Farmers Daughters Have More Fun: Chi-Town Report

The lush ladies of our W4 Midwest bureau -- yes we're everywhere and yes Mayor Daley we're union -- sent us this dispatch:

"The summer is finally upon us and the Windy City is now worthy of exploring beyond the corridors of O'Hare. Here's a quick primer on the city's hottest spots and we promise the minimal presence of Midwest riff raff. Chicago may happen to be in Illinois but it plays and parties like its East and West Coast counterparts.

Restaurants
NoMI: french cuisine with a global twist,awesome outdoor terrace, tucked high off the street in the Park Hyatt soonly in-the -know locals, celebs, and internationals go.
Blackbird: contemptorary American cuisine
Japonais: contemporary Asian andFrench cuisine, outdoor riverside dining, trendy club downstairs
Mirai Sushi: one of the best sushi spotsaround, don't let the 773 area code scare you.

Lounges
Bella Lounge: relative newcomer to thescene, DJs spin nightly but you can still hold conversations
AVEC: chic wine bar brother of BlackbirdY newer hot spot, great signature martinisthat are dangerous, and a strict dress code (as there should be)
Rockit: laid-back lounge atmosphere a lacosmos and billards; downside is its David Schwimmer's haunt
Narcisse: intimate velvet draped champagnebar, but beware of eurotrash on weekdays

Outdoor Drinking
Most bars have outdoor areas, but one popular spot to hit is Melvin B's, classic Gold Coast staple, great margaritas,caters to suits as well as sluts."
+Nomi, 800 North Michigan, Chicago +1 312 230 4030.
+Blackbird, 619 West Randolph, Chicago +1 312 715 0708.
+Japonais, 600 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago +1 312 822 9600.
+Mirai Sushi, 2020 West Division, Chicago +1 773 862 8500.
+Bella Lounge, 1212 North State Pkwy, Chicago +1 312 787 9405.
+AVEC, 615 West Randolph, Chicago +1 312 377 2002.
+Blackbird Y, 224 West Ontario, Chicago +1 312 274 1880.
+Rockit, 22 West Hubbard, Chicago +1 312 645 6000.
+Narcisse, 710 N. Clark St., Chicago +1 312 787 2675.
+Melvin B's,1114 N State, Chicago +1 312 751 9897.

Summer Soles

A new Berluti store has opened in New York on Madison Avenue. Fantastic French handmade men's shoes. They can be pierced, tatooed, and painted all sorts of colors. Price start at about 1,200 and go up from there for bespoke. Berluti--been around since 1895 an basically the best shoes in the world, never before sold in the US (except for a ghetto assortment at Barney's). The Swann Club is also very cool. Basically it's a club for Berluti's best customers to get together over dinner (first one was at the Crillon) and discuss shoes and life. After dinner, they remove their precious shoes and shine them using Venetian linen, polish, and Dom Perignon--sounds pretty badass or maybe I'm crazy.
+Berluti, 971 Madison, NYC +1 212 439 6400.
+Berulti, NY Magazine.

You Won't Die Staying at the George V

Good news: The more you spend on holidays the less likely you are to die on one. The same is not true of women. They will kill you either way. The Economist’s Intelligent Life reports that since 9/11 only 11 luxury holiday makers have died. None died in Thailand’s recent Tsunami, it was mostly backpackers staying in bungalows near the beach. Spend on.

Bad News: London’s Evening Standard reports that all London underground stations will get mobile service making the tube now not only hot, sweaty, filthy and poorly managed but now loud and obnoxious as well -- only further proving that the best way to get around London is not by tube, bus or taxi, but by the affordable Addison Lee car service which is always cheaper than a black cab.

If this weekend you find yourself in..

NYC: Check out the premiere of season two of Entourage. Yes, it may be the male equivalent of Sex and the City but Turtle, Drama, Vince and Eric are the best things on TV. Jeremy Piven’s high strung twitching Ari alone is worth your time.

Long Island: Sail off to dinner at the waterside East Hampton Point. A perfect way to end the day.

Paris: Head to the George V on Saturday night for the Louis XVI ball. See royally from countries you didn’t know still existed come together, drink, and create new principalities. Odd are you won't be killed while your there. Just make sure you book a suite!
+"Trailblazing Travellers", Intelligent Life.
+"Mobiles on the Tube," Evening Standard.
+Entourage, Season 2 starts June 5th, HBO.
+East Hampton Point, 295 Three Mile Harbor, East Hampton
+1 631 329 2800.
+Bal Louis XIV, 4 June, George V, Paris.

Napkin Notes: Capri

As our global network of trusted correspondents expands we've started a section called napkin notes. We're not going to bore you with long articles about a place because if you go or plan to go, you already know. Instead we'll post lists of things we don't think you should pass up. Today's destination: Capri, Italy.

Stay
La Scalinatella: The only place on the island to stay. Warm and gracious staff. Intimate setting. Excellent views. Lower rooms (40s) are bigger but if you prefer better views higher number rooms are best (50s).

Eat
Aurora: Unmatched dining experience. A must. Lowkey and lively down a back street off the main square. Where new Capri meets old. One wall contains a photo of Jay Z and Beyonce next to a feature from Wine Spectator. On Memorial Day weekend the only sighting we had was Michael Kors and a Wes Anderson lookalike friend. We later saw them repeatedly around the island.
Any gelato place although we prefer the full service, champagne serving one across from Dolce and Gabanna.

Play
Anema e Core: Guitar playing madness that gets people up and dancing on the tables. A staple.
Panta Rei: Lounge setting. Prime spot.
No. 2: Capri’s No. 1 Disco.

Tips
If travelling from North America fly direct to Rome and then have a driver meet you. The drive is 2 to 2 ½ hours to Naples and is quicker than taking a connecting flight and then transferring to the port.

Capri, like the rest of the Med, is best seen by sea. Avoid the crowds and hire a private boat for an afternoon to take you around the island (approx. €200).

+ La Scalinatella, Via Tragara, 8, Capri +39 081 8370633.
+Aurora, Via Fuorlovado, 18/22, Capri +39 081 8370181.
+Anema e Core, Via Sella Orta, 39/e, Capri +39 081 8376461.
+Panta Rei
+No. 2

W4: Ahead of Our Time, Again.

Paris' Le Baron
Reported on W4: 13 April
Reported on Gridskipper: 26 May

After seeing today's post on Gridskipper about Le Baron an infuriated Boris, our morally bankrupt correspondent, sent us this:

"We were first at Le Baron in November when it was truly the hottest spot.

Our article on Paris which included Le Baron came out months ago, which Gridskipper actually linked to. They've poached from that including the swinger's clubs.

And now, Le Baron really isn't that cool. It's basically turned into a Don Hill's type club for Euro hipsters. Furthermore, they're only knowledge of what it used to be (which was a very upscale brothel for swells and Saudi's staying at the Plaza Athenee) is through the World Sex Guide, which is a website for poor, pathetic, and undersexed white guys who pick up streetwalkers and certainly would never have been to the old Le Baron."

Hey, when we crib content at least we cite it! For more w4 click here.

+Don Hills, 511 Greenwhich Street, New York +1 212 219-2850.
+Plaza Athénée, 25 Avenue Montaigne, Paris +33 01 53 67 66 66.

Strike Out

We here at W4 are all for bowling. It is a gentleman's activity. The sport, if you can call it that (and we do), requires minimal physical effort, allows you to drink while you play and give you an excuse to wear your nattiest outfits without shame. With today’s release of the bowling documentary "A League of Ordinary Gentlemen" at theatres in New York, Martignetti's Liquors (159 E. Houston b/w Eldridge Street and Allen) is offering a free beer to anyone with a ticket stub from the film for the next two weeks. If sitting in a cool dark place watching people play with there balls doesn’t do it for you then we suggest racking up to the bar at the following lanes.
+Bowlmor Lanes, 110 University Place, New York, +1 212 255 8188.
+Lucky Strike Lanes, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles +1 323 467 7776.
+Bloomsbury Bowling, Tavistock Square, London +44 207 691 2652.
+"A League of Ordinary Gentlemen", limited release from today, May 27th.

Green Thumb

We’re not much into flower shows but the BBC’s online coverage of the ongoing Chelsea Flower Show is pretty nuts. Not only can you see photos from this year’s gardening show but you can also get Virtual Reality, 360 degree views of the competitors gardens as well as new trends (if there was such a thing in gardening) and plants. It almost makes us want to go outside and use our new laser lawn mower.
+BBC Coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show.
+Chelsea Flower Show, 24-28 May, London.
+American Horticultural Therapy Association.
+Laser Lawn Mower, Grounds Maintenance Magazine.
+High Times.

Long Weekend, Long Island

Sometimes it's just easier to crib some content from the NY Times. We've even highlighted what we think are the choice picks. Here is whats new on the Eastern End of Long Island this summer (we'll have something fresh for you soon):

Restaurants
Almondito, 290 Montauk Highway, Wainscott; (631) 329-6700.
Annona, 112 Riverhead Road, Westhampton Beach; (631) 288-7766.
Aqua East, 17 South Edison Street, Montauk; (631) 668-4147.
Daniele at 21 Water, 21 West Water Street, Sag Harbor; (631) 725-7500.
James on Main, 75 Main Street, Southampton; (631) 283-7575.
Madame Tong's at JL Beach Club, 256 Elm Street, Southampton (631) 204-0300.
Nello Summertimes, 136 Main Street, Southampton; (631) 287-5500.
Tuscan House, 10 Windmill Lane, Southampton; (631) 283-8703 .

Retail stores
Alice + Olivia, 62 On the Circle, East Hampton; (631) 324-8604.
J. Crew At-the-Beach, 46 Main Street, East Hampton; (631) 324-5034.

Food Shops
Cavaniola's Gourmet, 89B Division Street (Route 114), Sag Harbor; (631) 725-0095.
Fat Ralph's, 138 Division Street, Sag Harbor; (631) 725-6688.
Scoop Du Jour, 35 Newtown Lane, East Hampton; (631) 329-4883.
Tutto Italiano, 74 Montauk Highway, East Hampton; (631) 324-9500.

Galleries
Flying Space Gallery, 126 Main Street, Sag Harbor; (631) 725-5946.

Night Life
Cain at Cabana, 281 County Road 30, Southampton; (631) 287-9888.
Jet East, 1181 North Sea Road, Southampton; (631) 283-0808."
+The New York Times > Travel > Escapes > Opening Weekend: The Hamptons: A Sprint to the Start

Diabetics Delight

We’re still on a sugar kick after our chocolate binge the other day so we thought we would report on another diabetics treat, cupcakes. There is a trend these days of parties which include cocktails and cupcakes. While this combination is really is no more than an excuse for women to gorge themselves on calorie infested cakes and booze for an evening, we’re all for it. Whatever helps defuse their icy urban personalities and melts their clothes away.
Our fat bellies discovered that best cupcakes from West Coast to Europe can be found at Sprinkles and Joan’s on Third in LA, at the perpetual line around the block Magnolia Bakery in New York’s West Village and at the Hummingbird Bakery located in the middle of London’s gentrified Portobello Road. All of these shops use real butter and sugar in their frosting which makes all the difference.
+Sprinkles, 9635 Little Santa Monica Boulevard,
Beverly Hills +1 310 274 8765.
+Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleeker Street, New York +1 212 462-2572.
+The hummingbird bakery, 133 portobello road,
London +44 207 229 6446.

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Humility

Humility: There will always be someone who can out do you in every respect of life-this is important to remember. Live your life to the fullest, and disregard what those around you might be doing, or what they might think of how you live. Life is not a competition against others, it's a challenge against yourself. Obviously, competitors cannot be tolerated. A roll of cash to the face, or the unloading of a bottle of DP are appropriate and winning manoeuvres. All that having been said, don't ever even THINK about going toe-to-toe with the King (and that means the beloved author, not Elvis).
+Dom Pérignon.
+Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
+Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

Sneaker Freaker: The Boris

Boris of "swinging in Paris is all the rage" fame sent us dispatch on his latest kicks:

The Nike Boris has finally arrived.

Specially engineered for table-dancing, champagne duels, and dancefloor Kung-Fu.

Warning:
These shoes are not intended for any healthy athletic activities.
+NikeID.

Sketchy Digits

The award for the best bar napkins goes to: London's Sketch. Recently when one of our European barrespondents (cocktail correspondents) ordered a drink at this over the top haunt they recieved a bar napkin under their drink scratched with some digits in a dark stained ink. Confused as to whether the bartender was making a pass at them or if it was a golddigger seated nearby it took our sleuth a few drags on their Camel to realize that the phone number written on the napkin was in fact a UK freephone number for the bar. Sneaky, Sketchy, bastards. Pour us another round!
+Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, London +44 (0)870 777 4488.

We all enjoy a bit of chocolate from time to time. Upscale chocolate shops seem to be the latest culinary craze. Paris’ based La Maison du Chocolat is our pick for the some of the world’s best cocoa creations. With additional locations in London, Toyo and New York, La Maison is not only a haven for chocolate lovers but they also have small cafes inside of them which offer hot chocolate that is better than any you will find on the slopes in the Alps or Rockies.
+La Maison du Chocolat, multiple locations, Paris, London, New York, Tokyo.
+Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, US: Opens July 2005.
+Jungle Fever, available on DVD.

Notes from our miscellaneous file:
+Montage-a-Google provides visual stimulation and pretty pictures.
+Guess-the-Google is an ideal worktime diversion.
+Our resident W4 Southwest correspondent Billy "Grey Goose Gambling Problem" sends us this dispatch from Sin City on the new Wynn Las Vegas (and claims he'll send photos when he sobers up and finds his dignity):

"[The Wynn] is awesome in every way (even though they are still trying to work out some kinks w/the service). The pool is AMAZING. They have a special area for topless sunbathing. Saturdays and Sundays there's a DJ out there playing deephouse / eurotrance music."

Our Johnny Walker swilling W4 skipper sends us this dispatch from the high seas:

Forbes recently reported that one of the most ridiculous yachts currently in existence is the $100 million Annaliesse, others talk about Larry Ellison'sThe Rising Sun at 452 feet. Not even close. The most obscene boat is The Platinum, owned by the Crown Prince of Dubai. It's 525 feet features: helipads, an aircraft hangar, garages for SUV's, squash courts, a swimming pool, a health spa, and housing for its own mini submarine. The interiors are almost finished being outfitted by Philipe Starck and then this baby will be ready to roll. The cost: over $300 million. Once again, Dubai does it bigger. Does the Prius mark the decline of American society?
+2006 Newport-Bermuda Centennial Race.
+32nd America's Cup.
+Water Trampolines.

Self-Importance: Call Me!

Its that time of the week, Friday. Here at W4 HQ its been a busy one and with our team captivated by the Eurovision song contest we just haven't had time to give you the content you deserve. Plus with all the 'spring is in the air / girls looking for a guy to take them on a summer vacation' parties our phones have been ringing off the hook. Thankfully, we've found a new type of retro phone reciever that connects to our mobiles that'll give us either that stylish edge we crave or it'll just make us look like an complete jackass. We're thinking the latter but hey we try (see our post on Hipsters). Check them at at Pokia.

Next weekend we bring your global Memorial Day / Bank Holiday coverage from East Hampton to Ischia and wherever else macrobiotic women in sarongs linger.
+Pokia, Retro Phone of the Future.

Do you like chocolate and spiked dog collars? Then these are your girls. From the looks of it Vanilla Ninja, the Eurovision contestants from Switzerland, will be more than happy to whip you into sweet fondue batter. With today being the semi-final of this European fantasy song contest we’re not even sure if these girls are still in the running but we’re still voting for them. If you’re looking to recoup from the Ninja girls beatings then we suggest heading to the thermals at Vals.
+Eurovision, finals on May 21st.
+Therme Vals, 7132 Vals/GR, Vals, Switzerland +41 81 926 80 80.

European Comedy Festival

Yes it is here. The Eurovision Song Contest, Europe’s best excuse for a good laugh at someone else’s expense, has arrived. The singing contest , co-hosted by someone named DJ Pasha, will be broadcast live on May 21st. This is the contest where anything is possible. Back in 1998, the contest was won by Isreal’s entry a transsexual named Dana International.

Today we want to introduce you to Norway’s entry to the contest: Wig Wam. From the looks of it these guys they have been spending a bit too much time with either Dana International or KISS. With names like Teeny, Sporty, Flash and Glam we can only hope that they will do a duet with Posh, Becks, Scary and Baby. We’re laughing already. More Eurovision entrants to come..
+Eurovision Song Contest, Ukraine, May 21st, 21:00 CET.
+Euro Visions, Economist.

Fall of The Roman Empire

Hip Hop idiots rejoice! You can now roll down Gin Lane, Ocean Drive or Melrose with your new blinged out rims with 65,000 carats of fake ice on the wheels for the bargain price of $250,000 for a set of 4. The W4 editorial board would rather see a few naked supermodels cavorting on our beds in a pile of these diamonds but we understand that if your ganster your car and a getting few bulletholes in it may be more important.
+Asanti Wheels.

With the US Supreme Court ruling that the ban on interstate wine shipments unconstitutional we have two suggestions from the W4 sommelier:

White:
2000 Le Montrachet Louis Jadot

Red:
1982 Pichon Longueville

+Wine-Shipping Limits Overturned by U.S. High Court, Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide.
+Wine.com.
+Opus One.
+Sideways, out now on DVD.

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Anger

Anger: The golden rule is that yelling never solves anything. If you have to yell and scream to get your point across, you’re powerless and people will eventually walk all over you. You should be able to be silent and still intimidate. Always be articulate and reasonable when angry—points are driven home much more effectively this way. Also, using strong tones while still not yelling can and does help.
+Chelsea Piers Golf Club, 23rd Street and the Hudson River, +1 212 336-6400.
+Gleason’s Gym, White Collar Sparring Night, 83 Front St, Brooklyn +1 718 797-2872.

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Fighting

Fighting: Physical violence is generally reserved for peasant thugs and morons, as gentlemen we should never engage in it unless absolutely necessary. Verbal fights are just unpleasant, but they’re part of life. The best concept is to try to avoid verbal fights or get them over with as quickly as possible. An effective tactic in arguments is to ignore the person who’s arguing with you, essentially rendering their issue null and void. It’s not healthy, but it works.
+Fight Club, available on DVD.
+Brass Knuckles Company.
+Band-Aid.

Where the Cannes Fall

Sex Symbol: 68th Percentile

Proving that we can read full sentences team W4 came across this fun interactive feature on Class in society on the NYT website. Find out if your rich or poor: Class Matters - Social Class in the United States of America - The New York Times.

Also, this week marks the launch of the Economist's Intelligent Life magazine, currently a seasonal offering with the summer edition on stands. A quick ADD flip through shows that its mix of interesting high end lifestyle ideas, trends and products but perhaps the somewhat starched collar set at the Economist needs to have a couple of cocktails and get randy with the Vanity Fair or Us Weekly staff to liven it up a bit.

Our Intelligence tells us that Sharon Stone (shown above yesterday in Cannes) is looking better than ever!
+Intelligent Life, on newstands now.
+Carlton Cannes, Cannes.

W4: Gumball 3000 - Track the Debauchery

We just discovered this site which lets you track the Gumball 3000 racers on their bender across Europe. As of now cars are already stalled all along the route with empty liquor bottles and panties strewn everywhere.

W4 Miami Guide: Part Four: Noche

And finally what everyone really goes to Miami for - wild chicas who just can't get enough. There are other spots but these seem to be consistently good.

Clubs
The Room: Chill low key wine and import beer spot. South of 5th.
Sky Bar: Great way to start a night out with a drink by the pool. The inside Red Room is also fun for a round of pool.
Mynt: Continues to taste fresh. Best club in Miami if you are accustomed to NYC/European clubs and hate megaclubs. Still has the hottest women in Miami. One of their resident DJs (Julian) is incredible. He remixes 80s tunes and makes them danceable (even Dire Straights). Back room is hip hop.
Rok Bar: Next to Mynt. Late night wildness go here after 3am for 80s rock. More hip bar than club. The photos above the bar are priceless and worth the trip alone.
Prive: Loudest bass in all of Miami. Good hip hop / euro nights.
Mansion: Worth a mention for its hip hop nights but not a fan. It’s too big.
Pawn Shop: Downtown funky scene. A bus and dentist chairs are among the artefacts inside the club. It has recently become very hot.
Space: If your up after 5am this is the place to go. The crowd is incredibly sketchy so make sure to get a table upstairs to get away from the drooling ravers downstairs. You can negotiate with the door guy about prices. Outdoor area is also a plus.
The Raleigh’s Sunday Night Party: The ongoing Sunday night Raleigh party is a great way to finish up a weekend. Its South Beach meets Nantucket/South of France with an outdoor bonfire and cabanas.
+The Room, 100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach +1 305 531 6061.
+Sky Bar, 1901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach +1 305 695 3100.
+Mynt, 1921 Collins Ave, Miami Beach +1 786 276 6133.
+Rok Bar, 1905 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 604 3883.
+Prive, 136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 531 5535.
+Mansion, 1233 Washington Ave, Miami Beach +1 305 532 1525.
+Pawn Shop, 1222 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, +1 305 373 3511.
+Space, 34 NE 11th St, Miami, +1 305 350 1956.
+Raleigh Hotel, 1775 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 534 6300.

W4 Miami Guide: Part Three: Restaurants

When the sun goes down and before the drinks get mixed up here are our picks for restaurants in Miami.

Restaurants
Casa Tua: Best restaurant in Miami hands down. Owned by the Ferregamo family. You are in Tuscany. The antidote to South Beach excess.
Blue Door: South Beach meets "I’m a grown up". You know you’ll see the tastefully dressed and composed crowd dancing on tables at Mynt in several hours.
Bond Street: Best sushi in Miami. Basement of Townhouse Hotel.
Nobu: – You can always get in if you are willing to go late, around 10:30-11ish or later.
Prime 112: best steaks around.
Nemos: As casual as you can get on South Beach. Good cuisine, demand a table outdoors. Don’t go too late or your dinner conversation will compete with the base of Prive nightclub next door.
Cafeteria: on Lincoln road. Good all around food spot. Huge portions. Modern. News Café: An ocean drive landmark. Ok food. Diner menu.
+Casa Tua, 1700 James Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 673 1010.
+Blue Door at the Delano, 1685 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 672 2000.
+Bond Street, 150 20th St, Miami Beach, +1 305 534 3800.
+Nobu, 1901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 695 3100.
+Prime 112, 112 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, +1 305 532 8112.
+Nemo, 100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 532 4550.
+Cafeteria, 546 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, +1 305 672 3663 .
+News Café, 800 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, +1 305 538 6397.

Snacks
La Sandwicherie: Best sandwiches in South Beach. Outdoor sandwich bar with misters. Open 24 hours and deliver.
Pizza Rustica: Great pizza joints with fresh slices. Open 24 hours.
+La Sandwicherie, 229 NE 14th St, +1 305 532 8934.
+Pizza Rustica, Multiple Locations, Miami Beach +1 305 674 8244.

W4 Miami Guide: Part Two: Shops

A brief section on places worth checking out when your not drinking mojitos at the pool with topless women.

Base: Ultra modern clothing and music shop. The adjacent Base Lux sells housewares.
Chroma: Women love this place.
Tomas Maier: Men love seeing their girlfriends in his bikinis. This man is a genius. See our earlier review or bikini above.
Adidas Store: For kicks – also check out the nameless sneaker shop on Lincoln and Washington next to Starbucks.
Barneys Co-Op: Trendoid clothes and overpriced t-shirts. Yes we sadly buy them both.
The Shop: Lincoln road and on Washington are worth checking out.
+Base, 939 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, +1 305 531 4982.
+Chroma, 920 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, +1 305 695 8808.
+Tomas Maier, 1800 west avenue, Miami Beach, +1 888 373 0707.
+Adidas, 226 8th St, Miami Beach, +1 305 531 1240.
+Barneys Co-Op, 832 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 421 2010.
+The Shop, 660 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, +1 305 535 0926.

W4 Miami Guide: Part One: Hotels

Nuestras chicas en la playa helped complile this extensive W4 Miami Guide - Part One: Hotels:

We’re only fans of hotels on the beach in Miami. There is no point in going to the beach to not stay on it and have oceanside cocktail service. Thus the lack of most small boutique hotels on this list.

Shore Club: Catch it before it goes condo in a matter of months. Although a bit of a high end grown up frat house at this point due to the crowds it attracts, still has the best outdoor area of any hotel we’ve seen worldwide and one of the few where you can wake up from a disco nap at 2am go downstairs and be greeted by a lively scene. Note: the service has improved slightly. Rooms have incredible views. Just make sure to book a Loft Suite or above.

Delano: Food and service are much better than Shore Club. Although the rooms are considered by most to be ‘nicer’ they lack the balconies and views of the Shore Club. Pool area is a scene but cramped. Blue Door for dinner is a must. Sushi table inside is fresh as well.

Townhouse Hotel: Hip hotel. Good if you are travelling solo or on a budget.

Mandarin Oriental: Downtown Miami hotel alternative. Pristine artificial beach area.

+Shore Club, 1901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 695 3100.
+Delano, 1685 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 672 2000.
+Townhouse Hotel, 150 20th St, Miami Beach, +1 305 534 3800.
+Mandarin Oriental, 500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami +1 305 913 8288.

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Flowers

Flowers: Sending a woman flowers is always a safe bet. However, be careful that you put some thought and cash into it, as cheap flowers and flower arrangements are easy to spot. Generally, never use 1-800 Flowers or any service of that sort. The arrangements look okay at best, and only to an untrained eye. Any sophisticated woman will know exactly where they are from, and how much (or how little) you've spent on them. Instead of the pedestrian flower services, I order from Plaza Flowers in New York. They do beautiful arrangements, all of them unique and filled with lush exotic flowers. Are these flowers cheap? No, but you'll thank me after she receives them and your smoking your post-coital cigarette.
+Plaza Flowers, 944 Lexington Avenue, NYC +1 212 472 7565.
+The Flower Stand, Fulham Road, London.

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Alibis

Destinations: Never let any one of the women you’re involved with know exactly where you are, unless you don’t mind them knowing who you’re with. More often than not, when juggling multiple women, you don’t want any of them to run into you anywhere or be able to track you down. As such, tell them you’re going to one of your typical hangouts located within a 10-block radius of your actual destination. The reason being that if they do try to come track you down you can say you went there, left, and went to another locale in the neighborhood. When on vacations with one of your girls, give the others a false but nearby destination. For example, if you’re going to France, tell them Italy. The reason for this being that you don’t want to come home from St. Tropez with a tan and say that you’ve been in Aspen. Windburn? It’s a tough sale. Make sure that you’ve been to and know about the bogus destination as you will surely be quizzed.

Hotels: Never give any of your girls the correct name of the hotel you’re staying at. Instead, tell them you’re staying at a different hotel, which should be at the opposite end of town. The reason for this being that if they try to track you down at the bogus hotel, the hotel operator may give suggestions of other nearby hotels to try, but not one in a completely different area.

Phone Use: Always make sure that if a phone call has to be made to one member of the concubine while on a vacation with another, always use the cell phone. Remember that everyone has caller ID, and getting a call from a 702 area code is awfully suspicious if you’ve supposedly just gone to the Hamptons to relax for the weekend. You’ll tell me this is obvious, but 20% of the time you’ll forget. Also make sure you’re in a relatively quiet space when making the call as background noises can give you away.

Receipts: Always get rid of receipts of any and all kinds. They will always get you in trouble and women always look for and find them.

Schedules: If you keep any sort of written itinerary of your day’s plans, make sure to keep it hidden or rip it up at the end of the day. These can also get you in trouble.

Late Night Pick: The 1970s Office

One of the most bizzare things our W4 associates on Booze Island (England) have discovered is a late night now on Sky TV called 1970s Office. The show is some sort of strange reality TV meets sitcom in which modern day ad execs are put into a 1970's office and clothes and asked to come up with an ad pitch for the retro Spacehopper without the help of computers, faxes, or
amphetamines. Instead of reading ESPN.com, they are forced to pass their days smoking in the office, drinking lunchtime martinis, flirting with each other and having hazy wild orgies at night. Sounds good --where do we sign?
+The 1970s Office, SKY TV, UK.

Where the PR Girls Drink: Frederick's on Madison

Frederick's on Madison is opening next week. The bistro off-shoot of the Euro haunt on 58th will be serving Mediterranean fare for dinners but we're more interested in the cute French model patrons and the fact that they'll be serving breakfast so we can have our morning joe with attractive well-dressed ones who understand why we're still seeing double at 8 in the morning.

As a footnote: Our resident PR girls have confirmed that their cocktail of choice, the slingshot will be available at this new location. They will be stumbling through soon.

+Frederick's on Madison, 768 Madison Avenue, NYC +1 212 737 7300.

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Generosity

Generosity: One can never be too generous, remember that. However, one does not want to be generous to the point where he is getting used, so there must be a balance. The main thing to remember is that you can’t take money with you when you die, and if you’re a stingy bastard no one will show up at your funeral. As T. Archambault says, "It's better to live one day as a champion than an entire lifetime as a schmuck"
+NetJets.
+Camper & Nicholsons, Worldwide Yacht Charter.
+Hotel Byblos, St. Tropez.

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Loans

Loans: As a wise man once said, “If you want to lose a friend, loan him money.” This phrase couldn’t be more accurate. Loaning money to people complicates everything. The minute someone asks you for money, the tendency is to become suspicious of him or her. If one does give that person money, give it as a gift. The concept and aggravation of getting paid back by a friend is a lost cause. Also, only give one loan per person per lifetime. If someone asks for money more than once, he’s not a friend he’s a leach.
+Interest Rates, Bloomberg.
+Glock.

Suncrawler Reports: Pace in LA

Our sun zombie on the west coast reports on one of their favourite LA hideaways:

"Pace up in Laurel Canyon is the best place to take a date or just to go for a chilled out dinner without any of the industry b.s. Word is that back in the 70s/80s when this whole wild set lived up in the hills the restaurant and the Laurel Canyon general store next door were major drug running operations. It's still a great place to go and mellow out -- even if the crowd is now looks somewhat above board. Although most of the people there are definitely not flying coach, the place retains its bohemian atmosphere. Everyone I know who's taken a date up there has gotten laid."

We would like to note that our SPF 15 West Coast Correspondent failed to even mention the food. But its LA so no one cares about that anyway.
+Pace 2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd. West Hollywood, +1 323 654 8583.

W4: One Step Ahead

Duty Free Dubai and Gold Plated Robotic Camel Jockeys
Reported on W4: April 21st.
Reported on Gridskipper: May 9th.

Hiro's Sexy Crowd
Reported on W4: May 4th.
Reported in NY Magazine: May 16th (alebit by a sketchy bouncer)

Gilbert Stafford: "Where do you go to party? Of late I go to Cain, or Hiro. I love the people who run Cain, so that's a fun thing for me. And the people at Hiro are just so damn cute. "

Keep us fresh - email us!
Read on for fast cars and slow people..

Weekend: Gumball 3000

The 7th annual Gumball 3000 race starts this Saturday in London. Featuring an mix of incapacitated celebrities (many of whom we’re not quite sure have their licence or the ability to read a roadmap even when they are sober), the race criss-crosses Europe in a haze of fast cars and parties and ends up in Monaco next weekend just in time for the Grand Prix. Here is the line up:

"Jackass and Dukes of Hazard film star Johnny Knoxville, Jamiroquai's Jay Kay, Supermodels Caprice and Jodie Kidd, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill's legendary director Quentin Tarantino with film star Daryl Hannah [and more] . . . all driving everything from Ferrari Enzo's, Pagani Zonda's, Lamborghini's, Porsche GT's, to old Aston Martin's, Rolls Royce's, Bio-Diesel Hybrid's and even the General Lee!"

The race promises to be exciting as one of these lunatics is sure to be arrested, drunk, or naked. There are two spots left for last minute entrants so if you have a car worth racing get to London.
+58th Monaco Grand Prix, 19 – 22 May, Monaco.
+Gumball 3000, Starts Saturday 14 May, 6pm, Trafalgar Square, London.

+"London For Foodies," New York Times, 9 May.

Last Minute Eurodash

Recently our W4 Departures Lounge Team was told in no uncertain terms that Air France has closed its booking system for all awards seats to Europe in all classes through August. Never fear though, when Lucinda calls you on a Thursday night this summer and tells you that you need to be in Capri for her friends Sonja's 20-something birthday bash Saturday we've got two airlines that will get you there at the last minute without costing you mucho denaro.

Germany's LTU has begun direct service from NYC to Dusseldorf and Italy's Eurofly will soon commence summer flights from NYC to Bologna, Napoli (Naples) and Palmero with fares starting at 349 Euros. Its not British Airways First but a vodka and a few Ambians later and your there. Upon arrival in Naples and after putting on your shades to shield your eyes from the burning sun, feel free to use some of that money you saved on the flight over to take the 15min chopper shuttle over to Capri and straight into the arms of one of Sonja's friends and a bottle of rose.

+EuroFly, non-stop service begins in June.

+LTU

+SAM Helicopters, Naples Airport.

+La Scalinatella, Capri.

+Grand Hotel Qvisisana, Capri.

Stardust Reports: Knickerless Models Sing

Stardust, our resident model, reports on some downtown shenanigans:
"Sunday night, a favorite for guilt-free fun with the beautiful and idle brings us karoake night upstairs at Cipriani downtown. Packed with eye candy primarily of brazilian and eastern european desent and the men that sponsor them. At Cipriani, pasta is the drug of choice, smoking is encouraged and late night treats of table dancing waitresses. You might catch a Richards' daughter with microphone. As our panty-free, model of the night, Juliana sang "Sweet Dreams are Made of These." Come join the chaos (only the attractive need bother)."
+Cipriani's Downtown, 376 W Broadway, NYC, +1 212 343 2227.
+"Cipriani Set to Check Out of the Sherry-Netherland," NY POST, 11 MAY
+W4: Related: Fizz and Cips.

Brazillian Birds Take Flight

While Brazillian Supermodels may have been pushed off the runways (apparenlty Eastern European Supermodels are the way to go these days) there are another species of Brazillian birds that are ripe for the plucking. Our resident birdwatcher explains:

"The Chicest Pet in the World: The Hyacinth Macaw"

"Only about 2,500 of these babies exist in the world, so get 'em while they're hot
Price: $7,000-$9,000
Potential Name: Blue Lou
Phrase to teach Blue Lou: "Peasant, fetch me my scotch!"
+Hyacinth Macaw

New Bang City: Direct From Money to Honey

With Thai Airlines recent launch of non-stop service to Bangkok from New York we thought we would give you a quick update on infamous Thailand. While Bangkok is one of the dirtiest cities on earth it can be liveable for a day or two if you hunker down at the Oriental Hotel. The hotel has a private spa pavillon across the river from it which is one of the best we have seen. Each guest gets their own suite. Word to the wise: don't bother getting shirts/suits anything made in Thailand as the quality is second rate. Head to Hong Kong for tailoring.

After you've lost your dignity in the Pat Pong district, which can happen just by walking through the place, fly down to Phuket, Thailand version of Cancun gone evil. We suggest the Amanpuri or the more affordable Chedi next door. They both share a private beach. For side trips head to Ko Lanta or Koh Samuai.

After seeing the above photo of the Thai Airways hostesses boogying down at the inflight bar, Borris, our morally bankrupt correspondent, says that he is on the next flight out.
+Thai Airlines, flies non-stop 6-times a week New York JFK to Bangkok service.
+Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok, +66 (2) 659 9000.
+Amanpuri, Pansea Beach, Phuket +66 (76) 324 333.
+Chedi, 118 Moo 3 Cheong Talay, Phuket.

Cats on the Prowl: Urbancougar.com

There is nothing better than a well dressed, agressive, slightly older woman, who is young enough to enjoy a good night out but not old enough that she needs her tires changed. Urbancougar.com is a celebration of all of our Mrs. Robinson fantasies. From the site:

"urbancougar: it's not a stigma, it's an older, sophisticated species of female who seeks the pleasure of younger males. She avoids the entanglements of a "relationship," in favor of the freedom of the hunt. She has overcome the taboos related to her sexual identity, embraced her true self, and now lives her life to its fullest. Always one for adventure, she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to get it!"

We'll be running through Pastis or the latest benefit soon with meat tied to our jacket to see if they pounce.
+Urbancougar
+Pastis, 9 Ninth Avenue (Little West 12th), NYC +1 212 929 4844.
+Read the latest from W4. See our entire site.

Weekend Wheels: The Brabus Maybach 57

Just in time to get out of town for the weekend. A post for our motor enthusiasts:

The Brabus Maybach 57:

0-60 in 4.8 seconds (standard Maybach 57: 5.2 seconds)
Top Speed: 190 mph (standard Maybach 57: 155 mph)

Custom Interior Fittings Include 15 inch flat screen monitors and a wireless computer system

Total Cost of 57 plus Brabus upgrade: $800,000
+Brabus

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Hangovers

In celebration of Friday, we bring you this glass of water and the Modern Gentelmen's Guide: Hangovers. Also be sure and check out our previous post on hangover helpers Berocca and Emergen-C :

Hangovers: The best way to cure a hangover is as follows: take 3 Advil, drink a Pepsi, a coffee, and a bottle of water, and whenever possible have sex directly thereafter. The concept of drinking a shot of booze to cure the hangover is an interesting idea as long as you have some self-restraint and don't wind up getting drunk all over again, in the morning no less.
+Advil
+Pepsi
+Illy
+Vittel or Fiji Bottled Water
+Trojan
+Bloody Mary

Modern Gentlemen's Guide: Facial Hair

Facial Hair: Clean-shaven is the norm, no matter what anyone tells you. That goes for the business day and even sometimes on the weekend. There is nothing wrong with letting some stubble grow on the weekends or on vacation. There is no place in this world for mustaches, they are unattractive and only succeed in making the people who wear them look like washed-up 70’s porn stars (not a flattering look). Goatees? These are the worst! The goatee makes one’s mouth look like a woman’s crotch, and no, the concept of a vagina with a tongue and teeth doesn’t turn anyone on. Ladies, if perhaps you were wondering, we prefer the bald eagle or "the sphinx" from J. Sisters.
+J. Sisters International, 35 W 57th St, NYC +1 212 750 2485. There is also a new location in Miami Beach.

Sneaker Freaker: Burn Rubber

Sneaker Freaker has got three new sites for us to get our rubber fix:

"The NikeID site lets your create you own shoes with custom colors. When I'm not running in my New Balances I like the Nike Shox (shown above). Also, I'm on the hunt for a pair of the space age Nike Zvezdochka -- if anyone finds some them let me know! For online sneaker shopping I always hit up InStyle Shoes and Foot Patrol."

Recent Update from the Running Woman:

"The Nike Shox have been outdone by the new

Time to hit the pavement. Like we run.

PR Girls Report: Our Cocktail of the Week

Singapore may have a Wynn casino coming to it soon but until then our resident mixologists, two hard living PR girls, have concocted a sufficient mix of Singaporean pleasure and pain in a new cocktail called the SlingShot:

"The SlingShot is a cocktail we've invented that entails consumption of a Singapore Sling (gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and bitters) with a shot of Patron on the side. These don't get you drunk, they get you crazy. And no you can't be on the list for that party, your a mess."

The libation can now be found from those knowledgable souls at that subterranean midtown Euro haunt, Fredrick's. Unfortunately, Singaporean spankings must be found elsewhere but we're going to email the PR girls back and see if one can be arranged with their clipboard after we try and sneak into their party.
+Fredricks, 8 W 58th St, New York, +1 212 752 6200.

Hiro rolls on. It is by and far the best spot in New York on weekday nights. Not only does it have one of the most attractive and stylish crowds in town but you can smoke and the music is always on point with a fine urban-euro-indie rock blend. It also is one of the most conformable settings we’ve found in which to be surrounded by a phalanx of beautiful women who like to boogie. But don’t take our word for it, last Wednesday when the W4 staff we’re celebrating we noticed Rolling Stone Keith Richards and his daughters rocking it as well. All it needs now is an appearance by Amanda Peet and we’d just set up a tent at a table it in the corner and call it a day.
+Hiro, Maritime Hotel, 363 W 16th St, NYC +1 212 242 4300
+Update: w4: 1 February 2006: The Hiro is Dead.

Le Disco n'est pas Fermée: Shady Paris Update

We just recieved this short dispatch from Borris in our Paris bureau (who at this rate may soon be relocating to our Hazelden bureau)..

"Le Red Light (formerly L'Enfer) located on Rue du Depart
House music (not that we're recommending that musical genre).
Gets going at about 10am and stays jumping till about 4pm.
Alcoholic and narcotic cocktails available all day long."

For more on Paris and W4 click here.

Modern Gentlemen’s Guide: Napping and Sleeping

Napping: Naps are an extremely important part of one's day-to-day existence. They are the key factor in any gentlemen's life and allows one to work during the day and party all night. Our recommendation is a one-hour nap after work and before dinner included into one’s everyday schedule. After a nap, you’ll be able to embark upon the evening’s activities with the proper amount of gusto. For appropriate shuteye sheets we suggest Leron, coture linens.

Sleeping: The ideal amount of sleep is 8 hours, even though we always get less. Although we realize that 8 hours is not realistic, we would venture to say that 6 hours is sufficient, as long as it’s accompanied by an afternoon nap. When long distance air travel is required we suggest taking an Ambien after boarding for a jet lag, hang over free sleep.

All REM activities require appropraite hydration. If bottled water is your thing, Fiji is our pick.

+Leron, 804 Madison Avenue, NYC +1 212 753 6700.
+Ambien.
+Fiji Water.

Our Birkin Bag Correspondent put us onto this one:
Tomas Maier, the creative director of Bottega Veneta, has opened a store in Miami. Every man must date a women who can wear the Scintille bikini. Enough said.
+Scintille, $360, Tomas Maier, 1800 west avenue, Miami Beach +1 888 373 0707.