Best of IBIZA LOVE

Welcome to the Cami de Balafia!

Everyone loves Lina-Marie and she loves her guests. And they come to her typical Ibiza restaurant Cami de Balafia, to enjoy the best BBQ of the island. Hidden – and therefore only detectable if you know the exact address – lies the small, family-operated restaurant beyond the Street 733 in direction to San Juan at kilometer 15,4.
Since more than 33 years beef is prepared over a charcoal grill in the inner court of the Balafia.

Chief Lina-Marie infront of the big charcoal grill

Feasting under the Stars

In the romantic hacienda guests can dine at wooden tables

There’s a choice of lamb, chicken, rabbit, pork chop and the best filet of beef that I’ve ever tried. MyStylery lifts the secret of the incomparable aroma: The grill is flamed with three different types of wood: almond-, carob- and olive wood. A wonderful smell that can be discovered by long distance.

The Cami de Balafia is rather unpretentious

Sorry Veggies! This is nothing for you

Beautiful eye-catcher: The lemons come from Lina-Marie’s Garden

A menu doesn’t exist. When Lina-Marie receives the orders at the wooden tables, the guests have the option to choose the best tomato salad either with or without onions. At that point I also don’t want to keep the secret of the delicious sweet potatoes. And the homemade aioli – pure garlic – is only recommended if you don’t have any other dates in the next three days.

Memories on the wall: Mick Jagger and Kate Moss also came here enjoying a steak

The Balafia is always packed with people during the evening. In the afternoon it is a little more contemplative. Then, Lina and her sisters sit in the kitchen and discuss the newest island gossip, whilst snipping the ingredients for their dishes. BvH

The courtyard is lined with lush bougainvillea

Here a shady spot can be found during the hot midday sun

Tip:

Reservation in advance recommended! Ask for the opening hours via call and take enough cash with you – credit cards are not accepted.

Contact Cami de Balafia:

Sant Joan de Labritja Road, km 15.4
Ibiza, Spain

+34 971 32 50 19

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Berlin’s new Asia restaurant: The Nithan Thai in Mitte on Chausseestraße

Since one year in Tel Aviv, now also in Berlin: Recently, in the middle on the Chausseestrasse, the Thai restaurant Nithan Thai opened its doors. I love the Asian cuisine and was especially excited about what awaits me. To start with, my culinary excursion was pretty much the best I’ve been able to enjoy lately.

The interior designers from Tel Aviv understand their craft

Right at the entrance of Nithan Thai, the visitor awaits a stylish ambience. The bar is located In the center of the 120 square meter restaurant, the walls are decorated with warm wood with matte brass elements, Asian art on brickwork, cozy seating groups on different levels. The interior designers from Tel Aviv understand their craft. This is also where the Chef Shahaf Shabtay comes from, who founded the Nithan Thai Restaurant in Israel’s trendy coastal town a year ago. Now Shabtay, who collected his culinary experiences in Japan, New York, Mumbai and Amsterdam, brought the royal Thai cuisine to the capital with international influences: a real enrichment.

My Favorite: The lightly fried ‘Thai Roll’ with sashimi of tuna and salmon and an unbeatable sesame sauce

To start with, I chose a refreshing, ‘Nithan Thai Fuzzy ‘cocktail with Riesling champagne. Then I got a hot cloth and a Kaffir-lime-leaf, which, when rubbed between the hands, unfolds its spicy-fresh fragrance. Amazing! What followed was a delicious menu of fish and meat dishes. In between a vegetarian corn soup and a papaya salad with coriander sauce. My Favorite: The lightly fried ‘Thai Roll’ with sashimi of tuna and salmon and an unbeatable sesame sauce.

Cozy seating groups inside the Nithan Thai

The menu of the Nithan Thai is based on five Thai cooking elements: under “Sunrise” you will find the starters. ‘Golden Sun’ stands for crisp fried and ‘water’ for fish dishes. ‘Sound’ offers grilled meats and ‘Inner peace’, everything what makes you stronger. The service team is friendly and fast. My wish for an extra portion of coriander was immediately fulfilled. The Maestro comes personally to the table and likes to tell you about the history and philosophy of offering food at star level but still at affordable prices.

Chiefs of the kitchen: Shahaf Shabtay and his right hand Ivana

Conclusion: Fish and meat were cooked perfectly. Sauces and side dishes are harmonious and not too dominant. It is the details that convinced me in the Nithan Thai. Before the dessert – a ‘Kaffir Semi Fredo’ with strawberries, raspberries and rosemary – was served, jasmine tea soaked dessert spoons come to the table. The spoons take on the delicate aroma of jasmine and thus create a very special taste experience. More is not possible. BvH

Jasmine tea soaked dessert spoons

Kaffir Semi Fredo – Strawberries,Rasberries, Rosmarine

Dum Brulee – Sesame, Mango, Mint

Not too much promised: ‘Nithan’ comes from the Thai and translates to fairy tales

Tam Ma-La-Ko: Green Papaya, Mango, Chukka Chili, Mint, Kaffir lime, Cashew, Akaya Cham sauce

Golden Gong – Crystal Shrimps, Moto Yogurt, Long Bean, Yakitori, Thai chili

The Nithan Thai offers guests lunch, dinner and the bar. Guests are also offered breakfast and a bakery

Vegetarian corn soup

Sea C Curry – Steam Stripe Sea Bass, Thai Tomatos, Kaffir Lime, Yam Chili, Shitake, Young Coconut

Pepper Beef – Wok Fillet, Garlic Palm Thai Style

The Nithan Thai with love to detail and on expansion course: Soon to open in Prague and New York

Love the ladies bathroom!

The extensive wine menu of the Nithan Thai offers German and international wines

Contact Nithan Thai:

nithanthai.de

Merken

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Der Elefant (the elephant) is known for its extensive international range of fresh fish

A few months ago, an invitation from friends seemed like a very good occasion for a weekend in Warsaw. The metropolis on the Vistula has much to offer, also in matters of cuisine. With some restaurant tips, I coincidentally suddenly stranded in front of the restaurant “The elephant”. In the middle of Old Warsaw, already the stately, perfectly renovated facade of the historical building had a positive effect on me. An impression, which was not disappointed when entering the restaurant established in 1990.

My favorite restaurant in Warsaw? Of course The Elephant – Der Elefant!

As an interior-affine person, I was immediately inspired by the restaurant design: industrial chic meets brasserie charm. Metal windows, metro tiles, sheet metal lanterns. An aesthetic that inspired Gastronome Artur Jarczynski on his travels through the USA and Israel in the restaurants which inspired him and which he adapted for his own project “The Elephant”. There are several levels, which are differently designed with niches and cozy seats, so that the two-part restaurant – in one part there is fish, in the other meat – in spite of its size always radiates warmth and cosines.

Here emphasis is placed on local organic ingredients

The successful look is complemented by an attentive and professional service. Above all, the quality of the dishes convinced me. The fresh oysters were super delicious! A look at the menu makes you want more fresh fish of the finest: Both the grilled salmon and the meat fillet of the Black Angus were excellent. For this, the well-behaved waiter recommends a suitable wine from the extensive menu. The name “The Elephant” was, by the way, an inspiration of Artur’s wife and was based on her predilection for the gray pachyderms. BvH

Awww, the name giver! Don’t worry: the elephant head is not real!

Wines from Spain, Italy, France, Chile and Australia are stored here

Here delicious steaks and burgers are prepared

Gastronome Artur Jarczynski’s heart beats for Israel and Tel Aviv …

… and its Neve Tzedek, which is also my favorite hood in Tel Aviv

The bartender polishs the glasses

Here the motto is: Fish on the table

… and here is where the fish is prepared

The courtyard: Here you can wonderfully sit outside in the summer

Caution Burger fans! The elephant serves the best burgers in all variants

Also the restaurant furniture is ecologically correct: Recyclable materials and environmentally friendly colors have been used for the design of the rooms

The outdoor terrace

I loved the city so much that the first time in the Polish capital was definitely not my last visit

Contact “Der Elefant”

www.derelefant.com

Featured pic: Der Elefant

Merken

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IBIZA LOVE Part VIII

Best of MyStylery

The bay of Benirras with breathtaking sunsets

Nowhere in Ibiza the beach, sunset and fine dining combine in such perfect harmony as in the beautiful bay of Benirras. It is my absolute favorite among the island beaches, although the sand quality of Benirras is not exactly top notch. Nevertheless, the bay with the obelisk rock provides an almost tropical feeling, and for me there is hardly a more beautiful place on the island, where I stay until the sun sinks into the sea.

The Restaurant Elements on the beach of Benirras is the perfect place for an unforgettable vacation

On the beach of Benirras is the Restaurant Elements. That’s right up my alley: The device acts like homemade with whitened, recycled wood elements, everything is open and airy – part of the concept of element boss Kiko Malcarne, an Italian, now resident on Ibiza: “Here, everything revolves around a native cuisine with fresh fish, salads and pasta. Our meals are prepared with high-quality products from the region.”

“One needs a lot of love to create something beautiful”. Kiko Malcarne

Beautiful vintage look: The furniture is made of whitewashed, recycled wood elements

I take him at his word and order sea bass in a salt crust, which is filleted at the table. For this purpose I choose grilled vegetables and my favorite Rosé Ibiskus. I look at the colors of the setting sun in the sky and feel like in paradise. Can there be anything more beautiful? The DJ puts on some tunes and I spend the evening in the lounge area. The first people start to dance, because I can’t stand back I dance barefoot in the sand. BvH

The lounge area in the Restaurant Elements. Here, the DJ puts on some tunes

Tip 1

How to fillet a fish perfectly in a salt crust

Tap salt crust with a cloth

Ahhh, the completely salt covered fish … here a sea bass

Release the fish from the salt and solve the skin …

Arrange the fillets, then remove the whalebone …

… Buen Provecho!

Elements Ibiza: News about the island

Tip 2

During the day, Elements offers yoga classes and massages in the spa area, how about the daily vitamin dose at the juice bar afterwards? The small boutique seduces to shop and I discover a sweet bikini, then worn right on the beach.

So wonderful that I can go shopping everywhere on the island. Also the Elements has its own, small boutique …

… for example these friendly grinning, colorful skulls …

… Beach towels and decorative jewelry

…and one more tip:

Sunday evening the beach of Benirras is the Eldorado of aging hippies and drum freaks. In high season, unfortunately already mutated into a tourist attraction of the official tour operators, the spectacle offers especially in the off-season a retro trip to ancient times.

A place to be … not only for the aging hippies: The beach of Benirras

Restaurant Elements

(April until October)
Carrer Benirras
Port de Sant Miquel
Ibiza, Spain

www.elements-ibiza.com

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IBIZA LOVE Part VI

VIP hotspot: the restaurant Blue Marlin on Ibiza in the bay of Cala Jondal

An own yacht is not needed if you like to get some food at Blue Marlin. But giving a big performance is obviously possible, as private yacht owners will be picked up by a private boat shuttle service at arrival. Chilling on the banks, the arrived VIPs stroll under general observation along the catwalk to their tables.

Like a catwalk: The jetty for all who arrive with a yacht in front of the luxury restaurant

What you should know: Here, the sand is rather pebbly. But chill is just wonderful on the comfortable loungers

In fact, it is also easy to reach the Blue Marlin in CalaJondal by car. The restaurant is still one of the top locations of the island. The food is excellent: Chef Christian Dintl presents phenomenal, Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of oriental flavors. Sushi King Tom Blackshaw is the specialist when it comes to preparing the best Japanese creations.

How about one of the luxury daybeds? Perhaps with an Ice Champagne of that brand?

Delicious outdoor dining overlooking the sea: The kitchen of the Blue Marlin is top

My favorite is the atmosphere at the Blue Marlin – which is also a hotspot for long dancing summer nights with international DJs – for a late lunch, when most people went back again on their couches or luxurious daybeds and when the location begins to empty itself. Then the Blue Marlin is deeply relaxed – including the already friendly waiters. BvH

You must pass this guy, if you want to rent a daybed

Here isn’t celebrated only in the evening. The DJ plays already during the daytime

Moon greets palm

Bar and Boutique

The bling bling indoor area: the VIP’s Prince William, Leonardo Dicaprio, Naomi Campbell and Queen Latifah have also chilled here

Tip:

People watching while enjoying your breakfast: This is now at the ‘Blue Marlin Ibiza Marina‘ in the port of Ibiza.

Contact Blue Marlin:

Cala Jondal, s/n,
07800 Ibiza, Spain
+34 971 07 00 15

www.bluemarlinibiza.com

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Best of MyStylery
Ibiza Love Part III: In no particular order here are tips for an awesome stay on Ibiza

Even from outside the Giri Café looks inviting

I still remember when I drove to San Juan five years ago, a small, sleepy village in the north of Ibiza. It was early afternoon, the streets were empty, the houses and a few shops closed, the sun burnt hot – deadly silence. Only one café was open and turned out to be the rescue – to all intents and purposes.

What a great mix of materials and furniture

Towards the church situated on an idyllic place of San Juan, the Giri Café is immediately visible: in front of the door of an old, ibizan townhouse, elegant wicker furniture instead of cheap plastic chairs invite to stay and to chill. Inside the Giri Café itself you’ll find modern architecture, different, small rooms with cosy seating corners, a successful mix of materials and furniture. Great drinks and cocktails are being mixed at the bar – who would have thought that?

Good idea: The patio is optically magnified by mirrored windows

View into the kitchen: Soul-Food cooked with Love

The actual highlight – besides the extraordinarily good cuisine – is the bordering garden with additional comfy seats, daybeds and a children’s corner (in hay!), which is atmospherically illuminated in the evening. Here one will experience real holiday happiness at the latest.

Chill time: Between beds with organic vegetables there are sitting areas and daybeds

The interior partly documents that the owner of the Giri Café is Danish, as it seems pretty Nordic. Rosa came as a child through her hippie parents on the island, where she’s living with her own family for 15 years now. Everything started with a beautiful boutique-hotel, The Giri Residence. The idea of The Giri Café developed in order to host the guests appropriate. By the way Giri – el guiri – actually stands for ‘foreigner’, ‘stranger’, which Rosa – whose children grow up on Ibiza – is not at all anymore.

The Scandinavian-inspired design is reminiscent of the roots of the Danish owner

The Giri is more than only a café that offers breakfast and lunch. There, friendly staff is serving modern, Mediterranean cuisine of highest standards with fresh ingredients from the region. A lot is handpicked in the own bio garden, in which herbs, salads, strawberries, tomatoes and other vegetables and fruits are being grown. Here I like to sit with a glass of Rosé – my favourite is the “Ibiskus” – and can hardly believe my luck.  BvH

Inside the Giri Café, there are several sitting areas …

… where you can sit comfortably while enjoying Snacks and Tapas

I like the Giri Café especially in the evening …

… when the setting sun creates a special light in the garden …

… and you really want to be nowhere else

Tip:

Every Sunday San Juan transforms itself into a colourful market with live music. On the place and along the small streets handicrafts, jewellery and ceramics are being offered.

Contact The Giri Café:

Plaza Espana 5
07810 San Juan
Ibiza, Spain
(from April until October)

+ 34 971 333474

www.thegiricafe.com

The post Ibiza Love: The Giri Café appeared first on My Stylery.

Quite a lot of snow in the Lech-valley!

Frequent Lech travelers might be familiar – but for me as a Lech newbie – this restaurant is a very special discovery – and one of the most rustic ones I found: The Klösterle, an institution among the restaurants in Lech am Arlberg, a bit of the beaten path, in the contemplative district Zug.

That’s me in the snow infront of the beautiful mountain-landscape

Away from the buzzing ski pistes and Après-Ski-Parties, the listed building is located at the end of Zug. In the evenings it is almost too romantic to get driven from Lech to Zug in a horse-drawn sleigh by torchlight. I have booked a table for lunch at the Klösterle so I could use the nice weather for a hike into the magnificent countryside. Instead of a horse-drawn sleigh I took the bus from Lech to the last stop Zug. Not so romantic but useful. Zug is more tranquil and contemplative than Lech and therefore a welcome change. At the so-called Lechquellengebiet (The region around the Lech river-source) I walk around a little, and from time to time sit down at a bench and enjoy the amazing view of the mountain scenery.

Starving? Then you are right here!

So much fresh air generates hunger. Generally while in the mountains I feel like I could eat all the time. Do you feel the same?
With a lot of lovingly details and furnished with old farm furniture the Klösterle looks exactly how you imagine a cabin in the mountains: flat ceilings in the wood paneled parlors, brawny tiled fireplaces and sheltered shrines, plaid curtains and tablecloths. In the afternoon the Klösterle is not as strongly frequented as in the evenings – nevertheless I still recommend to book a table. The lunch menu is small and down-to-earth. We are a group of three and start with a ‘Brotzeit’. After we asked the very friendly waiter to convince the chef to prepare one of the famous – and how it turned out amazingly delicious – cheese fondues, the day seemed to be successful.

The parlor of the original preserved Walser house, a historical blockhouse, whose name is ascribable to the ethnic group of the Walser

The Klösterle is special in every respect. The first time the original maintained ‘Walserhaus’ has been mentioned in documents in 1554 and it is led today by Lore Schneider. It is only opened from December to April. After that the entire household goods, furniture and tableware are being packed up, because during the summer months the building is being used as a farm.
Very satisfied and with a big lump of cheese fondue in my stomach I hike the 4.1 kilometers back to Lech and enjoy the magnificent view at the panoramic trail. BvH

The Klösterle is a bit of the beaten path, in the contemplative district Zug

Come on in!

Pure romance

Attention to detail …

… wherever you look at

Brotzeit!

Cheers!

The legendary inn offers down-to-earth delicacies during the day and ‘Grosses Pièces’ and fondue at night: The fondue is so yummy and usually only on the dinner menu – lucky me!

So yummy: the cheese fondue

Innkeeper Lore Schneider collects old pewter plates

Careful with the low doors:

… watch your head!

Also delicious and my personal favorite of the cakes: The Sachertorte!

Cozyness in the Herrgottswinkel

Good for stomach and digestion is warm tea after the fondue – much better than a “Schnaps”

Not only for VIPs

Interesting who else has been a guest here: Singer Udo Jürgens …

… even Prince Ernst August of Hannover – then still accompanied by wife Caroline of Monaco – has already been here

The listed architectural beauty belongs to one of the most exclusive locations at the Arlberg

Reflecting landscapes

The Klösterle is the starting and ending point for walks into the ‘Lechquellengebiet’ or a romantic drive with the horse-drawn sleigh

The blue sky competing against the freshly fallen snow from last night, in addition the incredible silence: you can’t get any more meditation!

Contact:

Klösterle
Zug 27 in Zug
+43 (5583) 3190
kloesterle@almhof.at

Info:

December to April: Wed – Mon, 2 pm to 5.30 pm, from 7 pm with reservation only

The post So romantic: The Klösterle Inn in Lech appeared first on My Stylery.

How about a welcome drink at the bar?

Did I ever mention that I was working as a flight attendant for Deutsche Lufthansa years ago? I started on short distances flights on B737, followed by worldwide trips on Jumbojet later on. One of my favourite destinations was Tel Aviv and a real adventure those days. Meanwhile things have changed and I was really excited when I had the chance to visit this fascinating city again recently.

Bugrashov Beach and Frishman Beach are around the corner and to Dizengoff shopping mall it’s a 15 minutes walk

I fell completely in love with Tel Aviv when I went there a couple of month ago. While organizing the trip, many questions popped up and I really had no idea about the dimensions of this buzzling city, where to go and where to stay. So I decided for a boutique hotel, located on the corner of the famous Ben Yehuda Street and close to almost everything – even to the one of the best beaches of Tel Aviv, the Frishman Beach. The Mendeli Street Hotel – a 66-room establishment on a quiet side street – is only a two minute walk away from the beach. It opened already in the 1960s as the Adiv Hotel, and since than it is family-run. Four years ago, the owner family decided to renovate the entire building – an endeavor that took until now.

Me sitting in one of the most stylish outdoor-chairs I have ever seen

The result is a feast to the eyes: The Mendeli Street Hotel presents itself as a modern, stylish facility that is both sleek and homey, with careful attention paid to every detail. Stressing light and airy surroundings with cosy seating areas on attractive wood furnishings and hardwood floors, the hotel entices guests to be seduced by their surroundings.

The bright rooms are equipped with everything I expect from a hotel in its class

The attention to details is evident in every aspect of the hotel’s service, from a warm welcome at the front desk to a personal escort by a staff member to the room. Everything in the rooms is pristine, tasteful and contemporary. Make sure to book a Superior room, because the Standard rooms are pretty small. For that the bathroom in the Deluxe room is spacious and luxurious, featuring the largest shower space I have ever seen. But the real highlight of the Mendeli’s has nothing to do with sleeping: It’s the breakfast.

The real highlight? The breakfast!!!

It’s by far the best breakfast I have ever had – served in the large, open dining area by a friendly staff, who serves freshly squeezed juice and any beverage of your choice. You can order all kinds of egg dishes and combine it with innovative salads of greens or fresh fruit, a whole section of goat cheese and goat milk products, including bottles of yogurt, some with strawberries or raspberries, accompanied by individually wrapped packages of homemade granola. Don’t miss the fresh tartes, strudels and doughnuts. Conclusion: Here no wishes remain unfulfilled – I swear! BvH

Here no wishes remain unfulfilled

By the way, Mendeli Street Hotel is a non kosher hotel

The restaurant area with stressing light, airy surroundings and green jungle walls

Airy surroundings

The hotel offers air-conditioned accommodation with free Wi-Fi

I fell completely in love with Tel Aviv

I like this design … what do you think?

Homey atmosphere in the Deluxe room

Bye bye Mendeli Street Hotel – I’ll be back soon!

Contact:

www.mendelistreethotel.com

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A classic in the Tel Aviv restaurant scene: The Café Noir

“You have definitely go to Café Noir,” recommended an Israeli friend of mine. “There you get the best Schnitzel in whole Tel Aviv – and you feel like being at Borchardt’s.” Eating a good Schnitzel was really not the idea of coming to Tel Aviv. And the Borchardt restaurant feels like my second Berlin home. I love good food and like to try the local cuisine. Hopefully there are also Israeli dishes on Café Noir’s menu.

I love to go here, whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner

When Café Noir opened in 1997, the owner and founder Rafi Bader wanted to create a bistro atmosphere combining European culture with a Tel Aviv experience. The atmosphere changes with the time of the day: mornings are slow and serene, lunch is always bustling and evenings are more romantic. The menu offers classic dishes, lovingly prepared from top-notch ingredients, along with modern specials of fresh, seasonal ingredients. And I am more than happy that also Kebab and Humus are offered. But I went for the Schnitzel: the Schnitzel you can choose from veal, pork or chicken meat.

My choice: Café Noirs iconic Schnitzel

“I wanted a place of a certain period. I picture the places where my grandfather would have spent time in Italy or Paris“, says the owner Rafi Bader. “Café Noir isn’t somewhere you grow bored of. It isn’t trendy, it’s not one of those spots that come and go.“
Honestly my culinary excursion into the Café Noir has paid off. A chic and comfy bistro with cool people and fantastic food. And the Schnitzel was really fabulous! BvH

Café Noir is a place that combines European food tradition with the tastes and atmosphere desired by a Tel Aviv clientele

Reserved in Hebrew: שמורות

Don’t worry, the menu at Café Noir is also available in English

The Bar: Israel is known for its excellent wines! A must try!!!

The restaurant ‘Café Noir’ is located in the heart of Tel Aviv, where one feels the pulse of the city

Bye bye, Café Noir. See you soon again!

Contact:

Café Noir
43 Ahad Ha’am Street
Tel Aviv

noir@cafenoir.co.il

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