The Navigli Canal, The Prada Foundation, and dinner at Ratanà

I had heard about an area of Milan called the Navigli Canal, where old transportation canals are still exposed. No longer used for barges, of course, but the tow paths are now lined with nice little coffee shops, restaurants, and art stores. It was a pleasant place to wander about.

After Navigli, we took a streetcar to the Fondazioni Prada, which is an old distillery that is being converted into art spaces. The place is fantastic.

They have gold leafed one of the buildings:

They had exhibitions from Robert Gober and Louise Bourgeois in the distillation tower, and an amazing exhibit called "Stolen Images" by Thomas Demand in one of the other buildings. (It was really called L’Image Voleé). "Stolen" was used loosely, including photographs, collages, and stories about stolen art work.

and the art is interspersed among them,

 I love this sign, which warns of "insurmountable danger"

For dinner we metroed up to Ratanà, a local sort of farm to table place in a newly redeveloped part of town.

Those are apartment buildings with many, many, plants coming down their sides:

It was getting dark, but you get the idea:

We ate outside

 It was an old train depot

 Doreen had her favorite, a Kir Royale!

 I tell you, those Milanese are stylin'! A white linen suit with short pants!

 It was a great meal.