Luxist http://www.luxist.com Luxist. http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.luxist.com/media/feedlogo.gif Luxist http://www.luxist.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Riedel Endorses Miele as Dishwasher of Choice]]> http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/25/riedel-miele-dishwasher/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/25/riedel-miele-dishwasher/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/25/riedel-miele-dishwasher/#comments RiedelRiedel stemware are beautiful "tools" (in the words of CEO Maximilian Riedel) to help you get the most out of your wine varietal or spirit of choice. But they also come with a seven step "Cleaning Guide," which is about four to five more steps than I want to perform when doing dishes. The solution came from high-end German appliance maker, Miele, who overcame Riedel's skepticism to become the first automatic dishwasher approved by the 250-year-old Austrian glassmakers for cleaning their products.

Riedel, along with Miele USA CEO Nick Ord, convened at Miele's Manhattan gallery to announce the partnership, which they said went beyond brand synergy and represented an old-fashioned European alliance, sealed with a handshake. Ord said the goal of achieving Riedel's imprimatur was a personal, as well as, professional challenge for him, as he owns Riedel glassware and naturally uses a Miele machine at home. Extensive and rigorous testing ensued with an emphasis on Miele's patented water hardness-adjusting GlassCare function and the basket design of the G 5000 series (Riedel is especially sensitive about his glasses being placed too close together).

Satisfied that their Museum of Modern Art-worthy wine glasses were in good hands, Riedel gave its blessing. When used properly, Miele owners can expect their Riedel glasses to last 1,500 washing cycles, or about 20 years on average, according to Ord. That sure beats 20 years of the seven step method.

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Riedel Endorses Miele as Dishwasher of Choice originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> dishwashergadgetsglassesglasswaremielenew yorkpartnershipriedelwine Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Piaget Launches Limelight Garden Party Collection]]> http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/25/piaget-limelight-garden-party-collection/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/25/piaget-limelight-garden-party-collection/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/25/piaget-limelight-garden-party-collection/#comments With a series of events that included the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, a Champagne toast at their New York boutique, and an outdoor celebration in Palm Beach, Piaget launched their spring-themed Limelight Garden Party collection.

In New York, the Piaget boutique on Fifth Avenue took on a terrarium look for the evening's event, with the collection set in cases decorated to look like a wood nymph's jewelry box.

Cradled amongst the various faux flora, 18-white gold pieces sparkled under the display lights.

A miniature, diamond-encrusted bird perched itself on a ring, seemingly ready to dip its beak into a cushion-cut rubellite gem. Other birds perched on a white gold sprig of diamonds and pearls, while a floral ring bloomed diamonds, emeralds and pink sapphires. One necklace's 289 brilliant-cut diamonds seems to represent drops of dew caught on a diaphanous spider web. Another sprouted buds of pink tourmaline and pink sapphires, reminders that spring is, finally, here at least.

(On view by appointment only.)

Gallery: Piaget Limelight Garden Party Collection

Piaget 18-carat white gold and diamond watchPiaget 18-carat white gold, diamond and pearl earringsPiaget 18-carat white gold, diamond and pearl necklacePiaget 18-carat white gold, diamond and emerald earringsPiaget 18-carat white gold, diamond, pink sapphire, pink tourmaline, white chalcedony and pearl necklace

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Piaget Launches Limelight Garden Party Collection originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Collectionsdiamondsjewelryjewerly collectionLimelight Garden PartynecklacespiagetPiaget Limelight Garden Party Collectionringswatches Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[International Cosmetics & Perfumes Donates Sales, Totes to Japanese Relief]]> http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/18/international-cosmetics-and-perfumes-donate-japan-relief/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/18/international-cosmetics-and-perfumes-donate-japan-relief/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/18/international-cosmetics-and-perfumes-donate-japan-relief/#comments In response to the devastation in earthquake, tsunami and now nuclear-ravaged Japan, New York-based International Cosmetics & Perfumes -- home to such brands as Creed and the Japanese inspired Hanae Mori -- has announced an expanding charitable campaign.

Earlier this week, ICP CEO Emmanuel Saujet announced that a portion of proceeds from both the sale of items at Creed's New York boutique and Hanae Mori web sales would go to benefit the American Red Cross' Japanese relief efforts. In addition, a part of future sales of the new Hanae Mori No. 3, available in June from retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's and Sephora, will also be donated for the same purpose.

The next day, ICP announced that 50 Hanae Mori reusable tote bags, originally intended as an in-store customer appreciation gift, would also be donated to the American Red Cross to assist Japanese displaced from their homes and belongings. And finally today, Creed declared that any winnings from the 2011 season of their official polo team would find their way to the American Red Cross as well.

Japan is a market that has long and enthusiastically embraced luxury goods, so let's hope that more brands follow ICP's lead and give back.

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International Cosmetics & Perfumes Donates Sales, Totes to Japanese Relief originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> charitycreedearthquakehanae moriICPinternational cosmetics perfumesjapantote bagtsunami Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:00:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Chocolatier Michel Cluizel Debuts Latest Creations in New York]]> http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/16/chocolatier-michel-cluizel-new-york/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/16/chocolatier-michel-cluizel-new-york/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/16/chocolatier-michel-cluizel-new-york/#comments Michel Cluizel Chocolate
With two generations of haute French chocolate making in the house (founder Michel Cluizel and son/CEO Marc), Chocolat Michel Cluizel unveiled its latest confections in New York. An animated Marc Cluizel welcomed the rain-soaked group to the family's Fifth Avenue shop, the only other Chocolat Michel Cluizel retail location other than the Parisian original.

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Chocolatier Michel Cluizel Debuts Latest Creations in New York originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> chocolatefrancemichel cluizelnew york citypark avenue Michael B. Dougherty Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[First Taste: Scion Pre-Phylloxera Port]]> http://www.luxist.com/2011/02/18/first-taste-scion-pre-phylloxera-port/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/02/18/first-taste-scion-pre-phylloxera-port/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/02/18/first-taste-scion-pre-phylloxera-port/#comments As the room of tasters, a veritable varsity squad of New York wine writers, took their respective places, the publicist for Portuguese port house, Taylor Fladgate, announced that this was a first: not a single invitation offered to the morning's event had been declined. It wasn't out of courtesy. The 17th-century port purveyor was here at Manhattan's Eleven Madison Park to taste through its line-up of vintage and tawny ports, culminating in a rare treat, an 1855 pre-Phylloxera port called Scion.

Christie's Head of Wine-Asia, Charles Curtis MW, made some opening remarks about Taylor Fladgate, port wine and the auction market before handing the host duties over to Adrian Bridge. The CEO of Taylor Fladgate, Bridge cut an English gentleman's mien as he guided the assembled group through such bottlings as a vintage 1992 (sweet and earthy with slightly tannic finish), vintage 2003 (like a big Cabernet, with dark fruit and a huge nose) and a 30-year-old tawny (fig cookie, bitter orange and lightly floral).

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First Taste: Scion Pre-Phylloxera Port originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> christies+auctionchristiesauctionEleven Madison Parkfirst+taste:+scion+pre-phylloxera+portfirsttaste:scionpre-phylloxeraporthttp://www.luxist.com/2011/02/18/first-taste-scion-pre-phylloxerNew YorkPort WineScionscion+pre-phylloxera+portscionpre-phylloxeraportTastingTaylor Fladgatetaylor+fladgate+scion+porttaylorfladgatescionportWine Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[First Taste: Highland Park 50 Year Old Single Malt]]> http://www.luxist.com/2011/02/18/first-taste-highland-park-50-year-old-single-malt/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/02/18/first-taste-highland-park-50-year-old-single-malt/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/02/18/first-taste-highland-park-50-year-old-single-malt/#comments With gale-force winds that would make Mount Washington shiver, and scant winter sunlight, the northern Scottish islands of Orkney provide little reason to spend much time outside, unless it's for the annual game/riot of Ba'. But while not ideal for sunbathing, those conditions do lend themselves to other pursuits, namely, distilling whisky-which is what Highland Park has been doing since 1798. As we told you last October, Highland Park announced the release of the oldest island region single-malt yet, a 50 years old bottling housed in five kilos of hand-made silver designed by fellow Scot, Maeve Gillies.

Gillies, along with Highland Park's Martin Daraz and Gerry Tosh, were in town recently to share a dram of the precious release, which the US will only see five of this year, currently priced at $17,500.

Having spent a half-century in Sherry oak casks, the nose and palate evidenced the pleasantly expected notes of almond, clove, and candied orange. And while mellowed by age, I nonetheless picked up a healthy amount of vanilla and wood, which Daraz pointed out was most likely due to the fact that after 50 years in cask, the liquid moves beyond the portion seasoned by the Sherry and deeper into the wood staves. At just 2% peat concentration-which Highland Park still cuts by hand-the smokiness hovered at the periphery of the tongue, never feeling intrusive.

While obviously meant for the collector, both in terms of aesthetics and content, Gillies pointed out that her bottle design holds a reward for increasing the ullage: When viewed from behind, a rose window design becomes visible on the reverse of the Highland Park sandstone emblem as the level drops. "So you can pray to God for more," quipped Tosh.

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First Taste: Highland Park 50 Year Old Single Malt originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Highland Parkscotchscotlandsingle malttastingwhisky Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Bay Offers Culturally Immersive Retreat]]> http://www.luxist.com/2011/01/19/ritz-carlton-kapalua-bay-offers-culturally-immersive-retreat/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/01/19/ritz-carlton-kapalua-bay-offers-culturally-immersive-retreat/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/01/19/ritz-carlton-kapalua-bay-offers-culturally-immersive-retreat/#comments

The drive to Kapalua, along Maui's Honoapi'ilani Highway, hugs the western rim of the island and provides an amuse bouche of what awaits: a nearly endless horizon of surf and sky, perfumed air and an unusually strong sense of place. That last element being especially evident at the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay. If the mention of Hawaii still produces reflexive images of tiki heads and loud shirts, the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences has made it a point to provide a more authentic, and thereby transcendent, island experience for its residents and guests.

Not to be confused with the Ritz-Carlton hotel, the Club and Residences property is part of the brand's equity-based program that allows members to either purchase a fractional residence at a specific location or sample any of the portfolio's options through a real estate trust. Either way, buying in results in a deeded interest that can be passed down to family members. But the quality sure to lure most into the former arrangement with Kapalua Bay is the lengths the Ritz-Carlton has gone to ensure that luxury and cultural accuracy aren't mutually exclusive concepts.

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Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Bay Offers Culturally Immersive Retreat originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hawaiihawaii travelhotel reviewkapaluamauiritz-carlton Michael B. Dougherty Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Fairfax Hotel Hosts Second Annual Capital Wine Festival]]> http://www.luxist.com/2011/01/07/fairfax-hotel-hosts-second-annual-capital-wine-festival/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/01/07/fairfax-hotel-hosts-second-annual-capital-wine-festival/ http://www.luxist.com/2011/01/07/fairfax-hotel-hosts-second-annual-capital-wine-festival/#comments With the swearing in of the 112th Congress this week, there's either plenty to celebrate or a crucial need to dull the pain. Whichever mood your political leanings have put you in, the good news is that the Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row (part of the Starwood luxury group) will be hosting the second annual Capital Wine Festival, starting on the 20th of January. Located in Dupont Circle, the festival is the creation of Chef Daniel Bruce, who helms the kitchen at the Boston Harbor Hotel and founded its sister event, the Boston Wine Festival. Since organizing Boston over twenty years ago, he's expanded the event to include New Orleans (2007), Berkeley (2010) and DC (2010). Two disparate, yet equally popular and significant, wine regions are covered by this year's festival: the US West Coast (California and Oregon) and Italy. Over the course of eight dinners, festival participants will experience the wines of vineyards such as Poggio al Tesoro, Continuum Estate and Ponzi Vineyards, all presented by representatives from the wineries. A food and 45-label wine gala reception kicks it all off, but unlike most festivals, there's no need to run between events to cram everything in. The Capital Wine Festival is spread out over a leisurely two months, meaning that the party/pity-party will continue long into the 2011 session.

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Fairfax Hotel Hosts Second Annual Capital Wine Festival originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> californiadupont circlefairfax hotelitalyoregonStarwoodHotelswashington dcwinewine festival Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Best Of California Wine Country, 2010]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/21/the-best-of-california-wine-country-2010/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/21/the-best-of-california-wine-country-2010/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/21/the-best-of-california-wine-country-2010/#comments

Don't call it a "gift guide" (although you can certainly use it as such). Instead, this is our wholly unscientific, criminally biased, fervently defended and lovingly curated paean to California's wine country. Despite all the doom-peddling and sky-falling tales that seemed to dominate this year's coverage of the industry, the Napa and Sonoma regions continue to startle and surprise, competing on equal footing with any of the world's traditional or au courant wine terroirs. Check out our celebration of the highlights, and then let us know what we missed in the comments.

Continue reading The Best Of California Wine Country, 2010

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The Best Of California Wine Country, 2010 originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> best of 2010californianapaQuivirarobert mondaviSequoia Grove VineyardShaferVineyardswine Michael B. Dougherty Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Holiday Shopping Guide: Collectible Cognacs]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/18/holiday-shopping-guide-collectible-cognacs/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/18/holiday-shopping-guide-collectible-cognacs/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/18/holiday-shopping-guide-collectible-cognacs/#comments

Forget about wine (just for a second): this season's gift to have and to hold onto is cognac. With its stately maturity and supple, refined flavors, a well-chosen bottle of cognac doesn't just reward your giftee for 2010, its an investment in their imbibing future. If your bottle remains unopened next year it's not because they didn't approve, it's because they deem it an heirloom.

Pierre Ferrand Collection Privée 1914

World War I was in its first year when this Grande Champagne cognac began its long journey. Scoring a perfect 100 in France's Gilbert & Gaillard 2010 wine guide, the 1914 vintage ($1,500) is exceptionally developed with yeasty, dark fruit flavors and plenty of woody sweetness. For the rare book collector on your list.

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Holiday Shopping Guide: Collectible Cognacs originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cognaccollectiblescollectionfranceholiday gift guide Michael B. Dougherty Sat, 18 Dec 2010 11:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Holiday Gift Guide: Wine And Spirits Gift Packs]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/18/holiday-gift-guide-wine-and-spirits-gift-packs/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/18/holiday-gift-guide-wine-and-spirits-gift-packs/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/18/holiday-gift-guide-wine-and-spirits-gift-packs/#comments

Let's face it, the hour is nigh. Time is running out, and most likely patience and gifting creativity are following close behind. Don't fret, as these holiday gift packs have both brilliant packaging and a coveted payload contained within. Grab one and declare Holiday Shopping 2010 over.

Dom Pérignon Side By Side ($600)

Two bottles, two vintages. A Vintage 1996 and a Oenothèque 1996, both contained in one handsome case. Two birds, one stone. Next.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Wine And Spirits Gift Packs originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Ardbegdom perignongift packsholiday gift guideholiday gift guide 2010macallanRare Wine Co.spiritswine Michael B. Dougherty Sat, 18 Dec 2010 09:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Holiday Shopping Guide: Small-Batch Whiskeys]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/17/holiday-shopping-guide-small-batch-whiskeys/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/17/holiday-shopping-guide-small-batch-whiskeys/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/12/17/holiday-shopping-guide-small-batch-whiskeys/#comments

There really isn't any way you can go wrong with gifting whiskey. There are, however, several ways to elevate the act from the merely perfunctory to the thoroughly distinguished. One of our favorites is by going with a small-batch whiskey, those limited stocks that are the result of special releases, forgotten styles or craft producers. These are our selections, sure to win you "most favored" status.

Tuthilltown Spirits Hudson Manhattan Rye

Gardiner, NY's Tuthilltown Spirits has a lot going for it: the first whiskey distillery to open in New York State since Prohibition, Tuthilltown has become a critical darling due to their local, hand-crafted appeal and "little distillery that could" backstory. Also, the whiskey is fantastic. Their Hudson Manhattan Rye ($40) celebrates the state's longstanding relationship with this spirit, the foundation of a Manhattan cocktail, with a whole grain rye bite that's rounded off with sweet fruit and floral notes. Each bottle is hand-numbered and dated, which adds just the extra bit of artisan allure.

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Holiday Shopping Guide: Small-Batch Whiskeys originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> holiday gift guidescotchspiritswhiskeywhisky Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[San Franciso MoMA Explores "How Wine Became Modern"]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/23/san-franciso-moma-explores-how-wine-became-modern/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/23/san-franciso-moma-explores-how-wine-became-modern/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/23/san-franciso-moma-explores-how-wine-became-modern/#comments Wine's journey in the US, from its validation at the Judgment of Paris to its current celebration in film, design, and travel, is charted in a new exhibition, "How Wine Became Modern," at San Francisco's MoMA.

Running through April 17, 2011, the show examines the attendant culture that sprung up around wine, during the past 30 years, as its popularity skyrocketed. This includes everything from wine's influence on art and design, its effect on architecture, and the mainstream acceptance of concepts like provenance and terroir. Viewers are lead through a series of rooms, beginning with a photo-mural of the 1976 Judgment tasting, by New York architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and on through exhibits of soil samples (to explain terroir), wine bottle labels, and glassware. There's also a survey of significant wine-related architecture around with the world, with projects from marquee names like Frank Gehry, Santiago Calatrava and Herzog & de Meuron.

The culmination of "How Wine Became Modern" is a "smell wall," where seven flasks of actual liquid provide an education in nosing and the shifting culture of wine terminology.

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San Franciso MoMA Explores "How Wine Became Modern" originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> architecturedesignexhibitionsHow Wine Became ModernJudgment of Parismediamuseumssan franciscoSFMOMAwine Michael B. Dougherty Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Rarest Macallan Bottle Fetches Record $460,000 At Sotheby's Auction]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/16/rarest-macallan-bottle-fetches-record-460-000-at-sothebys-auct/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/16/rarest-macallan-bottle-fetches-record-460-000-at-sothebys-auct/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/16/rarest-macallan-bottle-fetches-record-460-000-at-sothebys-auct/#comments

A bottle of Macallan 64-year-old scotch, housed within a Lalique crystal decanter, far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $100,000-with a winning bid of $460,000-at Sotheby's in New York, this week.

With all proceeds of the sale going to benefit charity: water, the one-of-a-kind bottle, made by Lalique using the cire perdue ("lost wax") method, did a multi-city charity tour before the final event in New York. Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water, spoke before the auction of the idealism behind his organization and the impact that the evening's sale would have on helping to bring clean water to communities in developing countries. He then handed the microphone off to Sotheby's Head of Wine in the US and Asia, Jamie Ritchie, to perform the auctioneer duties.

A gentleman in the crowd eagerly placed the opening bid, sparking a cascading ping-pong of responses from around the room. Bidding quickly passed the $300,000 mark, with phone bidders setting the tone, outpacing most on-hand. Ritchie kept the mood light, cracking an "Only $5?!" joke when a Sotheby's rep asked if he would accept an increase of $5,000 from a potential buyer on the phone. Reminding everyone that the evening's sale would support a good cause, Ritchie broke the $400,000 barrier to a delighted response of the crowd. With everyone's mind wondering if the lot would reach the half-million mark, bidding slowed around $450,000 before finally settling on $460,000. Giving everyone one last chance, Ritchie brought the gavel down to mark the record sale, which went to an anonymous US bidder.

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Rarest Macallan Bottle Fetches Record $460,000 At Sotheby's Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> auctionscharity waterlaliquemacallannew york cityscotchsothebyswhisky Michael B. Dougherty Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Cire Trudon Opens In New York City]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/14/cire-trudon-opens-in-new-york-city/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/14/cire-trudon-opens-in-new-york-city/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/11/14/cire-trudon-opens-in-new-york-city/#comments

The world's oldest candle company, Cire Trudon, has finally gotten around to opening a second store... after 126 years.

The Parisian wax purveyor opened its doors in the 6th Arrondissement in 1884 and held off on expansion plans until recently, when a Bond Street location became its US home (perhaps they were waiting to see how the Sino-French war would turn out). Cire Trudon's history stretches even further back than the Belle Époque though, as founder Claude Trudon started his candle business in 1643 and was providing wax to the French royal family by the beginning of the 18th century. Modeled after the Galerie des Glaces at Versailles, the boutique's hand-aged mirrors, stucco walls and Amish furniture are meant to evoke a centuries old Paris shop, one that mixes antiques with new pieces dedicated to all things melted wax.

Cire Trudon's Bowery location offers a playful selection of candelabras, snuffers and wax busts of Napoleon, along with their signature candles, and will surely satisfy stateside fans of the brand who have been waiting, for a while.

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Cire Trudon Opens In New York City originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 14 Nov 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Bowerycandlescire trudonfrancenew york cityparis Michael B. Dougherty Sun, 14 Nov 2010 14:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[J.A. Henckels' Damascus Knives For Williams-Sonoma]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/10/24/j-a-henckels-damascus-knives-for-williams-sonoma/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/10/24/j-a-henckels-damascus-knives-for-williams-sonoma/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/10/24/j-a-henckels-damascus-knives-for-williams-sonoma/#comments
Creating true statement pieces, which will also serve you very well in the kitchen, J.A. Henckels has just released a line of Damascus steel knives, under its Zwilling brand, available exclusively at Williams-Sonoma.

The high-end of a new three-tiered collection, which includes Zwilling Pure and Zwilling Cronidur (made from the same steel NASA uses for Space Shuttle ball bearings), Zwilling Damascus is 160 layers of razor-sharp beauty. Designed by architect Matteo Thun, and hand-forged by a top German blacksmith, each knife receives an acid bath after its creation to reveal the undulating patterns distinctive of Damascus steel. The blade is then mounted to a handle of untreated, oiled grenadill wood. Perfectly balanced, the thumb instantly gravitates towards the generous bolster, which provides an unusual amount of comfort and precise control. At 61 on the Rockwell scale, the knife is incredibly hard (meaning edge retention is excellent) but the blade also possesses the proper amount of limber flexibility.

Currently offering a chef's, bread, pairing and Santoku knife, the line is the first German-made Damascus steel on the market. And since each blade's pattern is unique, the Zwilling Damascus isn't just the one you'll want to reach for, it's the one you'll want everyone to see you reaching for.

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J.A. Henckels' Damascus Knives For Williams-Sonoma originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cookingDamascusSteelgermanyJ. A. Henckelskniveswilliams-sonoma Michael B. Dougherty Sun, 24 Oct 2010 10:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Fizz With Flair, SodaStream's Penguin]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/10/08/fizz-with-flair-sodastreams-peguin/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/10/08/fizz-with-flair-sodastreams-peguin/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/10/08/fizz-with-flair-sodastreams-peguin/#comments The recent crop of home soda makers appeal on several levels: environmentally (no plastic bottles to discard), economically (no plastic bottles to buy) and practically (fizzy water for everyone, anytime). But one shortcoming has been aesthetics, since most models look like a Nalgene bottle jacked into a piece of lab equipment. Thankfully SodaStream has corrected this oversight with their Penguin.

Available through SodaStream's website and at Williams-Sonoma, this avian-themed carbonation factory is something you'll actually want to display at home. Operating without batteries or an electrical connection, the Penguin carbonates beverages with a few quick pumps of the beak (I prefer to add my own penguin sound effects when doing this). Simply rotate the stainless steel flask and insert one of the two glass carafes provided, which are attractive enough to pass for vases or decanters. Close and lock, depress the beak to activate (2-4 times, depending on how much fizz you're after), and push the pressure release valve before opening again. Once carbonated, you can seal the carafes with the provided hermetic stopper for freshness. The CO2 canisters that power the Penguin are easy to install and SodaStream estimates you'll get about 45 carafes-worth of fizz out of each.

SodaStream also offers various soda mixes and recently released a line of all-natural flavor syrups, from apple mango to pink grapefruit, but I've found that a few well-placed lime wedges work just as well. I haven't yet experimented with the Penguin and alcoholic beverages, but something tells me a Collins night is in order soon.

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Fizz With Flair, SodaStream's Penguin originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> carbonationkitchen gadgetspenguinsodasodastreamwaterwilliams-sonoma Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Courvoisier Introduces Connoisseur Collection, $3K L'Essence]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/24/courvoisier-introduces-connoisseur-collection-3k-lessence/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/24/courvoisier-introduces-connoisseur-collection-3k-lessence/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/24/courvoisier-introduces-connoisseur-collection-3k-lessence/#comments Courvoisier has one request for the release, next month, of their age-stamped Connoisseur Collection: please, no cocktails.

Sitting down with Pierre Szersnovicz, the cognac house's director of spirit quality control and global brand ambassador, conversation wandered into a discussion of how, and why, someone would create a spirit simply for blending (nay, disappearing) into a mixed drink. While suitable for others, understandably so given the cocktail's continued reign, Szersnovicz emphasized that the newly created Connoisseur Collection was an appeal to the cognac aficionado and not the mixologist. To wit, Courvoisier will release two age declaring bottles in October, a 12-year and a 21-year (like whiskey, both numbers represent the youngest age in the blends). The 12-year old is a blend of stock from the crus of Borderies, Fins Bois and Grande Champagne, while the 21-year old is comprised entirely of the top-tier Grande Champagne. Double distilled, both bottlings are then put through a two-step aging process, first in young French oak barrels and then in reused casks to extract their tannis. The young barrels, which the house selects from a number of areas including Limousin, are given a medium char for subtle wood and vanilla notes, which avoids an aggressive, over-oaked profile. The results are evident in the 12-year, which shows light wood notes, spice and fruit with a finish of cloves and anise. As for the 21-year, the floral notes recede to highlight dried fruit, cooked honey and sandalwood.

And for those whom the market has come back to (or never went away from), Courvoisier introduces L'Essence. Housed in a Baccarat-designed decanter, which requires 30 craftsmen to produce and features a crystal stopper emblazoned with Napoleon's signet, L'Essence de Courvoisier contains a blend of 100 eaux-de-vies stretching back 60 to 70 years. A reliquary-like display box presents the bottle (which can be engraved) upright and illuminated by several LED lights. Wonderfully mature and complex, only 125 bottles will be available in the US, priced at $3,000. As for mixing this one, well, that's your call.

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Courvoisier Introduces Connoisseur Collection, $3K L'Essence originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> baccaratcocktailscognacconnoisseur collectioncourvoisierdecanterfranceLEssencespirits Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Baobab Platinum, A Gentleman's Candle]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/20/baobab-platinum-a-gentlemans-candle/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/20/baobab-platinum-a-gentlemans-candle/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/20/baobab-platinum-a-gentlemans-candle/#comments Belgian candle maker Baobab, known for their handmade collection of African-influenced scents, injects some refined manhood into the home decor world with a platinum creation.

There's something about the combination of scented wax and an open flame that seems to negate masculinity, whether due to the enduring legacy of Yankee Candle or the inane obsession with dividing inanimate objects into "his" and "hers." Some candle manufacturers surmount this by festooning the jar with skulls or dying the wax black, which is like wrapping a pirate flag around a fruit basket. But since 2002, Baobab has quietly been producing an entire line of perfumed candles that actually seem appropriate for the boardroom, bar or (his) bedroom. For one, the line takes its olfactory inspiration from Africa (it was created in Tanzania) with scents like Masai Spirit, White Rhino and Zanzibar Spices, all developed in the French fragrance capital of Grasse. The base note for the line is rooted in cedar sandalwood, a warm and spicy foundation to build each individual expression. There are also five sizes to choose from, from the 50gr Mini Max candle to the towering seven-wick, 7.5kg Maxi Max, which has a burn time of 800 hours.

And now Baobab has introduced a platinum jar edition, available across the line. The silvery finish is an elegant and understated display that will hold its own amongst club chairs and single malts. With all that cigar smoke and musty leather in the room you're going to need something that smells good.

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Baobab Platinum, A Gentleman's Candle originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> africaBaobabbelgiumcandleshandmadehome decorplatinum Michael B. Dougherty Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Beauty By Clinica Ivo Pitanguy Expands Line, Gets New Look]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/08/beauty-by-clinica-ivo-pitanguy-expands-line-gets-new-look/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/08/beauty-by-clinica-ivo-pitanguy-expands-line-gets-new-look/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/08/beauty-by-clinica-ivo-pitanguy-expands-line-gets-new-look/#comments

For over forty years, Brazil's Dr. Ivo Pitanguy has been responsible for movie stars, royalty and politicians' new looks. Now his expanded skin care line get a face-lift of its own, just in time for New York's Fashion's Night Out.

Developed by Pitanguy at his Rio clinic and produced in Switzerland, Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy comprises a line of serums, creams and treatments meant to replicate the procedures performed at his South American headquarters. Products like the moisture imparting PreVious Rebalancing Formula and cleansing Dermomask employ natural extracts, were tested under rigid dermatologic and ophthalmologic controls, and contain no coloring or artificial scents. Starting this Friday, during the second Fashion's Night Out event, Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy will launch a new "Specifics" line, beginning with their Ultimate Eye Cream. Available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman (and later at select Neiman Marcus stores), the cream boasts an innovative ceramide-peptide combination and white lupine extract to ameliorate the appearance of fine lines and sagging skin. As for the packaging, the Specifics line will be differentiated by its luxury inspired gold wrapping.

If you can't make it to Rio, or Pitanguy's private island, the new line will provide all of the good doctor's fabled benefits along with his most cherished product: discretion.

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Beauty By Clinica Ivo Pitanguy Expands Line, Gets New Look originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> beautyBergdorf Goodmanbrazilclinicafashions night outivo pitanguyneiman marcusnew yorkskin care Michael B. Dougherty Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Fontenay Creates Wine Barrel Flooring]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/06/fontenay-creates-wine-barrel-flooring/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/06/fontenay-creates-wine-barrel-flooring/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/06/fontenay-creates-wine-barrel-flooring/#comments There are certainly better ways to show off your oenophile passions and good design sense than a wine cork board, namely, Fontenay's flooring made from vintage wine barrels.

Selling itself as the "the only provider of reclaimed wine barrel flooring and countertops in the world," Fontenay offers three types of wood choices in its Vintage Barrel Collection. The Cooperage line takes its wood from the barrel heads, leaving intact the cooper stamps, various marking and an aged patina. For the Wine Infusion line, material from the barrel's inside is used. Naturally stained due to contact with the wine, the effect is a mosaic of juice-soaked colors. Finally, the Stave collection consist of the barrel's exterior wood strips, straightened to form boards, and then engineered to create flooring. These floors display the grains, age marks and a rustic distressing. Since no two planks are the same, in any of the lines, installation creates a unique finish best suited for wine cellars, tasting/dining rooms or kitchens. Fontenay also offers furniture, including wine racks, created from barrels.

With reclaimed wood being the au courant, green-minded design material of choice these days it's nice to see a product that has such a recognizable provenance being used in such an innovative way.

Gallery: Fontenay Wine Barrel Flooring

Fontenay Cooperage floorFontenay Cooperage floor 2Fontenay Wine Infusion flooringFontenay Stave flooringFontenay furniture

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Fontenay Creates Wine Barrel Flooring originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> customflooringreclaimedwinewine barrelwoodwood floors Michael B. Dougherty Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Rémy Martin Releases First Clear Spirit, V]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/27/remy-martin-releases-clear-spirit-v/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/27/remy-martin-releases-clear-spirit-v/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/27/remy-martin-releases-clear-spirit-v/#comments The cognac house of Rémy Martin ventures into new territory this September with V, the brand's first clear spirit.

V (pronounced "vee," a play on the French "vie," meaning "life") is a departure, not only in its composition but also its intent. The spirit is meant to be mixed as a base in cocktails, and Rémy Martin has paired with a NYC mixologist to offer several ways of how to do that. To achieve its clarity, V is produced using fall-harvested grapes from the house's crus in Cognac, which are then distilled in copper pot stills and blended. But instead of going into barrels for aging, this distillate is cold filtered (down to 14F) throughout the winter months and then left to mellow throughout the spring. It is only during the following summer that V goes into bottle and is ready for consumption. The result is a crystal-clear spirit with hints of pear and mint.

We'll avoid any "clearly" puns here and just say that at the moment we're looking forward to seeing how this release will be viewed.

(750ml; $40)

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Rémy Martin Releases First Clear Spirit, V originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> clearcocktailscognacfranceremy martinspirits Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[J.Crew Opens Madison Avenue Men's Shop]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/25/j-crew-opens-madison-avenue-mens-shop/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/25/j-crew-opens-madison-avenue-mens-shop/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/25/j-crew-opens-madison-avenue-mens-shop/#comments

Under gray skies and the first honest wisps of fall, J.Crew unveiled its latest Men's Shop on Madison Avenue in New York City.

For a brand whose rep has been synonymous with rep stripes, wide wale corduroy and the Ivy League uniform, it's surprising that it took J.Crew this long to arrive in the neighborhood, since the Upper East Side is certainly the nexus of all that. Located on the corner of 79th Street, in a space formally occupied by a bank, the store is in many ways the apogee of J.Crew's recent menswear translation of preppy as Nantucket by way of Japan. The shop itself feels like an Alpine lodge, with knotty pine wood paneling covering walls, floor and seemingly everything else. Populate that with Quoddy boots, Barbour jackets, and lots and lots of plaid, and you've got what amounts to catnip for fans of the trad, Americana, or workwear look (whichever you prefer).

Some might choose the slightly pejorative "urban woodsman" though, and you can't really blame them. The trend metastasized to the point of self-parody, what with all those bearded 20-somethings head-to-toe in buffalo plaid, buying $250 axes and signing up for butchering classes. But you have to commend J.Crew, and head menswear designer Frank Muytjens, for navigating it without lingering to the point of definition. This fall season seems to be more about celebrating classic looks, classic brands-and as expressed by this new store-creating a shopping experience with some style and relaxed refinement (none of which you're going to find at American Apparel). And they do, balancing out the aforementioned ruggedness with Thomas Mason spread collar shirts and cashmere navy suits, both exclusive to this location.

Continue reading J.Crew Opens Madison Avenue Men's Shop

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J.Crew Opens Madison Avenue Men's Shop originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> J.CrewMadison Avenuemens fashionmenswearnew york citystores Michael B. Dougherty Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Citadelle Gin Creates Oak Aged Vintage]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/22/citadelle-gin-creates-oak-aged-vintage/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/22/citadelle-gin-creates-oak-aged-vintage/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/22/citadelle-gin-creates-oak-aged-vintage/#comments Well this is different. France's Cognac Ferrand house (who has experimented with aging their Citadelle label before) will release their first vintage gin, distilled exclusively for oak aging, this October.

While oak aging is standard for everything from wine to whiskey, it's a rarity in the gin world. Cellar master Frederic Gilbert, along with owner Alexandre Gabriel, decided to challenge that with a specific combination of additional botanicals-violet, iris and grains of paradise (part of the 19 used in Citadelle)-designed for optimal oak barrel aging. The idea is that violet and iris provide more floral aromatics, while the grains of paradise contribute a hint of spice. The distillate was then aged for 6 months in lightly charred, 12-year-old reused oak casks. Cognac Ferrand has a bit of history with this kind of creative recycling, as the house also produces rums that receive further aging in former cognac casks. In the case of Citadelle, the oak works its magic to round off the flavor profile with an aromatic crispness and notes of cinnamon, vanilla, star anise, and of course, wood. The vintage will have a production run of 11,250 numbered bottles, worldwide.

Wine Enthusiast named Citadelle's 2009 release one of its "Top 50 Spirits of the Year," so we'll see if aging makes a good thing even better.

(750ml., $40.00)

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Citadelle Gin Creates Oak Aged Vintage originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> CitadelleGincognac ferrandginoakreservespiritsvintage Michael B. Dougherty Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[NYC And Hamptons Hotels Partner For Ulitmate Summer Package]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/23/nyc-and-hamptons-hotels-partner-for-ulitmate-summer-package/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/23/nyc-and-hamptons-hotels-partner-for-ulitmate-summer-package/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/23/nyc-and-hamptons-hotels-partner-for-ulitmate-summer-package/#comments

It's the question that plagues every New Yorker during the summer: to stay or not to stay? But thanks to a new partnership between The Greenwich Hotel and East Hampton Point Resort you don't have to choose.

The six night package splits your time evenly between both properties, giving you three days in the City and three out east. It begins at The Greenwich Hotel, Robert De Niro's 88-room luxury property in Manhattan's tony Tribeca neighborhood. There you'll receive a superior room, breakfast for two (daily), Champagne and fruit upon arrival, two "Shibui Toner" spa treatments, and dinner for two in the private, outdoor garden of the critically acclaimed Locanda Verde. Then it's off to the beach via a Hampton Luxury Liner, where you'll be put up in one of East Hampton Point's luxe bungalows. Breakfast comes delivered each morning, courtesy of Mary's Marvelous in Amagansett, and dinner for two awaits at the resort's restaurant. To get you through the middle of the day a picnic lunch at Georgica Beach, East Hampton's prime summer locale, has been arranged (car service to the beach, or passes for those with their own vehicles is also provided). The resort can also schedule tee times, book a private shopper or place a preferred dinner reservation. Now when you're asked if you're staying in the City or going to the Hamptons the correct response is, "yes."

(packages start at $4,600 plus tax)

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NYC And Hamptons Hotels Partner For Ulitmate Summer Package originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> east hampton point resorthamptonshotelsnew york citypackagesresortsrobert de nirothe greenwich hotel Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Chesapeake's Perry Cabin Offers Sailing School]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/20/chesapeake-bay-perry-cabin-sailing-school/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/20/chesapeake-bay-perry-cabin-sailing-school/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/20/chesapeake-bay-perry-cabin-sailing-school/#comments

The Inn at Perry Cabin, a luxurious manor house and spa on the Chesapeake Bay, is now offering access to an off-shore sailing school.

Built in 1816, The Inn at Perry Cabin was converted to a 25-acre, luxury country house hotel in 1980. Located in the Victorian resort town of St. Michael's, Maryland, the inn offers 80 rooms-most with a deck or patio-that feature a mix of modern and period furniture, fireplaces and Italian marble bathrooms stocked with Molton Brown products. A club-like lounge and the modern British fare of Sherwood's Landing, the inn's dining establishment, all lend a classic, yachting atmosphere to the property. That is bound only to increase with the addition of off-shore sailing lessons, through Steve and Doris Colgate's school. Choose either a three-day "Learn to Sail" course, a more leisurely paced half-day session (spread out over five days), or for those who have the basics down, a five-day "Bareboat Cruising" course. For those with limited time, or patience, there's also an intensive two-day course that keeps students on a Colgate 26 sailing boat for 48 hours and then offers five half-days on a 43'-49' cruiser. Perhaps best of all, you can avoid landlubbers and their wobbly sea legs by booking private lessons for two.

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Chesapeake's Perry Cabin Offers Sailing School originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hotelsmarylandsailingschoolst. michaelsthe inn at perry cabin Michael B. Dougherty Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Historic Ocean House Resort Reopens]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/18/ocean-house-watch-hill-resort-reopens/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/18/ocean-house-watch-hill-resort-reopens/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/18/ocean-house-watch-hill-resort-reopens/#comments

Watch Hill, Rhode Island's majestic Ocean House resort has reopened for the summer 2010 season after a sweeping, $140 million renovation.

Originally opened in 1868, the Victorian-style property catered to the era's high society with its prime beachfront location and leisure class activities like croquet on the lawn, bathing and sailing, and afternoon tea. By 1917, the dining room could serve 500, bands traveled from New York to entertain guests and the Douglas Fairbanks vehicle American Aristocracy, filmed at the resort, had just been released.

But by the turn of millennium a series of fires, almost a century-and-a-half of wear and a shift in tastes away from the seaside resort vacation, left the Ocean House a ghostly shell of its former grandeur. When in 2004 a group of summer residents, led by Royce Funds president Charles M. Royce, attempted to salvage the original structure it was determined that it was too far gone, and so the decision was made to recreate the original Ocean House as a modern hotel with period charm.

The 152,660-square foot result is a faithful, and striking, homage to its provenance with 49 rooms and 23 private residences. Thousands of architectural elements were salvaged and recreated to populate the hotel, including a 19th-century elevator, reception desk, stone fireplace, moldings and chandeliers. Even the resort's 247 windows have been placed in their original locations and the exterior color remains the distinctive butter cream yellow.

Gallery: Ocean House

Ocean House exteriorOcean House lobbyOcean House roomOcean House poolOcean House deck

Continue reading Historic Ocean House Resort Reopens

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Historic Ocean House Resort Reopens originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hotelocean houserennovationsresortrhode islandwatch hill Michael B. Dougherty Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[USM Swiss Furniture To Launch Fall Line]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/18/usm-swiss-furniture-to-launch-fall-line/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/18/usm-swiss-furniture-to-launch-fall-line/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/18/usm-swiss-furniture-to-launch-fall-line/#comments

Lauded Swiss furniture manufacturer, USM, has announced a new fall collection to their award-winning modular designs.

Created in 1963, when Swiss engineer Paul Schärer teamed up with architect Fritz Haller to design furniture for his family business's new offices, USM's modernist lines and functionality made it an unexpected darling of Mid-Century design. Now part of the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection in New York, USM has evolved into a furniture system of near limitless possibility, equally at home in an office, retail or residential setting. While the term "modular" may evoke images of dorm rooms and a certain ubiquitous Swedish brand, USM is much closer to a Patek Philippe watch or a Hans Bellmann chair in terms of aesthetics and construction. The basic element of USM is a chrome-plated brass ball joint, which connects to chromed steal tubes to form the framework of the line. From there, powder-coated metal panels, in a variety of historic and contemporary colors, can easily and quickly be popped in and out to complete the piece. Panels come in a wide selection of sizes, and when you include the various door options and internal organizer configurations, the possibilities with USM become manifold. Indeed, USM enthusiasts (the line is collected with the zeal normally reserved for high fashion or fine art) have created arrangements that form everything from retail clothing displays to Mondrian-like storage walls by mixing-and-matching color panels. New for fall 2010, USM will introduce a line of autumnal colors including orange, brown and beige, which haven't been available to customers since the 1970s.

(prices start at $500)

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USM Swiss Furniture To Launch Fall Line originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> fallfurnitureIndustrial Designmid-century modernmodularswitzerlandusm Michael B. Dougherty Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Sirène Collection Brings Swimwear Boutique Online]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/17/sirene-collection-brings-swimwear-boutique-online/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/17/sirene-collection-brings-swimwear-boutique-online/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/17/sirene-collection-brings-swimwear-boutique-online/#comments With summer finally upon us, Sirène brings the swimwear boutique into the 21st-century with its online collection.

Created by Nell Love, a willowy blond with a plethora of seaside lounging experience herself, Sirène presents a curated swimwear inventory from up-and-coming as well as coveted designers, such as Camilla & Marc, Salt Swimwear and Ondademar. The result is a diverse collection, both in terms of designs and materials, that should satisfy any woman who balks at the annual ritual of finding a new suit. From Mara Hoffman's bold, Rio-ready bikinis to Lisa Marie Fernandez's neoprene 80s homages, Sirène offers a look for your bathing ambitions, whatever they may be. There's also a line of handmade, Moroccan beach bags and kaftans by Camilla, true statement pieces with their psychedelic prints.

Nell, who had previously revamped Steven Alan's e-commerce presence, adds a welcome bit of her own personality to the site with a certain element of tough sizing love. Each piece comes with a custom blurb on its fit, which could include a warning about side coverage, a notice of low-slung bottoms or a heads-up to order a size down. Essential information when ordering online.

And for those last-minute island jaunts, Sirène will deliver straight to your destination, so your swimwear is there before you are.

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Sirène Collection Brings Swimwear Boutique Online originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> beachbikiniresort wearsummerswimsuitswimwear Michael B. Dougherty Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Belvedere Introduces Pink Grapefruit]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/05/belvedere-introduces-pink-grapefruit/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/05/belvedere-introduces-pink-grapefruit/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/05/belvedere-introduces-pink-grapefruit/#comments The latest wave of flavored vodkas continues to swell with the release of Belvedere's Pink Grapefruit.

A recent launch party in Manhattan's Meat Packing District included a blending session, food pairings, giant photos of hipster queen Leigh Lezark (the model and Misshapes DJ) and enough pink lighting to rival a "Sex and the City" premiere. It was here that Claire Smith, Belvedere's Head of Spirit Creation & Mixology, led us through a blending tutorial whose purpose was to illustrate the various notes found in Pink Grapefruit, including ginger and lemon, and to dissuade us from thinking that a bottle of vodka and grapefruit is all it takes to replicate. Afterward, we were presented several sweet and savory food pairings with Pink Grapefruit-based cocktails, most of which were so chockablock with mixers as to obscure the spirit itself.

Which brings up a good point: if you're going to choose a vodka for its flavor, a typically ironic proposition, let that flavor express itself. For this Belvedere release those flavors came from Argentinian grapefruit, ginger and Spanish spring lemons. The Polish spirit maker is quick to point out that these are arrived at by means of a maceration process, which removes essences from natural ingredients and blends them back into the vodka, rather than via an injection of sugar or glycerin. The raw ingredients spend four to six weeks soaking in vodka baths before being distilled again to avoid oxidation when put into bottle.

Thankfully the result is a balanced spirit, ideal for sipping or (restrained) mixing, with nary a candy aisle flavor present. Pink Grapefruit is light and citrusy to the nose with hints of vanilla; ginger is noticeable mainly on the finish, and is present on the palate to push the notes of lemon and grapefruit forward. There's even a bit of a creamy texture going down.

(750ml, $39.99)

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Belvedere Introduces Pink Grapefruit originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 05 Jun 2010 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> belevedere vodkacocktailsflavored vodkapink grapefruitspiritsvodka Michael B. Dougherty Sat, 05 Jun 2010 15:03:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Hanae Mori Debuts No. 1 Parfum]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/05/31/hanae-mori-debuts-no-1-parfum/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/05/31/hanae-mori-debuts-no-1-parfum/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/05/31/hanae-mori-debuts-no-1-parfum/#comments hanae moriHanae Mori, named for Japan's most successful female fashion designer, inaugurates its new Eaux de Collection with the launch of No. 1, a limited-edition scent for women.

The first release in a fragrance series that aims to capture the elemental forces of the sun and wind, approximately 30% of the power used to create the appropriately named No. 1 comes from renewable sources. Additionally, a portion of US sales will benefit Clean Air-Cool Planet, a non-profit organization dedicated to solving global warming through policy and education.

The structure of the scent is built using fruits and flower blooms selected in France, which are then bathed in warm alcohol to release their natural essences. Top notes swirl with fresh bergamot, grapefruit and blackcurrants, while the middle notes express white musk, jasmine and more dark berries. A base of Indian sandalwood, amber and vanilla anchors No. 1 with a warm and calming demeanor.

Sun ripened fruit, flowering petals and a classically Japanese desire to channel nature's etherealness make No. 1 a corollary scent to the approaching summer season. Early word is that the First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, is already a fan, having received one of the debut bottles.

(3.4 ounces, $95)

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Hanae Mori Debuts No. 1 Parfum originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 31 May 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> fashion designersfragrancefrancehanae morihanae mori no. 1Japanlimited editionperfumescents Michael B. Dougherty Mon, 31 May 2010 15:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Shafer Vineyards Releases 2007 One Point Five]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/05/31/shafer-vineyards-releases-2007-one-point-five/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/05/31/shafer-vineyards-releases-2007-one-point-five/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/05/31/shafer-vineyards-releases-2007-one-point-five/#comments Napa Valley's Shafer Vineyards, recipients of the James Beard Foundation's 2010 "Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional" award, recently released their 2007 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon.

Located in the Stag's Leap District of the region, Shafer has continuously produced top-rated Cabernets, Chardonnays and Merlots under the guidance of winemaker Elias Fernandez, and this release is no exception. Comprised of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petite Verdot, the 2007 spent 20 months in 75% new French oak and 25% one-year-old French oak barrels.

Aggressively jammy notes greet the nose and are followed by plum and musty barnyard scents. A pleasantly dryer alternative to the much-maligned "fruit bombs" of the area, the palate receives gamy flavors and lots of clove. The finish is short without being fleeting.

Shafer recommends pairing with everything from Ahi tuna to roast lamb loin, although I served the bottle with shrimp and mussels in a spicy tomato sauce over fresh linguine, to praise.

And while the name One Point Five may elicit thoughts of a software upgrade its provenance is actually a bit of a familial in-joke: Doug Shafer joined his father John in 1983, just two years after Shafer's initial release. It wasn't so much a new generation taking over as a son catching up to his father. Nearly 17 years later, that partnership has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation for its fecundity.

(750ml, $70)

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Shafer Vineyards Releases 2007 One Point Five originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 31 May 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 2007cabernet sauvignondoug shaferjames beard awardsjohn shaferone point fivepetite verdotShaferVineyardsstags leapwinewine reviewwine reviews Michael B. Dougherty Mon, 31 May 2010 14:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Surrey Hotel Rolls Out Bar Cart Service]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/23/surrey-hotel-bar-cart-service/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/23/surrey-hotel-bar-cart-service/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/23/surrey-hotel-bar-cart-service/#comments In an ingenious twist on the classic cocktail craze, the recently reopened Surrey hotel in Manhattan is now offering in-room bar cart service for its guests.

While missing the modern Art Deco splendor of the hotel's Bar Pleiades is not recommended, neither is spending too much time away from the rooms' Duxiana beds. The logical compromise is the Surrey's cocktail program. "The inspiration came when I was at Dukes in London," says Director of Restaurants and Bars, Sims Foster. "They go through this very simple, but classic, way that they pour their martinis."

Here's how it works: guests first order whichever base spirit is to their liking, whether it's Hudson Baby Bourbon, Bombay Sapphire gin, Grey Goose vodka, Patrón Silver tequila or Gosling's Dark Rum. Then, your personal Surrey bartender will arrive accompanied by a fully stocked bar cart-modeled after an Italian mid-century original-and its attendant supplies, among them bitters, fresh fruit, ice and the implements of the trade. He'll demonstrate for you the proper way to make classic cocktails with your chosen spirit, say a Moscow Mule (vodka) or a Vanilla Old Fashioned (bourbon). And then, he'll leave.

From there you can pretend you're Nick and Nora, using the vintage Boston shaker glasses to mix, muddle and strain your day away. With several rounds of ammunition in you it's only a brief sway to the Whitney Museum of American Art, Central Park or Daniel Boulud's Café Boulud (the chef also operates Bar Pleiades). But now that you're so close to figuring out the elusive tequila-bourbon cocktail combination, there isn't much of a reason to decamp. Especially when a fresh cart rolls in so easily.

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Surrey Hotel Rolls Out Bar Cart Service originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bar cartbar wareBarCartBarWareclassic cocktailsClassicCocktailshotelhotelsnew york cityNewYorkCityshakersspiritssurrey hotelSurreyHotel Michael B. Dougherty Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Visa Black Card Introduces New Benefits]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/20/visa-black-card-new-benefits/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/20/visa-black-card-new-benefits/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/20/visa-black-card-new-benefits/#comments
Visa has unveiled an array of new features to its ultra-exclusive Black Card's concierge program.

Available to just 1% of US residents-to ensure a maximum level of service for members-the sleek carbon card, with an undisclosed credit line, now comes with added amenities to its full-service concierge plan. With either a phone call or an email, the Black Card team is available 24/7 to handle anything from the standard restaurant, flight or hotel reservation to more challenging requests, like emergency document translation or specialty shopping, for when your beach reading requires a first edition. Now the card goes one step further when it comes to travel, offering trip delay reimbursements, roadside assistance (US & Canada), emergency services and increased redemption value for travel points.

Perhaps the most useful, and enjoyable, service though remains the Black Card's lifestyle management. Whether staying local or traveling to the most far-flung locale, the concierge will curate an evening out, including transportation, entertainment and dining. After tailoring your activities to your request, an email confirmation will arrive with an itemized itinerary. When the night is at hand, you'll receive a call from a Black Card representative to confirm that everything is in order, before you even get your bow tie on. Stepping out, your evening's chariot could be a Mercedes-Benz S550, whose driver will escort you to your entertainment, say, Cirque du Soleil's new Ovo performance (with VIP access). After two hours of wondering how the human body can leap, bend and balance like that, you'll have worked up quite the appetite, so it's off to dinner at the newly opened hot-spot with an impenetrable reservation line (if you're in Manhattan, have them gain you entrée to Keith McNally's Pulino's). As the night wanes, your driver suddenly becomes your best friend for returning you to your hotel or residence, as anyone with heels on will attest to.

Factor in travel priority, luxury gifts, and auto/baggage/travel insurance, and suddenly your gold and platinum cards may seem to be worth not much more than, well, plastic.

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Visa Black Card Introduces New Benefits originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> black cardconcierge serviceConciergeServicecredit cardsCreditCardsluxury credit cardsvisavisa black card Michael B. Dougherty Tue, 20 Apr 2010 06:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Ketel One Debuts Oranje]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/17/ketel-one-debuts-oranje/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/17/ketel-one-debuts-oranje/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/17/ketel-one-debuts-oranje/#comments Ketel One, the Dutch distillery and premium vodka market contender, has expanded its portfolio with Oranje, a new orange-infused vodka.

Arriving at Manhattan's M Studio for the release, it was clear that Ketel One was looking to lure consumers back to into the vodka fold, the erstwhile drink of choice that quickly became the Merlot, post-Sideways, of the spirits world. A specialty ice carving station had been set up for the showcased cocktails, along with an aroma profile booth and lots and lots of decorative citrus accents, including several precariously stacked orange fruit sculptures. The branding was clear, but how was the spirit?

If you're like me, your nose retreats and your palate recoils a bit at the phrase "flavored vodka." Everyone who remembers vodka's heyday probably still can't get the syrupy, cloying sweetness of those bottles out of their mouths. Let's face it: most taste like they were infused with a Jolly Rancher.

It's refreshing to report that this is not the case with Oranje. Ketel One, an 11th generation family business, took their time with this release, 10 years in fact, as told to me by distiller Carl Nolet Jr. Sourcing Mandarin oranges from Italy and Valencia oranges from Florida and Brazil, the resulting extracts are then shipped to the perfume capital of the world, Grasse, France. There they are refined and blended, finally arriving at the Notel Distillery in Schiedam, Holland. The oils are then infused into the spirit over several days.

On the nose, Oranje produces pleasant citrus and wildflower notes, along with a slight undercurrent of essential oil. The palate is a pleasantly refreshing orange, bright and fruity with the right balance of sweetness and no bitter or burnt finish. This is truly a vodka that can be sipped, as I did initially, although the Oranje Dutch Greyhound and Fizz made for good summer drink fodder.

Who knows, when vodka makes its inevitable return into the cocktail world's good graces, we might actually be asking for flavored.

Price: $25 for 750ml.

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Ketel One Debuts Oranje originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 17 Apr 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> flavored vodkaketel one oranjeKetelOneorangespremium vodkaspiritsvodka Michael B. Dougherty Sat, 17 Apr 2010 11:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Plantation Rum Releases 20th Anniversary Edition]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/12/plantation-rum-releases-20th-anniversary-edition/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/12/plantation-rum-releases-20th-anniversary-edition/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/12/plantation-rum-releases-20th-anniversary-edition/#comments plantation rumIn celebration of Alexandre Gabriel's 20 years at the helm of Cognac Ferrand, the French producer has released an anniversary bottle from its Plantation Rum collection. As president and owner of the esteemed cognac house, Gabriel discovered that the used casks he had been selling to Caribbean rum producers created a superior flavor profile.

Inspired, he launched his own series of rums, sourced from their original countries of origin-Barbados, Jamaica, Panama, Trinidad, etc.-and shipped to the Ferrand Estate, where they undergo additional aging. While rums are typically aged in bourbon or sherry barrels, Ferrand takes the technique one step beyond by further maturing its rums in former cognac casks. The result is a tantalizingly complex spirit, and the 20th anniversary edition blends several aged examples. Warm notes of dried fruit, cinnamon and macaroons follow a citrusy nose of banana and mango, truly evocative of the rum's terroir.

Price: $39.99 for 750ml.

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Plantation Rum Releases 20th Anniversary Edition originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> anniversarycognacliquorplantation rumrumspirits Michael B. Dougherty Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:03:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Roosevelt Hotel Opens Vander Bar]]> http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/06/roosevelt-hotel-opens-vander-bar/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/06/roosevelt-hotel-opens-vander-bar/ http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/06/roosevelt-hotel-opens-vander-bar/#comments vander bar
Banking of the success of its popular Mad46 rooftop bar (set to reopen for the season this week), Manhattan's grand Roosevelt Hotel has recently unveiled Vander Bar. Taking its name from the Lilliputian avenue that runs parallel to Grand Central Terminal-along the Roosevelt's backside-Vander Bar makes a serious play for the mid-town clientele who frequent both of these New York City institutions. Whereas Mad46 is meant to compete with stylish downtown al fresco drinking options like those found at the Hudson or Thompson hotels, Vander Bar aims more for the local happy hour crowd, where Hermès ties become loosened before the Metro-North train ride back to Westchester. Offering a fully stocked bar, along with beers on-tap, the property's small-plates menu of contemporary favorites, such as burger sliders, lobster rolls, and mac and cheese, should provide ample ways to spoil dinner. Of course these days a bar is only as good as its signature drinks, and Vander Bar gives a knowing wink to the neighborhood with a Belvedere black raspberry vodka and lime juice concoction, known as "The BlackBerry."

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Roosevelt Hotel Opens Vander Bar originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> barsbeerdrinkingmanhattannew york cityNewYorkCityroosevelt hotelRooseveltHotelspiritswine Michael B. Dougherty Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:02:00 EST Luxist