Omelette & Baguette

We keep on returning to this cute new little restaurant in Via Paolo Sarpi in Milan. It has only quite recently opened around these parts in Milan.

It’s easy to see why we keep on finding ourselves going to this restaurant – it’s charming and the food is highly original for pizza and pasta fuelled Italy. Not that I’ve got anything against pizza and pasta, but sometimes, a change is a good as a rest, as they say.

Apart from the fact that this restaurant is open until late at night, 7 days a week, which in itself is unusual for Italy, the food is very good.

As you may expect from the name and the logo above, the menu is egg based, although there is plenty for non-egg lovers too.

However, those expecting eggs will not be disappointed. This evening I went for the Brick à l’oeuf with mozzarella. Just what is this brick thing? Some may know, but for those who don’t, the Brick is a particular way of cooking what I believe is egg white. I’m not sure how it’s done, but it’s cooked on the underside of the pan, I am told. Despite an odd cooking method, the result is lovely. It’s a sort fan shaped thin and crunchy shell, a little like batter.

Inside the Brick à l’oeuf, there is another egg, which oozes egg yolk when the crunchy shell-like covering is penetrated, and, just for good measure, there is some mozzarella. This is served with either a small salad of tomatoes, lettuce and grated carrot, or chips. Should oozing eggs not be your thing, you could go for the curious and lightly spiced Brick Patate e Carne (Brick potato and meat), which has the same crunchy shell, but square, this time and it’s filled with a spicy potato and meat mix. Again, this can be had with salad or good old chips.

There are plenty of other tempting treats, such as salads and baguette based sandwiches, not to mention lots of other egg based dishes, such as the Mele and Zola (apple and Gorgonzola), omelettes.

To wash everything down you can even order a nice bottle of red or white wine, or some beer. The puddings are not bad either, especially if you like rice pudding, which is very hard to come by in Italy.

Am I wrting this little post to garner this place some publicity? Nope, not at all. Word has already spread, and the place is choc a block most weekends. Indeed, booking is not a bad idea.

Omlette & Baguette is on two floors. Around the entrance there are a few tables, but upstairs, there is a spacious area with around 15 tables. Service is good too, as indeed are the prices, which are probably about the same level as good old MacDonald’s (if you exclude wine!), only the quality and atmosphere are in an altogether different league.

Bad points? Only one – the portions could be a wee bit more generous, but I’m probably nit picking.

You’ll find this place right at the start of the end of Via Paolo Sarpi which joins up with Via Canonica, and not, as their ‘in-progress’ website and menu confusingly mentions, at Via G B Bertini, 6.

Like to book? Give Omlette & Baguette a ring on 02 8738 8885. It’s well worth checking out, especially if you are looking for something a little different.

As far as I know, Omelette & Baguette is not part of a franchise, but it very well could become one, in my not so humble opinion. Good place. Oh, and there is no service charge.