Word of Mouth: Exciting New Openings in Milan
Posted in: UncategorizedRestaurants, bars, a hotel and more in the flourishing Italian city
Word of Mouth: Exciting New Openings in Milan
Restaurants, bars, a hotel and more in the flourishing Italian city
Courtesy of Alessandro Barattelli
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Italy may be a nation that celebrates heritage, but Milan continues to break from convention and invest in new experiences for visitors. Whether it’s a fresh take on design, a unique new concept or the smallest detail that makes the biggest difference, the city has seen a boost in hotels, restaurants, bars, installations and exhibitions. The following eight highlights feel fresh in a city that we’re constantly passing through.
Max Brown Missori
It was only ten years ago when the first Max Brown opened in Amsterdam’s canal district; since then, the Circle Collection counts five properties including its latest opening in the Missori neighborhood of Milan, with a sixth set to open in Athens. The hotel itself breathes a dynamic, urban retreat where simple knick-knacks like the pic and mix by the entrance or the Crosley record player and pastel blue Smeg kettle in every room offer an understated sense of comfort. Within the walls, 64 rooms vary in size from tiny to extra large and, together with the common areas, exude a soft, ’70s appeal with retro motifs and colors (mustards, burnt orange, pastels and pop). Take a stroll through the ground floor where a bar, pool table and cosy nooks to whip out your laptop await while you gaze through the contemporary art collection displayed along the wall. With rates starting at 200 euros a night, this hub is a great new option that gives travelers a more affordable, casual and relaxed atmosphere to sojourn. Oh, and furry friends are also most welcome.
Gloria Osteria
It’s interesting that an Italian restaurant born in London finally debuts in Italy, after the group behind it opens twenty-five outlets across Europe. We’re talking about the Big Mamma hospitality, whose dynamic concept and ingenious interior design have taken European cities by storm. Gloria Osteria, situated in the central Brera district, features two floors of opulent, ’60s-inspired art-deco interiors with gold-framed mirrors, striking Murano chandeliers (which look like gigantic jelly-fish hanging from the ceiling) and upholstered quirky fabric seating all within a joyful, welcoming atmosphere. The menu is an ode to Italian regional recipes augmented with international touches such as the Pici Cacio e Pepe, prepared with a blend of four peppers sourced from Asia. Leave some room for desert as the XXL Citron tarte is a fantastic palette-cleanser with a cloud-like meringue placed upon a lemon tart (sharing is recommended).
NON la solita vineria
This cosy joint is tucked along the quiet backroads of Porta Romana, where an old-school café once stood. When designing the NON la solita vineria wine bar, a retro heritage was maintained and combined with an urban look featuring wrought iron, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and bottles stacked along the walls. It’s from Daniele Rosa and Andrea Vignali, the duo behind the trendy Milanese restaurant MIRO – Osteria del Cinema, who curated the concept alongside sommelier Valentina Bruno. Their idea was to source the uncommon and give voice to lesser known producers both from the drink and the culinary perspective. For example, on the menu you’ll find a Metodo Classico made with Sangiovese, a grape native from Tuscany, grown in the Marche region and turned into this unusual yet wonderful sparkling wine in the small winery Failoni di Staffolo.
TOW The Odd Wine
TOW The Odd Wine is a great joint for savoring a pre-dinner glass of wine or venturing along for an “apericena,” as Italian’s would say, where food is enough to satiate for dinner. It’s located in Cenisio, a northern Milanese neighborhood that has been experiencing a rise in quirky new openings over the last year. Founded by Andrea Griffini and Andrea Zarra, this venture stems from their deep expertise, extensive experience and shared passion. Their aim is to introduce a unique concept to a city in constant flux, balancing innovation with tradition and excellence. TOW The Odd Wine shines a light on lesser known wineries across Italy coupled with a culinary selection inspired by global flavors, reflecting Milan’s cosmopolitan vibe: expect a blend of Italian, Asian and South American ingredients with a sharing-dish format.
Nobuya
A few steps away from the central Cadorna district, chef Niimori Nobuya and entrepreneur Andrea Lin opened Nobuya. Its concept, which travels across all spectrums of the restaurant, aims to bring together Italian and Japanese culture, which represent a fundamental part of the chef’s previous work experience and personal growth. In fact, there are many elements that these two cultures share which you’ll find on the menu including succulent slow-cooked meats, seafood broths, braised and fried ingredients with seasonal, Italian produce. The tonkatsu, a traditional Japanese pork cutlet, has been reinterpreted using capocollo from the Basilicata region; sashimi and tataki are offered with Mazara red shrimp or beef from Piedmont. The design mirrors the concept in which traditional Japanese elements blend with Italian materials creating a delicate, intimate space.
I Mirador
This spring, one of the coolest rooftops that overlook the city reopened just in time for Milan Design Week. We’re talking about I Mirador of the 21 House of Stories hotel that opened in the Navigli district last autumn, with a skybar that lived a short-but-sweet period before closing for winter. The cocktail menu is designed by their bar manager, Franco “Tucci” Ponti, while chef Andrea Ribaldone curates the snack proposal; a combination served with a fantastic view of the city’s skyline, especially at sunset.
Oda
Artist Ece Iyigun recently transformed a simple white space in Porta Venezia into a room known as Oda filled with art and color, seeking to bring together like minded individuals to unleash their creativity over daily ceramic workshops. These are hosted by a number of local, young artists who switch-up their two-hour sessions with breakfast, brunch or aperitif (sometimes in pajamas)!
Casa Tobago
October saw the opening of Casa Tobago, a spirited restaurant and cocktail bar in the eastern part of the city, close to Porta Romana. It’s a place that thrives in conviviality; where you can pop in for an intimate aperitif, dinner with a group of friends or after-hour cocktails within a dimly-lit, warm environment. The decor is sensual: deep tones, dark woods, red bricks, period-style wallpaper and decadent art that paves the backdrop for a menu that’s both avant-garde and primitive, with a hefty selection of grilled meats. Behind the cocktail selection is mixologist Alberto Corvi whose expertise lies in balancing contrasting flavors such as rum, Campari, pineapple and curry used in the “Curry me on” cocktail.
