The Milanophiles

Jaclyn DeGiorgio, a food and wine writer and food tour guide in Milan, shares some highlights from Salone del Mobile (aka Design Week) and then reflects on the first season of The Milanophiles. Stay tuned for season two, coming this summer! Design Week highlightsBitossi Home collaboration with Pangea Nemo Lighting collaboration with Ron GiladGoogle's Shaped by Water  Dior by Starck Porro Romby armchairJaclyn's Instagram: @jaclyndegiorgioJaclyn's blog: A Signorina in Milan 

Jaclyn DeGiorgio shares a clip from her interview with food journalist Roberta Abate that didn't make the cut for the final interview. Dongiò Wineries mentioned:L'AcinoA VitaJaclyn's Porta Romana dining guide 

If you haven't listened to Pizza Culture with Simone and Lombardi and Giovanni Mineo of Crosta part 1, please go back and do so before tuning into this one. (It's episode number 14, and it was released on March 31. Here's the link. )We continue chatting about Milan's pizza culture and in doing so, we dispel a couple of Italy food myths that circulate like wildfire on the social networks. Here are some pertinent links for the episode:Crosta's websiteCrosta's InstagramSimone's InstagramGiovanni's InstagramJaclyn's InstagramJaclyn's blogJalcyn's article for La Cucina Italiana about Simone's pizza 

Jaclyn speaks with Caterina Monda, co-founder of Metis PR, a Milan-based PR firm representing clients in the design industry. They chat about the meaning of "Made in Italy", what to expect during Design Week, and the allure of their adopted city, among other topics. Caterina's Instagram Metis PR InstagramJaclyn's BlogJaclyn's Instagram The Milanophiles InstagramPeople, places, and things mentioned:Triennale Milano (the design museum where Caterina worked  Fonderia Battaglia  works with designers like Osanna Visconti and Giuseppe Penone Bitossi Home (the blue and white plate mentioned is the Arcano )Venini - Murano glassmakers that just published the Artisan book Design Week-related stuff Rossana Orlandi GalleryNiloufar GalleryDavid and NicolasGio Ponti (EPIC Italian architect and designer)Bitossi Home and PangeaBitossi Ceramic and Robert Stadler Ron Gilad's collaboration with Nemo Lighting at Via Borgunovo 19Martyn Thompson (Australian Designer)FabscarteDavid Dolcino Caterina's design reading recs: WallpaperT (The New York Times Style Magazine)MonocleSite UnseenCaterina's Milano 5 (plus 2) :Villa Necchi Campiglio Ambrosiana (Codex Atlanticus is the Leonardo da Vinci on display)Atempo bistrot Momo MilanoOsteria del Verme Art Noble Gallery Tommaso Calabro Design Week sources Jaclyn used for the episode :Dezeen: 2022 Milan Design WeekElite Daily: 2019 Design Week recap Where Milan Design Week 2023Salone del Mobile official site 

Marcello Rapisardi of Pasticceria e Dessert in Milan joins Jaclyn for a bonus episode to discuss Italian Easter sweets. Relevant links:Colomba History and Origins (it's in Italian so you might have to run it through a translator) Pastiera Wikipedia pageUovo di Pasqua Pasticceria e Dessert Instagram  - I encourage you to check this out to see Marcello's beautiful versions of the Easter sweets Marcello Rapisardi Instagram Jaclyn's blog post about where to drink the Barbajada in Milan Episode artwork photo: Colomba from Pasticceria e Dessert 

Today Jaclyn speaks with pastry chef  Marcello Rapisardi of Pasticerria e Dessert, a whimsical pastry shop in Milan where the offerings include a mind-blowing carbonara praline and other unexpected sweets nestled alongside the classics. We speak about his time working for chefs like Heston Blumenthal and Moreno Cedroni, his philosophy, his approach to pastry, and more. Links to anything referenced in the show:Pasticceria e DessertMarcello's InstagramPasticceria e Dessert's InstagramThe Fat DuckMadonnina del PescatoreAngel León is the Spanish chef who studies  plankton and makes it in a labMarcello's "Milano Five" pics on Jaclyn's blog, A Signorina in MilanJaclyn's Instagram

Jaclyn DeGiorgio speaks with pizza and bread extraordinaires Simone Lombardi and Giovanni Mineo of Crosta, one of Milan's best pizzerias and bakeries. Here's part 1 of their conversation. They discuss whether or not there's a Milanese pizza, the history of pizza, Crosta itself, and more. Spoiler alert: In part two (coming next week), we dispel two myths about Italy.  Crosta opened in 2018 and in 2020, they opened Crosta Lab where they sell Pizza al Portafoglio (wallet pizza), a street food, from a window that opens onto the street.  Jaclyn's article for USA Today about Milan's pizza scene. Crosta's Instagram Episode artwork photo credit: Crosta 

As cardoon season is winding down, Jaclyn discusses the elusive artichoke thistle and also shares some versions she had in Milan recently. Il Giornale del Cibo article about why the cardo Gobbo is named as suchSlow Food Foundation's page dedicated to the Cardo Gobbo di Nizza MonferratoNizza Monferrato Wikipedia pageJaclyn's blog post about Via Melzo in Milan Masterclass guide to cooking cardoons Further reading: Smithsonian Magazine "What the Heck do I do with a Cardoon?" Milan restaurants mentioned:Ratanà Røst Rovello 18 

Jaclyn DeGiorgio has tried all five of the Starbucks drinks from the Oleato line--those infused with extra-virgin olive oil and she shares her thoughts. Sources:Starbucks - The story behind Starbucks' new coffee ritual Starbucks - Introducing the OleatoJaclyn's blog: A Signorina in Milan

Jaclyn discusses a must-eat when visiting Milan: mondeghili (Milanese meatballs). Sources used for the episode:Contemporary Milanese Cooking by Cesare Battisti and Gabriele Zannata Divinia.com Cucina Regionale Italiana WikipediaRestaurants to try them RatanàRøstFrangente Trattoria del Nuovo MacelloRisoelattePeckAntica Trattoria della PesaAl GarghetThe recipe for chef Cesare Battisti's mondeghili at Ratana from Sfiosizo.it

This week Jaclyn DeGiorgio follows-up on last week's episode with a brief update Starbucks' new Oleato line.  

Jaclyn DeGiorgio discusses Starbucks in Italy, her fondness for the coffee titan, and her thoughts on the new Oleato olive-oil range of beverages that debuted in Italy this week. Sources for the episode:Reuters article on unemployment in ItalyEuro News article on unemployment in ItalyMacrotrends stats on Italy's unemployment rateWSJ article reporting on how the pandemic pushed women out of work in ItalyLa Repubblica's article reporting on how the pandemic pushed women out of work in ItalyMore from La RepubblicaMacrotrents Starbucks revenue report Trading Economics report on Italy's unemployment rate Starbucks' new Oleato beverages The Ricky Gervais routine

The Sanremo Festival came and went, so Jaclyn has decided to dedicate this brief episode of The Milanophiles to her thoughts on the occasion, which plays an integral part in Italy’s contemporary lifestyle culture. Sanremo Official website Sanremo  2023 Wikipedia Chiara Ferragni instagram Episode photo by Bogomil Mihaylov on Unsplash

For this episode of The Milanophiles, Jaclyn DeGiorgio veers fuori strada, or off course, to discuss one of her favorite annual occasions: the Sanremo Italian Song Festival, whose 73rd edition takes place from February 7 - 11,  2023. Jaclyn's blog, A Signorina in Milan, and Instagram handle @jaclyndegiorgioOfficial Sanremo websiteWhy is the Sanremo Festival so important to Italians? from The LocalThe Sanremo Festival's Wikipedia pageSanremo Giovanni winnersSong entries For all of the artists, I elaborated on, I got the details from their individual Wikipedia pages. Official Domenica In webiste Domenica in Wikipedia page Since I raved about Madame's song, Voce from Sanremo 2021, I thought I'd link to its Wikipedia page. Episode photo by Bogomil Mihaylov on Unsplash

Pastamadre restaurant is a must-visit when you're in Milan. Today, Jaclyn speaks to chef Francesco Costanzo about his beloved restaurant in the Porta Romana district.The natural wines Francesco mentions: Tanca Nica, Pantelleria island Arianna Occhipinti, Vittoria (Sicily) La Stoppa, Emilia-RomagnaNino Barraco, MarsalaManfredi Franco, Marsala What to see in Milan Architecture from the late 19th to early 20th centuryLeonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper Francesco's restaurant recs:Erbabrusca TrippaRatanà Da Martino Nebbia Women chefs from his "Burrocracy" series co-founded with Aurora Zancanaro of Le Polveri bakery and Gianni Tratzi of Mezzatazza Coffee Consulting. Chiara Pavan, Venissa, a Michelin-starred restaurant in VeniceChiara Barla, Apotek57, CopenhagenLucia Gaspari, former chef of Røst in MilanSarah Cicolini, SantoPalato, Rome 

Many people don't know that Milan has a prolific natural wine scene, one that's on par with its counterparts in big European cities like Paris, London, and Barcelona. She speaks with Alessandro Ambrosi, the owner of an enoteca called Vinello a Milano, which specializes in natural, biodynamic, and organic wines. Here are links to the places, wines, etc., discussed:Jaclyn's blog post about natural wine in Milan Vinoir, owner is Gianluca Ladu Pastamadre, owner is Francesco CostanzoEnoteca Naturale Six natural wine producers from Lombardia to keep an eye out for according to Alessandro:Barbacarlo in Oltrepò PaveseFausto Andi in Oltrepò PaveseGemma by Mirco Pauletti in Collina del Milanese San Colombano al LambroJosef by Luca Francesconi in Garda Colli Mantovani (Hills of Lake Garda north of Mantua, close to the Veneto border) Barbacan  in Valetellina (The link is  to the winery's epic Instagram account!)Orto Tellinum  in Valtelllina Photo: Instagram, @vinelloamilano

Warning: as I mention in the beginning of the episode, there was a problem with my mic, so my voice sounds a bit faint at parts, but you can hear my guests perfectly: chef Cesare Battisti of the restaurant Ratanà and Gabriele Zanatta of Identità Golose. They co-wrote a beautiful book Cucina Milanese Contemporanea (Contemporary Milanese cooking) available in both Italian and English. My blog post with the recipe for risotto with pumpkin and ‘nduja Gina Tringali of Casa Mia Tours provided me with the details about trippa alla romana. Cesare’s picks for a great risotto alla milanese (besides Ratanà of course!)Rovello 18 Trattoria Massueli San Marco Trattoria della Pesa  Trattoria del Nuovo Macello Gabriele’s picks for Chinese food Gong MU Dimsum Bon Wei Mao Hunan Gabriele's picks for Japanese restaurantsIyoCasa RamenGabriele's picks for pizzaCrosta Berbere Denis Pizza di Montagna Gabriele's picks for cocktail bars RitaMag Cafe Ca.ri.co 1930 Museums suggested by Gabriele Fondazione Prada Triennale 

Since it's winter, Jaclyn DeGiorgio discusses the Barbajada, the historic Milanese hot chocolate that's few and far between these days.SourcesMilano e I Secoli blog post Domenico Barbaja Wikipedia page Minerva A NewsTasting the World Milano in ContemporaneaIo Voce Narrante Jaclyn's local coffee spot: Torrefazione HodeidahJaclyn's blog post about where to the Barbajada in Milan

Panettone features prominently in the media every holiday season, but this year Milan's signature leavened delight garnered some aberrant attention, which food writer Jaclyn DeGiorgio discusses in the episode.  Warning: she's rather upset by some of the shady practices! Here are links to the sources cited and/or consulted for the episode.  US Department of Justice press release regarding seafood in North Carolina Jaclyn's panettone in Milan post on A Signorina in Milan (her blog) Panettoni industriali spacciati per artigianali: la truffa in quasi 300 pasticcerie, Luca Venturino, Dissapore Taranto, nasconde dosi di cocaina nel panettone ma i carabinieri scoprono tutto: un arresto by Raffaella Capriglia, La RepubblicaPanettoni industriali rivenduti come artigianali a prezzi quintuplicati, denunce e sequestri del Nas in tutta Italia by Alessio Ribaudo, Corriere della Sera Panettoni industriali venduti come artigianali, a Genova scattano i controlli dei carabinieri del Nas by Marco Fagandini, Il Secolo XiXPanettoni artigianali... ma per finta. Una pratica diffusa in tutta Italia scoperta dai Nas by Riccardo Cristilli, La Gazzetta dello Sport    

Food writer Jaclyn DeGiorgio discusses some of her top dining experiences in Milan from the past year. Just to clarify, the list is by no means exhaustive as she set specific criteria for this episode: restaurants she either visited for the first time or those that she returned to after a significant amount of time elapsed between visits. Below are links to the restaurants  she mentions in the article, and here's her blog post about Via Melzo, Milan's de facto "restaurant row."  Restaurants in MilanLa Sala Bistrot Remulass  (sister restaurant of Ratanà) Røst Osteria alla Concoreanza Trippa PastamadreInsieme Altriementi Gerli dal 1870 Il Giardino di Giada MU Fish MezèSpore BitesFrangente Stadera Exit Pastiricio Ubrana Ciciarà Outside Milan, but still in LombardyMateria  in Cernobbio (Lake Como) Trattoria San Biagio in Erba (Lake Como inland) Marco Polo 1960 in Ventimiglia, Liguria Happy 2023 a tutti, and thank you all for listening....alla prossima!