Why we love our Frankfurt ❤️ Thank you dear Nils Bremer, Nicole Brevoord, the other fabulous participants and the Journal Frankfurt team!
My photo by: Gianni Pucci of Vogue Italia
Why we love our Frankfurt ❤️ Thank you dear Nils Bremer, Nicole Brevoord, the other fabulous participants and the Journal Frankfurt team!
My photo by: Gianni Pucci of Vogue Italia
The summer is here, and as usual, Frankfurt comes alive with many exciting festivals and things to do. Last week the city celebrated its infamous Opernplatzfest, which takes place every year around the beautiful historical building, the Alte Oper. This is always an exciting event because there are International stands selling a variety of food, drinks, and other amusing surprises. In the middle of the festival one can find the marvelous fountain, which serves as a perfect place to sit, dance around, and flirt your heart out! There is a DJ spinning nice melodic tunes on the weekend, and during the week you can hear various ethnical bands playing to beat of the wind.
I like this festival because it has a special ambience that gives me a chance to catch up with my loved ones over a delicious glass of German Riesling wine, while enjoying a fun night out in the city. As with many other Frankfurt events, the Opernplatzfest is definitely a place to see and be seen. Not to mention that it is also a perfect place to come after work, and enjoy a nice flirt at the wine stand. You never know who you will rub elbows with here, so come and take a look!
Here are some photos of my friends and I enjoying a warm summer night at the Opernplatzfest.
Photos by the talented Berlin photographer, Nico Zeißig. He could be found on facebook here.
Frankfurt has shown it’s fabulous side once again this week, and the highlight was focused on cars, a concept store and literature. What I really love about our city is that there is always something fun and exciting happening just around the corner. Not only do we have a gorgeous skyline, but we also have sophisticated events that are accompanied by lights, camera and action! However, the trick is that Frankfurt does not open up its beauty and warmth to everyone, so for those that truly love our city – congratulations! That means that the city has opened up to you, and loves you in return.
My exciting week started off with the classy Audi Sport Night. The event was held at the Charlot and Operncafé, two lovely restaurants alongside the grand Alte Oper building. As we arrived, two pretty ladies dressed in black wrapped an Audi bracelet around our wrists, and welcomed us inside. The music was floating around the relaxed spring night, and the service team was handing out drinks, while showering the ladies with charming Italian compliments. The beauty that I saw in front of the restaurants immediately possessed my attention, and I walked away from the crowd. On display was a beautiful black Audi R8 Spyder! Being the notorious car lover that I am, I could not step away from the car. I walked around it a few times, admiring it in all its glory. I approved the 10-Spoke-Y-Design rims, and passionately touched the smooth shiny black lacquer with my palm. I probably looked funny, caressing the car over and over again, but I didn’t care. The R8 Spyder is there to make love – preferably going over 250 km/h on the Autobahn!
The girls came back outside and dragged me away from my beloved, telling me to behave and stop caressing the car! A nice cold prosecco was placed in my hand, and so the glamorous evening had begun. I looked around, and everyone was dressed in their finest suits and stylish dresses. The who’s who of Frankfurt was of course in attendance, along with a soccer world champion and the 2014 Olympic moderator. The people were all in very good spirits, with lots of happy chatter and laughter to be heard in the air. The restaurants served delicious food the entire night, and my favorite was the jumbo shrimp in a succulent sauce on a large spoon. I met some very interesting people this evening, and had great conversations. I also noticed the men flirting with the women, and the seductive smiles reflected by the warm lights of the Alte Oper. All in all, I have to say that it was a very fun and successful event organized by OCK GmbH.
A few days later we made our way to the Münchener Straße 9, to the PIP STUDIO by Ayfer Arslan. It was the pre-opening event to her lovely concept store. The first thing I noticed upon our arrival was the beautiful bright and pastel colors of the store and the food that matched the interior colors! The catering was done by InterContinental, and the bright colors even matched the drinks. Beautiful pink macarons matched the pink champagne, purple pastries matches the exotic purple cocktails – and everything was served with love and a perfect attention to detail. The store hosts a cool bar, an exclusive selection of wines and champagne, a glamorous collection of dresses and unique colorful dinnerware sets – that would look stunning in a garden party on a warm summer night. The guests were greeted not only with luxury sweets, but also with a very special surprise for the evening.
The surprise was the only and only, Jens Prewo – author of the bestseller book “111 GRÜNDE, FRANKFURT ZU LIEBEN” – and a very good friend of mine. In his book, Jens mentioned the 111 reasons to love Frankfurt, and he came up with an extraordinary list. The book covers everything from the glamorous and chic Frankfurt, to the traditional and cultural apple wine and green sauce scene, to the underground red light district, full of dark and curious mysteries. I highly recommend buying this book because Jens has a wonderful way of writing with intelligent irony and humor, which really leaves you with a smile after you finish reading the book. He definitely captures the magic of this city! After listening to the soothing voice of our Jens Prewo – reading the highlights out of his book – we ended the week with colorful macarons, a glance at Ayfer’s stunning dresses, and a sunset to remember… in our wonderful city that has 111 reasons to be loved.
I never cease to be amazed at how much our little “big” city has to offer! Just when you think that you have seen it all here, another cool thing suddenly appears, and shocks you in the most positive way! Last week Frankfurt showed me that not only do the luxurious Italians love us, but also our very own stars have magic surprises to keep the suspense, mystery and love alive in this fabulous city.
Have you ever had a complete love affair within 4 hours? I am talking about the real deal starting from the meeting, getting to know each other, wild sex, a few dramas and then a separation – all within 4 hours?! I have never experienced this either until I stepped into the Restaurant Amador. When we arrived, we found ourselves in front of a heavy massive door with a large metal “A” cut out of metal, positioned as the door handle. There were lights on both sides, but the rest of the huge industrial building was pitch dark! If you are a David Lynch fan like myself, imagine the entrance to the Club Silencio in his movie Mulholland Drive, and you will get the mysterious feeling of Amador’s beautiful entrance.
Unlike the outside, everything inside was white with slight red accents. I like large bright white rooms, so I felt very comfortable there right away. We were greeted by a beautiful woman who showed us to our table. As the first glass of pink cava was served, I realized that sitting there felt like being in a room in outer space. It was as if time has slowed down! The fascinating thing was that the staff was walking so lightly and quietly on their feet – that they looked like angels floating around the room. Hence the feeling was as if gravity was removed from the room – a very fascinating experience!
Many would describe Amador’s food creations as art – but it is so much more than that. For me the food itself was a 4-hour love affair! The 14-course menu started off with delicate little tree sculptures. I thought it was a unique decoration at first, and then I realized that it was the first dish to eat! What an imagination one must have to make something so fine and beautiful that is also edible! With this “Tree of Hope” the affair had begun! Like with any love affair I got to know the object of my affection – in this case – the menu, dish by dish. The taste was like nothing I had tried before. There were many mixes of sweet and salty – which created the drama and spice needed for the passion to burn – like untamed sex on the kitchen floor! The height of the affair was the langoustine and goose liver, which was served in the shape of a Lego piece. Along with this delicacy came dishes that included morello cherry with joselito, scallops, morel with cecina de león, pork belly with pineapple, Lamb in an enclosed glass ball, cured cheese, and much more! The big bang came at the very end, in the form of a rock garden. Ever since I was a child, I was always asking my mom for salty cereal with salty milk. Strange, I know but I am a lover of salt. To my delight, the biggest piece of the rock garden was made out of pistachio ice cream… and guess what? It was a salty ice cream! A dream come true for me, which I have been wishing for over 20 years now! It was a wild experience ending with an oral orgasm, where the taste buds were stimulated with such unusual delicious flavors and sensations! The wine was flowing all night, and the laughter in the room and happy atmosphere were making this a truly remarkable experience.
I looked at my watch and saw that it was midnight, and so the 4-hour love affair was coming to an end. I didn’t want the evening to finish, but like Cinderella in her fairytale, it was time to bid our farewell and go. We left the Restaurant Amador in its entire splendor, and stepped into the warm night air. This love affair is one that I will not forget anytime soon! Juan Amador was awarded 3 Michelin stars for his exquisite creations, but if it were up to me, I would present him with all of the Michelin stars in the sky.
Like with any fantastic week, this one ended with an Italian fashion escapade to the opening of the Brioni store. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by two gorgeous ladies holding a clipboard, and welcoming us into the store. Delicious cold champagne has found its way to my hand, and so I was ready to check out what makes Brioni so special for men. I was pleasantly surprised at the fine materials and the color selection for this season. The suits and shirts had very stylish, tight-fitted cuts, yet at the same time quite masculine. Of course the Who’s Who of Frankfurt were there, with bright smiles, winks and hellos going around the store. Delicious Hors d’oeuvre were circulated, and the champagne kept making its way back to us. Brioni has clothing only for men, but that didn’t stop me from getting a large white shirt, and wearing a belt around the waist, turning the fancy shirt into a dress. All in all, it was a very exciting and fabulous week. Thank you Juan Amador, Brioni and my love Frankfurt for spoiling me with such delicious beauty, style and joy. I have to say that our little cosmopolitan city has a world of its own to offer, so all you need to do it go out there, explore and enjoy! Life is short boys and girls, so have fun and be happy ❤
Little did I know that Frankfurt is obsessed with kitchens and shoes! Last week was the glamorous week of kitchen parties in Frankfurt. All the stars came out, including a 2-Michelin star cook to celebrate Frankfurt’s fabulous kitchens. Not only was there champagne and gourmet food taking over the chic counters, there was also a new stylish collection of shoes being presented in the kitchen. Last week was enough proof for me that the most intense love is made in the kitchen!
The week started off at the Genussakademie, where my big love – Journal Frankfurt – was hosting its annual kitchen party. I gathered the girls and we went on a mission to eat, flirt and enjoy the wonderful company of the best magazine in Germany. We were greeted at the entrance with a cold glass of delicious bubbly, and smiles all around the room. Of course the tallest and most handsome man at the party was my editor, Nils Bremer. He welcomed us to this glorious event, and so the fun began! The Genussakademie is a really great place because it has a setup of 4 different cooking stations. Each station had two chefs, who were given the mission to cook 3 of their favorite Frankfurt dishes. That made it a total of a 12-course dinner! Of course being the curious monkey that I am, I walked around and tried everything, multiple times. I was highly impressed by the taste and creativity of the chefs and the dishes! Many Frankfurt personalities were in attendance, and everyone was laughing and having a great time. Journal Frankfurt, you definitely have good style and exquisite taste!
Italy is cool, but last week Frankfurt was cooler, as the Italians came to us to show off their beautiful shoes. Scarosso – a super chic Italian shoe label came to present it’s pop up store in our stylish city. Perfectly blending in with the kitchen theme, the event was held in the artsy Freitagsküche. When we arrived, the inner court was decorated with a warm red light and a huge press wall for the glam photos. A beautiful lady at the door greeted us with a leather wristband for the entry, and a sexy smile to match the vibe. As we entered, sounds of a live saxophone penetrated our ears, and the drum matched my heartbeat. They mixed the sax with really nice vocal house, which gave the event a nice fashion-underground-party-feeling. The bar was set up with delicious drinks and handsome bartenders. There were beautiful models all around us, sipping sensuously on their drinks. The shoes were doing their magic, as the ladies and even gentlemen couldn’t walk by without taking one or the other in their hands. Delicious round little pizzas were being served fresh and hot from the kitchen, as a perfect companion to the Moscow Mules. Beautiful shoes and cocktails in the kitchen – who needs more than that?
Last but not least, and definitely the most glamorous kitchen event that I have been to, was the Kitchen party at the Villa Kennedy. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the beautiful Katharina Metternich, who looked like an Italian princess in her beautiful long silky dress. We were given a black apron from the Villa’s Gusto restaurant, and were guided to an area set up with champagne and exotic drinks. After chatting with the other prominent guests, we were guided to the one and only – the large kitchen of the Villa Kennedy. As we walked in, I was completely overtaken by the beautiful transformation of the kitchen! The lights were dimmed to perfection, and accentuated with pink spotlights, creating a very warm and romantic atmosphere. There were areas set up allover the kitchen with chefs creating their magical affairs. However the most eloquent chef of the evening was Fulvio Pierangelini – the grandmaster himself with 2 Michelin stars. Being true to his spicy Italian blood, Fulvio was very charming, and quite the ladies’ man. His creations were mouth-watering and simply delicious beyond words. There was a DJ set up in the corner of the room, igniting the kitchen on fire, with his melodic beats. The guests and celebrities were walking around in their cute Gusto aprons, enjoying the food and atmosphere of this unique event. It was like being in a kitchen-fairytale because everyone seemed to be so happy! The champagne was flowing, and the laughter was echoing in the room. There was even an old-fashioned candy jars area, where guests filled their takeaway bags with every imaginable candy they desired! This will be a kitchen party long to remember, bravo!
Frankfurt, I love you because you are authentic, cool and very glamorous. There is always something exciting going on in this small cosmopolitan city! Not only do we have the best kitchen parties, but we also have International stars coming to us, wanting to be a part of our magic!
Last week, Frankfurt fell in love. The air was filled with that type of buzzing mystery that made you feel giddy from head to toe. The evening light seemed much brighter, as if the sky was anticipating a galactic battle of the Gods, complete with a light show and a band, singing down from Heaven. People were running around, couples hand-in-hand, the birds were still chirping, and even the drug thugs were floating around with a smile on their beaten up faces. Yes, Frankfurt was definitely madly in love last week, and it wasn’t just due to the city’s action heroes: Mr. Apple Wine and Sir Mispelchen – no, it was so much more! There was a wave of action happening in our glamorous city.
It was a rather warm Saturday on the evening of October the 26th. Clad in a colorful silk dress, and black biker boots, I made my way to the Gibson club. I was so excited in anticipation of my friends, Inga Humpe and Tommi Eckart a.k.a 2raumwohnung to takeover the stage and rock the show! I was really looking forward to hear their new songs live. Considering that love was the theme for the week, these two sweethearts embody the meaning of it. The way they looked at each other while performing made my heart skip a beat. Inga has so much passion and sensual energy, that it made the people in the club feel the heat inside of their bodies. Suddenly it became dark, and the music changed into the rhythmic beat and seduction of 2raumwohnung. Finally she was on stage, more glorious than ever! She looked around, smiled in her mischievous way, and started to sing. With the voice of an angel, she came to mesmerize Frankfurt, and show us what love really is. The crowd went wild, letting go of their inhibitions, and dancing to Inga’s magical words. She had us all under her spell, and we loved every second of it! Nobody wanted them to leave the stage, and the crowd kept begging for more. It was one of the best concerts that I have been to in a while. Backstage, we were greeted with a cold glass of wine, and both Inga and Tommi were glowing with happiness. The electric atmosphere was felt inside the room, along with the warmth and passion of authentic musicians that truly love and cherish what they do! We toasted to a very successful start of their tour, and continued chatting the night hours away. There was lots of laughter, smiles and good old-fashion fun in the mysterious room behind the Gibson stage. I’m truly lucky to have such wonderful people in my life, and especially my good friend Rose that introduced us in Berlin a few years ago. Inga is a true inspiration for me because she’s a woman that has achieved so much. She knows what she wants, and makes it happen. No ifs, ands or buts. No excuses. Veni Vidi Vici, and the warrior princess that goes by the name of Inga Humpe conquered all.
There is no love without a little bit of Halloween terror. While everyone was celebrating a scary hair-raising evening, mine was surrounded by delicious food, my best friend, and a very warm and inviting atmosphere at the opening of Laube, Liebe, Hoffnung. We arrived in the evening, when the stars lit up the sky in their full glory, and the crisp air was filled with the delicious aroma of a hearty soup being cooked outside. We headed straight to the bar, and were greeted with a bubbly drink to unwind from our long day. I looked around and felt like I was on a set of a movie about a cozy, romantic fairytale house, when the times were innocent, and the people came there and fell magically in love. The shape of the building is what gave me this feeling, because it is very unusual and unique! It really looks and feels like it came straight out of a fantasy book where Alice should have lived, and this would definitely be her Wonderland. The coolest part is the Steeple-like construction in the front, which is actually an observatory deck. After admiring the façade, we stepped inside and our ears filled with beautiful music, drawing in all of the cupids, and preparing them for the love mission of the Laube. Little glass cups glittered in the distance, filled with exquisite cream and fruits. The beautiful staff were walking around, attentive and eager to fill glasses with their fizzy love-potions. It was a truly lovely and delicious evening at the Laube. Now gentlemen, here is a special tip for you – I was told that it is possible to reserve a table alone for 2 at the top of the steeple! You can enchant your woman, watch the beautiful glittery Frankfurt skyline hand in hand, while sipping some wine and kissing secretly on the top of the Love + Hope deck!
The next mission took me to the BelEtage opening at the Palais. Upon arrival, we saw a seductive pink light at the most noble floor, shinning through the windows of the magnificent structure. I closed my eyes for a moment and imagined what it was like to attend a private ball here in the 18th century. I vividly saw the grandes dames wearing their multi layered silk skirts, delicate gloves and extravagant hairpieces. I suddenly snapped out of my fantasy when two men in dark suits greeted us at the entrance. If felt like we were standing at an invisible doorway to the past. What would happen if I took one step forward? Would I be transported back to a time when romance was celebrated with hand-written love letters, elaborate flowers, and carriage rides through the city accompanied by courtships, good manners and respectful gentlemen? However, I quickly realized that they all lived up to about 40 years of age, so receiving a love email and pasta instead was not sounding so bad after all! We walked in, and were stunned by the location. The ceilings are quite tall, and the windows smiled, holding onto their secrets of parties that happened there some hundred years ago. The bar was quite large and very inviting, boasting nice bottles from all over the world. The atmosphere was that of an exciting night out in the city, and the DJ was playing funky music that moved us right onto the dance floor. I was having tons of fun, and it appeared that everyone else around me was as well. I have to admit that Frankfurt is full of very attractive people. The ladies wore dresses for a good night out, with their sexy high heels, chic dresses, and beautifully done hair. The men were in their element as well, enjoying the surroundings, and awaiting their princess to bestow her presence upon them. Love, of course, was also invited to the fabulous BelEtage in Frankfurt, and she was making her rounds, with a mission to mesmerize and inspire as many people as possible!
Every year this city expands its “fabulousness” – like huge bird wings spreading across from Hibbdebach to Dribbdebach. Frankfurt circulates its love in the most unexpected ways. Whether with a beautiful voice vibrating through club walls, history-awakening openings, or simply sipping pink apple wine at the Main, this city is packed from top to bottom with pure love. There is something very special about this Frankfurt. It cannot be seen or touched, it’s rather something that you feel in your heart. It’s a strong feeling of belonging, and it’s a part of you. I have traveled quite a lot in the last 10 years, and no matter where I have been around the world, I was always looking forward to come back to my small city with a big attitude. Last week my city fell in love, and in return, I feel even deeper in love with it.
Galia Brener with Inga Humpe of 2raumwohnung.
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