Chris Fusaro

You have a unique background that blends Italian and Canadian cultures. How have these vibrant tapestries influenced your art, and which one resonates with you the most?

I grew up in Montreal, where my connection to Italian culture was mostly through my grandparents and food. They emigrated to Canada in the 1950s, and their meals and stories became my connection to Italy. My real appreciation for Italian culture came later though—when I studied industrial design after high school and was introduced to the legacy of Italian design. I feel lucky to have grown up and studied design in a place like Canada, to now living and working in Milan where so much design history has taken place. I’ve experienced the best of both influences: the openness and fresh perspective I developed in Canada and the deep-rooted history that defines Italian design.

Italy is now the place you call home. Are there any hidden gems, maybe off the beaten path, that you hold close to your heart and have been a special source of inspiration for your artistic journey?

I recently had the pleasure to visit Villa Gaeta e Pinetum di Moncioni, a historic property in the mountains near Chianti owned by Bruno Boretti, an architect, collector, and interior designer. The villa dates back to the 1600s, and the grounds consist of a sprawling park filled with rare conifers from all over the world with sculpture and design works dotting the property. Bruno also hosts art and design residencies there, which is a nice way to invite people in to experience the grounds and its beauty. It’s an interesting place that feels medieval and connected to the past but continues to be relevant as an institution for modern creativity.

Montreal is your birthplace. What are the places in the city where you feel most at home? What are your go-to spots?

An idyllic Montreal day would start at Greenspot, a favorite for lunch— it's a classic dinner with wood clad interior and cosy booths, they have simple but classic Montreal foods smoked meat and poutine. From there, I’ll bike along the canal, past Habitat 67 to the Gilles Villeneuve racetrack for a few laps. If I want to take a break there’s Bota Bota, which is a spa on a boat in the Old Port— it’s a fun place that’s not too serious (like a lot of spas) and the bar makes one of the best espresso martinis I’ve ever had. For dinner, close by there’s Le Lotus Bleu in Chinatown. The lamb soup with hand pulled noodles is fantastic and it’s something I’ve only ever had there. At night, Salon Badin is a cool new spot that has great cocktails and a really nice soundsystem.

What’s the best time to visit Montreal to experience the city and its surroundings?

Summer, for sure. July and August are when the city really comes alive—perfect weather with warm days and breezy nights. It feels like everyone’s outside, biking and in parks. Montreal also has great festival culture, especially during the summer, like the Jazzfest and Osheaga. It’s the kind of energy that makes Montreal worth returning to.

As a design aficionado, which galleries or up-and-coming artist studios in Montreal are the hidden gems that you’d advise art lovers to keep on their radar?

Verre d’Onge is doing beautiful work with blown glass—they’re making vases in all different shapes and colours, his style is unique but classic. Clara Jorisch is making some nice furniture in glass as well. Her work is fun and very technically impressive. Montreal has a small but tight knit design community and I think the new designers coming up right now are doing a good job of collaborating in ways to get noticed on a bigger, international level.

You’ve had the privilege of working with luminaries like Gaetano Pesce—what an honor! If you could bring him back for just one day to explore Montreal, where would you take him to soak in the city’s vibrant flavors and artistic spirit?

I would probably start the day downtown with a cappuccino and a bombolone at Café Olimpico. They have a really amazing bombolone with ricotta filling, my personal favorite. We’d then head over to the Cathcart building — which is essentially  an entire jewelry district inside a grand, historic stone building. Cathcart is made up of foundries, gemologists and watchmakers on every floor. It’s a fascinating spot to explore, get things made, or just learn about jewellery making. Ile St. Helene is another gem worth exploring, with Buckminster Fuller’s iconic Biosphere from the 1967 World’s Fair, plus some amazing public sculptures, including a monumental Calder. Finally, I’d wrap up the day with a pasta dinner at Luciano Trattoria.

Are there any modernist markets, collector shops, or design boutiques in Montreal where you find your creative spark or love to hunt for the latest must-have pieces?

There’s a nice shop in the Plateau called Morceau that carries great lighting brands and also has a curated selection of vintage furniture. Another shop I love is Triede in the Old Port — they’re a showroom that distributes all the cool European brands, and they have a lot of Ingo Maurer lighting on display too. While it's not a boutique, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is worth mentioning for its excellent permanent collection in the decorative arts section. It used to be free but I’m not sure anymore, but it's still definitely worth visiting.

In your recent exhibition “Al Bronzo” you showcased an array of pasta shapes cast in bronze. Are you a foodie? What are your top three culinary gems in Montreal that make your taste buds dance?

Vin Mon Lapin was voted best restaurant in Canada, but despite that it still manages to feel local and untouched. The room is always fun and the food is fantastic with a very good wine list. The scallop sandwich and the buckwheat cake are a must (if you can get a reservation). Cloakroom is one of my favorite spots for drinks. While it’s no longer a hidden gem, it still stands out for its consistently exceptional cocktails. Tucked behind a high-end men’s tailoring and barber shop in downtown Montreal, the small but intimate bar is hidden behind the cloakroom door. There’s no formal menu—just tell the bartender your preferences, and they’ll craft something bespoke. Schwartz’s Deli is a classic and while many people debate what the best smoked meat sandwich in Montreal is, Schwartz's is definitely up there. The interiors are unchanged and there's a great sense of nostalgia in there. Celine Dion is also a part owner which I think is a good vote of confidence.

Picture this: you’re back in Montreal after a whirlwind of exhibitions and events. What does your perfect first day off in the city look like? How would you kick back and indulge yourself?

I’d probably grab brunch at Snowdon Deli, a quintessential no frills jewish deli and local  favorite. After that, I’d get on my bike and ride around the city, meeting up with friends along the way. I’d catch some sun at Beaver Lake, then wander through the trails of Mount Royal. For a beautiful view, I’d make my way to the steps of Saint Joseph’s Oratory to catch the sunset. To finish it all off, I’d head to Leméac for a decadent French dinner in one of the best rooms in the city.

If you were craving a break from the city's hustle and bustle and decided to take a road trip a few hours from Montreal, what itinerary would you follow?

I really enjoy visiting Quebec City. It has the charm of a European city but is just a short drive from Montreal. The city center is full of historic buildings and notable landmarks like Le Continental and Château Frontenac. It’s also set right on the St. Lawrence River and surrounded by nature parks, forests, and mountains. For me, it’s the perfect balance of nature and city. The restaurant scene is fantastic, and while the city is compact, there’s so much to see and do.

And if you could pluck one special spot from Montreal and drop it into the heart of Milan—be it a hotel, restaurant, gallery, shop, or something else entirely—what would you choose to carry across the ocean?

If I could choose, St-Viateur Bagels would be at the top of the list. They’ve been around since 1957 and they’re the epitome of Montreal bagels, thin and chewy but crispy at the same time. Montreal bagels are different from other bagels because they boil them first in honey water. They’re open 24/7 and a bagel costs a little over a dollar each, cash only of course. Italians love a good deal and with all the wood burning ovens in Milan I think they would be a hit.

The best bedsheets and breakfast in Montreal: where to sleep in the city?

The Queen Elizabeth Hotel is classic, and a true Montreal landmark. It’s iconic for hosting John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s bed-in for peace in 1969, but beyond the history, it’s just a really grand and special place to stay. For breakfast, I’d venture to Wilfrid Laurier Park for Pâtisserie Rhubarbe which has some of the best croissants and pastries in the city, in my opinion.

As a designer born in Montreal but based in Milan, you embody a blend of two rich cultural identities. Which aspects of yourself do you feel are more 'Milanese' and which remain distinctly rooted in your Montreal origins?

Working in Milan feels much more centered on interpersonal relationships. Many of my suppliers and subcontractors are older men with a genuine curiosity and understanding of art and design. It’s not foreign to them, so when we discuss projects, they can appreciate the work and offer valuable advice. In Montreal, I often felt like I was just working with companies—while they provided services, there wasn’t the same sense of care or connection to the work.

In Italy, people are raised in a culture that values art and design, and age is seen as a source of wisdom, expertise, and knowledge. This reverence for older generations has been a nice shift in perspective for me, especially compared to Canada, where the aging population is often overlooked or quick to be replaced.

The Montreal side of me has made me detail-oriented, professional, and business-minded, while Milan has taught me to value a more humanized approach to work—centered on conversations, meals, and shared moments—that brings a romantic and meaningful quality to the process.