Tag Archives: Fooding

Esplanade Zagreb: The Oleander Terrace and Le Bistro Esplanade

Posted on August 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

Great surprise on my way to breakfast

at the Esplanade Zagreb: the huge terrace of the chic Oleander Terrace. Discrete mixture of tourists and businessmen. Some shrubs, umbrellas and a lot of space. I dreamed it for a long time! Nothing’s better for the mood: the sun, some fresh or dried fruits and especially a blue blue sky, yes! 8 a.m. and already this incredible brightness: meaning galvanized me!

After an endless bad winter and the worst spring, I have an overwhelming need to see the sun, be in the sun (in the shade, LOL!) and “Get Lucky” (Daft punk!) The night before, I didn’t pay attention to the exterior architecture of the hotel and its surroundings. Impressive facade (pictures 4 & 5), the charm of the roaring twenties, revised and corrected (the hotel was renovated in 2004).

Le Bistro Esplanade

Art deco decoration in The Bistro Esplanade, where I dined late last night (pictures 6,7,8, 9 & 10). The service is attentive and the food, light and really tasty, blending French and Croatian flavors. I also appreciated the fact that I could isolate myself quietly. After more than 24 hours without sleep, I was happy not to have to cross the town for dinner (my Tokyo syndrome!).

Soon, I have an appointment with Dora, my insder guide for a tour of a few hours in the old town. This is a great option if you have very little time and a natural predisposition to get lost! Really! And I’m not the type to be satisfied with the classic tourist circuit. I’m more interested in taking the pulse of the city (suspens!). Needless to say I enjoy every minute on the terrace, where I could spend hours and hours to plan my day (LOL!). Lazy girl!

Informations

www.visitcroatia.be, Zagreb Tourist Board, www.zagrebtalks.com

Discover my whole trip in the CROATIA page and follow me in TWITTER. ENJOY! I was hosted by the Office National Croate du Tourisme and of course all my opinions are mine.

Departure to Croatia: Pozdrav Zagreb, Hi Zagreb!

Sofitel Saint James: A Room With A Breakfast @ The Balcon

DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS

Esplanade Zagreb: Oleander Terrace et Le Bistro Esplanade

Posted on August 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

Excellente surprise en allant prendre le petit déjeuner

après ma première nuit à l’Esplanade Zagreb : l’immense terrasse ombragée, chic et relaxe de l’Oleander Terrace. Mélange discret de touristes et d’hommes d’affaires. Quelques arbustes, des parasols et de l’espace. J’en rêvais depuis longtemps! Quoi de mieux pour le moral : du soleil, fruits frais ou secs et surtout un ciel bleu, oui bleu azur! 8 h à peine et déjà cette incroyable luminosité : me sens galvanisée!

Après un hiver pourri qui n’en finissait plus et un printemps encore plus désastreux, j’ai un immense besoin de voir le soleil, d’être au soleil (à l’ombre, LOL!) et de “Get Lucky” (Daft Punk)! La veille au soir, je n’ai pas prêté attention à l’architecture extérieure de l’hôtel, ni de ses environs. Impressionnante façade (photos 4 & 5), le charme des années folles, revu et à peine corrigé (l’hôtel a été rénové en 2004).

Le Bistro Esplanade

Décoration art déco au Bistrot Esplanade, où j’ai dîné tard hier soir (photos ci-dessous : 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10). Le service est soigné et la cuisine, légère et goûteuse, mêlant saveurs françaises et croates. J’ai aussi apprrécié le fait qu’on pouvait s’isoler tranquillement. Après plus de 24h sans dormir, j’étais heureuse de ne pas avoir à traverser toute la ville pour dîner (mon syndrome Tokyo!).

Bientôt, j’ai rendez-vous avec Dora, mon insider guide pour faire un tour de quelques heures dans la vieille ville. C’est une excellente option, si vous avez très très peu de temps et une prédisposition naturelle à vous perdre! Vraiment! Et je ne suis pas du genre à me satisfaire du classique circuit touristique. Suis plus intéressée de prendre le pouls de la ville (suspens!). Inutile de préciser que je profite de chaque minute sur cette terrasse, où je pourrais rester des heures et des heure à programmer ma journée (LOL!).

Informations

www.visitcroatia.be, Zagreb Tourist Board, www.zagrebtalks.com

Découvrez mon voyage dans la rubrique CROATIE (tous mes posts) et suivez-moi sur TWITTER. ENJOY! J’ai été invitée par l’Office National Croate du Tourisme et bien sûr toutes mes opinions sont les miennes.

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Départ pour la Croatie: pozdrav Zagreb, bonjour Zagreb!

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DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS

London Shopping, Art and Bar

Posted on April 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

Here is my ultimate London shopping, art and bar review: check my spring summer issue! For new comers: my city walks are one of the hallmarks of my blog (you can find all the city walks, full of exclusive address and tips in DESTINATIONS). I walk for hours and hours to capture, watch and take the pulse of the city. This time, I start to Piccadilly Circus, where was my hotel. Not really my usual London, I’m definitely more Portobello and East End than Soho or Covent Garden. Pictures 2 & 7: incredible, after so many trips to London, I’d never been to the National Gallery! I’m a big fan of the Tate Modern and the Victoria & Albert Museum (coming up post and if you like contemporary art, check my interview with Gilbert & George). In the picture 2, this piece of art (in gold or it looks like gold) of Elmgreen & Dragset is placed in front of the National Gallery. Honestly I don’t like it and I don’t dislike it, let’s say it intrigues me a bit. Picture 3: don’t miss the Radio Rooftop Bar, located on the top floor of the ME London (a newly opened hotel). For a drink or dinner with a panoramic view of the city … hoping you have a better weather than me (LOL!). Picture 4: totally by chance, on the side of Mayfair, I found in the lobby of a company’s building, my favorite work of the Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos! I had the great opportunity to visit her workshop few years ago and see one of her famous giant sandals under construction! Small world! Picture 6: the most iconic London department store, Liberty! Beautiful wooden interiors, in addition to excellent fashion selection and home selection, the place has lots of character. A must do, I had the chance to photograph a famous London based blogger there. Pictures 8, 9, 4 & 1: Anglomania! In Soho, a poster of the theater that displays a show about the Queen. Picture 9: I’ve always been impressed with all the mix of colors, patterns and materials of the English. Unique! Beautiful or not beautiful, that is not the question! Picture 1: beautiful Burberry‘s window in Regent Street. Where you must stop by the huge store of Anthropologie, if you want to shop for your home. Very nice design both contemporary seriously boho, a little regressive (LOL) and very colorful (plates, bowls, candles, furnitures …). In the store, I also like the great wall covered with plants. Picture 10: This small pedestrian street is full of shops and leads to a nice place a little apart, with some (crowd out) terraces, St Christopher Place. Enjoy!