Fashionable Fare Eat, drink and be merry in restaurants frequented by VIP's. Such places are numerous in Milano, where a little luck can place you next to a "big name label", a singer or popular celebrity. Miuccia Prada and her husband are fond of Bebel's, while Tom Ford, the American Gucci stylist, prefers the Trattoria delle Langhe. The Missonis, on the other hand, frequent the Rigolo when in Milano, while the Versace family often lunches at Conte Camillo and dines at the Torchietto. Romeo Gigli opts for the Pesa and Krizia for the Santa Lucia, traditionally frequented by artists and open late into the night. The creative spirits of the younger generation, Kean Etro and Dolce e Gabbana, prefer alternative restaurants like Brick Oven, Vecchio Porco, the Russian Yar or the Japanese Fuji . But it's not at all rare to find models, designers, actors and singers at places like Bagutta, Bice, Bouecc, Giacomo, Paper Moon, the Centro Ittico, the BBQ, Mister Merlin, the Osteria dell'Operetta, the Torre di Pisa, the Trattoria Toscana, at Brisa, Don Carlos, Porcao or at the 13 Giugno. Bebel's Via San Marco, 38 Tel.: 39-2-6571658 (Closed Sundays) bus: 94, 41 Restaurant, pizzeria, grill. This elegant place is a favorite haunt of Miuccia Prada, understandable given its refined Art Nouveau styling and warm ambience of the sunny color scheme. The menu incorporates traditional, homey cooking in keeping with the decor. Bebel's offers a wide range of meat and fish dishes, while the pizza is somewhat limited. Prices: £ 50.000 per person. Trattoria delle Langhe Corso Como, 6 tel.: 39-2-6595180 (Closed Sundays) subway: MM2 Garibaldi The Langhe's cuisine is known for its Piedmontese cooking, where truffles reign supreme. The atmosphere is reserved and elegantly clothed in dark wood panelling. The restaurant annex features an unusual salad bar, a small bistro with huge mirrors and few tables which offers some 38 types of salad dishes. Prices: salads very reasonable at £16.000, while dinner at the restaurant averages £ 70.000. Rigolo l.go Treves tel.: 39-2-86463220 (Closed Mondays and the month of August) bus: 94, 41 A restaurant of the old tradition, with large but comfortable rooms and courteous service supervised by the Simonchin family, a long line of restaurateurs. Italian cuisine featuring a wide selection of fish dishes. It would be difficult to be dissatisfied: the quality is never a disappointment and neither is the bill! Average price: £ 50.000 per person. Reserve ahead for weekends. Conte Camillo Piazza Cavour, 3 Tel.: 6570516 (Open 7 days) subway: MM3 Turati or Montenapoleone, tram: 1, 2, 20, bus: 94, 61 Select and intimate characterize the restaurant annexed to the Hotel Cavour. Maitre Flavio Perotti guarantees impeccable service while chef Claudio Tallarini conjures up a new menu every week drawn from a multitude of sources of which the Lombardian regional cuisine is the undisputed favorite. Average price: dinner £ 75.000 per person, the BusinessmanÕs lunch a value at £ 29.000. Torchietto Via A.Sforza, 47 tel.: 39-2-8372910 (Closed Mondays) Bus: 59 Optimal traditional cuisine rich in masterfully prepared regional specialties. We recommend the high quality home made pasta. Nice friendly atmosphere frequented by the fashion scene. Trattoria della Pesa Viale Pasubio, 10 Tel.: 39-2-6555741 (Closed Sundays) tram: 11, 29, 30, 33, bus: 61 An authentic restaurant in old Milano, with a menu true to regional traditions. With an old public scale in front, the restaurant has been left largely unrestored, giving guests a taste of days gone by, with its darkened rooms bedecked with turn-of-the-century accoutrements and the traditional preparation of such favorites as risotto, minestrone and osso buco. Average price: £ 60.000. Santa Lucia Via San Pietro all'Orto, 3 tel.: 39-2-76023155 (Closed Mondays and July 21- August 27) subway: MM1 San Babila Always a late-night favorite, the restaurant is a hop away from principle cinemas and theaters. Good service and quality food. A lively atmosphere with countless photos of actors and celebrities on the walls. Average price: £ 50.000 per person, not including beverages; Pizza Margherita or Napoletana about £. 20.000. Brick Oven Via Marsala, 2 Tel.: 39-2-29015281 (Closed Mondays) subway: MM2 Moscova, bus: 94, 43 An exciting new post-modern arrival featuring a menu with only high-quality pizzas and steaks. There are around 40 different kinds of pizza from the most traditional to the avant-garde, all large and oval-shaped, served on cutting boards. The beef is Texan-style: filets, roast beef, steaks and cutlets with American sauces. Excellent, if basic wine list includes half-bottles. Beer on tap is a tasty alternative. Average price: £50.000 per person Al Vecchio Porco Via Messina, 8 Tel.: 39-2-313862 (Closed for lunch and Mondays and the month of August) tram: 29, 30, 33, bus: 94 Classic restaurant with garden and veranda. Frequented by sports celebrities (especially those of soccer and motorcycling), fashion personalities and the show business crowd. It's possible to reserve the premises for the evening for private functions. The cuisine is simple, traditional Italian fare. The pizza is also quite good. The wine list is excellent, though limited to Italian wines. Average price: £ 45/50.000. reservations advisable. Yar Via Mercalli, 22 Tel.: 39-2-58309603 (Closed for lunch and Mondays) tram: 15, bus: 65, 94 Vodka and caviar, meat, fish, potatoes, herring and the inevitable Beef Stroganoff in this fine locale dedicated to the very best of Russian cooking. In the bistro-bar, guests can taste 18 kinds of vodka lined up behind the bar, served with snacks laced with caviar. In the elegant restaurant section, where its softly lit walls are lined with velvet, the sumptuous meals of the Tsars are recreated in special menus and such traditional dishes as borscht and salmon ravioli. Average price: £ 70.000. Fuji Via Montello, 9 Tel.: 39-2-6552517 (Closed lunch and Sundays.) tram: 4, 3, 14, 12, bus: 51 Japanese. Essential, very elegant, with the sushi bar in full view. Food is of the highest quality, particularly the raw fish. Menu represents the best of Japanese cuisine. Chef's Plate menus or "menu degustazione" from £ 75/80.000. Reserve well in advance. Bagutta Via Bagutta, 14 Tel.: 39-2-76002767 (Closed Sundays and over the Christmas holidays) subway: MM1 San Babila bus: 61 Named after the famed literary prize, the restaurant welcomes guests into a lovely antechamber containing a collection of prize-winning books. In the large dining room, it's fairly easy to encounter prominent political and show business personalities. The cuisine is predominantly Tuscan, supported by a good wine cellar. Average price: £ 70.000. Reservations advised. Bice Via Borgospesso, 12 Tel.: 39-2-76002572 (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays at lunch) subway: MM3 Montenapoleone tram: 1, 2 On of Milano's most renowned restaurants, best-known for its VIP clientele. Generations of the Bice family have carried on the restaurant's grand tradition since 1922. It is significant that Bice is one of the most established Milano eateries, in view of the fact that the cuisine is primarily Tuscan. Impeccable service. Average price: £ 80.000 Boeucc Piazza Belgioioso, 2 tel.: 39-2-76020224/76022880 (Closed for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays ) subway: MM1-3 Duomo, MM3 Montenapoleone In an antique building in the middle of Milano gracious and elegant rooms speak for this historic restaurant frequented by prominent names in high finance, industry, politics and the international scene. The traditional cuisine offers a great variety of both meat and fish. Average price: £ 90.000. Giacomo Via Cellini, corner Via Sottocorno, Tel: 39-2-76023313 tram: 29, 30, 20, 9, 23 This elegant Tuscan restaurant is imbued with turn-of-the-century charm. Optimal fish dishes, particularly the "spaghetti allo scoglio" (spaghetti literally "on the rocks", made with seafood). Everything is just right and the service beyond reproach. Pleasant, fashionable atmosphere. Average price: £ 80.000. Paper Moon Via Bagutta, 1 tel.: 39-2-76022297 (Closed Sundays) subway: MM1 San Babila bus: 61 A "fashion pizza" is on the menu of this small but well-known restaurant in the center of Milano which offers an extensive selection of crunchy crust pizzas laden with great toppings, as well as "fast food" Italian style. A favorite among show business people, it wouldn't be at all surprising to run into Carreras here one evening. Centro Ittico Via F. Aporti, 35 Tel: 39-2-26143774 (Closed Sundays and Mondays) tram: 1 bus: 90, 91, 92 It was originally the most famous and well-stocked fish market in all Milano. Since a short time ago, it's also been possible to eat there! Customers order their fish of the day from the case to be served grilled, steamed or raw. There are also fantastic antipasti made to order. No frills, just fresh fish. And then, there's always that lemon sherbet to finish off... Average price: £ 65.000. BBQ Via Sottocorno, 5/a Tel: 39-2-76003571 (Closed Saturday lunch and Sundays, as well as the month of August) tram: 29, 30 It's not difficult to guess that this is a restaurant for meat-eaters! BBQ offers a quality of beef selected especially for the grill. Crudités with a variety of dips garnish each table and the beef is complimented by a limited selection of side dishes and desserts. The restaurant is small and specialized-- its quality meat sets it apart. You'd better make reservations! Average price: £ 50.000. Mister Merlin Via Mosè Bianchi, 103 Tel: 39-2-4814035 (Closed Sundays) subway: MM1 Amendola, bus: 68 This restaurant is run by its young managers with a lot of imagination and somewhat bizarre inspirations. It is frequented by famous singers such as Eros Ramazzotti. Pizza or extravagant gastronomy served up by singing waiters set the tone. In any case, you won't be bored. Average price: £ 40.000. Osteria dell'Operetta Corso da Porta Ticinese, 70 tel.: 39-2-89407426 (Closed Sundays, the month of August, and during the Christmas holidays. No lunches.) tram: 3, bus: 94 An antique Milanese osteria that's very "in" at the moment, popular for its "odd" cuisine. Specialties include tortelloni in basil cream, beef strips with cheese fondue and rich vegetarian salads as well as a vegetable sauté. Wide assortment of cheeses. Great selection of desserts. The wine list is not extensive, but quite good. Average price: £ 50.000, excluding beverages. Reservations advisable. Torre di Pisa Via Mercato, 26 tel.: 39-2-874877/804483 (Closed Sundays and Saturday lunch, as well as the month of August) subway: MM2 Lanza, tram: 12, 14 A rustic environment comprising five rooms. The cuisine is Tuscan, with bruschette, Tuscan prosciutto, stewed beef and game. The wine cellar offers a selection of Tuscan and other particular regional wines. Average price: £ 50.000. Reservations advised Trattoria Toscana Corso da Porta Ticinese, 58 tel.: 39-2-89406292 (Closed Sundays) tram: 3, bus: 94 An oasis amidst the hustle and bustle with a spacious garden rimmed by the historical houses of Porta Ticinese. One of the very trendiest places to be at he moment. Well-visited by models, the fashion set and high-rollers. First courses are excellent Tuscan delights. A good spot to stop off for an aperitif or after-dinner drink. Average price: £ 50.000. La Brisa via Brisa, 15 tel.: 39-2-86450521 (Closed Mondays for lunch and Sundays) tram: 24, 19, bus: 50, 54 In the heart of Milano the Roman Elena Rasi warmly welcomes illustrious, and less illustrious guests alike into one of the most chic restaurants in the city. DV advises you to order seasonal dishes prepared in the traditional fashion or the more audacious veal roast with a sauce of parsely and pinoli. The desserts are, well, you've got to try them... Lunch will cost around £ 20/25.000. Average price: £ 55/60.000. Don Carlos Via Manzoni, 29 tel.: 39-2-723141 (Closed Sundays) subway: MM3 Montenapoleone tram: 1, 2 Tucked away inside the Grand Hotel et de Milan is the "ristorante della lirica", dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi who lived there for 12 years. An undercurrent of opera, warm and intimate atmosphere dining room hung with paintings. It's not unusual to meet a famous star of La Scala here. The cuisine is of the hotel's same high standard, with traditional and international favorites. DV recommends the sweet and sour duck liver (fegato d'oca agrodolce). Average price: £ 100.000. Porcao Churrascaria Via Abbadesse, 30 Tel: 39-2-6883883 (Closed Sundays and lunches) subway: MM3 Zara This Brazilian churrascaria is housed in an old farmstead with a lovely garden. Obviously the place to get a good Argentinean steak accompanied by skewered vegetables and live music. Fixed price menu: £ 55.000, excluding drinks and dessert. 13 Giugno Via Goldoni, 44 tel.: 39-2-719654 (Closed Sunday) Bus: 54, 61, 92 Sicilian cuisine a la Milano! A refined and elegant restaurant popular with foreigners and show business people. The 13 Giugno is the right place to taste authentic Sicilian cooking; fine dishes such as Pasta alla Norma, fresh Tuna Ricciola (a Mediterrean fish) with potatoes and grilled swordfish rolls. For dessert, we recommend the chef's assortment, called the Gran Misto Sicilia which should be accompanied by all means by a glass of Passito da Pantelleria. Average price: £ 50.000.

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