Ghe Sem

“Dim Sum & Cocktails” reads the headline of Ghe Sem’s official Facebook page. A new restaurant-bar with a charming outdoor seating area just a few steps from Cadorna street, in the quiet, historic residential Vincenzo Monti street (via Vincenzo Monti, 26). Soon to be opened in Borsieri street, in the renowned and innovative Isola neighbourhood.

It is not simply a slogan: Dim sum & cocktails is what happens at the Ghe Sem: a reserved and welcoming place where exquisite steamed dim sum are freshly cooked, served in the classic oriental steam cooker with a Mediterranean spin, or Milanese to be more exact, on traditional recipes. Combined with colourful cocktails, these modern dishes look great… and are outrageously good, all worth a try!

Ghe Sem was launched last Spring in partnership with Gian Marco Senna while Fabrizio Casolo is in charge of restaurant. Senna is the owner of the burger chain “Fatto Bene”; partner in turn of the “White”, the “Pesa”, the “Suri” and former co-founder of the “Jazz Cafe” and the “Smooth”. Being one of the most famous Milanese restaurateurs, it is safe to say he has his hands a bit everywhere! As for Casolo, he is the owner of the famous Bento Bar in Moscova, a historical sushi hangout of Milanese dandies, and later founder of the more Milanese Brunello in 2008.

Online reviews of the restaurant are very positive and praise the good quality/price ratio in particular. The in season dim sum are definitely recommended, although I personally tasted both the Fassona and caramelised red onion and the ossobuco and saffron ones in June and found them irresistible all the same… so much that I just had to irresponsibly help myself with a second serving (a/n I am gluten intolerant and while I confidently await a rice flour dim sum at Ghe Sem, I occasionally allow myself some respite as in this case… without any regret!).

Yes-yes, you read it right: I said ossobuco, Fassona, saffron…! All the stuffed ravioli made at Ghe Sem are prepared with ingredients belonging to our tradition, except for some vaguely oriental-inspired dishes, like the steamed shrimp ravioli, which you can obviously flavour with soy sauce, as fixed in the general rule. What are the most popular dishes? Asparagus and potatoes, scallop and tomato, Nduja and mascarpone, beef and black truffles, mushrooms and vegetables. Or why not choose classic Chinese flavours with meat filled dim sum, the delicious sepia and ikura combo and the innovative chicken and curry dish.

Moreover, if you too suffer from food intolerances, you can easily order a super fresh salmon tartare with passion fruit, cucumber and black sesame, a carpaccio of salmon in Ponzu sauce, or even a delicate salad with celery and grilled shrimp, all served with the typical oriental specialties, such as edamame beans and wakame seaweed. There is something for everyone! All these dishes are accompanied by wines from the best cellars, beers or cocktails prepared by bar tender Giovanni Parmeggiani. These drinks have nothing to envy to those served at night venues. Except that here at Ghe Sem there is less “confusion” letting you enjoy a healthy and quiet chat with your friends.

Last but not least, the desserts: cheese cake with passion fruit, chocolate mousse with ginger heart and mint, frangipane tart with lime cream, almond petals and cream… But if there is no time to stay at the table until the desserts come, don’t worry: Fabrizio also recommends a “drink-sum” to replace the usual post-office of aperitif, just to indulge a little. In any case, he will be happy to personally prepare your dinner if you decide to go and get some take-away nibbles, or by ordering at home via Deliveroo and similar sites.

Because cordiality, friendliness and passion for one’s work are the keywords marking the success of this small but growing reality.