Travels

Brugge’s Addresses

| Design & Culture by Ed

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Planning your trip to Brugge? You might want to take a look at the five addresses I found here during my last stay (and completely fell in love with!). From rare jewellery vintage to delightful home decor boutiques, Brugge isn’t just canals and heavy history as many people blindly think.

Greet Verbeke Antiques

I really wouldn’t mind staying here forever. Greet Verbeke is one of the major antique dealers in Brugge. Her passion for antiques and contemporary art doesn’t go unnoticed. Greet travels all over Europe searching for collector’s items – each piece is chosen by herself. From silver tableware and museum taxidermy to perfume flacons (Nina Ricci, Coco Chanel) and vintage jewellery, this place is like a treasure chest. The jewellery selection is especially impressive: a Christian Dior brooch, Christian Lacroix iconic hearts, Yves Saint Laurent pendants, 80s Céline gold earrings, Italian hoops from the 50s… just wow.

Sint-Jakobsstraat 53

Cafuné Espressobar

Although Brugge appeared to be a culinary dissapointment this time, it at least surprised with good coffee at Cafuné. Drop for a classical espresso macchiato and taste their homemade pastry.

Academiestraat 8

L’Héroïne 

This is the place where Belgian fashion lovers should definitely go to. It’s like Antwerp, but in a nutshell. Dries Van Noten, A.F. Vandevorst, Christian Wijnants and Sofie D’Hoore are all here. But there as well some Parisian bits, like Lemaire. Note the minimal interior with a lovely, ivy backyard.

Noordzandstraat 32

Serendipity

Looking for a hand-woven rag from Africa or an ethically-made basket? Serendipity is the place for you, then. It’s this kind of slow buying place, where you’ve got to first experience the tactility and craftsmanship of every single piece before you go to the cashier. There’s also the beauty corner devoted to Laboratorio Olfattivo. Got Patchouliful scent on my mind…

Sint-Jakobsstraat 56

Frederiek Van Pamel

Another place in Brugge which I wouldn’t mind considering as a place to live. Frederiek Van Pamel’s store feels like a real space, with one exception – everything you see is available to buy. Whether it’s a garden bench, a rare Richard Avedon catalogue, a ceramic flower or an Ortigia Sicily perfume, Van Pamel sells items he curates and loves. There’s also a little flower shop at the entrace!

Ezelstraat 33

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That’s it for Brugge. You will also find more addresses in the newly updated ‘Places‘ page. Antwerp and Knokke guides are coming up very soon!

Triennale Brugge

| Design & Culture by Ed

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I went to Brugge (you might also know it as Bruges), the capital of West Flanders in  Belgium, last week. The city is world-known for its canals, cobbled streets, townhouses and medieval buildings – shortly speaking, majority of this magical city is under protection of UNESCO. Well, no wonder why. But this time, this city felt even more enchanting than usual.

Now I’m honest. I had no idea that the Triennale Brugge 2018 is on – this was meant to be a few day trip to the town I’ve been visiting for years. But the occurring event transformed this city into a breathing artwork. The Brugge Trienniale invited international artists and architects to think about this question: how flexible, liquid and resilient can a historic city like Bruges be in an age when nothing seems to be certain any longer? Many of them sought inspiration for their work in the role of liquidity in the city that is literally criss-crossed and surrounded by water. The waterways that once earned Brugge its international renown, become a metaphor for Liquid City. Fifteen works of art, installations and meeting places have been put up in the city centre. You can walk into them and experience them. And while seeking them, discover the less touristic, off-beat tracks of Brugge. My favourites? The inflated installation by Spanish studio Selgascano, which is a literal ‘meeting place’ on water, and Jarosław Kozakiewicz‘s ‘Brug’ bridge. The ‘Skyscraper’ by StudioKCA, which is a massive whale sculpture made of 5 tons of plastic pulled out of the ocean, makes you think as well.

Triennale Brugge 2018 lasts until September 16.

Sticks ‘n’ Sushi in Berlin

| Design & Culture by Ed

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Just a few steps from Andreas Murkudis and Acne Studios, there’s the two-storey heaven called Sticks ‘n’ Sushi. Although I rarely go to restaurant chains, this one from Copenhagen is an absolute exception. Opened more than a year ago in Berlin, this place has the most refined sushi (and other Japanese specialties) in the city. From the signature rice paper rolls and beef tataki with yuzu sauce to wagyu tartare and the most sensational versions of maki, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi pleases with freshness and inventiveness. Also, I really love the atmosphere in here, which makes me think of New York and those crowdy, stylish Sex & The City-like restaurants. If only the prices could be slightly lower! Still, they’re totally justified, as the quality of every single plate is perfect. And that matcha for dessert…

If looking for something more ‘casual’, but equally good in Berlin, go to Sasaya (good luck with booking a table there, though…).

Potsdamer Straße 85 / Berlin

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Bologna’s Addresses

| Design & Culture by Ed

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I first wrote about Bologna, the city itself, separately right here. But it wouldn’t be me if I omitted the ‘guide’ part… so, treat yourself this Monday afternoon with the five addresses from the hometown of Bolognese sauce. And take a pen to write down those places, just in case you’re planning your August trip there.

Drogheria Della Rosa

In my humble opinion, that’s the best restaurant in Bologna. Located in a former pharmacy, the food here is quintessentially Italian and feels like made by your grandma from Bologna whose existence was unknown to you for all these years. Yes, it’s that good. It’s highly recommended to make a reservation.

Via Cartoleria 10

L’Inde Le Palais Donna & Uomo

Céline, Gucci, Dries Van Noten and Magda Butrym in the fanciest, palazzo-like interiors. Very lovely customer care. And a truly unique selection of womenswear and menswear, which was quite unexpected – most luxury multibrands in Italy sell precisely the SAME stuff, from the same labels. Here you can notice the presence of a risk-taking buyer.

 Via de’ Foscherari 19/C and Via de’ Musei 6

Camera Con Vista

Although the opulent interior with Roman statues and few chandeliers might suggest old, good Italian cuisine, Camera Con Vista surprises with its signature, Asian additions to nearly every dish. If you feel like you want to slightly change the culinary repertoire, make sure to try this place out. Book in advance.

Via Santo Stefano 14/2a

Ratti & Folli Follie

That’s another luxury multibrand in Bologna, with an equally charming selection of brands – Simone Rocha and Calvin Klein are here, just to name a few. Fashion in Bologna loves a major interior. While the menswear part, Ratti, is cosmic-industrial, women’s Folli Follie is a multi-storey, XXL wardrobe where it’s easy to get lost while looking for a Balenciaga goodie (that’s probably on a heavy discount, by the way).

Via Clavature 15

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Casa Minghetti

Groovy spot for an evening appetizer and drink. But rather a pre-spot to go just before dinner.

Piazza Minghetti, 1A

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That’s the last post regarding my road trip to Italy. See the newly updated ‘Places‘ page to find all of my beloved addresses in Genoa, Portofino, Parma and Bologna!

Bologna – Not Just Bolognese

| Design & Culture by Ed

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Before, when I heard about Bologna, I instantly thought about food. Maybe because Bologna’s cuisine is said to be the best in the entire Europe – and not just because of the Bolognese sauce (by the way, the locals don’t use that name – they call it simply ‘pasta with ragu’). But visiting Bologna made me realise how beautiful this city is, not just from the taste buds’ aspect. The old city centre is filled with remains of its medieval history: countless towers, palaces, churches and brick facades. The San Petronio Church is especially stunning, with its marble floors and neck-breaking ceiling heights. Make sure to visit Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio, contructed back in 1563. There, you will find the all-wooden Teatro Anatomico, so the place where the human corpses were dissected in front of the medical students for educational matters the first time in history (note that Bologna is the city of some of the oldest universities in the world). In the same building, there’s the mind-blowing library, mostly closed for the tourists. But still, the view of it from behind the see-through doors is quite something. Also, we went to Pinacoteca Nazionale, the ‘richest’ museum in Bologna – but it was quite a disappointment. It served as a good starting point for the long walk back to the centre. When you’re in Bologna, take your time to ‘get lost’ in the streets of this magnificent, red city – or else you won’t really feel it

I will post my favourite addresses in Bologna soon!

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All photos by Edward Kanarecki.