* Dewi magazine, June 2005

The debut opening of Roy Petley’s gallery in London caused an uproar in the West End, with people seen queuing down the street to get in. In fact, that wintry October night saw so many people in the gallery that the fire department responded four times to heat alarms going off in the building.

This dream of an art gallery began many years ago by a boy abandoned to a children’s home. Trapped in a dark and dreary world, even the beatings by his guardians could not curb Roy’s irrepressible spirit. “My escape was painting and drawing, the reality was horrible. I quite liked the fistfights but I didn’t like the beatings,” he confides. Becoming the first ever to receive a scholarship at the children’s home at the tender age of sixteen, Roy left for Brighton University but after his first semester he decided to go to Florence in the arms of a beautiful woman. His thirst for the foundations of art, well-drawn, well-coloured and well-painted works naturally drew him to the Italian masters of old; Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. Several years later, after living through his work in Italy, he returned to his homeland, England. There, he exhibited on the Green Park railings, a then melting pot of would be artists.

A chance meeting with the Duchess of Kent was the beginning of a lifelong friendship with the British royal family. The late Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales are collectors of his works, the late Queen Mother being particularly fond of his Norfolk landscapes. A whirlwind romance with an adoring public commenced, with sell-out shows following him wherever he went, from London to Barbados, Dublin to Dallas.

To satisfy his love of beautiful sports cars, three Alfa Romeos, engine red Ferraris and an E-type Jaguar once decorated his backyard. He even appeared on Good Morning Texas, flanked between William Shatner who “was on before me trying to promote a video game for Star Wars”, and a piano-playing-pot-bellied-pig who refused to perform. “It wouldn’t play the piano because it was camera shy”, Roy deduced.

Roy’s rags to riches story caught the eye of both the BBC and Sky Television, resulting in documentaries on his life and his art, and forced a change on his outlook on life. “I used to have people lining up to buy my work – but once the BBC did their documentary on me, they ended up banging on my front door trying to buy a paintings, it became a nightmare!” he exclaimed. Once dubbed the Best Dressed Man in London, this sort of major publicity was not in line with Roy’s solitary nature. In the early nineties, he chose tranquillity over fame and moved to a lonely farmhouse in the south-west of France. “I left England to become an unknown, to have a peaceful life”, he said. He quickly applied his energy to rebuilding his new-found home, which was soon to be featured in House & Garden, Homes & Gardens and Interior magazine.

the last of the sun by Roy Petley (courtesy of Petley Fine Art)

An impressionistic painter, he finds inspiration in his surroundings. In the summers, he is often found by local fishermen knee-deep in water, drawing models draped in flowing white dresses and adorned with wide-brimmed hats that Roy is known for collecting, or painting his neighbour’s children licking ice lollipops in his rose garden.

Self-taught, Roy experiments with all mediums, disclosing how he changes “mediums when I want to change my mind-set”. At his leisure, he moves effortlessly from pastel to oil, watercolour to sanguine. He speaks of each medium with equal passion, stressing on the ability to draw well being essential when working with any medium, particularly watercolour – “There is no changing it…there is only one chance”. He continues on saying, “watercolours are my reference for my oil paintings, an oil painting becomes a fuller version of the watercolour on a canvas.” He describes how Degas used to work with charcoal before drawing in the pastel, but prefers himself to draw with colour immediately. He is also is quick to illustrate that “pastel is a dusty medium and after a short period of working with it, I am always happy to return to my natural medium – oil.”

The subjects of Roy’s works are as varied as his mediums, drawing upon inspiration from anything and everything – portraits, still life, cityscapes and landscapes have all felt the touch of his brush in his paintings. “I usually have an idea of what I want to do before I begin, I see the world through my paintbrush and palette – all that remains to do is to recreate the image that I see in my mind.”

Whether it be landscape or still life, light and shadow are the basis of his works. There is a certain light and youthfulness, a grace and joyfulness that emanates from his paintings. He depicts an untouchable innocence that is reminiscent of childhood and days gone by. Although it may seem an old-fashioned and romantic world, this is Roy’s world as it exists today. Each painting draws you in, engages you with its subtle colours and soft lines.

sunlight in the dark canal by Roy Petley (courtesy of Petley Fine Art)

It is said that once you have had a show in Cork Street, you have made it in the art world. Having exhibited in galleries on the street for over a decade, Roy had reached a point in his life where he wanted to give something back. In his youth, Roy himself had approached gallery after gallery, carrying his portfolio, and had been turned away. In later years, the same galleries would beg him to exhibit with them – he wanted to provide artists with the opportunities he never had, with “a gallery they can trust, where artists feel comfortable”, where the open doors and laid back atmosphere would encourage artists – especially the younger ones. In the autumn of 2003, he did just that. “I started up the gallery because I was really fed up with how artists are treated”, he explained.

Petley Fine Art sets itself apart from other galleries because as Roy proudly states, “this is the first time an artist has owned a major gallery promoting work other than his own”. True to his word, Roy has raised the bar for the whole area by filling his gallery with only the finest paintings and sculptures from an international pantheon of artists. “We have famous artists, infamous artists, and also young artists just starting out in their careers – regardless of where they are in their careers, it is their talent that attracts us to them.”

It is this refreshing concoction of artists that gives the gallery its lively character and explains why artists enjoy exhibiting there. Neil Forster, an artist of Petley Fine Art and an established portrait painter whose sitters include The Prince of Wales, speaks highly of the gallery. “I thought this gallery opening in “the” art street of London and offering art with no over-intellectualizing or posing, is so refreshing that it must in time be one of the most visited galleries in London.”

Roy is also quick to point out that a lot of effort has been made to ensure nothing distracts from the paintings. His long-standing motto being, “the art is foremost, the gallery secondary and all emphasis is on the artists”.

Filled with boundless energy and enthusiasm, Roy floods his gallery with the same vitality he fills his paintings. Now with three galleries spread across Europe, Petley Fine Art seems to be going from strength to strength. As for Roy, does he miss the good old days when he was a struggling painter? “Well,” he laughs, saying, “I have artists ringing up at 4 AM telling me their problems with their wives who are jealous of their models. One artist calls up and says can I come see you now? I think, what’s going on here?”

Petley Fine Art
9 Cork St
London
W1S 3LL
+44 207 494 2021
http://www.petleys.co.uk/

(photo: Titania Veda)

NYC

151 Rivington Street

(between Clinton and Suffolk)

The other night I checked out Sushi Uo, a new sushi spot in the LES.   It was lovely.  Discreetly located just above Bar 151 on Rivington Street, Sushi Uo is a small cozy sushi bar worth checking out in a neighborhood where sushi is scarce.  Former Morimoto sushi chef, David Bouhadana, serves up tasty appetizers, similar to choices from places like Nobu and Bond Street.   Our favorite was the spicy sweet and sour rock shrimp.

The sushi itself was all super fresh.  The rolls were interesting as well… Creations like Salmon Tempura Asparagus and creamy mustard sauce and Lightly Broiled Whitefish with asparagus and enoki went over very well at our table.  Also, it’s nice to leave the East Village once in a while and have a crabmeat roll made with real crabmeat.

After reading a few reviews online I have to admit that I was expecting a bigger, “trendier” space… However, I was not at all disappointed with Sushi Uo.  Walking into what looks like an apartment building, Sushi Uo is a small, tranquil space.  While Sushi Uo is not my favorite restaurant in this area, the food was nice and fresh, the servers were knowledgeable and spoke perfect English, which is hard to come by when we’re talking good, affordable sushi.  And, the atmosphere was just right for three girls to catch up on a Sunday night.  I think Sushi Uo would be a great date spot any other night, and its convenient location on Rivington and Clinton is perfect for after dinner drinking binges.

The prices are fair also, for about $40 each; three of us split two appetizers, three rolls, and had two drinks each.

BY: LAUREN BROWN

Last Thursday (19th November), I went down to Bond Street Christmas lights switch on. The 2009 “Bond Girl” was Anna Friel who is currently staring in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

To make the evening festive there was Carol Singers, Snow disguised as foam and Reindeers (which did smell slightly).

After the City of London Choir had sung their carols, the Chairman of Bond Street took to the stage and presented Anna Friel. She had a sense of Hollywood naivety which was annoying, but other than that she was charming and flirted with the cameras.

After the countdown, and the lights hanging across New and Old Bond Street were lit, fireworks were sent up whilst Con te Pariro was played.

Most of the stores had some sort of Christmas decorations, the best was Cartier. If you have a chance to go to Bond Street this Christmas, it is worth going just to see the  Cartier store.

I’m usually a Scrooge at Christmas, but all the festive frivolities made me excited for Christmas!

Another afternoon to fill…

I decided on treating myself to the Beatles to Bowie exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery.  I again traveled via bus and stumbled upon a Ghost Forest in Trafalger Square!  The exhibit was one I was looking forward to for quite a while, despite the £9 entry fee…with a student concession, and it definitely lived up to my expectations.  The best part had to be reading all of the curator cards and recognizing not only the faces and song titles, but also the London locations where the photos were taken.  It was a great reminder that I am currently living in the city where so many of the musicians and pop icons I idolize got their inspiration, their start, and their iconic image.

After making a quick pit/tea stop at home, I enlisted Mike into heading to the Bond Noel Christmas celebration….and good thing we actually mobilized, since it ended up being one of the most surprisingly ‘worth it’ trips in London yet.  The star of the West End’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Anna Friel, was this year’s “Bond Girl” (so clever), and we inadvertently snagged a spot near the Tiffany & Co. store where she made her entrance.  The street was transformed to a winter wonderland thanks to fake snow, fir trees, and reindeer!  Besides the ridiculously aesthetically appealing high-end retail we strolled through after the switch-on, almost every store was giving away free booze and treats.  Now that’s the festive frugalista spirit!

Polo Bar

Walking into The Polo Bar on Bond Street is like entering a sophisticated 1950’s inspired Martini Lounge.

Lashings of dark marble and deep brown wood, thousands of Swarovski crystals, Gucci furnishings and an eclectic mix of abstract art combine to create a really cool bar.

Watching the barman getting busy with his cocktail shaker makes me look at the extensive Cocktail Menu which has a great selection of Martinis including chilli raspberry, raisin, breakfast, rose petal and apricot versions.

The guys are ordering Classic Champagne Cocktails so naturally I join in…. WOW! This cocktail is pure decadence – a sugar cube at the bottom of a champagne glass, 1-2 drops Angostura bitters, a dash of cognac and topped with champagne – it’s now my new favourite cocktail (Champagne Mojitos are so last month – ha ha).

Impeccable service, great ambiance and cool music make this a must visit bar.

Polo Bar http://www.westburymayfair.co.uk is open from 11am to 1am every day. The prices aren’t extortionate but they’re not exactly cheap either. Enjoy.

LadiesWhoLunchUK:   http://www.ladieswholunchuk.com

Last fall, I was invited to a party at the home of a couple I did not know after a really long cook and style photo shoot. It was one of those friend of a friend affairs that was ambiguous as to whether it was a Chex Mix and Cheez Itz, stumbling home, starving and anticipating the BIG hangover kind of night or a dinner party. I just didn’t know. I was tired, hungry and hoping to be fed.

I arrived at a spacious and beautifully decorated loft on Bond Street starving and desperately scanning the room for acceptable edibles. I was relieved that there wasn’t a tortilla, potato or corn chip in sight but lovely cheeses, olives, crackers and spicy jellies, good wine and chocolate were all within reach. At the very least I’d earn my hangover drinking too much expensive wine and under filling my belly on gourmet snacks.

When I found my way to the kitchen, the counter was covered with bowls of chopped veggies, cheeses, meats and breads. On the stove were heavy cast iron grill pans, a big cup of olive oil and basting brush…I was at a panini party. I had heard about these but had never attended one and thought…great…someone will custom cook me a sandwich…just what I need.

Of course, my friends had innocently told our hosts all about what I did for a living. I was the only “food professional” there so I was expected to take a turn at the stove and the expectations were high…so after I shot a few gee thanks glances at my crowd, I took my no-longer anonymous skills to the grill. So much for partying after a long day at work. I wondered if accountants ended up at parties where people crunch numbers for fun.

Everyone who had gone to the stove to that point had done well with the available ingredients, but I decided I needed an edge. Feeling the pressure to be creative, I raided the fridge before it was my turn in order to come up with something worthy of the hyperbolic praise my friends had given my culinary skills. I grabbed an apple, a banana, a bar of dark chocolate, some Gruyère, prosciutto and a fresh baguette and surprisingly, I was starting to have a little fun. My first panini was a transition from savory to sweet as I pressed the prosciutto with Gruyère and thinly sliced Fuji apples. This wasn’t so miserable and felt nothing at all like work. I was enjoying the kitchen camaraderie and the foodie dialogue. It felt like a party. My first panini was met with rave reviews and I proceeded to make a dessert panini with freshly sliced bananas and dark chocolate. The banana paninis disappeared so fast I was lucky to get a taste before they were gobbled up. I wiped my brow, took a bow and slipped off my apron…smiling and gratified that cooking could still be fun even after a long day at the stove.

The panini theme was a great way to break the ice with new people and keep a group laughing and having a ball. I spent a good portion of the night lingering in the kitchen tasting other people’s creations, offering tips, getting pointers from some really good cooks and just connecting to newly found friends. The beauty of the panini is that you can put just about anything on good bread, toasted with olive oil and it will be delectable. And, the best part is that you don’t need to be a pro to make a notable panini or an amateur to have a great time doing it.

Let’s see now, this comes a tad bit late. Its already Novemeber.. Decided since am so lazy in updating my blog sometimes that am gonna try this method of compiling all the happenings in one single post. That’s right! Either it will be lengthy because i have a lot to rant and rave about or it will be super short because of memory failure where i can’t remember much.

We’ll see how this progresses then

October was a busy month indeed. Decided to write a bit now as am taking a break from doing my assignments. (Hate school work!) plus working full time at the same time is no fun at all.

Let’s recap, besides frantically trying to finish my assignments, i spent a nice two days in London! Haven’t been there for the longest time (2 years), so was pretty excited when i touched down in Heathrow.

On the journey to my hotel, waves of nostalgia suddenly came over me, i recalled the first time i stepped in London, 7 years ago, oh how time flies! Images of the london eye, buckingham palace and the places of interest a tourist has to visit vividly entered my mind.

Of course, this time round, i just craved a plate of roasted duck rice from Bayswater ( the best in the world so far) and some walking around Bond and Oxford street. Pretty good trip this one was.

Back in Singapore , last saturday was pretty fun! One of my good friends booked a hotel room in conrad to party in. Loved the room! Spectacular view and super luxurious bed although i spent the night on the floor  Actually the aim was to get super mah-bo and crash till the next morning. Had a great dinner at the italian restaurant opposite the hotel, would have uploaded pictures but i don’t have a camera ( that’s another story).

Anyway, events that followed were pretty hilarious, but shall not disclose them here lest i get a earful. 

Well, then that’s all i can remember for October, shall really try to write more but am so busy! Hopefully , Novemeber will ease up on me..

London’s west end has experienced a sales boost, as sales in Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street shot up 25%.

Retailers have attributed the results to returning spending confidence after consumers tightened their belts during the recession.

Last month’s figures reveal overseas visitors have boosted a surge in demand for luxury and mid-market fashions and accessories. Russians spent 346 per cent more than at the same time last year.

Chinese visitors also spent 35 per cent more.

Sloans and Kenyon in Chevy Chase, MD set the Washington-area auction record this October when they sold an 18th-century unsigned oil painting of Venice’s Grand Canal (estimated at $6,000 – $8,000) for $687,125 (price includes buyer’s premium).

From the “school of” (a work by a pupil or follower of the artist, in his style) the 18th-century artist Giovanni Antonio Canaletto.

An 18th-century painting of Venice's Grand Canal is believed to be the most expensive painting ever sold at an auction in the Washington, D.C., area. (Courtesy Sloans & Kenyon)

There was a nice article in The Post, but since I personally use and trust Sloans & Kenyon, I asked my friend and specialist Lisa Jones for some insider information about the exciting sale:

Lisa L. Jones, Director of Silver & Decorative Arts at Sloans & Kenyon

Specullector: What kind of condition was the painting in, presumably it hadn’t been restored if it had been hung or stored by a Bethesda woman all this time?

Lisa: There was a small amount of prior restoration including some minor in-painting but overall the condition of the painting was very good.

S: Specialists make frequent trips to people’s home valuing works for resale, was the employee on this call instantly struck when they saw the work or was there a certain point when someone at the auction house, some secondary viewer said, ” I think we’ve got something…”?

L: I think a bit of both was involved with this painting. The quality of the painting is evident upon the first glance. After we started our research and marketing it became evident to both the art department and our buying audience that this painting was outstanding.

S: What was the vibe in the auction house once it came into inventory?

L: There was a very optimistic attitude among the staff concerning the painting. We knew it would achieve a handsome price at auction but we still had to rely on the current market to confirm our expectations.

S: The Grand Tour story is every valuer’s best and worst case provenance, were their other supporting documents that added value, say letters or journal entries recounting its purchase or her trip to Italy?

L: In this case because there were no supporting paper documents concerning the sale, we had to rely upon family history. It was common knowledge that the consignor’s grandmother took a Grand Tour through Italy.

S: Though the seller remained anonymous, was she present in the auction room and did you guys at least offer her a tea to calm her nerves?

L: The consignor was not present on the gallery floor when the painting was auctioned. Many consignors are too nervous to be present when their items sell. The consignor was contacted immediately after the sale and was absolutely floored at the selling price.

S: 6-8k is a very low estimate (sometimes auction houses use low estimates to create a buzz among collectors and build a bigger audience of those “looking for a deal”), like a very low estimate, was this your team’s strategy?

L: A conservative estimate is definitely a strategic move. We wanted to reach a cross-section of collectors and potential buyers. Today’s art market is not yesterday’s market. The pricing structure is different to reflect the changing buying atmosphere.

S:  I was thinking that if Charles Beddington was an advisor to one of the bidders (and luckily for the British, they don’t need an export license to get a work out of the US like everyone else needs for the UK), I’m thinking it will be restored, repriced and returned to where it was first acquired.  Maybe to one of our favorite Bond Street windows, Mr. Colnaghi or Mr. Green perhaps? Or maybe we’ll see it again at TEFAF. What are you thoughts on my speculation?

L: Any thoughts would be pure speculation but we know the painting is going to London. We feel sure the painting will be re-priced and will appear at some point on the market. It will most likely not be restored.

S. Lastly,  a “sleeper” in the Old Master market is every auction house and dealer’s dream, thus I assume there was a lot of excitement and even a little eccentricity. Were there any funny back stories or anecdotes that happened during the auction process you can share?

L: Luckily in this case nothing too crazy occurred. We had a bit of a commotion trying to reach a dozen international phone bidders (some in foreign languages). We had some shouting and in the end we provided the audience with some great excitement. It was a pure adrenalin rush.

At the Beverly Hills Thompson Hotel, Chef Brian Redzikowski mans the helm of the kitchen at Bond Street restaurant.  The restaurant and hotel, just like the original in New York’s SoHo, is beautifully designed in true Dodd Mitchell style.  Sleek dark brown suede banquettes and checkered patterns encompass the dimly lit dining room.  The classy bar is an ideal place for incognito lovers to whisper sweet nothings by flickering candlelight. A quaint sushi bar sits by the open kitchen,  a traditional Japanese haven almost hidden from the otherwise contemporary space.  The large wooden communal table by the bar decorated with bonsai plants almost took my breath away.  My goodness, is that a George Nakashima table?!  After close inspection, I could tell that it wasn’t, but it was still a beauty.  Japanese artistry juxtaposed with lustrous modern design compose the perfect background for the innovative food here at Bond St.

Chef Brian Redzikowski is almost too perfect of a fit for this restaurant known for sushi and Japanese fusion cuisine.  Only a chef who has the mastery of classical French techniques and an eye for Japanese aesthetics can competently operate and actualize this menu.  His impressive bio reflects how his path was naturally bound for the executive chef title at Bond St.  Le Cirque, Alain Ducasse, Le Bernardin and Joel Robuchon at the Mansion have refined his culinary skills.  His position as executive chef at Matsuhisa in Colorado and executive sous-chef at Yellowtail in Las Vegas prove his competence with Japanese cuisine.

He started off our special tasting menu with a prosecco sangria jello and foam.  The flavors were sweet, fruity and seductive.  The foam layer fizzled away like fine prosecco bubbles.  As we examined the chiffon lace decoration on this dish and toasted with Bruno Paillard Brut Rosé champagne (a signature Robuchon bubbly), the two former Robuchon chefs that I was dining with both chuckled as they simultaneously exclaimed “This is SO Robuchon!”

My favorite dish of the evening was the big eye tuna tartare with truffle oil, thinly sliced red onions and microshiso.  It was stunningly plated on a thin wooden plank that was reminiscent of the Nakashima-esque wooden table by the bar.  Served on a light and airy crisp, this dainty appetizer saturated the air with its ethereal truffle aroma.

A ’sashimi’ plate of king crab and hamachi.  The intense aroma of the bacon foam on top of the king crab with vinegar gelée opened the flood gates of my salivary glands.  This foam can easily be marketed to become a basic tabletop condiment right next to salt and pepper.  I felt like the vinegar gelée was unnecessary and took away from the excitement of the bacon essence.  The hamachi belly with soy strip was delightful.  The soy flavors kicked in after a few seconds, as the strip slowly dissolved in my mouth and transfused through the wonderful fattiness of the fish.

The Skeena river salmon sushi went back to the basics.  After all, this is a sushi restaurant (well, sort of).  But of course, Brian put a little twist to it.  It was served with soy pearls, small round jelly-like pearls that were probably made with either alginate or agar.  Although it was a fun concept, I would have preferred to keep this simple and a little more traditional with soy-marinated salmon roe.  Not that we usually eat salmon sushi topped with ikura in Japan, but you know what I mean.

By this time we were knee deep in the most insanely delicious bottle of 2005 Domaine Etienne Defaix Chablis Vielle Vignes from Burgundy.  It was a perfect balance of dry and sweet, and went well with all of the seafood dishes.

Foie gras with spicy rice krispy treat, yogurt powder and yogurt chip was interesting.  The only good part for me was the actual foie gras which I only got to enjoy for a nanosecond before it disappeared under the overwhelming sweetness and chewiness of the rice krispy treat.  I didn’t quite understand the role of the yogurt, as it did nothing to enhance the dish.  The yogurt powder reminded me of infant formula and the chip, a coagulated version of that.

The next dish was a corn flan with carrot marshmallow, sweet pea foam and spot prawns that I unfortunately forgot to photograph.  You can see a photo of it on Chef Redzikowski’s site.  A deep white bowl with a layer of yellow corn flan at the bottom, colorfully dotted with orange and green with a side of light green pea foam.  The flan was incredibly smooth and silky, and the sweet pea foam was beautifully aromatic.  The crunchy texture of the croutons mixed with the succulent meatiness of the prawns and melty marshmallows was brilliant.  We all enjoyed this dish.

The Alaskan black cod with miso dengaku and potato miso foam was nice.  The cod was perfectly cooked and flavorful, motivating me to eat carefully with the precision of a plastic surgeon so as not to leave behind even a small flake on the plate.  I was a bit surprised to see a red miso dengaku paste on this fatty fish, as cod is usually marinated with white miso which has a lighter taste.  The warm potato foam was good enough for me to want to bathe in.  Bravo to the bottle of 2004 Chenin blanc ‘Les Genêts’ from Savennières by Damien Laureau for enhancing this portion of our dinner with its fruit and honey undertones.

The sous vide Snake River Farm Kurobuta pork belly dish was interesting.  It was served with artichoke foam and olive oil powder.  Our server gave us strict instructions to incorporate the foam and powder in each bite.   I applaud the chef’s creativity and determination in incorporating molecular gastronomy elements in his dishes, but this really didn’t work for me.  The powders and foams were too frail and muted to do their part in enhancing the fatty pork belly.

The sous vide Kobe beef on a bed of applewood smoked bacon was presented beautifully.  The beef slices were nicely marbled and fatty as Kobe beef always is, though I question the presence of the bacon.  I’m assuming it was for consumption and not just for visual and olfactory foreplay, but these were some of the toughest slices of bacon I’ve ever had.

The beef was accompanied with a side of veggies.  Similar to the carrot marshmallows in the corn flan dish, it came with a round carrot sphere.  This was served on a bed of cippolini onion purée with microvegetables and honey teriyaki sauce.  The haphazard plating seemed uncharacteristic of the chef, but the cippolini purée was exquisite, teeming with that unique sweetness that only an onion can produce.

Sous vide meat round 3 was Sonoma lamb with carrot purée and powder, gingerbread, lamb jus and mint paper.  The meat was tender and delicate, beautifully done.  Assembling the scattered powders, cubes and dots to accompany the 2 small slices of meat was a bit exasperating.

The meats were beautifully paired with a flawless 2006 Vosne Romanée by Domaine Forey Pere et Fils.  Luckily we still had a little left to enjoy with the first of 6 desserts which couldn’t be more perfect with this wine.  As a tribute to the Vosne Romanée, these pinot noir and strawberry liquid-filled chocolate spheres were chaperoned by pinot noir reduction dots, micro shiso and strawberries.  Upon first glance, this brown sphere seemed timid and nervous, sweating fine beads of perspiration under the ravenous stares of its predators.  Once consumed, its surprisingly thin and delicate crust ruptured between tongue and palate in a torrent of seductive poison, rendering its predator paralyzed in a fervent state of ecstasy.

The warm cherry clafoutis with vanilla ice cream was next up in this sinful dessert carnage.  It was nice to get a classic French dish made simply and splendidly.  A most amazing dessert that almost caused a war when it came down to the last bite.

The lemongrass and espresso ice creams with cappuccino foam was sharp and refreshing.

The caramel flan with popcorn foam was interesting to say the least.  Not my cup of tea, but a bold experiment in unique flavor and texture combinations.

Mochi donuts with coconut ice cream and rhubarb was something I could easily do without.  The mochi balls had a caustic chewy texture that made it distinctly un-mochi like.  I mourned for the tragic fate of these mochi pieces.

The grand dessert finale was fittingly carried out by the caramel chocolate ball filled with liquid vanilla ice cream on a bed of caramel powder.  We were instructed to eat this in one bite.  Mind you, they were the size of golf balls, so we all initially hesitated, not wanting to look silly trying to do this.  But we were among good friends, and happy tipsy friends at that, so we all took the plunge together.  Just like the pinot noir chocolate ball, this heavenly sphere instantly collapsed in our mouths, resulting in a tsunami of rich vanilla decadence.  See this YouTube video of Brian making these opulent orbs.  Avoid the somewhat cheesy music by viewing it on mute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoeeC5ABgZU

The decadent feast concluded with colorful origami boxes containing chocolates.  The flowing progression of our meal narrated a beautiful story and each dish allured us with mythical charm.  Like traditional Japanese kaiseki, the aesthetics of each plate demonstrated the esteem and discernment of understated beauty.

The exorbitance of powders, foams, strips, dots and sous vide meats left me yearning for a simple and robust piece of seared meat on bone hot off the grill, accompanied with fresh vegetables in their original natural form.  However, I appreciated Redzikowski’s creative and daring adventure into new culinary frontiers.  Like the restaurant decor,  his food represented a flirtatious blend of sexy modernism and traditional elegance.

http://www.bondstrestaurant.com/

Click here for more beautiful photos of Chef Redzikowski’s culinary creations.  The lighting was too dark for me to take good photos.

Random trivia:  Careful where you pop…

Popcorn Trail Leads Police To Suspected Thief

NATOMAS (CBS13) ―

Sacramento police say they responded to an alarm at the Food Stop store in Natomas early in the morning on New Year’s day.  When officers arrived they found that the business had been broken into and several items taken.

That’s also when they noticed a trail of popcorn.  Officers followed the trail of clues to an apartment complex behind the store and to the door of one unit.  When officers knocked, they noticed the popcorn kernels continued inside the apartment.  Officers found the stolen property inside.

Officers arrested Tyree Brown for a theft warrant and possession of stolen property.  He may be charged with burlgary at a later time.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Selfridges is a regular stop on my lunchtime route when I’m at work – in the name of fashion features research, but more just to admire the food hall and add to new jewels and gadgets to my Wonder Room wishlist.

So, with an hour or two to languish away, I headed down the Ultra Lounge to sample the finest ice cream available to humanity at The Icecreamists’ punk-luxe, guerilla ice cream installation.

The Icecreamists have reclaimed ice cream from weepy, Bridget Jones drudgery and made it seriously sexy, with decadent flavours and extravagant frozen cocktails in a luxurious boutique parlour.  The ‘installation’ is decked out like the backstage area of the ultimate glam rock concert with black PVC sofas, a silver banqueting table and small stage with splashes of hot pink.  The decor gives a nod to Stephen Sprouse’s punky neon graffiti and there is even a souped up icecream van driven by HRH herself!

We tried a scoop of the Axl Rose-Water ice cream – a pastel pink concoction of rose water, vanilla and dried rose petals.  The ice cream is based on traditional artisan gelato methods, using less fat and less air than American versions, making it smoother, healthier and more flavoursome.

The flavours are classics remixed with crazy names like Obamarama (milk chocolate, funnily enough), Gingiana Jones (Asian spiced ginger), Glastonberry and The Molotoffee Cocktail.  They’re not cheap at £4.99 a tub, but it was the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted, out of Italy, anyway!

But if you want more Heston Blumenthal-style molecular bells and whistles, there’s God Save the Cream – a cryogenic ‘reverse’ flambee cocktail created at your table and served at a ridiculously cold -196 degrees.  Or, save your lips from frostbite with the Sex Pistol ice cream cocktail that promises to get you going with natural stimulants, absinthe ice cream and a shot of absinthe in a pink water pistol.

There’s scheduled live music from opera singers to girl bands and rock boys, so check out The Icecreamists’ Facebook page for more info.

For a better idea of the…ahem, ‘atmosphere’ of the installation, watch models Tolula Adeyemi and Mel Rose’s informative guide, directed by Pussy Glamore’s Marissa Montgomery.  Well, it’s just them getting all sticky and creamy, but why not, ice cream is sexy now, after all!

The Icecreamists’ God Save the Cream installation is open now until 1 November at Selfridges.

Beggar Boy

Click on the image above to see a larger version

WHERE: Off North Street, on the side of Art Republic, on Bond Street in the Laines.

PIECE BY: Unknown at present – but keep an eye out for the symbol on the bottom right elsewhere.

LEGAL: Unknown. This may be a commission by Art Republic, but given the nature of other graffiti by this artist it could also just be conveniently placed.

CAN I  SEE IT: Yes. You can check this piece out!

JACK PETRUBI, OUR RESIDENT ART EXPERT, SAYS:

Recognise this? The style is identical to the ‘The Building Wraps Around Me’ stencil graffiti in Jubilee Square, and it has the same tag symbol. It’s exciting when you discover two pieces by the same artist, particularly when it is so sophisticated and has a mysterious air to it such as this. We’re still not sure what the name of this artist is, but the cube symbol is the constant factor here.

This piece appears to show a beggar boy. If so then it could tie in with the other piece we have seen by this artist, the one that looks a bit like Saddam Hussein – this boy could easily be a refugee of war. It’s a solemn piece but also incredibly beautiful and perfectly executed. Pieces like this are the cream of the crop as far as we’re concerned. There is a lot of very good graffiti around Brighton and Sussex, but this pushes the bar right up. The uncertainty about the identity of the artist and even whether or not this is a legal or illegal piece also adds to the mystery. We hope you enjoy it!

Also, note the tag in the bottom right hand corner (we have cut most of it off here I’m afraid) It is the same tag as on the North Street/King Place Rolf Harris graffiti. Whether this is just a separate tag or if the artist had a part in creating this piece of graffiti, we aren’t sure. You decide.

To celebrate the start of Fall you sip on hot apple cider, you may splurge on a cute bomber jacket, or maybe burn a few pumpkin-scented candles. In Noho, the tradition involves a different type of burning. A 200-pound Heritage Ossabaw Pig will be tenderly slow roasted over a bonfire on Bond Street. It’s restaurant Il Buco’s annual Sagra del Maiale (festival of the pig) commemorating the Autumnal Equinox, when day and night are of equal length.

Other fall-esque treats will also be served, including Apple Ricotta Fritters with Saba, Farmer’s Market Panzanella, homemade sausage, and porchetta paninis from Flying Pigs Farm. The pig roast is not only in celebration of fall, but also Il Buco’s 15th anniversary. The fire will be lit at 1pm on Sunday, and will last throughout the evening until 9pm. Tickets are available onsite for $20, and wine and bottled beer will also be served.  Il Buco sits on Bond Street, which is situated between the East Village (featured property 83 E. 7th st.) and Greenwich Village.

-Caitlin

This globally organised event by VOGUE was a star studded affair in London tonight! It brought back the fun occasion element to shopping even if just for 1 evening. We enjoyed it anyway.

Here’s some of what went on:

Burberry - Bond Street

Louis Vuitton - used live mannequins in their window

at Tod's

Joseph took customer service to their own level, the scent of their own branded popcorn wafting down the road automatically drew in a crowd!

Joseph popcorn stand outside store

Most stylish popcorn box I’ve come across:

Joseph popcorn box

And best of all, Nicole Farhi having crepes at her own Nicole Farhi pop up creperie. Thanks for this photo from my fabulous friend Rachel Arthur

Nicole Farhi at Nicole Farhi!

The anticipated September Issue movie launches today Fri Sept 11th. Can’t wait to watch it!

A caccia del lusso (e non solo) in aereoporto. Altro che Via Monte Napoleone, Champs-Élysées o Bond Street, centro dello shopping dell’alta moda e grande ritrovo cosmopolita è il duty free, immancabile appuntamento per i maniaci degli acquisti che lo considerano la parte più bella del viaggio. Per altri è solo un passaggio obbligato, comunque piacevole, prima di salire a bordo. Per altri ancora solo il trionfo del consumismo.

Lontani  dal caos  delle  città Quel che piace è che nei duty free, che vantano un’alta concentrazione di grandi griffe, dalle più esclusive boutique della moda ai negozi di prodotti tipici, senza escludere l’hi-tech (ma ci sono anche ristoranti, parrucchieri, farmacie e supermercati), si possono fare acquisti lontano dal caos della città, per di più nel tempo morto dell’attesa del volo. Tempo invece preziosissimo per i titolari degli esercizi che fanno a gara per accaparrarsi i punti più strategici dei terminal dove il viaggiatore non rinuncia a farci una capatina. E conti alla mano il giro d’affari è notevole: 37 miliardi di dollari nel 2008, di cui il 41,3% in Europa.

Fine Luglio – inizi Agosto 2008. Si parte! Volo diretto per Stansted (Londra). Da lì, poi abbiamo preso il treno fino a Liverpool e da qui la metropolitana per il centro di Londra, dove avevamo l’hotel. Un’avventura fantastica. Londra è una città stupenda, molto diversa dalle nostre. In dieci giorni abbiamo visitato molte delle sue meraviglie, ma non sono bastati  per vedere e gustare bene tutte le sue bellezze. Ad esempio, abbiamo visitato l’Abbazia di Westminister, dove viene incornata la regina, dove vi sono le tombe di molti re britannici e dove fu celebrato il funerale della principessa Diana. Abbiamo anche visitato il Palazzo del Parlamento e da fuori abbiamo ammirato il maestoso Big Ben. Un’emozione unica! Siamo anche passati sotto alla maestosa ruota panoramica, la ” London Eye”. Semplicemente stupenda, colossale. Però abbiamo evitato di farci un giro poiché carissima e perché richiedeva un’attesa di circa due ore di fila! Siamo andati poi anche a visitare la Torre di Londra, bellissima e contenente al suo interno, parte dei gioielli della corona. Inoltre, nei cortili della Tower of  London sono custoditi anche dei corvi neri vivi, simbolo della corona britannica. Questi corvi hanno tutte le ali mozzate perché la leggenda narra che se tali corvi dovessero volare via  o morire, crollerebbe la Corona. Abbiamo poi visitato la National Gallery, il cui ingresso era gratuito, come la maggior parte dei musei inglesi poiché ritenuti patrimonio dell’umanità. Qui potemmo ammirare opere d’arte in ordine cronologico, fra cui dipinti di Monet, Manet, Picasso, Van Gogh ecc. Straordinari! Ma la cosa più bella di tutte era poter ammirare da vicino quadri originali dipinti dal pittore in persona. Si vedevano perfettamente le pennellate e ogni singola sfumatura. E’ stata un’esperienza davvero entusiasmante. Abbiamo poi assistito anche al famoso “Cambio della guardia” di Buckingham Palace, a mio modesto parere, noiosissimo! Dura infatti quasi due ore poiché ci sono più di due bande che suonano miliardi di sinfonie, alcune antiche, altre moderne e altre ancora sconosciute. Questo si svolge nell’ampio cortile del Palazzo, mentre il cambio della guardia vero e proprio avviene in un angolino anche difficilmente visibile se non sei attento! Siamo poi entrati nel palazzo della regina ed abbiamo visitato alcune stanze importanti, fra cui una in particolare che era aperta esclusivamente in quel periodo, ossia nel mese di agosto. Siamo stati quindi fortunati, anche perché era la stanza più bella di tutte, ossia la sala da pranzo dove la regina riceve le Personalità più importanti del mondo. C’era un mega tavolo a forma di “U”, attentamente e accuratamente imbandito. Ogni piatto infatti aveva il suo preciso punto luce, dei fiori e miliardi di posate! . Una bella esperienza. Abbiamo, inoltre, visitato il British Museum, e per me, che sono un’appassionata di Egizi, è stato sbalorditivo! C’erano mummie vere! Mummie in perfetto stato di conservazione e divise da noi solo da un semplice vetro! Incredibile ma vero, vi era anche la mummia di Cleopatra! Veramente entusiasmante! Abbiamo anche visitato il museo di Storia Naturale ed abbiamo visto ricostruzioni, in scala reale, di dinosauri e un T-rex meccanico che si muoveva, ruggiva ed era a grandezza naturale! Incredibile! Siamo anche stati al “Museo della Guerra”, ma,  almeno per me, questa è stata un’esperienza meno bella! Abbiamo infatti rivissuto, con ricostruzioni in scala reale, la vita nelle trincee ed anche la ricostruzione di un attacco missilistico. La parte più toccante, tuttavia è stata quella dedicata all’Olocausto, dove c’erano lettere, scarpe, occhiali e suppellettili vari di tutti quei poveri angeli uccisi nei Campi di Concentramento. E’ stato davvero molto toccante! Abbiamo poi visto il famoso mercatino di Portobello ed abbiamo anche visitato Notting Hill. Due quartieri davvero carini e molto particolari! Tipici londinesi! Abbiamo anche camminato sopra il Millennium Bridge e il Tower Bridge, per arrivare fino alla City, il centro principale della Borsa di Londra e di tutte le attività finanziarie e non. Abbiamo anche visitato Saint Paul, la cattedrale dove venne celebrato il matrimonio fra Lady Diana e il principe Carlo. Ci siamo perfino fatti miliardi di scalini per raggiungere la cupola e vedere tutta Londra dall’alto! Però ne è valsa la pena! Davanti a noi avevamo infatti un panorama mozzafiato, un’esperienza incredibile! Forse la più bella di tutto il viaggio. E poi che dire della Londra notturna!? Un incanto. Si accendono mille luci e si popola di gente! Quasi quanta ce n’è di giorno! La vita esplode, in particolar modo nei pressi di Piccadilly Circus, dove sembra quasi di essere a New York per via dei numerosissimi ed illuminatissimi cartelloni pubblicitari animati, ma anche per via dei maestosi Casinò e dei Club privati. Abbiamo poi anche passeggiato per Bond Street, una delle vie più prestigiose della città, ricca di negozi di lusso e dove “rischi” di incontrare perfino Madonna o altre celebrità. Ed infine abbiamo visto anche molti parchi, fra cui Hyde Park, Regent’s Park e Kensington Garden. Tutti i giardini londinesi hanno una loro magia, sono favolosi, forse grazie anche al clima umido della città. Sono pieni di verde, di alberi rigogliosi, di fiori, ma soprattutto di simpatici scoiattoli , che gironzolano fra la gente senza averne paura. Insomma, Londra è una città che va vista e vissuta. Perché ne vale proprio la pena! E’ una città caratteristica, con case di mille colori, con tetti e camini particolarissimi, con taxi, cabine telefoniche ed autobus tipici e con la classica guida a sinistra! Anche il clima è molto particolare… il primo giorno incontrammo un sole pazzesco, da lì in poi la temperatura cominciò a  crollare e tutti noi eravamo costretti a camminare per strada con felpe, giacche e sciarpe, nonostante fossimo in piena estate!! Ed eravamo anche derisi dai londinesi, che invece indossavano magliette a maniche corte e calzoncini, poiché abituati a quelle temperature! “Ah Ah Ah, a tourist”!, dicevano. Il cibo, invece non era buonissimo e io per dieci giorni ho mangiato solo hamburger! Ci sono molti ristoranti italiani, è vero, ma oramai si sono adattati alle tradizioni londinesi e si meravigliavano, ad esempio, se ordinavi un pizza margherita senza pepe e peperoncino! Insomma i gusti erano un pò strani! Come anche strano era l’abbigliamento dei britannici! Alcuni modi di vestire erano infatti molto bizzarri e appariscenti, ricchi di colori e motivi davvero insoliti. Però, l’unico problema, se di problema poi si tratta,  è che, se vuoi andare in Inghilterra, non puoi non sapere l’inglese! Nessuno, infatti, conosce o vuole parlare l’italiano e perfino in locandine o avvisi pubblici ci sono tutte le lingue possibili ed immaginabili, ma non c’è mai una traduzione italiana! Però, a parte questo, Londra è una città mozzafiato, che almeno una volta nella vita va assolutamente vista! Parola di Yuia!  

Occasionally, we catch wind of a significant robbery that makes waves in the retail world; apparently London´s Graff Diamonds was victim of a heist that lost the boutique approx $65 million according to CNN.  A pair of suit-clad robbers entered the store during the afternoon and threatened the staff with guns before making off with 43 items including rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces.  A female staffer was temporarily used as a hostage before the team switched from their BMW, to a Mercedes, to another car.  This is just the latest in a series of high-profile robberies in the  Bond Street area.

If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration for your photography, read the flickr blog. Back in June, I read a post titled Past Present(ing), and I immediately started my research.  I looked for old photographs of Ealing, where we live(d) in London, printed them in Kuwait ready for this post.  Today, I took some time alone and went on a shoot walk.

I admire the English for their preservation of everything old.  The above image shows the old tram which operated on the Uxbridge Road.  Here is a link to an image of the opening ceremony.  The original photograph was taken around 1910.  Click on the image to get the larger version and have a look at the clock on the right.  I took a close up of it today.  It’s still in the same place!  The beautiful church, also in the above image, gets its own frame below.

The New Broadway captured below is the main road heading West.  The post box on the left is still in the same place.  The church wall on the right, where the man is sitting, looks exactly the same as it did almost a hundred years ago.  From the same point, I took the shot used for the header of this post.  The 607 bus services this road from Uxbridge to Shepherd’s Bush.

The Town Hall building has had some minor alterations.  The staircase outside looks different but the overall feel to the road is the same.  The tram is again visible in this image.  Have a look at the man pushing the trolley.

For some reason, I love this one.  Look at the way people were dressed!  The woman in the hat, holding the umbrella, made me look at this image again and again… and I still do.

The location of the image below is fifty yards from my old High School.  Across the road from Ealing Green, it’s where I bought sweets and junk – a tradition I still practice – during lunch breaks.  The shop is gone.  I remember a few years ago when all the shops on the right were being renovated. Other than that, the area hasn’t changed for twenty years.

From the old image, it doesn’t look like it changed much in sixty years.

I spent my school years here, during the late 1980s and went back again when I moved from Denmark around 2000.  I therefore feel more at home here than anywhere else in the world. Ealing is by no means perfect.  There are some horrible corners.  I can however see why it was once the ‘Queen of the Suburbs’.  More on Ealing’s history can be found here.

The title of this post is not to show off my Latin.  Because I don’t know any.  I do know however that it means ‘Look backward, look forward’ or with a more meaningful translation: ‘Learn from the Past—Look to the Future’.  I couldn’t think of a better title for this post.  These two words are special to me because they were printed on our school badge at Ealing Green High School, which we wore on our blazers.  My school, below, was converted to a college.

Like I told the nice police officers who stopped me this afternoon, this is a post for fun only.  I should close with a disclaimer regarding the images:

Whilst every single image on BuYousef.net has been taken by me, it is (I hope) obvious that the images I’m holding in the photographs above are not mine.  They were taken by someone before I, or indeed my parents, were born.  I printed them for the purpose of this post, and a couple of them are framed on the wall of our house.  All the details of copyright and original artists/photographers are available here.

UPDATE 1 August 2009:

I just found a video from 1901 filmed from a tram! Click here to watch it.

Entirely unexpectedly, not to mention coincidentally, this weekend has been spent exploring the two Ends of London – the East and the West. The North and South Ends can go screw themselves, I have no time for them. I’m not even sure where they are.

I encountered many wondrous things on my voyage. Yesterday, the original plan was to visit an antique market near Bond Street Underground Station. Unfortunately, the Internet lied, and it was closed. So I figured I’d wander around Mayfair for a bit.

On the left is a former residence of William Blake, whom you may recall being mentioned in this blog before now. It is now a waxing studio. The sign in the window reads, “1,000,000 bushes beautifully pruned and counting!” I believe this is a reference to Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience, though I could be wrong.

In this photo you will see two blue plaques. On the right is George Fredric Handel. On the right is none other than Mr Jimi Hendrix. I like to imagine they had jamming sessions together, but apparently this is unlikely due to that whole “physical impossibility” thing. Still, ‘All Along the Watchtower’ remains a frickin’ awesome song.

On your left – a house on Brook Street owned by Prince Talleyrand. I mention this primarily because I find his name hilarious. In fact, I feel that it should become a euphemism for something, and I intend for this to be the case by the end of the week.

I do not know who Prince Talleyrand was.

On your right is a fashion boutique of some sort, not clear who runs it though. The mannequins have robot heads to invoke post-apocalyptic terror. For those of you interested in such things, the robot on the left is copied from a toy robot made in the 1950s by Line Mar, the one in the middle bears a resemblance to Yonezawa’s 1960s “Krome Dome” robot and the one on the right looks more than a little like a 1960s Bull Mark “Mirror Man” toy. AND NOW YOU KNOW.

Here is a picture of Berkeley Square. I am told that a nightingale sang here once.

And here on the right is Grosvenor Square, famously inhabited by many members of the aristocracy back in the day and now home to the American Embassy. In Oscar Wilde’s not-about-homosexuality-honest play Lady Windermere’s Fan, the Duchess of Berwick notes that many vulgar people live here. One suggestion, made by Ed Glinert among others, is that this was a reference to the “New Money” residents who began colonising the Square in the later part of the nineteenth century. Personally, I think it’s just to show that the Duchess is such a snob that even other aristos are beneath her. Take it as you will.

Left – a very small police phone box, also on Grosvenor Square. The Time Lords planned to produce a number of these mini-time machines, known as Reduced Exterior Time And Relative Dimensions In Space. Unfortunately, the acronym, RETARDIS, meant that it was doomed from the start.

El sombrero se ve en esta foto…lo que no se aprecia es el traje Chanel que llevaba esta elegante “lady”…¿pero por qué con mochila al hombro? No lo parece, pero eso que lleva es una mochila. ¿Iría al gimnasio?

Es un buen ejemplo del pragmatismo británico…”si tengo que llevar mochila, llevo mochila…aunque vista de Chanel”.

Hoje andamos demaaaais! Saímos do nosso apê até a Avenida Santa Fé, cerca de duas quadras daqui, e descemos ela toda. Passamos pela galeria Bond Street, a galeria do rock de Buenos Aires, e conheci a Livraria Ateneu, que é realmente linda. Foi um passeio de cerca de duas horas, andando, tudo para não engordar com as delícias daqui…muito doce. Já tenho até meu chocolate preferido!

Bond Street:

Livraria Ateneu