La Gree des Landes

The French region Brittany is more of a top10 destination than you might think. Not only the coastal area with it’s magnificent panoramic views, but also the inlands offer great spots for a weekend get-away. One of our favorites: La Gree des Landes, a unique eco-spa hotel like you’ve never seen before. This spa, built and developed by the Yves Rocher group, is ecological in every single way. Not only do they cook with biologically grown fruits and vegetables, they have eco wooden beds and eco paint on the wall. The spa works with Yves Rocher’s wonderful, ecological products. Perfect for a de-stressing break over the weekend. Had enough of the massages and hammam treatments? The area of La Gacilly (mr. Yves Rocher’s place of birth) is great for long walks in nature or great luncheons at the local restaurants, serving Brittany’s specialties. (Try the crepes and cider: delicieux.)

Magique

The Garden of Five Senses is a park in South Delhi, which claims to stimulate all five senses with its beauty and attractions. A visit to restaurant Magique is where taste is put to the test. The larger (and more interesting) part of this dinner-only restaurant is located outdoors. Lush greenery, candles everywhere and comfy ec0-chic seating areas: Magique is the perfect escape from the busy and noisy Delhi. Indulge your pre-dinner cocktail cravings with one of their creative mixtures, such as one of the dozen different flavored Martini’s. The food menu has a good selection of dishes with European, Asian or (modern) local flavors. After dinner, you walk through the garden to The Zoo (one of Delhi’s current hotspots) for some more drinks before heading back into the crowded city. Magique is a well-kept secret in Delhi; hardly any taxi driver knows how to get there, so be sure to get (and give) precise directions. And yes, please bring insect repellent. Mosquitoes seem to love this tropical little garden too.

Anokhi Café

When traveling in India’s Golden Triangle, Jaipur is a city you should definitely pay a visit to. Although this city is famous for its colored gems, when it comes to restaurants, a true hidden gem is hard to find. After eating only spicy Indian rice dishes you just might long for a different taste in a Western setting. Stepping into Anokhi Café is like a breath of fresh air in this sizzling hot city. With an all organic menu, easy breezy interior and friendly staff, this café is unique in the area. Most items on the menu consist of locally grown ingredients: fresh breads, cakes, snacks, “safe” salads and light seasonal dishes, everything with a tasty, international flavor. What else is so great about this place? It is part of the Anokhi shop next door, a brand known for traditional Indian clothing, linens and accessories with trendy designs. It’s probably the only place in Jaipur without the pushy sales people – perfect for an after-lunch shopping spree.

   

BONDST Lounge

A sushi restaurant isn’t hard to find nowadays. Raw fish for diner has never before been so popular. A good sushi place however… that’s another story. When in Miami and craving tuna rolls or sesame crusted shrimp BONDST Lounge is your best bet. Situated in the basement of the trendy Townhouse Hotel, this restaurant / lounge is a sleek South Beach outpost of the well-known Manhattan sushi restaurant. The place is not too big and even a little dark. This mysterious vibe around the place makes it very sexy and interesting. Famous house specialties such as Chilean sea bass skewers and spicy tuna rolls with chili mayonnaise makes you want to go back for more. Because let’s be honest: finding good sushi on SoBe is tricky business. Only a few steps away from the ocean, this is the perfect spot to end a day at the beach.

Katana

A night out in West Hollywood gets off to a good start at Katana. It’s a sushi and Japanese Robata restaurant. Uh… come again? Robata is also known as open flame charcoal grill cooking. Don’t worry about the technical details. Just order the shortribs in asian marinade or the filet mignon wrapped around foie gras and asparagus and be amazed. If you go here on a Friday night, please expect the place to be packed and that you might have to wait a while for your table. Sip from one of the delicious Katana specialty cocktails while waiting. Even though the place is huge (several sections, floors, a big terrace) the dark interior with the black floors and chairs, the wooden tables and the candlelight still makes it feel intimate and not too crowded. However, the combination of the crowd and the Hotel Costes style ‘background music’ (that isn’t really in the background) makes the place extremely loud. Be prepared to scream at your table buddies. No big deal, because did you know Brad Pitt once rented a section of the restaurant for Jennifer Aniston’s birthday party?

Raines Law Room

What good can come from a law that prohibits the sale of alcohol, you might wonder? Step into New York’s finest speakeasy and find out for yourself. The Raines Law was passed in 1896 and restricted the sale of alcoholic beverages on a Sunday, except in hotels. Saloons quickly got around these regulations by adding small furnished bedrooms: Raines Law Hotels. Even though you are definitely not allowed to sleep at this modern-day Raines Law Room in Chelsea, the extremely dimly lit lights and velvety armchairs make it hard not to wander off to dreamland. A land with classy furniture,  fancy cocktails and overly-friendly mixologists. Ring a doorbell to gain entry, but be prepared to wait elsewhere until a spot frees up (reservations can only be made from Sunday to Tuesday by e-mail). Whether you have a private booth with friends or linger around the ‘bar kitchen’ (see picture) with your date, this quiet sexy little gem never gets old.

Grand Cafe and Beach

Imagine yourself sitting on the white sand, watching the sun go down in the sea, while enjoying a fine glass of champagne. That’s what to expect at the Grand Cafe & Beach in Cape Town. You can relax and do nothing, however this place is also perfect for having dinner with a group of friends. They have a really special appetizer: a freshly baked rectangular pizza, that stretches out over the entire table for everyone to enjoy. Straight from the authentic stone oven, this pizza is delicious. For their main courses they have fantastic meats and fishes. You won’t be disappointed. The industrial-esque interior makes it feel like you’re having dinner in an old warehouse, be it one with eye-catching furniture. Can we call it modernist kitsch? The wall behind the giant bar is completely covered with the most beautiful bottles of liquor. A must-visit when in Cape Town.

Roberto’s

This relatively new restaurant (open since June 2011) has already achieved a great reputation amongst Cape Town lovers. Situated on Cape Town’s historical Long Street, Roberto’s brought exactly what this busy street (full of bars and nightclubs) needed: a simple, good restaurant that offers quality food for a good price. All of this thanks to Executive Chef Roberto de Carvalho. After being sous-chef and chef at several 4- and 5 star hotels throughout Cape Town, he decided to open up his own restaurant. A wise decision. Roberto combines Portuguese and Mediterranean with a South African touch. OK, it might not really speak to your imagination just yet, but wait for the tomato mozzarella crostini, or the Piri Piri chicken to arrive at your table and you know what we’re talking about. Oh, and save some room for dessert.

Bodega

Georgetown is a district you just cannot skip when you’re in DC. With its harbor, cute old houses and excellent shopping & dining options, you might even love it more than downtown Washington. Right in the heart of Georgetown, along M Street Northwest, you will find Bodega tapas & lounge. This restaurant attracts a lot of locals, especially during happy hour when the sangria flows like water. Over-order on delicious tapas such as their to-die-for Pan con Tomate y Jamón Serrano or Patatas Bravas and sit back to take in the atmosphere. The dramatic interior features black and red walls, copper bars, bullhorns and rugged leather seats. It feels like a mix between a traditional hacienda and a dark, trendy nightclub. Bodega offers happy hour every day (except Saturday) from 4:00pm – 7:00pm and opens up its fountain patio during the summer months.

Catch

Since its opening last fall, Catch has been a magnet for the good looking Meatpacking crowd of models, rock stars and business moguls. This three-level seafood restaurant with lounge/club area is loud, vibrant and happening! Don’t mind the looooong waits and snooty front desk girls; once you’re seated, you’ll love it! Seafood lovers will be treated to a surprising selection of sushi & sashimi, “big fish” (that serves two people),  raw bar items like oysters and “simply cooked” choices including sole, swordfish and tuna. Top Chef winner Hung Huynh runs the kitchen and with mouthwatering dishes such as crab-stuffed calamari, he affirms this title. The waiting staff at Catch is friendly and accommodating and knows how to deal with large groups. So bring lots of friends but don’t expect to “catch” up with them since the loud music and buzzing scene don’t really allow it. Overall, Catch is a great fish addition to the Meatpacking area and we recommend going there before it turns into just another has-been restaurant.