In our series [From cities: Admiring cities around the world], we bring you the latest local information on cities around the world, such as Paris, Milan, New York, etc., notable addresses, and real city snaps! For a while, we'll be sending you articles with the hope that in the near future, when we can travel abroad freely again, we'll be able to visit those places.

In this first installment, we'll introduce recommended takeout restaurants from Milan, Italy. With the current climate of self-restraint, food delivery and takeout seem to be gaining attention not only in Japan but also overseas. "Italian" is something we're all familiar with on a daily basis. What kind of dishes are available for takeout in the original Italian city? Check out our top three recommendations, along with a taste report from our Milan-based staff! Check them out now.

01. Vòce Aimo e Nadia

Our first stop is the casual restaurant "Vòce Aimo e Nadia," which opened in 2018.

This unique establishment, which also houses a bar and bookstore, has attracted attention for its innovative management policy that overturns the concept of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Apparently, this restaurant was one of the first to offer delivery in Milan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The menu is overseen by two chefs, Alessandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani. They are also the chefs of Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, a prestigious restaurant beloved by Milanese since 1962 and which has maintained two Michelin stars.

Even the shopper is cute!
This time, we'll be ordering takeout from Voce Aimo e Nadia. Normally, a meal at this restaurant would cost over 100 euros per person, but when ordering takeout or delivery, a set of four dishes - appetizer, primo, secondo and dessert - came to just 65 euros (delivery costs are added separately) - a surprising price...! While you can't experience it in person, wouldn't it be great to be able to enjoy the flavors of a famous restaurant at a slightly more reasonable price from the comfort of your own home or office?

The four dishes I ordered are as follows:





The pasta arrives in a kit that you can cook at home.






《From: Staff living in Milan》
"My honest impression is that this tomato sauce pasta dish, which at first glance seems easy to make at home, is truly the work of a star chef...! I was blown away. The rich flavor of the guanciale, the moderately sweet tomato sauce, and the delicious combination with the Geraldo di Nola spaghetti were a sophisticated taste I couldn't get at home. The appetizer offered a delightful contrast between the tender veal and the crispy celery, and the tuna sauce spread throughout my mouth. The chicken breast for the second course was very tender and delicious, but the fennel gratin was a bit bland, which was disappointing. It's difficult to reheat food at home and maintain the same flavor. The contrast of the bufala ricotta cheese and pear for the dessert was delicious." Stefania, daughter of Aimo and Nadia Moroni, who has been a key figure in growing "Vocce Aimo e Nadia" into what it is today, says, "Tradition but at the same time innovation." As the name suggests, this restaurant maintains its traditions while adapting to the current situation, offering takeout dishes that can be enjoyed elegantly at home.

02. Sadler

Chef Sadler, the owner of Sadler, is both a chef and a master chef in the culinary world. The restaurant received its first Michelin one-star rating in 1991 and its second in 2002, and opened a branch in Tokyo in 2003. It's one of Milan's most renowned restaurants. Since 2007, the restaurant has also opened a modern casual restaurant (known as a "trattoria" in Italian) and a catering service. Furthermore, due to the current situation and restrictions on indoor dining, Sadler has launched a high-end Milan delivery service.

This time, we ordered the "Aperitivo Menu (for two)" (93 euros) below.

《From: Milan-based staff》
"The food was delivered fresh in a paper shopping bag at the specified time. It came with a recipe, and some of the dishes required home cooking. Most of the packaging is made from recycled paper or aluminum, which seems environmentally friendly. The delivery menu is different from the restaurant menu, so you can't expect to enjoy the exact same taste as eating in the restaurant! However, the delivery food was very fresh and delicious, so I was able to enjoy authentic cuisine in the comfort of my own home. The packaging says "Contiene Emozioni" (meaning "filled with emotion"), and as those words suggest, the chef's love for the food is conveyed all the way to my table."