The 8 euro value meal

While in Milan, we came across the best place for an aperitivo that we have seen yet -- now known as the 8 euro value meal. This is where we mentioned we went the night we met Emma.

In order to help convey how amazing this place was, let me first give a little background: an aperitivo is a before dinner (or lunch) drink. Here in Emilia-Romagna, one of the most popular choices is an Aperol spritz, which is a mixture of Aperol, or a bitter orange liquor, mixed with prosecco and topped off with soda water. Campari, a liquor which has a stronger flavor than Aperol, is also popular too, and can be ordered with soda or as a spritz as well. The drinks are not very strong and non-alcoholic options are available too with similar bitter flavors. One of the great things about the custom of the aperitivo is that it is served with complementary snacks -- we have heard that Italians would not think of having a drink without a little snack. While I would doubt that many would consider this an actual meal, it can definitely be a light dinner. We have noticed that the price of the drink varies depending on how extensive the snacks are and how scenic the location is. In Parma, the snacks that were served were generally fairly simple, such as little toasts with salami as well as olives, and an Aperol spritz usually cost around 4 euro. In Bologna, the snacks are often more extensive and are advertised as "grand buffet," and a spritz costs 6 euro. Snacks include little pieces of focaccia with vegetables, mortadella, or even little squares of lasagna Bolognese. The place that we found in Milan was the most expensive we have seen yet, at 8 euro per Aperol spritz, but check out this buffet of beautiful vegetable antipasti!!!

I know I am a big nutrition nerd, but I was so happy to find all of these amazing vegetables. We talked with the owners and they said that a buffet with this type of array of vegetables is not typical of Milan, but more unique to their bar/restaurant. We loved it so much that we will definitely be going back, and we highly recommend it if you are in Milan.

The bar is located very near the duomo. Located in the piazza with the duomo is a food court that includes a Burger King, of all things, which we stumbled upon after our aperitivo. We couldn't help but notice that people were paying 7 or even 8 euro for a Burger King combo when they could have had the aperitivo.

Burger King, however, is probably more approachable for tourists and may be more popular for younger people, but we couldn't help but think how much they were missing out by eating there. One argument might be that if you pay 7 euro at Burger King, you are getting a more substantial dinner, so it is more calories for your money, if you want to think that way, or need to because of the budget, which we can definitely relate to.

But some of the things offered in the buffet, such as the ham and cheese rolls in puff pastry, or the sausages, would even rival a burger in energy density, and the buffet is technically all you can eat.

It would be bad form to go back too many times, however, but the owners told us that going back for seconds is definitely not taboo. Seems like an easy choice to me. Not to mention that the 8 euro spent at this trattoria is a bunch of wonderful vegetables PLUS a nice cocktail, as opposed to a big fountain drink.

Salute!