Airport blurps. Jazz. Contemporary places. Not selected. Identified.

THE MACROSCOPE

Mazie Bar NYC

MAZIE
Good food and live jazz in a funky cosmopolitan vibe. On the main floor you’ll find live music, a delicious bar menu, oysters and cocktails. You can lounge in the overgrown garden out back, or head to the cellar for the Supper Club experience, serving a full menu of upscale comfort food, or head down for a late night subterranean drink. St. Mazie also serves a delicious brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 12 to 4pm.

The Liverpool House, Montreal, QC. Canada

liverpoolhouse
Famous for hosting the informal summit between two liberal powerhouses Obama and Trudeau in 2016, The Liverpool House offers an oyster bar & market-inspired comfort dishes in an informal setting. Practice your best quebecois and order the Clam chowder, s’il vous plaоt mon chum!

Los 5 Sentidos, Las Palmas, Spain

los5sentidosIt is all about grapes, self made design furniture that goes beyond hipster and honest tapas.

Sprüngli, Switzerland

cd38a4d2-af8e-4e9f-a925-aa795a5c2a96Fitness Fruhstьck at the Zьrich airport Sprьngli. This venerable swiss institution keeps it light and simple before your flight. Homemade bircher muesli made with seasonal fruit, some light jam and crisp bread. The best place for you to connect with others before your morning commute, or simply to enjoy and treat your body well. Some Swiss traditions are just too good to change.

Cividale del Friuli, Italy

friuli
Fact of the day: Italy’s existence makes France redundant. In the far north easternmost corner of the country you find yourself in Friuli. Compared to other areas, Friuli has relative modest tourism density, meaning they keep the REAL stuff to themselves. Forget about pizzas, go Vitello Tonato instead in Enoteka De Feo in Cividale del Friuli. Literary in the oenological sense.

Compiègne, France

compiegne france
Compiиgne, best known perhaps for the signing of the armistice (in the same railway carriage the French were forced to sign there surrender two decades later – but no need to expres political sympathies in this blog) and the betrayal and arrest of Joan of Arc, has that typical small town French feeling. Not a lot going on, but well equipped with restaurants from all corners of the former Empire – Vietnamese, Libanese and Alsatians are to be found here. More specifically, at the Place de l’Ancien Hфpitale, the cliches are even more obvious; facing a Bar-Tabac, a Kiosque, a Crйdit Mutuel and a Carrefour Express on se trouve In Vino, a typical Cave a Vins. Enjoy the offering of wines, so overwhelming that c’est impossible de trouver l’arbre dans la fфret . Accompanied by some fromage (typical French cheese), or charcuterie one can only say: casse toi, pauvre con.

C’alma Specialty Coffee Room – Porto

porto coffee
At this specialty coffee room right in the heart of charming Porto, you will find top-tier single origin coffee. Fancy some sweet acidity in your double shot espresso? Or go for a soothing macchiato with tones of hazelnut, chocolate and the intensity of a Ethiopian arabica — freshly roasted, grounded and served just for you. Service is good but be prepared for the ‘slow’ coffee, this is not a thing for the busy traveler.

Ole & Steen, London

ole
Don’t let the dystopian, Asimov-retrofuturistic feel of windy Canary Wharf deceive you. For quality coffee and Danish treats, go to Ole & Steen. It offers typical Danish fare – cinnamon buns and quality coffee specialties – within the heart of bustling Canary Wharf. Grab your macbook, swap your business attire for your skinny jeans and imitate your best Copenhagen accent: En kaffe og en kanelrulle, tak. Meget velsmagende!

La Subida, Subide, Italy

subidaYou want good, but better? No Pirelli, but Michelin? Tired that recognised places need to serve either nouveau cuisine, French or Sushi? La Subida in Subide in the Collio region of Friuli is all that you need. Try the tagliatelle with grapes and pignoli, or the pork Schenck accompanied by local wines. Not hungry anymore? Try the “Rocks of the Isonzo” desert – filled with white chocolate mousse, normally considered blasphemous but you are forgiven. No nonsense, just astonishing great dishes. Piemonte, eat your heart out.

Family Bräustüberl, Munich, Germany

braustuberli
GriaЯ Gott! Sick and tired of Munich’s superb quality of life? Want to escape your automotive or electrical engineering expat bubble? Head 15 km south to Aying and take a seat at the Inselkammer Family Brдustьberl Biergarten as you submerge yourself in Bavarian atmosphere, complete with hostesses in dirndl (or if you prefer a local masculine muscleking in leather pants, Munich and it’s attitude to diversity has changed a lot over the past 3/4 of a century). So gulp your Weizen and give that Riesenschnitzel a pounding as you enjoy the brass band doing a Horst Wessel or Erika. Not ready to surrender? Find your final solution in an Apfelstrudel or Dampfnudel as you’ll be fresh for a plunge in the Wannsee the next day. Raise your glass and say: Putsch Zeit!

The Anthologist, London

anthologist
This big and brash all-day bar/diner is a looker, with a glazed wall of Champagne bottles and appetising deli displays adding colour and theatre to the pearl-grey interior. Attractively priced wines are listed by style, with plenty available by the glass; lager drinkers are spoiled for choice and the cocktail range encompasses all the classics. There’s a good food menu that caters to everybody. We recommend to try the monkfish curry!

Pritsi in Tuusula, Finland

pritsiRemember Lounge? In Finland, Lounge remembers you. Pritsi in Tuusula presides over a terrace bordering one of the thousand lakes one can find in Suomi. The kitchen consists of a plethora of kaleidoscopic dishes – try the gazpacho of roasted peas, pork noissete or the fish of the day after you’ve treated yourself to a peach Bellini. The scent of pine trees is omnipresent complementing the soft electronic sounds of acid jazz. There is no yesterday or tomorrow, there is Pritsi and you… Paskiainen!

Matera, Italy

matera
Embrace the city of Matera! Beyond the historical centers of Rome, Venice and Milan, the picturesque scenery of the Sassi brings you back 5000 years b.c. Here’s what you need to know about this remote, otherworldly village in the mountains of Basilicata. Sleep in a micro hotel or b&b and ask for a grotta (cave room), try some Locavore (slow food), aglianico (deep red wine) and Orrechiette (typical Puglian pasta). Although tourism is on the rise, and more visitors are expected in the second half of 2019, as cultural city of Europe, Matera remains a hidden gem.

Pegasus, Tallin

pegasus talin
Come as you are. Brutalist from the outside, avant garde with a twist inside. Who says that Tallinnesque cuisine consists only of game and honey beer, clearly has not visited Pegasus, established 1962. Their secret recipe home made bread is just a taste of what is to come. Cocktails are as they should be. You will be surprised with the ceviche that mixes aromas of zest with caviar. Accompanied by a glass of Vinho Verde it soothes your tongue. Take a deep breath, smell the sea, you’re in Scandinavia, you’re here…

Las Setas, Sevilla, Spain

las stetas
Known affectionately as ‘The Mushrooms’ by locals, this undulating wooden sculpture is a modern landmark in the ancient city of Sevilla, bending cutting edge architecture with a fine Baroque cathedral. Indulge in modern andalusian tapas, admire a rich history of bullfighting that Papa Hemingway approved, and hit the shade or a rooftop pool to escape the afternoon heat.

Trani, Italy

trani
Beyond Puglia’s crowded hotspots, there are nature reserves, dramatic caves and medieval towns, still untouched by tourism. This is the Cattedrale di Trani, looking over the Adriatic. Stroll along empty squares, enjoy pasta di mare and drink a glass of deep red Salice Salentino vino.

Cookshop, NYC

cookshopCookshop presents the ideal combination of great American food, prepared by Chef Marc Meyer, warm hospitality and meaningful design to west Chelsea. At the heart and soul of Cookshop lies the owners’ commitment to bringing an honest seasonal dining option to New York City coupled with an exceptional beverage program.

The Whitby Hotel, NYC

whitby hotel
Artful hotel haunt with a 30-ft. pewter bar serving coffee, cocktails, modern fare & afternoon tea.

Urban Space, NYC

urbanspace
Craving for a good lunch after an intense morning packed with back-to-back meetings and pitches in one of the Midtown iconic skyscrapers? Visit Urbanspace at Lex Ave, just next to the iconic ‘Marilyn Monroe’ subway stop — a food hall in a historic space selling global dishes & drinks by big names in street eats. Try the Aka-ubi Ramen or fusion Sushi taco’s. Vegans can eat their heart out, as the many organic kiosks will cater to their needs too.

Heidelberg, Germany

heidelberg germanyHeidelberg, city of philosophers and allegedly potential guinea pig for the nuclear bomb. Sweet irony prescribes the fact that Schnitzelbank adheres to the Japanese custom of sharing communal tables. With every bite of local Maultaschen or Wurstsalat you praise the fact that no Enola Gay has ever flown over the city. The place is crowded, wine – Grau- or Weissburgunder – is served by 0.25 litres and it is well attended by our American friends from across the pond due to the Heidelberg US Military Facilities. Leonard Cohen nearly became a prof in philosophy at the local university. One of Germany’s finest gems.

Jetje, Ghent, Belgium

jetje gentAffordable yet comfortable: Jetje is a name hard to pronounce correctly for a non-native Flemish (or Dutch for that matter) yet it’s worth a visit downtown Ghent. A stone throw away from the Castle of the Counts, it serves excellent lunch. Try the Salade liйgeoise or the Pistolet gehakt (with the local Flemish soft “G” pronounced as he-hah-ckt). One truly feels the European frontier between the Germanix and the Romanesque, with the river Scheldt as main artery. Santė!

Chuci Am Wasser, Zürich, Switzerland

chuci
Post industrial punk adjacent to the Limmat, just outside of the inner city of Zьrich. A fair bio menu, with graffiti, open concrete and a city vibe demonstrates that Zьri isn’t a quiet banking city.

Happy Valley Racecourse

happyvalley
Enjoy the vibe at Hong Kong’s horse racing events. Place a bet, mingle with other visitors and cheer.

Jardin de Jade, Hong Kong

jardindejadeSuper authentic Chinese quizine. Your waiter Samuel bring not only great food, he contributes to a wonderful atmosphere centred around his guests. At walking distance from Hong Kong’s art centre, expect a diverse and creative crowd.

Halfcup, London

halfcup
Ariving in London St Pancras after an early red-eye train ride from the continent? Skip the uninspiring and expensive options for your morning coffee, and take a 5 min walk south from the station. The Half Cup Is an independent cafe with pendant lights and murals, for gourmet coffees, breakfasts and light meals.

Ippudo Westside, NYC

ippudoJapanese small plates, ramen & upmarket sake are dispatched in this simple but stylish outpost. Tip: the home-brew unfiltered sake is a must.

Klunkerkranich, Neukölln, Berlin

berlin
Located at the rooftop of a parking deck in a random mall in Neukцlln, Klunkerkranich exactly meets your needs and expectations when you want to experience Berlin in 24 hours. The androgynous DJ mixes Jim Morissons voice with Berlin Deep House, as a kaleidoscopic crowd moves in. Albeit a bit expensive for the neighbourhood, one does not need alcohol to get in the mood.

Killens STQ, Houston, TX

killensLove. A thin sliced steak at Killen’s STQ. The creation of espresso-infused BBQ-sauce has become a profession in itself. The welcoming atmosphere combines upclass Texan meat with an intermixture of traditional gulf-cultural dishes. Among Houston’s wealthy denizens, social life centers on charity events and the arts.

Ronnie, STQ’s laidback chef, has specialised in combining wonderful dishes with small brewed IPA’s. The combination of Vietnamese hop, German precision and herb bouquets is reaches mythical heights.

Apotek Restaurant, Reykjavik, Iceland

apotekAmusing menu. Great audience and ambitious staff. Continental luxury combined with local Icelandic tastes creates a wonderful contemporary atmosphere. They serve delicious meals.

Hideaway, Riad Timadrouine, Morocco

maroccoJust a drive away from the Dades and Tohdra Gorges. Enjoy the steam room and spa and wonderful stay in the middle of nowhere. Host Rasheed cooks exquisite meals, selects the best of latest Moroccan jazz and lights the tiny fireplace. Old world charm.