Friday, July 18, 2008

La Mirande



I've been browsing thru the net in search of a decent hotel in Avignon. Have landed on this one. Will be staying there for 4 nights this Oct. Hope it's as good as it looks.

http://www.la-mirande.fr/UK/home.html

Hotel de la Mirande
4, Place de la Mirande
84000 Avignon - France
Tel +33 4 90 14 20 20

L'Ami Louis



Frederick has been wanting to go to this place forever but after 4 Paris visits, we've still never been. We'll actually be going towards the end of Sept this time. Supposingly it's Bill Clinton's favorite restaurant before he goes on a diet. Hope it lives up to its reputation.

Address : 32, r. du Vertbois
Zip code : 75003
City : Paris
Opening hours : From 12am to 3pm and from 6pm to 11pm - Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Prices : extravagant
Phone : +33 (0)1 48 87 77 48

Hiramatsu Paris



We went to this restaurant right after we got off the train from Bordeaux. Food is most excellently prepared by Japanese chef. It's French cousine they serve though. Wine list is also impeccable.

http://www.hiramatsu.co.jp/fr/index.html

52, rue de Longchamp 75116 Paris France
TEL: 01 56 81 08 80
FAX: 01 56 81 08 81

Union Square Cafe



Andrew took me there last year. Restaurant is famous for food and wine pairing. I don't know about the wine but food is excellent!

http://www.unionsquarecafe.com

21 East 16th Street, between Union Square
West and 5th Ave.

Del Frisco's



Recommanded by Gary again. He prefers this over Peter Luger but I actually prefer the later. Portions are HUGE! Atmosphere is a little too touristy. Again, very convenient for pre-broadway dinner.

http://www.delfriscos.com

Del Frisco's of New York
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
(212) 575-5129

Veritas



We went there for the extensive wine list and it didn't disappoint. But food is only so-so.

http://www.veritas-nyc.com

43 East 20th Street
New York, NY 10003
Between Broadway & Park Ave S
Tel: 212-353-3700

Le Bernardin



I think Gary recommended this place. Food is excellent at great price. Even the non-seafood menu is superb. Very Convenient if watching a broadway show afterwards.

http://www.le-bernardin.com/

155 West 51st Street . New York City . 212-554-1515

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Disney Sea Tokyo




Although it doesn't really interest me at this stage of my life but my Japanese teacher Doi San highly recommended a visit to Disney Sea Tokyo. She said the night time 3D water show is the best performance she's ever seen in her live. Truly spectacular.

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tds/index_e.html

How to get there:

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdr/english/plan/access/index.html

Peninsula Tokyo




I seriously cannot recommend a better hotel to stay in Tokyo. Although the lobby doesn't look impressive, the guest rooms are truly phenomenal. Everything is very well thought/taken care of. They have a phs mobile phone in the room for guest use. Lighting/music/curtain/speaker phone controls works like a charm. There's even a nail dryer in the dressing room. Conveniently located at the heart of Ginza, this hotel is amazing!

http://tokyo.peninsula.com/

The Peninsula Tokyo
1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, 100-0006, Japan
Tel: (81-3) 6270 2888
Room Reservations: (81-3) 6270 2288
Reservations Direct Line Toll-free: (0120) 71 2888 (From Japan)
Fax: (81-3) 6270 2000

Yakiniku-Jumbo





Highly recommended by Vanessa Kung. Supposedly it's ranked as the No.1 Yakiniku place in Tokyo. She goes there every time. She said must order the Omakase Beef (means recommended by restaurant).

http://www.kuroge-wagyu.com

焼肉ジャンボ白金

最寄り駅
■南北線 白金高輪A4出口より 徒歩7分
■日比谷線 広尾1番出口より お車で3分

営業時間:17:00〜24:00(年中無休)
〒108-0072 東京都港区白金3-1-1第一麻布ビル1F
TEL.03-5795-4129/FAX.03-5795-4140
URL.http://www.y-jumbo.com

焼肉ジャンボ本店
住所:東京都江戸川区篠崎4-13-19 電話:03-3679-8929
定休日:火曜日  営業時間:17:00〜24:00 (L.O.23:30) 
URL : http://www.yakiniku-jambo.com/

Totoli Sapporo






This is recommended to us by the chef from Sushi Zen. Excellent Yakiniku restaurant. Too bad I was rather sick when we went and didn't get to eat much. It's so good Stella, Mark and Winnie made a trip back to Sapporo to have another meal on their last day.

http://r.tabelog.com/hokkaido/rstdtlmenu/1000023/

店名 トトリ 本店
ジャンル 焼肉、韓国料理
TEL 011-531-5893
住所 北海道札幌市中央区南五条西7
営業時間 [月~土]
12:00~翌3:00
[日]
12:00~23:00
定休日 無休
平均予算 最も多くの方が実際に使った金額です。 (予算分布)
[夜] ¥5,000 ~¥5,999 | [昼] ¥1,000 ~¥1,999

Kurosawa Restaurant







Now this is a very good place to go to for high quality Shabu Shabu. Around 10,000 yen per person. It's also the living quater of imfamous Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. So it's definitely worth a visit if you're a fan.

For more information and reservation Call 03-3580-9638
2-7-9 Nagata-cho,chiyoda,Tokyo 100-0014
00-0014 東京都千代田区永田町2-7-9 TEL 03-3580-9638 FAX 03-3580-3929

Imahan 人形町今半 新宿高島屋店




















This is a restaurant I go almost every time for shabushabu/sukiyaki whem I'm in Tokyo. Not the best beef I've had but definitely good value for $. It's conveniently located on the 14th floor of Takashimaya Shinjuku. I often buy their beef and source from the Takashimaya Supermarket and bring back to HK when I leave Tokyo as well.

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/rstdtlmenu/13004274/


店名 人形町今半 新宿高島屋店(にんぎょうちょういまはん)
ジャンル すき焼き、しゃぶしゃぶ、会席料理
TEL 03-5361-1871
住所 東京都渋谷区千駄ヶ谷5-24-2 タカシマヤタイムズスクエア 14F
営業時間 11:00~23:00
定休日 不定休(高島屋に準ずる)
ホームページ http://www.imahan.com/

Sushi Mizutani Gina




















Well, I don't quite eat sushi myself but Frederick said this is very good, one of the best place he's had sushi. It's also a Michelin 3 Star Restaurant. Looks a little expensive though.

店名 鮨 水谷(すしみずたに)
ジャンル 寿司
TEL 03-3573-5258
住所 東京都中央区銀座8-2-10 銀座誠和シルバービル B1F
営業時間 11:30~13:30 17:00~21:30
定休日 日曜・祝日
平均予算 最も多くの方が実際に使った金額です。 (予算分布)
[夜] ¥20,000 ~¥29,999 | [昼] ¥15,000 ~¥19,999

Elevage Tokyo



http://www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/tokyo_nightlife/wine_bars/Elevage/1289/photos


We went to this place 3 nights in a row while we're in Tokyo. Mr. Yoshida is like one of those devine wine experts who appeared in the magna series "Drops from God". He serves Burgundy wine by the glass at their best state. You can also try a sip of 86' D'Yquem for 2900 Yen. Highly recommended.

Address: Hachiman Bldg. 2F, 4-2-13 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Telephone: 03-6419-3889

Business Hours: Mon-Fri 6:00pm-1:00am; Sat 5:00pm-0:00am; closed Sun

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Hayashi Tokyo



http://www.doko.jp/search/shop.do?sc=1123368
http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/rstdtlphoto/13000318/1/vote/desc/0/1/

Excellent tempura restaurant near Nihonbashi (日本橋) recommended by Hazel. "Its just a small shop with like 12 seats, the people there don’t’ speak any Japanese at all and they only accept cash. No a la carte either."

店名 はやし
住所 東京都中央区日本橋室町1丁目12-10
最寄り駅 三越前駅(東京メトロ銀座線)
電話番号 03-3241-5367
営業時間 11:50~14:00/17:00~20:00
定休日 日祝

Monday, March 10, 2008

Factory Outlets near Florence

THE FERRAGAMO SHOE MUSEUM
Tel + 39 055 336045 FAX + 39 055 336044
Via dei Tornabuoni 2, 50123 Florence
Mon./ Wed./ Fri 9am – 1pm 2pm – 6pm (by appointment only)

SPACE (Prada Outlet)
Tel + 39 055 91 90
Località Levanells
52025 Montevarchi
Get there when it opens at 9:30am
Take Train to Montevarchi, then taxi

Dolce & Gabbana outlet
Località S. Maria Maddalena, 49
Pian dell'Isola Rignano Sull'Arno
tel: 055.8331300 fax: 0558331301
Monday - Saturday
09,00 AM - 07,00 PM
Sunday
03,00 PM - 07,00 PM
FROM FLORENCE BY TRAIN
From the Florence Santa Maria Novella station take the train to Rignano Sull'Arno, take a taxi from the station, it's about 5 minutes.

THE MALL
(carries Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Ungaro, Ferragamo, La Perla, Tod’s-Hogan and Zegna. They provide a shuttle bus that takes visitors from hotels in Florence to The Mall and back for 25 euros. You can also get there by train and the SITA bus costs just 2.60 euros one way.)
Tel + 39 055 8657 775 FAX 39 055 865 7801
Via Europa 8
50060 Leccio Regello
Info@design-management.it
Mom. – Sat. 10am – 8pm Sun. 3pm – 7pm
Telephone about Shuttle to The Mall – 25 euros
By CAR ( 30 minutes) A1 Motorway, exit Incisa to Leccio
http://www.outlet-the-mall.com/en/presentazione.html

Getting there
Although it is possible to reach the outlets by public transport (taking a train to Montevarchi for Prada or Incisa for The Mall and continuing by taxi), it's much easier to drive there. If the prospect of negotiating Florence's narrow streets fills you with dread, hire a car from Europcar (Via del Gelsomino 11; 055 230 6777), who have an office in the southern suburbs of the city close to where you join the motorway.

For the Prada outlet, head south out of Florence on the A1 motorway and exit at Valdarno. Turn right after the toll onto the SS69 and follow directions for Arezzo and Montevarchi. Drive through the centre of Montevarchi till you reach the suburb of Levanelle, past an AGIP petrol station on the right. Shortly after the petrol station, where an overhead sign indicates the end of Montevarchi, turn left at a traffic light and drive round the back of a large, single-storey grey warehouse with a jagged roof, and you're there.

For The Mall, head south out of Florence on the A1 (as above) but exit earlier at Incisa. After the toll, turn right and head towards Pontassieve. The Mall is indicated all the way.

www.italylimo.com, www.EnjoyFlorence.com, www.Artviva.com and www.stefanogiusti.com for Outlet Tours

Gotemba Outlet




http://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/gotemba/

Looks like this outlet is very close to Hakone. Look forward to go in May 08.

〒412-0023
静岡県御殿場市深沢1312
TEL.0550-81-3122

火車頭越南餐室


http://www.hkwm.com/locomotive.htm
http://www.cafelocomotive.com

Their Pho is pretty impressive and I love their soft shell crab. Can forget about their spring roll though, tast weird.

菜式 : 越南
食品種類 : 主題餐廳, 粉麵, 小食
地址 : 銅鑼灣大坑浣紗街11號地下
電話 : 28828227
傳真 : 28828260
營業時間 : 星期一至日中午12時至下午3時 / 晚上6時至晚上10時半
平均每人消費 : $80 每人

盛八日式燒肉店



My favorite Yakiniku Restaurant in Hong Kong.

食品種類 : 刺身, 壽司, 天婦羅, 燒烤
地址 : 銅鑼灣怡和街2-6號英光大廈3樓
電話 : 31060183
傳真 : 31060831
營業時間 : 星期一至日中午12時至下午3時 / 晚上6時至晚上11時
平均每人消費 : $200 每人
地鐵站 : 銅鑼灣站F出口

地址 : 尖沙咀亞士厘道23-25號雅士利中心3樓
電話 : 23668866 / 23803388
傳真 : 28826388
營業時間 : 星期一至日中午12時至下午3時 / 晚上6時至午夜12時
平均每人消費 : $200 每人
地鐵站 : 尖沙咀站C1出口
可供訂座 : 可供訂座

可供訂座 : 可供訂座

Private Onzen in Japan


http://kashikiri-onsen.com/

A collection on Kashikiri (Private) Onsen in Japan.

靜觀莊 Seikansou




http://www.seikansou.jp/

Found this on the web. Looks very nice, reasonably priced at 28,000 to 35,000 Yen, all rooms equipped with outdoor onzen. Look forward to try in May 08.

Gorakadan


http://www.gorakadan.com/

Highly recommended by WS and Gary. Karen found it a bit touristy. On the expensive side at 50,000 Yen per person per night.

Matoi


http://www.matoi-web.com/shopintro/index.html

Sushi Restaurant highly recommended by Hazel, who got it from a recommended restaurants list in Tokyo from Gorakadan.

店名 纏(まとい)
代表 加藤 允理
所在地 〒107-0052
東京都港区赤坂3-10-5 赤坂クインビル2F
TEL 03-3560-8355
FAX 03-3560-8355
営業時間 月~土・祝日 17:00~
定休日 日曜日
アクセス 地下鉄赤坂見附駅からベルビー赤坂の筋を西へ、
田町通りを左折、三菱東京UFJ銀行の向い側

Bali Villas


http://www.elitehavensbali.com/elitehavens/elitehavensbali/index.asp

To search for private villas in Bali. Recommended by Liza.

Skin Store


http://www.skinstore.com/

My alternative for Essential Day Spa since the Canadian Dollar has gone up. $14.95 flat fee international shipping.

Essential Day Spa


http://www.essentialdayspa.com/

Here's another site I used to order a lot from before the Canadian dollar shot up. They offer free international shipping with orders over $200 CAD.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Revolve Clothing



http://www.revolveclothing.com/index.jsp

This has just become one of my favorite online shopping site. Free worldwide shipping for orders over US$100. It also matches any discount coupon a competitor's site is offering as well.

Bicester Village





http://www.bicestervillage.com

Outlet shopping is always a good way to kill time. Went to Bicester Village when Frederick was having an exam in London in 2006. Not even close to any US outlet in size but got a few pairs of nice Tod's and a Mulberry bag. Churches is always at 30% off there. Styles exactly the same as normal retail store.

Directions by train:

Chiltern Railways operates a daily services from London Marylebone (up to 4 an hour) or Birmingham Moor Street (up to 2 an hour) to Bicester North station. There is a direct bus link from station to Bicester Village and 3 or 4 go for the price of 2 adults when buying Cheap Day Return or Saver tickets to Bicester Village! Each group can also take up to 4 additional children for just £1 each. (GroupSave is not valid before 09.30 on Mondays to Fridays (except Public Holidays)). Ask for a through ticket to Bicester Village which includes return bus travel from Bicester North station.

First Great Western Up to 7 trains a day on Mondays to Saturdays from Oxford to Bicester Town Station, which is just a short walk from Bicester Village.

Useful numbers

Chiltern Railways enquiries: 08456 005 165 (07.00 to 20.00 daily)

First Great Westernenquiries: 08457 000 125 (07.00 to 22.00 daily)

National Rail Enquiriesenquiries: 08457 48 49 50 (24hrs)

Friday, March 7, 2008

正泰苑 芝大門




http://r.tabelog.com/japan/rstdtl/13005213/

Stella highly recommended this place. Probably need to book 2 weeks in advance.

橫 濱 Bayside Marina





http://www.bayside-outlet.com/

Stella recommended this place. Her sister and friends got a bunch of discounted Juicy stuff there in Easter 2007.

★ 橫 濱 Bayside Marina

横浜市金沢区白帆5-2 TEL045-775-4446

特 色 : 位 遊 艇 碼 頭 附 近 , 可 眺 望 港 灣 風 光 , 環 境 舒 適 。
地 址 : 橫 濱 市 金 澤 區 白 帆 5-2
網 址 : www.bayside-outlet.com
店 舖 數 目 : 約 72 間
推 薦 品 牌 : Jill Stuart 、 Olivedes Olive 、 Nice Claup 、 Lacoste 、 Levi's 、 XLARGE/X-girl 、 MICHEL KLEIN 、 Birkenstock 、 Franc Franc 、 New Balance 、 BCBG 、 G-shock
交 通 : 由 新 宿 出 發 , 乘 JR 至 橫 濱 站 。 由 JR 橫 濱 乘 京 濱 東 北 根 岸 線 到 新 杉 田 站 , 再 轉 乘 金 澤 mono-train 去 烏 濱 站 , 全 程 約 1 小 時 10 分 鐘 。

More Japan outlets recommended by Apple Daily here.

Fruitcake Factory





http://www.fruitscakefactory.com/

This is possibly the best fruitcake I've ever had. Tried it in 2002 and still remember how yummy it is. I remembered having to line up and wait for over half an hour to make the order and yet another half to get the cakes. But it's definitely worth it. The cash register at the shop just goes on accepting $ non-stop. Thought it's a great business if the same quality cakes can be reproduced in HK. Will definitely go again in May 2008.

總店
札幌市中央区南1条西4丁目
電話番号
011-251-0311
営業時間
平日  10:30~23:00
土日祝 10:30~21:00

円山店
札幌市中央区南3条西24丁目3-19
電話番号
011-643-3966
営業時間
10:00~21:00

ロビンソン店
札幌市中央区南4条西4丁目ロビンソン札幌地下2階
電話番号
011-520-9611
営業時間
平日  10:00~22:00

箱根吟遊 武藏野本館











http://www.hakoneginyu.co.jp/reservation.html

Recommended by Karen Chu from bookbinding. Looks like you need to call to make reservations. Looking forward to go in May 08.