TRIED & TESTED: CLOUD SEVEN CAFE PORTLAND

Most striking feature:

The Macbooks. It was like Cloud Seven Cafe was around the corner of an Apple store because everyone in here was working on their Macbook. It’s a good place to come alone, check your mail and get in touch with the local Macbook users (don’t even think of bringing your Windows laptop in here, because I think you will cause a stir). I’ve ordered a chicken salad on a Yam Bum and a coke. We’re in Portland so it’s not the normal Coke, but the green version of it. Without the sugar and produced in an honest way. I loved this place also because of their lamps.

Check out: www.cloudsevencafe.com

ANYONE IN FOR PARIS?

Perfect video for a lazy sunday afternoon prior to Valentine’s day, don’t you think? I only could think: I wanna go, I wanna go.

Check out: www.anecdote.nl

LIKE TO HAVE: CLOTHES FROM ALAND SEOUL

I love discovering chains we don’t have in the Netherlands. Like Aland: a store with several outlets in Seoul. They collect nice things from all over the world to create a fantastic collection. I did some online window shopping and these are my favorites:

Dress: 33 euro
Bag from Baggu: 37 euro
Espadrilles: 31 euro

Check out: www.a-land.co.kr

NEW SPOT: MILLIMETER MILLIGRAM SEOUL

3 reasons to go there:

1. To buy fantastic diaries
2. To buy fantastic cards
3. And all other stationary

Check out: www.mmmg.net

(Image via Flickr)

NEW SPOT: THE CONCIERGE DURBAN

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you love colour blocking: the designer of the hotel worked around that concept
2. If you want to stay in an urban bungalow
3. If you want a great cafe next to your hotel

From 98 euro per night, check out: www.the-concierge.co.za

NEW SPOT: BAR BAARSCH AMSTERDAM

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you’re in the area called de Baarsjes.
2. For lunch or dinner – inside or on their terrace.
3. To bring your kids.

Check out: www.barbaarsch.nl

(Images made by Gino van Meenen)

NEW SPOT: I THINK SO SEOUL

3 reasons to go there:

1. They sell stationary
2. And all other kinds of small affordable stuff
3. If you want to browse hours through their shop

Check out: www.ithinkso.co.kr

TO GO: THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES ARNHEM

In the Netherlands there’s only one Fashion Academy which delivers names like Viktor & Rolf and Spijkers & Spijkers and that one is located in Arnhem – of all places. Arnhem is a city full of fashion (see stores like Humanoid and Coming Soon) so it isn’t strange at all to host a mayor exhibition of Spijkers & Spijkers. It not only captures all the collections of the sisters, but it also gives you rare behind the scenes information. If you love fashion, you can’t miss it. Till August 21, 2011

Check out: www.mmkarnhem.nl

(Image made by Marc Deurloo)

I’M GOING TO BERLIN

This weekend I’m in Berlin making a report for Dutch magazine Marie Claire. I will be staying at the new The Weinmeister hotel in Mitte – but ofcourse I will be discovering new areas of the city as well. I’m so curious about the hotel because they work with iPad’s as well. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook I will keep you updated.

Are you travelling to Berlin sooner than October (when the article is published) or living in another country and want my recommendations? Sent me an e-mail at petitepassport@hotmail.com

TRIED & TESTED: THE DUTCH NEW YORK

Karianne Vermaas is a big fan of Petite Passport. Last week she went to New York with her father and together they discovered the new talk of the town: The Dutch

Most striking feature:

“The sign outside attracted my attention right away. The Dutch…would it be all about dutch treats such as bitterballen and frikadellen? Luckily it was all but that! The Dutch is an American restaurant, bar and oyster room and it is inspired by local cafés and bistros, as well as seaside shacks and roadside joints. Actually it represents the mix of cultural influences that make New York City so wonderful. The Dutch has a very comfortable atmosphere and definitely is hip without trying too hard to be the most happening place in town. Not a big surprise maybe, if you consider the fact that it’s the work of interior designers Roman & Williams (also known for their work at the Standard Hotel en the Ace Hotel). Loved the Skirt Steak Rollatini and my father enjoyed his Pecan Duck with Organic Dirty Rice very much. Breakfast, lunch and brunch are coming soon, they told us.”

Check out: www.thedutchnyc.com