A Chic Peak into StyleCaster

The reason we have been missing for quite some while is because we have been helping our fashion friends out, one being StyleCaster! StyleCaster.com has been a buzz within the the city for months and the official launch is finally approaching! Finally the fashionable elite will be able to pick out what to wear before they even get out of bed...(you will know what we mean soon enough.)

The official launch isn't until April however click here to take a look at their private beta testing before this personalized fashion channel takes center stage.

Haute Restaurant of the Week: Casa Tua

We are back! So we took a little detour from the Fashion Week craze to lounge poolside in sunny Miami and dine at South Beach's chicest spots, most notably Casa Tua. Tucked away in a Mediterranean style villa hidden by palms and lush tropical foliage is Casa Tua. Located in South Beach's art deco district, it is an impossible spot to snag a reservation, even socialites call in favors to perch in the main dining area.

The idea behind Casa Tua is to make you feel at home as the hotel and restaurant's name translates to "your home". The restaurant occupies the interconnecting ground-floor rooms of the main house with a gorgeously intimate candle lit patio and offers classic Italian and Mediterranean fare by executive chef Sergio Sigala. On his menu you will find delectable dishes such as the burrata with organic-tomato salad and the pappardelle with lamb ragu. Don't forget to check out the selection of well chosen bubbly and white wine, a highlight of the finely crafted wine list.

The Ralph Lauren-esque living room is a serene intermission from the constant bustle of Miami's party life atmosphere. Original art hangs on every blank surface and changes every month. Art Basel and a who's who of international art and society, descended on Casa Tua late last year to dine as well as to view the current artwork and photography.

Casa Tua also features an exclusive upstairs lounge available only to select insiders and privileged members. In order to keep an anonymous mystique, you will not find any advertising or signage indicating that you are in fact at the restaurant – their motto is "privacy is precious". Casa Tua is not about trend, but about a lifestyle and a collection of life experiences, which sets it apart from other South Beach hot spots.

Casa Tua, 1700 James Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida.

Where are we for fashion Week?

Due to our lack of fashion week coverage you are probably wondering where the hell we are. We are helping out at New York Magazine - So for latest show coverage, front row guests, backstage fun and after parties go to The Cut as everyone is working around the clock to give better coverage than style.com.

photo: Monique Lhuillier

Haute Restaurant of the Week: Sweetiepie

If you ever thought New York had a lack of Marie Antoinette meets-bakesale-meets-easy-chic Beverly Hills coffee shop, you’re finally in luck. Welcome to Sweetiepie, a charming, aberrant restaurant, dessert bar and absinthe fairytale all wrapped into one.

The prince and princess behind the Sweetiepie fairytale are owners and husband and wife team, Julie and Literary agent Luke Janklow of Janklow and Nesbit. The conception of this sweet retreat was due to the lack of magical space in the Janklow’s Greenwich neighborhood. Sweetiepie is inspired by restaurants of the past, many of them in California such as The Fountain Coffee Shop in the Beverly Hills Hotel and France’s iconic and opulent Marie Antoinette.

With the capacity to fit 74 guests into two rooms, the décor is intended to embrace all things lavish and imaginary. The interior decorator, Miles Redd, known for his classic clutter creations and stylist, and Lauren du Pont, who conceptualized the pink marble floors, candy apple red banquettes and a gold brass human birdcage (which seats six) to tantalize guests as soon as they enter the space.

A Palette of desserts served in an antique Maison Jensen tea cart is laden with an assortment of fantastical sweets, including the “Sweetiepig”, a vast sundae prepared for six people or one if you can possibly endure the repercussions. While awaiting your Sweetiepig guests can chomp on oversized lollipops which are both décor and a snack in between the candied bacon and sliver dollar pancakes. Plentiful servings of mac and cheese, a trio of mini burgers, and the classic grilled cheese all prepare by executive chef Humberto Gullapa are also featured on the kid friendly menu. For a more calorie conscious selection guests can choose the Le Roy Salad with Avocado, chicken and balsamic vinegar or the Tunamato.

For a day time nibble, a sweet evening or a Sunday brunch with the family, Sweetiepie is a retreat from the mundane and an ideal haven for all ages. Mom’s can feel glamorous sipping on absinthe cocktails while kids can slurp on Shirley Temples. What a sweet temptation!

SWEETIEPIE, 19 Greenwich Avenue btwn Christopher & W. 10th Streets, Hours: Mon-Fri noon-midnight Sat-Sut 10 am brunch-Midnight.

Droog Hits Soho

Amsterdam-based Droog is launching a New York store in Soho. The Dutch designs are known for their creative design and conceptual art, such as the rag chair from 3,200 euro- layered from the contents are recycled rags or even your own clothing to add to the design. The new store opens February 25 at 76 Greene Street.

Haute Restaurant of the Week: Double Crown

The newest addition to the Bowery quarter is a fine fare escapade, celebrating the nineteenth century British presence in countries of the Far East region. Double Crown is another brilliant creation from the AvroKo team who has gained their status designing restaurants such as Quality Meats, Sapa and Stanton Social. The décor and cuisine are inspired by the collision of cultures during Britain's colonization, inferred with a contemporary twist.

Guests are greeted to a visual feast as the Parisian brasserie atmosphere is intertwined with exposed brick walls, scavenger finds from Chelsea flea markets, such as vintage light fixtures and Singapore ceiling fans powered by a single belt. A divine and regal nook within Double Crown is the connecting bar, Madame Geneva, which allows for a libertine approach to eating and drinking, complete with laced panel walls and feminine touches.

Double Crown's impressive cocktail list does not disappoint, one could dabble all evening with Mango and Cardamom sour cocktails, Pimm's cup with gin or vodka and Asian melon rose Martinis all cultivated by Brian McGrory. However, you will sorely miss out if you do not taste the Streaky Ham. This delicacy takes ten days to cure with Lavender and honey before its cold smoked for an hour, roasted and left to marinate for an additional day. Another crown jewel is the Singapore Laska with green tea noodles, crab and bean sprouts served in a decorative china tea cup and saucer.

The executive chef behind the British-Indo-Asian conceptions is Brad Farmerie, who wanted to take a more casual yet imaginative approach to the menus he had created in the past. Among Farmerie's favorites is the braised Short Rib with a Guinness- five spice sauce and roasted parsnips. Finishing off the evening wouldn't be complete without giving into the enticing and luscious passion fruit Marshmallows. The boisterous and bustling scene is the place to people watch as a diverse downtown crowd gathers for a global infusion evening. Who ever thought that colonialism's stigma could be so appetizing?

DOUBLE CROWN, 316 Bowery at Bleecker Street, Hours: Mon-Fri, 6pm-11:45pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-3pm and 6pm-11:45pm. Reservations recommended.

Latest Model Crush

Forget Agyness, Abbey and Anja- our new favorite girl crush is Heidi Mount! She's compelling, diverse and definitely a real rising star.

photos: Chanel SS o9 campaign

Numero 100

Fashion Week finds a new Home

Mayor Bloomberg has been working with the CFDA and IMG Fashion for the last two years to come to an agreement on where the new home for Fashion Week will be, there was talk about moving it to the piers last year, however now it looks like its going to be the Lincoln Center starting in September 2010.

Since 1993, Fashion Week has been held in Bryant Park, however Bloomberg has been explaining that the tents have long outgrown the park and needs a more suitable and grand location. In September 2010, the shows will take place at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, located at the southwest corner of the Lincoln Center plaza, at 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.

This opulent new venue maybe more classier than the designers who actually show their collections.

Even Marc has to cut down during these frail Times

Late last Friday, Marc Jacobs announced that in addition to canceling his much-loved and hyped fashion show after party, he is also going to be cutting his show guest list by 60 percent. Instead of the usual 1,200 guests, there will be only 700; and oppose to the usual 900 standing in rafters, the standing only sections will be cut down to 200 which will largely be reserved for employees, making Marc Jacobs extravagance during fashion week even more more alluring.
“This isn’t the time to spend the money to entertain the entire world,” Robert Duffy, president of Marc Jacobs International, “Everybody thinks it costs the same money to entertain 500 people as opposed to 2,000. It doesn’t. All those 2,000 people still need to be seated, they still need to check in, this one needs this, that one needs that, and you know what? It’s very costly.”
Does this mean celebrity front row seating will be cut down too?

Haute Restaurant of the Week: The Monday Room

Secreted among a cluster of chic boutiques on Elizabeth Street in Nolita, lays a mysterious little jewel hidden inside the Australian roused restaurant, Public. The Monday Room is a cryptic little nook just behind the hostess station. Through the unmarked door lays an 18th century inspired gentlemen’s club. Designed by the acclaimed AvroKO team, the tufted leather booths and faded oriental carpet creates a sleek yet intimate den-like feeling where all things seductive take center stage.

The Monday Room is based on the impression that the first day of the work week is usually not a pleasurable one. In the hopes of making it better, this wine bar is the perfect recoil to bury your bad weekdays away with gorgeous fare prepared by Chef Brad Farmerie and paired wines selected by head sommelier Ruben Sanz Ramiro (who has worked at molecular gastronomic Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in England.) The only debatable question is that The Monday Room isn’t a wine bar because there is no bar; instead there is a private wine steward on hand to make sure your menu selections are on par with your wine selections. The wine steward makes recommendations from a list of 60 wines offered by half glass to full bottle; Ruben makes sure his wines have a story and a soul within each bottle, as his favorite regions to procure hard -to- find wines are from Australia and New Zealand.

Guests can choose custom wine flights allowing for comparison and contrast, however there is always room for flexibility. The revolving canapé menu consists of 10-14 small tastes. For starters choose the glazed eel served in an amuse-bouche spoon with pickled bean sprouts and soft boiled quail eggs that are paired with an exquisite Ombra Prosseco Brut from Minae Italy. Then venture into the Swordfish sashimi with Chinese black vinegar, pickled cucumber and crispy garlic with the suggested pairing of the Riesling Kabinett 2003. An absolute must is to taste the Manuka honey crème brulée with sherry poached figs and orange shortbread coupled with a perfected Domaine Cahuapé, 2005.

The small plates are reflective of global influences of South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. The experience of sharing and tasting courageous food and excellently textured wines such as the Lebanese Chateau Musar will please any seasoned oenophile. An artistic crowd of influencers and tastemakers lounge about on winged armchairs that frame smaller tables for intimate dining. The sultry yet cozy mood of The Monday Room is luscious in décor and rich in precision as each taste and sip truly fits its mystifying location.

Location- 210 Elizabeth Street between spring and Prince Street 212 -343- 7011

Hours Mon-Thurs 6pm-12am Fri-Sat 6pm-2am Sundays closed

Reservations are recommended