Mamai, Milan *Closed*

Remember my post about Alice, the Michelin-star restaurant on the top floor of Eataly Milan? Well, if you liked Alice, then you should also check out its old location, Mamai won't disappoint.

Mamai means mother in gaelic, but it also has AMA (love) in its name, as the two owners explan, and it was this love for good food that made them take Alice's old location, of which they were regular clients and turn it into the place they always dreamed of.

There's a lot in Mamai that reminds of Alice, like the amuse-bouches, the dishes and some of the decorations. Its location away from the bustle of the city center and the atmosphere inside make it a perfect place for a romantic dinner or even a business dinner. Service is spotless, perhaps a bit impersonal but I guess if you're on a romantic dinner you don't want the staff to grab a seat and chat with you right? (but of course they'll suggest and explain the dishes or wine pairings to you if you ask).

After our nice amuse-bouches arrived, we had two mains, the 'Mojito' pasta (thin spaghetti with mint broth, shrimps, lemon zest and rhum jelly) and an off-menu pasta dish with beet (there's the funny color) and gorgonzola ice cream. The Mojito is one of their signature dishes and while it looked and smelled good, the broth wasn't as tasty as I imagined, still good though. I don't eat beet so I didn't taste the pink dish but G said it was OK, although the taste of the gorgonzola was mild.

As a main, I had the octopus dish, which reminded me of the octupus I had at Alice (of course, Alice's one was heavenly and inimitable, but this one was very good) and G had the crispy croaker with zucchini and mint cream that also looked good (unlike the blurry picture I took, sorry).

We were surprisingly full (let's just say it, portions aren't your typical osteria's but somehow they manage to get you satisfied - I really don't know who would order a half portion of these dishes...) so we didn't order dessert but got some sweet treats - like at Alice's - with our coffee. Good wine list, prices a bit high but there are some fair options.

In all, a nice evening, good food and OK prices considering quality and the fact that they have popular deals on Groupon and The Fork, check 'em out and book your table! (business lunch menus also available).

Mamai
Via Adige 9. Milan.

Tel +39 02 8721 3909

Online Booking: http://www.mamaimilano.it/it/prenota/

Monday - Saturday 12.00-14.00 / 20.00-23.00 - Closed Sundays.
http://www.mamaimilano.it/