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The Best Arts and Culture in Philadelphia

July 9, 2012 by cheriecity

Philadelphia is the city to watch for art and culture this summer, particularly with the monumental re-opening of The Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum. Whether it’s a downtown hidden gem or a world renowned institute on ‘Museum Mile’, Philadelphia’s art scene has plenty to discover…

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art is the third largest art museum in the United States, with an impressive permanent collection ranging from artefacts from Asia since the third millennium BC to iconic Modern Art.

The striking Neo-Classical building houses more than 227,000 objects and each floor is dedicated to different eras and cultures in art. Prominent collections include American Art, Indian & Himalayan Art, Costume & Textiles, European Decorate Art & Sculpture and Modern & Contemporary Art.

The steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art are immortalised in the film Rocky, as he uses the city as his training ground. Look out for Rocky impersonators – I was lucky enough to capture one in the picture below.

PAFA

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is the oldest museum and art school in the United States. The exquisite Victorian Gothic building houses an internationally renowned collection of American paintings and sculptures that span three centuries. Alongside the permanent collection are exhibitions featuring works by prominent contemporary American artists. During my visit, I saw a powerful installation by video artist Bill Viola and PAFA & Dr Barnes, in celebration of The Barnes Foundation’s new home.

Also part of PAFA is the acclaimed art school with an impressive studio and gallery space. Visit the Undergraduate and Postgraduate exhibitions to see an overwhelmingly high standard of work from America’s next big artists.

The Barnes Foundation

The re-opening of The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia has been one of the most talked about happenings in the international art world for many years. The Barnes was founded in 1922 by Dr Albert C. Barnes, a chemist who made his money by co-developing a revolutionary drug, thus selling his company to pursue his passion for art.

The Barnes is world renowned as having one of the finest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and Modernist paintings. Dr. Barnes amassed an impressive number of paintings by the great European and American masters such as Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Modigliani, Glackens and Pippin.

The Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum re-opens this month after extensive renovations, housing the largest collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris. Opened in 1929, the Rodin Museum owns nearly 130 sculptures including bronze casts of The Thinkers, The Burghers of Calais, Eternal Springtime and The Gates of Hell.

On the day of The Barnes Foundation media preview, we were treated to a sneak peek of the Rodin Museum. It’s an elegant, petite space with stunning gardens, close to The Barnes Foundation on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Take time to linger in the gardens and enjoy the contemplative atmosphere of the museum.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is the spectacular mosaicked wonderland by artist Isiah Zagar on Philadelphia’s bohemian South Street. Back in the 1960s, Zagar dedicated his life to beautifying the South Street neighbourhood, buying and transforming derelict buildings into creative masterpieces with his wife Julia. In 1994, he started work on the vacant space near his studio, which became the Magic Gardens.

He constructed staircases and walkways and adorned them with emblems of his travels, evenings with friends and disused ‘scrap’ material. The Magic Gardens are most prominently decorated with bicycle wheels, coloured bottles, ceramic tiles, mirror mosaics and hand-painted inscriptions. Look closer and there are personal dedications to Julia and his sons Ezekiel and Jeremiah.

Kimmel Center

Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center is the home of the celebrated Philadelphia Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and Philadanco. The Kimmel Center was built in 2000, designed by architect Rafael Viñoly and named after philanthropist Sidney Kimmel. Located along the city’s ‘Avenue of the Arts’, the Kimmel Center is one of America’s best venues to enjoy classical music.

I had the pleasure of seeing chief conductor Charles Dutoit’s farewell concert, marking his last performance with Philadelphia Orchestra after four seasons. The Philadelphia Orchestra performed a varied programme of Glinka, Chopin and Ravel’s epic Daphnis et Chloé in the spectacular Verizon Hall. Seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra play in their hometown is a great experience and one that should not be missed!

For more Philly destination ideas, read my guides on Things to do in Philadelphia, Shopping in Philadelphia and Eating Out in Philadelphia.

British Airways offer three nights at the 4* Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia from £749 per person based on September 2012 departures. Includes return British Airways flights from Heathrow and accommodation only. For reservations visit ba.com/philadelphia or call 0844 493 0758

Bars, Philadelphia, Restaurants

An Amazing Dinner at Sampan, Philadelphia

July 8, 2012 by cheriecity

Chef Michael Schulson’s Sampan brings Asian fusion to Philadelphia’s chic Midtown Village. The restaurant has a sleek vibe with simple wood tables and striped banquettes, back-lit murals throughout the two dining rooms and a bar overlooking the kitchen.

I visited alone for a pre-theatre bite, before seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra at the nearby Kimmel Center. I was originally placed at the bar, but after requesting an outside seat, I got a much better table outside on the terrace, so I could people-watch in the sun. Luckily Sampan had availability just less than an hour before dining on a Saturday night, as I’d spent the day exploring and hadn’t foreseen restaurant reservations for that evening.

I sat in the glorious sunshine and ordered a Plum Tea – Finlandia Vodka with plum oolong tea and mint, served in a jam jar. It was refreshing, cooling and aromatic, with just the right amount of vodka.

The menu at Sampan offers a combination of small plates, larger meat and fish dishes and sides. I unknowingly over-ordered, forgetting that ‘small plates’ in Philly don’t correspond to those in London. I asked the waitress to recommend a suitable number of dishes to order, but she must have suspected I had a voracious appetite – not so, since the week of indulgence in Philadelphia had taken its toll.

I started with the Shrimp & Lobster Dumpling with miso broth, scallion and tofu ($7). The broth was light and cloudy and the plump dumplings were intensely flavoured and full of fresh seafood and plenty of ginger.

Shortly after came the delicious Chicken Satay with sage, mustard and Togarashi ($8). The two sticks of chicken were succulent, well-marinated and nicely chargrilled. The portion size was large and could be shared or ordered as part of a main meal.

I enjoyed the chicken satay with a side Kim Chee Fried Rice with shrimp, shallot and Sunny Side egg ($8). The fried rice was rich, slightly sweet and filled with fresh shrimp. This side dish was more than enough for two to share.

I was beginning to feel really full when my Crispy Rock Shrimp with pickled radish, yuzu and chili aioli ($14) arrived. I was expecting perhaps three large piece of rock shrimp, but there were at least 20 chunky pieces. The batter was a little too thick and they were smothered in chili aioli, taking away some of the crispiness. The rock shimp was tasty, but overly rich and so my attempt to get through the dish was pitiful.

Surely the waitress could have foreseen that one person couldn’t eat a whole plate of battered rock shrimp, however she did offer to bag up all of the left-overs to take out. I’m sure the Philadelphia Orchestra wouldn’t appreciate the wafting aromas of fried rock shrimp while trying to get through Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé.

There was no time for dessert, but I strolled back from the Kimmel Center, past Sampan and saw that Capogiro Gelato was still open. I couldn’t resist stopping by for a scoop of the most incredible Bacio and Cannella ice cream. Late night gelato is a real perk of summer in the city!

Sampan is a great place to come with a group of friends or for an intimate dinner a deux and share a few plates, so you can try a good selection of dishes. There is also a Happy Hour menu of appetisers and sides and a Chef Tasting menu ($45) for something more inventive. Sampan’s next door Graffiti Bar is the place to continue the cocktails on the open-air patio.

Chérie City dined with a gift card courtesy of PCVB.

All photos by Chérie City

Bars, Cafes, Philadelphia, Restaurants

Amazing Places to Eat Out in Philadelphia

July 6, 2012 by cheriecity

Philadelphia has a thrilling dining scene, whether it’s fine dining with impressive views over the city or a vibrant bistro hidden atop a designer furniture showroom with only a kitsch neon sign marking the door. Here are some of my favourite Philadelphia food finds…

Fine Dining

R2L

Chef Daniel Stern’s R2L is Philadelphia’s highest restaurant and the views of the city are spectacular. Located on the 37th floor of Two Liberty Place, the expansive R2L serves Modern American cuisine while Liberty Bar & Lounge offers posh bar plates and cocktails made with hand-cut ice (there is even a Happy Hour).

We experienced the ‘Height of R2L’ seven course tasting menu with wine pairings. Dishes included Grilled Truffle Flatbread, Hot & Cold Seafood Platter, Tuna Tartare, Lobster Macaroni and Cheese, Black Truffle Risotto, Roasted Chicken Breast and a trio of steak cuts with buttery mashed potato. We finished with a Strawberry Rhubarb Crostata which came served with pots of vanilla cream and crunchy caramel peanut brittle.

Food is of a high standard and the slick ambiance makes it a great choice for a memorable dinner in Philadelphia. Request a window table and bring a jacket, as the air-conditioning is fierce!

Hidden Gem

Bistro St Tropez

Bistro St Tropez is one of those ‘in the know’ places that only a local would lead you to. Perched on the fourth floor of the Market Design Center, Bistro St Tropez is a bright, industrial-luxe space with spectacular views of the Schuylkill River, 30th Street Station and the Modern Art Museum.

Owner and Chef Patrice Rames offers a menu of Provençal and Mediterranean dishes alongside a few American classics such as Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. I particularly liked the delectable Pain Perdue with house-cured Scottish salmon and cranberry grappa jam.

Just a few weeks ago, Bistro St Tropez opened Le Petit Cafe du Bistro St Tropez on the first floor of the same building. The cafe is perfect for a light bite on the go, such as breakfast pastries with Illy coffee and freshly squeezed juice, casse-croûtes, home-made quiche and salads. Apparently, the béchamel-smothered Croque Monsieur is already a big hit.

Breakfast

Chez Colette

Enjoy a French breakfast with an American twist at Chez Colette at Sofitel Philadelphia. The charming brasserie is filled with iconic French posters and nostalgic light jazz. I started the day with English breakfast tea, freshly squeezed orange juice and a yogurt smoothie shot and shared a basket of the most delicious, flaky croissants. My Eggs Benedict ($15) with Canadian bacon and roasted red bliss potatoes were perfectly cooked and substantial.

The menu offers so many delectable and decadent breakfast dishes that it’s tempting to really indulge. However, the ‘Getting in Shape’ section of the menu offers healthy alternatives such as Wheat Belgian Waffles, Egg White Benedict and Seasonal Fresh Fruit. It’s also possible to create your own omelette.

Chez Colette is ideally situated for a morning of tax-free shopping on Walnut and Chestnut Street, or touring Philadelphia’s sights. Such an elegant breakfast to start the day is a real treat!

Gastropubs

McCrossen’s Tavern

McCrossen’s Tavern is a cosy, family-run pub that is on the cusp of the Philadelphia Museum Mile, but doesn’t seem to have been colonised by the art crowd. It’s conveniently located just a few blocks away from The Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum, in the leafy Fairmount Park neighbourhood.

Opened in 1937, the pub offers a great selection of beer, including the local Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale, and the most delicious Mediterranean and American fare. We stopped by for some sharing plates of oysters, baked mussels, risotto, marinated vegetables and Cajun fries with garlic mayo.

Kings Oak American Grill

Kings Oak American Grill in Philadelphia’s hip Northern Liberties neighbourhood is the place to come and watch a game and enjoy exceptionally good food. As we were a large group, our set menu included Pea Soup with basil oil, Roasted Chicken with mashed potato, haricot verts and chicken jus and Sticky Toffee Pudding with Bassett’s pralines and cream ice cream. Kings Oak is one of the few sports bars to offer bistro-style food alongside grilled American small plates like crabcake sliders, buffalo shrimp and sweet potato fries.

There is also an extensive range of craft beers to choose from. I asked our waitress to recommend a light but interesting beer and she picked a winner – the raspberry-infused Abita Purple Haze beer brewed in Louisiana.

Kings Oak overlooks The Piazza at Schmidt’s, so you can enjoy brunch there and check out the indie boutiques or make a night of it and visit the local bars such as Ortliebs Lounge.

For more Philly destination ideas, read my guides on Things to do in Philadelphia, Arts and Culture in Philadelphia and Shopping in Philadelphia.

Cherie City was a guest of PCVB

Cafes, Philadelphia, Restaurants, USA

Garces Trading Company in Philadelphia

July 5, 2012 by cheriecity

Garces Trading Company, by Iron Chef Jose Garces, is one of my favourite foodie finds in Philadelphia, especially for a posh lunch. Located in the well-heeled Washington Square West neighbourhood, Garces Trading Company is an informal yet chic dining room with communal wooden tables and its own mini food hall.

The market includes a deli offering a vast selection of charcuterie and artisanal cheeses and a tempting patisserie with decadent cakes, pastries and house-made bread. The retail shop is filled with house-made preserves and olive oils while fine wines can be found at the wine shop.

The cafe-restaurant menu focuses on Mediterranean antipasti, paella and seafood. There are also American classics such as gourmet sandwiches, salads and deep dish pizza pies (referencing Garces’ Chicago roots).

For a light lunch, we shared a few boards of charcuterie and cheeses, served with scrumptious honey mustard, quince and lavender honey. The bread was fine, not particularly memorable, but the olive oil was exceptionally good, with just the right amount of bitterness.

I ordered the Santa Maria Express ($14), which includes any half sandwich and soup with a non-alcoholic beverage. I had a bowl of the thick, hearty Tomato Bread Soup with half a Roasted Turkey on ciabatta with smoked bacon, molasses aioli and baby romaine.

The soup was slow roasted, rich and strongly flavoured and the sandwich was full of succulent, moist turkey and the most incredible maple cured crispy bacon.

For dessert, there are some elaborate French-style cakes, but I prefered a lighter mint tea and selection of macarons ($9 for six). My favourites were the salted caramel and the French- American hybrid of peanut butter and jelly (the lilac one).

The prices are very affordable, given the high quality ingredients and the stylish environment. It’s the kind of place that I’d make my local brunch/lunch spot and could happily work my way through the sandwich menu! Now, perhaps we could tempt Chef Garces over to London…

Chérie City was a guest of PCVB

All photos by Chérie City

Beach, Cherie Soleil, Fashion, Hotels, Hotels - Design, Hotels - Luxury, Shopping, Stores

Porto Montenegro Summer Pop Up Designer Boutiques

July 3, 2012 by cheriecity

Porto Montenegro, the Mediterranean’s chic marina village and superyacht homeport has just launched summer pop up boutiques by Europe’s coolest jewellery designers.

Design concept store Wolf & Badger spent a summer residency at the marina village last year and saw such huge success that they are now a permanent fixture. Joining them for the holiday season will be European swimwear brand Heidi Klein and jewellery designers Carolina Bucci, Mawi and Zoe & Morgan.

Take a look at the stunning pieces that will feature at Porto Montenegro, previewed recently at Soho House…

Porto Montenegro is located on the Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is one of the largest natural harbours in the world.

The luxury marina development currently includes over 200 berths for yachts, 100 luxury apartments, boutiques, restaurants, bars and cafes, and is set to expand further. By May 2014, the five star Regent Hotel & Residences, inspired by the region’s numerous Italianate palazzo, is set to open.

Also now open is the brand new Purobeach Porto Montenegro, boasting spectacular views over the Bay of Kotor, the marina and the surrounding mountains.

The focal point of Purobeach Porto Montenegro is the glam 64-metre swimming pool with day beds, cabanas, a Purobeach shop and a lounge area with two bars and two rooftop terraces. It’s the place to be seen in your new finery chilling out to DJ sets, eating some grilled fish or a club sandwich or indulging in a sea-side spa treatment. Then, of course, there’s Montenegro’s stunning clear waters, sandy beaches and the annual summer Montenegro Yacht Club Regatta.

Porto Montenegro’s pop up boutiques will be open between July and September 2012.

For more information, visit: www.portomontenegro.com

Market, Philadelphia, Tours

The Best Things To Do In Philadelphia

June 29, 2012 by cheriecity

Philadelphia is one of East Coast America’s most vibrant cities, with a remarkably thriving art scene. Steeped in monumental American history, Pennsylvania’s largest city is full of colonial charm.

Whether it’s tax-free shopping on chic Walnut and Chestnut Street, exploring the cultural institutions on ‘Museum Mile’ or strolling around the quirky, leafy downtown neighbourhoods, Philadelphia has something for all.

There is something honest and unpretentious about Philadelphia and the city has its own strong sense of identity. With a thrilling dining scene, Pennsylvania Dutch influences and a forward-thinking approach to community art, Philadelphia really is the city of the moment.

Here are a few ‘must sees’ to add to your Philadelphia itinerary…

LOVE Park

LOVE Park (officially named John F. Kennedy Plaza) is the perfect place to chill out in the aptly named ‘City of Brotherly Love’. At the foot of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the park is home to pop artist Robert Indiana’s iconic Love sculpture, which was first placed there in 1976. It can be tempting to jump right into the clear blue fountain on a hot summer’s day.

The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is Philadelphia’s most treasured piece of history – an iconic symbol of American independence, dating back to 1752. The Liberty Bell was cast in London’s East End at Whitechapel Foundary and was then shipped over to America and placed in the former Pennsylvania State House.

The bell cracked on its first ring and had to be recast twice by local artisans. Since 2003, the bell has been housed in The Liberty Bell Center. A part of the leafy Independence National Park, the Liberty Bell is surrounded by historical monuments including Independence Hall, Carpenters’ Hall, National Constitution Center, First Bank of the United States.

Try to avoid peak times when visiting Independence National Park, as there are often queues to view the Liberty Bell.

Reading Terminal Market

Foodies will be in heaven at Reading Terminal Market – it really is that good. The huge indoor market in the Convention Center district offers fresh local produce and mouth-watering street food, including the iconic Philly Cheesesteak and hoagies. Try Obama’s cheesesteak of choice at Carmen’s (if you can handle the queue) followed by an ice cream from Bassetts, where the President picked up dessert.

It’s also the best place to sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch food, as Amish vendors sell their delectable baked goods, gourmet deli sandwiches, farm-fresh juices and dairy products and preserves.

Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square is Philadelphia’s ‘posh park’, lined with high end restaurants, boutiques and the five star hotel The Rittenhouse. Luckily, I was in town at the right time to visit the annual Rittenhouse Row Festival, sprawling over six blocks of Walnut Street. Philadelphia’s best restaurants pitch up around Rittenhouse Square and offer small plates of their signature dishes and street food snacks, such as Kobe beef hotdogs, steak sliders and pulled pork tacos. I followed the smoke from the grill and ordered the most incredibly delicious burger from Marathon for just $6.

There’s a great, chilled out party atmosphere with live music, DJs and outdoor bars and activities for families inside the park. It’s a great way to try dishes from Philadelphia’s coolest dining spots with a more modest price tag and no reservations needed.

Italian Market

On the same baking hot Saturday, Philadelphia’s Italian community was hosting its own block party, the annual South 9th Street Italian Market Festival. There were stalls offering all of the authentic Italian street food you could think of – meatball platters, cannolis, pizza, Philadelphia’s famous Tomato Pie and thankfully… gelato! I cooled down with a refreshing Limoncello Sorbet.

A visit to the Italian Market is a must for foodies in Philadelphia. Look out for the original family-run Di Bruno Bros, Isgro’s Pasticceria and Claudio Speciality Foods.

Antique shopping on Pine Street

Pine Street is one of those picture perfect, tree-lined streets that make you fall in love with East Coast America. Known as Antique Row, Pine Street is home to a number of dealers selling fine art, antiques, oriental carpets, rare and new books, furniture and vintage clothing. It’s the place to pick up a collectible piece or just enjoy a stroll along one of Phildelphia’s prettiest streets.

See The Phillies

Baseball is a big deal in Philadelphia, so why not go and see The Phillies play at Citizens Bank Park. Grab a hot dog and a beer and watch Philadelphia’s team play, or take a look behind the scenes with a tour of the ballpark.

Philadelphia Big Bus Tour

There’s no better start to a city break than taking a bus tour. They’re a quick and comfortable way to get your bearings and become acquainted with the main sights, while finding out the history behind the city by local experts. The Philadelphia Big Bus Tour all the way from the Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art to Penn’s Landing with lots of monuments and neighbourhoods in between. Best of all, the buses are hop on hop off and open-top, so you can enjoy the warm weather.

Designers, Fashion, Stores

Mulberry A/W 2012 Campaign – A Forest Fairytale

June 23, 2012 by cheriecity

Mulberry is back with another whimsical campaign for Autumn/Winter 2012. For the new season, the Mulberry girl moves from Brighton’s pebble beach with ice cream and sticks of rock to an enchanted forest in the company of giant furry creatures.

Lindsay Wixson features in her third campaign for the luxury leather brand and is once again shot by the wonderful Tim Walker.

The concept for the campaign was inspired by Creative Director Emma Hill’s vision of explorers, dark fairytales and fantasy travels, with a nod to Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are, adapted by Spike Jonze.

Referencing childhood fairytales, Tim Walker said: “Ever since I was a little boy, I always hoped to see a monster in the woods. Now we all get to.”

Key looks, styled by Jane How, include belted tweed and wool bouclé coats, Mongolian fur gilets, a tangerine bust-sculpted silk and lace dress and that shaggy brown monster coat. The new season’s bags – the Del Rey, Maisie, the new embellished Alexa – and the most adorable burnt orange heeled ankle boots with studded tassels also feature.

Mulberry’s AW12 collection is heavily focused on cosy, luxurious outerwear, so the magical wilderness of the forest seems particularly appropriate.

Are you loving Mulberry’s monsters? Should be shaggy Mongolian fur coat look be left to the models?

For more information, visit: www.mulberry.com

Beauty, London, Salon

Leticia Haute Coiffure in Marylebone

June 20, 2012 by cheriecity

Finding a really great mani-pedi in London can be difficult, but Leticia Haute Coiffure offers the Rolls Royce of nail treatments. Located on Marylebone’s quaint and fashionable Chiltern Street, the salon is run by the fabulous Laetitia Tomasso and husband Pierre Doumit. Pierre has over 20 years experience in hair styling and has worked internationally in the fashion industry.

The award-winning team at Leticia Haute Coiffure offer an extensive range of hair and beauty treatments, including Brazilian blow dry, GHD courses, Kéraskin and Galvanic facials and body treatments, waxing and Essie nail art. In fact, Leticia Haute Coiffure is the only salon in Marylebone to offer Kéraskin skincare treatments.

The adjoining nail bar was launched earlier this year and it is the perfect place to spend a few hours, or enjoy an express lunch hour treatment. There is also the VIP room for extra privacy, which attracts a number of celebrities and member of the Royal Family, but of course Laetitia won’t reveal just who.

To start my New York trip in style, I indulged in a luxurious manicure and pedicure. My delightful therapist sat me on the leather pedicure station and brought tea, biscuits, chocolates and a stack of glossy magazines as I soaked my feet in the custom-built sink.

She then removed my feet from the soaking bowl one by one and filed, trimmed my cuticles, removed the dead skin from my feet and gave me a relaxing massage. She then applied a base coat and then two layers of Essie’s Canyon Coral, a deep, summery coral with red undertones. She was ever so precise and I was in the chair for over an hour. Never before have my feet been given this much care and attention!

Then it was time for more tea and hot stepping over to the nail bar in the disposable flip flops provided. There were many Essie reds to choose from and after trying dozens, my final pick was Aperitif, a glossy, creamy red.

After asking which shape I prefer, my nails were soaked, filed and buffed and my cuticles were trimmed. I was given another relaxing hand massage and then my nails were painted. In between coats, Laetitia took a quick break to have her Shellac colour revived and Pierre brought their puppy Jack to say hello. It was lovely to chat to everyone, rather than literally watching paint dry with just a magazine for company. It really felt like a friendly, family salon where you could have a bit of a gossip with your treatment.

Leticia Haute Coiffure is a stunning urban retreat and you can trust the team to make you look and feel fabulous. It’s easy to access and well priced, especially considering the attention to detail and long-lasting results. With Laetitia and Pierre’s French flair and perfectionist approach, this is the salon to make your local.

Chérie City was a guest of Leticia Haute Coiffure

All photos by Leticia Haute Coiffure

Hotels, Hotels - Design, Hotels - Luxury, New York, Restaurants

Lunch At The Lambs Club, The Chatwal, New York

June 19, 2012 by cheriecity

For a taste of ‘old world New York’, head to The Lambs Club at Empire Art Deco hotel, The Chatwal. Located in the heart of New York’s theatre district, just a block from Times Square, The Lambs Club was once America’s first professional theatre club.

Becoming a ‘Lamb’ meant that you’d really made it in the theatre world and notable Lambs have included the great Charlie Chaplin, Fred Astaire and Irving Berlin.

The Chatwal occupies the site of an old church and the building was designed by renowned American architect, Stanford White. 2010 saw its reincarnation as luxury design hotel The Chatwal, extensively renovated and modernised by Thierry Despont.

The stunning hotel is all about 1930s glamour, balancing original features with luxurious designer furnishings. It’s so civilised that it even offers guests a cup of hot apple cider in the Lobby.

The Lambs Club has an intimate, clubhouse ambiance and offers all day dining with a Modern American menu. The sumptuous 80-seat restaurant features red leather banquettes, shiny chrome fittings, sleek black walls and a roaring floor-to-ceiling fireplace. On the walls are black and white images of Broadway and Hollywood legends and original Lambs, referencing the building’s stellar past.

At the helm of The Lambs Club is renowned Executive Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, who also oversees The National Bar & Dining Rooms in Midtown, Miami’s Tudor House and The Water Club in Atlantic City. Zakarian is a regular on the Food Network and was named the winner of The Next Iron Chef 2011, beating Chef Elizabeth Falkner.

New York is known for its gourmet salads, so I ordered the Crispy Duck Confit Salad with black truffles, poached egg and lardon ($22). This really was the king of salads! Two generous portions of rich, succulent duck confit were covered in golden breadcrumbs and served with the most flavoursome maple-cured bacon, scattered piece of crispy duck skin, a soft poached egg and curly, lightly dress frisée, topped with fresh chives. It was an absolute delight and was a light but filling dish.

I ordered a side of Shaven Brussels Sprouts ($9), which came coated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano. I momentarily forgot that sprouts can often be served raw in New York, so they were more like an extension of my salad, however this was most welcome as there was plenty of crispy duck confit to accompany the beautifully-seasoned sprouts.

Steven went for a New York classic – the Turkey Club, Dagwood Style with house roasted turkey, avocado, bacon and sprouts ($21). The slow-cooked turkey was incredibly moist and tender, packed generously between two thick slices of butter-fried ciabatta. It was garnished with fresh tomato, ripe avocado and crunchy sprouts, topped with a big hunk of melon.

The restaurant was packed full, as it was a Friday, so service was a little on the slow side. We didn’t have time for dessert, as our Sex and the City tour was drawing near, but the Manager brought us a delightful express plate of petit fours for a sweet end to the lunch. In light of Steven’s mountainous turkey club and the forthcoming Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, the delectable selection of chocolate truffles, macarons and pistachio biscotti was a good choice.

I would have loved to linger a little at The Chatwal, as the Lobby Bar was so elegant and inviting. The Bar at The Lambs Club is certainly worth a visit, particularly on a lazy Sunday when there is live jazz.

The stylish Prohibition-style cocktail menu has been created by Milk & Honey’s Sasha Petraske and includes freshly-pressed juices and hand-cut ice. I loved the suspended Empire State Building light fixtures above the bar.

The Lambs Club at The Chatwal brings back the refined elegance of 1930s New York and is the perfect place to slip away from Times Square for a decadent meal or cocktails. It should be in every New Yorker’s ‘little black book’.

For more information and reservations, visit: www.thechatwalny.com/The-Lambs-Club

Chérie City was a guest of The Lambs Club, The Chatwal

Photos by Chérie City and The Chatwal

Events, London, News, Paris

Forever Crazy – Le Crazy Horse Paris Comes To London

June 18, 2012 by cheriecity

World renowned cabaret club Le Crazy Horse Paris comes to London in September with its brand new show, Forever Crazy. For just three months, Forever Crazy will spice up the South Bank with ten elegant Crazy Horse dancers performing in the new luxurious purpose-built venue.

Last week, I was invited to a preview of the new show at the suitably decadent Arts Club on Dover Street. Held in the sumptuous, dimly-lit Night Club, dancers from Le Crazy Horse Paris performed three dances from the new show. We watched in awe as the elegant, coquettish dancers blew kisses, high kicked over chairs and stomped in line dressed as Royal Guards.

Opened in 1951 by Alain Bernardin on the prestigious Avenue George V, Le Crazy Horse Paris is known for its glamorous nude cabaret and bohemian joie de vivre.

Le Crazy Horse has since collaborated with special guests such as Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Arielle Dombasle and most notably, Dita Von Teese.

Throughout the decades, Le Crazy Horse girls have been muses to artists, writers and fashion designers. They have walked in Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Spring/Summer 2011 couture presentation, performed a special diamond show for Chopard and modelled for David Lynch’s ‘Fetish’ project with art direction by Christian Louboutin and costumes by Mark Fast.

Get a sneak peek of Forever Crazy…

Forever Crazy will run from 18 September to 24 December 2012 at Southbank. Tickets start from £35 and special Champagne and show packages are available.

For more info, visit: www.forevercrazy.co.uk

All photos by Cherie City (except interior images)

Hotels, Hotels - Design, Paris

A Great Stay at Seven Hotel Paris

June 17, 2012 by cheriecity

When Seven Hotel opened its doors in 2010 (following the success of its sister The Five Hotel), it was one of the leaders of a new style of design hotel in Paris, bringing a touch of fun, whimsy and imagination to the hotel scene.

Paris may have a reputation for being slightly conservative and erring on the side of ‘good taste’, however, the city has a crazier side. Let’s not forget that Paris was once at the centre of the Surrealist and Dada movement!

The Seven Hotel is an experience like no other, and only dreamers will appreciate its charm. Located on the rue Berthollet, the Seven is on the edge of the Latin Quarter, just a few steps from the lively, foodie hotspot, rue Mouffetard. Who would have known that such a fantasy world would be hidden behind this typical Parisian Haussmann facade on a quiet residential street?

Location

The Seven Hotel may seem a little far from the city’s main attractions, but it’s close to two metro stops and The Pont-Royal RER is a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel, making handy for the Eurostar.

The hotel is best known for its 28 ‘Levitation’ rooms, with floating beds, however there are also seven themed suites, including the James Bond, the decadent Black Diamond, the urban ski lodge Lovez-vous, the all-white Sublime and the zany Alice in Wonderland-inspired Alice suite.

The Suite

I stayed in the Marie Antoinette suite, presumably where one should elegantly graze on Ladurée macarons and yell out to the Parisians below, ‘let them eat cake’! In fact, there were some typically ‘Marie Antoinette’ features, such as the ‘voluptuous lounge’ with an enormous chaise-longue, a rather regal canopy bed and a fabulous claw foot bath tub for unwinding.

The spacious suite was the most girly of boudoirs, with a large round bed, a diamond-studded velvet bed spread, dozens of cushions, attractive hand-painted fantasy world scenes and lashings of pink. Like a true ‘honorary Parisienne’ I found the crazy cushions a little de trop, as they detracted from some of the prettier features (less is more, in this case).

It was certainly a room of discoveries, with plenty of ‘push me’ buttons to activate different features. Billowing drapes covered the extensive shelving and wardrobe and there was a cute vanity dresser tucked neatly behind the bed. Strangely there were two pristine blazers hanging in both of the wardrobes. While they were meant to be decorative, they could come in handy if your date forgets his dinner jacket!

I also loved the twinkly star lights that filled the entire room and bathroom, extending to the hallways and separate toilet, which offered hot pink toilet paper, no less.

Of course, a modern day Marie Antoinette needs to be connected to the outside world (ironically my stay coincided with the French elections), so the room includes a very large flat screen TV, complimentary wifi, an iPod base and electrical sockets on each side of the bed.

Other room comforts include a complimentary Nespresso machine (although no tea), 24-hour room service, in-room massages on request and laptops available for loan.

The Bathroom

The stunning open-plan bathroom features a separate shower and claw foot bath tub and has the most adorable gold star sink. There was a generous supply of L’Occitane bathroom amenities, including shea butter hand cream, and fluffy bathrobe and slippers.

Breakfast

After a heavenly sleep, the next morning I went down to the breakfast room on the lower ground floor. The buffet breakfast was varied and excellent – definitely leaning towards the sweet side, of which Marie Antoinette would surely approve.

There was a savoury selection of really good scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages and charcuterie and then a sweet array of pastries, crêpes, pancakes, waffles, muffins, brioche and macarons. I particularly liked the big bowls of speculoos spread and Nutella to smother on the pancakes and a selection of fine teas, especially my favourite, caramel tea. Also on offer are jelly snakes and gummy bears, should you wish to pimp your pancakes and start the day on a sugar high.

Breakfast can also be taken in the room or an express breakfast at the ground floor bar with velvet chairs and interesting artwork.

The Marie Antoinette suite is feminine and frothy – perfect for a girly weekend break with friends or a mother-daughter trip to Paris. Those who prefer a sleeker stay might prefer the darker, sexier ‘Levitation’ room with stark white acrylic interiors and a veil of blue and purple LED lighting. Whichever room appeals, it will certainly be an adventure!

Rooms at Seven Hotel start from €197 per night and the Marie Antoinette suite is priced at €367 per night. For more information and booking, visit: www.sevenhotelparis.com

Chérie City was a guest of Seven Hotel

Photos by Chérie City and Seven Hotel Paris

Paris, Restaurants

Dinner At Les Enfants Terribles, Paris

June 16, 2012 by cheriecity

Les Enfants Terribles is a real hidden gem in Paris, just off the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.

Paying homage to Jean Cocteau’s 1929 novel, Les Enfants Terribles references the artist, poet and author’s whimsical signature and iconic line drawing. Les Enfants Terribles also boasts a suitably literary address, on the corner of rue Byron and rue Balzac, previously owned by legendary French singer, Johnny Hallyday.

Part of Sibuet hotels & spas, Les Enfants Terribles Paris opened following the success of the original Les Enfants Terribles at Hôtel Mont-Blanc in the chic ski resort, Megève. This was a clever move, as Parisians can relive holiday memories of the mountains when back in the city.

The carved wood Alpine touches have been replaced with a typically Parisian Haussmann look, however the same irreverent sense of fun and drama and open-plan kitchen are there.

I caught up with my Parisian friend Coralie over a typically long dinner at Les Enfants Terribles – we were the last to leave, as usual.

The charming manager of the restaurant offered to make us a tasting menu of our favourite dishes. I loved it that we were able to choose the selection of dishes from the menu, rather than leaving it in the hands of the chef – it was a real treat.

We started with a glass of Champagne and a slate of of pre-dinner nibbles – red tuna, salmon and Black Tiger prawns. I particularly enjoyed the plump prawns with a light and crispy coating and delicious soy and citrus dipping sauce.

Next came an amuse-bouche of thick asparagus soup topped with light crème fraîche. It was fresh, colourful, spring-like and full of taste.

Our first starter was Green asparagus from Provencal gardens with a citrus fruit dressing and garden herb sabayon (€24). The asparagus was incredibly fresh and cooked to perfection. The garden herb sabayon was light and creamy, with a good hint of acidity – a delicious start to the meal.

From the ‘must-haves’, we tried the Risotto Carnaroli with Parmesan Reggiano (€28). The risotto was perfectly al dente, creamy and thick, with a light foam and rocket.

Our next tasting dish was a main course from the ‘Bastide de Marie’ menu – John Dory, roasted skin-side down, ratatouille, confit tomatoes and Piquillo peppers (€38). The fish was meaty and succulent, with rich Provençal-style vegetables and a smoky, creamy foam.

The presentation of the dish was impressive and well-considered yet not too fussy.

The Farm-reared chicken, spit-roasted with Grenaille potatoes (€28) was a real highlight. The juicy, succulent chicken came with crispy, golden skin and soft, roasted Grenaille potatoes. It was finished with a rich jus and a few sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary.

As if that wasn’t enough, our chicken was accompanied by the most incredibly delicious Potato Purée with Truffles (€18). Laden with butter, garlic and aromatic truffles, the potato purée was dense, smooth and rich. I loved that it came served in its own little cooking pot and could have easily devoured it all, however dessert was still to come.

For dessert, I tried the simply named Chocolate Dark and White (€14). I enjoyed the dark chocolate mousse base, almond crisp chocolate pieces, yuzu swirls and the brandy snap nest, however, there was a little too much fresh cream on top.

Coralie tried the Yuzu and wild strawberry milkshake (€12). The strawberry milkshake, with a layer of strawberry compote, was refreshing and light (apart from the thick layer of cream). It was an interesting and almost child-like alternative to rich, chocolatey desserts.

We finished with some delicious coconut macarons and hazelnut chocolates filled with ice cream.

Les Enfants Terribles is a rare find in the 8e arrondissement. It combines innovative, beautifully presented food with elegant decor, a calm ambiance and friendly, unpretentious service. The warm, attentive staff really looked after us, and everyone in the restaurant, making us feel cared for and very much at home.

Chérie City was a guest of Les Enfants Terribles

Photos by Chérie City (interior images by Les Enfants Terribles – Paris / F. Ducout & DR)