Zorza Bistro

July 18, 2016July 18, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Zorza Bistro is a perfect example of today’s casual dining place, which attracts you with every detail – and if you don’t go inside right away, you feel really, really guilty. Social media is a dominating factor in today’s gastronomy. The first time I saw this place on Instagram (@zorzabistro), filled with stylish photos of bruschettas and cold soups, I knew I’m writing it down in my Warsaw agenda – and as I love well-executed branding matters, like typography, this was indeed a heaven for me. Visual identity of Zorza was developed by Kaja Gadomska, graphic designer, who decided to create something that would match the classical, yet very contemporary aesthetic of the restaurant. Just like her bold logo design, the interior is kept in a softly art deco manner, with brass tables, marble columns and preserved, stone floors. The cuisine at Zorza is diverse, spanning from roasted artichokes and hot dogs with home-made sausage to meat-stuffed cabbage and coated chicken in Asian sauce. If you’re still unsure whether you need to go to Zorza, then there’s one more, great feaure of this place – you can sit outside, and have a view on Warsaw’s brilliant street style.

Żurawia 6 / Warsaw

Gucci & Her Shoes

May 7, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

The creative director behind Gucci, Alessandro Michele, revives classics in the most refined, yet eccentric way that’s possible. To celebrate the season’s shoes that are on everybody’s lips, I’m happy to release the photos I took during my May vacations by the Polish sea-side. I thought that Ciekocinko Palace, with its splendour, 100-years old wallpapers originating from San Francisco and a respectable collection of historical books would perfectly match the elegance of Michele’s must-have shoes. The double G hardware, styled in a gold-toned, antique fashion, is set on the famous “jet-set” striped strap of these mid-heel loafers. The devil is the detail – both heels are embellished with pearls and studs, and the back is designed to be worn with the heel folded down or up (a comfortable shoe-trick favoured by Italians). Don’t they look like an irreplaceable detail of the palace’ interior?

Shop them here. #GucciGram.

All photos by me.

By The Sea

May 4, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

How big, how blue, how beautiful
How big, how blue, how beautiful

Now there’s a few things we have to burn
Set our hearts ablaze, and every city was a gift
And every skyline was like a kiss upon the lips
And I was making you a wish

Florence + The Machine How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

I’ve spent my May Day by the Baltic sea, on a remote, wild beach… and I felt like in heaven. So quiet and peaceful. Relax – reading Vivienne Westwood’s biography, drinking lemonade taken from the hotel and feeling the breeze in my hair. Priceless!

Photographs by me

Lukullus on Mokotowska

April 24, 2016April 24, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Lukullus is not your average pastry shop. The first Lukullus spot in Warsaw was found in 1946 and since from the very beginning of its existence, the business focused on making cakes only out of natural ingredients. The richness of their sweet manufacture is based on the best quality products, like the Polish butter from Grajewo, Dutch cacao or vanilla Bourbon from Madagascar. Moreover, the delightful cakes from Lukullus are also the feast for the eye – all of them are inspired with Paris’ finest patisseries. Thanks to the skills the Lukullus confectioners learnt at prestigious culinary schools of France (like Le Gordon Bleu or Ecole Gregoire Ferrandi), the cakes coming from this place are one-of-a-kind and simply delicious, without a bit of cliché.

At the moment, Lukullus has four points in Warsaw and I promise myself to visit the recently opened one on Chmielna the next time I’m in Warsaw. But if speaking of my last visit to Mokotowska affiliate, I tasted the “Polish Jungle” – a nutritious mix of passion fruit, chocolate, physalis (the Peruvian berry) and soft cream. I’m literally drooling now, when I’m writing about this little piece of heaven…

Mokotowska 52a / Warsaw

Note the watercolour illustration of “Winter Warsaw” by Tytus Brzozowski, which is printed on every box. I think Lukullus mastered branding to perfection.

Ania Kuczynska at Puro Hotel

October 20, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

On Saturday, the event of Ania Kuczynska‘s pop-up store took place, giving Poznan a new fashionable place to visit. In the lobby of the most design-forward hotel in the city, PURO Hotel, Kuczynska is going to sell and exhibit (note the way the products were presented – on copper hangers that look like contemporary art!) her signature, Shanghai bags. The must-have bags, which are the constant best-sellers in Warsaw’s flag-ship store on Mokotowska street, will be available in different sizes and textile varieties. My favourite is the black handbag – the size of it seems to be perfect for more than one occasion, and I can see it worn with both, casual look, and something much more elegant. And of course, meeting Ania for the first life was a pleasure – just like the talk about Milan’s best spots and sharing our “wow’s” and “oh’s” regarding the new designer at Gucci!

Puro Hotel Poznan / ul. Stawna 12 / The pop-up store of Ania Kuczynska is going to be open for one year.