I stumbled upon their website last week and by joining their mailing list, I was rewarded with a free two course express lunch, with a minimum of two diners (£12.50).  When we arrived, we were taken to a pretty rubbish table next to a big concrete pillar on one side, hidden from the rest of the room, so we asked to sit by the window.

Our super cheerful waiter from Yorkshire came over and brought us a complimentary platter of thick-cut salami, which set the meal off to a good start.  We ordered the rib eye steak with chips and béarnaise sauce, the other choices being blackened salmon or chicken escalope, followed by dessert, as the salami acted as a mini starter.

When the steak arrived, it looked juicy and nicely charred, but seriously fatty.  Concerned by the tiny ‘medallion’ of lean meat that I was left with, I politely asked the waiter if the steaks are supposed to come with so much fat.  A pretty awkward moment followed and he assured me that a ribeye cut is very different to a fillet and that the layers of fat make the meat more tender and flavoursome.

Silly me, of course he’s right, but surely the steak could have been a bit bigger to make up for that – I know it’s on the Express Lunch menu, but come on!

I was happy to leave it at ‘oh, my mistake’ (with an apologetic smile), but the waiter then sent the manager over, who relayed the same information leading to another awkward moment.  Just as I wanted the lovely stripped floor boards to swallow me up, the waiter came back to check that everything was ok after the conversation with the manager.  It’s nice to be listened to, but this was verging on overkill.

So back to the steak – it was indeed soft, tender and there were some delicious pink sections in between the fat.  The grilled tomato and limp leaf garnish look like they’d seen better days and I don’t mean to pick, but someone should tell Sophie that her béarnaise sauce was actually hollandaise.

There were a few obligatory green herbs present, but what makes a béarnaise sauce is shallots, chervil and taragon – all of which seemed to be missing from this buttery but tasty enough sauce.

The real highlight of the meal was the generous bowl of thin chips with their skins on, that were perhaps cooked in nut oil, giving them a more unusual flavour.  Sophie’s famous house sauce didn’t disappoint and was a tangy tomato, barbecue sauce with a hint of balsamic vinegar and I couldn’t help smothering it all over the chips like a true philistine.

Next up, the only way to follow steak is with cheesecake, so we both indulged in a slice.  The raspberry cheesecake was light and refreshing with more of a mousse consistency than the usual dense New York style filling and the base was fine, biscuity and just the right combination of moist and gritty.

Then, the craziness started!  A suited and booted ‘gentleman’ moved from one side of the restaurant to the table next to us.  Presuming that he just preferred a window seat, we were surprised when the waiter came to our table and advised us to keep an eye on our bags.  My satchel was on the floor closest to the man sitting next to me, so I moved in onto my lap.

The waiter then tried to serve the man, who was acting pretty sketchy by this point, and said that he couldn’t have possibly already ordered, as this was his section.  The man then threw the menu at the waiter and walked out – clearly he’d been rumbled.

Apparently this has happened before in the restaurant, so the waiter knew the tell-tale signs to look out for, and told us that one of their tricks is to come in wearing suits to deflect attention.  We rarely eat out in Covent Garden, so were pretty much caught off-guard and forgot that it’s a big tourist trap.

On the whole, Sophie’s Steakhouse is a good place to come for a satisfying quick lunch and if you’re used to humongous Parisian-style steaks, try the dinner menu, as we spotted some monster steak and ribs on other tables.

The service was excellent and the waiter saved the day, but even still, there was something a bit soulless about the restaurant. Perhaps it’s the theatreland location, or the branded sauce bottles even though there are are only two Sophie’s Steakhouse restaurants.  If  you get your hands on one of these vouchers, try the Fulham branch and report back.

However, my more frivolous side prevailed when I heard about the arrival of these eye-popping lipsticks from cult beauty brand Lime Crime, debuting in the UK this week and available from beauty emporium Space NK.

Lime Crime was founded two years ago by Russia-born and NYC-based make-up artist, blogger and general cool gal, Doe Deere, who couldn’t find products that were bright enough and still luxurious and long-lasting.

The self-proclaimed ‘Unicorn Queen’, Doe’s Blogazine follows her shopping and partying adventures in New York, showcases her new products and make-up tutorials and gives a shout out to her loyal fans.

The full range also includes Magic Dust for eyes, but Space NK are introducing the brand with the collection of all 10 lipsticks in packaged in lilac-pink cases and covered in hologram stars and unicorns, mid-priced at £14 each.

The collection features intensely pigmented lip colours in bold and whimsical shades including lilac, lavender, orange, fuschia, bubblegum blue, black and a reinterpreted classic true red.

While MAC Cosmetics and NARS have been pushing colour boundaries for years with experimental shades like Morange and Cyber, Lime Crime and the more established Illamasqua are shaping the future of make-up, favouring a more theatrical and artistic look over matching colours to compliment skin tone.

Lime Crime lipsticks are sure to give a fashion edge to your outfit and will look amazing day or night, whether you’re out clubbing or just want a daytime mood lift – not for shrinking violets.

On the Lime Crime website, Doe Deere offers tutorials on how to create a cupcake-inspired party look and how to channel your inner Marie Antoinette with dreamy, pastel shades and star confetti.

Lime Crime lipsticks are available now in 10 shades.  Shop online at Space NK

It seems like a no brainer that fashion designers should try their hand at designing hotels. They have commercially proved their innate sense of style and obsessive eye for detail and are already tuned in to their customers’ dreams and aspirations.  Plus having a fashion designer on board makes hotels just that little bit more desirable for style conscious travellers.

Diane Von Fürstenberg is the latest designer to get the interiors bug, as she has redesigned twenty rooms and suites for London hotel Claridges, due to be unveiled in June 2010.

While Diane is the embodiment of all things New York and glam, she has revealed that some of her past collections have been inspired by the hotel’s Art Deco grandeur.  There’s no word yet on how the rooms will appear, but my bet is on bold prints and vibrant colours, a copy of her new Proud to be Woman compilation CD and perhaps a remodelled ‘wrap dress’ bathrobe.

Over in Milan, after two years of development, Maison Moschino has finally opened on the Viale Monte Grappa.  The surreal, romantic hotel is an ode to Moschino’s design philosophy and is just as flirty, vibrant and striking as their collections.

Designed by Rosella Jardini and the Moschino creative team, the four-storey hotel is located in an old neoclassical railway station dating back to 1840, and offers 54 individually designed rooms and 15 suites.  Most of the rooms have whimsical names like Clouds, Rose, Little Red Riding Hood, Sweet and Dress.

The hotel has a theatrical, Alice in Wonderland vibe, with oversized teacup tables, suspended flying bees, handbag lamps, a red dress bed and a surreal four-poster bed overgrown with trees.  The room on my wishlist would be the one with a bed of roses and petal-covered chandelier.

The super cool Clandestino restaurant is typically on-trend and innovative with chef Moreno Cedroni’s unusual creation of ‘colourful sushi’.  Breakfast is presented as a ‘Mos kit’ – a combination of 4,6 or 8 seasonal combinations inside a ceremonial lacquered box.  The restaurant goes through to a garden terrace and the hotel also provides a bar, spa and gym.

Maison Moschino is like the ultimate fashion fantasy world and would be best suited to travellers who like their hotels with modern, ironic touches and an artistic concept rather than traditional luxury.

Rooms start from £260 and can be booked at www.designhotels.com, where you can view a stylish insider’s video and access hotel images and information.

Many fashion hotels are as reassuringly as expensive and exclusive as their catwalk looks.  As much as I long to, I think I’ll have to befriend a mysterious benefactor before booking into the Armani Hotels in Milan and Dubai, Donatella’s Palazzo Versace, Ralph Lauren’s Round Hill House in Jamaica, Oscar de la Renta’s Tortuga Bay in the Dominican Republic or the chic Bulgari Resort in Bali.

However, don’t be disappointed, as there are equally cool fashion hotels almost on city break route.  Hotel Missoni in Ediburgh’s Old Town has been on my hotel wish list since it opened last summer and I’m determined to pay a visit this year.

The seven-storey hotel on George IV Bridge is a vibrant combination of Italian style and Scottish heritage, with Charles Rennie Macintosh chairs and staff wearing custom-made Missoni kilts.

The 136 colour bursting rooms and suites were designed by Rosita Missoni and feature the label’s signature bold patterns and textiles.  The rooms include everything you could want for a comfortable stay and they seem to considered how annoying and inhospitable it is to experience a  minefield of hidden extras.

All rooms include two items of laundry, local calls, movies, high speed internet, the entire contents of the mini bar and the use of an iPod dock, Nespresso machine and Missoni bathrobe and slippers.

The top floor suite, Rosa, has the best views of the city, overlooking the castle and Rosita Missoni stays there whenever she’s in town.

Hotel Missoni’s first floor restaurant Cucina, a collaboration with Giorgio Locatelli, has become popular with locals and serves up seasonal, contemporary Italian dishes, created by head chef Mattia Camerani.

The bar serves Vestri hot chocolate (exclusively from the renowned Florence chocolate shop) and claims to have the most authentic Italian coffee menu in Edinburgh.

Doubles start from £135 per night and the 3-course dinner, bed and breakfast offer starts from £220 per night.

Over in Paris, Christian Lacroix rules with two bijou residences – Hôtel du Petit Moulin, a former bakery in the Marais and Hôtel Bellechasse on the Left Bank.

Christian Lacroix’s elaborate, theatrical style is stamped all over the two hotels and the individually designed rooms feature painterly scenes, astrological motifs and vibrant illustration.  The hotels are odes to diverse academic and cultural influences that have inspired his many collections over the years.

The hotel has a homely, intimate atmosphere and guests can mingle in the exclusive, private bar. At the Hôtel du Petit Moulin, Lacroix’s personal favorite is room 301 – the gold-and-black suite painted with a trompe l’oeil night sky.

At the Hôtel Bellechasse, jewel shades reign alongside sumptuous velvet drapes and beautifully illustrated ancient monuments, insects and playing cards.  The dining room is one of the most ornate in Paris and the hotel is just a short walk from the museums and galleries along the Seine.

Lacroix’s decadent hotels would be perfect locations for romantic trips to Paris and a totally unique fantasy experience.  With the departure of Christian Lacroix from the fashion world, it really would be like living in a time gone by.

Rooms start from 190 EUR At Hôtel du Petit Moulin and 152 EUR at Hôtel Bellechasse

* Dear readers, please note that I haven’t visited these hotels yet so I can’t personally recommend them.  This is more of a ‘dream hotels’ post, but if you’ve been to any of the hotels featured, please comment away and share your experience!

Read this feature and more arts fabulousness on Jotta.com

The body lotion has been tipped as the perfect Mother’s Day and you can also feel a bit smug that it’s so exclusive, that it’s only available in the UK.

You may recognise Kate Moross’ work from her t-shirt collaboration with Topshop, her apocalyptic East London club night posters or if you’re a proper muso, the Young Turks skeleton in a Fez hat logo.

At just 23, Kate has an enviably diverse portfolio and has even worked with major clients like Dairy Milk, Nike Dunks and Sony Walkman.  Her illustrations have also featured in NYLON, Dazed & Confused, FACT magazine and on Oyster Card holders for Guardian Jobs.

If you missed out on Kate Moross for TOPSHOP, you can buy printed tees, tote bags, necklaces and records from her Isomorph label at her Big Cartel shop.

Kate Moross for Kiehls Creme de Corps body lotion is available now, only in the UK.   Shop online at Space NK

Daphne will be exhibition 80-100 pieces from her extensive collection at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons, Dolce & Gabbana and Azzedine Alaïa.

F.I.T’s chief museum curator Valerie Steele will work with Daphne to highlight her signature styles through the garments, so expect plenty of neck ruffs, hats, jewel encrusted ribbons, pristine white shirts and House of Harlot patent leather Mary Jane platforms.

For those of us who can’t just hop on a plane to NYC, an accompanying coffee table book will be published by Yale University Press.

Daphne oftens describes herself as “a work in progress”, from her ‘Cruella De Vil’ striped hair to her various fashion and art projects.  She certainly has a compulsive attitude towards fashion, making it her life’s work to create the perfect white shirt or find just the right height and shape for her trademark platform heels.

I adore Daphne Guiness mostly for her fearless embracing of the future.  She’s had the kind of charmed, bohemian past that most people could only dream of – growing up in artist colony Cadaqués with the likes of Dali, Duchamp and Man Ray, hanging out with Andy Warhol in New York and sailing around the Med with millionaire ex-husband, Spyros Niarchos.

However, she started to make a name for herself assisting friend Isabella Blow on fashion shoots, becoming a muse to her designer friends and creating her first scent, Daphne, with Comme des Garçons.

The exhibition promises to include the most impressive selection from Daphne’s wardrobe, especially as she weeded out the ‘chaff’ two years ago, auctioning off over 260 lots in aid of  Womankind, a charity to help women in developing countries.

The exhibition runs from September 2011 to January 2012 at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.

André made his name as a world-renowned graffiti artist with his Love Graffiti and has redefined nightlife in Paris, New York and Tokyo with his clubs Le Baron, Le Paris Paris and Beatrice Inn.

This month, André is showing a different side of his work in his ‘drawings’ exhibition at Colette.  This is a rare opportunity to see some of his work in a gallery setting, as he would never confine his graffiti to a space.

In an interview with Dazed Digital, André summed up the street art debate perfectly by saying: “You can’t put street art into a gallery, it’s condescending and limiting: 80 per cent of the graffiti is in the act, the challenge. The result is meant to disappear. Galleries are traditional spaces, and street art is what it is: it’s a vandalizing act.”

André took inspiration from the love imagery/LSD art of the 1960s and 1970s, Krazy Kat comic strips and Pierre Le-Tan’s illustrations.  Many are very personal with references to his past and present, such as his favourite novels and his whirlwind love affair with ex-wife Uffie and the arrival of their baby Henrietta.

On display will be over 30 sketches, limited edition silk screens and pieces made for Purple Fashion Magazine.  The space has also been given a slick André make-over, with spray painted columns, customised surfboards, Monsieur A. rubber balls and a viewing space painted black.

A selection of André’s framed silk screens are available to buy online, priced at an affordable €1000-€2000 and ‘Drawings’ is on at Colette until 27 February.

]]> http://cheriecity.co.uk/2010/02/07/andre-moves-from-street-to-gallery/feed/ 0 http://cheriecity.co.uk/2009/11/12/kisses-from-paris/ http://cheriecity.co.uk/2009/11/12/kisses-from-paris/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:09:07 +0000 cheriecity http://cheriecity.wordpress.com/?p=500 Continue reading →]]> How would you describe a city like Paris? Do you automatically think of a Robert Doisneau image of two lover kissing in front of the Hotel de Ville or is the Eiffel Tower lit up at night inscribed in your memory?  Paris is undoubtedly magical, but the beyond the confines of the tourist trails is one of the most multi-cultural, artistic and unconventional capitals in Europe.

The Paris Ile-de-France Comite Regionale du Tourisme has just launched a short viral film to promote the young and vibrant side of the city that many visitors end up missing.

The three and a half minute film entitled Kisses From Paris is directed by French actor/director Yvan Attal (who is also Charlotte Gainsbourg’s partner) and is sound tracked by Rufus Wainwright’s atmospheric Leaving For Paris.   The Paris tourist board loved his sketch in New York, I Love You so much that they commissioned Yvan to express his own creative vision of the “New Paris Ile-de-France”.

The film features two young lovers, played by Zoé Schellenberg and Pierre Perrier snogging their way through Paris, stopping only to marvel at the amazing sights around them.  In between declaring how much they adore each other, the couple study the art at the Beaubourg and the Palais de Tokyo, stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin, go to a gig at the Chateau de Vincenne and hunt for vintage treasures at the Saint Ouen flea market.

The film is intense, stylish and dreamy but in a more realistic than whimsical way. It reminds me of Before Sunrise and its sequel Before Sunset (shot in Paris), where Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy meet on a train and get to know each other in a day before going their separate ways, then meeting up in Paris nine years on.

Kisses From Paris does nothing to dispel the myth of Paris as a city for lovers and not all of us have a Louis Garrel look-a-like to kiss all over town, but it offers a new, alternative Paris to fall in love with.

To find out more about ‘le nouveau Paris’ and to win a trip to Paris, visit the website.

I first came across Anthropologie on a trip to New York about six years ago and I remember being in awe of their Snow Queen-style silk dresses and embellished homeware.

This is Anthropologie’s first European store out of America, which will be followed by another store on the King’s Road, housed in a former gentlemen’s club.  All of the Anthropologie stores are unique and the three-floor Regent Street branch is pretty spectacular, with a wall tapestry of over 200 sq. metres of living plants, sustained by the rain-water collected on the roof.

Inside, it is a wonderland of bobo, Amélie-style patterned dresses, rustic Americana bed linen and velvet embroidered cushions and good, old-fashioned crockery with a modern twist.

Some of the clothes can be a bit on the twee side, but the collections have clearly been picked because of their excellent quality and fine details, like felt patchwork hearts sewn on the inside.

It’s great to finally have access to Anthropologie’s designer labels like Leifsdottir and Moulinette Soeurs, as well as New York-based Mise en Scene by Ruffian and Eva Franco and high-end pieces from Sara Berman.  I am currently lusting after a Mise en Scene by Ruffian black velvet cocktail dress with a white silk collar – think Eva Green wearing YSL and smoking a cigarette in The Dreamers, that’s how fabulous it is!

Anthropologie’s buyers have scoured the world to source some of the most beautiful things for your home. I recognised some of the stationary that is stocked in Selfridges, but they also have an enormous collection of jewelled, wooden and ceramic drawer handles, hand-painted china cups and saucers and exquisite bold striped and patchwork quilts.

I had serious envy on their amazingly-styled in-store bedroom and had the store assistant not being restocking the drawers, I would have been tempted to curl up among the cushions.  While I already have a gorgeous handmade patchwork quilt in my room at home, I can’t help feeling that this bedroom would make me into the organised, serene and breezy person I’ve always wanted to be (must make storage notes).

The greatest addition to Anthropologie’s Regent Street store would be a cafe (see Avoca, Belfast’s adorable lifestyle store) where you could have afternoon tea, as judging by Style Bubble and disneyrollergirl’s mouthwatering pics from the press day, they have some real cakemaking talents.  If you’re reading, Anthropologie, grab some of those tea pots and cake stands and get a pop-up shop going, we’ll be in there all day!

Anthropologie, 158 Regent Street, London, W1B 5SW

Bistrotheque founders Pablo Flack and David Waddington have been hosting arty guerilla dinners in disused buildings for years and in October, they’re taking over the Masonic Temple at Andaz for a 3 night ritualistic supper club – good luck booking a table!

But you know that a good thing has been spoiled when premium spirit brands try to get in on the act by errecting ‘ice bars’ in…ahem, already existing posh watering holes, signposted with oversized advertising – surely that’s cheating?!

So, cynics will probably pan the upcoming Central Perk replica coffee shop as the most grotesque of the lot, but unlike the masquerading ‘ice bars’, the new fleeting addition to Soho’s cappuccino scene doesn’t take itself too seriously and is shamelessly nostaglic and just on the right side of twee.

Sipping a coffee next to show memorabilia like Rachel’s wedding dress will not bring you any closer to your favourite Friends characters and it will no doubt be so packed that you and your ‘urban family’ won’t be able to bag the centre sofas, but it could be a fun alternative to after-work drinks.

If you’re still unsure about taking that potentially painful trip down memory lane, Gunther (no really, he’s actually opening the cafe on 23 Sept) and co are offering a FREE COFFEE voucher to download from 14 September – could that BE any more generous?

Central Perk in London, 24 September-7 October, 67 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9QX.