Bar Luce

I wasn’t in Milan long on my recent trip to Italy, but I knew if there was one thing I wanted to do it was visit the Wes Anderson-designed cafe at Foundazione Prada, Bar Luce. Like anyone who considers themselves remotely creatively inclined I’m a big Anderson fan, so couldn’t resist the opportunity to actually inhabit one of his quirky interiors (whilst channeling Margot Tenenbaum cool, obviously).

Bar Luce did not disappoint. We sat in retro booths with retractable tables, supping on panini’s from an extensive menu (unfortunately my Italian is poor and I accidentally ordered tuna, eurrgh). What I particularly admired was that it avoided pastiche by asserting a certain independence from Anderson’s films – whilst his aesthetic was evident the space felt completely it’s own rather than one of his sets.

It was also great for people watching. There were the expected hipsters and snap-happy instagrammers (guilty!), but also some very chic grannies and artsy looking industry types. In fact I half expected Jason Schwartzman or Adrien Brody (yum) to saunter in any minute! You could happily spend an afternoon there just soaking in the atmosphere, sipping on prosecco after prosecco and pretending to be one of Anderson’s quirky characters!