Manuelina Focacceria

Manuelina in Milan is a dream come true. The lovers of the focaccia, but it would be better to say “fugassa di Zena” or our Ligurian readers might get indignant, will feel satisfied and happy here. We are far from the sea breeze and the warm sun of the Genoese coast, but with the right ingredients, it’s like being there. If you too are fond of this regional specialty “Manuelina in Milan!” will become a leitmotiv that will haunt you…

The focacceria is located right next to the Rinascente, in a small side street, via Santa Radegonda, in front of The Space Cinema Odeon. It’s an open space, a place of passage, where you can order a quick take away or even sit on one of the high side tables, furnished with aromatic plants in white paper bags with the Manuelina logo. The menu is positioned high on the wall, as if it were written in beautiful handwriting on a blackboard.

And while you wait for your focaccia to be served, watch how they gently they knead the dough in the laboratory and bake it, finishing it with the last touches. If you want you can also choose to sit in peace at the tables, where you can make your orders and, on weekends, you can even have brunch, from noon to four o’clock.

The focaccias are those we always loved, the only ones, the originals … The expectations were (rightly) very high and all were met. Manuelina is synonymous with focaccia di Recco, and we knew that it would not disappoint us: the focaccia is crisp, savory at the right point. Inside the cheese is soft, pleasantly stringy, and when you eat it hot, freshly baked is a real pleasure.

What focaccias should you expect? First of all the great classics of tradition: focaccia pizzata, with olives, with spring onion, with zucchini and also the one stuffed with salmon marinated in dill. The offer doesn’t stop here because you will also find in the menu some excellent savoury pies such as the one with pumpkin or the Pasqualina with artichokes and chard, and also the stuffed Genoese vegetables for those who want to keep a light stomach. And be sure not to miss the desserts, small gems of Ligurian pastry art, making Manuelina the right place for a breakfast or a sweet snack in the afternoon.

So, if you’re in a hurry, enjoy it as a take away, but if you have time to sit at the counter or at the tables, order your focaccia accompanying it with a fresh glass of white wine and enjoy your sensory experience of cheese focaccia of Recco, but right next to the Duomo. Close your eyes and you will almost feel the waves of the Ligurian sea near you. Almost.