California....here we come....

Oh California. We’ve had a mixed relationship where I leave you for months on end for my mistress on the East Coast. But you’ll always be my one true love!!

FLY into San Francisco with various different carriers. Last time I flew Delta with no complaints. Easiest is to get a flight that lands you early evening so you can get settled. And if you’re planning on heading down the coast, I’d recommend starting in San Francisco. That way, you’re driving on the right (correct) side of the road to get the better view

DRIVE as you need. If you’re just staying in San Francisco then a car is irrelevant as it’s small and parking is tough and expensive. But if you go up to Napa, down the coast or spend any time in LA or San Diego, then a car is a must. Renting from SFO is easy, from a central location. My advice is to pre-book without paying in advance. And then see if you can negotiate a better car with the rental agencies. I’ve used Thrifty twice with no complaints. If renting from LAX, my favorite to use is Midway cars. They have Mercedes C300s for $75 a day. And be aware. The extra costs always come from insurance (check your credit card – you’re probably covered) and gas/petrol (don’t accept what they’re offering – get gas from a station)

SAN FRANCISCO
STAY somewhere trendy like The Clift. Great location just off Union Sq and we managed to get a deal for $140 per night

EAT/DRINK as a locavore, farm to table style. Check out the Ferry building on Embarcadero. And Chez Panisse in Berkeley (but book well ahead) Didn't get to the Mission this time but up-and-coming restaurants abound, worth a look.

SHOP around Union Sq for your standards and Chestnut and Filmore for your boutiques

DO the obvious. Get yourself somehow across Golden Gate bridge and up into the hills for a great view of the bridge and the city. Ride a cable car down to Fisherman’s wharf, check out Ghirardelli Sq and then do the “dusk” tour of Alcatraz for some interesting extras

NAPA
STAY somewhere cute. We stayed at Hotel Luca. Tripadvisor raves. We thought it was good, but a little overpriced. Cute and cosy and in a nice spot near some good restaurants in Yountville

EAT/DRINK at some of the best restaurants per square mile the world has to offer. We went to Ubuntu (Vegetarian), Bottega (Italian) and Solage (American) that were all very impressive. Plus you have Bouchon, French Laundry etc etc. You’ll be leaving with a full stomach and an empty wallet! For lunch, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen is worthwhile, resto is owned by same guys as Mustard's.

DO go to vineyards, vineyards and more vineyards. We liked Cliff Lede. Also checked out Cakebread which was rather commercial in comparison. Opus One leads the way with some of the most famous California wine. V.Sattui has a market in the vineyard which is rare. On a nice day, friends recommended a picnic there. Not much else to do. Oh, except maybe yoga at Ubuntu and a massage. We got from the very reasonably priced Lavender Hill. And if the weather is good, rent bicycles and go for a ride and a picnic. If there is time, take a spin to Sonoma and check out the vineyards and food there as well.

CARMEL
STAY in the Carmel Valley Ranch. Gorgeous golf course style ranch just above Carmel

EAT/DRINK in the town. Can’t remember any specific places

DO the 17 mile drive and stop along the way, especially at Pebble Beach. Check out the Monterey Bay aquarium


LA
STAY in Santa Monica. Welcome resbite from the busy-ness of LA. We like the Fairmont Miramar

EAT/DRINK all over. Koi is pretty fancy and not overly expensive and serves good Asian fusion. Colin Farrell was falling out of there last time I visited. Katsuya is another option for good Asian. Lunch at Cecconi's and the Ivy will ensure a celeb sighting. Toast is packed for brunch but worth the wait and great boutiques around while you wait. Similarly for Blue Plate in Santa Monica. Fig in the Fairmont Miramar has gotten rave reviews for their local innovative cuisine. People rave about Sprinkles, for cupcakes. Haven't taste tested yet. For a drink, stop at Chateau Marmont. It's featured in Sofia Coppola's latest movie

SHOP on Rodeo drive, Robertson Blvd, Santa Monica etc etc. Plenty of shopping to be done here. Worth a drive up to the Malibu country mart for some true SoCal shopping. Kitson, James Perse, Tory Burch, Intermix, RL to name a few....Nobu tucked away at the edge of this shopping mall. Woody Harrelson spotted there a couple months ago...

DO lots or nothing at all. Time goes quickly in LA. Various theme parks such as Disney, Universal Studios etc. Hollywood is fun to see the theater and hand-prints. Beaches are nice. Santa Monica pier. Venice for muscle beach and medicinal marijuana. If you're into art, LA has one of the most inspiring contemporary art scenes in the world. Make stops at Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). There are three locations with a smaller gallery in West Hollywood at the Pacific Design Center. If you want a quick fix of culture, this spot is a 30 minute visit, FREE admission and close to shopping on Robertson. The LA Country Museum of Art (LACMA) and Getty are notable and worth trips.


SAN DIEGO
STAY somewhere. We stayed in an apartment building, so no real help here. But La Jolla is a pretty nice part of town

EAT/DRINK Mexican food. So close to the border, you’ll find the best Mexican food here

SHOP if you have to. Was really unimpressed with what was on offer

DO go to Sea World. Fantastic (albeit expensive) animal park. The famous Zoo is pretty impressive too. Walk along the beaches of La Jolla and check out the seals on their semi-private beach. Check out Torrey Pines for hiking and/or the golf course. There's the Hotel del Coronado, opened in 1888 and a historic landmark. A spot for many American presidents, worth a trip for lunch or a tea. North of San Diego, you'll find quaint towns of Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach and non other than Cardiff by the Sea. Del Mar is the swankiest with cute boutiques and beautiful beachs for people and dogs. Encinitas hails for its crafts and design shops. Solana Beach is hippy central and a funky spot.

Please don't let the summer end...

…there is no way it has been 3 months – it has literally flown by. Although still sunny, I had to wear this thing called a jumper last night. What’s that all about?!

I really honestly tried to limit the number of trips and actually enjoy the city…so there were only a handful in the couple of months. I did, as most New Yorkers do, and went to the Hamptons – fun trip, but very over-rated in my book. The exact opposite for me was Chicago. One of my new favourite cities. Clean, great architecture, easy to get around, good food, weather etc etc – highly recommended. Oh, and I managed to squeeze a trip in to Vegas…we had 2 great Hangover moments – the first, when one of the guys turned up with a “man-bag” – that wasn’t seen again for the remainder of the trip. And the second, when I could have sworn that I left the club before we moved from vodka to champagne, only to see a picture of myself drinking from the bottle!!!

I’ve been having fun with the car club. Oli came to visit and we took out a 1988 Ferrari 328 – Magnum PI style!!! All I was missing was the wig, moustache and white trousers!

Magnum PI

There have been lots of fun events. Good ol’ Keane came to town and Tom Chaplin, (still off the drugs and food), but passionate as ever outside in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. Outdoor movies – I caught classics such as The Holy Grail and the Hangover. And food. Why is it the New Yorkers love their food so much? They talk about it more than we do the weather! But fair to say, I ate my way through the city this summer and without some serious running and football, I’d be the size of an Elephant. And don’t get me started about cupcakes…

Thanks to all of you who sent cards, presents or messages for my birthday. Sadly, my birthday ended on Monday night after a 4 day marathon!! From drinks on Thursday where I ended up doing rum shots and eating a dodgy pie, to dinner with some of my good mates here on Saturday night and then tickets to the US open on Monday night. But credit, where credit’s due and Emily came up nothing short of amazing, with her scavenger hunt around New York. It took me to the Met, a boutique, some shops and finally, the Ace hotel where we had a “staycation” (her word, not mine!) on Sunday night!

Hit reality with a serious bang on Tuesday – not only did I have to go back to work, but I had to wear a suit and tie for the first time since May. I refused to shave though – think I’ll keep my beard going til Christmas!

Facebook pics 1

Facebook pics 2

Back home ever so briefly next week for Yom Kippur, so will try and catch up with as many of you as possible.

In the meantime, don’t hesitate to email, write or call

Jamie

55 West 11th St, Apt 7c
New York, NY 10011
Tel: +1 646 269 3323
BB Pin: 2559be92

NYC Hotels List

Midtown/Village/Gramercy/Flatiron
- Ace Hotel
- Gramercy Park Hotel
- Eventi Hotel
- W Union Square
- Marcel Hotel

Soho
- 60 Thompson
- Crosby Street Hotel
- Soho Grand
- Trump Soho
- Mercer Hotel

Lower East Side
- Thompson Lower East Side
- Hotel on Rivington
- Bowery Hotel

Meatpacking
- Standard Hotel
- Gansevoort Hotel
- The Jane

Tribeca
- Tribeca Grand
- Smyth
- The James

Manhattan User Guide Hotels recommended hotels under $200

NYC Shopping List

Uptown
- Columbus Circle
- FAO Schwartz
- Uggs

Midtown
- Fifth Avenue
- Department Stores (Henri Bendels, Bloomingdales, Macys, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys)
- Abercrombie

Downtown
- Union Square
- Soho
- Vintage stores (Stanton and Rivington, Bedford St (Williamsburg))

NYC Bars List

Uptown
- Boat Basin (79th and West)

Midtown
- Me Bar (32nd and 5th)
- Ace Hotel (29th and Broadway)
- 230 Fifth (27th and 5th)
- Frying Pan (26th and West)
- Rose Bar (in Gramercy Park Hotel, 21st and Lex)

West Village/Meatpacking
- Spotted Pig (11th and Greenwich St)
- Employees Only (Christopher and Hudson)
- Jane Hotel (Jane and Washington)
- Kingswood (10th and 6th)
- Gottino (Perry St and Greenwich Ave)
- Standard Hotel (13th and Washington)
- Gansevoort Hotel (13th and 9th Ave)
- STK (12th and Washington)
- Ten June (12th and Washington)
- Brass Monkey (Little W 12th and 10th)

East Village
- Terroir Wine Bar (12th and 1st)
- Desnuda (7th and 1st)
- The Bourgois Pig (7th and 1st)
- Ten Degrees (St Marks and Ave A)
- Bua (St Marks and Ave A)
- Summit Bar (8th and Ave C)
- Porch (8th and Ave C)
- PDT (St Marks and A)
- Bowery Hotel (Bowery and 3rd st)

Soho
- MercBar (Prince and Mercer)
- Pravda (Prince and Lafayette)

Lower East Side
- Milk and Honey (Broome and Eldridge)
- Rivington Hotel (Rivington and Ludlow)
- Back Room (Delancy and Norfolk)
- Chloe 81 (Broome and Ludlow)

NYC Restaurants List

Uptown
- Beyoglu (80th and 3rd)
- 3 Guys Diner (75th and Mad)

Midtown
- Nobu (57th and 6th)
- Norma's in the Parker Meridien hotel (56th and 6th)

Gramercy
- Maialino (21st and Lexington)
- Gramercy Tavern (20th and Broadway)
- Friend of a Farmer (19th St and Irving Pl)

West Village/Meatpacking
- Gotham Bar and Grill (12th and 5th)
- Morandi (Waverly and 7th Ave South)
- Joseph Leonard (Christopher and Waverly)
- Corner Bistro (Jane St and West 4th)
- The Little Owl (Grove and Bedford)
- Cafe Cluny (12th and W4th)
- The Mermaid Oyster Bar (Bleecker and MacDougal)
- Minetta Tavern (Minetta Lane and MacDougal)
- Bar Pitti (Bleecker and 6th)
- The Lion (9th and 6th)
- Hotel Griffou (9th and 6th)
- Babbo (Waverly and 6th)
- Faustina (5th and Bowery)
- Yerba Buena (Perry St and Greenwich Ave)
- Waverly Inn (Bank St and Waverly)

Meatpacking
- Buddakan (16th and 9th)
- Tia Pol (22nd and 10th)
- Cookshop (20th and 10th)
- Matsuri (16th and 9th)
- Sarabeth's (16th and 9th)
- Pastis (Little W 12th St and 9th Ave)
- Bagatelle (13th and 9th)
- Barbuto (12th and Washington Street)
- Scarpetta (14th and 9th)

East Village
- Motorino (12th and 1st)
- Mercadito (11th and Ave B)
- Veloce Pizzeria (7th and 1st)
- Momofuku (10th and 1st)
- Esperanto (9th and Ave C)
- Cafe Mogador (St Marks and A)
- Pylos (7th and A)
- Casimir (7th and Ave B)
- Perbacco (4th and B)
- Gemma in the Bowery Hotel (3rd and Bowery)
- DBGB Bistro (1st and Bowery)
- Prune (1st St and 1st Ave)
- Pulino's (Bowery and Houston)
- Hecho en Dumbo (Bowery and Great Jones)
- Lil' Frankie (1st and 1st)

Soho
- Mercer Kitchen (Prince and Mercer)
- Delicatessen (Prince and LaFayette)

Lower East Side
- Clinton Street Bakery (E Houston and Clinton)
- Freeman's (Rivington and Bowery)
- Inoteca (Rivington and Ludlow)
- Kuma Inn (Rivington and Ludlow)
- Sorella (Rivington and Allen)
- Essex Restaurant (Rivington and Essex)
- Schillers (Rivington and Norfolk)
- L'Esquina (Kenmare and Lafayette)
- The Meatball Shop (Stanton and Allen)
- Le French Diner (Houston and Orchard)
- Kenmare (Kenmare and Layfayette)

Tribeca
- Matsugen (Leonard and Church)
- Tribeca Grill (Greenwich and N Moore)
- Megu (Thomas and Church)

Brooklyn
- Peter Lugers (Broadway and Driggs, Brooklyn)
- Egg (Williamsburg)

NYC Sights List

Uptown
- Bronx Zoo (2,300 Southern Boulevard)
- Gospel Choir (138th and 7th)
- Central Park (SW corner is 59th and 5th)

Midtown
- Rockefeller Centre (50th and 5th)
- Top of the Rock (50th and 5th)
- The UN (45th and 2nd)
- Chrysler Building (42nd and Lex)
- Times Square (42nd and Broadway)
- Broadway Show (42nd and Broadway)
- Grand Central Station (42nd and Park)
- Empire State Building (34th and 5th)

Downtown
- Statue of Liberty (Liberty Island)
- Ellis Island (From Battery Park)
- Brooklyn Bridge (From City Hall)
- South Street Seaport (South St and Fulton)
- Chinatown (Canal and Bowery)
- Battery Park (State St and Battery Place)
- High Line (13th and 10th)
- Staten Island ferry (South St)
- DUMBO area of Brooklyn (Brooklyn side of Manhattan bridge)
- Brooklyn Flea Market (Lafayette and Vanderbilt (Sat) or Flatbush and Hanson (Sun))
- Coney Island (Brooklyn)
- Governor's Island (Governor's Island)
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade
- Prospect Park
- Sandy Hook beach

Sports (Knicks, Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Islanders, Jets, Giants, Flushing Meadow)
Tour (Gossip Girl, Sopranos, Sex in the City, Seinfeld)
Restaurants (Serendipity, Katz, Magnolia Bakery)