Miscellaneous

🍺 At Bar Antoine, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, the new cocktail menu, Savoir-Boire, launched in Spring 2026, inspired by French culinary culture. Developed by Bar Manager Leon Gasco and Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, it features croissant-infused cognac and nutty Comté in cocktails like Croissant Old Fashioned. The menu celebrates French drinking rituals, offering creative cocktails and food, including CFC (caviar fried chicken) and Croque-Antoine. The bar includes plush seating for up to 30 guests on the garden terrace.

📅 Geneva Watch Days 2026 (September 2-6) takes place across Geneva. This year, 71 brands participate, surpassing last year's 70. Ming introduces the 57.05 Comet, limited to 200 pieces at CHF 6,950. Bremont extends the Terra Nova Jumping Hour with new 35mm and 40.5mm cases. Bulgari teams up with Vianney Halter for the Octo Finissimo Dual Time, limited to 40 pieces. Zenith releases the Chronomaster Solo Sport starting at CHF 8,900. Mauron Musy's MU05 nO-Ring Origin celebrates ten years with 26 unique pieces at CHF 34,000.

🍴 Paris Society, part of Accor’s Ennismore, operates 90+ venues globally, focusing on local appeal over hotel guests. By 2026, 71% of travelers will prioritize culinary experiences. Accor’s F&B generates €8 billion annually from over 10,000 venues. Their strategy integrates local culture and adapts to trends like wellness and family travel, ensuring concepts remain distinctive. F&B accounts for over half of non-room revenue, emphasizing its strategic role in hospitality.

🎤 Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, opened on January 11, 2017, and is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The venue features three concert halls, 45 apartments, a 244-room hotel, and the Plaza, an urban square. On September 1, 2026, a concert by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will be live-streamed. A new book, released on September 2, 2026, honors this landmark. With its unique design and acoustics, it remains a cultural beacon.

🏫 The store, Gathered, is a family-run business where the narrator's mom and Grandma Jan work. Located at the main intersection of a small town, it was formerly The Kozy Korner, purchased for $110,000. The family transformed its interior and exterior. Over the years, the mother collected items from countries like Germany and South Africa, enriching the store's inventory. They personally renovated the space, enhancing it with a new wood floor and exposed timber roof trusses.

📰 The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the cancellation of its May 2027 Costume Institute retrospective, "John Galliano: Horizons," amidst controversy over Galliano's past antisemitic remarks. Galliano was dismissed from Dior in 2011 due to such comments. After discussions with the museum and backlash from New York's Jewish community, the exhibition was shelved. Galliano expressed regret, noting the potential harm to the museum and its supporters. The museum hasn't disclosed plans for a replacement exhibition.

🍻 Fit Cat, a low-calorie lager brand founded by Arian Zandi, partners with Enotria for exclusive UK distribution. This deal marks Fit Cat's first national route-to-market agreement in the UK hospitality sector. Emphasizing health and quality, Fit Cat offers up to 50% fewer calories than traditional beers. The partnership aims to introduce Fit Cat to top UK restaurants, bars, and hotels. Since its launch earlier this year, Fit Cat has rapidly gained traction in the market.