Love gelato? Coming to Milan?
On a cross street of Corso Sempione, so a bit off the beaten path, but still in Milan's center: "Il Massimo del gelato" at Castelvetro 18.
VERY thick. VERY creamy. VERY tasty.
If not THE best gelato I've ever had, it certainly belongs in the top two.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Hungry at the Stazione Centrale in Milan?
Rescue is in sight, a supermarket has returned to the Stazione Centrale in Milan (yeah!).
Same place as before (underground floor, on the extreme left when exiting from the metro), but this time, both practical and offering SAPORI & DINTORNI products, good for gifts, too.
Yeah!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Want a suggestion for Valentine's Day weekend? AgruMi, 14-15 February, Parco Sempione
Here comes the weekend, again. With or without kids, you still could plan something to do. Even better if it is not only fun and interesting, but also beautiful and (shudder) healthy!
AgruMi,...More...
...the exhibit and sale of citrus plants has reached its 4th edition, already.
A little bit of history (from where did citrus plants arrive in Europe, and when?), a little bit of natural beauty (the lovely plants themselves and artistic reproductions), a little bit of shopping (got a terrace or balcony? Buy one for home), and--for the kidlets--didactic play time (careful! Reservations are necessary for the kiddie activities, hours slightly different from opening times).
All in Italian, of course, but looking, smelling and tasting are universal, and the wit behind the name is fun, too. In case you don't read Italian, "agrumi" is the Italian word for citrus, while "Mi" is taken, of course, from "Milan."
Take your sweetheart...it's Valentine's Day weekend.
AgruMi
Palazzo Appiani, on the via Elvezia side of Parco Sempione, near the Arena
Saturday, February 14th, from noon to 6 P.M.
Sunday, February 15th, from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Adults: E. 6.50
Reduced (including FAI members and kids from 4 to 14 years of age): E. 4.00
tel. +39-02.7634.0121
fainecchi@fondoambiente.it
Enjoy!
AgruMi,...More...
...the exhibit and sale of citrus plants has reached its 4th edition, already.
A little bit of history (from where did citrus plants arrive in Europe, and when?), a little bit of natural beauty (the lovely plants themselves and artistic reproductions), a little bit of shopping (got a terrace or balcony? Buy one for home), and--for the kidlets--didactic play time (careful! Reservations are necessary for the kiddie activities, hours slightly different from opening times).
All in Italian, of course, but looking, smelling and tasting are universal, and the wit behind the name is fun, too. In case you don't read Italian, "agrumi" is the Italian word for citrus, while "Mi" is taken, of course, from "Milan."
Take your sweetheart...it's Valentine's Day weekend.
AgruMi
Palazzo Appiani, on the via Elvezia side of Parco Sempione, near the Arena
Saturday, February 14th, from noon to 6 P.M.
Sunday, February 15th, from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Adults: E. 6.50
Reduced (including FAI members and kids from 4 to 14 years of age): E. 4.00
tel. +39-02.7634.0121
fainecchi@fondoambiente.it
Enjoy!
Friday, November 28, 2014
In Milan? Do something sweet...for yourself, friends, family, and for sufferers of Aspergers, beginning Dec. 1st
The "Casa del pane 1921" ('The House of Bread 1921') at Humanitar/Umanitaria already helps out people in need by giving jobs and training to people with intellectual difficulties. So, that's brownie point number 4.
This year, part of the profits from the sale of the reasonably priced panettone (E. 16 each, I immagine for a half a kilo, the standard size) will go not only to the "Casa del pane 1921" to help their outreach, but part also will go to Casa Riccardo for kids with Aspergers. (I suspect that you'd better bring cash.)
Can't get better then this.
Humaniter/Umanitaria, via S. Barnaba 48 (immediately behind the Tribunale)
Go upstairs to the first floor. Sales will take place there.
Enjoy!
P.S., the image is taken from Humaniter's info!
Friday, November 7, 2014
Yummy food and other local products..."Popogusto" at Humanitaria, Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. ...
Local food producers of things ranging from fresh fruit and vegetables in season to cheeses of all sorts (I even saw a vegan "cheese" stand), bread, salami,...More...
...fresh pasta,...you name it, it's there.
Interested in some locally and "bio" (really or kinda...let the buyer beware) clothes? Sometimes there's that, too.
Popogusto is a Radio Popolare and Humaniter/Umanitaria initiative held within the historic mid 15th century walls of the latter (it used to be a monastery attached to Santa Maria della Pace, whose church, open to the public only once a month, is now cared for by the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem). Worth the visit, just for that.
WHERE: Humaniter/Umanitaria, via San Barnaba, 48 (behind the Tribunale, between Piazza San Babila and Piazza delle Cinque Giornate)
WHEN: 8th and 22nd of November, 13th & 20th of December, from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Days stale? Add a bit of tang with white vinegar...if you can find it.
According to Rozin in DIPLY, white vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, and 80% of viruses. (For a slide show of all the things you can do with vinegar, Rozin sends you here.)
Especially suspicious when it comes to English foodstuffs, I can hear Italians asking, "Just what is white vinegar?" Even if white vinegar is a given in your household, you might not even know. I didn't until I came to Italy, and had to try to track it down in the "exotic" food stores in town (white vinegar as an exotic food, still makes me chuckle).
Think grappa gone sour: distilled grain and water resulting in a perfectly transparent vinegar. In the international food stores in Milan, you might find it in various concentrations; 5% is the standard, but to me it tastes a bit stronger than typical Italian red vinegar, so be parsimonious, at least the first times you use it.
It can be used just like you use Italian vinegars, but since it only is tangy, but really doesn't add any flavor of its own, it doesn't alter the taste of food, as all the Italian vinegars do, it just adds a pleasant bite.
Furthermore, since vinegar is acidic and anti-limestone, it’s a very effective and inexpensive cleaner, for example, for the interior of your fridge.
I miss the Heinz brand, if only I could find it in Milan….
Just a closing reminder that I get no kickbacks of any kind for mentioning products.
Hey, if you're an international food store person in Milan, and are curious about all the products that I miss, and that might be interesting to the Anglo-Saxon crowd in town, just drop me a comment. I'd be happy to send you my annotated list. Really, I have an annotated list.
Enjoy!
Friday, August 30, 2013
Need bread? Like to help others? You're in luck! The "House of Bread 1921" reopens after the summer holidays
...which provides practical work experience for the disadvantaged by teaching them how to make bread. Amazing, but true, there are ever fewer bakers in Italy, these days, because it's hard work getting up hours before the crack of dawn every day.
The bakery program aims to cover as much of its costs as possible by selling the bread to the general public, and that's where you benefit, too. The prices are reasonable (though, rightly so, not cut-rate, don't expect to get something for next to nothing), the bread is wholesome, and you'll walk away feeling smugly happy with yourself.
How can you beat that?!
Reopening Monday the 2nd of September, open Monday to Friday 11 A.M. to 5 P.M., you can buy bread, foccaccia and--as I recall--simple sandwiches and pizza by the slice.
Getting there won't take you through the gorgeous part of the ex-monastery, so don't think that you're lost. (For that, enter--at least until the work on via Daverio is finally finished--at via San Barnaba, 48.)
The bakery entrance is at via Pace 10 behind the Tribunale (Milan's main justice court). The courtyard looks a bit industrial. Head pretty much straight through to the second courtyard, and in the glass-paned walkway there's a small unassuming door marked with a small sign "La Casa del Pane 1921". You'll think you're in the wrong place because the first room is small, dark and used for storage, but just keep heading straight back. A couple of rooms later, and you'll be in the small, but light and cheery room where they sell the bread. (O.K., the signage and location could be better, but who asked us before opening it?)
For more info, call (in Italian) 02.5796.8300, or write (in Italian) to lacasadelpane1921@umanitaria.it.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Coming to Milan in September? Like to plan ahead? Here's a brief preview!
If you'll be in Milan in September, whether travelling to Italy for a visit, or coming back from vacation, here are some ideas to brighten your days:...More......
Aug. 31 - Sept. 1, Strada delle Abbazie (Road of the Abbeys)
Walk or bike the itinerary, and enjoy activities, such as open air markets, along the way. For info (in Italian) and--scroll down a bit--a handy map, go here.
Sept. 5, OtHello, l' H è muta (yes, that's written correctly)
Part of MiTo, the music and cultural event staged contemporaneously in Milan and Torino, this is a humorous take IN ITALIAN on the Shakespearean classic.
Thursday, the 5th at 10 P.M.
Triennale Teatro d'Arte
numbered seats, E. 15-E. 20
Tel. 02 88464725 - 02 88464748
http://www.mitosettembremusica.it (in Italian, only)
Sept. 5-15, 18th edition of the Milano film Festival
Films, Italian and international, at this film festival
The web site is in English, too, but the info is poorly presented, and is incomplete.
Better than nuttin'.
Sept. 8, Domenica delle donne (Women's Sunday)
Health, beauty and fun for women and kids in the public park in via Palestro to raise awareness about women's roles in society.
Sunday, September 8, 10 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Public garden, via Palestro
Free entrance
http://www.domenicadelledonne.it/domenica-delle-donne-2013/ (in Italian)
Sept. 15 and 29, Via lattea
Two more 'via Lattea' bike rides organized in the rural countryside around Milan.
Sept. 15: Parco Agricolo Sud along the Naviglio Grande, leaving from Gaggiano
Sept. 29: in the countryside around Pavia and inside the Ticino park, leaving from Bereguardo
At departure points, bikes may be rented for a "freely decided" donation to F.A.I.-Fondo Ambient Italiano (which takes care of historic buildings, and not just landscapes) of Euro 10, or above
Along the routes, volunteers are available with information
In the old farm houses, it will be possible to eat and drink
Fiera del Naviglio Grande
Every 4th Sunday of the month (except for July, August and December), 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Activities not specified, but probably have to do with food and knickknacks.
Parco di Palazzo Archinto
Via Corte dell'Arsenale, Robecco sul Naviglio
Entrance free
Organized by the "pro loco" ("for the place" association) of this city around Milan
Enjoy!
Aug. 31 - Sept. 1, Strada delle Abbazie (Road of the Abbeys)
Walk or bike the itinerary, and enjoy activities, such as open air markets, along the way. For info (in Italian) and--scroll down a bit--a handy map, go here.
Sept. 5, OtHello, l' H è muta (yes, that's written correctly)
Part of MiTo, the music and cultural event staged contemporaneously in Milan and Torino, this is a humorous take IN ITALIAN on the Shakespearean classic.
Thursday, the 5th at 10 P.M.
Triennale Teatro d'Arte
numbered seats, E. 15-E. 20
Tel. 02 88464725 - 02 88464748
http://www.mitosettembremusica.it (in Italian, only)
Sept. 5-15, 18th edition of the Milano film Festival
Films, Italian and international, at this film festival
The web site is in English, too, but the info is poorly presented, and is incomplete.
Better than nuttin'.
Sept. 8, Domenica delle donne (Women's Sunday)
Health, beauty and fun for women and kids in the public park in via Palestro to raise awareness about women's roles in society.
Sunday, September 8, 10 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Public garden, via Palestro
Free entrance
http://www.domenicadelledonne.it/domenica-delle-donne-2013/ (in Italian)
Sept. 15 and 29, Via lattea
Two more 'via Lattea' bike rides organized in the rural countryside around Milan.
Sept. 15: Parco Agricolo Sud along the Naviglio Grande, leaving from Gaggiano
Sept. 29: in the countryside around Pavia and inside the Ticino park, leaving from Bereguardo
At departure points, bikes may be rented for a "freely decided" donation to F.A.I.-Fondo Ambient Italiano (which takes care of historic buildings, and not just landscapes) of Euro 10, or above
Along the routes, volunteers are available with information
In the old farm houses, it will be possible to eat and drink
Fiera del Naviglio Grande
Every 4th Sunday of the month (except for July, August and December), 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Activities not specified, but probably have to do with food and knickknacks.
Parco di Palazzo Archinto
Via Corte dell'Arsenale, Robecco sul Naviglio
Entrance free
Organized by the "pro loco" ("for the place" association) of this city around Milan
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Second Food and Wine Festival in Milan, February 9-11, 2013
Milan's second "Food&Wine Festival" is for you!
Over 400 carefully selected...More......
...wines from 125 wineries can be tasted at will for the Euro 30 entrance fee.
20 famous chefs and 25 renowned dessert chefs will tempt you with tasty yummies for Euro 10 a serving.
Where? At MiCo, Via Giovanni Gattamelata, 5 (the area of the old in-town convention center).
When? Saturday, from 1 P.M. to midnight; Sunday from 11 A.M. to 10 P.M.; Monday from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. (tickets on sale until 1 hour before closing).
Enjoy!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Lombard eats along the Navigli 'til December 7
Typical Lombard cuisine at fixed prices in restaurants all along the Navigli until December 7...yeah!...More......
Reservations are obligatory, and no info in English is available, but go here to see the web page, and click on the link at the bottom of the page for the list (with info) of dates and restaurants.
After all these years in Milan, one of my absolute favorite dishes is still "risotto milanese e ossobuco"...saffron risotto with a veal shank. Makes my mouth water, and it's not even 10 A.M., yet!
Enjoy!
Reservations are obligatory, and no info in English is available, but go here to see the web page, and click on the link at the bottom of the page for the list (with info) of dates and restaurants.
After all these years in Milan, one of my absolute favorite dishes is still "risotto milanese e ossobuco"...saffron risotto with a veal shank. Makes my mouth water, and it's not even 10 A.M., yet!
Enjoy!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Want something fun to do in Milan this weekend? Beware...
...and plan ahead: another car-free day for Milan is planned for Sunday, the 17th of November (and nice weather has been predicted at least for Saturday, yeah!)....More......
For museum fun, there are a few big ones in town: "Constantine 313 A.D." 'til the 17th of March 2013 at the Palazzo Reale next to the Duomo (I really am looking forward to seeing this one in honor of the Edict of Constantine of 313 A.D. that legitimized Christianity, though it didn't impose it--as many erroneously believe--as the official state religion), Pablo Picasso (ho-hum...again?!) 'til the 6th of January at the Palazzo Reale next to the Duomo, and a show about Giovanni Bellini at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum until the 25th of February (I am looking forward to this one, too, but I hear it only has a few pieces gathered to highlight their Bellini...that's O.K. with me!).
Want something to do with the kids? How about a book illustration exhibit called "From Pinocchio to Harry Potter"? It's in the Visconti rooms at the Sforza Castle. No info, in English, I'm afraid, but here's the castle exhibits page in Italian. (For grown-ups, there's also info about the black-and-white photo exhibit at the castle, too.)
You've done that, and the kidlets still are sparking with energy? How about "G come giocare" (the equivalent of "P as in Play")? Three full days, from the 16th to the 18th of November, from 10 A.M. to 8 P.M. in which the kids can go hog wild...free of charge (well, at least the entrance!). Where? Fieramilanocity (the newer part of the old convention center in town), entrance Porta Teodorico near MM1-Lotto. For more information their (Italian only, sigh) web site also has a "How to get here" page called "Come arrivare" (at least the maps will be intelligible), or a free number to call, hoping someone will be able to spit out a little bit of English: 800-126-970 (yes, there are only 9 numbers). The site itself is kinda fun: the kids can click and drag stuff around the center's building gussied up as if it were a medieval castle and, if they/you register, they will be able to vote for their favorite game.
You'll have to decide if your kids literally can stomach "The Body Worlds" exhibit at the Fabbrica del Vapore across the street (not coincidentally?) from the Monumental Cemetery. I *think* it's an exhibit of the preserved bodies, stripped of their skin, of real people who donated themselves for this...but I'm too squeamish to look into it any further. Might be educational, though. I don't see any info about it on the Fabbrica del Vapore web site, so here's The Body Worlds web site...in Italian. Beware...you might leave never wanting to eat meat, again...you have been warned.
"MilanoMese," the free publication with a rich rich list of things to do in Milan is...may I have a drum roll, please...now available as a free app! Go here for an overview in English, or go to the English-language tourism home page of the Province of Milan, and download it (there apparently are a few choices of formats...I'm still a bit behind the times, so I can't test it out for you, yet).
While you're at it...another big drum roll, please!...there also are free augmented reality Jeco tours available for your smartphones (and soon for androids) for Milan and for the Idroscalo. You'll first need to download the free Jeco Guides app from the iPhone store. Once you've downloaded it, if you want the one for the Idroscalo, just search on that term. If you want the one for downtown Milan, search on "Nel cuore di Milano"...and have fun!
Hungry with all that activity? Milano Restaurant Week...top eats for a flat E. 25 (including a whole whopping 1 Euro to charity, gee, guys, how generous of you...)... lasts until the 18th of November. I found info in--sigh--Italian.
Exhausted, yet?
I am!
Enjoy!
You'll have to decide if your kids literally can stomach "The Body Worlds" exhibit at the Fabbrica del Vapore across the street (not coincidentally?) from the Monumental Cemetery. I *think* it's an exhibit of the preserved bodies, stripped of their skin, of real people who donated themselves for this...but I'm too squeamish to look into it any further. Might be educational, though. I don't see any info about it on the Fabbrica del Vapore web site, so here's The Body Worlds web site...in Italian. Beware...you might leave never wanting to eat meat, again...you have been warned.
"MilanoMese," the free publication with a rich rich list of things to do in Milan is...may I have a drum roll, please...now available as a free app! Go here for an overview in English, or go to the English-language tourism home page of the Province of Milan, and download it (there apparently are a few choices of formats...I'm still a bit behind the times, so I can't test it out for you, yet).
While you're at it...another big drum roll, please!...there also are free augmented reality Jeco tours available for your smartphones (and soon for androids) for Milan and for the Idroscalo. You'll first need to download the free Jeco Guides app from the iPhone store. Once you've downloaded it, if you want the one for the Idroscalo, just search on that term. If you want the one for downtown Milan, search on "Nel cuore di Milano"...and have fun!
Hungry with all that activity? Milano Restaurant Week...top eats for a flat E. 25 (including a whole whopping 1 Euro to charity, gee, guys, how generous of you...)... lasts until the 18th of November. I found info in--sigh--Italian.
Exhausted, yet?
I am!
Enjoy!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Food Fan? Yet another -- overlapping -- big food event in Milan: Taste of Milano, May 17-20
Food events galore...Milan must be trying to get ready for the 2015 Expo, which will concentrate on food and energy resources. Here's another one: Taste of Milano...More...
Four days of food-packed fun at the Ippodromo (horse-racing stadium), and bring the kids! There'll be a safe kid-zone where you can drop them off while tasting food and wine in this third edition of the festival that also takes place in other lovely cities around the world. (How to get to the Ippodromo, and what other delights await you there? See my http://mymilanitaly.blogspot.it/2012/01/dont-look-gift-horse-in-mouth.html#0.)
If you want to look the food fest up, don't forget the "o" at the end of "Milano," otherwise, you'll end up with a completely different web site.
Hey, kudos! They have a version in English, where you can learn more: http://www.tasteofmilano.it/index.asp?lang=uk
Enjoy!
Four days of food-packed fun at the Ippodromo (horse-racing stadium), and bring the kids! There'll be a safe kid-zone where you can drop them off while tasting food and wine in this third edition of the festival that also takes place in other lovely cities around the world. (How to get to the Ippodromo, and what other delights await you there? See my http://mymilanitaly.blogspot.it/2012/01/dont-look-gift-horse-in-mouth.html#0.)
If you want to look the food fest up, don't forget the "o" at the end of "Milano," otherwise, you'll end up with a completely different web site.
Hey, kudos! They have a version in English, where you can learn more: http://www.tasteofmilano.it/index.asp?lang=uk
Enjoy!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Food fan? Milan Food Week May 19-27 is for you!
Do you devour food magazines?
Do you sip food web sites?
Then Milan Food Week is for you! Held throughout town from...More......
...the 19th of May (International Food Day) 'til the 27th of the same month, it will keep Milan cooking!
(Oh my god, will you stop with these food allusions, already?! ... Sorry, it was just too tasty to resist!)
When and where you ask?
Here's the official web site, and it looks pretty clear to navigate (for instance, the map with the sites appears on the home page), even if you don't speak Italian...how short-sighted of them not to have a mirror site in English. Sigh.
I know we're in Italy, and people coming here should make an effort to communicate in Italian. I agree 100%, but the web is international, and it would be nice to try to attract international visitors to the city, too.
This isn't rocket science, folks! Get with the program!
Enjoy!
Do you sip food web sites?
Then Milan Food Week is for you! Held throughout town from...More......
...the 19th of May (International Food Day) 'til the 27th of the same month, it will keep Milan cooking!
(Oh my god, will you stop with these food allusions, already?! ... Sorry, it was just too tasty to resist!)
When and where you ask?
Here's the official web site, and it looks pretty clear to navigate (for instance, the map with the sites appears on the home page), even if you don't speak Italian...how short-sighted of them not to have a mirror site in English. Sigh.
I know we're in Italy, and people coming here should make an effort to communicate in Italian. I agree 100%, but the web is international, and it would be nice to try to attract international visitors to the city, too.
This isn't rocket science, folks! Get with the program!
Enjoy!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A chocolate festival (2-11 March 2012) in Milan's kissin' cousin: Turin
Like chocolate? What a silly question.
From the 2nd to the 11th of March, 2012, in the downtown Piazza Vittorio Veneto of Turin, Italy's chocolate capital, there will be the "Cioccolatò" fair of chocolate....More......
Lots of stands, more than 6,000 different products, and "Spalm Beach"--complete with lawn chairs--where you can relax, taste, and even be massagged with chocolate. (Why "Spalm"? "Spalmare" means to spread...what everyone loves to do with one of Italy's favorite chocolate treats, Nutella, a spreadable mix of chocolate and hazelnut paste...though I can't say I've ever taken to it, Italians go nuts for it.)
Why Turin? Because the city has a loooooooonng love affair with chocolate, beginning with the cup of hot chocolate offered in 1560 by the duke of Savoy, Emanuele Filiberto, to the city to celebrate the transferral of his dukedom's capital from Chambéry to their town, now full of caffés offering this marvelous stuff (it's like hot chocolate pudding...are you salivating, yet?).
Turin is a wonderful city with a long and fascinating history. The pre-Romans were called Taurini (perhaps meaning "people from the mountains," though the symbol "taur" was rendered by the head of a bull, a "toro"), while Romans established a military camp there in the first century B.C. to protect their northern borders. In the early Middle Ages, the city bordered the lands of the Franks, while the association with the Savoy line popped up in the Romanesque period. Love history? Turin's official newspaper, the Eco di Torino, offers some info in Italian with handy pre-fab buttons for Google Translator, which gives you a rough idea of the text in rough English: http://www.ecoditorino.org/augusta-taurinorum-origini-e-storia-del-capoluogo-piemontese.htm.
Want to know more before you go? Turin smartly offers a wide range of official tourism info in English (yeah!), including maps, hotel info, traveling info, museums and events, history in a nutshell, WiFi, etc.: http://www.comune.torino.it/canaleturismo/en/. They also have an official city web site in English (yeah!), with practical information, particularly for English-speakers living in the city: http://www.comune.torino.it/en/.
I can't resist recommending at least two museums: the Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio, look under "Egizio" on the tourism web site's page dedicated to museums), one of the most important Egyptian museums in all the world, second only to the one in Cairo, and the museum in the historic Mole Antonelliana dedicated to movies (look under "Cinema" in that same list). Even if you're not a great fan of the history of the movie industry, the spectacles of the exhibits are great fun in and of themselves.
Wanna go? Want the skinny? It takes from one to two hours on one of Italy's national train service (Trenitalia) trains, depending on the service chosen. Cost? Reasonable. For a one-way second class ticket on the 1 hour train, it's currently just under E. 35.00(ca. $50), while for the 2 hour train, it's only about E. 11.00 (ca. $15.50). You can check the schedules and buy tickets on their website in English (yeah!), and chose to print out the ticket on your own printer. You can enter these city names in English or in Italian (Milano, Torino), but remember that usually only the more well-known cities have an English version, in case you want to go somewhere else, too: http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD.
A "heads up"...Turin, like many other Italian cities, has more than one train station. Sometimes the train stations are dedicated to services belonging to different companies (national and private). Sometimes the city is big enough--as in Turin's case--to warrant two stations. They're often signaled on the web site and in printed train guides only with their initials. Oh man...which one to choose?! For other cities, try Google maps. For Turin, get off at the P.N.--for Porta Nuova / New City Gate--station; it's the most central one. Once there, get a map, and walk. The heart of downtown is small enough so that you won't need to take public transportation if you don't suffer from mobility problems.
Enjoy!
From the 2nd to the 11th of March, 2012, in the downtown Piazza Vittorio Veneto of Turin, Italy's chocolate capital, there will be the "Cioccolatò" fair of chocolate....More......
Lots of stands, more than 6,000 different products, and "Spalm Beach"--complete with lawn chairs--where you can relax, taste, and even be massagged with chocolate. (Why "Spalm"? "Spalmare" means to spread...what everyone loves to do with one of Italy's favorite chocolate treats, Nutella, a spreadable mix of chocolate and hazelnut paste...though I can't say I've ever taken to it, Italians go nuts for it.)
Why Turin? Because the city has a loooooooonng love affair with chocolate, beginning with the cup of hot chocolate offered in 1560 by the duke of Savoy, Emanuele Filiberto, to the city to celebrate the transferral of his dukedom's capital from Chambéry to their town, now full of caffés offering this marvelous stuff (it's like hot chocolate pudding...are you salivating, yet?).
Turin is a wonderful city with a long and fascinating history. The pre-Romans were called Taurini (perhaps meaning "people from the mountains," though the symbol "taur" was rendered by the head of a bull, a "toro"), while Romans established a military camp there in the first century B.C. to protect their northern borders. In the early Middle Ages, the city bordered the lands of the Franks, while the association with the Savoy line popped up in the Romanesque period. Love history? Turin's official newspaper, the Eco di Torino, offers some info in Italian with handy pre-fab buttons for Google Translator, which gives you a rough idea of the text in rough English: http://www.ecoditorino.org/augusta-taurinorum-origini-e-storia-del-capoluogo-piemontese.htm.
Want to know more before you go? Turin smartly offers a wide range of official tourism info in English (yeah!), including maps, hotel info, traveling info, museums and events, history in a nutshell, WiFi, etc.: http://www.comune.torino.it/canaleturismo/en/. They also have an official city web site in English (yeah!), with practical information, particularly for English-speakers living in the city: http://www.comune.torino.it/en/.
I can't resist recommending at least two museums: the Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio, look under "Egizio" on the tourism web site's page dedicated to museums), one of the most important Egyptian museums in all the world, second only to the one in Cairo, and the museum in the historic Mole Antonelliana dedicated to movies (look under "Cinema" in that same list). Even if you're not a great fan of the history of the movie industry, the spectacles of the exhibits are great fun in and of themselves.
Wanna go? Want the skinny? It takes from one to two hours on one of Italy's national train service (Trenitalia) trains, depending on the service chosen. Cost? Reasonable. For a one-way second class ticket on the 1 hour train, it's currently just under E. 35.00(ca. $50), while for the 2 hour train, it's only about E. 11.00 (ca. $15.50). You can check the schedules and buy tickets on their website in English (yeah!), and chose to print out the ticket on your own printer. You can enter these city names in English or in Italian (Milano, Torino), but remember that usually only the more well-known cities have an English version, in case you want to go somewhere else, too: http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD.
A "heads up"...Turin, like many other Italian cities, has more than one train station. Sometimes the train stations are dedicated to services belonging to different companies (national and private). Sometimes the city is big enough--as in Turin's case--to warrant two stations. They're often signaled on the web site and in printed train guides only with their initials. Oh man...which one to choose?! For other cities, try Google maps. For Turin, get off at the P.N.--for Porta Nuova / New City Gate--station; it's the most central one. Once there, get a map, and walk. The heart of downtown is small enough so that you won't need to take public transportation if you don't suffer from mobility problems.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 6, 2012
What did the Befana bring you?
Yesterday, I wrote in my blog about Milan that I wanted panettone* from the Befana. I only half meant it...calories! calories! calories!
Be careful what you wish for...More......
Yesterday, I unwittingly helped the Befana.
As you already might have read, a friend who drives took me and her delightful little daughters to Viboldone, and on the way she wanted to stop at the new 'spaccio' of Bindi.
It turned out not to be a 'spaccio,' but a factory direct outlet with a caffè offering their goodies (sweet and savory) and a store, all designed with a great eye.
And the panettone was on sale.
I couldn't resist, and my excuse was to compare the Bindi panettone with my memory of my favorite for its wonderful quality-price ratio: the Motta Original Recipe panettone.
Results?
The Bindi panettone is good...but--even on sale--at twice the price of the Motta, it's not worth it.
Go, Motta!
*For a photo, see my: http://mymilanitaly.blogspot.com/2010/12/merry-christmas-panettone.html
P.S., are you ready for the usual 'service announcement?' I get no kickbacks of any kind for mentioning products and/or services.
Be careful what you wish for...More......
Yesterday, I unwittingly helped the Befana.
As you already might have read, a friend who drives took me and her delightful little daughters to Viboldone, and on the way she wanted to stop at the new 'spaccio' of Bindi.
It turned out not to be a 'spaccio,' but a factory direct outlet with a caffè offering their goodies (sweet and savory) and a store, all designed with a great eye.
And the panettone was on sale.
I couldn't resist, and my excuse was to compare the Bindi panettone with my memory of my favorite for its wonderful quality-price ratio: the Motta Original Recipe panettone.
Results?
The Bindi panettone is good...but--even on sale--at twice the price of the Motta, it's not worth it.
Go, Motta!
*For a photo, see my: http://mymilanitaly.blogspot.com/2010/12/merry-christmas-panettone.html
P.S., are you ready for the usual 'service announcement?' I get no kickbacks of any kind for mentioning products and/or services.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Delightful place to hang out
Encouraged by the happy memory of a new friend (Hi, N.!), I finally stopped into Bar Magenta at the corner of Via Carducci and Corso Magenta in Largo d'Ancona. I've only been meaning to do it for, oh, maybe 15 years...More......I don't rush into things, do I?
Lovely on the outside, authentic and picturesque on the inside, it's bigger than it looks from the outside, and not only offers coffee and drinks, but also simple food and--yes!--free WiFi.
For more info, see this site, as I couldn't find an official one for the bar: http://milano.tonight.eu/birreria/bar_magenta
(Remember, I get no kickbacks of any kind for these notices.)
Enjoy!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Happy Birthday grapes
In honor of my dear sweet sister's birthday and the holiday season, here's a snap--with intriguing reflections--of a Christmas tree with one of her favorite motifs: grapes.
Happy Birthday, sweetie!
Friday, December 23, 2011
"False friends" and dry goods
A "drogheria" might have been a place where you could have gotten drugs in the olden days, but it isn't anymore. "Drogheria" in this case is a false, not a true, "friend" in that it looks and sounds a bit like a word in English, but doesn't mean the same thing. Today, a "drogheria" is a kind of old-fashioned mom-and-pop little dry goods store, rather hard to find in Milan these days.
There's a nifty one in Milan with an address on Corso Magenta, but with the entrance on Largo d'Ancona.
Why is it so nifty?...More......
Because, besides having a little bit of everything any self-respecting supermarket has (deoderant, house cleaning supplies, shampoo and the like), it also has candy-by-the-pound, teas and...drum roll, please...even some not-easy-to-find exotic food, such as various kinds of chutneys, English cookies (called "biscuits" in UK English, thank you very much), Chinese rice noodles and the like.
The place is called "Grossi" after a family name, but don't look for that on the store front.
All you'll see that is prominent are the yellow and red "J&B Scotch" signs, liquors and wines also being sold here.
Interested in more info about this and other exotic food stores I've found in Milan (no easy task)?
Go here, and download my (occasionally updated) list: https://sites.google.com/site/starsthisandthat/home/my-milan-italy/eating-and-drinking-in-milan.
Forewarned is forearmed. The place is teentsy, and so half the store ends up behind the counter, or way up high, or behind glass doors, so you'll have to ask for help. In fact, within seconds of coming in, you'll be asked "Posso aiutarLa?" (May I help you?) or "Ha bisogno?" (Do you need something?), or something of the sort. So this means you'll get good service, and hopefully will find what you want, but there will be no price and product comparing.
If you're ready to jump into the purchase of your favorite kind of chutney (etc.), a simple "Sì, ma parla inglese?" (Yes, but do you speak English?) will get you started. If you just want to look around a bit, "Vorrei dare un'occhiata prima, grazie" (I'd like to look around a bit, first, thank you) will do.
Enjoy!
There's a nifty one in Milan with an address on Corso Magenta, but with the entrance on Largo d'Ancona.
Why is it so nifty?...More......
Because, besides having a little bit of everything any self-respecting supermarket has (deoderant, house cleaning supplies, shampoo and the like), it also has candy-by-the-pound, teas and...drum roll, please...even some not-easy-to-find exotic food, such as various kinds of chutneys, English cookies (called "biscuits" in UK English, thank you very much), Chinese rice noodles and the like.
The place is called "Grossi" after a family name, but don't look for that on the store front.
All you'll see that is prominent are the yellow and red "J&B Scotch" signs, liquors and wines also being sold here.Interested in more info about this and other exotic food stores I've found in Milan (no easy task)?
Go here, and download my (occasionally updated) list: https://sites.google.com/site/starsthisandthat/home/my-milan-italy/eating-and-drinking-in-milan.
Forewarned is forearmed. The place is teentsy, and so half the store ends up behind the counter, or way up high, or behind glass doors, so you'll have to ask for help. In fact, within seconds of coming in, you'll be asked "Posso aiutarLa?" (May I help you?) or "Ha bisogno?" (Do you need something?), or something of the sort. So this means you'll get good service, and hopefully will find what you want, but there will be no price and product comparing.
If you're ready to jump into the purchase of your favorite kind of chutney (etc.), a simple "Sì, ma parla inglese?" (Yes, but do you speak English?) will get you started. If you just want to look around a bit, "Vorrei dare un'occhiata prima, grazie" (I'd like to look around a bit, first, thank you) will do.
Enjoy!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas promises and Toll House cookies
I promised some friends I'd make authentic Toll House chocolate chip cookies for the Christmas lunch to which they so kindly have invited me.Misson accomplished...and taste testing complete.
Had to make them with M&Ms because there are no chocolate chips, here.
Yummy just the same and jolly to boot!
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