Tag Archives: Department Store

FOOD, TRAVEL

KaDeWe: Stylish Shopping and Elegant Eating in the Heart of Berlin

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KaDeWe's magnificent food court
KaDeWe’s magnificent food court

By: Rohan 

As an American tourist coming into Berlin with very little knowledge of the language, the fact that KaDeWe was easy to pronounce and had vegetarian food on the menu was an instant sell. It’s hard enough to find quality vegetarian places in Eastern Europe, especially in a city like Berlin.

Think of KaDeWe as your typical department store on steroids. For those who have visited Harrod’s in London, it is on the same, if not higher caliber as the famous retailer. But by far the best part of KaDeWe is it promises the latest trends, delicious food, and succulent desserts that won’t break the bank.

As I mentioned, KaDeWe is massive. Seven stories to be exact. The bottom floors boast popular luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, Coach, and Armani. As you climb this massive behemoth of a store, expect floors dedicated to home goods, kitchen and bath, electronics, and of course an entire floor of toys to keep the little ones delighted.

As you reach the top of KaDeWe, you encounter an authentic Eastern European supermarket that provides access to the best of flavors from around the world. Feast your eyes (and your taste buds) on cheeses imported from Italy, or stop by the Illy Espresso and Hot Chocolate bar for a quick pick-me-up. Your options are endless.

Exit the glass elevator on KaDeWe’s top floor and you’re delighted to a beautiful food court, adorned with chic furniture, beautiful scented candles, and a picturesque glass ceiling giving you the perfect view of the nighttime sky and all of Berlin’s monuments. Try freshly made stir-fry noodles, treat yourself to a brick oven pizza, and of course, save some room for dessert. KaDeWe boasts an incredible collection of cheesecakes, puddings, pastries, ice cream, and gelato. There is no way you are leaving without satisfying that sweet tooth.

If you’re in Berlin and need a bite to eat or would like to hit up a major retailer, KaDeWe is the place to be. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.kadewe.de/en/

DESIGN, FOOD, TRAVEL

Shopping and Dining at De Bijenkorf in Amsterdam

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Restaurant at De Bijenkorf
Source: http://www.architonic.com

By Lakshmi:

Who?  Anyone who is visiting Amsterdam and wants to explore a local department store or wants to shop and grab coffee and dessert or better yet, like us wants to shop, have coffee and then end with a nice dinner.

What? De Bijenkorf, a department store chain in the Netherlands whose flagship store is in the heart of Amsterdam.

How? De Bijenkorf is located at Dam Square and can be reached by walking from many of the area hotels or Central Station.

Why?  Whenever we visit a country, I always make it a point to visit one large department store to get a feel for what the locals are into and buying.  From clothing to housewares to furniture, it is always fascinating to see what another place offers.  Since we have been to Amsterdam many times, we always pass by De Bijenkorf’s flagship store.  The first time, we actually walked through the ground floor and sat to grab coffee and dessert.  On another visit, after walking through the store, I noticed shoppers walking out with really nice neon green bags with the store’s logo.  I really wanted that bag and since I was not about to spend the minimal amount warranted to get the bag for free, I went to someone to ask if I could purchase it.  The sales person went away for a few minutes and upon her return handed me “the” bag saying that it would be a lovely reminder of my trip.  I could not be more elated with the service and my find.  On our last trip, we discovered that the store offered a restaurant with a plethora of food choices at the top-level.  So, off we went one evening, working our way through soup, pasta, sandwiches, noodles, juice, wine, coffee and dessert over the span of a few hours.  The very modern and stunning decor provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing meal and the view of the Dam Square area seen from the windows was lovely.  The most welcome surprise was the quality of food which matched any good restaurant or better.

So, if you happen to be in Amsterdam with family or friends and each of you is in a mood to eat something different, the dining area at De Bijenkorf is a lovely choice.