Voyage

A Properly British Country Weekend

May 19, 2015 by sk

In the world of Dine Girl, everything and anything fabulous in life is an excuse for a culinary celebration–no matter how big or small. So, when duty called to join a test drive of the extraordinary new Bentley, our culinary gears started shifting…Even if we ourselves have limited road skills and car knowledge, we know a good piece of auto machinery when it crosses our paths. The Bentley Mulsanne. This amazing piece of British engineering is the crème de la crème for high-class travel. Sometimes the journey is as exciting as the destination.

Rather than toil around on I-87 for a few hours and leave it at that, we made it a weekend celebration. We were inspired by all things retro and properly British, and created some memorable feasts in honor of our fine automobile. And where better to host our Bentley (well, “ours” for the weekend anyway), than in a fabulous estate in the country! The extended winter actually served as the perfect backdrop to light up one last fire, crack open some fancy bubbly and dust of some LP’s.

Our dinner party started off with a cocktail hour: self-service caviar bar with Ruinart rose champagne. Decadently delicious scotch quail eggs with a selection of English mustard. In keeping in true British form, we served our prawn cocktails in martini glasses with curly parsley. A throw back which looked completely modern!

And dinner was served carvery-style, with perfectly puffed up Yorkshire puddings, plenty of gravy and the very best grass-fed standing rib roast of beef. After dinner, our guests retired to the fireplace with glasses of Macallan 18 and vintage port in tow to enjoy with the lemon soufflé pudding (scoffed down too quickly for any photo ops)…

Because “Bentley” and “diet” get along like oil and water—breakfast meant continuing the celebration. On the menu included homemade hollandaise sauce to go with our poached eggs and crisp asparagus, served with mimosas (the house champagne of course being Pol Roger–Sir Winston Churchill’s bubbly of choice) and Fortnum and Mason tea. And to complete our proper British table, we indulged in a bit of smoked salmon and the finest marmalades. Wilkin & Sons from Tiptree, Essex.

All in all, we feel that the Bentley Mulsanne got the Proper British country treatment she so well deserved. And despite the gluttonous hangover haze heading back to the city, she managed to make it back in one piece, unscathed and well fed.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Sir Winston Churchill

Le rêve (dream getaways)

February 17, 2015 by sk

fabulous travel attire from plumprettysugar.blogspot.com

A visit to any doctor right now would result in the following diagnosis: “you need to get out of town immediately for some Vitamin D and/ or mental break from this misery” (Misery meaning the horrible weather). And since the snowstorms have been occurring like clockwork on Thursday and Friday, why not escape from Wednesday and actually make it to your destination?

Doctor’s warning: while a quick getaway out west to LA can be enjoyable, the side affect is that it will only reinforce that tiny inner rage of jealousy that a city (or “city”) within the same country (same continent no less! the nerve!) would actually be spared of the misery here in New York. So in order to cure this illness, the only way out is via passport……

La plage

Yes the approach (by plane or sea) is near death, but when you arrive you are actually as close to heaven as heavenly possible on earth. St. Barth’s is magical and spectacular in every way – from the mix of unique beaches to unbelievable restaurants, sailing and other activities, fun (tax free!) shopping – there’s something for everyone here. Go with your most special people and come back floating on air.

Come for sunset cocktails and stay for dinner at Bonito St. Barths.

Le ski

The best part about skiing is the aprés ski! Plus there’s no-guilt factor because you’re encouraged to eat the extra calories. After all, going down the slopes requires serious energy. Megève is a beautiful ski resort in the French alps, originally a prime destination for the French aristocracy and luminaries alike. It’s also a foodie’s paradise with several Michelin-starred restaurants, amazing wine selections and not to mention killer views.

We recommend this spot, the newly opened La Face au Mont-Blanc.

City break: Paris

I mean, it’s Paris. Paris is fabulous even in the wintertime. Instead of staying in a hotel, rent an apartment and live like a local. Your days should consist of sitting in a café for at least 2 hours sipping hot chocolates or wine, strolls through the markets, and a naughty visit over to Chanel on Avenue Montaigne to do some damage to the credit card. After speaking to the bank that “yes you meant to buy that $$$”, enjoy some oysters and an aperitif with your beau at a small bistro such as Le bar à huitres.

Steeped rich in history, Lapérouse is the perfect spot to wear your new Chanel dress and sip vintage champagne followed by a fabulous meal. A true affair of your own to remember…..

Travel Guide: a serene trip to Hakone

April 29, 2014 by sk

If you are in Tokyo and in need of a quick get-away, the perfect spot is Hakone. Steeped rich in history, there’s everything you need for a relaxing weekend: onsen, great historical sites, amazing local food, and of course, stunning views of Mount Fuji. A well planned quick trip will feed your soul and recharge your spirit.

Getting there:
Take the Odakyu “Romance Car” highspeed train from Tokyo’s Shinjuku station to Yumoto-Hakone station. Make sure you buy a bento box from the amazing Odakyu department store food court for the 90 min. ride. Beer and sake available for purchase on the train.

Stay:
Once you reach Yumoto-Hakone station (final stop), grab a taxi and head to the fabulous Kai Hoshino Resort. Lounge in your room, listen to the birds while sipping green tea to unwind. Then, change into your yukata robes and go down to the onsen for a soak in the mineral hotspring baths, which is better than any spa you could imagine. Afterwards, dinner is a feast; a traditional kaiseki (multi-course) Japanese meal, paired nicely with sake or wine. Life seriously does not get much better than this!

Next day:
Start the morning off with a soak in the hotspring and enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast.

Take the bus to the charming Amazake-chaya stop. This historic tea shop is the last standing of its kind, and sipping the sweet amazake in the old wooden building is like stepping back into time. Current family is the 13th generation to operate, that’s 350 years of history!

From there, the leisurely 40 minute hike to Moto-Hakone on the old Tokaido road continues your journey into the past.

Once you reach Moto-Hakone, finish off the day with a leisurely boat tour on Lake Ashi, with views of Mount Fuji and Hakone Shrine.

Head back to Hakone-Yumoto train station via a 30 min. bus ride. Don’t forget to purchase gifts and bentos near the station before getting on the Romance Car back to the hustle and bustle of present day Edo, or Tokyo.

Insider Tips!
You can reserve your Odakyu Romance Car train ticket online (reserved seating), and pick up at the ticket counter which is in the West Gate area of Shinjuku Station. Cost is approx $45 each for return ticket. Shinjuku station is HUGE, so be sure to leave plenty of time to find the ticket counter and browse around downstairs for your bento box.The Odakyu department store food court is one escalator ride below from the ticket counter.

Hakone is also famous for beautiful local arts and crafts, and its art museums. If you have more than one day, check out these sites in Hakone:
Hakone Open Air Museum
Ride the cable cars and tozan trains for stunning views
Hakone checkpoint
Fujiya Hotel

Tokyo Style

April 23, 2014 by sk

Properly trenching in Tokyo’s Roppongi Hills… left: Burberry trenchcoat with Sigerson Morrison heels, right: Banana Republic with Christian Louboutin pumps.

Tokyo can be overwhelmingly sensory overload, but there are pockets of surprisingly relaxed and serene spots to spend the day. There are some amazing little neighborhoods where the point is to walk around, absorb the environment and enjoy being lost in translation…

clockwise from top left: Space Invader in Daikanyama, Omotesando Koffee located a few streets behind Omotesando Hills, the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi, and the famous Shibuya crossing

Here’s our neighborhood guide for great shopping in Tokyo:

Daikanyama: great for quiet neighborhood cafés, bookshops and restaurants. After a few hours of leisurely shopping around the area, relax at XEX Daikanyama and head up to the stylish Italian (Salvatore Cuomo Bros.) or Japanese (Aburiyaki & Sushi An) restaurants for a bite. The Bar is also open until 4am for cocktails.

Shibuya: loud, crowded but totally hip. After paying your respects to Japan’s beloved dog Hachiko, check out Loft and Tokyu Hands for cool household goods and gifts, and enjoy the hustle and bustle.

Aoyama / Omotesando: Omotesando Hills – home to cutting-edge designers and other high end brands. Graniph is great for graphic tees.

Strawberry daifuku from Akebono, Ginza

Ginza: super high-end. Old world posh Japan meets Chanel, Gucci and beyond. Recently renovated Mitsukoshi Ginza is great for post lunch browsing, and old world sweet shop Akebono is a must to try some seasonal sweets. On our trip the highlight was strawberry daifuku mochi which was divine. A great lunch spot for the ladies is Sala Amabile. Reservations are a must for the 10 course lunch, which is all you can drink for around $70 US. (Tokyo insider’s secret!)

Roppongi: You can spend your entire day here enjoying the shopping, architecture, booming art culture and then dinner and cocktails at any number of the sparkly new buildings. Check out Louise Bourgeois’s spider sculpture in Roppongi Hills before you head out to the expat bars in the area.

Tokyo night sky… view from our friend’s amazing pad in Tokyo Midtown Residence

Shinjuku: Home to Isetan – the mecca for everything fashionably fabulous.

Harajyuku / Yoyogi: hipsterville. Explore the back streets and you’ll find Beams and United Arrows. Great people watching around Harajyuku for teeny bopper eccentric anime style. Yoyogi has some great little restaurants and bars in the beautifully designed indoor / outdoor space called Yoyogi Village. Check out the Music Bar for great DJs who spin all vinyl.

#Japan

April 15, 2014 by sk

We just got back from an amazing week in Tokyo! Japan is a country full of beautiful contradictions. Old, new, slow, fast, loud, quiet…all intersect together to create sensory overload, organized chaos. In true dinegirl style, the best way to capture this spectacular country is through its food! We ate everything from traditional kaiseki dinners, to local ramen and yakitori, to amazing Italian food.

Stay tuned for our travel logs, restaurant reviews and everything #Japan.

Voyage

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