Temakinho Brera

It is Friday night, a cold and rainy one, but finally I leave the office after a hard and busy week. It’s been raining for four days now but Milan still retains its charm and its desire to live the weekend because no weather condition can stop the need to relax and finally take some time for ourselves. This morning I called my friend, haven’t seen her for a while, it is so difficult to organise something given the frenzy of our lives, but we committed to it, we set a mandatory weekly appointment, saying the least. For tonight I booked a table for two at Temakinho.

Finally it’s time: at 9pm we have dinner together. It’s simple: just visit the website, choose day, time and “party size” (already makes me smile), and it’s done! I preferred one of the two locations available in Milan, in one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods: Brera. While I wait I take a walk in corso Garibaldi and it doesn’t even seem to be in Milan: hidden alleyways, only a few cars, calmness and so many nice places. She is late (maybe I am the punctuality freak) but when she finally arrives we get in.

Brazilian music in the background (it already makes me want to plan the next trip to the discovery of a so charming and particular land), impossible not to be attracted by the rhythm of Bossa Nova! Relaxed atmosphere, staff of South American origin, typical Latin welcome, colourful decor with tiled floor, outdoor seating and the opportunity to dine at the bar while watching the kitchen creating its dishes live.

Not your usual sushi but the result of the fusion between Japanese cuisine and South American flavours thanks to the blend of tropical ingredients, rice and fresh fish (cooked and raw), due to the combination resulting from the emigration process of the early ‘900 by a group of Japanese which today constitutes the largest community in the world outside of their homeland.

You can feel it right away from the menu: besides salmon, tuna and tempura shrimps you can choose from ceviche, nachos (served in a roll or temaki version) while sipping a caipirinha to match the colourful dishes of excellent quality. The mango caipirinha is perfect, but you can also choose from a selection of beers and fruit energy drinks. We share a dessert. Passion fruit cheese cake, served on a plate with a map of Rio de Janeiro: “I took a decision, this summer we go to Brazil!”.

Between laughter and great food I did not realise the time passing, we go out and … finally the rain has stopped! See you next time my dear Temakinho… I definitely want to come back, I already feel the saudade!

Photo credit: Stefano Casiraghi.