Lugano! The Swiss paradise… I miss this place so much right now. And mostly, the mesmerizing view of Lago Di Lugano, and the taste of their season-fresh artichokes.
Photographs courtesy of Design & Culture by Ed
Travels
Milan by Night
Milan by night is all about the people, who seem to be so relaxed and never in a hurry; the scent of bold flowers from the local, street kiosks; the smell of delightful Italian cuisine coming from trattorias and bristros; and the beauty of lit up architecture, which never stops mesmerising. And it’s the city, where trams look always chic – observing elder women who wear their mink coats and tweed pencil skirts entering the old-school public transport is both, a fashion moment and me-after-school defining goal.
Love you, Milan.
Yep, it’s me!
All photographs courtesy of Design & Culture by Ed
Maison Borella
During my recent trip to Milan for the pre-fall 2016 re-sees, I’ve stayed at the Maison Borella. This hotel literally makes you feel like at home. The cozy atmosphere of the Naviglio Grande district is already close to my heart – and when I saw the peaceful, all-green patio, I felt instantly that this is my favourite hotel in Milan from all I’ve been to. In a former balustrade townhouse, Maison Borella is kept in a stylish, Italian manner – eclectic lobby filled with beautiful flea-market finds and charming, minimally furnished rooms with original wooden ceilings have this modern “vintage” aesthetic I love so much. In fact, I would love to live in a place like this, having a wonderful view on the patio every morning…
Alzaia Naviglio Grande 8 / Milano
Photographs courtesy of Design & Culture by Ed
November in Berlin
Berlin always charges me up with creativity. That’s why, I can honestly recommend a trip to this diverse and extraordinary city to anyone who wants to spend his or her time in a, as they say, hype way. Here is my November mini-guide to the city’s most interesting shops and restaurants.
ORA – Kreuzberg – A former pharmacy is situated on the peaceful Oranienplatz, which one day became the most beautiful restaurant of the German capital – ORA. With the original cabinets de curiosities, wooden shelves and marble counters from the past, the restaurant serves lovely carrotscakes and casual, yet nutritious lunches. The romantic interior makes this restaurant not only a place to “EAT AT”, but also to “BE IN”.
Oranienplatz 14
Voo Store – Kreuzberg – Voo is a concept store hidden in a former locksmith shop patio with perfectly selected clothes (Marques Almeida, A.P.C., Our Legacy, Gosha Rubchinskiy pack), awesome shoes (Raf Simons X Adidas rules) and lovely stationery (the notebooks! the pottery!). Here, you can relax and read niche magazines while drinking drip coffee from their Companion Coffee place.
Oranienstraße 24
Kreuzberg wouldn’t be such a bold and colourful district without its well supplied flower-shops.
Fête De La Boutique – Mitte – Owners Feli and Teresa have created a cozy atmosphere in their place. Self-designed contemporary furniture accompanies niche French, German and Scandinavian brands like Bruuns Bazaar, American Retro or Minimum. From fashion to home decor to jewelry and books, Fete De La Boutique makes you feel nearly like at home.
Mulackstraße 11
Unico – Mitte – Unico selects its jewellery straight from the studios of the most talented and contemporary designers from Buneos Aires. Their small, eclectic space located in the heart of Mitte is a place where a perfect Christmas gift can be found.
Alte Schönhauser Straße 50
Qua Phe – Mitte – Qua Phe is leading the Asian cuisine game in Berlin, and specifically the Vietnamese one. Great selection of finger food from Vietnam like banh bao or bahn gio is here, and you can eat it in a off-duty atmosphere of wooden tables, Asian stools and raw, metallic elements. Qua Phe is also known as a Vietnamese coffee shop – if you are visiting this place, don’t forget to taste their coffee drips with one of their signature desserts, ginger moshi! This gluey, sweet treat reminds me of toffee, but not quite…
Max-Beer Straße 37
Baltic Summer
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.
Design & Culture by Ed 