Milan Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in San Jose

Every once in a while, you have a dining experience that leaves you craving for more. That's exactly what happened during our recent visit to Milan Restaurant in San Jose.

From the moment we walked through the door, we were transported to Italy, with the ambient decor and the welcoming staff providing an enchanting introduction to what was to be an unforgettable night.

The menu was an enticing collection of classic Italian dishes and innovative takes on the beloved cuisine. My wife and I decided to start our culinary adventure with the Antipasto. The assortment of Italian cured meats, and cheese had us both swooning. Each bite was a delightful mix of textures and flavors, preparing our palates for the main courses.

For mains, I opted for the Osso Buco alla Milanese - a slow-cooked veal shank that was fall-off-the-bone tender and absolutely bursting with flavor. My wife, a devout pasta lover, chose the Pappardelle al Ragu di Anatra. The fresh, homemade pappardelle combined with the rich, duck ragu was, in her words, "a piece of heaven on a plate."

To accompany our meal, we relied on the sommelier's recommendation - a robust, full-bodied Barolo that paired harmoniously with our dishes, enhancing the dining experience further.

However, the highlight of our evening was undoubtedly the enchanting array of cocktails that the skilled mixologist conjured up. The signature 'Milano Negroni', with its perfectly balanced blend of gin, vermouth, and Campari, was a delightful journey of refreshing flavors, while my wife was particularly fond of the 'Aperol Spritz', an effervescent cocktail that captured the essence of Italian summer evenings.

To top off our extraordinary evening, we shared a Tiramisu for dessert. Layers of delicate, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, sandwiched between lashings of creamy mascarpone - it was the sweet, perfect ending to our Italian feast.

It's not just the food and drinks that make Milan Restaurant exceptional, it's also the top-notch service. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, and their genuine desire to make our night special was palpable.

Milan Restaurant, you have created a lasting memory for us, a memory adorned with delightful cuisine, exquisite drinks, and warm service. We're already looking forward to our next visit. To anyone considering a visit, take this review as a hearty endorsement of one of San Jose's Italian gems. You won't be disappointed!

Grazie mille, Milan Restaurant. You have mastered the art of Italian...

My spouse & I enjoyed a lovely anniversary dinner here and will definitely be returning. Nice to find an authentic upscale Italian restaurant in Willow Glen! Away from the Lincoln DT strip, there is plenty of parking and most nights they are open past 9 PM, (except Sunday). Helpful if your work schedule requires a later dinner. This restaurant is owned by the same family that operates A Bellagio in Campbell.

Atmosphere in the bright main dining area is dominated by the stunning large marble bar. May be a fun place to watch a sports event with friends or enjoy a solo meal. It was a quiet Sunday evening so not crowded or too noisy. But I noticed another dining area off to one side that may be quieter when the restaurant is crowded (not in use that evening). And there is a small private dining room in the rear corner. The chairs at the tables were very nice and comfortable, padded on both seat and back.

Cocktail specials reflect the seasons. We both enjoyed the refreshing Bellagio (gin with cucumber & lime). Perfect on a summer evening.

Northern Italian cuisine was excellent and fresh. The cheese plate appetizer (Formaggi) offered three (2 soft and 1 hard) along with crostini, fresh strawberries and blackberries, sage honey and a house-made berry marmalade. A beautiful and tasty spread reasonably priced at $18. Our Caesar salads were crisp and fresh with a perfect dressing and parmesan ($15 ea).

We followed with house-made pastas: Spaghetti Carbonara for me (authentic sauce of egg yolks & parmesan with thinly sliced pork cheek - $23), and Pappardelle Prezzemolate for him (San Marzano red sauce bathing thick noodles with porcini & ricotta salata - $24). While portion sizes were reasonable, the pastas were rich and we both took some home. We were too full for the Secondi offerings, so we'll have to try those and the Contorni at our next visit.

Our server, Sedi, was wonderfully professional and attentive. She was knowledgeable about the menu, able to answer all our questions, and presented us with a complimentary panna cotta dessert for our celebratory dinner! It was one of the best I've ever tasted, subtlety flavored with pistachio. Still, my hubby needed some chocolate and ordered the deliciously fluffy chocolate mousse - $12.

We loved the food and thought the prices were very reasonable given the quality and freshness. I see other reviews mention a kids' menu, so should be OK for families. Milan opens at 4:30 or 5 PM....

I just love this restaurant. Milan is the type of restaurant that reminds me of why going to a some restaurants feels like a special treat. It's mainly from enjoying cravable culinary delights from a masterful chef. It's a bonus that every single server and staff member provides impeccable service (with a very appreciative nod to Jacob) and being aesthetically pleasing with a relaxed atmosphere just puts it over the top. Most pasta dishes and some entrees are under $30, but certain dishes like the sublime lamb shank entree ($49) when available, cost more but I feel it was worth every penny. I usually don't order pasta, it's not my personal favorite, but my friend had the Milan fettuccine with plentiful rock shrimps and bay scallops and really liked it. We started off with fried calamari which was chewy but delicious with a good sauce I would definitely order it again. We also got the shrimp scampi which was as luscious and rich as shrimp scampi should be, the sauce was so good we used the little homemade bread rolls for dipping. We also ordered chocolate mousse and panna cotta for dessert. Chocolate mousse might be an old school dessert but it was so good that I can't stop thinking about it. I enjoyed having fresh fruit on top of it along with whipped cream. The panna cotta was beautifully dense with brandied cherries and sauce over it and again with that fresh fruit. There is a room off each side of the restaurant that would be great for a private party. If you order all the courses and wine, it will be over $100 for two people, but it's a great experience. We also enjoyed watching the sun set through the front windows (with...