Nik’s & Co, the World Tour

A culinary trip around the world without leaving Milan… A great discovery in the heart of Italy’s fashion capital.

It’s one of those places that you didn’t know you needed. Until you did.

This restaurant and cocktail bar, the brainchild of Leo Sculli tucked behind Stazione Centrale in Milan was not on my radar—little did I know what was coming. The first impact was the beautiful back bar stocked with bottles. Live piano music playing old classic tunes in the background, a warm and welcoming server, and a peek into the open kitchen completed the tableau.

Imagine the concept of this place as a screenplay. The time is 1920-1930, during Prohibition in the USA. Nik is young Italian in England with a passion for cocktails and travel. He throws a few things in his backpack (including his bar shaker) and sets off on a journey in search of exotic spices for his cocktails. On the way, he visits many countries and tastes their food. The menu is inspired by each country Nik visited; in fact the menu items are simply the name of the place. We ordered the signature Nik’s aperitivo, a refreshing drink of Tanqueray Ten gin, Chartreuse Green, Noilly Prat Lemon, basil syrup and nettle jam. Then the amuse bouches started to come. I counted 5 of them and they were gobbled up instantly! Chef Paolo Bertin and his team created a fascinating menu.

My appetizer was Thailand, from the previous menu: red shrimp on a bed of beansprouts with coconut, lemongrass and lime.

In the next course, we were served Marsiglia, representing the vibrant city of Marseilles. The dish featured a unique twist: crème brûlée alla bouillabaisse, complemented by the freshness of raw gallinella fish, the sweetness of wild plums, and a touch of chives.

To enhance our culinary experience, Veronica, our expert mixologist, skillfully recommended a selection of cocktails. These delightful libations encompassed both timeless classics and innovative reinterpretations, offering something to suit everyone's taste. By combining spirits and distillates with exotic flavors and traditional herbs from distant lands, these cocktails became a gateway to other cultures. As we indulged in these intoxicating potions, our thirst for stories and knowledge was quenched, creating a mesmerizing journey through time and diverse traditions. This enchanting place truly captured the essence of culinary exploration.

The chef is Paolo Bertin, a true maestro in the culinary world. One of the dishes took me on a virtual journey to Egypt and Alexandria. The combination of peas, peanut butter, sesame, cardamom, red currant, and hibiscus created a unique and unforgettable flavour profile.

After that journey, I indulged in the Cagliari, which consisted of fregola pasta paired with tender and buttery soft scallops. To add an extra layer of complexity, Bertrin incorporated fermented myrtle and sea asparagus, enhancing the dish's overall taste and texture.

Meanwhile, my friend opted for Brindisi ditalini pasta accompanied by fava beans, sea urchin, smoked scamorza cheese, and fennel. The combination of these ingredients provided a harmonious blend of flavors, with the sea urchin scamorza lending a rich and smoky dimension to the dish.

As the grand finale, we savored New Zealand, another selection from the previous menu -a meringue adorned with raspberry, vinegar, liquorice, and malt. The sweet and tangy raspberry, coupled with the distinct flavors of vinegar, liquorice, and malt, created a truly memorable taste experience.

Overall, the entire dining (and drinking) experience was exceptional, thanks to Bertin and his crew’s culinary finesse. I am already looking forward to my next visit, where I can enjoy another round of their creations. They have just launched a new menu called Mediterranean Trip highlighting cities all over the Med, and a drinks list called American Dreams - 1960, paying tribute to Frida Kahlo, JFK, Roy Lichtenstein and other icons of the decade. Now that I have traveled the world, it’s time for a closer look at the Mediterranean. Let’s go!

Nik’s & Co, the World Tour

Márcio Silva, Mr. Resilience

Tasmanian Angel: McHenry Distillery