The Places I Love

French Meadows Macrobiotic Camp 12.08.10
“26 miles from the nearest phone, 6 miles up a steep dirt track to get one bar of phone reception, the most beautiful creek teaming with trout, fantastic macrobiotic food cooked over wood, a bunch of out there but very loving people, pristine forest and for one week only each year. Well worth the trek. Be prepared for very cold nights and perfect hot fresh days. Being at five and a half thousand feet altitude for a week makes you feel great.”

Awful Annie's 12.08.10
“Perfect for breakfast on the balcony. Good wholesome classic American food.”

Hokitika Beach 19.05.10
“In January Hokitika hosts a driftwood beach sculpture competition. I chanced upon this on a New Zealand road trip after the competitors had gone. I was blow away by its beauty. The care and art putting these crazy pieces together with a backdrop of crashing waves.”

Espasso 19.05.10
“I hadn't realized that Brazil had such great furniture until I chanced upon this store. The nicest stuff is Vintage mid century modern. Sadly it isn't cheap.”

Edokko 19.05.10
“Authentic Japanese .... if they don't make it in Japan they don't do it ..... and upstairs you sit on the floor. The food is great. The Makerel Sashimi as good as any that I've had. About half the clientele is Japanese which is always a good sign.”

Donzoko 19.05.10
“My friend who introduced me to this place won't put it on the site because he doesn't want it any busier than it is. The Sushi is pretty good and the atmosphere is great.”

Diner's Delight 18.05.10
“Authentic local Jamaican place down the road from Jake's Hotel. It feels like you are in a movie. the food is wholesome and tasty. I pushed the boat out and had the lobster for US$10 but you can eat here for a couple of dollars.”

Curly's Lunch 18.05.10
“Small friendly and fun. Great veggie brunch. some of the best pancakes we have had.”

Corsino 18.05.10
“Delicious Crostini .... 19 varieties and a good place to hang out and recover from shopping in the meatpacking or the West Village.”

P.S. Bookshop 18.05.10
“A mixture of new and second hand books with a great photography section. When I was there they had a signed Irving Penn book for $700 that I had never seen before. Very tempting.”

Baoguette 18.05.10
“For $5 this is a great value meal. The fish sandwich is juicy and spicy with fresh cilantro.”

Amy's Bread (Village) 18.05.10
“Another branch of this great bakery. It's easier to eat in here with a nice bright corner location.”

Amy's Bread (Chelsea Market) 18.05.10
“Another branch of this great bakery located in the very foody but cave like Chelsea Market. Grab a twist from here and a coffee from 9th Espresso next door.”

11 Madison Park 18.05.10
“$28 for the Prix Fixe at lunch is a steal. The dining room is spectacular and full of light. The huge windows look onto the trees of the park. The food is immaculate and the portions small but the bread is delicious if you need to fill up.”

No. 7 Sub 16.05.10
“Maddison Park is the nicest little Park in NYC and we are lucky because it's 3 blocks away and it is perfect for a picnic lunch. No 7 is just up the road and to call them a sub gives the wrong impression. The fillings are great and healthy. Oh and you can count the Antony Gormley statues standing on the skyline around you while you eat them.”

Jake's 16.05.10
“Laid back and low key and possibly overpriced for what it has/is but you pay because these kind of places are so hard to find. It is worth going just to savour the Saltfish breakfast as you sit overlooking the ocean. There is no great beach but it doesn't matter as you are literally on the water. We had one of the cheaper rooms and it was beautiful in a low key way. The balcony overlooking the garden was beautiful. This would be a great place to take your family and get one of the little houses. The staff are very friendly...... almost all women..... the men are much to busy playing at being Bob Marley.”

Num Pang 16.05.10
“Great to grab a spicy fish sandwich and eat it in the sun in Union Square. The sweet corn is great too, served with a coconut sauce.”

Makie 16.05.10
“Soooo cute. Just what our stylish little boy has to be seen in.”

Amy's Bread (Hells Kitchen) 10.04.10
“The focaccia raisin twists are a great little snack.”

Ochre 23.03.10
“Their style is great but you pay alot for it. Everything has that "found" feel about it in a very neutral pallet.”

Co. (Company) 22.03.10
“You have to go early if you don't want to wait in line. And if you do wait it's worth it.”

'Wichcraft 22.03.10
“I use this place for studio lunches when the client doesn't have a huge budget. It's quite a small menu which I always think is a good thing and they do those things really well.”

Su Gologone 15.03.10
“We eat figs from the trees, watched horse rear in the local villages and canter past us with sparks flying on the country roads and loved the eclectic mix of this rural hotel. It has style but its not just taken from a magazine. It feels authentic and that what special even if its not super cool. I love that they roast pigs on a steak even if i don't want to eat them and we found plenty to keep a vegetarian happy. There are beautiful walks from the hotel.”

The Dark Room 14.03.10
“I'm biased because these are my friends but this is a great shop. They have special things that you can't get anywhere else and that have a real personal vision. Its an eclectic mix of art and fashion and they sell the work of one of my favorite artists Marcus James.”

The River Cafe 11.03.10
“It's has one of the best views of New York and this makes it worth the short subway ride across the river. Its not cool or trendy but the food is good if not spectacular, the service is excellent and did I mention the view. Not a cheap date but worth it.”

Olga's Bar 11.03.10
“On a remote beach that the surfers hang out on this is a true local bar. The picture say it all. Just a great place to have a beer, listen to booming music and watch the sun go down.”

Momofuku Milk Bar 11.03.10
“If you need an evening sweet fix go here. Always rammed as people wait for their obscure flavours of soft serve ice cream, yummy warm cookies and "crack pie". Its standing room only.”

Milford Sound 11.03.10
“This place deserves its World Heritage status. Its beautiful and magnificent. And the journey to get there is one of the most amazing drives you will ever do. We did it in a rain storm and the mountains were waterfalls cascading all around. Heading back in the sunshine was almost as good. This is camper van territory.”

Kylie's Beach 11.03.10
“Great little campsite next to the most beautiful remote beach with Kangaroos hopping all around your tent.”

Ennju 11.03.10
“Low key sushi and noodle cafe. It's cheap and the Sushi is good and if its a sunny day you can eat your lunch in Union Square.”

Clinton Street Baking Co 11.03.10
“Not the healthiest place to go for brunch but one of the most delicious. Great pancakes and good coffee. There is always a line. At the weekend it opens at 9am and you need to be there by 8.45am if you don't want to wait in line for at least half an hour.”

Blue Mountains Australia 11.03.10
“There is a network of spectacular walk in this area. The fun bit is the ladders that are fixed to the cliffs so that you can access areas that only an experienced climber could normally reach.”

Above Bariloche 11.03.10
“There is an amazing day long hike along the ridge from the top of the ski lift at Bariloche perfect if you are there in the summer months. You probably need to engage a local guide. The scenery is spectacular. You feel like you are on top of the world looking at the snow capped peaks. you descend through lush forest and down to a lake. Its a full day and not for the faint hearted.”

Arthur Beale 11.03.10
“I love that this place still survives on the edge of Covent Garden. I'm not quite sure how. But if you need rope or a pulley or if you actually sail it has it all. And if you don't it's worth popping in for the atmosphere and the 2 characters who run it. You feel like you are in a movie.”

Aquagrill 10.03.10
“The best oysters that I have eaten with the largest selection that I've seen. Nice buzzy atmosphere.”

Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool 10.03.10
“Amazing out door Olympic sized pool overlooking the harbour. A great place to do lengths but also a good place to hang out, sunbathe, and take a break from the city.”

New Museum 10.03.10
“Very adventurous in their exhibitions, often at first sight seems a load of rubbish but on closer inspection there are a lot of amazing things being shown here. Definitely easier to appreciate when there is a led tour to shed some insight.”

The Standard Grill 09.03.10
“Great place to meet friends, hang out and people watch in Manhattans meatpacking. The food is good but it is the vibe that makes it worth visiting.”

Moomah Cafe 09.03.10
“Not the sort of place I would have dreamed of loving before my son was born but now I think it is great. It's a great place for adults to hang out and have a coffee and a sandwich whilst the kids play.”

Lupa Osteria Romana 04.03.10
“Great buzzy italian.”

Harmony Hotel 04.03.10
“The cafe here is great. Fantastic juices and tasty healthy vegi food. We didn't stay but the hotel seems really nice and it's only a short stroll to a great surfing beach. There is lots of yoga in the area and a great massage place across the road if you don't fancy the hotel spa.”

Tate Modern 04.03.10
“Its always top of my list to take or send visitors. the space never fails to wow them and there is always something on to keep my interest however often I go.”

Punta Islita 04.03.10
“The location is amazing on a remote hilltop but just a short walk down to the beach so the views are stunning and especially from the infinity pool. The sea is perfect for boogie boarding and if you are a serious surfer there are a couple of Costa Rica's best surfing beaches nearby. There is enough to do when you get bored of lying on the beach with horse riding, tennis, a small golf course or a beautiful spa. They have some villas and suites if you want total privacy. The lunch time food down at the beach is great. Evening diner round the pool very romantic although the food is competent rather than amazing. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful although the concierge doesn't alway deliver what they promise.”

Giggle 04.03.10
“Giggle edit of the mountains of baby and children's stuff that is available is both stylish and functional so good to shop here and avoid the trauma caused by going to Babies Are Us.”

Dock Kitchen 21.01.10
“The Thursday to Sunday supper club ..... only one thing on the menu just gives it a different vibe from other restaurants. Not the best value at £40 a head but a lot of fun. the night we went was bouillabaisse and it was delicious.”

Son of a Stag 21.01.10
“Good stuff”

Ryan Town 19.01.10
“I've love Rob Ryan's paper cut outs for ages so its great to see that he now has his own shop. His work is beautiful and romantic and witty. A hard mix to pull off.”

Rough Trade 19.01.10
“Still a real record store.”

Number Six 19.01.10
“Addidas originals and Lyle & Scott”

Storey Deli 19.01.10
“I've never tried the pizza but its meant to be good but I love these guys style. Their weird gallery installation shop has some beautiful things. sadly not quite as good as it was when it was in a seperate space from the restaurant.”

The Museum of Everything 19.01.10
“You would never expect to find this kind of raw space hidden in the middle of Primrose hill or this weird collection of outsider art.... outsider meaning outside the main stream. The work is obsessive. Best Art Gallery I've visited for ages and unlike any other. This exhibition ends 31st of January 2010 and its not clear if they are going to have a second exhibition. so check the website for details.”

Little Georgia Cafe 19.01.10
“Authentic Georgian Food”

Lina Stores 19.01.10
“It looks so good amongst the weird mix of sex shops and clothes shops. Great that its still there operating as a classic Italian deli after all these years.”

Liberty 19.01.10
“It always surprises me that Liberty has such a good selection of all the big designers and its a really nice space to browse and shop.”

Leila's 19.01.10
“Cool place to hang out just off the beaten track between Shorditch and Brick Lane. Great for breakfast or lunch.”

Gossips Cafe 19.01.10
“Great cafe”

Folk 19.01.10
“Cool clothes”

Fika 19.01.10
“Cool place”

Fernandez & Well (Cafe) 19.01.10
“Great place to grab a coffee with a croissant or a cake.”

Fernandez & Wells (Food & Wine Bar) 19.01.10
“Small space but a great place to grab a glass of wine and a snack ....cibatta sanwiches or charcuterie.”

F Cooke 19.01.10
“I don't actually like pie and mash but i just love the look of this place and the fact that it still exists.”

Dunlon Books 19.01.10
“Tiny but a great little specialist photography bookshop.”

Climpson & Sons 19.01.10
“Great coffee, great coffee shop.”

Caravan 19.01.10
“ecclectic mix of weird objects for your home.”

Campania 19.01.10
“great cafe”

Broadway Market 19.01.10
“Wandering round broadway market is a gastronomic feast. You can eat it by the canal or take it home. Amazing pork pies and unusual flavours of Scotch eggs, delicious humus, weird mushrooms, great bread.”

Beigel Bake 19.01.10
“The best place to get a great beigel after a big night out.”

Albion Cafe 19.01.10
“AThe groundfloor restaurant is great for a classic English breakfast or Lunch. Classic dishes done well. Its buzzy and there are nice goodies to buy in the shop. There is a roof bar and hotel rooms but i haven't seen them yet.”

Barton End Stables 11.01.10
“I did some lessons here and the teachers and horses were great and they have quite a large covered arena so its good in the winter. £47 for a 1 hour lesson.”

Summerill and Bishop 06.01.10
“Great for the best kitchen stuff.”

Myriad 06.01.10
“stylish and well worn”

Andrew Edmunds 08.12.09
“I haven't been for a while but I have fond memories of this place. Intimate and warm and nice simple food.”

La Colombe 04.12.09
“The perfect place to indulge in an extra long lunch. A beautiful setting in a Vineyard, fantastic flavorsome food, great service, amazing wines and although its expensive by South african standards its a relatively cheap indulgence.”

Soba Koh 29.11.09
“Great noodles, short menu, small intimate space. Just what i like.”

Barneys 29.11.09
“I love the mens department here. Easy way to see most of what's going on without trekking round town and the staff are really helpful.”

Jivamukti Yoga and Cafe 29.11.09
“The last time i practiced here they played thrash metal for half of the class. sounds awful but actually an amazing, intense, sweat covered experience. I like the cafe too for healthy low key vegan food.”

Konstam 29.11.09
“Its amazing that 80% of what they use comes from the area covered by the tube network. Local London food.”

The Providores 29.11.09
“Probably the best place for lunch or brunch on Marylebone High Street. There can be a big queue at the weekend.”

Ottolenghi (Islington) 29.11.09
“I use them for my studio lunches for clients when I'm shooting. Great food. Fresh ingredients and interesting combinations. Beware. They use a lot of garlic.”

Riad Kaiss 25.11.09
“A quiet sanctuary within walking distance of the medina.”

Caravanserai Hotel 25.11.09
“15 minutes outside the madness of the Marrakech souks, this is a beautiful tranquil oasis. That makes it the perfect place to stay to be able to dip in to the craziness but then chill out and relax. The rooms are all arranged around a pool, long curtains billow. And if you don't eat meat this is probably the best food you are going to find for miles around. At €150 a night for a delux room its a bargain.”

M&J Trimming 25.11.09
“Every ribbon, buckle, button, cord or trim you would ever need.”

Mood Fabrics 25.11.09
“3 floors of fabrics. Almost everything you could imagine and reasonable prices and helpful staff.”

Tibet House 25.11.09
“A great place to learn meditation. Look out for courses by Miles Neale and Sharon Saltzberg.”

Turneffe Island Resort 24.11.09
“Its a beautiful little island 30 miles off Belize. The diving is incredible, small groups, personal service. Meals are family style which I love. Nothing really to do except dive or fish.”

Blue Water Divers 23.11.09
“Mitch Rollins is a good dive master and his staff were really friendly. Its small groups and a personal service. The macro marine life here is amazing. Stay at the Salt Raker Inn which you can book through Mitch. There is nothing much happening on this little island except diving.”

Salt Raker Inn 23.11.09
“The only reason to come here is Scuba Diving. (See Blue Water Divers www.grandturkscuba.com). The macro life and coral is amazing. Not so much in the way of sharks and bigger things. The Island has one street and a couple of restaurants and that's it but the diving is great and the island is laid back. Get one of the rooms upstairs with a balcony. Its charming and low key. They have a cosy restaurant.”

Ashtanga Yoga Chile 23.11.09
“Loreto is a great teacher (mysore style self practice) and her tiny studio at her home makes it a very personal and intense experience. If she is ever doing a retreat in the Elki valley its beautiful and has an amazing energy.”

Ulun Ubud 23.11.09
“Its a good few years since I went but the location and setting is stunning and its far enough away from Ubud centre to feel like your in a remote hide away yet close enough to walk into town for dinner.”

Lac Thien 23.11.09
“More of an experience than a dining experience the small low key restaurant is run by a family of deaf mutes who are just the most delightful people. The father has been giving away his self designed bottle opener for years and he has a collection of photographs people have sent back to him opening a beer in front of many famous landmarks.”

Indochine 23.11.09
“Its a few years since I went but this was one of my best meals in Vietnam. Located in an old colonial house it encapsulates much of Vietnams delightful cultural mix.”

Tina's 23.11.09
“The best place for breakfast after practice at AYRI is in Tina's covered garden. An easy place to hang out and meet people. Great fresh food. Tina also does cookery classes. I've never done one but people say they are great.”

Harini of the 3 Sisters 23.11.09
“This is hard core. You feel like a slippery fish with your nose pressed to the plastic floor as Harini works over your oil covered near naked body in a cupboard. Officially its a women only experience so you will have to talk nicely to her if you are a guy. But it seems to do the trick when your body aches after the 6th day of practice in a row, Rs.850 for a 1.5 hour massage. The other sisters make the best juices. Its a lilac door a few houses down from the Kaveri hotel.”

Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute 23.11.09
“The home of Guruji the Guru of Ashtanga yoga, sadly no longer with us but his Shala is now run by his grandson Sharath who is loved and respected in his own right. Go for a month or maybe 6. Its a great place to hang out and develope your practice and much more civilised than many peoples picture of India. You need to check if Sharath is around as he is often away on tour.”

The Living Room 23.11.09
“Every night they have 4 up and coming bands on, mostly folk or Americana. They tend to be great musicians so even if its not quite your thing its always easy to hang out here and the fact that its usually free means that its an easy place to drop in to and you can just have a beer and leave if you don't like it.”

Tomoe Sushi 23.11.09
“The low key setting hides that this is some of the best (in my ratings the best) sushi in New York. Its not cheap either, you will end up paying at least $40 for dinner but worth every penny. They also serve a variety of other traditional Japanese dishes but I rarely get that far on the menu.”

McNally Jackson Books 23.11.09
“Great independent neighbourhood bookstore with great suggestion, interesting authors and speakers and some of the best greetings cards that I have found in NYC (although its only a small selection)”

Bowery Kitchen Supply 23.11.09
“This is a commercial catering supply place but easily accessible for the public located in the Chelsea market. Its good for all sorts of kitchen stuff but the reason I love it is that they will make custom stainless steel kitchens and anything else that you can come up with. I've had them make a desk and some tables as well as my loft kitchen. Speak to Howard. Definitely easier than dealing direct with the Chinese companies on the Bowery.”

Soba Ya 23.11.09
“Always rammed because the noodles are great. You can usually get a space at the bar which I think is the best place. I love the Tempura with Soba noodles hot.”

Maritime Hotel 23.11.09
“Great location for the west side trendy meatpacking area and not far from the Chelsea galleries. The rooms are small but very well designed. It also has a great outside cafe/restaurant terrace to hang out on a summer's evening. You can usually get a room here for about $250.00”

Keisy Oriental Nature Centre 23.11.09
“At $45 for an hour this is a great place to get a massage. I've had better but only by paying about 4 times as much. This is a notch up from most of the chinese massage places in the city with clean and comfortable individual rooms. Not for the faint hearted as they like to really apply the pressure. Tell them if you like it softer.”

Cosmic Cantina 23.11.09
“No the nicest place to sit and eat but definitely a leading contender for best burrito I've ever had. Big choice as well with lots of vegan options. There is a loud bar at the back but not my thing.”

Cafe Grumpy 23.11.09
“The best coffee in a quiet neighbourhood street.”

Babycakes 23.11.09
“Perfect little desert stop late at night in the Lower East side. Can get addictive. Also a good place to order a sugar free birthday cake.”

Russ & Daughters 20.11.09
“They have the best smoked fish. I love the whole smoked white fish great for a dinner party without the hassel. They have every different sort of smoked Salmon. And all the other jewish specialities.”

Whole Earth Bakery & Kitchen 20.11.09
“Great place to pic up a pretty guilt free late night treat.”

Columbia Road Flower Market 18.11.09
“On a spring morning I love to wander round with a cup of coffee taking in the colour and atmosphere. If you have a garden its the cheapest place to get plants. The cut flowers are a bargain as well.”

Keiths Farm 16.11.09
“My favourite stall at the market. Super committed to good practices and the best vegetables.”

Momofuku Noodle Bar 16.11.09
“If you are prepared to wait these are probably the best noodles in NYC. Unlike most people they make them themselves. Its alway crowded and buzzy.”

Pearl Oyster Bar 16.11.09
“Fried oysters yum, fresh oysters yum. I love places that don't try to do too much or even to reinvent the wheel they just do it incredably well. I also always like sitting at a bar for my dinner, somehow more intimate but they do have table as well.”

Porchetta 16.11.09
“Its so simple. Just roast pork. As a sandwich or on a plate. Oh you can add a soup or some beans or greens but that's it. And its yum.”

Aston Matthews 16.11.09
“Not the prettiest showroom but they have all the good traditional and cooler modern design stuff. Also they stock all the technical stuff.”

Falkiner Fine Paper 15.11.09
“The finest selection of handmade papers and great for bookbinding stuff I think although thats not my thing.”

Aldeburgh Fish & Chips Restaurant 15.11.09
“The yummiest fish and chips and best eaten on the beach looking out to sea.”

King John's Hunting Lodge 15.11.09
“Its the perfect English Tea room in the perfect English village. Margaret who runs the place used to appear on Keith Floyds TV show (and she had her own). The recipees are interesting .... A lumb is a chimney shaped crumpet delicious toasted with clotted cream and jam.”

Caracas Arepa Bar 15.11.09
“Tiny and brilliant because they only do one thing and do it well. If your lucky or prepared to wait you can get a seat or if its summer get takeaway and sit in nearby Tompkins Square.”

Cafe Gitane 15.11.09
“Great little cafe. Great cofee. Great avacado on toast. Always buzzy with an interesting crowd.”

AYNY 15.11.09
“As close as you are going to get to trecking to Mysore in India. Eddie Stern teaches true to Sri K Pattabhi Jois's teaching. Its always packed early morning. The matts are close together and there is usually alot of sweat and an great energy. It also functions as the Sri Ganesh Temple so it looks and feels like the real thing.”

ABC Carpet and Home 15.11.09
“If you can't be bothered to troll the flea markets and you have enough cash this is the place to go. Their taste for new stuff is pretty good too for more modern pieces and they have a section for sustainable and enviromentally friendly items.”

Unpackaged 15.11.09
“Small neighborhood shop selling lots of things without the packaging be it detergent, jam, vegetables. You can buy milk and take the bottles back.”

Clerkenwell Tales 15.11.09
“My local independent bookshop. The sort of place where you can walk in and tell them the type of person you are buying a book for and they will pull a selection out for you.”

Eye Contacts 15.11.09
“If you are unsure what specs to buy the guys who owns this place will have no hesitation in pointing you in the right direction and his taste and judgement have been pretty spot on for myself and a couple of friends.”

Condor Cycles 15.11.09
“Great bike shop. All the gear, loads of bikes and knowledgeable staff. They make their own range of high end racing bikes.”

Ashtanga Yoga London 15.11.09
“Hamish Henry one is certified by Sri K Pattabhi Jois (the founder of Ashtanga yoga) to teach. This is authentic Mysore Style practice crammed into a small sweaty room.”

Terre a Terre 15.11.09
“Fantastic inventive vegetarian food served in a buzzy enviroment. The food is more Haute Cuisine than the enviroment.”

The Eagle 14.11.09
“The original gastropub and still one of the best.”

The Fryers Delight 14.11.09
“Its always busy with the cab drivers so the fish is always cooked super fresh and if you want to eat in it has that authentic fish and chippy feel.”

Empire State Building 10.11.09
“Its such an iconic landmark where ever you are in the city and at its best when its shrouded in cloud at night. It also a great place to start your visit in NYC and get your bearings from the top.”

Mary's Fish Camp 10.11.09
“Romantic cosy neigbourhood place.”

Les Toiles du Soleil 10.11.09
“Great stuff for summer be it a deck chair or a chic bag. I think the bags make great presents....about $75 for a shopper size.”

St John Bar & Restaurant 10.11.09
“My favourite restaurant in the world. Never had a bad meal. Love the plain interior. The simplest food cooked from the finest ingredients. Great wine. Real waiters. You can also eat in the bar which is great for a lower key evening. Love love love”

Dumpling Man 03.11.09
“Tiny, great to get a little treat.”

Ottolenghi (Nottinghill) 03.11.09
“I use them for my studio lunches. Always delicious. Can be a bit heavy on the garlic.”

Triyoga 03.11.09
“Early morning self practice is great 6.30am onwards with Eileen. Authentic mysore style teaching except its a beautiful clean white studio and there are proper showers.”

Trattoria Masuelli San Marco 02.11.09
“The real thing. Simple food but absolutely delicious. My favourite restaurant in Milan and I've tried a lot of them. Only one waiter speaks English but they are very helpful.”

Al Pont de Ferr 02.11.09
“In the last year they have tried a bit hard to be inventive but the ood is usually great and its buzzy but low key. Location on the canal adds to the atmosphere especially on a foggy night. The cheese is superb, sometimes hallucinogenic and a huge array of Italian wine.”

Osteria del Binari 02.11.09
“For most people here the attraction is the garden (beware of the moscitos) I prefer it in the winter when the fire is on an you sit inside. The Foccacia is a must.”

Ristorante Dongio 02.11.09
“Cheap and basic.”

Girasole 02.11.09
“The healthiest food you will get in Milan. The atmosphere can be a bit sterile.”

Joia 02.11.09
“More of an experience than a restaurant. One of a couple with a Michellen star serving vegetarian food although they do serve seafood as well. On my last visit my appetizer was served with a stone and an ice cube to be touched whilst eating to experience the difference between them and the food. A better experience than it sounds.”

Ristorante La Brisa 02.11.09
“The nicest restaurant walled garden in Milan so perfect for a summer evenin to sit under the trees. Excellent food as well.”

Trattoria La Rondine 02.11.09
“Cheap and basic but buzzy and good food.”

Marcello 02.11.09
“A bit out the center but worth the cab fare. Sophisticated and elegant.”

Ostarie Vecio Friul 02.11.09
“Tiny. The chef is also the maitre di and the waiter. The food is hearty and rich.”

Piccola Cucina 02.11.09
“Sadly the original owner the charismatic Enrico died recently but the food and service is still excellent. Small menue, small restaurant but feels like a real find.”

Trattoria Da Ottimfiore 02.11.09
“Cheap and peasanty food. The owner is friendly and helpful.”

Corso Como 02.11.09
“My favourite shop in the world. Carla Sotzanni's (Italian Vogue fame) ecclectic mix of fashion and objects with an amazing art bookshop and gallery. The books are all laid on tables face up so you can see them all easily. The exhibitions are mostly photography and always interesting. They mix the womens fashion in an intriguing way and there is a good mix of the extreme and the wearable. Also good for exquisite jewellry and objects for the home. Not a cheap date though. It's a cab ride from the centre and occupies a courtyard that was a garage. There is also a good bar/cafe and a restaurant and 4 rooms. The bar is great. The restaurant a bit pricey for what you get.”

RE 02.11.09
“Surprising to find this shop hidden in Corbidge. Great found objects for house and garden mixed with well styled new items. Good for gifts.”

Old Good Things 02.11.09
“An Aladin's cave of architectural salvage and the stuf isn't cheap but they have everything you could imagine and more.”

The Highline 02.11.09
“It's amazing to walk above the streets of New York on this deserted railway elevated railway line now reinvented as a beautiful park. The views of the Hudson, statue of Liberty and Armarni bill boards are stunning os the sun sets.”

Petra 02.11.09
“It's almost worth tolerating the rest of Jordan for Petra definitely one of the wonders of the world. You've seen it in Indianna Jones but its better in real life.”

Fraser Island 02.11.09
“The worlds largest sand Island covered in rain forest and scattered with freshwater lakes and streams. Hire a 4 wheel drive, take a tent and you are pretty much free to roam. This is camping as its meant to be and its fun to zoom up and down the beaches and tackle the rutted cross country tracks.”

Ibiza Yoga 02.11.09
“Practicing Yoga on a covered deck early in the morning takes a lot of beating. The smaller deck here has a stunnin ocean view. There is a mix of accommodation from a room in the house to a teepee but I like the pagoda's. A great place if you want to chill and detox but throw in a couple of all nighters to retox all over again.”

KM5 02.11.09
“A good place to warm up for a big night out. A great little bar and dance floor attached to a nice restaurant. The food is fine but not amazing. Go for the vibe.”

Son Gener 02.11.09
“An old farmhouse that’s been tastefully modernised in the middle of nowhere. Good food. Nice vibe.”

The Antiques Garage 02.11.09
“Half myapartment furniture comes from George here. Great for a Saturday or Sunday rummage. Its in a multistory car park so its dry.”

Amagansett beach 02.11.09
“It’s the Hamptons without the people. Miles of stunning beach.”

Bird's Boutique Cafe 02.11.09
“Cute, authentic, good food. Great for lunch or just a coffee or tea.”

Les Rencontres Arles Photographie 02.11.09
“Increddible that every year this massive exhibition shows some of the best photography in the world. 80 exhibitions many in the old railway whare houses. 2009 curated by Nan Golden. 2008 curated by Christian Lacroix.”

Samphire 02.11.09
“Great little farm shop. The best pork pies in Brittian.”

Sleepy Hollow Horse Riding 02.11.09
“A great day trip out of Cape Town. Racing along the beach at the edge of the breakin waves with the mountains in the distance.”

Hacienda Yaxcopoil 02.11.09
“A living museum. It feels like you walked into a Hacienda that was deserted 100 years ago. Mexico at its best and there is one room where you can stay.”

Restaurant La Telline 02.11.09
“Magical. True rural food. It feels like you are in somebodys house.”

Harbour House Restaurant 02.11.09
“Watch the seals play as you eat the freshest seafood.”

Angelica Kitchen 02.11.09
“Quality vegan food, not that yuckie vegie stuff.”

Omen 02.11.09
“Traditional Japanese food of the highest quality. Authentic. Like being in Japan in NYC.”

Bistrot a Cote 02.11.09
“Classic Bistro food on a quaint side street.”

Gramercy Tavern 02.11.09
“A great place to experience modern American food at its best.”

Union Square Café 02.11.09
“Modern American/Italian. The décor is not tredy or overstyled. Perfect place for an intimate Brunch.”

Balthazar 02.11.09
“Blassic brasserie style. Good place to hang out and people watch. Hugh Grant was breakfasting last time I went.”

Pastis 02.11.09
“Good hang out in the meatpacking area which has become an upscale clothes shoppers paridise. Good place to people watch or go for a coffee after walking the hi line.”

Craft 02.11.09
“Great high end local American food with an buzzy atmosphere”

Dirt Candy 02.11.09
“At the cutting edge of new vegetarian and vegan cusine. Small and intimate with an equally small but delicious menu.”

Blue Hill at Stone Barns 02.11.09
“Well worth the 40 minutes on the train from Grand Central Station and the cab fare for some of the best food in the world. Go late afternoon and walk around the farm that grows most of what you are going to eat. Not a cheap date but worth every penny.”

Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar 02.11.09
“I was taken on Valentines. It was perfect. Intimate, warm, cosy.”

Taim 02.11.09
“Take out or hope you can grab one of only a few stools. Great little place when you are strolling the village.”

Chennai Garden 02.11.09
“Nothing really amazing about this one just excellent vegetarian food.”

Local 02.11.09
“Great little hole in the wall for a coffee or snack when you need to rest your legs when shopping in Soho.”

Kajitsu 02.11.09
“Its austere and with very little vibe but it’s a temple to creative Japanese food. Just got a michelin star.”

Little Owl 02.11.09
“This is how neighbourhood restaurants should be.”

Benny's Burritos 02.11.09
“A safe bet for a good burritto and they do good vegetarian versions.”

Il Buco 02.11.09
“Warm and cosy Italian.”

Souen Soho 02.11.09
“If we can't be bothered to cook we go to Souen. Great Simple truly Macrobiotic food. My faves are the Teriyake sea bass and the Futomaki rolls but its all good.”

Souen Union Sq 02.11.09
“If we can't be bothered to cook we go to Souen. Great Simple truly Macrobiotic food. My faves are the Teriyake sea bass and the Futomaki rolls but its all good. Don't be put off by the décor.”

Peasant 02.11.09
“Higher end warmand cosy Italian perfect for a winters evening.”

Kyo Ya 02.11.09
“The box suchi is fantastic. Hi end Japanese.”

Wallse 02.11.09
“Watch the sunset from one of te west side pears and then go to Walse for dinner. Perfect date.”

Matsugen 02.11.09
“Go for the buzzy atmosphere and the home made noodles.”

Quartino Bottega Organica 02.11.09
“Nice little neighbourhood place.”

Bocca Lupo 02.11.09
“Too good to be hidden away in cobble Hill unless you live ther eof course. Lucky you. Delicious small plates and good wine.”

Villa Ecotucan 02.11.09
“Hide away from the world in this intimate eco resort. Dinner family style. The owners are nice people.”

Balamku 02.11.09
“The coast here has taken a bit of a hammering from a hurricain and the nearest town is a cruise ship port but this place is a great place to hang out and chill for a couple of days. Low key. Eat at the travel inn near by.”

Travel Inn 02.11.09
“We lucked out finding this place. They don't even have a phone. She cooks he serves. They are welcoming and accommodating. Great home cooking.”

Estancia Colome 02.11.09
“Three hours drive down dirk tracks the last thing you expect to find is this stylish, intimate hotel. The Andes climb around you. All the food is grown or reared within 3 miles of you. Their own wine is fantastic. They have the oldest Malbec vines in the world. And they employ and respect the local community. Great riding too.”

Le Mas de Peint 02.11.09
“Perfect place to hide away for a few days. Ride the Camarge horses through the marshland in the morning.(Beware of the mosquitos) Chill by the pool in the afternoon. Delicious food. In the winter you eat in the kitchen in the summer on the terrace.”

St John Bread & Wine 02.11.09
“When I can't get in to St Johns I go here. Bit less formal but the same great simple exquisite food.”

Moro 02.11.09
“Great Moroccan inspired food. Always packed. Always good. If you can't get a table at short notice eat more tapas style at the bar.”

The Wolseley 02.11.09
“Great classic brasserie. Good to impress people for breakfast or afternoon tea. Best of British.”

Coffee Plant 02.11.09
“Best cappucino I've had”

Afghan Kitchen 02.11.09
“Communal tables in a very small space but the simple food is great.”

The Oak 02.11.09
“Great gastropub.”

Tom's Deli 02.11.09
“Go for the Nottinghill brunch scene. Small and always packed.”

Union Square Greenmarket 02.11.09
“The best farm market I've ever been to and its just round the corner from our place in NYC. Lucky us. If its seasonal and local its going to be here.”

Recoleta Cemetery 02.11.09
“Feels weird to send people to a cementry but it has a magical atmosphere and you can really feel the history.”

Confiteria Ideal 02.11.09
“Hang out and watch the Tango.”

Integral Yoga Natural Foods 02.11.09
“Best selection of natural foods you'll find in NYC.”

Hotel La Residencia 02.11.09
“Perfect for a romantic weekend away. Great building. Probably a scene in high summer but wonderful to sip wine by the fire on a cooler spring or Autumn evening after strolling through the charming village or by the sea. Great Spa. Food good but not amazing.”

Hotel Costes 02.11.09
“See and be seen and hang out in the courtyard.”

Mount Nelson Hotel 02.11.09
“The hotel and Spa are good if not exceptional but the afternoon tea is.”

De Hoop Nature Reserve Cottages 02.11.09
“On the plains there are antelope and Zebra but it’s the sand dunes that I love here that look like snow capped mountains until you get close. And when you clamber to the top you see the ocean crashing in and it feels like the desert meeting the sea, The cottages are simple but stylish.”

Spookfontein Farm Cottages 02.11.09
“Perfect hide away. Beautiful cottage overlooking the vineyard. Go talk to the wine maker. As well as the wine from the vinyard he makes his own limited editions.”

The Peasant 02.11.09
“A local favourite. The food has been varied over the years but it’s a great bar.”

Barrafina 02.11.09
“Great tapas at the bar in Soho.”

Petersham Nurseries 02.11.09
“Lunch at a garden centre sounds naff but this is the most beautiful garden centre and setting. Short menu but the food is fantastic.”

Duke of Cambridge 02.11.09
“Great gastropub”