Portico At Spiga

[Raymond Freedman]

Rotondadella Besana is certainly one of the chicest, historical and architecturally interesting green oasis in Milano. It is a former seventeenth-century cemetery, belonging to the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan. It was a common custom, since the fifteenth century, to build a chapel at the center of the hospital and burial areas, so that the sick and those who took care of them could be equidistant from the 'hinge' of Christianity represented by the altar. In 1700, thanks to a fundraising campaign, the central chapel was converted into a church (the Church of St. Michael the Archangel at the new sepulchres) and in 1719 the whole complex was enclosed by a portico, so as to limit the flow of the waters of the Navigli which, during periods of flooding.

Today, the circular structure, very close the Tribunal, is a buen retiro for all "milanesi" and contains, inside its portico, a lovely and well-kept lawn, the little church (now deconsecrated) and MUBA, the children's museum.

You can enter from via Besana 12, passing through a high wrought iron gate, and from here, the city closes behind us as if by magic. La Besana is a perfect place for a break in the open air where you can read a good book and do some jogging. But also where you can enjoy the classic aperitivo; in fact, inside the little church there is now the Rotonda Bistro.

A beachy and bohemian lifestlye and home decor store that is filled to the brim with furniture, antiques, home decor, gifts, jewelry, and textiles. It is beautifully merchandised and located right in Sconset Square in Westport.

Hands down the best spot for nails and waxing around and I think any local will agree! I go to the one in Westport next to Whole Foods but they have a few other locations as well. They are a well-oiled machine and always have time to see customers.

Per the name they have great burgers and great lobster rolls but the secret best thing on the menu are their thin and crispy onion rings. And randomly their Caesar salad. We pick up food to go from here all the time because the entire family loves it. If you go in person, sit outside and be sure to walk across the street to Saugatuck Sweets for ice cream.

I signed up for a membership when Glow Bar first opened and have been every month since including the day before giving birth to Luca! I love their no-frills quick monthly facials that leave me glowing and clear for the rest of the month.

One of my favorite restaurants in Fairfield County! Don Memo has it all: ambiance, fantastic cocktails, delightful food, and a great vibe. Their guacamole has fresh mint in it which sounds weird but is out of this world. The chilaquiles rojas is my favorite dish on the menu.

Woody and the incredible team at Burr installed our siding project and did a beautiful job. They were also just a joy to work with and made every day fun. They did everything from new doors to the siding to a building us a portico and new stone front steps. Every detail was impeccable.

This jewel-box jewelry store in downtown Westport is full of treasures at every price point. I feel like a kid in a candy store the second I walk in! From vintage charms to beaded necklaces to dainty gold chains, they have something for everyone.

Anel worked with the incredible team from Back to Nature to build our backyard garden. They were instrumental in helping us set up systems for a successful organic home garden and so patient with all of our questions!

This breakfast/lunch spot serves mostly toasts on a choice of sourdough bread or a sweet potato. Their food is clean, vibrant, healthy, and delicious. I love that they have great dairy-free options like cashew cream cheese. The company is dedicated to sustainability which is always nice to see locally as well.

I always get asked about who we use for a contractor and I will always recommend Chris. We bought our house from him after he renovated it and we have used him for every project since. He and his team are incredibly nice and their work is impeccable

This Mystic-based eatery and caf also has a Westport location that is great for grab-and-go sandwiches and salads as well as frozen prepared foods. They have a ton of healthy options perfect for road trips, beach picnics, or lunch on-the-go!

If you are looking for the happiest store in FFC, this is it. Kerri is an incredible artist and interior designer who creates bright and colorful pieces that always make me smile. Check out her Westport store and design studio for inspiration and a dose of sunshine. And see how I used her paperless wallpaper in our old playroom here.

Rowayton Seafood is a local hotspot and always packed to the brim. Make a reservation in advance or sit on their outside deck in the summer. We go for lobster rolls (cold, not hot), ros, and the amazing view.

I hired Stef from The Realistic Organizer to help with my closet and we ended up becoming close friends. She is hilarious and kind but will organize the crap out of any space in your home. Check out how she helped me organize my kitchen!

Our local aquarium is spectacular and so fun for kids of all ages. There is a touch tank for stingrays and they have a ton of creatures displayed beautifully. Sometimes I think I enjoy it even more than Amalia does.

This New Canaan Italian restaurant is always packed at dinner and for good reason. The menu can be overwhelming, but I recommend the meatballs and the chopped salad timbale. They also make gluten-free pizza which is pretty great.

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