Rome
Stravinkij Bar @ Hotel de Russie
Stravinkij Bar @ Hotel de Russie
Stravinkij Bar @ Hotel de Russie
Hotel de Russie is an oasis in the middle of the busiest touristic area in Rome. Walking there from Piazza di Spagna through via de Babuino (where all top designers have their shops), you already get a feel for the level of chic you will get once there. And it feels so effortlessly and casual, as if you were dining alfresco in a piazza in paese.
This is probably one of the most instagrammable places ever, but thankfully nobody is posing. Couples in all gender combinations, business men in perfectly tailored suits, expat ladies who lunch showing off their pedicures, white bros trying to look like rappers and girls starting early on the Aperol Spritz - just enjoying the moment and the gorgeous surroundings.
The food is just an excuse to be there. A limited menu of classics (from pasta to club sandwiches) and probably the most expensive Coca Cola in the world (10 euros!), everything with good, simple ingredients and nicely executed (rather than the superlatives you would expect from a good Italian restaurant). But so worth it and a beautiful reminder that there is more to la dolce vita than food.
The short of it: Go! It's worth traveling to Rome for.
Moma
Stravinkij Bar @ Hotel de Russie
Stravinkij Bar @ Hotel de Russie
Coming soon
flanders (North belgium)
Ghent
Antwerp
Antwerp
Sushi: Yokoso
Tartelettes: https://www.tartelette.be/
Vegan/bio: Le Botaniste
Brunch: Gust
Overrated but beautiful venue in the outskirts, to hang out by a bucolic canal: Auberge du Pecheur
Recommended activities: Legends of Ghent walking tour (legendstours.be)
Antwerp
Antwerp
Antwerp
Ko'uzi. Maybe overhyped to to Michelin guide mention. Traditional sushi is well executed, high quality fish, underwhelming rice. The creative selection may indeed be creative but fails to impress or even to be memorable
Hidden gems: anyone? please?
Brugge
Antwerp
Brugge
Lots of promising restaurants here - but a reservation (which we did not do) is a must. Wishlist for next time:
Outdoors dining at In the Mood (restaurant of a VMR Boutique Hotel collection) was a very pleasant surprise. The venue is fantastic - even the way there is breathtaking , plenty of delicious options of food and sharing platters.