Arriving in Milan, Rogoredo train station for what I was informed by AI would be an easy twenty- minute walk to my next flat was disproved by Google Maps upon my arrival. A subway ride was now in play and I arrived in my new neighborhood within minutes. The neighborhood of Porta Nuova is about 5 stops from the center of Milan and while it lacked what I envisioned as Milan style it was quaint and had a local feel. While I didn’t take advantage of it, the public pool was just around the corner and visible from my flat. It was cute to see all the excited toddles headed to the pool with their parents on my walks to the subway station.
While Milan was initially in my mind as a great culinary experience when planning my trip I quickly realized with many Italian dining experience under my belt that while there are some great restaurants in Italy there are also plenty of dining rooms set up in alleys with a makeshift kitchen tossed in back. The cuts of meat are different as of course are the presentations so it’s best to stick with what “they” do well or as a chef, cook my own when possible. I’m currently eating at a restaurant where I ordered the osso bocco one of my specialties, mine is better. Also on the menu offerings is horse meat hash and a horse meat steak which made me leery but perfectly acceptable here so to each their own.
Arriving on a Sunday I gave myself a break and kept it local, picking up some groceries at the local market before the town rolled up the sidewalks in their classic Italian style. Taking advantage of the kitchenette I tossed together some shrimp and pancetta red sauce with butter nut squash ravioli for my first meal and seared a couple chicken breasts for the following days options. The following morning I purchased a 72 hour subway pass and headed to Milan Doumo Square. Emerging from a stuffy, hot subway station and seeing the Milan Cathedral emerge as you climb the steps was as breathtaking as seeing a sun rise. I purchased my ticket for the following days tour and spent the day walking around the city with a lunch break back at the flat. Of course I found some other local churches, a fort and an arch as well as some high end stores in the galleria and on the strip. Another home cooked meal of fresh fettuccine with chicken breast and basil tomato sauce was on the menu for my second night.
The following day I arrived early at the Cathedral and was given early admission to the lift that takes you to the roof. What an amazing experience to walk amongst the spires and statues. It’s nearly inconceivable how such a complex structure was built by human hands, especially seeing the faulty construction of recent times. With another extremely hot day I retreated to my flat once again for lunch and a siesta. Later in the afternoon consisted of more exploring in the Milan area and a pizza dinner.
My departure day was simple, yet another subway ride to central station and a train to Parma.
fscavullo 