Caffè Milano

Caffè Milano is The Union Group's Italian brand, modelled on the all-day trattorias of Milan and northern Italy. The kitchen is run by Bergamo-born chef Luca Pezzera, who uses some of his own family's recipes. The PIK Avenue branch is bright and busy, with a bar that keeps going until midnight.

The pastas that are finished at the table in a 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano wheel are the ones most people order: spaghetti carbonara, homemade tagliatelle with porcini and tiger prawns, or the porcini risotto. Elsewhere on the menu are homemade black-ink tagliolini with Lombok blue swimmer crab, radiatori all'amatriciana with guanciale, angel hair with black truffle, and the Milano pizza with porcini, pancetta and egg. From the charcoal grill, the wagyu tagliata is the big-ticket choice, and the tiramisu is a safe finish.

It suits relaxed dinners for two or groups who want wine and cocktails with their pasta, and the late hours help after a film or a long day. There is also a weekday lunch package and a happy hour. Pork appears on the menu. A second branch is in the East Mall of Grand Indonesia, Central Jakarta.