Les Délicieux

Bringing down Da House

September 20th, 2009 § 0

The lobby of Da House

Back in June, I decided to extend a layover in Puerto Rico to experience Old San Juan. I wasn’t there long enough to see much of what the city had to offer, but I did find a great and affordable room for the night at Da House Hotel. Although it has the price tag and amenities of a hostel, Da House is more reminiscent of a simple boutique hotel in a major European city. Large canvases of emerging local artists adorn the walls of this gallery-hotel. A huge skylight four stories up lights up the lobby that’s decorated with eclectic European touches. Checkered floors give weight and old-world charm to the bedrooms. There’s even a hot tub on the roof top where travelers can unwind after a long day of exploring. And for under $100 per night, the hotel is surprisingly clean-swept and accommodating. But of course, with any good deal there is some fine print to be read: There are no elevators in this old building. The vibrant beats of the salsa club downstairs may disturb some light-sleepers, and the front desk will provide earplugs upon request.

Da House Hotel
312 San Francisco Street
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
(787) 366-5074
dahousehotelpr.com

Birds of a feather, chained together

September 18th, 2009 § 0

Doves necklace

I rarely buy jewelry for myself, but I couldn’t help but indulge with this over-sized necklace with three doves in flight. It caught my eye while I was walking past a small boutique in Sinsa, and when no one else picked it up for a few days following its display debut, I did…just in time for layered tees and turtlenecks!

The necklace was 30,000 won at 신사동 옷가게* (just off Sinsa Station exit 4), which carries only one of each item. But as a rule of thumb, if you can find it in one boutique in Seoul, you can find it at another boutique in Seoul. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, go straight to the source and track it down at Dong Dae Moon Market.

The Flying Pan White

September 6th, 2009 § 0

It’s been such a long time since I’ve updated my list of delicious finds, but I’m happy to announce that I’ve found a place that is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Seoul.

Farmer's open omlette

I read about The Flying Pan White when I first arrived in Korea in a magazine and checked it out about five months ago. Since then, I’ve made it my go-to bruncherie and have introduced it to dozens of locals and foreigners who all gave high approvals.

Fig tree pancakes

I’ve brunched at unmemorable diners and at overpriced hotels in Seoul, and I think that FPW offers the freshest and most innovative and appealing mix of ingredients (e.g., ricotta cheese with pancakes, as opposed to flavored butter and compotes you’d find at Butterfingers, for example) that run about 15,00 won ($12) per dish. My favorite meal to split is always the fig tree or banana walnut pancakes and the farmer’s open omelette. I’ve spotted and tasted other colorful plates during my many visits, but I find this combination of carbs and protein most satisfying. If you find the pancakes too sweet or the omelettes too oily, you can opt for one of their fresh green salads too.

Chicken avocado salad at the Flying Pan White

Brunch at the Flying Pan White

While FPW offers something delicious for almost everyone, it’s a very feminine place by design and flavor. Every once in a while, I’ll spot an awkward group of two or three men huddled in the corner, nursing a bottle of Corona and looking very out-of-place. The Flying Pan’s delicate white interior with strategically placed arrangements of fresh flowers is an estrogen fest by day, and a date destination by night when slow-burning candles replace ceramic vases. White-balance your DSLRs and bring your girlfriends.

The Flying Pan White
540-22 Sinsa-dong, Kangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea (map)
Phone : 02-514-5585

(There are two more Flying Pan branches: a Flying Pan Blue in Itaewon and Dear Flying Pan elsewhere, but I’ve never been to them)

Bread takes the cake at Anna Bini

March 5th, 2009 § 0

I think that a thoughtful welcome starter is one of those nuances that makes a good restaurant seem great. I’ve destroyed some delicious bread baskets in my lifetime (Commerce in New York comes to mind), but the bread platter at Anna Bini proably tops it all with its assortment of breads, grilled garlic and a thick slice of roasted sweet potato.

It was actually the wind chill and being at the right place at the right time and not the good press or word of mouth that sent my friend and I ducking into Anna Bini last week during our survey of Cheongdam, a ritzy neighborhood in Seoul. For a fluke restaurant, however, it did not disappoint.

We split a fillet on a bed of risotto blanco and tomato sauce (47,000 wons + 10% VAT) and spaghetti with fresh mozzarella cheese (22,500 wons), both of which were thoroughly enjoyable but slightly overpriced for lunch.

The sweet potato bread (the reddish, half-eaten morsel pictured above) was so good that my friend bought a whole loaf from the restaurant’s bakery on her way out…and finished it within a couple days.

Anna Bini (closed daily between 2:30-5pm)
89-1 Cheongdam-dong, Kangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
+82) 02-3444-1275

Lucky

February 19th, 2009 § 0

Jason Mraz (courtesy of the Internet)

I’m a little late in discovering this Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat duet, but I kinda love it. It’s sweet, simple and makes me feel optimistic. Happy belated Valentine’s Day!

Lucky (feat. Colbie Caillat) – Jason Mraz

Chelsea garden duplex of my dreams

February 7th, 2009 § 0

I actually hesitated to post this house for sale because I’d hate to see it go to anyone else but me. But then I realized that I don’t have 1.3 million dollars and decided to share it with the rest of the internet in hopes that someone who loves this duplex as much as I do might be so lucky. Once upon a time, I too, lived in a Chelsea garden duplex…except mine came with mice, water bugs the size of my fist, uneven floors and a screaming toddler directly above my bedroom. Aside from being free of all that, this duplex has more space and plenty of light, despite being on the ground floor. It also boasts a few rare and coveted amenities in New York: a charming library nook, lots of closets and a large private garden.

Click here for more on this Halstead property here or check out the NYTimes.com slideshow. If you end up buying it, please invite me over for dinner. Or a garden party.

New York; simplified, legofied

February 3rd, 2009 § 0

I rarely really miss people or places, but Christoph Neimann never fails to make me slightly nostalgic for New York with brilliant illustrations that are charmingly personal and local but also profoundly universal. A few of my favorite creations are below. Don’t miss his newest post on Abstract City.

High Tea in Hong Kong

January 11th, 2009 § 0

It didn’t occur to me to have afternoon tea when I was in London a couple years ago, but I did get an opportunity to to make up for that obvious slip at the Peninsula in Hong Kong this Christmas. I’m not a big tea person, but I do love the ceremonious nature and all the polished silverware that it entails. From their selection of teas, which included both English traditional and Chinese herbal teas, I chose the Earl Grey which was citric but a good, balanced base for all the goodies to ensue. From the medley of small sweets, savory tarts and sandwiches, the warm scones with clotted cream and jam were my favorite.

Warm up to style and functionality

November 15th, 2008 § 0

Finally, a glitten (glove+mitten) that isn’t knit, frumpy or for kids. Steven Alan brings you four season essentials – cashmere, leather, gloves and mittens – in one smart item. At $85, the popular sizes have already sold out on their website, but you may have better luck at one of their several stores in New York, California and Seoul*

*UPDATE: Steven Alan Seoul does not carry the glittens. As of November 18, the only option left on their website is size medium in Taupe.

A balcony in Barcelona (and then some)

November 5th, 2008 § 0

While reading up on the downturn in Manhattan real estate on nytimes.com, I couldn’t help but notice this in the real estate section: a 17th century, 3-bedroom duplex in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter for 1.45 million euros (currently $1,857,595…oof). It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty close. Some of my favorite features include:

2,153 square ft of living space with floor-to-ceiling windows.
A 500+ square foot terrace overlooking a basilica.
A Gaudi-inspired dining room with mosaic floors, stained glass windows and painted ceilings.
Living room inspired and designed after Versailles; a little over-the-top, but could be muted down with less color and moldings.

Mouse over or click thumbnails to see description