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With the Paris Olympics on the horizon – eight months and counting – we have Paris on the mind, so we’ve themed this newsletter loosely around the French capital; we hope you enjoy it. We also have our usual London news, and as it’s 1 Dec this Friday, let’s brace, brace for the crazy season.
Have great weeks all.
xx Taryn and Team UJ xx
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 | |  | | | Dishonesty Bar | | Shhhhhh it’s a Secret | | Venues within venues | | | For us it really started in NYC, with La Esquina. Go in for a quick taco at the diner-like Corner, and then slip through the door and head downstairs through the kitchen to find La Esquina restaurant. That may have launched many years ago, but seems like the speakeasy is coming back. The latest is the brainchild of Ryan Chetiyawardana: go through the gym at DC’s Riggs hotel to reach a hidden room called The Dishonesty Bar, which has room for up to 12 and is stocked with top-tier spirits, a soundsystem to connect to, and staff to help out. And it’s not just the States getting back into the clandestine action; over on Golborne Road, we’ve heard great things about a ‘posh’ off-licence with a hidden table for three. If you find it, let us know please.
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|  | | | Musicals | | Hi-Lo | | | Is there anything that can’t be made into a musical? Starlight Express, the Andrew Lloyd Webber show about trains, is back in Feb; Tammy Faye, the Elton-Jake Shears-James Graham musical, is heading for Broadway next year, and next week, ‘I Wish You Well’, the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial musical, with tunes like ‘I’m Gwynnocent’, heads to the Turbine Theatre.
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|  | |  | | | | We’re keeping it French. Here are some investment classics.
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|  | |  | | | Reviews | | Paris | | Need some inspiration for where to stay? We started in the 1st arrondissement, then went to the 4th, and ended in the 13th. A definite theme of the last two was views, as Paris definitely seems to be building upwards. Read our reviews for more.
CASTILLE PARIS | SO/PARIS | TOO HÔTEL
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|  | |  | | | Disney x Kith | | Mickey is 90! (And Disney is 100 and Disneyland Paris is 31.) To celebrate, Kith have done a collection with Mickey and Friends. Note that items are non-returnable.
Varsity Jkt | Oxford Shirt | Tapestry Jkt
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|  | | | Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino | | Belmond New Route | | Paris to Portofino | | | The @vsoetrain will be going from Paris to Portofino, a new route, in 2024. The three-night-trip, from June 20-23, includes one night on board the Venice Simplon-Orient Express and two nights at Splendido, A Belmond Hotel in Portofino, with a gala dinner by Chef Jean Imbert.
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|  | |  | | | The Claridge's Christmas Tree by Louis Vuitton | | Claridge’s | | Paris to London | | | Unveiled last week, Louis Vuitton has designed this year’s Christmas tree at Claridge’s. An homage to the Art of Travel, two huge LV wardrobe trunks are open, revealing 15 additional repurposed trunks in the silhouette of a traditional tree, a nod to Claridge’s Art Deco architecture.
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| | |  | | | The Mondrian | | Mondrian Les Carmes | | Paris to Bordeaux | | | The Mondrian has just opened in Bordeaux, an approximately three-hour train trip from Paris. Set in an early 19th century castle, the building has been reimagined by Philippe Starck (he’s been busy!). There’s also a restaurant by Japanese chef Masaharu Morimoto, a spa, and they currently have intro rates.
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|  | |  | | | Blue Marlin | | News | | IBZ and LDN | | | No, we aren’t starting Ibiza coverage yet, but two pieces of Ibiza-related news: first, in London, Blue Marlin is moving into Mondrian Shoreditch this month. We’re interested to see how this translates… Then, in Ibiza, word just in that Uber will be launching on 29 November, which is great news. Sure there was Taxi Click before, but it just wasn’t the same offering.
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| | |  | | | Joe McCanta | | | Top 5 | | Joe McCanta’s Paris Bars | | Joe McCanta, Head of Brand Experience for Grey Goose vodka, founder of award-winning mixers, Coast, and our go-to for the best bars, anywhere (Joe knows every bar, as well as who runs them), has given us his top five bars in Paris right now. Thanks Joe!
1. Danico
2. Bar at Hôtel Bachaumont
3. Gravity Bar
4. Le Syndicat
5. Le Mary Celeste – for a more Marais/street experience
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|  | |  | | | Stereo | | Take Two | | Paris to London | | | Can’t get to Chez l’Ami Louis for piles of frites and steak? Then head to Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte. Want to dine and dance? Try the Paris-based Experimental Group’s newish restaurant/club Stereo in Covent Garden (you can add truffle or caviar to any dish). NB: it’s loud in the restaurant, so if you want to chat, be prepared to speak loudly.
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| | |  | | | Samaritaine | | Shopping Paris | | Hit list | | Of course, there are so many places to shop in Paris! And none of these are revelatory, but if you need some ideas to get started, here’s a quick five.
Head to LVMH’s department store Samaritaine for boutique vibes and great ground floor souvenirs (check out Cheval Blanc next door, too); to Maison Kitsuné, which has a few locations, though their archives store looks good; to Kith, to see the building and have a bagel; to Dover Street’s Parfums Market for a new scent; and to Superfly Records for some new tunes.
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| | |  | | | Lille Christmas Market | | Festive Markets | | London to Lille | | | It’s so easy to get to Lille! Just one hour and 22 minutes from King’s Cross on the Eurostar, cross the channel and head for Place Rihour for the festive markets, on until the end of December. There’s also a Mama Shelter Hotel right in the centre of Lille, should you want to stay over.
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|  | |  | | | La Perle | | Guides | | UJ friends and family | | | We’re just getting started with this. But we asked for Paris recommendations from a few friends and family and they kindly shared their lists. We’re going to keep this as an ongoing project, adding recommendations from trusted sources, as and when we receive them. And we have plans to do this for destinations to come, stay tuned. Thanks all! Click the link below to see the list.
| | | PARIS LIST BY TRUSTED UJ FRIENDS AND FAMILY |
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| | |  | | | City Pharmacy | | Paris Tips and Findings | | Random round up | | | A few other things: if the train you want on the Eurostar isn’t showing as available online, go to the ticket desk early, and hopefully they can find you a seat. The taxis in front of Gare du Nord (but not in the actual taxi rank), which charge a €55 set rate – don’t take those, but we’re sure you know that. We liked this toothpaste: a new Marvis, maybe? We still aren’t sure exactly what to buy at the pharmacies in Paris that everyone raves about, but we’ve heard the best one is in Saint Germain, called City Pharmacy. Get there early for discounted products from big brands. If you want to do a running tour, we did this one: a workout and tutorial/insider tip fest in one.
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|  | |  | | | St Pancras Renaissance Hotel | | Suite to Seat | | St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and Eurostar | | | Want to make the journey special? Book into one of the 38 Chambers Suites at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, and they’ll take you from ‘Suite to Seat’ or vice versa, taking care of your luggage and whisking you to or from your Eurostar carriage. Might be a good excuse to book into the Booking Office for drinks, and The Midland Grand Dining Room restaurant at King’s Cross for dinner, which has been receiving great reviews, too.
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|  | | | London Festive Picks | | We’re going with some classics
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|  | |  | | | | Do you like our travel themed newsletters? Tell us more…we’d love to hear any feedback, thank you!
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