#pizza e mozzarella bar

[formeryelpers]

Art’s Bakery & Café, 1122 E Chevy Chase Dr, Glendale, CA 91205

If you’re looking for Armenian baked goods and food, Art’s has a huge, even overwhelming, variety from which to choose. Here’s some of what they offer: Kabobs, shawarma, wraps, lahmajun, perashki, nazook, gata, ponchiks, pizza, cakes, puri bread, khachapuri, boreks, cakes,  cupcakes, cookies, pastries, soup, salads (e.g., beet salad, carrot salad, caprese salad), spreads and dips, frozen and refrigerated prepared foods, etc. If you’re looking for Dubai chocolate, they have Dubai chocolate bars and Dubai chocolate cookies. Cookies and baklava are sold by weight.

Beefy shawarma 12” Neapolitan pizza ($16.99): A good size pizza, freshly made. It’s enough for one hungry person or two people who aren’t that hungry. The crust was light and soft with puffy edges. It was decent but not as flavorful or chewy as the better pizza crusts. The pizza toppings tasted like what you’d find in a good shawarma sandwich: highly seasoned small pieces of beef, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic aioli, onions, tahini sauce, pickles, tomatoes, parsley, and tomatoes. Very tasty toppings, decent crust.

Margherita pizza ($15.99): the crust had the same issue – too soft, not chewy enough. The tomato sauce was different – it tasted like they added red bell peppers to it. I liked it. The pizza was also topped with mozzarella, basil, EVOO, and parmesan.  

Their pizzas are light and not oily or greasy. They’re light on cheese.

Indoor and outdoor seating are available. If you choose to dine there and order food that needs to be prepared, they’ll bring it to your table when it’s ready. It’s a nice looking, clean place. I’m sure they will make custom cakes.

4 out of 5 stars

By Lolia S.

[pizzaitaliaa]

Welcome to Pizza Italia – The Ultimate Resto Bar Experience

At Pizza Italia, we bring the authentic taste of Italy to your table, offering a delightful mix of traditional pizza recipes, refreshing cocktails, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Margherita or a gourmet creation, our menu has something for everyone. But we’re more than just pizza! Pizza Italia is a vibrant resto bar where great food meets good times.

A Slice of Italy Right in Your Neighborhood

What sets Pizza Italia apart from the rest? It's our commitment to crafting pizzas with the finest, freshest ingredients. From the dough to the toppings, we ensure that each slice delivers the perfect combination of flavors. Our wood-fired pizzas are made to order, bringing the delicious aroma and crispy crust that only a traditional oven can achieve. Choose from a wide range of pizzas, from savory and classic to innovative and bold.

Signature Pizza Creations:

Margherita: A classic pizza with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil—simple yet timeless.

Quattro For Maggi: A rich blend of mozzarella, gorgonzola, parmesan, and ricotta cheeses that melt together in perfect harmony.

Prosciutto e Funghi: A delicious combination of prosciutto, mushrooms, mozzarella, and tomato sauce that will transport your taste buds straight to Italy.

A Cozy Resto Bar for Every Occasion

Pizza Italia isn’t just a pizza joint; it’s a place where friends and families come together to enjoy delicious food, great drinks, and even better company. Our resto bar offers a wide selection of cocktails, craft beers, and wines, making it the perfect spot for after-work drinks, a casual dinner, or a fun night out.

Cocktail Menu:

Negroni: A balanced mix of gin, vermouth rosso, and Campari—perfect for cocktail enthusiasts.

Aperol Spritz: The refreshing, citrusy drink everyone loves to sip on a sunny day.

Margarita: A zesty, tangy classic made with tequila, lime, and orange liqueur.

If you're a fan of Italian wines, don’t miss out on our selection. We have an extensive range of red and white wines from Italy’s best vineyards, perfect for pairing with any pizza.

Unforgettable Vibes & Ambiance

We take pride in offering more than just food; we offer an experience. The ambiance at Pizza Italia is cozy, welcoming, and designed to help you unwind. Whether you’re relaxing on our outdoor patio, enjoying the lively energy inside, or watching the big game on one of our screens, you’ll always feel right at home. Our friendly staff is dedicated to making your visit unforgettable, ensuring you leave with a smile and a satisfied belly.

Pizza Italia – More Than Just a Meal

Whether it’s a quick bite during lunch, a leisurely dinner with family, or a fun night with friends, Pizza Italia is here to make your moments special. Our fusion of Italian authenticity with a lively bar scene means you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Come in today, indulge in the finest pizzas, sip on your favorite cocktail, and enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere that makes Pizza Italia your go-to destination. See you soon!

Pizza Italia: Where Every Slice Feels Like Home.

[perbanem]

Importance Of Best Pizza Sydney City

Pizza is more than a cheap food for drunk teenagers; it is also an infinitely flexible cuisine with infinite potential. Proof of this lies in the proliferation of new Sydney pizza restaurants where chefs bring an ever-increasing level of innovation to this time-honored dish. We have selected our picks of best pizza Sydney joints that cater to both traditionalists and daring diners.

Sydney's pizza-makers are pushing the envelope, whether with flavorful fermented bases or creative toppings. Here are the best places for a slice in Sydney. From the team behind LP's Quality Meats comes this tiny Inner West pizza joint proving less is more. Their malleable dough allows them to offer generous servings of pepperoni from an artisan butcher and other delicious toppings from around Australia and New Zealand.

Da Mario Pizza Bar stands out with a classic pizza experience in their former Limoncello digs, thanks to a wood-fired oven. Their light, fluffy bases are deliciously eatable - the cheese and honey pie being an exceptional example). Their simple but quality topping options include classic margherita as well as hot salami, mozzarella, black olives & hot salami Calabrese pizzas; additionally they have delicious calzone options including the popular "cotto e funghi" with salami & Ricotta combinations.

Pizza sydney Australia offers plenty of pizza choices, and this spot stands out as one of the best spots in Australia to experience them all. Their dough, created using Biga preferment flour and three different types of wheat, is soft and supple, unlike some 'Neopolitan' pizzas, not too thick; while their toppings feature mushrooms, caramelised eggplant slices, and an abundance of fior di latte which have proven particularly popular.

From the team behind LP's Quality Meats and Porteno comes this King Street favorite, where their pizzas fall somewhere between New York and Roman styles - blistered and chewy like Neapolitan but crisp enough to fold and devour with your hands, like Roman. There's lots to love at Pizza King Street from classic smoked ham and mozzarella to innovative white clam pies (complete with fermented chilli) to more experimental mushroom and pork sausage pizza with zucchini puree, prawns, ricotta cheese and pistachios .

Pizza has once more become an established part of Sydney dining culture. Thanks to its inexpensive core ingredients of flour, yeast and water, pizza offers economical advantages when times become more costly while creating the opportunity for culinary expression. Over the last year alone it has experienced significant momentum as credentialled chefs and restaurateurs overcome their earlier dislike for this humble favourite and begin welcoming it with open arms.

Surry Hills F&B's "golden triangle" of Surry Hills F&B welcomes a newcomer: this pizza restaurant sydney . Proponents of artisanal wood-fired pizza have taken notice: not only do their bases boast superlight and sag-proof bases made with local milled Italian wheat from Wisconsin as used by their American counterparts; their mozzarella also hails from Wisconsin! Their range of pizzas from traditional margherita to double smoked ham and artichokes with figs all feature delicious toppings but Norma stands out - elevated by caramelised eggplant islands and salted ricotta islands for ultimate enjoyment. For comprehensive details on best pizza sydney city , click here or visit our website.

[thequeenofsheba-blog]

Milan Fooding and Drinking

Here is our latest Milan write-up from a December 2024 trip:

RESTAURANTS

Il Luogo Aimo e Nadia

Il Luogo Aimo e Nadia is stunning. The restaurant has been around since 1962 and has held 2 Michelin stars since 1990. And yet, it hasn't become dated or stuffy. It is modern and exciting, without being overly fussy. The dining room is well lit. The service is stunning. The staff so genuinely care about the diner's experience and opinion, to a degree that very few fancy restaurants do- it was marked how much the staff engaged and wanted to make sure we enjoyed our meal. This is the key to why this place can serve up an incredible meal.

The meal was not vegetarian but leaned hard into the beauty of letting the vegetable sing. Openers that blew my mind include a pumpkin and amaretto bite, a porcini macaroon, and a Jerusalem artichoke tart.

Then came a squid dish so incredibly subtle and complex. It was an incredibly mature dish, one that makes you really think.

Then pure deliciousness- a potato cream with sea urchin and caviar.

Then there was a banging cauliflower dish that I will remember for so long, it was delicious, creamy, and rich.

The risotto dish was delicious though more traditional.

Then there was a delicious, sweet bread and langoustine dish.

And then fabulous agnolotti.

The dessert was a saffron chocolate mindbender. A dish so good, I finished a whole extra one.

This is the ONE meal no one should miss while in Milan.

Seta

We were back at Seta four years after our last meal there. The meal was a bit of a rollercoaster. There were some great highs- a delicious steak tartar bite, an oyster and potato dish that was a perfect blend of land and sea, a risotto dish that up to this day is the best risotto dish I have ever (with only the risotto dish at Materia coming close), a delicious and luscious eel dish, a great apple fennel palate cleaner, and a bomb apple dessert.

And then there were some lows- a boring lobster dish, a boring spaghetti dish, and sweetbreads that were good, but not quite as fantastic as the last time we were there.

A good meal, but I wish it had been more consistent throughout.

Bentoteca

Meh. I would not go out of my way to go here. Most of the dishes were fine but not great. While the tuna was good for tuna in Europe, it wasn’t cut the way you would expect. And some dishes were downright disappointing.

Trattoria del Ciumbia

The starters, especially though that were too creative, weren’t great. Even the vitello tonnato was disappointing- a more traditional version would have been better. But the more traditional mains were great, especially the white truffle tagliatelle, the ragu, and the osso bucco with Milanese risotto.

Nuova Arena

We came here at the recommendation of the chef of Il Luogo Aimo e Nadia. The starters were delicious, especially the fried mozzarella and veggies, and the fresh artichoke salad. The pastas were also great. But the Milanese veal cutlet really wasn’t great. What a disappointment! For dessert I had a fabulous mandarin sorbet doused in amaro that was delicious.

Crosta

Very yummy sort of pizza sort of focaccia with toppings. Excellent lunchtime snack spot.

Loste Cafe

I waited online for one hour, hoping for Copenhagen-level pastries but sadly, this place just ain’t it.

BARS

Camperino in Galleria

Fabulous. If you like Campari, you have to go here and savour the experience.

Nik's & Co.

The cocktails here are stunning. The trick of serving up savory cocktails that don’t disappoint is one most bars fail at but man, this place serves up incredible ones. I would go here again and again and again to try everything on the menu.

Moebius

The vibe here is great, and the cocktails are good. Some are spectacular, like the pesto martini, others, like their version of the penicillin are less good than the traditional drink it tries to iterate on. While we were there, we had two pasta dishes, and they were both absolutely delicious.

[thehungrykat1]

IL Lupino Prime by Peter Zwiener Opens First Philippine Branch at Opus Mall

From the owners of Wolfgang's Steakhouse comes a new fine dining restaurant that offers a fresh and modern take on Italian cuisine. IL Lupino Prime by Peter Zwiener opened its first Philippine location last November 27, 2024 at the Opus Mall in Quezon City. I love dining at Wolfgang's Steakhouse which is popular for their dry-aged steaks, so everyone was excited to visit this new premium dining destination in the city.

Peter Zwiener himself was present for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of IL Lupino Prime Manila last week. Accompanying him was his partner in Wolfgang's Steakhouse and IL Lupino Prime, restaurateur Raymund Magdaluyo who also owns and manages the Red Crab Group of restaurants plus several other new concepts.

You can find IL Lupino Prime at the ground floor of the upscale Opus Mall which also just recently opened this year. IL Lupino benefits from a high-profile location that reinforces its reputation as a premier luxury dining destination. Other popular restaurants that have recently opened here include Breakfast at Antonio's, Manam's, and ST. ALI Coffee.

IL Lupino literally means "Little Wolf" in Italian. This concept is the latest culinary masterpiece from the acclaimed father-son duo Wolfgang and Peter Zwiener, celebrated for bringing top-tier steaks to discerning diners through their iconic Wolfgang's Steakhouse brand. It draws inspiration from its origins in Tokyo and Waikiki, Hawaii, artfully merging fresh sophistication with the warmth of authentic Italian dining.

IL Lupino’s design perfectly balances upscale elegance and welcoming warmth. A bright and inviting bar area greets guests, perfect for enjoying wine or cocktails. The main dining room boasts thoughtful lighting and comfortable seating, creating an ideal space to savor the restaurant’s offerings. Italian-inspired décor and contemporary touches enhance the dining experience, making it a great venue for any occasion.

An extensive wine selection curated to complement the menu sets IL Lupino apart, delighting wine connoisseurs. The restaurant will offer over 200 different wine labels, half of which are Italian.

At the heart of Il Lupino’s gourmet excellence is a collaboration between restaurateur Peter Zwiener and Chef Alessio Loddo, a Sardinian chef renowned for his expertise in launching and operating premier dining establishments. Together, they aim to redefine Italian dining by presenting a refined menu that balances tradition with contemporary innovation.

During the private grand opening dinner, guests were able to sample some of the wines and cocktails available at IL Lupino Prime. The Negroni is a classic cocktail featuring a combination of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari.

The bar features several other signature cocktails, specially crafted to provide guests with a distinctive beverage experience. Get a glass of Aperol Spritz for a more authentic Italian dining experience.

The menu at IL Lupino presents an exceptional array of Italian dishes that seamlessly blend classic traditions with modern creativity, reflecting Chef Alessio’s Sardinian roots while offering a fresh perspective on Italian cuisine. Guests started with the Insalata Di Cavolo Nero, Formaggio di Capra, Acute Di Lime (P750), a fresh Kale salad that comes with goat cheese, cranberries, and lime ginger vinegar.

One standout appetizer was the Insalata Di Burrata E Pomodoro (P1380), a lovely Burrata and tomato salad with a delicate Italian cow's milk cheese made from Mozzarella and cream.

Another favorite that evening was the Polpettone Al Sugo Di Pomodoro (P750). This is a huge and juicy meatball served in a light tomato sauce.

Italy is famous for its pizza so IL Lupino Prime offers some authentic Italian style pizzas like the classic Margherita (P950). This comes with a combintion of Fior di latte mozzarella, Buffalo mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and tomato sauce with basil. The pizza crust is served slightly burnt, just how they really do it in Italy.

The Prosciutto Rucola E Parmigiano 36 Mesi (P1250) is a more premium pizza flavor with its San Daniele ham, Fior di latte mozzarella, arugula, and 36-month Parmesan cheese.

There are also some unique pasta on the menu at IL Lupino Prime. The Lasagna Di Spinaci (P950) is a house-made spinach lasagna with bolognese sauce, béchamel and Parmesan cheese. The lasagna slices are made with spinach which is something you don't find in other Italian restaurants here.

There's also the Bucatini Al Ragu Diagnello E Pecorino Sardo (P1300), a delectable bucatini pasta crowned with lamb ragu and pecorino Sardo cheese.

For those seeking hearty, flavorful dishes, you can savor the Ossobuco Alla Milanese (P3200), a fork-tender braised veal shank served with aromatic saffron risotto and a touch of gremolata. This meaty main dish can be happily shared by the family.

The highlight of the evening would be the Bistecca (P8990), an 850-grams USDA Prime T-Bone Steak expertly broiled at high heat and finished in a charcoal oven for unparalleled flavor. The steak will always be the centerpiece at any event so everyone was excited to try this gorgeous cut.

Some side dishes were also provided including the Spinaci In Padella Con Aglio (P450) which has sautéed spinach with garlic. They also served the Patate Arrosto Al Rosmarino E Aglio (P450) with its garlic rosemary roasted potatoes.

The steak was cooked medium to medium rare which is just how we like our beef. Since these are the owners of Wolfgang's Steakhouse, you can also be sure of the quality of the steaks at IL Lupino.

For desserts, you can get their classic Tiramisu (P560), an Italian dessert made with ladyfinger pastries and espresso then topped with cocoa powder. This one comes with really strong coffee flavors.

Better yet, try the Torta Di Ricotta (P675), a very rich and decadent Ricotta cheese cake topped with strawberry and syrup.

With its exceptional culinary offerings and stylish ambiance, Il Lupino Prime by Peter Zwiener is poised to become a leading name in Italian dining and a centerpiece of the Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Group’s expansion in Asia. Congratulations to Peter Zwiener, Raymund Magdaluyo, and the rest of the owners for a fabulous grand opening dinner.

IL Lupino Prime by Peter Zwiener

G/F Opus Mall, Bridgetowne Destination Estate, Quezon City

8260-2450

www.illupinoprimeph.com

[foggycityfriend]

Aurelia Aylesbury: A Journey Through Authentic Italian Flavors

Located in the heart of Aylesbury, Aurelia Restaurant & Bar offers a menu that combines the rich heritage of Italian cuisine with modern dining. With dishes prepared using high-quality, carefully sourced ingredients, Aurelia promises an unforgettable culinary experience for everyone, from pasta enthusiasts to pizza lovers and those craving indulgent risottos and mains.

Start with Irresistible Antipasti

Aurelia’s Antipasti menu sets the stage for an exquisite meal. Guests can enjoy a range of starters, including:

Arancini: Sicilian rice balls stuffed with ham and mozzarella, fried to golden perfection.

Bruschetta: Toasted sourdough topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

Carpaccio di Manzo: Thinly sliced beef garnished with rocket, parmesan, and a touch of balsamic glaze.

For sharing, the Antipasto Misto offers a generous board showcasing regional Italian flavors, perfect for two.

Dive into Italian Classics

The Primi Piatti section is a haven for pasta lovers, featuring handcrafted dishes such as:

Spaghetti alla Carbonara: A creamy and flavorful classic made with pork cheek and pecorino cheese.

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina: Soft, pillowy gnocchi baked with tomato sauce and burrata cheese.

Linguine allo Scoglio: A seafood lover’s dream with prawns, mussels, and squid in a cherry tomato sauce.

For risotto enthusiasts, options like Risotto ai Funghi (mushroom risotto) and Risotto alla Marinara (seafood risotto) deliver both texture and taste.

Signature Neapolitan Pizzas

Aurelia’s pizzas are hand-stretched to order, featuring fresh ingredients and baked to perfection. Standout options include:

5 Formaggi: A medley of Italian cheeses, including Grana Padano and Gorgonzola, for a rich, savory experience.

Mortadella e Pistacchio: A unique combination of mortadella, burrata cheese, pistachio pesto, and crumble.

Aurelia: A signature pizza topped with Parma ham or smoked salmon, Grana Padano, and fresh rocket.

Each pizza reflects the rustic yet refined flavors of Italian cooking.

Savor Refined Mains

For those seeking hearty dishes, the Secondi Piatti offers options like:

Osso Buco: Braised veal shank with a tomato-based sauce, slow-cooked to tender perfection.

Costole Corte: Beef ribs slow-cooked in red wine sauce for a rich and decadent flavor.

Lombo di Agnello: Lamb loin paired with rosemary, balsamic glaze, and pine nuts for a Mediterranean touch.

Complement Your Meal

Aurelia boasts a thoughtfully curated wine and drinks menu, featuring:

Italian Wines: From crisp whites like Gavi to bold reds like Valpolicella Ripasso.

Signature Cocktails: Try "La Dolce Vita," a blend of Calvados and lavender syrup, or "Nuvola Verde," a refreshing mix of gin, honey syrup, and matcha.

Mocktails: Non-alcoholic options like the tropical Fiamma Tropicana or the refreshing Cucumber Non-Jito add flair to any meal.

Experience Aurelia Aylesbury

For an authentic Italian dining experience in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Aurelia Aylesbury is the perfect choice. Whether it’s a casual lunch, a romantic dinner, or a celebration with friends, Aurelia offers a menu that satisfies every craving.

📍Address: Unit 7, The Exchange, Aylesbury, Aylesbury HP20 1UR, United Kingdom

Website: https://theaurelia.co.uk/

[funkatello]

Sydney's Italian Food Scene: Trends and Traditions

Italian food has long been a staple of Sydney’s diverse and vibrant dining scene. From cozy trattorias to upscale ristorantes, you’ll find Italian restaurant Sydney passionate about pasta, pizza, antipasti and more. While tradition remains at the heart of Italian cuisine, a new wave of chefs and eateries are putting modern twists on classic dishes.

Here’s a look at what’s trending on Sydney’s Italian food scene, as well as old-world traditions still going strong:

Handmade Pasta Renaissance

From orecchiette to paccheri, gnocchi to tagliatelle - handmade pasta is having a moment. Stanley Street restaurants highlight freshly rolled and extruded pastas made in-house daily. Expect unique shapes and flavors like squid ink fettucine, beetroot ravioli, and pumpkin gnocchi. These textural homemade pastas showcase quality ingredients.

Neapolitan Pizza Perfection

Authentic Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in wood-fired ovens is on the rise. With charred and chewy crusts, San Marzano tomato sauce, and imported mozzarella - pizzerias are turning out gorgeous, flavor-packed pies. Expect classics like Margherita and Diavola as well as creative seasonal toppings.

Italian Regional Spotlight

More eateries are exploring regional Italian cuisines like Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia, and Emilia-Romagna. Expect dishes from best Italian restaurants Sydney highlighting grilled meats, seafood, olive oils, pastas, and produce native to each region. This gives diners a taste of Italy’s remarkable diversity.

Craft Cocktails

Leave basic Chianti behind. Darlinghurst restaurant and bars offer craft cocktails. These cocktails are Italian-inspired. They use amaros, liqueurs, Italian spirits, wines, fruits, herbs, and more. Think Negronis. Think Aperol Spritzes. Think Bellinis. Think new concoctions. These new concoctions feature Sicilian blood orange, Genovese basil, bergamot, and beyond.

Salumi & Formaggi

Many delicious Italian cheeses and cured meats are available, so charcuterie and cheese boards are very popular. Enjoy a feast of prosciutto, salami, mortadella, coppa, and culatello. These can be paired with Italian favorites such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Toscano, Gorgonzola, and Burrata. Great for appetizers before dinner.

Simplicity Done Right

Even with new trends, Sydney’s best Italian restaurants let prime ingredients shine through. Dishes like cacio e pepe, carbonara, saltimbocca alla Romana, branzino, and roasted meats executed flawlessly highlight quality and simplicity. This philosophy of letting great produce and technique speak for themselves remains at the core.

Italian Hospitality 

Another tradition carrying forward is Italian hospitality and convivial dining. Eateries embrace a bustling yet homey trattoria vibe with frequent calls of “Ciao bella!” Warm service and a lively ambiance go hand-in-hand with the food.

Family Recipes

Many restaurants showcase recipes passed down for generations. House-made pastas, sauces, desserts, and cures keep old family traditions alive with care and expertise. Dining out becomes an authentic homestyle experience. 

Fresh Produce & Ingredients

Italian cuisine culture centers on quality, seasonal ingredients. Menus shift to highlight ripe tomatoes in summer, mushrooms and truffles in autumn, and artichokes and fennel in winter. Expect the vibrant flavors of ultra-fresh vegetables, cheese, seafood and meats.

Conclusion

Sydney’s Italian food scene keeps evolving while staying rooted in tradition. For a sublime taste of Italy's flavors and hospitality, book your table at Funkatello in Darlinghurst. Our fresh pasta, pizza, seafood, wines and cocktails encapsulate both innovation and tradition. 

[taruntravell]

Top-Rated Restaurants Near Duomo Milan

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, here are some top-rated restaurants near the Duomo in Milan, Italy. Please note that restaurant popularity and rankings can change over time, so I recommend checking more recent reviews and rankings on platforms like TripAdvisor or Yelp for the most up-to-date information.

Ristorante Galleria: Located right next to the Duomo, this restaurant offers a stunning view of Milan's iconic cathedral. They serve Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant setting.

Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia: A Michelin-starred restaurant that offers a gourmet dining experience. The menu features traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist.

Pisacco: This trendy restaurant is known for its contemporary Italian cuisine. It's a popular spot for both locals and tourists, offering a stylish atmosphere and a diverse menu.

Manna: A restaurant with a focus on organic and locally-sourced ingredients. Manna offers a menu that combines Italian tradition with creative flair.

Trattoria Milanese: If you're looking for traditional Milanese cuisine, this is a great place to try classic dishes like osso buco and risotto alla Milanese.

Bice: Bice is a well-known Italian restaurant chain with a location near the Duomo. They offer a wide range of Italian dishes, including pasta and seafood.

Ristorante Savini: Located inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, this historic restaurant has been serving Italian cuisine for over a century. It's a great place to experience Milanese elegance.

Mozzarella e Basilico: If you're a fan of Italian pizza and mozzarella, this cozy pizzeria is a great choice. They serve delicious Neapolitan-style pizza.

Obicà Mozzarella Bar: This restaurant specializes in fresh mozzarella and Italian food featuring this beloved cheese. It's a great spot for a light meal.

Luini: For a quick and delicious snack, try Luini, a famous Milanese bakery known for its panzerotti, which are fried dough pockets filled with various fillings.

Please keep in mind that restaurant information can change over time, and new establishments may have opened since my last update. Also, consider making reservations in advance, especially for popular restaurants near the Duomo.

[umi-no-onnanoko]

Ieri sono giunta all'ultima pagina del quadernino dove, quasi quotidianamente, cercavo di trovare 10 cose che mi piacessero in modo da essere grata per queste cose/ persone ed al contempo per fare si, una volta finito il quadernino, di comprendere cosa ricorreva di più e quindi ciò che mi piace davvero rispetto a ciò che era passeggero.

Questo è il risultato, ovviamente ci sono anche altre cose che mi piacciono, ma ciò che è rimasto nel tempo (più di un annetto) sono queste cose:

L'inverno

Il nero

Il tiramisù

La pioggia

Il mare

Il blu

Scrivere, soprattutto a mano (lettere,testi, poesie, canzoni)

Disegnare

Le lasagne

Il thè (soprattutto il thè nero e quelli alla vaniglia e all'arancia e cannella della Twinnings)

Gli abbracci

Il rosa

I fiori di ciliegio

I soffioni

I baci sulla fronte

Cantare

Il colore Tiffany

Tutto ciò che è vintage

L'antiquariato

William Shakespeare

Il cappuccino (Con molta schiuma, quello solubile della Nescafé, o quello con la cannella)

Che mi vengano accarezzati i capelli

La musica (soprattutto da giradischi)

Halloween

Natale

Le arance

Le margherite

I profumi da uomo

La cannella

I palloncini

I baci perugina

Le pesche

Il vento estivo

Il limone

Il Giappone

Vienna

La sacher

Ballare

Il verde

Harry Potter

The Mentalist

I tacchi (anche se non so camminarci)

I tulipani

I bambini che ridono

Fare la spesa

I Queen

Tiziano Ferro

Sperimentare

I braccialetti con le conchiglie

I maglioni di lana

Gli ombrelli colorati

I bomboloni alla crema

Il lillà

Le ombre degli oggetti

Il rossetto rosso

Le borse in tela

I cartoni Disney

Death note

Demon slayer

Il ramen

Gli anni 50' e 80' della moda

Emma Watson

Le canzoni italiane "vecchie"

I delfini

I pop corn

Vedere i film al cinema

Andare a teatro

Cantare quando non c'è nessuno

Inventare nuove parole

Aiutare gli altri

Il bianco

L'odore della terra bagnata quando piove

I sottobicchiere in sughero

Le parigine

Stitch

I lecca lecca alla Coca-Cola

Le candele

Le luci di Natale

Suonare il pianoforte

Gli accordi di chitarra

L'odore della bigbabol alla fragola

Riordinare

Le uova di pasqua

I libri

Il viola

I capelli puliti

Il sapone alla melagrana

Essere gentile

Gli abbracci

Ascoltare gli altri e le loro storie

Guardare fuori dal finestrino

I messaggi inaspettati

I ti voglio bene

I croissant (alla crema, alla marmellata di arancia, al miele e nocciole o integrali vuoti)

Sognare

Le farfalle

I pettirossi

Le cinciallegre

I cannoli alla crema

Gli stivali in pelle

La pizza

La mozzarella in carrozza fatta in casa

Il succo di frutta all'albicocca

L'erba mossa dal vento

La neve

I cani

Le nocciole

Il bagnoschiuma al miele

I gatti (soprattutto quelli neri)

L'alba

I peluche

Leggere

Preparare dolci

Le tartarughe

La luna e le fasi lunari

Fare sorridere gli altri

Le mongolfiere

I toast fatti in casa

I colori della natura

Il rosso

I cereali con all'interno il cioccolato fondente

I fiori

I film dello studio ghibli ( in particolare il castello errante di howll)

I fiocchi per i capelli

La generosità

Le stelle

I grilli

Argo

Latte e cioccolato

La pasta al pesto

I conigli

La rugiada

La pasta al ragù

I biscotti al cioccolato

L'arcobaleno

L'indaco

Il giallo

Il succo di frutta alla mela

Le coccole

L'azzurro

I bagni caldi

Le patatine fritte

Gioielli a tema astronomia

Le nuvole

L'arancione

Van Gogh

Fare colazione al bar

Pranzare seduta sull'erba

Scoprire e provare nuove ricette

I panini al salame

Il corallo

Il giardinaggio

La coppa del nonno al caffè

Nightmare before Christmas

Il pain au chocolat

Lo zucchero filato

Passeggiare

Curiosare tra i libri nelle librerie

Fare regali

Organizzare sorprese

Il rispetto

Il dialogo

Gli anime e manga

Le caramelle ricoperte di zucchero

Conoscere nuove persone

Le conversazioni interessanti

I musei

La letteratura italiana e straniera

I Funko-pop

I post-it

Gli oggetti in resina

I balletti

Le conchiglie

La magia

Supernatural

Le ortensie

Le tazze in vetro minimal

Le civette/ i gufi

Le sfoglie al burro

I ghiaccioli alla pesca con pezzi di frutta

Le coccinelle

L'Egitto antico

Gli scarabei

I dolcetti in pasta di mandorle

Il piccolo principe

Le frittelle di mele

Parigi

Gli aquiloni

Il profumo di pino silvestre

Il modo in cui le persone camminano

Gli occhi (Soprattutto quelli verdi, grigi o così scuri da sembrare neri)

Camminare sotto la pioggia senza ombrello

Il rumore delle foglie secche sotto le suole delle scarpe

Condividere il mio tempo con chi merita

La storia dell'arte

Le mani

Il beige

L'odore dei libri

Le trecce

Le lentiggini

I capelli ricci nei ragazzi

Le foglie d'acero

Il gelato alla pesca e cocco (il mio preferito se artigianale)

Le fotografie

Gli abiti da sposa in stile princess

Il legno

I camini

La pallavolo

La F1

L'architettura gotica

La pasta al gorgonzola

Sailor Moon

I pic nic

I marshmallow

Gli anelli da uomo

Le lucciole

I pancakes

Il romanticismo

I profumi speziati

I peperoni

I musical

Lo stile cottagecore

I disegni d' anatomia

Le rondini

Le sculture in marmo

I mercatini di Natale

Il vetro di Murano

Mangiare cubetti di parmigiano

I mozziconi di matite

Giocare a basket

I tramonti

L'autunno

Il caramello (anche salato)

L'odore del soffritto

L'eleganza

Le tazze

Le perle

Audrey Hepburn

I draghi

I balli latino-americani

L'astronomia

I soffioni

I videogiochi

I leccalecca a forma di cuore

I ricci

La camomilla

I martinpescatori

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

I cappotti

I vinili

Gli specchi

Il salice piangente

La focaccia (soprattutto alle cipolle o alle patate)

La redvelvet

Lo spazio

Il silenzio

I girasoli

Sentire parlare in francese

La marmellata/ crema di maroni

Gli schiaccianoci come quelli del balletto

Le mele cotte

I libri gialli

La torta pere e cioccolato

Le polpette

Il porridge

I pinguini

La marmellata di pesche

Il cioccolato fondente con nocciole intere

Il cioccolato con caramello della Milka

La mitologia

Grazie a chiunque avrà voglia di leggere fino qui, questa piccola sfida mi ha permesso di conoscermi meglio e quindi spero potrete conoscermi un po' meglio anche coi lettori o trovare interessante porvi la stessa sfida e scoprirvi.

-umi-no-onnanoko (@umi-no-onnanoko )

[superchat]

I’m gonna grill up some brats. I got a microbrew chilling in my wet bar, and I was gonna warm up some ziti. Why don’t you come by if you got some, uh, triple-fried pizza dough or some kind of frozen meatballs or whatever it is? You can warm it up in my microwave, or you can warm it up back at home, bring it over piping hot. But if you want to bring over a vegetable medley, a crudités, figure out how much lunchmeat you can spare. Maybe bring over a pound and a half, two pounds of black forest ham, maybe a dijon-mustard spread. Any kind of dessert. Maybe a german chocolate cake or something like that. I tell you what would make you a big hit with the dudes is get some key lime pie a la mode. I’m talking about ice cream on the side. And you have got to have a bite of my homemade ziti. I’m just gonna warm her up. She’s been in the freeze. You know what I love are those hot mozzarella sticks. Cube ‘em up, put ‘em in some marinara sauce. You have them on standby. ‘Course, you can’t go wrong with some sour cream and onion, so long as you bring  R I D G E D  C H I P S.

[flirting-with-psychology]

A Do you live in America?: Yes Favorite Animal?: Wolf Do you like Apples?: They’re not my favorite fruit but they’re not bad Would you ever be an Astronaut?: Probably not Do you shop at American Eagle?: No

B Who is your Best Friend?: Right now I’d say Cristi Do you have a Boyfriend?: Yes Are you Bisexual?: Maybe just a little bit, but still like 98% straight Did/Do you play with Barbies?: Yeah Do you have a Baby?: No

C What is your favorite type of Chocolate?: Dark chocolate. What’s your favorite Candle scent?: Cinnamon Do you celebrate Christmas?: No What’s your favorite Color?: Green or pink Do you like Cats?: Yes

D What holidays do you Decorate for?: Hanukkah and sometimes halloween Are you scared of the Dentist?: No Do you like doing DIYs?: Yeah sometimes, but not for like household stuff When was the last time you went to the Doctor?: In december What’s your favorite alcoholic drink?: Moscato

E What do you do for Easter?: Nothing or sometimes an easter egg hunt when I was a kid What is one thing you do Every day?: Check my phone Have you ever seen the Eiffel Tower?: Yes Would you say you’re Emotional?: Yes What’s your favorite thing to Eat?: Chocolate

F How many Friends do you have?: Idk? Have you ever been Frisked by the police?: No Do you enjoy French Fries?: Yes How often do you Forget things?: A decent amount Have you ever gotten into a Fight?: Not a physical one

G Are you a Girl?: Yes Do you believe in God?: No Do you have a Girlfriend?: No Are you Gay?: No Are you Glad to be taking this survey?: Yeah it’s different

H Do you dress up for Halloween?: Yes, I love halloween Hello, How are you today?: Eh Do you like Horses?: Yeah Have you ever been High?: A couple times Do you like Hot weather?: Not really, I like warm but over 85 kinda sucks

I Do you think this survey is Incredible?: Nah What’s your favorite flavor of Ice cream?: Coffee Toffee Bar Crunch What is one of your Interests?: Jewelry Did you do the Ice Bucket Challenge?: No Have you ever been Ice skating?: Yes

J Tell me a Joke.: Knock knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad I didn’t tell the long version of this joke? What is your favorite Junk Food?: Chocolate Is there any Jewelry you wear every day?: No What’s your favorite type of Juice?: orange juics Do you believe in Jesus?: No

K Who was the last person you Kissed?: My boyfriend Describe your first Kiss.: We were hanging out in my room and cuddling on my bed so I figured we should kiss, it wasn’t the best Have you every Kicked someone in the balls?: Not on purpose Will you break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar?: Not in this pandemic What’s your favorite Kids’ show?: Drake and Josh

L Are you a Lesbian?: No Are you in Love?: I’m not sure Do you like Lemons?: I like them in things, but not plain What do you eat for Lunch?: I had eggs in toast for brunch Do you Lose things often?: Kinda, but mostly just in my own house

M Do you watch Markiplier?: No Do you know someone named Michael?: Yes Do you play Minecraft?: No Do you Miss someone?: I miss everyone I can’t see in person Do you like Mozzarella sticks?: Yes

N Would you consider yourself a Nice person?: I guess so What’s your Nickname?: Star Do you get your Nails done?: Not too often Do you listen to Nickelback?: Not really Have you bought anything New?: Yeah I buy new stuff all the time. Most recent was the DVD of Galavant

O Do you sleep with your door Open?: No, that’s awful Do you know anyone who has really bad Odor?: Kinda Would you ever be in an Open relationship?: No Do you like being at the Ocean?: Yes How Old are you?: 26

P Do you watch Pewdiepie?: No Have you ever Puked mid blowjob?: Lol no Do you like People?: They’re ok What are your favorite Pizza toppings?: Cheese, pineapple, and garlic Do you have any Piercings?: Just my ears

Q Are you a Quiet person?: I am until I am comfortable with you Have you ever Quit a job?: Not really, I got laid off with the option to change positions but I declined that option How Quick are you getting ready to leave the house?: I’m terrible at it, it takes at least 2 hours What is your favorite Quote?: Carpe diem Have you ever met a Queen?: No but I saw the queen of England in a parade

R Have you ever had Rabies?: No Are you close to your Relatives?: Only my parents What ended your last Relationship?: He said didn’t have time for a girlfriend Do people call you a Redneck?: No Rate this survey.: 6

S Do you like sports?: Mostly not What is your favorite Sex position?: Missionary Do you like to go to Six Flags?: Yes Is Summer your favorite Season?: probably not, I like fall Do you like to Shout?: Not usually

T Do you Toast your Poptarts?: No Do you like to be Terrified?: Not usually Are you on Tinder?: I used to be and I still have my profile Do you like Tacos?: No Have you ever played Tennis?: Only in gym class, and not well

U Are you wearing Underwear?: Yes At a restaurant, What’s your Usual?: Depends on the restaurant Quick! Look Under your bed. What’s there?: A box of toiletries Have you seen the movie Up?: Yes Would you say you’re an unorganized person?: In my personal life

V Do you like Velcro?: Not particularly, I don’t like the scratchy sound it makes What would be your perfect Valentine’s day?: A romantic date Have you ever seen a Velociraptor?: No Have you ever Visited a Volcano?: No What Vehicle do you drive?: Subaru Forester

W Do you like the Water?: Yes Do you like Wendy’s?: I like the nuggets Do you like Walruses?: I have no opinion Do you hate Waiting?: Yes Do you like Waffles?: Yes

X Have you ever played with a Xylophone?: Only when I was little Have you ever had an Xray?: Yes Did you ever wish you had Xray vision?: No Do you still love your EX?: No Do you hate the letter X?: No, it’s just a letter

Y Is your favorite color Yellow?: No What has been your favorite Year?: 2nd grade or junior year of college Do you hate being Yelled at?: Who doesn’t? What did you do Yesterday?: Had an interview and then watched a lot of New Girl What was your favorite thing to do when you were Younger?: Play story games with my friends

Z Have you ever went to the Zoo?: Yeah Do you hate getting Zits?: Yes Do you like Zebras?: They’re fine Do you like eating Zebra cakes?: Never had one Do you use Zedge?: I don’t know what that is

[superfuji]

Questo è il forno dove mi rifornisco di pane, crostate, ciambelloni (quando non preparo in casa) e pizza. Di più: questo è il forno dove da ragazzino nel tragitto per andare a scuola (prima delle paranoie di oggi si andava a scuola a piedi, tutti insieme) compravo la pizza da mangiare a ricreazione, anzi anche oggi quando le scuole sono aperte c’è la folla da stadio per comprare la pizza, ma anche in stagione da spiaggia la gente si compra le tegliate intere per andare al mare. E’ il primo forno che è stato aperto ad Ostia (o forse il secondo o il terzo ehehe, ovviamente escludendo i forni all’interno del parco archeologico di Ostia Antica come ad esempio la domus delle gorgoni), chi è di Ostia lo conosce molto bene. Occhio, la pizza che sfornano i forni è diversa dalle teglie che sfornano le pizzerie a taglio: impasto, consistenza ecc sono differenti; differenti eh, entrambe ottime ed in ogni caso ora che pizzerie, ristoranti, bar, rosticcerie ecc. sono tutti con le saracinesche abbassate, se vuoi la pizza o te la compri al forno o te la fai a casa, quindi tu pensi di andare al forno, prendere il pane e un bel pezzo di pizza con la mozzarella, con le patate, con pachino e olive, bianca farcita con porchetta, con mortazza, con affettati vari e formaggi e rughetta, oppure rossa, marinara ecc. ecc. COR CAZZO! Ora i vigili si sono inventati che i forni di Roma possono vendere solo pizza bianca, pizza rossa biscotti secchi e grissini. E inventati perché è una circolare partita da loro per evitare assembramenti. Cosa è? Eccesso di zelo, ansia da prestazione? O semplice propensione e inclinazione a rompere li cojoni? Non è che uno muore o un bambino diventa isterico se non gli compri più la pizza con la mozzarella, ma credo che stiamo arrivando all’isterismo, insomma quando decideranno che cosa possiamo o meno mangiare cosa succederà? Gli articoli 25-48-53 di Weimar? Arriveremo ai decreti di Reichstag e dei pieni poteri? Occhio eh perché l’andazzo è quello

[jeonsduck]

Prince or Pauper

Prince Part 2

You had expected that to be the first and last time you saw Nakamoto Yuta. Someone like him who had five bodyguards, a driver, and two cars probably wouldn't ever even think of you again. Yuta, however, seemed intent on breaking the status quo because they very next day, a strange figure starts to follow you around. A slightly familiar strange figure. As you walk from your dorm to your 8 AM lecture, you notice what appears to be a grown man on a skateboard in generic e-boy fashion following you around campus. He stays about twenty yards behind you at all times, skateboarding at a snail's speed. He even follows you into your lecture, sitting three rows behind you. When you turn around to look at him, that's when you recognize him. He's one of Yuta's bodyguards! You wait until after the lecture finishes to confront him and ask why he's following you. You trap him in an empty lecture hall, whirling around and demanding answers. The bodygaurd sighs and removes his atrocious white sunglasses. He looks bashful, almost ashamed that he's caught. "My boss told me to keep an eye on you." You squint at him in confusion until it clicks. "You mean Yuta? He assigned me a bodyguard?" The guy shrugs, shifting his skateboard to a different hand. "The boss doesn't get out much. And when he does he doesn't get to meet with many friends. To be honest, I don't know that he has any. Real friends, I mean. But he likes you. So here I am." It sounds reasonable when he says it like that. Maybe Yuta's just lonely? But he didn't even ask for yout number, so why the security detail? "What's your name?" You ask. Its getting tiring just calling him bodyguard. He seems to debate answering that before conceding. "Mako." "Well Mako, let's get to class yeah?" He chuckles and ruffles your hair in an annoying big brother kind of way. "Yeah, let's go, kid."

Despite Mako's assignment to watch and protect, you don't hear from Yuta for another three days. Well, in the beginning you didn't know it was Yuta, your phone buzzing off the hook with some unknown number. Dang, telemarketers were getting desperate. On the fifth call you decided to pick up. "Y/N! Why haven't you been answering your phone?" Your eyes widen and you look at Mako who's sitting two tables away. He shrugs and gestures for you to continue talking. There's a lot of wind and static so its hard for you to hear what Yuta is saying. "Yuta? How did you get this number?" "Oh, I just looked you up, don't worry about it! Sorry, I've been out of town this week. But, I just got back and was wondering if you wanted to go get some pizza? I've been craving this amazing place I know for days." Oh, maybe he's in a moving car? That mighy explain the background noise. Your stomach grumbles, and after only eating instant ramen for dinner this week, pizza sounds amazing. "Yeah, I'd love to." You agree. "Perfect! Are you still on campus? I'll pick you up." "Yeah, I'm at the science building." You answer slowly because, Mako is right here, so Yuta should know where you are. Theoretically. "Good! Meet me by the soccer fields in 15!" Yuta hangs up and you just sort of stare at your phone for a second. You save the number Yuta called from as Yuta with three question marks and pack up your things. You head over to the soccer fields expecting to see the black SUV or maybe a fancy sports car in one of the commuter lots. What you don't expect is a fucking helicopter, idling on one of the empty fields. Yuta hangs out the open door when he spots you. "Come on, I already got us a table!" He shouts. You look back at Mako, but he just takes your backpack and gestures for you to board the helicopter. "Go on, kid." You turn away from Mako and jog across the field to the waiting helicopter. Yuta helps you in, fitting a headset over your ears. Another bodyguard straps you both in and you have to yell over the rotors and wind to be heard. "Yuta, why are we in a helicopter?" You ask, clinging to the brace bar for your life. Below you, your campus is quickly shrinking into the distance. "Well, when we got back to the States we couldn't get clearance for the jet at the local airport, but they cleared the helicopter. And then I thought, we already have the helicopter out, so pizza!" Yuta explained it like it was a simple, logical series of events and you just nodded blankly. It was too loud to talk in the helicopter so all conversation ceased until you landed. You recognized the skyline as the pilot made a lap around the city. "Yuta, are we in New York City?" Yuta just laughed and nodded in confirmation. The pilot landed the helicopter on a helipad partway up a skyscraper. Yuta helped you down from the aircraft and the three remaining bodyguards followed you into the building. The restaurant takes up four floors, Yuta was saying, but you were completely distracted by the decor around you. It looked like this place had four Michelin stars to its name. Most of the other patrons were dressed to the nines, but you and Yuta were just wearing jeans and a tshirt. Yuta's jeans were designer and his tshirt was Balenciaga, but that was beside the point. "Mr. Nakamoto it's an honor for you to dine with us tonight. And your guest?" A maitre d'hotel had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, surprising you. "It's great to be back. This is my friend Y/N. Were you able to secure my usual table?" Yuta asked, smiling cordially at the man. "Yes, of course, right this way." He bowed slightly and began leading the way. Apparently, Yuta's regular table wasn't a table at all but an entire dining floor. Of course. There were at least five waitstaff positioned to assist, but you were the only one with a menu. Even the bodyguards, who were sitting one table over seemed to already know what they wanted. "Feel free to look over the menu, order whatever you want. I'll get the tab so-" you cut Yuta off, folding the menu closed. "I'll have whatever you're having. You did say it was the best pizza you've ever had." Yita smiled brightly, signalling a waiter over. You watch him order, asking for some type of pizza you can't pronounce and the pairing wine. "Next time I'm choosing where we go, and I'm footing the bill okay?" You say and Yuta looks at you with surprise in his eyes. "Okay, whatever you say!" He agrees with a chuckle. The waiter returns with the wine bottle, and Yuta waves him off in order to pour it himself. "So, still don't know who I am?" He asks, glancing up at you. You sigh, glancing around the empty dining hall. "I mean. You're rich obviously. And important. Four bodyguards is a bit much. Also, should I be worried that you sent Mako to look after me?" You ask, accepting a full wine glass from Yuta. "You noticed him?" "He's not the best fake college student, but he tried." "Does it make you uncomfortable?" You think about that for a moment, twirling your wine glass around. "Not really. He's not doing me any harm. But should I be worried about my own safety? Does being friends with you constitute a bodyguard?" You ask. Yuta doesn't reply immediately and you take a sip from your glass to fill the space. Its bitter, like all red wines, but not in a bad way. "Are you the child of a mafia kingpin?" You wonder out loud. Yuta's eyes bluge and he nearly chokes on his wine. The bodyguards start laughing heartily, one coming over to ensure that his charge won't asphyxiate. "I guess not." You mumble. "No, no nothing like that. Interesting guess though. The bodyguards are more, protocol than necesity." Yuta explains. You nod solemnly, processing the new information. Protocol? That sounds pretty official. You don't get much more chance to think on it because at that moment the pizza arrives. Its a weird pizza, visually and descriptively. Romano, parmesan, and buffalo mozzarella cheese, garlic herb dough, a slighty spicy kick to the sauce and the toppings :prosciutto, onions, mushrooms, truffle oil, lobster and shrimp. So effectively, the most expensive seafood pizza you'll ever eat. Except holy shit, this isn't just some rich people bullshit, this is honestly the best pizza you're sure has ever been made. It's not just a hodgepodge of expensive toppings, it actually,taste's good. "I think I might fucking cry. Yuta this is delicious." He laughs at you eyes crinkling in the corners. "Of course it's good! I know what good food tastes like." Yuta says. He looks proud, taking a sip of wine to hide his blush. The rest of the meal passes in near silence because there's no time to talk when there's pizza this good. You and Yuta manage to finish the whole pie and the whole wine bottle. You're both slightly tipsy as you make your way back to the helipad. You're clinging onto Yuta and laughing as he tells you silly jokes and stories up until you get put back in the helicopter. Somewhere between New York and campus you doze off, your head resting against Yuta's shoulder. He drifts off as well, his head coming to rest on top of yours. One of the bodyguards takes a photo, for both posterity and blackmail the next time he wants a day off. When you land, Mako is waiting on the soccer field with a car to bring you to your dorm. Despite the bodyguards assuring Yuta that them can put you in the car themselves, he insits on helping buckle you in. You rouse a few times, humming sleepily and he tutts you back to sleep. "See you soon, Y/N." You might feel a gentle kiss on your forehead, but that could just be you dreaming.

[passionate-baker]

Italian Adventures Part II: Bologna

Finally, the time has come - welcome to Italian Adventures Part II: Bologna!

Boyfriend introduced me to the gorgeous city of Bologna not long after we got together, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s why it holds such a special place in my heart. On our first trip there, I fell head-over-heels for the city & ever more smitten with Boyfriend. We’ve been back a handful of times since that first visit, & every time - without fail - we dream of uprooting everything we have here in Dublin & running off to the Emilia-Romagna capital. It’s romantic, it’s quaint & peaceful, it miraculously remains somewhat untainted by tourism, and it’s the birthplace of one of our favourite meals: the mighty ragu. 

Bologna is known as ‘La Grassa’ in Italian - which translates to ‘the fat’ in English - & it isn’t hard to see why: you will be extremely hard pressed to have a bad meal in the city. Although I’ve included a list of our favourite restaurants below, use that more as a guideline to get out & find the places that work for you; we’ve eaten at a hell of a lot more restaurants than are listed here, but these are our old faves. Wherever you find yourself, please don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy two dishes - tagliatelle al ragu & gramigna alla salsiccia - both of which are specialties of the city. You can thank us when you get home. 

As with our Italian Adventures Part I: Florence guide, there is a huge amount of recommendations in this post. To make life easier, I’ve streamlined everything into six sections: Stay / Coffee / Eat / Drink / Museums + Attractions / Places to See + Things to Do. The difference between the last two sections is an entry fee; Museums + Attractions are all paid entrance, while the Places to See + Things to Do are free. 

Happy travelling, friends!

S T A Y

Airbnb  //  we stayed in the most fantastic apartment on our last visit. The flat - Silent Bright Apartment -  is located a stone’s throw from Strada Maggiore & was honestly the best Airbnb experience we’ve ever had. It was spacious and clean, it had a balcony, it overlooked the blazing rooftops of the city, the kitchen was extremely well equipped for cooking, the bed was amazing, and there was a bathtub in the bedroom. The location was about an eight minute walk to the main square in the city. Basically: it. was. perfection. Added bonus: there was a totally adorable turtle roaming free in the courtyard below! We named him Sporo and had a really hard time leaving him behind. 

Albergo delle Drapperie  //  if you’re looking for something more central, you can’t really find anything better than this boutique hotel. It’s quite small, and it literally overlooks the bustling market stalls of the old town. If I remember correctly: the hotel is across the road from a beautiful flower shop (feast for your eyes), around the corner from Tamborini (feast for your belly), and a further few minutes walk from Osteria del Sole (feast for your Italian soul), which is kind of exactly where you want to be.

C O F F E E

Caffe Zanarini  //  for us, this is the Gilli of Bologna. The coffee is fantastic, the pastries are even better, and the space has that super Italian feel to it that just warms my heart. We normally nab a spot along the bar & enjoy our breakfast the true Italian way, but once in a while we treat ourselves to the somewhat extortionate prices for a table outside on the square. Let me tell you, it is always worth it, if even just for the people watching. (And pigeons.) A must-visit.  

E A T

Trattoria Serghei  //  three words: gramigna alla salsiccia. After ragu (duh), this is the dish of Bologna, and Serghei do it extremely well. It’s a small, traditionally run family joint that we find ourselves returning to time and time again. The food is always exceptional. We normally go for the ragu & the salsiccia pasta dishes to start, and then share a big hunk of meat as a main - the last time, it was an insanely tender pork shank that was about the same size as Boyfriend’s head. Amen to that! A must-visit. 

Osteria de Coltelli Da Biagio  //  a tiny bit further than some might be willing to venture, but the food is worth it. The dishes are on the larger, heartier side of things, and the meal as a whole was outstanding value for money! ... that said, we did notice the staff favoring the locals over tourists like us, but the quality of the food was high enough for us to let this slide. 

La Capriata  //  wandering along a covered archway off Strada Maggiore one day, we stumbled across LC & decided to stop in for a lazy lunch. We ate in the most beautiful sun-drenched courtyard, surrounded by lemon trees. The food was outstanding. It was super fresh - we had an amazing caprese salad that was beyond delicious - and perfectly traditional; I had an unforgettable ragu with homemade pasta served in a Parmesan bowl. A bowl made of Parmesan = the stuff of dreams! 

Pizza Regina  //  sometimes, you just need a pizza and you need it to be reliable. We opted for the less traditional take-out option and brought our meal with us to Osteria del Sole so we could have it with a beer. We ordered a custom made pizza - n’duja + mozzarella -  & devoured it within five minutes of sitting down. It was amazing! 

Lindt  //  I’m kind of a bit sorry/not sorry for including this in my list. Listen, just hear me out: we had delicious chocolate gelato in the most amazing chocolate hazelnut dipped cones and it was worth every single penny. I regret nothing. 

La Sorbetteria Castiglione  //  for a more authentic gelato experience, we always trek a little bit out of our way and it never disappoints. Our faves are the pistacchio and nocciola!

D R I N K

Osteria del Sole  //  definitely one of our favourite places in all of Bologna. According to my notes, it’s the oldest osteria in the region - 1465 apparently! - and it is so bloody brilliant in it’s simplicity. You make your way through the market streets, buy some antipasti goods in the nearby market, bring it into Osteria del Sole, buy a drink to go with it, and have your lunch picnic style alongside locals at one of the long communal tables. It is fantastic. An experience not to be missed: a must-visit. 

Osteria I’Infedele  //  a recent find. Similar in style to Osteria del Sole in that it was small, filled with locals, cheap & relaxed, but it had a more youthful vibe to it and a wider drinks selection of cocktails etc. 

RosaRose  //  located on Via Clavature, this is a fantastic spot for people watching. Boyfriend & I sat outside for hours one evening, listening to a nearby street musician, soaking up the atmosphere, enjoying the free platter of food that came with our spritzs, watching the sky change from blue to pink to dusk. Perfection. To experience the true Bologna vibe, this is a must-visit. 

Enoteca Italiana  //  a beautiful wine shop that has a small amount of barrels & stools for dining on. We enjoyed some wine with a delicious meat & cheese platter on one of our first visits, and have since returned for breakfast & coffee. 

Bar Senza Nome  //  a fantastically vibrant bar, located on a buzzy street lined with heaps of similar places. However! This one, apparently, is the only bar in Italy that is run & managed by deaf people. It’s amazing! You go in & the walls are lined with how-to sign language photos for ordering your drink! If you aren’t brave enough, the barmaids read your lips and that’s equally as amazing. Such a fantastic experience. Added bonus: you can eat your weight in free monkey nuts while drinking extremely cheap spritzs! Probably our favourite bar in the world. A must-visit. 

Birreria Popolare  //  a hipster craft beer place that was located conveniently near to our apartment. We were drawn in by the beer emoji sign out front, and we sampled some nice Italian beer. Added bonus: if you’re lucky enough to visit at the right time (we were), you get a free platter of food with your drinks!

Le Stanze  //  I kind of liked the thought of this bar more than I actually enjoyed our experience there. It’s located inside an old chapel from the 16th century, and there are original frescoes still lining the walls & the ceilings. It was cool to see the artwork, but there was nothing distinctly Italian about the place. It was overpriced, and too touristy for our tastes.

M U S E U M S  +  A T T R A C T I O N S

Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio  //  one of the most magical, dreamlike buildings I’ve ever visited - somewhat reminiscent of Hogwarts. Boyfriend & I spent ages wandering back and forth along the arched passageways, but the real draw (and the part you have to pay into) is the wooden Teatro Anatomico from the 17th century, where they used to hold anatomy lessons. Worth the €3!

Santa Maria della Vita  //  the lure of this church, although pretty beautiful in its own right, is actually a fantastic group of wooden sculptures hidden in the back. They charge a measly €4 to see the group, but it’s certainly worth it: the scene depicted is the moment that Jesus dies, and honestly they are some of the most expressive pieces of art we’ve seen.

La Due Torri  //  yes, it’s very steep, and yes, it’s claustrophobic.. but it’s worth it for the breathtaking views over the terracotta rooftops of Bologna. Added bonus: it’s super cheap! A must-visit. 

Palazzo Fava  //  a renaissance palace & art gallery space. The very first time we went to Bologna together, we saw an amazing Edward Hopper exhibition here, so it’s definitely worth checking upcoming shows just in case!

Museo Civico Archeologico  //  fantastic archaeology museum to wander around if you find yourself looking for something to do. Particular highlights for us were the beautiful building itself, and the Egyptian exhibition.

P L A C E S   T O   S E E   +   T H I N G S   T O   D O

Market shopping  //  wandering along the tiny streets around Via Drapperie and Via Pescherie Vecchie, you get a real feel for the Bologna lifestyle. The flower shops, the fish stalls, the butchers, the cheese-mongers, we love it all. Our favourite places to stop into for some goodies are Tamburini & Simoni, both of which are reliably great. Definitely a must-visit.

Basilica di San Petronio  //  the central basilica in the middle of Piazza Maggiore. A beautiful internal space, much bigger than it looks from the outside. Note: if you want to take photographs inside the church, you have to pay a small fee. 

R E L A T E D   P O S T S :

Bremen, Germany  //  Paris, France  //  Amsterdam, Holland   //  Copenhagen, Denmark  //  Cork, Ireland  //  Edinburgh, Scotland  //  Westport, Ireland  //  Barcelona, Spain  //  Munich, Germany  //  Vienna, Austria  //  London, UK i - ii - iii  //  Florence, Italy

[grubshots]

Well this is ideal. (at Obicà Mozzarella Bar Pizza e Cucina) https://www.instagram.com/grubshots/p/BwaUhCjFTxa/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ot5v8lyfe6cd

[itachi-with-a-chicken]

METAMORO PIZZA!AU

AKA THE ONE WHERE FABRIZIO HA UNA PIZZERIA E ERMAL è SUO CLIENTE CAGACAZZO

Fabrizio ha una mini pizzeria in uno di quei quartieri di Roma non dico San Basilio ma una cosa del genere

Ermal è in città da meno di un mese ed è la quinta città che si gira in cinque anni. Pace? si mangia la pace?

Un giorno scopre la pizzeria di Fabrizio e vede che fanno l’impasto con il lievito madre e si gasa un sacco perché viene molto più leggera, se lo sai usare

Fabrizio lo sa usare. ECCOME *wink wink*

hem

Quindi, Ermal si gasa un sacco e inizia col prendere ogni volta un cosa diversa perché una volta che digerisci l’impasto ti si aprono le porte dei condimenti (provato sulla mia pelle)

ma il listino di Fabrizio è molto scarno

a sto punto, è quasi un mese che Ermal va là ed essendo solo Fabrizio a fare sia cucina che cassa vuoi che non abbia attaccato bottone e preso confidenza?

Fabrizio is: amused ma non lo da troppo a vedere

(è timido okay capitelo)

comunque un giorno arriva, si guarda la lista da cima a fondo e poi esclama;

“ma una pizza peperoni e fragole non me la vuoi fare?”

Fabrizio è sicuro di avere le allucinazioni uditive perché non è possibile che gli abbia chiesto una cosa del genere

e invece si

Quindi, con molta calma, Fabrizio gli indica il listino delle pizze sperando che il messaggio passi chiaro

Well

Per quella volta Ermal lascia perdere

Ma ogni volta che torna gli propone cose diverse e assurde

Tipo la pizza con l'uva e il miele

O ananas e pancetta

Banana e curry

Fin quando Fabrizio non si rompe i coglioni

"senti coso, vieni qui, portati gli ingredienti e te la cucini tu"

Ermal non se lo fa dire due volte e un giorno lo fa veramente

E accade la magia, a spese della pizza sadly

Perché si mettono a parlare, no? Mentre la pizza cuoce e Fabri fa le altre per i clienti non cagacazzo

E Ermal ruba un po' di mozzarella e cibo a caso e si rende conto che è quella buonaTM non quella dell'Eurospin

E rimane shock perché così gli ingredienti vengono a costare di più e comunque il suo era un piccolo business cioè una pizzeria 10x10

E Fabrizio gli spiega:

"il fatto è che se ci metti attenzione, amore, nelle cose che fai, quello ti torna. C'ho dei clienti che ho visto crescere, praticamente, sono venuti qua la prima volta che avevano 13 anni, ora ne hanno 24, stanno in giro a fare cose ma passanl sempre a prendersi un pezzo di pizza e fare una chiacchiera. Praticamente sono di famiglia"

Ermal.exe stopped working

Perché per lui che si era rassegnato a non trovare mai un posto sicuro da dire casa e con il suo voler diventare un cantante si trova costretto anche a piegarsi alla corrente e farsi trascinare, no?

L'idea che invece passa Fabrizio è di costanza, pazienza, routine. Parole che per lui avevano quasi perso di significato.

Quello, e il fatto che Fabrizio stesse farcendo la pizza in canotta e retina per capelli, capite che il povero ragazzo ha avuto un po' di problemi

Nel mentre, la pizza si cuoce e Ermal può assaggiare il suo operato e well

Well

Faceva popo schifo al cazzo

E Fabri ride sotto i baffi ma Ermal fa lo stoico e "mmmmmmhhh la pizza più buona del mondo!!!! Alta cucina!!!! Cracco chi"

Ne mangia 3/5 prima che Fabrizio si prenda a pietà e gli dia un po' di diavola per aggiustarsi la bocca

Va beh queste sono le esperienze che legano come il Troll per Hermione Ron e Harry

E a fine serata Ermal gli propone un accordo

"io porto gli ingredienti, cuciniamo la pizza e se è buona la aggiungi nel menù"

Fabrizio, memore delle pessime accoppiate proposte, accetta tranquillo che non avrebbe mai detto di si

Ma Ermal lo frega perché la prima volta si prendeta con pesto e patate e È BUONA

!!!!!

Fabri is shock

Comunque cominciano questa strana collaborazione che risulta in Ermal che mangia a sbafo, con la promessa di Fabrizio che prima o poi gli farà pagare tutti i pezzi che ruba

Credice Fabbrì

E piano piano Ermal comincia a fargli tipo da manager/assistente/manco loro lo sanno

Gli crea anche la pagina instagram e oh boi

Cioè Fabrizio totalmente clueless su cosa succeda sul web i social non sono roba per lui okay

Ma Ermal troppo tardi comprende che nel suo magico piano c'è una falla

Perché quando comincia a fare le stories per pubblicizzare la pizza praticamente fa i video a Fabri che fa le CoseTM da pizzaiolo tipo farla volare ecc

Mette i condimenti la mette in forno tutto normale

Eccetto che è mezzo nudo mentre lo fa eccetto per la canotta (norme della sanità who) e le possenti braccia da impastatore

Fabrizio diventa una piccola instagram sensation

Long story short si ritrovano il doppio della clientela e Ermal si mette a lavorare seriamente (visto che è colpa sua) e non sono lì per la pizza. Well, non solo.

E via di mance esagerate e occhiolini e numeri che, casualmente, finiscono nel cestino.

Fabrizio, che c'ha almeno trent'anni, non è scemo e se la vita ti da limoni te lo limoni FAI UNA LIMONATA

Quindi un sorriso, un'ammiccata e via

Ermal che "eh ma non me non facevi il carino"

"ma te stavi qua un giorno si e l'altro pure, i guadagni di un mese sono solo per te. Loro devo convincerli a tornare"

Ermal is rethinking everything in his life

Però manco lui si lamenta troppo perché saranno pure venuti per il bonazzo, ma sono rimasti per la pizza

Almeno quello

Alcuni chiedono anche le pizze di Ermal!

(Ermal fa sempre gli smile snervanti sugli ordini quando li passa in cucina perché he is an ass like that)

E quindi Fabri non c'ha più lo spazio manco per vivere, le persone si prendono la pizza e si accampano fuori e decide di prendere anche un vero aiuto cuoco

(che potrebbe, o non potrebbe, essere Ultimo)

Ma ora Ermal è costretto a rimanere in cassa e vuoi che non asfalti gente a destra e manca perché vengono a cercare Fabrizio?

"vorrei pagare con il pizzaiolo, il mio ordine è molto...particolare AMMICC AMMICC"

"NICÒ ESCI TE VOGLIONO"

(non che Niccolò non sia bellino ma era più piccolo e sicuro non era Fabrizio quindi capì la delusione della tizia)

Tra una cosa e un'altra arriva Maggio, Fabrizio sta considerando l'idea di comprare tavolini da mettere fuori e Ermal c'ha anche un lavoro fuori da quella pizzeria CAN YOU BELIEVE THAt

Il lavoro, che prima lo teneva impegnato pranzo/pomeriggio a piano bar a suonare in un locale, diventa "stai qua dal pomeriggio alla sera tranne quando non abbiamo qualcuno di più figo di te a suonare"

Che okay, sono più soldi, ma tra una cosa e un'altra alla pizzeria va una volta a settimana

The disrespect

Cioè immaginate dal vedersi ogni santo giorno al vedersi una volta a settimana e pure male perché stanno stanchi

(e non stanno neanche assiene perché lmao chi c'ha il tempo di vivere)

Quindi un giorno Ermal scopre che ha il pomeriggio libero e senza manco pensarci vola alla pizzeria

Ma BAM! SHOCK! CHAOS! DRAMA!

Trova Fabrizio che abbraccia una ragazza

Ermal è campione del mondo di salto alle conclusioni e un po' quello un po' lo scazzo della vita decide di girare i tacchi e andarsene a fanculo

(i cellulari in questa AU non sono molto cagati quindi fate che questi hanno zero contatti a parte quando si vedono)

E per farvi capire quanto FUORISTRADA sta Ermal, Fabrizio sta facendo uscire pazzo Niccolò perché parla a Ermal e Ermal non c'è e lui se ne dimentica e la situazione sarebbe drammatica se non fosse che sono due patate

Quindi niente, Ermal è uno scemo ma fortunello perché Fabrizio lo chiama due giorni dopo e gli fa "senti oggi so che il tuo posto c'ha una serata, e io rimango chiuso, quindi se passi proviamo qualche pizza nuova"

Ermal è !!!!!!!!!!!! Ma irl roba che il sole era di troppo

Anche perché in quei due giorni Ermal si è fatto delle pare che il Tour de France al confronto è un giro in triciclo

Ed era giunto alla conclusione che qualsiasi cosa avesse scambiato per flirt da parte di Fabrizio chiaramente non lo era (e invece si) e che l'altissimo purissimo innocentissimo (SEH) Fabrizio non aveva colpe

(così innocente che metteva il peperoncino nella salsa così che Ermal avesse caldo e si spogliasse occhei)

Ma cerca di fare il vago tipo "mmm si non lo so,,,,ma non hai qualcun'altro con cui passare il tuo giorno libero?"

Quello fu il momento in cui Fabrizio comprese di essersi andato a impicciare con un cretino

"No, se te lo sto dicendo a te e v i d e n t e m e n t e no."

Ermal è abbastanza dritto da non replicare

Arriva la sera alle sei e sebbene sia felice perché erano otto giorni che non si vedevano (but who is counting?) (Both of them.) Era comunque un po' wary perché non è bello innamorarsi e scoprire che l'altra persona non sta al tuo stesso piano

(almeno aveva fatto pace con i suoi sentimenti)

Eeee io mi fermo qui perché il limite è 100 ma non voglio mollarvi in the middle of the action, quindi rebloggo e scrivo il resto sotto okay? Daje che si sistema tutto, a ignoranza come tutta questa AU (vi volevo mettere il link alla seconda parte ma non sono capace COMUNQUE sta nel reblog che comincia con “DICEVAMO”)