The fashion industry’s finest, and the celebrities who love them, are descending on Lincoln Center once again for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week from February 9-17, 2011.
All of the hottest designers are showing their Fall 2011 collections to celebs and fashionistas in the tents at Lincoln Center this year.
It has been said that Spiaggia has the best Italian food in all of America by notables for Travel & Leisure and Esquire. Yep, read it and weep Northeast coasters who think you’re the only people to recreate Italian masterpieces.
Going strong since 1984, chef and partner Tony Mantuano is a name to be reckoned with in the world of cuisine. Everyone knows he’s a master, no contests necessary. Just take a look at the crowd that eats here: Michelle Obama, Sir Elton John, the late Princess Diana, Sir Mick Jagger, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Billy Joel, Paul Newman, Fergie and Josh Duhamel, Wolfgang Puck and Joel Robuchon.
En sum, “Il mio sogno realizzato” says Spiaggia owner and founder Larry Levy, his dream come true.
Many stores on Robertson can claim celebrity clientele, but not many stake claim as the hub for expert stylists who are paid to dress the celebs. But Madison is the go-to store for the likes of Rachel Zoe and Jennifer Aniston’s stylist Jessica Pastor.
The sleek store looks like a showroom, with bare walls, ultra stylized mannequins and amazing collections of everything under the sun. Madison carries brand names like YSL and Marc Jacobs to up and coming LA designers, including some of Madison’s staff members! There are different shapes and sizes of shoes, sunglasses, jewelry (costume to real) as well as jeans, dresses, shirts and jackets. Madison covers every trend and every style, making it a favorite for those who want a one of a kind look, that will of course be copied by many others.
The Ivy may get all the paparazzi on Robertson, but Newsroom Cafe is where you’ll see the real LA locals and low-key celebs. Although it’s based around healthy, vegetarian-friendly dishes, Newsroom Cafe serves up burgers and wine and alcohol like the best of them. With a perfect location- complete with a people-watching patio, it is packed for lunch and dinner and at night, it turns into a hot bar scene. Newsroom is known for its freshly made juices, Veggie Burger, and, of course, a large magazine rack and wifi. This is the perfect place to stop for a break from all the trendy boutique shopping.
Dig if you will, a picture: hot valet drivers busy themselves parking Ferraris and Jags; inside chic, heavy doors open to a beautiful hostess who awaits your arrival with a smile; a full 360 degrees around you (and below on the lower level in its bar and terrace) are gorgeous people, 
smiling, mingling and gushing over delectable sushi rolls and fusion plates. This is Japonais, Conde Nast’s pick for one of the “Top 66 Restaurants in the World.”
Having opened its doors in 2003, this place still lives in the past – only meaning that one would have assumed it opened just last month as the wait, long reservation list, and packed crowds every day of the week would elude to it being a hot new number. In 2005, Chicago Magazine named it “Best Restaurant” and soon after New York and Las Vegas claimed their own versions of the restaurant. Today, it still rocks to those beats.
From exotic cocktails (and a whole lot of sake and wine choices), signature sushi rolls and the to-die-for steaks, the menu reads part French and part Japanese, which in the culinary world, is a match made in heaven.
In need of a little polishing up? The Spa at Trump is the answer. Quickly becoming the hotspot for Chicagoans to escape for an hour, or even a day at times, its popularity can be attributed to its rockstar service. Many times guests are so impressed, they extend their spa day into an overnight stay in one of the 53 spa guest suites.
Immediately upon stepping in the door, guests are tended to 
by a personal “Spa Attache.” For those overwhelmed by the indulgent choices on the menu of services (which even includes candlelight yoga classes), leave it to the Attache to help you decide. If it’s skin care you crave, let the celeb fave Kate Sommerville Skin Care line and the estheticians soothe you. A favorite of Jessica Alba, Freida Pinto, Molly Sims and Debra Messing, a skin treatment with this stuff will leave you feeling like a celebrity yourself.
Those desiring a little romance get it- and then some- with the couples treatments. Couples can bathe side by side in a rich Andalusian milk bath as they do in Spain, lather up with gemstone infused oils and unwind with “diamond massage oils” or “sapphire gemstone oils” during their massage. To keep that warm feeling, a glass of Spanish wine is also included. If bubbly is more your fancy, The Spa at Trump also serves Champagne, music, and aphrodisiacs for those who wish for it, and aromatherapy and blanket wraps to truly escape from reality.
What’s in Th
e Box? Most people can’t get into it, but those who have, don’t even know what to say. The Box is incredible nightlife decadence and over the top sexuality that is unique- and shocking- even to this City that’s seen it all. One part Folies Bergere theater (complete with barely clothed dancers) and one part super trendy nightclub, The Box is still one of the hottest doors to get into, eventhough it’s a few years old.
The Box is shaped like a theater, complete with round tables and a second floor balcony (a.k.a. the VIP section). Starting at 1:30 every night, three “interesting” shows perform on stage in hour intervals, with each one getting naughtier and raunchier. The MC (the most famous one being Raven O) kicks the sharp-witted stage shows that are all about finding social commentary through nudity, sexuality and even faux murders. Featuring what could be circus stars (if they weren’t always nude), the acts go from crazy robotic dancers to knife wielding throwers to up and coming singers, but they are most always, always very risque performances.
Needless to say, reservations, and a very large pocketbook, are needed to get into this place that would make Sin City blush.
The NBA 2010 All-Star Game is being held in Dallas this year, and with that comes a weekend full of star-studded parties. But the party that everyone’s talking about is none other than Diddy Does Dallas: 5 different rooms with over 35 fully staffed bars, 10 of the nation’s best DJs, 3 VIP lounges, and close to 10,000 guests. Host Diddy is pulling out all the stops for this all-star red carpet event.
Famous for his White Parties at the Hamptons, Diddy says the top five ingredients for the perfect party are the people, music, amenities, food and drink, and lighting. With guest lists that include A-listers from presidents to Michael Jackson to David Beckham, he’s got to be doing something right. You’re going to want to look your best, people will be talking about this for years.
Wondering where the elite echelon of sports stars hang out while in the Windy City? Without a doubt it’s at the Fifty / 50, a bar which brings the sexy back to the Ukrainian Village ‘hood (if it were ever there in the first place). Now it definitely is, from Tony Romo to Pierre Thomas of the Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints. Even the investors are sports stars; Curtis Granderson is an investor (of the New York Yankees), and owners Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner roll in the same circles as these big boys.
Alas, jersey chasers – the doors to the Fifty / 50 are basically your pearly gates. The food will give another inkling as to why the jocks flock here: the menu is based on fried foods, smoked foods and sandwiches (and beer of course). Read: dieters this is not your place, unless you’re happy dining in the eye candy. And worry not, feasting on the likes of athlete superstars is not restricted only to the evening hours, this place is a brunch hotspot as well.
Ladies, suggest this place to a guy and you score. Guys, suggest this place to the ladies and they’re happy (albeit because they’re wondering who they’ll see). Either way you flip it, 50% chance plus 50% chance equals 100% happiness.