LOS ANGELES LONDON
Travel & Entertainment
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LOS ANGELES LONDON |
Travel & Entertainment |
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LOVE LOUNGES
When the right combination of cocktail, ambiance and menu come together, all things are possible from romancing to having a wild time. Here are our top picks and the reasons why we think they're worth your dime and presence.
OLIVER
9601
Be there:
For happy hour after a hard day of shopping at Barney’s (across
the street) or after pumping weights at the adjacent Aphrodisiac: Prepare for endless rounds of the smooth, blue colored Lychee martini with fresh fruit puree and hints of banana and citrus as you glimpse at the less fortunate sweating it out in the health club. For the health conscious, there is also the low-cal martini so you don’t feel guilty after you’ve hopped off the cardio and in need of something a bit more rewarding than, well, water.
HERE
696 N. Robertson Blvd, Be there:
Sundays, when some of the most coveted DJs and remixers (Manny
Lehman, Brett Henrichsen, Barry Cox) spin the pounding grooves that turn
gay-city’s chic lounge cum art exhibition space into a dizzying seraglio
of beautiful men and their doting girlfriends with bottomless cocktails.
Hit the spot before the sun goes down and stay as late as you
possibly can before Monday sobers you up.
Aphrodisiac: Super-sized jugs of frozen margaritas served by shirtless bartenders sure to keep you thirsty for more.
CINCH
Be there: On the weekend. Don't even think about being fashionably late or you'll spend the evening out on the pavement with other hipsters trying to sweet talk their way into the Dodd Mitchell - designed restaurant/lounge. Aphrodisiac: For your sweet tooth/heart, the Vanilla Crème Brulee or Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Martini with frozen chocolate. Deceptively benign and sure to make you slip out of your inhibitions and who knows what else…
OASIS 611 N.
La Be there: On weekdays, when it’s more quiet, come for the
irresistible tapas.
Saturdays is for scenesters. Food
and fantasy come alive at this Arabian Nights-themed lounge where peacock
feathers are complimentary. Those
demanding the extraordinary, should book the exclusive Cobra room which
seats private parties and makes you feel like royalty. Aphrodisiac: The killer mojitos with freshly muddled lime and mint are unparalleled. Or the Chocolate Orange Martini for those in the mood for something unique.
An intimate Harry Connick, Jr. From jazzy valentines to hit Christmas albums, Harry Connick,
Jr. is a man of many moods and talent. We
caught up with him on the release of his latest, a collection of lush
ballads from the 50’s and 60’s inspired by Sony Music President, Don
Lenner and let Connick take us through the journey called Only
You.
“Donnie’s the one who said, ‘Why don’t you do an
album of songs from my generation?’ and I decided to give it a try.
That involved collecting suggested material, deciding which songs
felt right for me and picking those I liked.”
Connick realized that many of the hits from the early years
had a much older pedigree. “Part
of what I wanted to do on this record,” he admits, “was to focus on
songs that had their second
success in the Fifties. ‘My
Prayer’ is a great example. I
know that most people associate it with the Platters, but I knew the Ink
Spots’ version from the Thirties as well.
That’s why I picked things like ‘My Blue Heaven’ and ‘I
Only Have Eyes for You,’ songs I remember hearing as a kid that have a
real history.”
All twelve songs on the romantic album deliver Connick’s
imagination and passion. “My
Blue Heaven” is touched by a hint of samba, “My Prayer” is kissed
with solo cello and the Drifters hit “Save the Last Dance for Me”
becomes a swinging ballad. “I
was trying to deal with the colors of each piece – the hues, for lack of
a better word,” he explains. “All
of the writing was done that way, using just what was needed.”
Working with a talented team of musicians like concertmaster
Bruce Dukoff and saxophonist Jerry Weldon, Connick’s own instrumental
contributions are understated but only until he begins to sing. Then
he takes center stage. And
this time, even he was surprised by his own performance.
“I always forget to write myself into the arrangements,” he
jokes. “These songs are hard
to sing and they brought out new things in my voice.
There is nowhere to hide on something like ‘The Very Thought of
You.’ You just have to fill
up your lungs and sing, without worrying about the details of how each
phrase should be inflected. What
came out was my voice in a way I haven’t heard it…I really sang these
songs, and I’m proud of it.”
So what made the difference this time?
A performer since the age of five, someone who made his first album
when he was just ten and studied piano with James Booke and Ellis
Marsalis, Connick is no stranger to the jazz genre or the circuit.
But instead of laying stagnant, he continues to evolve as an
artist. “There was a
time,” he reveals, “when I wouldn’t let life experience into the
music, because I thought that art was completely internal.
To a great extent, I still think that’s true, because otherwise
artists would just be chasing sunsets.
But now, I find myself drawing on personal experience more than
ever before…For the first time, I wasn’t acting the emotions, I was
feeling them. It was a solemn,
calm place, a very good place, without a lot of the baggage about what
other people would think of the music that I used to take into the studio.
This is my turn, and I’m enjoying it.”
And so are we. -- SA
Mardavall
Hotel & Spa As Spring rolls around in Located in Costa d’en Blanes, the “ Rooms and suites in the hotel are carefully designed for your
comfort and enjoyment of the Mediterranean weather and culture. They are
individually appointed with contemporary art from local artists that
reflects the beating heart of those living on the island. Balconies
provide panoramic views of the rocky coastline or simply a place to
snuggle up under woollen blankets for a cool evening sunset while sipping a
glass of wine. Christian Fischbacher satin bed linens welcome you as you
slip into the inviting beds. One touch lighting and curtain options next
to the bed ensure that you never have to leave the comfort of your bed for
such tedious tasks. The spacious bathrooms with marbled floors and
creatively designed sinks and showers of natural stone are just as
alluring as they are functional. Bathtubs
are even situated near shutters that open into the room and out to the
balcony for breathtaking views while soaking in the tub.
With 3 restaurants, the options are limited but the culinary
vision is still creative. Es Fum, the hotel’s signature restaurant,
fuses No truly relaxing vacation is complete without a spa
experience. At the hotel’s exclusive Altira Spa prepare for the ultimate
in luxury as well as holistic treatments. A Caviar Firming Treatment is a
must for those jet lagged travelers seeking to reduce damage caused by
harsh free radicals. Using La Prairie Skin products, your skin will be
pampered while fine lines are diminished. Guests interested in cleansing their inner and outer body can
schedule a private session with Dr Lu, a house doctor experienced in
Chinese medicine, who will individually prescribe various treatments from
acupuncture and acupressure as well as suggest supplements and herbs
designed for optimizing your health and well-being. Finish off with a
private yoga or Reiki session followed by indulgent trip to the
macrobiotic buffet. At the end of the day, your ying and yang will be in
complete alignment. Mardavall Hotel & Spa Passeig Calvia, s/n, 07181 Costa d'en
Blanes-Calvia
Tel (+34) 971/ 6 29-629 Fax (+34) 971/ 6 29-630 Rooms
from about $397 or €312 -Shayan
Rayani European
Desk Editor
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