Quest'Osteria 這間冰室 (CLOSED)
Quest'Osteria is a microscopic restaurant located in the center of the fashion district, an unusual place both for where it is located and for what it offers on paper. Describing it is as fun as eating there because it's really a whole program.
But let's start from the environment, because at first glance Quest'Osteria is a real triumph of visual stimuli. The place is like a glass box, which makes sense since it is a clear reference to the 'ice rooms' of the 60s that were very popular in Hong Kong, where toast and cool drinks were served.
Once you cross the threshold your attention will be literally kidnapped by the multitude of colors, posters and neon lights. In short, a triumph of kitch-like and vintage taste that will leave you ecstatic!
Very few seats (only four) and all at the counter. In fact, Quest'Osteria lends itself as a takeaway restaurant, rather than for consumption on site. There are many people who come to collect lunch at the restaurant, most of the cases to be consumed at the office. If you want to eat during the canonical hours, then be patient and wait outside. Alternatively, I recommend that you book your dishes by phone, to collect them later - the restaurant, however, observes the continuous opening hours, so it is also perfect for an afternoon snack.
We then come to the menu, colorful and messy and in perfect line with the style of the restaurant. As you may have guessed, Hong Kong cuisine is served here.
The plentiful dishes, tasty but at the same time delicate but if the menu really gives you a headache (and this is more than normal) get advice from the girl who manages the room.
To start there are the house dishes, that is a base of rice accompanied by sautéed vegetables, fried eggs or omelettes and meat (such as spare ribs or the delicious charsiu, caramelized roast pork .. really delicious!).
As per tradition, cheung fun cannot be missing, here in the xxl and hyper abundant version. You can choose them with eggs, with meat or shrimp. I got advice and tried the really good beef and corn ones.
Then there is also the classic Hong Kong soup with thin noodles and broth with pork, mushrooms, vinegar and black pepper.
A very curious and tempting (but also obligatory) parenthesis opens: that of Western influences. Sandwiches with small pieces of butter and / or with the addition of tomato and eggs, French toast (including one with eggs and truffles) and even the "sexy bread" for two people served only in summer.
Drinking is also a whole program. Among the specialties of the house (made with Chinese black tea cooked in artisan teapots) there are lemon tea and Hong Kong style milktea without tapioca, but also red bean sorbet with milk. And then the fresh fruit smoothies (available in season), bubble teas with milk and coconut milk, teas with "salty cream" and the delicious black tea aged four years in mandarin peel.
I can only conclude by saying that I liked this Osteria because it offers rustic, tasty and no-frills cuisine.
The venue will be moved from the end of October, but the owners still don't know where. One more reason to hurry up and go and try this Hong Kong street food at a very low price!
📍 Via Senato 13, Milan
📞 +39 366 151 0022
💰 $