November in Berlin

November 12, 2015November 12, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Berlin always charges me up with creativity. That’s why, I can honestly recommend a trip to this diverse and extraordinary city to anyone who wants to spend his or her time in a, as they say, hype way. Here is my November mini-guide to the city’s most interesting shops and restaurants.

ORA – Kreuzberg – A former pharmacy is situated on the peaceful Oranienplatz, which one day became the most beautiful restaurant of the German capital – ORA. With the original cabinets de curiosities, wooden shelves and marble counters from the past, the restaurant serves lovely carrotscakes and casual, yet nutritious lunches. The romantic interior makes this restaurant not only a place to “EAT AT”, but also to “BE IN”.

Oranienplatz 14

Voo Store – Kreuzberg – Voo is a concept store hidden in a former locksmith shop patio with perfectly selected clothes (Marques Almeida, A.P.C., Our Legacy, Gosha Rubchinskiy pack), awesome shoes (Raf Simons X Adidas rules) and lovely stationery (the notebooks! the pottery!). Here, you can relax and read niche magazines while drinking drip coffee from their Companion Coffee place.

Oranienstraße 24

Kreuzberg wouldn’t be such a bold and colourful district without its well supplied flower-shops.

Fête De La Boutique – Mitte – Owners Feli and Teresa have created a cozy atmosphere in their place. Self-designed contemporary furniture accompanies niche French, German and Scandinavian brands like Bruuns Bazaar, American Retro or Minimum. From fashion to home decor to jewelry and books, Fete De La Boutique makes you feel nearly like at home.

Mulackstraße 11

Unico – Mitte – Unico selects its jewellery straight from the studios of the most talented and contemporary designers from Buneos Aires. Their small, eclectic space located in the heart of Mitte is a place where a perfect Christmas gift can be found.

Alte Schönhauser Straße 50

Qua Phe – Mitte – Qua Phe is leading the Asian cuisine game in Berlin, and specifically the Vietnamese one. Great selection of finger food from Vietnam like banh bao or bahn gio is here, and you can eat it in a off-duty atmosphere of wooden tables, Asian stools and raw, metallic elements. Qua Phe is also known as a Vietnamese coffee shop – if you are visiting this place, don’t forget to taste their coffee drips with one of their signature desserts, ginger moshi! This gluey, sweet treat reminds me of toffee, but not quite…

Max-Beer Straße 37

Ora Berlin

August 19, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Kreuzberg is becoming Berlin‘s most creative district. A former pharmacy is situated on the peaceful Oranienplatz, which one day became the most beautiful restaurant of the German capital – ORA. With the original cabinets de curiosities, wooden shelves and marble counters from the past, the restaurant serves refreshing summer cuisine (unfortunately we didn’t have any time left to try it out) and delicious coffee with home-made apfelstrüdel. However, the atmospheric and truly romantic interior makes this restaurant not only a place to “EAT”, but also to “BE”. And definitely I am going to try out their signature gazpacho next time.

Oranienplatz 14 / Berlin

Farina

November 7, 2014November 7, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Farina, hidden somewhere between the historical monuments and old streets of Cracow, is the treasure chest of the best fish in the town. With fresh mussels, lobsters, tuna, sole and many other sea-fruits, Farina brings you simple, tasty meal. The interior is simple, too, but the dark wood and always fresh flowers make the place cozy and casual. My personal favourite- the black pasta with baby-octopusses. Love it!

Cracow: Trzy Rybki

November 6, 2014November 6, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Trzy Rybki (Three Fish) is a restaurant situated in Hotel Stary (The Old Hotel), which is Cracow’s most fine place to be and to eat. The food here is simple, but with a twist of Asian & Polish fusion. I really enjoyed eating the tuna tatare- it was chopped in a way, that it seemed to look like pasta. And that wasabi sauce all around… Yum! If talking of the interior, Trzy Rybki is truly a star. Old, stone walls, glass, red roses and medieval wooden floor. Sounds simple, but the effect is stunning. That’s a first place you need to tick on your Cracow “to be” list.

Puro / Nifty No. 20

August 15, 2014August 15, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

An extremely hype place opened up in my city, Poznan. It’s the Puro Hotel, which is one of the most beautiful design hotels I ever saw. Located on Żydowska street, it’s a stone throw from the old market. Furnished with the hottest chairs, rugs and tables, this place is to be. And it also has an amazing bar / restaurant – Nifty No.20. It serves traditional Polish food, but in a totally new version. I really recommend the blinis with tomatoes and crabs… seriously yum. With it’s SoHO vibe, the Puro hotel is a perfect place to visit during one of the lazy Fridays… by the way, what do you think of Lena’s own designed #TheRobotPajama? I think it’s gorgeous!