Paris Neon

Camera died pretty soon after we arrived in Paris on Wednesday morning. Never in my life did I think that iPhone photos would be able to be the sole focus of a blog post but c'est la vie. Didn't even instagram this shit because I thought my wicked phone skillz with a z was enough.

Classic mirror in hotel room photo to try to show off my new brogues from Fratelli Rossetti. Mass asked why I bought Italian in France...good question, no answer. The Euro has been in the shitter so that's why? Paired with J Crew cords, Acne belt, Giordano shirt, La Fayette brand sweater (bought that day because it was flippin' freezing out). All this photo craziness happened in the worst hotel ever, Kube hotel. Design hotel meets extreme disfunctionality. This pic was taken in the bathroom beside the open shower (where Jo was showering...just kidding).

All week Jo and I had been digging the neon. Trying our luck to find the proper neon that was bright enough to blind. We made out somewhat successful from American Apparel nail varnish. These bad boys make appearances all over Paris. Pic taken at Les Cocottes. I literally go to the same restos in Paris time and time again. I'm damn loyal.

Met up 1/2 an hour late with friends for a 7 courser and proceeded to have the most interesting conversations about crime and Cordon Bleu in Paris. We love that everyone in Paris automatically thinks they're foodies. What is a foodie anyway? You love food? Don't we all love food? I mean I love to live and food keeps me alive...therefore I must be a foodie. Whatevs.

Told ya it wouldn't be the last. This time taken when food was done! Another fav of mine, Le Loir dans la Theiere. Seriously, saying that in french makes me sound like I'm not from Canada. And that I didn't take a WHOLE freaking year EXTRA of french then the mandatory OSSD requirement. I'm THAT good, yo.

What's Paris, without a little bit of tourism. *spirit fingers*

Yup, our hotel hallway. Didn't I tell you it was lame super rad?

Saving the best for last. I'm Chinese (in case you haven't noticed), with parents and family from HK and raised in Richmond Hill/Markham (which if you're from Toronto, you KNOW that's C-town central), and I thought Shang Palace at the Shangri-La was the most awesome-est deliciousness you will ever taste in your life. Convinced you of my credibility, didn't I? "She's from Richmond Hill, the equivalent of China!". Well don't take my word for it, just check it out. Party in my mouth, and everyone's invited (get your head outta the gutta).

Dinner by Heston

A couple weeks ago we had dinner at Dinner by Heston. Largely known for bringing a taste of Fat Duck to London, I must admit that he did not disappoint. London is a revolving door of restaurants, always changing and adopting/creating new trends. That said, there are a lot of repeat restaurants in the city who copy the style and palates of others. Dinner, however, was definitely not just another. No white table cloths, just simple ambiance with plenty of tables (unlike pretentious restaurants who need at least 10 feet between each 'elite' table). Apparently you can even take your chances on a walk in as they reserve tables for their hotel patrons anyway; conduct unheard of in a michelin star meal.

Everything was quite savoury, but especially delectable is the Tipsy Cake for dessert. You absolutely must try this. It requires advance ordering but well worth it.

I highly recommend Dinner by Heston and should you heed my advice, here are their details:
Dinner by Heston
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
+44(0)20 7201 3833

And to end, I leave you with a few more photos from that evening. I know, I have a face of a model...what can I say.




Have a great weekend!

Tim Ho Wan

Anywhere in the world, you will find Mass...working. (I don't think he even noticed I left the store)

The cheapest Michelin Star meal belongs to Tim Ho Wan (the trip advisor review here) in Mong Kok. A hole in the wall that you would not pay any attention to except for the fact that there is a hugeeee queue outside requiring a minimum hour wait. They served pretty a basic dim sum menu with your typical har gow and siu mais but what they didn't have in creativity was made up in taste. You see how this is quite a feat given most Michelin Star meals are deemed worthy based on their creativity and gastronomy. Nevermind the price tag of HKD 97 = approximately £7.75.

Pretty awesome if you ask me.

Piedmont... in photos

Now for some photos from the trip...

Insalata 31, 41, 51.... (51 ingredients in this insalata! Followed by drinking the dressing by removing the bowl)

Test tube concoctions...a bit too fancy shmancy for my taste.

The hunt with the hunter sans his dog


Cleaned, shaved and served...delicious.

BURBERRY PRORSUM shearling coat, HOBBS dress, MENDOCINO shirt, NINE WEST otk boots, MIU MIU bag

Similar to the runway demonstration of this coat, I was inspired to pair a knee length fitted dress with my shearling. I bought and altered this dress a few months ago for work but found that it had exactly what I was looking for to match the coat. Versatility is one of the many highlighting characteristics to this beautiful piece.

Beyond that are images from our weekend trip to Piedmonte to go truffle hunting. We found one tartufo bianco and two tartufo (tartufi?) neri. As you can see I still didn't give up the coat even in the forest (worn with my trusty Hunter wellies and Oxford University cricket sweater).

Alba has some of the best restaurants in the country, including the gastronomic one we ate at that had milk in a test tube for dessert. Best part of the trip: the truffle and barolo (both located in the Piedmonte region). If you love either, I highly recommend a trip.

CALDESI

LISA: MAJE dress, BURBERRY trench, DRIES VAN NOTEN shoes, ROBERTA FREYMANN bib necklace, MIU MIU purse

MASS: NICO DIDONNA trousers/jacket, CUSTOM from ITALY shirt, NYC belt, CAMPANILE shoes

Two weekends ago, Mass and I headed out to Reading for my friend's son's christening (isn't he adorbs?). Following the ceremony, we stopped by my favorite town for my favorite meal in the UK: Caldesi in Campagna in Bray. Some of you might recognize Bray to be home of the infamous Fat Duck, but I like to think of Bray as home to Waterside Inn and Caldesi.

Mass took me here for my bday last November and it was heaven. Caldesi is where I first laid eyes (and nose) on my eternal favorite produce, the white truffle. This time around was no less spectacular. Although Bray is a small town known for its Michelin star restuarants (houses two 3-stars w/in a 2km radius), it's such a treat when you need to get away from London. (Caldesi also has a restaurant in London (Marylebone) but I prefer the ambiance in Bray).

Boarding to Sicily now for the rest of the wknd. Will be back in London Tuesday. Have yourselves a fantastic weekend.

teddington

Mass has started his own Cigarando blog featuring everything you need to know about them. Stay tuned for posts and links to come!


When I have kids, I want them all to look like this.

With the owners of Casa del Habano in Teddington (& event coordinators) Ajay and his wife.

I'm wearing: Balmain (potential KO) blazer, Gap shirt, Asos trousers, belt stolen from sister, Miu Miu bowtie and shoes, Mulberry clutch (stolen from Mass - it has an attachable strap)

Mass' wearing: Nico Di Donna pants, shirt, and jacket, Italian scarf, Persol glasses

Sunday was slightly more eventful. Actually it was pretty action packed. Started off in London heading towards Teddington where the Casa del Habano is in the UK. Had some prosecco, mojitos and ditched everyone outside at one point to watch the Italy game inside.

Finished off the day at Viajante again for 5 hours and 12 courses (not including two amuse bouche or bread with lavender butter) and 12 wine pairings. I love food, but you need a break every two hours from eating.

I know the above isn't exactly what you would call a perfect BBQ outfit, but nevertheless, worked as a day to night ensemble.

Ciao ciao!

THE LOFT PROJECT

Wearing: Asos maxi dress, DVF Opal Wedges, Calvin Klein bra, Silver necklace from street vendor in Sardinia, Bracelet from Mass' mom, Frog ring from street vendor in Chianti, Mont Blanc silver ring, OPI blue sparkle nails (aren't they fantastic?!)


NB: As pointed out by fellow Chictopian reader: Jolenevuong, this is also the dress that Rihanna was snapped wearing. I had no idea until she pointed it out! Thanks!! Looks like I'm in great company! (that and an inevitable 'who wore it best?' comparison)

Beautiful Saturday rolls around and we head to The Loft Project to test out Rob Martin's newest creations (former chef at Noma).

If you remember from my post here, we went to Viajante to try Nuno Mendes restaurant. The Loft Project is his brainchild to showcase chefs from around the world for three days a week in a very intimate dinner party setting for 18 people. Each week a different chef comes in and this week we had the pleasure of tasting Rob Martin's masterpieces. Former chef at Noma, which is currently the number one restaurant on San Pellegrino's top 50, Rob made an amazing 10 course dinner including his takes on beet salads, lamb, and mackerel (pictured below). This idea is a refreshing and welcome change to the typical restaurant setting leaving me wanting to become a repeat taste tester.



Top picture: Rob Martin in the middle with two helping hands.
Bottom picture: Mackerel, broccoli, ravigote

Hope you're having a fabulous weekend.

Ciao darlings!