Last night, we (that is V & I) were invited for dinner at FfI’s. When we reached Isola, V went ahead to her place and I went to get her some cigarettes from a place that she had told me about. It’s a slightly strange thing here because cigarettes are sold only at tabaccherias (tobacconist shops). You cannot buy them at supermarkets nor off-licences but only where they have the ‘T’ sign outside.

As a result of this, most tabaccheria are closed at night (they have machines you can use – but only if you have an codice fiscale or health card that proves you are old enough). However, there is this one bar (there may be more but I only know of this one) that is also a tabaccheria.

As I am walking up, through the centre of Isola, I am struck at how like Notting Hill it is. Bars and cafés abound; restaurants, too. Small, independent shops. It has a cosmopolitan, slightly eccentric, sometime bohemian feel to it all. It is in the process of being ‘done up’ and, I have to be honest, it’s looking good.

It really is an island (isola) in the centre of the city. As far as I understand it, the reason it is called Isola is because it is not (or rather, was not) that easy to get to. It is separated from the city itself by the railway line and there are only a few bridges leading from the city to it.

However, they are currently redeveloping the area around Porta Nuova (where Garibaldi Station is) to become a Fashion district of Milan. As part of that redevelopment, there will be a brand new footbridge linking Isola with Corso Como, one of the most popular and, unfortunately, touristy areas of Milan but many bars and restaurants (and the best Princi in town). In theory, I suppose, this could make Isola an extension of Corso Como.

Certainly, Isola has this village feel to it, just like Notting Hill and, I believe, with the footbridge to Corso Como (and the centre of the city) will become a very sought-after place to live and spend time in.

Certainly, when S comes here, I shall take her to it for a few beers or something to eat.

Finally, on Thursday, I shall be going to Parma for the day. It’s really for work (not this one but the other one) but it will also be a great pleasure. I shall be meeting up with, and having lunch with, Nick.

So here’s where you readers out there may be able to help. It will be the first time that I have been to Parma and I wonder if anyone knows a good restaurant to have lunch, somewhere in the city centre? If you do, please let me know. Many thanks.