Giacomo Rosticceria

Three words to describe Giacomo: theatrical, energetic, passionate. Giacomo Bulleri is an over 90-year-old of Tuscan origin, has moved to Milan many years ago and still has a crazy energy going, contagious and impactful. In Milan, he has created a small gastronomic empire, nowadays mostly run by his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. “A little empire” because in the same via Sottocorno there are five businesses that bear his name: the Restaurant Da Giacomo, with mainly fish dishes, that was the first to be opened; Giacomo Bistrot – with a very Parisian furniture, full of velvet and brocade, sophisticated and fashionable, trendy and super-popular. On the sidewalk in front, you will see a pastry shop run by the grandchildren and a gourmet Tabacchi. The other two are in Piazza del Duomo: Giacomo Arengario and Giacomo Caffè, inside the Royal Palace. Finally, a cherry on the cake, the opening of Giacomo Rosticceria in the same street of Sottocorno.

From the summer of 2017 – in a beautiful chalet with garden and pergola adjacent to the colourful and exotic workers’ village of via Lincoln – Giacomo opened a rotisserie. Definitely one-of-a-kind. At the entrance you will be welcomed by a lavish glass counter that has delicacies of all kinds, type of cooking, and size. These can be ordered for takeaway or consumed inside. La Gastronomia is, in fact, a small two-storey restaurant with table service, the exterior is adorned with wild grapes, adorable and welcoming. Upstairs, another room with green walls, the ubiquitous floor tiles typical of the 1800s and the wooden furnishings make the ambiance chic and stylish. A Flawless advice: if you are planning a romantic night, ask for a small table on the balcony. You will definitely appreciate the atmosphere of intimacy and sophistication.

Does La Gastronomia dominate over hunger? Definitely yes. The first time we had lunch here we were tempted to order everything, the menu is just so rich and tasty. Dishes such as the timeless lasagna alla Bolognese, or veal in tuna sauce are never missing. Porchetta (the Italian spit-roasted pork) and Pappa al pomodoro (tomato sauce with bread) are inevitable (Giacomo is from Tuscany, after all) and obviously for those who do not eat meat, there are some fish and vegetable proposals. And then, delicious and fried, to be consumed perhaps while waiting for the table with a good glass of wine: arancine (a fried rice appetizer), Sicilian chickpea fritter, croquette or the very Milanese mondeghili (meatballs), dry and crisp in just the right way.

Prices range from € 5.00 to € 16 -18. You can have lunch for an average of € 25.00, including a glass of wine. The furniture arrangement is elegant and chic, as in all the restaurants that carry the name “Da Giacomo”. Small but well-selected wine list, if we consider that we are in the category of “neighborhood” gastronomy. Absolutely recommended if you, too, are lovers of the beautiful and tasty, especially if it recalls the old times!