Blog from Italy’s Honorable Mention – Platial + Frappr 2007 awards

I got an unexpected email yesterday from Platial + Frappr yesterday telling me that the Platial Map on this here blog had been awarded an honorable mention in the Platial + Frappr 2007 awards Local Guides section. I did not even know I had been nominated!

To show off this award, I’ve added a new graphic down in the right hand column, which is like this one:

I’m quite chuffed about this, and, apparently, I will be receiving my very own T-shirt and a special surprise gift in the post. Good stuff!

Blog from Italy – the Honourable Mention winning blog!

Man of Roma

Man of Roma writes a thoughtful blog. And he writes it very well, in my not so humble (see previous post) opinion. I wish I could write in Italian as well as he writes in English. One day, one day.

He even knew Montezemolo and says he is a good chap. This is interesting because it goes some way towards confirming my media developed opinion of Montezemolo.

Moving back to Man of Roma, he should be regarded as a shining example of just how well an Italian, or any other nationality for that matter, can learn another language. And I shall use his blog, and that of Rod – the Wind Rose Hotel blogger – to inspire all of those students of mine who think they are just not up to the job.

“Rubbish”, I shall retort, when I hear the ‘I’ll never learn English’ comments – just look at Man of Roma and Rob’s blogs. You can do it!

Yet more reasons why Italy can pull itself out of the mire.

DIESEL

Nope, I’m not going to waffle on about eco friendly fuels, but in my continuing micro-attempt to raise the feel-good factor for Italy in these troubled times, I’m going to have a look at an Italian brand, which, at first, for quite a few years, I did not know was Italian. Not a surprise; I did not even know how to pronounce Versace until a more fashion conscious friend corrected me. … Continue Reading

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 evening shots

It was busy:

A photo of Chris, a regular, at the 442, with a friend called Valentina:

Yours truly with Chris, although I have to admit that he looks happier to be in Valentina’s company. Can’t imagine why:

The lovely Martina, just one of the charming young ladies who work at the 442. My son thinks Martina is pretty cool, and she very kindly looked after Marty while his dad was talking bangers:

Yep, it was a fun evening.

Good place, good people, good beer, and bangers. What more could an ex-pat in Italy wish for?

Guess where I’ll be this evening? … Continue Reading

Sausages!

Above there is a picture of the sausages that participated in the official sausage tasting at the 442 last night. The general consensus of opinion was that they weren’t half bad. This reaction supplied me with a certain amount of sausage satisfaction, I have to say.

The English/Irish/American contingent, represented by Chris, Alison, Gordon and another Chris gave the sausages their collective thumbs up. As did, more importantly for me, the Italian sausage samplers. Alessandro, the guy who runs the 442 was happy too, and wants to sort out a regular supply of the these succulent sizzlers.

And me? Well, I have to say that the flavour was excellent, although there were a few teething troubles – many of the bangers burst, which was possibly down to the cooking method or time, and maybe the casings. I shall check this out with my sausage expert, and make sure that the next batch cooks better.

Guess what I had for lunch today? Yep, bangers, with Italian mash aka purè. Not at all bad. Now, all I need is some nice baked beans and I will be a happy bunny.

Oh, and a big thanks to all those who turned out to sample the subject sausages, and to those adventurous Italian patrons of the 442 who tasted a few of these titillating tubes of delight.

If you are an ex-pat Brit who loves the Living Museum, but longs for the good old British banger, then I believe that English style sausages will soon be on general release. Well, that’s the idea anyway.

Watch this space for more spicy sausage related stories.