A young couple were in Milan recently and went to a restaurant where one of them had previously dined - on expenses. They did think it would be reasonably dear, but were giving themselves a treat. Anyway one of them, the wife writes: "We were ushered into one of four diningrooms. Late May was too early to eat out under the vines as has been previously done. We were the only people, and it was formal and slightly intimidating. Having just arrived in Milan, my ear was not attuned to Italian and I felt awkward not being able to exchange the customary pleasantries with the Maitre D', as he led us to our table. The table was beautifully set, fresh, crisp linen, a tall glass filled with slender batons of raw carrot, chicory and asparagus, and a plate of bread rolls variously flavoured with basil, olive and tomato. As soon as we sat down, a glass of sparkling wine was poured for us. We were hungry and got going on the breads and raw vegetables.
"Next, the menu arrived, large, in Italian, of course, but with no prices. My dictionary, hidden discreetly on my lap, was not very helpful. As we agonised, the waiter, with a flourish, set a plate of assorted meats before us. Delighted, we helped ourselves. He returned with a dish of mushroom pate and a covered bowl of salmon pate, and a tiny, tasty morsel of some delicacy on our plates. We ate some more. He then came back with a slice of tart with grilled cream cheese. At this stage, the table was full and each and every item was as much as I could happily eat for lunch most days.
"We were now fortified to attack the menu, and in broken Italian asked what fish they had. Sea Bass. We both went for that, chose a Soave to accompany it, and continued the feast. As if by magic, at 9 pm the restaurant filled up with casually elegant Milanese, and they all got the same treatment. When the plates from our main courses were removed, the waiter returned with the desert menu; and a plate with three thick slices of Parmesan cheese and three slices of walnut bread. After our dessert, a plate of tiny pastries with wild strawberries appeared. We asked that a taxi be called and shortly afterwards the waiter told us it would arrive in four minutes. It did.
After worrying more than a little throughout the meal, but decided how the obviously sensational bill would be set off by drastic economies in other ways, the bill came to approximately £50." She is keeping the name of the restaurant a secret. Y