Ristorante Ratanà — Restaurant in Milan

TOURISTS STAY AWAY FROM Ristorante Ratanà!

I'm not usually one to leave reviews good or bad, as I share a kinship with the service industry and businesses, but this was the most infuriating experience I have ever had with a restaurant. Changed the aspect ratio of one video to try not to dox my wife.

Things to note/TLDR: They take your card for your reservation Your reservation is for either an outside or inside table A missed reservation would have incurred a €60 charge They were impossible to contact, by text, email, 2 different staff members at our hotel and ourselves by calling Several hotel staff had never heard of them, even though they have "2000+" reviews currently and are a short walk away When making the reservation, you choose outside or inside (ss attached), and they warn that due to weather they may cancel outside reservations. Their website says this: "Outside Booking in our terrace guarantees a table only in the outdoor spaces, in case of bad weather we invite you to contact the restaurant to check for availability inside. Thank you" A local can confirm if there's an issue with translation. TURNS OUT thunderstorm with heavy downpour doesn't cancel your reservation for an outside table

As we were out at lunch on May 20, 2025 after just getting into the city, we received a call from an international number, which we were hesitant to answer at the time. We realized that the number lined up with the restaurant that we had booked an outdoor table for later in the day. We found that there was a chance for a thunderstorm around the time of our reservation, so our thought was they were contacting us to cancel. No message was left. We tried texting back, and when that failed attempted to email with no reply. When we got back to our hotel, we asked our front desk in person to call the number back with their local line. They were unable to reach anyone. Before we head out to visit Duomo, we ask a different staff member to call again, also in person. Also unable to reach anyone. When we come back from visiting Duomo, we call from our hotel line. Unable to reach anyone. On the reservation site, it asks to call the restaurant to cancel.

Not wanting to be charged €60 on the chance they attempt to charge us for missing our reservation, since we have been unable to contact them with multiple attempts and multiple modalities, we walk to the restaurant in the thunderstorm to touch base with no intention of eating there and little expectation.

We arrive at the restaurant soaking wet with 4 staff members just waiting at the front to welcome customers in and only a few tables taken. We let them know that we tried to call them multiple times and did not want to eat there only for them to tell us that they have 2 missed calls recently, and it is too late to cancel our reservation (even though it is for an outside table and there is thunder, lightning, and heavy rain). Then, they tell us that they never received a call from the hotel either, and we should ask the hotel why they didn't call them. I relayed this message to our hotel staff, who were stunned and took the name of the restaurant down.

Food: we did not want to give them more business than we had to, but we did want to try their Milanese bone marrow risotto. A local is free to correct me if this is the Milanese way, but I was not expecting the risotto rice to be thick and difficult to chew.

€50 for Milanese meatballs, risotto, and still water for 2

Do yourself a favor and head to Mama Rosa or Il Tavolino recommended by our hotel nearby. Easily the worst experience of our honeymoon... and our flight to Florence was cancelled an hour...

Let's start with the resume of our (first) visit to this place: Ratana is over-rated. Full stop.

It's Sunday 10/04 and it is sunny. Outside is a playground, full of children running around... not exactly the place where one would expect a gourmet restaurant. There is an outside terrace, but it is still too cold to sit comfortably outdoors (it is early Spring).

We're booked for lunch and, having read various reviews and browsed some pictures, the expectations were high. This should be a 'traditional Italian food with a modern twist' place. Something which sounds good and interesting.

First impressions when entering: a lot of young waiters (which is not bad), tables in dark metal rather squeezed together (so not a lot of intimacy, if that is what you're after).

The deco is - style wise - questionable: why are the window sills filled with (not so fresh looking) flower arrangements, an old typewriter and an accordion. Really?

We order some aperitivo. Our waiter suggests to have some meatballs, sorry 'Cartoccio Di Mondeghili', with the drinks. Those deep fried meatballs are bland... nothing to write home about.

Luckily, the menu is oversee able (which is a good thing). As a starter we order 'Terrina di Pollo' and 'Tortelloni Ricotta'. The mains have to be Ossobuco, so we thought. That's a (very) traditional dish where we can expect the 'modern twist' the most.

The Terrina di Pollo is nice, but - again - nothing really special. The Tortelloni are also average. We are in pasta land after all, and the competition is fierce (so the standards are high when it comes to pasta).

And now a whole section about that Ossobuco, served with risotto:

The presentation of that dish reminds me of children's party food. The ossobuco is covered by a light brown gravy. Where's the modern twist, as promised?

Strange enough, the risotto tastes rather sweet. Which does not go that well with the ossobuco. The ossobuco falls of the bone, nice nice nice... and exactly how it should be.

Although plenty of waiters, nobody asks us whether we like it or need something. Attention for the customers and cross selling (more drinks etc.) can/should be improved.

We ask for the bill: including drinks and a bottle of wine we're at 184 EUR. Everybody can decide for themselves whether this is over-priced or acceptable... my final thought: see the first line of...

So glad I ended up going here! Would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a wonderfully well-rounded meal.

I did reserve in advance and believe at least the day of that it did run out of reservations. The interior is lovely and has both a bar area and tables. The exterior is super cozy and is next to famous sights like the Bosco Verticale which makes it super nice to just walk about before or after dinner.

Coming in, the servers and bartender were super friendly. Being in the corner of the restaurant at the bar was interesting in and of itself where I got to see drinks being made; tons of awards and cooking books; and lots of other fun little trinkets. It may be a bit messy for some but was pure entertainment for me.

Let's get to the food! There is an a la carte menu but I opted to go with the tasting menu which I wanted since this was my first visit. Here's what ended up in my dinner:

*Negroi: I funny enough didn't have a negroni yet during my Milan visit so had my first one here. It was excellent. Not too sweet.

*Local trout carpaccio: A wonderful opener. Loved the description and the olive oil that was utilized. A little sweet with great textures.

*Classic Milanese risotto with bone marrow: I loved finally getting to try the Milanese risotto which I thought was delicious. I did personally think the bone marrow was an okay addition. It was a pretty small piece and didn't add as much flavor.

*Duck + fried duck fat: A super delicious duck dish - well-cooked and not overly gamey. Loved the polenta and the fried duck fat on the side.

*Strawberry mousse: I thought this was the final dessert and thought it was lovely. It was one of the prettiest dishes of the night and cracked open to showcase so much flavor.

*Sorrento lemon tart: Loved the locally sourced dishes and having it called out. Thought this lemon tart was solid along with the beautiful meringue.

The total came out to be around 70ish euros I believe with additional wine pairings available. Would definitely come back....