Spazio Milano

Spazio Milano: luxury in simplicity. “Royalty” for commoners, modern. Have you ever asked yourselves how it must have been in the 1800’s, in the center of our beloved Milan, eating with the spiers of the Duomo reflected in your plate? Well, to understand it come here. In a moment you will find yourselves catapulted into that era (because of where the location is situated) and you’ll feel privileged to enjoy so many emotions all at once.

The “here” I’m referring to is Spazio Milano, the restaurant on the top floor of Mercato del Duomo, concept and location that faces the Piazza del Duomo and occupies the new (and renovated by the hands of the internationally acclaimed architect Michele de Lucchi) Autogrill flagship store. Spazio Milano is first and foremost a space that wows. And is, without a shadow of a doubt, with all merit claiming its Space (Spazio) among the most excellent taste destinations in Milan.

Somewhere between the concept of bistrot and high cuisine, this a “restaurant-laboratory” opened by the multi-starred chef Niko Romito (the “Reale” of Castel di Sangro is his restaurant) along with the first one, at Rivisondoli (AQ), in the beautiful mountains of Abruzzo. In all Spazio’s the people who work there have finished the “Niko Romito Education” school of cuisine, putting into practice the teachings, art and notions taught by Niko.

So I was really curious, when I came here for lunch the very first time. I arrived with a friend without reservations on a hot August day and Fabio – the hall director – gave us a table with a strategic view: just behind us a window that faced the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery and in front of us the first dining hall of the restaurant, which allowed us to be privileged spectators of the spectacle put on every day but these guys. It looked like a dance. I came to understand that they are the first, real protagonists of this beautiful success called Spazio.

Everything was perfect: the service, the attention, the manners and obviously… the dishes! They tickle your tastebuds with a small eggplant and mint patty as an entrée… to then award you with a marvelous fruit aspic at the end of lunch. It’s true when they say that it’s the small gestures that make the difference. The incredible view of the Duomo spiers (Flawless tip: if you make reservations, ask for a table in the Bifore Hall) enriches the ambiance furnished with minimal simplicity – playing off the tones of wood and white – with chairs of different types and tons of natural light.

To complete the magic – you’d say – prince charming on a white horse would fit right in and he’d be waiting for us in the romantic Gallery just below. But no, modern Cinderellas, we can be happy with a plate of ravioli and a glass of bubbly and our adorable Fiat 500 ready to whisk us away. That’s our fairy tale. Simple and Royal. Modern.