Milan is a city caught in between its international aspirations and it's pure Italian cultural background. Being cut from the same cloth as other more picturesque Italian towns but having experienced a fierce expansion from the 60's onwards, Milan's beauty shows only to those in the know. Here are a few spots that will get you closer to discovering the "real" Milan:
RESTAURANTS:
DA GIACOMO: It’s one of the most famous restaurants in Milan and its prestige is well deserved. Here you can taste the freshest seafood and fish. For more casual and still outstanding dinners try the Da Giacomo Bistro next door.
CANTINA DELLA VETRA: This Milanese "Trattoria" is a place for connoisseurs. Money well spent given the genuine menu based on the highest quality ingredients and the amazing wine list selection. Book in advance, conosseurs are many more than this restaurant can welcome especially during the weekend.
DA BICE: a homely place that experienced international travellers visit every time they come to town. Perfect for a business meal or a dinner with friends.
DA GIANNO: home to AC Milan football players and managers, it blends friendly service and exclusive ambience, not to mention very good food with seasonal specialities.
ARMANI NOBU: Japanese food in Milan is not to die for and - signature dishes aside - Nobu is no exception to the rule. But this is no regular sushi place and its location at the bottom of the Armani Building (soon to be Armani Hotel) makes it a one-of-a-kind experience. Here you can be part of the real Milan VIP "scene" including football players, TV stars, musicians and wannabe famous people.
NIGHT CLUBS:
Milan eats better than it dances and there's a general lack of world-class spots with top notch service. Nevertheless some great option are still available for those who are properly introduced and good news is that people are G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. everywhere!
ARMANI/PRIVE: designed to reflect "King" Giorgio's personal vision of how a club should be, this lower ground gem is the undefeated champion of Milan's nightlife thanks to a merciless door selection, Armani's famous attention to the tiniest details and all but seldom visits by its young-forever founder. Best nights are Wednesday and Saturday. Table reservation is the only reliable option to make it in but top nights go sold out days in advance so best to rely on insiders for a ticket to Milan's finest night spot.
JUST CAVALLI: just like Armani/Prive this restaurant and club reflect the unique style of fashion designer Roberto Cavalli and his way of conceiving club experience. Leopard print pillows, multicolor lights and black leather sofas demand an aggressive look by all guests and a grand party mood. Gorgeous both outdoors during the summer and in the crystal and steel bubble of the winter location this club is filled with models, VIPs and international party people every single night. Go on Thursday for the aperitivo and on Friday for the best party experience. Book in advance, door selection takes no prisoners.
HOLLYWOOD: just like the fog that wraps Milan in a cold hug on many winter mornings, you will never explain yourself the reason for the existence of this club but sure enough you'll have to deal with it soon or late. Most favored by drunk models for one last dance and the police department for one more inspection, it stays open late and it hosts wild party nights especially in the VIP area at the back of the club. Best night is Sunday but a good option every night for the after party.
CIRCLE LOUNGE: this is not a club but rather a bar/restaurant that turns into a great party spot on selected nights. Circle is the go-to-place on Tuesday when it gets super packed and loud, thanks to an amazing music selection and smoking hot people. Free entrance, best served between 12am and 2am preferably with a side of super hot models.
PLASTIC: every year around January rumors spread about Plastic closing forever at the end of spring and sure enough every September Plastic opens again for another glorious season.
AND 5 THINGS TO DO TO BE ONE OF THE MILANO's:
EARLY NIGHT APERITIVO: between 6pm and 9pm almost all cocktail bars offer a free buffet - some just tarts and cold hors d'ouvres but many also hot dishes like pasta and meat - and discounted prices for cocktails. The "aperitivo" tradition can be the happy ending of a long working day or the beginning of a long happy night. In any case it is a Milanese specialty that everybody enjoys at least once a week, especially from Wednesday to Saturday.
DRINKING ON THE STREET Milanese may be fashionable and snob but they also have a special passion for gathering in large groups and drinking on the streets regardless of the outside temperature. Radical chic choose Spanish winery "La Tasca" for a glass of "vino tinto" on the sidewalk facing San Lorenzo's church; fashion victims kill time outside of "Bar Straf" right next to the Duomo and sip Negroni while talking about the next killer trends; local bourgeois stand outside of Radetsky at the north end of Corso Garibaldi guzzling mojitos and waiting for the residents upstairs to complain about the unbearable noise down at curb level. Pick your spot and spot the crowd that you could belong to, the more the merrier!
LATE NIGHT SNACK (or very early morning breakfast): after the party there's the after party but what follows the after party? Late night snacks of course. No matter if at the truck deli parked outside of the club or at the famous "Princi" bakery on Corso Como, someone may leave the party empty handed but nobody goes home with an empty belly.
CHOOSE YOUR TEAM: popular entertainment in Italy might easily be narrowed down to pretty much one thing: football. And in Milan this can only mean two things: you're either one of "us" or one of "them". A.C. Milan's "Rossoneri" and F.C. Inter's "Neroazzurri" share a stadium and divide a city so pick your team, wear your colors, choose your seat and enjoy the show. Tickets to games at the San Siro stadium are available online and at several points of sale in the city but main games go sold out days in advance so better plan ahead of time not to miss the action!
CAPPUCCINO E BRIOCHE: this is the simple breakfast formula of most Italians and Milanese as well. Enjoy the perfect making of an authentic cappuccino with fresh croissants in the amazing tea room of Peck near Duomo, stand with wealthy ladies and even wealthier executives at the Cova's bar on Via Montenapoleone or taste the best pastries at Sissi near Piazza Risorgimento.BOUTIQUE HOTELS:
BVLGARI: right in the heart of Brera, this luxury hotel sports gorgeous rooms, attentive service and an understated yet super chic restaurant with bar. Luxe comes at a (high) price, but brunch and summer garden are priceless treats everybody should indulge to.
TOWN HOUSE GALLERIA: this 7 star hotel offers a dedicated service that will make you feel like the city is in your hands day and night.
3 ROOMS at 10 Corso Como: this all-suites hotel made of 3 rooms only is as exclusive as a Milanese fashion party and as tailored made as the best Italian suit.
MOSCHINO HOTEL: located near the Center of Milan's nightlife, Best feature is the "Clandestino" restaurant, directed by a highly regarded Italian chef.
OTHER HOTELS:
PRINCIPE DI SAVORIA: 5* hotel favored by Arabic, Russian and american clients for its ample rooms and high service level. During fashion week its "Principe Bar" is where you have to sit to chat with all fashion editors and VIPs in town.
WESTIN PALACE: 5*L hotel right in front of Principe Di Savoia. Big rooms upstairs and comfortable bar downstairs. Cigar room at the back of the bar is the go-to-place when you need some time alone with an aged scotch and a seasoned Cuban friend.
FOUR SEASONS: let alone that the name itself guarantees for its absolute excellence, Milan's chapter of this renowned chain is in the "Quadrilatero Della Moda", the area where all luxury boutiques are located.
CARLTON BAGLIONI
After enjoying the city to the fullest and having become a true Milanese don't forget the helicopter taxi waits for you on the top of the building to take you to Malpensa airport in a handful of minutes (versus 60/90 minutes of commonly motorized mortals). Just like Milan you have your own unique style, no?
http://www.TeamSpainNYC.com
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