This is the TAO or Sushi Samba of Milan. No big buddhas or expansive dining rooms, but the concept is the same. Japanese meets Brazilian, low light and exclusive atmosphere with a see and be scene crowd.

But the food does not disappoint. You don’t realize you have been eating mediocre sushi until you have good sushi and at Finger’s, it’s amazing. From the appetizers to the main courses, you cant order wrong. Order a lot, share and expect a high price tag. But it is worth it!

If you are into street art and graffiti than you need to look no further than right outside your window most likely because the side of most buildings and walls in milan is covered in ink. It it’s own right, it is considered art and the Don gallrey here in Milan is as they say ” a specific place dedicated to urban art, graffiti, surrealism and lowbrow.”

The shows change constantly and it is a totally different place than what you may be into.  Go check it out if you are in the area.

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!

Owned by the same people who own Gnocco Fritto on the Navigli, but so different and so good! They do serve gnocco fritto as a starter, but go to their sister restaurant for that (where it is perfected by the ambiance). This restaurant is about the pastas and the steaks which are amazingly good. You virtually can’t order wrong and you will want to come back so you can try other things.

The atmosphere is upscale but relaxed… meaning elegant but not fancy. It is just that the lighting is just right, the staff is accomodating and you will have a nice romantic dinner without being in such a fancy place.

A little out of the center… but the best food for price usually are.

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This is a no frills, informal restaurant with good food at really reasonable prices. First you need to reserve a table in advance because it books quickly. Once you are seated, the owner will verbally tell you what is on the menu to choose from- it is nothing fancy and she will tell you at lightning speed expecting you already know what you want. Basically it is prosciutto to start,  pasta with choices of sauce and then a secondi of meat with polenta. And tiramisu for dessert and house wine of course.

The food is from the Friuli region, and all home made and great. Basically they spend their time perfecting the food and not the atmosphere. But it’s all locals, so that too makes it authentically good!

Tel: 02 58309604‎

Going on right now at Palazzo della Ragione (right behind the Duomo) is a photography exhibit of famed film director Stanley Kubrick.

Little people know that besides being a great director, he was also a photographer and worked for look magazine in NYC after the Second World War (at only 17 years old). The photographs are displayed in two sections, and are all from the period he worked at Look: 1945-1950. It is an exhibit not to miss because the 200 images are mostly unpublished and printed from the original negatives themselves … which means never before seen by the public!

Hours: Monday 2:30pm to 7:30pm, Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am to 7:30pm and Thursday 9:30am to 10:30pm.

Until July 4th

If you have eaten at Luca e Andrea or stopped by drinks, you know its great food in a low key atmosphere and fun. Recently, the restaurant owners opened a sister restaurant only a few doors down. The aim seems to make this place more of a restaurant and less of a trattoria. Same low key atmosphere and great food, but a little on the pricier side. Not much, but enough.

They have an outdoor seating area and doors that open the whole front out to the street which is pretty awesome. So go when the weather is nice and make sure to have dinner outside looking over the canal and lively Navigli.

Tel: 02 89415771

As the Salone del Mobile winds down this weekend, make sure you visit Zona Tortona and some of the galleries and exhibits that are going on around the whole area. There are events all over the city from Triennale to the Brera district to Fiera Milano. It is an exciting time jammed with people.

But if you are looking to shop furniture and want some established places in Milan, FLOS and KARTELL are two must visit places in the city.

FLOS was founded in 1962 by Dino Gavina and Cesare Cassina, in a vision to produce modern lighting. It has since grown to an international success and some of the most pretigious designers in the world are designing exclusively for their line. Their show room is Milan is pretty unique.

KARTELL on the other hand uses “Made in Italy” as its inspiration to create high design furniture using new materials.

What is nice about Esperides is the atmosphere and the fact that the waitstaff is very much greek. You walk into a restaurant and are transformed to the island blue and white.

The waiters a little aloof, but you don’t expect 5 star service in Greece, so why would you in Milan. The food is all very good, but the portions are small unfortunately, especially the mezes and limited. But order a lot, sample and don’t worry about over ordering.

All in all, the restaurant is a place to go if crave Greek. It is lively and you will leave wanting to go to the islands.

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It is always a quest in Milan to find the best aperitivo bar in terms of good food vs good atmosphere. You can add Globe now to your list. Listed in many sites as the biggest aperitivo spread in Milan- this is not apparently true, but it does have a diverse of good quality food which you certainly dont find everywhere.

The space is expansive- its on the top floor of COIN department store, you you can imagine. But it is modern and packed. They save half the space or more for people dining at the restaurant, so either book a table, go early, or grab a drink and book a table for dinner. They have views over the city that is nice as it begins to be summer in Milan.

Try it out, because in terms of aperitivos, the do a good job.

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