Page 169 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  167

cooking, Italian regional
cuisines, from Tuscan to
Piedmontese, Neapolitan and
Sicilian, are becoming increas-
ingly popular. Visitors can also
find Asian, North African and
Mexican food of all kinds.
There are several different
types of restaurants. Traditionally,
a ristorante is smarter and more
expensive than an osteria or a
trattoria, but the divisions are
becoming increasingly blurred.
A pizzeria is usually an inexpen-
sive place to eat and many serve
pasta, meat and fish dishes as Table setting at Cracco (see p170)
well as pizza. Those with forno
a legna (wood-fired ovens) by risotto alla milanese, and Wheelchair Access
are the most highly rated. An then a veal cutlet (cotoletta). Not all Milanese restaurants
enoteca or vineria is a place to Other traditional dishes have facilities for the disabled,
taste wine and sample snacks. are ossobuco (a cut of veal although more and more
At the Lakes, menus almost including the bone and its establishments are installing
always feature local fish such marrow) and cassoeûla (a dish slopes and bathrooms for
as carp, tench and shad. of pork and cabbage served wheelchair users. It is best
Additionally, visitors will find with polenta). to telephone the restaurant
regional specials – in particular Vegetarians will find that beforehand, explain the
Piedmontese, Valtellinese and many pasta dishes are disability and ask for advice.
Veneto dishes. meat- and fish-free, and that
restau rants are increasingly
offering pure vegetarian cuisine. Children’s Facilities
Reading the Menu Cheeses are also a good option. Less expensive places such
A classic Italian dinner begins as trattorias and pizzerias are
with an antipasto or starter. The ideal for children, who may
first course (il primo) is likely to Paying be less welcome in Milan’s
be pasta or risotto but may be Menus are usually posted sophisticated restaurants.
a hearty soup. The main course outside restaurants, with Restaurant owners at the
(il secondo) consists of meat or prices. An unavoidable extra Lakes are more accustomed
fish served with a side dish of is the cover charge (coperto), to families with children, and
vegetables (contorno). Dessert which is charged per person. can often provide smaller
(il dessert) follows and may In general Milanese restaurants portions if required.
consist of fruit, ice cream or accept major credit cards,
pastries. Coffee (il caffè) comes except for some of the smaller,
next, and, perhaps, a digestif. family-run trattorias, where you Recommended
A typical Milanese dinner will need cash. Even restaurants Restaurants
might consist of nervetti, or in the smaller villages around The restaurants in this section
nervitt (calf cartilage with oil, the lakes now increasingly have been chosen to reflect
vinegar and onions), followed accept credit cards. their quality, amenities and
variety of cuisine. Milan and
the Lakes have a large number
of traditional restaurants
as well as eateries serving
international cuisine. The
restaurant selection includes
suggestions for Chinese,
Japanese, Indian and Greek
cuisine as well as those
offering fish and seafood fare
or good vegetarian menus.
The DK Choice restaurants
have been highlighted for
a special feature – exquisite
food, outstanding setting,
an inviting atmosphere or
The elegant dining area at Al Sorriso (see p181), Lago d’Orta high standards of service.

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