Day 3 – Thursday April 10th

Some relevant milanesi offer tips for what visitors absolutely must do with their days at Salone del Mobile 2014

DAY

19. Pasticceria Marchesi
via Santa Maria alla Porta, 11

I love the original and unmistakable mood of this café and pastry shop, located into an amazing eighteenth century palace: you can really feel the taste of time coming out from the place. I particularly like it in the morning, when it is crowded, and in the drowsy afternoons as well, when it’s wrapped by quietness and allows you to relax, cuddled by sweetness.
Andrea Aprea
Chef VUN at Park Hyatt Milan

20. Porta Nuova
piazza Gae Aulenti

Given that my atelier projected the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) residential towers, I am particularly attached to the new Porta Nuova district. I think this is the first place showing everyone, citizens and tourists, that Milan has been changing lately. Before that moment, Milan had experienced a silent evolution, into its courts and buildings: Porta Nuova is the real detector of the transformation of Milan.
Stefano Boeri
Architect

Focus on: Porta Nuova

Definitely the most evident symbol of the deep transformation of the city. After a long period of urban decay, the Porta Nuova district is now undergoing a massive renewal, thanks to the “Progetto Porta Nuova”. The project, which has been under construction since the late 2000s, includes several modern high rise buildings, cultural centres, and a large city park. Piazza Gae Aulenti, named after the great Italian architect, sit at the heart of the area – among brand new buildings such as the Torre Unicredit by Cesar Pelli and Bosco Verticale by Stefano Boeri. This piazza is a stylish and beautiful space with sculptural features including a continuous flowing circle of seating surrounding a vast reflecting pool, 60 metres in diameter that reflects the colours of the changing seasons and surrounding buildings. A walk around there is the best way to have a preview of how Milan will look in the very near future.

21. La Belle Aurore
via privata Abamonti, 1

One of the historical cafés in Milan, the typical place for the old good middle class from Milan, and more than that. Not far from the city centre and, with the help of its wooden chair and the black and white flooring, it boasts an incredibly welcoming atmosphere. My favorite moment to stop by at the Belle Aurore is my lunch break: I like sitting there, joying veggie quiches and sipping my coffee, while I observe the other clients, their outfits, their habits.
Alessandro Dell’Acqua
Creative director N°21

22. Pavè
via Felice Casati, 27

If you consider that the breakfast I have is the one I take at home, this café immediately makes me feel comfortable, being a “living room into a pastry laboratory.” Everything is home-made, from bread to cakes, and you can sit on one of the sofas from 8 in the morning, use the free wi –fi with your devices, and enjoy your breakfast. A bright example of young enterpreneurship, succesful and of high quality. Unfortunately, it is not just out of my door.
Gianluca Cantaro
Deputy editor in chief L’Uomo Vogue

23. Gogol&Company
via Savona, 101

At the end of via Savona – beyond the Design District, almost at the Giambellino – there’s a bookshop which is far more than a place in which books are sold. At Gogol & Company, in fact, you can read and socialize, eat and drink. It is sort of a hybrid place, in which you create a community more than anything else.
Caroline Corbetta
artistic Curator at Expo Gate

24. Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia
via San Vittore 21, Milano

The Museo della Scienza e della Tecnica, located into a sixteenth century cloister at the heart of Milan was inaugurated in 1953. It is not one of the ‘hidden’ treasuries of Milan, being very famous and popular. It’s worth a visit especially for Sala Biancamano, into the Padiglione Aeronavale of the Museum: nowadays it is often used for events and congresses, but it also hosts an impressive section of the Transatlantico Biancamano, launched in 1925. More specifically, it’s the ball room: the mood of the ‘30s is incomparable and reminds you the glory age of luxurious ocean liners. Can’t miss it.
Alessandro De Felice
Publisher Rivista Studio

NIGHT

25. Chiringuito la Falena
piazza Mentana

I often hang out there with my friends when we leave the office, in the evening. It’s a lively and quiet place at the same time and it’s famous for its very good drinks.
Valentina Angeloni
Photographer and curator

26. Sala Venezia
via Cadamosto, 2

This Dance Hall, not far from Porta Venezia, is a very fun place for me. I like going there with my friends, surrounded by dancing couples variously aged and young people rediscovering a vintage –style place. Sala Venezia is a leap in the past, you could feel like you are into a movie by Fellini, with music, wax paper tablecloth, vintage lights and atmosphere. It is perfect if you like dancing, but not alone: you can also have dinner there, very informally. To me, better than a club.
Giovanna Battaglia
Fashion editor

27. Pravda
via Vittadini, 6

The aperitif is the reason to go there: a wide range of excellent vodka –based cocktails – even if we are in Milan, it is not so easy to find high –quality drinks. Located next to Viale Bligny, the Pravda is little and super cool; the dominating color is red.
Massimo Giorgetti
Creative director MSGM

28. Pane e Acqua
via Matteo Bandello, 14

A hidden corner of Milan, where I take refuge to taste Francesco Passalaqua’s creative culinary art. Chairs, tables, books –menus, everything coexists harmonically in a space mirroring Rossana Orlandi’s eclectic taste, one of the most important design gallerist worldwide.
Maia Guarnaccia
Global brand marketing and communications director Yoox Group

29. Tabaccheria Della Darsena
viale Gorizia, 4

Da Peppuccio, Bar Verde, or Tabaccheria in Darsena, everyone calls it as they like, yet they all refer to the same twenty square meters with a single window overlooking the Naviglio. The alcoholic offer is essential, popular prices and an amazing music offer selected by Peppuccio, former jazz drummer (yet please avoid asking information about the pieces). Last summer, the place burnt down, and the restoration brought about a gigantic christal chandelier – rumors say it comes from La Scala. Perfect for the evenings.
Edoardo Bonaspetti
Publisher Mousse Magazine