WHEN IN ROME

The first thing that comes to mind when I look at this gorgeous room is that it's the private residence of someone with exquisite taste. Much to my surprise, this loft-like space is a fabulous Osteria and Pizzeria not far from Rome's city center. Noses Architects designed Kook with an eclectic flair that celebrates the old-world Italian aesthetic but with enough contemporary touches to create a special place where you can enjoy delicious Roman fare.

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HONORING THE PAST

Do you have plans of going to Paris any time soon? If you happen to be so lucky, you absolutely have to stop by the recently renovated Café Artcurial by architect and art lover Charles Zana. The revamped look is a hybrid between bold sophistication and that old Parisian flair we've all fallen for. Zana's use of materials is exquisite, creating a modern space that honors the past. If you're totally loving Zana's new vision for this iconic restaurant, you can easily achieve the same vibe for your home with some of the pieces I'm suggesting below.

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A HOST LIKE NO OTHER

Warm and inviting with the unmistakable sense of Scandinavian coziness is what makes Copenhagen’s new Nordic restaurant Höst a delicious setting to dine. Norm Architects has created an organic environment in an urban setting by using “materials that age gracefully: recycled wood that has washed up on the west coast, granite in uneven pieces, concrete with clear structures and deviations, old cast iron and dented zinc. All of this is offset by a warm trickling light, soft wool rugs and lambskin”. Norm has even designed an exclusive dinnerware collection for Höst to compliment the raw and minimalist beauty of the space. I'm in love. This place is to dine for.

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COFFEE WITH STYLE

I'm happy to see coffee houses breaking away from the Starbucks model. Don't get me wrong. I love Starbucks and all, but after seeing one in every corner of Manhattan, it's refreshing to find cool and modern versions sprouting around the globe. Newly-opened Café Craft reinterprets the Parisian neighborhood coffee shop experience. Its striking interiors, dominated by the contrast of black and white, were designed by Parisian Studio Pool offering locals a beautiful space where to relax and work while enjoying a delicious cappuccino or a snack. This one is definitely going on my must-visit list for my next trip to Paris.

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A STYLISH NEW ENTRÉE

I remember planning my trip to Copenhagen over the Summer and reading about how wonderful the eating experience at the award-winning Noma was supposed to be. For the last three years the eatery has been named “World’s Best Restaurant” and a reservation waiting list is pretty much the norm in this place—one of the reasons why I didn't have the chance to dine there. Coincidentally, the restaurant's interiors have been recently revamped by Danish studio Space Copenhagen, which changed the decor color palette from its original earth tones to black and gray tones, and replaced the furniture. “It was very much about using organic materials such as wood, stone, leather, brass and linen in a new way; materials that age beautifully over time,”  described the designers Peter Bundgaard Rützou and Signe Bindslev Henriksen. Hmm, I guess this is yet another good reason to plan ahead and make a reservation at this coveted gourmet gem—of course, for those living in the Danish capital. Happy weekend!

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RAW SOPHISTICATION

Pulling off a run-down industrial look it's not an easy task, but interior designer George Livissianis successfully achieved the style in The Apollo, a handsome eatery in Sydney, Australia. Trying to imitate a Greed landscape, he went for simple, natural finishes and a rather dusty color palette. This place is all about textures and materials, giving the restaurant a raw sophistication, setting the perfect mood for a special dining experience.

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A New Operatic Star

Paris always has something new and fabulous to offer. When I read about the recent opening of L'Opera Restaurant in the Palais Garnier, I knew right away this was a mandatory stop in my four-day visit to the City of Lights. The project took 136 years in the making, since it was originally part of the "final draft" but never came to completion. Finally, Charles Garnier's dream came a reality when this magnificent space opened its doors this year with an ultra modern design orchestrated by architect Odile Decq. After seeing a phenomenal production of La Source by the Paris Opera Ballet, having dinner here was the perfect compliment to a wonderful evening. Inside, the space is divided into three different areas: the hall, the Martini lounge bar and the mezzanine –all surrounded by a floor-to-ceiling undulating veil of glass. Frankly, it was an absolute treat to dine in a space full of history and with such remarkable contrast between the old and the new. This restaurant is a wonderful addition to what already is an unbelievably breathtaking building.

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Tastefully Casual

After eighteen days, four cities, four different languages and three currencies, I'm back from my European adventure. Actually, I've been back for a few days, but it has taken me some time to get back into the groove of things. But now, I'm ready to share with you a few treats I discovered. One of the things I enjoy most about traveling is experiencing a city like a native and finding hot and trendy spots frequented by locals. Baldaszti's Grand is one of them: a beautifully styled eatery in Andrássy Avenue, one of Budapest's main tree-lined boulevards where you can find big-name designer shops, the Opera House and several of the city's museums. This lively, cosmopolitan bar and international bistro kitchen is a wonderful place to enjoy an assortment of the world’s leading gourmet products and a wide range of Hungarian specialities with amazingly friendly service. The decor is rather casual with a sophisticated flair. I particularly loved the inventiveness and simplicity of the pendant lights intertwined through branches, and the cozy lounging area on the second floor. It was the perfect spot to spend a quiet Sunday afternoon after hours of walking.

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