Capri, Italy
Subtle luxury in on one of the most magical islands.
Hotel
Farol Hotel /
Cascais, Portugal
Former private residence turned modern quirky hotel perched on a cliff. With 2 restaurants (with a preference for the Mediterranean one).
Hotel
Balaboosta /
New York City, US
Set in West Village, this open and airy local eatery serves a delicious combination of Middle East inspired dishes. Mixing Persian, Israeli and Yemeni influences, the kitchen is able to bring the sun out on a cloudy day.
Restaurant
Japonica /
New York City, USA
Not exactly a newcomer (est in 1978), Japonica remains one of the best sushi restaurants in Greenwich Village. Traditional, simple sushi served exactly as you would expect.
Restaurant
Pastis /
New York City, USA
An institution in the Meatpacking District, Pastis just reopened. Finally. This quirky French bistro always has one of the best buzz in town. To be enjoyed, in particular on a sunny and lazy day for lunch.
Restaurant
Bad Blood /
Author: John Carreyrou
Written by a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, Bad Blood is the best thriller that you have read in years. The real life story of rise and collapse of Elizabeth Holmes’ startup, Theranos. With what you would expect from a thriller: brilliance, intelligence and blatant lies and deception. Inspiring !
Book
Ready Player One /
Author: Ernest Cline
Supposedly a science fiction book, Ready Player One is actually not about tomorrow, but about today. Ernest Cline has a very sharp analysis of some of the biases of our modern technology driven life, with social media at its core. Also, Cline juggles with time, delighting us with references to the 80s embedded in this futuristic and realistic tale.
Book
Barbarian Days /
Author: William Finnegan
This autobiography is a pleasure to read, even for those of us not into surfing. Following William on his life journey around the world, chasing waves and finding himself, is as engaging as any fiction we come across these days. In addition to being a precise description of the American culture in the 60s and 70s, Barbarian Days is also a fantastic introduction to the surfing way of life. Simply, honestly.
Book
Palazzo Murat /
Positano, Italy
This former private residence, converted into a beautiful hotel, manages what seems to be an impossible tour de force: be set right in the center of Positano, bustling with activity in the middle of the summer, while remaining an incredibly peaceful haven.
Hotel
Maccheroni /
Rome, Italy
May just look like another trattoria on the streets of Rome, but Maccheroni serves carefully prepared traditional dishes with the best ingredients. In particular, the truffle pasta and the grilled scarmoza a la bottarga (surprising but delicious combination) got us to return. Again. And again.
Restaurant
La Marinella /
Positano, Italy
Definitely not your typical, tourist infested, restaurant in Positano. La Marinella is a very small, very (very) simple restaurant on a small beach next to Positano. Not easy to find, a bit of a walk to get to, but the homemade pasta and setting are worth the effort.
Restaurant
Next2 /
Positano, Italy
A refined restaurant, serving traditional Italian dishes on the heights of Positano. The nice vibe is a good complement to the food and the view (without being a “scene”).
Restaurant
Fyre /
Director: Chris Smith
“The greatest party that never happened”.
The real life story of the Fyre Festival: what was meant to be the most incredible, exclusive, beautiful party in the world ended up being nothing more than an ugly fraud. Story which resonated even more for us given the central part conflicted influencers played in helping orchestrate the scam. Of the dangers of conflict of interest in social medias… A documentary more thrilling than some of the best fictions. Available on Netflix (with a sister documentary on same topic on Hulu).
Movie
The Get Down /
Creators: Baz Luhrmann, Stephen Adly Guirgis
A history lesson tracing parallels between the dark and vibrant period the late 70s were for Manhattan and the Bronx and the creation hip hop. Mixing fiction with documentary images, mixing historic anthems with original creations, The Get Down is a feast for the eyes and ears.
TV Series
After Life /
Director: Ricky Gervais
A dark, funny and touching Ricky Gervais in the first season of After Life. Gervais as we would expect, but also as we would not, dealing with the loss of his wife. Looking forward to season 2.
TV Series
Dough /
Director: John Goldschmidt
A small independent movie, light but with something more. The story of an old Jewish baker struggling with his business, who meets and builds an amazing relationship with a young Muslim. Who thought cannabis could be the solution to a dire business situation ?
Movie
Meet the Patels /
Director: Geeta Patel, Ravi Patel
This first person documentary tells the story of a 30 year old Indian-American and his journey to find a wife: caught between his adopted western culture and his Indian traditions. A funny, touching, enlightening biography portraying the tensions between the 2 sides of his identify and his struggle to find his way. What may come across as quite foreign ends up feeling very familiar.
Movie
Scorpios /
Mykonos, Greece
Not your typical “white-minimalist” beach club, Scorpios mixes earth and water to create a very unique atmosphere. Relaxed through the day, getting more electric as the sun sets. With remarkable food for a place which is supposed to be “trendy”. So nice to be different.
Restaurant
Fontelina /
Capri, Italy
A restaurant and beach club set amongst the protruding rocks of this magical island, Fontelina is an experience not to miss when in Capri. But given the enchanting setting and delicious Italian dishes served, the small place gets quickly full. Do reserve to make sure that the perilous trek down the stone cliff to get to the beach ends as expected.
Restaurant
Casa Angelina /
Praiano, Italy
Small boutique hotel hanging from a cliff, Casa Angelina has its own character on the beautiful Amalfi Coast. A touch more modern than you would expect for the region, its “sailing boat” feel is a perfect fit for the immense blue horizon all around it. Also one of the best views of Positano and Capri, on the other side of the bay.
Hotel