This charming restaurant is connected to Hotel Brianteo via the lobby. The first night we stayed in the hotel we decided to stop in for dinner rather than go out in search of something else in this unfamiliar area.
The restaurant boasts high wooden beamed ceilings and large windows with a wonderful view of the garden area. The décor was simple, yet elegant. All of the cutlery and dishes used for the meal were embossed with the hotel name. Service was impeccable without being too attentive.
The restaurant was quiet for a Friday evening. Then again, the restaurant is only open until 10pm. This is Italy; people don’t even go out until 9 or 10. We were seated at a large table for two by the window overlooking the garden area. Our waiter brought us a nice glass of complimentary sparkling wine as an aperitif. Neither one of us were starving, so we didn’t go for the full Italian meal, which would have completely stuffed us--it usually does when we are starving.
Since we were in the Milano area, we decided to go for a regional specialty. Our menu: For antipasti, my husband, Tom, had salame Milanese (sausage slices with a variety of cheeses). I had the ever-famous Italian antipasto proscuitto e melone. Both of these antipasti were high-quality and had a fresh flavour. After our antipasti, we had a primo, or first platter, but skipped the meat dish and dessert. Tom had gnocchi (pronounced: nyo-kee) with pesto, which he said was only all right--not much flavour. I had a winner with my dish, though. I ordered risotto Milanese with a gold leaf and Parmesan cheese. The Parmesan cheese was baked into a sort of bowl to hold the risotto. I need to learn how to make this dish. I was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had in Italy.
We also ordered a bottle of wine from the Veneto area and I had a tiny espresso after dinner. Our waiter brought us a small platter of after-dinner sweets.
The menu had a good selection. Vegetarian is usually an option on Italian menus as long as you skip the carne (meat) platters. One thing I would like to note that I have been seeing more and more of in Italy and France is that they will give the ladies a menu with no prices--that one goes to the man. I giggled the first time this happened to us in France. Now I know to expect it.
Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant for the excellent service and food--and be sure to try the risotto Milanese and other Milanese specialties!!