FLAVOURS OF MILAN

Bite your way into Milan’s culinary scene and get a true taste of local lifestyle on this private food tour. As you stroll through the city’s historic districts sampling mouth-watering delicacies you will discover that Milan is so much more than a fashion hub.

Unveil the tasty side of the city and see where real Milanesi eat, drink, purchase food and treat themselves to typical aperitivi. Along the way your guide will discuss local food traditions, explain the history behind regional cuisine and entertain you with stories and fun facts on the origins of Milan’s best-known dishes. You will also get advice on where to enjoy an evening happy hour in true Milanese style, indulge in a fine dining experience or sip an after-dinner cocktail at a trendy, popular venue.

You may not know that the celebrated gorgonzola cheese and the delicious Christmas dessert panettone are centuries-old Milanese inventions. Among the city’s traditional dishes are also busecca (tripe served in tomato soup), cotoletta alla milanese (breaded veal fried in butter), polenta (a creamy dish made with cornmeal) and risotto alla milanese infused with saffron. Legend has it that Milan’s famous risotto was first created in 1574. A master glass-maker of Milan’s cathedral used to nickname his pupil Zafferano as he liked saffron so much that he put it everywhere and even used it to stain the glass gold. The master glazier used to tease Zafferano saying his obsession would eventually lead him to put saffron in his rice as well. One day, after many years of teasing, the young man decided to play a trick on his master, whose daughter was to be married. During the wedding dinner he sprinkled the yellow spice in the risotto and created a gold-tinted dish to the amazement of the guests. The risotto was a resounding success and not a grain was left.

An indispensable ritual in the life of every self-respecting Italian is the prima colazione… Begin your day like a local, delighting your senses on a croissant and an expertly brewed coffee or cappuccino at the bar. Then follow a trail of Milan’s signature aromas, dropping in at nearby food stores to sample their latest treats. Tasty highlights might include traditional mondeghili meat balls, Lombard cheeses, scrumptious slices of pizza, puff pastry horns filled with cream, gelato and a glass of wine… cheers to classy Milan and the last word in cuisine!