When is Too Much…Too Much? & Annual Salone Restaurant Guide!

Here we are preparing for Salone del Mobile, Milan, Italy 2011 once again. HappilyI  Who doesn’t want to be in Italy in April?

And we’re thrilled to be representing Alessi (www.alessi.com); Artek (www.artek.fi); Flos (www.flos.com); Fritz Hansen (www.fritzhansen.com); Humanscale (www.humanscale.com) and Moleskine (http://www.moleskine.com/).

That’s the great news.

But in its 50th presentation, with so many outside areas (though fun) cropping up and

E V E R Y O N E having a press preview, exhibiting S O M E W H E R E, and at least one or two parties and events, is it too much?

I know from my editor friends, they are truly put upon where to go and with limited staff, how to cover it all. I know from other visitors, designers, retailers and the “just-interested”, it will take Russell Crowe’s “brilliant mind” to organize their time.

We’ll all make it through and I know will find a few things that dazzle (see above client list!)…but wonder how much more can this event grow?

Is it better to curate and define? Is it possible?

As always, I’m excited to go. To represent and spread the word on I.C.F.F.® (www.icff.com).

And, of course, beyond Tortona, and Lambrete there’s another new neighborhood to explore, http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/03/13/travel/20110313-FORAGING.html

Would love to hear from you on the above. And for those of you who have asked for my annual Salone restaurant guide (I’ve made my reservations, so I’m good to release this), here ya go!

Restaurants in Milan 2010:


Il Bolognese

Corso Genova, 3

02-58100824

Try the risotto!





Nobu @ Armani

Via Gastone Pisoni 1

02-62312645

Was renovated



Da Giacomo

Via Pasquale Sottocorno 6

02-760233313

Charming, unstuffy



Bice

Via Borgospesso 12

02-795528

Standard



10 Corso Como

Via Corso Como 10 (duh)

02-29013581

Lunch or drinks best



Blitz

Via Cerisio 9

02-312388

Friendly; big with TV folks



Osteria del Sognatore

Via Mormondo 1

02-89126048

Creative



Maxela (Macarelli)

Via Eugenio Villoreni 10

02-89402394

Meat, meat, meat



Giulio Pane e Ojo

Via Ludovico Muratori 10

02-5456189

Local recommendation



Pane e Acqua

Via Matteo Bandello 14

02-48198622

Rossana Orlandi's - expensive but good





Da Illia

Via Lecco 1

02-29521895

Local recommendation



Bebel's

Via San Marco 38

02-6571658

Brera area - Miuccia eats here, too!



Antica Trattoria della Pesa

Via Pasubio 10

02-29015157

Great reviews by all



Tano Passami L'Olio

Via Eugenio Villoresi 16

02-8394139

Great wine list



Cucina Delle Langhe

Corso Como 6

02-6554279

Low-key; have to say I was not impressed



Piccola Cucina

Viale Piave 17

02-76012860

Tiny – hence the name



Premiata Pizzeria

Via E. De Amicis, 24

02-89406075

Best for lunch



Alla Collina Pistoiese

Via degli Amedei 1

02-86451085

A Milanese classic!



Ristorante La Scaletta

Piazzale Stazione Genova, 3

02-43986316

Local fav.





Eda

Via Filippo Lippi, 7

02-2668192

Native Milanese says so



Controvapore

Via Carlo Goldoni, 3

02-76390636

Native Milanese says so



Ristorante Rigolo

Via Solferino 11

02-804589

"Refined" = not-so-friendly; but I love the food



Bagutta

Via Monte Napolene 6 (It's really on Via Bagutta)

02-76002767

Service can be dicey but a must for me!



Giacomo Arengario

Atop Museo del Novecento

02-72093814

Local recommendation


So, Mangia.  Grazie.  Ciao (the extent of my Italian).