Go Find It

By kikozbi1 / CC BY 2.0

Last weekend I was lucky enough to spend some time in Paris with my friends. The town was warm and sunny, people were gone on their holidays and Paris Beach was just waiting for us. All the elements were in place: so I fell in love with Paris – once again!

I particularly enjoyed the time spent musing on terraces of cafés or restaurants. Amongst the few places I tried during this heavenly mini-vacation, I remember ‘Les Philosophes’, located in Le Marais, in an old but trendy street.

I don’t know what the best part was: the lovely neighbours on the terrace, the unceasing smile of the waiter or the appetizing menu with local and fresh food or even the 280€ bottle of wine. Can you believe that? I’m not sure if the bathroom can be the best part of a restaurant but here, it surely was the most surprising…

As you probably guessed, ‘Les Philosophes’ means ‘The Philosophers’. So, inside the restaurant it is all about philosophy, even in the toilets! Indeed, the bathroom is full of mirrors, customized with messages and when you look at yourself, it is like your own conscience was talking to you. For instance, when you wash your hands you have the choice between ‘I doubt’ and ‘I’m aware’. Disconcerting experience… Which one would you have chosen?

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Jon Hanson / CC BY-SA 2.0

Last weekend the sun came out (finally!) and so I decided to try Frank’s Cafe and Campari bar, located on the top floor of a car park near Peckham Rye station. I know there are many roof gardens in more popular areas, but none of them offer a view like this one.

Finding Frank’s is an adventure, because there are no signs. I had to walk around the car park until I found an entrance; inside, I took a lift (that stoped at the 5th floor) then walked to the top of the building.

The bar feels like a “barraca de praia” (typical Brazilian beachside restaurant) – an improvised and temporary shelter – and there’s a grill serving fish and meats, as well as salads. There are art installations and abstract sculptures around, but the the main attraction is the view.

Looking over South London, you can see all the famous landmarks and buildings that line the Thames: from Battersea Power Station in the West, past the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Tate Modern, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin, City Hall, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, to the Millenium Dome in the East. It would be hard to find a better view anywhere else.

While the weather is still good, this would be the perfect place to watch the sunset; so don’t miss the opportunity to take your camera to Frank’s Cafe and Campari bar before it closes on September 30th.

You can find Ana on Twitter and on Flickr.

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jsgphoto / CC BY-ND 2.0

If you walk along Årstaviken in Stockholm, which in itself is an oasis in the middle of a capital city, you’ll sooner or later come across Cafe Tubby. The coffee and the snacks are not amazing or groundbreaking in anyway so you really don’t come here for the quality of the products but you do come here for the quality of the place.

There’s no inside seating area so it’s only open in the summer, you can chill out in the beach-chairs whilst dipping your feet in the water and listen to reggae. The atmosphere can’t be explained with any other word than relaxed.

I love to sit down in those comfy chairs and enjoy the weather or have a long chat with a friend when my feet ache from a walk around Årstaviken. This is something me and one of my close friends from Sweden used to do in the summers and I must admit: I really miss it.

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