Antoinette Alexander
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Antoinette Alexander has traded in the Space Needle for the Statue of Liberty and today is a writer in Manhattan. Despite being thousands of miles away, the Pacific Northwest remains near to her heart. Eager to share with 425 readers what’s hot, hip and cool on the bustling streets of New York City, Alexander is keeping her “eye on style” as a contributing writer for 425.
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Journelle
If you are in Manhattan and looking to do a little lingerie shopping be sure to check out the upscale Journelle. The Journelle flagship store, which opened in December 2007, is all about luxury and elegance and is designed to offer a new vision for lingerie retail. Designed in collaboration with Kramer Design Group, and built by CJS Builders, the store features well-organized drawers and hangers, a seating area for shopping companions and spacious dressing rooms. In fact — aside from the beautiful lingerie — the dressing rooms are reason enough to stop by this chic boutique. The dressing rooms are large and exude a spa-like feel with big, comfy robes and fantastic lighting. Journelle is located at 3 East 17th Street. Details: journelle.com
425 Twist: Several local boutiques, like Christi’s on Main in old Bellevue, carry lingerie along with their designer fashion. Of course there’s Soma Intimates at Bellevue Square and Victoria’s Secret at Bellevue Square and Redmond. But for a true lingerie boutique shopping experience, head to Seattle’s Bellefleur, where you can get designer dazzlers like Huit, Betsey Johnson and Elle MacPherson. Details: bellefleurlingerie.com
MarieBelle New York
At MarieBelle New York, fine chocolates are not just a delectable treat, they are an art. Named after Maribel Lieberman, designer and founder, the delicious morsels are handmade using high concentrations of single-origin cacao beans. This results in a rich, complex flavor. What makes MarieBelle even more interesting is the artisan techniques that transform the fine chocolates into edible works of art. Also, within its retail spaces, visitors can relax in the Cacao Bar and Tea Salon. These cozy salons offer a refined menu of light fare and beverages, such as Panela Hot Chocolate (made with 75 percent single-origin bean) and Spicy Hot Chocolate (60 percent single-origin bean with chipotle, ancho chile, nutmeg and cinnamon). There are two locations: MarieBelle Soho at 484 Broome St. and MarieBelle on Madison at 762 Madison Ave. Details: mariebelle.com
425 Twist: At Oh, Chocolate in Bellevue, Mercer Island and Madison Park, each confection is lovingly handmade by this family-owned business. Try the Hot Hearts, spicy gingersnaps dipped in rich, dark chocolate and rolled in hot ginger crystals or the Champagne Truffles. During the holidays, they make sugar plums. Details: ohchocolate.com
Museum of Arts and Design
Attention museum enthusiasts: The Museum of Arts and Design opened the doors to its new home at Columbus Circle in Manhattan in September 2008. With triple the space of its previous location, the 54,000-square-foot building allows MAD to dedicate galleries to its growing permanent collection and become the only New York museum with open studio programs so visitors can watch the creative process within programming spaces. A cornerstone of MAD is the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Jewelry Gallery, the nation’s first resource center and gallery dedicated exclusively to contemporary jewelry. In early spring 2009, a new restaurant, which will incorporate artist-made materials and offer visitors panoramic views of the city and Central Park, is slated to open. But it’s not just the galleries and open studio programs that make this museum a must-see. The building’s skin is tiled with about 22,000 custom-made terra-cotta plates, finished in a light iridescent glaze. Three separate ribbons of transparent and fritted glass weave across the façade, allowing light to filter into galleries and providing dramatic views of Columbus Circle and Central Park. MAD is located at 2 Columbus Circle. Details: madmuseum.org
425 Twist: Parklane Gallery, the only artist-owned gallery in Kirkland, might not be enormous, but it’s a little gem on the Eastside that features work by Northwest artists. Members constantly change exhibits to keep it fresh. Everything from paintings, photography, sculpture and more can be seen Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Details: parklanegallery.com
The Stanton Social
Looking for a hot spot with great food and a lively vibe? Check out The Stanton Social in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. High ceilings and plush, rounded banquettes are just part of the swanky ambiance. But what makes this place a real gem is the food. The Stanton Social is ideal for small groups (say four or five) as the dishes are designed for sharing among friends and are brought to the table steadily and continuously throughout the meal. Some of the recommended dishes include French Onion Soup Dumplings, Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Croquettes and Maine Crabcake “Corn Dogs.” This happening spot fills up quickly so, if you are planning to order food, booking a table ahead of time is highly recommended. The Stanton Social is located at 99 Stanton St.
425 Twist: The Tap House Grill at the Galleria in downtown Bellevue has 160 beers on tap and it’s always pretty full of people, especially during Happy Hours. Try the Volcano Goat Cheese, House Made Hummus and Tandoori Chicken Satay. Happy Hour sushi rolls are under $3 each. Or go for dinner and try the Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese. Details: taphousegrill.com
Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa
The founders of global French brand Caudalie, wife and husband team Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, have brought the vineyard experience to bustling Manhattan with the opening in 2008 of their first U.S. spa. Located in the iconic New York City hotel, The Plaza, the spa is the fourth international location and the first and only one not located on a European vineyard. The 8,000-square-foot spa features several accoutrements reminiscent of the wineries and chateaux where the Caudalie spas are found worldwide. There’s a wine lounge with an on-site Sommelier who hosts wine tastings between treatments and offers instructional wine classes, and a menu of “small plates” available to guests paired with select wines from the lounge. This is, of course, in addition to the full menu of spa treatments and services available, such as Honey & Wine Wraps, a Red Vine bath, a Crush Cabernet Scrub and a Fresh Grape Massage. The Plaza is located at Fifth Avenue at Central Park South. Details: theplaza.com
425 Twist: At the Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, try the antioxidant Chardonnay Facial while you sip a glass of wine, of course. Or soothe sore muscles after a day of golf or cross-country skiing with the Vinotherapy Massage, a full-body 50-or 80-minute relaxing massage with wine-infused oil. Special attention is given to tired hands and feet. Not into wine? They have plenty of chocolate-infused spa treatments, too. Like it all? Pair up the tasty treatments and create a delectable package. Details: suncadia.com
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