Il Consiglio Di Sicilia (& Donnalucata)

September 7, 2022 | Design & Culture by Ed

The story of Il Consiglio di Sicilia is made of three keywords: love, hospitality and happiness. Top-quality ingredients – local seafood from the Donnalucata port being their speciality – are presented on the plate straightforwardly: a style that inherently talks of the territory, beyond the trends of the moment. At the helm of the restaurant, there is a caring and sparkling couple. In the kitchen, chef Antonio Cicero prepares refined dishes, without pretension, but with great love for details. In the dining room, the charming Roberta Corradin welcomes everyone with a smile and offers knowledgeable guidance to her guests. This unique restaurant is a wholesome, heavenly experience. Eating their signature red prawn feels like that restaurant scene from Luca Guadagnino’s “I Am Love” with Tilda Swinton. The busiata pasta with anchovies is a recipe dating back to Ancient Rome. The cannolo is different level. And just on the side of the outdoor terrace you’ve got a chic selection of cashmeres and Italian accessories from Nel Garage boutique (more on it in the upcoming Ragusa post!). Don’t forget to visit Il Consiglio di Sicilia’s highly-curated wine enoteca, which is on the same street!

Via Casmene 79 / Donnalucata

And here are a few pics from the lovely day we’ve spent at the Donnalucata beach…

Photos by Edward Kanarecki.
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Santorini – Where to Eat?

July 28, 2021July 26, 2021 | Design & Culture by Ed

The view from Aktaion.

On islands as well-travelled as Santorini, you might expect to sacrifice substance for style in local restaurants. Well, a lot of restaurants here are overpriced and rather ordinary But between the traditional tavernas and smart supper spots, travellers can find fresh seafood, family-run restaurants and modern Mediterranean dishes in the less known places. Many tables are angled just so to watch the sun set over the caldera, making every evening meal something quite special. Here are my top three addresses!

Metaxi Mas

This is the best restaurant on the island – and the best proof of that is the fact it’s locals’ favourite. The most delicious recipes of the Santorinian and Cretan cuisine, the freshest ingredients from the kitchen garden, refreshing raki (the iconic grape-based pomace brandy of Crete) and unique wines, this place will please you with its laid-back atmosphere and high quality dining. Reminiscent of an island house porch, and an atmosphere full of the Aegean Sea’s colors and aromas, Metaxi Mas serves authentic and original dishes: fava (the famous yellow split pea dip) and white eggplant in the oven, beef fillet in Vinsanto sauce, and boneless pork chops in orange sauce with baked potatoes. Don’t forget to try their octopus, it’s amazing. Maybe the restaurant doesn’t face the sunset, but the food served here definitely does the work.

Exo Gonia, Santorini PC 84700

Dimitris Taverna

In a unique spot, the bay of Ammoudi, you will enjoy the warm hospitality and the delicacies of the Dimitris Taverna established in 1989. In this dreamy corner on the extreme, north part of Santorini, below the famous village of Oia, nestled in the imposing red rock, the tavern prepares fish and sea food dishes inspired by the mediterranean cuisine to accompany ouzo, beer or the famous Santorini wine. Dimitris and Joy, the couple that are the owners of the restaurant, decided ito open this taverna in a small, abandoned warehouse, where locals used to store the boats. More than twenty years later few things have changed. The love and passion for the fresh seafood, the Greek and Mediterranean cuisine remain the same and are shared with the visitors of Santorini.

Ammoudi (Oia), Santorini 84700

Aktaion

This 80-year-old taverna is a quaint spot to try traditional, reasonably priced dishes such as fava with capers, mackerel fritters and white-aubergine pie. Their loukoumades (fried feta cheese balls with tomato sauce) is heaven!

Firostefani, Santorini 84700

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Rome Addresses

March 31, 2019 | Design & Culture by Ed

Planning a trip to Rome? You might want to take a look at the addresses I’ve discovered in this truly magical city.

Trattoria Al Moro is a proper, Roman trattoria with wood panels from the 1920’s, a very Italian, beautifully overcharged interior, and a chic ambience. Their daily specials are always a must, just like the signature Al Moro pasta. For the dessert take the profiteroles. You will ask for more, I tell you.

Vicolo delle Bollette 13

Origami is the best kept secret of the most stylish, Roman women. This unfussy boutique sells clothes of own production – think turtleneck dresses in geometric prints, gorgeous basket totes, loosely fitted cardigans, everything kept shades of ochre, rust and lilac – in very reasonable, affordable prices. The historic, wooden ceiling is an impressive addition to this spot.

Via dei Banchi Vecchi 144

Dana is a store located in a former church. Even the confessional stayed, and now it’s used as a dressing room. We’re in Rome! Independent, small brands from Rome are sold here.

Via del Pellegrino 167

I bet you won’t eat a better pizza in Rome. Pizzeria Da Baffetto is a simple, compact white-tiled restaurant specializing in Roman-style, thin and crispy pizzas. They are so, so good in here. If you don’t want to wait in a line (and they get really big) better come for (early) lunch at around noon.

Via del Governo Vecchio 114

Laity Mbaye’s Metissage atelier. While this man will surely hypnotize you with his look that is a beautiful balance between Italian tailoring and Senegalese origins, please do check out the garments he designs himself and the hand-picked artisanal accessories he sells at his store.

Largo del Pallaro 18

Lou Lou sells curated, very refined brands that all share a poetic, dark aesthetic. Uma Wang, Reinhard Park, Guidi, Sara Lanzi are just some of the labels you will find on the racks of this eclectically furnished store. If you’re looking for a gift, check out their fragrance display filled with niche, Italian names that specialise in true, olfactory experiences.

Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 113

Oh, and Prada‘s huge store that’s just across the Spanish Steps. I mean, how can you not go inside? Some of the leather goods and perfumes are exclusives available only here in Rome.

Via dei Condotti 89

Photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Sonny

October 19, 2018October 19, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Sonny is the place where you will drink the Instagram-famous Golden Latte – which, in fact, is a combination of turmeric, lemon, ginger and chamomile. The taste can be described as some sort of spicy rhapsody. And the energy boost might be compared to a cup of good espresso! Other than that, Sonny is a daytime place, favoured by the Copenhagen locals. The menu contains regulars, like avocado toast, but not only. Try their signature Sonny Salad, full of vitamins from fresh and crispy ingredients. The Spicy Tuna is a semi-sandwich, which I found especially nutritious. The interior, which is quintessentially Copenhagen – beautiful details, lots of vintage furniture, cozy seatings – is a perfect backdrop for lunch.

Rådhusstræde 5 / Copenhagen

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Sasaya

April 30, 2018April 29, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Ok, let’s make this clear: Sasaya is the best Japanese restaurant in Berlin. It’s just so pure in taste, and so Japanese in everything, from the simple interior to the way the asparagus tempura is served on ceramics plates (which are sold together with delightful pottery and rare sake next to the restaurant space). Sasaya doesn’t only serve sushi – which is perfect – but as well other traditional dishes and tastes like the tsukemono (pickled vegetables), the takana (fried vegetables), dashi broth or the kukiwakame (seaweed). The gyoza stick is a great addition to your portion of maki and nigiri, while green tea cake with matcha macchiato is an ideal desert (at least for me!). Really, Sasaya won’t disappoint those who look for Japanese cuisine, not some kind of philadelphia-cheee-stuffed hybrid.