My trips to Italy are becoming more and more audacious; everyone I told that I was going just for a weekend responded with incredulity. It's a touch longer than a weekend; we left on Thursday morning to be back on the Monday morning. Obviously it isn't enough time in my Spiritual Home, but it would have to do. Our last odyssey had us there only a few weeks earlier in Florence and Bologna, a truly dreamy time post-lockdown with no tourists and no queues. This time was somewhat similar, where we found both Liguria and Milan to be extremely quiet, the only other tourists being locals themselves.

It was a delightful little weekend away, and one of my favourite slices of it was our evening at Da Giacomo.

Da Giacomo dates from the early 20th century, being one of three restaurants in the group. This restaurant is usually the dining destination to publishing crowds and the most fashionable, both favouring this Tuscan-Ligurian restaurant as the go-to spot during Milan Fashion Week. As all restaurants have been, we visited during an unusually quiet month, following lockdown.

The emphasis of the menu is on fish, and with its tile floor and bank of fresh seafood, the place has a refined neighbourhood-bistro style which I instantly fell in love with as we sat down. A delightful bread basket and glass of champagne started our experience, which we sipped eagerly whilst being introduced to the menu concept by our host and waiter. We were given a delicate parcel of Scampi and Polpo with Foccacia to follow, which only enhanced my appetite even more for the courses to follow.

The i crudo di mare (below) was light and summery, refreshing and served to us in two tires, divided so we didn't have to fight, as they knew we were sharing. That is service. I don't think I really knew good (casual) service until going to Italy.

The main event arrived to gasps around the table. Giacomo’s famous lobster linguine and the Tortello were beautifully plated and resplendent. Vibrant pasta coated with herbs, tomatoes and olive oil had just the right sweetness to counteract the delicately seasoned, fresh flesh of the lobster. The dish packed such a mouth-watering punch that I was momentarily on cloud 9 - you know, when your head becomes mush and you're rendered speechless. It's quite addictive, that. Anyway, it was an absolutely smashing dish. I was only sad that I had to share it.

*Tortello cacio e pepe con tartare di gambero rosso, lime e bottarga*

A tip to enhance your dining experience - do leave a little room to the wonderful dessert trolley, that comes straight from the patisserie owned by the titular Giacomo. A trap for eyes and stomach, that will both be paid back with every bite: among the array of treats, you will find the Sachertorte, freshly baked pastries, the creme brulée cobbler and the famous Bomba di Giacomo. We selected one of each of their top 5 tarts and cakes, and each mouthful was better than the last. My pick of the bunch was this one fruity number. I'm afraid that even the day after I've forgotten what it is. Rather than a reflection on the dish, I suspect the bubbly must've caught up with me.

I left Da Giacomo feeling like I'd had a big hug. The food was a mixture of eye popping (that lobster linguine) and comforting (the luscious dessert course). We did a fair bit of admiring too, at not only the gorgeous interiors, but also at the flawless and hospitable service. At prices that are completely reasonable, not something I'd previously associate Milan’s best seafood restaurant to be, I will be back there on my next trip to town.

Thank you to the lovely Chiara, Giacomo team, and Agenzia Guardanscambo for a truly sensational evening x

Website: http://www.giacomoristorante.com/

Address: Via Pasquale Sottocorno ang. via Cellini, 6 - 20129 Milano

[Milan, Italy] Da Giacomo

Galvin at Windows - Park Lane

[Florence, Italy] 1* La Leggenda Dei Frati