Aji 
Dhole Milano 
I love via Sirtori, in the heart of Porta Venezia, (maybe due to the homonymy with my surname), and now that I’ve discovered Gesto, I definitely have another reason to go there often.
Gesto opened for the first time in April and I think this is one of Milan’s most exciting new openings. It’s an innovative bar, serving both drinks and dinner, that Milan has been missing. The concept is simple and successful: excellent cocktails (but also an interesting selection of wines by the glass) that can be accompanied with fanciful and creative small dishes, which can be meat, fish or vegetarian based. It’s hard to say which one I liked the most: remarkable Hummus and a mini parmigiana, lovely mini-burgers and cod with cornflakes and tomatoes, a simply fabulous salmon ceviche and red prawns with almond crumble.
The menu at Gesto has lots of sweet treats to choose from, and I assure you that they are worth every penny! I tried the mini tartufos with ginger cream, dainty little berliners that were individually filled with a piping bag, and ciabattine della buonanotte – two hot fluffy slipper-shaped brioches served with and home-made hazelnut cream and whipped cream; a delightful treat both for the eyes, as well as the palate.
Originality isn’t just found in the dishes, but also in how you order them: customers directly write their requests on the blackboard that they receive on arrival. And the same boards, covered with special order sheets, turn into trays on which the dishes are served. An interesting and fun choice, but also eco-friendly, because this way it reduces the consumption of paper used for the orders, in addition to the water used for cleaning them. Sustainable catering is the philosophy of the bar, and is indicated by using cutlery made from recyclable materials, ethically reared meat, and local vegetables with no food miles.
In short, the food is great, it’s healthy, and respects all the resources used. All of this, in a warm and relaxed atmosphere, the kind that makes you feel at home: a wide and furnished space in a post-industrial style with brick walls, metal tables and chairs, armchairs and Chesterfield leather sofas.
MThe mind and soul of the bar is owed to the young and determined Martina Lucatelli, who before the opening of the Milan branch, already launched the Gesto branches in Perugia, her city, and Florence. A splendid example of young entrepreneurship and women’s success. Well done Martina, and welcome to Milan!
