The Standard High Line Hotel – Hotel, Roof Top Bar and Lounge – way above the standard…

Posted on September 15, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

New York – One of my favourite location during my last visit in New York was definitively the Standard High Line Hotel besides the High Line Park.

The complex is located in the Gansevoort/Meat packing area where there are other countless great places to shop or eat/drink.

On the ground floor of the Standard is a lounge “The Standard Plaza” where you can relax outside in summer and drink or eat all day/evening long. The Biergarten also belongs to the hotel…I do not have to explain what the Biergarten is?

But my favourite spot is on the very top of the building: The BAR. “The Top of the Standard”. You have stunning views over the city and the water. But you should also look inside: The architecture, decoration…and most stunning staff with the most amazing shiny silk mini dresses I have seen as a “staff uniform”….So it does not really matter if you go during afternoon, enjoy the sunset or the night scenery, your eyes will be delighted anyway.

The also do brunch on Sunday, book in advance, cocktail attire is required.

www.standardhotels.com/high-line

Lounge

Champagne Cocktail and kale chips

From the outside

The Fat Radish – Breakfast, brunch and more

Posted on September 13, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

New York – What to do on a Sunday at noon after walking up and down the galleries (Whitney with cool bar and lounge, restaurant) and you haven’t had a real breakfast yet?

You should have brunch at The Fat Radish and indulge yourself with some food from the farm to table -concept. We wolfed down our delicious brunch and ended it with some fresh oysters accompanied by bubbling cava and fresh squeezed juice. It is a really nice atmosphere with a lot of air and light shining through the glass windows on the ceiling. But don’t forget to book in advance.

www.thefatradishnyc.com

Pinxto Bar Plaza Euskadi – from breakfast till late afternoon

Posted on July 26, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Bilbao – If you are looking for a really delicious coffee and croissant in the morning you should go to the bar at Plaza Euskadi in Bilbao (just 5 mins from Guggenheim museum). They also serve a wide range of mouth watering cold and hot pinxtos, freshly squeezed orange juice, and wine and beer in the afternoon.

You better don’t go around 10ish, when the Iberdrola office staff queues for their morning break.

no internet page, Plaza Euskadi, Bilbao (next to Iberdrola building)

Milchbar – Lunch, dinner and hotel

Posted on June 21, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Zurich – Last week there was probably just one sunny day. This was perfect to have lunch on the terrace of MIlchbar: a small restaurant in a cozy patio with a waterspout fountain near Paradeplatz.

I had graved salmon with cucumber soup – very refreshing and light. My colleague chose the pasta which I heard was great too.

The Milchbar even has one room to stay. So if you are a visitor in Zurich and look for a special room, in the heart of Zurich….looks ideal.

www.milchbar.ch

Nopi Downstairs – Otto Lenghi

Posted on June 14, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

London – Otto Lengi has various restaurants in London but they are definitively not a chain!

Nopi – the Soho-based restaurant has two different areas. The more formal one is on the ground floor and the other informal dining area downstairs. We chose the informal version, seated at two long marble tables where you can overlook the happening in the kitchen. Luckily, we had the two seats the closest you can get to the stoves!

The food concept is small portions to share what I always appreciate as I can taste more. But please do not forget to order one of the cocktails first…I had champagne mixed elderly flower syrup and Saffron…very yummy! The food was great and I would go again next week if I lived in London.

www.ottolenghi.co.uk

Pearl Dive – Oyster Palace

Posted on April 13, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Washington D.C. – Previously we booked a table at Le Diplomate where we have been already one year ago. Unfortunately Open Table mixed up something with the dates and it was closed. So we just crossed the street and found this wonderful place. The decor is all about seaside living and has a touch of shabby chic. The restaurant belongs to the www.blackrestaurantgroup.com. We have been to “Black Salt” from the same group last year, which was also very good.

I never had such a fresh and fluffy doughnut topped with a glazing that was melting on our tongue within seconds.

I had poached eggs with salmon on muffin bread, topped with a gorgeous looking and spicy tasting sauce. I long to go again just know that I`m writing about it.

Pearl Dive

www.pearldivedc.com

The Inn at Little Washington – A must while near D.C.

Posted on April 12, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Little Washington VA (1 hour from D.C.) – What an experience!

This place is magnificant. A very special atmosphere on the countryside of Viginia. It is near the Shenandoah national park. You should do a hike and explore a little on the various paths, before enjoying the afternoon tea and dinner at the Inn.

We did not know anything about the place or the chef Patrick O`Connel before. Friends of us recommended it. We soon learnt that this place is special and Patrick plays the main role. Besides all the nice staff that can actually read your thoughts and make every wish come true, the house is stunning. Every little detail is placed for a reason and matches perfectly.

Behind the house and the shop you can go on a short walk and see the sheep, honeybees, chicken, llamas (Francesca and Jonah) and the vegetable garden where they grow a lot of the ingredients for the cooking creations.

We chose the dinner with wine pairing and it was absolutely delicious. Every course an indulgence for the taste buds…..

Don`t be late for breakfast, you will not regret it!

www.theinnatlittlewashington.com

Union Market – the best food hall in D.C.

Posted on April 12, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Washington D.C. – Take a taxi and reach the market zone of DC. In the middle of the Asian fruit trucks and their loading zones, you will find this big rectangular building. It contains a variety of food stalls where you can stroll along and taste different foods and drinks. There were also some that offer a seated area to enjoy a proper meal.