A Travel Blog from the Editors of T+L
Posts by
Christine Ajudua
Paris’s oldest cabaret is popping up in London this fall, performing Forever Crazy within a purpose-built venue on South Bank, behind the National Theatre, between September 18 (it kicks off during Fashion Week—the dancers’ shoes are custom-designed by Christian Louboutin) and December 16.
This Dutch designer has become a cult favorite thanks to her brightly colored leather bags, wallets, and shoes. Here, the plugged-in local shares her top hometown picks.
Q: Favorite restaurant?
A: Proef (12 Gosschalklaan; 31-20/682-2656; dinner for two $120), a small, no-nonsense restaurant that’s organic and fresh, both in its menu and its urban-farmhouse-style décor. Try the beet ravioli. Book ahead.
Q: Must-visit jewelry store?
A: BLGK Goldsmiths (28 Hartenstraat; 31-20/624-8154) carries metal jewelry that honors the natural shape of gemstones; I’m inspired by the window display alone.
Q: Top cultural spot?
A: The Museum of Bags & Purses (573 Herengracht; 31-20/524-6452) has a collection of 4,000-plus pieces that offers a fascinating historical overview of my favorite accessory.
Q: Best mode of transportation?
A: My husband and I bike everywhere. I love the bicycles from Vanmoof; they’re lightweight and rust-resistant, and have a built-in lock. You can rent them at Cyclelution (258 Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal; 31-65/363-1973; $10 for two hours).
Nadia Lim, chef
“Britomart, the area around the city’s transportation hub, is an easy place to meet up, with lots of restaurants, galleries, even beanbag chairs by the water! I do my socializing at Smith (20 Customs St. E.; 64-9/309-5529), a Victorian-style lounge.”
Slideshow: Photo Tour of New Zealand
Ryan Henderson, graphic designer
“I love that I can browse the new Comme des Garçons collection at Wunderkammer (76A Ponsonby Rd.; 64-9/360-4090), then grab a curry laksa down the street at the International Food Court (106 Ponsonby Rd.; 64-9/361-5398).”
Tam West, stylist (pictured)
“My favorite bar is the Golden Dawn (134 Ponsonby Rd.; 64-9/376-9929), in an old corner store. You enter an unmarked door and find yourself in a courtyard with a bonfire and Hallertau on tap.”
Jonny Calder, sales manager
“There are heaps of hidden gems in the Ponsonby neighborhood, so it’s worth asking a local where to get, say, a cup of coffee. I’m drinking one from the brew bar at Coffee Supreme (42 Douglas St.; 64-9/360-5040), where I work.”
With its classic totes, iPad cases, and wallets named after airports around the world, Canadian leather-goods label Want Les Essentiels de la Vie is becoming a go-to for those on the go. Now designers (and identical twins) Byron and Dexter Peart have opened the Want Apothecary (4960 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest; 514/484-3555), which carries their line, plus grooming products by Australian brand Asop and clothing from Paris-based Kitsuné—items you may not need, but will definitely want.
Zeina Chitembure, a style blogger in Miami, talks to T+L’s Christine Ajudua:
“Wherever there are shoes, I go—hence the name of my blog, The Shoegawker. The ones I’m wearing are by Jeffrey Campbell; you can find his designs at LF (229 Eighth St.; 305/672-4928), nearby. My favorite Lincoln Road boutique is the Alchemist (1111 Lincoln Rd.; 305/531-4815). It’s in a really cool car park and shopping center, and carries labels like Azzedine Alaïa and Alexander Wang. I also love coming to Lincoln for brunch at Balans (1022 Lincoln Rd.; 305/534-9191). It’s the sort of place where you have mimosas and Bellinis in your bathing suit, and then walk down the street to the beach. That’s the Miami Beach vibe. You don’t come to this area to go to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant—you come here to be seen.”
Gülgün Özek, Photo Editor (pictured)
Location: Sofyali Sokak, Asmalimescit
“My neighborhood is historic yet cosmopolitan. Inside the Neoclassical buildings you’ll find bars, theaters, and one of the best contemporary art galleries—Arter (211 Istiklal Cad.; 90-212/243-3767).”
Seren Yüce, Filmmaker
Location: Kadiköy Harbor
“I love the view of the Bosporus from the lighthouse. I just had lunch at Çiya Sofrasi (lunch for two $50)—a traditional Anatolian restaurant nearby.”
Mehmet Öktem, Bar Owner
Location: Galata Bridge
“I come here often, just to soak in the city. This bridge connects Beyoğlu—the city’s modern, European heart—and the old peninsula, where I shop at the Spice Bazaar. It’s next to the New Mosque, which is almost three hundred and fifty years old.”
Yasemin Arpaç, Interior Designer
Location: Serdar Ekrem Sokak, Galata
“A lot of artists are moving into the area—it’s very trendy these days. At one end of the street there’s the Galata Tower; at the other is my favorite jewelry boutique, Aida Pekin (44A Serdar Ekrem Sk.; 90-212/243-1211). The designer creates pendants inspired by local landmarks.”
Interviewed by Christine Ajudua
The French luxury goods label recently unveiled its first store in Mumbai. Located in a Victorian-style building in the heart of the city, the 3,025-square-foot Hermès space stocks everything from fashion to furniture; there’s also an in-house gallery with fine art on display. Available now for a limited time: a line of handcrafted cashmere, silk, or mousseline saris (price upon request). 15A Horniman Circle, Fort; 91-22/2263-0093.
Natasha Tattaglia, bar back and barista in New Orleans, talks to T+L’s Christine Ajudua:
“I bike everywhere—most people here do. Sometimes my knees start hurting since I ride in heels, but I don’t leave the house unless I’m dressed, so it is what it is. I just had lunch at Sylvain (625 Chartres St.; 504/265-8123; lunch for two $85), in this beautiful old carriage house here in the French Quarter. They do Southern-style food and delicious craft cocktails—not the cheap booze and sugar that you find on Bourbon. I live on Royal Street, but a couple of neighborhoods down on the other side of the levee, in Bywater. It's near the Ninth Ward. A lot of young people live there now, and the abandoned buildings are turning into cafés and bars and restaurants. The road is still pretty bumpy, but the area is getting hip. I love it.”
“Hong Kong is a busy, busy place. I’m pretty sure I’m not the first person to say that. There’s been this massive rush to modernize all over the city, but here in the Sheung Wan district, things seem to slow down. Walking around, you’ll come across loads of graffiti by local street artists and contemporary art galleries like Cat Street (222 Hollywood Rd.; 852/2291-0006). And then nearby on Upper Lascar Row, you’ll see these old Chinese dudes selling antique jade carvings and Buddha heads. There are still high-rise buildings, but they’re generally older, with Man Mo Temple (124-126 Hollywood Rd.; 852/2540-0350) in the middle of them all. It’s a cool mix.” —Thomas Mauritsen, marketing manager
Interviewed by Christine Ajudua
Raise a glass to Blackwell Rum ($30): formerly available only in Jamaica, black gold, as it’s called, is now sold stateside. Reggae-music mogul turned hotelier Chris Blackwell crafted the liquor using a centuries-old family recipe, infusing it with tropical fruits such as banana and mango. Try it neat, or in the signature cocktail at Oracabessa Bay’s GoldenEye Hotel & Resort: on ice with two shots of simple syrup and a shot each of lime, orange, and pineapple juices—shaken, not stirred.
