This week we're going to approach things a bit differently in the Fashion Explorer. With trips to NY, London, and Paris that are just behind me, I have loads of tips that haven't been covered here on Amayzine.com yet. Such a shame, so today I'm sharing the best spots for drinks & food in the fashion capitals of the world. Grab your notebook and take note, here we go.
New York
Indochine
In New York, we were so tired every evening that we hardly went out. On Tuesday night, I decided to step outside for a bit and went with my New York friend Noah to Indochine for wine & gossip. Indochine doesn't look very inviting from the outside, but once inside it feels like a page from the street style section on style.com has come to life. As if you're looking through the lens of Tommy Ton, especially during Fashion Week, it's all about the stunning people. I saw Miroslava Duma sitting there, Karolina Kurkova had just arrived, and the guys from shoe brand Aquazurra were having dinner with friends. Indochine is where it happens, for real.
The Carlyle Hotel
In the mood for old New York chic? Then The Carlyle is where you need to be, especially the bar. There's a piano here where a pianist comes to play every evening from 9 PM. The lights are dimmed, the room is divided into small corners, and everywhere you see old ladies with trembling hands bringing their dry martinis to their lips. Not just any old ladies, the real upper class is here, quite different from a nursing home. No worries, there's also plenty of young/hip/hot people, so you don't have to feel like you're only among fossils.
Londen
The Soho Hotel
When we arrived in London, we went straight to this hotel, the favorite hotel of both Jet and me. We spent over 5 hours typing away on our MacBooks and working has never been such a party. A room starts at around 1000 pounds, but you can get a sandwich for lunch for just 12 pounds (still crazy, of course), but believe me, it's worth it.
The Edition Hotel
Just when I loudly declare that The Soho Hotel is my favorite, The Edition comes in a close second. The restaurant has, I think, the most beautiful interior I've seen in years. Insanely high ceilings with photos and paintings from floor to ceiling, a large chandelier in the middle, and everything in warm brown oak with waiters in white shirts silently bringing the most delicious food to the table. About 12 hours after we left, Brad and Angelina came in for the afterparty of the BAFTAs, so when it comes to star spotting, you're also in luck here.
The Box Soho
Not done with star spotting yet? Take a taxi to The Box in Soho. This club is as famous as it is infamous, and types like Rihanna, Kate Moss, and Cara Delevingne have regularly stumbled out of here. All the mystery and hype are completely justified; once you're inside (if, the door policy is stricter than the security of Wilders and Obama combined), you enter a world of sex and seduction, beauty and desire, where hedonism reigns. Naked tissue artists, downright obscene shows, a lot of rich and famous people, and the strictest no-photos policy ever. Only once you're inside do you understand why. Go. Here. Now.
Paris
Café de Flore
In this café, Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir always met, and Camus also liked to enjoy a cup of coffee here. With a literary background, I always feel very warm about that kind of history, and the fact that interesting people still come here in 2014 helps a lot. Especially during Fashion Week, it's a constant flow of attractive people, last Saturday I was wide-eyed and this afternoon May-Britt took my spot on the terrace. Café de Flore serves the best (and the most expensive, but so be it) fried eggs in the city, so come here around noon for brunch and immediately slide into a liquid lunch. And spotting beloved celebrities is always just around the corner...
Cafe les Philosophes
I've never been inside here because I don't get further than the terrace, which is so typically French that you really don't need to go inside. Small round tables that are almost touching each other and large warm heaters above your head. Order the ‘Charcuteries And Cheese Plate’ for a table full of French bread, French cheese, and delicious hams while you indulge in the passersby and the liveliness of Le Marais.
L’Avenue
If you really want to score a deal, go to L’Avenue. This place is famous because there are always, always, always celebs sitting here. Just name a name and he or she has been here. Mario Testino? Beyonce? Jay-Z? Rihanna? Kate Moss? Kim Kardashian and Kanye West? Katy Perry? Pink? Well, you get the picture. The staff consists solely of model-like women who are quite intimidating, and the menu is almost unaffordable, but hey, don't complain, you're at L’Avenue! The times I ordered here on my own dime (otherwise during press trips, hate my job) I had the gazpacho and a glass of white wine and was very frugal with both, and still ended up paying around 50 euros, but hey, don't complain, you're at L’Avenue!
