Discover Milan with Bianca
Bianca Marchi-Simon is the Creative and Brand Director of Anyday. Born in Milan and having spent nineteen formative years there, she now calls Australia home. Bianca returns every chance she gets to embrace the culture she loves and to spend time with her family. Here, she summons up all of Milan’s beauty, eccentricity and ambience. And tells us where to eat, drink and live large.
1. The thing I miss most about Milan is ...
It’s the little things. Walking for the joy of walking; not to a specific destination, but just taking in all the sights and the beautiful buildings. Grabbing an early morning coffee at Leonardo when the streets are deserted.
In Milan, everyone sleeps in, but since I have lived in Australia, I have become such a morning person. When visiting Milan, I use this habit to my advantage and enjoy the city when no one else is around. I miss talking to locals at the coffee shop, and the passion that everyone has.
2. Growing up there, I …
Frequented the museum Triennale di Milano, a museum of art and design. My family and I would often go, take it all in, and then enjoy lunch in a restaurant at the museum.
Ate pizza! On Sundays, it was our ritual to have pizza as a family. This is a very Italian thing to do.
Visited my grandmothers’ houses. My grandmother on my mother’s side made amazing lasagne and cotoletta (breadcrumbed veal cutlet). I loved going there for lunch. My grandmother on my father’s side lives in Brera, known as the artist’s district of Milan, and I would pop in and see her and watch her paint. These are very strong memories for me.
Loved long catch-ups with friends over coffee, and buying fresh focaccia from Princi, an artisanal bakery.
3. My favourite destinations for all things delicious and uniquely Milanese…
Espresso – Pasticceria Sissi. Their brioche is a must-have.
Aperitivo – Osteria Alla Concorrenza. It’s my favourite for a glass of epic wine and small plates. Associazione Salumi e Vini Naturali has an incredible natural wine selection and the most amazing focaccia! LùBar also great for a nice early evening drink.
Lunch – De Santis for panino. Its original location is in Corso Magenta. After lunch, drop in to Marchesi Pasticceria, this is also the original location and right next door.
Dinner – Trattoria Masuelli. They make the best risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto) and lingue di gatto (buttery Italian cookies). If you’re organised, I recommend trying to make a reservation at Trippa. It is currently one of the most sought after restaurants in Milan, and bookings only open twenty one days out. Order the butter tagliatelle. Also Langosteria Bistrot, for the best seafood. I love sitting on their beautiful outdoor terrace.
Gelato – Gusto 17. My go-to order is their pistacchio salato (salted pistachio).
Late night drinks – N'Ombra de Vin. Enjoy your vino in the street outside the restaurant. Such a buzzy vibe.
Pantry staples – Terroir Milano. It’s a natural food store that offers products from a number of small artisans that are very respectful of territory tradition and Milanese culture. A trip to Peck is also a must; I love the one located near the Duomo. It’s a high-end supermarket and deli and a visual feast, all in one. I could spend hours there.
4. The best place to stay is…
There are many options, but Casa Brivio is quintessential Milan.
For a clean, simple hotel, I’d recommend Hotel Senato. It’s a boutique design hotel right in the heart of Milan.
If you really want to indulge, treat yourself to a night at the Portrait Hotel by Ferragamo. It’s new and the location is fantastic.
5. The best place to relax is...
You Off for something different to your conventional spa experience. It’s a beautiful contemporary space that specialises in massage. I also love spending a few hours at the Armani Hotel Spa. It has an indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms, and is just delightful.
6. Get your cultural fix(es) at...
Fondazione Prada. For both the exhibitions and the cinema!
Villa Necchi. Envisage a lush, ample private garden with a swimming pool and tennis court right in the centre of Milan. The Necchi Campiglio Villa, commissioned by the Necchi Campiglio family, was completed by celebrated architect Piero Portaluppi in 1935. Just go and take a look around: you won’t be disappointed.
Palazzo Reale Milano. For exhibitions and architecture.
7. Day trip to...
Parma! And go on an empty stomach, please. Parma is located in the region Emilia Romagna and it is known for specialties like Gnocco Fritto (fried dough), salumi (mortadella, prosciutto) and fresh filled pasta (tortelli). My two favourite food destinations in Parma are Trattoria Ai Due Platani and Trattoria La Buca.
8. If I could sum up Milan in three words they would be …
Beauty. Alive. Aperitivo.
9. Most people would be surprised to learn…
That Milan was, until about a hundred years ago, called the ‘Venice of Lombardia’ (the region in which Milan is located), due to the amount of canals it used to have. Most of them have now been covered.
10. If you learn one Italian phrase while in Milan, it should be …
Andiamo a prendere un caffè!
This translates to “let’s go and have a coffee!”
The coffee culture in Milan is unbeatable, although Australia’s is fast on its heels!