ATMosfera Restaurants
Many restaurants have a fine view, but only a handful can provide a close-up view of all the major monuments in their city. One such unique experience can be had in Milan, the fashion and business capital of Northern Italy, where the local public transport company (ATM, short for Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) has launched exclusive moving restaurants set in some of the company's historic tram cars, each stylishly adapted with vintage furnishings and fine linen to accommodate up to 24 diners.
The tram-restaurant is called ATMosfera, combining the company's acronym with the idea of an 'atmospheric' setting, combining the magic of relaxed sightseeing by night, the sophistication of a vintage Orient Express-like setting and the pleasure of savouring excellent food and fine wine.
An Exclusive Dining Experience
In fact, the idea proved so successful that though a second vintage tram car was recently added (and the price risen!), the reservation list is only growing longer and longer, and an advance booking of several weeks – sometimes months – is usually required, especially for weekend days, special holidays like Valentine's Day or peak business days like the Fashion Weeks.
The Menu
For a set price of 65.00 Euros, guests may choose between two different menus (changing every two weeks). One menu will be meat-based and the other fish-based, each including:
- Hors d'oeuvres
- First course
- Main course with side dish
- Chef's dessert
- Coffee with friandises
Vegetarian options are available by prior arrangement.
Also included are bottled mineral water and one bottle of wine every two guests, chosen from the wine list. Any other drinks are charged separately.
The Itinerary
The ATMosfera tram-restaurant cars run daily except Mondays, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and Easter Sunday. Both ATMosfera1 and ATMosfera2 depart at 8.00 pm every evening from Piazza Castello (line 7 terminus), follow a circular route and return to the same place about two and a half hours later. Guests are kindly requested to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time.
ATMosfera1 and ATMosfera2 follow the same itinerary, but in opposite directions. The route takes diners on a panoramic tour of Milan by night, skirting landmarks such as the Castello Sforzesco, Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Cimitero Monumentale, the Stazione Centrale, La Scala, the Duomo, the Naviglio Grande.
Reservations and Payments
Subject to availability, reservations are taken at least one day in advance (the earlier, the better), and can be made exclusively by phoning the ATM toll-free number 800-80.81.81 (7.30 am to 7.30 pm). Since cancellations must be communicated by 15.30 on the day before the dinner reserved (again, by calling 800-80.81.81), there is a slight chance for last-minute callers.
When booking, please be prepared to state the chosen menu for each person you are booking for, since the limited space available on board requires careful planning.
Payments can be made in cash (no foreign currency) or by credit card directly aboard the tram-restaurant at the end of the meal.
Maddalena Delli - Maddalena Delli is an Italian freelance journalist and professional travel writer who also enjoys blogging, web design and photography.
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