La Ranarita ( Milano )

Thanks for your patience everyone, I've been out of work for several health reasons and I'm just starting to feel a tad better.

La Ranarita was a wonderful hidden ristorante/pizzeria that I stumbled upon during my last visit to Milan. La Ranarita means 'little frog' but we definitely didn't eat any!

Instead we treated ourselves to the most perfect pizzas made in a classic brick pizza oven.

My good friend Michael has always raved about the La Brera neighborhood, near the famous Pinoteca La Brera...You could have easily missed this terrific hideaway as the windows were covered in white curtains. I was with a group of hungry crewmembers and we were delighted to find this gem upon our stroll through the nearby park. The pizzas were delicious and perfectly cooked with the bubbly blackened crust from the fire and the pastas were excellent al dente perfection. A quiet, non touristy local spot to visit on your next jaunt to Milan. Enjoy. Auguri and more later.

Happy Hour Milano Style - Pasticceria Clivati

One of my favorite places for Happy Hour in Milan is definitely Pasticceria Clivati on Via Coni Zugna, 57. This quaint and delightful mom and pop pastry stop is a must on the walk along the tramway towards the Zona Navigli area of Milan.

Happy Hours in Milan are varied and popular but this one takes the 'cake'!

I was able to share my favorite pre dinner drink, the Spritz, with 6 of my fellow ( or women ) crewmembers and an large assortment of nibbly treats! Since the owners recognize me there I always ask them to bring out something special! We were sampling peperoncino savory shortbread ( click link for recipe! ), marcona almonds, tuna cream toasts and fresh foccacias and puff pastries filled with olives and ham. Many other appetizers adorned the bar such as nuts, chips and olives and the price is definitely right: 5 € for each drink with the yummies included! Not to be missed!

La Vineria and Zena- Milano

La Vineria is a quaint wine and olive oil shop offering 1 euro glasses and 3 euro bottles of wine that can be consumed while using the wine barrels as tables. A place where comingling with the locals is expected and welcomed.

I met 3 local milanese who 'adopted' me for the evening and dragged me ( oh poor me ) to a wonderful dinner of exquisite ravioli and coniglio ( rabbit ) with a large consumption of vino rosso at Zena also a place I would highly recommend.

Did I forget to mention that I had already had a yummy ravioli dinner Trattoria alla Vecchia Maniera (via Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 62) and was heading back to the hotel for the night when I stumbled into this fine establishment and new friends.

This small wine boutique and bar is quintessential of the Naviglio area: convivial, local and typically Italian, a locale where many unique wine bars and restaurants fill the area. Most tourists and even people I travel with who have been to Milan countless times, don't make it to this area.

This is, what I consider to be, one of the best neighborhoods of Milan.

There are numerous pasty shops and small artsy boutiques that you pass as you walk to this area or you can ride a tram that dates from 1928 right to the canals. Called the Venice of Milan, Naviglio Grande never ceases to please.

La Vineria

via Casale 4 Milano

Naviglio Grande

Zena

Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 37 Milano