A little bit alternative, but with a great tasting menu – and slow service: Restaurant Mater Bistrot (8. June 2025)

Given the place I originally wanted to visit wasn’t actually open (despite the fact that the hotel had confirmed the booking), I was forced to look for something on short notice – and sometimes you’re lucky with such cases, like I was that evening. The Mater Bistrot was at the other end of the city, but a 15 minutes cab ride fixes that quite easily. The place definitely had some industrial chic like the day before for lunch, and I was quite curious what they had to offer. Given you can watch the chefs at work, which is always a good sign, I was quite excited. That excitement reduced quite a bit when I had to wait a good 10 minutes until some water and the menu were served.

Given trying something new is always very much on top of my to do list, I was more than happy to go for the “tasting menu” (EUR 80.00), which started with a small bite wrapped in a yuzu leaf and was actually quite nice to get your palate going.

Next in line was an oyster – definitely not my favourite, but given it was cured, and it didn’t look like just swimming in sea water, I gave it another try, and it turned out to not be so bad after all.

I frankly don’t recall what the next bite was, but I do remember that I quite enjoyed it, so, yeah, the journey continued positively.

Then it was time for some bread and butter, which was quite nice, but the bread was definitely too dry for my personal gusto.

The next course were spaghettoni with a strawberry sauce – it looked like a tomato sauce, and even the flavor profile was comparable, but it was much lighter, softer, smoother, and a little bit sweeter. Like velvet coating your tongue.

Then it was time to try a small palata cleanser, which was crispy and intense in flavor, but absolutely enjoyable.

Then it was time for some anchovies – and that was actually a marvelously well-balanced dish.

The beef tongue was definitely something one would probably usually not order, but I must admit, that it was actually quite lovely and enjoyable. Despite the quite unfamliar texture, I must say that I absolutely enjoyed the dish.

Then it was time to get to play a bit with your tongue and lick the small ball out of the bowl …

… before transitioning into the dessert, which was looking amazing, but was a little bit too dry.

In all honesty, the menu is good, and I like the variety in it. Also, they are doing a good job in accommodating dietary requirements – without hesitation.

That being said, with only two waitresses when the place is full inside and all the tables are taken outside, then it becomes quite a bit of a waiting game, which isn’t great. If that is not the case, meaning, when the place starts to empty, then the service quality definitely increases – but otherwise the waiting times are definitely too long. Other than that, I think you get quite a bit of bang for your buck. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

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Contact Details:

Restaurant Mater Bistrot

Via Pasquale Sottocorno 1

20129 Milano MI (I)

Tel.: +39 02 91 32 16 02

Homepage: http://www.materbistrot.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.