If You Go: Milan

 It has been so long since I last posted!  We took the girls on a 3 week tour of northern Italy. My recommendations below are all relatively kid-friendly, but I would also recommend for non-parent friends!  We loved that Milan is filled with concept stores, beautiful sights, and gorgeous food.  Also...the smell of courtyards filled with jasmine and honeysuckle.  The below - real life!!!

Places to Eat and Drink 

Cafe 

• Prinici Bakery, This is a small Italian chain breakfast cafe - there is another one in Chelsea NYC.  The coffee is strong and the pastries are amazing.  Try a cornetto and highly recommend the breadbask.  Also, OJ is fresh squeezed.  Perfection!   
• Rinascente Terrace. After you see the Duomo, stop into the world-class Department store next door, Rinascente (think, Italian Harrod's).  On the 7th floor, there is a terrace cafe with incredible views of the Duomo...and mid morning it was empty.  Perfect stop for a tea and juice (for the littles) with world class views. 

Happy Hour 

• 10 Corso Como. We stopped by these beautiful cafe - they have such fancy drinks and mocktails and each drink comes with fancy "tapas" like snacks that the girls loved.  The girls enjoyed fancy lemonades and the courtyard is so picturesque. 

Meals 

• Osteria Da Fortunata. This was our favorite meal in Milan - the food was SO good and you can see them making the pasta in the back!    I loved it so much, I went to their other restaurant in Bologna 
• Peck. This is a very very fancy grocery store not far from the Duomo.  We picked up lots of treats to take home (risotto, truffle butter, etc.) - but they have a fabulous restaurant that was fabulous for lunch.  The girls and I enjoyed a lovely lunch with risotto, a charcuterie board, and a fabulous prosecco 
• La Proscuitteria. A fabulous restaurant specializing in charcuterie plates.  Picture perfect and delicious.  

Favorite Stops in Milan 

Beyond the typical stops, highly recommend the following: 

• Fundazione Prada.  One of my most favorite modern art museums - the architecture was incredible and the exhibits were AMAZING - a Koonz sculpture and a few fun surprises 
• Brera Gardens. Gorgeous "secret" gardens - perfect for a small dinner picnic and the girls enjoyed exploring it 
• Figus Purses. I researched best purses (non-designer) and this small leather shop on Corso Garibaldi popped up - I saw their "lab" (aka where they make the purses).