Favoloso Milano! | Milan Fashion Week

The bold and the beautiful descend on Milan.  Strutting their stuff with consummate ease.  We celebrate with some local hotspots handpicked by our resident fashionista, Nicolo Grechi.

Where to shop, at fabulous prices!

Nicolo is no stranger to fashion, but he does love a good bargain! (Don’t we all?).  Here he shares his top shopping spot for a fix of retail therapy.

Foxtown

Foxtown is less than an hour’s drive from Milan, and definitely worth the effort to get there.  40-70% off high fashion brands like Gucci and Prada?  Yes please!

Foxtown, Milano | Buzzhopper #Milan #Milano #MilanFashionWeek #MilanFashion #Fashionista #Gucci #Prada #Bargain #Luxury

Eats and treats

Nicolo loves eating out and is always happy to share his favourite spots with you.  Check out a few of his favourite spots!

1. Zio Pesce

Love Seafood?  This is the place for you.

Zio Pesce, Milano | Buzzhopper #Milan #Milano #MilanFashionWeek #MilanFashion #Food #Foodies #Seafood

2. Trattoria L’incoronata

Rustic and humble, near the epicentre of Milano’s fashionista district.  Perfect for refuelling before you go back out there.

Trattoria L’incoronata, Milano | Buzzhopper #Milan #Milano #MilanFashionWeek #MilanFashion #Food #Foodies #Rustic #Italian

3. Mucche e Buoi

Definitely one for the carnivores.  Chic, cosy and romantic.  The costata di maialino nero is highly recommended.

Mucche e Buoi, Milano | Buzzhopper #Milan #Milano #MilanFashionWeek #MilanFashion #Food #Foodies #MeatEaters #Italian #Romantic

Valentines & Anti-Valentines.

Whether you’re in mood for romance this weekend – or have the very opposite in mind, we’ve got something for you.  Handpicked by London Buzzhopper, Ant O Neill

Anti-Valentines

It seems more of us are anti-valentines so… where to find drunken Ewoks, easy pickups and which bar is reputed to have the busiest condom bar in London?

1. Gordons

It’s all things to everyone, and definitely a place where people are amenable to company after a few jugs of wine.

Gordon’s Wine Bar – London | Buzzhopper
The Oldest London’s wine bar. A Crazy place & crazy atmosphere to taste some crazy wines 🙂 #gordons #gordon #wine #winebar #londres #london #england #gordonswinebar #taste #winetasting #winetastings #atmosphere #specialplace #winelover #winelovers #winelife #holiday #vintage #oldschool #spirit #parker #cave #restaurant #famous

2. Da Hems

Going Dutch has never been so much fun – crowded and on the lewd side of friendly.

De Hems – London | Buzzhopper
“A beer a day keeps the doctor away!” #BeerTasting #NicholsonPaleAle #NicholsonsPub

3. Walkabout

It’s a meat market that also sells meat in the form of burgers. Live music, sport on the telly, and drunken Antipodeans abound

The Walkabout – London | Buzzhopper
Glemmer alt om slankekur🙈🙈🙈 #kænguruburger #Trorvispringeraftensmadenover🙊 #Londoncalling #walkaboutLondon

4. Faltering Fullback

Your dream local. Pool, jukebox, nooks and crannies galore, Thai food, Monday pub quiz, and an Ewok village. Seriously.

The Faltering Fullback – London | Buzzhopper

5. Our Black Heart

One-stop-shop for Emos, Goths and other slutty rock types

Our Black Heart – London | BuzzhopperBeer of the day- Roguenbier Rye Ale. Made with Rogue farms Dream Rye and Rogue grown hops, free range coastal water and Weizen yeast. Lots of rye and dried fruit flavours with a creamy texture and a balanced finish. 6.6%, on tap now! #roguebrewery #craftale #craftbeer #ryeale #camden #london #ourblackheart #theblackheart #london #beer

 

And for those more in more of a Romantic mood 

1.Royal Festival Hall 5th Floor Balcony Bar

Romantic views of the Thames from five floors up

Royal Festival Hall 5th Floor Balcony Bar – London | Buzzhopper
Perfect dinner view.

2. St Moritz

Advance booking essential, but get doe-eyed over heaps of fondue

St. Moritz – London | Buzzhopper
try Swiss food in London last two days😭😭😭 #angelchiufooddiary

3. Tate Modern

Everyone loves a bit of art, and the bars give great views of St Pauls

The Tate Modern – London | Buzzhopper
Sculpture inspo from the Tate 🌂👌🏼. #popart #tatemodern #londonart #wednesdayfeels

4. 500

 Elegant Italian food, truffles galore

500 – London | Buzzhopper
tak tohle byla fakt bomba, complimenti allo chef 💥👌#500restaurant#hradcanska#pasta#yummy#delicious#instafood#foodie

5. Long Bar at the Sanderson

Elegant cocktails in elegant surroundings; what’s not to love?

The Sanderson – London | Buzzhopper

London – Where to go to celebrate Chinese New Year 2016

 From upmarket and modern Chinese to cheap and cheerful and take away, our Asian food addicts Lena Grivakes and Melinda Chan Butts reveal their favourite places.

THE place for go for spicy Szechuan in Soho.  Book ahead – popular for groups, dates and business appropriate. If you can’t get in, try their sister restaurant Bar Shan across the road. Can be pricey, but worth it.
Bar Shu – London, Chinatown | Buzzhopper

You know the dumplings are really fresh when you walk past them being made in the window at the entrance. Extensive menu. Good for Chinatown dates as well as groups.
Leong’s Legend – London | Buzzhopper

How often had you ordered Peking duck that comes with a paintbrush? A modern twist on traditional dishes. Expect exquisite tastes with stunning presentation.
A Wong (chinese) – London | Buzzhopper

The name simply says it all. Good choice for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. This place also specialises in soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) watch them be freshly prepared. 
Dumpling’s Legend – London | Buzzhopper 

The  best dim sum in London is found in Marylebone away from touristic Chinatown. Book the private room to host private  business dinners.
Phoenix Palace – London | Buzzhopper

Take home and cook!  Buy fresh egg noodles and specialities such as lor bak goh (turnip cake).
Lo’s Noodles – London | Buzzhopper

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Our Leaf Peeping Guide across Massachusetts by Boston Buzzhopper Doug Williams

Our Boston Buzzhopper and biotech exec Doug Williams  tells us where to find the best spots around Boston to catch the final days of leaf peeping this month.

He grew up in the Berkshires, the heart of leaf-peeping territory but confesses he only appreciated the beauty and splendour of the season when he moved away.  His childhood memories are filled with hours of endless raking and bagging of dead leaves which changed color, fell off the trees, and fouled the yard.

Having moved away and broken my rake, I now know why people come from far and wide to see the fall splendor.
IMG_4535

pic: Stefano Zanocello  

Hi Doug, tell us where you’d go for leaf peeping if you’ve got a day or two, or the weekend?

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Meet the Buzzhopper: Sara Mitterhofer – Milano

Sara_Milano

 

Ciao Sara! Tell us a bit about  yourself, what makes you a Buzzhopper?

I was raised by a very fashionable grandmother in this tiny (and boring) town in Südtirol (South Tryol) called San Candido and spent my childhood listening to her regale endless stories about her life à La Dolce Vita and I devoured fashion magazines from the time I could read. Even as a young child, I knew Milan was the place I HAD to be! Later, as a student in Milan, I went out every day and discovered the city by partying, eating and drinking my way through it. Whenever my friends want to try new restaurants, look for places to go on dates – or simply need a ‘chat’ (ie. psychological profile) about a new guy they’ve just met – I’m always the first point of contact. Need any advice?

 So “In a (wine) glass of my own” is one of your Vibes… what does that mean to you?

Going to aperitivo hour, sipping wine cosied up on movie night or enjoying a bottle (or two) during a long romantic dinner – wine is the nectar of happiness, right?In Milan, I love to spend winter evenings at N’Ombra de Vin and La Vineria in summer. I am always in search of hidden enotecas and newly opened vineries. Decanter and Spirito di Vino are progressively replacing my huge piles of fashion magazines around my flat.   I buy my wines from this great wine cellar – Signor Vino, which is conveniently located next to the duomo – so you can see Milan’s top tourist attraction and then go and buy wine close afterwards – now, that’s my kind of sightseeing! And they’re open form 8am until midnight. A great selection at all price points. If you don’t have time to visit some neighbourhood enotecas, this is your best place to stock up on wine in downtown Milano.

What are your favourite wines?

Coming from Südtirol, it’s no surprise that wines from my region are my favourites. For every day wine, I love Gewürztraminer. For special occasions, I’ll choose  Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer (white) and Lagrein Lindenburg Alois Lageder (red). Haderburg Pas Dose’ Millesimato is my favourite sparkling wine and with dessert I’ll have a Moscato Rosa Franz Haas, thank you.

What kind of things makes you say “this is a Buzzhopper place?”

My Buzzhopper places are simply places I really love. And it’s important to note that I don’t believe in love at first sight either. My Buzzhopper places are those that I’ve been impressed to return to – and now I’m a loyal customer due to their consistency to deliver a memorable and fun experience. Every time.

Whats your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far?

I love “28 Posti” – a tip from my boyfriend Edward.  This is my perfect ‘date’ place. It only has 28 seats so it’s cosy, minimalist and romantic all at the same time. Amazing food too.

I also have two other places I must mention which fellow Buzzhoppers recently gave me when I visited Florence for the first time. “L’Antica Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella” (the original site of the pharmacy which makes the famous Santa Maria Novella products) and a wine bar and restaurant in a residential neighbourhood close to the Ponte Vecchio – “Il Santo Bevitore”.

What would you say to people discovering/using the site for the first time?

Buzzhopper is unique compared to all the other travel and restaurants reviews because Buzzhoppers are an international community of amazing people. Search always for your soul mate – the friend with whom you would love to stroll around the city to discover new things. Be sure he/she exactly matches your lifestyle and you’ll find places you won’t find in other online guides or websites.