Virtuoso Life - September/October 2008 - (Page 20) EDITOR’S NOTE s the phrase, In yoUr MInD, “eat to live” or “live to eat”? socrates may have espoused the former, but travelers know the joys of doing both. savoring the local cuisine immediately immerses you in a place, wherever that may be. sweet corn from a roadside stand on oahu, scrambled eggs with caviar in paris, micheladas on the beach in Mexico – I remember what I sampled as much as what I saw during my travels. In this annual “Food and Wine” issue of Virtuoso Life, foodies of every flavor will find something of interest. For those (like me) always in search of in-the-know restaurant tips, we asked top hotel chefs to share their favorite dining spots in five cities around the United states. If you’ve yearned to learn pro kitchen secrets, senior editor Justin paul takes you to a top cooking school in Florence. and if you’re craving a side of adventure, truffle hunting in provence is on the menu. there’s not much in these pages for watching your waistline, but there is a look at biodynamic dining, a trend taking hold in northern California, long america’s leader in groundbreaking gourmet and health movements. though I do try to keep in mind the motto, “all things in moderation” (except when it comes to champagne), I can’t say I’m one for diets: eating isn’t just an essential; it’s an experience. Case I in point: a colleague’s recent breakfast at London’s newly renovated Connaught hotel. When he requested a simple order of scrambled eggs, he told me he was momentarily taken aback when the server asked another question: “hen or duck eggs, sir?” how remarkable that even a rushed business breakfast at a city hotel can reveal an element of surprise. It’s such impressive touches that lead us to present our second annual recognition of ten exceptional hotels, from outstanding renovations to buzz-worthy bar scenes, impeccable restaurants, innovative guest services, socially responsible initiatives, and more. of course, the Virtuoso network is rich with more than 800 of the most amazing properties large and small around the world, each with its own special something that makes a stay there memorable. you will be absolutely pleased with any of them, but the ten highlighted here have truly led the way in luxury lodging this year. so the next time you travel, seek out simple surprises – and show socrates what he was missing. EDITOR esrnka@virtuoso.com VIRGIN GALACTIC UPDATE: Since the feature on Virgin Galactic was published in our last issue (“On Top of the World,” July/August 2008; visit www.virtuosolife.com to view the article), the mother ship has landed – literally. In July, Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and SpaceShipOne designer Burt Rutan (pictured above, right) opened hangar doors in the Mojave Desert to unveil the new WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft. Attending the event was Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch, pictured at left with Sir Richard’s mother, Eve Branson, the inspiration for the Galactic Girl figurehead that graces the mother ship. 20 V I RT U O S O L I F E (RICHARD BRANSON AND BURT RUTAN) AP PHOTO/STEFANO PALTERA, (ELAINE SRNKA) ARTURO RODRIGUEZ http://www.virtuosolife.com
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