Bagutta's artful interior.

Condé Nast Traveler Style Director Mark Connolly reports from Milan fashion week, where he's checking out the latest in Dolce, Marni, and Prada. Today, he (miraculously) found time for a nibble.

by Mark Connolly

With at least 11 fashion shows a day plus showroom appointments, it's rare that I get time for lunch during Milan fashion week. Well, today was my lucky day, so I headed off to my all-time favorite Milanese restaurant, Bagutta.  Perfectly located in luxury shopping Nirvana on Via Bagutta (between Via Montenapoleone and Via Della Spiga), it offers amazing northern Italian food with a big side order of literary cred.  Since 1927, the restaurant has awarded a prize for best new Italian novel, and the place is packed with books, not to mention artists, writers, and publishers.  The walls and ceiling are also covered in paintings and murals by famous artists (just like La Coupole in Paris).  My favorite meal?  Rigatoni a la Bagutta followed by grilled veal chops and a mixed salad.  Maybe skip the pasta if you're a fashionista who wants to remain a size zero. (Fortunately, I am not!)

Stay tuned to the Daily Traveler this week for more from Mark in Milan.