High Society

After having a mid morning coffee at Café de Flore (great for people watching besides the tourist crowds), we walked to nearby restaurant La Société. It is right across the street from the Church of Saint Germain, and it is owned by the Costes family (yes, the brothers that opened a dozen or so of restaurants all over Paris).

It was designed by our hero Christian Liaigre, who created an amazing interior. Sort of contemporary french-asian with his signature touch of leather and mahogany furniture. A few sculptures give the place a cool artistic feeling.

It is a great place to be surrounded by beautiful people, of course, plus the food is good (maybe not your gourmet meal if you are into it...but still good). A relaxed lunch in one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Paris (shrimp risotto was really good!).

La Societe: 4 Place Saint Germain des Pres, 6th - phone 01.53.63.60.60.

Buenos Aires hotels, part 1

We receive emails very frequently asking for places to stay when visiting Buenos Aires.

There are many options, depending on budget and location. Recoleta or Palermo Viejo, San Telmo or Financial District, Buenos Aires has a very wide selection. Our choices are:

Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt (Recoleta)
A Belle Epoque mansion, with an unbelievable garden, has been restored to its former glory, and with a modern addition on Posadas Street it became the Duhau (like everybody calls the hotel). Great restaurant and bar, with a terrace overlooking the garden, a real oasis in a very busy area.It has the best Spa in Recoleta, with a nice indoor swimming pool.

Alvear Palace Hotel (Recoleta)

This classic hotel is still the choice for those looking for a parisian feeling when staying in Buenos Aires (rooms are decorated in Louis XV style). The best feature is the Lobby Bar, great for high tea or for cocktails before dinner. The Spa is nicely appointed.

Sofitel Buenos Aires (Retiro)
An amazing Art Deco tower in a quiet street packed with Art Galleries has been converted into a very nice hotel. The library with a wood burning fireplace is our favorite spot in the winter. Nice bar and restaurant.

Jardin Escondido (Palermo Viejo)
We wrote about Francis Coppola's hotel here.

Hotel Home (Palermo Viejo)
Small hotel in a very cool area packed with restaurants and boutiques. Nice garden and even a Spa.

Costa Petit Hotel (Palermo Viejo)

Only four suites in this jewel of a hotel. Like staying in a private home. Nice garden with a small pool.

Boquitas Pintadas (San Telmo)
Sort of a "Pop-hotel" (at least according to their owners), interesting interiors that are a mix between surreal and almost a bit tacky. Fun place.

Bo Bo Hotel (Palermo Viejo)
Bo Bo stands for Bourgeois And Bohemian, which means this place is both conservative and rebel (actually, it is more of "friendly, efficient and charming" really). A beautiful mansion transformed into a very nice hotel and great restaurant. Highly recommended.

Another post about hotels, later on.

Heart of a Champion

We want to congratulate argentine Juan Martin del Potro for defeating Roger Federer and winning the US Open 2009.

It took him exactly four hours and six minutes.

GRANDE CAMPEON!!!!!!!

A Park with a View

On our way to Brooklyn Heights the other day, we stopped by at the construction site of the future Brooklyn Bridge Park to see what is going on. There is a lot of activity in the area, and hopefully the first section will be open this coming winter.

The fantastic 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park will stretch near mile and a half along the East River. The area so far has been completely underused and inaccessible to the public, although it offers the best views of Downtown Manhattan.

It will be a magnificent public space, with plenty of activities and even a beach (also planned are fishing piers, floating pathways, canals...a lot going on).

The park with the best view in the whole world.

Fashion's Night Out: Party pictures 2

We basically had so much fun in Barney's that didn't make it Downtown. There were so many places we needed to go (Costume National in Soho was one of them) but it was overwhelming and we didn't have time. It was Uptown or Downtown really.

There we saw Jonathan Adler work his magic with pottery, talked to Simon Doonan, and then Behnaz Sarafpour, Isabel Toledo and her new book, Super Model Coco Rocha and her new music video, Zac Posen...models, businessmen, artists... lots of people (really, a lot).

Our tour continued at Armani (more pictures later).

Fashion's Night Out: Party pictures 1

Last night was really a party. Madison Avenue was packed, everybody had too much to drink and the whole mood was: Let's have fun!.

Pictures are worth much more than we can say. More to come later.

Enjoy.

Fashion's Night Out 2009

Tonight...

In a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion, U.S. and international editions of Vogue are coordinating evening extravaganzas in their respective world fashion capitals.

The greatest gift of all

Since Hermes took over the space where Luca Luca used to be on Madison Avenue and 62nd Street, this huge orange box has been calling our attention.

It was about time we took some shots. Honestly, we love how this big colorful structure relates to the buildings next door. Orange and brown go so well together.

An urban intervention indeed, temporary and with obvious commercial and promotional reasons of course. But still impressive.

Who can resist an orange box anyhow?