Milano

Meet The Buzzhopper – Jane Wilson, Milano

Jane_wilson

Ciao Jane, tell us a bit about  yourself, what makes you a Buzzhopper?  

I’ve lived in Milano for 22 yrs as an expat, wife and mother and I’m constantly being asked by friends (and friends of friends)  on what see and do in Milano. For work, I manage two downtown palazzo apartments for rent  so I meet guests from around the world on a daily basis. This enables me to look at Milan from two perspectives – living like a local, as well as seeing Milan through  tourists’ eyes. I’m also a hotel consultant/inspector for Alistair Sawaday’s Special Places so I get to visit  many charming accomodations in northern Italy.  I’m constantly telling my guests and industry colleagues  about buzzhopper places  they  won’t find  in any guidebooks.

 

So Culture Vulture and Tree Hugger are two of your vibes … what does that mean to you? 

I love anything involving nature and anything natural. This ranges from seeking out the great outdoors on my travels to choosing natural, organic products when eating out and shopping. Living and working in Milan can be very hectic so I’m always looking for a new oasis to escape for some peace and tranquility. This can mean strolling through one of Milan’s secret gardens or just wondering quietly through an art gallery and museum – (during off peak hours of course!)

 

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far?  

I’m eager to check out Anne Marie Butt’s London tip, Caboose. This ticks all the boxes for me – novelty factor of a train carriage interior, value for money, casual and friendly vibe, and it’s even BYO. It’s exactly the kind of place to gather my friends together for a fun night out. I’ll definitely be booking ahead to come here the time I head to London.

 

What would you say to people discovering/using the site for the first time? Use the filter menu to connect with a buzzhopper of a similar age and shared interests as yourself. This is fundamental to finding places  that will suit you, and what you’re looking for.

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.

What’s 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.

 

Meet the Buzzhopper: Samantha Marshall, New York City

Samantha Marshall, New York City
Samantha Marshall, New York City

 

And we’re back in New York City this week with Samantha Marshall!

Enjoy the trip!

Hello Sam! Tell us a bit about  yourself, what makes you a Buzzhopper?
I sort of stumbled into it by virtue of the fact that I have a large network of international and globetrotting friends and we’re always talking about the best places to go and see in cities we live and have visited. I come from a long line of itinerant ancestors – my grandfather worked for the Nizam of Hyderabad – and have been traveling and living abroad since I was a child, beginning with frequent trips to the UK to visit family, my parents are English but I was born and mostly raised in Canada. As a teenager I began visiting my father in Hong Kong and Bangkok, where he worked in the toy industry, and it was at that point I decided to become a journalist in Southeast Asia. I have since “settled” between New York and Miami Beach, although my current profession as a ghostwriter requires me to travel to LA, Milan, Beijing… you get the idea.
So “ food you eat, not look at” is one of your Vibes… what does that mean to you?
I must have been a peasant in many of my past lives because there is nothing I enjoy more than good, hearty “peasant food” – food you eat and not look at, especially in places like France and Italy, but also in the Deep South. It’s the simplest ingredients and recipes that make the best meals, even if they originated from poor people creatively trying to stretch out their meat budget, which may also be why I love side dishes like Yorkshire pud and bread sauce. Give me a family-run restaurant in the countryside with la mamma in the kitchen stirring the sauce, and a jug of local table wine. That’s my idea of heaven.

I hate pretension in general. Whenever possible when I travel, I try to do what the ordinary locals do. That’s also why I love exploring markets for everything from cheeses and charcuterie to baby clothes for my partner’s new granddaughter.
What kind of things makes you say “this is a Buzzhopper place?”
When it’s an experience that really captures the feeling of the city or region. Authenticity and spontaneity are key. No hipsters, beard douches or package tourists please – just good people enjoying the atmosphere as they eat, shop and play.


What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far?
I have followed Melinda Chan Butts’s suggestions slavishly for over 20yrs, across several regions and currently I have two faves I can’t decide between – both are in the downtown shopping and residential area of Porta Venezia . For a quick cheap and cheerful lunch, I love Trattoria Sabbioneda da Romolo  a third generation establishment, and the current owners are avid H.O.G.s. (Harley Davidson fans) The husband toiling in the open kitchen looks like an Italian version of Hulk Hogan. But don’t let his looks fool you. He is an artist, and his handmade ravioli with walnuts and gorgonzola in sage and brown butter sauces are to die for. Then I discovered Azzurra Grill –
which is minutes away from Melinda’s home and it’s so good, I’m going to write up my own tip on this neighbourhood gem. Stay tuned.


What would you say to  people discovering/using the site for the first time?
The recommendations are reliable. Unlike other travel and restaurant review sites, there is no one with a stake in the success or failure of the places being talked about. The write ups are curated by like-minded and experienced people who truly know what is good. You can connect with them depending on your own lifestyle interests and preferences. No need to second guess anyone’s motives.


Who do you nominate for the next buzzhopper spotlight? Sara Mitterhofer in Milano, a smart, sassy and fun 20-something year old I met through Buzzhopper… parties, handbag shops, hidden cocktail bars and truffle bars, Sara knows them all.

Thanks Sam!
Make sure you check out her Buzzhopper profile for more about her… and some awesome tips of course!

Meet the Buzzhopper: Nicolò Grechi, Milano

Nicolò Grechi, Milano
Nicolò Grechi, Milano

Here we are – finally – in Italy! And what better timing than to have our “Meet the Buzzhopper” with Milano Resident Nicolò Grechi than during the city’s world famous Salone del Mobile? If you’re in Milano right now you’d do well to check out Nicolo “Fashionista” Grechi’s tips, and if not… well, read along for your next jaunt to Italy’s fashion capital perhaps to partake in the Expo opening soon.

Off we go!

Tell us a bit about  yourself, what makes you a Buzzhopper? 
I’m a twenty-something year old fashion design student studying to be a coutourier in the fashion epicenter of the world. I’ve been fortunate to travel quite extensively all my life and my travels have made me innately curious about anything new and different.  My life philosophy is ‘go for it.’ I’m always up for the next spontaneous experience and adventure – in travel, eating, drinking – anything really.  And I’m always sharing my  discoveries and places   with my network and friends so Buzzhopping comes to me naturally.
As – not so subtly – hinted in this intro to this chat, you have Fashionista as a Vibe. Tell us a bit about that!
Well, fashion has been a very big part of my life since I was very young – I’ve been sketching dresses and shoes since I was five years old! I eat, sleep and breathe fashion so there’s always a bit of ‘fashionista’ everywhere I go, and in everything I do. What I mean by “Fashionista” is a sense of  creativity.  Sometimes it can be a ‘place to be seen’ but above all I always seek out a sense of uniqueness and  individuality in all of my Buzzhopper places.  I love shopping and my friends often take me shopping as their personal style consultant. I admit I have on occasion, also been called a Fashion Nazi – for my sheer determination and persuasiveness in making my friends wear clothes and accessories I believe looks best on them.  But I’m always right. Really!

What kind of things makes you say “this is a Buzzhopper place?”
Many friends say I’m a pain in the ass when it comes to choosing a place to go out.  I prefer to refer to myself as ‘specific and selective!’  Regardless of price,  I’m looking for quality and that touch of ‘difference’  in a place (whether it’s the food, drink or decor) – no normal, average places please! From trendy bars and clubs to cosy family run trattorias, there’s always a specific reason I return to a place and I’ll always think to myself– ‘I MUST bring my friends here’.
What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper so far (that you’ve used yourself and wouldn’t have discovered otherwise) 
Buzzhopper Founder Melinda’s  lobster linguine place in Milano. Even though I’m not a huge pasta fan I could eat this entire dish of lobster linguine alone – it’s really that good!   However, a month ago I found out I’m gluten intolerant ruling out pasta and pizza, and to my surprise this place offers gluten-free dishes which is very uncommon in Italy.  It’s called “pasta di riso senza glutine” (Editor’s note: gluten-free rice pasta for the Italian language challenged)  and quite importantly is just as delicious as the real thing. The reason they offer gluten-free is because ‘la mamma’ is also intolerant so she ensures her sons (three of whom cook in the kitchen) always have some pasta dishes for her to taste on the menu, good boys! She suggested I order her favourite – pasta con gamberetti e fiori di zucca (pasta with shrimps and zucchini flowers) and it was to die for.

Lobster Linguine at Trattoria dei Raimondo
Lobster Linguine at Trattoria dei Raimondo

This is also a great place to come in a big group (as we always seem to), because you can share abundant plates of pasta and other dishes. The family vibe adds a nice homely touch and they’re always welcoming and friendly.   And don’t forget la mamma’s homemade panna cotta to finish. A hot tip is to ensure you reserve a panna cotta as soon as you arrive as they’re often all gone by the time we get to dessert.

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

Buzzhopper is perfect for planning an upcoming trip – whether you’re visiting a city for the first time or returning back again, you can look around on profiles and search to see which Buzzhoppers fit your interests and vibes – and you can pick out places/things to do in advance and something that’s really important whether you need to make reservations ahead of time. Snooping on someone else’s  ready–made “collections” is also really useful for travel planning, it lays out peoples favourite activities in some otherwise big and overwhelming cities.
I also think it’s a great way to meet or connect with  new and interesting people around the world and grow your network. If you like the sound of their profile and their places,  you can connect and maybe even meet them one day. So if you like my Buzzhopper places or think that we’ll get along after you read my profile, don’t be shy – say ‘hi’!

Nominate a Buzzhopper you like for the next spotlight!
Samantha Marshall who’s already been nominated by Jana Sanchez in last week’s “Meet the Buzzhopper” gets my vote. She has some great tips I want to check out on my next trip to New York!

And that’s all folks! Make sure you check out Nicolò’s profile for great things to do in Milano!