Everyone loves a good comeback story, and cheering an underdog epitomizes Americana. Detroit is the ultimate underdog. There is grit. And if you choose to see it, there is glamour. No city in the U.S. has experienced a tumultuous decline quite like Detroit, but as far...
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Ooh La La! The Ultimate Luxury Gift Guide for Francophiles
Francophiles rejoice! Audrey Hepburn once said, "Paris is always a good idea," and I'm sure any Francophile would agree. I have seen endless gift guides for Francophiles, but I have not seen many that cater to the luxe Francophile -- someone with both luxe and...
The Cultureur’s Luxe Guide to Montréal, Canada
Montréal is not your ordinary North American city, and therein lies its greatest allure. With its proud French heritage, vibrant nightlife, and general air of bonhomie and elegance, Montréal is often called the most European city in the region. In fact, Montréal is...
The Cultureur’s Luxe Guide to Minneapolis, Minnesota
At the end of March, I visited Minnesota for the first time and spent a few days in Minneapolis and Rochester. Before leaving, I conducted my own research on what to do, what to see, where to eat, etc. and many keyword combinations later, I realized that Minneapolis...
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in New York City…
await you in all their warm gooey goodness in the tiny unpretentious, basement space at Levain Bakery on the Upper West Side. At $4/each, there's 4 flavors (chocolate chip walnut, oatmeal raisin, dark chocolate chocolate chip, and dark chocolate peanut butter chip),...
Montreal vs. New York City: Who Does the Bagel Better?
It sounds painfully obvious to say, but I must say it: I've long been a fan of New York bagels. But then Montreal happened. I knew that the bagels in the beautiful European-inspired Canadian city were different, but I didn't realize how different or how much I'd like...
The Cultureur’s Luxe Guide to Houston, Texas
Houston had been on my radar for quite some time, but I wasn't able to make it happen until a few weeks ago. In fact, my first time in Texas, beyond the airports, was earlier this year in May when I was in Austin. Even though I hate the heat and humidity, I'm still...
The Cultureur’s Luxe Guide to Kansas City, Missouri
"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." Oh no, we're not. But I'm still wandering the quintessentially Midwestern streets, at least mentally, as I write this. Joining the ranks of Detroit and Houston, Kansas City is yet another U.S. city in the midst...
The Cultureur’s Luxe Guide to Reykjavik, Iceland
You know what I loved most about Reykjavik, and Iceland in general? That it was unlike any other destination I had ever been to. There was no city or country to compare it to in my mind. It effortlessly blended the casualness of a village with big-city know-how. Given...
Palate to Palette: Buick and the New York City Wine and Food Festival 2015
I adore New York City, especially in the fall. As the crisp autumn season settles over the Big Apple, gorgeous shades of orange, red, and yellow illuminate the entire city, creating the calm before the storm. I recently returned from an epic food-filled trip to the...
The Cultureur’s Luxe Guide to Detroit, Michigan
If you've been following me on here or my social media channels, it should come as no surprise when I say that Detroit is one of my new favorite cities in the United States. The Motor City is one of the most unassuming, yet fantastically charming cities. At every...
A Guide to Sushi in Seattle + My Top 3 Picks
Authentic. Unpretentious. Fresh. Non-saucy. No California rolls. I'm a sushi purist. I love a good fusion restaurant, but when it comes to sushi: the simpler, the better. I find that sushi nirvana happens when there's a perfect marriage of art and science. Some of the...