Baltic Summer

July 28, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Polish Baltic Sea is usually underestimated by Poles, however it is full of truly unique places and experiences. Take the Palace of Ciekocinko – here everything is on a high level. Starting from the building’s furnishing to palace restaurant, the rustling of close-woven curtains, the rays of the sun coming down the secession wallpapers, in the same colours as 100 years ago in Bradbury & Bradbury factory in California’s San Francisco. Staying here is like being in a beautiful fairy-tale.

The we’ve got the sandy, wild beach. Clear water. Blue sky. Dreamy but real, too!

Metamorfoza in Gdansk is one of the most extraordinary restaurant in Northern Poland. The chief of this restaurant fuses tradition with innovation – he chooses local suppliers and makes all the dishes look cosmic. And what’s interesting, he uses a lot of ingredients that are rather avoided in other kitchens. Leaves of sorrel are almost everywhere while ants are used in the dessert. But the taste stays always the same – slightly confusing, but good.

Piwna 47 is a brand new restaurant in the heart of Gdansk. Their octopus carpaccio is delightful. While the beef steak with sweet potatos is must-try for a couple.

Eating wild salmon is rare in Poland, but in Debki it is absolutely possible. And the taste of wild, smoked salmon makes you nearly hate all that salmon you buy in the supermarkets. The taste is very delicate and fragile and at the same time and you don’t feel the insistent aftertaste of smoking process.

Should I add something to my list? Definitely the beauty of Gdansk‘s seaport.

Gabrielle’s Brasserie. Chanel AW15

March 15, 2015March 15, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

“A vision of France from a stranger who thinks France is not that bad.” Karl Lagerfeld has grown increasingly tired of the cynical negativity, much of it from the French themselves. So, creating a Brasserie Gabrielle as a venue for Chanel’s AW15 show was the right idea – what cheers up a French as much as a good lunch with red wine? Well, only a new Chanel bag. But the space was too vast to communicate the charm of a real brasserie in Paris, even those as big as Balzar which is Lagerfeld’s favourite. Actually, it’s the first time when the usual, fabulously great concept for a Chanel show stumbled. But still, it felt nice.

If talking of the clothes, you know me. When there are 98 Chanel looks in one Chanel collection, I easily get bored. Why? Because they are all mostly the same. Boucle, tartan check, CC logo, pearls… all those Chanelised codes seem to sink in this big amount of clothes. And I always feel sad that quantity wins over the quality at Chanel shows. But the thing that surprised me were the shoes – or rather, one pair of shoes. Each model had the same pair of shoes! The classical, beige Coco pumps. I liked that. After all those ugly tweed sneakers and crystalized heels, a simple pair of beige pumps feels like a healthy detox.

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!