A city that comes into full bloom this season, Milan is pure magic in the summertime, with patio doors thrown up, and gardens and al fresco dining areas coming into their own. Making good use of the Vitamin D effect, Mandarin Oriental Milan has opened its new Mandarin Garden Bar, a serene urban oasis that is literally a stone’s throw from the city’s bustling retail and cultural heart. Starting inside, the black and white marble mosaic flooring and walls contrast against plants and colourful splashes across the seats, before leading out into the pièce de résistance, a courtyard that is drenched in sunlight and greenery. A combination of lounge sofas and bistro tables, it invites long, languid lunches and easy afternoons that roll into evening, when soft lighting creates a more magical and intimate vibe.
Two-Michelin star chef Antonio Guida has turned his hand to the menu, which brings together Italian and Milanese cuisine, with salads, sandwiches and sharing platters for a light lunch, as well as pastries that pay homage to Italian pasticceria as the sweetest takeaway.
After dark, the outdoor space transforms into one of the city’s most exclusive nightstops, centred around ambience, aperitivos and creative cocktails, with contemporary music that will see you settle in until the early hours. Try the Calvisius Tradition caviar, Ceviche di Ricciola, mussel risotto with caper dust, and Branzino with trumpet courgettes and tomato gazpacho, followed by a Protagonista or Pandan Flower cocktail exclusively designed and created by the hotel’s bartenders.
