Bistro Chic

A Royal Father’s Day Tradition

jennifer — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:16:38 +0000

This weekend marks one of our biggest family traditions of the year – Father’s Day Weekend at Arlington Park Racecourse. It just so happens that each year around this time is also one of the biggest horse racing events in the world – Royal Ascot.

Steeped in pagentry and tradition, Royal Ascot is defintely the most popular race meeting in Britain, with over 300,000 guests attending Ascot over the 5-day event. It is also one of the many events still attended by Queen Elizabeth II.

Although I may pretend our Father’s Day outing is like Royal Ascot, the blue frozen drinks and popcorn are no match for the high-end treats served in Britain. And, even though hats are plentiful at Arlington Park in the summer, the pomp and circumstance that the beautiful dresses, chapeaus, and facinators command is beyond compare.

So what keeps me going to and writing about my big weekend at Arlington? It’s the beautiful grounds, the elegant horses, gorgeous flowers, the chance to buy and wear a new hat, and, most importantly, the thought that one day, maybe I’ll attend the real Royal Ascot – complete with fascinator attached.

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Queen Celebrates 60 years on British Throne

jennifer — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 02:48:43 +0000

(photo source)

This week, Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 60-year reign as Monarch of England. On June 2, 1953, her majesty was officially crowned with the highest ranking royal title, although she had been seen as Queen more than a year earlier at the age of 25, just months after her father King George VI passed away in his sleep.

The 1953 coronation was attended by 8,000 guests, including prime ministers and heads of state around the Commonwealth. The ceremony has largely remained the same over a thousand years, with the Archbishop of Canterbury presiding for the last 900 years.

During the coronation, the Queen was handed the four symbols of authority:

The orb
The sceptre
The rod of mercy
The royal ring of sapphire and rubies

An estimated three million people lined the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the Queen while millions more watched the broadcast live on television or listened on the radio. As well-wishers shouted God Save the Queen, Her Majesty could be heard saying….

Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your your trust.

Learn more about the Queen’s Coronation and upcoming festivities to celebrate her 60-year anniversary as Monarch.

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Germany Voted Most Popular Country

jennifer — Tue, 28 May 2013 01:38:30 +0000

(photo source)

In a survey of over 26,000 people around the world, Germany was seen as the most popular country. When asked to rank 16 countries (excluding their own country), 59% of respondents ranked Germany positively. Some analysts believe the positive rating is due to Germany’s strong dipolomacy, where ministers frequently tour other countries with markets for German goods. Germany has also faired better economically than almost every other European country in recent years.

Take a look at how other countries ranked on the “postive” list (percentage of positive ranking):

Germany – 59%
Canada – 55
UK – 55%
Japan – 51%
France – 49%
EU – 49%
Brazil – 46%
USA – 45%
China – 42%
South Korea – 36%
South Africa – 35%
India – 34%
Russia – 30%
Israel – 21%
North Korea – 19%
Pakistan – 15%
Iran – 15%

Read the full story here…..

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Chelsea Flower Show Celebrates Centennial Year

jennifer — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:30:31 +0000

(photo source)

Chelsea Flower Show, May 21-25, 2013

This year marks the 100th anniversary of one of the most prestigious flower shows in the world – the Chelsea Flower Show. First known as the Royal Horticulture Society Great Spring Show from 1862 through 1912, the Chelsea Flower Show has been located at its current site on the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, in the United Kingdom, since 1913. Once Britain’s largest flower show (now held by Hampton Court), Chelsea’s draws 157,000 vistors each year and is the show most associated with the Royal Family.

5 Facts about the Chelsea Flower Show

It takes 25 days to put up the entire show
The number of exibits in 1913 = 244; in 2013 = 550
Garden gnomes, along with all colored sculptures are forbidden (although exhibitors try to sneak them in)
Two firms have exhibited every year since 1913, including McBean’s Orchids, and Blackmore and Langdon
The Great Pavilion, introduced in 1951, was name in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest tent, until it was replaced in 2000. The tent remains were used to make 7,000 bags, aprons, and jackets.

Learn more about the Chelsea Flower Show and other flower and garden shows around the UK.

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Destination Nespresso

jennifer — Tue, 07 May 2013 02:40:39 +0000

Although traveling for work can be tiring, tough on the family you leave behind, and often lonely, getting to know the cities you’re in can often provide just enough fun and change in scenery to make you appreciate your job, family, and your wonderful life. And, if you do your homework, you can become familiar enough with the city to feel somewhat like a local, or at least, comfortable with your surroundings.

When traveling, there are always three things I research in advance to help me feel more in tune with my destination city…

Running paths or trails
Local patisseries or dessert places
Coffee shops

Last week, I was fortunate to be in both Miami and Boston. Although each city is remarkable in it’s own way, I seem to focus on what matters most….and that’s finding a little bit of home through a safe and scenic place to run, fantastic food and desserts, and a great cup of espresso.

Now, as most of you know by now, my espresso habit is fueled by my Nespresso machine. Each morning it puuurrrs to me in that wake up and smell the dulsão de Brazil way. So it’s only natural that waking in a strange city becomes even stranger sans Nespresso.

Ironically, Miami and Boston (and Chicago for that matter) all have something in common… and more than just great food and fantastic running paths. They are all home to Nespresso boutique stores. This may seem insignificant, but if you know anything about Nespresso you know that they have very few boutique stores in the US (in only 8 states). And I just so happened to stop in two boutiques in two different states in the matter of 5 days!

What I loved about each was how similar they were to the overall design (sleek, clean, and modern/edgy) and that they hosted a tasting area to sample their most popular espressos. Miami actually took their “tasting area” one step further by provding a full cafe with indoor and outdoor seating and a tres chic experience on a warm spring Miami evening.

With so many sites to see in Boston and Miami, you may wonder why I spent my time pining over coffee. In reality, coffee was just one small part of the overall experience on my trips – albeit an important part and one that made me feel a little closer to home.

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Italian Bellinis and French Macarons: Sampling “The World” in Chicago

jennifer — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 02:56:13 +0000

(photo source)

Happy Birthday to me! And how did this Bistro Chic celebrate her extra special day? Not only was I spending two luxurious days in an awesome Millennium Park hotel, but I was also off sampling the world in downtown Chicago.

Take a peek at my itinerary:

Spain – Strolled among Picasso’s (Monet’s, Dali’s!) at the Art Institute
Italy – Dined on small plates at Quartino’s Italian restaurant
Italy – Enjoyed fancy drinks, including Bellini’s, at a swanky Chicago bar
Hawaii – Shopped for Maui Jim sunglasses – check out my new shades!
France - Topped off my post-birthday morning with a few French pastries, like these lovely macarons and madelines, oui oui!

And the best part of all? I get to do it all again next year!

Ciao!

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3 Ways Parisians Stay Thin

jennifer — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:19:48 +0000

(photo source)

The craze to be “Paris thin” has been around for years and for good reason. Not only do the French have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, but obesity rates are 3 times higher in the US than they are in France.

A new book, The Parisian Diet: How to Reach Your Right Weight and Stay There, reminds us of the many subtle practices that the Parisians (or the French in general) follow to remain thin and healthy. Author and nutrition expert Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen notes that of all the things Parisians do to stay thin, it really comes down to 3 main behaviors:

3 Ways Parisians Stay Thin

They value quality over quantity. If you’ve ever seen the buffet lines on a cruise, you will know exactly what I mean. Americans (and other cultures) are very much used to consuming large quantities of mediocre food and will actually complain when given smaller portions of quality food. For Parisians, when you eat quality food – prepared with fresh and flavorful ingredients – small portions (and fewer calories) go a long way.

They savor the dining experience. Like many Americans, I often rush through my meals, whether it’s to get to my next appointment on time or because I’m subconsciously keeping pace with my dining companions. This rushing through meals (or mindlessly snacking) can lead to overeating because we don’t let our stomachs register that we are “full” until after we are already stuffed. In contrast, Parisians believe dining and the meal itself should be about the experience – the smells, the taste, the textures, and especially the company you’re with.

They eat what they love. That’s right, Parisians don’t avoid their favorite foods – be it cheese, meat, or wine. Instead, they eat what they love in smaller portions. In short, if you just can’t bring yourself to eat another salad, have the small hamburger, but skip the fries.

Ciao!

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Lago Mar: The Quintessential South Florida Resort

jennifer — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:23:23 +0000

(Photo courtesy of Lago Mar Resort)

When I was in college, Ft. Lauderdale was a huge mecca for students. However, with all of the drinking binges, wild parties on the public beach, and endless hours laying in the sun, I didn’t understand why parents with young children made Ft. Lauderdale a destination over very family-friendly places like Hilton Head or Disney World.

Fast forward 20 years, a timeframe where I’ve traveled to the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area numerous times – all sans kids. It wasn’t until just recently that I ventured to FL with my family where I finally realized the promise of this South Florida area.

Upon booking our week-long Spring Break cruise last August, my husband and I knew that we wanted to extend our vacation on the front and backends. We searched for weeks for a hotel/resort that lived up to what we now jokingly call our “hotel snob” standards. We uncovered chain after chain of hotels, all which were very near to the bustling public beach, which we knew we’d have to share with college-age patrons.

Finally, we discovered the Lago Mar Resort, a well-established, non-chain resort. Although expensive, the resort provided all of the amenities we had hoped and is located just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the typical Spring Break crowd.

Upon arriving at Lago Mar – very late on a Friday night – we were pleased to discover we’d been upgraded to an oceanfront suite, which included a separate master bedroom, two bathrooms, dining room, and spacious balcony. As you can imagine, the huge suite was a hit with the kids….ok, it was a hit with all of us. But it was not just the room size that impressed us (we were equally impressed with our large standard room on the backend of our vacation), but many other amenities – from the subtle to the significant.

5 Things I Love About Lago Mar Resort

Decor - Lago Mar’s decor, from the lobby to the grounds, to the room, reminds me of the quintessential Florida resort, much like the ambience that Disney’s Grand Floridian has tried to capture. And it’s more than just the palm trees….the ornate woodwork, gorgeous lobby, and detail room decorations – not to mention one of the most beautiful lobby bathrooms I’ve ever seen – left us feeling completely relaxed and in vacay mode.
Rooms - Sure, we were completely spoiled by the grand suite, but the standard room was just as “grand” – from the size of the room to the family-size bathroom. Our room also came equip with beautiful bed linens, comfy bathrobes, high-end toiletries – plus a great balcony with a partial ocean view.
Activities - Similar to the resorts of yesteryear, Lago Mar gives guests the chance to really bond as a family and for adults to act likes kids all week long. The two pools provided a refreshing retreat, especially the lagoon pool, with its winding curves. If you’re near the pool around 4pm, you will actually be serenaded by a one-man band/singer. We also loved the many pool and beach-side activity options, including a playground, shuffleboard, ping pong, a putting green, volleyball, and a life-size chess board with pieces that needed two hands to move. Plus, at specific times throughout the week, the resort hosts exercise classes and special activities for kids, such as pizza parties or Easter egg decorating/hunt.
Beach - Lago Mar is sitting on an absolute gold mine of a beach. The beach was as huge as it was clean and beautiful, with just enough shells to make kids happy and enough chairs and drinks to keep adults happy.
Location - The location of Lago Mar is one of its best assets. It is nestled between a canal and the ocean, tucked away from the main touristy area of FL. This hideaway location made it ideal – the noise level was never high, the traffic was minimal, and the lack of neighboring resorts kept the “neighbors” away.

Overall, this resort experience was one of the best I’ve had in the continental US. Yet, it would not be a fair review if I didn’t mention a few caveats. The restaurant service was just so-so, and the pool/beach bar servers were extremely understaffed, especially for Spring Break. It was also very difficult to get a cab from the Lago Mar (to anywhere) during the peak times of the day (morning, due to cruisers, and evening due to dinner crowd). But these drawbacks are minor when you consider our overall – and amazing – 3 nights at the resort.

Would I recommend this resort for families? Absolutely! And if you plan to arrive during Spring Break 2014, you may just run into yours truly.

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Acrobatic dining.

Scott — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:03:43 +0000

Saturday started with two overly excited kids running into our bedroom telling us we have to see how awesome the sunrising over the beach horizon is, and It was awesome. I’m just glad it’s springtime and the sun doesn’t rise until 7:20am.

While Jen was out running, I took Miss M. & Mstr C. out for a little beach walk before breakfast. Here’s a law of parenting, given big bodies of water: young kids will get wet.

Yes, we dressed the kids in clothes instead of bathing suits. You can guess where this is going… my son “accidentally” fell in the water while trying to jump waves. Of course, my daughter likes to do what her brother does. So two wet kids in wet clothes. It was a classic funny parenting moment.

We went back to our room changed into bathing suits and then went to breakfast. The Lago Mar restaurant was good. Not better than the Ritz or Four Seasons, but on par with the Hilton’s, Hyatt’s, and Sheraton’s of the world. We then rented an umbrella and spent most of the day at the Beach. I was very impressed with the Lago Mar beach. The Fort Lauderdale sand was soft yet had enough shells and rocks for kids to hunt. We went barefoot most of the time.

The ocean water was 74° F; Air temperature was 88° and pure sunshine. We could not ask for a better beach day. We even had 10mph winds to cool us off.

After making sand castles and playing in the surf, we spent the afternoon at the pool. The water was warm. I’d guess 84° to 86°.

Enough of the not-so-Tom-Skilling weather report. As any parent knows, getting kids to nap on an excitement filled vacation day is impossible.

We went to dinner at Pier 66 at the Hyatt Fort Lauderdale. Who knew that getting a can could be so difficult. It took forever.

My 5yr old daughter fell asleep in the van on the way to the restaurant. I got to relive the baby days. I held Miss M. through 1/2 the dinner. A much different experience eating and holding a 40lb girl than a 5 to 10lb baby.

Despite the acrobatics, dinner was fabulous. In fact, We are thinking of going back. Sunday is embarking day. Until next time, ciao.

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Family Fort Lauderdale

Scott — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 02:11:43 +0000

Yes. Back by popular demand, BistroChic Scott is here to write his latest travelogue adventures.

We are off on a hopefully sunny warm Spring Break 2013. It’s been a while since my wife and two kids have been able to travel as family without Jen having to work part of the time. We are all super excited.

In fact, we have had our luggage packed for over a week. Of course, we will say that we packed earlier than normal due to our full work schedules. The early packing meant I overpacked and had to thin out the bags. So, I really ended up packing three times. I learned my lesson: next time, wait until the day before.

Friday was a travel day. We arrived at the airport with just enough time for a late lunch. The first place we saw, we stopped. Not a great idea since it lead to a below average meal at O’hare’s Wolfgang puck. I was disappointed in my Greek salad. It was just blah.

As we hurried to the gate, we realized our flight was delayed. Luckily, Our gate was very close to one of Rick Bayless’s torta grills. So, we split (devoured) a naked roasted tomatillo guacamole. Oh so Good! Next time, pass the puck and eat at the taqueria.

After our delayed flight arrived in warm Fort Lauderdale, it was too late for dinner out. So, we treated ourselves to some room service in our upgraded ocean view king suite.

Yes. That’s right, we arrived at the Lago Mar hotel and were upgraded to a beautiful two room king suite complete with two walk-in closets and two full baths. This room is going to make our cruise rooms look tiny.

After our late dinner, our kids crashed on the dual twin pullout beds dreaming of seashell hunts in the morning.

Stay tuned for more adventure.

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