Nuevas aperturas en Milán: nuevos restaurantes, pizzerías y bares de vinos

The restaurant market isn't going through a boom. Italians' spending has plummeted, there's no money, and it's already a good thing that those who are out there are weathering the crisis (though not everyone is). But something is moving, nonetheless. While we await the doubling of Osteria della Concorrenza (with kitchen), Max Mariola's restaurant, and the new project by Rost, a Spanish tapas restaurant right next door, let's take a look at what's opened or is about to open in the city.

Iyo Kaiseki

This is the new project from Claudio Liu's Iyo Group (who brought its first Michelin star to Piero della Francesca's recently reopened Iyo). It's not just Japanese cuisine, but kaiseki cuisine, meaning small, high-quality, meticulously prepared dishes. Indeed, as they write on their website, kaiseki cuisine "elevates gastronomy to an art form" and offers "a multisensory experience that celebrates the harmony between man and nature." Executive chef Katsumi Soga is at the helm. Iyo Kaiseki offers three tasting menus (€140, €150, and €180) and a wide selection of sake.

Alvaar Alto Square, tel 02 2506 2888.

Vasiliki Cantina & Gastronomy, Regina Margherita

Vasiliki

Kouzina is a well-established Greek restaurant, one of Milan's best for its quality cuisine, wine list (Greek!), and atmosphere. Truly special, thanks in part to its owner, Vasiliki Pierrakea, who is cultured and passionate. So we're delighted to welcome the opening of Vasiliki Kantina&Gastronomia, next door, in mid-October. The focus will be on wine and the 200 native Greek grape varieties, little-known to Italians. Especially since when you visit the legendary Greek islands, you often end up drinking commercial junk. Vasiliki Kantina&Gastronomia will offer 80 different wines. The owner explains to Cook: "I believe deeply in Greek wine; I have an almost religious approach to it. So I encourage everyone to be curious and order what they don't know." Ready. As for the food, there will be a deli counter with takeout options available.

Via Clusone 6, tel 02 9438 1405.

Abba, Certosa District

Certosa District at Via Varesina 177 is a promising project that's still struggling to gain recognition among Milanese residents, but new openings are popping up (Lafa, Palma, Crosta, etc.). One such restaurant is Abba, opened by Apulian chef Fabio Abbattista, formerly of Alain Ducasse's kitchens. Eight tables and a fine wine list. Two menus are available, starting at €90 and €110.

Via Varesina 177, 02 8568 9735.

Fourghetti, Navigli

It opened a few months ago, but we've regrettably overlooked it. But the new restaurant, owned by Milanese entrepreneur Silvia Belluzzi (and in Bologna with the consultancy of chef Bruno Barbieri), seems to have met with success among the public and critics (an enthusiastic Valerio M. Visintin, for example). So we're recommending it, while we wait to dine there. The talented Giuseppe Gasperoni is at the helm, and the menu includes three €75 set menus (with self-explanatory names, meat, seafood, and vegetarian). The bill for those who choose the à la carte menu is also very simple: two dishes €50, three dishes €75.

Via Ascanio Sforza 77, tel 02 7709 6239.

United Fishmongers, Brera

More than a new opening, this is a change in format. Because the owners are the same as Seven, Zio Pesce, and Drogherie milanesi, which offered a tasting menu and small portions. Now, Pescherie Riunite is opening, which already has four other locations in the city. Drogherie milanesi was no longer selling, its momentum had run out, and so they decided to focus on fish. The menu is fun and not too demanding, because the idea is to break away from the formal, and very expensive, approach of many seafood restaurants. There are also two menus, priced at €33 and €36.

Via San Marco 29

Gooduries of Soresina

It's Milan's first Italian Cheese Café, or so they say. It's a project launched by Latterie Soresina, who decided to launch, as they once again quote the announcement, "an experiential market-bistro format." Essentially, it's supposed to be a place offering dishes featuring quality cheeses. Some examples: polenta with porcini mushrooms and truffle-flavored caciotta; gnocchi with Gorgonzola Piccante DOP, pancetta and late-season radicchio; and creamed cod with Stracciatella and sun-dried tomatoes; Trusdel, a potato and leek strudel with smoked Caciocavallo and pumpkin; the legendary Emilian erbazzone; and "Good 4 Kids" to help kids love cheese, too. And there are also classics like platters and brioche with Parma ham, Provolone Dolce DOP, and spinach. Via di Toqueville 10, tel. 02 4070 3256.

Specialty, Bocconi

One of the many specialty coffee shops, with a modern, minimalist decor and a very small space. They serve trendy leavened pastries (cinnamon rolls, Danish pastries, and the like) and ice cream. There are only a few seats at the large counter. Prices are high: cappuccinos are €2.50, croissants €3.00.

Viale Bligny 36

The kiosk in Ravizza Park

We've always said that kiosks, often called shacks, have enormous potential. Something's been moving in Milan for some time, and now, Milano Today reports, this project, launched by three young partners, has arrived in the heart of Ravizza Park. The idea is for a quality yet informal place, fun and relaxed, with natural wines and pop-up chefs who work on a rotating basis. It will be a trial run until November, then close for a few months and reopen in the warmer months.

Brera House

The first thing to move is ultra-luxurious and downright gigantic: eight floors, four restaurants, a luxury hotel, and gourmet chefs. If Milan is hungry for affordable housing and places to stay, this isn't the place. Here, the hospitality, branded Marriott, is geared toward very wealthy tourists, and there are four restaurants that benefit from the expertise of chefs Andrea Berton and Haruo Ichikawa. Rooms start at €800, up to a suite for €8,000.

Bossi Square 2

Wave, Porta Genova

A true osteria founded by chef Matteo Rocca and Vincenzo Cacaci, formerly of Rodi. The menu is very inviting, seems very original and interesting. The tagline: "The wave, keep on splashing."

Via Savona 45

From Zero, Porta Venezia

DaZero has announced the opening of a new location in Piazza Oberdan, near Porta Venezia. The popular Cilento pizzeria chain is thus expanding its reach, ten years after its founding. The total number of locations is eight, three of which are in Milan.

Berberè, City Studies

The well-known pizzeria chain continues its expansion in the city and opens at Via Eustachi 13, replacing Le Vert Bistrot, which never took off. A quality new addition to a neighborhood that could become a hub for new restaurants and openings, gradually improving its offerings.