Magical Milano
Where To Stay
Grand Hotel et de Milan
For me, there is only one place to stay and it is the Grand Hotel et de Milan. There is nothing pretentious about it – it is a grand classic, elegant and cozy at the same time. I go there not only for drinks but also for afternoon tea with friends or for work as it is very near my atelier.
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Maison Borella
This is a great hotel in the Navigli area (Milan’s canal district), which is a fun neighborhood with a monthly flea market where lots of visitors – both Milanese and tourists – like to go. The hotel itself is charming – it is decorated with lovely taste and has great suites. The service is impeccable and I love to send my friends there from all over the world.
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Image: Grand Hotel et de Milan
Image: Maison Borella
Where To Eat & Drink
Trattoria della Pesa
I love this place! It is one of the oldest restaurants in Milan. If you want a great risotto al salto, a risotto alla Milanese and a great cotoletta, go to Trattoria della Pesa and you will feel the real Milano! It is a true trattoria – not chichi, as they say in French. It’s very “meat and potatoes” with a great mamma-like touch!
Trattoria del Pescatore
This is, in my opinion, the best fish restaurant in Milan. I love to sit outside when the weather allows, and enjoy fish served in the best Italian ways.
Le Specialità
This is the place for pizza par excellence in Milan… and not only pizza! There are many pizzeria restaurants here, but often the choice of dishes is not wide or balanced. The goal of La Specialità is to welcome you to a place that offers the best level of restaurant and pizzeria at the same time.
Image: Trattoria della Pesa
Image: Le Specialità
What To See
The Crypt and Museum of San Fedele
In the 16th-century Jesuit church of San Fedele, an Art & Faith tour includes the crypt, the sacristy, the Chapel of the Ballet Dancers and a little gallery of paintings and reliquaries, including a collection of artworks dating from the 14th century to the present day. A must-visit when in Milano.
Fondazione Prada
Since 1993, Fondazione Prada’s activities have analysed intentions and relevance through an evolution of projects. These have included “Utopian” monographic artist commissions, contemporary philosophy conferences, research exhibitions and initiatives related to the field of cinema. Active in three permanent venues in Milan and Venice (inaugurated between 2011 and 2016), and (as of 2018) also in three external spaces – in Shanghai, Tokyo and New York – Fondazione Prada offers new opportunities to expand and enrich our learning processes.
Image: The Crypt and Museum of San Fedele
Image: Fondazione Prada
Where To Shop
Peck
This is the best food hall in Milan. Get lost between raviolis, gnocchis, 20 kinds of Parmigiano and different styles of crocchette… just watch out for the scales! This place is a Milanese institution in for food. Once you discover Peck, you never want to go anywhere else.
Mezzanotte for kids
I love this kids’ clothes shop. My three girls loved it too. We used to spend time there on Saturdays after school and it was like going to a party or playing at party dressing.
Osanna Visconti
Osanna is a dear friend and a great interior designer and bronze sculptor. I adore her collection of cast-bronze furniture, which takes its inspiration from nature. I also love her little objects, which make great gifts.
Image: Osanna Visconti
Pictured at her jewel-box of a store in Milan, Coco’s designs are crafted from antique fabrics and vintage trimmings, making every D’Adda piece a luxe one-of-a-kind. Visits by appointment only; contact Alessandra@cocodadda.com
My Secret Spot
Il Cinemino
It is called Il Cinemino (which means small cinema) but it is much more! Il Cinemino is a cultural space, which opened in Milan in February 2018, with a 74-seat screening room and a small bar. A hybrid space, it gives value to screening as a moment of collective entertainment and to cinema as a topic of discussion. This is a place that wants to be a crossroads of culture; a space that changes together with those who want to change it. Access to the bar is free, while for the screening room it is necessary to be a member (simply fill out the form on the membership page).
The bar at Il Cinemino is an open and welcoming place (and not only for cinephiles). It’s perfect for meeting and having a chat. The cinema-inspired environment gives it a timeless touch, and at the counter they offer quality produce – contemporary in taste but embracing the traditions of the Milanese bar. You can enjoy lunch, dinner and aperitifs every day; cocktails range from the classic to those dedicated to cinema (“Shining”, “Caliber 9”…); they do excellent aromatic coffee in various flavours, and conjure fragrant traditional breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings.