Extravigator - Shops + Finds

My traveling library!

Rick OShea — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:42:40 -0500

I was just looking through some old discussions on this website and found this one. It's amazing how things can change in just a few years. Nowadays, with the latest versions of Kindle and the iPad readily available at very affordable prices, who would ever be interested in a product like this? Not only would it be impractical to lug around the world, but the fees for the extra baggage would make traveling with it ridiculously expensive.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

The Rover — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:13:17 -0400

Try the Sacher torte at Demel, in the Plaza Hotel. Some people consider Demel as a refined version of La Maison du Chocolat:

http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2008/12/demel-viennese-sweets-inside-the-plaza-hotel-nyc.html

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

cibo — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:46:13 -0400

There's a branch of MarieBelle Fine Treats and Chocolate located in the new Limelight Marketplace, which opened to much fanfare at 656 Avenue of the Americas, complete with a sit-down cocoa bar:

http://blog.zagat.com/limelight-marketplace-grimaldis-pizza-by-the-slice-cupcakes-and-more?zagatbuzzid=may10week2&utm_source=buzz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=buzz20100512

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

shawfly — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:54:22 -0500

Yes, Neuhaus is very good as well. Though, it's worth pointing out that they are a Belgian chocolatier, with hundreds and hundreds of shops around the world in more than a few dozen of countries. There are actually three Neuhaus boutiques around the city. In addition to the Broadway location, there's one in Grand Central and another at Lex and 51st as well.

I only mention their prevalence because if you traveling to New York and are looking for good chocolate, say to buy as a gift for a friend, Neuhaus would not be chocolate that's unique to New York. You can find it practically everywhere. But, it's still excellent chocolate.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

The Rover — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:54:38 -0500

Here's another place on the upper West Side of Manhattan with a very good selection of various different chocolate treats:

Neuhaus Createur Chocolatier, 2151 Broadway (between 75th and 76th Streets)

They say that they've been providing fine chocolates to the world since 1857. I've sampled their wares and I can truly say that I can appreciate why they've stayed in business that long.

Gifts for a World Traveler

The Rover — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:45:45 -0500

Here are SeatGuru's list of the 10 top holiday travel gifts for 2009:

http://www.seatguru.com/articles/2009_holiday_gift_guide.php

However, if you count them carefully, you'll see that there are actually 11 gifts that are listed!

Gifts for a World Traveler

Rick OShea — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:24:31 -0500

Matt Gross recently wrote an article for the New York Times entitled "The Frugal Traveler’s Holiday Gift Guide" that provides some very interesting suggestions for gifts for a world traveler:

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/the-frugal-gift-guide/?ref=travel

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

marty — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:40:45 -0400

I really like Li-Lac in Grand Central Station's marketplace.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

The Rover — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:03:24 -0400

Just to follow up on my last post, I just found out that Levain Bakery has had a branch on Long Island for the last ten years. (Levain Bakery's location in Manhattan has been there for fourteen years.) The Long Island branch is located at 354 Montauk Highway in Wainscott. But, unlike the original location in New York City, which is open year-round, the Wainscott branch is only open from early April through late September. I've been told that all the recipes and all the cookies are exactly the same in both locations.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

The Rover — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:07:53 -0400

Etherscreen - I followed your suggestion and compared the chocolate chip cookies at Jacques Torres Chocolates and Levain bakery. In my opinion, Levain Bakery's were the best. But, don't get me wrong. The cookies at Jacques Torres were delicious. I still am of the opinion that Levain Bakery's cookies are THE BEST I'VE EVER TASTED!

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

Rick OShea — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:13:48 -0400

Yes, I heard that the owners of Payard are actively looking for another location and hope to reopen somewhere in Manhattan before the end of the year.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

sohcahtoa — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:15:31 -0400

I'll cast my votes for Jacques Torres Chocolates and...for chocolate chip cookies, Levain Bakery. But, Dmmack, sadly, Payard has closed its doors because of a rent dispute. Hopefully, they'll find another place to reopen soon.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

J.L. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:57:45 -0500

Pierre Marcolini on Park Ave... (Final answer)

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

etherscreen — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:32:06 -0500

Jacque Torres (former Le Cirque pastry chef) has numerous stores in NYC and opened a chocolate shop on Amsterdam on the Upper West Side. Good chocolate. But the chocolate chip cookies are to die for and really steal the show. And if you have room, walk down the block to Levain bakery and see if you like their big fat chocolate chip cookies better!

Gifts for a World Traveler

etherscreen — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:28:40 -0500

Depending on your budget, a nice pair of noise-canceling headphones (either Bose or Sony) have been invaluable for my comfort during long plane rides.

My traveling library!

c.phipps — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:50:22 -0500

This is the link to the Assouline website where you can view the trunk. I did not get the black version but rather the white version that I am enjoying very much. I do not know how many are still available but as of yesterday there was still one on display at the Assouline boutique in the Plaza Hotel in NYC.

http://www.assouline.com/special/details.php?id_mere=4&idproduct=432

-Chris Phipps

My traveling library!

sweetieno2 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:48:04 -0500

thank you :)
Do you have a link or a picture?
(just curious) :)

My traveling library!

c.phipps — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:46:02 -0500

Ok, this sounds absolutely insane but when I travel I always bring an obsessive amount of books, each with their own genre of interest so that I can enjoy down time when I am away. Well, after years of dragging cocktail table size books in my luggage I have found the absolutely best creation ever. Two days ago when I was meandering at Bergdorf Goodman for Christmas Gifts a friend of mine told me of the new Assouline boutique that opened inside of the Plaza Hotel. Well, after a quick browse I came across a wonderful creation. A large Louis Vuitton style steamer trunk full of design focus publications. With a variety ranging from Sir Norman Foster, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Ferrari, etc it offers a fun mix of easy reading that can become a conversation piece. When I travel I always like to bring along personal pieces to make it feel more like home and this will work out perfect. Just wanted to share my find with everyone here on Extravigator.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

cibo — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:13:10 -0500

Actually, the chocolate shop in ABC Carpet and Home is none other than chocolatier, Michel Cluizel. It's the only chocolate shop, to my knowledge, that holds a liquor license. You'll also find his chocolate shop in Paris, near the Tuileries on rue St.-Honoré.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

kittencouture — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:53:37 -0500

I enjoy going to the ABC Home Store as they have an interesting selection of chocolates available and of course I like to stop in for tea if I'm buying home decor anyway!

Gifts for a World Traveler

Lisa Corcoran — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:07:34 -0500

My favourites are:-
Cashmere Travel Wrap (http://www.thetravelwrapcompany.com) and one of the Grand Tour Box Sets from LUXE (http://www.luxecityguides.com)

Gifts for a World Traveler

Emma123 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:09:21 -0500

You could check out the iloho blog's list of the Top 10 Luxury Christmas Presents for Travellers - lots of gift ideas there!

Gifts for a World Traveler

c.phipps — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:13:33 -0500

Giving a gift completely depends on the person in question, although recently I found the ideal gift for a friend of mine who is also an avid world traveler. If your friend is fashion forward you should look at the new line by Jean Paul Gaultier. He has come out with some really beautiful dressed that are designed with a "vintage international traveler" theme. For someone who is in the fashion know this is a great gift. Also, they are made from a material that can literally be crumbled up and it does not wrinkle a bit so if your friend does semi-rugged travel and throws in a bit of luxury leisure this could be the perfect thing for high-tea, a cocktail reception or just a nice evening on the town. Another great gift idea is a customized passport case which is probably not the most creative but is a nice gesture and it will be used often. If you want to get a really beautiful passport case check out Hermes. You can select the size, material, color, ect. and they will emboss or embroider your friends initials and send it directly to you in a really beautifully wrapped box. Also, with this you will get the Hermes World Guide which is always fun to bring along and peek through if you have a few moments along the way.

Gifts for a World Traveler

wespj — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:19:11 -0400

Tess,

So much depends on your budget (and your friend's tastes) but my favorite piece of travel gear is my Kindle reading device. It is really easy on the eyes and saves a HUGE amount of weight since it can hold several novels, plus a few travel guidebooks, PLUS magazines and newspapers. There's a review of it at:

http://tech.spotcoolstuff.com/gadget/kindle/

Purchasing new luggage

TravelRose — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:43:00 -0400

I agree with LV luggage. Plus they're very good looking. Other good, sturdy brands are
Samsonite

and Hartmann

and if you really want the good stuff, the latest thing is the HENK "no suitcase"

There's some more pictures at this Luxury Travel Deserves Luxury Cases post

Purchasing new luggage

c.phipps — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:38:17 -0400

Not sure what type of luggage you are looking for but I'd go with Louis Vuitton. It isn't fragile or easy to damage. I have had my LV luggage for nearly ten years and it has really held up amazingly. I travel for leisure once or twice a month and I have never had a problem with any of it. I wouldn't recommend getting the canvas, but the leather instead. They also repair most pieces free of charge if you bring it in to a boutique so any little damages can easily be fixed.

Purchasing new luggage

TravelGretta — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:46:03 -0400

I'm partial to Tumi, but you'll definitely want to visit a store and test-run the suitcases so you can see/feel how they'll work with whatever you're packing.

Gifts for a World Traveler

Nanoose — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:13:11 -0400

Once I was going skiing for my birthday in the French Alps and my brother gave me a bunch of Euro's. It was great fun not having to deal with the changing money (for a little while anyway as I ran through his gift rather quickly). In that same fashion, I give world travelling friends gift certificates from the Marriott. Even if they don't stay at Marriotts, the gift certificates can be used for dining or other services. My friend ended up having high tea at the Renissance Hotel off the Holburn station in London. And another friend got a beach massage at the Marriott in Phuket, Thailand.

Gifts for a World Traveler

Dex — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:09:38 -0400

I've found that wejetset has some really terrific gifts for world travelers. They have a range of products from sleek passport cases to high-end apparel.

Gifts for a World Traveler

Herry Lawford — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:03:47 -0500

Ha! That's the problem with good travellers; they've usually been there first! :-)

My no 2 favourite is a small ship's barometer. I have one by Dalvey (a Scottish firm - http://www.dalvey.com/ - click the link if only for the air which plays on the intro) which sits on my desk, but also goes in my suitcase and helps with weather-forecasting when you get there. I know your friend's a woman and barometers are more a man's thing (you know - the pipe and tweeds, tapping the barometer and staring thoughfully at the lowering sky a la Heathcliff) - but these are small and beautiful and can help her decide what sort of shoes she should wear!