dreaming of...casa tua

on a recent trip to miami i was introduced to an absolutely astoundingly beautiful little restaurant/club/hotel called casa tua.  it's tucked away just far enough from the action to be peaceful and romantic but still maintain some of that south beach-by-night excitement.  it's a little bit hamptons, a little bit st tropez, a little st barts and a lot of glamour.

ps. the food is outstanding as well

  

entry

outdoor dining

upstairs club

dining room

hall

images via casa tua & éclat

chin-up it's friday

at my favorite little lounge in brooklyn i've found a delicious cocktail they call the chin-up.  it's made with a curious liqueur called cynar, made from artichokes of all things!!
happy friday

 chin up

1/2" cucumber wheel

2 oz. gin

1/2 oz. cynar

1/2 oz. dry vermouth

1/2 pinch of salt

muddle the cuke in a glass, add the rest, cover with ice, stir, strain, pour.  serve with a paper-thin slice of cucumber.
via: mr. boston platinim edition 

melbourne re-style

beautifully done renovation by hecker guthrie in melbourne, australia.  first floor breakfast bar, second floor smokey, speak-easy, lounge room.  the key to my heart is the tripod floor lamp...

images via hecker guthrie and
vogue living australia

ruggedly sophisticated

i first learned of el garzon while watching an episode of anthony bourdain as he covered the mouth-watering food creations of chef francis mallmann in uruguay.

the restaurant and hotel has this remote sort of elegant campy feel that's just beautiful.

here are some of my own finds...

images on left: nowness, ingalls photography, el garzon

found items: chairs via 1stdibs, table, metal bins, candles, lanterns, grill

evocative lighting

i love the way the lighting sweeps in from the perimeter of this restaurant done by gundry & ducker in london. and those chairs in the bar area, you just can not go wrong with a thonet bentwood. it may be a stretch, but those lamps the way they are hanging above each table evoke visions of traditional chinese or thai lanterns hanging along narrow streets or open markets.

and yes, it sure has been a while since i have blogged.

topic via dezeen