Restaurants

Il Trullo is a restaurant with cuisine from the southern Italian region of Puglia. Having never been to Puglia, I can’t pretend to be really “in the know” about the cuisine but over the years I’ve been familiar with a few dishes as many of my students like to tell me about their favourite dishes.

A type of pasta, orecchiette, which means “little ear” in Italian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orecchiette); is predominant on the menu and good to try in spring when “cime di rape” is in season, a leafy type of broccoli. I’ve also tried it with chick peas and mussels or tomato and ricotta and both are really delicious. Be warned however, the portions of the pasta dishes are huge!

Meat dishes include horse and fish. I’ve tried some of the fish and it was fresh and tasty. The restaurant is little and bookings are recommended on the weekend, it’s a place to enjoy with friends, not a quiet, romantic dinner. The price is honest, just like the wines and the average bill is around 30 euro which is good for Milan.

Whilst Belgian food might not be what you had in mind when eating in Milan, Vent Du Nord does provide a nice interlude from Italian cuisine.

With the sea not even close, Milan also doesn’t seem like a top destination for seafood but it is actually the distribution centre for all of Italy, so all of the good quality stuff passes through Milan.

Fresh mussels cooked in a variety of tasty sauce options are the star of the menu here but I am also happy to come here for a late night cold beer and some tasty potato chips and mayonnaise. There are some tasty meat menu items too and the classic Belgian waffles for dessert.

Tucked away in a quiet street, yet easily accessible with the metro (Line 3, Stop Lodi) or Bus 90/91 you can find a little piece of Belgium. A great place to enjoy good food and a few beers with good friends.

With a recent visit, it was recommended that if you want to go on a Friday or Saturday night it is recommended to book at least one week ahead.

If you want to try “the not so usual Pizza” this is the place for you.

Italians (like most people in the world) love Pizza. Most pizzerias in Milan offer more or less the same variety of Pizza, namely: very soft with a high border.

Ciripizza makes a completely different pizza: starting from the dough which is very thin (I think they do not use yeast) and of course very fresh ingredients.

The result is a crispy, light and delicious pizza. I love the one made with whole wheat flour (farina inegrale) and my favorite topping is cherry tomatoes, rucola and Parmesan cheese.

I suggest to ask to the waiters for spicy olive oil (olio piccante) to add evenly on top of your pizza, at the table.

Another interesting aspect is the menu which has pictures of all pizzas represented in the restaurant.

Apart from pizza on the menu you’ll find appetizers (bruschetta, salami, ham and fresh mozzarella) and something quite unusual for a pizzeria: roasted chicken.

I don’t eat meat so I’ve never tried but it is very popular on the tables so I suppose it is very good.

Regarding the drinks you will find not only draft beer (Italian Nastro Azzurro) but also wines and different international beer bottles.

A good burger is important and there are many bad ones out there in the world! That’s why I’m happy to write about this place. In a handy location if you happen to be on your way in or out of Milan via train or bus, it’s located a hop, skip and a jump from Central Station and offers a great selection of burgers from beef to chicken to vegetarian. The chips are nice and chunky and freshly cooked too.

Good news! There is now another in the centre. Via Agnello, 18, just behind the main cinema complex.

The objective of Mama Burger was to create a New York style buzz, I’ll let you be the judge but it does have a very upbeat, modern feel and it’s enjoyable to enjoy with the warm weather and sit outside.

The plus is that they are also open to late so it can be a great place to stop if you haven’t filled yourself up enough with a Milan aperitivo! It’s also popular with the work crowd so try not to arrive there at 13:00. Maybe a bit before or after! They also offer a range of the non-hamburger meals, including good salads and Italian food.

The Locanda Greca is situated in a classic Milanese courtyard, a great example of old style Milanese housing, “Vecchia Milano”, nice in summer and winter.

The menu is classic Greek, dips, feta, moussaka, feta, kebabs, feta and feta! They also have some Greek wine but I can’t say it was anything special but the price is honest.

The Navigli area is a popular bar area but this is a nice place to stop for a bite to eat. Of course, afterwards to digest your meal you can take a “passeggiata” (walk, stroll) like a typical Italian along the canal, plus it’s a mini fashion show at the same time!