The relationship between Milan and saffron dates back to the Renaissance, when this exotic spice began to be imported and used in Milanese kitchens.
Legend has it that it was thanks to a young apprentice glazier, nicknamed ‘Zafferano’ for his love of this spice and its use in the creation of golden stained-glass windows, that risotto alla Milanese was born.
During a wedding, to impress the diners and take revenge for his uninvitation, he jokingly added the ingredient to the simple butter risotto, creating a dish that became a symbol of the city.
This dish, known today as ‘risotto alla milanese’ and the star of our menu, is a culinary masterpiece that combines the richness of butter and meat stock with the distinctive aroma and golden colour of saffron: characteristics that have certainly helped this dish become the undisputed city icon alongside the traditional Cotoletta.
The relationship between Milan and saffron, therefore, is much more than a simple culinary combination.
It is a celebration of the city’s history, culture and gastronomic innovation, which we at Stendhal try to convey in each of our dishes starring this spice, creating a fusion of tradition and modernity that continues to delight the palates of all our guests, from dinner to our cocktails, ideal as an aperitif or to end the evening.
