Adidas Originals Guide To Milan

By Muna Noor  •  03 Oct 2008 in Features

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With only 2 days and 2 nights in Milan, JUICE could only hit up a handful of the fashion capital’s hotspots. Fortunately Adidas Originals has come up with a guide of Milan must sees as recommended by native Milanese.

STAY
Nhow Hotel
New fashionable design hotel in the former Milanese headquarters of General Electric in Zona Tortona, the happening fashion and design district. Designed by Daniele Beretta and Matteo Thun & Partners in 2006, the hotel is an interesting combination of fashion, art and design.
Via Tortona 35, MM2 Pta Genova. T 02 4898861 nhowhotels.com
The Gray
Fine design hotel a few minutes walk from the Duomo, the shopping area and Brera. Every room is different but all are equipped with a jacuzzi, LCD tv and internet access. The bar is famous for its aperitivo and cocktails.
Via San Raffaele 6, MM1 & 3 Duomo. T 02 720 8951 hotelgray.com
TSA Guest House
Located between the two Navigli (canals) this 80m square apartment in a 70s building was restored by textile designer Tina Chow, a Parsons graduate who works as an interior decorator. 
Via Mario Fusetti, MM2, Pta Genova. tsainfo.blogspot.com

EAT
Osteria Del Treno
Part of the Slow Food network (slowfood.it) this old restaurant used to be a post-work leisure area for Central Station workers. Serves the best Barolo served with a big choice of Piedmonte cheese and sweet wines like cherry Passito, which are perfect with the rich desserts.
Via San Gregorio 46, MM3 Repubblica. T 02 6700479 osteriadeltreno.it
La Cantinetta
Crazy but ingenious Luca has managed to create a magical world where you can eat outside under the trees. The atmosphere is relaxed and customers play cards with the locals. All the food is prepared by Luca’s mother – high quality and big portions.
Piazzale Archinto, MM3 Zara. T 02 6081612
Noi Due
Delicious vegetarian food in a room 5x5metres. Inside are a few small tables each for no more than 4 people. Don’t miss the curry tofu.
Viale Col Di Lana 1, MM2 Pta Genova. T 02 5810193
Mitsuba
This is a luxury take-away. Expensive and fanciful, it is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Milan and closes late at night.
Via Scoglio Di Quarto 3, MM2 Pta Genova. T 02 8361296
Peck
A gastronomic temple, Peck can be compared to a Lamborghini: reliable, elegant, desirable. It boats a historic tradition dating back to 1883, and located in the heart of town, this foodhall provides the best selection of luxury food available on the market today. On the upper floor you can take refreshments or enjoy an apertivo.
Via Spadari, MM1 & 3 Duomo. T 02 802 3161 peck.it

DRINK
Bar Basso
A city landmark since 1967, it played a major part in turning the Milanese apertivo into a legend.
Via Pinio Caio Secondo 39, MM1 Lima. T 02 29400580 barbasso.com
Le Jardin Au Bord Du Lac
Lucio “Plastic” (see below) and “il Fede” have opened a summer hang out (and restaurant) on the shores of the Idroscalo park and lake. They organize rich Saturday and Sunday brunches and club nights, playing everything from house to minimal to techno in a great atmosphere full of good vibes.
Circonvallazione Idroscalo 51 (Segrate). T 02 70208212

CLUB
Mono Bar
A place to hang out every day of the week, beautiful and creative people, youngsters, hipsters, trendsetters and post-modern metrosexuals swarm outdoors on the street juggling their drinks, while a few enjoy sitting inside in a dreamy psycho 60s optical set. Best poppish music in town with DJ Black Candy and his I Hate Modern Saturday nights. Check out the Euro-pop Sunday sets by DJ Pier Nowhere.
Via Lecco 6, MM1 Pta Venezia. T 339 4810264 / 347 4434228 myspace.com/monomilano
Plastic
In its 27th year it’s still the coolest and chicest place in town, thanks to the passion of entrepreneur Lucio Nisi and DJ, musician, photographer and record label owner Nicola Guiducci. Open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 11 ’til late, musts include Friday’s London Love (young, indie, glamourous), Saturday’s Bordello-Plastic (house and trashy pop) and Sunday’s eclectic Paris Match with Nicola Guiducci. “3 Rooms 4 bars Best Music Ever” is Plastic’s motto and it’s true.
Viale Unbria 120. thisisplastic.com
Circolo Magnolia
The hot spot for an alternative night out, its main feature is the location, in the heart of the Idroscalo Park. Magnolia is a multi-purpose centre with gigs and DJ sets playing mainly rock, electronica and reggae with an open air stage and bar tents in summer.
Circonvalazione Idroscalo 41. T 02 7561046 circolomagnolia.it
La Casa 139
Like stepping into an old friend’s house; on the ground floor a typical Italian football table, a bar and a lounge to listen to DJ sets and enjoy art installations; a spiral staircase takes you to the 1st floor for evening concerts and DJ sets where Devendra Barnhart to The Ravonettes have performed.
Via Ripamonto 139. T 02 45488279 lacasa139.com

Italian fashion and luxury brands have expanded their activities into lifestyle launching fashionable food and bar outposts worth splurging on
Armani Nobu Has great apertivos. Via Pisani. T 02 62312645
Bulgari Hotel Boasts Milan’s best garden for outdoors drinks – at a price. Via Fratelli Gabba 7b. T 02 805805
Dolce & Gabbana Martini Bar An air conditioned refuge for summer drinks in centro. Corso Venezia 15
Dolce & Gabbana Gold Upstairs is serious dining while downstairs is a more casual restaurant and gold lined evening bar. Via Carlo Poerio 2a. T 02 7577771
Gucci Café Stop Perfect for espresso while marveling at the architecture of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
Just Cavalli Animal prints galore at this restaurant in the middle of Parco Sempione. Via Camoens. T 02 311817
Trussardi Caf̩ Downstairs you can eat all day long Рa miracle in Milan Рwhile upstairs features a 1-star Michelin restaurant. Piazza Della Scala 5

SHOP
Adidas Originals store
A unique space in the heart of Milan’s trendiest area, Ticinese, where you can browse through the premiere Originals fashion collection as well as exclusive limited editions. The shopping floor has been designed by the Austrian studio, EOOS, and everything is mobile with no fixed fittings as if in a dynamic street market.
Corso Di Porta Ticinese 60, MM2 Sant’Ambrogio. T 02 89421124 adidas.com/conceptstores
Antoniolo
By far the coolest store in all of the Navigli, this modern black box is barely recognizable from its exterior. Once inside you’ll find a hip mix of high end fashion labels and cooler sportier brands for men and women.
Via Pasquale Paoli 1, MM2 Pta Genova. T 02 36566494
Melody Blackmarket
Pure rock and roll, this little black box takes inspiration from dusty UK bootleg record shops. It’s all about skinny pants, polo shirts, leather jackets, pork pie hats, Europe’s best rock and roll brands and amazing music.
Corso Di Pta Ticinese 22, MM2 Sant’Ambrogio. T 02 89424476
Quinto Round
The place for sneaker fans, from exclusive limited editions to unique vintage models, brand new collections and co-branded collaborations; it even has its own basketball court.
Corso Matteotti 9, MM1 San Bilaba. T 02 77331735
Slam Jam
The Italian kingdom for streetwear fanatics, this is both a shop for the most sought-after brands and an exhibition space, and is the destination point for the international creative scene.
Via Paoli 3, MM2 Pta Genova. T 02 83241167 slamjam.com
Zari
Not an easy place to find, it carried a wide range of VHS and DVDs sorted by genre and director. A large section is dedicated to Italian cinema from the 40s to the present and indie flicks from the 70s and 80s.
Via Spoerga 20, MM2 Caiazzo. T 02 6693991 [email protected]

ART
Fotografia Italiana
The gallery was established with the idea of presenting and fostering Italian photographers and young and lesser known artists and works.
Corso Venezia 22, MM1 Palestro. T 02 784100 fotografiaitaliana.com
The Conduits
As of 2008, The Conduits is the only new gallery on the Milan scene. It’s an impudent and borderline exhibition space where you will find all that exists between art and the perversions of Gea Politi, its brilliant curator and gallerist.
Viale Stelvio 66, MM3 Maciachini. T 02 6883470 the counduits.com

JUICE was in Milan during Milan Fashion Week in September to attend the Adidas Originals Global House Party and get an exclusive preview of the Adidas Originals Spring Summer 09 collection. More Adidas at www.adidas.com.my