One afternoon in Milan...Where to eat?
 

I will have just a few hours in Milan after taking the train from Venice and before going on to the airport for my evening flight.

I plan to spend the afternoon seeing "The Last Supper" and then going on to the Duomo and the Galleria area.

Where are some casual but "nice" and convenient places for lunch and/or dinner in that area? Moderate prices, please.

I was wondering if there were any places to recommend inside the Galleria?

Very close to the Duomo is Al Mercante:

http://www.ristorantealmercante.it/en/contatti.html

I had lunch there; most of the other guests seemed to be businesspeople. It was pleasant and, for Milan, moderately priced.

In the Galleria, I think you pay a hefty "surcharge" for the fact that you are in the Galleria...

Very near the Duomo is an old family favorite, Ristorante da Bruno in via Gonzaga 6, tel 02 804364 (closed on Saturdays, usually).

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

beginningwithi.com (personal)
www.tvblob.com (work)

P.S. I notice that they take bookings on the Web site. I did not book ahead for lunch and was given a table, but the place did fill up completely. I don't know what the situation would be at dinner.

Eloise and Deirdre: Thanks for these great suggestions.

We just ate at Ristorante da Bruno on Thursday night. The food was great and the atmosphere was very pleasant. We only wish we hadn't been so exhausted so we could have lingered and enjoyed it a bit longer.

For Ristorante da Bruno... does anyone know what time they open/close for lunch/dinner?

Also...do you know what day of the week they are closed? We will be there on a Wednesday.

Thanks.

I wouldn't recommend eating in The Galleria.

My favorite restaurant near the Duomo is in a grocery store, its vegetarian and it doesn't take reservations (it's a latteria at via Unione, 6) but you might want something more elegant.

Within walking distance of the Last Supper, just off the Corso Magenta, is I Borromei (off piazza Borromei). It is set slightly off the street and has a quiet patio covered with a wisteria arbor that makes for a wonderful al fresco lunch. Prices are moderate and the food is very good.

The Economist Magazine describes it thusly:

Though it doesn’t appear in everybody’s Little Black Book, this pretty courtyard restaurant in a tiny alleyway in Milan’s business quarter (near Corso Magenta) is an ideal place for a discreet business lunch. There’s nothing pretentious or overpriced at this family-run osteria; just good, honest Italian fare, served by efficient waiters to a loyal clientele.

You might start with home-made tortelli di zucca, filled with delicious pumpkin, and move on to a platter of boiled meats served with the restaurant’s garlic-free salsa verde and spicy, fruity mostarda sauce (you’ll see them displayed on a table in the wood-beamed dining room as you walk in). Desserts are divine: try the warm tarte tartin with pears, or the caramelised orange, with just the right refreshing contrast of sweet and sour.

In summer, you can sit outside the the vine-covered courtyard. Ask for an outdoor table when you book.



Hostaria Borromei, via Borromei 4 Reservation … 02-86 45 37 60

We were in Milan on Palm Sunday and spent the afternoon seeing exactly what you plan to see. Since it was Palm Sunday we found out Last Supper was free. We had dinner at Ristorante Bruno at 7:00 which is when it opens for the evening--have no idea of the lunch hours but we had a great meal. DH said it was one of his favorites on our trip. The Doumo is partially covered while restorations and cleaning are being done--it is quite magnificent.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Nessundorma: Thanks for the tip about the vegetarian grocery store. It sounds like an interesting possibility.

I must agree with you about Hostaria Borromei. On a previous trip to Milan...that's where we had a delightful lunch. Thanks for taking the time to include so much information in your reply.

Thanks again to everyone.