ORIGIN:
Caffe' Panzera opened nearly one hundred years ago…read moreand continues to be owned by the same family.
LOCATION:
The cafe remains it its original location on a street corner near the Milan Station. As a result, it is a popular and familiar destination for visitors looking to refresh before or after travel.
CONCEPT:
Caffe Panzera serves the diverse needs of visitors and local residents alike ... as a coffee house, bakery, and restaurant/bar.
EXPERIENCE:
My experience represents being a visitor looking for a place to have breakfast, unwind from travel, and pick up some pastries. In this way it is aligned with a big component of what Caffe Panzera offers.
There are several breakfast combinations on the menu and I chose "Caffe Salata". Anticipating visitors from near and far, the menu includes an English translation. The combination includes a cup of espresso, a freshly made sandwich composed of cheese, thin slices of cured ham (Prosciutto) on a warmed long roll, and, to my delight fresh squeezed blood orange juice. I enjoyed each very much.
As shops might be closed at my final destination, I picked up some pastries -- Cannoli and Sfogliatelle.
ATMOSPHERE:
There is seating inside and outside the restaurant, densely packed, with glass-topped cloth covered tables. When I visited it was off hours, so there was no sense of feeling crowded. The original counter, depicted in photographs, remains intact.
SERVICE:
The server kindly offered me a glass of water to extend my relaxing perch. I thought this was considerate... I didn't feel pushed out the door, as is the case in many U.S. urban restaurants. Thoughtful details... the curved water glass and paper doily, elevated the otherwise simple drink.
TIPS:
One time I received pastries in a paper bag, another in a sturdy box. I suggest requesting a box if you would like your pastries to present well at arrival.
A bathroom is located up a steep and narrow staircase.
In reading other's reviews, some are apparently referring to a location inside of the train station. This original location is outside of the train station at a street corner and likely reflects a very different experience.
Although an English translation is available on the menu, it is easy to order in the language of the server. This is respectful and likely welcomed despite foreign accent.