Frankfurt in Photos

Now that I've somewhat recovered and the week's about over, reckon I'll do an Update from my 72-hour trip to Germany last weekend for the MTV EMAs. It just goes to show that the last 5+ years of being a boring old banker does have its perks...this being the greatest of them by a long, long shot. From the minute we stepped off the plane in Frankfurt, each and every minute was planned out and paid for by my client: wine tastings, tours, Michelin star rated restaurants and of course the show, which was incredible and definitely the coolest thing I've ever done. Here's a collection of low-quality iphone photos to summarize the highlights...although I only got a few from the actual show before my phone died. Not sure if it's because it's part of my heritage, the warm comfort food, cleanliness of each city, intelligent people (that all speak English and therefore make my life easier) or what but absolutely love Germany.

{Schloss Johannisburg Winery}

{known for their Riesling...which did not disappoint} 

{lunch at the winery: duck, red cabbage and those potato dumpling/ball things that I wish they made in America}

{2003 1er Cru Chablis}

{dinner night 1: Restaurant Francais at Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof}

{a Michelin star meal: butternut pumpkin/curry/scallop soup, oxcheeks w/ périgord truffle, creme brulee w/ spiced apple & nougat ice cream and a variety of chocolate truffles all paired with a 2006 Bordeaux}

{the cute historic town of Heidelberg}

{Heidelberg Castle tour}

{the river Rhine}

{a Heidelberg bakery: what are those puffs of goodness up top?!}

{dinner night 2: Kofler & Kompanie's Villa Merton}

{of course another Michelin star meal: beet juice w/ goat cheese & elderflower on fried spaghetti, salmon first course, veal main course and a double chocolate ice cream / mousse w/ pear and granola for dessert}

{Alicia Keys 'Girl on Fire'}

{No Doubt}

{Taylor Swift}

Auf Wiedersehen

Sorry for the absence the last couple days. In an extremely last minute (fortunate) turn of events, I'm heading off to Germany today to attend MTV's European Music Awards Sunday. Heidi Klum hosting and performances by Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepson, Pitbull, Alicia Keys, Killers, Fun, No Doubt and Muse among others...Sign me up. Talk about a hog (me) in celebrity stalking heaven. Auf Wiedersehen!

Midnight in Paris

Zara Dress | Milly Bag | Forever 21 Flats & Belt

The last day in Paris we slept in a bit because our bodies were nearly shutting down at this point. Started with a lunch at Chez Robert et Louise (review w/ 10 other great restaurant recs here) and some vintage shopping in the Marais (found some gems at Violette et Leonie). To work off lunch, we hopped on the Vélib' bikes and rode down to the Eiffel Tower for wine and a picnic on the lawn at dusk. We then headed back to the Marais for a traditional french dinner and Berthillon ice cream (get early & often anywhere you can in Paris). Our generous host and lifelong Parisienne, Jacques, drove us around to just about everything you could want to see including a midnight drive down the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the original Chanel and Louis Vuitton stores, Sacre Couer / Montmarte among others...stopping for drinks at really cool bars in between namely Candelaria (think La Esquina-esque speakeasy) and Hotel Costes (fancier, call early to reserve a table in the garden).


And with that, I will no longer talk about my trip to Europe (that's probably a lie). Back to our normally scheduled programming with a 'Weekend Update' post on Monday. Happy Friday to all!

{lunch at Chez Robert et Louise in the Marais}

{maybe the most beautiful day ever?}

{picnicing at dusk}

{the first light show when the clock struck 8:00 pm}

{the original Chanel...I kissed the doorstep}

{traditional french meal: tomato tarte, foie gras (which I discovered I actually like} and duck}

{Berthillon ice cream...heaven on earth}

{midnight in Paris (literally)...the view from Sacre Coeur overlooking Montmarte}

Beaune

{Beaune in all its beauty}

Pardon the brief interruption last week as I was in Chicago for work and then home visiting my family. And sorry for the continued Europe posts but I have to do it now or I never will. Plus I couldn't stop before I got to the best part of the trip: visiting our friend Jane in Beaune, France. The most beautiful country landscape, personalized tastings with winemakers on the 'domains' that have been in their families since the beginning of time, and the best food I've ever had (and a lot of it) all combined to make it my favorite part of the trip. Here is just a sampling of some of the photos for your viewing pleasure. 

{just the cutest little town ever}

{the vacant apartment above Jane's office that housed us...I want to move into full time}

{dinner the first night: the most amazing Spanish proscuitto-like ham}

{gazpacho, lamb and duck at dinner the first night}

{the light shows that go on all night, every night on the old clock tower and church in the village}

{an after dinner digestif: 1993 Marc}

{up & at 'em early the next morning for a bike ride through the country side}

{riding in the back of a truck up the hill to the first tasting of the day}

{the first domaine we visited full with a complete tasting (& how to do so properly) and explanation of how the wine is made}

{the start of a 5 hour lunch}

{9 courses later, they had to roll us out of there (literally)}

{and then we took a nap in the grass right outside the restaurant by the fresh lavender (because we couldn't move}}

{loved these flowers which were on houses everywhere}

{tasting number 2 at Domaine Buisson}

{watching the sun set over Saint Romain on one of the best days of my life bar none}

{dinner night 2 at Vins de Maurice: all ingredients purchased from the farmers market that day and amazing}

{a quick lunch and exploring Beaune on our last day}

Fortnight Update

{Rosa & Pistachio gelato in Milan}

Back from probably the most amazing trip of my entire life...here are a couple quick pics I tried to narrow it down to but more to come. Hope you all had a nice weekend!

{daily breakfast routine}

{our hotel (the nicest I've ever stayed at) in Stresa, Italy}

{view from the mountains surrounding Stresa}

{the perks of jet lag: watching the sun rise}

{the wedding in Stresa}

{the jordan almonds that I nearly o.d.'d on}

{a congratulatory message for the bride & groom spelled out in lanterns on Lake Maggiore, Italy}

{Cafe Verbano: one of the best restaurants of the trip...and the boat that picks you up to take you there}

{interior design in one of a dozen castle tours of the trip}

{the galleria in Milan}

{inside the Duomo in Milan}

{the perfect italian meal}

{hiking in Montreaux, Switzerland}

{a swim at sunset in the Alps}

{a fondue mixture of a variety of swiss cheeses}

{Cassis, France}

{lavender ice cream}

{the outdoor settee at the country house we stayed at in Aix-en-Provence}

{St. Tropez, France}

{I used to not like beef carpacio...until I met this guy}

{a 'domain' on the hilltop outside Avignon, France}

{the grapes ripe for the picking later that day}

{lunch break in Lyon, France}

{bike ride through the countryside in the Burgundy region}

{the most interesting man I've ever met and owner of one of the most prestigious vineyards in the world}

{Laudree macarons in Paris}

{a picnic in Paris}

{ain't she a beaut}