Chin Chin Lab's nitro ice cream - just like magic
It’s hot, you’re on holiday, darling little Apple is going into meltdown, you have a headache, you need a quick fix and there’s no kiddy valium at hand. Time to turn to one of life’s simplest pleasures – ice cream, or gelato if you’re feeling Continental, guaranteed to soothe and satisfy both young and old. From good ol’ fashioned ice cream trucks serving brand new flavours to the latest laboratories and their whiz-bang liquid nitro confections, here’s our pick of five places for a deliciously cooling tongue tango.
Ooh la la - even better on your own velo [Photo by Grufnik/Flickr]
It’s nearly summer in Europe – Londoners are cracking smiles, Parisians are putting extra ooh into their bonjours, Barcelonans are back on the boardwalk, Berliners are baring their baps und wursts and the fashionable Milanese, well, their sunglasses never came off, but they’ve shed their furs. Each of these fab five also has a simple bike-sharing public transport program that’s affordable, hassle free and as easy as, um, riding a bike. Simply buy a subscription, choose your bike and off you go. When you’re done, just return your pedals to any of the stands conveniently scattered around the city. It’s easy, eco-friendly, butt-firming, hair-ruining fun, with some sightseeing thrown in, so pop on your matador pants and go.
Well, aren't you handsome?
London dining could be a hit or miss affair – constantly subject to the cruel (but deserved) lampoons of food critics and the butt of many a foreigner visitor’s tongue, but the last couple of years has seen Britannia dig deep in her receipts book and rise above the clamour to deliver what the Brits do best – good home cooking with great artisanally sourced ingredients. Add a spankingly handsome classic British dining room slap bang in the middle of throbbing Soho and you’ve got the Dean Street Townhouse Dining Room, a tasty recipe for success.
Splendour in the hills
Share with us in under 50 fab, fun, feisty LUXE words your 2010 New Year’s resolutions for a chance to spend a few days R&R (Retoxing & Retailing) on the Island of the Gods…
With these few simple words we set in motion an avalanche of good intentions, stern promises, desperate pleas, hopeful goals and patently doomed fantasies, all in the hope of winning three fabulous nights for up to four peeps at the stunning private Villa Bukit Naga on Ubud’s ravishing Ayung Gorge. We’ve tittered, tutted, tossed and turned, and here’s what we’re loving… Get ready to say Bali Hi!
Lust and beauty from Adriano Zumbo
It’s that time of year again – carnations and baby’s breath, silver balloons and greeting cards, hearts won and hopes dashed. There’s no avoiding Valentine’s day, unless possibly you’re in Myanmar, or North Korea, but there’s no need to make it cheesier than a Roquefort cave. Here’s a quick whip round the world for luxe ways to give and celebrate that won’t always break the bank, but are a darn good bet for bedroom Olympics. Mwaah!
Slow and spicy wins the race at Bo.lan
With Arctic conditions still sweeping across the northern hemisphere, it’s all we can do to keep our nips from freezing and breaking off. Our first post a few weeks back on our favourite spice dens was a fiery hit, so here then, are five more places close to home or in dream destinations guaranteed to warm up the cockles of your heart.
This article first appeared in The New York Times T Magazine Blog ‘The Moment’
The twist or olive, why not both...
Dear hearts, what is that sound? The tinkle of ice? The thrum and thrall of expectation? Yes, oh yes, and thrice yes. When the Violet Hour comes, and come it always does – as the end of day approaches but night has not quite arrived, now is the time for The Beautiful Drink. Foolish is the creature who partakes at lunchtime, that way madness lies, and probably insider dealing or infidelity, or both. But at six o’clock, or seven if you must, is there a greater joy? For those who don’t drink martinis, it must seem like a ridiculous world – what’s so special about cold gin in a glass, right? In this case you may prefer to get on with that macramé unikini you’ve been promising yourself. But for those in the club, read on…
Five cities, five faves, one theme.
Whatta deck at Spruce
Perhaps one of the reasons why we party hard on Saturdays is so we appreciate Sunday brunches more. When those creamy scrambled eggs or piquant coins of chorizo dance on your tastebuds, and you’re spread out under the sun, beside calm seas, lush greenery or beautiful art, all becomes right with the world. Just don’t mention the table dancing.
Here are five of our favourite places to just kick back and chillax. What are yours? Oh go on, tell us…
And all through the house, nothing was stirring, not even a blue leopard…
London’s fashion elite have long embraced Mayfair’s art deco icon Claridge’s hotel, and this Christmas she’s giving a little back to the pack by opening her stately bosom to Brit bad boy designer extraordinaire John Gallliano for Dior, and his phantasmagoric festive tree. Scary chic, c’est very chic.
Mmmmmacarons from Pierre Hermé
Pink and yellow and green and blue, orange and purple and green, you can sing a macaron all you like but nothing beats pressing them against your lips and savouring every last crumb of the sweet little suckers. Here’s our pick of five pâtisseries around the globe that are giving us the most amazing sugar highs right now. Oh-oh-oooh!
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