Tag Archives: Kitchen

Italy, Piemonte: Anzuno And Lunch @ Agriturismo e Osteria della Tensa

Posted on August 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

Do you enjoy walking on trails in the countryside?

Follow me in Anzuno (photo 1)! In this village near Domodossola, most of the traditional stone houses are deserted (last photo) and look like a Sergio Leone movie set (picture 2). Only missing Claudia Cardinale Clint Eastwood! I really like!

Among the few inhabitants, there remains the sympathetic guard of the old grape press (photo 4). Anzuno is pretty particular and we can feel good. As if time gave us a break, the right to do nothing, think nothing, just be, see, feel and perhaps absorb… like watching a movie…

Taking a narrow trail from Anzuno that climbs high

I led the way… no comment, please! We arrive at the Agriturismo e Osteria della Tensa (pictures below). Beautiful mountains view from the terrace of restaurant, where we stayed for ages (pictures 3 and 7).

None of us could not imagine that our lunch will be a 7-course banquet (picture 8)! Luckily yesterday, I forgot to dinner and have breakfast this morning! Everything is of course really tasty. With very good local produce, you can really rediscover flavors and tastes!

Yet I am not a gourmet nor a food lover. But I’ve always loved real fresh produce: a tasty steamed vegetable gives me a billion times more fun than all meals with sauces, as elaborate as they are!

Here, the products come from local agriculture and the garden of the inn. The Chef, a woman, reinterprets traditional dishes in a light and inventive way, as her excellent risotto with pears. And the owners are friendly. OMG, it sounds like a food critic? Imagine if I become winemaker too! That’s not me! LOL!

Informations

AGRITURISMO E OSTERIA DELLA TENSA

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Esplanade Zagreb: A Room

Posted on August 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

I arrived in the evening at the Esplanade Zagreb,

the cuisine of Le Bistro Esplanade closed soon. Check-in completed at the reception desk, I was kindly directed to the restaurant. After dinner, I wanted to do few snapshots of the hotel and I spent lots of time… of course … Still not seen my room. Along the way I discovered a kind of debutante ball, among the thousand decorative objects that arouse my curiosity. Then completely knockout (more than 24 hours without sleeping), I finally go to my room. Opening the door, I have the feeling that I know the place which is very nice. Even the Coca Zero “Frend” (mate) greets me! The room is spacious and cozy, with a comfortable seating area and long windows.

But the real good surprise: the bathroom

designed as an open space, large, clean and functional with a glam touch of Art Deco. A pleasure to use: no door or wall with the room. Without vampirizing space, such as when the tub is placed opposite the bed: I hate and it can be found in a plethora of design hotels! Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fane of design and crazy architecture.

But in some upscale hotels that were palaces in the past, I especially like their ability to anticipate the notion of comfort for each guest. In my case, I need a large number of electrical outlets in the room for my several chargers (cameras, mobile and laptop). I also need indirect lighting that is not too strong (neither too dark) and a perfect bedding. And do I have to mention free efficient wifi in all areas of the hotel? The Esplanade Zagreb has perfectly fulfilled all these criteria.

Informations

Zagreb Tourist Board, www.visitcroatia.be, Esplanade Zagreb

Follow my whole trip in the CROATIA section. ENJOY! I was hosted by the Office National Croate du Tourisme and of course all my opinions are mine.

Zagreb, Croatia: Museum of Broken Relationships

Shopping Design & Fashion in Zagreb, Croatia

DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

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

Posted on March 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

Just arrived in London St. Pancras station

and 4 tube stops later, I’m on Piccadilly Circus, 2 minutes walk from the Sofitel Saint James located away from the crowd, in a little place that I didn’t know. The hotel is housed in an heritage building: a former imposing bank with incredibly high ceilings!

After a warm welcome at reception desk by a French-English bilingual staff, I discover my room: simple, elegant and spacious, in a range of black, white and brown. The decor is stylish with black and white photographies on the wall. Lovely bathroom with the old faucet and tiled black and white checkered.

What a pity amenities are limited to one soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner … all Hermès okay! But for short stays, to lighten my bag I bring the bare minimum like a mini make-up and cleanser, because I usually find everything else in the room. Damned, this time I didn’t take my toothbrush, toothpaste nor body cream (LOL!): thankfully Boots is in Piccadilly Circus!

Otherwise leaving my room with its so cozy vibe and “you’re in London Baby!” exotic view (picture 3) and comfortable king size bed, is a huge challenge my dear (lol)! Photo 4: a regressive wallpaper in the entrance to the room (picture 4).

And for lasting this cozy atmosphere, a breakfast full of vitamins at the beautiful Balcon, the relaxed chic brasserie of the hotel (pictures 6 & 7). Too hard to leave it to go to my meetings! Picture 5: amazing chandelier ceiling of a hotel suite.