Recently in “Food & Restaurants”

Opened daily from 6:30AM to 11:30 (except Tuesdays), Juliana's new truck is stocked with Mary Schoenlein's fabulous breakfast treats ...... scones, muffins, bagels frittata's, spinach pies, & mini-sandwiches ..... plus a variety of hot & cold coffee & tea specialities, and more!!!

"Pulled-up" less than a month, Mary's Mobile is a huge success!!! 

I didn't know Coach has added a new merchandise category ...... ice cream!!!!! They have partnered with Van Leeuwen, the hip artisan ice cream truck entrepreneurs, and designed several yummie traveling "billboards" to advertise their Poppy Collection. The "accessorated" trucks are very chic, roaming around NYC giving out free cones!!!! Coach's signature flavor is a blend of vanilla ice cream with Morello cherries and Michel Cluizel chocolate (a bit Cherry Garcia!!) ....... but, the other traditional Van Leeuwen flavors are available too!!!

 

Opened in 2000 by Swiss art collector Maja Hoffmann and her husband Stanley Buchthal, La Chassagnette is a stunning combination of natural charm and contemporary design. Inspired by the marriage of fresh farm-products, organic agriculture, and gastronomy ....... chef Armand Arnal creates a memorable dinning experience. He uses fresh from the earth, eco-produce from gardener Catherine Louis's organic garden, which surrounds the restaurant. Changing the menu daily, each of the 4 courses was spectacular ..... but for me the ultimate decadence was a basket of chocolate-chip cookies that came with my coffee post-dessert. I love a good cookie and these were the best I have ever, ever eaten ....... that alone is a the best reason for me to go back to Provence!!!!!!! 

The day was divine and we had lunch on the terrace. We followed our meal with a walk through the lush, colorful, and aromatic garden ..... a totally sensual experience. In addition to outdoor dinning, the indoor restaurant, a converted sheepfold, is equally divine. I was particularly enthralled by a mural running along one wall ...... and realized it had been done by New York based artist's Astro Vivid Focus, whose style is not exactly traditional to Provence!!! There is a recently opened charming shop that sells an assortment of unusual items, and of course, I managed to buy a dozen wonderful red handmade ceramic cups ........ I can find great "accessorations" anywhere!!!

and a unique place to shop!!!!! 

I want to make it really, really clear .... up front & honestly ..... I am not pushing Jamin Puech handbags!!!! If you want one, that's fine with me, but what I do care about is color & design and this store screams ......COLOR!!! 

We just had 3 spectacular days of warm, spring-like weather in NYC  and the world went outside again!!! Gloves & hats came off, outdoor tables & umbrellas emerged overnight at my favorite restaurants, and the High Line was buzing again!!! Everyone had a smile ........ 

To celebrate my friend TDL and I took to the streets too!!! We had lunch at my new hangout, the Crosby Street Hotel (see post 1/19/10) and then we took a walk in Nolita. And once again ....... COLOR followed me down the street!!!! It's back again or maybe it never left ...... it was tough this past winter to see any color other than grey, too much snow, ice, and cold ..... but soon we'll be back at the beach and on our terraces & decks ...... I can't wait for color to come back....CAN YOU?????????? 

Opened in Soho, in October, this stunning hotel was brought to life by world renowned, British hotelier's, Tim & Kit Kemp, owners of the UK's luxurious Firmdale Hotels. The duo's unique philosophy, "hotels should be living things, not stuffy institutions," is the basis of their "specialty" hotel business. While incorporating this concept in all of their hotels, this is clearly the design dictum leading their first U.S. venture. Co-owner Kit, known for her "quirky, colorful, London style,"  designed the hotel's interiors. She uses an innovative mix of color, pattern, and texture; adding a unique blend of antique, classical, and modern furniture and accessories. A modern mix of organic materials and shapes, as well a variety of foliage and flowers, also complements the hotel's aesthetic. In addition, Kit has put together an extraordinary collection of original contemporary art, that is featured throughout the hotel. Designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, the hotel is aiming to get gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, as well.

There are a number of innovative and interesting design elements throughout the space ..... the first one that appears is the hotel's sign. Seen from the outside of the building, through leaded glass windows, the word CROSBY is composed of individually framed collages, reminiscent of Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick, each including a different letter. The word STREET is a combination of vintage and new "found" letters, a la artist Jack Pierson. The visual is spectacular ....... but, unfortunately, there is an Italian shelving unit sitting inside the window that is a bit distracting ....... this is easily remedied and is my only complaint in this otherwise perfect place!!!!!

The public spaces in the hotel are fabulous!!!!! The lobby seating area includes a wonderful vintage wood frame settee covered in soft French linen, and two vitrines filled with shells, that became instant coffee tables!!!! Two "rag -rug stripe" slipper chairs finish the set up...... and in the distance are two wing chairs covered in souzani patterns!!! On the other side of the lobby is a stunning organic wooden garden bench, covered in greenery; a stone dog reclining on it, under an enormous mirror, is lit by a giant theatrical standing floodlight ...... beyond chic!!!! In addition, there is spectacular art in the lobby, including a giant 10' head made out of white letters, three divine dogs covered in comic strips, and a wonderful framed collage of a dachshund!!! YUMMY!!!!!

The Crosby Bar, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea, has incredible eye candy; a magical blend of pattern, print, and color!!!! In addition, hanging from the ceiling are the most spectacular light fixtures in New York City!!!!! Another wall fixture is created by telephones mounted to the wall that are lit .......... so incredible!!! Vintage tables have zinc or aluminum tops ..... chairs and throw pillows are upholstered in incredible Maharam woolen collaged textiles, designed by Hella Jongerius ....... and the banquets are covered in amazing stripes!!!! The bar has a trio of colored lucite lamps that make my heart pound!!!! I thought I had landed in "accessorator heaven"!!!!!

Christmas 2009 was absolutely AMAZING!!!! I spent two weeks in Beirut, Lebanon visiting friends and it was beyond ....... it is the chicest, most exciting and inviting city, Beyrouth is the most happening spot around!!!!! Apparently Beirut, previously known as the Paris of the Middle East, has regained its title!!!!!!!!!!!!

The city sits on the Mediterranean, a blend of ancient and contemporary culture, architecture, and design, it is surrounded by ancient cities that include Baalbek, Tyre, Byblos, and Tripoli. The weather is spectacular, as the Lebanese constantly remind you, you can go snow-skiing in the morning and water-skiing in the afternoon!!!! The international flavor of Beirut is the result of the mixture of cultures, Christians, Sunni's, and Shites. Lebanese are warm and charming, they love eating and drinking ...... and having a good time!!!! Family and friends of friends are always welcome, and adding additional guests at the last minute is done with ease. Overseas guests are treated as family and always have a wonderful time. Culturally the city is blossoming ..... the year-old Beirut Art Center presents universally acclaimed shows, featuring both Lebanese and international contemporary artists. Ashkal Alwan, founded in 1994, is invested in forging cultural connections between artists residing in Lebanon and overseas. To date, over 450 international artists and museum curators have registered for their presentation of Home Works V in April. Recently, a group of five artists reopened the Metropolis Cinema, a two theatre movie house. They plan to feature a variety of film festivals, and will have a cafe with a cinema library, to serve as a meeting place for film buffs. Beirut's restaurant scene is extensive and varied (see NY TImes 12/29/09), and packed cafes are central to the fiber of the city. There are a number of chic hotels, including The Albergo, a Relais & Chateaux property, and the newly opened Le Grey, owned by international hotelier Gordon Campbell Grey. Shopping is a major pastime for Lebanese women, and there is a wide selection of fabulous international designer boutiques. This past December a new Dior store joined the mix and according to WWD, any major designer without an outpost in Beirut is on the hunt for space ...... even Hermes is opening this fall!!! In addition, Saifi Village, the tasty shopping district downtown will soon be home to the newly renovated souks!!! Currently Saifi includes my favorite home design stores .... Nada Debs and Bokja Design, both a must stop on any Beirut shopping trip .... and also my favorite cafe Balima, designed by Annabel Kassar.

Imagine "hoofing" down the street in Seattle yesterday and seeing this ....... a truck in the shape of an enormous steel pig!!!!!! Naturally, I had to find out who this delightful creature was and why he was parked in the center of downtown Seattle!!!!!

What I learned was ...... Seattle restauranter, Kurt Beecher Dammeier, has lunch crowds "oinking in delight" with his new "meal on wheels" Maximus/Minimus. Renting a space in a parking lot in the center of the businness district ...... featuring two types of pulled-pork sandwiches (maximus=spicy and minimus=sweet) for $6 and a side of slaw for an extra $1.37........ makes this the chicest "pigstream" in town!!!!!!!!!!!!!