Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

I’m a big fan of the movie Rocky Horror Picture Show. One night a friend invited me to a special show in a cinema called Mexico. It is located in via Savona, now one of the most stylish area in the city. Mexico is very popular in Milan because it hosts a special show of my cult movie since the 80s.

Live Actors and dancers all dressed up like the movie characters play some parts of the movie while viewed on the screen. I was invited, together with the rest of the audience, to sing all the songs, dance and take part of some of the movie scenes. It was really awesome and I had a lot of fun ! I know that this kind of cinema shows come from a London tradition: groups of fan used to meet to celebrate the movie!

My friend, who was there for the tenth time, told me what to bring: a newspaper, some rice, a pair of rubber gloves and a little trumpet. But if you forget you can buy a complete kit in the cinema. I didn’t know what were those objects for but I discovered soon! They were part of the show and I had to use them to participate. Booking is essential because it’s a really popular show and it’s always busy. My friend booked by email and got the ticket one hour before the show from the cinema ticket booth.

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Rocky Horror in Milan | Cinemas, Music | Ticket € 6.00
Via Savona 57 | Ticinese/Genova | +390248951802
Check the website for the show

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Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

Libreria Azalai is a unique bookshop. It opened in Ticinese area in 1994 in via San Gottardo. Then, 5 years ago it moved to the peaceful via Gian Giacomo Mora, just behind the busy corso di Porta Ticinese. The street is lovely, with a couple of good restaurants. For those who wants to read some good Italian travel writers here you can find the best ones together with a wonderful selection of international authors.

I have known this bookshop since I moved to Milan. As a traveller I tried to find a bookshop related to my passion but Azalai is also specialized in different topics about Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific area. They have authors that you can’t find in big bookstores. They also promote independent publishers, and host events and art exhibitions.

Believe me, even if you don’t speak or read Italian, this place is really worth a visit. Moreover, in a corner they have crafts designed in developing countries and produced by no-profit organizations to support local communities. In their new website you can also order the books you are looking for, buy them online or go there to take them.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Libreria Azalai | Art & culture, Shopping | Book € 10.00
via Giacomo Mora 5 | Ticinese/Genova | +390258101310
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 13:00 & 15:00 – 19:30

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Image by Audrey Smith

Don’t get confused by the name, Nidaba theatre is not a theatre but a live music pub. Just right in Navigli area you can find one of the few easy going live music pubs in town.

The place is small and cosy and you’ll be surprised by how many musicians they can stuff onto the extremely tiny stage!

The main advantage of this pub is that you have music 7 nights a week, you don’t have to pay any entrance and a beer is 6 euros, the normal standard in the area.

The atmosphere is hot and dark, sweaty i would say, as i imagine jazz clubs should be in New Orleans. But it is not just about jazz, one of the good points of this place is that every day you can have different kinds of music and you can have fun like I did with a fantastic Irish music group or an amazing 50′s American rock and roll band (it seemed like they were from the tv series “Happy Days”!).

A nice place if you want to do something different and escape from the often poshy Milan atmosphere… check out the website for what’s coming up!

Music usually kicks of around 22:00 – 23:00.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Nidaba Theatre | Bars, Music | Beer € 6.00
Via E. Gola 12 | Ticinese/Genova | +390289408657
21:30 – 02:00 daily | Closed in August | Music 22:00

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Image by Audrey Smith

When I’m looking for some shoes which are a little different and I want to pay a good price for good quality, Mon Amour Les Chaussures is a shop for me.

I’ve bought a few pairs and never had complaints about the quality. The clothes and accessories are also great and follow the latest trends without being too over the top.

In addition to the Corso Porta Ticinese location which focuses on shoes, clothes and accessories you can also find them near other shopping strips. (Via Cherubini 3 (C.so Vercelli) and Via Nino Bixio 1 (Viale Piave/Porta Venezia). Definitely worth a pass by if you feel like buying some new shoes!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mon Amour Les Chaussures | Shopping | Shoes from € 50.00
Corso di porta Ticinese 103 | Ticinese/Genova | +390283241620
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

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Image by Audrey Smith

This is another good place for some traditional northern Italian cuisine.

In the picture is what I had for my last entree! Underneath the peas there is Tomino, a cheese from the Piedmont region. It’s made from goat’s cheese and is quite light in flavour. It’s wrapped up in prosciutto and usually lightly fried. Buonissimo!

They have a good traditional dishes such as risotto, lamb’s brains and the classic cottoletta. My friend thinks they do the best cottoletta in Milan. Maybe you’d like to see for yourself! The menu generally changes according to the season. Don’t forget to ask what they have as their specials for the day.

The trattoria is well decorated, a cosy feeling. A little more upmarket then the average trattoria but reasonably priced. The location means that it’s not as busy as some of the restaurants on the Navigli and it’s easier to get a seat without booking if you are thinking of eating last minute on a Saturday night.

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Trattoria All Antica | Restaurants (Northern Italian) | Meal & wine from € 30.00
Via Montvideo, 4 | Ticinese/Genova | +39028372849
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 14:30 & 18:00 – 23:00

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Image by Audrey Smith

If you’re planning a weekend trip to Milan, why not plan a little stroll on your Sunday afternoon? But make sure you plan your trip for the last Sunday of the month, except for July and August.

On these Sunday’s you can find the Naviglio Grande (the larger canal in Milan) Antique Markets opening up the area to second-hand vintage clothes, antiques, old books and local shops are open too.

A lot of the shops on the canal are local artists and if you wander into some of the courtyards you can see more art on display as well as see the traditional public style housing of the past.

On a nice day it really is pleasurable to stroll down the canal and see what interesting or strange things are on sale. On a colder day, maybe a nice lunch or coffee and some people watching?!

If you want to stop for lunch, many of the restaurants are open. I am often tempted by a takeaway chocolate and pear crepe or a coffee at Bar Stazione. You can then stare out the window and watch the world go by before joining the crowd.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Antique markets – Naviglio Grande | Relaxing, Shopping, Festivals & events | Free
Alzaia Naviglio Grande | Ticinese/Genova
Last Sunday of every month 09:00 – 17:00

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Image by Chiara Anselmo

Gattullo is one of the most famous place in Milan for sandwiches and for pastries.

The place is just the same as it was in  the late 70′s: furnitures, lamps and cutlery look so stylish in my opinion, and the “panini” are just a must.

I recommend you to go for the “Gattullino”, wich takes the name from the owner of the bar) or Manhattan (with shrimps, artichokes, rucola, smoked cheese and cocktail sauce). The original recipe includes also ham but I ask to have it without it and I think is excellent.

If I come here for lunch I will also have a small slice of homemade pizza (with aubergine or onions) and at the end, together with coffee a small pastry with fresh raspberry and chocolate.

When I lived in the area I often had breakfast with cappuccino and brioches and my favourite was the kipferl with blueberry jam, but also croissants with crème are wonderful.

The prices are not so friendly but for the quality of ingriedients this is a place where I like to take my friends to experience a wonderful “Italian panino”.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bar Gattullo | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Italian) | Sandwich& Coffee € 8
P.le di Porta Lodovica 2 | Ticinese/Genova | +390258310497
Tue – Sat: 07:00 – 22:00

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Image by Chiara Anselmo

I was having a nice stroll trough Ticinese area when I noticed this shop. I recently discovered it and it became right away one of my favourite spot for shopping.

I liked the style of the clothes exposed in the window and I liked the music it was coming out (electro-indie pop) so I walked in. I asked if I could take some free magazines and some cards for clubbing nights. The guy inside was very friendly, we start chatting and I soon discovered that he was originally from Turin. Since I studied at the university there I actually recognized him and I soon recognized also the name of the shop. Frav opened in fact in Turin in 1996: I used to buying my sweaters and t-shirts there.

The shop they opened in Milan is much more sophisticated. They do not only have Frav brand (their own label, very cool and quite cheap) but also many other emergent brands of new trendy designers.

Depending on how much you can afford to spend you can choose between Frav clothes (t-shirt starting from 15-20€) to Hope boots (400€!!)

If you are in Ticinese I would recommend a stop here even only to ask which is the grooviest dance night of the weekend.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Frav | Shopping | T-shirt from € 20
Via Vetere,8 | Ticinese/Genova | +390283249718
Tue – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

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Image by chiara anselmo

Probably each single woman in Milan has got at least a pair of shoes coming from Mauro Leone. If you are a woman, and you love shoes (ever find a woman who dislike them J?) -this is the place you want to go.

Mauro sell manly “last trend” shoes at affordable prices and this is probably why it is always so packed. The shop is very small, there is always high music on and beautiful shoes displayed everywhere.

They do not accept credit card ( n front of the shop there is a withdral machine) so remember to fill your wallet if you are planning to buy more then one pair (and if you are not from Milan an just visiting, I bet you will)

Remember: If you have the chance, do not go there on Saturday afternoon, the shop is very little and you will risk not finding enoght space to get in.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mauro Leone | Shopping | Ballerinas from € 39
Corso di Porta Ticinese, 60 | Ticinese/Genova | +390289429167
Mon 15:00 – 19:30, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 19:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Milan

Image by Audrey Smith

“Damatrà” or Milanese dialect for “look at me” (because I’m speaking to you), is a cosy and welcoming trattoria (family restaurant). Prints and paintings cover the walls and warm wooden furniture make you feel nice and comfortable. Recently they have been putting little lights on the ceiling so it’s like your under the stars. Tacky?! You be the judge!

The menu could be also described as “cosy”, with hearty traditional Northern Italian cusine. Steady favorites such as Osso Buco and Cotaletta Milanese can be found on the menu as well as a type of fried pasta dough served with prosciutto and cheese.

Be careful! If you eat too many there will be no room for your main meal! I have yet to find this in any other place, but the owner tells me it is traditional Milanese food. On my latest visit we made the mistake of also ordering the potatoes for entree. They are potato skins fried in butter… I was worried my heart would keep overworking…but so tasty!

The prices are reasonable for Milan standards and the portions are generous. If you feel like it, the pizza’s are also good. Regardless, there is no doubt that you will feel like you’ve eaten well.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Damatrà | Restaurants (Milanese) | Meal & wine € 25.00
Via Lombardini Elia 1 | Ticinese/Genova | +390258111224
Tue – Sun lunch & dinner

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