tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-613747 2008-04-24T12:41:07-04:00 Digest of Brief News on Food, Wine and Travel to supplement 'Serge the Concierge' TypePad tag:typepad.com,2003:post-48960722 2008-04-24T12:41:07-04:00 2008-04-24T12:41:07-04:00

In The six best pousadas in Portugal (Times Online, UK, September 2005) Mary Lussiana enlightens us on the topic of Pousadas. The word "means "resting place" and denotes a collection of gourmet historic hotels across the country. Not every hotel...

serge the concierge <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>In <a href="http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/destinations/portugal/article563731.ece">The six best pousadas in Portugal</a> (Times Online, UK, September 2005) Mary Lussiana enlightens us on the topic of <a href="http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN">Pousadas</a>. <br>The word "means "<em>resting place" and denotes a collection of gourmet historic hotels across the country. Not every hotel can call itself a pousada. Those that qualify were once castles, fortresses, convents, palaces and medieval town houses, and have been picked for their phenomenal settings and architectural significance</em>".</p></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/skJsgyLk7uaMFIMX-f6rusLSXRA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/skJsgyLk7uaMFIMX-f6rusLSXRA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/skJsgyLk7uaMFIMX-f6rusLSXRA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/skJsgyLk7uaMFIMX-f6rusLSXRA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/6vIVW1no03o" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/04/six-best-pousad.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-45517436 2008-02-12T15:20:14-05:00 2008-02-12T15:20:14-05:00

Looking up the site of CHA MA GU DAO (which translates into 'Ancient tea and horse trail'), I found Tea Map which offers a window into the world of tea and allows you to find the nearest Tea Emporium in...

serge the concierge <p>Looking up the site of <a href="http://www.southsilkroad.com/cha-ma-gu-dao.php">CHA MA GU DAO</a> (which translates into 'Ancient tea and horse trail'), I found <a href="http://www.teamap.com/">Tea Map</a> which offers a window into the world of tea and allows you to find the nearest <em>Tea Emporium</em> in the US by entering your Zip Code.<br>It seems they are the creation of <a href="http://www.adagio.com/">Adagio Teas</a>.<br>What you call a soft sell!</p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EBEmOJgz0Ecl1P8ND0VBTZZ304o/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EBEmOJgz0Ecl1P8ND0VBTZZ304o/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EBEmOJgz0Ecl1P8ND0VBTZZ304o/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EBEmOJgz0Ecl1P8ND0VBTZZ304o/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/FBLl4JPMIuw" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/02/tea-maptaste-gl.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-45089050 2008-02-03T23:19:49-05:00 2008-02-03T23:19:49-05:00

A brand new review of L'Absinthe, 40 Chalcot Road, London NW1 by Terry Durack (The Independent) discovers that "Primrose Hill's L'Absinthe is teaching flexible locals the French bistro method of beating stress". The owner, Jean-Christophe Slowik has a secret sauce...

serge the concierge <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>A brand new review of <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/reviews/labsinthe-40-chalcot-road-london-nw1-776506.html">L'Absinthe, 40 Chalcot Road, London NW1</a> by Terry Durack (The Independent) discovers that "<em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primrose_Hill">Primrose Hill</a>'s L'Absinthe is teaching flexible locals the French bistro method of beating stress</em>".<br>The owner, Jean-Christophe Slowik has a secret sauce for his success: Keep it simple as <a href="http://www.primrosehill.com/fd/labsinthe.html">The Menu</a> proves.<br><strong>L' Absinthe</strong> is closed on Mondays.</p> <p>Related: <a href="http://www.sergetheconcierge.com/2008/01/ready-for-stres.html">Stress Down Day</a> </p></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mdjN-HICLScyi1EF9nspPJMz6i4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mdjN-HICLScyi1EF9nspPJMz6i4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mdjN-HICLScyi1EF9nspPJMz6i4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mdjN-HICLScyi1EF9nspPJMz6i4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/ORarOiiQcLs" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/02/food-is-therapy.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-44297116 2008-01-17T13:47:41-05:00 2008-01-17T13:47:41-05:00

While scouting for ideas that could fit on Tokyo Thursdays, I found that deep in the heart of Tokyo existed an Eyeglass Shop for the connoisseur with the very French name of Lunettes du Jura. Sorry the site is mostly...

serge the concierge <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>While scouting for ideas that could fit on <a href="http://www.sergetheconcierge.com/tokyo_thursdays/index.html">Tokyo Thursdays</a>, I found that deep in the heart of Tokyo existed an Eyeglass Shop for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connoisseur">connoisseur</a> with the very French name of <a href="http://www.jurajura.com/harajuku/index.html">Lunettes du Jura</a>.<br />Sorry the site is mostly in Japanese. They actually count more than one location.</p> <p>An underground <a href="http://www.hellodamage.com/tdr/travelguide.htm">Tokyo Guide</a> describes it as &quot;<em>an amazing wacky glasses store. more kinds of crazy nutty frames. . . somewhere beyond New Wave in terms of candy-like wackiness</em>&quot;.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>Related: <a href="http://www.sergetheconcierge.com/2007/10/camembert-sushi.html">Camembert and Sushi</a></p></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HUCG3rHxVyZo0nJ3hAcpUCzRQOs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HUCG3rHxVyZo0nJ3hAcpUCzRQOs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HUCG3rHxVyZo0nJ3hAcpUCzRQOs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HUCG3rHxVyZo0nJ3hAcpUCzRQOs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/TSg5VknwVB8" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/01/eyeglass-shop-f.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-44243590 2008-01-16T14:02:34-05:00 2008-01-16T14:02:34-05:00

I have written about Copenhagen numerous times on Serge the Concierge and was not surprised that Monocle magazine chose it as one of its Top 20 Most Liveable Cities in the world. Related piece: Mr Conran goes to Copenhagen

serge the concierge <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>I have written about Copenhagen numerous times on <strong>Serge the Concierge</strong> and was not surprised that <strong>Monocle</strong> magazine chose it as one of its <a href="http://www.monocle.com/sections/edits/Web-Articles/Copenhagen/">Top 20 Most Liveable Cities</a> in the world.</p> <p>Related piece: <a href="http://www.sergetheconcierge.com/2006/12/mr_conran_goes_.html">Mr Conran goes to Copenhagen</a></p></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ihKFfJDeHBfRPd0xwzDvLxokv_w/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ihKFfJDeHBfRPd0xwzDvLxokv_w/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ihKFfJDeHBfRPd0xwzDvLxokv_w/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ihKFfJDeHBfRPd0xwzDvLxokv_w/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/QXjFGg22W8A" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/01/copenhagen-a-to.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-44232496 2008-01-16T10:40:45-05:00 2008-01-16T10:40:45-05:00

The Screen Writers Strike might have derailed the Golden Globes but it did not stop the San Francisco Chronicle from coming up with its Best of Class for American Wines.

serge the concierge <p>The Screen Writers Strike might have derailed the Golden Globes but it did not stop the San Francisco Chronicle from coming up with its <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bestofclass/">Best of Class</a> for American Wines.</p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ND-5GJxf-GSY5wS7Fuc-vzRqYq8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ND-5GJxf-GSY5wS7Fuc-vzRqYq8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ND-5GJxf-GSY5wS7Fuc-vzRqYq8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ND-5GJxf-GSY5wS7Fuc-vzRqYq8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/AchyvMokzjM" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/01/best-of-class-i.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-44187894 2008-01-15T15:22:02-05:00 2008-01-15T15:22:02-05:00

Cycling is not popular as a way to commute only in Portland (Oregon) and Copenhagen or Holland for that matter. 2 Wheel fans in London express their views and exchange tips on topics such as Do puncture-proof tires really exist...

serge the concierge <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Cycling is not popular as a way to commute only in Portland (Oregon) and Copenhagen or Holland for that matter.<br>2 Wheel fans in London express their views and exchange tips on topics such as <a href="http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/01/do-puncture-pro.html">Do puncture-proof tires really exist ?</a> via <a href="http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/cyclotherapy/index.html">Cyclotherapy</a> (The Independent).</p> <p>Related stories: <a href="http://www.sergetheconcierge.com/2008/01/cycling-in-high.html">Cycling in High Heels, Green and Stylish the Copenhagen Way</a></p></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-8fgZ03GHJ5FIq-5zG3DofCgpSw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-8fgZ03GHJ5FIq-5zG3DofCgpSw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-8fgZ03GHJ5FIq-5zG3DofCgpSw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-8fgZ03GHJ5FIq-5zG3DofCgpSw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/yhXAw3vk9YE" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/01/cyclotherapylif.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-44138124 2008-01-14T16:46:20-05:00 2008-01-14T16:46:20-05:00

Fake labeling, endless scooping up of certain species, our culinary tastes can turn into an appetite for destruction as Something's fishy as Europe dines by Elisabeth Rosenthal illustrates (International Herald Tribune). Related: Sounds fishy, Blue Moki and the Maoris.

serge the concierge <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Fake labeling, endless scooping up of certain species, our culinary tastes can turn into an appetite for destruction as <a href="http://iht.com/articles/2008/01/14/europe/fish.php?page=2">Something's fishy as Europe dines</a> by <em>Elisabeth Rosenthal</em> illustrates (International Herald Tribune).</p> <p>Related: <a href="http://www.sergetheconcierge.com/2006/09/sounds_fishy_bl.html">Sounds fishy, Blue Moki and the Maoris</a>.</p></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/prizygllN7Dd5d5guRPVaDmfEcU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/prizygllN7Dd5d5guRPVaDmfEcU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/prizygllN7Dd5d5guRPVaDmfEcU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/prizygllN7Dd5d5guRPVaDmfEcU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/JoQdYopoYxc" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/01/appetite-for-de.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-44018516 2008-01-11T13:09:59-05:00 2008-01-11T13:09:59-05:00

I cannot quite get the connection but looking for details on a book covering 'food and drink' freebies given by political campaigns, The Secret Life of Lobsters came up as a suggested related read (from same publisher, Harper Collins). In...

serge the concierge <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>I cannot quite get the connection but looking for details on a book covering 'food and drink' freebies given by political campaigns, <a href="http://www.secretlifeoflobsters.com/">The Secret Life of Lobsters</a> came up as a suggested related read (from same publisher, <em>Harper Collins</em>).</p> <p>In the companion blog, Trevor Corson offers concerned foodies his guide on how to <a href="http://www.scrawlingclaw.com/blogs/LobsterBlog/Entries/2007/7/8_Animal_Welfare_Issue_Boiling_1.html">Kill a Lobster and Save Your Soul</a>.</p></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X28e8fVk62I58wuYMvxsOAv9s_g/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X28e8fVk62I58wuYMvxsOAv9s_g/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X28e8fVk62I58wuYMvxsOAv9s_g/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X28e8fVk62I58wuYMvxsOAv9s_g/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/Os38kb6F05o" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/01/how-to-kill-a-l.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-43976030 2008-01-10T15:38:23-05:00 2008-01-10T15:38:23-05:00

I could not find much information on the Tawaramachi neighborhood of Tokyo while writing 'Guerilla Flowerpots', Nature, Real and Fake in Tokyo concrete jungle (Tokyo Thursdays) on Serge the Concierge. I did find visual cues of what this part of...

serge the concierge <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>I could not find much information on the <em>Tawaramachi </em>neighborhood of Tokyo while writing <a href="http://www.sergetheconcierge.com/2008/01/guerilla-flower.html">'Guerilla Flowerpots', Nature, Real and Fake in Tokyo concrete jungle</a> (<strong>Tokyo Thursdays</strong>) on Serge the Concierge.</p> <p>I did find visual cues of what this part of town has to offer thanks to <a href="http://www.thehiddentokyo.com/tawaramachi-00.html">Hidden Toky</a>o by Marco Silvestri, a book and its companion website.</p> <p>Enjoy!</p> </div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/b6bOMUJvE81y7TfB1nLsbDuJZ4E/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/b6bOMUJvE81y7TfB1nLsbDuJZ4E/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/b6bOMUJvE81y7TfB1nLsbDuJZ4E/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/b6bOMUJvE81y7TfB1nLsbDuJZ4E/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/sergetheconcierge/foodwinetravel/~4/9fiRjCpYbao" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.foodwinetravel.info/2008/01/the-hidden-toky.html