.:. Alice Ristorante $$$
A lot of passion from a young chef, with daring combinations between Mediterranean cuisine and experimentation. Raw materials carefully chosen.
.:. Michelin star, now in the big EatItaly premises.
.:. Cantina della Vetra $$$
A nice place open to the greenery of Piazza Vetra, close to the Roman Columns of San Lorenzo. Kind staff, value for money, both meat and fish.
.:. It's not a large venue, and it can be crowded: reserve in advance.
Via Pio IV 3
Sant'Ambrogio
Ticinese district
where?
evenings only, open on Saturday at lunch and for brunch on Sunday and festivities
[+39] 02 89403843
.:. Cantina Piemontese $$$
Established in 1908, at those times in front of a Laghetto (a pond) aside the Naviglio canal, it's a quiet and traditional place. Recipes originate from Piedmont - as the name of the venue declares - as well as from nearby Liguria (the Brandacujun codfish must be tried) and a few more Italian regions, always in a measured style of cooking.
.:. Ingredients d'origine contrôlée. Very courteous staff.
.:. Cracco Top Notch
Successfull balance between avant-garde and tradition, the daring and the down-to-earth. Superb wine cellar, and stars by Michelin. Also a café, open every day 8am-midnight.
.:. Chef Carlo Cracco, who boasted a starred career at Ducasse in Montecarlo and Sanderens in Paris, had cooperated in reopening the old acclaimed Peck restaurant in Via Victor Hugo in 2001. The interiors had been extensively revamped in 2007. Nonetheless, eleven years later Cracco moved his premises to the Galleria, or "the Milan parlour".
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Duomo
Duomo district
where?
closed Saturday lunch, Sunday lunch, and August
[+39] 02 876774
.:. Da Giordano il Bolognese $$
Wood-panelled restaurant (not to be confused with the other Bolognese reviewed in this page), offering a variety of home-made pastas. Regional specialties include tagliatelle bolognese and lasagne verdi. Fish, meat and yummy desserts. Friendly, old-style staff.
.:. Dal Bolognese $$$$
You may know its sister restaurant in Rome, packed with politicians and tourists alike. Here the glitzy crowd is Milan-style: industrialists, fashion and media folk, football players. The food is strictly Bolognese. Homemade pastas (lasagna bolognese a must), meats and great desserts. Al fresco in the good season.
.:. Not to be confused with the other Bolognese reviewed here.
.:. Gattò $$$
A most unusual place: you enter through a former-travel agency-cum-shop (selling an eclectic range of objects: you can
write to be kept informed).
.:. The chef is a young lady - a slip of a girl - who graduated in industrial design.
Mediterranean, homey cuisine with a Neapolitan touch. Good selection of wines. Though recently more pricey, it's still value for money. Free Wi-Fi.
.:. Hostaria della Lanterna $$
One of the very few affordable real things in the city center, with Mrs Paola still speaking Milanese dialect. Just a bunch of dishes, most of them pasta or meat. Reservation recommended. Not till late.
.:. il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia Top Notch
Not exactly in the city centre but not far from the old Fiera either, this top small-is-excellent place has been showered with awards by the specialist press (Michelin).
.:. Gnocchi made with vegetables, risotto with pumpkin flowers and truffles, patisserie.
Via Raimondo Montecuccoli 6
Primaticcio
Lorenteggio district
where?
closed Saturday lunch and Sunday
[+39] 02 416886
.:. La baita $$
An old style restaurant with good service useful if you are arriving or leaving from the Central Station.
Via Lepetit 27
Centrale FS
Stazione Centrale district
where?
closed Sunday, and Monday at lunch
[+39] 02 6694173
.:. Maio $$$
On top of laRinascente department store, at the seventh floor. Moderately elegant, with the best view in town over the gargoyles and the statues of the Duomo, and al fresco dining in the good season.
.:. The Maio is managed by reliable professionals from Vercelli, the town in Piedmont where most (and the best) of Italian rice comes from.
.:. You go up with an elevator that reaches directly, and only, the seventh floor. Entrance from Via San Raffaele.
.:. Ponte Rosso $$$
This old trattoria along one of the Navigli canals, with its small tables and unique atmosphere, caters to those who want to experience Italian regional dishes of a kind you won't find elsewhere. But you can also get a good vegetable soup or an assorted cheese plate. Good selection of wines from the Friuli region.
.:. Rigolo $$$
Since 1958, a reliable restaurant with a Tuscan touch. Veg galore, fish and meat. If that isn't enough, the gluttons amongst you can savour a slice of castagnaccio, a plain chestnut flour cake.
.:. Friendly atmosphere and - cherry on the top for die-hard smokers - this is one of the few places where cigarettes are still allowed.
.:. Sadler Top Notch
In modern premises, Claudio Sadler is one of the chefs at the top of Milanese ratings. His seasonal dishes are delightfully innovative, and delicious too. Excellent wines, and stars by Michelin.