unique finds switzerland

© Tuchinform

TUCHINFORM is the name of a Swiss network for about 160 design studios working and experimenting with textiles.

The TUCHINFORM network also runs a unique concept store for innovative textile design made in Switzerland. The Tuchinform shop constantly displays about 100 different labels of TUCHINFORM members. We believe, another great concept to allow small and independent designers to showcase their creations in a stylish ambiance.

Each of the offered products is handmade and produced in small batches. So if you are looking for inspiration, some unique designs or may be a shop to put your own designs on display – TUCHINFORM is a must!

You will see and feel the passion for experimenting with textiles – innovative materials or cuts, prints, knitwear or… there is plenty to discover! And, you will certainly get inspired.

If you like the concept and if you want to just support TUCHINFORM’s networking activities, we would like to stress the fact that there is also a « support organization » dedicated to support the work of TUCHINFORM. For a small annual fee you can become a member, benefit from a 10% discount on your purchases at the TUCHINFORM store while supporting the overall objective. Isn’t that a great idea?

We believe it is vital to support local designers as well as emerging talents. Wouldn’t it be great to have more such talent spotting shops established?

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

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LHASA is the name of this great shop in world famous St Moritz, Switzerland.

Leeho, a Japanese lady from Osaka married to an Italian artist owns this cool shop located just a few steps away from the « Hotel Kulm » in direction of the « Cresta
Run ».

LHASA is a paradise for those of you who like candles. It offers beautiful handmade candles in an abundant variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Each of them truly unique and that you won’t find elsewhere.

At LHASA they only use the best ingredients and you will actually feel the difference because their candles don’t stick.

They also do custom-made designs upon request or you can order some candles in your favorite color – should the extensive color spectrum they are offering not already include it. But beware: It is quite difficult to make a choice!

Our favorites are the Buddha head and the classic round shape in bright orange. But there is the large square they designed for an alpine lodge, which is also great.
And yes, upon request they do candles in the shape of a beautiful cat.

Specials: Due to their special production procedures some of LHASA’s candles may be refilled up to five times - depending on how well the candles burned. A great idea!

So make sure you drop by on your next visit to sunny St Moritz to stock up candles in all colors and sizes. Remember: it is said that colors have a positive effect on your well-being.
It will definitely take you some time to make up your mind but you won’t regret it.
LHASA is also great if you need a gift. They do a truly unique gift wrapping.

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

N.B.: Currently LHASA neither has a website nor do they do any shipping. But, Leeho is a lovely lady. So if you are lucky you may even convince her to ship.… Good luck!

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© Katrépices

Stéphanie and Joffrey, a young Swiss-French couple owns this hip cooking school in Geneva.

They call it the « Cozy Cooking Factory » and it is indeed a very stylish but at the same time cozy location. The moment you enter KATREPICES you will be stunned by its beautiful design and feel at home right away. The ideal place to meet with friends or make some new ones.

They offer 30 minute lunch courses where you prepare a main course or evening courses of about two hours duration where you prepare a full three course menu.

Specials: Once a month they offer 12 singles what they call « cook dating ». A great opportunity to meet new people and have fun in a relaxed environment while preparing some delicious menu and just maybe meeting the love of your life.

We would describe KATREPICES culinary offer as seasonal French cuisine with an Asian twist. Menus vary and you can book your spot online. Course size is limited to 12 people. For further details please check out their website and read through the mouthwatering program. Just to give you some sample menus: scallops with lemongrass and vanilla, lamb cooked in hey crust and passion fruit pudding. Sounds delicious?

Besides their cooking classes KATREPICES also offers some rare and unique products such as artisan vinegars or spices from the South of France and some useful but well designed kitchenware.

One thing is for sure: you will certainly have a great time and a unique cross cultural experience.

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

Great vegetarian cooking classes in Zurich Switzerland

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© Mani's

Sister and brother Barbara and Markus Mani manage this cool meeting spot « MANI’S COFFEE & WINE BAR » in Thun’s city center right in front of the train station.

Their mission at MANI’s is to create the ideal space for you to take a break. A place where you can relax, meet others and enjoy a coffee, fresh meal or good glass of wine. Or, some of the famous Austrian ZOTTER chocolate creations they offer.

We particularly like the fact that MANI’s is a cozy meeting point for any time of the day. No matter what your plans are – if you are travelling to the famous Bernese Alps or if you just want to visit some of Switzerland’s historic places – the city of Thun and MANI’s are definitely worth a visit!

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

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© Hiltl

HAUS HILTL should be a must on your next trip to Zurich. The hot spot in Zurich's city center is a great meeting point throughout the day. Its hip lounge and beautiful terrace are great and the food and drink menu offers something for every taste.

Hiltl may be the oldest and leading vegetarian restaurant in Europe but it is definitely worth to be visited every time you come by.

Following a recent renovation and name change into HAUS HILTL famous HILTL got some new and fancy touch. Now you can enjoy your drinks, vegetarian snack or a more sophisticated meal in a stylish yet cozy environment. We particularly like the bar section which is transformed into a club at night.

The continuing success is evident: no matter when you drop by it will be busy. The secret of HILT’s success? Bringing people together: moms with kids meet students, bankers, writers, artists, grannies… Sometimes you may even spot an international celebrity in the crowd. This mix of guests combined with the relaxed atmosphere and their high quality standards make HAUS HILTL so special.

But we also love their selection of food & drinks. Our recommendation of must tries: the Mango Lassi, one of their fresh herbal teas such as lemongrass-lime thyme or the abundant Indian buffet which is a classic and incredibly delicious!

Special: HILTL also offers a beautifully designed kids menu and allergic people are very thankful for their thorough declarations of ingredients. For each dish on their menu you will find a comprehensive list of all ingredients, which is truly exceptional and if you are allergic you will be thankful for the level of detail which spares you asking all these « nasty » questions in a « Harry met Sally-manner ».

So be sure to drop by on your next visit to Zurich.

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

Read more on Hiltl's great vegetarian cooking classes at their own cooking school.

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© Bookbinders Design

Discover the hip Swedish brand BOOKBINDERS DESIGN at their various shops across Switzerland.

Bookbidners Design does these beautiful hand-crafted stationery products for your home and office. Their mission is to « make your life memorable ».

To capture your memories in a more sustainable way is great because it allows you to re-experience your feelings, to go back in time and may be more importantly to share those happy moments with some beloved ones years later. Wouldn't it be a great to start doing so today? Ever dreamt of writing a book, a travel journal or keep track of a beloved project in a stylish and more personal manner? May be now is the right time to start.

BOOKBINDERS DESIGN offers a wide spectrum of materials, bindings, shapes and colors to choose from. We love their modern yet classic designs. And their shops are just gorgeous examples how an urban oasis of well-being looks like. Once you enter one of their beautifully designed stores you feel like in a different world and you just can’t stop looking around. It is the colorful but very elegant interior design focused on their products that makes their shops so special.

Our favorites are the diaries with colorful motives, the guest book in snow white or the notebooks covered in cloth, which you can personalize right at the store by embossing a title or other little something. Their design and craftsmanship is unique so you will be able to enjoy them for a long period of time.

Trust us - it will be very difficult to make your choice and you will come up with excuses to buy more!

By surrounding yourself with these chic but timeless classics or by visiting BOOKBINDER DESIGN stores, you just can’t help but feel good. So be sure to have a look at their products to capture your memories in style! And remember, it is said that colors have a positive impact on your well-being.

Besides the high quality of their unique products BOOKBINDERS DESIGN is another statement against the boredom of mainstream shopping areas. And the best about it: it is said that they produce all their products at their own bookbindery in Sweden where they use only environmental friendly materials and manufacturing processes. Thus, these stylish products may be considered « chic green » alternatives to mainstream stationery items.

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

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© The Proof of the Pudding

Italian Walter Guariento owns the cooking school « The Proof of the Pudding » in Zurich.

Walter relocated to Switzerland in September 2009 and started giving culinary classes in his own kitchen in January 2010. Walter summarizes The Proof of the Pudding's philosophy as follows: « Good food should be shared and not sold, within reach of everyone and not the private property of a few ».

Walter’s passion for food started while he was studying IT in High School, and he decided to change career as soon as he finished his Diploma in ‘92. He undertook various courses at the Chambers of Guilds and then went traveling through Australia and South America, which enlarged his culinary repertoire that he then professionally applied since ’95, leading the kitchens in restaurants in the USA, Ireland and UK before leaving professional catering in ’04.

Walter's cooking classes for small groups from 3 to 6 people cover Italian, French and English cuisine and can be tailored to the participants' needs and interests. He offers classes cover full menus or you can choose a techniques class which includes amongst others Pasta or bread-making courses.

We would probably opt for a bread-making class but Walter's favorite dish «Spaghettini alle Volgole Veraci» (very thin spaghetti pasta with baby clams and chili with a few oven-roasted cherry tomatoes on top and a sprinkle of chopped flat-leaf parsley) or his signature dish «Ossobuco agli agrumi e cipolle arrosto» (braised veal shin in citrus fruits and baked onions) sound mouthwatering, too.

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

Great vegetarian cooking classes in Zurich

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Elisabetta Capei, an Italian art historian and interior designer with a passion for the fine and luxury things owns this paradise for chocolate lovers in Zurich - just a few steps away from famous Bahnhofstrasse and Paradeplatz.

As soon as you enter the store you will notice her professional background and experience. It is a very well designed shop where you see and feel the owner's love and passion for beautiful things in the attention to the little details.

At TRUFFE (French for Truffles) you can find all sorts of beautiful things – great chocolates from various countries, interior design objects, china, antique silverware, linen and Kashmir products as well as a selection of books.

TRUFFE is supposed to be a space for well-being and if you love chocolate this is the place to be! Just to do some name dropping of chocolate brands you will be able to discover at TRUFFE: Venchi (IT), Gobino (IT), Gertosio (IT), Amedei (IT), Babbi (IT), Rococo (UK), Chapon (FR) etc. There are also some seasonal variations, which make this a place you want to go back to.
In addition, it is said that TRUFFE offers the best hot chocolate north of Modena!

Specials: If you are allergic to lactose or if you just want to keep an eye on your calorie intake, TRUFFE will have something delicious for you.
Further they also offer some special experiences around chocolate such as blind tastings and custom-made productions.

And they do some of the best gift wrapping in town!

So be sure to drop by on your next trip to Zurich. It will be a joy for all your senses.

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

Discover Askinosie chocolate, great chocolates made in the US - read the truly inspiring story behind this cool brand and their unique philosophy!

Discover chocolate paradise Amai in Munich, Germany

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© Tibits

TIBITS is the successful Swiss joint venture of three brothers (Reto, Christian & Daniel Frei ) with a great vision of vegetarian fast food in a young and trendy environment and vegetarian « guru » Rolf HILTL/ Haus HILTL.

TIBITS offers you delicious, fresh and healthy fast food at reasonable prices in a stylish but cozy environment. And, any of the currently six TIBITS in Switzerland and the UK is the ideal place to hang out, meet friends or just take a quick break.

And the success of its concept is evident. AnyTIBITS location (at least in Switzerland) is packed with people of all ages and professions any time you visit any day of the week. Our favorites are the fresh juices, the Mango Lassi as well as the Tofu Mango Sandwich.

Specials: As in Haus HILTL you will find a detailed declaration for all dishes on the TIBITS’ menu, which is quite extraordinary. Those of you who have some food allergy will understand how unique and exceptional this comprehensive declaration is as you may have already made some weird experiences asking for the nitty-gritty …

But, it is not only the quality of the food and the little extras in terms of client service that make TIBITS so special. It is a great meeting point any time of the day no matter what you are up for.

And there is this great mix of people that we like so much.

But go and see for yourself.

Enjoy!

N.B.: There is hope for those of you not living in or travelling to Switzerland. TIBITS just started to expand their business beyond Switzerland and opened two TIBITS in London. So there might be soon one near you?

Read more on Hiltl's great vegetarian cooking classes in Zurich

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