Yam Yam is basically yum. Located in the heart of Mitte, this restaurant serves the best Korean cuisine – everything, from kimchi to dimsum, is fesh and super good. And their freshly-pressed watermelon cocktails are made in heaven! Should I say more?
Alte Schonhauser Straße 6 / Berlin
I love roses. And when I see a hotel or a restaurant filled with them, I am instantly a sucker for this place. That is why Hotel Costes stole my heart during the first visit (a long, long time ago…). The interiors of this bourgeoisie-styled spot is nearly drowning in red, pink and white roses. And add to that all those velvet arm-chairs and cushions, palm trees and beautiful outdoor patio… Hotel Costes is not only a hotel, but a casual restaurant where all the Parisians meet with super-stars – during my last stay (the day Saint Laurent had its SS16 menswear show), Pierce Brosnan, Lenny Kravitz and Johnny Hallyday were all there, having a dinner. Without any bodyguards. Can you believe that? It was a great pleasure to eat a “new style” tuna tatare in a great place with really GREAT people.
Hotel Costes / Rue Saint Honore 239
You know, Srodka in Poznan is like Harlem in New York. Few years ago, it was scary to go here, and now it’s full of bold people and creative energy! But in case of Poznan, blame Monika and Jan Pawlak, who made this place lifey thanks to their two restaurants – La Ruina and Raj. La Ruina is more into sweet flavours – interesting cakes and seasonal cookies are present here (chocolate cake with salt and pepper? Yum). You might drink coffee in many different ways – Vietnamese and Moroccan have blown my mind. And Raj, which is a former sweet shop, introduces meals that are memories of owner’s voyages to Vietnam, Italy or Cuba… in other words, that’s a very unique culinary mix!
The interior of that place is innovative, too. It’s a collection of various souvenirs from travels, which the owners found in different parts of the world. And, rather than using typical, boring menus, the chief had five main dishes today (it changes oftenly) presented on postcards from Italy, Cambodia and Vietnam. For example, Pad Thai, delicious rice noodles with roastbeef, where precisely same as the ones Pawlak’s ate in Asia. In case of ingredients which are not available in Poland – they simply order it from Berlin or Amsterdam. In my opinion, this place is truly incredible- when I come here on regular basis, I always discover something new for myself!
Srodka 3 / Poznan
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!
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.
Design & Culture by Ed 