aperitivo Archive

Colonial Cafe

Published: December 2, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, brunch, cafeTags:

This cafe on Corso Magenta is a nice place for lunch or for a drink after work. They have a wine hour every day from 6:30-9pm with an aperitivo buffet. The buffet is quite expansive, with both cold and hot foods- there is a wide selection and is quite good and fresh.

Large red leather couches and sleek tables make up the Colonial Cafe. It is a nice atmosphere with bartenders who will suggests what wines to try.

Stop by on a Thursday because the aperitivo is accompanied by live music. Listen to some music, order a glass of wine and enjoy the evening. The are open all day, so come for lunch if you can’t make a Thursday night, or better yet, for their weekend brunch.

Corso Magenta, 85
Tel: 02 43511054

Website

Caffe Savona

Published: November 30, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, bar, lunch, restaurantTags:

This place is a reliable choice for any mood that you are in. For sunday brunch, a weekday lunch, drinks after work or to watch an important soccer match at night. It is always busy, perhaps because the main room has plenty of tables, couches and a nice atmosphere to eat and spend time with friends or people you just met. They have an additional room downstairs and a large patio outside with is always busy (especially on warm days).

The menu ranges from paninis and salads to hamburgers, pasta and meat plates. It is an inviting cafe and if you are in the neighborhood, a good place to stop any time of the day.

address: Via Montevideo, 4
tel: +39 02 89400773

luca e Andrea

Published: November 18, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, bar, restaurantTags:

Among the choices on Naviglio Grande, you wonder why Luca e Andrea is always packed. Reason being: They have great food at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is between a bar and a trattoria. No frills to the wooden tables and rustic ambiance, but it ads to the charm. Luca e Andrea is a neighborhoood place, a trattoria that lets the food and drinks speak for themselves.

The aperitivo is basic. nothing out of the ordinary in terms of food, but their drinks are strong and good. They have this special drink that they created themselves- so make sure to ask for it. They haven’t finalized on the name, but its pink, comes in a martini glass and is a combination of liquors and juices. It’s awesome!!

The menu is short and uncomplicated, but the pastas are delicious and you will be satisfied with your meal and experience. So go to Luca e Andrea with a group, for a laid back evening or for drinks after dinner.

Address: Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 34

Tel: 02 58101142

Outside lunch and Bar Brera

Published: November 12, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, barTags:

The weather has been holding up this week and has been beautifully sunny here in Milan. This weekend should be much of the same, so grab a friend or a loved one and head for lunch at an outdoor cafe.

Pedestrian only places in Milan are the best areas to walk. Up near Corso Como, The center of Piazza Duomo and down on the Navigli.

But don’t miss the Brera district, famed for it’s artsy reputation, small boutiqes and cobblestone streets, the Brera is an area when you can discover new places even if many trendy places have since moved in.

Stopping by Bar Brera at some point in Milan is a must. On the corner of Via Brera and Via Fiori Oscuri, is a cafe wit a large outdoor seating, a perfect location for a coffee or drink at anytime of the day. There is nothing special about this bar so don’t expect much. It is however, the perfect place to stop in the middle of you afternoon for some people watching. Perhaps stay for the aperitivo.

Bar Brera: Via Brera, 23, 20121 Milano

mexican in the city

Published: October 22, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, restaurant-ethnicTags:

Mexican is always fun every once and a while and always fun with a group of friends. Nothing is better that a few margaritas – they always turn the night into something you didn’t expect.

for some good mexican places in the city try. (the fajitas are good at all places)

Joe Pena’s- good margaritas, but even better is the atmosphere. It’s always so lively. Try to stay in the front room and not be seated in the quite, less fun, room in the back

www.joe penas .it
Via Savona, 17
+39 02 58110820

ganas- Big aperitivo and good location up by the Moscova stop. Margaritas are pretty good. strong!

Corso Como, 2
+39 02 654531
Otra Vez- an authentic mexican restaurant. Good atmosphere and they have take-away if you want to make a themed dinner at home.

www.otra vez .it
Viale Montenero
+39 02 5453004

(photo of otra vez inside)

Trattoria Toscana

Published: October 21, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, bar, restaurantTags:

Trattoria Toscana is a well known restaurant among people in Milan and you can tell why when you walk in. Hidden behind a watch store, you have to walk past the busy and hectic kitchen to get to the restaurant. Once inside, you are transformed.

Trattoria Toscana is a somewhat garden atmosphere under a tent. You are unsure if you are inside or outside and perfect for a large group of friends.

They have a busy aperitivo, it’s always packed during dinner, and the bar stays crowded through late in the evening. Popular among young people, it is also popular with well dressed, trendy people in the city.

The food is ok. There is a large menu but the pastas are way better than the meat dishes, so stick to that. The prices are very inexpensive, the restaurant is very load and the food comes out at record pace. So order a bottle of wine and take your time with ordering, or else you will be done with dinner in 1/2 hour.

This is a place you go to for the atmosphere, not the food. It’s fun, but it is packed, and they won’t think twice about turning you away, so make sure you make a reservation if you don’t plan on showing up early.
Corso di Porta Ticinese 58,

Tel. +39 0289406292

website

Bentobar- Sushi Restaurant

Published: October 14, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, restaurant-ethnicTags:

Here is another place up on Corso Garibaldi that has ample outdoor seating and a great atmosphere. This sushi restaurant with black interior is a trendy place in Milan and rightfully so- it’s a cool.

The bar area in the front is small, so don’t expect to linger before or after dinner without feeling cramped. But the outside area is really pleasant on a nice night or for lunch, and it’s filled with people.

They do have an aperitivo- they serve the food in form of a bento box to your table. But the waiters make you leave promptly at 9pm to make space for diners, so come early to have enough time to sit and not feel rushed if aperitivo is what you are coming for.

Only suggestion is to not let them seat you at the low tables in the upstairs room. It may seem cool to sit on the floor in these small stool like chairs, but after your legs start to cramp and you try not to fall while getting up to use the bathroom, you will start to feel like they gave you the worst table in the restaurant. So leave the nostalgia for Tokyo, and opt for a normal table.

The sushi is really fresh and Bentobar is definitely worth a visit if you like Japanese.

Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 104

www.bentobar .com
+39 02 659 8075

Jazz Cafe

Published: October 8, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, bar, brunch, restaurantTags:

Corso Sempione is lined with bars and restaurants, so it may be hard to choose where to go. in this blog alone, we have reviewed, Living, Deseo,and Mizu on Corso Semptione which are all good choices.

Now you can add Jazz cafe to that list. It is always crowded and has a large inside and a very large outside. But the biggest thing of all is their aperitivo spread. It’s quite massive with so many options that it’s kind of almost too much. In fact, everything at this place is large because they also serve their wine by the glass in goblet size. You will not leave Jazz Cafe hungry, thirsty or without having a good time.

They serve a nice dinner in addition, with white table cloth setting and, you guessed it, large portions. The music, nice waiters and relaxed yet upscale atmosphere, it makes for a fun evening. It’s a must try!

website
Corso Sempione, 8
+39 02 33604039

Map powered by MapPress

Hotel Straf and Bar at Hotel Straf

Published: October 7, 2009Posted in: FAVORITE FOOD/DRINK, aperitivo, bar, hotelTags:

The Staf hotel in Milan is one of the most popular, high design and coolest boutique hotels in the city. It is located right around the corner from the Duomo which makes it an ideal place to stay. There are only 64 rooms and 2 suites designed by fashion designer Vincenzo de Cotis who uses a eclectic mix of materials. It’s different, it’s atypical and it’s cool.

But if you aren’t looking for a hotel, go to the 1st floor bar at the Straf for a drink.

The bar stays in theme of being an unconventional space but is lively and full of well dressed people. There is not much seating inside, except a low leather couch that you sink into. But there is also space outside and many people standing in the street. When you turn the corner past the galleria, you know you are coming upon the Straf from the people and lighting.

It’s a must go to in the city for a drink before dinner or durning the day when you are downtown.

Address: via San Raffaele 3

website

Map powered by MapPress

Radetzky cafe

Published: October 5, 2009Posted in: aperitivo, bar, brunchTags:

Most reviews of this cafe/bar say that it is one of the coolest places in Milan with top location on Garibaldi.

The thing about Radetzky is that when you visit for aperitivo, for example, you will see people from every age range 25-75. It’s a laid back bar inside and the outside seating is jammed with people. After hours, the bar seating outside gets so popular that most people are standing in the street and avoid the inside seating all together.

The bar mainly is a place to go for a cocktail after work or before a club. Not the most extensive aperitivo, but they have a menu for light food and paninis that are quite good.

So go after work, or on sunday, as they are known for their brunch.
Corso Garibaldi 105

Tel: 02.6572645