London Picks

I kissed a boy and I liked it. London is my temporary second home. And browsing through vintage record shops is my new addiction. London shopping is nice in general, even though I rarely buy anything. For me, it's more a sport than a way of spending money. Anyway, there's a million nice ways to invest your last penny. Just follow these spots.

Best Records
Music & Video Exchange
208 Camden High Street

They have the biggest bargain department and a great selection of 1 pound Whitney Houston singles. Here I found Tina, Grace, Phil, Prince - all of them. Cheap cheap cheap. The only handicap: Their price tags glue like hell. I cried some tears over ripped record sleeves, so always use alcohol!



Best Department Store
Liberty
197 Sloane Street

A nice Jil Sander handbag for my sister, Diptyque perfume and fig candles for my Schnucki, Raf Simons trainers, vintage designer furniture, Wallpaper city guides in every colour. It's always nice to go to Liberty and ponder on presents you will never buy, haha.




Best Shop
127 Brick Lane
127 Brick Lane

Here I finally found it: my beloved Margiela wallet. The shop is all white, small and offers a nice selection of avantgarde brands, mostly womenswear. Located at Brick Lane the luxury purchases can easily be compensated with vintage shopping and haggled Indian food.



Best Concept Store
Dover Street Market
17-18 Dover Street

Best in DSM is definitely the stuffed animal department. Little cute snakes, birds and rats for your living room. Nowhere else you will find this high concentration of designer brands like Azzedine Alaia, Lanvin, Pierre Hardy etc. And one more tipp: Try the Comme des Garcons perfume that smells like plastic.



Best Mainstrean Shopping
Primark
499-517 Oxford Street

This is the place where I get my beloved longjohns. I just can't get enough. Once you decided to wear them, you don't want to wear anything else. Primark is also paradise when you want to watch ordinary people buying political incorrect cheap clothes.




Best Interior Design
Maison Martin Margiela
1-9 Bruton Place

I love white, industrial chic and Margiela. So the Margiela shop is the best place to go if you crave for shabby minimalism and inspiration. I love the staffs white pinafores, the white painted beer crates and the somehow absent shop owner. And be careful not to fall down the stairs.



Best Bookshop
Artwords
65a Rivington Street

If you love magazines, this place will soon become your second home. They carry Purple, Fantastic Man, Another, Numéro, Self Service, i-D, Dazed&Confused, Men about town and all that stuff. Plus nice books from Elizabeth Peyton, Jürgen Teller and likes.




Best Market
Sunday Flower Market
Columbia Road

A Sunday tradition. Always crowded, but the fresh smell of eucalyptus is worth it. You can buy orchids, palm trees, violets, everything. The only flower you don't get is insect-eating plants. What a pity!




Best Fleamarket
Battersea Car Boot Sale
Sunday, Battersea Park Road

Nowhere else you will find so many good bargains. Like this adorable black sequin jacket for 6 pounds. Or vintage Polo Ralph Lauren and YSL shirts for 1 pound. Or a hot & cold mug showing a naked guy for irresistible 1,50. And if you go after 01:30pm, entrance is only 50p.



Best Architecture
Battersea Powerstation
Battersea Park Road

I love love love this building. I wish I could buy it and live in it. 1000 meters high brick walls, industrial floors, big windows, and just one or two pieces of furniture. This is my dream.





Best Restaurant
CRU
2-4 Rufus Street

I will always remember the absolutely tasteful birthday dinner I had at CRU. Starting with a watercress salad with pomegranate, followed by linguini vongole, zuichini frites, risotto cakes and marinated artichokes. Topped by baked chocolate cheese cake with vanilla ice cream. Mmmh.



Best Pub
Crown and Goose
100 Arlington Road

A super nice interior with green walls and an amazing beef roast. Accompanied by many nice little sides that make you 'eat in circles'. Another plus: The best second hand record shop is just a short hop from here.




Best Sushi
Misato
11 Wardour Street

You have to wait in line for hours, but it's worth it. Well if you have good company that makes waiting fun. They serve nice sushi and I was also very pleased with my teriyaki salmon. Big portions, small prices.




Best Swedish Food
Fika
161a Brick Lane

Let's be honest: London is conquered by Swedes. Like Berlin. They are everywhere, selling their formerly trendy Scandinavian fashion at Bricklane and strolling around Shoreditch. For those of you longing for a Swedish feel-home-atmosphere, there is Fika - nice Swedish food and a very nice staff.



Best Chicken Grill
Nando's
58-60 Notting Hill Gate

The best grilled chicken I've ever tasted. The interior is very nice and the food delicious. Very meaty, very fat, very Horst. And the sauces are not only yummy they are a fun toy - you will blot everyone's clothes while finding out how the bottles work.




Best Bar
George & Dragon
2-4 Hackney Road

Always packed, always people to watch or to spill a drink on. And staring at the kitschy interior decoration keeps you busy for ages. Or let's say as long as the George is open. Then you have to say goodbye to deer antlers, porcelain figures and glitter swags to move on to The Joiners.



Best English Breakfast
The Premises
201-209 Hackney Road

Both recording studio and café, The Premises serves nice traditional breakfast with sausages, mash, beans, mushroom and grilled tomatoes. Best with a fresh orange juice and black tea. The perfect start for a Sunday before hitting the flower market.




Best Haircut
Mr Topper's
10 Moor Street

6 pounds. What else do I have to say? Here I get the same haircut I had to discuss and fight for years with my hairdresser for: short -on-the-sides military style. So if you're going for that look, this is the right address.




Best Snack
Prèt A Manger
Everywhere

At some days, all I need to survive is a jalapeno chicken wrap and a carrot cake. Nothing more, nothing less. Well maybe a hot chocolate or a pomegranate juice. My most favorite spot is one in Soho where industrial tubes are dancing on the ceiling, to quote Lionel.



See you in London.
/HORST

Helsinki Picks

Helsinki was calling. Unfortunately I didn't bring a sausage. But chocolate and the L&H city guide. So please enjoy.

Best Shop
Wunder
Laivurinrinne 1

The owner, Daniel Palillo, strikes with a crazy selection of upcoming brands such as KTZ, Back, Cassette Player and his own label. Step by for a gaze at the super cool staff.




Best Furniture Shop
artek
Eteläesplanadi 18

One thing is for sure. When I move, I will buy all my furniture at artek. No, not all. But at least a few pieces. The Alvar Aalto design is just made for me.





Best Vintage Design
Fasaani
Korkeavuorenkatu 5

Design classics that one normally adores in design exhibitions are available here to affordable prices. I fell in love with the used Aalto stools and a sofa. It was a little bit too big for my hand luggage though.




Best Second Hand
Play it again, Sam!
Rauhankatu 2

You need a silver glitter suit and high heels for your next drag performance? Or just some inspiration and a little bit fun? Well, then now you know where to go.





Best Concept Store
Helsinki 10
Eerikinkatu 3

This store carries well selected labels including Ann Demeulemeester, Raf Simons, Acne Jeans, Maison Martin Margiela and Junya Watanabe. And of course all the usual design kitsch.




Best Restaurant
Bali Hai
Iso Roobertinkatu 35

The Vegetable Skewer is one of the most fantastic dishes I enjoyed so far. The composition of sweet flavours combined with spicy tofu and creamy risotto made my day. The lacquered walls and wall decoration are worth a look as well.



Best Deli
Sis
Korkeavuorenkatu 6

All ecological and political correct food and little snacks are offered in this sleek and charming place right across the Helsinki Second Hand shop. I can recommend the homemade pastries and the hot chocolate to warm your soul.



Best Bar
Nolla
Fredrikinkatu 56

The wooden interior appeals to the eye. And the DJ at Thursday night really catched me with a fine mix of trashy 80s and contemporary tunes. But be aware of drunk flight attendants that pertinaciously try to pick you up.



So if you are planning to visit this pretty place in the future, give Horst a shout.
/HORST

Frankfurt Picks

Horst is a real Frankfurter Würstchen. Those of us who live in Frankfurt love and hate this city at the same time. It is not very inspirational, the people are not extremely open-minded and the city centre is nothing but a construction site. But it has its beautiful sides too. The skyline, the Apfelwein restaurants, the charming district Sachsenhausen and the high living standard in general. And when you know the right places to go, you will soon love Frankfurt too...

Best Burger
Die Kuh Die Lacht
Schillerstraße 28

Burgers made of happy cows - that's the philosophy of this place where you get delicious food in great compositions. E.g. the spice burger with red onions, rucola, fresh coriander and yogurt gravy or parsnip chips with various tasty dips.




Best Thai Fusion
coa
Schillerstrasse 4

If you want to meet Horst in the evenings go to coa. With the utmost probability you will catch me while enjoying the fingerfood with saté spit, teriyaki canard, spring and summer rolls. And please try the homemade lemonade.




Best Wraps
IMA Multibar
Kleine Bockenheimer Str. 14

Hidden in a little side street where garbage cans dominate the scenery you will find IMA, a nice retaurant where the so called it-crowd likes to hang out. The service isn't the best as the guys seem to be too cool to be nice but the food and atmosphere is more than good.



Best Restaurant
Walden
Kleiner Hirschgraben 5

Wonderful interior and formidable meals. Last time I had the pumpkin lasagne with wasabi foam and it was a pure thrill. The guests are chic and the restaurant is located just across the street of my favorite bar. So all perfect!




Best Bar
Place To Be
Weißadlergasse 3

Tiny and great. Located in the new Frankfurt Mitte it has all to offer I expect from a nice evening. The coctails are really good. I never had a Gin Tonic that was as good as here. But one thing I have to find fault with: the music can change very abruptly to very strange tunes. Anyway a must!



Best Concept
Hayashi
Börsenplatz 13-15

A sublime selection of designer labels from bless, Pulver & penkov to Scandinavian brands as Whyred and Acne Jeans. Completed by a a stunning interior. Every detail just communicates knowledge and taste.




Best Shop
Azita
Münzgasse 10

Again the staff seems to believe to be too cool to be true but the shop carries the best brands you can get: Andrea Crews, Surface To Air, Wood Wood, Annitian, Raf Simons, Cheap Monday, bless, Henrik Vibskov, Reality Studio and the house label with pretty nice graphic prints.



Best Handkäs
Atschel
Wallstr. 7

When you are in Frankfurt you have to try one particular delicacy: Handkäs mit Musik. A special kind of cheese served with onions and brown bread. It tastes different but is a brand new palatine experience. As drink you should order a Bembel (Hesse crock) of Apfelwein (cidre).



Best Café
Moloko
Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 1

Perfect for a saturday afternoon Kaffeklatsch! After visiting the big flea market at the Mainufer I recommend you this place to relax in retro chairs and to watch people. Also you get the best homemade chocolate cake here!




Best Toys
Jagdschloss Frankfurt
Brückenstrasse 52

Cuddly soft toys made by hand are not the only reason to visit this little shop in Sachsenhausen. The shop with cozy interior and grandma chairs is also a café and the meeting place for the young, hip and alternative families that are longing for Heimatgefühl (home feel and identity).



Best Bakery
La Maison du pain
Oeder Weg 30

The best equipement for a sunday brunch at home with croissants and all the other nice things you need is sold at this original french bakery in Oeder Weg, a lovely street where you also find some nice cafés and restaurants.




Best Architecture
MMK
Domstr. 10

The Museum of Modern Art strikes with its superb architecture! And every last saturday of the month the entrance is for free. So come on, let's admire white structures and breathe some art!





And when you are here, ask me for company.
/HORST

Cologne Picks

Best Shop
Heimat
Mauritiuswall 76-78

Bruno Pieters, Veronique Branquinho, Hussein Chalayan. The owners of Heimat also created the fashion fanzine Mode Depesche winning the Lead-Award 2008 for best fashion photography.



Best Interior Design
COS
Ehrenstraße 33-35

The composition of furniture feels overly consequent, effortlessly merging decades and stylistics. Only beaten by the smell of freshly set wooden floor.





Best Selection
Gold
Antwerpenerstr. 13

Gold offers Scandinavian designer brands like S.N.S., Wood Wood, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, Vibskov or Whyred. One of our favourites. Always synchronized with the contemporary zeitgeist.



Best Second Hand
Vintage & Rags
Hohenzollernring 47

Unfortunately California Vintage closed its doors, but second hand lovers can still discover nice pieces at Vintage & Rags where I lately found a nice blouson.




Best Cupcakes
Törtchen Törtchen
Alte Wallgasse 2a

For gourmets there's this little, tiny, pink patisserie that offers extremely sexy cakes in a dazzling array.






Best Ice Cream
Breda
Pfeilstr. 2

The most delicious ice cream is sold at this charming, authentically retro parlor near Rudolfplatz. Our recommendation and favourite flavour: coffee crunch.





Best Schnitzel
Oma Kleinmann
Zülpicher Str. 9

The best Schnitzel in town is served at Oma Kleinmann. A Lynn & Horst must. No further instructions needed.






Best Café
Café Wahlen
Hohenstaufenring

If you like to enjoy an afternoon tea in a truly old-fashioned and cozy interior, sitting in armchairs and watching senior citizens, the place to be is Café Wahlen. The retro inspired little coffee house Café Franck is also a must.



/HORST

NY Picks

Back from NY and I got a lot to tell. It was very cool - in the truest sense of the word. So I'd like to sum up the most beautiful places for you to check out at your next visit. I hope you enjoy my finest selection. I am not a true insider but maybe you like what Horst likes...

Best Restaurant
STANTON SOCIAL
99 Stanton St, NY 10002

Stanton Social offers all you need: nice interior, a 'social' atmosphere and wonderful food. Our dinner included: Piquillo Pepper Crostini, Goat Cheese Pierogies, Wild Mushroom Risotto Cakes, Grilled Apple & Brie Quesadilla, Wasabi crusted Salmon, and finally the Chocolate Tasting!



Best Burger
STAND
24 E 12th St, NY 10003

After hunting for little treasures at Greenwich flew market, Stand serves well-made Burgers that strike with taste and composition. Not only the food but also the metallic interior design with purple leather benches hit my taste.




Best Breakfast
SILO
31 E 32nd St, NY 10016

Ok, maybe I just recommend this place because it was just across the street of our hotel, one block away from the Empire State Building. But nevertheless we had the best toasted sesame bagels with cream cheese there! And the best hazlenut flavored coffee!




Best Lunch
SEA
114th North St, NY 11211

I love Williamsburg. And having lunch at Sea was definitely a good choice: Thai fusion kitchen for really good prices. We just paid about 12$ per person and had starter, main dish and dessert! The green tea chesse cake with raspberry sauce is a must.




Best Interior Design
COMME DES GARCONS
520 W 22nd St, NY 10011

Just one word: Wow! Located in Chelsea and surrounded by the best galleries, the Comme des Garcons NY store offers a futuristic and clean 'interior experience'. I got lost in a fitting room by exploring the space...




Best Selection
OAK
28 Bond Street, NY 10012

At the new OAK Store at Bond Street I found the most intelligent and beautifully dressed mannequins. Brands like 3.1 phillip lim, Ksubi, Opening Ceremony, Filippa K, Surface to Air or S.N.S. guarantee a sovereign look.




Best Hidden
NOM DE GUERRE
640 Broadway, NY 10012

We had to search for this place really hard. And walked past the entrance several times. Hidden in the 'underground' you can browse the Nom de Guerre collection and simultaneously feel the vibration of the passing metro trains.




Best Avantgarde
ATELIER
125 Crosby Street, NY 10012

The most artful pieces can be found at Atelier New York. The store between Broadway and Lafayette St brings to you selected labels like Raf Simons, Ann Demeulemeester, Undercover and Number (N)ine. Mostly black and very architectural and complex designs.



Best Atmosphere
BBLESSING
181 Orchard Street, NY 10002

Very elegant and pompous at first glance, kind of spooky and weird at the second. The clothes rails are reversed tables, creepy collage portraits stare at you and at the door you find an umbrella stand with a duck head stick. Forceful in every detail. Chapeau.




Best Second Hand
CHERRY
19 8th Ave, NY 10014

You are looking for a dinosaur tee? A wrestler singlet? Knitwear with naive patterns? You'll find it here. And a lot more. The owner himself prooved great taste and style wearing a skinny suit with cropped trousers and a pocket watch. Join the Cherry Nation!



Best Architecture
NEW MUSEUM
235 Bowery, NY 10002

What can I say? This building is just awesome. I lo-lo-love it. The white stacked cubes, the facade structure, the rainbow script saying "HELL, YES!". SANAA Architects did a great job.





Best Design Shop
THE FUTURE PERFECT
115 N 6th St, NY 11211

The best selection of furniture and design pieces I've ever seen. I bought a crushed cup designed by Rob Brandt. You'll find there also a golden brace necklace, wonderful lamps and beautiful chairs by Blu Dot. Go there and get me something, no matter what, I'll love it.



Best Gallery Show
LEHMANN MAUPIN GALLERY
540 West 26 St, NY 10001

Jürgen Teller is the one and only. The man who influenced them all. With his pitiless approach to photography and his eye for the 'ugly' details. May it be silicone breasts or Ukrainian interior design. The exhibition at Lehmann Maupin is really worth a visit. So hurry! Posh Spice is there too...



Best Art Installation
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
1071 5th Avenue, NY 10128

Currently Cai Guo-Qiang shows his installation work 'I want to believe' at Guggenheim. The car-crush-in-the-air simulation with laser lights and shiny white cars is breathtaking. So is his pack of wolves flying through the museums hallways.




Best Food
WHOLEFOODSMARKET
95 East Houston Street, NY 10002

Never was a visit to the supermarket so mouthwatering as this time at Wholefoodsmarket. Pyramids of fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, a salad bar offering spinach with sesame, grilled tandori chicken or toasted walnuts, and a sweets-to-go assortment made me moan and groan.



Best Hideaway
CONEY ISLAND
Brooklyn, Last stop on the F or Q trains

Abandoned and desolate like Neverland Ranch nowadays, Coney Islands amusement park builds a great scenerey for a romantic and stormy walk at the beach. Now bedraggled and shabby does it remind of prettier days of laughter and sunshine. Somehow moving.



Strangest Observation
THE NORTH FACE
On jackets, trousers, bags. Just everywhere

Ok, it's damn cold but why do you all wear the same jackets? Especially in Chinatown one NF jacket is chasing the other. Is it the new secret code for I-don't-know-what-and-I-don't-want-to-know? A conspiracy? With this question I leave you alone. Have fun at your next trip to NY!!!


More pictures and stories soon...
/HORST