watching Cookbook from the sidewalk, it is very difficult at a first glance to understand quickly that this cozy and romantic place is actually a restaurant. Maybe because of the jasmines that cover the entire entrance and the windows or that it's lit with such small & warm lights they make you believe the place is decorated for a special (very romantic!) occasion. Or it's the particular preparation of the windows that show an accurate variety of all kinds of books. Or maybe it’s because of the domestic & homely interior decoration, that evidently aspires to reproduce the interior of a home. Moreover, the name evokes a hybrid, and very innovative concept that includes something different and a little ‘vintage’: books.
I have to admit I was attracted more by the word ‘book’ than the word ‘cook’, and decided to enter the restaurant without any specific intent -- just because it was dinner time and the place was so appealing!
It immediately became one of my favorites. I remember Arturo, the owner, welcoming us in a familiar way, smiling happily. Later, he introduced the menu, seasonal and genuine. The choice is properly Italian, and I am happy to observe it’s domestic and authentic -- exactly as suggested by the appearance.
But in my opinion, and for my experience, the real credit is that books can be involved in the dinner (like we did, opting for a fairytale book and a coloring album!), increasing that special family-feeling I rarely find.
Find your way with 185 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
One of the most interesting in the city, founded in 1576, it has the same structure as some Roman-Greek circular temples, "tholos" in ancient Greek.
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It was built in the V century around a stone, which beneath it had the relics of four Christian martyrs who were brutally tortured and then killed...
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Alda Merini was one of the most interesting people in the city and was always wandering around Navigli, so anybody could go and meet her in that district.
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Villa Invernizzi is an impressive Milan mansion with its own covey of pink flamingos. They spend their quiet lives in the garden, used to the attention.
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Though Pinocchio's statue is easy to overlook, it serves as a reminder of Milan’s deep connection to Italian culture, inviting us to see beyond the surface
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On Saint'Eustorgio square stands the statue of Saint Peter of Verona, the crual Inquisitor of Milan and Como, overseeing trials for witchcraft and sorcery.
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AOC's charm is not just in the goods but in the story behind them, shared passionately by the founder’s son and his wife, who now run the store.
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These fountains, both historic and functional, are reminders of Milan’s longstanding connection with mineral water—an overlooked aspect of the city’s past.
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Casa 770 striking facade was built to bring a piece of Brooklyn’s spirit to Milan, it’s the only one in Europe, and now it serves as a cultural hub.
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Locals say via Bagnera is haunted, with the wind carrying whispers of a gruesome legacy. Pause and imagine Milan’s hidden history in this quiet corner.
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Backdoor43 in Milan is life experienced through a whiskey glass. This is the smallest bar in the world. 3 people maximum for each session, booked in advance.
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"Tenoha Milano" has Nippon minimalism. No fluffy puff, no chichi, no HelloKitty. This place oozes craftsmanship, period. You'll wanna come back asap.
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