Still busyish, but managed to find the time to brunch

Well, I managed to pay my taxes. The on-line system finally got itself together and let me make my advance donation to the Italian government. At least I won’t have to pay any fine. Now all I need is for someone to get round to paying me. Oh well, such is self-employed life.

At least last weekend I managed to get (lots of ‘gets’ in this post…) on down to the 442 for a full English brunch last Saturday, and it was good. I really had forgotten just how much I missed this tasty plate of unhealthy goodness.

On Sunday we went out with a group of our son’s school friends’ parents, and assorted kids for, wait for it. Yep, another ‘brunch’, except this time the brunch in question was nothing like the English breakfast, nor was it one of these imitation American brunches either. It was more like a buffet, in fact it was a buffet. Although only a brunch by name, it was not at all bad, but at €22 a head for growed-ups and €12 per little one, it was not exactly cheap.

The venue was the UTZ (info in Italian) restaurant in Via Solferino, which is slap bang in the middle of the posh, and pricey, part of Milan. Despite the highish price, I’d still recommend checking out this brunchy sort of meal. The buffet was excellent, and worthy of particular note was the asparagus mousse I tried, which was delicious. The best, as they say, was yet to come, for there was also a dessert buffet, and boy was it good. About ten different puddings to tuck into, and this being a buffet, it was OK to go for seconds, which I did. Diet on hold. Well, it was the weekend.

If you do decide to wander on over there, then try to book a table downstairs. This area is very attractive, it being a converted cellar, and you will be a couple of steps away from the buffets. This means that you can stuff yourself to your heart’s content. Oh, and there is also an area where you can leave the little ones, who will be looked after and kept occupied, thus enabling mum and dad to have a moment’s peace. In all, not a bad place.

Other things to report? Not really, apart from the continuing sausage saga. I now appear to have a regular Wednesday afternoon appointment to supervise sausage production, although I don’t really think I need to be there. However, I have noticed that the, very nice, chap who has been assigned to banger making has a tendency to make the said sausages a little bit on the long side, so my presence is required to curb his enthusiasm. I think he thinks he’s making Italian bangers, which are a little longer than the British variety. I dare say I shall manage to overcome this slight hiccup.

And guess what everyone is going to get for Christmas from me? Yep, that’s right, a kilo or so of finest English-style bangers! Although the portions of sausages will be presented in a festive fashion – read mini-hamper. Can’t wait to see the reactions.

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!

Sausage Production to Commence!

Yes, that’s right. The sausage mix arrived from the UK yesterday and next Wednesday I have an appointment with the butchers to start making those English style bangers in Milan.

This means that a sausage tasting will be held at the 442 on Wednesday or Thursday evening. And once the best blend has been identified, full scale sausage production for the 442 will start, and the 442 can begin to offer its full English Breakfast weekend menus.

In addition, I hope, sausages will become a regular feature on the 442′s weekly menu, perhaps accompanied by the traditional chips and beans. Thus turning the 442 into a real haven for ex-pats in search of good sausages in Italy.

In addition to British banger fans, I’ve also met a number of Italians who prefer the British style banger to the traditional Italian sausage. So there is some hope for my aim of spreading English style sausages throughout Italy.

Updates to the continuing sausage saga will be coming soon!

Sausage Progress

With a little bit of luck a few bags of super sausage mix should arrive in Milan today. This means that I can ask the butcher to order the pork and sausage production can commence. The prospect is mouthwatering.

Once a few bangers have been made, they will be delivered to the 442 and an official sausage tasting will be held. If all goes according to plan, this event will take place at some time next week. I will admit to being on tenderhooks, after all, what happens if nobody likes the results of the sausage struggle? Yes, this is a slight worry, which is why a few different blends will be produced so that we can find out what everyone’s preferred sausage blend is.

I’ve been spreading the word on the sausage front and quite a few people have said that they would like to come along to the sausage tasting. I’m almost thinking about running off a few invitations to this event. We’ll see.

This sausage story is completely new territory for me, but may make for an interesting, if rather difficult to explain, addition to my CV.

More news on the sausage tasting will follow, as will information about the launch of the 442′s full English breakfast – which will probably be launched at a special price of €10. For Milan, this is an exceptionally good price, as any of you who have been to the various brunches held around Milan will know.

The sausage saga sizzles on

As I write, two super sausage sourcers, Liz and Claire from Lingo Design, are doing their level best to ensure that good old British bangers wend their way to Milan in time for the launch of the 4-4-2s full English breakfast, theoretically in little more than one week!

So, big thanks to Liz and Claire for their admirable attempts to ensure that a decent breakfast will be served up! Cheers!

If you are ever in Milan, the beers on me! And the sausages!

Grey, wet, and dull in Milan today and breakfast.

I almost cannot remember the last grey day here in Milan. It’s been so long. Anyway, to remind me that it is possible to have grey, wet, and dull weather in Italy, Milan today is suitably grey, wet and dull, with a hint of cool thrown in for good measure.

Just the sort of day when you need a little good news to cheer you up. Well, possibly, I have that news. You see, while having a quick pint down at my Milan local the 4-4-2 last night, Maurizio the barman, told me that from the 27th and 28th of October, that’s a Saturday and a Sunday, the 4-4-2 will start serving English style breakfasts.

Personally, I can’t wait to check this out. A good, comprehensive, full English breakfast is wonderful. Although it is not something to be eaten every day, unless you feel like setting a new personal best in terms of cholesterol levels, that is. But, what the heck, every so often this sort of treat won’t do any long term damage. In connection with this momentous event, mention has been made of smokey bacon, fried bread, baked beans, real English sausages etc. Indeed, the very thought of all this yummy stuff is making my mouth water.

There, told you I would brighten up this dull day.

PS The print out the 4-4-2 page of this blog and get 2 beers for the price of one offer is still on!