10_11 (Ten Eleven) – Portrait Milano

Let’s clarify right away: 10_11 is pronounced in English as ‘Ten Eleven’. A rather unusual name for a restaurant, due to the fact that its setting, the hotel Portrait Milano—an exclusive meeting place between two different souls of the city—has two entrances, one at Via Sant’Andrea 10 and the other at Corso Venezia 11. And the setting is truly unique and evocative: the hotel, part of the Ferragamo family’s Lungarno Collection brand, is housed in a former Archbishop’s Seminary from 1500, returned to the city after a careful conservation project.

The eclectic spaces of casual dining bar and restaurant 10_11 (Ten Eleven) – Portrait Milano welcome hotel guests, locals and visitors alike, from breakfast through to after-dinner drinks. The setting is nothing short of theatrical: anchored by a nine-metre counter facing both the interior and the winter garden, it blends classic design with modernism and subtle colonial touches, combining dark wood, rugs, large picture windows and a soothing palette, aiming to be a lively meeting point between Milan and the wider world.

The menu draws on Italian tradition, evoking memories of Sunday lunches and family gatherings, with sharing platters and soup tureens placed at the centre of the table. It features traditional dishes such as mondeghili, which have evolved from traditional Milanese leftovers into a gourmet staple, riso al salto, vitello tonnato and tiramisù, alongside creative twists and international touches worthy of a five-star hotel in the heart of the Milan fashion district. Among the dishes, the famous ‘Pasta in bianco‘ is unmissable; when the restaurant opened roughly a year ago, it made headlines and sparked lively debate. Still on the menu, it features rich fusilli cooked in a broth made from 36-month Parmigiano Reggiano rinds, playing on simple, elemental flavours that evoke childhood memories – a familiar story, perhaps, but an undeniably powerful one.

The bar at 10_11 (Ten Eleven) – Portrait Milano is designed as a vibrant, dynamic thoroughfare, ideal for a leisurely weekend gourmet breakfast, afternoon tea, an aperitivo or late-night drinks, all accompanied by signature cocktails reflecting traditional Italian bartending with a contemporary edge.

Behind the bar, talented mixologists Andrea Maugeri and Mattia Pastori delve into research to revive historic recipes using traditional Italian and Lombard spirits and liqueurs. The extensive cocktail list ranges from classic Italian aperitivi and coffee-based drinks to a head-spinning selection of gin, tequila, rum, mezcal, vermouth and fine wines.