May 17
Zurich
Summer in Zurich, means to me Lake of Zurich,
festivals and lots of eating al fresco and relaxing in the water and doing yoga
by the water (Sommeryoga at Frauenbadi).
Not only flock people to Zürcher Festspiele with Oper für alle, Kino am See and Theaterspektakel they also head for the many restaurants, bars
and cafes that have an outdoor area, too..
My favourite places are Moudi Lecker Garten, the Artisan, kleine Freiheit, Gartenhof, Hofwiesen, Kafischnaps, des Amis, Marktküche, Geroldchuchi, Neni, Cafe Lang, Bank. Also a visit worth is the annual Streetfood Festival in september where you can travel the
world, culinarily speaking..
Go to Rio, Tales, Rivington and Sons or Frau Gerolds Garten for a good Gin & Tonic.
Most of the pools and guarded bathing areas transform into
hip bars with great views
(Seebad Enge, Frauenbadi)
of the mountains and the shores or of beautiful
people and hipsters (oberer Letten) in the evening.
More favourite spots in summer and winter are Hammam Basar, Roots, Hiltl
Dachterrasse and Tibits im
Seefeld, Globus, Nordish
Living as well as the farmer's market
in Oerlikon each wednesday- and saturday morning and Yotree!
February 10
South Beach is palm trees, sunshine and partytime, it's just enjoying life at its fullest. Check out Will Smith's hymn to Miami to get into the Miami mode.
I love it in SoBe when there are less tourists, it can be pretty full at the beach during spring break and when a big cruise ship has just arrived... then, head north and away from Art Deco District and its tourist magnets such as Ocean Drive, Española Way and Lincoln Road with its many restaurants, cafes and shops. You can grab some stuff at Epicure or Publix for the beach, get a good book at Books & Books (the restaurant these is great, too), get beach-ready at e Spa and just enjoy the waters and the pretty beaches.
Brunch:
Segafredo
11th Street Diner
Front Porch Cafe
Paul
Pura Vida
Rosetta Bakery
Bars & Lounges:
Nicky Beach
Soho House
Shore Club
Delano
Mondrian
Dinner:
Smith & Wollensky
Oh! Mexico
Hong Kong is a fascinating metropolis. Along pearl river beautiful building line up on Hong Kong Island –site as well as the skyline of Kowloon gets more and more impressive. Especially the ICC building, one of the tallest worldwide with its roof-top bar Ozone is worth a trip to that side of the former British colony. But there is more to see, head to Ladies’ market or Temple Street-night market, the shops along Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Felix at Peninsula, the Wooloomooloo Prime, the flower market in Mongkok and Top Comfort Foot Spa. The Symphony of Lights which takes place each night at 8 PM can be best watched from the Kowloon Public Pier near Tower Clock. Or admire this light spectacle from the Starferry’s Harbour Tour.
That side of Hong Kong feels more Chinese than the one across the river on the island. In the central districts of the island Expats and Chinese locals mingle well.
My highlight on each HK-layover is a trip to the Peak. The view is spectacular and breathtaking. It is totally worth waiting in line for the peak tram for an hour or so… On clear days, you can even see the New Territories on the horizon. From the peak, many trails lead to the subtropical jungle. Another nice hike is Dragon’s back-Hike to Shek O.
A visit to Man Mo Tempels on Hollywood Road is a must. In summer a trip tot he horse races in happy Valley could be fun, too. I like to go to Lan Kwai Fong for some drinks, though and dance into the night.
If you prefer silence, go to the monastery on Lantau near the Big Buddha Statue or try some yoga at Yoga BamBam.
Brunch:
Afternoon Tea:
Dinner:
Azure, Maison Libanaise, Yun yan
Bars:
Hennessy Bar, Ophelia, Le Boudoir, Club Feather Boa, Lan Kwai Fong Quarter
January 25
Berlin
Berlin has various boroughs that make this city so unique. Somehow each borough seems to be a city on its own. Mitte was the epicenter of hipness about 15 years ago, then Kreuzberg or Prenzlauer Berg followed and you had to live there if you wanted to be someone! Now you have to be from Friedrichshain (and even Wedding) to call yourself hip. As I was an exchange student at Free University Berlin in 2003/04 I was living in Mitte and even now, a decade later it is my preferred borough to live in. Back then my world was around Zionskirchplatz, now, I call the magic triangle between Oranienburger Strasse, Linenstrasse an (Neuen & Alten) Schönhauser Strasse my playground. The following list will never be complete as there is always something new to discover…
I am still a huge fan of Weinbergpark and the wonderful Nola’s, where you can brunch each day till late in the afternoon on their terrace. Café Fleury near by is supercute, too, one of my favourite cafes. But now back to my personal magic triangle’s hotspots of moment:
Turn into Oranienburger Strasse at Oranienburger Tor, which is a very touristy street. Make your first stop at espresso-ambulanz as the coffee there is so yummy and the cookies and cakes, (unfortunately) too. Healthier are the snacks of Berlin Theke and Hummus&Friends. At tatem and freshnails you can pretty up yourself and the go to what I call little Tokyo at the corner of Hackscher Markt and Rosenthaler Strasse with Muji and Uniqlo.
In Rosenthaler Strasse you definitely have to make a stop at Schee, Spreeheidi, Kauf Dich Glücklich and Chén Chè. More highlights can be found off Rosenthaler Strasse at Neuen Schönhauser Strasse with Liebeskind Berlin, Sabon, C.O.S, & other Stories, as well as some local fashion labels along Alten Schönhauser Strasse such as Holly and Lala Berlin. Foodwise Monsieur Vuong and Zeit für Brot can give you some energy after an intensive shopping stroll...
Turn into Linienstrasse and go to Koppenplatz, check out the high-end vegan restaurant Kopps, the wonderful interiour design shop Tabléa and the small store with heaps of little present ideas called Sieben Wünsche. The Lokal and Schwarzwälderstuben are nice for a dinner with friends. Around Auguststrasse which is parallel to Linienstrasse there are great places like Klonk, les jolies choses in Berlin (where you can find the most beautiful jewelry in Berlin, hand made by my friend Claire), Eismanufaktur and Strandbad Mitte (all to be found off Auguststrasse on kleinen Hamburger Strasse), Keyser Soze, Panama, Hay and Princess Cheescake. Have a great discovery tour through my Mitte!
08/10/2016My two new favourite restaurants in Berlin are Daluma and Superfoods and organic liquids, both on Rosenthaler Platz. Daluma serves vegan food and juices while Superfood prepares the abosultely yummiest and most beautifully decorated açai bowls. If you like meat and gluten, head to Supreme Burger Grill on Oranienburger Strasse or Spreegold on Rosenthalerstrasse.
The hip neighborhood of Friedrichshain somewhere between the metro station Warschauer Strasse and Boxhagener Platz there is a clean-eating restaurant called the bowl, a vegan supermarket (veganz) and a vegan shoe store. Directly at Boxhagener platz there is a nice Café Pavillon where you can grab a cup of coffee and admire the original houses (not renovated/restored) along the square. On the south-eastern corner there is a cool concept store called Victoria met Albert and further into Gärtnerstrasse there is a cute kitchen supply store called Küchenliebe and a stationery shop called Schwesterherz. For window shopping as the jewelry is pricy but super beautiful head to Julia & Amely on Wühlistrasse. And just around the corner from there, you find the culinary heart of this district, the Simon-Dach-Strasse.
If it wasn’t so super cold the other day in Chicago, my day would have started with a run on the boardwalk next to Lake Michigan. But due to the cold I could enjoy the view of a snowy city from the 42nd floor of my hotel’s gym. Then I went to get a yummy breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien before I walked along the wonderfully decorated Michigan Avenue to do my Christmas shopping. And as in New York, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles a stop at my favourite A-shops was a must. New beautiful things from Aritzia and Anthropologie had to be bought. At Trader Joe I got the best Colombian Coffee for my serenity moments at home and across the street at the James Hotel there is a nice bar/restaurant to get out of the cold for a while.
In the summertime the city is a dream, everyone is around the shore of Lake Michigan, the Millenium Park or roof top bars such as the ones at the Wit Hotel or Hotel Lincoln Along North State Street there are so many great little places to have a drink or meal with friends, people sit outside and enjoy the warm summer evenings. Another great thing to do in summer is to board an architectural tour of the city. In the winter though, it is better to stay inside and do shopping at the Water Tower Place or along the Magnificent Mile or enjoy a nice drink at the Signature Lounge at the top of the John Hancock Center.Season's Greetings from Illinois.
October 31
Barcelona is definitely one of my favourite cities in Europe. The location is great, beach, mountains and moderate temperatures make this Mediterranean metropolis a great place to visit.
The barrios of the innercity can be reached by foot easily. But some of the sights are a bit further out and therefore taking the subway or the hop on hop off bus are good alternatives. Anyways, most of the architectural sights of Gaudi such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlo, la Pedrera or Parc Güell are best to visit by bus. The bus gives you a great overview of the city, or you head to Mont Juïc, Eclipse Bar of W Hotels or restaurant Mirablau where you get a nice view, too.
The Ramblas are very touristic, but go along these streets from Plaça de Catalunya to Maremagnum once to get a glimpse of the touristic Barcelona and then do a detour to Mercat de la Boqueria and rest a bit in Caelum at Plaça del Pi which means literally heaven and it is a heaven of sweets. Alternatively you walk along one of the main shopping streets such as Avenida del Portal de l’Angel from Plaça de Catalunya until you reach the sea. Have a look at one of the many chocolate speciality stores or my favourite clothes store that only exists in Catalan cites System Action. At Plaça Reial the restaurant el quinze nits is the place to stay for a royal dinner… enjoy the architecture and the bustling street life there.
The many tapas bars in Barri Gotic are all very touristic, I prefer the ones in Born or la Ribera next to Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar. There you find also the centrally located and affordable hotel Som Nit Born.
Along the harbor in la Barceloneta there are many restaurants for a nice dinner. My favourite beach bar is called Makamaka. Or head straight to the real beach bars right at the beach there for some cocktails or refreshing drinks..
West of las Ramblas in the hip and upcoming neighborhoods of el Raval and Sant Antoni you find many new and innovative restaurants by young chefs. The best and strongest coffee in town together with a healthy breakfast can be found by Australian owned Federal. The Lo de Flor is supposedly one oft he yummiest new restaurants there, I havent been there so far as it was closed when I was there, but it is totally on my list… for sure the restaurant looks very nice from outside and the website is appealing, too.
A bit further west on top of Mont Juïc you get a breathtaking view of the city at Restaurante Miramar. The food and the service though is bad…During two months in summer the near by pool is open for the public, go there and enjoy a swim above the roofs of Barcelona.
Head back to Plaça d‘ Espanya along Font Magica and Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.
August 5
About a month ago I was in Miami and went to the ultra hip neighborhood of Wynwood.
The formerly very poor “el barrio” as it was called by its mostly Domenican Republic residents has gone through a major transformation. The industrial flair has gone and street art is now everywhere.
While I was having a cup of organic filter coffee from a Nicaraguan finca (for the same amount of dollars I got several pounds of coffee beans there, but hey, it is Wynwood and therefore I pay this ridiculous price for just one cup) at the epicenter of the hipsters, the Panther Coffee I was thinking which other places I was going to visit next as it was raining and hence no typical Miami Beach weather…
Wynwood which is south of Midtown where the Art Basel Miami happens is worth a visit even when it rains as the graffiti at the Wynwood Walls and the many galleries and stylish concept stores such as Frangipani, Malaquita, MiMo Market or Plant the Future with futuristic plant decorations and restaurants (Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, Coyo Taco, Dr Smood, Freshii) along 2nd NW between 21st and 29th street are inspiring anyhow. Everyone seems to be between 25 and 45 here, tattoos, beards, big rimmed glasses and buns are omnipresent, even crop shirts and everyone (either art agents with the newest Apple gadgets, artists with sketchbooks or hipsters by choice) pays a lot of attention to its style. Wynwood became thus THE location in Miami that isn’t as overcrowded by cruise ship tourists or spring breakers as SoBe.
Especially in the evening and at night the Wynwood blocks with many pop up bars and changing event location are a must. And the colorful and artistic walls can be admired at in the dark, too. Here are some impressions of my stroll through Wynwood:
August 2
... if you are going to San Francisco...
While waiting for my avocado and poached egg toast I thought I could write about my San Francisco highlights.
What I love about SF is, that every neighborhood is so different to the other, each has its own cool spots to visit and specific people to look at. For example the place I am having breakfast at right now, the Grove, has three branches. One is on Filmore Street, where it seems to be a lot more upscale than here on Third Street, where most of the guests are business people. On Filmore, it is more the upper class ladies and hipsters that have a late breakfast than talking business over an omelete. The one in the Hayes Valley is my favourite, as I love that part of SF very much. The Hayes Valley is a very cool place with lots of restaurants and little boutiques to easily spend money (I know what I am talking about..).
For the ones that are less into egg/avo/toasts, pancakes or omelets there is the super yummy Tartine Bakery on 18th and Guerrero. There you get the best croissants and French style tartines (bread slice with topping).
And the best acai bowl is to be found at The Plant Organic Cafe or another healthy option is a simple berry parfait at the Corner Bakery Cafe.
For dinner with a great view you either go to Epic Steakhouse, The Plant (many vegetarian options), el Techo, Foreign Cinema or Bar Tartine. Also in the Ferry Terminal Building there are some great restaurants and small eateries such as Market Bar and Boccalone.
For cocktails look for ABV, Hardwater, La Mar, and Jones.
Shopping around Union Square and in the Westfield Mall is where all major brands have their falgship store, but I prefer to explore the little shops on Valencia, Noe Valley, Hayes Valley (La Boulange and Nancy Boy) or The Pacific Heights where small Cafes make a shopping break wonderful.
For an eascape of the city, a small stroll up to Twin Peaks, the Mission Dolores Park or el Camino del Mar or renting wheels and bike the Golden Gate Biridge are great ways to get out of the buzz. For a breathtaking experience a sailing tour of the bay or a trip to Yosemite, Napa or Sonoma Valley are a option that you will never forget.
As wonderful as the city is with its great hilly setting on the bay, the situation with the many homeless and drug addicts can dull the SF experience, therefore an escape of Market Street, the pulse of the city is essential to everyone sensitive.
If you are into art, head to the newly re-opened MOMA or walk through the Japanese Gardens of the Golden Gate Park. Street art is everywhere, especially in the SOMA district (south of Market) where the SF Giants have their arena (which would be another great thing to do for sports lovers, a baseball game of the Giants, check out Number 16, my favourite pitcher or if you wanna spend the afternoon the real SF way. Summer greetings from SF!
July 28
Each year for my birthday I fly to Bangkok and whenever I get lucky to be there I get a divine treatment at divana spa (dii for hydrodermabrasion or microdermabrasion, divana virtue spa for wonderful aroma massages or divana nurture spa for a Thaiyurvedic chakra treatment).
In no other place on earth I love to live on both ends of the continuum. On one extreme there is the dirty and trashy Khao San Road with its food stalls, cheap massages and facials (pians is still a place I visit), super cheap clothes and shoes that I like to reach by a moto taxi and that is a must for me always and on the other extreme there are the different divana spas, Sirocco, the Banyan Tree's Vertigo, the garden of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel or other fancy places as Lan Na Thai@ Face, the Baan Chiang, the Zense etc.
Shopping is fun at MBK, Siam Square, Central World, Terminal 21 or any other very Thai shopping mall with thousands of stalls filled with cheap thrills. For some serene moments the Golden Mount or the Flower Market are a great destination to go to.