Originally posted by our new friends Maya and Gregg of the Bruncheon Club
Upon awaking from BC’s little winter hibernation, we realised we were a couple of chairs down. So we cycled down to Bethnal Green and discovered a second-hand furniture wonderland under the railway arches. We picked up a pair of these adorable chairs and cycled them home.
In order to seem indifferent when haggling over the price of the chairs, we played it cool and went for a cuppa at a cafe in a neighbouring arch. What we found was a delightful mixture of hairdressers-cum-gallery-cum-vintage clothes shop-cum-cafe, 10 Gales. Our pot of tea for two came with two Custard Creams and two Malted Milks! Score! And our ice cool bargaining bagged us a third off the price of the chairs.
Zagabria e’ una citta’ mitteleuropea come tante altre, se siete stati a Bratislava ve ne potrete rendere conto. Centro carino e raccolto che si puo’ girare in un paio d’ore e alcuni edifici carini nella parte alta, come in tante altre parti dell’Europa centrale. Stavo cercando un caffe tranquillo dove andare a preparare il mio intervento alla conferenza, quando mi imbatto in Tolkien’s House. Si trova all’interno di una strada, vicino a Lotrščak Tower. Da fuori, il posto sembra cadente, una di quelle bettole che ospitano la working class alla fine di una dura giornata di lavoro. Ci sono delle panche fuori, ma non c’e’ nessuno. D’altra parte e’ un pomeriggio freddo di meta’ febbraio. Cerco di sbirciare all’interno, visto che il locale non e’ molto illuminato, ma non riesco a capire se e’ aperto o chiuso. Prendo coraggio ed entro. Il posto sembra interessante. Ci sono alcuni studenti che sembrano aver bigiato le lezioni all’universita’ e una coppia di amiche che discute animatamente. Il proprietario e’ dietro al banco e sta parlando con un ragazzo che sembra essere suo figlio o suo nipote. Nuvole di fumo si alzano, e io, ormai disabituato all’odore, sono tentato di andarmene. Il mio forte desiderio di caffe pero’ mi fa desistere. Sono anche intrigato dall’arredamento del locale. Non ho letto Tolkien’s, e non sono un seguace di “Lord of the Rings” o di “Hobbit”, ma l’atmosfera e’ molto piacevole e rilassata e rimanda alla fine dell’800. Alla fine ci rimarro’ piu’ di un’ora. Non ho bevuto una di quelle cioccolate calde per le quali e’ famoso, ma per lo meno ho trovato la giusta concentrazione e ispirazione per il mio intervento.
Se avete qualche piccola avventura di viaggio da raccontare, mandatela a ShhOut@CityandOut.com If you have a little travel adventure to tell, send it to ShhOut@CityandOut.com
Another lovely place from our friends at Skippin’ Town
This place is a total tourist trap, but so well done that you don’t mind. Main Street is set up as it always was – with saloons, hotels, theaters and the OK Corral.
Most of the buildings are not original, since the town burnt down a few times, but they look like they are. And thanks to the town’s enthusiastic residents – most of whom are dressed up as cowboys, shady ladies or the Wyatts and their friend Doc Holliday – you really get a sense of what life must have been like.
We watched a reenactment of the Shootout at the OK Corral, had lunch at the Crystal Palace Saloon and visited the excellent museum at Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park.
And bought a red felt cowgirl hat for Sophia. Julia has kindly sent her some hand-me-down cowgirl boots from LA, so the whole family will be ready and waiting for the next costume party.
We just wanted to share with you some news and data about CityandOut.
1 – Yesterday, we completed the Restaurant booking development. You can now easily search and book over 5,500 restaurant tables across Europe and of course we will continue to add new ones.
2 – We are taking over some of the assets of CityTherapy.com, one of my early investments. Over the coming weeks we will be integrating some of the content and features of the 2 sites and we will be transferring the CityTherapy subscribers to the CityandOut platform.
3 – Since launching CityandOut we have received an increasing number of visits to the site and to the Facebook fan page. People from 33 different countries and 159 cities have accessed CityandOut.com since the 25th of January, the day of our public alpha release. Frankly, this is way beyond my expectations and very surprising; there are even some places I have never heard of before. Clearly, word of mouth is working and we have to thank you for spreading it. Please, continue promoting both the website and the Facebook page among your friends.
4 – Videos. We have just created a CityandOut youtube channel, as a way to aggregate and share interesting travel related videos we find around. Please, go and have a look at www.youtube.com/CityandOut and feel free to join, comment and publish relevant videos.
Even more importantly, we are now working on integrating several thousand videos on the website. We are partnering with Tripfilms and getting acccess to their full database of travel videos. You’ll be able to search by destination or other keywords and view their curated videos across the world.
Finally, we would love for you to share our content more so please don’t hesitate to promote our Facebook page among your friends and post any events or relevant content, pictures or tips on the FB page or by emailing us to ShhOut@CityandOut.com.
I had many greasy breakfasts at Pellicci and I couldn’t have described it better. So here it is, an Ode to Pellicci, originally posted on Classic Cafes
E Pellicci, Bethnal Green Road E2
The mighty Pellicci. The bollocks! Best service. Best building. Best atmosphere. Good food. A throwback to another century. From the yellow and chrome Vitrolite exterior to the warm wooden interior this is an unbelievable Deco classic. Every part of this superb caff should be held in trust for the nation. The jaw-dropping marquetry interior – like something out of the Empire State Building – was crafted by Achille Capocci in 1946. See Pellicci and die!
I thought I’d publish a few facts about sex by country. In some cases the data below are collected very scientifically, others are more anecdotal, but I am sure you’ll find them a bit amusing.
In 2009, the Telegraph polled about 15,000 women and found out that German men are the worst lovers in the world and Spanish ones are the best. Here are the 10 worst and 10 best countries by male performance:
World’s worst lovers
1. Germany (too smelly)
2. England (too lazy)
3. Sweden (too quick)
4. Holland (too dominating)
5. America (too rough)
6. Greece (too lovey-dovey)
7. Wales (too selfish)
8. Scotland (too loud)
9. Turkey (too sweaty)
10. Russia (too hairy)
World’s best lovers
1. Spain
2. Brazil
3. Italy
4. France
5. Ireland
6. South Africa
7. Australia
8. New Zealand
9. Denmark
10. Canada
The age of first timesex for women sees central Africa and Czech Republic at one end of the spectrum with an average age of 15 years and Egypt, Kazakhstan, Italy, Thailand, Ecuador, and the Philippines at the other end where women have sex for the first time when they are 20 or older. American’s average is 16 and UK’s is 18 (but nobody believes that). For men, the youngest first time encounters are found in Brazil, Peru, Kenya, Zambia, Iceland, and Portugal with an average age of 16; at the bottom of the chart are Italians at 19. UK’s average is 18.
The Turks top the charts when it comes to having had an extra marital affair (58%) while the Norwegians (70%), Finns, New Zealanders and Swedes (all 64%) are ahead of the game when it comes to a one night stand.
Anal sex stats are interesting too. While globally about 35% of people admit to having had anal sex, there’s a great disparity between Taiwan (at 1%) and Greece and Chile (at 55%). The numbers don’t distinguish between homesexual and straight sex so, I guess, the Greeks were expected to top the chart…
Greece
55
Canada
41
Chile
55
United Kingdom
40
Italy
50
Switzerland
40
Finland
49
South Africa
39
Croatia
49
Global %
35
Norway
48
Spain
33
United States
47
Poland
33
France
46
Belgium
33
Sweden
45
Netherlands
32
Bulgaria
45
Slovakia
31
Austria
44
Germany
29
Turkey
44
Singapore
20
Australia
44
Malaysia
19
Israel
44
Thailand
17
Portugal
44
Indonesia
15
Ireland
43
China
15
Denmark
43
Hong Kong
12
Czech Republic
42
Vietnam
12
Iceland
42
Japan
11
Serbia & Montenegro
41
India
9
New Zealand
41
Taiwan
1
A study in Holland measured the time it takes men on average to reach orgasm. The study also pointed out that men who drink (read: get drunk) before sex last longer. So, no surprise here to see who occupies the top of the chart.
Average time to reach orgasm
British men – 10 minutes
American men – 8 minutes
Dutch men – 6.5 minutes
Spanish men – 4.9 minutes
Turkish men – 4.4 minutes
The Brits are also considered the least romantic men in the world by a margin of 10%.
The Brits seem to be also the kinkiest of all based on the percentage of people using masks, blindfolds or other forms of bondage
United Kingdom
37
United States
36
Canada
33
New Zealand
32
Australia
32
Greece
31
Ireland
30
South Africa
29
Spain
29
Denmark
29
Below is the percenage of people using a vibrator while having sex
Australia
46
Hong Kong
19
United States
45
Singapore
18
Canada
44
Slovakia
17
Norway
44
Croatia
17
United Kingdom
44
Israel
15
Iceland
43
China
15
New Zealand
43
France
14
Sweden
38
Spain
14
South Africa
37
Italy
13
Finland
35
Greece
13
Austria
33
Malaysia
12
Switzerland
30
Poland
11
Ireland
30
Bulgaria
10
Denmark
29
Portugal
10
Netherlands
29
Serbia & Montenegro
9
Czech Republic
29
Chile
9
Taiwan
25
Turkey
6
Belgium
24
Indonesia
5
Global %
23
Thailand
4
Japan
23
Vietnam
4
Germany
20
India
3
And, finally, percentage of people who have experienced a gay or lesbian affair
Australia
22
Finland
13
Ireland
20
Global %
12
New Zealand
20
Czech Republic
12
United States
20
Denmark
12
South Africa
20
Singapore
11
Canada
19
Malaysia
10
United Kingdom
17
Spain
9
Iceland
17
Greece
9
France
16
Bulgaria
9
Germany
15
Chile
9
Austria
15
Slovakia
8
Belgium
15
Indonesia
8
China
14
Serbia & Montenegro
8
Thailand
14
Portugal
8
Croatia
14
Vietnam
7
Netherlands
14
Turkey
7
Norway
14
Poland
6
Israel
13
Hong Kong
6
Switzerland
13
India
6
Italy
13
Taiwan
5
Sweden
13
Japan
4
Would love to hear if based on your travelling experience you find that you agree with the above stats or you feel you have to justify your country for some of them. Email us at ShhOut@CityandOut.com.
Il pasticciotto nasce nel 1745 a Galatina dalla tipica bottega pasticciera della famiglia Ascalone, durante le festività di San Paolo, guaritore delle Tarantismo. Nicola Ascalone si arrovella per inventare una novità che possa risollevare la critica situazione economica della bottega e tra una torta e un dolce si ritrova un impasto e un po’ di crema che non sono sufficienti per cuocere un’altra torta. Decide allora di utilizzare questi resti ponendoli in un piccolo recipiente di Rame facendone una piccolissima torta di crema che lui stesso definisce un pasticcio, ma lo mette ugualmente nel forno e regala ancora caldo il pasticcio a un passante. I complimenti e le lodi si sprecano. Il pasticcio è veramente ottimo e l’uomo ne vuole qualcuno da portare in famiglia. Nasce così il pasticciotto de Lu Scalone. Il successo è immediato e la voce si sparge in provincia. Sono passati 260 anni, il pasticciotto è ormai un dolce tipico del Salento. La città di Lecce lo ha riconosciuto come dolce tipico leccese.
Ingredienti per 6 persone
Per la pasta frolla:
- 1kg farina tipo 00
- 3-4 uova
- 500gr strutto
Per la crema pasticcera:
- 4-5 tuorli
- 1LT latte
- 450gr zucchero
- 250gr farina
- una stecca di vaniglia o buccia d limone per aromatizzare
Preparazione della pasta:
Per preparare la pasta frolla: strofinare con le mani lo strutto e la farina, fate una fontana e al centro mettete gli altri ingredienti e impastate molto rapidamente. Formate una palla e avvolgetela nella pellicola e mettete in frigo per 30 minuti.
Per preparare la crema:
Mettere il latte in una pentola a riscaldare. Aggiungere lo zucchero, la farina e le uova continuando a mescolare. E’ consigliabile utilizzare la vaniglia o una buccia di limone per aromatizzare. Mescolare fino a che inizia il bollore. Togliere dal fuoco e far raffreddare.
Tirare la pasta frolla messa precedentemente nel frigo e formare 2 dischi da 30 cm., rivestire il fondo dello stampo, versare la crema e ricoprire con il secondo disco. Chiudere il bordo e infornare per 20 minuti a 180°
Ingredients for 6 people
For the dough:
- 1 kg flour type 00
- 3-4 eggs
- 500gr lard
- 500gr sugar
- 5gr of ammonia for baking
- 5gr vanillin
- orange peel
For the cream:
- 4-5 egg reds
- 1 lt milk
- 450gr sugar
- 250gr flour
- one stick of vanilla or lemon skin
To prepare the dough:
Mix lard and flour and make a volcano shape; put the rest of the ingredients in the middle and knead quickly. Make a ball of the dough, wrap it into cling film and leave in the fridge for half an hour.
To make the cream:
Warm up the milk, add sugar, flour and eggs while stirring. Add the vanilla or lemon skin. Continue stirring until it starts boiling. Remove from the stove and let cool.
Make two disks with the dough; put one in the cast, pour the cream in and cover with the second disk of dough. Put in the oven for 20 mins at 180°.
Originally posted on Popular Mechanics
Engineers tasked with building an airport are faced with countless challenges: The ideal location needs ample space, endless flat ground, favorable winds and great visibility. But spots in the real world are rarely ideal, and engineers are forced to work with what they have, making sure that the end product is the safest possible structure for pilots. A survey of airports around the world turns up a mixed bag, ranging from dangerous and rugged landing strips to mega-size facilities that operate like small cities. Here, PM explores the world’s most remarkable airports and why they stand out.
The Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus, かなまら祭り?) is an annual Shinto fertility festival held in Kawasaki, Japan in spring. The exact dates vary: the main festivities fall on the first Sunday in April. The penis forms the central theme of the event that is reflected everywhere—in illustrations, candy, carved vegetables, decorations, and a mikoshi parade.
The Kanamara Matsuri is centered around a local penis-venerating shrine once popular among prostitutes who wished to pray for protection against sexually transmitted diseases. It is said that there are divine protections also in business prosperity and the clan’s prosperity, easy delivery, marriage, and married couple harmony. There is also a legend of a sharp-toothed demon that hid inside the vagina of a young girl and castrated two young men on their wedding nights. As a result, the young girl sought help with a blacksmith, who fashioned an iron phallus to break the demon’s teeth, leading to the enshrinement of the item.
Today, the festival has become somewhat of a tourist attraction and is used to raise money for HIV research.
Frank Sinatra once said “I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps” and pointed towards New York. Since then New York’s lights have never faded. 24 hours a day and 7 days a week there was one city that had something to do, someone to be with and some place to have fun. Sinatra might have gone a little too far.
There have been days when I thought the whole city was asleep. I would be comfortably positioned behind the TV, desperate yet unsuccessful to find a “partner-in-crime” or an event to take on the city. This was especially the case on Monday nights. Known as the nightmare of the workers, the first work day after an extremely peaceful and lazy Sunday had to have some kind of a plan to look forward to. Sinatra definitely forgot to mention that even in “the city that never sleeps” such plans are very hard to find.
This is where my friends Daniel and Derek Koch come in.
These two unbelievably driven event managers/promoters have been on the backstage of some of the best events I have been to in this city. I met them as waiters and watched them grow into managers of their own entertainment company, Day & Night. From happy hours, dinners to benefits, they have been working hard to make sure Sinatra’s lyrics rely on hard evidence. They decorated the dreams of women who brunched at Le Bilboquet on Saturdays. They amazed the gourmets with a delicious menu at their Jour et Nuit restaurant. They made sunglasses a fashion at Merkato 55 & Bijoux to hide from the sparkles fired up on Rose and Champagne bottles.
I fell in love with their model bouncers. I climbed on tables to dance to their DJs. We celebrated birthdays and we cried to farewells at their events. I have been there because they have never ceased to value personal attention.
They are still on fire Saturdays with their brunch at Revel in meatpacking, but I have been bugging both for a while to put together an event that can ease the pain of Mondays. The happy news came unexpectedly. They prepare to take on La Zarza (166 First Ave. between 10th and 1th st.) with two DJs from Madrid, Spain and a crowd that is ready to let it loose.
When I was living in London I was an Eastender. I have been one for nearly ten years and I love most of what the streets of Bethnal Green, Brick Lane, Shoreditch, Hackney, etc. have to offer. In spite of the recent changes that have brought a number of new bars, restaurants and other venues to the area, the East End has always had a relative paucity of good places to eat a proper meal. There are of course some notable exceptions. One of my favorite spots is the The Royal Oak, on Columbia Road, E2.
The Royal Oak is a typical english pub cum upstairs restaurant. The place is scruffy with old chairs and unmatching tables. The bar is round and in the middle of the place; there’s a even scruffier courtyard area. The place is usually packed with cool locals. And it gets crazy on Sundays because of the flower market on Columbia Rd.
The food is good, much better than your typical local pub. Homelettes, meat platters, burger or steak sandwiches and some fish based dishes, awesome chunky chips. The atmosphere is super friendly but relaxed. I like to go there on Saturdays for early lunch with my papers and laptop. Sometimes for a mid-week pint or glass of red wine.
The restaurant upstairs is great, the menu is similar to the pub’s but more complete with a good selection of first and second courses. The meat and the wine are superb and there’s always some minor or local celebrity that can be spotted. The service is really good and the atmosphere happy and vibrant, perfect for a small group of friends seeking good times.
Milan Fashion Week 24 Feb – 3 Mar 2010 (various dates)
Milano Fashion Center, Milano http://www.cameramoda.it
Recently extended to include an increasing number of catwalk shows, Milan Fashion Week reinforces the city’s importance in the global fashion industry. Hot new styles are sent down the catwalk twice a year at the Milano Fashion Center.
At Milan Fashion Week, Gucci, Armani, D&G, Prada and many other top international designers offer a preview of trends to come. Although you do need an invitation to see the catwalk shows, this is nonetheless a good time to visit the city, which is booming with fashion tourists and glamorous parties throughout the week.
Probabilmente l’evento modaiolo piu’ importante sulla scena internazionale, la Settimana della Moda di Milano attira migliaia di acquirenti, stampa delle maggiori tv nazionali ed internazionali ed è possibile trovare le modelle più conosciute di fama internazionale.Tra i vari nomi di rilievo troviamo Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Dolce e Gabbana e Versace.
Si susseguono numerosi appuntamenti mondani e di spettacolo che ne fanno quindi un’ottima occasione per visitare e riscoprire Milano.
Turin’s piazza Vittorio Veneto and historic cafes host the annual CioccolaTO’, featuring chocolate competitions and tastings alongside a rich programme of cultural events. A new theme tackles a different aspect of the “food of the gods” every year.
Realizzato dalla Città di Torino, Provincia di Torino e Regione Piemonte ha consolidato in questi anni il proprio successo: 10 giorni di degustazioni, incontri, giochi e viaggi alla scoperta della capitale del cioccolato.
CioccolaTO’ è sempre più per Torino il punto di incontro per i golosi e un’ occasione da non perdere per i maestri cioccolatieri e i grandi marchi nazionali e internazionali.
The Black Truffle Fair in Norcia is the mother of all Italian black truffle fairs. Local and national food producers show off their specialities over two tasty editions in Piazza San Benedetto every February.
The black truffles found around Norcia are often considered inferior to the white variety, but they are delicious nonetheless and far from cheap! Visitors to the Black Truffle Fair can sample them grated and sprinkled over tagliatelle, in fish or roast meat dishes.
Norcia also has a whole culture of salting, seasoning and treating pork meat – their prosciutto competes with Parma’s, while their sausages and spiced salamis are said to be the best in Italy.
La piú importante rassegna espositiva dell’agro-alimentare in Umbria, che fa di Norcia la primadonna dell’ultimo week-end di febbraio e del primo di marzo, invita tutti ad immergersi nel suo suggestivo e ghiotto panorama dell’esplorazione del gusto.
“Nero Norcia”, la 47esima edizione della Mostra Mercato del Tartufo pregiato e dei prodotti tipici, torna ad avvicinare il pubblico ai sapori e ai saperi genuini del luogo e a far scoprire le eccellenze gastronomiche di altre regioni italiane, non ultime quelle delle “Cittá dei Sapori”, confermandosi palcoscenico privilegiato per raccontare i territori come veri e propri giacimenti golosi e culturali. Tra continuitá e innovazione, la celebre kermesse dedicata a “Re Tartufo” proporrá anche quest’anno un articolato programma ricreativo e convegnistico.
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, 80 km (50 mi) south of Helsinki. Tallinn is a beautiful little city ideal for a long weekend binging in historical architecture and rich food.
However, today, Tallinn is also a common destination for the British who go there on stag dos and to get laid. And in fact, the most populated bars, at least in winter time, are irish pubs. Of course, where there’s odour of easy sex you’ll always find some italians too.
Apparently there’s lots of beautiful girls around. I must confess that when my friend Renato and I went there we were less than impressed by the local beauties (with some exceptions). I guess we were expecting to find nirvana. In the end, we found a nearly unbearable cold (it was New Year’s time) and lots of shopping and romantic options more suitable for a couple in love than for the two of us.
I believe I am still the one blamed for not scoring with the locals as if I was meant to hold his ‘hand’ during the hunting & gathering process.
Truth to be told, we at least had some great food both in quality (lots of game, elk, wild boar, bear, etc.) and in atmosphere. Notable places are Olde Hansa that serves medieval food in a mediaval setting. This might sound tacky and touristy, but it’s a very beautiful place with lots of character, entirely candle-lit, with hand-painted murals and waiters and waitresses wearing medieval costumes.
Our other favourite was Troika, a russian restaurant. With arched cellar ceilings and 19th century decor, Troika offers great food and bayan and balalaika musicians.
If you prefer historical architecture to food, there’s plenty to see. The main attractions are in the two old towns (Lower Town and Toompea) which are both easily explored on foot.
Sites not to miss include: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral built in 1894–1900; Raekoja plats (Town Hall square); St Olaf church tower; Viru Gate, entrance to the Old Town, one of two remaining towers that were once part of a larger gate system built in the 14th century.
Would love to hear your Tallin experiences. You can email them to ShhOut@CityandOut.com
Written by my friend Nichol with whom I shared a few too many shots at Johnny’s.
I don’t know what to say about Johnny’s. I don’t know how many hours I have spent there. How many dollars drunk and how many songs played on the juke box. Christmas Day one year, right before I got married, right after I got married, to celebrate my grad school graduation, to celerate the birth of my daughter, the arrival of a friend and her departure a few months later. To celebrate that it was Tuesday, to console a friend, to mend a heart, to drink because it was quittin time or because it was noon. Once, some guy tried to sell me a green laser from the eye ward at St. Vincents, it could burn a hole in a garbage bag or paint a plane 15000 feet in the air. The next night, someone else tried to sell me a watch that was full of lighter fluid and when you started the stop watch a little flame came out of the other side. I helped someone write a pretzle cookbook. Two strangers helped pick out baby names for my first kid. A co-worker barfs tequilla shots. Some girl gets naked in a window across the street. You walk in and your brother’s sitting at the bar, or your best friend, or a total stranger that is just as happy to see you as anyone else is ever going to be.
I was born in NY. And I love it. But I also know enough to know, it’s a fucking horrible city, drowning in a pestilence of unsustainable capitalist angst. Velvet ropes holding back the 20 year old sluts in short dresses trying to fuck the next partner at Goldman, meatheads and uberhipsters chasing a pair of legs or a purer line of powder in the bathroom. The streets are crowded by ceaseless illusions. Strippers on stages. Restless competition. A neverending stream of unforgivable trespasses. Infinite objectification, specialization, untraceable trends; it is a city designed to destroy love and make simplicity complicated and everything commercial.
Johnny’s is the only place I’ve ever found that wasn’t that. The only place that was safe, or mostly so, from the insanity of the city outside. Yeah, sure, occasionally a bartender flashes her tits when things get late at night, or someone gets a little finger business at the other end of the bar, but for the most part, Johnny’s is where true denizens of the city find a place that is loud enough and not too quiet, to drink and share. To be themselves, to relax, to be whole at the bottom of a bottle.
I don’t know what it is that makes Johnny’s what it is. Maybe it is the bartenders. They are phenomenal. Vonya, Zach. Christie! Maybe it’s the simplicity of the place. The open window on the street and a summer breeze blowing in. Huddling together outside for a smoke at 2 in the December morning. Maybe it’s because it’s cheap. Maybe it’s because there’s a drawing of a robot on the wall of the bathroom. Or maybe it’s the regulars who drink there. A playwright working a script in the corner, a mechanic talking about overhead cams and gear ratios. A comedian and a day trader. Some punk rock guy doing shots. A nurse. A delivery guy, taking a break between rounds. I don’t know. And the best part is, if you wanna be a regular, all you gotta do is walk in, drink what you want, and if you get hungry, order delivery. Sit at the bar, play a song, whatever. Do it again the next day and that’s all it takes.
Who knows what it is, where that magic comes from. I don’t know. And I don’t even spend that much time in there. All I know is that Johnny Cash is on the juke box and so is Avril Lavigne, they make me rum punches or bloody mary’s when I ask for ‘em, they keep a tally on the board for people who buy me a drink, and I can sit in the window as long as I like with as many of my friends as I can fit inside.
If you are looking for an amazing, romantic French brassiere tucked inside one of the smallest and nicest towns around the state of New York, Le Bouchon should be your destination. I must have been to this tiny restaurant built on the porch and the ground floor of a historical Cold Spring townhouse 4 times in 2 years (although it is a 1.5 hour drive from Manhattan).
Located right on Main St., the infamous and the only popular street of Cold Spring constructed on a hill overlooking the Hudson river, filled with antique shops, Le Bouchon is unintentionally disguised as a regular mediocre restaurant. It’s real face is revealed only when the visitors take the step inside. Painted in flashy red with bottles of red wine casually displayed on the walls, the brassiere reminds one of an unexpected intimate celebration spot. The fake fireplace inside the dining room increases the warmth and the menu expands the appetite.
Recommended Red Wine: Gigondas
Recommended Food: French Onion Soup, Les Moules, Filet Mignon and for dessert: Les Profiteroles
Every time I visit Le Bouchon, I feel like I step into a movie set. A movie set that takes me away from the noisy, crowded and bright streets of Manhattan. I calm down and enjoy the food, the history and the silence. I tell myself “I should drive up here more often”.
I recommend you avoid the highways and take the 9W right next to the Hudson.
One of the things I miss the most since I left London back in June is my friend Vinz (Vincenzo). Vinz is an ugly (I mean guy-to-guy ugly) Sicilian bloke with a good heart. He’s been my hairdresser and neighbor for most of my time in London. At the beginning, the first few times I got an haircut with him, the typical comment from friends would be: “what happened to your hair?” – I had to answer “you don’t understand… it’s a british sicilian cut, it’s the ultimate trend in London today”.
Jokes aside, Vinz is a great hairdresser, especially for women, and possibly the only straight hairdresser in London (he would want me to point that out).
Technically, my haircuts should have taken 10 minutes start to finish, but Vinz and I would spend about 45 minutes talking business and sex and commenting in italian about the girls getting extensions in the next seat.
His salon is called Stamp, it’s near Brick Lane, and offers the right combination of cool and friendly atmosphere with no-nonsense service.
Vinz will entertain you with his stories while his staff takes care of you.
Just go visit him for an haircut, some color or a coffee.
People think that a family of four living full-time in a 17-foot trailer is nuts, those that know we’ve added another person (Barbara, my mother-in-law) are incredulous. But in 1968, Airstream advertised its cute little Caravel as luxuriously sleeping SIX people. See attached brochure as evidence. Thanks to Airstream Life magazine publisher Rich Luhr for passing this on.
His Caravel, a painstakingly restored one from 1968, is to be exhibited at this month’s Modernism Week in Palm Springs, California.
I get it. Paris should be about la nourriture Francaise, but my great experience at this place force me to write about another cuisine. I guess a few of my friends (two in particular) will agree with me when I say that Lo Sushi is one of the funniest restaurants in Paris. I won’t claim that it has the best sushi in France, but I can gladly say that it is the most social and interactive restaurant in the capital of fashion. Like many other sushi places around Europe, Lo Sushi has that sushi railroad mechanism installed, from which you get to pick your favorite wagons and eat their contents. Each plate is colored based on its pricing and can be stacked on top of one another to display the strength of its user’s appetite. Yet what makes Lo Sushi so special is its Pont Neuf location enhanced with individual touchscreen computers. Once you take your place around the bar you can interact with anyone at the restaurant through the screens. You can send drawings, images and messages by just clicking on the target seating. I am pretty sure that the Champs-Elysees location is still open, but our favorite Pont Neuf might not be there any longer. Details at www.losushi.com
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Notting Hill, The Ledbury has been quietly accumulating culinary accolades ever since it opened back in 2005. Under the expert hands of Aussie chef Brett Graham, it gained a Michelin star within the first year of opening (Graham is no stranger to the coveted stars, having won two at his previous establishment, The Square) and last month saw the restaurant awarded with a much-deserved second star.
Not only is Graham’s cooking consistently stellar, but there is such a personal touch to the service. This is one restaurant that truly has it all.
The Ledbury
127 Ledbury Road
Notting Hill
London, W11 2AQ
t. 020 7792 9090
Most Londoners must already know about this bar chain. I have been to both the South Kensington (158 Old Brompton Rd.) and the Chelsea (111 Walton St.) locations and must have tried 80% of the cocktails on the menu. Not a single one was a disappointment. Each location satisfies a different purpose. If you are up to enjoying the nice weather and checking out some of the most amazing antique and modern sports cars in London, then head to the Kensington location. Pick a table outside in the afternoon and let the drinks flow while the mechanical beauties pass you by. On the other hand if it is already sunset and you are ready to socialize, then get to the Chelsea spot.
Favorite drink: Watermelon Martini on the rocks in a regular large glass, Koshiku, Miyabi
This is a very personal selection of meat restaurants around the world and my choices from their menus. I’d love to hear your favourite ones too. Email them to ShhOut@CityandOut.com
The Paris Carnival occurs after the Feast of Fools and has been one of the major festivals of Europe since the sixteenth century or earlier.
Two types of events are part of the Paris Carnival: the walk of masks, and the processions.
In the walk of masks people in disguise make their way through the city surrounded by numerous onlookers.
The “fat days” processions occur on Sunday, Monday, and Mardi Gras (Tuesday) only. They end when the Promenade du Boeuf Gras (Procession of the Fat Ox) begins.
http://www.carnaval-pantruche.org/#toppage
Rue Le Vau, Paris, France
Métro: Porte de Bagnolet
Klocka, Sweden, an old farming village on the shore of lake Annsjon is the perfectly beautiful setting for enjoying this unusual and powerful experience. It’s impossible not to marvel at the raw power, enthusiasm and good nature of the huskies as they start pulling your sled through the patchy forest and into the Vallrun hills north-east of Klocka. The distant mountains of Sylarna and Bunnerfjallen frame the wonderful (and cold) journey through the Jamtland region.
You can also go trout fishing and elk hunting but when you have enough of feeling adventurous you can treat your frozen body to a traditional swedish sauna at the Klocka Fjällgård, a uniquely stylish lodge located on a 350-hectare private estate in Jämtland.
Best season for dog-sledding: mid December to late April
I had always assumed it was a vacant city, full of isolation, fake boobs and broken dreams.
Daniel had foreseen an endless sprawl of suburbs/ex-urbs, connected by a tangle of freeways. Well, he is right about that.
But the City of Angels is, in fact, a fantastic place to live. And a malleable one. Our friends Olivia and David, who’ve been there for nine years or so, described it as being so immense and so varied that it becomes whatever you make it – as opposed to a city with a character so overwhelming that one has no choice but to conform. To build your own bespoke LA, though, they say you must employ both time and effort.
Like London, LA is a conglomerate of neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character. But unlike London, it boasts
a-m-a-z-i-n-g weather all year round…and palm trees, everywhere!
Most people get to live in a house – usually a single-floor bungalow – with a backyard and trees bearing more fruit than you could ever realistically eat. This seems to be true in good areas as well as less desirable ones. Accommodation, especially if it’s rented, sounds like it’s reasonably priced.
It’s easy to find great food from many nations and cultures, as long as you avoid Burrito King in Silverlake. Daniel, who never complains, suffered for three days.
Generally speaking, the population appears pretty happy – everyone likes to say “hi” on the street. It’s fun, and catchy. We like to say “hi” back. People talk a lot about movies and TV shows, referencing actors and famous lines – something unfortunately lost on us, most times.
The major drawback, of course, is all the driving. Most people seem to drive one to a car, guided by GPS, which could certainly lead to a feeling of isolation. We don’t know if it’s this sense of isolation that makes the vast majority of the population fail to signal when driving, and think that texting/emailing/talking on the phone while on the freeway is a good idea.
For more information on driving in LA, please see Julia Johnson’s proposed book ‘Free Parking and Treacherous Highways’.
—Last Friday B and I hit Whitecross Street in EC1 for another round of curbside eating. A few minutes walk from Old St and Barbican tube, the Whitecross Street Market is one of the oldest in London, dating back to the 17th Century. There’s a general market that runs through the working week, and a speciality Food Market that opens every Thursday and Friday. Given its location, the food market is understandably popular with the nearby office folk so we aimed to get there early and avoid the rush.
We arrived just before midday with rumbling tummies (having skipped breakfast) and ready to eat. Our first stop was the union jack adorned Eat My Pies stall selling a selection of British classics – Handmade Pies, Sweet and Savoury Tarts, Yorkshire Pud Baps, and a whole smorgasbord of Scotch Eggs (including Thai Red Curry, Smoked Haddock and 3 Bean Veggie versions).
Everything looked lovely but it was the unusual Scotch Egg varieties that intrigued us, and upon owner Andy’s recommendation we bought one of the black pudding numbers. He kindly halved it for us, revealing a perfectly soft boiled egg (hurrah!) with a bright orange yolk. Unfortunately it had been sitting out so was a bit cold, but there was no denying that it was a quality Scotch Egg. A thin breadcrumb layer giving way to well-spiced pork meat laced with just enough black pudding to flavour but not overpower.
As we nibbled on our scotch egg we decided to walk the length of the market to check out the wide array of food on display while the street was still relatively empty. The cuisine on offer spanned the globe – there was a German stall selling Curry Wurst and Stollen (above), an Indian food truck dishing up Chicken Tikka and Roti-wrapped Kebabs, a small stand offering sizzling Chorizo Sandwiches (opening image) and of course, the obligatory Hog Roast stall, amongst many others.
By the time we had reached restaurant Ravello’s impressive Italian spread and the Tofu-Burger-peddling Veggie Table, the city crowd had started filtering in. It was time to get properly stuck in, so we turned back and paused at Brazil Flavour, lured by the smell of beef searing on the grill. We ordered a Picanha (rump cover) Sandwich, a Coxinha de Galinha (a Brazilian chicken appetizer) and a can of Guarana (a carbonated drink with apple and berry notes) to wash it all down with.
The vaguely warm coxinha was basically a deep-fried chicken croquette, pretty tasty and not too greasy but could have been (much) crispier. The Picanha sadly did not come up to scratch, for a cut that wikipedia describes as “considered to be the best part…even better than fillet mignon (in South America)” it was disappointingly full of sinew – so much so that I physically could not swallow it, even with the help of the refreshing Guarana.
After chucking most of the Picanha sandwich away, we went in search of better eats and noticed that Luardo’s, which we had passed earlier, had a healthy 20-deep queue forming. We headed hopefully towards the pretty mint-hued van and joined the throng in wait of some tex-mex nosh.
We ordered a Carnitas (pork) Burrito with lashings of hot sauce and boy was it good! Soft, pliable flour tortillas bulging with tender slow-cooked pork, toothsome rice and beans, fresh salad and a zippy guacamole (which we added for an extra 50p). It was pretty substantial (good for a satisfying lunch, not so good for two people attempting to taste all the food market wares) and hands down the best food we tasted that day.
Another stall which the crowds flocked to was the Lebanese Hoxton Beach which sold falafel wraps. I had a peek at them being made, and although they did look good we were mindful of our stomach capacity, so gave the crunchy chickpea treats a miss.
We moved on to sample three different chicken and rice combos (purely coincidental), all of which were pretty mediocre. The least offensive was probably the Chicken Curry with Rice and Peas from the Caribbean Stall, the chicken was at least flavoursome but unfortunately very dry despite being cooked on the bone, and the gravy could have done with a lot more heat.
The Pollo Catalana (served with Saffron Rice) from the Spanish stall however was a real let down flavourwise – the chicken and accompanying red peppers were bland and seriously under-seasoned. Such a shame as the enticing smell surrounding the stall was so promising.
The worst of the lot however, was the shockingly bad Chicken Massaman Curry from Lek’s Thai Food. We were initially going to bypass the stall (especially after the lady behind the counter gave me and my camera the evil eye) but thought we should give the only Oriental stall in the market a try. What a mistake. The generic tasting curry sauce lacked any depth of flavour and was a rather unappetising shade of mustard. Not inedible, but not a Massaman Curry either.
With that last disaster we wanted to end on a high and we knew a coffee from Britain’s Barista of the year would not disappoint. Gwilym’s expertly-made flat whites were without fault and went superbly with the luscious chocolate fudge brownie we picked up from Artisan Foods on our way over to the coffee cart.
There may have been a few duds, but all in all we enjoyed the stalls at Whitecross Street. Luardo’s Burritos are worth a return visit at some point, as is Gwilym Davies’ coffee cart, and I’m itching to sample the rest of Artisan Foods’ tantalising cakes and pastries. No doubt I will also be trying Eat My Pies’ Yorkshire Pud Baps with rare roast beef and a falafel wrap from Hoxton Beach next time I’m there.
What to expect: Before I actually went there I thought Aspen was a compact, single, ultra posh ski resort. I was mistaken. Although a tiny Aspen is there with a handful of challenging short ski slopes and a really nice village, there is so much more to explore. Consider the name Aspen as the roof to a massive family of mountains consisting of Aspen, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass. When it comes to shopping and dining, Aspen is a wonder, but for skiing you have to try Snowmass and Aspen Highlands. Aspen has the most luxurious hotels and Aspen Highlands has none. Instead Highlands has the largest private mansions. In addition to more affordable ski in/out hotels, Snowmass, as its name suggests, encompasses a huge mass of winter wonderland with the best variety of slopes. It is highly recommended that you visit all of these mountains while you are there. The transportation between the three is free. You can take the free shuttle from multiple stops spread around each mountain. They run all day until midnight. The interval is usually 45 min and it takes approx. 20 min. to get from one mountain to the other.
Getting there: Fly to Denver and then either drive or fly to Aspen. Flight from New York to Denver takes 6 hours. Driving will take 4 hours from Denver to Aspen and flying will take 45 min. Bear in mind that although the flight from Denver to Aspen is short, it is highly likely that the flight will be delayed or even canceled because of strong winds.
Where to Stay: We chose to stay in Snowmass at the Stonebridge Inn. It was a great decision for us because we were there to ski. Aspen would have been a more expensive, relaxing and wining & dining spot. Stonebridge Inn is almost a ski in/out resort. The rooms are nice and the breakfast is great. You will have to wear your ski boots and shoulder the skis to walk 5 minutes to the slopes. The Silvertree Hotel, which is right on the Fanny Hill slope, is also recommended. If you are looking to splurge, go for the St. Regis or the Little Nell in Aspen.
Recommended Slopes:
Snowmass: Slot, Dallas Freeway, Sheer Bliss Aspen Highlands: Mushroom Aspen: Buckhorn, Midway Road, Ruthie’s Run, Summer Road, Gentelman’s Ridge & Jackpot (if you like the big challenge) Buttermilk: Jacob’s Ladder
Where to Eat: Save most of the dinners for Aspen.
Snowmass:
Lunch: Sam’s Smokehouse, Gwyn’s High Alpine Dinner: Village Steakhouse at the Wildwood Lodge Aspen Highlands: Lunch: Loge Peak Aspen: Lunch: Sundeck Dinner: Rustique, Matsushisa, Campo De Fiori, Pacifica Seafood, Kenichi.
Today we have released some new functionality on CityandOut. We’ve uploaded approx. 5,500 restaurants, mostly across Europe.
Some countries are clearly more represented than others as you can see from the breakdown below but we aim to continuously grow the database alongside our partner Livebookings.com.
We are planning to enable the booking functionality for the restaurants sometime next week.
Thanks for the amazing feedback and support showed so far.
Leanne Kilroy “Pizze” at Pasticceria “Boccione” Limentani in Rome.
You could walk through Rome’s old Ghetto a hundred times and never notice it. Then again, the smells wafting out of Pasticceria “Boccione” Limentani (Via Portico D’Ottavia, 1; +39-06-687-8637, +39-06-687-8637) might not only stop you in your tracks, they might empower you to withstand an agonizingly slow-moving line in a tiny shop housing a cranked up industrial oven.
The walls of the bottega — nothing more than a few glass cases displaying whatever remains of the day’s goodies — are bare except for a few newspaper clippings, a Keren Kayemeth collection box (which funds tree planting in Israel) and a Hebrew copy of the Declaration of the State of Israel. But if the austere charms of the bakery, which is only heightened by the sometimes discourteous service, doesn’t win you over, the sweets certainly will.
The forno del ghetto, just one of the many names by which Romans call the bakery, has a limited repertoire, but everything on offer is exceptional. Of three or four cookie varieties, which include almond macaroons and cinnamon almond biscotti, don’t miss the unique and addicting pizze, dense bricks of sweet dough bursting with whole almonds, pine nuts, raisins and chunks of candied fruit (price varies by weight; a typical pizza goes for about 3 euro each). Baked throughout the day to keep up with demand, they’re usually warm and, like most of the forno’s sweets, are burnt almost to a crisp on top.
Another of Boccione’s highlights is the double-crusted, over-stuffed crostata (the Italian version of a tart or pie), which I nominate the best in Rome. Upon request, the ladies behind the counter will slice the rich pies — available in ricotta e cioccolato (ricotta and chocolate), ricotta e visciole (ricotta and wild cherry) and, a personal favorite, mandorla e visciole (almond paste and wild cherry) — to your liking so you can sample them all (about 18 euro for a whole crostata). That is, of course, if you get there in time: Boccione’s fresh pastries and most crostate usually sell out by late morning, especially on Sundays, but if you call ahead they’ll put aside whatever you like.
Just like Rome’s Jewish community, Boccione holds the banner of a tradition that will never fade. So if you happen to wander through the Ghetto at the right time, let your nose be your guide. Your mouth will certainly thank you.
Pasticceria “Boccione” Limentani is closed on Jewish high holidays, Friday afternoons, Saturdays, the last three weeks in August, and between 2 and 4 p.m. during the summer.
I love Brazil for its beauty and its beauties, the friendliness, the climate, the food and the opportunities it offers. I thought I’d make a list of a few reasons why you should check it out if you haven’t already. In no particular order:
1. Carnival – The Carnival in Rio is considered the best in the world and you should check it out. If you are looking for something edgier and crazier though and less coreographed, try the Salvador de Bahia Carnival, the best street party in the world.
2. Copacabana and Ipanema beaches - These two are possibly the most well known beaches in the world. They attract millions of tourists every year. And are packed of beautiful people, surfing, flirting and generally wearing very little.
3. More Women then Men – The ratio of women to men are higher then in most other countries in the world. Especially in Rio, where it is believed there are 100 women for every 86 men.
4. Median age in the late 20s – Brazil is one of the countries in the world with the highest percentage of younger people. 29 years is the median age in Brazil vs 37 in the USA, 41 in France, 42 in Italy and 44 in Germany.
5. Brazilians are fun to be with – Most Brazilians are very fun and know how to have a good time. In their culture it’s all about the carnival and having a good time, dancing and just living life to the fullest
6. Brazilian thongs – Women love to wear incredibly skimpy and sexy outfits, especially on the beach, like the world famous “Dental Floss” thongs, very popular and very sexy. You won’t find these in the US or Europe.
7. Great food – Brazilian food is very good. Try a ‘churrascaria’ while your down there, unlimited meat. You’ll taste the best chicken in the world in Brazil, no matter where you go or how it’s prepared. Try the ‘Frango Asado’, barbecue chicken with rice and fries.
8. Great weather all year round – The average weather in Brazil fluctuates around 70’s to 80’s degrees all year long.
9. The Maracana’ Stadium and Great soccer games – Brazil is the capital of soccer; kids play on the streets and in the many available fields, everywhere and every day. The Maracana’ is the most famous soccer stadium in Brazil. It’s located in Rio and the local clubs Flamengo and Botafogo play here.
10. Caipirinha and Capeta - Everybody knows Caipirinha and people enjoy it all over the world, but in the state of Bahia, one of the most popular drinks is the Capeta, the devil’s drink. Don’t drink too many, really. Capeta recipe:
1 shot vodka (2 oz) or better, cachaca
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon guarana powder
1 teaspoon Nesquik chocolate or strawberry
1 cup iceCombine all ingredients in a blender. Mix well and serve.
Place the ice cubes after the liquid ingredients (with the blender running).
At first the idea of going through a random black door, taking the scary, endless stairs through a restaurant kitchen to party seemed like a cool idea. Like many other New Yorkers, I felt like I was making my way through an adventure to finally reach my destination: a regular night out at a popular NYC nightclub. I felt special for exploring sights only a few other insiders were aware of (or so I thought). Nowadays this idea has gotten out of hand. Many adventurers realize that the “secret” entrances they went through actually became as obvious and famous as the gates to Disneyland. Everywhere we go to party seem to have a single entrance, stairs too narrow to have two rows and a claustrophobic low ceiling. The places are beyond ordinary in terms of decoration, but seem to make the quota just because they have a “hidden” entrance. They are all packed without any extra room to move around: no signs of secrecy or exclusivity other than a disrespectful bouncer. Here are a few of those infamous spots I know about:
Bijoux(Should now be closed)
57 Gansevoort St. Used to be the “secret” lounge of Merkato 55’s owner, right below the restaurant and right next to its kitchen. The almost-too-difficult-to-locate street entrance would take you through the black stairs lit with tiny candles. Once you made it to the short corridor, you would pass by the kitchen to reach a plain white door that finally opened up to the black interior of Bijoux.
Southside
1 Cleveland Place. Run by the Martignetti Brothers, Southside has the most unexpected entrance that opens up to narrow, shady stairs leading to a black & white marbled dungeon dressed almost like Bettle Juice.
PhilippeDownstairs
33 E. 60th St. One of the famous creators of the Mr. Chow brand in New York, Philippe Chow, took things into his own hands by opening Philippe on the Upper East Side. The place is just another cool, too-black-to-criticize restaurant if you are not close enough with the managers to try the tiny mafia’s room downstairs. Going inside the red velvet curtain, you make your way downstairs through the kitchen’s steep and narrow stairs in between the huge copper casseroles and pans and confused waiters. You step into a tiny room with 3-4 tables and a low ceiling. Another set of curtains close behind you. At first, it is almost too shady to feel comfortable. Things only get better after the drinks come in and you hook up your own iPod to the sound system.
Simyone Lounge 409 W. 14th St. Guys from Tenjune took up the famous Lotus Lounge and turned it into the new gem of the Meatpacking district. Simyone Lounge or SL in short was carefully crafted underground with a mix of marble, wood, dimmed lights and x-ray documents. Like always you take a long line of stairs to make it to the though-door lounge.
Beatrice Inn(now closed)
Cabin Down Below 10 Ave. A. A few frequenters of Beatrice Inn felt so bad when it closed down that they decided to provide its crowd with another “secret” spot. The Cabin Down Below is hidden behind the East Village joint, Pizza Shop. Haven’t been to this one yet.
BEast 171 E. Broadway. Tucked below the restaurant, Broadway East, BEast comes with a secret buzzer and an impressive hallway. It is rated as one of the best with its great sound system. It has been in my list of to-go-tos.
La Esquina Downstairs 114 Kenmare St. You might wonder how a laid-back Mexican joint like this could quickly turn into a tough, stuck-up lounge after you run into the two bouncers in front of the “employees only” door. You should know better. You have to make a reservation weeks before to enjoy the “exclusive”, below the ground maze of this simple, comfort food downtown spot.
RDV 409 W. 13th St. Below the famous Bagatelle Restaurant and Kiss&Fly lies a very-well decorated lounge with a completely black and tight entrance. As usual, dark stairs take you below the ground into this unexpected luxury apartment packed with a large mix of frequenters from flashy Russians to models and throphy-wife-to-bes. The drinks are expensive enough to make you enjoy every single sip and the music is good enough to make you groove.
Recently voted one of the best cooking schools in Italy by Food and Wine Magazine – the representative of Puglia at the prestigious La Dolce Vita in London – The Awaiting Table Cookery School in Lecce, Italy, is a small, intimate Italian cooking school in the most beautiful town in the entire sunny south of Italy.
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (official Catalan name; Spanish: Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia; “Expiatory Church of the Holy Family”), often simply called the Sagrada Família, is a massive, privately-funded Roman Catholic church that has been under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain since 1882 and is not expected to be complete until at least 2026. A portion of the building’s interior is scheduled to open for public worship and tours by September 2010.
Considered the master-work of renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), the project’s vast scale and idiosyncratic design have made it one of Barcelona’s (and Spain’s) top tourist attractions for many years.
On my recent visit to Munich before Christmas, I enjoyed a bracing walk that took my breath away – literally. This was a walk of the vertical rather than horizontal kind, up the many steps of St Peter’s Church tower just by Marienplatz, in the heart of old Munich. You pay a couple of Euros for the privilege at the booth at the bottom and then keep climbing, hoping that you won’t meet too many others coming in the opposite direction, when the stairs get narrow.
View from St Peter’s church tower in Munich
Not one for those who hate heights or even those who feel claustrophobic at the thought of narrow stairwalls, but once you get to the top, the view is well worth the exertion. From the top of St Peter’s you get a 360 degree view over the rooftops of Munich and down into Marienplatz, where the Christmas market was being held. If you timed you visit for 11 o’clock or noon, you’d get a birds eye view of the famous Glockenspiel on the facade of the Neues Rathaus or New Town Hall, when the painted figures turn round in time to the clock chimes.
The Cathedral tower in Valencia
The climb reminded how many church towers there are to be climbed in the cities of Europe – I’ve climbed towers in Croatia that were downright dodgy, up the Cathedral tower in Valencia and the ultimate in Church tower climbs at the Dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where the crowds were just a pressing at the top as the bottom. In all cases the view was wonderful and a great way to get a different perspective on the city.
Sydney is the largest city in Australia, and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney has a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.4 million and an area of approximately 12,000 square kilometres (4,633 sq mi). Its inhabitants are called Sydneysiders, and Sydney is often called “the Harbour City”. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants to Australia.
With the interior smoking ban introduced towards the middle of 2009, Istanbul’s restaurant culture went through a major change. The interiors, once packed with people, were stripped of their popularity. Even the non-smokers ended up choosing outside seating to respect the addiction of their smoker relatives and friends. Restaurant managers decorated their terraces, balconies and gardens with numerous portable heaters and provided extra blankets once the winter arrived.
With this recent update in mind, don’t miss these great restaurants during your stay in Istanbul.
Last updated on 20 January 2010
Ulus 29
Ulus 29 is set on one the highest hilltops in Istanbul above the Bosphorus. Go for dinner. Keep in mind that like many other restaurants in the city, 29 usually rents out another location right next to the shore during summer to benefit from the warm weather. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge, the dinning room and the nightclub give you one of the best views in the city with the Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge winking at you with its traffic lights. If you can, go a little earlier than your reservation time and have a drink at the lounge. Recommended Food: Kasarli Pide (Turkish-style pizza with cheese baked in the oven) and Iskender (thinly sliced lamb and cubes of veal served over diced pita bread and yogurt with warm tomato dressing and butter on top). Recommended Wine: Okuzgozu (Turkish Red Wine). Web: www.group-29.com
Kiyi
Simply the best seafood in town. The right wing of the ground floor is the most crowded and is known to be occupied by the regulars of the place. The seafood is always fresh and you can choose your fish from the cooler located on the ground floor. There is no bar so go at the time of your reservation. Recommended Food: APPETIZER: Karides Guvec (baked shrimp with mushroom and tomato sauce), Ciger (liver), Octopus, Fried Calamari, Feta Cheese, Mashed Eggplant Salad, Roasted Red Peppers; MAIN COURSE: Levrek (sea bass) or Kalkan (Turbot) for fish; DESSERT: Chocolate Souffle. Web: www.kiyi.com.tr
Borsa Restaurants
Famous for its focus on Turkish food, Borsa has two favorite locations: one in Nisantasi and one in Istinye Park. It is known to have more of a corporate clientele, especially during lunch time. Expect to eat delicious Turkish food with less music and entertainment. Recommended Food: Manti (Turkish ravioli with meat and yogurt), Lahmacun (Turkish pizza with meat, parsley, lemon and tomato (baked in the oven)), Iskender, Hunkar Begendi (veal meat chunks served over warm mashed eggplant). Web: www.borsarestaurant.com
Kosebasi at Reina
Although Kosebasi has another location in Levent, the Reina spot is open only during the summer months. It is one of the few restaurants inside Reina, one of the most well-known outdoor nightclubs in Istanbul. The club is located right next to the Bosphorus. Kosebasi is famous for its char grilled meat dishes. The small meat chops called Cop Sis are always a favorite, so are the Adana Kofte, Suzme Yogurt, Findik Lahmacun, Patlicanli Pide and Gavurdagi. Don’t forget to eat Dondurmali Irmik for dessert. Web: www.kosebasi.com
Hunkar
If you are in Nisantasi and looking to get delicious Turkish home cooked meal, Hunkar is the place to go. It welcomes mostly businessman during lunchtime, and offers an extensive selection of food at the open buffet. Hunkar Begendi, a dish prepared with broiled beef chunks served over rice and mashed eggplant is a favorite. Don’t try anything but the warm Irmik Helvasi (one of the best in Istanbul) with vanilla ice cream and Turkish Coffee for dessert. Address: Mim Kemal Öke Sokak No :21 (Keep in mind that the original location is currently under construction, but a temporary location is open just a few doors up)
Bebek Balikci
The most well-known seafood restaurant located in Bebek. Summers are great on the porch which sits right on the top of the Bosphorus with an amazing view of the Asian side. The recommendations for Kiyi also apply to Bebek Balikci. Web: www.bebekbalikci.net
Lucca Bar
Located right across from Bebek Balikci in Bebek, this bar/restaurant is famous for its early evening and nighttime happy hours (Thursdays to Sundays). Web: www.luccastyle.com
Masa
Located right in the middle of the most popular section of Istinye Park shopping mall/residences, Masa (means table in English) is more of a see-and-be-seen spot. It is owned by the same people running the Borsa Restaurants. Especially during lunch, this place gets packed with well-dressed socialites (mostly middle-aged women) with expensive cars on display around its parking lot. Despite the overwhelming scenery, the pizza with bresaola and aragula is a favorite.
Dolce
This hidden small gem in Kurucesme is run by one of the best caterers in Turkey. She also keeps a small cafe for guests to enjoy the best brownies and chocolate souffle in the city. It is best when you enjoy them in the afternoon with Turkish Coffee. Looking directly at the Bosphorus from a high floor-to-ceiling window, Cafe Di Dolce makes visitors feel like they are back in their cozy living room. Every detail here is the work of an extremely talented and perfectionist owner. Besides the desserts at the cafe, birthday/occasional cakes are taken by order only and are strongly recommended. Everything from the flavor to the cookies placed on the top can be personalized. The ingredients are seasonal. If you are in during the peach ripening, choose nothing else but white chocolate and fresh slices of peach inside. Web: www.alladolce.com
Passion
A romantic cafe/restaurant located in Yenikoy. The working fireplace inside keeps the place cozy during winter and the terrace outside is great for summer. Dinner especially recommended for couples. The cheesecakes are one of the best in the city. Address: Koybaşı Cad. No: 78 Yenikoy Istanbul
Mangerie
If you are looking for a hip place that serves something other than traditional Turkish food, Mangerie will answer your prayers. Located on the top floor of an old residential building in the heart of Bebek, this all-white, cozy eatery welcomes visitors with comfortable living room furniture. Delicious deserts are always on display on the table located a few steps away from the entrance. The cherry crumble served warm with a large scoop of vanilla ice-cream is a must. Weather-permitting, the balcony furnished with comfortable couches and large coffee tables is the best place to meet up with friends. Freshly squeezed juices from apple to orange along with menemen (scrambled eggs prepared with onions, peppers, cheese and tomatoes), the steak sandwich are definitely recommended. Bear in mind that you will be challenged with a little work out through the multiple staircases (there is no elevator) leading to Mangerie. Address: Cevdetpaşa Caddesi 69, Bebek, Istanbul
Gina Ristorante
Located in yet another famous and hip shopping mall/residences called Kanyon, Gina replaced its ancestor Gilt as the new Harvey Nichols restaurant. Similar to the crowd at Masa, Gina’s visitors are there to see and be seen as much as to enjoy good food. The lunch gets crowded fashionably late around 2pm and the dinner crowd arrives not before 8pm. Thanks to the heaters mounted on the ceiling, outside seating is always the most popular section of the restaurant. I recommend the Carpaccio (served with a delicious mayonnaise dressing on top) as starter and then the Calzone. Web: www.ginaristorante.com
Ed and Mary should be somehow related as they both serve the best lobster rolls in the city. Mary’s Fishcamp in West Village takes the visitors below the sea with its dark blue interior. Ed’s in SoHo (222 Lafayette St. between Spring and Broome) takes them inside the main cabin of a luxurious fisherman’s boat.
Choose to sit at the bar and order nothing more than a glass of draught beer and a plate of lobster roll served with delicious french fries and sliced pickles. I always pour vinegar on my roll to spice up the null taste of the lobster meat. I would have also recommended the tuna tartare if it wasn’t for the large crubmles of seasalt it is prepared with. If you can, save room for some ice cream sandwich.
Fernando Lombardi Uxua’s pool is made from 40,000 local green aventurine quartz stones.
With so many fashion people dabbling in hotels lately — witness Armani’s plans for Egypt and Milan, Bulgari’s properties in Bali and Milan, and the forthcoming Missonis in Cape Town and Kuwait — one can grow weary from all those exciting brand extensions. But then there’s Uxua Casa Hotel, a compound of nine renovated houses, two restaurants and a spa opened by Wilbert Das, the creative director of Diesel, in the Brazilian fishing village of Trancoso.
Fernando Lombardi One of two suites in the Eugênia casa (left); bougainvillea shading the entrance to casa Seu Pedrinho (right).
What’s intriguing about the place — which is heading into its first full winter season, when the helicopter set from Rio and São Paulo come and mingle with the European fashion flock — is that it’s Das’s own labor of love, inspired by a fondness for the Bahian village, where he’s spent holidays since 2004. Uxua is not being billed as any kind of extension of the Diesel lifestyle, and it’s clearly not Italy-comes-to-Brazil. It’s not even Brazil-goes-global — the houses, some dating to the 1500s, were redone by local builders using traditional construction techniques and recycled materials. Das bought the property from a group of Swiss hippies who’d been there since the ’70s and set about selectively transforming many of the oddball Nepalese details they’d installed into a Bahia-appropriate mix of simple, rustic design flourishes that show the hand of the local craftsmen.
Fernando LombardiInside the one-suite Seu Pedrinho.
Das also wanted the experience of being at Uxua to feel like Trancoso and nowhere else, and he perhaps wanted to bring something of a higher purpose to what has become a luxury playground. Das has staffed the retreat almost exclusively with villagers, providing 45 locals with steady, full-time work where such a thing has traditionally been in short supply. The property’s development consultant, Bob Shevlin, who’s spearheaded much of Uxua’s community involvement, says that the Swiss hippies had been quite comfortable hiring and firing local workers at will and were never much concerned with their greater well being. But Das wanted to do more than just put on a show of authenticity for guests; Uxua is helping Trancosians step up from a life of seasonal tourism work and handyman jobs that did little to help the region’s problems of poverty and illiteracy. To make sure every employee could read and write, Das and Shevlin established a school at the property that now offers its students a chance to learn English and to earn a state-certified high-school diploma. They’ve also established a hospitality school on site, with the effect of raising the level of professionalism at businesses all around the village.
Not that the opening of Uxua has entirely transformed Trancoso; Das has been very careful to tread lightly on an area that has managed to remain a bit outside time. Long ago, villagers stuck posts in the middle of the road into town, blocking cars and, along with them, the winds of change. As Shevlin said, “We didn’t want to totally alter their way of life. We just wanted to slightly modernize it.”
I recently set off on a tour of adjacent regions in Italy, one as famous as any, the other living in its neighbor’s shadow. Tuscany captures the imagination of many, and with good reason. The riches of Siena, Florence, the hill towns and famous vineyards spanning Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Chianti have had a tremendous impact on history.
Moving just a few kilometers to the east one finds oneself in the province of Umbria. Long passed over as a tourist destination, and with a much smaller wine industry, Umbria is only now appearing on the radar of the average tourist. With far lighter crowds and an appealingly intense character to the people, cuisine and wines, now is the time to begin to include Umbria in your travels plans.
I was only in Italy for just over a week but I documented my every move, so that I can share with you some tips on great places to visit. I’ll not only be featuring wineries, but also hotels, restaurants, and sights to see. So let’s kick off this nine part series and see where it takes us!
They’re crisp, creamy, custardy and perfumed with vanilla and cinnamon – the Pastel de Nata are the signature pastry of Lisbon. If you have a sweet tooth, like me you’ll find yourself looking for opportunities to taste them – at your hotel breakfast, with your mid-morning coffee and perhaps a few to take home.
Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon, Portugal
There are plenty of Pastelarias or cake shops around Lisbon, but there’s one place that’s on every tourist map for tasting these delicious little mouthfuls and that’s the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém where the cakes are simply known as the Pastéis de Belém. In 15 minutes from downtown Lisbon on the no 15 tram you’ll reach the Monastery of Jerónimos, another Lisbon landmark and one tram stop before is the bakery. You’ll know it from the crowds milling around around the doorway, queuing to buy some of the famous Pasteis de Belém.
In the Pasteis de Belem shop in Lisbon
If the sun had been shining, I’d have bought my pasteis and eaten them in the nearby park, overlooking the River Tagus, but as it was pouring with rain, we spotted a sign saying that seating was available and decided to venture in. Initially I couldn’t believe that there would be anywhere to sit, but as one room opened into the next we walked on through until we reached a large room where there were some free tables. They do sell snacks and sandwiches here, but I would imagine that barely anyone leaves without having ordered their Pastéis de Belém.
In the Pasteis de Belem coffee shop in Lisbon, Portugal
So the story goes that in the 18th century the monks of the nearby monastery sold the ancient recipe to the bakery and it remained a secret, only known by 3 of the chefs at the bakery. There’s even a special room where the secret’s kept. It’s a nice story, but if you’d like to give the Pasteis a try, then you I’ve found a recipe on Forks & Jets that you can try out – I’m going to give it a go at Christmas as an alternative to the mince pies.
Portuguese Christmas cakes at Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon
All the pasties are made on the premises and each day they turn out anything between 15,000 and 50,000 pastries (yes that’s FIFTY THOUSAND). What a production line! If you’d like to hear the interview where I gleaned this nugget of useful information – listen to the Hostelworld Podcast on Lisbon.
Near our table was a counter showing some of the other biscuits, cakes and preserves made at the bakery and we also bought a ringed cake topped with colourful crystalised fruits as a gift for some local friends we were going to visit. They later told us that it was the traditional Portuguese Christmas cake, which might have a little token buried in it, in the same way that we might put a sixpence in the Christmas pudding for one lucky person to find (hoping they won’t break a tooth on it first)
We enjoyed our coffee and Pastéis, which are said to be the best in Lisbon, although I have to say that the ones we were served in our Hotel Av Liberdade had the marginal edge on the creaminess, crunchiness and general deliciousness scale (must find out where they get them). I’m still dreaming of those little morsels of yumminess – it will be hard to miss them when you’re next in Lisbon.
Antiga Confeitaria de Belém
Rua de Belém 84-82, Lisbon
Written by Andy Hayes
Florence is full of art, shopping, and amazing food. These are no secrets and nor should they be – they are part of any Italian experience, tourist yes but essential too. But once you’ve polished off that second bowl of gelato (yes, I know – it was a small bowl), do you know about these hidden Florentine secrets?
•The Vasari Corridor (or Vasarian Corridor). You will not notice this one unless you’re looking out for it. This walkway is a couple of storeys above ground and runs one kilometre from Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti, cross the Arno River across the Ponte Vecchio (yes the famous bridge with all the shops). It was closed to tourists until the 70s, but this passageway was built in 1565! The Uffuzi often have a number of different gallery displays in here, but it is notoriously difficult to get a booking – you must book well in advance. Best advice? Ask your accommodation/hotelier/B&B to book for you, as most have good connections with the local authorities.
•Mercado di Sant’Ambrogio. If the smell of leather is leaving you a bit faint, then head for this fantastic open-air food market. Ok – slightly less practical for gifts and souvenirs, but if you want to see what a real Italian market is like, this is it.
•Casa Buonarroti. Do the immense crowds and fiendish guards at Michaelangelo’s David got you down? Want to get a better feel for this artist’s work? Then head to his former home, Casa Buonarroti. From a charming little chapel to art and archaeology, just close your eyes and pictures the artist at work. You’ll be hard pressed to find something of his not noteworthy in this collection.
•Boboli Gardens. Ok, this is by no means a secret, but wander off the main paths and see where your feet take you. There’s quite the expanse of trails, with hidden away statues, carvings, and benches to rest your weary feet if you wander off too far. Trust me on this one – get lost, you’ll thank me for it on the other side.
If you have interesting travel tips or recommendations, share them with your fellow travellers.
ShhOut them at ShhOut@CityandOut.com.
Fernando Lombardi One of two suites in the Eugênia casa (left); bougainvillea shading the entrance to casa Seu Pedrinho (right).
Fernando Lombardi Inside the one-suite Seu Pedrinho.
