Ratana was one of the top restaurant recommendations for Milan, and seeing it featured on the…read moreMichelin Guide and have several positive reviews online made us want to go! We unfortunately could not snag a reservation in time, but I read that they sometimes have walk-in openings. We came about 30 minutes early to see if we could get a seat, and they did say the bar was open. We were happy to even have a chance to get in on the first round so we said yes. When they opened at 6pm, we checked back in and they actually offered a table, so as long as we finished our meal within 2 hours. That is more than enough time for my husband and I since we eat fairly quick so we got lucky! Service was great throughout our meal! We had a chance to try one of the best balsamic vinegars with our bread, thanks to our server. The fried squash blossoms were amazing but that aioli served alongside it was what stole the show! We enjoyed our Risotto alla Milanese, but the small piece of bone marrow left us wanting more. This was the main thing we came for and it was delicious. We also tried a cold tagliatelle which was very unique in flavor! I forget exactly but it had pine nuts and a citrus that made it very bright. Overall a great spot for a more upscale dining meal, and I see why this restaurant is highly rated.

Ratanà ended up in my top five dining locations for Milan. I almost didn't get a chance to go, but…read morea a flight cancellation gave us an extra day in the city and this is where we spent it. Best additional detour of the trip. I found Ratana through Michelin's Bib Gourmand list which is highly rated food and reasonable prices. Chef Cesare Battisti cooks traditional Milanese and Lombard food with a modern perspective and I loved it. We did the tasting menu at lunch and the portions were genuinely generous. First they provide shared plates: whipped ricotta, smoked alpine char, zucchini olive salad, and a panzanella salad. The last one surprised me the most. I always expect panzanella to be bread-heavy. This one had almost none. It was cherry confit tomatoes, peaches, and was bright and clean. That dish alone was worth going back for. Individual courses followed. The vitello tonnato was unique (I don't normally have tuna sauce with means) and it was done well. The risotto alla Milanese was homy and savory as the traditional Milan dish. Dessert was a summer panettone with candied apricots, summer fruit, and rosemary. This was my first time trying Panettone. Ive seen it everywhere but never actually consumed any. The Panettone was light but rich in baking spices and fruit forward flavor. It paired well with the apricot sorbet served along side. The wine list leans natural, not always my thing, so I skipped the pairing and ordered a local sparkling to start and a heartier red with the meal. If you are looking to go, make sure to book early. We were lucky to get a 2:30pm slot at lunch to try out this menu. The kitchen is open for lunch through 4 pm and then dunner starts back up at 6:00pm.

First impression of Don Lisander: Look at that fancy restaurant…read more Second impression of Don Lisander: It's even more fancier and romantic looking at night. Third impression of Don Lisander: Tourist trap. From afar, Don Lisander is like an oasis in the desert. It separates itself from the busy shopping district by being tucked away and blanketed by beautiful plants. It has an outdoor seating area and walking by you will wonder what it is like to dine there. Looks divine! It is also one of the few "nice" restaurants in the area. Hours later and desperate for a meal, we found ourselves back at Don Lisander. The restaurant looked empty (just a few patrons) and we were able to snag ourselves a table in the garden patio. It was definitely a romantic setting and seemed promising. We ordered the risotto con gamberi e ristretto di pescato and il petto d' anatra all' arancio e pepe sichuan. The food came out well plated and with small portions. The duck was absolutely delicious with hints of orange, was extremely tender and juicy but the risotto fell flat and can be described as "nothing special". It was found that my thoughts on the risotto were also supported by our neighboring table after having a friendly chat. The risotto was a thin layer of rice over a few pieces of shrimp. The broth was neither rich nor flavorful. It would be rather depressing to almost compare this dish to a plate of oatmeal but that's where I would head if I were to continue talking about it. Throughout dinner, I noticed that people would come in without reservations. The staff seemed annoyed even though the restaurant was empty. Even by the time we had left, the restaurant was still relatively empty. We were rushed throughout dinner and when it was time to get the bill, it took forever. People were panicking as they were trying to make a show at Teatro alla Scala. I also noticed that with the tourists who could not understand the menu, the staff was not very patient or friendly. If you do not speak Italian, make sure you can quickly google on your phone what some of the dishes are. On top of the very expensive meal, Don Lisander charges a hefty cover charge. It's a shame. The restaurant is beautiful and in a good location. However, the food experience and ambiance is not worth the lukewarm and mediocre service and high price of the meal. I don't think any tourist left completely satisfied. Just with lighter wallets.

Seems we got lucky based on the other reviews, as I found my meal quite pleasant. Yes, I was lured…read morein by the cute patio. We walked in on a Friday and made reservations for the next evening. The host/hostess were pleasant and it was easy to make a reservation. When we came for the meal, we were given a table inside (wish it would have been outside), but it was just fine. We had the Osso Buco and the Veal Milenaise. Both were good. I liked the veal better, and it was good enough that I would consider coming back again.

Casa Lodi is a reasonably priced restaurant/deli located just a short walk from Milan's Duomo…read more Rick Steve's (European travel guru) had highly recommended this place. They offer patio seating as well as several tables in the inside. My group settled on several dishes. Veal with tuna cream (€15 - $17 USD) - Perfect for a hot day, tender slices of veal were served with a tuna cream and provided for a truly memorable experience. Saffron Risotto (€18 - $20 USD) - This is probably their most popular dish and with the saffron flavoring it really elevated the flavor profile. Fusili Pasta - (€12 - $13.50 USD) - This pasta was prepared al dente and tasted great with the pesto and pine nuts. Overall everything tasted great. The dishes were unique and refreshing!

Honestly folks, we've never truly had risotto until we done in Italy and Casa Lodi's preparation is…read moreoff the charts Delicious!

I was watching tv and a setting took place at this restaurant. I pinned it as the restaurant has…read morebeen around since 1696. Wow. Over 300 years old! I had the shin of veal (osso buco) with risotto. The veal was absolutely well cooked and perfectly seasoned. The risotto on the other hand, I was a little disappointed. Perfectly seasoned but super under cooked. Trust me, I know Italians like al dente but this was practically raw (too too al dente). I had to let it sit for a while to let it still cook while it was hot. This is place can be pricey; however, service was amazing. I still recommend to try it out as they could have had an off day and to try something historic.

My favorite restaurant to visit in Milan. Best ossobucco and…read moreMilanese risotto! Service is impeccable and the food is excellent.

Authentice milanese food, we tried the osoboco with milanese risoto; The entree was pricey, feels…read morelike a tourist trap; it was great cultural experience. located near Duomo, walking distance.

This was an amazing dining experience in Milan. I loved my meal. I had the veal. The serving was…read morepretty big. Enough for sharing.

I went here for an early dinner and thought it was a phenomenal dining experience. The service was…read morequick but we did have to flag down someone at the end to pay our bill. The indoors seating area has a beautiful rustic charm and very clean. Beef carpaccio: 4/5 - pesto was incredible but dish needed just a bit more salt Risotto alla Milanese: 4/5 - excellent dish Salmon pasta with pistachios: 4/5

Good food and service. Servers were friendly and attentive. Ambiance was nice as well, great option…read morefor a date or dinner with a friend.

This was such a great find in Milan! The service was fantastic and the food was delicious! I am…read morevegan and I was a little nervous about finding an option because the group I am traveling with is not but the waiter gave me so many ideas to choose from and even took me to show me different veggies options they could make me! Also my brother has an allergy to tree nuts and they were very accommodating and helpful! The restaurant was very comfortable as well!

This is an excellent Italian restaurant. When you walked in it had a welcoming feel. Not a pizza,…read morepasta joint. The waiter told us that it was his family's restaurant and his father was the cook. We had the meat ravioli and the sauce was fantastic, best we tasted during our trip to Italy. You could tell it was a family recipe. The prices were very reasonable.

The food was great, however, the service was appalling. As an American Italian, we were disgusted…read moreby the way we were treated. We were looked down upon and the staff pretended not to know English and laughed. They did not understand who we were. It was a classless representation of a restaurant and was honestly embarrassing from start to finish. The hostess at the front abandoned her post the entire night to fight with her boyfriend the waiter, and the butcher in the back kept appearing on main floor with his gloves still on touching plates that went to customers. Other customers that were Italian locals and regulars to the establishment kept apologizing on their behalf. Change your ways, grazie!!

Wonderful atmosphere. Delightful, friendly, attentive but not overbearing service. Food selection…read morebroad and varied. Quality good but not excellent, worth the money though I would go again with friends or an occasion