Source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/30/philip-seymour-hoffman-detox-narcotics-heroin-drugs-abuse/
Friday, May 31, 2013
Philip Seymour Hoffman Checked Into Detox For Narcotic Abuse
Philip Seymour Hoffman just got out of detox for a drug problem that was spinning out of control ... a problem he desperately wanted to nip in the bud ... and he's already back doing a movie.Hoffman -- who struggled with substance abuse in the past…
Shakira - Ciega, Sordomuda
- Artist: Shakira
- Label: Epic
- Director: Gustavo Garzón
- Album: What Comes Natural
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=504144&vid=807337
Miley Cyrus - 7 Things
- Artist: Miley Cyrus
- Label: Hollywood Records
- Director: Brett Ratner
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=2408193&vid=253422
Arrest in Soulja Boy Hit-and-Run
Cops have arrested a man in connection with the mysterious hit-and-run involving Soulja Boy's Bentley. TMZ has learned ... a rapper was busted, but it wasn't Soulja.TMZ broke the story ... a man was seriously injured January 9 in…
Source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/30/soulja-boy-hit-and-run-accident-arrest-bentley/
Rising from the revolution: Life in Benghazi
There may be a little too much gunfire to make Benghazi a top 10 holiday destination, but this hopeful Libyan city makes for one fascinating tour
Currently, few visitors to Benghazi arrive on leisure trips.
The murder of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three colleagues profoundly shook confidence in ?Free Libya.? The United States advises against all travel to the city while hearings continue over the American response to last September's attack.
The backlash against Islamist militias, however, has seen their presence and influence much reduced.
Although the prevalence of private weapons remains problematic, these days, the city feels remarkably relaxed.
As I traveled around town recently, it was impossible not to be affected by the honesty and hopefulness of Benghazi?s locals. They know everything can only go up from here.
Entryway
Post-revolution Benghazi: broken streets, tired buildings.
?Welcome to Benghazi -- cradle of the revolution,? announces a sign on the tarmac at Benina airport.
Despite the sign?s upbeat message, the airport?s facilities are more akin to a hard-up flying school than an international gateway, giving the impression that the keys to the worn-out terminal might normally reside under a brick round the back of the main hanger.
And so it is with the rest of post-revolution Benghazi -- all broken streets, tired buildings and flyblown wasteland.
In the center of town, behind the clamor of Arabic signage, shadowy lettering of Italian colonial institutions endures.
An abandoned twin-domed cathedral lies half-shrouded in scaffolding, while more Ottoman facades show decades' worth of decay.
With the heady atmosphere of revolutionary fervor behind it, the city looks forward to a better future, knowing that things can only improve.
Five-star accommodation endures
During the 2011 revolution the international press inhabited the concrete fortress of the five-star hotel Tibesti.
Located about a kilometer south-east of the city center, overlooking Benghazi Lake on Sharia Gamal Abdel Nasser, the white concrete and glass hotel has 270 rooms over 14 floors, a swimming pool and three restaurants.
It's open, costs $152 per night including breakfast and has a functional Internet connection -- an attraction during the fighting, but these days this isn?t a unique selling point.
The Tibesti?s dated business-style rooms are no longer in such demand.
Next to the same lagoon on Sharia Al Jezayir is the Ouzu, another similarly priced hotel undergoing refurbishment and another sign that the city is prepping for future travelers.
Try-before-you-buy gun sales
Wheelbarrow men will transport market purchases for a few extra dinars.
Early morning sees activity peak among stalls at the Al Funduq market off Shari Al Aquriyyah, about a kilometer north-east of the old city center.
Fruit and vegetables, livestock and poultry are serviced by a fleet of wheelbarrow men who transport purchases for a few dinars.
Occasionally the sounds of the market are punctuated by the staccato of automatic gunfire.
There?s no need to take cover though -- it?s the ?try before you buy? transactions by freelance weapons traders on the fringes of the market.
Directly across the main road is the garment section of Souk Al Jareed, where tailors line up at their sewing machines, ready to measure the insides of legs.
The long covered bazaar stretches towards the center of the old city, with vendors selling wares ranging from electronics to ceramics to jewelry.
The covered bazaar sells everything from electronics to ceramics to jewelry.
The forlorn shell of the old Italian town hall looks across Maydan Al Hurriya towards a parade of Misratan gold merchants and money changers, the latter occasionally filling car trunks with bundles of notes.
Libya is definitely still a cash economy.
Alcohol banned but available
Alcohol was banned as one of the first edicts issued by the Free Officers of Gaddafi?s 1969 coup.
That said, smuggled booze and potentially lethal home brewed bokha (a bad batch recently claimed 51 lives) is available on the black market.
Macchiato and Turkish coffee vie with black and green tea as the preferred drink at the cities' caf�s.
Downtown, Caf� Tikka on Sharia Omar Al Muktar is the best example of Benghazi?s morning caf� society.
Inside the shop, black and white images on the walls recall scenes of well-kept city streets, ordered traffic and finely dressed people.
The shelves are lined with telling keepsakes: heavy caliber cannon shells, an automatic pistol and pennants for Al Ahly, Benghazi?s much followed soccer team.
Behind a high counter two bearded baristas, sons of the father whose picture sits alongside that of King Idris and anti-colonialist freedom fighter Omar Muktar, turn out concentrated shots of top quality coffee and freshly brewed sweet tea to an exclusively male clientele until late in the afternoon.
Food is cheap
Benghazi?s morning caf� culture.
On the street, ubiquitous shawarma stands serve up roasted chicken or beef wrapped in a bread roll, sometimes sprinkled with eye-wateringly hot harissa.
Quick, tasty and cheap, shawarmas are great introduction to the local food, which is just as well, for although several Turkish restaurants exist, eating out well Libyan style is nigh impossible.
The only recommendation-worthy venue is the downtown Restaurant Bodraa on Sharia Rafiq Al Mahdui near Souk Hoot, founded 64 years ago.
Its meat or fish tajines, filfil (various stuffed peppers), abrak (stuffed vine leaves), osban (rice and liver sausages) and salads are all excellent meals from $8.
No car? No problem
Petrol is cheap in Libya, cheaper than water, and less than $5 will fill up an average car.
As a result the city?s roads are choked, the narrow line between parking lots and traffic jams blurred.
Exploring old Benghazi?s compact center on foot makes a lot more sense.
Walking north-east from Maydan El Catedraeya and its landmark derelict cathedral leads onto Sharia Al Corniche.
First constructed during the colonial period, this wide pavement is the venue for a Libyan-Italian fusion of the passeggiata -- little walks in the evenings.
Keeping the sea to the left, a little further along lies Court Square, also referred to as Maydan Al Hurriya, Benghazi?s other Freedom Square.
During the 2011 revolution, it was here, in front of the courthouse, that tents were set up, crowds gathered, speeches given, poems recited and prayers said amidst hoardings pasted with pictures of those killed.
Continuing on the way to the Italian lighthouse, the best macchiato in town can be found at Caf� Benghazi.
Another menu favorite: soothing sahlab (thin millet porridge) sprinkled with cinnamon, which tastes much better than it sounds.
If you are going
Taxis from Benghazi?s Benina airport to most downtown locations cost around 15 dinars ($12).
Visas are required for most visitors and all holders of Western passports. Visa criteria are subject to change.
Reputable local tour operators include Temehu whose website is a mine of practical information and historical background on the city.
More on CNN: Why some travelers seek out the world's most dangerous locales
Tags:
Source: http://rss.cnngo.com/~r/cnngo/~3/xguXatDkS7A/benghazi-travel-610366
Jennifer Love Hewitt Mariah Carey Elin Nordegren Naomi Campbell
Shakira Opens EMA Show With Dizzee Rascal
Madrid crowd goes crazy for 'Loca' and 'Waka Waka.'
By Mawuse Ziegbe
<P>The <a href="http://www.mtv.com/shows/ema/series.jhtml">2010 MTV Europe Music Awards</a> got off to a crazy start, courtesy of a performance from hip-swiveling superstar <MTVNLINK type="artist" id="504144">Shakira</MTVNLINK>.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Loca/Waka Waka (Live)" id="vid:594534.id:1650779" width="240" height="211"></div><p></P><P>The Colombian megastar opened the show with her <i>Sale el Sol</i> single "Loca," rallying the crowd with her signature undulating moves. Flanked by two dancers, Shakira hit the Madrid stage in a silvery bra top and fringed harem pants under neon lights. Then British grime rapper <MTVNLINK type="artist" id="1243171">Dizzee Rascal</MTVNLINK> joined the singer for his verse on the English version of the track, rocking a simply sleek black jacket and white T-shirt, and getting the crowd amped.</P><P>After "Loca," Dizzee retreated backstage as Shakira launched into her global World Cup anthem "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)," a suitable choice for an award show staged in the nation of the world soccer champs. The Spaniards showed their pride throughout the percussion-heavy jam, as mammoth flags rose from various points in the audience, and were waved above the crowd. Swirls of confetti rained on the crowd as Shakira wrapped up her high-energy set.</P><P>Her collabo with Dizzee is just one of several brushes with hip-hop the singer has explored in recent years. <a href="/news/articles/1627027/shakira-talks-lil-wayne-hip-hop-influences-on-wolf.jhtml">Shakira told MTV News</a> in 2009 that she was trying to broaden her musical horizons by hooking up with rap artists.</P><P>"I'm never going to be a hardcore hip-hop singer," she said. "I come from Colombia, but I think music today ... it's about bringing elements that belong to different universes, even though they're opposed or similar, and making them exist in this big melting pot that the world is today. The world has shrunk, and we're just a big neighborhood, and it's kind of cool."</P><P>Shakira's set was the first in a night packed with performances from some of the world's biggest stars. Katy Perry, Linkin Park, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Kings of Leon, B.o.B, Ke$ha, Bon Jovi and more all will grace the EMA stage. The night is hosted by "Desperate Housewives" diva Eva Longoria.</P><P><b>The 2010 EMAs air on MTV2 on Sunday (November 7) at 9 p.m. ET, and an edited, performance-heavy version will be broadcast Friday at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.</b></P>
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1651699/shakira-opens-ema-show-with-dizzee-rascal.jhtml
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Shakira - Inevitable
- Artist: Shakira
- Label: Sony Latin
- Director:
- Album: Third Annual Farewell Reunion
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=504144&vid=808110
Elvis Presley and His Music From the Heart
Gen Wright asked: When Elvis began putting together his collection of music for his comeback, he was able to reflect on many years of a great range of popular American music, including his own and that of other people.Elvis was blessed with a natural talent to sing just about anything, but he also needed to [...]
Backstage With Elvis
Theresea Hughes asked: Elvis often enjoyed causal meetings with celebrities like Marty Allen, Tom Jones, Bobby Darin, Jack Lord, Buddy Hacket, and Jean Rivers.In the early days Elvis also enjoyed the company of Sammy Davis Jr. and in later years enjoyed the company of Sammy Davis Jr. and his wife.At one of Elvis’s movie nights [...]
Rihanna - Shut Up and Drive
- Artist: Rihanna
- Label: SRP/Def Jam
- Director: Anthony Mandler
- Album: Moving Right Along
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1940303&vid=161461
Lady Gaga - Lady Is A Tramp
- Artist: Lady Gaga
- Label: Columbia Records
- Director:
- Album: Enamorado...Y Que!
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3061469&vid=697418
Dwayne Johnson Makes Every Movie Better, And Here's The Proof
FROM NEXT MOVIE For the past few years, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has made a hobby of joining a movie franchise already in progress and making it way better. "The Mummy Returns" may have been a rocky start to The Rock's movie saving, but the power of "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," [...]
Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/05/29/rock-makes-every-movie-better/
Miley Cyrus Shoots Down Rumor She's Cheating On Liam Hemsworth
'So now because I am engaged I can't have a friend of the opposite sex?' singer/actress tweeted.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/cyrus__miley/artist.jhtml">Miley Cyrus</a> was recently photographed hanging out in a Miami pool with an unidentified man, leading some to wonder if all is well and good between the singer/actress and her <a href="/news/articles/1686727/miley-cyrus-liam-hemsworth-engaged-timeline.jhtml">fiancé, "Hunger Games" star Liam Hemsworth</a>.</P><P>Cyrus and the man, who <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/miley_cyrus_sexy_miami_pool_pics_with/323328?cmpid=sn-000000-twitterfeed-365-top_stories&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=twitterfeed_celebrities_top_stories&dlvrit=79438" target="_blank">E! News</a> reports is her friend and assistant Cheyne Thomas, were photographed on Wednesday in Miami, where Cyrus is currently working on new music. Her rep quickly shot down the rumors, saying, "There's no story there," and Cyrus herself even reacted to all the buzz about her swim with Thomas.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Liam Hemsworth Gives Miley Cyrus Blessing To See 'Hunger Games'" id="vid:751077" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>"@tishcyrus I love my fiancé & he loves me," she <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/mileycyrus" target="_blank">tweeted</a> to her mom. "All the rest is bull sh--. We get to live a life of happiness no one can take that away from us!"</P><P>Miley's tweets didn't end there. "So now because I am engaged I can't have a friend of the opposite sex? can't have a friend help me out while I'm working alllll day?#dumb," she tweeted after the photos began to go viral. "Maybe YOU would have friends too if you'd get your face out the tabloids & start living your own life :) unfortunate."</P><P>Cyrus isn't just shooting down rumors about her love life. Days ago a <a href="http://thevirginmiley.tumblr.com/post/24595046550/a-leaked-miley-song-clip" target="_blank">snippet</a> of what is reportedly her music leaked online. While the voice sounds a bit like Cyrus', she denied that the dance track sounds anything like the new music she's working on. She wrote, "That is most definitely not me or my style of new music."</P><P>While Cyrus has been busy in Florida working on her next, <a href="/news/articles/1686813/miley-cyrus-sexy-album-liam-hemsworth.jhtml">"very adult and sexy" album</a>, Hemsworth has been working on his next film, <a href="/news/articles/1686878/miley-cyrus-engagement-liam-hemsworth-update.jhtml">"Empire State," in Louisiana</a>.</P><P><center><a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1617615"><img src="http://www.mtv.com/news/photos/s/spotted/banner/spotted.jpg"></a></center></P>
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1687364/miley-cyrus-liam-hemsworth-cheating-rumors.jhtml
Elin Nordegren Naomi Campbell Christina Aguilera Jessica Simpson
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
2012 VMA Video Of The Year Race Pits Drake Against Rihanna
With Katy Perry, M.I.A., Gotye also vying for VOTY prize, the ladies have an advantage in the coveted category.
By Gil Kaufman
<P>The fellas are going to have to bring their A game if they want to take home the Video of the Year moonman at the 29th annual <a href="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2012/">2012 MTV Video Music Awards</a>. Seeking to break the four-year run of female VOTY winners are Drake and Gotye, who will vie for the honor against <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/perry_katy/artist.jhtml">Katy Perry</a>, Rihanna and M.I.A.</P><P>The action will all go down live on September 6 at 8 p.m. EST from the Staples Center in Los Angeles during a show that will feature performances from four-time VMA veteran Alicia Keys and VMA first-timers One Direction. <a href="/news/articles/1690825/2012-video-music-awards-nominees.jhtml">Click here</a>
 for the full list of 2012 VMA nominees.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="2012 VMA Video Of The Year Nominees Include Katy Perry, Gotye And Rihanna" id="vid:821157.id:1690828" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>The video of the year category is anyone's game, but 2011 winner Perry certainly has the inside track thanks to the gothic sleepwalking clip for <a href="/news/articles/1687697/katy-perry-wide-awake-reality.jhtml">"Wide Awake"</a>
. The <a href="/news/articles/1687694/katy-perry-wide-awake-music-video-premiere.jhtml">epic video</a>
, which borrows from author Lewis Carroll's classic book "Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There," is a kind of shorthand look at the singer's hectic past few years.</P><P>Trapped in a labyrinth, Perry discovers her lost innocence in the form of a young girl, as she gets hounded by hellish paparazzi and finds her Prince Charming, who may have a double-cross in mind. Read into what you will, but Perry certainly doesn't play coy with this one.</P><P>Another girl with love troubles to work out on film is <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml/">Rihanna</a>. In her exploration of a love undone by <a href="/news/articles/1672801/rihanna-we-found-love-video.jhtml">substances and violence</a>
, she shares the screen with British boxer/model Dudley O'Shaughnessy as the pair of gutter punks stumble their way through Belfast, Ireland in a haze of post-coital bliss, drug-fueled benders and physical altercations.</P><P>There is no such angst in the body-painted video for <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/gotye/artist.jhtml">Gotye's</a> breakthrough hit, "Somebody That I Used to Know." In a nod to the low-concept efforts from MTV's early-1980's heyday, "Somebody" finds the mostly naked singer and equally exposed pal Kimbra blending into abstract background courtesy of geometrical shape body paint applied to match a piece of art created by Gotye's father, Frank de Backer.</P><P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/mia__4_/artist.jhtml">M.I.A.</a> hardly does anything that doesn't involve some political or social statement and the ghost-riding accompaniment to <a href="http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/02/03/mia-bad-girls-video-morocco/">"Bad Girls"</a> was no exception. In what appears to be a statement on the Saudi Arabian government's ban on female drivers, M.I.A. traveled to Morocco to film women in Arab garb getting behind the wheels and performing a type of stylized Middle Eastern form of drifting known as hagwalah.</P><P>If <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/drake/artist.jhtml">Drake</a> is going to score some VOTY moon rock, he's gonna have to share it with Rihanna. The Young Money MC who isn't afraid to show his sensitive side made one of the best videos of his career with the maudlin, monochromatic "Take Care."</P><P>Packed with expansive, icy landscapes, achingly tense slow-motion footage and artfully framed animals, the minimal clip doesn't really take you anywhere as it depicts the pair amid images of birds taking flight, bulls charging and a shower of arrows.</P><P>But, somehow, at the end, after the pair shares a tender, sexually charged embrace and all that's left is burning trees and smoking earth, you feel exhausted and satisfied.</P><P>Who will hop into a limo at night's end with the Video of the Year moonman? It's anyone's guess, but whoever it is will have earned their spot.</P><P>Beginning Tuesday, July 31, at 6 a.m. ET, viewers can vote for general VMA categories, including Video of the Year, Best New Artist and more, by visiting <a href="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2012/">VMA.MTV.com</a> online or <a href="m.mtv.com">m.mtv.com</a> on their mobile phone. In addition, Best New Artist is available for voting via all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 22444 or by visiting MTV's official Facebook page.</P><P><b>The <a href="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2012/">2012 MTV Video Music Awards</a> will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.</b></P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="The 2012 Video Music Award Nominees Are..." id="vid:820732.id:1690828" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P>
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsEat here now: 20 best Beijing restaurants
In food-mad Beijing, the problem is too many choices, not too few. We narrow the field
No longer outshone by Shanghai or Hong Kong, Beijing is growing in gastronomic stature.
From high-end international dining to holes-in-the-wall showcasing China?s myriad regional styles, there?s an outstanding eatery for every budget.
iReport assignment:�What are your favorite spots in Beijing?
Expensive
More than RMB250 ($40) per person, excluding drinks.
Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)
The welcome bar at Temple Restaurant Beijing.
In the shadow of Zhizhusi, a hitherto forgotten Tibetan temple, this 120-seat restaurant is Beijing's hottest address for fine dining in a historic setting.
Standout dishes include a masterful double play of lobster and goose liver on toast, and grilled pigeon with ceps, smoked duck and truffle jus.
Weekend brunch (RMB350) comes with dainty house-baked pastries.
The Francophile cellar is skewed towards Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux (yes, they have vintage Chateau Lafite). Some of it is relatively affordable -- about a dozen bottles are priced under RMB300.
Temple Restaurant Beijing,�Songzhusi Temple,�23�Shatan Bei Jie, near Wusi Da Jie; +86 10 8400 2232�
Brian McKenna @ The Courtyard
The Courtyard, with its famed perch overlooking the Forbidden City?s moat, has stumbled through several incarnations in recent years, but its fortunes look bright under the new stewardship of maverick British chef Brian McKenna, famed for his molecular tinkering.
There's also been a designer makeover from the team behind the W Hotel in New York.
Spoiler alert: diners brandish mini-garden forks and spades to tackle a fiendishly creative garden salad that at first sight appears to owe more to horticulture than gastronomy.
Brian McKenna @ The Courtyard, No. 95, Donghuamen St.; +86 (10) 6526 8883
Capital M
Terrace views across Tiananmen Square by night.
Capital M is Australian restaurateur Michelle Garnaut's Beijing flagship and every inch the equal to her Shanghai starlet,�M on the Bund.
Dishes are big and bold, like M?s juicy suckling pig, the house-smoked Norwegian salmon and her signature slab of pavlova.
Embossed tableware, imported Nepalese rugs, VIP service and snazzy open fireplaces bring it all together in glamorous harmony.
And the view. Gazing out to the halls, towers and statues of Tiananmen Square can make anybody feel like a somebody.
Capital M,�3/F, 2 Qianmen Buxing Jie, near Xidamochang Jie; +86 (10) 6702 2727
More on CNN:�Beijing's best shopping areas
Maison Boulud
Maison Boulud's "DB Burger."
This branch of New York celeb chef Daniel Boulud?s culinary empire cooks the finest French-inspired fare in Beijing.
In a period mansion that served as the former U.S. legation, executive chef Brian Reimer turns out classics such as duck confit and escargot alongside new world imaginings like "baby pig" with daikon sauerkraut and apple coleslaw.
Weekend brunch carries the "DB Burger," a medium-rare Wagyu slab topped with truffles and braised short ribs. Service is exquisite to the finish -- complimentary petits fours of sugar-dusted madeleines round off each meal.
Maison Boulud,�Ch'ien Men 23, 23 Qianmen Dong Da Jie, near Guangchang Dong Ce Lu; +86 (10) 6559 9200
Duck de Chine
Duck de Chine's aromatic duck skin.
In a city famed for roast duck, Duck de Chine, set in a chic refurbished factory complex, stands neck and feathers above the rest.
Having lived in Beijing for more than a decade, Hong Kong-born father-son chef team Peter and Wilson Lam formulated what they believe to be the perfect Peking duck: 43-days-old, two-kilogram birds roasted for a longer-than-usual 65 minutes over 40-year-old jujube wood. Carved up, dipped in a heavenly house-made hoisin sauce and rolled into gently steamed pancakes, the results are hard to refute.
Supporting dishes, mostly Cantonese, are very good, too.
Duck de Chine,�1949 The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu, near Nansanlitun Lu;+86 (10) 6501 8881
Tiandi Yijia
A post-millenium take on imperial Chinese food.
The burly, Secret Service-like doormen and the choice location beside the Forbidden City lend this Chinese restaurant a VIP air; the prices do the rest.
Inside, it?s all fancy hardwood furniture, lion sculptures, tinkling water features and fawning service.
Chef Zhang Shaogang mixes classical Imperial-style techniques with unusual ingredient pairings for a uniquely contemporary Chinese experience.
The forward-thinking Beijinger puts a creative spin on old Beijing-style snacks, such as his petite take on shaobing (sesame pancake).
Tiandi yijia, 140 Nanchizi Dajie, west of Changpuhe Park; +86 (10) 8511 5556
Mio
Head chef Marco Calenzo, previously number two at London?s Michelin-starred Apsley's at the Lanesborough, had the task of designing a fine-dining Italian menu worthy of probably the glitziest restaurant interior in China.
In the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel, Mio is quite a sight, but Calenzo?s innovative fare, like sea urchin spaghetti, foie gras cooked sous vide or simply the house-baked breads and wood-fired pizzas, holds up impeccably.
Mio, 48 LiangMaQiao Road; 100125 Chaoyang District, Beijing;+86 (10) 5695 8888
Aria
Australian Wagyu steak with foie gras, beetroot and ground coffee.
One of Beijing?s longest-lived fine dining institutions, Aria, in the China World Hotel, still has the kitchen smarts to impress.
Chef de cuisine David Pooley continues the fine work of previous kitchen star Mathew McCool with dishes such as chicken and corn soup with plump scallops, shavings of jamon iberico and a slowly melting quenelle of foie gras mousse.
The European restaurant's signature dish, "deconstructed" cheesecake, is equally exotic -- the crunch of pistachio soothed by a poached cheesecake cream, booze-infused strawberries and house-made caramel sorbet.
Aria, 2/F, China World Hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, near Dongsanhuan Zhonglu; +86 (10) 6505 2266 ext. 36
Mid-range
Around RMB100-250 per person ($15-40), excluding drinks.
Da Dong
Da Dong does Peking duck for the 21st century.
The nightly queues outside this 4,500-square-meter restaurant are all about the duck, but there?s more to the menu than Beijing?s signature. About 200 more dishes, in fact, comprise chef and general manager Dong Zhenxiang?s ?artistic conception of Chinese cuisine.?
A student of many culinary styles, Dong Zhenxiang is one of the most celebrated cooks in northern China, famed as much for his ?super-lean roast duck? (less oily than the competition) as for his braised sea cucumber.
Many dishes feature showy flourishes -- "noodles" made of lobster meat, hollow globes of C02-filled ice, steaks blowtorched tableside -- you wonder how they can possibly manage in the kitchen. Well, it?s easy when you have 300 chefs.
Da Dong, 1-2/F, Nanxincang International Plaza, 22A Dongsishitiao, near Dongmencang Hutong; +86 (10) 5169 0329
Najia Xiaoguan
Najia Xiaoguan showcases exotic Manchu cuisine.
Manchu royalty loved nothing more than a spot of hunting, so its no surprise that braised venison is the signature at Najia Xiaoguan, a showcase of China?s northeast Manchu minority cuisine.
Other unctuous meaty treats include salty duck -- a mound of shredded, smoky duck meat -- and some of the most gloriously fatty red-braised pork belly in town.
For a mid-range Chinese restaurant, the wine list is broad and reasonably priced. A combination of comfy surroundings (the chairs and tables are huge), good food, great service and low prices means the 110-seat restaurant packs out nightly.
Book ahead or join the lines.
Najia Xiaoguan, 10 Yonganli, Jianguomenwai Dajie, south of Xinhua Insurance Building; +86 (10) 6567 3663
King's Joy
It's appropriate that King?s Joy?s perch is close to Beijing?s still active Lama Temple, because chef Pan Jianjun is a former Buddhist disciple from a monastery in Jiangxi province.
His menu is a meat-free nirvana, using ingredients from organic farms around Beijing, and with a focus on nutrition and health as well as achieving a rarefied balance of taste, texture and looks.
Chef?s saut�ed matsutake mushrooms with asparagus and gingko, eaten al fresco in King?s Joy?s idyllic courtyard, will convince even the most hardened carnivore.
King's Joy, 2 Wudaoying Hutong, Yonghegong, Dongcheng district;�+86 (10) 5217 1900
More on CNN: Healthy Beijing: A wellness guide to the city�
Lei Garden
Lei Garden dim sum, steamed to perfection.
This well-established Hong Kong brand is lauded for its pricey preparations of classic and modern Cantonese fare -- but most foodies in Beijing head over for its lunchtime dim sum.
From fluffy pork buns to dainty egg custard tarts, this chain restaurant serves some of the best dim sum�outside Hong Kong or Guangzhou. Mains like the braised spareribs, lobster clay pot noodle or stir-fried oysters with XO sauce make the evening service worth a visit.
Prices are moderate if you eat family-style.
Lei Garden, 3/F, Jinbao Tower, 89 Jinbao Jie, near Dongsinan Dajie; C2-C3, Tower C Central International Trade Center, 6 Jian Guo Men Wain St., Chao Yang District, Beijing;�+86 (10) 8522 1212
Din Tai Fung
The signature dish at this celebrated Taiwanese chain is its surgically precise xiaolongbao -- juicy soup dumplings wrapped expertly by hand and cooked in bamboo steamers.
Diners can choose between pork, seafood, crab or veggie fillings, or splash out on the pork with truffles variety ?- pricey but delectable.
Accompanying dishes includes simple stir fries, noodles and rice, and sweet red-bean buns for dessert.
Din Tai Fung, 24 Xinyuan Xili Zhong Jie, Beijing; +86 (10) 6462 4502
More on CNN: Ultimate guide to Chinese dumplings
Susu
Hip hutong style at Susu Vietnamese restaurant.
Part of a growing trend of "hidden" hutong restaurants, this stylish courtyard eatery serves the best Vietnamese food in town.
A pair of chefs from Saigon assemble pork spring rolls and zingy salads bursting with herby aromatics, like exotic fish mint and Asian basil.
On everyone?s table is the signature La Vong fish, a DIY dish of turmeric yellow fish fillets, glass noodles and bundles of fresh greens.
The nifty cocktail bar mixes themed libations, such as the Quiet American, a blend of whiskey, lemon, ginger and grapefruit bitters.
Susu, 10 Qianliang Hutong Xixiang, near Dafosi Dongjie; +86 (10) 8400 2699
Hatsune
California-style sushi rolls with a twist at Hatsune.
Pearlescent sashimi and inventive California rolls are served in a hip but pretension-free atmosphere in this long-time Beijing institution.
The dozens of unconventional, fusion-inspired sushi rolls are great fun, perfect with craft beers and an extensive sake selection.
The tempura is crisp, light and oil-free, There's also delicious grilled mackerel and plenty of salads and other Japanese snacks.
Hatsune, S8-30, Bldg. 8, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, near Gongti Beilu; +86 (10) 6415 3939
Mercante
Bologna-based chef Omar Maseroli and his Chinese partner took a bold step with Mercante, opening a tiny, slow-food inspired Italian eatery in an ancient hutong alleyway far from Beijing?s established restaurant zones.
The result is a tiny slice of Italy in old Beijing, and a delightful secret everyone privvy to wants to share.
The rustic menu keeps it simple with house-made pasta with rabbit or duck ragu, ravioli, imported meats and cheese and fresh-baked foccacia, paired with a well priced list of Italian wines.
Mercante, 4 Fangzhuanchang Hutong, Dongcheng district, Beijing; +86 (10) 8402 5098
More on CNN:�72 hours in Beijing
Budget
Less than RMB100 ($15) per person, including drinks.
Haidilao
Spicy hot pot is one of Sichuan province?s most successful exports; Beijingers simply love eating by dunk and dip.
Haidilao, a Sichuan chain, goes the extra mile in the capital by offering astonishingly generous service on top of its fragrant bubbling broth.
Hot towels and free drink refills are par for the course, but there can?t be many restaurants in the world where you can get a complimentary manicure and fruit plate as you wait in line.
Haidilao, 2A Baijiazhuang Lu, Chaoyang district, Beijing; +86 (10) 6595 2982
More on CNN:�Beijing hotels: 9 fantastic new places to crash
Chuan Ban
Sichuan-style spicy chicken. It's as hot as it looks.
With stodgy service and a canteen ambience, this 60-table Sichuan restaurant is a throwback to the old days of Chinese restaurants.
It is, however, affiliated with the Sichuan Provincial Government Office and therefore has some of the most authentically spicy fare in town.
Heavy on numbing Sichuan peppercorns, the dishes here, like "tingle-pepper chicken" and shuizhuyu (fish boiled in a spicy, oily broth), stand apart for their depth of flavor and use of imported ingredients from Sichuan.
You?ll have to line up during peak times, but turnover is brisk.
Chuan Ban, 5 Gongyuan Toutiao, Jianguomennei Dajie, near Chang'an Grand Theater; +86 (10) 6512 2277 ext. 6101
Mr. Shi?s Dumplings
Don?t forget to dip your dumplings in garlic vinegar.
Dumplings, the porky party pockets beloved by the Chinese, are wrapped fresh to order at this cheap and, thanks to the avuncular Mr. Shi, very cheerful eatery.
The "three-sided" fried dumplings (san mian jiao) resemble miniature, greasy tacos, held together by sheer juiciness. The boiled dumplings filled with beef and coriander or beef and celery are dangerously addictive when sloshed in the dipping sauce of garlic vinegar and chilli.
Mr. Shi's Dumplings, 74 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dongdajie, near Nanluogu Xiang; +86 (10) 8405 0399
Crescent Moon Muslim Restaurant
Xinjiang-style vegetable pie covered in fried lamb and onions.
This green and gold alleyway restaurant grills up some of the best dishes from China?s far northwest -- cumin-spiced lamb skewers, crispy nang breads, house-made yogurt, hand-pulled noodles and ornate pots of salty milk tea.
The hearty dapanji (big plate chicken) is chicken on the bone slow-cooked in a savory broth with potatoes, veggies and hand-pulled noodles; danxian subing kaorou is a crispy vegetable and egg pie, with a big mound of fried lamb and onions dumped on top.
Service is surly but efficient and the atmosphere is more refined than at typical Xinjiang joints.
Crescent Moon Muslim Restaurant,�16 Dongsi Liutiao, near Chaoyangmen Beixiaojie, +86 (10) 6400 5281
More on CNN:�The man bringing cheese to Beijing
What are your favorite Beijing restaurants? �Share your food tips in the comments box below. You can also submit photos and videos by checking out our latest Beijing iReport assignment.�
Source: http://rss.cnngo.com/~r/cnngo/~3/USx5d6d37FI/beijings-best-restaurants-943534
NFL Star LaDainian Tomlinson -- You Couldn't PAY Me to Unretire
San Diego Chargers legend LaDainian Tomlinson will NEVER return to the NFL -- despite reports of a lucrative offer from his old team -- telling TMZ, retired life is just too good to give up.LT was out in L.A. Monday when we asked about the Chargers…
Source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/29/ladainian-tomlinson-retirement-san-diego-chargers-contract-offer/
Rihanna's 'Oprah' Interview To Air Amid Relationship Rumors
In-depth 'Oprah's Next Chapter' episode may detail singer's personal life when it airs August 19 on OWN.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P>Rihanna's <a href="/news/articles/1687630/rihanna-oprah-next-chapter-interview.jhtml">episode of "Oprah's Next Chapter"</a> will air on the OWN Network on August 19, according to a new trailer.</P><P>Fans now have three more weeks until they get to see what the two women will talk about during the in-depth interview, which was first announced in June. According to the <a href="http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/First-Look-Rihanna-on-Oprahs-Next-Chapter-Video" target="_blank">spot</a>, the talk was filmed in Rihanna's homeland of Barbados, where she recently was spotted for her late grandmother's funeral. The sit-down will air at 9 p.m. ET.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love In Trouble" id="id:1605166" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>Considering how many headlines Rihanna has been making of late over her personal life, Rih and the talk show maven should have a lot to chat about. In addition to <a href="/news/articles/1689357/rihanna-grandmother-funeral-barbados.jhtml">losing her grandmother</a>, Rihanna has been <a href="/news/articles/1690428/chris-brown-rihanna-france-rumors.jhtml">romantically linked to her ex, Chris Brown</a>, though he denies there is anything going on between them. The rumor comes months after she and Brown <a href="/news/articles/1679614/rihanna-chris-brown-collaboration-reactions.jhtml">recorded several tracks together</a>. She was highly speculated to be one of the reasons for the <a href="/news/articles/1687610/chris-brown-drake-brawl-details.jhtml">club brawl between Brown and Drake</a> in New York City.</P><P>While Oprah dedicated an episode of her talk show to domestic violence after the 2009 Grammy assault of Rihanna by Brown, Rih and Oprah have yet to have a formal interview. Winfrey did have a message for young women who find themselves in abusive relationships during that Rihanna-inspired episode. "If you go back with a man who hits you, it's because you don't think you're worthy of being with a man who won't," Winfrey said during that show. "I've said before, 'Love doesn't hurt, and if a man hits you once, he will hit you again.' "</P><P>Rihanna later appeared on Oprah's show in January 2010, where she performed Bob Marley's classic "Redemption Song" to benefit the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.</P><P><i>Will you tune into Rihanna's "Oprah" episode? Tell us in the comments!</i></P>
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1690437/rihanna-oprahs-next-chapter.jhtml
Ken Jeong Explains Why 'The Hangover 3' Needs Naked Chow
It's not a spoiler to say that there is going to be a good deal of naked Ken Jeong in "The Hangover: Part III." Leslie Chow is back and crazier than ever in the new film, and Jeong believes that being naked is a necessary part of his character's personality. "He's entering the world in [...]
Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/05/24/ken-jeong-hangover-3/
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Shakira's 'Loca' Video: Watch An Exclusive Preview!
Singer goes guerrilla for clip, which features a madcap dash around Barcelona.
By James Montgomery
<P>In her previous videos, <MTVNLINK type="artist" id="504144">Shakira</MTVNLINK>'s gone <a href="/news/articles/1638066/shakira-unveils-waka-waka-this-time-africa.jhtml">global</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1632776/shakira-scores-love-with-tennis-pro-rafael-nadal-new-video.jhtml">game-set-match</a> and, after shooting <a href="/news/articles/1617328/shakira-summons-her-inner-wolf-eye-popping-new-video.jhtml">"She Wolf,"</a> probably to the chiropractor. And now, in her new video for "Loca," she's gone guerrilla.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Loca (Sneak Peek)" id="vid:576604" width="240" height="211"></div><p></P><P>Shot run-and-gun style in Barcelona last month, the "Loca" clip follows Shakira and her crew on a madcap dash around the city — including scenes shot in a public fountain and on the back of a motorcycle, which got her in <a href="http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?/news/comments/shakira_loca_in_barcelona_sale_el_sol_-_the_sun_comes_out_released_on_octob/" target="_blank">hot water</a> with local authorities. Thanks to all that, it's a decidedly different turn from her past efforts, most of which were big-budget affairs, and all of which avoided getting her in trouble with the law.</P><P>"Loca" — which features a cameo by British rapper Dizzee Rascal — is the first single off her new album, <i>Sale El Sol</i> (due October 19), and while the full video won't premiere until Wednesday on MTV.com, you can watch an exclusive 30-second sneak peek right now. There's roller skating, frolicking in a fountain, (very public) costume changes, motorcycle riding and — of course — a whole lot of hip-shaking, too. It's sexy, cheeky and, yes, even a little bit crazy, but then again, what Shakira video isn't? And while "Loca" may be a departure from her previous clips, what makes it great is the simple fact that <i>none</i> of her pop contemporaries — not even Lady Gaga — would dare try something like this. And that's why we love her so much.</P><P>But why are you reading this? Have a look at our exclusive preview of "Loca" right now, and make sure to check back on Wednesday for the full experience. Trust us, it's worth it.</P><P><i>Are you excited for Shakira's "Loca" video? Let us know in the comments!</i></P>
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1648783/shakiras-loca-video-watch-exclusive-preview.jhtml
George Jones and Elvis
I was saddened to learn that country music icon George Jones died yesterday at age 81.� Although I am not a huge country fan, over the years I?ve heard plenty of George Jones songs, and it?s easy to appreciate his … Continue reading
Source: http://www.elvisblog.net/2013/04/27/george-jones-and-elvis/
Eminem Beats Lady Gaga, Rihanna To 60 Million Facebook Fans
Rapper now has more Facebook "likes" than any other living person.
By Gil Kaufman
<P>If you had to guess which artist has the most Facebook "likes," who would you guess? <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga?</a> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber?</a> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml">Michael Jackson?</a> Close, but no cigar.</P><P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/eminem/artist.jhtml">Eminem</a> recently set the record for the most Likes by a living person with 60.1 million, blowing past the competition and landing at #5 on the list of the top 10 Facebook pages.</P><P>According to the <a href="http://pagedata.appdata.com/pages/leaderboard/fc/fan_count" target="_blank">App Data</a> page, Eminem is picking up close to 179,000 new Likes a week (or 26,854 a day), edging out <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml/">Rihanna,</a> who has 59.4 million Likes and is gaining around 167,000 "likes" per week pace (or 22,141 a day).</P><P>The only things blocking the 39-year-old Detroit MC's path to the top are the kinds of wildly popular time suckers that are hard for any flesh-and-blood superstar to pass: YouTube (61.2 million), Texas HoldEm Poker (63.8 million), Facebook itself (70.3 million) and the Facebook for Every Phone page (117.5 million).</P><P>Where do his fellow pop stars land? Shakira is #8 on the list with 53.3 million Likes (just below "The Simpsons" with 53.8 million), then Lady Gaga at #9 (53 million) and Jackson at #10 (51.1 million). Bieber is down at #15 (45.7 million), just ahead of Katy Perry (#16, 45.5 million), Linkin Park (#17, 44.2 million) and Lil Wayne (#20, 39.8 million). You didn't ask, but we'll tell you that MTV is at #27 (36 million).</P><P>Slim Shady might be the Facebook king, but he has quite a way to go when it comes to ruling the Twitter universe. That realm belongs to Gaga, who has more than 27.8 million followers, with Bieber a hair behind at 25.8 million and Perry gaining ground at #3 with 24.2 million. Em, meanwhile, is way down on the list at #19 with 11.8 million followers.</P>
Related ArtistsSource:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1690940/eminem-facebook-likes.jhtml
Christina Aguilera Jessica Simpson Britney Spears Faith Hill
Beijing shopping: The city's top 12 boutiques
The rise of China's homegrown design talent has spawned some of the coolest little shops in Asia
Gone are the days when Beijing shopping meant traditional qipao garb and Louis Vuitton knockoffs.
China's capital is now home to some of the most in-demand shops in the world, from European fast-fashion behemoths to Japanese couture houses.
But the real draw is the sudden emergence of homegrown talents, whose designs reflect a burgeoning aesthetic unique to China.
For the Beijing visitor operating with limited shopping time, here are the city?s must-see boutiques.
iReport assignment:�What are your favorite spots in Beijing?
Plastered T-shirts
Plastered's flagship Beijing boutique, in Gulou. Plastered T-shirts jump-started growth in Beijing?s oldest alleyway and, some say, the entire surrounding area now known as Gulou.
Founded by native Brit and local celebrity Dominic Johnson-Hill, this hutong stalwart takes iconic images from around China and reinterprets them in fun graphic prints, in the form of T-shirts and other affordable memorabilia.
Plastered T-shirts,�61 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District; +86 (0)10 6407 8425; open daily, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
More on CNN: Beijing travel: 72 hours in the Chinese capital
Wuhao
We say skip the shops in the now-tired Nanluogu Xiang and head for�neighboring up-and-coming alleyway Mao?er Hutong.
Located in a renovated courtyard, Wuhao has no sign and you have to ring the doorbell to enter.
Once the staff lets you in, you're greeted with steaming tea and led down traditional corridors filled with cutting-edge fashion and art.
Wuhao showcases the best of locally made jewelry, clothes (for men and women) and furniture in a feng shui-compliant space alongside French and American brands ?- a curation decision meant to signal just how far Chinese design has come.
Wuhao,�35 Mao?er Hutong, Dongcheng District; +86 (0)10 6400 5435; 2-8 p.m. (Wednesday-Sunday) or by appointment�
Triple-Major
Triple-Major is popular among locals in search of imported avant-garde brands. This unisex multi-brand store fashioned after a traditional Chinese medicine shop is just a 15-minute walk from Wuhao.
Antique cabinets originally used to store herbs now sport sunglasses, while cloth pouches for medicine have been redesigned as shopping bags.
Daniel Palillo, Ann Tian and other avant-garde brands from abroad are the main attraction. Triple-Major?s playful and more affordable in-house label is worth checking out as well if you're out doing some Beijing shopping.
Triple-Major,�81 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng District, +86 10 8402 0763, 1-8 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday)
More on CNN:�For Beijing's best food, hit the hutongs
Vega Zaishi Wang
Vera who? A brief cab ride from Triple-Major takes you to the studio/boutique of one of China?s most promising young designers.
A Central Saint Martins alum who previously worked under the late Alexander McQueen, Vega Zaishi Wang has six womenswear collections to her name -- each has been lauded by local media.
This Beijing shopping space feels more like a home than a retail shop, with a serene second-floor balcony where visitors can step out and enjoy the view.
Vega Wang,�63 Yanyue Hutong, Dongsi Nandajie, Dongcheng District; +86 10 5900 2279, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.�
BNC
Pop into BNC and you might just run into the Chinese Oprah. Sanlitun Village is loud, flashy and commercial ?- a stark contrast to Gulou?s hipster offerings.
Short for ?Brand New China," BNC is a 540-square-meter airy store filled with beautiful apparel, jewelry, shoes and bags -- all made by Chinese designers.
By setting up shop next to the likes of Apple and Alexander Wang, owner Hung Huang (aka the Chinese Oprah) is making a powerful point about the caliber of domestic design.
She intends to showcase its range in creativity, too. While all the products on sale ?- from Rfactory?s iPad cases to He Yan?s blazers ?- vary in price, color and style, they have two things in common: they're all high-quality, and they're all made in China.
Brand New China,�B1/F, NLG-09A, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District; +86 (0)10 6416 9045; open daily, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.�
More on CNN:�The old road: How to cycle around Beijing
Shanghai Trio
This home accessories brand from Shanghai is run by a team of French and Chinese designers. Drawing inspiration from everyday life in China, they reimagine rice measuring cups or coin purses as contemporary tote bags, travel books and bedding.
A unique blend of traditional materials (silk, bamboo, linen) are matched with plasticized cloth and organic cotton -- the quintessence of Eastern and Western design.
Shanghai Trio.com;�B1/F, NLG-38A, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District; +86 (0)10 6417 3606; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Monday-Friday), 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday)�
D-SATA
Lawyer-turned-designer Currie Lee picks up recycled textiles (from frog skin to buntal) in her travels across Asia and makes them into eco-friendly clutch bags and jewelry, now a ubiquitous sight on ladies at local fashion events.
More than chic, her creations are all handcrafted in Southeast Asian cottage industries by women, allowing them to earn a decent income.
NLG-13, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District, +86 10 138 1123 1495; open daily, 1-9 p.m.
Dong Liang Studio
Dong Liang Studio's space is almost as beautiful as the clothes. One of Beijing?s most beloved boutiques, Dong Liang Studio offers an expertly curated selection of domestic brands.
What started out as a hole-in-the-wall shop in the hutongs has since grown into a sophisticated multi-brand empire with a roomy boutique in Beijing?s commercial business district, as well as a branch in Shanghai.
All of the latest collections by China?s front runners, from Uma Wang (womenswear) to Xander Zhou (menswear), are showcased in beautiful rooms decorated with antique dressers and jars.
Shop 102, Building 2, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District; +86 10 8404 7648; open daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Shang Xia
Backed by French couture house Herm�s, Shang Xia is slated to become China?s first homegrown luxury label.
Its lifestyle products -? which include yak hair coats, zitan wood tables and teapots -? are made in collaboration with local artisans, the result of hundreds, sometimes thousands of hours of handiwork, with eye-popping prices to match.
Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the stunning Beijing branch is this five-year-old brand?s second shop.
Unit SB-107B, 1/F, Building 1, China World Mall Phase 1, China World Trade Center, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District; +86 (0)10 6505 7358; open daily, 10 a.m.-9.30 p.m.
UCCA Design Store
This Chinese designer platform is an offshoot of the Ullens Center of Contemporary Arts, the most popular gallery in Beijing?s bustling 798 Art District.
Books, magazines, clothes, temporary tattoos, art supplies and even bicycles are available at the UCCA Design Store (next door to the UCCA, not to be confused with the UCCA gift shop), designed by a variety of local and international artists, from Shang Xia?s Zhang Da to Y-3.
Like BNC, the UCCA Design Store offers a wide range in prices, so Beijing shoppers on any budget can pick up quirky souvenirs galore.
UCCA Store,�798 Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District; +86 (0)10 5780 0224; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday)
FEI Space
FEI stocks a few mainstream brands, but there's nothing cookie cutter about the space. The fashion savvy will have a ball at this Beijing shopping haven.
FEI Space stocks an envious selection of the world?s trendiest labels, from Front Row Shop to Raf Simons, all in a refurbished factory space furnished with nostalgic antique fittings.
What?s more, this hipped-out spot is the exclusive China mainland stockist for Topshop and Topman.
FEI Space,�B-01, Dashanzi 798 Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District; +86 (0)10 5978 9580; 10.30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday)
NLGX Design
Your final stop is NLGX Design, another T-shirt shop that got its start in Nanluogu Xiang but has since opened branches in both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 of the Beijing Airport (PEK).
Before boarding your flight back home, it's worth browsing through NLGX?s sustainable bags, iconic shirts and biking accessories.
NLGX,�Terminal 3 (next to Gate E29), Beijing Capital International Airport, Shunyi District; open daily, 6.30 a.m.-8.30 p.m.�
Do you have any Beijing shopping tips? Share them in the comments box below.�
Source: http://rss.cnngo.com/~r/cnngo/~3/bGGIjcmXRHY/beijing-shopping-citys-top-12-boutiques-264396
Mariah Carey Elin Nordegren Naomi Campbell Christina Aguilera
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)