I was one of those girls who used to get bored going to the kitchen section in John Lewis with my mum. However when I was in Kitchen, a beautiful cooking and kitchenware boutique on Via de Amicis in Milan, I could not resist touching practically every utensil. From German non-stick aluminum to Japanese ceramic knives, this place has it all.

Kitchen’s cooking book selection is also great and includes some top Italian chefs in the food industry. I picked up two excellent cookbooks: Diario di un Cuoco by Pietro Leemann who is the chef of Joia a Michelin star vegetarian restaurant in Milan and Tiramisu  e Chantilly by Luca Montersino and Roberto Sammartini.

After looking at Kitchen’s cooking courses (which range from  50 to 70 euros) and flicking through pictures of Tiramisu  in every shape and form I had to leave Kitchen as my mouth began to water. Luckily just next door to Kitchen is  Viscontea which serves some delicious pastries and delicacies. It is so rare to come across a cafe in Milan where you can  sit down, sip a cup of tea and watch the world go by. Viscontea  also serves lunch and aperitivo.  I highly recommend it, especially if you are in the area.

Kitchen, Via E. de Amicis, 45,  00390258102849, Milan – Italy

Pasticceria Viscontea, Via E. de Amicis, 39, 00390239430081, Milan – Italy

Cafe Nero claims to be the best espresso this side of Milan. I have found the best espresso in Milan. Just behind Corso Sempione, I came across a small degustacion cafe open since 1946. Even if you are not a coffee lover, the second you open the door, the strong coffee aroma allures you and invites you to try one of Hodeidah speciality coffees. Hodeidah has a large selection of coffee beans from around the world. The speciality is not so much the variety of coffee beans, but the way they are toasted in the laboratorio artigianale di torrefazione di cafe. And for those who are perhaps not used to a shot of espresso, or the regular milanese cappuccino or cafe there is a varied selection of cafes: Cafe con panna Cioccolino (coffee with chocolate and cream) Ciococarancio (chocolate, coffee with a hint of orange, and cream) Nocciolino (chocolate,coffee with a hint of hazelnut, cream and a layer or fresh hazelnuts) – my favourite! Cioccolata calda con gelato alla pera (thick hot chocolate with pear icecream….delicious) But please dont ask for an americano here…its not their style! This is not a place where you can sit and read your newspaper. Its a place where locals who work or live in Sempione go to have a quick coffee at the bar. Hodeidah also sell an extensive range of tea leaves from around the world, and a wide range of luxury chocolates and sweets.   The presentation and collectiveness of the coffees, teas and chocolates ensures that you do not leave the cafe empty handed. Hodeidah, Via Piero della Francesca, 8, 00392342472, Milan – Italy