Authentic Abruzzese cuisine has recently touched down in the Ripamonti district of the Milanese capital. Penelope a Casa is a traditional restaurant with a contemporary flair that tells the story of its regional cuisine while still remaining critically attentive to detail. The story of Penelope begins in Sambuceto, Abruzzo, where the restaurant’s very first sign still stands. Here, the dishes are prepared in the local culinary tradition, where raw materials, grandma’s recipes, and craftsmanship tell the tales of an ancient cuisine rich in regional flavor.
When you first enter Penelope a Casa Milano, you can breathe in an amiable atmosphere, generated by the staff’s commitment to recreate that feeling of home, hoping their restaurant can serve as a refuge for its patrons, where you can better appreciate the secrets and eccentricities of a region that takes pride in their local traditions.
A large counter is found at the entrance to the restaurant, characterized by a shiny black and white checkered floor, where tables big and small made of both marble and wood are dispersed. The mirrored ceilings and large chandeliers above provide warm lighting, accompanied by lights and candles that exude the atmosphere typical of family reunions and Sunday dinners.
Everything at Penelope results from prudent attention to the details. The menus are bound within special covers, taken from old journals, records and yearbooks, as evidenced by the labels on the first page. The ceramic dishes that the dishes are served on possess a local origin, with each piece decorated by hand from the Castelli family’s workshop.
The gastronomic offerings follow the regional repertoire, with nods to the land, sea, and bakery case. They present a cuisine with humble beginnings, but rich in taste and flavor that form elegant yet surprising combinations. You must try the homemade pasta, including a homemade tortelli paired with a glass of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. The restaurant offers a noteworthy selection from the wine cellar, marked with purely regional roots directly sourced from the most rural local producers in the region. The essence of Penelope is varied yet could be defined by its common thread of geniality. Lunch is marked by a wide choice of appetizers at the buffet followed by light yet delicious dishes. From the first signs of sunset heralding in the evening, the location offers a rich selection of drinks to enjoy as an aperitif or to accompany dinner, thanks to the expert hands of the bartenders and waiters.
The moments spent in the company at Penelope are moments accompanied by music, which on Friday and Saturday evenings are mixed by the club’s DJs. Sunday, like in any Italian home, is dedicated to the family and the kitchen indulges in grandma’s oldest family recipes. Although these recipes are reimagined in a contemporary key, Penelope always remains faithful to the ingredients and flavors near and dear to us even when we’re far from home.
Penelope a Casa is a little slice of Abruzzo where you can enjoy your family’s food and wine traditions. Be surrounded by a timeless, loving atmosphere built on those colors, scents, flavors and textures that remind you of home. Your glass of sparkling wine is waiting for you. Welcome home!