If you are ever in Milan, try to get to the Ristorante Bell'Aria (http://www.ristorantebellaria.it/ristorante_matrimonio_compleanni.html). This may not be easy as it is located in an out-of-the-way residential district but it is worth the trip, especially in the afternoon.

It is a small, family-owned, place (in fact I am surprised it has a website) that is not very impressive from the outside. Inside, it seems "okay" unless you eat in the enclosed garden, which is great.

The food is fantastic -- especially the dessert cart -- and the service is exactly what you would expect from a Mom and Pop place which has been in the family for a few generations.

(For an example of what I mean, take a look at this post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3707167&postcount=18) .)

Why go in the afternoons? To start with, Milan can be chilly even in Spring and Fall in the evenings and if you want to sit outside in the garden, the afternoon is the best time.

Moreover, while it is never a very expensive restaurant, it does get a bit pricey in the evenings -- but has a very inexpensive complete lunch menu.

The reason for the price difference is the make up of the neighborhood. It is mostly residential with quite a few retail shops. The people who are usually willing to splurge on a lunch generally work for larger corporations or are tourists -- and neither will be found in this neighborhood.

The shopkeepers either go home for lunch or to a local trattoria and the Bell'Aria is generally empty. To help boost business, lunch prices are kept way down -- and the profits come in during the evenings when it is often jammed.

The restaurant on the 57th floor of the Jim Mao tower in Shanghai. Best anywhere. ^

You should have posted 2 weeks ago, when I was in Milan. :)

Favorite restaurant...that's really tough...but I think it's probably Pacific-O in Lahaina -- combination of great food, atmosphere, and setting on the beach.

NYC - :) The Cafe de Bruxelles on Greenwich Avenue is high value, relatively low cost.

Hamburger Mary's in Phoenix has the most delish burgers.

There's also a taqueria in Chicago where I go whenever I'm there - that would be one of my favorites, too.

Chicago's Lou Malnati's for sausage pizza - nobody else anywhere even comes close.

And there's a great Vietnamese restaurant in Montreal along West St. Catherine which has the best soup.

Legal Seafood in Boston.

I like them all equally for what they are best at.

I also vote for Italy, though southern, not northern. The Ribot is a small restaurant owned by a former model (still smokin', btw) in Lago di Patria, a few minutes up the coast from Napoli. The area is where the best fresh mozzarella di buffala comes from and the veggies all are a bit sweeter than usual thanks to the extra nitrogen in the soil courtesy of Mt Vesuvius. Avg meal is 12 for lunch and about 23-30 for dinner (euro hasn't been very kind to the Italian economy).

It's a beautiful restaurant, all hard woods and tiled floors, and of course, you should try to eat with a big group, as there will be many different dishes to try if you do!

I would happily eat lunch and dinner there pretty much every day for the rest of my life.

Second favorite is a mini-chain in the US South East called "Tripps". Better than Ruth Chris (IMO) and about 1/3rd the price. When I say mini-chain there are only half-a-dozen spread out over three states or so. They use a very high temp grill (1,700F) to flash cook your steak. It works so quickly that the juices do not have time to boil off before your steak is ready to eat! Totally different and much more flavorfull steak dinner results. They also do an awesome side of mashed sweet potatoes (with a bit of brown sugar and butter) that 's a real treat. They fly in their cheesecake frech from the Carnagie Deli in New York and are all about quality rather than quantity. Avg meal is 20-25 with drinks.

Finally, for an open grill meal, The Iskenderra Grill in Manama, Bahrain is hard to beat. Lebaneese schwarma, fresh flat bread literally steaming right out of the oven, fresh mini pickles made lebaneese style, and grilled lamb that was "baaaing" yesterday and was never fed the fifty different steroids they use in the US. Makes my mouth water 5000mi and 6months later. A huge delicious meal can be had for around 10-12 dollars. Mmmmmmmm....

Regards,
-Bouncer-

The Mrs. and I have to go with Gaylord's in Kauai.

If you are ever in Milan, try to get to the Ristorante Bell'Aria (http://www.ristorantebellaria.it/ristorante_matrimonio_compleanni.html). This may not be easy as it is located in an out-of-the-way residential district but it is worth the trip, especially in the afternoon.

It is a small, family-owned, place (in fact I am surprised it has a website) that is not very impressive from the outside. Inside, it seems "okay" unless you eat in the enclosed garden, which is great.

The food is fantastic -- especially the dessert cart -- and the service is exactly what you would expect from a Mom and Pop place which has been in the family for a few generations.

(For an example of what I mean, take a look at this post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3707167&postcount=18) .)

Why go in the afternoons? To start with, Milan can be chilly even in Spring and Fall in the evenings and if you want to sit outside in the garden, the afternoon is the best time.

Moreover, while it is never a very expensive restaurant, it does get a bit pricey in the evenings -- but has a very inexpensive complete lunch menu.

The reason for the price difference is the make up of the neighborhood. It is mostly residential with quite a few retail shops. The people who are usually willing to splurge on a lunch generally work for larger corporations or are tourists -- and neither will be found in this neighborhood.

The shopkeepers either go home for lunch or to a local trattoria and the Bell'Aria is generally empty. To help boost business, lunch prices are kept way down -- and the profits come in during the evenings when it is often jammed.


Any way to get over there via public transport, that you know of? I might be in Milan later in May, and I'd love to try it. Thanks

Any way to get over there via public transport, that you know of? I might be in Milan later in May, and I'd love to try it. Thanks

First off, if you are going to be in Milan between May 8 and May 15, PM me and we will have lunch there together.

Secondly, to answer your question -- yes, there is a way to get there by public transport. There are two trolley lines which run there from the Duomo area. I'm sorry, but I can't remember their numbers (I have a feeling that one of them is either 3 or 4).

Just ask which line takes you to Via Tibaldi (you get there through the Porta Ticenese). The restaurant is at Via Meda 43. Via Meda is the continuation of Via Tibaldi and # 43 is very close to where the street changes its name.

If you speak Italian, or if your hotel front desk is willing to help you, you can get more detailed info by calling 0289501448.

If not, let me know and I will ask my girlfriend for transport details -- her home is right near the restaurant.

First off, if you are going to be in Milan between May 8 and May 15, PM me and we will have lunch there together.

Secondly, to answer your question -- yes, there is a way to get there by public transport. There are two trolley lines which run there from the Duomo area. I'm sorry, but I can't remember their numbers (I have a feeling that one of them is either 3 or 4).

Just ask which line takes you to Via Tibaldi (you get there through the Porta Ticenese). The restaurant is at Via Meda 43. Via Meda is the continuation of Via Tibaldi and # 43 is very close to where the street changes its name.

If you speak Italian, or if your hotel front desk is willing to help you, you can get more detailed info by calling 0289501448.

If not, let me know and I will ask my girlfriend for transport details -- her home is right near the restaurant.

What day is May 15? If I do go to Milan, it will be with a few friends for a long weekend (we're all college seniors). I'm a huge Roma fan, as is one of my friends, so we'd try to get tickets to Milan-Roma at the San Siro, preferably with the Ospiti, (it's one of my favorite stadiums, i've been there twice).

Feel free to send me a PM. Cheers

I will be flying home on May 15 early in the morning but it wouldn't have helped even if I weren't -- like most Milanese restaurants, the Bell'Aria is closed on Mondays.

In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion that a bunch of college seniors can find some more interesting things to do in Milan than hang around with an ancient 60-year-old guy. (The jazz clubs come to mind.)

Of course, if you are students who have a lot more extra $$$$ than I did when I was studying, you might want to head out of town to Campione d'Italia -- which now boasts Europe's biggest casino.

Jazz Clubs, wine bars, strolling around the city, I don't really care. I might have to use my LH miles to fund the flight, but it would be worth it. The most important things to me would be eating a few goods meals, spending time in a great city with friends, and of course, watching my beloved Roma defeat Milan at the San Siro.

We'd probably be in town thurs/Fri-Monday so no worries. It's pretty much conditional on very cheap fares from BOS/JFK and staying at a friend of a friend's place (luckily, said friend would be coming)

where's Campione d'Italia

where's Campione d'Italia

Campione d'Italia is part of Italy only by a fluke of history. It is completely surrounded by Switzerland (although near the Italian border). The closest city to it is Lugano (Switzerland) which is about an hour's drive from MXP.

In fact, MXP is about equidistant from Lugano and downtown Milan (at least in time). If the weather is warm in May, you might want to think about staying in Lugano -- it attracts vacationers from all over Europe, mostly young people, and in summer (I'm not sure about May) the activities keep going until early morning.

Hi!
We were very happy when a member of this board sent us an email reporting this thread!
Well, Bell'aria Restaurant is usually closed on Wednesday,except for special occasions.
You can check out our brand new website, http://www.ristorantebellaria.it, which features an interactive map of the area (for people who has problems with understanding italian language, here's the direct link to the map, http://www.ristorantebellaria.it/mappa.html :)).
regards,
Bell'aria team

Papa Gino's Pizza Restaurant
221 Lygon St
Carlton, VIC, 3053
Australia

Far from being the most expensive restaurant in the world (or even the street), each time I go to Melbourne I head straight to Papa Gino's. The Mushroom Pizza is a must!

RistoranteBellaria, welcome to FlyerTalk!

I am happy that someone let you know about this thread (no, it was not me) and look forward to having lunch in the garden in May. Please make certain that you save some profiteroles for me!

(I know that you have no idea of who I am -- so let me give you some hints. I am the American who usually wears the crazy cowboy hat and always eats there with his Milanese girlfriend -- who lives in the cooperative right next to you.)

Hi!
We were very happy when a member of this board sent us an email reporting this thread!
Well, Bell'aria Restaurant is usually closed on Wednesday,except for special occasions.
You can check out our brand new website, http://www.ristorantebellaria.it, which features an interactive map of the area (for people who has problems with understanding italian language, here's the direct link to the map, http://www.ristorantebellaria.it/mappa.html :)).
regards,
Bell'aria team

Great stuff! I'll be sure to visit when I'm in town! ^

If you like to eat in a luxury restaurant in Milan, try either the Cracco-Peck, Il Teatro (in Four Seasons Hotel) or Savini. You can’t go wrong!

La Boheme in Ginza district of Tokyo. DELICIOUS italian food there! Go there during the evening -- it makes for a really surreal evening sitting at the window looking at the Japanese people walking by on a light rainy evening. :)

Sanosuke!

La Boheme in Ginza district of Tokyo. DELICIOUS italian food there!

That's very unfair! I've yet to find a really good Japanese restaurant in Milan. :mad:

If you are ever in Milan, try to get to the Ristorante Bell'Aria (http://www.ristorantebellaria.it/ristorante_matrimonio_compleanni.html). This may not be easy as it is located in an out-of-the-way residential district but it is worth the trip....

Dovster:

Thanks for posting this. Have you been more than one time at this restaurant .. was it always good? I might go there beginning of May...
Any other restaurant recommendations in Milano?

Dovster:

Thanks for posting this. Have you been more than one time at this restaurant .. was it always good? I might go there beginning of May...
Any other restaurant recommendations in Milano?

I have been there often (as I noted, it is right next to where my girlfriend lives) and have never been disappointed in the food. The ambiance, however, is a different matter. It is fine, but nothing remarkable, on cold days -- but when the weather permits you to sit in the enclosed garden, a rarity in Milan, it is truly wonderful.

Frankly, I have been disappointed in several of the other Milanese restaurants I have been to -- but I don't frequent the "Let's Wring Every Last Euro Out of You" type. Let me know if you are going to be there between May 8 and May 15 and maybe we can get together for lunch.

I have been there often (as I noted, it is right next to where my girlfriend lives) and have never been disappointed in the food. The ambiance, however, is a different matter. It is fine, but nothing remarkable, on cold days -- but when the weather permits you to sit in the enclosed garden, a rarity in Milan, it is truly wonderful.

Frankly, I have been disappointed in several of the other Milanese restaurants I have been to -- but I don't frequent the "Let's Wring Every Last Euro Out of You" type. Let me know if you are going to be there between May 8 and May 15 and maybe we can get together for lunch.
Wow - that was fast ...

Mrs. USAFAN and I will be there beginning of May, only for one night ... we do a Europe tour by car and may go to Milan ... it depends a little on the weather
Thanks ^

Mrs. RPRocket and I agree.

Our favorite has to be Alan Wong's. Worth the trip over just to eat there

Dovster and anyone else with experience in Milan, any other suggestions? I'd like to go to Bell'Aria but any others? I know from experience that food in general is very good, at least by my standards. Can't be too pricey though as I'm a student and the only way I'll be in Milan in May is thanks to cashing in some LH miles.

Also I'll be with two friends, one who has never been in Italy, so I want to take him to the Duomo and the Last Supper, and maybe a day trip to Como (taking a cruise around the Lake). Any suggestions on where to eat in Como? I've eaten in Bellagio and the pricing was nice but I forget the name of the place...

Il Latini in Florence, Italy.

Il Latini in Florence, Italy.

We visited Il Latini a couple of years back with our dog (a 10lb Chihuahua mix) ensconced in her low profile doggie carrier. She's well behaved and has visited many restaraunts this way, enjoying a nap in her bag on the floor between my wife and I.

On this occasion as we were waiting outside in the line to get in, the couple behind us spotted our dog and we opened up the bag to show them. The hostess at the door came over to pet her and she ended up being paraded around the restaurant by the owner once we were inside and seated. :D Made for some great photos. (great homestyle food which I thought was reminscient of Robertos on Arthur Avenue the Bronx). Wonderful hospitality as we experienced.

Restaurants we keep going back to when we get the chance are:
Comerce 24 in El Born in Barcelona (El Bulli inspired small plates)
Lavagna on 5th East Village, NY (Fantastic Italian - mussles in broth and pasta with peas and sausage highlights)
Piperade San Francisco (exciting basque food)
Robe et la Palais near Place du Chatelet Paris (that little french bistrot you are always looking for in Paris but rarely find - and in an unexpected location)
Le Silapa in Vientiane (Run by two Quebecois transplants in Asia's sleepy capital they manage to produce exceptional and consistent classic french cuisine with some asian influences)

All offer fantastic value for the quality and dishes that are good and interesting enough to return to again and again.

No way that I will be in Florence that weekend. How about Bergamo?

Jamoldo, it has been my experience in Milan that if I get away from the Duomo area and get into the neighborhoods, I can get a very good meal at any place that calls itself a "trattoria" for an extremely minimal price.

The choices are apt to be restricted on any particular day but the food, although simple, will be good.

I must say that Milan is probably the most boring and expensive big city in Italy. They have a really nice Duomo (whose roof you can walk around on which is quite cool) and The Last Supper. Otherwise, it's just a lot of shopping that could be done in any other major intl city. There isn't even a hostel in Milan proper! So I don't have a favorite restaurant, as I didn't spend more than a night there. Well, that's not entirely true. I did miss a night train to Bruxelles and spent the night in the train station, but I didn't go anywhere.

I think the only place I ate while I was there (it's where I flew into and out of due to price) was at a McDonalds, because everything else was tres cher cher. And I had breakfast at my pensione. And had my first experience with one of my great loves, the best mass produced candy bar I've ever had, the Kinder Bueno. Not the egg, but the ones with the two pieces and the wafers and the oozing hazelnut flavor. It's a crime that you can't get those in the US. They have them in Canada. Usually something I bring back down when I'm coming from YVR.

I don't have just one favorite restaurant but three. And they're pretty widely dispersed:

1. Osteria del Circo at the Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV: Have eaten there dozens of times and never had less than an exquisite meal. And I've rarely had to pay for the meal which makes it even more memorable :). I prefer Circo over it's big brother, Le Cirque.

2. Gerard's, Lahaina, Maui: Small, intimate oasis in the otherwise bustling downtown Lahaina. I usually pre-order a special dish which is rarely on the menu: Basque Ahi Stew. It's sort of like a Cioppino but with some subtle and delicious differences.

3. Joe's Stone Crab, Miami Beach, FL : Stone Crab is a truly unique seafood and one that is rarely found outside Florida. We've been known to fly from LA to Miami just to have dinner there. And now they have a Joe's at the Caesar's Palace Forum Shops in Las Vegas. While not exactly a duplicate of the original , it's proximity to where we live makes up the difference.

My girlfriend and I had a wonderful dinner last night in the Bell'Aria's garden. I think it was the first evening when the weather was warm enough to make this possible.

As I mentioned earlier, prices there go up at night but I looked at the lunch menu: It had a large selection of antipasto, pasta, meat, fish, dessert and you could have one each of appetizer, pasta, meat/fish and dessert for 12 Euros.

That is far from a budget-busting price for anyone.

I also vote for Italy, though southern, not northern.

100% agree. I was over in Southern Italy (Salerno) at Christmas visiting family and just recently (last week) was in Milan on business also went to Venice and Como, and have to say the food in the south was fantastic. If you want my favourite in the south find a little town called campana, near salerno, then walk up the main street until you see the signs for a carpark off to the right. Just before the stairs to the carpark is a great little restaurant, no tourist would ever go there but it was one of the best italian meals i have ever had. entrees from 3 Euros mains from 5, and it beats any restaurant you can find hands down, its all home cooking ^ .

Bouncer good call on the buffalo mozzarella, i can eat that stuff till the cows come home...pardon the pun :D also if you in the south make sure you try the real pizza. the bread they use is more like lebanese bread, and its served up square not round, with buffalo mozzarella too....but be warned once you go buffalo cows wont do it for you anymore :p

Frankly, I have been disappointed in several of the other Milanese restaurants I have been to -- but I don't frequent the "Let's Wring Every Last Euro Out of You" type.

^ :-: :D

Bouncer good call on the buffalo mozzarella, i can eat that stuff till the cows come home...pardon the pun

:D

But that's because I haven't travelled much.

Edo-Gin is a fantastic, somewhat upscale sushi restaurant near the Tsukiji Fish Market. I've been going there on and off since the 1980s, when my dad took me.

I also like La Brasserie in the basement shopping arcade of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Very good Alsatian cuisine.

Scoma's in San Francisco is a terrific seafood place near Fisherman's Wharf.

Kabob Palace, which I'm sure none of you has heard of, is near the intersection of 23rd St and Jeff Davis Hwy in Arlington, VA, 5 minutes' drive from DCA and 2 minutes up the block from the Thrifty rental lot. Cheap, authentic, delicious Pakistani food. I was a regular while living in Crystal City a few years back.

Well, if you factor in value and focus primarily on the food, I could come up with several.

In the very cheap category is Udipi Cafe on Rte 27 in Franklin Park, NJ. Franklin Park is pretty close to the epicenter of Indian-American population, Iselin. Udipi is almost exclusively South Indian and is completely vegtarian. It's also extremely cheap. 10 dollars will get you a thali that has maybe 10 different dishes on it, which are changed regularly. They'll give you as much as you want too.

For the mid-priced restaurant (20-30 dollars a person w/o alcohol), my vote would be for Po in NYC. It's one of Mario Batali's early endeavors down in the Village and is still quite good. The white bean bruschetta is absolutely divine. I would highly recommend, if you want to splurge a bit, to get the 40 dollar tasting menu. It's one of the best values in NYC.

In the high-end/luxury category, my vote would have to go to Jean-Georges, also in NYC. I haven't had a vast array of experience with this category of restaurant, as I can't afford it myself (but I have an uncle that can :) ), but I would have to say that it is hands-down the best restaurant I've ever been to. Chanterelle about 4 years ago would come somewhat close, but they've gone way downhill since then.

I'm surprised no one mentioned Nabucco in Brera, behind La Scala, in Milan. The Black Taglioni pasta with pumpkins and baby squids are to die for.

Check it out: http://www.nabucco.it/ht_i/pres_i.html.

Another Milan favorite is Trattoria del Carmine in Piazza del Carmine, also behind La Scala.