You will find Fluffer at the end of a quiet street between Corso Vercelli and via Washington. This particular part of the road is lined with a thick blanket of trees, so if you drive by too fast, chances are you’ll miss it (and that probably adds to the 'secret' appeal of the location).
Once inside Fluffer, you’ll be greeted by soft jazz or mid-century Italian pop music playing in the background and a smiling mixologist standing behind a long bar counter filled with all their lotions and potions.
Once comfortably seated one of the barmen will ask you what you’d like to drink, but they won’t give you a menu.
A conversation will ensue about your liquor preference: dry or sweet? Is there a particular alcohol you prefer such as gin or vodka? Is there something you’d really like to have in your drink - for me that’s usually ginger. On my last visit, however, I wanted something a little more unusual and asked that they use peperoncino (Italian hot pepper).
Their master mixologist, Gianluca Amoni or his apprentice, Andrea, will embark on crafting your tailor-made drink. He may ask for additional information about your preferences, and then he’ll present it to you genuinely asking if you like it.
It’s yet to happen that I didn’t truly enjoy my cocktail. I mean, these drinks firmly rank amongst the best cocktails I’ve had to date. But I’m guessing if you aren't completely in love, they will modify it for you.
Your drink will come with the usual salty bar snacks of peanuts, chips and/or saltines. But, if you go for aperitivo (the Italian equivalent of happy hour) you’ll also get an appealing plate with little bites of yumminess such as specially sourced salami, stuffed dates or hummus, and crudite. The appetizers change weekly, and they occasionally even have a little theme behind them.
Fluffer also reluctantly offers a choice of white or red wine for those who don’t do cocktails, but you would be truly missing out if you didn’t at least try a cocktail first.
Fluffer
Via Elba 30
Milan, Italy
Everyday from 6pm - 2am
Photos courtesy of Fluffer and ME because I managed to convince the hubby to step away from his drink to take a photo of my hands