26. November 2009: Restaurant Officina 12
The restaurant Officina 12 is located in the navigli zone close to Piazza 24 Maggio, easily reachable by tram 3 or by the green metro line (stop: Porta Genova F.S.).
The restaurant Officina 12 already looks nice from the outside when you walk by as it has an inviting little garden outside. When you’re entering you won’t see the restaurant right away as it is kind of hidden behind a little corner. When you’re in you feel really warm and nice as the walls are painted in red and the light is dimmed. Each table is equipped with a candle and therefore, it can be quite romantic.
The waiters welcome you warmly and nicely when you’re entering the restaurant. They’re bringing you to your table and you’re asked about your wishes within a few minutes. Furthermore, you’re always having more than one waiter at your disposition but still there is no confusion about who’s responsible for what. Service works splendidly!
The dishes served were quite good. As a starter the smoked swordfish was very tasty.
Even better was the beef filet with concentrated aceto balsamico and freshlygrinded Parmesan. The beef was extremly tender, cooked as requested (medium) and astonishingly large. The potatoes were a bit disappointing on the other hand as they were all cooked differently crunchy – some where perfectly cooked, others way to hard and finally some mellow. The side dish can be improved, but it wasn’t that bad as the meat was really great.
The desert (Sorbetto al Limone) was good as well but the way it was served (with straws in a glass) wasn’t really appealing.
The wine card is quite good. Not that large but quite some good wines to reasonable prices – the Nero d’Avola by the bottle (there is just one on the menu) is definitely recommendable.
All in all, the place is definitely recommendable as the atmosphere is great, service is splendid and the dishes are really good. Definitely a place you should check out when you’re in Milan.
A little hint about the price-performance ratio: Actually it could be rated a bit higher as I think for what you get it’s cheap. But in the end the price – if you add it all up – is not cheap (but definitely worth it).
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Officina 12
Alzaia Naviglio Grande 12
20144 Milano (IT)
Tel.: +39 (02) 89 42 22 61
Homepage: http://www.officina12.it
E-Mail: info@officina12.it
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
