It wasn't without some chaos, though - I left as the last passenger on flight and forgot my phone and wallet (with a few thousand in cash) in the seat pocket.
I accepted the fact that it might be 'lost forever' when I went to lost and found within 5 minutes and they claimed not to have found anything when telling me to leave.
That day, though, I got a message on Twitter under a newly created account saying that she could help me. Turns out one of the police at the airport found the phone/wallet and tried to reach me via Googling my social media - I went back to Italy and sure enough, it was there. It restored my faith in humanity when my first thought was a staff must have taken it. I thanked her by inviting to dinner, because hey, nice people do exist.
Aside from that incident, I spent a lot of time enjoying Italian food.
One of the most memorable was the Japanese Italian fusion restaurant called Tokuyoshi. It's a small high end restaurant with a modern decor. The most memorable is the 'full moon' at the restaurant's bar table.
While the white table cloth and the professional staff may give the impression of a stiff and formal dining experience, the bar adds a casual vibe. I think we were the most dressed up diners in the restaurant.
The food itself was extremely well thought out and creative. Though they claim to have Italian food, I definitely saw the Japanese influence by the chef who is Japanese. From the painted dishes to inspiration, no detail was spared. The dining experience was impeccable.
Italy meets Japan tasting menu
1. Anna 2017
Organic mixed vegetables with soy mayo and flowers.
This is a DYI salad, where the diner mixes their own greens to eat with the sauce.
2. Scarpetta
Turbot with saffron, shrimp, herb, tomato, squid in sauce. They give you a piece of bread to dunk the sauce with.
3. Italian Plin with Japanese broth
The Italian stuffed pasta in a thick ramen-like broth. Why didn't anyone think of this before? A winning combo.
4. Head or tail
Veal tongue and monk fish tail. The veal tongue was very juicy with a slight chew to it, similar texture as the monkfish.
5. Tsukune
Duck meat rolled in the Japanese bitter leaf was served in a wooden bowl. The meat is rolled on a stick with a sauce to dip in.
6. Braised veal cheek
Buttery veal cheek with mashed potatoes
A bit of yuzu sorbet and wine gelee to clean the palate before dessert arrives.
7. Concrete & earth
Marshmallow cream and chocolate crumbles. Charcoal meringue pieces on top.
Color Contamination
1. Red crab
Crab salad with fish on top. Presented in a bright red crab shell.
2. Black fish
Japanese river fish with squid ink painting and crumbles on top
3. White pasta
Clam pasta with cheese
4. Yellow risotto
Saffron risotto with pork on top
5. Purple venison
Venison with mashed purple potato
6. Green beef
Warm greens on top of steak
7. Pink mountain
Inspired the chef who discovered fossils in nearby rose colored mountain, recreation with herb cream and pink colored meringue 'mountain.'
Obica Duomo
This is a chain restaurant located in the mall of the most touristy part of the city. Normally I'd avoid tourist traps such as this, due to overpriced mediocre dishes with hordes of people to compete for a table with.
However, it does offer the best view of the Duomo due to its rooftop location just next to the cathedral and the food is decent and quick. It's known for the mozzarella and I usually get a plate of cheese and ham with a side of pizza. To sip on some espresso while overlooking the Duomo is surely an experience not to be missed.
Ristorante Valentino
When in Milan, you must eat osso buco.
The 'ossobuco' is the traditional Milanese dish comprised of veal braised in wine or tomato based sauce on top of saffron risotto. I'm not a fan of risotto, but the restaurant I found near the Duomo had hands down one of the best risotto I've had.
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| Stuffed eggplant with sweet pepper/tomato sauce |
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| Warm baby octopus |
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| Osso buco. So good I had to return for a second meal. |
Extra trip:
Navigli
A small series of canals in Milano, the streets are lined with small bars and art stores. The center of Milan used to have canals, which is now closed up to make way for tram transportation. The water here is surprisingly clear enough to see the small fish that dart along the algae.
I highly recommend ordering a plate of ham and cheese on sunny days. Eating along the canals while people watching is such a simple but pleasant way to pass a lazy afternoon.
La Prosciutteria
It's a hole in the wall joint lined with bottles of wine and a cheese/ham wall. You can get a mixed plate that's perfect for eating outside on one of their rickety benches along the streets.
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