Let’s toast to a prosperous 2012!
Posted: December 31, 2011 Filed under: Wines & spirits Leave a commentI do not have anything against French Champagne. Anyhow, in a few hours I will welcome 2012 by toasting with an excellent Barone Pizzini spumante (sparkling wine) from Franciacorta, the Capital of Italian sparkling wine at less than one hour drive from Milan! Sublime bubbles to make a wish or more than one… Bubbles and bubbles to frame your special moments!…
Let’s toast to a happy and prosperous 2012! Cheers!
An incredible grappa to warm your Holiday Season!
Posted: December 30, 2011 Filed under: Wines & spirits Leave a commentChristmas time. Italian Alps. It is now snowing… Quite a beautiful landscape with white all over. And it is cold. For this Festive season I recommend sipping an incredible barrique grappa combined to its chocolate! The Veneto region is a grappa landmark and Bonollo represents quite a high standard. I particularly love the Bonollo “Of” barrique grappa made with Amarone grapes. There is nothing better to warm you up after a delicious dinner, for example.
And Amarone Coccole chocolates are the icing on the cake!
Now I feel really spoiled!
Grab THIS very sandwich!
Posted: December 29, 2011 Filed under: Food and drinks Leave a commentIt is not difficult to make a sandwich. Just take two slices of bread and garnish it with anything you want. In Italy, one of our most common sandwiches ever is what we call toast: two slices of toasted bread filled with ham and cheese. If in a Bar you ask for a toast, this is what you normally get:
Now… I tell you where to find my favourite toast here in Milan. At Pasticceria San Carlo in via Bandello, in Corso Magenta area (the place itself is one of the best Patisserie in town, not only for its sandwiches…). It is really mouth-watering: so tasty, so soft, so delicious! It seems like it treasures a secret recipe… but apparently there is not… The secret is merely about exquisite ingredients, so far!
Try it and let me know!
Truly from Florence
Posted: December 23, 2011 Filed under: Fashion accessories Leave a commentA brand new temptation in the heart of Florence! Quite hard to resist the trendy beauty accessories that you find by Emanuela Biffoli shop in Via dei Rondinelli. Extremely cute Biffoli handbags, home accessories, make up, as well as a line of products and fashion accessories for men. Also, the exquisite chocolate beauty products by Sensation Chocolat Paris (that I adore, and finally also in Florence by this beautiful shop!). This and so much more, at very interesting prices too!
Burning flame…
Posted: December 21, 2011 Filed under: Homeware Leave a commentAre you all set with your Christmas gifts? Not yet?… If you like candles, you cannot miss an iconic place here in Milan which has been producing candles for almost a century, so far. Ceratina (literally “little wax”) is a traditional Milanese shop that boasts dozens of different types of candles. I personally go crazy for the total white varnished sphere which is milky and creamy to my eyes and to my senses! Candles that come in different shapes and shades to satisfy all tastes. What about a scented candle to spice your Christmas up!
Like a juicy apple...
Sailing can’t be easier…
Posted: December 21, 2011 Filed under: Antiques Leave a commentIf you think about, modern science can’t exist without the true calculus and the observation of natural phenomena. Mankind has always desired to know and to explore the world, to be able to measure distances, the length of buildings, the container’s capacity, the weight of goods and at least the measurement of time…
There is a delightful place in downtown Milan, Antik, which reveals a fascinating world made of collectibles like ships in the bottle, antique nautical models, measuring instruments, antique levels, old astronomical instruments like antique globes, planetaria or orreries antique telescopes, beautiful armillary spheres, as well as old maps of the two hemispheres coming from past centuries. Also, nautical instruments and maritime antiques (still perfectly working!), going along the stages of the scientific progress, through the contribution that voyagers gave to the acquaintance of planet Earth, all mechanical milestones, strictly original and certified. Like the one featured below!
Panettone: which is your favourite?
Posted: December 16, 2011 Filed under: Food and drinks Leave a commentIt is not Christmas without Panettone or without Pandoro (the Veronese answer to Milanese Panettone. I love it too!). It is true that Panettone was born in Milan. It is also true that there are now Panettoni produced all over Italy, not only. How can you establish which one is the best? It is hard to say… since many of them are really excellent! I have grown up with Panettone: every single Christmas time has very much to do with it! Sometimes you are loyal to one brand for years, sometimes you enjoy a real Panettone hunting to determine the best. After having savoured lots of slices (well, I cannot say hundreds or maybe yes!…) of Panettone throughout these years, I came to the conclusion that my favourite is Panettone Muzzi. For the third consecutive Christmas I will celebrate my festive season with Panettone Muzzi! It is not from Milan (sorry!), it is not from Verona either. It is produced in the province of Perugia. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S-L-Y mouth-watering!!!
Which is your favourite?
Yummi yummi...
...
Gloves have a name!
Posted: December 16, 2011 Filed under: Fashion accessories Leave a commentIn Milan, if you say “gloves” I say “Alpo“! Tradition, quality, à la page and super convenience! All of this directly at the outlet in Via Bandello, 4 (just a few minutes walking from “The Last Supper” by Leonardo). At the outlet you find numerous types of beautiful gloves to match any occasion, for men and women. Not only: an interesting selection of men shirts, scarves, hats and sweaters is also available. At quite discounted prices… which is not bad at all, these days…
A warm Christmas gift...
...Not bad...
The childhood in you!
Posted: December 16, 2011 Filed under: Design Leave a commentThe first time I saw the Saily lamp I felt like… a ten years old little girl! Suddenly back to my childhood… when I used to make this kind of things with the pages of my notebooks… Congratulations to the designers: two Milanese architects, Mr. Pagani and Mr. Perversi who grant us great emotions and great objects for our house! I found it at Skitsch, my favourite Design shop in downtown Milan! After all, this design mecca is a “gift guarantee”: as soon as you get in, you find yourself in the middle of hundreds of cute, great First Class design solutions! …And you get out with your authentic piece of Design…
I love it!
This is more than a chocolate cake!
Posted: December 13, 2011 Filed under: Food and drinks Leave a commentI go crazy for chocolate! Chocolate bars, hot chocolate, dark chocolate and the Florentine Torta Pistocchi (Pistocchi cake)! If you happen to be in Florence, don’t miss a visit to the Pistocchi workshop, 10 minutes by taxi from downtown. Torta Pistocchi is a mere tribute to chocolate… and chocolate lovers! Each bite of this cake is about pure love and passion for chocolate! Thank you, Claudio Pistocchi (and family)! Thank you for making this sublime masterpiece on daily basis! Well, Torta Pistocchi now comes in eight versions. My favourite, however, is the original one! Don’t get me wrong: all Pistocchi products are outstanding! …Anyhow, can you please save a slice for me?…
Mouth-watering...
Even the box is not bad at all...
Cristina's blog 