24 avril 2009
Trendy fun Bar Lobo el Japones
Its prime location near La Rambla combined with market-fresh produce and friendly service make Bar Lobo/El Japonés an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, dinner, drinks—well, really, any occasion.
This relatively recent addition to Barcelona’s gastronomic scene features a a design that perfectly balances elegance and comfort. Its terrace is furnished with cozy leather couches; the menu is varied as it is long. Rotating art exhibitions grace the upper floor, where Japanese specialties are served at night. But things at Bar Lobo/El Japonés really heat up on weekends after midnight, when the kitchens close and the DJs take over for the next three booty-shaking hour. For reviews check on Barcelona Salir, Guia del ocio, Telva, el observador solitario blogspot, el periodico, carballada blog, and los viajes de marcos y jordi blog.
via Unlike Barcelona
Funky orient express at Barcelona: La Xina
Its interior designers, Isabel López and Sandra tarruella travelled to china to get drenched with authentic asiatic restaurants. Its owners did the same to inquire about the gastronomy and have come back with a Hong Kong cook who has added to the menu different proposals that blend in perfectly with chinese culture. Don´t expect "arroz tres delicias" but one of the best Barcelona asiatic interiors. Pintor Fortuny 3, Barcelona
Phone 93-342-9628. La xina belongs to spanish hospitality and leisure Tragaluz group
For reviews you can check out Verema , la netro and trip advisor
Recently opened Madrid fifties gem: Hd es centrico
Hd es centrico is an arqueological funky urban experiment. A trendy cafe from the fifties in Madrid that has preserved the original hip fifties style and that has updated its menu.
It was once a dandysh fifties cafe in Moncloa Madrid neighbourhood called "Hermanos Diez". He was one of the gastronomical consultants most well known and most talented-Javier Bonet. HD es centrico-the first vintage cafe in Madrid was born from such glorious past. The decor is the original from that time, preserved, glorious, untouched- with wood panels, mirrors, marbles, geormetric freizes from wrought iron, chairs and tables with joyful little legs. The menu offers hamburgers, inspired bocadillos, and tasteful temptations to make up with missed breakfasts and teas.
08 avril 2009
Promissing "The table" restaurant to be opened at Frankfurt
With the glass façade still obscured by white paper webs, one can
only guess what kind of gem will soon be enriching the aesthetic and
hospitality scene in Frankfurt. Behind the closed doors of the new
restaurant that is to be called "Table", there is evidently a lot of
hammering and painting work is going on. As is often the case with
large building projects, it is not easy to imagine that, instead of the
mere shell, the windows will soon open to reveal a perfectly finished
interior that is ready for business.
From what little glimpses
we can catch, the future interior looks very promising indeed: a bright
room which - liberated from its claustrophobic panelling - now
impresses with truly generous dimensions; top-quality wood flooring as
well as the first deliveries from selected furniture manufacturers. On
April 17, the waiting will at long last come to an end - and the
"Table" will open its doors for the first time.
The high quality
of the design (it can attributed to the concept design by Nitzan Cohen)
also extends to the cuisine - as highly acclaimed Milan Seidenfaden has
be persuaded to sign up as head chef for the "Table". In the future,
culinary delicacies will be served to all those ready to embrace a new
cuisine that is enriched by regional and international influences. It
will surely make for a worthwhile visit and offer your taste buds to an
abundance of new flavours.
Less than a year has passed since the
astonishing concepts slowly began to take shape at a first meeting.
Following more than six months of intense planning and concept
development, an appealing and atmospheric space has now been created
that will give Frankfurt's eating-out scene a unique and much broader
appeal.
And because we truly enjoyed working on this wonderful,
exciting project, we would like to take this opportunity to express our
sincere thanks to everyone involved - Schirn Kunsthalle without which
none of this would have been possible, and particularly to Nitzan
Cohen, who not only presented a concept design that is equally clever
and sensible, but who also ensured its accurate implementation and,
last but not least, to Nykke & Kokki for their confidence and
excellent collaboration.
Finally, a project like this would not have been conceivable let alone feasible had it not been for all those design-based companies which, thanks to their close collaboration, have contributed decisively to the successful implementation of this concept design. Our special thanks is therefore extended to Alape, ClassiCon, Dinesen, Dornbracht, Dyson, e15, Emu, Glas Trösch, Nya Nordiska, Mattiazzi, Thonet and Rosenthal who generously supported us with their experience, materials and products. via Stylepark
02 avril 2009
Funky outing at the Praq restaurant
Ludic, spirited, home friendly, the Praq at Amsterdam offers a relaxed laid down atmosphere where to lunch or dine with your whole family
Why do we always have to choose? Or either we dine out at a kids´restaurant and eat whatever just to get them out of the house, or we choose a stylish restaurant but we are always edgy just in case they misbehave and bother other guests?
Nested in a lovely dutch town, only 10 minutes aways from Amsterdam´s center , lays Praq restaurant, an unbelievable place where kids, parents or even business men can coexist without strain. The praq restaurant is a trendy child-friendly restaurant, where you can taste excellent dishes. The design is breath-taking and its small clients are toddlers that run and just in a while speak a little bit loud. No problem at Praq.
Styled by Frank Tjepkema, well known japanese designer, the secret of this restaurant´s success lays in the intelligent space distribution. Kids like to feel independent, and at Praq they eat at a special area for kids while at the same time under the guidance of their parents or caretakers. They can play with , draw and ask for their own menu, every thing has been thought out in advance, Besides the food is so so good that extra motivation for taking the food to the mouth won´t be needed.
In need of more cool spaces for kids? Visit Decopeques blog
Praq restaurant
Praq restaurant
Praq restaurant
Praq restaurant
Praq Restaurant
Praq restaurant
Praq restaurant
Praq restaurant
Praq restaurant
01 avril 2009
Dining at cozy Vinkeles, Dylan Hotel
Vinkeles styled by Anoushka Hempels is so far one of my favourite restaurants at one of my top choice destinations in Europe: Amsterdam. The restaurant stands out by its contemporary elegance and classic (yet far from outdated) furniture without succumbing to vibrant lighting or overelaborated decor so much seen in newly-opened restaurants specially some that have been revamped by the most well known designers. At Vinkeles, Anoushka Hempels has done a great job in keeping a friendly home atmoshpere with sophisticated touches that fits in perfectly with the Dylan Hotel and its old century structure that houses the hotel.
17th. century old Amsterdam based Dylan Hotel
Regarding Vinkeles, Stylebibe foregrounds
"Set on one of Amsterdam’s most famous and picturesque canals, Vinkeles, renowned for its contemporary and traditional cuisine is located inside the historic 17th century townhouse hotel, The Dylan.
Housed in what was once an old orphanage bakery dating back to the 17th century, decorated in chocolate browns and rich reds, its intimate and contemporary interior successfully incorporates many features of the original building.
We enjoyed aperitifs served in a cosy, inviting lounge, the focal point being a large fireplace enhancing the warmth and character of the setting. We were escorted through to the dining room which is set in the old bakery where some of the original features are still in evidence such as the old bread ovens. From our table we could look out through the windows onto an inner courtyard; the perfect setting to relax and have a drink on a warm summer night. Vinkeles also offer a special menu for outside dining, which includes a selection of barbequed meats and light salads.
The international cuisine served at Vinkeles by executive chef Dennis Kuipers is characterised by French orientated dishes which are both traditional and modern, we recommend the chef's signature dishes which include "Ceviche of sea bass with croquettes of pumpkin and king crab, with a vinaigrette of orange" and "Roast Anjou pigeon with five spices, preserved young carrots and aromatic jus". Dennis Kuipers uses only the best selected ingredients, and this became evident as we sampled a variety of mouth watering dishes. Our favourite was the 'roasted langoustines with veal knuckle, marinated cherry tomatoes and Vadouvan mayonnaise'.
Vinkeles also keeps a wide selection of the finest wines. We opted to leave it to the sommelier to recommend a wine for us and his choice was excellent, selecting a wine that perfectly complimented each of our five courses.
We recommend however that you leave some room to try a few of Vinkeles’ delicious “Dessert Tapas”; an irresistible selection of tiny desserts. No difficult dessert decisions have to be made here – you can savour several of these tiny mouth watering delights.
This is a great place to enjoy fine gastronomy in the heart of one of Europe’s most romantic and cultural cities."
31 mars 2009
Trendy the Line restaurant at Shangri la Hotel, Singapore
When it comes to sheer range and quality of food Singapore is one of the best destinations in Asia besides Hong Kong. One recently example of the exhilarating food industry is the restaurant The Line at the Shangri-La Hotel which cost eight millions SGD to refurbish. Located on the lowest floor beside the pool its blindingly white interior and futuristic orange luminous boards create an atmosphere of an UFO. The restaurant is actually an enormous buffet with about a dozens food islands with chefs preparing the food ranging from Sushi, cheese, pasta to Dim Sum and fresh seafood. For about 90 SGD the buffet is excellent value if you are hungry and make sure you book in advance on weekends.via east eats west. For reviews you can check out: Comiendo por el mundo (a spanish food blog that I really liked down to earth with a stress on simple food), and hungry go where
Restaurant The line at Shangri la Hotel
Restaurant the line at Shangri la Hotel
Restaurant the Line at Shangri La Hotel
24 mars 2009
Dining at one of the top 10 best worlwide restaurants: Le precatalan at the Sofitel Rio
The Precatalan restaurant is renowed as one of the 10 best worlwide restaurants according to the magazine Hotel Word. Modern atmposhere and scenic Copacabana views. Their menu is updated every 15 days.
22 mars 2009
Celebrities in search of Parisian glam: The bar of the Plaza Athenée
Decorated by interior designer Patrick Jouin, a former protégé of Philippe Starck brought in by Alain Ducasse-chef of the Athenee Restaurant, the Bar du Plaza Athénée blends in the classic and modern, and is the hot spot in Paris for travelers and Parisians alike. As stated by Highbeam in its "The toast of Paris" for the bar du Plaza Athenee, Jouin has concoted a cocktail of the classic and the futuristic. Since its reopening in 2002, Mick Jagger, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lenny Kravitz, et al., have been popping by to check out the new design, making 25 Avenue Montaigne the hippest port of call in Paris. Michael Martin in his editorial piece "Hip hop meets haute couture" from Jetsetreport hails it as the "flashiest cocktaila in Paris" coming from "one of its most discriminating addresses". Concierge goes even further and states that the bar as the hotel plays "the home-away-from home for the international fashion pack creating pouty mayhem during the defilés". It applauds not only its strategic location just off the Champs-Élysées but also for its inventive cocktails, such as the Rose Royale, a lip-staining pure fruit twist on the Kir, made of Champagne and fresh raspberry purée.
Behind the present bar style, stood the concept of keeping the framework of this wonderful place and its history, while at the same time revamping it by means of introducing some fresh, contemporary touches. Jouin had in mind that the changes introduced should not alter the atmosphere for which the plaza athenée is world wide respected so its goal at all times was to avoid transforming it into a modern bar, and thus escape the present – the overall ambiance is warm and surprising, elegant and sexy, nuanced and electric.
The Bar has two areas: - The first surrounds a long illuminated bar made entirely of sculpted and sandblasted glass, resembling an iceberg. The glass bar is flanked by Louis XV-style elongated metallic stools with leather cushions, with small Murano glass lights above and long polished metal tables alongside.-
The second area is even cozier, with leather club chairs clustered on an immense tufted rug. On the walls are a series of large paintings with frames so deep that patrons can actually sit inside and become part of the artworks, giving new meaning to the tableau vivant. The paintings are by 17th-century artist Claude Gelée, known as “Le Lorrain”.
A very modern overhead dome lamp creates a dramatic, ethereal lighting that change throughout the evening. It seats 100 people. Among its signature cocktails is the “Rose Royale” (made with Champagne and fresh raspberry purée). Thanks to “its stylish cocktails and elegant ambiance”, The Bar of the Hotel Plaza Athénée has been rewarded with the prize for the “Best Bar Experience” at the recent Virtuoso Awards Event, Best of the Best in Las Vegas end of August 2007.Open everyday from 6.00pm to 2.00am
Tél: +33 1 53 67 66 00
13 mars 2009
Little Italy in Buenos Aires: Bella Italia Café
Bella Italia Café sits on a shady, laid back corner in the Botánica Area where Republica Arabe Siria meets Segui, this is another of my favourite spots in Buenos Aires to hang out with a good book, magazine or just to loiter around for hours with a newspaper, homework, or just staring out the window.. The environment is stylish yet unpretentious, the food is among Buenos Aires best Italian cuisine-Italian in a “broad sense” not just pizza-that as a matter of fact is delicious, however you should bear in mind that the service is not their strongest point especially on crowded weekends. Rather slow, but the food and the food/price equation more than makes up for it.
When it comes to choices from their menu, I usually go for their salmon salads (their fresh produce are usually extremely good, this goes from the lettuce to the bread, ham etc), tuna tarts and ravioli salmon. Their desserts as in general all of their dishes score as high as the main entrances: the caramel pancakes and the ice-cream with raspberry sauce topped with merengui stand among my best-loved choices. I heartily recommend it. Make sure to place a reservation on weekends.
What glamout Buenos Aires remarks about Bella Italia´s Café “big sister” , Bella Italia Restaurant, is an accurate review of Bella Italia Café as well.
Bella Italia (República Árabe Siria 3285, Palermo. Tel.: 4802-4253). An old house of impeccable setting is the atmosphere in which Gustavo Lena captivates its dinner guests with its dishes. The restaurant classics are the spinach ravioli with olive oil and dried- out tomatoes, or those of lemon with pesto sauce and rocket. To be mentioned as well are the tagliatelli with parmesan cheese and bacon. Set in an atmosphere that exudes rustic decoration and genuine spirit of its neighborhood, Palermo, Bella Italia stands as one of the good choices when it comes to Italian specialties. Besides this restaurant, The Legna family, are as well owners of the Bella Italia Café, just some meters away from the restaurant and another one in Belgrano.
I owe you some picks from one my preferred bars in Buenos aires, I was unable so far to find any online.
