Hey there,
I love Milano & Milanese! For starters, my husband was born in Milan & couldn’t have a more Milanese name: Gian Galeazzo. At the time, my father-in-law Wladimiro Ganzarolli was a principal singer at La Scala and lived in Milan, so that explains it; I’m just not sure if he was named after the first Duke of Milano – Gian Galeazzo Visconti or the sixth one: Gian Galeazzo Sforza!?.. Either way, it’s really nice having our friends & relatives in Milan, staying in touch with Gian’s uncle Leo and our good friends who live and work in this dynamic city.
It’s also a great honour for me as a singer starting out, to have the support of a distinguished splendid Italian designer Antonio Riva. Spending times together in Milan and during his stays in London is always a treat. I’m delighted that he loves my voice, my style and my cooking:-) ! And whilst I was putting a list of foodie ideas n’ places to visit in Milan, Antonio also gave me few tips, which is great, as there is nothing better than a local person confirming it! I thank you for reading this and do hope you’ll refer to the list below on your next visit to Milano.
For me Milan is underestimated because the beauty of the city is actually hidden away in its courtyards, alleyways and hidden gardens…. Milanese are busy people but I have always found them friendly, correct & yes, very stylish!
Historic centre is full of beautiful architecture like the stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is considered to be one of the world’s oldest shopping malls. The centre of Milan is a great place for shopping or window shopping: check out Quadrilatero d’Oro, Milan’s fashion quarter. Here you will find the Four Seasons hotel on Via Gesù 6, I love its gorgeous courtyard & the interior… www.fourseasons.com/milan
A visit to the main cathedral, majestic Il Duomo is a must as well as booking a time slot to admire Da Vinci’s exquisite The Last Supper / Il Cenacolo at the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. www.vivaticket.it/index.php?nvpg[evento]&id_evento=440312
Of course, Milano is home to La Scala opera house, tickets are not so easy to get, but you might like to take a tour to see this most famous theatre inside/out! http://www.tickitaly.com/exhibitions/milan-la-scala-tour.php http://www.teatroallascala.org/en/you-and-lascala/tourists.html www.teatroallascala.org/en
If you really like shopping & fancy a bargain, there are couple of outlets around Milano, like Il Salvagente in Via Fratelli Bronzetti 16, Tel +39 02 7611 0328 www.salvagentemilano.it Or visit Seravalle, for which you’ll need to take a trip to the region of Piemonte, Via della Moda, 1, 15069 Serravalle Scrivia Alessandria, Tel. +39 0143 609000 www.mcarthurglen.com/it/serravalle-designer-outlet
Milano sales times are: Jan/Feb June/July
Some useful info: www.wordtravels.com/Cities/Italy/Milan
And Now to the part I like most: my list of selected restaurants & foodie places: I’m a firm believer in savouring as much the local stuff where you are, so I have put a number of traditional places as well as more trendy/ fun choices!
Al Girarrosto in via Corso Venezia 31, traditional Milanese cousine at its best. Tel +39 02 76 00 04 81 www.algirarrosto.com
D’O Cornaredo, Via Magenta, 18, San Pietro All’olmo, beautiful & inventive dishes and I really like principal chef Davide Oldani’s ‘Ten Commandments of Cucina POP’ you’ll find on his site! Tel.+39 02 9362209 www.cucinapop.do
Sadler, via Ascanio Sforza, one of Milano’s top restaurants run by the two Michelin chef Claudio Sadler. Tel. +39 02 58104451 www.sadler.it/ristorantesadler
Nobile Bistro de Milan, really great little place for late lunch/brunch or a coffee break.. All dishes are created by chef Claudio Sadler. One of my favourites on offer is a simple, delightful dish: Bresaola con Ricottina fresca di Buffala & Carciofini…. Artichokes, I adore them! Just a short walkaway from Monte Napoleone shops and Antonio Riva’s marvellous wedding Atelier. Corso Venezia, 45. Tel. +39 02 49526592 www.nobilebistro.it
Cracco in Via Victor Hugo 4 , Chef Cracco of Milano, be sure to book in advance & be prepared to spend! Tel. +39 02 876774 www.ristorantecracco.it
Trussardi alla Scala, next to the opera house, fancy & glam 🙂 Tel. +39 02 80688201 www.trussardiallascala.com
Da Giacomo a place founded by Tuscan cook Giacomo Bulleri, offering all kinds of dishes and particularly known for his fish & seafood creations: Via Pasquale Sottocorno ang. Via Cellini, 6, Tel: +39 02 76023313 , +39 02 76024305 www.giacomoristorante.com
BA Asian Mood, obviously the name says it all: I Love their interior, with exposed brickwork & radiant red lighting features; the food: the mains are ok, but this place has great starters & best ever mixed Chinese veg. -> excellent! .. Beautiful tray of dolci & deserts on offer are from the German master of sweet things Enst Knam! www.eknam.com/it/ristoranti Via Carlo Ravizza 10, Tel. +39 02 46 93 206 ; Cell. +39 340 68 91 623 www.ba-restaurant.com
Nobu Milano is located in Armani store, good stuff, but I felt London NOBU restaurants have more to offer, still if you fancy some Japanese, head to: ViaPisoni 1; Tel+39.02.623.12645 www.noburestaurants.com/milan
Arirang Korean Family Restaurant is a curious little place run by a Korean couple; the wife, who is a former opera singer does a beautiful job cooking traditional dishes and her husband, who will serve you is a real character, very direct, which I like, he will make sure you get a balanced, healthy meal.. Be sure to book a table at this place, which is located in: Via Raffaello Sanzio 16. Tel: +39 02 4851 8656 & +39 3478 377905 www.arirang.it
Dolce & Gabbana Gold, that is if you want modern & trendy, this is the place to book in: stylish & very D&G! Via Carlo Poerio 2/A Piazza Risorgimento, Tel: + 39 0275 77 771 www.dolcegabbana.com/gold
Don Carlos, after Verdi’s ‘Don Carlo’, owners are big opera lovers and is a regular place with artists.. This restaurant serves traditional Italian dishes is located close to La Scala: Via Manzoni, 29, Grand Hotel et de Milan Tel. +39 02 72314640 www.ristorantedoncarlos.it
Giannino, popular trattoria Giannino exists from 1899! Traditional Milanese… the best Cotoletta Milanese! However, according to friend’s recent visit, not really the best service, I was sorry to hear this and I’m not sure I’ll be keeping them on my list in the times to come… Via Vittor Pisani 6, Milan 20124, Tel.+39 02 66986998 www.giannino.it
Aimo e Nadia, for some this is really the best restaurant in Milan… Yes, I must say it was very good, maybe a touch overpriced 😉 (Apparently, Abromovich & friends once had lunch that cost him 46,000 euro!?) and hey, I wanted to wash my hands & they don’t have a hot water tap in the bathrooms– haha! However, you can find it in the area Bande Nere: Via Raimondo Montecuccoli 6, Tel: +39 02 416886 www.aimoenadia.com
My favourite central cafes/ pasticerie are:
Cova, Via Montenapoleone 8, located in the hottest designers/boutiques street, a visit to Cova is a must. And I always try get our Christmas Panettone from them, as believe after having tried so many, Cova does have the best recipe in the world! www.pasticceriacova.it
Sant Ambroeus,
Corso Matteotti 7, how I love their window display and wild strawberry tartlets, mmm… You don’t have to sit down, having a drink & staying at the bar is much for fun: take a marochino (kind of mini cappuccino invented in Milan) and watch the very fashionable crowd of Milan’s elegant historic centre. www.santambroeusmilano.it
And of course, gelato !! My husband & I are big gelato fans:
Do visit our good friends Simone and Hellen @
Gelateria Baci Sottozero / Nato in Itali’:
18 Piazzale Siena, Milano 20146
www.bacisottozero.com
All for now as I’m getting hungry! Shall add to the list as I discover new places :-)… And do let me have your feedback…
Love Lola
xXx
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