Ooooh this is a great article. I don't know how I just came across it. Love your descriptions of the restaurants! Brava! I wonder if Rinascente stores always have a rooftop caffe. The one in Florence does. By the way, the link to the best wine shop owner is not working. Does he have other locations outside of Milan?
You know how I feel about Milan. I was really caught off guard. I thought I would dislike it given what its reputation of being cold, ugly, and snobby.
Milan is like an onion. There are layers. She's not so in your face with her beauty but it's there.
I also prefer more laid back restaurants but loved Ratana.
A timely reminder of the many reasons to love this city. For us it will always be the one that got away as we so nearly moved there in the late 1990s. Counterfactuals are spinning away!
Sep 1·edited Sep 1Liked by Gillian Longworth McGuire
Awww - thanks so much for the shoutout my friend! I was always grateful that on my first 3-month visit to Italy in autumn 2021 that I had a friend who said "don't sleep on Milan" and wow that was the truth. So glad you had such a great visit and love Ratana as much as I do. I have now bookmarked some of your spots for my next visit.
Thanks much! I had only a quick stop in 2022, and a friend has asked for suggestions. Very helpful!! Curious why you skipped the duomo?? Now, to pass along to my friend!
Understood! I visited in July as well. We took a long Sunday lunch and when we got to the Pinacoteca, we had missed last entrance. Made the duomo very, very late so that the sun wasn’t as strong on the roof. Thanks especially for the tip on Rinascente! Great idea.
You're a very good writer
Thank you so much 😊
Ooooh this is a great article. I don't know how I just came across it. Love your descriptions of the restaurants! Brava! I wonder if Rinascente stores always have a rooftop caffe. The one in Florence does. By the way, the link to the best wine shop owner is not working. Does he have other locations outside of Milan?
Thanks! I fixed the broken links. The Isola location is the only one.
The Rinascentes in Rome and Palermo have rooftops too!
Good to know!
You know how I feel about Milan. I was really caught off guard. I thought I would dislike it given what its reputation of being cold, ugly, and snobby.
Milan is like an onion. There are layers. She's not so in your face with her beauty but it's there.
I also prefer more laid back restaurants but loved Ratana.
I knew if you liked it I would like it.
A timely reminder of the many reasons to love this city. For us it will always be the one that got away as we so nearly moved there in the late 1990s. Counterfactuals are spinning away!
I imagine it was a very different city in the 1990s.
Not so very different, at least in culture and spirit.
Great post and places, Gillian! I love Milano. It’s just not so obvious.
Thank you! I just loved it
I wish you'd stayed a bit longer with a longer list of places to eat. Please return.
Already planning a return trip
Awww - thanks so much for the shoutout my friend! I was always grateful that on my first 3-month visit to Italy in autumn 2021 that I had a friend who said "don't sleep on Milan" and wow that was the truth. So glad you had such a great visit and love Ratana as much as I do. I have now bookmarked some of your spots for my next visit.
Such good advice!
Thanks much! I had only a quick stop in 2022, and a friend has asked for suggestions. Very helpful!! Curious why you skipped the duomo?? Now, to pass along to my friend!
We ran out of time! & it was a bazillion degrees. We decided drinks with a view of the duomo was a better choice 🍸
Understood! I visited in July as well. We took a long Sunday lunch and when we got to the Pinacoteca, we had missed last entrance. Made the duomo very, very late so that the sun wasn’t as strong on the roof. Thanks especially for the tip on Rinascente! Great idea.
I love Milan! Ratana is at the top of my list for my next visit. And now I'm adding Le Cantine Isola to my list too.
I can not wait to go back!
Oh my stars, that D&G gown with the Cosmatesque pattern?!?? Swooning!! So happy for you to have partaken of that exhibition! 🤩🙌
It was amazing. Can you imagine wearing that dress?! ✨✨✨