Tower Records in Shibuya gleams like a beacon, calling out to music and book lovers across the city and its inhabitant nationalities. It has recently gone under construction, so that what was once a peaceful book haven on the seventh floor has become a cool, sophisticated book/coffee shop on the 2nd. There are spaces for you to sit and read, with chargers for your laptop or phone, wooden floors, the best foreign book selection I’ve yet to see, and music which makes you stop and say “I LOVE that track!” The coffee shop serves taco rice, cakes, make-your-own hamburger sets and is decked out in a comfy, earthy style.

www.tower.jp
2F, 1-22-14, Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0041
+81 3-3496-3661
Google map: bit.ly/164yvHC

* Hollie is our Been there local for Tokyo. You can check out her profile here:
www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/tokyo-local-hollie-mantle.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/HollieMantle

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You've emerged, blinking like a newborn, from the perilously touristic Damrak street which took you from Amsterdam Central Station to Dam Square. You are hungry and grouchy from a cramped discount airline flight, or maybe you just have the munchies since you stopped along the way at a coffeeshop. Either way, you're low on funds but not keen to try the gross tourist haunts you've seen so far.

Go west, young (wo)man, to Grillroom Sefa (or Sefa Grill-room, or... who knows? They don't even have a website). Sefa has a host of Middle Eastern dishes to take out or eat there, all from 5 to 10 Euros. Fresh, tasty, and served with uncharacteristic (for Amsterdam) friendliness, you can grab a shoarma, a doner, or kebab. Good-sized meals too (the 5 EUR Broodje Doner is all I usually need for the day).

Located at Westermarkt 25, it is only a few blocks from Dam Square, directly across from Westermarkt church, within 100 meters of the Anne Frank house and closer still to a canal where you can dangle your feet over the side and chill out with your meal. They're open until the wee hours as well. Better Sefa than sorry! (Sorry!).

Westermarkt 25, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
+31(0)20 7739212
Google map: bit.ly/13ej6qp

* Jeff is our Been there local for Amsterdam. You can read his profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/amsterdam-local-jeff-funnekotter.jsp and follow his tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/jefffunnekotter

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What can I say? Love 'The Harry's. The location is perfect - it feels like heaven sat watching the sunset from the top. Views are just gorgeous. Great place for morning coffee or an evening drink and also definitely the best restaurant to go to. Food is great. This is certainly the only place that we book year on year. You need to pre book for the restaurant though as it does get very busy.

www.theharrysrestaurant.com
Belceğiz Mh., Çarşı Cd, Ölüdeniz, Turkey
+90 252 617 07 08
Google map: bit.ly/YutaXw

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Myself and my partner ate here on a number of occassions and were never disappointed. The service was excellent, really friendly staff and always happy to help. The restaurant looks out over the beach which is a stunning view. We often watched the paragliders landing just in front of the restaurant or the the sun setting from here.
The food was so good, everything we ordered was wonderful. From a simple chicken kebab wrap to Harry's fish special we really enjoyed it all. It was great value for money. Yes, some of the drinks were a bit expensive but no more than anywhere else. After a lovely meal we really enjoyed going up to Harry's cocktail bar and trying out all the different cocktails. Again the staff there were brilliant and the cocktails were yummy.
Overall this was one of our favourite restaurants and deserves the excellent rating we have given it. As my title said great food, great surroundings and great staff. What more could you want?!

www.theharrysrestaurant.com
Carsi Cad. 1, Oludeniz Fethiye, Mugla / Turkiye
+90 252 617 07 08
Google map: bit.ly/XSEdMZ

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This is an historic building built in Japanese style in 1911. It sits high above Hollywood Blvd with a view toward downtown. Interesting fusion dishes and a great bar. A great place to escape Hollywood's frantic pace in a beautiful setting to enjoy the twinkling lights.
A wonderful spot to study the skyline and enjoy drinks, small plates or dinner, moderate prices. Romantic and historic at the same time. Be sure to check out history on website.

www.yamashirorestaurant.com
1999 N Sycamore Hollywood 90068
+1 323 466 5125
Google map: bit.ly/YZDG5g

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This is an excellent auberge type of accommodation at Ait Oufi in the Dades Gorge, a stunning area of Morocco north west of the desert. We took this route on our way over to the coast south of Agadir. Unfortunately we were short of time so only had one night here with Ismail, his sister and brother. We would certainly return to experience more of the excellent menus on offer and also the chance to take guided tours in the area, led personally by Ismail. The brothers are all very innovative and skilled at providing a range of services to their guests. Ismail speaks excellent English.
You will certainly have a wonderful culinary experience as they have expertise at providing dishes you would not expect to be served in Morocco - e.g. amuse bouchee of goat's cheese and roast pepper served in a pastry tartlet, butternut squash soup, timbale of rice with pigeon stuffed with mushrooms. To finish we had the most scrumptious sugar tart. All of this provided a most welcome change after two weeks of tagine and couscous. Post-dinner stories all sincerely related gave us a real insight into the past life and experiences of this berber family. Any journalist seeking a heart-warming story would find some good copy here.

www.chezpierre.org/
+212524830267

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An amazing bustling place where workers mix with tourists at lunchtime and during evenings tourists mix with locals. The ex-Bordeaux chef's exciting menus (typically from choice of three items per course) using fresh, local produce which you can also buy in the deli by the restaurant front door.

www.cafedelaliberte.fr
11 Place Gambetta, 33550 Paillet
+33 556 72 34 34
Google map: bit.ly/Zhb7kz

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Normandy’s best bucket-sized moules frites in a crazy bohemian shack on the beach – walls daubed with huge nude paintings – where you grab a chair, share an old trestle table with friendly strangers, dig your toes in the sand and write your own order on a scrap of paper (provided) to take to the bar. Oysters and teurt-goule (cinnamon rice pudding) available too. Chaotic and noisy with a proud reputation for being “the worst restaurant in France and possibly all of Europe”. But who cares? – just enjoy the sun while you wait. The cider’s pretty good too.

La Plage, Blainville-sur-Mer, Normandy
+33 (0)2 33 47 22 72
Google map: bit.ly/WL4S8c

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Situated on a wine estate overlooking the Baie de Paulilles, Le Clos de Paulilles epitomises classic but informal French dining. Each course from the farm's one fixed menu is accompanied by a different type of their own wine. As you feast on the (very) local produce, watch the evening sun set over the Pyrenees. Walk off the indulgences of the evening with a stroll along the adjacent beach.

www.clos-de-paulilles.com
Paulilles, 66660 Port-Vendres, France
+33 9 62 12 80 19
Google map: bit.ly/15yLkd5

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I recently had to interview a bunch of NYC kids for a parenting magazine. I asked them for the #1 thing they love about their neighborhood, and all the Upper East Side kids said the same thing: Sedutto. The tiny ice cream/frozen yogurt shop has tons of flavors and mix-ins. You can even order a cupcake, and they'll replace the inside with your favorite ice cream flavor. A bunch of Manhattan kiddos can't be wrong. It's a sweet pit stop if you're hanging around Museum Mile.

1498 1st Ave # 1, New York, NY, United States
+1 212 879 9557
Google map: bit.ly/XS2PCV

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

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Probably the best place to eat in France, certainly the best place I've ever eaten in my life. A French cousin took me there in 1966 and I can remember every mouthful, starting with the red mullet en croute and ending with the raspberry liqueur. Heaven! Is it still as good? Take me there and I'll tell you.
More recent visitors like the food but not the bill, so don't go unprepared. After your lunch, have a gentle walk round one of the beautiful golden limestone villages, or work off the calories in the hilly Monts-d'Or behind Collonges.

www.bocuse.fr/
40 Rue de la Plage 69660 Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or, France
+33 4 72 42 90 90
Google map: bit.ly/XVoGGi







> Paul Bocuse, Auberge du Pont de Collonges



Paul Bocuse, Auberge du Pont de Collonges

40 rue de la Plage | Collonges au Mont D'Or, 84240 Lyon, France
+33 (0) 4 7242 9090

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The exciting prospect of lunch hits you as you begin your saunter down Rue Monge on a Sunday market day. Head to a rotisserie where the chickens are plump and the sweet aroma of freshly roasted meat is most enticing. Bird secured, walk the six or so blocks to Jardins de Luxembourg, find a bench with a view and have an al fresco lunch among Parisians with napkins at the ready. A simple and hugely satisfying lunch in one of the finest cities in the world.

Place Monge Marche, 5th arrondissement
Google map: bit.ly/YLbxPf

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A little scruffier than its picturesque and sunnier southern neighbours, le Finistere (the end of the earth!) still has lots to offer in clean, empty beaches and hidden gems. After a day on the miles of sandy beach at Kerloch or at historic Locranon head to Le Manoir de Moellien for a perfect meal served in the baronial chic dining room with discrete waiters and delicious, local food from a set menu. Superb wine list.

29550 Plonévez-Porzay, France
+33 2 98 92 50 40
Google map: bit.ly/YSSYe8

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Panivol is a beautiful blue-shuttered ferme-auberge set in the Périgord-Limousin regional natural park. We loved it here because of the views, the building, the small restaurant with its old tiled floor, the goats and farm animals and the freshly prepared specialities from the farm. Whilst limited in choice, daily specials include sorrel or wild garlic omelette and civet de canard with local chestnuts. Finish with œufs à la neige sprinkled with wild strawberries. Last time we dined here one of the free range chickens (the kind that looks as if it is wearing big fluffy ankle socks) amusingly wandered into the dining area in amongst the tables and guests. Rooms are also available if you wish to stay.

www.panivol.fr
La Ferme de Panivol, 24360 Bussière-Badil
+33(0)5 53 56 40 66
Google map: bit.ly/Zd2do8

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Pack your picnic basket with a baguette, Camembert, a Normandy cider and a tarte au pommes, and head for the old town of Rouen. Relax on the bench at the foot of Rouen’s Notre Dame Cathedral where Monet stood with his easel and brushed his series of Cathedral images and bon appétit! If you are brave and maybe talented too take your charcoals with you and try your hand. If not take coffee on the pavement outside one of several little cafes, like Brasserie Paul, nearby to the sounds of the accordion. Inspiring.

www.brasserie-paul.com
1 Place de la Cathédrale, 76000 Rouen, France
+33 2 35 71 86 07 ‎
Google map: bit.ly/YalFRC

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On a sunny day wander into the garden of Le Grand Sapin in Villequier right on the banks of the Seine where you can dine on the lawn overlooking the river. On hot days sit in the shade of the magnificent magnolia tree. And as if enjoying great French food “au terrasse” is not enough, you will marvel at the most ginormous cargo ships that pass by gracefully on their way to and from the sea. Having first experienced this lovely family run hotel at the age of five with my parents, and more recently at the age of 55 with my husband, thankfully very little seems to have changed. After lunch take a short stroll along the river to the Musee Victor Hugo.

www.legrandsapin.fr
Le Grand Sapin, 76490 Villequier
+33(0)2 35 56 78 73
Google map: bit.ly/ZHZN2y

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Watch your dinner being cooked in the inglenook, you can’t get more local than this! A rustic setting in the middle of the countryside. At the end of a long country lane, park in among the roaming ducks and guinea fowl and enter through the courtyard into this idyllic setting. Don’t go expecting a wide choice but if you want to try home made dishes such as watercress soup, guinea fowl with pineau sauce or duck grilled over the wood fire, which you can watch being cooked in the inglenook fireplace, then don’t miss this treat. You can’t get more local than this!

Les Forges de la Valade, 24360 Busserolles
+33 5 53 56 57 63

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Literally on the beach at Mers-les-Bains - Haute Normandie - Les Mouettes is a buzzy bistro popular with French locals. Serves fresh fish and meat dishes, including scallops when in season, to enjoy overlooking the sea. Get your timings right because its open (and indeed only there!) from April to 11th November after which cranes come along and dismantle the entire restaurant to comply with seasonal “beach dining licencing rules”. If you still haven’t sampled enough seafood take a stroll to the quayside at nearby Le Treport where boats arrive with the daily catch.

Les Mouettes, Esplanade du Général Leclerc, 80350 Mers-les-Bains
+33 2 35 86 30 38
Google map: bit.ly/XTFwWf

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A small, intimate restaurant set in a 17th Century townhouse that fits beautifully into the medieval atmosphere of Dinan.
Grilled meat is cooked on an open fireplace within. Flames and delicious aromas add to the all important 'je ne sais quoi.' Although fully booked we were left unhurried and had plenty of time to savour delicious local wines while drinking in the period details of the setting.

6 rue Sainte-Claire, 22100 Dinan, Brittany
+33(0)2963 90252
Google map: bit.ly/14jZMmB

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As you drive through the tall fir trees along the winding hilly roads in search of Les Chalet du Tarn, where to your side rolls the calm, serene Tarn river, you can't help feeling as though you have escaped. Escaped the busy day-to-day hassle of life, the crowds and heat of tourists and have discovered a wonderful retreat in the heart of the French countryside in the Midi-Pyrenees.
The road curves and you cross a small, stone bridge and crawl across taking in the breathtaking views up and down the Tarn. A quaint church sits at the opposite side and as you reach this you take the lane to the left, following alongside the river again, driving carefully between it's banks and the Chateaux on your right. This is a place of heritage and original architecture.
Les Chalet du Tarn is a campsite, but there are chalets you can hire. Before you have even pitched your tent, with views that are hard to put into words, the friendly owner invites you to dine tonight - what's on the menu? "Ce soir", he says, "Moules frites". Heaven to my senses.
Each night the owners create a new menu, everything is home made and served fresh to your private, if basic, table.
Imagine: you are sat back, relaxed, with a glass of locale vin blanc/rouge/rose in your hand; the quiet hush surrounds you, a slight rustling of the trees and background run of the river; a few children play over in the park while on the other tables couples sit and converse in their mother tongue. The owner stands command over the hot coals, stirring and lifting the steaming moules in a home made garlic and white wine sauce. The smell is phenomenal. He is a master of precision, carefully watching and marinading the most incredible moules you will ever eat (and that is some claim).
As they are served, straight from the huge wok style pan, to your table the traditional skinny frites are rushed from the kitchen by his wife and staff where you are left to dive in and devour these delights.

www.leschaletsdutarn.com/
Lincou, 12170 Réquista, France
+33 5 65 72 34 84
Google map: bit.ly/15sYx7b

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