Corallo Lobster Bar

In search of ideas to beat the end of summer sadness? A walk downtown with my girlfriends always works. And if we throw in a lobster lunch break at Corallo Lobster Bar, we can start smiling again.

We are on the seventh floor of the Rinascente but it feels like being in a restaurant on the Amalfi Coast, with white and blue walls and floors and the joyful and vibrant colors of the splendid Vietri ceramics. And in response to my nostalgia for the amazing lobsters that I stuffed myself with during my recent vacation in California, here is a lobster-based menu that sets my mouth watering only by reading it.

The lobsters arrive directly from Maine and the dishes are a mix of Made in USA classics and Mediterranean flavors. I have to opt for the lobster roll: a soft bun stuffed with a lot of lobster, crab and citrus sauce, served with super crunchy French fries. For purists I suggest “Assolo”: whole lobster steamed and served with a sauce made with citrus from Sorrento. And then a Mediterranean classic: spaghetti alla chitarra with clams and bottarga… simply delicious.

The menu also offers other sea delicacies that pay homage to the Neapolitan and Sicilian tradition, from tuna panzanella to anchovy parmigiana and a sandwich stuffed with eggplant and squid caponata. Another pleasant surprise was the Veneziano sandwich, with fried Moleche: a Venetian specialty definitely worth trying. Special mention goes to the desserts, strictly loyal to the Neapolitan tradition. As certified dessert lover I assure you that the chocolate Caprese cake is incredibly good!

The staff are kind and helpful and no small detail is left unattended. The kitchen is open to view: I always appreciate the opportunity to take a peek at the chef to discover how the dishes are prepared. In conclusion, it’s a colorful and cozy place that brings a little sea air in the center of Milan. I recommended for special lunch breaks (but also for dinner: the restaurant is open until midnight!).

And if for some reason you are in Copenhagen, know that you can enjoy the legendary Coral lobster there too, specifically in the food hall of the Illum department store.

Photo Credit © La Rinascente