Bugatti Type 57SC Coupé Wins The Third Annual The Peninsula Classics Best of The Best Award in Paris

On February 8th, the rare 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Coupé Atlantic was declared the winner of the prestigious The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award at the The Peninsula Paris Hotel.  Celebrating its third year, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award gathered eight of the world’s most refined classic cars (the best of show winners from the top international concours) to clash against each other for the title of most outstanding car in the world.  In the end, it was of course the Bugatti that triumphed over the other motor cars.  The Bugatti Type 57SC Coupé Atlantic is co-owned by the Mullin Automotive Museum and Rob & Melani Walton, located in California, USA.  In addition, the car was also named “Best of Show Concours d’Etat” at the 2017 Chantilly Arts & Elegance.

According to Bruce Meyer, “For the third year, the ultimate standard for judging The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was that of uncompromised quality and design. Of course, this made the selection process most challenging for the esteemed group of panellists.” He continued: “In the end, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Coupé Atlantic emerged victorious, with its exceptional, bespoke design making it a marvellous combination of art and technology.” 

This legendary Bugatti is powered by a supercharged engine and is recognized by many as the first supercar ever produced; the most significant thing about the Bugatti is that it is one of only four Type 57 Atlantic models ever created, with just three still in existence.  The car was designed by Jean Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti’s son, during the peak of the Art Deco movement.  Jean gathered inspiration for the Type 57 Atlantic from another of his designs, the 1935 Aérolithe concept car, which was well known for its riveted exterior that was installed to protect the car’s magnesium-alloy body parts from catching on fire.  Jean utilized this signature riveted seam on the all-aluminum body of the Atlantic, thereby bringing this classic look to life.

“The Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic is the crown jewel of the automotive circuit,” said Bugatti Head of Tradition Julius Kruta. “This car was Jean Bugatti’s masterpiece with its beautiful and breath-taking lines, plus its unmatched performance for the time. Today, it remains the ultimate expression of the Bugatti legacy: unparalleled power and beautiful design.”

This exact model, chassis number 57374, was the first Type 57 Atlantic to be produced as well as the sole surviving “Aéro Coupé,” which is a moniker given exclusively to the first two cars that shared a mechanical similarity to the Aérolithe.  When the car was brand new in 1936, it was delivered to Britain’s Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild, also known as third Baron Rothschild, and since then it has passed through the hands of quite a few owners throughout its 82-year history.  The Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé has been on display around the globe a fair number of times, most recently being when it was on display at the Los Angeles-based Petersen Automotive Museum for the “Art of Bugatti” exhibit.

“The Atlantic represents the pinnacle of everything I adore about French automotive styling and is widely described as the Mona Lisa of the automobile collector world,” said Peter Mullin, Founder and CEO of the Mullin Automotive Museum. “From its signature curves to its aviation-inspired rivets, to the Jean Bugatti designed sleek all-aluminium body, the car is truly a remarkable piece of art. I’m very honoured to have shared it with the world amongst other worthy ‘Best of the Best’ contenders.”

“I second Peter’s thoughts – the other seven nominees were simply stunning, which makes winning the award feel even more special,” said Rob Walton, co-owner of the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé. “What this award does is allow us to take a step back and admire the quality and beauty of the greatest classic cars in existence today. For an automotive fan like myself, it’s a joy.”

The third annual The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was previously presented during Monterey Car Week, but the award was relocated to Paris this year to be in-attendance during the acclaimed Rétromobile event.  The extraordinary automobile was presented at an exclusive reveal party at The Peninsula Paris’ subterranean garage, following a private dinner, which was briefly stated in an earlier article that also listed the finalists.

Speaking of the award’s legacy, The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited and co-founder of the award said, “My great hope is that we not only succeed in thrilling long-term car enthusiasts, but that this award will also ignite a new-found passion for those just discovering the world of motoring.”

For more information visit:  Peninsula.com

Gstaad, Switzerland – A Lavish Wonderland

Copyright of “Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus”

Nestled comfortably in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps is a lavish wonderland characterized by its soaring mountains and its village of luxury.

Gstaad, Switzerland has a population of 9,200 and rests at 1,050 meters (3,445 ft) in elevation. While it may seem quirky and comfortable at first, Gstaad is most notably characterized as the winter playground to high society and the international jet set. The village is nestled between two of the richest cities in the world, Zurich and Geneva, so it is no question why the visitors are only the best of the best. Some of Gstaad’s most renowned residents have included Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Andrews, and Sir Roger Moore. Other famous visitors include Madonna, Princess Diana, Elton John, and Paul McCartney.

During the Middle Ages, Gstaad was primarily characterized by agriculture and cattle farming. Around 1402, the St. Nicholas Chapel was built here, although the murals are from the later part of the 15th century. Devastatingly, in 1898, a large portion of Gstaad was destroyed in a great fire. The people of Gstaad, however, took this devastation in a positive light, deciding to rebuild their village with the growing tourism industry in mind.

Following the construction of the Montreux-Oberland Bernois railroad in 1905, Gstaad opened its first ski club, the Ski Club of Saanen. Gstaad was no longer isolated from the rest of Switzerland. Gstaad thrived under the constant tourist attention. It’s first ski lifts were opened between the late 1930s and early 1940s. Gondolas and chair lifts followed these openings, and in 1942, an airlift was constructed for use by both civilians and the military population.

Gstaad now has more than 137 miles of ski slopes, as well as many miles of hiking and walking trails- with varying ranges of difficulty. For those not as interested in hiking or skiing, the downtown section of the village is overflowing with designer label stores, such as Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Prada, and Cartier. A few smaller boutiques also offer selections of Burberry, Dior, and Marc Jacobs.

Gstaad is also known for a few of its regular events held by its residents, such as the “New Year Festival of Gstaad”, which is held by Princess Caroline Murat, also known as Caroline Haffner, the musical performer. There is a biking event held in the winter snow, the “Snow Bike Festival”. There are also a few classical music series, such as the “Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad” and the “Menuhin Festival Gstaad”. The residents also take part in the tennis tournaments, the “Swiss Open Gstaad” and the “Ladies Championship Gstaad”. Gstaad hosts over a thousand cultural and/or sporting events every year for its residents and visitors. Of course, if a visitor is coming to experience the prestigious ambiance of Gstaad, the places they can choose from to stay at are nothing short of extraordinary.

Gstaad’s restaurant of choice is as distinguished as one would expect from such a village of affluence. Founded in 1957, the ultra exclusive, private members only, Eagle Ski Club is the restaurant of choice for royal visitors and international jetsetters, boasting a three-year, invitation-only, waiting list and a £25,000 (approximately $34,600) bill just to gain access to the restaurant. The Eagle Ski Club is supposedly the main source of flirting and social endeavors throughout Gstaad, since the village is not known for its nightlife or excessive debauchery as its rich counterparts may be (the Hamptons, St Barts, St Moritz, etc).

The Gstaad Palace opened in 1913 as the village’s first luxury hotel, boasting over two hundred beds. Today, it is one of the only family owned and operated hotels in Switzerland, and its accommodations are superb. Apart from live music, afternoon tea, late-night champagne, and its high dining at Le Restaurant, Le Grill Rôtisserie, and Italian Gildo’s Ristorante, the hotel also has a rich history. During World War II, the Swiss government stashed a large portion of the country’s gold reserves in the two-story bunker beneath the hotel. The Gstaad Palace is open, on average, from December to March, and June to September every year. In 2013, the hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Another excellent place to stay in Gstaad is the Alpina Gstaad, which, in their own words has “single-handedly defined luxury and Alpine chic”. The hotel claims to be buried in Swiss and Alpine authenticity, and is highly regarded in the travel world, granted awards by Tripadvisor, Travel + Leisure and Tatler Travel Guide 2017. The Alpina Gstaad offers character as well as prestige, boasting numerous private and luxurious suites, as well as a “living art room” in which the residents can add their own voice and art to the walls with provided art supplies and canvases.

While the Gstaad region has more than 40 hotels, the alternative option for booking a place to stay in Gstaad is the exceptionally extraordinary ski chalet rentals. In 2015, Gstaad was awarded the Holiday Home Award for its chalet and apartment rentals, perfect for families, couples, singles, and groups. Potential visitors can research the region’s dozens of chalet rentals through the tourism website, Gstaad, as well as using Airbnb if that method is preferable.

Gstaad is nothing short of a luxurious, lavish, winter wonderland. While it is a prime destination for high society and the international jet set, it is also an Alpine marvel hidden from the masses.

McLaren 720S Dubbed Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year 2017

McLaren has long been a very prominent British automaker that unceasingly creates countless breakthroughs in the automotive industry.  In 1981, they introduced lightweight and powerful carbon fibre chassis into Formula 1 with the McLaren MP4/1.  Later in 1993, they designed and constructed the McLaren F1 road car; after this, the automaker never again built a car without a carbon fibre chassis.  And now at the Festival Automobile International in Paris, also known as the “Fashion Week” for cars, their latest masterpiece, the McLaren 720S, was officially dubbed the Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year 2017.

The award ceremony for the Azores Orange colored McLaren 720S had over 600 guests in attendance, and was celebrated right beside the renowned Hôtel des Invalides.  This accolade, which crowned the McLaren 720S the Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year 2017, is currently on its thirty-third year.  The car was highly praised for its aerodynamic elements and impressive new assimilation of McLaren’s design style, thereby making the 720S the embodiment of the brand’s exceptional performance DNA.

Imparting his thoughts about the award, David Gilbert, Managing Director – Europe at McLaren Automotive, said: “The 720S being awarded the Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year is another great achievement and honour for everyone at McLaren Automotive. Since its unveiling at the 2017 International Geneva Motor Show, the McLaren 720S has received numerous accolades: this award is a further boost for everyone at McLaren, and reflects the superb teamwork by our design group in creating and crafting the lines and proportions of the 720S that attracted recognition from the judges of our design ethos of form following function.”

Being both designed and hand-assembled by the British luxury automaker in Woking, UK.  The 720S was acknowledged for its cutting edge design, advanced technology setup, and overall driving performance.  It was given the award by a party of 17 distinguished judges that range from various different industries.  The 17 judges chose the 720S as the Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year 2017 amidst many fierce competitors such as Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage, Ferrari’s Portofino and the Porsche Panamera.

The 720S is a perfect example of McLaren’s innovativeness and expert engineering: with brilliant new interpretations of McLaren design language that’s based off aerodynamic principles, which gave the supercar a breathtaking form whilst dropping any excessive weight from its body.  In addition, the car was equipped with an array of luxury features to grant even the most demanding of customers a pleasurable experience.  This second generation McLaren is divided into three separate levels of specification: 720S, 720S Performance and 720S Luxury.  The McLaren 720S begins with prices starting from £208,600 (equivalent to $291,564) for the UK market.

For more information visit:  McLaren.com

The Story of The 1968 “Bullitt” Ford Mustang

Recently many people were surprised by the identity of the 1968 Bullitt Ford Mustang and its astonishing history, as it was once driven by Steve McQueen in the critically acclaimed movie “Bullitt”.  The car was very important to Mr. McQueen for personal reasons, and he didn’t wish for it to be restored as he wanted it in its original condition from the film.  Being a automobile enthusiast and racer, Mr. McQueen just had to buy the 1968 Ford Mustang, especially because of the epic chase scene the car was in during Bullitt.

“The rediscovery of the Bullitt Mustang is huge in the car world, said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty (the world’s largest classic car insurer), as he tells us more about the significance of the Bullitt Mustang. Many people consider the chase scene featuring it to be one of the best, if not the best, car chase scenes of all time. The mystery of where it’s been for 40 years only adds to its allure. There were only two Mustangs used for filming, and this was the one actually driven by Steve McQueen, the ‘King of Cool.’ Everyone probably assumed it was gone for good, and now it turns up in mostly unrestored condition, modifications made for filming, and with the original interior, including the seats McQueen himself sat in. That’s remarkable.”

McKeel added, “valuing a vehicle that is among the most cherished movie cars of all time is difficult, if not impossible. It’s ultimately worth what someone will pay for it. Steve McQueen is such an icon in the car world, though, that we expect a lot of interest in owning it, which will increase its price, if in fact the owner sells it. We saw the same thing happen with other iconic TV and movie cars like the original Batmobile, which sold for $4.6M in 2013, and the James Bond Aston Martin DB5, which sold for $4.1M in 2010. It would not be surprising if the Bullitt – were it to come to auction – would be in a similar range.”

Though Mr. McQueen wrote a letter to buy the car, his offer was refused; after more than four decades since it last surfaced, that legendary car has again reemerged in the world with an incredible story to tell.  To learn the full story of the car and why it has been such a long time since it attracted the spotlight, visit:  Hagerty.com

Image credit: Casey Maxon

Hockney: Retrospection over a Retrospective

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. 

After a particularly fortuitous astrological alignment, we have finally made it to the David Hockney retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, after having missed it in both London and Paris. The retrospective has been organized in conjunction with the Tate and the Pompidou, and will be on view in New York until February the 25^th, 2018. This exhibit is a major retrospective for the octogenarian artist, spanning some sixty odd productive years. Hockney is best known for being a major figure of the British pop art movement of the 1960’s and for his iconic imagery of poolside Los Angeles best encapsulated in the 1967 work the Bigger Splash (the keystone piece of the exhibit). The retrospective itself is divided into a series of rooms offering comprehensive groupings of Hockney’s oeuvre that leave visitors with a keen sense of Hockney’s fearless engagement with both his materials and his responses to wider art history.

The exhibition begins chronologically with two rooms devoted to Hockney’s student days, ranging from the late 1950’s through to the early 1960’s. Hockney was already making splashes (you’ll forgive the pun) at the Royal College of Arts in London for bending rules (refusing to write essay exams for example; making the rather fair point that his medium was painting not word-smithing) and for actively engaging with his sexuality through his artwork (homosexuality was decriminalized in the United Kingdom by the Sexual Offenses Act of 1967). These early works draw inspiration from a diversity of source material but notably from Francis Bacon, both methodologically and topically. Hockney establishes early on that his true passion as an artist lies in the figural and landscape genres, running contra to the prevailing trend of the day for abstract expressionism. Where some artists of the era were marginalized for not embracing abstract expressionism as a doctrine, Hockney found a way to balance his more classical impulses and present them in an engaging way that resonated to a modern audience.

David Hockney, Rubber Ring in a Swimming Pool, 1971. Acrylic on Canvas.

We see this clearly in the third room of the exhibition, where diluted layers of acrylic ripples on swimming pools walk the thin line between abstraction and representation to evoke the iconic plasticity of Los Angeles. Leaving aside A Bigger Splash, we note less recognizable works such as Rubber Ring in a Swimming Pool. Hockney indicated that without the point of reference of the title, this work can be considered wholly abstract, and dreamily tells us the scene reminds him of Max Ernst. There is something equally wonderful and cinematic about pieces like Lawn Sprinkler and Savings and Loan Building that are able to imbue drama into such static frames. Indeed this sense of static drama is present throughout Hockney’s work if we consider his Play Within a Play, a portrait of his art dealer John Kasmin inspired by frescos attributed to 17^th century Italian baroque master Domenichino. These Domenichino frescos served as a conceptual inspiration for Hockney, painted to look like tapestries adorning the walls. This double-reality (inception) led Hockney to do the same in his portrait pressing his rather harangued looking gallerist in between a hyper-flattened periwinkle tapestry and in a Baconian fashion, a layer of Plexiglas. Bacon notably included layers of glass in many of his works to add a distortive element to the composition, here Hockney’s diluted and dry paint treatment is subtle enough that in fact even a trained eye does not immediately spot the seam of the glass entrapping Mr. Kasmin.

David Hockney, Play Within A Play, 1963. Oil and Plexiglass on Canvas.

Moving past the swimming pools, the exhibition proceeds with a room of beautiful double portraits that represent a mature and refined Hockney, these works continue to display Hockney’s interest in using geometry as a staging device to create psychological energy. They are primarily portraits of Hockney’s social circle. We are particularly drawn to the portrait of Fred and Marcia Weisman in American Collectors. We see them here in Hockney’s portrait having a super chic palm spring moment looking as artful as their collection and home. For those of you in the Los Angeles area, the couple’s rather fabulous Holmby Hills home makes for an interesting afternoon outing. There is also within the same set of double portraits, a lovely depiction of groovy designer Ossie Clark and his wife Celia Birtwell, and their cat Percy (loathe to be excluded it seems). From double portraiture we abruptly depart to engage with photography, collages and cubism. We confess it took us a moment to recalibrate to these offerings from the 1980’s. We take Hockney’s point, however; that photography is an excellent medium for cubist exploration as we consider My Mother, Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, Nov. Photography allows for the compositing of various angles to be worked into an overall super structure. We also love Yorkshire. Our adventures with Hockney close with the winding landscapes in bright synthetic colours, representing the artists most recent work. Hockney continues to be active, and this retrospective is a delightful ode to his career, one we hope has many more years still to unfold.

David Hockney. My Mother, Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, Nov. 1982. Photographic Collage.

Bentley Motorsport adds Jules Gounon

Just recently Bentley Motorsport has welcomed the addition of 22 year old French driver, Jules Gounon, into their ranks for the 2018 season. Mr. Gounon’s titles include champion of the 24 Hours of Spa; the Frenchman will now be racing alongside teammates such as Guy Smith and Steven Kane of Great Britian, as well as Andy Soucek of Spain, Maxime Soulet of Belgium, and Vince Abril of Monaco.

This year, the six drivers will be taking part in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup with second generation Bentley Team M-Sport Continental GT3s.  Although this is Bentley’s fifth season at the race, the team is set to complete the entire Intercontinental GT Challenge for the first time.

Jules Gounon

Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, comments: “Consistency is key for endurance racing so to have five of our drivers back to continue their long-standing relationships with us allows us to get stronger year-on-year and is testament to the loyalty within our team.”

Brian adds, “Jules [Gounon] has shown that he has the pace and maturity to fit in to a leading team, despite only being 22 years old, and we’re looking forward to supporting him as he develops his career. We’re all looking forward to arriving in Bathurst in February and getting 2018 underway.”

Bentley Motorsports 2018 season will begin at Bathurst 12 Hours, and will be completed with the present day Continental GT3, in an effort to conform to current regulatory standards.  The debut of the teams all-new Continental GT3, based on the new Continental GT production car, will take place in Monza at the opening round of the Blancpain GT Series and will also be used to complete the Intercontinental GT Challenge races at Spa-Francorchamps, Laguna Seca and Suzuka.

Top Luxury Ski Destinations for this Winter

Copyright of “Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus”

You are probably wondering where to go to spend a unique and pampering weekend/vacation in order to enjoy and release all the stress that has accumulated from this overwhelming world of responsibilities and boring routine work. If you are not sure of where to go and you are also a risk-taking person, skiing is your best choice! But the question would be “Where to ski?” Leave this job to me, as I introduce you to the best ski destinations where you can fully immerse yourself in this interesting seasonal sport that works on elevating your self-esteem to a higher level in addition to triggering a super active metabolism. With an incredible amount of skiing destinations to choose from, these top three resorts in particular are the best ski havens that boast the most adventuresome experience possible while also giving guests an adrenaline-rush like never before on the slopes.

1. Courchevel, France:

Existing in the “bourgeois” country of France, Courchevel embodies attractive ski spots for tourism where ultimate, luxurious chalets are found. The destination is rich and diverse in terms of restaurants and high-ranking hotels. It is literally a place for the wealthy to gather, spending delightful time with their children who are able to discover and improve their ski skills through proper guidance provided upon request. Courchevel offers a ski experience that is completely safe for beginners in specific zones (half of the area is easy runs), which means that there’s no need to worry or fear this unique chance of learning. However, the advancement of the ski level elevates for experienced skiers where they put their skills into examination.

This ski resort offers the widest ski area worldwide, enhanced with lifts which makes the journey all the more exciting. Courchevel is divided into areas that were recently united, however their names were based on their length and Courchevel 1850 is known for being the biggest as well as the heart of the huge paradise “Les Trois Vallées”.  To start planning your holiday visit the following link and have a look on its breath-taking ski chalets and prices:  scottdunn.com

2. Mzaar Ski Resort, Lebanon:

Lebanon is a multi-seasonal land, so Mzaar Kfardebian ski resort can only be visited on winter seasons (December to March). It’s a source of pride for Lebanon, with it being the largest ski area in all of the Middle East. Essentially, the area is formed of hills which is what makes skiing easier for beginners by giving them room to test their abilities and re-build familiarity with the slopes after a long time off the snow. However, the highest peak “Mzaar” is for professional skiers to challenge and bring out their true skiing prowess.

What makes this resort special is that it’s not only for the incredibly wealthy, it’s also there to serve everyone from any class, where prices are more economical in contrast to other destinations. Mzaar offers extremely comfortable hotels and chalets for those with low budgets. Furthermore, there are many other activities than typical skiing to enjoy. Visitors have the opportunity to practice ski-doo, night skiing, and snow boarding, in addition to witnessing live ski shows. As soon as the resort opens, winter sports enthusiasts and people who want to enjoy the fresh snow start racing to book their spots, thereby forming unbearable traffic. For more information visit the following link:  skimzaar.com

3. Gstaad, Switzerland:

Copyright of “Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus”

It is no wonder why Paris Hilton described Gstaad as”an oasis of calm”. The charming alpine village is truly a piece of heaven, perfectly dropped in the Swiss Alps. Gstaad is well regarded as being one of the finest ski destinations as well as one of the most prestigious in Europe. Consisting of 9 ski areas, it will take you at-least 7 days with the help of a vehicle to cover all of Gstaad’s ski area and seize the time to tour around for shopping and après ski in the village.

The destination offers an old world village atmosphere that embraces deluxe 5-star hotels and restaurants, which suit a wide variety of budgets. So, if you are planning to spend a fancy night, then Greengo Nightclub at the 5 star Palace Hotel would be the perfect choice. There are tremendous amounts of other things to do in this splendid resort such as bowling, cinema, watching live musical performances and cabaret fun.  The town’s elevation raises beyond 3,000 metres, however it’s well equipped with snow making facilities if needed, otherwise skiing is guaranteed throughout the season. Skiing in Gstaad favors all levels especially intermediate level where eight ski schools with over 200 ski teachers are there to help.

Interview with Executive Chef Claudio Chinali of Eataly

Situated in Istanbul, a well-known Italian chain, Eataly, offers patrons the peerless Bosphorus view. Eataly Istanbul combines Jazz music with the composition of the traditional Turkish breakfast and the indispensable Italian specials every Sunday between 11:00 – 13:00 in Bar Terrazzo, which offers an exclusive ambiance. Meet the Executive Chef, Claudio Chinali, one of the creators of the inspiring concept.

What is the most interesting part of adapting an Italian kitchen for traditional Turkish breakfast?

“In Turkey, we serve eggs most commonly for breakfast, but we do not prefer eggs in Italy for breakfast. It is generally preferred for lunch or dinner in Italy. In addition, the olives are always served as an aperitif in Italy, where eating them during breakfast is perceived as unusual. Indeed, Turkish specials and Italian specials do not have that disparate tastes. More specifically, there are many Mediterranean motifs both in Istanbul and the Aegean region of Turkey. Consequently, the tastes are similar. For instance, scrambled egg with tomato is highly popular in Italy, and Menemen, which is a similar traditional special of Turkey (and is included on the menu). Italians eat butter with jam, while Turkish people prefer Kaymak, which is a product made by cream of milk, with honey. The similarity of Italian and Turkish tastes is comprehensible.”

Photo: The Executive Chef is putting salt on the special OMELETTE

Would you agree that customers care very much for breakfast? Is breakfast important in Turkey?

“Turkish people care for breakfast service extraordinarily. Maybe, Sunday breakfast is the most important meal for them. I mean, you pay too much attention and it is amazing. There are unimaginable numbers of special types only for Turkish breakfast. At the same time, it is also too hard to start the day without having breakfast for staff members of Eataly. Sunday breakfast is more important. Considering that people are shopping and going out on Saturdays. Sundays, after those eventful Saturdays, are spent relaxing with as many friends as possible at the sweetest of times. Because eating is a social activity.”

Photo: Turkish Tea served with croissant

Where was the idea of “Jazz Breakfast” derived from? Do you have any specific implementation process in order to be more effective with the menu during Jazz Breakfast?

“As I have mentioned many times, breakfast is really important in Turkey. Maybe, we can agree to say that it is even more important than lunch and dinner. In Italy, lunch is more important. Moreover, the breakfast on Sunday is precious in Turkey. We have considered that we have a charming terrace, the unique Bosphorus view of Istanbul, and delicious ingredients here, in Eataly Istanbul. It would have been a shame not to turn it into a concept. “Why Jazz Breakfast?” Because, I think that listening to Jazz music is a pleasant beginning to have a nice day. Jazz music’s aftermath helps you to feel the ease of Sunday, at the same time, it also assists in relieving the Monday morning syndrome.

I enjoy eating and listening to Jazz music very much. Our customers coming to Eataly Jazz Breakfast have an enjoyable experience with this fascinating atmosphere accompanied along live Jazz music. It is extremely popular among Turkish people. I am certainly inspired with the help of Turkish culture in order to formulate the menu since Italian breakfast unfortunately does not have a wide variety. While I am preparing the breakfast menu, I prefer to use Turkish ingredients. We prefer to drink espresso, cappuchino or orange juice with a croissant when we have breakfast outside and we eat cornflakes, milk, yoghurt, jam and butter at home in Italy. Simply, the Italians have a sugary taste of breakfast style rather than a salty taste. It sounds really interesting to eat cheese, olives and tomato for breakfast as in traditional Turkish breakfast style.”

Are the ingredients used in your current dishes from Italy? Have you benefited from Turkish fruits and vegetables?

“We source most of our ingredients locally, such as fresh fish, vegetables, fruits and eggs, etc… There are two reasons behind this. First of all, it is for sustainability. Can you imagine if all of the ingredients were transported from Italy? The environmental impact would be considerable. The second reason is that certainly and fortunately, Turkey is in the top 5 countries producing high-quality food products in Europe and the Mediterranean. Why wouldn’t we take the advantage of this supremacy? I want to give an example that we have many types of Italian foods with cherries, and 50% of the cherries, which we are using in those dishes, are imported from Antalya city of Turkey to Italy.”

Photo: Ezgi Ayçe Kızıldere, Gökhan Pamir and Serkan Aydın

What is the most essential part of Eataly Jazz Breakfast? Why should people experience it?

“Quality is an absolutely crucial part for us. Our specials and the ingredients are not easily obtainable. In my point of view, quality means healthy as well as offering a special flavor. There are many reasons that compose the fame of an Italian kitchen in the world. In relation to this, the content of the meals is more plain and clean in Eataly where we take quality as one of the principles. In addition, we have this beautiful ambiance which people pay attention to. I mean that all of these are reasons, which reflect Eataly Jazz Breakfast as an attractive experience.”

For more information visit:  Eataly.com

Rolls Royce Unveils Crystal Blue: a Groundbreaking Yacht Concept

Just recently unveiling a new groundbreaking luxury yacht concept dubbed Crystal Blue, Rolls Royce has proven their unrivaled craftsmanship and ingenuity yet again by equipping the ship with advanced intelligence solutions and hybrid propulsion that’s based on LNG fuel and battery power.

First introduced during the Global Superyacht Forum (GSF) in Amsterdam, Rolls Royce adopted the 62-metre Crystal Blue yacht and it’s 42-metre attendant support vessel Blue Shadow for fresh ideas on yacht design and propulsion by improving the yacht’s super structure, resulting in more room for guests to use in even greater comfort.

At the time of the GSF event, when the concept’s development was announced in a keynote speech, Oskar Levander, Rolls-Royce SVP Concepts and Innovation said: “Crystal Blue has been designed specifically to show how new technology can meet the yacht sector’s increased demand for higher performance, greater operating ranges and increased levels of guest comfort, without impacting the environment.”

The Rolls-Royce Blue Ocean team integrated a couple of novel safety features into the design, i.e. a ‘safe room’, which would serve as the ship’s stronghold for guests and crew to take shelter at in the case of an unauthorized boarding.  Once inside the safe room, the crew can override the controls and operate the yacht either remotely or guided via a shore-based centre to pilot the vessel.

Another unique novel feature of the vessel is the use of an intelligent dynamic positioning system that allows for automatic control towards the twin azimuthing thrusters and a TT1100 bow thruster.  This addition piece of technology on the ship is customarily only seen on offshore support vessels, in which it maintains a close proximity of just a few meters to oil rigs.  However, when this technology is applied on board Crystal Blue the yacht can become completely still in the water – without the use of an anchor – which allows the yacht to follow the sun transversely through the sky thereby granting sunbathers the “optimum tanning angle” while lounging on deck.

Levander adds, “our ship intelligence and remote-control concepts have allowed us to design a yacht for the future that has the bridge located below the bow, inside the vessel. The crew is able to monitor and control the vessel using sophisticated sensors, cameras, display screens and situational awareness technologies; but an internal bridge frees up the traditional area of the bridge in the forward part of the superstructure to let owners and guests enjoy a panoramic vista that is traditionally only enjoyed by the crew.”

Crystal Blue’s bridge console utilizes Rolls Royce’s Unified Bridge design, which has been delivered to a number of ship types including large super-yachts.  Accommodating up to 12+ passengers and a crew of 12, Crystal Blue is based on a composite or aluminum hull operating a power plant that garnered inspiration from the Rolls-Royce hybrid LNG/Battery SAVe-CUBE system configuration.  Thanks to the twin LNG-fuelled 16V4000 MTU M65-N generator and the two low-weight carbon Azipull thrusters that provide propulsive power, the vessel achieves a maximum service speeds of 20 knots.

“We have dimensioned Crystal Blue fuel tanks for a range of 3000 nautical miles without refuelling but with the Shadow’s additional fuel capacity, the range increases to 4400 nautical miles, meaning that most of the typical yachting areas are accessible.”

The yacht’s steel-hulled support vessel, Blue Shadow, can be remote-controlled and used for transporting as well as launching the mother ship’s tender or helicopter.  This also helps designers make better use of the aft area of Crystal Blue for guests, offering possibilities such as an infinity pool, or a beach area to the yacht’s layout.  In addition, Blue Shadow doubles up as the owner’s personal LNG bunkering barge.

For more information visit:  Rolls-Royce.com/marine

The $67 Million Girasol Estate on St. Barts has sold

Girasol, the former Saint Barts retreat of Benjamin de Rothschild, was just sold for an undisclosed sum, though, the asking price at the time of the sale was $67 Million USD. The sale was announced just two months after Hurricane Irma stormed across the Island.

Sibarth Real Estate, Christie’s International Real Estate’s exclusive affiliate on the Island, held the prestigious listing.  Girasol first made it’s way onto the international market in February with a sale closing in November.  Hurricane Irma hit the island on September 6th, and left St Barts as one of the most impacted islands across the Caribbean.

“The structures on the estate weathered the storm,” says Christian Wattiau, Managing Partner of Sibarth Real Estate. “The new buyer visited Girasol after it passed through and was pleased to proceed with the sale, a strong show of confidence in the enduring appeal of St. Barth’s as a destination market to purchase real estate.”

The Girasol Estate was originally designed and constructed by Benjamin de Rothschild, a financier and prominent member of the Rothschild Banking dynasty.  Most recently the property has undergone massive improvements by macro-investor, Bruce Kovner.  Spread across over seven acres, Girasol offers a resort like atmosphere with six bedrooms contained within two villas, an opulent pool, personal office, gym, and over 500 feet of beachfront.

“Hurricane Irma was a force to be reckoned with,” says Rick Moeser, Executive Director of Christie’s International Real Estate. “But even that historic storm couldn’t dampen the resolve of the island’s citizens and of international buyers looking to live among the splendor of St. Barth’s. While there is still work to be done, the island will recover and is already recovering, as evidenced by this significant sale.”

Featuring forever views of the majestic Atlantic Ocean, Girasol is situated on Marigot Beach within an area that’s waters are classified as a protected preserve, and include a quintessential 1.2 acre coconut grove.

Image courtesy of: Christie’s International Real Estate