FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS Archive

TAD Concept Store

Published: April 28, 2010Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, gifts and home, storesTags:

TAD concept store is a place you must put on your must go to stores in Milan. You can find things for your home, gifts, clothes and everything in between. Rolls of fabric. big ottomans, vases, candles, bed linens, bags and on and on. All on sale up to 70% off. So you can buy a huge hang made glass vase for 50 euro from over 200. There are three floors of minimalist, high design objects from furniture to small accessories.

Apparently there is also one in Rome, but definitely go here in Milan, and go often because the inventory is constantly changing!

Blue Note Jazz Club

Published: March 10, 2010Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, bar, brunch, cultureTags:

If you have been to the legendary Blue Note jazz club in NYC, then you already know of its location also here in Milano. But for those who don’t know, Blue Note is a jazz club in the city that offers live music six days a week, dinner and an expansive drink menu.

It is the first location that Blue Note has in Europe, so just from that, it is bound to be great. Musicians from around the world come here to play. The ambiance is just right of a jazz club, the music is fantastic and its something new to do in the city if you haven’t yet been!

They also serve sunday brunch- a fun way to spend your sunday afternoon!

Website

37, Via Borsieri Tel: +39 02 69016888

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Cooking lesson at Il Caminetto

Published: December 10, 2009Posted in: Day Trips, FAVORITE PLACES/THINGSTags:

North of the town of Varenna, on lake como, at the top of a windy hillside is the 8-generation family run restaurant Il Caminetto. Here, chef Moreno offers one day cooking lessons inside his charming restaurant that is rich in history and charisma.

Chef Moreno is passionate about food, about his Italian culture and about showing you how to prepare some of the best dishes in Italy. What is prepared depends on the day and what the chef wants to make. When you call to reserve a space, if you want, you can suggest what you would like to see prepared- wether it be risotto, or a specific pasta. The class in enjoyable, you will learn to make pasta from scratch and be inspired by the dishes prepared. You will learn the techniques in cooking certain dishes and get hands on practice all in a fun atmosphere.
In addition, the owners are incredibly accommodating. They will pick you up from the train station, will offer suggestions on accommodations in the area and offer help on anything else you may need.

If you are looking for a cooking lesson in Italy but do not want to take an extensive course, this is the perfect option. Call ahead and see if you can go on off season so there is less people and you get a more hands on experience.

http://www.ilcaminettoonline.com/lezioni_e.html

viale Progresso 4 – 23828 Gittana di Perledo (Lc) – Phone no. +39 0341 815225 / 0341 815127

Day Trip- Monteviasco

Published: November 19, 2009Posted in: Day Trips, FAVORITE PLACES/THINGSTags:

About 2 hours from Milan is this little town situated at the top of a mountain so isolated that you need to take a cable car to get to it (or a 45 minute hike).

There isn’t much to this town, just stunning views and a place so old it will make you want to explore for hours. There also aren’t many inhabitants in this town and are only 2 restaurants, so you really feel like you are discovering some place really special. And old!! You rarely see anything so old and in tact and quite amazing.

The restaurants in this town serve up typical mountain fare, but some of the best you have ever had. Make sure to spend a lot of time at lunch and order up a meal for a king. Trattoria il Camoscio serve pastas that melt in your mouth and are so incredibly good!! And the meats are so tender and fresh. Basically it is the meal you are expecting when visiting a small town in Italy- amazing food, family run, lively atmosphere, and the restaurant staff who know what they are doing. There is no frills, no nonsense and no complaining. Order anything because it will be one of the best meals and remembered and talked about.

And after lunch, take a walk. Explore the town, take some pictures and experience the outdoors. The air is clean, and you won’t believe you were in Milan that same morning. The drive to monteviasco are gorgeous, so take your time and leave early from Milan for a wonderful, unrushed day!

Know before you go:

If coming from Milan, map it out before you leave. You wither have to go through Switzerland for a little (and have to pay their 30 euro road tax) or you go a longer way. But plan it out, otherwise it takes forever to get there

Make sure you look at the cable car timetable before you go. There is one at 12, 12:30 but the next one doesn’t leave until 2.

Restaurant:

Trattoria il Camoscio

tel: 0332.573366

from december-march, open saturday and sunday only

Cable car: 7 euro round trip timetable

il salvagente outlet in Milano

Published: September 28, 2009Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, fashion, storesTags:

If you have been to the outlets outside of Milano, you realize how people can be so well dressed and afford to have money left over to live. Italy is known for it’s outlets and some even come just for the shopping, but sometimes you don’t have the time to go so far, especially if you may come back empty handed. Outlet shopping is so hit or miss that its nice to have places in your backyard.

Since 1978 Il Salvagente has been selling designer clothes to the Milanese and visitors of the city. West of Porta Romana, it is easily accessible by public transportation, so you can stop by during your lunch break or on the way home.

This outlet doesn’t just sell designer clothes, it sells designer clothes that you would want to wear and clothing that you can’t believe they are selling at that price. From Prada to Pucci, so many high designers are here at half price or less. There are not many shoes, but they have a whole back room of jeans and the front room is dedicated to high fashion.

For a dress to a black tie event or a skirt for work, you can find it here. Like all, it’s hit or miss, but when you hit it, it will make your day!

www.salvagentemilano.it

Address: via fratelli Bronzetti, 16

Tel: 02 76 11 03 28

Ennji Store

Published: September 23, 2009Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, fashion, jewelry, storesTags:

There are some places that you come across that you either want to immediately tell all your friends about or you want to keep for yourself in order to not overexpose it. This is one of those places.

Right up the road from Porta Genova station, Ennji is a small store easy to walk past, but if you are window browsing, it’s a definite place you would stop into. The store is a small space, but it is packed with things, from fun jewelry to bags to clothes, and so you can browse for a while. Everything is one of a kind, which means that there is only one of each style of clothing, making hundred of options, but if it is not your size, too bad and move on.

The price range is more than reasonable. Sweaters at 45 euro, dresses at 90 euro, leather jackets at 200 euro. All price ranges, but most items are in the 45-90 price range which making shopping so much more fun.

Not much else is better than finding a store with cool one of a kind clothing at prices that you get at mass produced stores like Zara.

So next time you are around Porta Genova, stop by and take a look.

WEBSITE

No credit cards accepted. Cash or Bancomat.

Address:

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Rinascente Design Supermarket.

Published: August 9, 2009Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, fashion, gifts and home, storesTags:

Rinascente really outdid itself this time around. The department store itself is one amazing place where it epitomizes the high fashion and luxury that Milan stands for. But the opening of the Design Supermarket in la Rinascente flagship store next to the Duomo, will make you once again impressed with the store. Walk through the perfume section, past Tom Ford and under Loius Vuitton and directly to the escalator that will bring you down, and get ready to be awed.

The space is absolutely beautiful and the inventory is equally so. You can browse here for hours. From the fashion and architecture books through the isles of high design home goods to the side rooms specific to a theme, this “supermarket’ is amazing. Give yourself a while to really appreciate all that is there and take some time to just browse.

Many of the quirky things from the upstairs has moved down here, and so there are things for everyone at every price range. Stop quickly for a coffee in the center café or a quick bite in between shopping.

Design Supermarket at La Rinascente

Piazza Duomo
tel. +39 02 88521

Vanessa Amalia Jewelry

Published: July 20, 2009Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, fashion, gifts and home, jewelryTags:

Milano may be a city with high design and high fashion, but so is NYC. Therefore, there is an exception made to feature VanessaAmalia jewelry. She may not be

an Italian designer, and this site is everything Milano, but the internet is virtual, and it makes the two cities one in its own (well… sort of).

All hand made from her studio in NYC, the jewelry of VanessaAmalia is totally unique and certainly you will find nothing like it in Milan. Made from silver and gold, the line has so many different pieces that it is easy to find something for anyone, or a lot for yourself.

Take note of the stacking rings in gold with an array of stones (from diamonds to sapphires) that are pictured above, because they are awesome. There is also a line of good luck charms which will brighten anyones day, because quite frankly everyone needs a little more luck and good fortune in their lives.

Check out the site VanessaAmalia to see all the designs. Also make note that the prices range from inexpensive upward, and everything is of high quality. Her jewelry is

only in stores across the United States, but the beauty of online is that you can have anything shipped to Milano or anywhere you may be.

So before the August holidays start, order something from VanessaAmalia to accessorize your outfits, or buy a gift for whomever you may be traveling or visiting. You will be glad you did so.

www.vanessaamalia.com

Bellagio in Lake Como

Published: July 16, 2009Posted in: Day Trips, FAVORITE PLACES/THINGSTags:

If you visited the beautiful town of Stresa on lago Maggiore from last week, then this week, take your car and visit Bellagio. Situated in the nook where the lake splits, Bellagio is famous for its name, but before it became a Las Vegas institution, it became famous for its beauty and has remained more upscale than its neighbors.

In Bellagio, it’s all about the views. The gardens and the views. Here are a few suggestions on what to do:

The many gardens and Villas of Bellagio, including villa Melzi D’Eril : built in the early 1800’s for Duke Francesco Melzi D’Eril, (associate of Napoleon). The views are beautiful, but you cant go inside unfortunately.
Take a boat ride around the island. Possibly stop and explore the towns of Verenna or Menaggio.
Explore the town of Bellagio and the quaint stores and then explore through the windy streets and small passageways up and through the many steps.
Walk from town along the water to the exact point where the lake splits. You can have lunch here in a totally relaxing and peaceful setting.
And finally, visit one of the enotecas in town (Enoteca Cava Turacciolo for example is fabulous).

Bellagio is a small town, but there are many things to do (more that’s what’s listed above). Every time you go, you will explore new things and rediscover the beauty of this place. So if you have already been, go again, and if you have never been, it’s a must see place in Italy.

Lago Maggiore

Published: July 10, 2009Posted in: Day Trips, FAVORITE PLACES/THINGSTags:

Lago Maggiore is often overlooked by the name recognition of its Como neighbor. Perhaps because it’s harder to get to on public transportation, or who really know, but this weekend if you have a spare day, take a visit because its beyond gorgeous and its only about an hour away!

Stresa is half way up the west side of the lake, perfectly manicure, perfectly peaceful and a must see. What you can do:

Take a cable car up Mottarone (4000 ft) and enjoys views of the other lakes as well as the Alps.
Take a ferry ride to one of the islands: Isola Bella (to explore 17^th century Borromeo Palace), Isola Madre, or Isola pescatore.
Visit the villa Taranto Gardens or the 19^th century Villa Pallavicino
And then soak up the sun in one of the rocky beach areas after lunch in the square.

To be able to jump in your car in the middle of Milano and be in such a beautiful place only an hour later is a privilege that not many have. Don’t let it go to waste. Enjoy your exploration and enjoy the lakes!

more information:

official tourism site of Lago Maggiore

tourism site for Stresa