Tuscan Envy

Gosh I love being in Tuscany in the early morning. The light, the mist, the green. Take me away.

Weigh in!

Holy Cow! How about this method to weigh yourself?

So you get to sit on padded cushion and lift the brass weights out and place them on the scale and...."wait" for the most times bad news!

Saw this a few days ago at Blickley Hall in Norfolk, England-here is the house-

Food for thought, no?

We're hosting Ronda Rice Carman--please join us!

TOMORROW, August 6:  5-7 pm

Please stop by for a glass of wine, say hello, and meet Ronda Carman, Founder of All the Best Blog.

We will have plenty of copies of her new book: DESIGNERS AT HOME; Refections on Stylish Living, and she will be signing them for you! 

Please join me as I welcome RONDA RICE CARMAN, founder of All the Best Blog, to the shop for wine, conversation, and the signing of her new book:  "DESIGNERS AT HOME: Personal Reflections on Stylish Living"  Ronda shares our quest for the best in all things, especially our homes.

Dress Code Shame

Here in Dubai dress is taken very seriously by more than a few establishments. And I know this from personl experience. Last evening we booked in for dinner at Atmosphere on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa the world's tallest building. An early reservation time as we travel on to Africa for safari today. As we milled at the entrance before being allowed to access the elevator (amazing actually, a straight shot up 123 floors in a matter of seconds) the very young lady guarding the entrance barked out, "We have a smart dress code here, no sport shoes!". We looked around and then everyone realized she was speaking about me. About twenty persons gazed at me and then the offending footwear pictured below

Hoping for a reprieve I mentioned we were on our way to Africa and had a weight limit so these were my shoes. Implacable was she. My footwear and situation failed dismally. Appeared there would be no Atmosphere for me. However, we had been escorted to the restaurant elevators by Mr. Gracer Torres, the Lifestyle Manager at the Armani Dubai Hotel. Sensing the gravity of the situation he made one strong attempt to ask the young woman to relax as we were guests of the hotel. Nothing doing, she had her orders and was sticking to her guns. So Mr. Torres turned to me and asked me to follow him as he would figure out a solution. Before settling me in the bar he enquired as to my shoe size and promised to return. Twenty minutes later he returned to me as I was enjoying a drink in the hotel bar with a discrete bag tucked under his arm. That resourceful man has liberated a pair of large black dress shoes from someone/somewhere, I did not ask and he did not tell, for me to wear. Naturally in this kind of situation beggars cannot be choosers but suffice to say I was swimming my way when walking in the shoes seen below-

What a marvelous experience of the service concept. This man decided to solve a problem for a guest when he could have merely apologized and walked away. Now the Armani Dubai has a specific point of view about service in that Mr. Armani wants the experience to feel akin to staying in a private home with a butler, a Jeeves if you will, responsible for smoothing out the rough edges of life. In Mr. Torres the hotel has such a person. After that drama the meal was just another fancy dining experience in a space designed by Adam Tihany notable for his New York restaurant interiors. And yes, his design meant you could be anywhere in the world. The kitchen is limited by restrictions on heat to prepare food as there is no gas in the entire building. So they use this cool invention from Spain called "The Josper" fueled by special hardwood charcoal from Japan known for its long burning heat without scent to prepare the food. Food and service all excellent but the memory will be of the shoes. And yes, a personal note of commendation to the General Manager, Mr. Jason Harding, as well as to Mr. Torres with my heartfelt appreciation. A very nice way to end a stay. And yes, I would gladly return to the Armani Dubai now that I know some of the quirks of the hotel. BTW, I stayed in room 719 and it is near perfect. All Best, G

All in the Details

So I never really understood the power of Armani. sure, sure I know Richard Gere in American Gigolo but he looked better without his clothes on as opposed to those suits. Occasionally I will stop into an Armani store but between the attitude of the staff and the unwelcoming display it just never worked. But, here at Mr. Armani's hotel in Dubai I do have to bow before the power of the brand. Entering through the glass doors I felt like I was entering an enormous piece of dark chocolate, 70% cacao at least. The dimmest of lighting, the tallest of ceilings, huge upholstered sofas and armchairs all invited lowered voices with a hushed and reverent tone. Plus the music, not loungy with a beat but more "find your zen place according to my traveling companions all combined to evoke a distinctly and distinctively masculine air. The staff is exceptionally pleasant and everybody speaks English as well as Arabic, Dutch, Swahili, Afrikaans, French, German...etc., etc., etc., as the King of Siam would have it. Young, it goes without saying, attractive of course but not offensively so, the entire range of employees embody a lovely charm. Check in is done in the room which is always a welcome touch after a long flight. And the room, or suite, as it has an entry, a powder room, combination living room/dining area, a large bedroom and a luxurious bathroom and dressing room. Of course I feel right at home since I live this way in my dreams every day. Curiously, with the colour palette ranging from mocha to taupe the effect is exceptionally soothing and it is only after a day that the lack of colour begins to grate a bit. Off the elevator landing on the floor is a circular metal table with a contemporary flower arrangement of tropicals that is even more visually startling because of the colour punch. When looking at the pictures of the hotel online - http://dubai.armanihotels.com/ - it is impossible to understand that the entire hotel is composed of curved architectural elements. The corridors leading to the rooms/suites have straight lines but once inside the walls are curved. The undulating movement is slightly akin to the movement of water and seems to be related to the dancing fountains adjacent to the hotel - http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=bw50qsH5aDs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dbw50qsH5aDs -. At first a bit disorienting but after walking through the hotel the sheer effort in both designing and executing the construction is awfully impressive. But when I opened the drawer in the bathroom and saw these I laughed out loud and said , "Bravo, Mr. Armani!" you are attentive to the the last detail- All Best, G

Restaurants, Relationships, and a Little Red in Rome

So, I have just arrived and today is May Day in Europe and traffic was terrible coming in from the west.

Everything is closed in Rome except for the pizzerias and farmacias but everyone is out on the streets. The weather is still and hazy.

When I step off the elevator there is a group of Japanese, 22 strong clogging the entry while the young hostess seeks to fit the guys with jackets as they are all in shirtsleeves.  

 The terrace is closed tonight so am having a glass of champagne, vintage rose, at the first table by the lounge. The place is entirely empty except for the Japanese group who have finally been fitted and sent to a private room.

Rather strange actually.

First couple in, American naturally. They are not seated at the window despite asking. The man is a little put out since there is only me, but the wife shushes him and they sit.

Bread and oil now on the table with special emphasis put on the "extra virgin" from Umbria. Of course, we are in Italy!

Now the evening begins-the air conditioners by the windows have been started.

Finally it is eight o'clock and four tables have been seated-3 American parties, even though dressed not nearly as beautifully as you Rhonda, and a splendid Japanese couple in gorgeous clothes. They are seated by the window, natch.

Wonderful amuse bouche-served atop a plexiglass box filled with pebbles-rare beef with mushrooms.

Even here at La Pergola the staff says, wait for it...are you sitting down while reading this???

" No problem!"

Amberjack sashimi suspended on a clear plate above a bed of sea salt that erupts with fog once water is poured atop the salt. Surprise-dry ice.

Have told the waiter my car is not due until 10p and I have no place else to be-slow down!

Ahhh, now the Ukraine delegation has arrived. such black hair, such red lipstick, such clingy clothes on the women. And such attention from Simone-ahhhh, to be rich and formerly Russian, what a life.

Not an Italian to be had besides the staff. Room is full now as is the room where we were seated. Fairly quiet as all are eating. Have asked for only three glasses of wine-all different and from Italy- as I am flying to Venice tomorrow and don't want a hangover. First a Sauvignon Blanc and now a Chardonnay from Piedmont. Will see what the red turns out to be.

Grilled oyster encased in parsley foam-a jewel on the plate.

Last table seated by lounge adjacent to me-much older with much younger. Guess who is blonde?

Swan Lake in the background-before that Vivaldi's Four Seasons-I will speak with Simone about this cheesy choice re the music.

BUT, the lighting fabulous!!!!!! Let me repeat, fabulous!! Once again, five candles on my table-fabulous.

I assure you I am being discrete as I type on my device but I am also reading Kate Atkinson's latest on a download. What a strange book but definitely one she had to write given her interest in alternatives.

Oh no, she can't stop fiddling with her hair and she is in her forties- he looks smitten-I see bunga-bunga in the near future. Fortunately I have to turn my head to watch so no more in that direction.

Ack, hair lady is talking on her phone at the table-he beams adoringly. Female Japanese posse to the loo...

Ukrainians burst into laughter-I suspect vodka is being consumed. 

Posse returns-wow, they are really young. 

Red is Tuscan-blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and merlot grapes-chalky and delicious. Reminds me of Father Tom's Cote du Rhone. Should be meat next.

At a very interesting place in the book-reminiscent of the Maisie author.

Hmmm, another choice reminds me of Winspear.

A big cheer from the Ukes-turns out it is a birthday!

Raising a glass to all both-but no pic!

All best, G