaning to every dish, every shared moment.” – Richard Toix, chef of Le Charlie

“I feel great emotion and pride. This star is not just a reward for the cuisine; it is also the reflection of the harmony we strive to create between the dining room and the kitchen. M

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