Unique Bars & A Trattoria: Milano

This week I have been to a couple of great bars and a lovely trattoria just near my office here in Milan. These places are all a little bit special in their own way, and different from the run of the mill type bars and restaurants, so definitely worth a try.

• Bento Bar: Corso Garibaldi 104, Milano. Website: http://www.bentobar.com. The aperitivo price is €12 which includes a drink (with some nice Japanese style cocktails to choose from) and a Bento sushi box. Although €12 is a bit on the steepish side for an aperitivo the sushi is really nice and fresh so in the end the price really doesn't feel too bad. Also its great to sit outside, on Corso Garibaldi and do some people watching. Other places to try in the same location are Radetzky Café and Princi (http://www.princi.it) which is more a pasticceria but you can also sit outside. These are both found in Largo la Foppa, or Piazza Moscova. If you feel like a slightly cheaper drink than the Radetzky prices, then pop straight across Corso Garibaldi to a small bar run by some guys who sell more well priced drinks, and you will find that you are not the only one with that same idea! In the end everyone ends up hanging out on Corso Garibaldi and chatting, so where you bought your drink is irrelevant! A new addition to this area is a German style birreria which is found at the end of a little Galleria, and their beers are €4 each, and they also serve you plates of aperitivo food.
• Fioraio Bianchi Caffè: Via Montebello 7, Milano. Website: http://www.fioraiobianchicaffe.it. This is both a restaurant and bar and located in the Brera neighbourhood of Milan. The closest metro station is either Turati or Moscova. This is such a nice place, as its actually both a florist and restaurant. I went for dinner years ago and I still remember that the food was delicious and the atmosphere is lovely. This week I went there for an aperitivo and shared a nice bottle of wine with friends, and they offer a nice selection of food for their aperitivo too.
• Trattoria Aurora: Via Savona 23, Milano. T: 02 8323144. Standing on Via Savona and looking at the entrance of this trattoria you have no idea what is inside, and its such a lovely surprise when you do go in. This trattoria is in a great location diagonally opposite Cafè Savona and also Murphys Irish pub, both well known in the Zona Tortona / Savona area. I've walked past this trattoria so many times and finally yesterday went to lunch there. So you walk inside and instantly feel like you have been transported to another time, with dark furnishings and booths to sit in, then you keep walking all the way down to the end of the restaurant and before you is a beautiful courtyard covered with vines, grapes and tables of people enjoying their food. The lunch menu is really well priced, and mains are around €8-10 each. The food was brilliant and service really friendly.
• Turne Bar: Via Paolo Frisi 3, Milano. Website: http://www.turnenightbar.com. The closest metro is Porta Venezia. I've been to this bar many times, not only for drinks and aperitivo, but also to watch football matches as they have a great room at the back of the bar where they can put up a big screen for different events. This bar is a casual, friendly local, with well priced drinks and its great to go for a good catch up with friends.

Hope that you enjoy these!