Not All Italian Websites Look So Bad

At the risk of being accused of being a pot calling a kettle black (Yep, I know this blog is getting rather cluttered), I have to say that after doing a little web based research for my latest project, my Italy is in Italian contemporary art site, I’ve come across some rather good looking, and, generally, well written English sections of Italian websites. Well, a family of them actually.

These sites form part of a mini-network run by the Ferragamo family, of the fashion house “Salvatore Ferragamo”. WIth the possible exception of the Viesca Estate site, all of the others are very slick.

I know they are at the top end of the market, but even so, it’s good to see what can be done. OK, so these people have money, of that there is no doubt, but, to their credit, they appear to know how to spend it rather wisely.

I hope they won’t mind too much, but I’ve stolen the list of links to each of these sites and popped them below, so you can have a quick gander, if you so desire.

Fashion
Salvatore Ferragamo – Fashionable clothes
www.ferragamo.com

Resort & Hospitality
Lungarno Hotels
www.lungarnohotels.com

Resort and Winery
Il Borro
www.ilborro.com

Marine Industry
Camper & Nicholsons Yachting Ltd – motor cruisers to dream about.
www.cnyachting.com

Nautor’s Swan – Lovely yachts – exploring the boats virtually is a pleasure.
www.nautorswan.com

Prestigious Rental and Villas
Il Borro
www.villailborro.com

Viesca Estate
www.viescaestate.com

As for this here blog, it’s going to get a facelift shortly.

Eat like a God in the Aligia Restaurant, Vrasi

According to my Italy expert, Gaetano Salvo, ‘si mangia da Deo’ – ‘you eat like a God’ (rough translation from Italian), or rather ‘the food is wonderful’ in the Aligia Restaurant (map link), down in Vrasi. Vrasi, by the way, is about half way between Salerno and Catanzaro in south Italy, and a little inland from a place called Diamante, as you will see if you click on the link above.

When someone like Gaetano, who has excellent taste in food and wine I might add, praises a restaurant, then it’s worth checking out.

If you find yourself in that neck of the woods, try it, and do let me know how well you ate – especially if you come out feeling all powerful.

I’ve asked Gaetano for some more information on Aligia Restaurant’s menu, and when he sends it to me, I’ll post it here.

442 Pub Milan – New Banner

Down at my favourite watering hole there is a curious new flag with ‘Four Four Two, Milan’ on it. Although this flag, which can been seen on Facebook, appears to be English – red cross on a white background, not the Union Jack, interestingly enough, it is the flag of Milan.

I have no idea why the England and Milan flags are exactly the same, but I have to say that it is very appropriate for a sport pub in Milan. If anyone out there knows anything about the origins of the Milan flag, then please let me know.

I have used said flag as the basis of the new banner ad on this blog, and you will see it down on the left hand side. If you click on said banner, you will be taken to the official 442 pub site, but much better than a virtual visit is a real one. And shortly all you rugby fans will be able to see all the rugby down at the pub – but get there before the matches start, otherwise you will find it is standing room only. The atmosphere will be great though, sitting or standing.

Oh, and the ‘two beers for the price of one’ offer is still on. Yet another excuse for checking the place out.

Clever Son and Crafty Dog

My son continues to surprise us. For a 4.5 year old he has quite a devious mind. Just today after I had picked the light blighter up from school, we stopped off in a bar, or rather we were induced into entering the bat. I was with the mother of one of his friends, and the two lads ran into the place. So, we had a coffee and the wee ones tucked into a brioche and grabbed stuff off the aperitif buffet, as you do here in Milan. Then the two little chaps started messing around with the gambling slot machines, and my little one asked for money. I said, no way, and Marty, my son, whipped off his bobble hat and stuck it in front of him like a little beggar. The little bu***r!

Now, I have know idea where he got this idea from. The TV or a film I imagine. But, whatever, he is a wily little beast. The other day, in yet another incident, he caught me out with one of his little tricks too. I mean, I’m over 40, and this 4.5 year old can get the better of me! Worrying, it is. He’s got quite a mind. Heaven only knows what he’ll be like when he’s, I don’t know, six or something.

And then there is the six month old pup. He’s got a crafty streak in him too. This little fellow gets rather upset when we give him a hard time over pooping in the house. So, guess what he’s taken to doing. Brace yourselves, it’s a bit disgusting. Hope you have eaten.

Well, he hoovers up his own poo. Yuk! Ends up with rather foul smelling breath as a result, as you may imagine.

So, there you have it, the joys of pets and children. Hours of endless fun. Or something like that.

News from the Sausage front

Well, I don’t want to give too much away, but there has been some movement on the banger front. Some of these ‘ere sizzlers found their way down to deepest darkest southern Italy, and went down well. Interesting. My thanks go to my sausage partner, Gaetano Salvo for his efforts on this. He has been spreading the word and has not done at all badly. Indeed, thanks in the main to Gaetano, I may have a little meeting this week in this neck of the boschi (boschi = ‘woods’ in Italian) to talk about sausagey stuff.

This thing keeps banging on. Ho ho ho (no offence intended to American women intended – this ‘ho ho ho’ is the age old traditional Father Christmas version, not the more modern American slang version with an offensive meaning, and which, it has to be said, is not oft repeated three times. At least I don’t imagine it is…).

Exclusive! Full English Breakfast in Milan, Italy!

Yes, it’s finally here! As you can see from the (not wonderful) camera phone shot I took this very evening, the full English breakfast down at the 442 pub here in wet old Milan is about to go live!

Tomorrow, from midday on, this scrumptious brekkie will be ready to be ordered and eaten. And you can pick up a plate of these goodies from noon until two in the morning on both Saturday, tomorrow and Sunday. This probably means that this will be the longest English style breakfast ever! And I will be down there with my wee one, and we shall be tucking in.

Tonight’s trial run was tried and tasted by Chris, all round good bloke, and English 442 regular. His verdict: ‘It’s the best full English breakfast I’ve had outside the UK!‘ – High praise indeed and I agreed with him. Wonderful!

Finally an ex-pat can find a decent breakfast that is a wee bit more substantial, and enticing, than the cappuccino and cake that is the usual offering here. Cholesterol overload, here I come.

The cost of this extravaganza? A mere 10 Euros, and this special offer price, includes coffee, tea, and toast. After Xmas you will still get the same, but the price will be 12 Euros. Still not an exaggeration when you consider that brunches in Milan can cost from 16 Euros up.

And you can blame me for the sausages. Check them out, I don’t think you will regret it.

Be there, or be hungry!

Here’s to the 442 and extended British Breakfast euphoria!