Sometimes you need to go back to your roots. To a familiar flavor that reminds you of home. To a scent that has accompanied all of humanity since the dawn of time. Instinctively, we think of a food that in its infinite variations is a staple on the tables of the world, forging beyond geographical and cultural boundaries: bread. And today, in Milan, the temple of bread-making is the bakery Panificio Davide Longoni.
Davide needs no introduction. He was born with bread in his family’s DNA, but was raised with a classicist education. Today he undoubtedly ranks in the elite of Italian bakers and beyond. His curiosity and meticulousness as a culinary scholar have led him to become an excellent connoisseur of grains and executor of techniques. His creativity tirelessly suggests new cooking methods for the dough, and his dedication to the pursuit of excellence supports him during the long hours of the night spent baking. The fruits of his labor have been available for tasting since 2013 at his shop in Porta Romana, as well as at the Santa Maria del Suffragio indoor market.
First of all, the shop sports a large bread case that will indulge you in the spoils of choice. If the common foundation of Davide Longoni’s creations is the combination of natural leavening with sourdough, stone-ground flour, and sea salt, the varieties that arise from this base are endless. Whether it be rye, spelt, ancient grain, or rather the most delicious types embedded with nuts, raisins or figs, you can be sure that each bread will have unique properties and a story to tell.
But that’s not all: at Longoni, you can also enjoy breakfast with an equally tempting dessert, have lunch per the chef’s seasonal offerings, or pair an aperitif with their finest focaccia. Davide’s pursuit of quality also extends to the search for the best cappuccino milk, cheeses and deli meats for the cutting boards, as well as accompanying wines. All the products offered at Longoni are infused with a notable history and provenance, all the while maintaining a strong bond with passionate producers from their origin territories.
Whatever time you choose to visit, perhaps sitting in the small oasis of peace and tranquility found on the veranda of Via Tiraboschi, you will hold in your hands a bread that tastes both new and timeless. And, by breaking it, you will feel the ancestral connection to a food that has nourished all of humanity since the very beginning.