30 November 2006

Getting Cozy at the Connaught: London: OLB


The Connaught Hotel has been open for nearly 110 years but it is taking a breather this winter and closing for renovations. While maybe you've been putting off a trip to Angela Hartnett at the Connaught, do not wait any longer or you will miss your chance at some of the most sumptuous dining in London. Overdue Library Book and her English gent took Thursday night off from Annabel's and checked themselves into the Connaught Hotel for a romantic evening:

"After champagne in the hotel bar (go to the American Bar and not just to support your country) surrounded self congratulatory leering bankers who have been too busy working on that deal to pay a visit to their wives/mistresses/concubines, we were seated in the dining room. The room is unremarkable, hence the renovation, but it is a wide open space with cosy banquettes and high ceilings. The soft lull of conversation gives it an intimate feel and after a second glass of champagne, one can't hear anyone else anyway. Our first course was our most memorable, and not only because of the alcohol consumption that followed. The foie gras starter features three different varieties, each more smooth and rich than the previous one, and when paired with a sauterne (traditionally a dessert wine) it was too sweet to resist and I had to eat the whole plate. Following up the foie gras with venison is not for the faint of heart but do try it for the cranberry relish. This of course required a bottle of red. By dessert, my Oscar de la Renta no longer resembled a slinky number to seduce my companion but instead was tightly stretched over a protruding tummy. After (more) wine, cheese and chocolates, we realized why one must also stay at the Connaught - we would not have been able to make it the 10 minutes home! The quick trip upstairs was a blessing and of course after a good night's sleep we were ready for the full english breakfast from room service in the morning."
+The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL, +44 20 7499 7070.
+Oscar De La Renta.
+W4 Suggests: London: New Boogie Spot: Mahiki, 1 Dover Street, London.

28 November 2006

Highball: W4 Playboy Handbook: Part I


Highball remerges from South America with her martini still firmly in hand and sends us Part I of her W4 Playboy Handbook:

"As an experienced dater of jet setting playboys, here is a detailed primer for you W4 men on how to walk that fine line between a committed romance and a fling. These rules will keep the hot sex flowing with minimal emotional investment. You all know how to wine and dine your women but sometimes you need a reminder on how the true game is played. This is how the “gents who jet” roll when sex is the only goal and a real relationship is as desirable as grabbing a red-hot poker.

1) Flowers are for emergency only. They are a great and easy way to keep her interested, but if you send too many (or too soon), you signal a relationship. Instead, only send them after a) you blatantly cheated b) you are sleeping with one, or multiple, Brazilian models thus you must ensure that your current fling thinks she is your number one love interest c) you suspect your fling knows you don’t remember her full name d) you have spent too much time partying in Paris and need to prove that she is your primary concern as you cross international borders on your G-V.

2) Need I say that you NEVER sign any card with “Love”? Don’t be stupid.

3) Make her work for a primetime date spot. A few Tuesday night cocktails will drive her to win your weekend affection. Toss her a weekend date bone early on to keep her engaged and to ensure steamy sex in the near-term. But you must make her ponder her official status by scheduling cocktails during the early week. Intrigue fuels her desire for you.

4) Pop up randomly. Let her think you are out of town so when you phone last minute for an impromptu date (“because your travels plans changed unexpectedly”), she will feel like a queen.

5) Refrain from daytime activities. If she is lucky enough to make your weekend dance card, by no means let her slip onto your more public daylight schedule by latching on after the standard issue morning-after-sex brunch. Daytime weekend bonding is seen as a step towards a relationship."

Whiskey Alpha: Lost in Rioja


While America gets fat over the Thanksgiving holiday W4's dutiful correspondent Whiskey Alpha sends in this dispatch from the shores of Mallorca:

"I know, I know, I said in my last report that the Ibiza parties were over and the Swedish soul was taking over, but guess what? I lied. Mallorca has drawn me back to those irresistible hot parties under the Spanish sun. Our present global warming has created this temperate climate to extend the roof parties and prolong the muff diving.

For a weekend getaway Mallorca is a nice retreat from the Swedish snow bunnies (I do love a'lil Dr. Zhivago under the midnight sun), but the hot Spanish mamis were calling this Northern papi back down for some more Rioja and punta! Hotel Tres was a really spectacular and perfect place to chill while keeping a low profile during the late night binges. If you want to meet a hot Bulgarian or Yugoslavian chica hang out at the Puro Beach Club. Some may actually want to meet you, others are trying to get the Ben Franklin's they can smell in your pocket. Be sure to stay out of the low-baller casinos since they don't have many tables and won't let you throw down any monster bets."

+Hotel Tres, Mallorca.

01 November 2006

Barcelona: Swedish Soul: Whiskey Alpha



With the Ibiza closing parties sealed up for the season, Whiskey Alpha, W4's globe-trotting architect heads for the mainland for a little “Grip it and Rip it.” As always, he managed to transcend the Northern Swedish Soul for a little weekend buster at Barcelona’s Pacha:

"It is a must to wear sunglasses on the dance floor because everyone will ask if you're on little helpers (which of course we all are). The fashion is getting more top-notch in this Spanish city so don’t forget the Slimane suit and the old school Ray Bans. When your being called Papi till a quarter to 5, there is no better finale than taking her to the Hotel Barcelona Princess to ease the hangover and extend the layover. The rooftop pool is a good deal and a morning swim at the nearby beach finishes this journey before heading back to the Northern front for some oncoming snow."

Whiskey Alpa's Barcelona
Clubs: Pacha, Av. Gregorio Maranon 17, Barcelona, +34 93-334-3233.
Hotel: Barcelona Princess.
Eurotrash Video: "Same Man,"
Till West & DJ Delicious.