Milan | The Only Three-Michelin-Starred Enrico Bartolini

✨As someone with a preference for light flavors, finding a Michelin restaurant that suits my taste in Europe is a matter of luck. The farther from the sea, the heavier the flavors tend to be, and Enrico Bartolini, Milan’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, is no exception. ✨The restaurant isn’t large, and it doesn’t host many guests; I counted only five tables that evening. Perhaps because it’s located inside the Mudec art museum, the interior design is very minimalist and artistic. The waitstaff are well-trained and particularly humorous. Everything, from the food presentation to the service and the sense of ritual, is absolutely Michelin standard. The portions are generous, and there are many courses, not to mention the abundance of cheese and carbs typical of Italian cuisine, which left me feeling full and my taste buds numbed by the end. ✨I found myself pondering, what exactly am I eating when I’m at a Michelin restaurant? The Michelin Guide was originally created in 1990 by the Michelin tire company to encourage car travel, with one star indicating a place worth a visit, two stars worth a detour, and three stars worth a special trip. Today, the Michelin assessment has its own set of standards, ranging from the dining environment to the wine selection, and it’s no longer just about whether the food is good or not. ✨To be honest, Enrico Bartolini’s three-Michelin-starred experience wasn’t quite to my taste, but it certainly has its audience. The Michelin Guide is worth consulting, but it’s not absolute. This time, the recommendation just didn’t resonate with me. As I mentioned in my Venice Biennale vlog, why do some artworks catch my eye while others don’t? It’s probably closely related to my background and cognition. ✨Maybe it’s a lack of understanding that leads to disinterest, or perhaps it’s irrelevance that breeds dislike. Just as some emotions can only be shared with those who understand, some art can only be appreciated by those willing to do so, and perhaps food is the same. A mutual connection isn’t always easy. ✨I’ve heard that Enrico Bartolini is set to open in Hangzhou next year, and I’m quite looking forward to seeing what kind of spark it will create when it arrives in China. #Michelin #MichelinRestaurant #ThreeMichelinStars #TravelItaly #HiddenGem #MilanRestaurant #MilanFood #MilanTravel #AtmosphericRestaurant #MichelinStarred