One of the best games on the Earth

It's all about "petanque". I filmed it on Cote d'Azur, France.

Moscow. Day one

Yesterday I coudn't write anything because all day I was in the road from St-Barth to Moscow. So, Today I came home. By my luggage isn't. It's still at St-Barth. As for me - I'm having the horrible jet-lag. 

And I have a lot of work to do (tomorrow is the deadline for Style Travel magazine). So, please wait a little and I will write something interesting.

But I guess I still have no readers. 

Cool

Rock villa rocks

This is the exact Mixer John Lennon recorded his "Imagine" album. I saw it. And I touched it. I wish I could record something too but I am limited in time. The recording studio is the part of the very cool villa - Rock Villa - at one of the best holes in the St-Barth.

As for the Mixer - everyone can use it. By paying $15 000 a night for the Rock Villa at hotel Eden Rock.

Where: Hotel Eden Rock, Baie de St. Jean, FWI-97133 St Barths, French West Indies

www.edenrockhotel.com

Beautiful world

This is my bedroom. It’s something I will never forget.

The room is so sexy that I have just one desire: make love.

I spent almost a week at St-Barth but just today I understood this island. It is a very special place on Earth. You have to be patient. Like I was. And then you will have a chance to discover something really special. Like Eden Rock hotel, where you will find this girl...

They say it’s the best hotel on the island. I totally agree.

Rock villa rocks.

This is the dream place to stay.

Great place to stay

Yesterday I wrote about Beverly Hills hotel. Today I will write about Ritz Carlton San Francisco – gorgeous property, located in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. What’s special about this hotel? First of all – it’s facade. Have a look on the photo I did with my iPhone (you can click on it to enlarge). It’s beautiful! This luxury hotel recently completed a $12.5 million renovation. But this renovation did not affect the historical relics. I’ve been there few weeks ago. Trust me, it’s true. Have a look on the picture and you will see…

This was the university a long time ago. Now it’s the luxury city hideaway where you can have a great time, and it’s right in the center of San Francisco. What I like about all Ritz Carlton hotels is the executive club lounge floor. It’s the floor with your personal concierge, free all day dining, free internet access, ect. So here is my advice: if you come to Ritz Carton, you should always book the club lounge floor.

But let’s get back to this wonderful San Francisco property. It’s located on Stockton Street, just few blocks from mainstay landmarks like Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. But miles away from an ordinary hotel experience. The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco is a tranquil Nob Hill hotel from which to enjoy the city’s spirited atmosphere and numerous cultural opportunities.

And, oh, I almost forgot to say… It has one of the best restaurants in San Francisco: The Dinning Room. The chef Ron Siegel is a little bit shy, so I didn’t have chance to ask him all questions I had. But trust me, he is one of the most talented and passionate men it the profession. Even if you don’t plan to stay at Ritz Carlton San Francisco, you should come and have a tasting at The Dinning Room (it has 1 Michelin star, by the way...). Believe me, it’s one of the greatest restaurant in California. I have the right to judge. I am writing about food for few years and I know the difference between “good” and “bad”.

Siegel is the great chef. And Ritz Carlton San Francisco is the great hotel.

I wish I could live there for a while.

Odd man out

Tonight I was writing a story about Beverly Hills Hotel where I stayed few weeks ago. This is the place I fell in love from the first minute. Pink Lady (the second, unofficial, name of the hotel) took my heart. I can say – this is the best place where I have been during this year. And maybe it's the best hotel I visited ever.

It’s not even the hotel. It is more like a private residence for all the VIPs. Hollywood stars. Film produces. Investors. Developers. Musicians. I was just a guest who spent 3 nights there. I am not a movie star. I am not a billionaire. I am not living the life they all does. But it doesn’t matter.

I saw real stars during the dinner at Polo Lounge (one of the most famous restaurants in whole California). But I can say again – it doesn’t matter. You don’t come to that kind of the hotel to see someone or to take autograph. Obviously, that’s not the reason at all.

The main reason to book a room in this hotel is to become, just for a while, someone who can share the life with all the “boys” and “girls” that do not exist for most people on the planet. And then you will understand: their life is totally different. And by knowing that, you will have a strong desire to be the same. This does not mean that I want to be a movie star (I don't, actually). But to be successful and independent - yes, I want it. And I will be. I promise to myself. My deadline - is two years. And also I know that my thirtieth birthday (in April 2011) I will celebrate in Beverly Hills Hotel. I just want it. And I will...

So yes – Pink Lady took my heart. I fell in love. Again.

Where: Sunset Blvd, 9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.beverlyhillshotel.com

p.s. Later I will write much more about Beverly Hills Hotel. It deserves...

All the small things...

I spent almost a week at St-Barth and I can say I am really surprised about some things. For example, you will never find local fresh fruits here. Even luxury hotels doesn’t offer fruits to their guests. You can say that I am spoiled, but I'm used to that every day in my hotel room I can find new fresh fruits plate. But not at St-Barth.

Not in the hotel? Okay, let's go to the local fresh market. But there is not such thing there! Like in Moscow, everything is imported. No local fruits, no local vegetables, no meet. Almost nothing. That means: 1) Everything is expensive, 2) Quality of products is not perfect at all, 3) You’re very limited with your choice. Nice luxury destination, isn’t it?

City guides. Moscow. Where to eat.

As a person who travels a lot, I am always trying to find good places to eat in every new city. To do this I am asking locals where they go. Most of the time their recommendations works pretty well. So, I decided to give my advices for those who comes to Moscow for the first time and wants to have really nice, “not touristic” places.

First of all, I’ll give some “keys” to understand better my list. I will give the name of the restaurant, then it’s Russian transcription in brackets. For the dishes I recommend, I will also give a transcription for you can just tell the waiter what you want. One more important thing: it’s not a rating. I’m not saying that one restaurant is better than the other. It’s just the list of my favorite places in Moscow.

Here we go…

Burcho (Burcho)

Outstanding family restaurant, serving Armenian simple home made cuisine. The design is really simple, the food is perfect. A lot of Russian oligarkhs likes to dine here. They say, mr Mikhail Prokhorov is a frequent visitor to this restaurant. And what is also nice: the prices are extremely friendly. Absolutely “must have” for everyone who comes to Moscow. Some waiters speaks English, by the way…

To order: Dumplings with meat and herbs (hinkali Burcho). Pork barbeque (shashlik iz svininy). Also I suggest you to try Armenian wine. It’s nothing great but could be a good local experience.

Where: Sadovniceskaja naberezhnaja, 77 bld. 1

www.burcho.ru

Expedition (Expedicia)

Do you know a lot of restaurants with the real helicopter in the dining room? I know just one and it’s in Moscow. Called “Expedition”. One of my favorite restaurants in Moscow, serving Nordic Russian cuisine. Every few months chef Alexander Gavrilychev with his team goes to the expeditions to the small villages far away from Moscow to find local recipes, adopt them and bring to the restaurant’s menu. In this restaurant you can try some signature dishes you will never find elsewhere. One thing about Expedition I need to mention – it is pretty expensive. But if you want to have real Russian gourmet experience – that’s the first place to go in Moscow. Menu in English is available.

To order: Frozen raw fish (stroganina iz muksuna). Frozen raw venison (stroganina iz oleniny). Both appetizers are absolutely must have. For the main course try horse meat with morels, cloudberry, porridge and bread (ojmiakonskaja zherebiatina).

Where: Pevchensky pereulok, 6

www.expedicia.ru

Cafe Pushkin (Café Pushkin)

Of course you have to visit famous Cafe Pushkin. But don’t go there for the lunch or dinner. Pushkin is a nice place, but it is more like the “museum” than the gourmet restaurant (it’s pretty expensive and the food is not perfect). So, you have to come once, but without spending waste of money. Do it in the morning. Have the breakfast there – this is the best scenario. You will see a lot of Russian business and glossy people and you will feel the ambiance of the place. Probably, you will se me because “Pushkin” is one of my favorite places for the business meetings and negotiations in the beginning of the day. Valet service is available.

To order: baked milk (toplenoye moloko) with French croissant.

Where: Tverskoy blvd, 26a

www.cafe-pushkin.ru

O2 Lounge Bar at Ritz Carlton Moscow

Secret place for the real connoisseurs of Moscow’s night life. This bar is located on the roof of the Ritz Carlton Moscow hotel. It is obviously the best place to see Moscow by night. Come here after 10 p.m. and you will have the wonderful image of the capital of Russia from the really nice point. It’s not the place to have a memorable dinner (they serve nice food but it's nothing extraordinary) but if you order the nice cocktail, your life will become almost perfect. The famous Red Square will be just in front of you. Please, come here once and you will never regret. The single problem is that the O2 lounge bar is quite popular so to have best seats (outside, on the open terrace) you will need some luck. There is no other place in Moscow you will see Red Square so good. Day time is fine too, but during the night you will have really amazing views. So take you time and relax. To have the most pleasant visit, probably you have to book a room in the hotel?

To order: hookah (kal’jan) or the nice cuban cigar.

Where: Tverskaja ulitsa, 3

www.ritzcarltonmoscow.ru

Meet club (Miasnoj club)

The co-owner of this restaurant – one of the best lawyers in Moscow – is a big fan of good food. He is really passionate about exceptional products and he knows more than a lot of professional chefs in Moscow. He was always dreaming to have the “perfect restaurant” and here it is. If you like meat, there is no better place to come. I would say Meet Club is the Meet Mekka of Moscow for those how can’t imagine their lives without the good meat. The menu gives you the chance go make round the world trip. Here you will have a change to get a taste of Argentina, USA, Italy, ect. Realy nice place. Quite expensive.

To order: Nice T-bone or New York steak. Or some Russian meat variations.

Where: Kuznetskiy most, 19 bld. 1

No web site available yet

Maharaja

If you like Indian cuisine – that’s the place to go. I go there often, because I love the quality of food. Maharaja owned by the Indian family, is one of the oldest restaurants in Moscow (it was opened in 1994). In Russia age means quality. Here you will find really nice Indian cuisine and it’s not too expensive. A lot of local foreigners (who works in Moscow) go there. It’s simple, delicious, not touristic at all.

To order: lamb with spinach and spices (Saag gosht)

Where: Starosadsky pereulok, 1/2

www.maharaja.ru

Sky Lounge Bar

One more outstanding place with the exciting panoramic views of Moscow. Located almost of the roof of the very tall building, it gives you the chance to spend hours looking to Moscow from the top. You don't have to think a lot what to order. Take the nice cocktail or some japanese food if you're hungry (they serve nice sushi at the restaurant). Best moment to come is by night. Take a cocktail and have your time.

To order: whatever you like in the menu

Where: Leninsky prospekt, 32a

www.skylounge.ru

Water dreams

During your stay at St-Barth you have to rent a yacht. Otherwise the trip will be defective. Today I went snorkeling to some nice places. Without a boat you will never get there (I wish my iPhone could capture underwater world).

So, that's the reason to rent the yacht? Of course not! Just imagine how you will drink nice cool "rosé" rocking on the waves. How you will eat fresh melty "mozzarella". How you will enjoy the life.

That's the main reason. And life is beautiful.

Tips for trips

Are you using TripIt? If not - you should. Best planner for frequent travelers (iPhone version is available).

Here are some other apps I'm using all the time. My must have list for iFan travelers (I mean those who owns the iPhone):

- MertO.

This app will tell you how to go from "A" to "B" whether you take metro or bus in almost every city in the world. Before going to Paris, for example, just download plans of the city to your iPhone.

- Global AQ

With this app you will be able to send sms mesages from all over the world almoast for free (wifi is required).

- Skype

Absolutely must have for every traveler. International calls for almost for free. Or totally for free if you're calling to skype users.

Wild nature

This morning I found huge cockroach in my hotel room. It was almost the same size as the hummingbird I took picture before. Can you imagine?

Be ready to pay

Okay, how was the first day on the St-Barth island? Well, I like the place (on the photo - Abramovich's villa, click to enlarge, info - below).

So, what is St-Barth actually? The island was named after Christopher’s Columbus son – Bartelemy (the famous sailor came here once). The population of St-Barth is 8700 people, the size of the island – is 21 square kilometers. It is the luxury headway for those how can afford to spend 25 euro for the French fries. Locals says: “If you wanna live at St-Barth, you have to work hard”. It’s impressively expensive. If you want to stay here as a visitor, also prepare your bank account.

What is special about this island and why it is so unique? It’s a kind of private commune for wealthy people who want to have absolute privacy.

In the beginning of the year Abramovich bought here the villa (it used to be owned by a successful internet trader). He paid 70 million euro. And what is interesting – he had no chance to buy the beach and make it private. All beaches are public. So even if you pay a lot, you will never have a private beach here, on St-Barth.

By the way – this guy is vegetarian. I didn’t know. The owner of a restaurant Xango where mr Abramovich comes sometime told me that. So if you want to catch Russian star – come and try the food. It’s not horrible.

Let’s go back to the story. The island is different. There are some luxury areas, there are some villages where locals live and it’s totally different. As I wrote before, I am staying at Le Toiny. One of the best hotels on the island, the member of Relais&Chateaux assosiation. Is it good? Yes, it is. The good thing about this hotel: it’s not in the tourist center. So, it’s always calm here. And very private.

And very peaceful.

Oh… And very luxury. The hotel has only 17 villas, so it’s the real private hideaway. Believe me, you will not suffer from any noise (except singing birds)...

I like very much the privacy, the location and the panoramic views (the hotel is on the hill and I am the fool on that hill who writes to my blog instead of walking around).

Take master villa (it has 2 separate guest houses and can easily be transformed to the family nest). You will never regret. I will post some pictures tomorrow.

Invisible life of the Sant-Barth

This morning I had a chance to capture this lovely hummingbird on my iPhone. It was not bigger than my pollex. So cute... You can click to the image to enlarge.

Please, please me…

Today I had an excellent espresso at 10 000 meters above the sea level. Really delicious.

I was on my road to St-Barth. (the second name of this place is “Millionaire’s island”). I tried the coffee in the business class of Air France. During the flight I had the great meal witch I didn’t expect. The true success of the “haute cuisine” (this definition has the new sense in the air) is determined by the simplicity of food. 

To please travelers chef have to do simple, good food. Air France does. I liked oven-dried tomato and goat cheese on savory shortbread, sautéed shrimp with pistachio, romaine salad and sautéed artichokes with tomato sauce. I liked mahi-mahi (it’s the fish). I like the desert. It was simple. Creative.

In the end of the flight I asked for a cup of cofee. How often you can have an espresso onboard? This was the surprise witch made me happier.

p.s. On the photo: Arrival to the St-Barth today at 5 p.m. local time on the small plane. How do you like the working airscrew? Cool, isn’t it… 

p.p.s. I arrived to the Le Toiny hotel. Really nice. Tomorrow I will write my first impression about this hotel located on the island. I'm inviting you to the new section of my blog "Dream destinations" where I will write about world's best hotels.

eat and forget

So , I am in Paris. I had a dinner at “Le Relais Plaza” bistrot at Plaza Athenee hotel.

Big “surprise”.

First but not the least was the glass of champagne, of course. There is no choice what to take. Sommelier asked “white” or “rose” with no options. I ordered white. And when the glass came and I made the first taste of it… Well, it was simple. Ordinary champagne, to straight. “Deutz”.

Not my style.

While tasting the sparkling wine, I made a look thru the menu. First impression – this “bistrot” Is not cheap at all. White asparagus (as a starter) – 38 euro. Roasted prawns– 56 euro (could you believe this?) Filet of turbot brittany simply cooked – 65 euro.

I was with my wife so we had a chance to go “thru” the menu. I took artichokes as the starter. She took white asparagus. Turbot as the main course me, sole – for my wife.

What was the first “gourmet” impression? Well, when you have bitter oversized asparagus (it’s like drinking corky wine) it doesn’t make you happy. What about my starter? It didn’t have the flavor and the taste of artichokes at all because the dish was made with a lot of fresh mushrooms and they killed all the rest. It was mushroom strait forward dish.

“Rien a voire aves les artichauts”…

What ‘s about the main courses ? Turbot (the most expensive dish on the menu) totally disappointed me. The fish had no texture and had the very poor flavor. Plus the fish was light warm when it came to the table. It’s just green asparagus –that I loved on the plate. The rest – is a big mess. And believe me - it doesn’t cost 65 euro. Crazy price for a bistrot, even if the owner is mr Ducasse. What about the "sole"? Normal dish. With no shock. Just fish. Without a rich taste.

Verdict? Well, the final bill was around 350 euro with wines and deserts. Absolutely crazy price for that level of food. You can spend much less in a Michelin restaurant. “Le Relais Plaza” has no stars.

What I can say? Well, there is a restaurant next door to the Plaza Athenee hotel – Maison Blanche. I’ve been there before. And it’s extraordinary.

p.s. I have not been to the main 3 michelin star Alain’s Ducasse restaurant in Plaza Athenee (now It operates only 2 days a week). And I think it could be outstanding. Le Louis XV in Monaco (also has 3 michelin stars) – is one of my favorite restaurants. Same for signature Alain Ducasse restaurant in London.

As for “Le Relais Plaza”: big… very big disappointment.

Where: 21, avenue Montaigne, Paris, France