Like Mike Milano

Like Mike Milano, set just a short walk from the lively Porta Venezia area, describes itself as a ‘modern trattoria’ and serves a contemporary take on traditional Mediterranean dishes, with a special nod to Campania and a sharp eye on ingredient quality. At first glance it charms with an elegant yet welcoming feel, blending informality and refinement alongside attentive, smiling service. These qualities have already earned Like Mike, open for around six months, an eclectic and discerning crowd of locals and international diners alike. The design, formal with retro touches, makes the space warm and dynamic, with warm wood tones accented by splashes of blue in the floor tiles and brightly patterned plates that carry you straight to the Amalfi Coast. Bright and impeccably finished, the venue is arranged over two floors, with a few outdoor tables.

Like Mike Milano has an older American sibling, Like Mike Miami, opened in 2021 in the exclusive Coconut Grove neighbourhood by entrepreneur Lucio Giordano, who has now decided to bring his American dream back home to Italy. Passionate about dining and hospitality, Giordano founded Lucio Giordano Hospitality Group, and opened the restaurant Re Santi e Leoni in Nola in 2020, awarded a Michelin star after just four months, alongside Villa Re Santi e Leoni for private events. Owner of the restaurant chain Misaki Sushi & Japanese, with branches in Pompei, Sorrento and Positano, and of Eight More, a line of ready-to-drink cocktails made in Italy, Giordano is also behind the recent launch of Crazy Pizza Napoli, a concept in which he is a partner alongside founder Flavio Briatore.

Open for lunch and dinner with distinct menus, both firmly rooted in quality and tradition, Like Mike Milano builds on the success forged across the Atlantic. The menu celebrates the authentic flavours of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, revisited with a contemporary touch to keep dishes fresh, flavourful and fragrant, thanks to carefully sourced produce from top local suppliers. To follow the seasons and work with the best produce on the market, the menu changes every three months, though the signature dishes remain year-round.

So what are the standouts? Definitely the Polpette Mike, served in tomato sauce with basil cream and Provolone del Monaco (mopping up the sauce with bread is non-negotiable), or the Polpette salsiccia e friarielli with provola and Parmesan fondue. Then comes the Parmigiana… did you expect anything less? Layered with tomato, aubergine, fior di latte and Parmesan, it remains an unbeatable comfort food, even in Milan. Highlights among the pasta dishes include Spaghetto ai tre pomodori for those who appreciate simple, punchy flavours, which can be topped with stracciatella di burrata pugliese, Linguine alle vongole, made with Gerardo di Nola pasta and Neapolitan tarallo crumbs, and the delicious Linguine alla Nerano, another Campania classic made creamy and rich, here given a contemporary lift with courgette crisps.

Main courses prove the chef’s flair for pairing fresh, simple flavours with polished presentation, always anchored in tradition: from Filetto di ricciola all’acqua pazza with fried bread croutons to Agnello served with a red and yellow pepper purée, goat’s cheese, grilled leek and dehydrated olives. The wine list showcases Italy’s finest bottles from north to south, featuring labels from Sicily, Campania, Lombardy and Piedmont through to Friuli, alongside a thoughtful choice of Champagne, catering to every palate.

Could Like Mike Milano miss out on that essential, eagerly awaited Milanese ritual, the aperitivo? From 6pm to 7.30pm, the restaurant serves a smart offering with two sharing boards of cured meats, cheeses and Mediterranean bites brought to the table, paired with a curated cocktail list mixed by skilled bartenders. It is an ideal way to unwind after work, sampling small plates and drinks crafted with the same care devoted to the dinner menu. And once your appetite is whetted, staying on for dinner is the natural next step.