Anne in Moscow...

We’ve got Moscow on the brain, and fortunately Inside DVF contributor Anne McNally was there last month for the Biennale and gave us the inside on where and what we’ll be doing when we go for the DVF restrospective next month!

STAY: For modern amenities with a twist of history stay at the Park Hyatt, which overlooks the Bolshoi Theatre. Once home to the metro pole, be sure to check out the dining room dating back to the 1930s. Or try Diane’s personal fave, The Ritz-Carlton.

EAT: Baccarat, where Russian fashion designer and doyenne Dasha Zukova, gave her pre “garage” bienale opening dinner there. Designed by the world renowned Philippe Starck, this eighteenth-century building was Europe’s biggest pharmacy, by decree of Czar Peter the Great. It’s worth checking out even for a drink. 19/21 Nikolskaïa Street.

Vogue Café is the Pastis of Moscow, a great place for people watching just steps from the Bolshoi Theater and not far from Red Square. Kuznetsky most ulitsa 7/9 , tel. 495-623-1701

Stop by Arbat Street 3/9 for lunch and a mid-afternoon Bellini, the taste is as good as the price (cheap)! Another good lunch spot is Cafe Shop and Bar, a favorite spot amongst the youth of Moscow and visit the funny t-shirt store above.

“Bon” located on the waterfront is another restaurant designed by Philippe Starck, serving an interesting combination of European, Russian and Asian Cuisine.

TO DO: Lenin’s Mausoleum, better known as” Lenin’s Tomb, and located in Red Square it is the mausoleum that is the resting place of Vladimir Lenin.  After visiting Lenin’s Mausoleum take a tour of the neighboring Kremlin.

Visit the “Seven Sisters” the English name given to a group of Moscow skyscrapers built by Stalin between 1947 and 1953 to compete with American buildings.

Make sure to take a ride on the subway, which has the most beautiful stations in stain glass, marble, stucco and ceramics….a Moscow must!

SHOP: Gum, a beautiful shopping arcade right off the Red Square, with a plethora of international shops. And of course, visit the DVF shops

From our international correspondent, Anne McNally…

Positano is perched on the Amalfi coast between Ravello (where Gore Vidal had his house) and Amalfi, a ride away by boat from Capri. It has been a long time favorite of artists and Italian jet sets (Rudolph Nureyev owned the island across, Franco Zeffirelli had a house …) There are no cars inside the village, you go everywhere by foot, which make it really sportive!! The beach is like a mini Eden Rock on one side of the village but mostly you go around to lunch and swim by boat to fantastic places.

Where to lunch: Conca del Sogno, which is also a hotel and a lovely beach, is a must stop – very sophisticated and they make all their own products. Maria Grazia is a bit on the more simple side but has invented the incredible pastas al zucchinis. On the other side towards Amalfi, try Da Adolfo for great seafood.

(more…)

Need…to connect or power up? Head over to Flatiron Plaza, where on Thursday, Toyota will “plant” 18′ high plastic flowers. The flowers will feature solar panels behind the petals as well as at the base of the “stem.” the solar cells will provide power to any mobile device needing a charge, as well as supply WiFi for free.

Rest…up for next weekend’s Super Saturday in Bridgehampton. The event takes place Saturday, August 1, from 1pm – 6pm. It will be hosted by Donna Karan, Kelly Ripa and Ariel Foxman of InStyle Magazine in support of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and you can bet that DVF will be there in full force!

Inside DVF contributor Anne McNally’s latest report comes all the way from Vietnam, where she recently spent time soaking in all things Saigon…

Stay…at the recently opened Park Hyatt Saigon, which has replaced colonial places like Rex Hotel-where all the journalists used to stay during the war-as the it place to meet up.

Eat…at any of these places, depending on your mood. You could hit up the Mandarin for a sophisticated and traditional dinner, Temple Club for a relaxed colonial atmosphere, or Quan An Ngon for a great outdoor lunch in a tropical garden setting.

Late night…in the mood for a night out? Visit Maxim’s, which hosts a different dance theme every night.

Shop…Ben Thanh Market to satiate a thirst for everything from beautiful linens and delish fruits and spices, to a plethora of pearls!

Day trips…take a two hour drive to the Mekong River. Ride on a hand rowed sampam through beautiful waters under a green canopy of coconut trees to see how locals are living today. Alternatively, if you’d prefer more time on the water, catch the two hour ferry to Vung Tau, the “Hamptons” of Saigon. Stop for lunch at Binh An village, or stay overnight for a complete city-escape.

Stick to District 1 and check out these sites…The Post Office, the Reunification Palace (AKA the old American Embassy, where the last helicopter took off from the roof), the War Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

(more…)

What to see, do and eat when you are summering in the City…of Paris, bien sur!

Check out…Andy Warhol’s iconic portraits of DVF and other notable personalities at the Grand Palais exhibit, The Great World of Andy Warhol, which is up through July, 13th.

Eat…at La Societe on Rue St. Germain – the new restaurant from the owners of Costes. Enjoy the beautiful space, designed by Christian Liaigre, the beautiful people, who surround you, and the delicious meal, which you’re sure to love. Or, for something a little more traditional, try out a Paris favorite, and indulge on steak frites at L’ Entrecote. Try out their new location on Boulevard Montparnasse, across from La Coupole.

Stay…at Hotel Particulier near the legendary Montmartre on Avenue Junot. Relax in the the magnificent gardens designed by Louis Benech, while you map out the rest of your day.

Shop…at one of the three DVF Paris locations! Visit the flagship store at 29 Rue Francois 1er, or check out 14 Rue d’ Alger or 81 Rue des Saints Peres. Once you’ve had your fill of DVF (if that’s even possible), go to Karry’O. Karine Berrebi is the queen of vintage jewelry on Rue des Saints Peres, calling number 62 home.

Take a break…and step into Herboriste, on Rue de Petits Champs behind the Palais Royal. They have all the tisanes (herbal teas) you could need to feel good.