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

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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 XIV

In a hidden backyard the wooden spoon is swung on Sundays

The paella belongs to Spain, like the sausage belongs to Germany. A holiday in Ibiza without having eaten paella is simply unimaginable. The best paella on the island cannot be found in the hippest posh restaurant: The best of paella is in a backyard in Santa Gertrudis. Who crosses the marketplace which lies in the middle  of the picturesque town, really only has to trust his nose and follow the smell of an open fire, charcoal and fish. So at least I have discovered Kati and her paella workshop.

Round about 2pm, the customers start queuing

Every Sunday from 12 am, the energetic Spanish woman swirls around in a kind of garage. With the participation of the entire family there is being cooked pans of gigantic proportions over three open fires. Temperatures, that fuel the summer-heat additionally. A touch of rosemary is in the air, whose branches give the Mediterranean flavor. And when I watch Kati, it really seems like it’s a sweaty work. Round about 2pm, the customers, mostly Spaniards – what I always interpret as a quality – start queuing. They know each other: here a chat, there a joke.

Kati cooks: from 12 am, the backyard of her restaurant in Santa Gertrudis turns into a paella-kitchen

Kati takes the brought along vessels, pans, casserole or large buckets and filles them with the steaming Paella Mixta. So you call the traditional meat-seafood paella, of which 50 kilos go across the counter every Sunday. Cash up goes by kilo. People eat at home, where it is best eaten straight away. Because in the evening it is too heavy on the stomach, says Kati. Paella to go, a culinary pleasure of a special kind, which you should not miss! BvH

Here you can get Paella to go on Sundays since 1977. Kati prepares 50kg in total with her team

What Paella actually is:

The traditional Paella Valenciana consists of saffron-dyed rice and white meat, which is cooked including bones. Added are vegetables: grated tomato, Judías verdes (green broad beans), and Garrofó, which are large, flat white beans. Seasoned with salt, a little garlic and sprigs of rosemary, which are placed on the rice during the last minutes.

Four men are needed to carry the huge iron pans. The smells of charcoal and fire are in the air

Above three large open campfires, the traditional rice dish simmers. At 2pm onwards it’s then time for take away

A portion costs 13 Euro – about a kilogram – which can easily be shared between two people

Eaten will be at home! Buen provecho – Enjoy!

How to find the best Paella on Ibiza:

Santa Gertrudis Bar Restaurante
Carrer Venda de Fruitera, 19
07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera

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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

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