http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/recentTopics/.html JForum - http://www.jforum.net Waldorf=Astoria Hotel Comes To Chicago Posted by Gromco in Chicago on 25/Nov/2008 The Waldorf=Astoria brand seems to be on a roll, financial crisis be damned. It was only a few months ago that we announced the planned Waldorf=Astoria hotel in Montreal and now we're adding Chicago to the list of lucky cities. The hotel tower, designed by DeStefano & Partners is projected to reach 1,100 feet (that's over 100 floors!), but unlike certain other landmarks planned for Chicago, it will not surpass the height of the Sears Tower... Read the rest of: "Waldorf=Astoria Hotel Comes To Chicago"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/waldorf-astoria-comes-to-chicago-1228898.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1147.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1147.html GMT I.M.Pei-Designed Apartment Buildings Landmarked Posted by Gromco in New York » Landmarks on 19/Nov/2008 Any architecturally curious visitor to Downtown Manhattan would probably remember three buff-colored high-rise towers occupying the southern fringes of Central Greenwich Village, just above Houston Street. They are University Village (also known as Silver Towers) - a residential complex designed by James Ingo Freed (I.M.Pei & Associates) and owned by New York University. And they've just been landmarked, protecting them from future alterations or modifications... Read the rest of: "I.M.Pei-Designed Apartment Buildings Landmarked"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/impei-designed-apartment-buildings-landmarked.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1146.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1146.html GMT Venice goes to war with boorish tourists Campaign against badly behaved tourists Tuesday, November 11, 2008 Venice is stepping up a campaign against badly behaved tourists in an effort to reduce friction between its residents and the 20 million people who visit the city each year.. http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/27908 ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1144.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1144.html GMT 104: New Modern Art Center Posted by Gromco in Paris » Attractions on 10/Nov/2008 After more than two years of reconstruction, a former funeral parlor in the 19th arrondissement of Paris reopened in its new reincarnation as the city's newest modern arts center christened "104" (Centquatre)... The creation of architects Robert Cantarella and Frédéric Fisbach, the center, at 104 rue d'Aubervilliers was green-lighted by Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë in 2005. More than two years and 100M euros later, Centquatre opened to the public in October. Read the rest of: "104: New Modern Art Center": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/104_new_modern_art_center-1295730.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1143.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1143.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1142.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1142.html GMT Mama Shelter Hotel Aims for Affordable Design Experience Posted by Gromco in Paris » Hotels on 20/Oct/2008 Affordable design and even 'affordable luxury' is not an oxymoron. Well, not exactly, anyway... In fact, it's a trend that's been sweeping the hotel industry in recent years. Using modern construction methods in combination with innovative cost-cutting techniques and choosing slightly off-prime locations, a handful of hoteliers have attempted to reshape the industry by providing low-cost designer hotel experience for the younger, tech-savvy crowd. Mama Shelter is the latest example of the trend. (De)signed by Philippe Starck, this modern hotel on Rue Bagnolet in the 20th Arrondissement of Paris opened just a couple of weeks ago.... Read the rest of: "Mama Shelter Hotel Aims for Affordable Design Experience"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/mama-shelter-affordable-design-hotel-3976264.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1140.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1140.html GMT Montreal Métro Passengers Lost With No Translation Posted by Slavito in Montreal » Transport on 13/Oct/2008 A bewildered American tourist who vacationed in Montreal this summer recently wrote a letter to the Gazette, the local anglophone daily, wondering why announcements on the métro are delivered only in French. The newspaper's response and the quotes it extracted from various officials highlighted an interesting contrast in policies between Montreal and Paris public transportation services. While in Paris, announcements are routinely delivered in three languages (French, English and a rotating third major language), Montreal metro will only play a pre-recorded bilingual tape in an emergency situation ("fire! get out!"). "Routine" messages such as announcements of delays are delivered only in French as a matter of policy. Read the rest of: "Montreal Métro Passengers Lost With No Translation"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/metro-passengers-lost-with-no-translation-7914177.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1138.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1138.html GMT Hotel Omni on Rue Sherbrooke to Close Posted by Gromco in Montreal » Hotels on 03/Oct/2008 You gain some, you lose some. While the city is busy adding thousands of hotels rooms (we wrote about one new project last month), some in the hospitality business decided they'd had enough of the Montreal market. The management of the Omni Mont-Royal hotel on Sherbrooke street has announced its decision to close the 32-year old 299-room property (which had previously been operated under the brands of Westin and Four Seasons) on Dec 10th, citing "operational difficulties"... Read the rest of: "Hotel Omni on Rue Sherbrooke to Close"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/omni-mont-royal-to-close-1146256.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1137.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1137.html GMT BIXI: Bike, Taxi, Montreal Posted by Slavito in Montreal » Transport on 22/Sep/2008 The voting process for the name of Montreal's citywide bike rental program is over and the winner is chosen. The system is going to be called "BIXI". Over the next month, demo bikes will be wheeled around the city and public demonstrations will be held. According to the city mayor, Gérald Tremblay, by next spring Montreal will count 2,400 bikes at more than 300 solar-powered stations... Read the rest of: "BIXI: Bike, Taxi, Montreal"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/bixi-bike-taxi-montreal-7408304.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1135.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1135.html GMT First Cruise Liner Docks in St.Petersburg's New Port Posted by Slavito in St.Petersburg on 18/Sep/2008 Marine Façade (Teaser)Although the construction of the new passenger port in St.Petersburg is far from finished (in fact, it won't be finished until at least 2011), the first cruise liner, the 292-meter long Costa Mediterranea, docked at a recently completed terminal on September 10th... Read the rest of: "First Cruise Liner Docks in St.Petersburg"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/first-cruise-liner-docks-in-st-petersburg-1812155.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1133.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1133.html GMT More AVE Trains Between Madrid and Barcelona Posted by Slavito in Madrid & Barcelona on 17/Sep/2008 Starting this week, RENFE, the Spanish railroad company, is increasing the frequency of its high-speed train service (AVE) between Barcelona and Madrid by one third. Instead of the previous 19-20 scheduled trains, there will be up to 26 daily departures in each direction. Two of the newly added trains will be direct, making no stops, the others - local, extending the existing Madrid - Zaragoza line service... Read the rest of: "More AVE Trains Between Madrid and Barcelona"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/more-ave-trains-madrid-barcelona-0979419.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1132.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1132.html GMT New Hilton Garden Inn / Centre-ville Posted by Slavito in Montreal » Hotels on 16/Sep/2008 Construction crews are still crawling over the central tower of the new Hilton - Garden Inn on Rue Sherbrooke, but the hotel is already open for business, as made evident not only by the banner that says as much, but also by a quasi-permanent line of cabs picking up departing guests... Read the rest of: "New Hilton Garden Inn / Centre-ville"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/new-hilton-garden-inn-centreville-5610323.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1131.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1131.html GMT La Galerie des Gobelins: New Look, Cute Cakes Posted by Slavito in Paris » Restaurants + Hotels on 12/Sep/2008 Back in June, Parisian decorator Pascale Benhamou finished her project for Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris's 8th arrondissement. The lobby restaurant, La Galerie des Gobelins (named after Manufacture des Gobelins - a former factory, now a museum, which supplied furniture to French monarchs) got new carpet, furniture and redesigned lighting. But actually, what caught my attention was not so much the decorative changes of the space as the restaurant's updated menu, which features desserts by world famous pastry chef Christophe Michalak, the winner of the 2005 "Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie"... Read the rest of: "La Galerie des Gobelins: New Look, Cute Cakes"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/la-galerie-des-gobelins-new-look.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1130.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1130.html GMT New Terminal (2G) at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Posted by Slavito in Paris » Transport on 10/Sep/2008 On September 3rd, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) opened a new terminal, 2G. The terminal will mostly serve flights within France (30%) and more broadly, within the Schengen zone (70%). Air France will be the principal carrier using it, along with three "partner" airlines (Régional, Brit Air, CityJet) who are all, in fact, subsidiaries of Air France. With the addition of 2G, airport Charles de Gaulle aims to improve transfer options between regional flights, strengthening its role as a European "hub" of Air France. Read the rest of: "New Terminal (2G) in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/2g_opens_cdg.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1129.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1129.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1119.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1119.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1126.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1126.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1128.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1128.html GMT Apple Opens Montreal Flagship Store Posted by Slavito in Montreal » Shopping on 03/Sep/2008 Back in July, Apple opened a flagship store in Montreal of which yours truly has already had an opportunity to be a customer. The store is ninth in the list of Apple's flagship stores world-wide (the others are in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, London, Tokyo and New York) and the first of the kind in Canada... Read the rest of: "Apple Opens Montreal Flagship Store"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/apple_opens_montreal_flagship_store.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1121.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1121.html GMT Bonne Journée from Café Crêpe Posted by Slavito in Montreal » Restaurants on 06/Sep/2008 I've been looking for the perfect breakfast crêpe in Montreal for a long time. It hasn't been easy, but I think I've just found it. This treat is called "Bonne Journée" and comes from the kitchen of "Café Crêpe" - a small café that is named after what it makes best. Read the rest of: "Bonne Journée from Café Crêpe"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/bonne-journee-from-cafe-crepe.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1125.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1125.html GMT Pasta Bolognese, Old School Posted by Slavito in Bologna on 05/Sep/2008 Don't know about you, but I've always thought Italy was a bit of a scam as far as food is concerned. You go there, you eat, you get exited - ecstatic even, you scribble the names of your new favorite dishes on any and every scrap of paper, you bring the scraps home, you go to your local Italian restaurant and then.. you realize it's just really not the same. At all. While I can't offer a real solution to this, I might be able to point you to somebody who can, at least when it comes to pasta dishes and Cucina bolognese in general. This is not one person but rather a group of individuals who run a small tourist-friendly cooking school called "La Vecchia Scuola Bolognese" (Bologna's Old School)... Read the rest of: "Pasta Bolognese, Old School"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/vecchia_scuola_bolognese.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1123.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1123.html GMT Valencia Beaches Going Wireless Posted by Slavito in Valencia on 05/Sep/2008 If you're the type who just can't leave their work behind, even on vacation, Valencia may be the right place for you. Since July, the municipal government is running WiFi access points on two of the city's beaches - El Cabanyal and La Malvarrosa... Read the rest of: "Valencia Beaches Going Wireless"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/valencia_beaches_going_wireless.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1122.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1122.html GMT De Liceu Station Renovated Posted by Slavito in Barcelona on 01/Sep/2008 A few weeks ago, a round of renovations was completed at the de Liceu metro station (línea 3) in the Rambla, reported local transportation authority, TMB. All in all, four halls and two platforms were given a complete make-over at a total cost of 2.5 million euro. This phase of renovations took one year... Read the rest of: "De Liceu Station Renovated"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/de_liceu_renovated.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1120.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1120.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1047.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1047.html GMT Montreal Bike Rental System Looking For Name Posted by Slavito in Montreal on 13/Aug/2008 Montreal will soon get its own city-wide bike-rental system clearly modeled after Paris' Velib. It will work almost exactly the same way as Vélib: you pick up your bike from any of the stations, pay at the station or simply swipe a card, use your bike and return it to any station you deem convenient. The only (minor) problem is, the system is still to be named. So, the city is asking everyone's opinion. Here are the options: BIXI, Bycik, MontVélo, VélO2 and VillaVélo... Read the rest of: "Montreal Bike Rental System Looking For Name"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/montreal_bike_system_looking_for_name.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1118.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1118.html GMT LE CARTET, 106 Rue McGill; 514-871-8887. On the western edge of Old Montreal, this is about as cool as a place can get. A superb boutique for gourmet foods also turns out wondrous breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Salmon seems to be a near-obsession here, from their elegant Saumon Tartare to their amazing Salmon Brunch, where you get a bagel with lox, scrambled eggs with salmon, salmon cakes, fruit and a Mimosa...all for $19.95.  Here's my take on this. I agree their brunch is decent, as in "okay food in a rather design- and attitude-heavy environment". However, be prepared for: a) Long wait and a line of hipster wannabes reading reviews like the one published by the Star. b) "Fresh" Orange juice directly from a can. c) All in all, one of the worst cost-to-quality ratios in Montreal. A brunch like that should not cost more than $10, but it costs double that. Also, to the best of my knowledge the "wondrous" lunches are still made with a heavy use of a microwave (may be something changed after the renovations, but I doubt it). You pick your refrigerated dish (in a plastic box) and the helpful waiter will stick it in a microwave for you. Since when is this wondrous? ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1117.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1117.html GMT Le Moniteur Bookstore Posted by Slavito in Paris » Stores on 29/Jul/2008 Groupe Moniteur is a French company which helps establish links between the construction & development industries and the communities in which they work. They are also the owner of Librairie Le Moniteur - a highly specialized bookstore a stone's throw away from Jardins du Luxembourg and Théâtre du Odeon. Filled with books on architecture, urbanism, landscaping and interior design, Librairie Le Moniteur is one the largest specialized bookstores in Paris (and certainly the largest bookstore on the topic that I've seen)... Read the rest of: "Le Moniteur Bookstore"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/librairie_le_moniteur.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1113.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1113.html GMT Montreal to Get New Plaza in 2009 Posted by Slavito in Montreal on 17/Jul/2008 The Montreal Jazz Festival 2008 has just finished and the city is already fevereshly preparing for the 2009 edition. You might think this is an overstatement - after all, there's almost a year left! But in fact, in this short year, one of the most important concert spaces, the plaza between Place des Arts and Rue de Bleuri will have to be completely redone. The models and renderings for the new Place des Festivals were made public a few days ago and the city's mayor took the opportunity to assure everybody the project is "on schedule, on budget"... Read the rest of: "Montreal to Get New Outdoor Concert Plaza in 2009"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/new-plaza-in-2009.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1112.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1112.html GMT Caixa Forum - Madrid Posted by Slavito in Madrid » Landmarks on 15/Jul/2008 Few makeover projects have been handled with such a degree of architectural audacity as the recent transformation of a disused electric station in Madrid’s Las Huertas district into a cultural center La Caixa Forum - Madrid. Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron not only gutted the building, removing most of its interiors and changing its shape and size by conspicuously adding a layer of several floors, they also literally lifted it from its foundation, giving the whole structure a tense “suspended” look. The resulting space now houses a cultural center with its own exhibition space, a large auditorium, a bookstore and a top-floor café... Read the rest of: "Caixa Forum - Madrid": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/caixa_forum_madrid.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1111.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1111.html GMT Calatrava's Transit Hub Roof Gets Stuck Posted by Slavito in New York on 09/Jul/2008 Retractable roofs have been architects' idée fixe for decades. Moshe Safdie once wrote up an idea for entire neighborhoods shielded by such roofs during the harsh season and open to the elements when it's nice outside. The path to these dreams' realization has been fraught with difficulties, from budget overruns to full-blown engineering disasters like Montreal's Olympic Stadium (after a decade of efforts to fix it, the city finally gave up and installed a fixed roof in its place. It won't be moving any time soon). Nevertheless, projects like that pop up again and again. And so do the difficulties. The latest example is Santiago Calatrava's project for the Lower Manhattan Transportation Hub. Among the project's many innovative features was a retractable roof. But will there be one in the final implementation? Read the rest of: "Calatrava's Transit Hub Roof Gets Stuck"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/calatrava_transit_hub_roof_gets_stuck.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1108.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1108.html GMT Jean Nouvel Will Build La Tour Signal Posted by Slavito in Paris » Landmarks on 08/Jul/2008 A few weeks ago, l'EPAD - the government body responsible for developing Paris' La Défense district, announced the completion of an international tender for the construction of a new high-rise tower (La Tour Signal). The project went to Ateliers Jean Nouvel... The revered French architect (who is the winner of this year's Pritzker Prize in architecture) beat several well-known colleagues including Jacques Ferrier Architectures, Foster+Partners, Studio Libeskind, and Wilmotte et Associés... Read the rest of: "Jean Nouvel Will Build La Tour Signal"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/jean_nouvel_la_tour_signal.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1107.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1107.html GMT Waldorf=Astoria Hotel to Open in Montreal Posted by Slavito in Montreal on 05/Jul/2008 As many press outlets have reported, the Waldorf=Astoria hotel will open a Montreal outpost some time in 2011. A 250-room, 76-residence monster (officially named The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel & Residences Montreal) will rise a few blocks west of the Montreal Museum of Fine Art... Read the rest of: "Waldorf=Astoria Hotel to Open in Montreal"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/waldorf-astoria-to-open-in-montreal.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1106.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1106.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1105.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1105.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1003.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1003.html GMT If At First You Don't Succeed, Try It Again In Berlin Posted by Slavito in Berlin on 22/May/2008 I generally dislike articles that sound like advertising, especially when they are written about foreign cities. You know the type? Like, how everything is good in XYZ and people are nicer and girls/boys are prettier and things are cheaper and nobody works and everybody's happy. A couple of years back I felt it was appropriate to comment on the much promoted virtues of Buenos Aires. Right now, I feel the same way about Berlin, except I can not claim to have lived there myself, so I only have my scepticism to go by... Read the rest of: "If At First You Don't Succeed, Try It Again In Berlin": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/try_it_again_in_berlin.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1104.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1104.html GMT Frankie Goes To.. New York? The writers' strike may be over, but not everything is going well in Hollywood, I read in yesterday's Corriere della Sera (Milan). The latest trend of shows and movies abandoning the city for cheaper locales leaves the film industry capital increasingly isolated. And if things continue down the same path, soon nobody will be filming there (that prediction is courtesy of Carsten Lorenz who made it in an interview with the Financial Times)... http://www.sitebits.com/2008/frankie_goes_to_new_york.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1102.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1102.html GMT Ristorante La Giostra Posted by Alban in Florence » Restaurants on 17/Apr/2008 La Giostra is a fine restaurant in Florence where the flavors (and quantities) of yesterday coexist in peaceful harmony with the culinary and trends of tomorrow. Just for its atmosphere, somehow combining old-school cordiality with a good-hearted laidback attitude, eating at La Giostra would be a worthwhile experience. The restaurant's history also makes it unusual, as does the fact that it is run by members of the Hapsburgs - a royal Austrian family. And then there's food.. Read the rest of: "Ristorante La Giostra"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/ristorante-la-giostra.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1097.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1097.html GMT Pedro's Spanish American Restaurant Posted by Keith in New York » Restaurants on 22/Apr/2008 This past weekend, we're wandering around Dumbo — that neighborhood that takes place between and beneath the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and seems comprised almost entirely of organic food marts and upscale designer baby clothes boutiques... I was in the mood for a hot dog and beer, which is only a healthy meal when compared to my previous idea of a meal of ultra-rich chocolate. But there were surprisingly few hot dog vendors about the place, and in stark contrast to my own neighborhood, no guys wandering around offering to sell you a Corona for a buck fifty. However, while walking up Jay Street, I suddenly caught a whiff of…is that…is that taco? Yes it is. And suddenly all I wanted was tacos and beer. Luckily, Pedro's Spanish American Restaurant and Bar was waiting on the corner of Jay and Front Street (73 Jay St., between Front and Water) to give me exactly what I wanted. Read the rest of: "Pedro's Spanish American Restaurant": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/pedros-spanish-american-restaurant.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1100.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1100.html GMT Gaudí's Barcelona Posted by Alban in Barcelona; Art on 10/Oct/2006 To really enjoy Barcelona - without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - you will be better off steering clear of tourist traps and high-traffic areas. Some landmarks, however, are a "must see"... Read the rest: http://www.sitebits.com/2006/gaudi_barcelona.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/808.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/808.html GMT Glowing Above the Sun: the Tío Pepe Sign Posted by Slavito in Madrid » Places To Visit + Things To See on 14/Feb/2008 One of the most frequently photographed sights in Madrid that's nevertheless completely ignored in the city guidebooks is the Tío Pepe sign in Puerta del Sol. Given the number of tourists taking pictures in front of the sign (with many opting for a silly trick where they pretend to be "holding" the giant bottle behind them... very creative, guys, but it's been done before) and consequently, given the sign's status as the city's de facto second emblem (at least in tourists' minds... the first still being the bear, of course), it seems almost unbelievable that no guidebook provides at least a cursory look at the sign's story. Allow me to take the onerous task upon myself.. Read the rest of: "Glowing Above the Sun: the Tío Pepe Sign": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/tio-pepe-sign.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1074.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1074.html GMT Terminal 2E Reopens at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Posted by Slavito in Paris on 22/Apr/2008 You may remember the tragic accident at Paris Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle Airport's Terminal 2E four years ago. A large part of its glass roof collapsed killing four people and injuring several others. Well, it only took four years and about 150M€ for engineers to fix the damn roof, but they finally did it. A couple of weeks ago first scheduled flights starting using the terminal... Read the rest of: "Terminal 2E Reopens at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/roissy-2e-reopens.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1099.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1099.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1092.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1092.html GMT Jean Nouvel is Awarded 2008 Pritzker Prize Posted by Slavito on 02/Apr/2008 French architect Jean Nouvel, 62, received the 2008 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the most prestigious award in architecture (which is often compared to the Nobel prize in science in the degree of honor it affords)... Read the rest of: "Jean Nouvel is Awarded 2008 Pritzker Prize"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/jean-nouvel-pritzker-prize-2008.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1089.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1089.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1081.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1081.html GMT Le Cartet Reopens Posted by Gromco in Montreal » Places To Eat on 29/Mar/2008 Le Cartet, a combination of a high-end grocery store (boutique alimentaire) and a café, reopened after winter renovation. Our reviewers will soon be dispatched to sample Le Cartet's brunch. http://www.sitebits.com/2008/le-cartet-reopens-2008.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1087.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1087.html GMT The Starck Surreality: Le Dali at Le Meurice Posted by Slavito in Paris » Places To Eat on 27/Mar/2008 It's only natural that any project signed by Philippe Starck guarantees attention to an establishment, whether it be a hotel, restaurant or a high-rise apartment tower. But now the maestro seems to be making space for another family member - his daughter Ara. In the latest example, she was charged with the only truly "artistic" part of a restaurant renovation project for the Meurice hotel, while her famous father was busy designing the 600+ pieces of furniture that went into the restaurant... Read the rest of: "The Starck Surreality: Le Dali at Le Meurice"» http://www.sitebits.com/2008/starck-reality-dali-meurice.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1086.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1086.html GMT Le Rouquet: The Lesser Evil of St-Germain Posted by Slavito in Paris » Places To Eat on 14/Mar/2008 When you feel like having a coffee in a classic Left Bank café setting but shudder at the thought of neighboring a group of starry-eyed tourists (which is almost inevitable if you go to either the Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots - I mean, when was the last time any French person was seen there?), I have an alternative suggestion. A few blocks away from the two oh-so-atmospheric stalwarts of Parisian café life sits a slightly less frequented etablishment: Le Roquet... Read the rest of: "Le Rouquet: The Lesser Evil of St-Germain" http://www.sitebits.com/2008/le-rouquet-cafe.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1085.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1085.html GMT Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio Posted by Ree in Florence » Places To Shop + Places To Visit on 13/Mar/2008 Perhaps because it's more out of the way, smaller, and slightly less spectacular than the Mercato Centrale, the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is frequented mostly by genuine Florentines and their wannabe compatriots. However, since it's only a 15-20 minute walk from the Duomo, it can't really be considered off-the-beaten track, and certainly such a convenient yet relatively uncrowded market deserves a gastronomic visit... Read the rest of: "Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/mercato-di-sant-ambrogio-08.html]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1084.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1084.html GMT Paris La Belle Posted by Alban in Paris » Places To Eat + Places To Visit on 10/Mar/2008 Going to Paris this time was a treat – and that's despite the fact that, having lived in a warm climate for a while, I didn't have anything warm to wear. (Worse, I couldn't even make myself buy anything in Europe since the local trends in men's fashion don't really inspire me to get anything… call me old-fashioned). However, I didn't let the cold or the wet winter of Paris hold me back and I made the best of my weeklong stay in the city. Let me share a few places from my latest trip... Read the rest of: "Paris La Belle": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/paris_la_belle.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1082.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1082.html GMT http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1083.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1083.html GMT High on Thai at Restaurant Thaïlande Posted by Andrea in Montreal » Places To Eat on 03/Mar/2008 With few exceptions, I never order anything that I can cook well myself. Thai is one cuisine that I would love to wow guests with. Its distinguishing feature is the use of coconut milk, lemon grass, peanuts and chilli peppers in harmonious constellations for consumption. But sadly, I've never actually done anything about studying it, maybe because I am a regular at Restaurant Thaïlande. Let's face it, we're a lazy species, and if others can do it better, why not go to them? Read the rest of: "High on Thai at Restaurant Thaïlande": http://www.sitebits.com/2008/high-on-thai-restaurant-thailande.html ]]> http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1080.html http://www.sitebits.com/dsb/posts/list/1080.html GMT