places that will make you fall in love with Morocco
Morocco
Let us start with emphasizing the word “beyond” – and here is why: Marrakech is a true wonder with its busy, still authentic Medina and its charming riads, so it is not surprising that it’s people’s first association when talking about Morocco. It would be a mistake though to neglect the countryside, since Morocco offers way more than its well-known cultural capital. Let us show you around, starting from Marrakech until down the coastline!
YAPA milan
Yapa is a culinary adventure that transports you to another world. A nomadic journey of experiences, memories, and flavours, distilled on your plate. An intimate, understated antidote to the traditional Milan scene. What brings each dish together are the exceptional ingredients from small farms and specialist producers who share a commitment to sustainability and seasonality.
Holiday Treats
United States
Over the past two years, the pandemic caused by COVID19 has had a major impact on almost every aspect of our lives, but the Local’s Lore Team demonstrated their skills and commitment during this period, as we have continued to work hard without interruption and have even strengthened our Team by the time to close the year 2021. Society has demonstrated its expectations of companies in terms of their role and usefulness. The Local’s Lore Team was one of the first virtual map developer and small business supporter companies to define it's mission.
Nōema
Greece
Nōema is an expression of the Cycladic way of living. A culture of natural warmth and simple pleasures, of deep-rooted traditions as elemental as the wind and sun, the rocks and sea. A place where life moves with the rhythm of nature and being together is what really matters. A space for spontaneous gatherings and ritual festivities, Nōema embodies the open-hearted soul of Mykonos, where every occasion is an opportunity for a feast. In the Cycladic home, life centres around the courtyard, or avli. A secret garden protected from the elements, where family and friends come together to eat and drink, share stories and songs.
Discover Basel during Art Basel 2021
Switzerland
Basel is commonly considered to be the cultural capital of Switzerland; it is home to 37 museums, an impressive number for a city of its size. Just a couple of days in prior to Art Basel the anticipation is rising: artworks are arriving in droves, gallerists are packing their suitcases, and the booth walls are up in Herzog & de Meuron's impressive building. Art Basel’s 2021 Swiss edition promises to be a memorable reunion for the art industry. Basel has it all not only for the art-savvy; it's urban and green at the same time, vibrant and family-friendly, innovative and traditional. Strolling through the picturesque old town, admiring world-renowned works of art, shopping in the pedestrian area, the city has its own blend of high-quality life. Besides visiting Art Basel, don't forget to look up from time to time, the city if filled with star architects' buildings. Welcome to Basel, let our ambassador, Sydney show you around!
Experience Tokyo with Mai Shiratori
Japan
All eyes on Tokyo. Around 5000 to 6000 athletes from more than 200 nations were to join the parade in Tokyo today as the official kick off of the Olympic Games. Tokyo is everything you can ask of a city to be; it’s a place where you can experience past and future coexisting next to each other. You will find centuries-old forms of performing arts still play on stages, yet just a few corners away public artworks picturing anime robots. Its traditional culture and passion for new is nothing but unique in its own right. On the occasion of the upcoming games we’ve asked Mai Shiratori writer and trend researcher to take us around in Tokyo after the pandemic. The guide includes tranquil cafés and tea houses, hidden restaurants and stores filled with artisanal craft goods. Discover Tokyo with Mai!
The Local's Lore Berlin Guide (to eat out)
Germany
Ever since ITB and Berlin Travel Festival got cancelled in March 2019 due to the pandemic, we wished to get those flight tickets again stating; Destination: Berlin Brandenburg Airport - which by the way just opened recently. Berlin is the city that always have something new to offer, a city where communities are strong and you'll most likely make friends just by sitting next to someone at a long communal table of a newly found hip brunch spot. It's the city where everybody's got a friend to visit, a city that is forever young due to its openness to different cultures, diversity and people from all over the globe, hence a hotspot for small (international) businesses. The restaurant and coffee scene is again, or rather is still blooming and the cultural opportunities are close to endless. It's a city to eat out, to cycle, to lay in a park with a good book, to discover exhibitions in hidden streets while just passing by. We've discovered and rediscovered what Berlin has to offer yet again and visited some old and new favourites to eat out such as SOFI, the newest project of Danish chef and restaurant owner. Also guilty as charged but dined in Mugrabi twice thanks to its fantastic Israeli delicacies. Since our return to the Local's Lore HQ, we've found another at least five places for next time, but your recommendations are always welcome - we love making bucket lists and above all; MAPS.
Fashion meets Gastronomy: Jacquemus, Louis Vuitton, Prada
France
Ever since the retail experience has shifted from merely shopping to a more holistic treat; a seance if you like, more and more fashion brands added restaurants of cafés to their portfolios. The luxury hospitality phenomenon is having its boom, so as the era of experience economy. Just think of Maison Kitsuné's pioneer cafés in Paris or New York, Prada’s Bar Luce in Milan or one of our favourite small scale project; Nanushka’s café in their Budapest flagship-store. Luckily many have followed, such as Jacquemus’ very own café Citron and Oursin, and according to the most recent fashion news; Louis Vuitton is set to open Le Café V in Osaka.
Where to eat in Florence - La Ménagère
Italy
The very first place for household items in Florence, born in 1986, is now one of the most coveted restaurant-slash-concept-store of its kind in Florence. The result is a contemporary gem where you can find high class kitchenware, fresh flowers, home accessories and most of all divine dishes. An unconventional place where food is at the first place together with love and strength for dreamers that made this concept real. The industrial atmosphere comes back to life and creates a 1500mq of pure pleasure to all of our senses. La Menagere strives to be a romantic place which surprises and welcome everyone visiting Florence. La Menagere is a place that invites you to stay, and feel home. Wondering about the menu? "Our most used ingredients are ricotta cheese, mushroom and asparagus. The most popular dishes are cannelloni and veal escalope. Our traditional cuisine is also inspired Asian and South American flavours, so it s a fusion." Read on and prepare to get hungry!
Fine Dining in Vienna: Tian Restaurant
Austria
TIAN has truly lifted fine dining to a whole new level thanks to its visionary chef Paul Ivić, and founder Christian Halper. Respecting natural cycles, TIAN pays attention to preferably organic products, created in a fair way. The seasonal ingredients are predominantly supplied by regional partners, that understand and adhere to their high standards of quality concerning fresh food. The name TIAN is not a coincidence by the way. It is the Chinese word for “heaven”, as well as a French vegetarian stew. With TIAN they have both fulfilled a longstanding dream: vegetarian food prepared in a way that will have your taste buds tingling while indulging all your senses. The experience was one of our fullest and most special so far: incredible flavours, exceptional staff, phenomenal juice pairing. Otherwise it's hard to describe the feeling, you must try it. Let food enriches our lives! Read on to get inspired, and then go and visit TIAN.
Pachamama East
United Kingdom
We had the pleasure to dine in one of London's freshest gastro gems in the hip neighbourhood of Shoreditch. Keen to know our first impression? Love at first sight sums it up just right; attentive staff, delicious-looking dishes served in pretty ceramics, a great dash of plants and flowers backdropped with concrete walls. Opened in November 2018, Pachamama East is focused on fresh seasonal produce, applying the bold flavours, aromas, textures and spices that make Asian food so utterly tasty. The restaurant offers a unique experience to its sister sites, which have developed a strong following for their vibrant food and ambience, as it is the first to explore the delicious spectrum of Asian flavours that are inherent in Peruvian cuisine. For those that are interested the behind-the-scenes secrets we've got great news; Pachamama East operates with an open kitchen. If you were wondering about the name though, Pachamama is an Andean goddess, revered by the Inca people of Peru. She presides over harvesting and is considered to be Mother Earth and Mother Nature. Connecting the people to the land, she is worshipped as a benevolent deity and it is believed if you treat the land well - the land will provide for you.
À la Maison Grand
Hungary
Welcome our new addition to our favorite brunch spots! À la Maison Grand was founded in 2015 and has just recently moved to the very heart of Budapest; to the ground floor of a stunning Art Nouveau building (you may look up to its stunning mosaic embellished top and oversized windows) at Szervita tér, built in 1906. The bright, spacious café-slash-restaurant is filled with natural light and custom-designed furniture. We haven’t quite seen such a diverse brunch menu anywhere else, so you might take your time to indulge yourself in the detailed and vast choices. It’s recommended to reserve your table in advance as the the place has quickly become popular amongst local and modern-day-travelers alike. Andrea, one of the founders envisioned a clear, sophisticated atmosphere when designing the interior of À la Maison Grand. Her aim was to create a place that stands out, and becomes an iconic spot in the heart of Budapest; to show a piece of her personal taste to the guests. White and grey dominates accompanied with brass the details. Thanks to the high-ceilings and mirrors the room feels both spacious and bright. The interior features plush chairs and comfortable, grey sofas. The pottery was chosen just as consciously; the Seltman Weiden porcelains belong to one of Germany’s oldest and most famous porcelain manufactory. They’re sorting porcelain since 1910 to the world’s best hotels and restaurants.
Top 5 Festive Restaurants
Sweden
With the festive season upon us, we have carefully selected some of the hottest restaurants around the world for you to seize every minute of togetherness in style. Each of our chosen restaurant is super special in its own right, yet this is exactly the quality what they have in common too; breath-taking venues for those looking to get into the Christmas spirit paired with the finest selection of dishes. Whether you’re looking for a place for your corporate Christmas Evening or just fancy some festive dining with friends and family, we’ve got you rather great options. Since it's festive season, we are holding a month of celebrations and we want you to join together with your beloved ones and celebrate the season of slowing down, great feasts and most of all; togetherness in no place better than around the festive table packed with the most delicate courses. As you may have noticed already, we're never not in the awe of a fine dish surrounded by just as exquisite interior. Join our journey for an unforgettable festive experience. Happy Holidays!
Four Seasons: Tea Afternoon
Hungary
Do you fancy having an unforgettable festive experience that is both intimate, calming and luxurious? We certainly did, so on this occasion we switched from a brunch or lunch for something more sophisticated in the lavish surroundings of the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace in Budapest; a Tea Afternoon. It’s finally that time of the year again to have an excuse to celebrate the festive season in style. The perfect place to seize the season, Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest presents festive experiences such as Afternoon Tea. Advent Herend Afternoon Tea has been a stalwart of the Afternoon-tea scene for some years, as one of the hotel’s special offerings. At Four Seasons, they pay attention to every single detail; from the fresh pinewood scent, through prime service to the type of tea and the shape of cake is being served. To give the experience a dash of a local touch, the tea is served in the famous Herend Porcelain Manufactory’s hand-painted fine porcelain sets. While Four Season’s Herend Porcelain sets were made originally for the King and Queen of England as presents, Ronnefeldt Tea is known as one of the oldest tea companies in the world. The tea leaves are harvested by hand at the best times of the year and are processed with care and respect. Perfection – each cup of Ronnefeldt tea has a characteristic colour and flavour that make it a unique sensory experience.
Eleven Madison Park
Looking for an exceptional dining experience in a lush surrounding during Labor Day Weekend in New York? We might have found one! How about an upscale American tasting menu from chef Daniel Humm served in a high-ceilinged Art Deco space? If it’s a special occasion, why not seize it? It’ll be a total indulgence of flavors, service and atmosphere, indeed. No surprise that the ever-so-famed Eleven Madison Park ranked third among The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2016, and topped the list in 2017.
Top 5 Brunch Spots In Münich by Olga Löffler
Germany
Vacay in Munich? Oh yes please! Let us show your way through the city's best brunch spots with our lovely ambassador, Olga's guidance! We've just got back from Munich – the capital of Bavaria, which is known for more than just the world’s largest beer festival and BMWs. Apart from these, the city is also rich in beautiful architecture, meaty sausages (traditionally eaten for breakfast), good football, museums, vintage trams, parties, exhibitions, and parks – one of which is larger than even New York’s Central Park. And of course; a new wave of gastronomy scene if you would like to opt for something lighter than sausages for breakfast. Read on to find out where to get the most delicious breakfast bowls, pancakes and egg benedict. You may thank it to Olga afterwards, we just did.
Motto
Austria
MOTTO Restaurant & Bar, located on Schönbrunner Straße, in the fifth district of Vienna, was apparently one of the first gay clubs in the 70’s and has since become somewhat one of the most popular celebrity hotspots in the city. Once you make it inside through the large chrome door (on Rüdigergasse, it’s tricky), the bar will be on your left, while the sophisticated dining area on your right, both opening at 6pm. You should definitely go both directions; you may decide the order though! Once we found its lush green interior via Instagram, we could not get it out of our heads. It was clear that the place has since become the ultimate hangout place amongst the trendy crowds of Vienna, so we joined them. It was Thursday 7pm and the restaurant was fully packed, few hours later as was the bar. Apart from its impressive interior, MOTTO is also known for its kitchen, which stays open after midnight. The menu features delicious dishes like beef carpaccio, salmon tatar or mountain trout, while the cocktail choices are not any less notable. Booking your tables already?
Dining in Soho: Le Coucou
United States
The vibrant Soho district’s famed culinary gem, Le Coucou has been on our list for a long time, apparently even before our stay at 11 Howard last year. And so good it was; both the level of excitement and expectations were sky-high. Speaking of experience, the restaurant has quickly become one of the hardest tables to get in the city, but we’ve got lucky. Coincidence or destiny? You decide. In a lavish and enthusiastic manner, we’ve finally visited Le Coucou the other week, craving classic French cuisine the restaurant is renown for. The menu reflects the chef, Daniel Rose’s personal vision of classic French cuisine aimed at bringing great food and conviviality to the table. An exceptional menu, the lush list of wines and cocktails, paired with the utmost of hospitality, takes dining at Le Coucou to the next level.
Relaxed Fine Dining: Interview with Mák
Hungary
Visiting MÁK (means poppy seed in Hungarian) has been on our list for a long time. Actually we still cannot decide whether tasting their exceptional menu was more enjoyable or watching their, and especially the chef's János Mizsei's precision in the kitchen (yes, we made it behind the scenes). MÁK’s concept is to offer state-of-the-art gastronomy to foodies from all walks of life, in a relaxed unpretentious atmosphere. It counts as a real pioneer in Hungary's fine dinding scene. The chef of MÁK, János Mizsei, at a remarkable chef who has won several awards and has been praised by international publications such as The New York Times, the Michelin Guide, Time Out and Lonely Planet. He loves playing with different textures, acids and unusual combinations of ingredients. While respecting the culinary traditions of Hungary and local ingredients, MÁK’s style of creation and presentation as well as simplicity can be originated from the best practices of Scandinavian cuisine. We've got to talk with János shortly about his current favourite ingredients, his impressions of Daniel Berlin Krog and fine dining in general. Don't miss MÁK when you are in Budapest!
Local's Lore Picks: Top 5 restaurants in London
United Kingdom
Spending just a couple of days in London as a traveler (even if you are a returning one) to fit in everything can be a real challenge. Just when you try to search the newest restaurants you will definitely find like twenty incredible ones opened since your last visit to the ever-changing British capital. We'd like to share our top 5 restaurants that are awaited (and hoped) to be discovered during our trip to London this weekend. The list includes the Michelin three-starred restaurant Sketch in Mayfair, which is famous for its high-quality dishes and unique pink interior. Bistrotheque is not new in London's gastronomy scene yet its loft-like dining area is on our minds for a long time. The newest, Omar's Place is an invitation to the most essential flavours and smells of the Mediterranean, tapas, selected wines and cocktails; a journey through countries bathed by such a mythical sea. This way we've just fixed a "sunny day" in London. PS have you tried any of the above mentioned gastro-treasures?