Riad Food Garden

When I want to relax, I choose to walk down viale Piave and have a drink at Riad Food Garden. On a Monday night the week has just begun and I feel the desire to tell my friends all the news about the weekend. I need a small and healthy post-office break to get back on track.

Picture the scene: a Monday night in September, at about 7 pm when, a little tired and dazed from traffic, I park the car near Piazza Oberdan to walk towards the Riad, my corner of peace in the city. Walking around, I let myself be enchanted by the windows of the beautiful shops in viale Piave and the luxurious atmosphere of the fascinating interior design shops. In front of all this beauty, I begin to dream. Some more daydreaming, a few more steps, and here I am at the Riad.

On fine summer evenings, the outdoor table is a must. Surrounded by plants and flowers, it definitely feels like being in a garden. I sit down, put my bag on the stool, say hi to my friend, then I smile and get ready to listen to her: a few simple gestures and I already feel reborn, refreshed and regenerated by the atmosphere of tranquility, serenity and relaxation that surrounds me. When ordering, I go for my Monday night usual: the “Riad style” seasoned tomato juice is what it takes to help the body recover after what often is a too intense weekend. But if you’re not in the mood for sobriety, you should know that you can also opt for a glass of good wine, and perfectly prepared cocktails.

One of the reasons why I often return to Riad Food Garden is their amazing chickpea hummus: as far as I am concerned, one of the best I’ve ever had, at least in Milan! It comes with light flat bread, which, along other delicacies they serve during aperitif time. Besides hummus, I would mention the tasty vegetable cous cous, fresh crudités vinaigrette, fragrant tarallucci and, finally, the scented croutons sprinkled with goat cheese and herbs.

Riad’s aperitivo is made from fresh and healthy food, served with care in a context that promotes serenity. Meeting up here with a dear friend after work is a ritual of well being, a refreshing break to release tension and say “I love myself“. I recommend Riad Food Garden for aperitifs as well as for Sunday brunch. If you are lucky enough to work in the area, maybe you can also drop by for breakfast and lunch: let there be endless opportunities to indulge a little with a well-deserved peace in this fast and elusive Milan!