Have you ever read about somewhere, someplace cool and then completely forgotten where the heck you read it? Hmmm, yes, no, ok, maybe?
Well I’m one of those types, who literally have a gazillion bookmarked pages/website of cool places I’ve read about and only dreamed about exploring, visiting, tasting, touching, seeing and smelling the air… But for the life of me can’t remember where I’ve read about it.
Well I’m one of those types, who literally have a gazillion bookmarked pages/website of cool places I’ve read about and only dreamed about exploring, visiting, tasting, touching, seeing and smelling the air… But for the life of me can’t remember where I’ve read about it.
Before I continue to ramble on, which by the way I ought to get nominated for an Oscar, I’d like to introduce you lovelies to the Little Black Book. Simply an address book of what I call honest, yet great places to check out, eat, sleep, drink, do, see, beautify, shop & experience.
Call this your nifty little address book that does a semi-concierge job of sharing secret and stylish global places with you to check out and enjoy fabulously to the fullest. Anyhow, what’s the point in knowing these (secret?) amazing (people and) places if you can’t share them? I will also be sharing some insider’s bespoke fashion services with you that you may or may not have heard about too.
Oh and if you like travelling just as much as I do and get totally excited by it, but hate being disappointed by the places you’ve read about in guide books and been to, hopefully this will be of some value to you.
Ok, enough rambling. Welcome to the Little Black Book, I really hope you take pleasure in the Little Black Book.
URBAN RETREAT: Leighton Denny’s team do the best nails ever! The 5th floor is the only place to beautify yourself!
PISTOL PANTIES: Killer name, killer beachwear, look no further for super stylish one pieces, bikini's designed for real women by Deborah Flemin.
75 Westbourne Park Road, London
URBAN RETREAT: Leighton Denny’s team do the best nails ever! The 5th floor is the only place to beautify yourself! PISTOL PANTIES: Killer name, killer beachwear, look no further for super stylish one pieces, bikini's designed for real women by Deborah Flemin.
75 Westbourne Park Road, London
KONDITOR & COOK: Let your tastebuds & imagination run wild with these seriously awesome cakes, great tea stop after a hard days shopping.
www.konditorandcook.com
BISTROTHEQUE: East London's hippest joint located on a grim stretch off Hackney's highway with an unmarked doorway...naturally.
23-27 Wadeson Street, London E2 t: +44 (0) 208983 7900
DIDIER LUDOT: A treasure trove of top notch amazing vintage pieces.
24 galerie de Montpensier, (rue de Beaujolais), Transport Mº Palais Royal Musée du Louvre, Paris t: +33 (0)1-42-96-06-56
HOTEL VERNEUIL: There are so many places to stay in the city of love, but this little left-bank boutique hotel just oozes Parisian charm. They really look after you and the best thing? Location, location, location!
8 Rue de Verneuil, St. Germain, Paris t:+33 (0)1-42-60-82-14
There are so many incredible hot-spots and people that one post isn't going to quite cover it all, so this is going to be permanent features, also open to guest bloggers too… I love knowing more and sharing other cool people’s knowledge about people & places who live in different corners of the world!
www.konditorandcook.com
BISTROTHEQUE: East London's hippest joint located on a grim stretch off Hackney's highway with an unmarked doorway...naturally.
23-27 Wadeson Street, London E2 t: +44 (0) 208983 7900
DIDIER LUDOT: A treasure trove of top notch amazing vintage pieces.
24 galerie de Montpensier, (rue de Beaujolais), Transport Mº Palais Royal Musée du Louvre, Paris t: +33 (0)1-42-96-06-56
HOTEL VERNEUIL: There are so many places to stay in the city of love, but this little left-bank boutique hotel just oozes Parisian charm. They really look after you and the best thing? Location, location, location!
8 Rue de Verneuil, St. Germain, Paris t:+33 (0)1-42-60-82-14
There are so many incredible hot-spots and people that one post isn't going to quite cover it all, so this is going to be permanent features, also open to guest bloggers too… I love knowing more and sharing other cool people’s knowledge about people & places who live in different corners of the world!
14th December 2010 - LBB by Grit & Glamour
This weeks Little Black Book features secret & stylish addresses from Vahni of Grit & Glamour, a Blogger who needs no introduction. But for those of you who are not familiar with G & G, you'll discover killer writing skills, posts that will keep you coming back for more - be it for discussing & questioning, and learning how to build a better blog (calling all new bloggers, this is a must check out, there's a goldmine of info there). You'll also be drooling over her seriously amazing bling/personal style as well as checking out what this hot lady's up to & reading over Sunday morning coffee. Over to you Vahni!
Grit & Glamour's Little Black Book; restaurants, bars, beaches & boutiques.
Thank you Vahni!
Image credits and links:
- Becker Minty photo via beckerminty.com.
- Hall’s Chophouse via charlestoncitypaper.com.
- Ahi tuna Salad via 131main.com
- Sydney Opera House via A Brit Greek's personal album.
- Indian Home Diner locations
- Stoupa via stoupa-greece.com.
- Darook Park Beach via freewebs.com.
24th February 2011 Much to My Delight's LBB:
New York City
New York City
Let me introduce to you a fabulous blogger by the name of Jenn from Much to My Delight who will be sharing her edition of Little Black Book for New York City.
If you don't already know Jenn, be warned. DO NOT visit her blog without munching on something first! Why? Much to My Delight is filled with copious amounts of food porn, Jenn's recipes and personal photography is mind blowing stuff and I'll be damned if you don't leave her blog; A) drooling over your computer, B) feeling like you want to visit New York or C) entertain the idea of trying out a new recipe or simply gorging on food afterward.
Anyhoos, over to you Jenn! Enjoy!
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (http://chinatownicecreamfactory.com)
While you’re casing Chinatown for that perfect knock-off Gucci bag, make sure you take the time to veer off busy Canal onto some of the more narrow and isolated streets. Here is where you’ll find the better restaurants, tea shops and the awesome Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. They specialize in exotic flavors like black sesame, taro, lychee, mango, ginger, almond cookie and my personal favorite, red bean.
Economy Candy (economycandy.com)
Sweet tooth still not satisfied? Head to the LES to this old-fashioned, family-run penny candy store. It’s been around since 1937 and still carries all the old-school candies your parents liked as kids. Remember the scene in 13 Going on 30 where they tried to track down a classic candy called Razzles? They found them here. I think i'd be banned from the store if i was let loose in here - how many scrumptious bites can you see here?!
Eisenberg's Sandwich shop (eisenbergsnyc.com)
No trip to NYC is complete without visiting an old school Jewish deli. Skip the $17 pastrami at the bigger joints (no seriously, that’s what they cost—and they charge you an extra $3 “sharing fee” if you decide to split with a friend) and come to this humble lunch counter where the matzoh balls are bigger than your fist and the egg creams flow like Manischewitz wine.
Tomoe Sushi (tomoesushi.com)
There’s a reason the line wraps around the corner 30 minutes before Tomoe Sushi opens for lunch. What this unassuming sushi place lacks in décor it more than makes up for with unbelievable freshness and incredible quality. Even my aunt (who lived in Japan for four years) said this was the best sushi she’d ever tasted.
McNulty’s Teas (mcnultys.com)
If you’re into exotic teas and classic coffees, you need to come see what’s brewing at this West Village institution. There are over 100 apothecary jars filled with every tea leaf imaginable (I picked up chocolate tea and matcha green tea powder on my last visit) and the tin ceilings, creaky wood floors and antique cash register make each visitor feel like they stepped back in time.
Arthur Avenue Retail Market (arthuravenue.com)
Even a lot of New Yorkers don’t realize that the real Little Italy isn’t in Manhattan—it’s in the Belmont section of the Bronx, and is worth the trip. This place is like a covered Italian bazaar and houses five pastry shops, four butchers, two pasta-makers, six bread stores, three pork stores, five gourmet delicatessens, two fish markets, and three gourmet coffee shops. They even have cigar rollers up front!
Alice’s Tea Cup (alicesteacup.com)
Girly-girls of all ages go ga-ga for this quaint and cozy tea shop where the tea menu is longer than the phone book and the scones are so delicious you won’t even be paying attention to how much butter is in them. It’s a wonderful, whimsical place—the walls are covered with Alice in Wonderland scenes and tiny pink butterflies. Translation: Leave your boyfriend at the hotel.
And the best part? You’ll do so much walking in New York that any calories you ingest will be quickly burned off and you’ll basically break even. That’s the real reason so many tourists pick up an “I heart NYC” t-shirt before flying out—ravenous eating with no discernible weight gain.
Cannes (Film Festival)
Looks kinds good right? Here's all you need to know about Cannes, especially if you're heading over for the film festival. The full post is via this link.
If you don't already know Jenn, be warned. DO NOT visit her blog without munching on something first! Why? Much to My Delight is filled with copious amounts of food porn, Jenn's recipes and personal photography is mind blowing stuff and I'll be damned if you don't leave her blog; A) drooling over your computer, B) feeling like you want to visit New York or C) entertain the idea of trying out a new recipe or simply gorging on food afterward.
Anyhoos, over to you Jenn! Enjoy!
While you’re casing Chinatown for that perfect knock-off Gucci bag, make sure you take the time to veer off busy Canal onto some of the more narrow and isolated streets. Here is where you’ll find the better restaurants, tea shops and the awesome Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. They specialize in exotic flavors like black sesame, taro, lychee, mango, ginger, almond cookie and my personal favorite, red bean.
Economy Candy (economycandy.com)
Sweet tooth still not satisfied? Head to the LES to this old-fashioned, family-run penny candy store. It’s been around since 1937 and still carries all the old-school candies your parents liked as kids. Remember the scene in 13 Going on 30 where they tried to track down a classic candy called Razzles? They found them here. I think i'd be banned from the store if i was let loose in here - how many scrumptious bites can you see here?!
Eisenberg's Sandwich shop (eisenbergsnyc.com) No trip to NYC is complete without visiting an old school Jewish deli. Skip the $17 pastrami at the bigger joints (no seriously, that’s what they cost—and they charge you an extra $3 “sharing fee” if you decide to split with a friend) and come to this humble lunch counter where the matzoh balls are bigger than your fist and the egg creams flow like Manischewitz wine.
Chelsea Market (chelseamarket.com)
This place is no secret, but I couldn’t do a roundup on New York City food and not include Chelsea Market, a collection of bakeries, specialty food shops and restaurants in one super-cool industrial space. Here you’ll find everything from live lobsters to artisanal cheeses to hand-painted, just-out-of-the-oven cookies. Get your taste buds ready to party!
Tomoe Sushi (tomoesushi.com)There’s a reason the line wraps around the corner 30 minutes before Tomoe Sushi opens for lunch. What this unassuming sushi place lacks in décor it more than makes up for with unbelievable freshness and incredible quality. Even my aunt (who lived in Japan for four years) said this was the best sushi she’d ever tasted.
McNulty’s Teas (mcnultys.com)
If you’re into exotic teas and classic coffees, you need to come see what’s brewing at this West Village institution. There are over 100 apothecary jars filled with every tea leaf imaginable (I picked up chocolate tea and matcha green tea powder on my last visit) and the tin ceilings, creaky wood floors and antique cash register make each visitor feel like they stepped back in time.
Arthur Avenue Retail Market (arthuravenue.com)Even a lot of New Yorkers don’t realize that the real Little Italy isn’t in Manhattan—it’s in the Belmont section of the Bronx, and is worth the trip. This place is like a covered Italian bazaar and houses five pastry shops, four butchers, two pasta-makers, six bread stores, three pork stores, five gourmet delicatessens, two fish markets, and three gourmet coffee shops. They even have cigar rollers up front!
Alice’s Tea Cup (alicesteacup.com)
Girly-girls of all ages go ga-ga for this quaint and cozy tea shop where the tea menu is longer than the phone book and the scones are so delicious you won’t even be paying attention to how much butter is in them. It’s a wonderful, whimsical place—the walls are covered with Alice in Wonderland scenes and tiny pink butterflies. Translation: Leave your boyfriend at the hotel.
And the best part? You’ll do so much walking in New York that any calories you ingest will be quickly burned off and you’ll basically break even. That’s the real reason so many tourists pick up an “I heart NYC” t-shirt before flying out—ravenous eating with no discernible weight gain.
Happy eating!
Thanks so much Jenn, now I feel super hungry all over again!
Thanks so much Jenn, now I feel super hungry all over again!
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory - nyc.metblogs.com & nymag.com
Economy Candy - Photos by muchtomydelight.com
Eisenberg’s - roadfood.com
Chelsea Market - Photos by muchtomydelight.com
Tomoe Sushi - amateurgourmet.com & picasaweb.google.com
McNulty’s - Photos by muchtomydelight.com
Arthur Avenue Retail Market - tripadvisor.in & jamiesstomach.blogspot.com
Alice’s Tea Cup - eatbigapple.com & gotstahavesit.tumblr.com
Cannes (Film Festival)
