5places to visit around the world

Willa Brown's 5places to see a show in Washington DC

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:39:34 -0800

The Studio Theater

1501 14th St NW, Washington, DC USA
http://www.studiotheatre.org/

One of DC's best - regularly wins regional and national awards, known for using new authors and hard hitting dramas.

Posto - arguably the best italian restaurant in DC, is right next door.

Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/grundlepuck/

Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center

2700 F St NW, Washington, DC USA
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/schedule.html

DC natives have a tendency to forget this even exists - public shows at the Kennedy center, 365 days a year. I've seen incredible gospel choirs, broadway reviews, and drum bands. All for the only acceptable price in DC - free.

Get a drink at the bar to go with your show

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonwu/2225510886/

The Uptown

3426 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC USA

A classic old fashioned theater - two stories, velvet seats, and a marble lobby. Only in DC would the almost IMAX sized screen regularly be used for things like Frost/Nixon.

Best pizza in town is across the street at Vace Italian Deli.

Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvjantzen/

Carter Barron

3545 Williamsburg Lane NW, Washington, DC USA
http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/cbarronschedule.htm

A classic WPA amphitheater built in the 1930s, Carter Barron has a full schedule of concerts, but it's best known for the Shakespeare Theater's Free For All. A world-class Shakespeare company, absolutely free. http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/about/ffa/

9:30 Club

815 V ST NW, Washington, DC USA
http://www.930.com

Hardly groundbreaking to say 9:30 is the best place to see music in DC. But that doesn't change the fact that there are reasons its still the top venue around. Conveniently close to Ben's Chili Bowl for after the show.

Oliver Izod's 5places to visit in London

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:40:29 -0800

Hunterian Museum

The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 33-45 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE
www.rcseng.ac.uk/museums

This museum is in the Royal College of Surgeons and is full of pickled things from the 18th century. Incredible.

Wilton's Music Hall

Graces Alley, Off Ensign Street, London, E1 8JB
www.wiltons.org.uk

A magical crumbling relic of Victorian east end entertainment - re-opened for performances and events which are usually sensitive to the surroundings. Just beautiful.

Neal's Yard Dairy

17 Short's Gardens, London, WC2H 9AT
www.nealsyarddairy.co.uk

Just before Christmas the queue for here goes around the block. Fabulous Fromage! and they always give you a taste even if you know what you want.

Nordic Bakery

14A Golden Square, London, W1F 9JG
www.nordicbakery.com

Dark rye breads. Cinnamon buns. Coffee.

Bottle Apostle

95 Lauriston Road, Victoria Park Village, London, E9 7HJ
www.bottleapostle.com

Bottle Apostle wine store allows you to try before you buy, taking guesswork out of your wine purchases. Wine tasting events, self service wine tasting and excellent, friendly advice.

Damien Tanner's 5places to have a drink in London

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:40:29 -0800

69 Colebrooke Row

69 Colebrooke Row, London N1 8AA
http://www.69colebrookerow.com/

The brains and the brawn - the hustle and the muscle… What lies behind the bar with no name at 69 Colebrooke Row? See http://www.69colebrookerow.com/about_us.html

Positively 4th Street

119 Hampstead Road, London NW1 3EE
http://www.positively4thstreet.co.uk

Situated five minutes from Warren Street tube station, "Positively 4th Street" takes you back to New York and the old prohibition days of 1930's America. Heavily influenced by the art deco theme mingled with a subtle touch of Japanese culture, "Positively 4th Street" offers a refreshing alternative to the norm.

Three Blind Mice

5 Ravey Street, London EC2A 4QW
http://www.3blindmicebar.com

Our wonderfully intimate basement bar continues to go from strength to strength, whilst remaining on the QT and very hush-hush.

The last few months have seen us host MOBO nominated DJs, the best artists on 'before they get famous' underground live music scene and a wide range of world renowned characters from the creative arts / music industry coming down to sample the unique vibe.

Bourne & Hollingsworth

28 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1JF
http://www.bourneandhollingsworth.com/

For your social and drinking pleasure…

Last Days of Decadence

145 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JE
http://www.thelastdaysofdecadence.com

Slipping a tot of whisky into your bed-time cuppa is nothing new but for one bar the classic hot toddy wasn't quite enough. The Last Days of Decadence in Shoreditch have developed a delicious menu of hot, alcoholic cocktails where tea takes a starring role in each drink. - Tea

Aidan Hornsby's 5places to visit in Venice

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:26:36 -0800

Centrale Restaurant Lounge

S.Marco, 1659/b, 30124 Venezia (VE), Italy
http://www.centrale-lounge.com/

A chilled out bar and restaurant open late. Great music selection and a full-on mood-lit bar make this a must see!

Fortuny Museum

Sestiere San Marco, 3780, 30124 Venezia Venedig, Italy
http://www.museiciviciveneziani.it/frame.asp?musid=2&sezione=musei

Quirky Gallery.

Snack Bar Al Cavallo

6823 Campo SS Giovanni e Paolo, Castello.
http://traveller.easyjet.com/city-guides/venice/restaurants/cheap/snack-bar-al-cavallo

Located in a beautiful square. At the back of the bar/cafe there is a book swapping shelf.

Punta della Dogana

Dorsoduro 2, 30173 Venezia (Venezia)
http://www.palazzograssi.it/en/punta-della-dogana/museo/punta-della-dogana-venice.html

A beautifully designed (by Tadao Ando) showcase for the François Pinault Collection. Also see Palazzo Grassi.

Al Colombo

Sestiere San Marco, 4619 30124 Venezia (Veneto), Italy
http://www.ristorantealcolombo.com/

The best food in Venice - with a beautiful area to sit outside.

Damien Tanner's 5places to visit in Paris

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:28:04 -0800

La Bourse Ou La Vie

12, Rue Vivienne, 2nd Arondissement, Paris
http://pufflist.blogspot.com/2009/02/la-bourse-ou-la-vie-paris.html

When you visit this place the loud and friendly owner will only want you to order one thing, their steak and fries. They do a bloody good job of them. The name translates to "Your Money or Your Life" which is fitting given the proximity to the stock exchange. (pic)

Experimental Cocktail Club

37 Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002 Paris, France
http://www.myspace.com/experimentalcocktailclub

Located down a quiet alleyway you wouldn't notice this bar if it wasn't for the smartly dressed man standing outside the door. In fact we even walked past him a few times before working out it was the right place! Inside, the small bar is furnished with dark velvet sofas, sat against the original exposed walls. But the real reason to be here is for the cocktails, and that experience is best left a surprise until you visit.

Rose Bakery

30 Rue Debelleyme, Paris

A small cafe which serves delicious vegetarian food including salads and quiches. Perfect stop after a some shopping on Rue Vieille du Temple. (pic)

Hotel Le Bellechasse

8 Rue de Bellechasse, 75007 Paris, France
http://www.lebellechasse.com/

Designed by Christian Lacroix this hotel is home to 34 splendidly designed rooms which are noticeably decorated in extravagant wallpaper wall to ceiling. It's also conveniently located a stones throw away from Musée d'Orsay.

Brasserie Bofinger

7 Rue de la Bastille, 75004 Paris, France
http://www.bofingerparis.com/

One to save for a special occasion, Bofinger is a full-on two floor, glass dome ceiling brasserie. If you get to chance to go here, be sure to order a platter of seafood which includes all manner of things and comes laid out with a stack of several plates to dispose of the trail of seafood destruction you'll leave in your wake. (pic)