Balancing Richness and Brightness in the Milanese

A Northern Italian classic gets a modern update in the Costoletta alla Milanese at Clementina, an Italian trattoria offering a 100 percent gluten-free menu. Rooted in tradition but thoughtfully adapted for today’s diners, the dish centers on a butterflied pork chop, pounded thin, dipped in seasoned egg wash and coated in gluten-free breadcrumbs blended with crushed gluten-free taralli (Italian crackers) for added crunch.

The result is deeply golden and satisfyingly crispy, with a lighter finish than might be expected. Served with red cabbage and a honey-Dijon dressing, the plate balances richness with brightness, allowing the clean flavor of the pork and the toasted notes of the crust to stand out.

“Our Costoletta alla Milanese draws inspiration from one of the most iconic dishes of Northern Italy,” says co-owner Viviana Devoto. “Authentic, traditional, convivial—this is the kind of dish made for sharing.” That sense of familiarity and geniality is central to its appeal, transforming a straightforward cutlet into a centerpiece-style experience. The dish also defies expectations around gluten-free cooking. “We discovered that frying with gluten-free ingredients delivers sublime results,” Devoto says. “Guests who are gluten-free can order this without a second thought, and everyone else won’t know the difference.”

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