revisited paris: art's, l'art du basic

I bought this one!

I wrote about this lovely shop on one of my favorite streets in the Marais back in June and recently, I had the chance to go back to Art's l'art du basic for some fall/winter shopping.  When I first visited, I thought the shop was called Shouka; it isn't anymore. Now, it goes by the name of the label it carries: Art's L'Art du Basic.  The store is still very simple...

new york city: beauty & essex

Beauty & Essex is a sleek new girls'-night-out (guys seem to like it, too) spot in the LES.  Soft lighting, plush velvet banquettes, chandeliers, vintage perfume bottles, crystal, mirrors and all of sparkly décor bits that the chicks dig are hidden behind this multi-level restaurant/lounge/bar's pawn shop façade.  The food is good, a lot of it is even better than good (I'm looking at you tomato tartare), the service is friendly, the people are pretty, and the cocktails are delicious. Oh yeah, the best part: Ladies' (complimentary!) Champagne Lounge. I hear it gets crazy down there.  I'll be back.

new haven, ct: frank pepe's pizzeria

The original, coal-burning brick oven pizza is from Frank Pepe’s in New Haven.  Proud inventor of the clam pie, Pepe’s pizza’s are razor thin and loaded with toppings.  No reservations are taken and the wait is always interminable , often the line snakes out the door.  (You really have to visit the Wooster St. location to get the full experience.) But, it’s worth it, even after a grueling two hours on a wobbly Metro-North train...

buenos aires: home hotel

As the Northern parts of the world head into deep freeze, head South, way South.  Lounge-y beats float lazily through the air while fresh fruit cocktails are served by the pool at Home in Buenos Aires’ Palermo Soho hood... 

update! paris: art's l'art du basic

ARTS l'art du basic website is live! Check it out here: www.lartdubasic.com

On the Rue Vielle du Temple there is a bare little shop called Shouka ARTS L'art du basic.  The sparse racks are hung with the most perfect silk basics.  There are about 8 different styles of blouses and dress, each in simple, wearable colors and cut in a chic, loose fit.  I got one in a soft dove gray.  The brand is a bit of a mystery; I can't find anything about the it online.  Does anyone know anything about it?

amsterdam: pancakes! amsterdam

Always packed with a mix of locals and tourists, Pancakes! Amsterdam in the quaint, bustling 9 Streets neighborhood is our go-to for weekend breakfasts in Amsterdam. Here is the money order...

amsterdam: moeders

For hearty, stick-to-your-ribs, Dutch food you can't do much better than Moeders.  With it's mix and match tableware and thousands of pictures of other peoples mothers, it's warms, cozy and maybe a bit claustrophobic. Serving traditional stampot, a mix of mashed root vegetables, sausage and whatever else happens to be available, this is an ideal place to settle in for a homey, filling meal as temperatures drop. While it is canalside with lovely outdoor tables, the heavy cuisine begs to be eaten only in frigid winter months.

san francisco: yank sing

peking duck

Thanks to helpful recommendation, we ended up at Yank Sing for a proper Dim Sum lunch during a quick trip to San Francisco...

london: l’atelier de joel robuchon

At L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in London, eat downstairs in the bar...