Design

Cartoline Caffè

The Specialty coffee world meets good home cooking

by Lavinia Colonna Preti
Cartoline Caffè (MI) — Lombardia Secrets

In Milan, Cartoline Caffè comes to life, a small specialty coffee shop with mainly vegetarian cuisine, but not only, which combines the two passions of its owner Maela Galli: the world of artisanal coffee roasting and good local food.

Cartoline Caffè is located in a still pleasantly authentic area of ​​Milan, a few steps from Sant’Ambrogio, Cadorna and the 5 Vie, perfect for this “slow” project with a slightly retro feel, as suggested by its hand-painted sign that invites us to a place where time passes more slowly and the concept of a break takes on an almost domestic connotation.

Its soul is Maela Galli, from Milan, already well-known in the world of specialty coffee with the Torrefazione Cannaregio project in Venice. For her new Milanese adventure, Maela has decided to combine her passion for quality coffee with that for vegetarian cuisine, but not only, with a proposal that goes from breakfast to lunch, up to snacks, with great attention to gluten-free and any intolerance.

Cartoline Caffè (MI) — Lombardia Secrets
Cartoline Caffè (MI) — Lombardia Secrets

The Cartoline (Postcards in English) are one of the simplest ways to send a memory to loved ones. Here I wanted to create a place that invites us to linger on the moments dedicated to ourselves, where I channeled all my knowledge and love.

(Maela Galli)

The renovation and interior design work of Cartoline was carried out by Maela Galli and MARG Studio, focusing on an original orange color that can be found in the LUZ wall tiles by Marazzi and in the chairs by Pedrali, enhanced by the contrast with the sapphire blue of the table tops and some walls, as well as the coffee machine by La Marzocco.

The resulting color block recalls the 70s and the boiseries of Milanese trattorias of the past, further accentuated by black and white geometric motifs. To recall the theme of the souvenir, a series of memorabilia stand out on the walls and shelves: photographs, small objects, flowers and posters.

Cartoline Caffè (MI) — Lombardia Secrets
Cartoline Caffè (MI) — Lombardia Secrets

The restaurant’s approach is inspired by the charm of recipes from the past, while at the same time innovating with preparation techniques and quality ingredients, many of which are Slow Food presidia and small producers with whom Maela has started a relationship of collaboration and friendship.

At Cartoline, the day begins with breakfast, based on pancakes, pain perdu, yogurt and granola, cakes and brioches of various types, where the leavened products are artisanal products from Pasticceria Clèa. The beverage offer ranges from coffee, with various brewing or espresso proposals, to juices and smoothies.

Cartoline Caffè (MI) — Lombardia Secrets
Cartoline Caffè (MI) — Lombardia Secrets

Lunch, prepared internally by the kitchen team, is divided into vegetable creams and soups, salads and one-dish meals, savory croissants, parmigiana, savory muffins (the “Cartoline”) and Maela’s proposals inspired by her family’s recipes, while at the weekend, Cartoline offers the Sunday brunch from 1 to 3 pm which consists of American coffee, water, yogurt or dessert and various options to choose from including vegetables, eggs, sausage or steamed fish.

All the proposals on the menu are delicious, such as pumpkin parmigiana with smoked provola cheese and hazelnut granola or Hasselbeck-style beetroot with sliced ​​swordfish, up to the Mediterranean Muffin with wholemeal flours from the South, cherry tomatoes, olives, capers and oregano in anchovy sauce.

Cartoline Caffè (MI) — Lombardia Secrets

Cartoline is also a deli shop and displays a selection of products to buy and take home such as, in addition to coffee blends, tea and spices, preserves, and vegetable creams.

For coffee, Maela collaborates with the same artisanal roaster of Torrefazione Cannaregio, based in Marghera, creating various blends, including the house blend, 50% Brazil Arabica and 50% Uganda Robusta, and a selection of fine single origins.

The Secret

Specialty Coffee means those roasted coffee beans that receive more than 80 points on a scale of 100 from the Specialty Coffee Association. Maela for Cartoline addresses directly to Slow Food presidia or social cooperatives, in order to offer customers a both good and sustainable coffee.

Useful Info

Cartoline Caffè
Via Nirone 19
20123 Milano
Tel. +39 02 36509490

Open from morning to around 4pm, check the restaurant’s social pages for updated opening hours

Coffee: from 1.6 euro
Dishes: from 13 to 16 euro
Sunday Brunch: from 26 euro

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