Frequent Flyer: Milan

October 11, 2010

I went to Milan for a week for work, only one week after I was in London for work (eww....). I took off on a Monday and landed on a Tuesday. I was pretty jetlagged, so I ordered some food and checked out the teeny-tiny gym in the hotel before crashing.

WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday, we had all day meetings, and then dinner at a yummy place called Don Lisander, which was located in central Milan. I didn't really take any pics of the food, but I couldn't resist taking a snap of the cured meats...yum!

THURSDAY

On Thursday morning, I decided to head out on a run to get some exercise that wasn't in a teeny-tiny gym. My co-worker bailed, but I scoped out a nearby park called the Giardini Publicci. From the hotel to the park, and a couple laps of the park resulted in ~3.5 mile run. It was perfect. Though, it was really interesting how all the morning traffic made it harder to run back the hotel with all the exhaust fumes and smog. Note to self: run earlier.

More all-day meetings, and then dinner at a great place called Giannino. This was probably my favorite meal in Milan.

Fresh white truffles:






The week was shaping up to start with a morning run, a lot of work, eat, little sleep...rinse and repeat.

FRIDAY

On Thursday, we had a long day of meetings, but finished in time to have a couple hours between work and dinner. So, a couple co-workers and I went sight-seeing in central Milan. We headed to Piazza San Babila and the famous Duomo.











Walking around the famous "square" of the fashion district, an area that is bordered by Via Montanapoleone, Via Della Spiga, Via Sant' Andrea, Via Manzoni.


For dinner, we were treated to a super hip restaurant-that-turns-into-a-club and a place that was probably way to cool for us. It was called Lotvs.







That was my one "big night out", as I danced until close to 3 am. And man, did I ever pay for it.

SATURDAY

This was the only day that I skipped a morning run, as you can imagine based on the festivities from the night before.

Another full day of meetings, and I got some air and after the meetings.


We headed to another restaurant-that-turns-into-a-night-club, but this was not on the same class level as the night before, and it was called Shu Cafe.


I made it through dinner and pulled the chute by 10:30 PM. Too old for two nights in a row...

SUNDAY

Sunday was a good day, although it did involve some work. I went for my last morning run while in Milan, and it was glorious because there was no traffic! I spent the morning working, and then did some shopping, before meeting up with some super-fun folks for dinner at Jazz Cafe.










I flew home on Monday, after a long week in Milan, and even though it was a hard working and fun week, I was happy to go home!

Ciao!

Commonwealth

October 3, 2010

On Sunday night, Will and I met up with Ian and Catherine to go check out the new restaurant in the Mission called Commonwealth. This new joint also happens to be the new venture for chef Jason Fox, previously of Bar Tartine and a good friend of Margulies.

We had an early 5:30 reservation as the boys had a 8:45 PM hockey game, and it was nice to check out the dining room before it got busy (which it did).
The server brought over house-made potato chips with a malted vinegar foam:
We started with the shishito peppers with goat cheese and rose. There were a few killer spicy ones in there, but the goat cheese and rose were a nice complement to the peppers.

I had the marrow-stuffed squid with tamarind pork, shelling beans, black garlic and cilantro, which was a pretty tasty and rich starter.
Will had the potato gnocchi with corn, maitake mushrooms, sage, parmesan reggiano and truffle oil. It was very good and I know he was super happy with it.

For entree, I had the braised lamb cheeks with burnt eggplant, chard, miso and mint. Also very good and surprisingly filling for what seemed to be a smaller portion. With my starter, it was the perfect-sized meal for me.
Will had the pork with crispy pig ears, and some other accompaniments that I cannot remember.
We shared the "White Russian" dessert, which is a raw milk mousse on top of coffee ice cream, vodka gelee and genoise cake. OMG.

Ian and Catherine had the cinnamon mille feuille with cardamon marshmallow, chocolate ganache and burnt honey ice cream (kind of like a "deconstructed s'more).

Commonwealth was good food in a nice setting, go check it out. And did I mention they have a small parking lot next to the entrance? Get an early reso and you're guaranteed a spot!

House of Air!

October 2, 2010

On Saturday morning, I went for a run with Sandy and JoJo in Crissy Field/Marina, and then we met up with a gaggle of folks at the brand new trampolining park in the Presidio called House of Air.

We had a two hour slot of time (note to self, one hour is plenty in a 30-something body...) and our group had reserved tables, which was nice (so you can bring food and stuff, and have a central meeting place between jumping sessions). We had access to the "Matrix" (series of interconnected trampolines) and the Colisseum (where you play trampoline dodgeball!). Pics and videos of the action below.

Super good and sweaty times!

Chan-Chan's SF Birthday Dinner

October 1, 2010

Friday! Hooray!

Will and I headed down to the Mission for happy hour at Blondies (wow, been a while since I've been there!) to meet up with Sarah and Rob, who have recently returned from their 15 months of travel. Sounds like they had an amazing trip and Rob is a pretty awesome photographer.

Will and I headed next door to Limon for dinner for Wendy's 35th birthday. She came in from Boston on Thursday and was spending the weekend in SF for her birthday.

Happy birthday Chan!