Giacomo Bistrot — Restaurant in Milan

Giacomo Bistro at Porta Romana isn’t a restaurant. It’s an experience. You walk in, and boom — you immediately know this isn’t a place where they mess around. Right at the entrance, there’s a partially sliced Iberico ham leg, sitting on its throne, knife beside it — or should I say machete — like a warning to all mediocre food: “You don’t belong here.”

The staff? Not waiters. Butlers in crisp white jackets. You’re not being served — you’re being attended to, like a guest in some 1930s private club. The bar looks straight out of The Great Gatsby, and honestly, so do the guests. Everyone’s impeccably dressed. You’re not in a restaurant — you’re in a scene.

Then you’re led into the dining room. One side is a wood-paneled library, like Churchill’s office if he were into osso buco. The other side? White tablecloths, candlelight, and elegance dripping from every corner. It feels like dining on the Orient Express, minus the train noise.

The food? Divine. I had the saffron risotto with osso buco — probably the best I’ve ever tasted. The meat didn’t just fall off the bone — it practically whispered goodbye. And the wine? A glass of Bella Vista Franciacorta, La Scala edition. Not the regular bottle. No. This was opera-level sparkling, straight from the royal selection.

Dessert? Tiramisu. Not just the cherry on top — this was the victory lap of the meal. If you weren’t already on your knees in food-induced ecstasy, this finished the job.

Now, the only hiccup — and it’s worth mentioning. During the meal, they asked if we wanted more wine. My friend asked for a white, I asked for a red. The waitress made excellent suggestions, said what would pair nicely, we agreed — and that was that. No menu shown, no mention of price. Seemed fine. Until the bill came: €22 per glass. Now listen — I’m not saying it wasn’t good wine. It was excellent. But at €22 a glass, I’d expect to at least see the wine list first. Let me choose to spend that much, not be surprised by it. That’s the only thing that slightly tainted an otherwise...

The Rip off by definition. A friend of our who visited Milan for the day and evening asked me for some recommendation for diner and one was Giacomo where I had not been in ages. I thought the location, season, evening and type of Milanese cuisine was ideal. Well I felt so embrassed for the bad choice. Our bill reached more than €550 in three with one starter and one meat to share + one bottle of wine. My husband ordered the wine, a simple and easy Valpolicella at €50 the bottle but for some reason the waiter wasn't convinced of my husband's choice and rather suggested a Pinot Nero from Trentino at €80. Then my husband's starter, a tiny mini tartar arrived that we shared in one fork each, so we added to that a plate of Cinta di Siena which was dry, baddly cut, and practically only fat. Then since there was not much choice (no tagliata) on the menu if we wanted a small and simple meat, we decided to share a piece of meat, and being in 3, we opted for a Tomahawk steak , after waiter's advise. We finished dinner with a coffee each (anda total of 4 bottles of water). The bill arrived with a shocking 550 EUR. In the bill they indicated two tomahawk steaks since (for some technical reason, the waiter said) when the weight of one piece of meat reaches more that 800gr, the computer cannot take it so they have to bill two pieces of meat (??) . The bill reached more than €550. I felt terribly guilty for the pick of the restaurant, terribly embrassed and ashamed to have suggested such a place in a city that has so such an so great choice and variety of good restaurants. Never...

We had made the reservation at Giacomo Bistrot three weeks in advance since we were travelling for the easter break. When I called I asked if they would send a confirmation email, but unfortunately they don't do that and assured us the booking was confirmed. When we arrived there, we were told that they didn't have the reservation name and quickly and swiftly sent us to the sister restaurant Giacomo.

I was on holiday and really just wanted to have dinner. But I was certain I had made the booking under Giacomo Bistrot and NOT Giacomo. I tried to fight it but they dismissed my claims. Of course, when we arrived at the other restaurant they sat us immediately although I could see the reservation list and my name was not there.

When I checked my phone later, I saw that I had dialed Giacomo Bistrot NOT Giacomo and that we had been played. The restaurant must have been busy and they just sent these tourists to the other restaurant. Of course, the experience at Giacomo is not the same as Bistrot, and we had an less than average dinner.

Next time, I won't even bother and I'll continue going to Langosteria where they do take care of...