The Malpensa Express train goes from the airport into Milan, with stops at a number of small towns along the way. It's a 40 minute trip. Either go into Milan, or to one of the intermediate towns. The smaller towns will be less expensive, and can be nice, charactaristic places to explore.

The AF lounge is small, quiet, and nicer than the AZ lounges.

edit to add: Oops, I didn't notice you lack a schengen passport. The AF lounge is on the schengen side. There is a second lounge on the non-schengen side, the Pergolesi lounge, upstairs at the end of the B terminal. It's private (run by SEA, the airport authority), not skyteam, with agreements with certain airports.

There is a restaurant on the non-schengen side, choice of counter service with cafeteria type seating or sit-down section with waitress service. It's pretty decent, and if you choose the sit down side, the service is so slow that you can easily kill 2 hours per meal.

When will you be there? Maybe another FT'er will be transiting and can have a cafe with you and chat...