NYC: Maison Premiere

NYC - Williamsburg: This is the most inspiring place to have great fresh oysters!

12 different kinds of oysters of all over US, very friendly service and a unique 

charming place to stay the whole evening.

Everything is chosen with absolute care - even the champagne rosé from Laherte Frères, 

which is absolutely delicate.

So don't miss this very lovely oyster bar once you are in New York City...

Green Citylife

...seen in Berlin.

HH: Mutterland

I know...it is really not so new: Mutterland already opened its doors in 2007 in Hamburg.

But to be honest - it is such a nice place to be at.

Only fresh regional ingredients are used for the offered food and the pastries.

Also you can shop (online also possible) finest things like handmade marmelade,

artisan pralines, old-fashioned candies and so much more...

Handcrafted toys: Renate Müller

Since the beginning of the 60's Renate Müller, a toys designer from Germany,

creates her valuable toys. Till today she has received a lot of design awards. 

The 'Viecher', like Müller calls her animals, are mainly made of beech wood.

The outside is made out of sewn jute and the inner is wooden wool - 

every toy is solely made by hand.

Müller has learned the handcraft rootedly at the 'Sonnenberg Fachhochschule für Spielzeug'.

Also have her father and her grandfather already worked in the toys craftmansship.

Today a lot of collectors pay more for 

a vintage piece of Renate Müller than for 

a new one.

Ricky Lauren: The Hamptons

Ricky Lauren has launched her new book.

It gives an impressive impression of 40 years of life at 

the East End of Long Island.

Berlin: Pantry

In April 2012 a new restaurant opened its door in Berlin, Friedrichstaße 120.

What shall I say? 

The food was absolutely awesome!

A new, but subtle taste-delight:

fresh regional ingredients combined with a touch of the 'wide world'...

Also the service was friendly and courteous.

A very nice place to enjoy 'honest' food...

Brooklyn - NYC

Last week we stayed in a great loft in Greenpoint, Brooklyn - NYC.

Here some impressions...

Berlin: Clärchens Ballhaus

1913 'Clärchens Ballhaus' opened its doors the first time.

Till today it is an unique location to get together in an vintage and authentic atmosphere.

Either you sit in the lovely green garden and enjoy the very good food and drinks, 

you dance in the big hall on the groundfloor or

if you visit one of the fantastic events in the very famous 'Spiegelsaal' on the upper floor:

a visit at Clärchens is always worth it..

Olivia - artisan pastries

'Olivia' is a small bakery in Berlin-Friedrichshain.

All cakes are very special: once you try them, you feel like in heaven!

Only the very best ingredients and a lot of passion let 

every tarte, cake or cookie be something unique.

So, if you once visit Berlin, don't miss trying these 

celestial pastries...

Druckerey Martin Z. Schröder

'Martin Z. Schröder, Printer', Berlin is more than just a printer.

Mr. Schröder works in the authentic manner and in real craftsmanship.

Printing is not only work for him, it is his passion.

Martin Schröder - a real artisan of fonts and paper...

Merz b. Schwanen

With the help of traditional knitwear manufacturer based in the German Swabian Alps, 

Peter Plotnicki revived the 'old way of crafting clothes'.

These garments are more than just shirts: 

these garments are an evidence for his passion for craftmansship and authentic products.

They are a monument to his beliefs.

High quality traditional products - manufatured in Germany - without compromise!

NYC: Mast Brothers-handcrafted chocolate

What is passion? What is craftmansship?

When is a product more than just a product?

The Mast brothers are the true evidence for the combination of passion and craftmansship.

" Craft chocolate depends on world-class execution. With artful roasting, careful winnowing, stone grinding, patient aging and flawless tempering, truly one of a kind craft chocolate can be made - all done by simply using two ingredients, cacao and cane sugar. With craft this pure, there is no need to add any additional butter, oils, vanilla, soy, preservatives or emulsifers. "( Mast Brothers)

" Each bar is handmade with incredible reverence for the process and history of chocolate. They are bound in ornamental papers and golden foil like a collection of rare books. Each bar offers its own story of flavours, and no two are exactly alike. " (Mast Brothers)