PICKS OF THE MONTH: CHINA Edition Part 2

BEIJING

Hotel: City Walls Hostel

No.57, NianZi HuTong, JingShanHouJie, DongCheng District, http://www.beijingcitywalls.com/

It may be true that old Beijing is rapidly disappearing; however, a few traditional pockets still remain throughout the modern city that evoke its old Chinese charm – these are the Hutongs. The Hutongs are the traditional style of housing in Beijing, consisting of narrow little streets lined with doors and high walls that conceal courtyard style homes that house entire extended families. They may look rustic from the outside, but inside they are each a private oasis.

Through hotelworld.com I booked the most fabulous hostel I have probably ever stayed at on any of my globetrotting adventures. Situated in a centrally located but hard to find area near the Forbidden City (get directions written in Chinese before arriving), Sitting on the Walls is a beautifully renovated brand new hostel oozing with feng shui and a friendly atmosphere. It is very clean, it is run by ridiculously friendly and helpful staff, attracts a nice crowd of people, serves great food, doesn’t get too rowdy, and is home to a really adorable little pooch. Most of all it just looks super cool! They have very affordable dorm style rooms with bunk beds and private double bed accommodation at a slightly higher price. All rooms have an ensuite bathroom, with a western toilet I may add, which is somewhat of a luxury in China. Just remember, you came to Beijing to see the city, not to hang around your ultra magnifico hostel, so do force yourself to venture out from this peaceful abode for at least a few hours each day.

Restaurant: Noodle Loft (Mian Ku Shanxi Shiyi)

No. 20 Dawang Road, Chaoyang District, http://www.fro

mmers.com/destinations/beijing/D31125.html

Thanks to the eternally grumpy Anthony Bourdain I discovered this trendy but cheap Chinese restaurant. Due to to my horrendous directions I nearly gave up on ever finding this eccentric noodle house extraordinaire, but I’m glad my persistence paid off and I got to experience the 30 ft noodle myself. Sit back, relax and watch the chefs in the open kitchen (bottom floor) make your noodle-y dishes with big knives, chopsticks and wild arm movements. From the looks of it, I bet it all tastes good. I ordered and loved the 30 ft long noodle with a spicy aubergine sauce and the caramel covered sweet potatoes (so delish if you have a major sweet tooth – dip in accompanied water dish before eating to cool). Not to be left out, the servers were nice and the food arrived quickly. Three thumbs up!

Cafe: Confucius Teahouse

28 Guozijian Street, Andingmen Wai Dajie, Dongcheng district, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/asia/china/1586231/Beijing-travel-guide-teashops-and-nightlife.html

I have a theory that travel is most enjoyable when you get to pair each cultural visit of the day with a little nibble of local cuisine or a break at a nice cafe. In my family we call this the “un chateau, un gateau” principle. Besides, it helps prevent that bothersome sore feet syndrome that seems to creep up on tourists. On one such afternoon in Beijing, after visiting both the Lama Temple and the Confucius temple, my friend and I decided that no trip to China would be complete without experiencing an authentic Chinese tea ceremony. We chose the Confucius Teahouse across the street from the Confucius Temple, aka the best, most serene tea place in town, for our little repose. Served by a gracious young girl, we were taken through the steps of the ceremony and got to drink to two delicate green teas that we had selected beforehand. They also serve funny little traditional cakes to enjoy with your tea and, drum roll please, they have a really nice western toilet. Last but not least, the teahouse isn’t very pricey. It is a great place to seek refuge from the bustling city outside and a must-stop on your itinerary.

Culture: Around Beijing

This is my list of must-see attractions in Beijing that every first-time tourist here should see. The Forbidden city, the Great Wall, Lama Temple, Confucius Temple, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Jingshan Park and Beihan Park. If you are looking to buy anything, visit the Pearl Market and don’t forget to bargain. You should never have to pay more than 25% of the initial offered price. Zaichien! (Goodbye!)

FAVORITES - MAY

Song: Let It Be by the Beatles

Musician: Leona Lewis

Movie: Lagerfeld Confidential

Book: The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

Artist: Peter Lik

Trend: White Lace Gloves and Summer Hats

Designer: Trovata

Drink: Croft Sherry

Food: Fresh Grilled Halibut

City/Place: Beijing

TV Show: The Hills

PICKS OF THE MONTH: CHINA Edition Part 1

TOWN: YANGSHUO

Yangshuo is a lovely little town in Southern China with some of the most extraordinary scenery I have ever seen. It is the China of yesteryear that we have dreamt about, with classic styled buildings, farmers picking rice, bamboo rafts floating down river and lush green limestone hills shooting out of the ground as far as the eye can see. It is part of the old world China that is quickly being replaced with 6 lane highways and skyscrapers. Allow yourself the pleasure of visiting this special place before it disappears.

Sightseeing: Hike and take a Li River cruise

By small raft which departs from the dock below the tourist market

It’s time to get up close and personal. Yangshuo is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in the world so what better way to see it than on foot. Hike up its most famous limestone mountain, half-moon peak, to get a great view of the landscape and to work off that extra serving of sweet and sour pork you took when no one was watching. And if you are lucky, and I can pretty much guarantee that you will be, a sweet and very enthusiastic Chinese woman will insist on leading you up the hill, carrying chilled drinks and a fan to keep you cool. She won’t take no for an answer so go with the flow and give her a few Yuan for her troubles at the end. It’s all part of the experience.

Another great way to experience the limestone peaks is on a relaxing cruise along the Li River on a traditional bamboo raft. It is a great way to lose the horde of tourists in town and you to enjoy the serene peacefulness of the limestone backdrop against the calm river. You will never want to leave the magical place!

Shopping: Explore the many shops on West Street and the nearby market by the Li River

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When you booked your trip to China everyone you know and their grandmother probably supplied you with a list of must-have items to bring back that they just had to have. Although Yangshuo is no big city, its stores sell almost anything you will be looking to buy. From silk, to leather goods, hello kitty cell phone accessories, chopstick sets and (I hate to encourage this but whatever) knock-off everything; you can buy it all here and for the same price as in any market in China. There are lots of little shops along this street, which comes to a crescendo in the evening. Just don’t forget to bargain, bargain, bargain! Although they may not look it, shopkeepers will respect you for it. Don’t pay more than a quarter of the starting price they give you and be nice but firm. And remember, if they can profitably sell it to you at your price, they will. It’s like playing a game – have fun!

Culture: “Impression on Sanjie Liu” theatre production

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangxi/yangshuo/impression-sanjieliu.htm

Now you say that you are more than happy eat Chinese food and shop all night long as your evening entertainment. After all, you are on vacation...it doesn’t count, right? You might even make brief appearance at the karaoke bar down the street. But did you know that there is a first class outdoor performance just on the other side of town. More specifically, it is a music, singing, dancing and lights show performed on water with the cascading hills lit up in the background. Created by the same man that is putting together the production of the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing this August, this show took over 5 years to produce and has a cast of thousands. Like nothing you will have seen before, it will leave you amazed and exhilarated. Believe it.

Cafe: Sanpin Coffee Yangshuo Store

No. 9 West Street, Yangshuo (Old Town), sanpincoffee@163.com

After an afternoon of shopping or a big lunch it is nice to seek refuge in a calm, cozy coffee shop. My favourite is Sanpin Coffee on the main shopping street. They have a large selection of teas and coffee (I like the milky jasmine green tea), comfy chairs, friendly staff, internet access and, luxury of luxuries, a western toilet upstairs!

Restaurant: Try local cuisine in small side street restaurants

I have no specific recommendation for where to dine but I would suggest avoiding the larger, hipper looking places lining the main street and try a simpler looking restaurant on a side street instead. It might not look like much but the food will be authentic, better quality, dirt cheap and absolutely delicious - a real Chinese experience. If you are unsure, ask a local where to go.

A Rose is a Rose is...una Scarpa

If ever there was uncertainty over the declaration that fashion is art, it has been muted by a certain Miss Miuccia Prada. What a shoe! If Dennis Rodman was able to marry himself, can I marry my heels? After all, they are much more pleasant on the eyes... With footwear like this, who can blame a girl for her shoe fetish?

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CITY GUEST STAR - LAS VEGAS

Hotel: Wynn

3131 Las Vegas Blvd, www.wynnlasvegas.com/
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When in Vegas it is a must to walk through the main hotels on the Strip and critique their modern-day renditions of foreign cities and ancient civilizations. And so I did. Two hotels stood out because, rather than base their design on an imitation of something already existent, they went with something new and spared no expense to create it. There is no faux marble; there are no talking statues, no plastic columns. These two luxurious oases are the Wynn and the Bellagio. Since the Bellagio has had its fair share of exposure already, I would recommend staying at the Wynn if your pocket book will allow. It is at the end of the strip, across the street from the Venetian and Fashion Show Mall and is much concealed by its sleek, dark exterior. Inside it is fresh and airy, filled with elegant boutiques and a more sophisticated clientele (you have to be 21 or accompanied by an adult just to enter the hotel). On a nice day, have lunch or dinner on the outdoor patio of one of its restaurants situated on the edge of a hidden, exotic lagoon – a tranquil escape from the ringing of slot machines and the tipsy cacophony of the barely legal.


Restaurant: Gallagher’s Steakhouse

New York, New York, www.nynyhotelcasino.com/restaurants/restaurants_gallagherssteakhouse.aspx
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A good steak should be blood red, tender, a great cut and of the best quality. Now combine that with the biggest steak you’ve ever seen x2, and that is what you will find at Gallagher’s. A tasteful and friendly white-cloth restaurant located in New York, New York, Gallagher’s has some of the best, and definitely the biggest, steak in town. So for all you carnivores out there, it is definitely worth saving your stomach space all day to make way for this delicious meal. And don’t forget to make a reservation because the word is out.


Entertainment: Love by Cirque de Soleil

The Mirage, www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/showstickets/love/intro/
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The days of cheesy shows and tacky singers in Vegas are très over. There is no way you can witness the acrobats and performers of Cirque de Soleil and not be blown away. Everyone needs to see a show of theirs at least once. I have never been a huge Beatles enthusiast but this production left me aching for my iTunes, wanting to hear more, more, more! And if you are wondering how the Cirque de Soleil manages to turn a bunch of old songs into a 90 minute spectacle, you will just have to go see it for yourself.


Shopping: Premium Outlets

865 South Grand Central Parkway, www.premiumoutlets.com
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Forget Fashion Show Mall. What kind of a name is that anyway? The future of shopping in America is the outlet mall. I am proud to say that early this month I had my first outlet experience and it left me feeling more energized and full of glee (yes, glee) than an espresso on an empty stomach or a semi-annual sale at Tod’s. Sure I had heard tales of friends venturing across the border to a Coach or Burberry outlet, but I just assumed that the stores would be full of unsightly rejects from their flagships. I have now seen the error of my ways and am turned outlet apostle. The Premium Outlets in Las Vegas has stores from almost every major designer under the sun, including Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, David Yurman and Jimmy Choo. You really will feel like a kid in a candy store! So what are you waiting for?

QUOTING FASHION

Some of the best feelings I experience are the result of reading or hearing someone say something so spot-on, so fabulous, so true that my mind is left feeling light, happy, and excited. A few months ago this happened as I was perusing Style.com for my daily fashion fix and stumbled upon a video profile of my sole-mate, Christian Louboutin.

Like many other females I have always wondered why no one has yet to make (at least as far as I know) a comfortable high-heel. As I graduated from chunky heels in my teens to designer stilettos in my twenties, I was under the illusion that paying several hundred dollars for a pair of designer heels would mean that they would be less painful. My sore arches and blisters disagree. And this was all very frustrating until Mr. Louboutin shared a few simple truths with me. He described his aim: "I wanted to do shoes that are really just for seduction, for pleasure, for sex. That's it! A shoe you cannot run, cannot even walk. You want to run in a shoe, buy sneekers."

So there you have it. High heels were never meant to be comortable. They are meant for taxis, dinners and seduction. They exist to make women look beautiful, sexy, and alluring. I love it! Isn't the truth liberating?

And one more thing. I would just like to say that I find it really upsetting that lower-end footwear manufacturers not only copy Mr. Louboutin's time-consuming designs to the T, but they have also started to paint their soles that same trademark shade of red! So please support the true designers by saying no to the newest trend in counterfeit fashion, knock-off shoes. Pay homage to the holy trinity of shoes: Manolo, Choo and Louboutin.

(see http://www.batchplease.com/2007/10/what-should-christian-do.html to see just how similar the copy shoe is)

PICKS OF THE MONTH - PARIS

Cafe: Le Fumoir

6 rue de l'Amiral de Coligny, 75001, www.lefumoir.com
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Picture a Frenchman and he will probably be wearing a beret and loafers, with a baguette tucked under his arm, a bottle of red wine in his left hand and a cigarette in the right. France may have recently banned smoking in restaurants and cafes, but the government will not be able to remove smoking from French culture. My favourite smoky cafe in Paris is none other than Le Fumoir, just two minutes from the Louvre on the Right Bank. Filled with cosy leather chairs, a chic atmosphere and a library of books to entertain coffee drinkers, this place has that unexplainable Parisian “je ne sais quoi.” It is a perfect place to meet with a friend on a cold, winter’s afternoon and chat for hours over a hot Irish coffee and some pastry.


Nightlife: Drinks at the Hotel Lutetia Bar

45 blvd Raspail, 75006, www.lutetia-paris.com
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One of my most Parisian experiences occurred on a cold autumn evening when I met a friend for drinks at the bar lounge of the lovely Hotel Lutetia on the left bank. Probably the largest and fanciest hotel on this side of the Seine, the Lutetia is a posh hotel built in the beautiful Haussmann style that has come to represent the classic style of Parisian architecture generally shown in Hollywood movies and American guidebooks. The lounge is spacious, comfortable, chic and ornately decorated, complete with a musician playing jazz on a grand piano.
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On this first visit of mine to the lounge, the room was filled with chic Parisians of all sorts: trendy college girls, a young family, couples, business acquaintances, a young man with his grandmother and, the most charming of all - two old gentlemen chatting on a sofa, dressed in their best suits, smoking cigars and drinking aperitifs, with two greyhounds laying peacefully at their feet. The picture could not have been more perfect. And as my Parisian friend pointed out, the whole image was just so very Saint Germain des Pres. So on a cool or rainy evening in the city of lights, what better way is there to spend it than indoors in heavenly surrounding, sipping a casual cocktail with family, a close friend or a good book. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the moment.


Shop: Chantal Thomas

211 rue Saint Honore, 75001, also sold at several other boutiques, www.chantalthomass.fr

Over the centuries, sometime between Diane de Poitiers, the Moulin Rouge and Dita von Tesse, the word lingerie has become synonymous with France. Every country has its talents, and for the French, these include dissecting the delicate flavours of red wine, making love after lunch and designing seductive undergarments. Think Eres, Fifi Chacnil, Dior, Lejaby, and - rumoured to be the inventor of the bra - Cadolle. For that classic boudoir look with a hint of old-world burlesque, Chantal Thomas is the very best. Even the brand’s flagship store on the fashionable rue Saint Honore in Paris is designed to look like a burlesque dressingroom. Whether you want to wear cute panties for your own benefit or to surprise your oh-so-lucky lover, undergarments from Chantal Thomas will leave you feeling confident, empowered and beautiful. All that’s left to do is to whisper a few sweet French nothings into your lover’s ears: Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

FAVORITES - FEBRUARY

Song: Love Like This by Natasha Bedingfield

Musician: Dixie Chicks

Movie: The Planet Earth documentary series by the BBC

Book: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Artists: Paolo Uccello

Trend: mix and match bright colored spring clothing

Designer: Rodarte

Drink: Shirley Temple

Food: Enchiladas

City/Place: Melbourne

TV Show: Cashmere Mafia

PICKS OF THE MONTH - VANCOUVER

Cafe: Caffe Artigiano

Several locations throughout the city, www.caffeartigiano.com/
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Commonly-referred to as the best coffee makers in Vancouver, this charming chain of cafes combines Italian old-world charm with North American coffee shop culture. As a contender in the World Barista Championships, Artigiano’s friendly baristas are skilled at making lovely swirling foam designs, termed latte art, to top off your chai lattes and cappuccinos. The cafe also boasts a selection of paninis and baked goods for those with the munchies. For a special treat, try their infamous $15 coffee. It is made with a Panamanian bean, Hacienda la Esmeralda Especial, which has been crowned as the “world’s best coffee.” So forget your Vente Starbucks just this once and immerse your soul in a bit of Italian comfort, Vancouver-style. Ah bellissima!

Restaurant: Honjin

140 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, http://www.dinehere.ca/restaurant.asp?r=2467
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Vancouver isn’t generally considered a major player on the international stage. It doesn’t dominate in world politics, big business or the arts. However there are categories with which my city dominates all others: nature and outdoor sports? No. How about Aboriginal culture and logging? Wrong again. The correct answer is Starbucks and sushi. The Arabs may have one thousand and one nights but we have 1001 sushi bars. It is true that one cannot go for more than a block or two without stumbling upon another Starbucks and sushi restaurant (or ten). Vancouver has the best, the cheapest and the most abundant supply of sushi in the world. It even beats out Japan in this category. Thanks to our healthy lifestyle, multicultural community and access to fresh, affordable seafood, sushi has become a phenomenon in Vancouver – a trend that is here to stay.

My favourite Japanese sushi restaurant in the city is Honjin in North Vancouver, just near the Sea Bus. There is a second location in Yaletown for the downtown crowd. In my opinion it is one of the very best sushi restaurants in town. Honjin serves up all the traditional Japanese food we adore, plus an assortment of their own concoctions. Try the North Shore Roll. It’s amazing! In any case, this place is an absolute must. If you want to be sure to get a table, call that same day to make reservation. I guarantee that it is worth the effort!

Shop: Chintz & Company

950 Homer Street, http://www.chintz.com/
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Every so often I discover a new shop that sends my pulse racing. Usually this occurs as a product of spectacular footwear or playful spring dresses just begging to come home with me. One discovery set itself apart, the uber fabulous Chintz & Company, a home furnishings and accessories store in Vancouver’s ultra hip Yaletown district. Filled with chic, beautiful items at reasonable places, every visit to Chintz leaves me on the verge of wanting to buy an apartment just so I have an excuse to decorate. Whether you fall head over heels for a set of dishes, an armchair or a garden statue, it is virtually impossible to part from the store empty-handed.

PICKS OF THE MONTH - PARIS

Restaurant: Alcazar

62 rue Mazarine, 75006, www.alcazar.fr/
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Regardless of my whereabouts in the world I long to be chez Alacazar. Pourquoi? For starters, their tartare au boeuf (served Tuesdays) is, in my opinion, the best on the planet...and I have had my share of steak tartare. Not to mention that their frites are delectable and cappuccino, served with chocolate covered orange slices, is my favorite in France. No they don't skimp on the foam and only the real ingredients will do. Nicole Kidman was willing to temporarily forego her skim milk-only policy for the Alcazar experience. Located in an airy, modern space (once the infamous Alcazar Cabaret), and decorated tastefully with fresh flowers, the service is good and everything on the menu is tres magnifique. There is a hip lounge upstairs for in the evenings and a chic club down below.


Shop: Colette

213 rue Saint Honore, 75001, www.colette.fr/

Mecca may be a place of pilgrimage to believers in Islam, but to those who pray to the Gods of Fashion, Colette is the place spiritual worshipers call home. It may take a few visits to appreciate the brilliance of this concept store, with its water bar, book collection and eclectic mix of (0ften rare) high fashion clothing and accessories. Not only is each piece handpicked from the designer showrooms to fit in with the Colette image, the boutique has become so revered that designers frequently design special pieces just for the store. And you never know who you are going to get to see...Monsieur Lagerfeld may be just around the corner.


Culture: Musée Galliera

10 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75115, http://www.paris.fr/portail/Culture/Portal.lut?page_id=5854
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The word Paris is synonymous with style, elegance and luxury, so it comes as no surprise that visitors to the city of lights will want to brush up on their knowledge of la mode - museum style. For other some visitors to the epicentre of fashion, merely meandering through the city's endless stream of boutiques will not suffice. So, in order to preserve Paris's rich textile history, the Musée Galliera was created out of an old palace to store and preserve thousands upon thousands of pieces of clothing.

Its vast collection ranges from Dior's Fall 2007 Haute Couture gown and Katharine Hepburn's trousers to Marie Antoinette's culottes. Although the majority of its gems remain carefully stored away from the eyes of gawking tourists, every year the museum puts on a few special exhibitions, where hundreds of pieces are put on display for the public. All done to perfection, past exhibitions include Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Marlene Dietrich and the history of French fashion. Currently the museum is holding an exhibition about fashion from the roaring twenties that should prove to be a must-see. Aside from a stop at Colette, no fashionista's pilgrimage to the land of fashion is complete without a stop at the Musée Galliera.