A beautiful castle hosts a restaurant called Ratana. A large room where tables, some square and others rectangular, can host up to 6 guests each. I loved the idea of having the same big table separated by a black stripe where two couples sit at the same table without being stuck one to the other.
A beautiful space, but an unusual restaurant. From what I understand it's a place that cooks slow food and aims to preserve traditions and soft drinks are not on the menu.
A wine display, a bar, a dining space. A simple setup. Homemade sparkling water. A special caffeine-free cola... A special place indeed.
Dinner starts with an amuse bouche. Today's was a mix of cauliflower, linen seeds and curry. A good crunch, but the aromas and juice are a bit too prominent. The bread is served in a basket with a bottom of dried grass. The grissini are amazing; crunchy and salted airy bread fingers. I loved the saltiness, which makes you want to lick your lips.
The menu is so special: Imagine bone marrow risotto, glazed pork belly, artichokes filled with anchovies, chestnut gnocchi, fresh spinach risotto, meat goulash, a veal cartilage salad, goose egg and crispy crumbs.
The music is depressing... The sparkling water doesn't have enough bubbles...
- Milanese style meatballs: Simply fried with no filling, those balls feel and taste like Lebanese kebbe. They surely need a sauce to accompany them. We ordered mustard, which made things better.
- Chestnut gnocchi with chamomile butter and cabbage: Simply disgusting, not close to being edible.
- Fresh spinach risotto with melted macagn cheese and pine nuts sable: Toasted pine nuts, a green risotto, lightly al dente but there's a real lack of taste.
- Milanese style risotto with seasoned bone marrow. Al dente rice mixed in a heavy cream next to a chunk of meat that's a bit too salty. I couldn't eat more than two bites before I stopped. Far from being flavorful and smooth, the dish lacks finesse and taste. The meat is too salty and over cooked.
- Raw and cooked radicchio, beetroot, crispy Parmesan and raspberries. A beautiful plate decorated with stripes of beetroot purée, crunchy vegetables and two moist Parmesan sheets. A funny and bizarre plate.
One of the most bizarre restaurants I've been to. The food is not even an enjoyable experience. 05/30, given for the bread sticks and maybe the consistency of the risotto.
A welcoming staff, smiley and helpful, they asked many times why our plates were left untouched, a beautiful place, but the food... Not recommended at all. I'm sad that this was my last dinner of my trip to Milan. How nice the place, how bizarre the food. I like healthy and slow food specialties, but these dishes were far from being restaurant food.
