3 reasons to go there:

1. If you like ice cream ofcourse! And their farm-to-cone principle.
2. How about a flavor called ‘Happy B-day Elvis!’
3. It’s located in the Woodlawn area – there where you find the restaurant Beast as well.

Check out: www.saltandstraw.com

(Images via Portland Monthly – a site worth checking if you’re going to Portland)

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you’re on a budget trip.
2. You have to like the color yellow. Talking about color therapy: yellow makes you happy!
3. But it’s not all about that color therapy why they choose that color. Split is known for sulphur – and that’s yellow.

From 20 euro per person, check out: www.gollybossy.com

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you like pies – check that apple pie… so juicy!
2. If you’re in downtown Los Angeles.
3. You can easily take your children.

Check out: www.thepieholela.com

3 reasons to go there:

1. Foam, the Museum of Photography in Amsterdam, opens a concept store.
2. If you love an extended museum shop.
3. And photography ofcourse.

Check out: www.foam.org

I’ve told you before about Arnhem, Piet Paris and a future fashion hotel. Now there’s more information available. Like the name and the openingsdate. The name, MODEZ, is a composition of mode (fashion), design and ArtEZ (Institute of the Arts where Viktor & Rolf graduated among others). Illustrator Piet Paris asked several fashion designers (with their roots in Arnhem) to design the rooms. So it’s a bit different than the Exchange Hotel done by fashion students, and the Teaching Hotel done by interior designers. The opening is scheduled in August 2012. In the press release they also tell us that José Teunissen (Professor of Fashion Design) and Coming Soon are taking part in the proces as consultants. I’m curious!

No website yet, I’ll keep you posted.

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you’re a sucker for restaurants where they produce their food in their own garden.
2. If you like the happy interior.
3. If you like to sit outside in their garden.

Check out: www.erbabrusca.it

Most striking feature:

The best sneakers ever. For men though. Last week they opened their first store in Mini Mall Rotterdam – on the Katshoek side (you can park your car in front of the shop). Inside you’ll find the Vico sneakers in a beautiful concrete environment. The best way to present the shoes because the colors – especially the baby blue one – are really popping out. One of the owners told me that there is one model in nine different colors. And if you buy one (price: 129 euro) you get laces in two colors – to mix it with your clothes. Oh, and if you buy a pair don’t forget to walk inside the Mini Mall to the Alfredo Gonzales vending machine – buy one pair of cool socks for ten euro. Love all those male fashion entrepeneurs from Rotterdam!

Check out: www.vico-movement.com

Most striking feature:

Jordy’s Bakery is a new bakery located at the Nieuwe Binnenweg – a part of town I not visit often because I live on the other side. But this area is becoming better by the day. Especially for doing the groceries. You’ve got Buiten on one side of the road and now Jordy’s Bakery on the other side. And when you’re in need of a barber shop you have to check in (men only) at Schorem (try to pronounce that if you’re not speaking Dutch, good practice if you want to learn the language). Jordy’s Bakery is much easier to pronounce and sells the best desem bread. And that in a visual dream – the design of the logo, business cards and the store is done perfectly. Upstairs there’s a little place to have a desem tosti – or drink coffee of the Man met de Bril.

Check out: www.jordysbakery.nl

Thanks Bas for the recommendation!

Most striking feature:

The enthusiastic owner. I’ve visited more than 300 spots in 1,5 years and I think I never met someone who is so enthusiastic about his store – and about the men he advises in becoming a gentlemen: ‘It’s not about fashion, it’s about style’, and he loves to help guys with that. He even showed me a video on his iPad to emphasize his goal. The store is there for a couple of years already, but I finally walked in. I spotted brands like Denham, Paul Smith (from next week on) and even a bike of VANMOOF. But he also likes to sell things made by Rotterdammers (people from Rotterdam, his LokalHeroz). Like Effio socks, the bow ties of Mr Ed and Rotterdam Good Times. Definitely worth the go when you’re shopping in Rotterdam.

Check out: www.lokalheroz.com 

Most striking feature:

I live almost next door to Depot Rotterdam and everytime I walk past it I stop and stare. Depot Rotterdam is a huge inspiration for my interior. From the Ferm Living cushions to this very cute radio. Ofcourse they changed the windows/interior of the store in the four years I live there, but everytime I wished it was my living room. They have the ability to make design suitable for everyone. Not just for empty houses with one couch and no books or television. Last week I got an e-mail of a reader of Petite Passport, Lianne Siebring, who told me that her work was sold at Depot Rotterdam, so I had to check it out. The Nighthouse by Lianne Siebring is a perfect nightstand. There’s a light on it (shaped like the chimney), you can lay your magazines on top of it – or inside it. Cool!

Check out: www.depotrotterdam.nl