18 August 2011

AUNTIE PASTA – Out to Lunch

SARONNO, Italy - These eight restaurants are without a doubt in every Milanese’s little black book as the best lunch places in town.  Some are in the center, others are slightly off center, but all are worth a visit. The list is not in any particular order. Buon Apetito.  

 Dulcis in Fundo
DULCIS in FUNDO
Via Gianfranco Zuretti 55
Milano (MI)
Tel: 02.66.71.25.03
Hidden away in a courtyard, this former factory has had a major make-over. From grime and grunge it has been transformed into a bright and welcoming restaurant.  For  as little as 10 euros for lunch, you can choose from some rather exotic dishes. Open for dinner only on Thursday nights.  
Menu choices:  Puff pastry with artichokes, codfish balls, diced swordfish and turnip greens,  lasagnetta with speck zucchini and saffron, pasta with artichokes and bottarga, risotto with port  and and gorgonzola, tortelli stuffed with truffles, stuffed artichokes, grouper with grain mustard, foie gras, tuna steak with sesame and couscous,  and fillet of veal roasted in a crust.
Prices: More or less 35, without wine
Open for brunch on Saturday, and for dinner on Thursday night. Closed Sunday and Monday 
 Emiliana Tortellini
EMILIANA TORTELLINI
Via Ariberto 17
Milano (MI)
Tel: 02.58.10.97.07
1730247
Eating lunch at Nadia Magnani’s pasta factory is like going to your favorite Italian aunt’s house in the hills of Italy’s most famous pasta making region - Emilia Romgana. It goes without saying that the pasta dishes are exceptional. Yes, there are other things to eat, but it’s the pasta, in every way, shape and form, that steals the show.
Prices: If you try really hard, you can spend about 15 euros, without wine.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and on Thursday and Friday nights for dinner.
 Bottigliera da Pino
BOTTIGLIERIA da PINO
Via Cerva 14
Milano (MI)
Tel: 02.76.00.05.32
This old fashioned trattoria is always busy with the hustle and bustle of waiters bringing home style food to discriminating locals.  The most popular dishes are risotto, soups, quiche and a Lombard staple, boiled beef.
A fixed price menu includes a first and second course with a side dish, a half bottle of mineral water and a quartino of wine. 
The trattoria is only open for lunch but you can reserve the restaurant for a private party of up to 50 people.   
Closed on Sundays and evenings.
 Triennale Caffe' Design
TRIENNALE CAFFE’ DESIGN
Viale Emilio Alemagna 6
Milano (MI)
Tel: 02.87.54.41
A splendid location in the first floor of Milan’s number one design museum. Huge windows that look out on the green expanse of Parco Sempione.  Chef David Dalma serves up some pretty spectacular dishes, including some created by award winning  chef, Carlo Cracco.  The food may be gourmet, but it won’t bust your budget.  For a first and second course expect to pay between €20-€25 euros, and Sunday brunch is priced at €28.  Closed Mondays.
 Tagiura
TAGIURA
Via Tagiura 5
Milano (MI)
Tel: 02 48.95.06.13
Tagiura is a resturant that you might mistake for a bar.  But once inside, walk past the bar and enter into a elegant dining room with a menu to match. Stuffed pasta dishes reign here, including tortellini and ravioli and all the other classic favorites. Look for gnocchi with zucchini flowers drizzled with melted butter, Cremonese ravioli stuffed with beef that has been cooked in wine, leek soup, cheese ravioli in meat broth and topped with a spoonful of Lambrusco wine, roasts, and a wide selection of cheeses.
At lunchtime a first and second course are priced between €10 and €15 euros. The price increases slightly for dinner and range from €25 - €35 excluding wine.
Open for dinner on Thursdays and Fridays, and closed for lunch on Sunday. Reservations are essential.
 Frutteto Viel
FRUTTETO VIEL
Via Amatore Antonio Sciesa 2
Milano (MI)
Tel: 335.25.50.06
Break out your Sherlock Holmes hat and magnifying glass – this restaurant is hard to find. However, if you succeed you will be rewarded with an array of dishes, including vegetarian dishes, such as eggs and asparagus, ravioli in a sweet pepper sauce and meatballs with rice. The menu varies according to the season and what is in the marketplace.
Prices range from 7-13 euros.
Open for lunch daily, and dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
 Da Teo
Da TEO
Corso Como 3
Milano (MI)
Tel: 02.65.55.029
If you long for the taste of the culinary treasures of Puglia, da Teo is the place to go. Managed by Antoinette and Teo, this tiny restaurant delivers the flavors of the south with traditional favorites like orecchiette with cima di rape, tiny lampascione in oil, puree’ of fava and that southern relative of bruschetta, friselle.
If the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of Corso Como. A first and second course is about €15.
Closed on Sundays and never open for dinner
 Il Bacaro del Sambuco
IL BACARO del SAMBUCO
Via Monte Napoleone 13
Milano (MI)
Tel: 02.76.39.48.32
Il Bacaro del Sambuco is the little sister of Restaurant Sambuco on Via Messina in Milan. And like her big sister,   simple, traditional dishes that are light and sophisticated are the order of the day. If the weather is warm you can    sit in the restaurant’s sheltered courtyard, or choose the elegant dining room.
Open only for lunch. Closed Sundays and Mondays.


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