Playgrounds & Pastimes

When in Athens

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:26:00 +0000

In Greek mythology, Hermes is the Messenger of the Gods. Among other things he protects and takes care of all travelers.

It would only be appropriate then to visit the Hermes boutique at Athens International Airport prior to returning home after your August holiday spent on the Aegean Sea.

Before diving into the attractiveness of row upon row of silk and leather know-how gird your loins with top drawer spanakopita and Nescafe at "Travel for Everest" cafe just outside the Hermes boutique in the Main Terminal #62.

Once inside Hermes you'll find the famously anticipated collection of the finest silk scarves, ties, leather accessories, watches and perfumes. What you'll also find inside here is the inimitable, abiding Greek hospitality. Ask for Natalie. She will spend a most charitable amount of time showing you how to style and tie your scarfs into innumerable fashions. Never mind if your arrive with said scarves on your person...no purchase required for this lovely hospitality so emblematic of the Greek culture.

h the finest silk scarves, ties, leather accessories, watches and perfumes

Once on board as you sip your first of many Claret in a feeble attempt to dull the pain of your first few hours outside the comfort of an umbrella-shaded sun bed you'll surely take comfort swathed in l'ailes d' Hermes. Everyone knows Hermes often helped travelers have a safe and easy journey which is the very reason why many Greeks (and now you of course) always sacrifice to Hermes before any trip.

Great With Casual Salted Snacks

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Unlike most French aperitifs, Kina Lillet was perceived by Americans as eminently drinkable on its own and remained well established throughout the 20th century. Sales were boasted by several of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, which featured Lillet in its traditional role as an aperitif and as the primary component of the Vesper, Bond's favored cocktail. (it called for three measures gin, one measure vodka and a half measure of Lillet, shaken and served with a twist.)

But let's be honest...the best thing about Lillet is that both the rouge and blanc are great with casual salted snacks of all sorts-olives, nuts, even a proper potato chip! Lillet blanc also does wonders for blue cheese or prosciutto with melon.

Some winemaking pursuits, it seems, are more inspired than others!

L’apéro!

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:41:00 +0000

When was the last time you had a Dubbonet on ice? A refreshing splash of Lillet? A bittersweet Suze or decadent absinthe? These traditional aperitifs are so retro they're practically nouveau. With warm weather on the way, it's a great time to indulge in the convivial heure de l'apero. All you need is some glasses, ice cubes, good friends-and the background and tips we'll provide this week.

Let's start with Dubonnet!

With a mix of botanicals that were originally designed to mask the extremely bitter taste of quinine Dubonnet was created by a Parisian chemist-the carefully guarded recipe includes coffee beans, Provencal herbs and citrus.

Pair with a lovely Spanish ham, particularly Seranno which plays off Dubonnet's richness.

The Warm Hospitality of a Multilingual European Trained Staff

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:11:00 +0000

http://www.malibubeachinn.com/

Perhaps your nanny is demanding full benefits. Or you've recently learned that you weren't the highest bidder for the Johannes Bosboom's "Rouen, le quai de Paris" you were convinced you couldn't complete the shore house without. Whatever has you under the weather get thee to the sun-kissed setting of lunch al fresco at the Malibu Beach Inn.

After a recent multi-million dollar renovation spending an afternoon soaking in the sun, enjoying the company of your best pal, a crisp Brander Sauvignon Blanc in hand, nibbling on the freshest of fresh crab cakes known to man and the tumbling Pacific surf of the ultra-exclusive Carbon Beach below you too will feel like you've had a multi-million dollar renovation and will depart ready to face the reality that lies beyond 22878 Pacific Coast Highway.

Malibu Beach Inn

22878 Pacific Coast Highway

Malibu, CA 92065

(310) 456-6444

*Reservations suggested

French Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:19:00 +0000

http://www.cazes-rivesaltes.com/

Forget populist rage and the oppressive nature of a monarchical regime. That was passé with the fall of the Bastille and Lehman Brothers.

Today’s French Revolution is taking place between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, in Rivesaltes. CAZES has become a byword for “pleasure” offering a range of wines that set the table for a substantive social summit.

Surely you’ll soon be opening up the barn at the first signs of Spring where on display will be your appreciation of what this French Revolution can teach us all. Pick up the Le Canon du Maréchal Rose, to serve with fresh asparagas, Rivesaltes Ambré, to serve with foie gras and Rivesaltes Tuilé to serve with aperitif cigars and after dinner fox-trotting, naturally.

A Place in the Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:04:00 +0000

http://www.pellicanohotel.com/

"Wake up around ten and have breakfast in your room, brought to you on a tray; or if you are the morning sort you go down to the terrace overlooking the pool. By eleven you are sitting at the pool with your cohorts, rehashing what happened last night; the romances, the wine, the faux pas, any amusing bon mot. You don't have your cell phone, a laptop or an iPod-that would be gauche.

Listen. The birds. The bougainvillea. Nature's stillness. Sweet jasmine."* The glittering pool and glistening Mediterranean.

Il Pellicano

Cala Dei Santi - Località Sbarcatello - 58018 Porto Ercole (Grosseto)
Ph. +39 0564 858111

*copy credit to William Norwich

Bottoms up. Tops off!

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:48:00 +0000

Have you ever considered the possibility of skinny-dipping in a moonlit lake? Of course you have and after a few hours under the dappled Como sun flirting with glass after glass after glass of Pinot Bianco and undoubtedly seated next to a mischievous playboy of some note you'll realize anything is possible, even likely.

Tuck yourself into Harry's Bar in Cernobbio and if you're lucky you'll manage to carry out at least five of the seven deadly sins before sundown.

Harry's Bar

1 Piazza Risorgimento

Cernobbio. 39-031-334-7057

Jet Set Efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:29:00 +0000

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/

Will it be Vienna or Basel or Munich or lunch in Champagne or drinking champagne in Epernay? Or perhaps it will be the Venice Simplon-Orient Express?

Perhaps you'll go to Milan or Salzburg or Amsterdam-anything seems possible when looking at the destination board at the main rail station Hauptbahnof in Zurich.

A good bet is the 6:09 am to Como S. Giovanni. Arriving at 10:03 you'll have plenty of time to luxuriate in the charming streets of Como as you make your way to the Navigazione Laghi ferry to Cernobbio.

Before the morning advances too far grab yourself a table at Harry's to get involved with your first mimosa of the day and toast to your stroke of genius and jet set efficiency.

Viva la Villa

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:51:00 +0000

http://www.ville-esclusive.com

Travel is the frivolous part of serious lives, and the serious part of frivolous ones. 

(Anne Sophie Swetchine)

Circus Circus

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:31:00 +0000

www.kaufleuten.ch

After almost a week in Switzerland you may find yourself craving if only for a night, a little less Cucinelli and a little more Pucci. Book at table at Kaufleuten to cure what ails you. Theatrical curtains, dramatic chandeliers and circus-like frescos contribute to the vivacious atmosphere. Reserve one of the tables by the mirrored wall; use the reflection to your advantage and pore over the social exploits going on around you. While the “main bar” and “dance floor” beyond the restaurant’s main floor may appeal to a crowd more “pedestrian” than your liking the “Lounge” with it’s well thought out comfy wooden chairs strewn about is the superb place for a nightcap.

Kaufleuten

Pelikanstrasse 18

8001 Zurich

Tel: 0041 44 225 33 40

Culinary Conditioning

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:37:00 +0000

www.restaurant-lumiere.ch

Switzerland has more than one official language and there is a constant verbal toggle between your best Swiss German, German, French, Italian, Swiss French, Swiss Roman-you get the idea.

Take a break from all the “lenga franca” ambivalence and fall into Lumiére. At this cosy “aide memoire” of the 6^th arrondissement everyone speaks “moules” et “pomme frites” avec Château Clerc Milon.

Of course the spécialité maison is “Ojo de Agua” – premium quality Argentinian beef. Revel in the cultural involvedness of it all and consider it a primer for your summer ski trip to Las Leñas.

Lumiére

Widdergasse 5

CH-8001 Zürich

Tel: +41 44 211 56 65

Die Kleine Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:13:00 +0000

www.widderhotel.ch

Smoking anywhere, particularly indoors these days feels so illicit and "verboten", it's enough to make you want a to light up. As you order your afternoon “pick me up” from the Widder Bar’s superlative 250+ single malt scotch collection and light your first Gauloise of the afternoon the thrill and exhilaration of it all may all but swallow you up entirely.

You’ll be stirred and encouraged by the words stamped on Widder’s exhaustive cocktail menu,

“You can never plan the future by the past but you can always enjoy the very moment.”

Go ahead and enjoy this moment. Like the way of Armando’s Beach Club, smoking indoors in Switzerland will soon be just a exquisite memory.

Widder Bar

Widder Hotel

Widdergasse 6

Tel: (044) 224 25 26

Jugendstil Flair

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:12:00 +0000

www.odeon.ch

Take an aperitif or digestif at the historic corner Café Odeon. Patronized by such figures as Lenin, Trotsky, Mata Hari, Mussolini and James Joyce you'll feel quite at ease at this Old Town legend. Tuck in, order an Armagnac and enjoy the clever tête-à-tête swirling around the air at this grand café.

Cafe Odeon

Limmatquai 2

8001 Zürich

Tel 044 251 16 50

Restaurant Kronenhalle

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:43:00 +0000

www.kronenhalle.com

The Swiss Bank of food. Bring money, eat well. Sit with the ghosts and works of Juan Miró, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso and Robert Rauschenberg. Don't dare order anything other than the famous Kalbfleisch geschnetzelt "Kronenhalle" with rosti. Oh and "dress".

Restaurant Kronenhalle

Ramistrasse 4 – 8001 Zurich

Telefon 044 262 99 00

Lu

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:45:00 +0000

www.lu-zh.ch/

If you want to really get to know Zurich you really need to get to know Lu. Zurich IS Lu. Lu IS Zurich. Actually Lu IS a former world-class supermodel who now owns a charming boutique selling equally beautiful and attractive things to “garnish” your home. Crystal, china, pottery, candles, frames, a lovely assortment of ideal silver-plated trays are among the fine treasures but Lu herself is the exceptionally unique offering.

Like all one-named phenoms that have gone before (Gandhi, Halston, Liberace) Lu’s inimitable spirit truly brakes the mold and you’ll wonder how you ever muddled through without her. Get to know Lu and if you’re fortunate enough she’ll not only share her favorite restaurants with you but also grab the phone and make reservations for YOU at HER best tables around town. All the while you’ll be flipping through Lu’s portfolio of work sipping the Gosset Brut de Brut she’s poured in distinctive Kosta Boda flutes.

You’ll no doubt return promptly at 10.00 the next morning to prove to yourself that Lu was not just an illusion brought on by too much Kalbsleber geschnetzelt mit Zwiebeln with Rösti and to say “Danke!” and regale her with tales of the exquisite evening you enjoyed at Kronnenhalle’s best table.

She’ll have your cappuccino waiting.

Schipfe 4

CH-8001 Zürich

Tel. 044 222 17 17

Offshore Banking & Brunch

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:38:00 +0000

Whether you’ve conveniently planned your quarterly appointment with your private division advisor at UBS or Credit Suisse or are just looking for a dash of urban escapade after your time in the mountains you’ll no doubt be famished after the three hour Swiss rail journey to Zürich HB.

Sprüngli is the place in Zürich. Here’s how to give the impression of being “local”:

http://www.sprungli.ch/

Stroll up to the restaurant on the 2nd story.
Give off no visual clues of being besieged by the assembly of well-heeled financiers, International Foreign Affairs Advisors and Ambassador’s wives assembling with their old friends from Leysin.
Order a ham & cheese croissant. It's just what you do here.
Place your order straightaway from either a) your waitress or b) trot up to the pastry display and order there.
Don't blow your cover by waiting around the counter while they melt the delicious cheese, your waitress will bring the savory delight to your table along with your bill.
The final potential snag. Knowingly pay your "bill" (of course you never use the word "check" while on the continent) at the cashier near the stairs.

Sprüngli’s deliciously wrapped chocolates, tuffles and macaroons are the superlative gift for everyone back home but you have an afternoon of shopping to do on the Bahnhofstrasse and cocktails with Lu to get on to. Good thing all the “locals” know there is a Sprüngli outpost just past passport control at ZRH.

Confiserie Sprüngli AG
Bahnhofstrasse 21
CH-8022 Zürich

+41(0)44 224 47 40

More Than 5 Stars

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:20:00 +0000

www.kulmhotel-stmoritz.ch/

It would be criminal to not plunge headfirst into the Kulm Hotel which has a 6^th star explicitly dedicated to turning your “special personal dreams into reality.”

You’d think that your “special personal dreams” would be fulfilled by a trip to The Sunny Bar, the Kulm Hotel legend. Here “suspended from the ceiling is a pair of gymnasium-style rings, for extra self-confident athletes to flex their muscles in demonstrations of prowess.” Oh mein Gott!

The Sunny Bar

You’ll find however that when getting ready to set off from St. Moritz your “special personal dream” may be finding “gratis” Internet access to pin down your dinner reservations at Kronenhalle in Zürich. After being welcomed by the congenial Kulm doormen you’ll find the computer tucked into a corner down the small set of stairs to the right. Be assured you’ll have the desk to yourself; no one else would dare suffer the indignity of being seen cruising the information superhighway here. You too will see it as just so “common” after having spent all this time tucked into the self proclaimed “Top of the World”. Promptly make your dinner reservations, review the current Navigazione Lago Di Como timetable and be on your way.

It’s Pronounced “Clo-Stirs”

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:46:00 +0000

The St. Moritz outpost of Loro Piana is closed on Sundays so why not spend the day messing about the rest of the Engadin Valley and scamper on to Klosters for lunch. Spend the extra 5 chf. and enjoy the generous windows of the “Panoramawagon” on the achingly clean and efficient Swiss Rail and you won’t miss a bit of the “chocolate box” quaint scenery en route.

http://www.sbb.ch/en/

Depart at 10:06 and you’ll arrive in Klosters just ahead of the noon lunch hour. Saunter through town and pick up a classic Swiss felt hunting hat - the very Klosters Swiss twist on the “cowboy hat” and THE way to keep the snow out of your eyes here.

Take lunch at Chesa Grischuna. The definition of cosy is “enjoying or affording comforting warmth and shelter especially in a small space” or “having or fostering a warm or friendly and informal atmosphere”. The exactness to which Chesa Grischuna delivers on “cosy” is almost implausible. Their lavish use of pinewood is splendid.

http://www.chesagrischuna.ch/

If possible make your table reservations beforehand and know that Chesa Grischuna also doubles as one of the "Historic Hotels of Europe" so should you find the enchanting Greübunden atmosphere too irresistible to leave or you've taken too much pleasure in the Weingut Donabaum Riesling there’s a convenient place to hang that new hat of yours for the night.

Big Choice of Cheeses from the Trolley

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:10:00 +0000

http://www.post-haus.ch/

Post Haus is Mathis' more "urban" outpost in St. Moritz Dorf. Deep leather club chairs and a roaring and appropriately "mod" gas burning fireplace add to the welcoming yet contemporary mood in the lounge & bar.

Feast on one of Mathis' signature white pizzas with truffle topping while you drink in the crowd of to the manor born Russian supermodels tangling with their off duty tycoon escorts and definitely a few Bichon Frises who you should expect will be wearing a mink coat and boots far superior to yours.

It is here we learned from an off duty PA (that's Personal Assistant) that it's 1.5 hrs from London to St. Moritz by PJ (that's Private Jet, of course.) A vital and critical fact that probably deserves it's own post.

Post Haus also offers more formal dining in the adjacent restaurant where they serve "Gross Auswahl gereifter Kase vom Wagen". Translated "big choice of cheeses from the trolley"- clearly the place sells itself.

Swiss Miss

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:27:00 +0000

Among your new Moncler jacket, boxes of Hauser's world famous truffles and of course a few token Gauloises it's entirely reasonable to expect to pick up a characteristically milky, creamy complexion while in Switzerland. This is afterall the illustrious home of the equally milky and creamy Gruyère and Vacherin-Mont-d'Or cheese.

One could easily spend an entire afternoon in a Swiss “apotheke”. Drop the dreary visions of Duane Reade, these glittering Swiss outfits not only furnish all of the effective remedies to restore you to perfect health (read: these would be buried far under the counter stateside) but are a bastion of thrilling lotions, miraculous creams and magical elixers.

These three little French words will change your life and your completion.

La Roche-Posay

http://www.laroche-posay.us

From a French "laboratoire pharmaceutique", found in a Swiss "apotheke" and available for delivery to you anywhere in world; we're bestotted.

The breathtaking results of the "Beruhigende Feuchtigkeitsmake" will have you yodeling all the way home.

N 46°30’ 46’’ E 09°49’ 12”

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:59:00 +0000

http://www.mathisfood.ch/

The Swiss Germans are delightfully eager to please so keep them contented by offering them the opportunity to make your lunch reservations at Mathis Food Affairs on Corviglia. We found a 14:30 reservation the ideal time to take pleasure in a hearty lunch and the day’s most vigorous and jovial crowd while allowing for plenty of time for a day of play “en piz”.

To find this culinary sparkler head downstairs at the lively yellow-colored Corviglia station and don’t be shy about making yourself known to anyone who will listen. The maître'd (who is gracious and welcoming once you catch his attention) also seems to serve as headwaiter, wine waiter, cheese cart employee and caviar attendant.

Only and unless a life-threatening allergy prohibits-start your meal with the “Bisque di Aragosta” and this is no time to consider passing on carbs; the whole grain bread induces earnest infatuation.

Because the mid-mountain Corviglia station is serviced by the Salastrains from town centre St. Moritz Dorf it is the model spot to meet up with your friends who prefer "spa" to "schuss" and have spent their day at Kempinski High Alpine Spa in town instead.

http://www.kempinski-stmoritz.com/en/home/index.htm

Bergrestaurants

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:44:00 +0000

Some of the most superb things about skiing on "the continent" are the on piste dining opportunities. First step, examine your piste map like Sir Frances Drake, all on piste restaurants in St. Moritz are clearly noted. Then plot your turns like Jean-Claude Killy to be sure you blaze a trail to every "Gutburgerlich" and "Chefs Table Mitten in der Kuche."

A great first stop of the day on Piz Nair (the most directly accessible piste from the city centre St. Moritz Dorf) is Turtz.

An outpost of the highly acclaimed Suvretta Hotel, Trutz serves up hearty views and among other gastronomic delights the Griscon barley soup, tortellini or polenta with gorgonzola. Or grab a "sweet temptation", snuggle into one of their delightful deck chairs, toss the monogrammed throw around your shoulders and revel in the magic moment!

http://www.suvrettahouse.ch/en/gastronomie/trutz.aspx

L'art Et Le Savoir-Faire

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:44:00 +0000

http://www.badruttspalace.com/renaissance

After a strenuous day watching the ponies tuck into Badrutt's Palace for an aperitif or two. Referred to simply as "The Palace" this is "das hotel" in St. Moritz. The Renaissance Bar will welcome you warmly. Whilst you sip your bellini you'll barely notice the gratis crisps and marcona almonds; you'll be too busy simply feasting your eyes on l'art et le savior-faire going on around you.

Hours: 11am-midnight

Dress code: jackets required after 7:30*

*We spotted Guy Richie heading in just past 9pm, jacket and all.

The European Snow Meeting 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:26:00 +0000

http://www.whiteturf.ch/index_en.htm

One of the things you must do in your lifetime is find yourself lucky enough to be in St. Moritz, Switzerland in February. While technically a day of horse racing it is much more about spectacle than sport. With a serious emphasis on sipping Nicolas Feuillatte champagne in the sun (what else would you do in the so called "Champagne climate") you'll witness attractive performances and entertaining pursuits...and we're not talking about the horses.

Billed as the social highlight of the St. Moritz social season it is a milieu not to be missed.

The "Champagner-Klima" of St. Moritz is most certainly a locale well worth spending some time reveling in...this week we'll take you on a literary sojourn.

Eau De Beaute

noreply@blogger.com (Bon Vivant) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Are the agonizingly grey January skies and offensively cold temperatures leaving your skin looking dull? With plenty of skiing days left in Kitzbuhel and the French Open just around the corner there's no excuse to not make every effort to keep up your radiant completion.

The heroics of Caudalie's "Eau De Beaute" deliver in spades and will ensure you arrive on the continent looking luminous and resplendent. "Inspired by the elixer of youth used by Queen Isabelle of Hungary, this skincare smooths features, tightens pores and provides an instant burst of radiance to the complexion."

Don't be surprised if your normally discreet fellow Business Class travelers ask for a spritz. Essential oils of rosemary, orange blossom and rose extracts and myrrh give it an alluring and enchanting aroma.