Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Paris 2015


 

Paris is still in the midst of recovery from the terror attacks.  I have brought together the top General Managers of the most prestigious hotels in Paris to give insight into how the tourism industry has been affected and what security measures were taken.

They were gracious enough to share their candid thoughts, how they are moving forward and what some of their favorite things in Paris are.

Their resilience, grace and hospitality will resonate in years to come.

Following is an excerpt of the responses from the esteemed panel I had the honor to interview:

 

Didier Le Calvez, Le Bristol Paris (& COO of Oetker Collection)

Franka Holtmann, Le Meurice Paris

Frédéric Picard, La Réserve Paris

Philippe Leboeuf, Mandarin Oriental Paris

Nicolas Béliard, The Peninsula Paris

Christian Boyens, Ritz Paris

 

JB: What security measures did your hotel take for the guests and staff in the aftermath of the attack?

Didier Le Calvez (DLC):  We have closed all annex doors and left only the main entrance available for guests to come in. All bags were also systematically checked when entering the hotel and the restaurants.

We are quite fortunate to be located next to Place Bauveau and the Élysée Palace, which makes us probably the most secure hotel in Paris. We benefit from all the security procedures in place to protect the road. For this reason, we didn’t put any extravagant security procedures in place.

Nicolas Béliard (NB): The safety of our guests and employees is our utmost priority and the hotel’s management team is taking every possible precaution to ensure their security. Following the attacks, a range of enhanced measures have been put in place including security checks when entering the hotel and around the building.

Philippe Leboeuf (PL):  We already had a demanding security policy, but we needed to take extra measures like backpack searches to all guests and staff coming inside the hotel, add security agents, identifications of all luggage, etc.  

Christian Boyens (CB):  Paris was shaken up by the attacks of November 13th but the culture of the Parisians can't be changed. Today, the bistros and cafes are once again filled and the terraces packed. There is clearly an immediate impact on the hotels and its staff members as many visitors cancelled or delayed their trip into the City of Lights. Security measures are being reviewed and staff properly trained.

Frédéric Picard (FP):  We have increased the level of security by adding additional security guards. Having said that, we are a stone’s throw from the Élysée Palace (our French White house) and, therefore, the area is very well secured. 

 

JB: How is business now and, moving forward, what are you doing to give clients a comfort level?

PL:  The attacks were a shock and we had immediate cancellations. Paris’s occupancy rate fell by 20 percent on Saturday, November 14 from Friday and an additional 20 percent on Sunday, November 15 the most recent days for which figures were available.
COP 21(Paris Climate Conference) helped us to move forward with a good occupancy rate. This international event has given a very positive sign and showed how Paris was able to welcome an international event and hundreds of statesmen without any security problem.

DLC:  Of course, business has been down since the terrible event for hotels in Paris which amount to a loss of about 25% so far. However, the COP 21 summit that was held this month has been a success in terms of security. Seeing the Head of States from all around the world staying in Paris has sent a very positive message to the entire world. The city is now back on its feet, Parisians are going out and getting back to their daily routine, preparing for the festive season with shopping and night outs in bars and bistros around town.

NB: Business is doing well since Paris hosted the COP 21 conference and the festive season is starting.  We are fortunate to have sophisticated technology and CCTV features and a very well trained team of security officers.

 

JB: What is the current mood in Paris right now?

Franka Holtmann(FH):  We  still have the energy to fight and to do our utmost to take the best care of those clients who are staying with us in order to make sure they have a memorable visit.  
 
NB:   Christmas is just around the corner and life goes on. As a matter of fact, you do not really feel anything different; all stores and streets are brightened up with Christmas decorations and lighting and Parisians do their Christmas shopping and prepare to celebrate with their loved ones. Surveillance has been reinforced, but is scarcely perceptible though omnipresent. You can feel that people are enjoying the festive season. You can feel that everyone is full of anticipation and there is a strong sense of community.

CB: Paris is Paris and will also rebound after these most unfortunate incidents. There is a great sense of community among the Parisians to weather the storm.

DLC:  There is definitely a sense of defiance; Parisians are committed to not let themselves get intimidated.  Terror and terrorists are everywhere in the world and can be anywhere. What we notice since the attack is a great sense of nationalism with people buying the French flags more and singing La Marseillaise at any public event and gatherings.  They pride themselves to be the keeper of Western customs and lifestyle.

PL: People are moving forward. The festive season will, hopefully, help people to forget their fears.

FP:  We have to face the challenging time and we all stand up and return to business. Paris is a great city and all efforts from all of us in the hospitality business is to reinforce our position.



JB: What is your favorite thing to do in Paris?

DLC:  I love spending time with my children and strolling around Paris’ gardens. I do think that Paris is a very child-friendly city with many public and open spaces for kids to discover. I like to discover museums and exhibitions that come to the capital and, of course, sitting in a bistro with my family.

NB: The simplest things are often the nicest. I very much like going for a Sunday family walk in Paris enjoying the Seine River and the beautiful Parisian monuments. Going for an early morning run when the city is still sleeping is something I am very much taking delight in, feeling privileged to have Paris to myself.

PL:  A long walk taking in the Tuileries gardens, and the grounds of the Louvre which are a few steps away from the Mandarin Oriental Paris.  I then like to walk along the Seine to Notre Dame and then up the Left Bank and across Pont Alexandre III. Walking along the river is the best way to take in the beauty of Paris. Even if it rains, it is still romantic. Paris is all about romance!

FP:  Going to the Christmas market on the Champs-Élysées, running on the Seine Bank in the evening and enjoying the City of Lights.

CB:  Musée Jacquemart-André (8ieme) is one of the most underrated museum in Paris and one that I enjoy visiting.

 

JB:  What is one of your favorite restaurants in Paris?

FP:  My favorite restaurant? Difficult to answer because there are plenty of them from bistros to 3 star Michelin. I would recommend the brunch at Mama Shelter with the family because the atmosphere is great and the food is casual, but exactly what you need during family time.

CB: Soma, Septime and Verjus are 3 of my favorites.

NB:  Atelier Vivanda for its traditional French bistro atmosphere.



JB:  Anything new and exciting in the hotel?

DLC: In 2016, we will entirely refurbish the lobby bar, Le Jardin Francais, into a lovely tea room and lounge for the guests to enjoy a peaceful and refined moment with us.  For gastronomy and wine aficionados, Wine Mondays will be held at the 1 Michelin star brasserie 114 Faubourg offering guests the exclusivity to discover a French winemaker recommended by Le Bristol’s head sommelier, Marco Pelletier.

 NB: True to the tradition of the Peninsula Hotels, the team has started working on the celebration of the Chinese New Year in February. This is a rather important event for the hotel and we are working on a lion dance with traditional music and dancers plus a unique menu for our Cantonese restaurant, LiLi.


FP:  We have created with Patrick Roger (the best chocolate maker in France) our Christmas log based on the Christmas baubles at La Réserve Paris.  This coming year, we are going to provide a fantastic calendar of events called ACE  based on Art, Culture and Emotion and  every month we will bring together events based on these 3 elements.

 
PL: The Cake Shop at the Mandarin Oriental Paris has been redesigned by French artist, Mambo. The new visual identity was revealed last September together with limited-edition pastry boxes, bags and cups created by the artist.  In March 2016, Guerlain will redesign one of our 7 spa suites and we also plan to install a kitchen garden on the roof offering dining experiences.

CB:  As you know, we are taking reservations now at the Ritz Paris for the March 14, 2016 opening.  We will have heated terraces, the first ever Chanel au Ritz Paris Spa, the Ritz Escoffier cooking school with 3 training kitchens  and retractable roofs for our outdoor restaurants.

FH:  Since Le Meurice Paris is very much into the arts, we have taken advantage of the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Musée d’Art Moderne and created a ‘Pope of Pop’ special pop art menu in honor of this U.S. artist. On the menu is the traditional hamburger with new ‘energy’ and choux pastries in a range of disco colors.



JB:  What Christmas gift would you like to receive?

PL: Books!  I love books (literature, biographies, etc.).

FP: A cruise in Antarctica with my family.

 NB: It would be great to spend more time with my family.

 DLC:  Win the lottery!

 

To my extraordinary partners, merci beaucoup!

 

Please contact Jody Bear for exclusive promotions and activities at these iconic hotels.

 

Vive le France!


Top row: Didier Le Calvez and Steven Bear (co-president of  Bear & Bear Travel), Franka Holtmann and Jody, Frederic Picard and Jody.
Bottom row: Phillipe Leboeuf and Jody, Nicolas Beliard and Jody, Christian Boyens and Jody.
 


Tuesday, December 8, 2015

10 Top Travel Gifts For The Holiday Guaranteed To Knock Your Stockings Off!

These gift ideas are functional, frivolous or fanciful, but all fabulous!!! 




For a mere $197,00 you can have your own aircraft…the 2 seater Icon A5 amphibious plane is so simple, the training program takes just 30 in-air hours to complete. You’ll still need Global Entry, but that’s only $100!
www.iconaircraft.com




If purchasing your own plane is too pricy, Deakin & Francis sterling silver helicopter cuff links might be more your “speed”!
http://deakinandfrancis.co.uk/helicopter-cufflinks.html



 For the chocolate gourmand, Patrick Roger is one of the best chocolatiers around. His confections are sinfully delicious, wildly expensive and sold exclusively in Paris. Now that’s a good excuse to hop on a plane…
www.patrickroger.com




Instant gratification goes retro…snap a photo on the stylish Polaroid Snap Instant Camera, wait a few secs and, voilà, a tiny print emerges! Everything comes back, but better, sooner or later! www.polaroid.com/products/polaroid-snap-camera




For those who travel light, Donni Charm is the most versatile accessory you can have in your wardrobe—use it as a blanket, wrap, shawl, poncho or scarf. Since a portion of the proceeds go to a charitable cause, no need to feel guilty about making a purchase!
www.donnicharm.com




For the wannabe chef, why not give the real deal and send them to a Roman cuisine cooking class---in Rome! An English speaking chef will accompany you to the colorful Campo de Fiori market to select the ingredients for your meal and you’ll whip up a traditional 3 course dinner in a private penthouse with a spectacular view of the city. Mangia!
Contact Bear & Bear for the details.





Some of my favorite fragrances are by Byredo, the cult perfume line based in Stockholm. Their 6 iconic scents are now in a limited-edition holiday box and each glass vial is small enough to get you through airport security without a hitch!
www.byredo.com/
 At last, something for free! Jetlag Genie is a genius of an app that helps your body adjust to new time zones and reduces the effects of jet lag. It works by customizing a plan of action based on your flight info and sleeping patterns. Ambien, your stock just plummeted!
Download from Apple iTunes




I love Tulum and my go-to hotel is Coqui Coqui (I’m sharing all my secrets, but it’s the holidays so I’m in a giving mood). Hartwood Restaurant is a rustic, laid-back shack, but don’t let that fool you…the food is blissful! If you can’t get to the Yucatan, then let it come to you: the New Yorkers that left the Big Apple to open up this acclaimed restaurant just came out with a cookbook that is the perfect holiday gift: Hartwood: Bright, Wild Flavors From the Edge of the Yucatan.
http://www.hartwoodtulum.com/




The ‘it’ bag of the season is the ‘Upper House’ leather tote and you can only purchase it from that glam of a hotel, the Upper House in Hong Kong.
The totes are so exclusive that they are not even on display-you would have to know to ask for ‘it’ so it is strictly a word-of-mouth treasure, but, hey, flying to Hong Kong for the holidays and staying at the Upper House with their glorious views, over-sized rooms and dining at their wildly popular restaurant, Café Gray Deluxe, is a top travel gift in my book!
Contact Bear & Bear for the details.


My own personal 'it' tote from Upper House!




Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Global Trending – Amazon Cuisine. My exclusive interview with superstar chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino



My new friend, chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino at his hot restaurant, AmaZ in Lima, Peru
 
Peruvian born, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He is now a top chef in Lima, Peru and has 2 of the hottest restaurants:  Malabar and AmaZ.  In addition, he hosts a weekly TV show “Desde el Jardin” in Lima which focuses on local ingredients and works directly with producers.  Lucky me, I had the pleasure of interviewing this talented chef.
 

 JB:  Your newest restaurant, AmaZ, utilizes all local ingredients from the Amazon rainforest. What was your motivation for opening this type of restaurant and what are some of the ingredients used in Amazon cooking?

PM:  The motivation was to communicate and conceptualize a cuisine that had so much identity and power. We had a need.

Amazonian cuisine owns the richest forest in the world; the amount of ingredients to use are huge. I can give you some facts. For example, with fish, there are over 3000 species and 40 % are catfish. Catfish is the most popular fish and the tiger catfish is the most popular one. Some catfish can grow and weight up to 400 pounds. Catfish is not the biggest fish in the amazon, however.  The paiche or arapaima gigas, is the biggest and also the second largest fresh water fish in the world. It can grow 4m long and weigh 800 pounds. Paiche represents the future for fish farming in the world.

JB:  Do you have locavore wine pairing with your dishes and, if so, what type of wine would you serve? Do you have a favorite wine?

PM:  The bar is very important in our concept and the experience is driven towards spirits and fruit cocktails. We have wines too and we offer new and different wines to our customers all the time. We have suggestions every week, “The wines of the week” and try different origins and grapes.

We feel that sparkling, whites and rosés work well with AmaZ foods. We look for whites with acidity and freshness that follows the freshness of our cold dishes that are full, sour, spicy, fruity and always with fresh herbs. The salinity of rosés goes very well with all dishes that are made with plantains. For me, a good French rosé is a good wine to drink from the beginning to the end of the meal.

JB:  Today’s travelers are more concerned with environment. Besides using local ingredients, what other methods are implemented at AmaZ to decrease the carbon footprint?

PM:  We don’t measure our food print, but Amazonian cuisine does have a natural responsibility with the Amazon culture and territory.

We know where almost every single ingredient comes from, we know the producers, fisherman, purveyors, farmers, etc.  We have been doing this for the last 12 years.

AmaZ works with 7 indigenous communities and we source directly from them. Most of them have never sold a single product to a restaurant before. We give value to native communities and sustain their culture.

We don’t work with ingredients that are endangered or from dubious origin.

AmaZ promotes sustainable practices like gathering, artisanal fishing, reforestation, sustainable fish farming, etc.

It’s not only the produce that we use, but we also we learn from them, from the way they live in balance with nature. 

Instead of compensating for the damage that we, do we try not to do damage in the first place.



JB:  Where do you like to travel when you go on vacation?

PM:  We are a big family, 5 girls and myself, so when we go on vacation we try to go somewhere that all of us enjoy. Usually any trip that incorporates nature is what we prefer.

 
JB:  Other than in Peru, do you have any favorite restaurants?

PM:  I like Brazilian cuisine-- Mocoto and Tordesilhas are my favorite in Sao Paulo. Also Gustu in La Paz, Bolivia.

JB:  What’s in store for the future of AmaZ? Do you see other restaurants following your lead?

PM:  The second Amaz in Lima is coming soon- maybe at the end of next year. Our dream is to have an Amaz in every capital city in most of the countries that share the amazon basin. We think that this is possible if we share the importance of this cuisine.

We will love to see more restaurants like Amaz; actually, we need that more cooks and customers get involved in Amazonian cuisine since that’s the only way to make it sustainable

JB:  Can you share one of your authentic Amazon recipes with our readers?

PM:  This recipe is easy to cook and reflects how this cuisine belongs to Central and South America, its pan Amazonian.

(See recipe below)

JB:  Since AmaZ is an Amazon rainforest restaurant, do people need an umbrella when they eat??

PM:  Hahahaha, the rain is the only thing you will miss from the amazon when you dine in AmaZ Lima!!!

 

AmaZ
Avenue la Paz 1079
Miraflores, Peru 15074


 

 

Refried plantains and wild tomato salsa

For 10 portions



Ingredients:

2 Ripe plantains, peeled and cut in 2 inch pieces

Oil for deep frying

 

For the wild tomato and smoked pork salsa

Cecina (Smoked pork), diced                       120 gr                 4 1/4 oz

Cucumber, diced                                            120 gr                 4 1/4 oz

Ripe tomatoes(pealed,seeded &chopped) 60 gr                   2 1/8 oz

Cocona (wild Amazonian tomato), diced*  200 gr                 7 oz

Sweet chili peppers, diced                           50 gr                   1 3/4 oz

Red onions, diced and rinsed                       200 gr                 4 1/4 oz

Wild cilantro or cilantro, chopped              20 gr                   1/2 oz

Lime juice, fresh                                          100 gr                 3 1/2 oz

Hot chili pepper                                              t.t.

Salt and pepper                                               t.t.

(*substitute more tomato for cocona)

 

Method:

1)      Deep fry plantains in 180 C (350⁰ F)  until soft. Dry over paper towel and cool down slightly. Place them between a metal lime squeezer and press to give a basket shape. Let cool.

2)      Slightly cook the smoke pork until golden brown. Cool down

3)      Mix all vegetables of the salsa, add salt and pepper. Add lime juice and herbs and mix well.

4)      Refried the plantains in 190 C (375⁰ F) oil until dark brown. Dry over paper towel and add salt. Cool slightly

5)      For service place the salsa in the plantains basket and top with diced smoked pork

 

  Buen Provecho!

           

 

 

 

Monday, September 21, 2015

Jose Ignacio, Uruguay …telling it to you straight


Dormir:
A Vik is a Vik is a Vik…not!  Find the ideal  ‘Vik’ for you:

 If Eden Rock in St. Bart and J.K. Place in Capri appeal to you, then Bahia Vik is the perfect fit.

If riding horses into the sunset and communing with nature is your thing, then you would love Estancia Vik.

The view from Estancia Vik. Check out the horses grazing in the background.
 
If you shop on Net-A-Porter.com, read WWD and lunch at Fred’s NYC, then Playa Vik is your go-to hotel.
Beautiful pool and beach at Playa Vik
 
 
If you’re a wanna-be (but not quite there yet), Casa Suaya is a great place to hang your sombrero…besides, their restaurant Butia is fab!

www.casasuaya.com

  

Comer:
Everyone’s go- to restaurant is La Huella, but if you’re in-the-know, there are  some cool restaurants that you should know!

 

La Olada is the brainchild of Silvia Alegrea and Tato Rivero (Silvia was the hostess and Tato was the former chef of La Huella) and they are  taking their rustic restaurant to new heights.

What could be more romantic than a candle lit evening while dining under the stars…did I forget to mention the cuisine at Marismo is divine?!

Located in Manantiales (halfway between Jose Ignacio and Punta del Este), Mistura is worth the short trip. Completely outdoors with a cane roof to protect you from the elements, the cuisine is Uruguayan-vegetable fusion.

www.paradorlahuella.com
Mistura-Manantiales facebook page


De Compras:
El Canuto, a fashionable boutique that features unknown designers using high quality local fabrics and woolens – there’s no need to shop at Bergdorfs any longer!!!

If multi-tasking is your thing, shop and sip at Mutate, a café-cum-boutique where you can get a great cup of coffee as you peruse through the eclectic mix of home accessories from vintage clothing to handmade jewelry.

Allium just opened in Garzon Village (more about Garzon Village below) selling amazing-and I mean amazing-woolen products from ponchos to pantalones!!!

www.alium.com

 

Hacer:
Less than ½ hour away from Jose Ignacio,  the sleepy , but sophisticated, Garzon Village is a lovely way to spend the day. A visit to Colinas de Garzon and Garzon Winery for a private wine and premium olive oil tasting is a must. You can also go ballooning, biking through the vines or having a lovely, decadent picnic (as you can see, my choice)!




Picnic in Garzon Village
 
And, if you’re really connected (of course you are, you know me), why not stay at Casa Anna, a 5-bedroom, beautiful home surrounded by glorious gardens



Romantic Garden at Casa Anna
 
 
Francis Mallmann, the  chef extraordinaire & a major influence of  Uruguayan cuisine , not only has his flagship restaurant in Garzon Village, but he JUST opened Garzon Café  …drink your cortado  slowly and watch the world go by …

Agustin Leone, the CEO of Bespoke South, knows everyone and everything in Jose Ignacio as well as  the surrounding areas…oops, I’m giving away my secrets!   If you need a guide to take you horseback riding to the unexplored towns near Jose Ignacio (Las Garzas has the most exquisite beaches) or you want the best churros you ever tasted in your life (Manolo in Punta del Este), Agustin is your hombre!
 



(L.)Agustin Leone and I enjoying our coffee and churros.                     (R.) Sitting outside Manolo for the best churros

 
http://casaannagarzon.com

Wednesday, January 21, 2015


 

Got those “after the holidays, back to reality” winter blues?

Here’s a Top Ten Travel List guaranteed to lift you out of the doldrums

 

 

1.                   I admit,  I was embarrassed to tell anyone I was going to the ABBA Museum in Stockholm, but it  has everything one can hope for…spandex, interactive dancing, 3D holograms, and unbelievably, a fabulous hotel –you can stay at Melody and live and breathe ABBA 24/7. Who knew?!

Click here for more on the ABBA Museum :  ABBA Museum



 
 

2.                   Jump on the ‘brand’ wagon! Just when you thought St. Barth couldn’t get any chicer, this past year Isle de France became an  LVMH hotel (as in Louis Vuitton) and Eden Rock became part of the Oetker Collection (as in Hotel du Cap).

Cheval Blanc St. Barth Isle de France: Click here for more on Cheval Blanc           

Eden Rock – St. Barth: Click here for more on Eden Rock

 

 

3.                   A staycation in New York City is a great way to start the New Year and an uber (used as an adverb, not the car service) cool MUST is learning all about the history of graffiti and street art with an art historian.  Bansky bonus:  take the Brooklyn Bushwick tour!


 

 

4.                   The new Napa is Uco Valley, in Mendoza, Argentina.  With recently opened luxury resorts like The Vines Resort & Spa and Casa De Uco, this definitely is the wine destination du jour.



 
A run through the vineyards.

 

5.                   Have a hankering for delicious southern fusion cuisine? Go north to Toronto and stop by Lisa Marie.  This ultra-cool gastro pub with over-sized wall decals of Elvis and other great rock-n-rollers has the best brunch this side of the Mason-Dixon.  You won’t find bacon peanut butter sandwiches here, but you will find a great menu, excellent beer list, and killer Bloody Marys.

Click here for more on Lisa Marie               

 

 

6.                   I never leave home without my Mophie Space Pack for iPhone. When my battery is drained, it gives me more juice, extra data storage and it’s also a key chain…that’s another reason I don’t leave the house without it!


 

 

7.                   If you could only go to one beach resort this year, Bahia Vik in Jose Ignacio, Uruguay should be the top contender! Although it opened just 3 months ago, it is already a hit among fashionistas, celebrities and anyone looking for cool...move over St Tropez, you have competition! 

Gorgeous beachfront. I found it hard to leave.

 

 

 
 

8.                   Our Sky Stylist, Regina Caridi, the owner of Cesare + Lili boutiques, recommends Golden Goose high tops for travel. Not only is this the most comfortable, current hip fashion statement, but the zipper makes it super easy to take on and off through airport security. This is definitely the goose that laid the golden sneaker.
 


 

 

 
 

9.                   There’s always bigger, better, richer, more beautiful...I’m talking about cruise ships!  The newest go-to luxury ship is the MS Europa 2. Everything from cabins to cuisine is over-the-top luxury.


 

 

 
 

10.                   Looking for an exotic family vacation? Marataba Safari Lodge in the Marekele Game Reserve is the new gem of South Africa. Located in the Waterberg Mountains, it has something for everyone —stunning landscapes, game and night drives, walking and motorboat safaris and an exceptional staff.


 


 

 
 

11.                   BONUS TIP: Bear & Bear prides ourselves on having the best connections and getting you what you want at the last minute. With that being said, the hotels for Festive 2015 will be filled to the rafters, bursting at the seams, as busy as a beehive, packed like sardines and, dare I say, sold out?! My best advice for the New Year is book your Christmas holiday as early as you can this year!