Paris A La Mode!

 

My dear readers, because you deserve the best, I’ve paved and slaved the streets of Paris just so I could give you... Paris of the moment.

 

L’ Sleep

Hotel Thoumieux:  The oh-so-hot hotelier Thierry Costes teamed up with the young, Michelin star chef Jean-Francois Piege and together they created a Parisian-cool 15 room boutique hotel in the 7^th arrondissement, perfect for foodies and fashionistas!

www.thoumieux.fr/

Sabastien Dehaye, Manager of Hotel Thoumieux and me




 

W Paris Opera Hotel:   Set in a historical building, this 91 room hotel had no choice other than to blend traditional French with modern Paris and, voila—it’s a W like no other.  Now the rooms are really Wow and Wonderful,  Arola Restaurant has a two star Michelin chef and their W lounge  delivers...in a Parisian sorta way. Ooh la la!!!

www.wparisopera.com

La Belle Juliette:   Inspired by Juliette Recamier, a literary salon hostess in the days of Napoleon, this sweet, sultry, quirky 34 room hotel and spa on the left bank is filled with fabulous mementos  and details of Madame Recamier’s life and love affairs—each room depicts a period in her life and they are all done with sophistication and style. Romano Ricci, the nephew of Nina Ricci, created the fragrance, ‘Juliette has a Gun’ which, at the moment, is sold exclusively at the hotel.  Now, if only I had their PR company…..

www.hotel-belle-juliette-paris.com

L’Eat

Salad at Le Comptoir du Relais

 Le Comptoir du Relais:  this is the most difficult table to get in Paris—the chef, Yves Camdeborde, has turned down many a Michelin star because he wants to keep this left bank bistronomy simple and for the people—not!!! The only way to get a reservation nowadays is to book a room upstairs at Hotel du Relais Saint-Germain which he runs with his wife (Shhh - you didn’t hear this from me)!   

Le Comptoir du Relais, 9 carrefour de l'Odeon

Le Coq Rico is the latest and greatest restaurant of Antoine Westerman located in Montmarte.  I’m not a theme-y type of gal, but this cool, stone walled 20 seat restaurant, kitchen, and bar only serves chicken with all the sides that compliment a plethora of poultry!
Le Coq Rico, 98 Rue Lepic 

Roasted Bresse Chicken!



BBQ John Dory brought to your table habatchi style!

And now.... for the piéce de résistance (drum roll please!): Epicure, the gastronomic restaurant in Le Bristol Hotel is magnifique!  Don't let a 3 star Michelin restaurant fool you, s'il vous plait.  Eric Fechon is one of the best chefs in Paris right now, but he is all about modern, light, fresh and fabulous sans the attitude!!! …even the setting is right and bright and the service is, shall I dare say, playful?!  Bon Appétit! 
Epicure, 112 Faubourg Saint-Honoré

 L’Shop

Me and my Balenciaga!

LVMH, look out…Balenciaga has just opened and it is spectaculaire!  It’s all about the clothes, the accessories, and definitely -  the drama.  For a bonus, pop into Colette and don’t worry about walking too far in those 6-inch Louboutins because the shops are right across the street from one another!

Balenciaga, 336 rue Saint-Honoré

Tell them I sent you!

OUT: Dean & DeLuca  IN: G. Detou: this little gourmet shop in Le Halle stocks everything from foie gras (this is for you, my fellow Californians) to 10k bags of chocolate buttons! If it’s delicious, delectable, hard to get or unusual, G. Detou should be your ‘go to’ destination!

G.Detou,  58 rue Tiquetonne   

http://gdetou.com

La Chambre aux confitures is jam packed with jam—literally! Lisa Bienaimé, the owner, left her job in the beauty industry to devote herself fulltime to the art of creating preserves—summer fruit flavors range from lavender-infused apricot to raspberry-rose.

La Chambre aux confitures, 9 rue des martyrs 
www.lachambreauxconfitures.com/

L'See

Go where no man has ever gone before…an exclusive, guided behind-the-scenes tour of Versailles’ main château including the private apartments of Louis XVI, Louis XV, Marie Antoinette’s private quarters, the chapel, opera, and even the secret passageways.  It’s very rare, oh so special and the only way to bypass the crowds!

Steven Bear and me at Versailles

Once a private mansion, Musee Nissim De Camondo is a little known, lovely jewel box of a museum complete with an original collection of 18th century art, antiques, furniture and a glimpse into a rich past.

http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/english-439/nissim-de-camondo-742/

 

 

L’Free

Move over smart phone now there's smart furniture

Check out Escale Numérique, the high-speed WiFi station in Paris at Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées a few blocks from the Grand Palais. It’s free and fabulous-there’s ‘smart’ furniture featuring concrete swivel chairs with attached tables for laptops and electrical outlets in their bases and a large multimedia touch screen offering city information, news, maps and , maybe in the future, my blog!!!!

Sil vous souhaitez vous rendre à Paris, contactez moi:  info@jodybear.travel

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and follow my #DailyTravelTip on Twitter

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Click HERE to follow on Facebook

WHAT'S IN and WHAT'S OUT...In the know with Jody!

Here is a grid of some of today's trends, fads, and what has not lasted forever....

In	Out	Don’t even think about it!
iPads	Netbooks	Laptops
Pinterest	Tumbler	MySpace
Credit Cards for inflight purchases	Cash for inflight purchases	Free Drink Certificates
Economy Plus	Coach	Legroom
Glamping	Eco-friendly hotels	RV’s
Stay Longer, Pay Less	Last Minute Deals	Full Price
Carry-on	Check-In	Excess Bags
Cartegena	Staycation	Couch potato
All inclusive	A La Carte	Meal Plan
Px90	Zumba	Personal Trainers
Tru App	Tru Dat	LOL
Bear & Bear	Internet	Other travel agencies!

Riviera Maya

Whenever I return from the Riviera Maya, Mexico, I say the same thing--why go anywhere else? It has fabulous beaches, class, culture, cuisine and, trust me when I say, there's a hotel with your name on it...By the way, I'm a big baby so I'd never go anywhere that wasn't safe---just saying!

Here are my top picks:

Banyan Tree Mayakoba:

Check out this courtyard!

Mexico and Asia are joined in heaven. Spectacular 3466 sq ft private villas each with outdoor pool and jacuzzi, huge bathrooms with hand-painted double sinks (the bathrobes and slippers have the same pattern!) and outdoor tubs.

The lure: impeccable service, Banyan Tree Spa & Rainforest (request the masseuse, Chaba-she has magical hands!), their Thai restaurant, Saffron.

www.banyantree.com/en/mayakoba/

Rosewood Mayakoba:  

You are transported by boat to your suite! My view from the boat.

Oozing with elegance and sophistication, the accommodations in this all suite hotel are on the water with private plunge pools.

The lure: Agave Azul Raw Bar & Tequila Library (make sure you renew your library card for this experience!), 17,000 sq foot spa on its own private island, ping pong table!

www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/mayakoba/

Grand Velas:

Their gorgeous infinity pool goes on and on and on....

You've hit the motherload with this 'all-exclusive'! They have top notch oceanfront accommodations, the cuisine is fabulous, as is the spa (why carry Essie nail polish when Chanel will do just fine, thank you very much)!

The lure: luxurious, family friendly all-inclusive that delivers.

www.rivieramaya.grandvelas.com



On the beach with the DoS&M, Jennifer Guevara.

 Viceroy:

With only 41, 1700 sq ft Mayan modern or Mayan jungle suites, this uber-cool, sexy boutique hotel is the new kid on the block--I mean beach!

The lure: La Marea Restaurant with ingredients from their organic garden, shabby chic outdoor jungle spa and sweat lodge

www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/rivieramaya

Zoetry Paraiso de La Bonita: Intimate, upscale all-inclusive with an emphasis on well-being and a healthy lifestyle.

The lure: Thalassotherapy spa, in-house parrot collection!

www.zoetryresorts.com/paraiso/

Permanent residents at the Zoetry



Beef Cheek and Grouper Vera Cruz - Surf & Turf!

Maroma Resort & Spa:

Authentic Mexican style hideaway smack on a glorious stretch of beach--it doesn't hurt that it's an Orient Express Hotel!

The lure: the 1900 sq ft 'Sian Nah' suites each have a private gym, spa and plunge pool.

www.maromahotel.com/

Fairmont Mayakoba: Disney meets the Amazon--for families looking for value, this can't be beat.

The lure: well appointed rooms, Fairmont’s President’s Club Loyalty Program members receive fantastic amenities instantaneously.

www.fairmont.com/mayakoba

Petit Lafitte: Dirt cheap, but delivers.

The lure: rooms and bungalows smack on the beach, friendly and helpful staff,

www.petitlafitte.com

A view of the quaint beach near Petite Lafitte



If you’re looking to go to the Riviera Maya, contact me at info@jodybear.travel

Stay tuned everyday on Twitter and Facebook

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and follow my #DailyTravelTip on Twitter

https://twitter.com/#!/JodyBearTweets

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Harbour Island, Bahamas... My new BFF

Harbour Island in the Bahamas is my new BFF…

It’s chic without really trying, has spectacular beaches, fab restaurants all you foodies would approve of and  it's uber-friendly and safe.

Why is it still under the radar???...until now, it didn’t have me, the Ambassador of Briland (this is how us locals refer to Harbour Island)!!!!

Check out my insider info:

SLEEP

Pink Sands:   Tucked away on 20 acres of gardens and greenery, these 25  rustic-elegant pastel colored cottages areon the edge of the famous 3 mile Pink Sand Beach; the only thing between you and the ocean is your thatched beach palapa!

The Lure: impossibly romantic & secluded,  the  ‘Meet & Greet’ flawless service at the airport, Chef James Van Dyke’s coriander crusted Wahoo.

www.pinksandsresort.com

Check out the pink sand... steps away from the room

Dunmore Beach: the  new owners from Texas transformed this once drab property into a 15 cottage beach hideaway.

The Lure:  elegance personified in a Hamptons sort of way,the chef is the new darling of Harbour Island.

www.dunmorebeach.com

Isn't it charming?

Rock House:   This 10 room boutique hotel in Dunmore Town is eclectic- antique luxury; the sense of detail and design issheer magic.

The Lure: private cabanas, state-of the-art gym, one of the best restaurants on the Island.

www.rockhousebahamas.com

The Decor makes you wanna just stay here all day long...PERFECTION!

The Landing:  The  interiors of this privately owned 13 room honey of a hotel were designed by the fabulous and talented India Hicks—it’s all about  crisp white linens, canopied beds and dark antique woods.

The Lure: sense of history(built in the 1800’s, this is one of the oldest buildings in Dunmore Town) , the fresh seafood and organic greens in their soulful restaurant and the  Afro Head label  Rose Petal teas,  private label coffees and blended rums.

www.harbourislandlanding.com

Hanging out with Toby Tyler, co-owner of The Landing and Master Blender of Afro Head Rum!

EAT

Blue Bungalow:  newly opened and very cool Tapas bar and lounge

Queen Conch: the best conch salad in the Bahamas (see photos)

The Tent: across from the Pineapple Shop, this is , literally, a tent,

but don’t let that fool you—Miss Sheila’s Bahamian fish stew

and Johnny Cakes will have you crying for more!

Dunmore Deli: great sandwiches and salads. Get them to go

                   

Getting Around

Get in your golf cart and go, but beware of carpel tunnel—this is the land of ‘hidy ho’ and everyone will give you a friendly wave no matter how many times you pass them! The locals will take you to your destination if you get lost, engage you in conversation no matter where you are and their sense of genuine friendliness is truly irresistible and highly contagious!!!

The Bottom Line

If  you want the real inside scoop, want to  learn about the true Harbour Island scene and be seen with the celebs , Isis is your socialite guru.  Look for, Island Hopping with Isis coming soon to a website near you. I’ll keep you in the loop and post when the first webcast is available.

Here I am with Isis (think the Egyptian goddess, Isis).  She is The Socialite Guru of Harbour Island

If you’re looking to go to Briland, contact me at info@jodybear.travel

Don't forget to follow my #DailyTravelTip on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/#!/JodyBearTweets

for the plane ride home

Lobster Salad from Villa d’Este on Lake Como

Cooking at Villa d’Este on Lake Como

Luciano Parolari, known as the ‘King of Risotto’ retired at the end of 2011, but don’t despair.

He has passed on his  toque—and recipes-to Michele Zambanini,  Luciano’s assistant for the past 7 years.

To celebrate Michele’s promotion to Executive Chef and the June opening of their 2^nd restaurant, Non Solo Pasta, please accept this exclusive recipe with love...

Recipe

Ingredients for 4/6 persons

4 lobsters of about 22 oz each

Cook separately the tails (4/5 minutes) and the claws (6/7 minutes) in water with

white wine, vinegar, carrot, celery and onion.

When cooked, clean and cut the tails in round slices.

Vegetable and fruit salad:

8.5 oz ripe tomatoes cut in big cubes

2 oz cucumber peeled and cut in big cubes

1 tablespoon of sliced red onion

½ tablespoon of chopped shallot (not too thin)

6/7 leaves of basil

2 oz mango cut in cubes

½ tablespoon of fresh coriander

Mix all the above ingredients and season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, extra virgin

olive oil and use to fill 6 (rounded or squared ) moulds each of about 2 and ½

inches.

Preparation of the dish.

One layer of salad (turn one mould upside down)

Top with lobster slices, then a second layer of fruits and lobster slices again.

Garnish the dish with salad, the cleaned claws and grains of pomegranate.