New York Open Kitchens [New York]

post from Gridskipper on 28 November 2007 04:15:23 PM. © Gridskipper

Tired of wondering about the cleanliness of the kitchen and whether or not the snotty waiter spat in your soup? The solution is simple -- restaurants with open kitchens are becoming more and more popular. Watching your food being made is interesting from a culinary perspective and can also give you and your Great Aunt Joyce visiting from Tampa something to talk about besides your love life. From sushi to fine French cuisine (with some cheese and beer thrown in for good measure), an opportunity to feel inadequate about your cooking skills awaits!

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April Dates added for Cancun and Juan Dolio, DR

post from Living Without Borders on 28 November 2007 04:05:20 PM. © Living Without Borders

We’re still finalizing Developments and Properties, but we’ve just added April Dates[...]

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dolio-dr/

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Travel Gear: iTravel iPod Alarm Clock

post from TravelPost.com Insider on 28 November 2007 04:03:00 PM. © TravelPost.com Insider

Here’s a cute stocking stuffer for traveling iPod users: the iTravel Mini for iPod Video, available at Kaehler World Traveler. In white or black, this compact shell features plug-n-play stero speakers for bringing your audio and visual iPod content with you when you’re away from home, as well as a digital alarm clock. [...]

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Is Abu Dhabi Aiming to Become the Anti-Dubai [Abu
Dhabi]

post from Gridskipper on 28 November 2007 04:00:05 PM. © Gridskipper

performing%20arts%20centre%20abu%20dhabi.jpg Say that ten times fast! The undulating installation above is the Performing Arts Centre in Abu Dhabi, designed by Zaha Hadid and unveiled earlier this year. Hadid's organicus maximus is just one of a great many huge, expensive edifi going up as part of the $27 billion Saadiyat Island development, which also includes what will be the world's largest Guggenheim museum, as designed by Frank Gehry -- not to mention a branch of the Louvre as envisioned by Jean Nouvel. Just this weekend, Abu Dhabi hosted a high-dollar Western-style art fair at the Emirates Palace, often called the world's most expensive hotel. What gives? Isn't this the sort of attention normally lavished on the neighboring emirate of Dubai?

Indeed it is, and there's no way Abu Dhabi can hope to out-Dubai Dubai. But if you've ever been to Dubai, one of the immediately obvious drawbacks is the almost complete lack of cultural diversions. Resorts and malls and skyscrapers are piled up everywhere you look, but aside from the odd historical site and Dubai's lackluster fort-museum, it's not a place that makes cultural exploration easy. That may be incrementally changing, but Abu Dhabi has already thrown huge money into capitalizing on Dubai's major tourism blindspot.

Most of Abu Dhabi's cultural blitz is centered on Saadiyat Island, which will of course also play host to plenty of retail, residential, and commercial space. In addition to the aforementioned international museum heavyweights, a more local (but still architecturally funky) production arrives on the island in the form Tadao Ando's Maritime Museum. The culture vulturing doesn't stop there, with a branch of the Sorbonne already functioning in Abu Dhabi while its permanent home is constructed; a campus of New York University is also in development.

Abu Dhabi is actually the richest of the United Arab Emirates, with considerably more oil wealth than Dubai (in fact, the two engaged in a series of wars and border skirmishes for decades until the late 20th century). The cultural push is a deft ploy to carve out a niche in the surprisingly vibrant Gulf market -- and just as with the financial boom, the locals are quite happy to bring in outside expertise to make it happen. That art fair was arranged and curated by (who else) the French, namely ArtParis. They covered up the Emirates' Palace infamously tacky gold decor with austere white canvas and gray carpet. "White and gray, all simple, because the focus today is art, not the gold," intoned the excellently named Caroline Clough-Lacoste, the French art director. Of course, just like with the art fair, the gold is what's holding up the culture in Abu Dhabi. But despite its head start, Dubai could easily find itself playing cultural catch-up once tourists get tired of the latest monolithic tower.

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ecome-the-anti+dubai-327605.php

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Is Abu Dhabi Aiming to Become the Anti-Dubai [Abu
Dhabi]

post from Gridskipper on 28 November 2007 04:00:05 PM. © Gridskipper

performing%20arts%20centre%20abu%20dhabi.jpg Say that ten times fast! The undulating installation above is the Performing Arts Centre in Abu Dhabi, designed by Zaha Hadid and unveiled earlier this year. Hadid's organicus maximus is just one of a great many huge, expensive edifi going up as part of the $27 billion Saadiyat Island development, which also includes a what will be the world's largest Guggenheim museum, as designed by Frank Gehry. Not to mention a branch of the Louvre as envisioned by Jean Nouvel. Just this weekend, Abu Dhabi hosted a Western-style art fair at the Emirates Palace, often called the world's most expensive hotel. What gives? Isn't this the sort of attention normally lavished on the neighboring emirate of Dubai?

Indeed it is, and there's no way Abu Dhabi can hope to out-Dubai Dubai. But if you've ever been to Dubai, one of the immediately obvious, major drawbacks is the almost complete lack of cultural diversions. Resorts and malls and skyscrapers are piled up everywhere you look, but aside from the odd historical site and Dubai's lackluster fort-museum, it's not a place that makes cultural exploration easy. That may be incrementally changing, but Abu Dhabi has already thrown huge money into capitalizing on Dubai's major tourism blindspot.

Most of Abu Dhabi's cultural blitz is centered on Saadiyat Island, which will of course also play host to plenty of retail, residential, and commercial space. In addition to the aforementioned international museum heavyweights, a more local (but still architecturally funky) production arrives on the island in the form Tadao Ando's Maritime Museum. The culture vulturing doesn't stop there, with a branch of the Sorbonne already functioning in Abu Dhabi while its permanent home is constructed; a campus of New York University is also in development.

Abu Dhabi is actually the richest of the United Arab Emirates, with considerably more oil wealth than Dubai (the two engaged in a series of wars and border skirmishes for decades until the late 20th century, in fact). The cultural push is a deft ploy to carve out a niche in the surprisingly vibrant Gulf market -- and just as with the financial boom, the locals are quite happy to bring in outside expertise to make it happen. That art fair was arranged and curated by (who else) the French, namely ArtParis. They covered up the Emirates' Palace infamously tacky gold decor with austere white canvas and gray carpet. "White and gray, all simple, because the focus today is art, not the gold," intoned Caroline Clough-Lacoste, the French art director. Of course, just like with the art fair, the gold is what's holding up the art. But despite their head start, Dubai could easily find themselves playing cultural catch-up once tourists get tired of the latest monolithic tower.

Read The Full Article:
http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gridskipper/full/~3/192055522/is-abu-dhabi-aiming-to-b
ecome-the-anti+dubai-327605.php

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The Best Martinis in Los Angeles [Los Angeles]

post from Gridskipper on 28 November 2007 03:40:21 PM. © Gridskipper

Martinis have come a long way from their humble (but oh-so-delicious) gin and vermouth origins, and what we call a martini today rarely includes either of the two original ingredients. But why split hairs? If it's delicious and alcohol-laden and comes in a stemmed glass, it's worth hunting down regardless of what you call it. Any bar in town can fix you a martini, of course, but some stand out from the crowd in terms of quality and selection. Below, a dedicated drinker's guide to the city's finest martinis, traditional and modern alike. Feel free to pour your own suggestions in the comments or tip shaker.

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-angeles-325572.php

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The Best Martinis in Los Angeles [Los Angeles]

post from Gridskipper on 28 November 2007 03:40:21 PM. © Gridskipper

Martinis have come a long way from their humble (but oh-so-delicious) gin and vermouth origins, and what we call a martini today rarely includes either of the two original ingredients. But why split hairs? If it's delicious and alcohol-laden and comes in a stemmed glass, it's worth hunting down regardless of what you call it. Any bar in town can fix you a martini, of course, but some stand out from the crowd in terms of quality and selection. Below, a dedicated drinker's guide to the city's finest martinis, traditional and modern alike. Feel free to pour your own suggestions in the comments or tip shaker.

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http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gridskipper/full/~3/192055524/the-best-martinis-in-los
-angeles-325572.php

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More NY: Lost marathoner, 'Macbeth' and Ed Koch

post from NewYorkology: A Free New York Travel Guide on 28 November 2007 03:11:52 PM. © NewYorkology: A Free New York Travel Guide

You Tube: Lost NY Marathon jogger (UCB via The Apiary) BAM-bound ?Macbeth? wins big in London (Guardian) Goold was named best director for the production, which Evening Standard critic Nicholas de Jongh described as the "Macbeth of a lifetime",...

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http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2007/11/more_ny_lost_ma_1.php

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Top Picks: Christmas Lunch in London [London]

london%20christmas%20lunch.jpg Christmas Day in London can be lonely for the tourist or otherwise orphaned, with the added insult of nary a bus, Tube, or running train in sight. But with a little planning, and some extra cash for that £4 December 25 London Black Cab supplement, you don't have to lock yourself in your hotel room and devour the contents of the minibar, or even succumb to the Christmas meal offered at your own hotel. Time Out London has smartly assembled a long list of restaurants that will be open on Christmas Day. Here's a gastropub-centric sampling, plus a touristy but scenic river cruise lunch if you feel like setting sail for the afternoon in the company of roast turkey and mince pie. Booking now!

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h-in-london-327198.php

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Top Picks: Christmas Lunch in London [London]

london%20christmas%20lunch.jpg Christmas Day in London can be lonely for the tourist or otherwise orphaned, with the added insult of nary a bus, Tube, or running train in sight. But with a little planning, and some extra cash for that £4 December 25 London Black Cab supplement, you don't have to lock yourself in your hotel room and devour the contents of the minibar, or even succumb to the Christmas meal offered at your own hotel. Time Out London has smartly assembled a long list of restaurants that will be open on Christmas Day. Here's a gastropub-centric sampling, plus a touristy but scenic river cruise lunch if you feel like setting sail for the afternoon in the company of roast turkey and mince pie. Booking now!

[Photo]

Read The Full Article:
http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gridskipper/full/~3/192027409/top-picks-christmas-lunc
h-in-london-327198.php

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