Carol Forest

Time for some Australians

carolforest — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:15:20 +0000

I am an Italian and french wine lover, no doubt. However, some Australian boutique wine can be great too sometimes. Got invited to the SHK Private’s wine tasting event and it’s all about boutique wine from various region of Australia. Check out the wine list below which is exclusively selected by Winestate Magazine, a wine magazine from Australia mainly focus on their local wineries’ stories. Their Chief editor was there getting us to taste and share his thoughts as well.

It was surely a fab time tasting quite a few good ones and the most fab thing was, I was quite surprised and honored to get to know quite a few fun people from SHK. Some of us may agree finance can be quite dull sometimes, however, not this time, these are great fun people revealing their true welcoming nature when the tasting comes to an end. How great? Their head of strategist opened up few great bottle of his french collections at their office! Can’t wait for their next event, bring it on!

Whiskey Cocktail, Anyone?

carolforest — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:46:37 +0000

Whiskey anyone? How about Whiskey cocktail? What’s your special whiskey spot?

I just went to Angel’s Share Bar in HK for my U of Michigan alumni gathering. Besides catching up with old and meeting few new interesting friends, I got myself few glasses of whiskey. From my all time favorite Laphroaig to Hibiki 響 17 yrs (HK$ 170) to their signature whiskey cocktail. Bar tender Dave made me a Manhattan after a small chat with him. Not a typical Manhattan but a special one (HK$ 88). What’s so special? he burned the peat on top of cocktail glass to make the final drinks (with Whisky/Martini Rosso/home made old fashioned bitters syrup/straight up) more smokey and peaty. The cocktail was peaty, smokey with a hint of orange and it’s quite forward, the most important is, it was surely fun to watch with him telling you what he is putting into your drinks.

Angel’s Share stocks over 100 whiskies from around the world. Its decor is in rustic and speakeasy styling. Wall of whisky says hello to you as you exit the bar’s private lift. Go there for your happy hour and feel the chill. Besides trying their single cask 20 years old Macallan 1990 from which the whisky is drawn directly, try talk to the bar tender and let him decide your whiskey cocktail. It’s actually nothing close to girly to order a cocktail if it’s a “whiskey” cocktail, right guys? Go for it!

Angelʼs Share
2/F, Amber Lodge
23 Hollywood Road, Central
+852 2805 8388

Pints of Aloha

carolforest — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:17:38 +0000

Aloha! No matter you are a surfer, a beer lover or not, you would at least love the design of Kona beer label and their heart for the water! Was at this Kona bar few days ago and took a look at their full list as they only serve a few at my 2 favorite bars I went (Lulu and the Duke’s) in Honolulu.

It’s inspired by the island. I like how Kona Beer Company makes (or at least well believe they are) each brew tells a story and making it taste like Hawaii: easy going, fragrant and refreshing. A liquid Aloha!

Check out their different type of retro label design! Totally love it especially after a surf!

A Beautifully Made Movie Commercial

carolforest — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:35:04 +0000

比利時安特衛普 vintage 亂遊記（二）@QueenEco

carolforest — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:16:15 +0000

Below is my article about “how to buy vintage, wear them and where to buy them in Antwerp” on my column at Queeneco…. Hope you have a good read (if you can read Chinese),

>> Shop at CAROLE FORÊT VINTAGE

—————————————————————————————-

久別了Queeneco , 卻從末忘掉上次承諾過介紹如何買古著。其實剛去了巴黎跟比利時再度尋找vintage, 收獲豐富好玩；但同行男友便卻被我逼瘋了，因一起逛街時，常常要忍受我上一秒還在嘰嘰喳喳，下一秒被古著店吸引而消失了。Anyway ，這篇遲來了，實在不好意思!

<如何買古著>

很多人因買古著似大海撈針，想買件啱心水又啱身太難；或一般沒處理過的古著往往帶點unfriendly 的異味，又或者老是感覺不合時而嚇跑了。其實最近幾季各大品牌發表的系列作品就像一連串對往日時光致敬的大秀: tux西裝、oversize外套、lace、長裙、高腰剪裁等。這些最 ”潮”的設計元素，在古著中可輕易發現！

• 一定要到有質量的古著店去
何謂有質量？Vintage 應是true vintage, 意思是不是幾年前的二手服而是二十五年戓以上的衣飾；單品己從大海中親身被店主挑選過出來，不會太破舊卻帶有style。

我個人比較喜歡到巴黎或安特衛普, 而不太喜歡泰國或美國vintage，因後者太多二手服，很多亦末經質量檢查及小心清洗過。到有質量的古著店，感覺是清新的亦不會有可怕的異味！

有質量的古著店只賣挑選過的Vintage, 不會浪費你的時間!

• 重點是要合身
如你是剛入門，不知道怎麼讓外表有所變化的人，可以尋找一些有趣並特別的單品。除一眼之緣外，要合身及査看有沒有破爛。

一些有趣並特別的單品如項鍊，墨鏡, 包包等可以給你great style

慢慢增添一些古董配件（耳環、胸計、圍巾、袋子等）
挑選可以和設計師單品混搭的款

• Mix and Match
如你wardrobe已有一些不錯單品，想要有更多風格上的火花，古著是很棒的選擇。你可進階挑選古著中的特別款式，例如80年代的classic 牛仔外套，70年代的plastic handle clutch bag。這樣mix and match, 創造出屬於你自己的味道。

我在antwerp亂遊中(@Jutka & Riska)買的上衣和鱷魚皮袋子,

又多兩件 mix and match了!

80年代的classic 牛仔衣 (@T2)

• 別再等說我愛你
如你己是時尚達人，喜歡研究服裝驅勢，應早就發現古著的可看之處了吧！古著做工細膩，款式經典；代表的是一種文化氣氛，一個表達自我美學的最佳工具。你可選一些別緻的、難找的、具個人風格的。

碰上心儀的，便快買下來，不然轉過頭會被他人穿走，錯過了是一件揪心事!

• 敞開心胸
你會發現古著其實沒有想像中那麼難入手，而且效果很好！

<如何穿古著衣？>

其實古著跟任何衣服一樣沒有「如何穿」這樣的法則，只要明白自己的風格就可以讓每件衣服在你身上找到屬于它的特點，有的人對于時代感的追求十分強烈，可以原原本本穿出那個年代的風格；有的人把古著搭配到現代的時裝中，一種自我風格的裝扮，就像Fashion Icon Alex Chung 或Vanessa Paradis。

Vanessa Parradis 跟 Johnny Depp都是Vintage愛好者

穿出自我風格, 復古包在這裡與她的外套mix & match 非常好
(Photo from thesartorialist.com)

<說回自己>

我想每個女孩都懂得混搭精品與任何單品，我也估算不出衣櫃裡有哪些是設計師精品或是古著、品牌精品，應該都混在一起了。最近，我愛mix Alexander Wang coat, DVF’s Mikhaila leather jacket配Vintage bags/accessories。

最近流行的lace鑽進我的衣櫥去(@Belchique)

其實有時不用以new season的服裝來決定衣櫃該添加什麼新衣，這樣太浪費也太累了。我會把它們作為穿衣靈感。每個人都一定可以找出最適合自己的那一件 ”必勝 ”古著，從中發現不一樣的自己，更重要的是變得更好看、更有自信！按心情，忠於自我，高興便可！

<說回Antwerp安特衛普>

Antwerp 是我近年最愛。這小鎮有太多stylish古著店了。以下是我的top pick:

> Foxhole
10 Reynderststraat
> Jutka & Riska
Nationalestraat 8732-32-030-497
> Belchique
Kloosterstraat 177
> T2
Lange Klarenstraat 21

除了shopping, 我會大力推介到朱利安酒店HOTEL JULIEN 歇腳。

這家Boutique hotel (195€-295€/night, www.hotel-julien.com)位於安特衛普市中心，距離De Meir購物街和大教堂只有3分鐘步行路程，屋頂露台可欣賞到城市的獨特風光。Shopping 累了可輕易步回酒店休息看書，或者你可免費私人享用(需要預先預訂!!)過千尺位於16世紀的地窖內的Spa水療中心，設有蒸汽浴室、桑拿浴室設施, 我便是這樣過我的Antwerp之旅！

這些vintage 跟design hotel 實在太美，說實果真物超所值，肉痛也是值得罷！

部份個人心水vintage手袋現已陳列於The Girls Room by QueenEco

歡迎預約前來欣賞!

contact@queeneco.com

Alexander Wang Oversized fur coat
My room at Hotel Julien
Bath room is real spacious
rest up
酒店由兩座全面翻修的古老歷史建築組合而成
vintage accessories!
復古包其實可比那些昂貴品牌的漂亮有風格
colorful glasses @ Foxhole
Hotel Lobby
@T2

My “Quoi de Neuf (what’sup) Guide” – Brugge, Paris, London

carolforest — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:28:53 +0000

Paris Paris! Besides Paris, I went to Brussels, Brugge (a small Medieval Town in Belgium) and London. Click below or go http://www.facebook.com/CarolForest for a little photo guide that I personally would suggest you to go in these places if you have a short stay in future. The guide basically skip most of the main touristy spots that you would have visited anyway. Go there but do go to these little treasure for ultimate pleasure~

Make sure you read the caption of Do + Don’t do. Enjoy the tour!

Barossa Valley Blind Tasting

carolforest — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:27:33 +0000

Are you an Aussie wine fan? How about a Barossa Valley fan?

The Barossa is renowned for its full bodied reds – Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache – and characteristic whites – Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay. And if you are a fan, you must love the Barossa Valley Blind Tasting night organized by WineLuxe Magazine. The night was chill, at the backyard (Vibes) of Whisk at the Mira Hotel. I had been to Whisk quite few times while this is the first time holding up glasses there.

We walked up to the bar table with 14 bottles of wine covered with foils; looked up to the sky and the surrounding while trying to a taste for each bottle was just fab. It reminds me of the Bvlgari Hotel I love to go in Milan. This outdoor area is surrounded by walls covered by plants and it’s kind of a small Eden in middle of TST.

The night was fun, fab and educational. Hong Kong Sommelier Association Chairman Mr. Nelson Chow gave introduction of Barossa Valley at the beginning while finished up with a grand review of all the wine we had tasted at the end of night. Thanks WineLuxe Magazine for the great night indeed! I definitely gain much knowledge and fun there.

reminds me of the mini version of the lovely Bvlgari Hotel in Milan

1 white, 13 red of Barrosa Valley Wine to be tasted blind

Nelson Chow giving hints on the tasting

Sarah (left) Adrian (middle) and Me (photo by WineLuxe)

great crowd

me and sommelier Taka (left)

Jazz It Up, Paris

carolforest — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:37:31 +0000

Dragging my rimowa hand carry (I tried hard to go light) from Gare du Nord , I checked into a wrong hotel in Saint Michel on the wrong date, forgotten to print my map out while the french hotel receptionist are so “carefree” that they didn’t even bother to help… A look at my watch, it’s already 11pm and I somehow just missed my jazz visit at Au Clairon des Chasseurs up on Montmarte on this tuesday night…

“Nightmare, a nightmare?”In cold sweat feeling dazed and confuse, I sat up and felt unbelievably relieved, “pew… I didn’t missed my Jazz session! yeah!”

For some funny yet cute reasons, I’ve been 24/7 few days in a roll planning ahead of my 8-days Euro trip. (Here is the stops: 1 night London, 1 night Brugge, 4 nights Paris) As a stubborn persisting one(Dr. said I am anal retentive…I wonder what’s that about..) like I always been, I’ve been trying to compare hotels, eateries, train schedules/price, ended up can’t make up my mind booking anything…that’s where my surreal stress surfaced into nightmare.

It’s indeed a pain in ass planning ahead which is not my habit but I am quite happy to do it as I am going with someone together this time and would love to plan ahead properly with such a short time stay. Despite I had been living in Paris for almost a year, I hardly go out for Jazz bars, but indulge in cafe, read and smoke. This time, I’d love to make it into a Jazz bars hopping trip, which is quite satifying even just by planning it. Here is a list I would love to share with you my pick of club/bars am going besides the Jam session one can’t miss at Les Duc des Lombards:

Franc Pinot1, quai BourbonIle Saint Louis

75004 Paris

Métro: Pont Marie

Tel: 01-4633-6064

E-mail: info@franc-pinot.com

Entrance: 10 to 15 €

One of the most atmospheric jazz clubs in Paris. Listening to live music with natural acoustics of the old vaulted stone cellars on the Ile St Louis in the heart of Paris is a ‘must’ if you’re a fan of swing and bebop. The bar is open from 7 pm and concerts start from 7 pm or 9 pm depending on the program. Concert prices vary from 10 to 15 euros depending on the artists
http://www.jazz-clubs-worldwide.com/docs/france.htm

Slow Club130, rue de Rivoli75001 Paris

Métro: Châtelet & Pont-Neuf

Tel: 01-4233-8430

Entrance: 13 €

In a cellar that used to be a banana-ripening warehouse. An old favorite of Miles Davis. Big Band, Dixieland, and rock’n roll. Expect dancing and a crowd in their 30s. Weekday cover 10 euros, students 9 euros. Weekend cover from 13 euros. Drinks from 4 euros. Open Tuesday-Thursday 10pm-3am. Friday-Saturday 10pm-4am.http://www.parisbestlodge.com/jazz2.htm

Caveau de La Huchette5, rue de La Huchette75005 ParisMétro : Saint-MichelTel :01-4326-6505

E-mail: huchette@aol.com

URL: http://www.caveaudelahuchette.fr/index2.html

Entrance: 10 €

This club is one of the oldest in Paris originating in 1946. Both Lionel Hampton and Sidney Bechet appeared here after World War II and the intimate wine cellar atmosphere of the club is still vibrant. You buy a ticket for ten Euros, descend a stone staircase, and sit around a small room facing the bandstand. You aren’t required to purchase a drink but the bar is quaint and beverages are not overpriced.http://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles/nycb0602.htm

Caveau des Oubliettes52, rue Galande75005 Paris

Métro: Maubert ou Saint-Michel

Tel: 01-4634-2309

URL: http://www.caveaudesoubliettes.com/

Entrance: Free

Drinks: from 5 €

Music: 22h30-01:00 every night

“Un club de jazz insolite Au coeur du quartier de Saint-Michel, le Caveau des Oubliettes n’est pas un club de jazz comme les autres. Avec ses murs en pierre et ses poutres apparentes, sa véritable guillotine datant de 1793 et son gazon, ce pub est une véritable machine à remonter le temps. Ce bar organise des jazz session au sous-sol dans une cave voûtée du XIIème siècle et des concerts le week-end. Vous pouvez même visiter des oubliettes du Moyen-âge.”“An unusual jazz club in the heart of the Saint-Michel, the Cave of Oblivionis not a jazz club like the others. With its stone walls and exposed beams,its true guillotine from 1793 and his turf this pub is a real machine back in time. this bar holds jazz session in the basement in a vaulted cellar of the twelfth century and concerts on weekends. You can even visit thedungeons of the Middle Ages. ”

Le Bilboquet13, Rue Saint-Benoît75006 Paris

Métro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Tel: 01-4548-8184

E-mail: bluesup@numericable.fr

URL: http://jazzclub.bilboquet.free.fr/

No music charge with meal

Dinner: 50-60 €

Wine: bottle 30 €, glass 7€

Depuis 1947 L’établissement renvoie au Saint-Germain-Des-Près des années jazz. Le Bilboquet, l’un des rares survivants de l’époque glorieuse, est un ancien club qui programme du jazz des années 30 par des artistes français et reçoit un public de connaisseurs. Les concerts se déroulent souvent en trois parties d’une heure environ.http://www.fra.cityvox.fr/theatre_paris/le-bilboquet_103101123/Profil-Lieu

Le Café Laurent33, rue Dauphine75006 Paris

Métro: Odéon

Tel: 01-4329-0333

E-mail: cafelaurent@hoteldaubusson.com

URL: http://www.cafe-laurent.com/

Entrance: Libre

Drinks: > 10 €

Music: Christen Brenner Trio,

jeudi-samedi, Horaires de l’apéritif
de 18h30 à 20h Piano solo

Horaires des concerts du soir
de 21h00 à Minuit

Café Laurent features the Christian Brenner Trio who serve up some very competent & listenable (if not too adventurous) jazz Thursdays to Saturdays. However, the evening I attended in July 2007, the group was very much a duo with Mr. Brenner on piano & a fine bassist who was never introduced. Guest performers appear from time to time & this particular evening an excellent pianist, whose name I didn’t catch unfortunately, took the stage & played some remarkable original compositions.The café itself, although rather small, lacks intimacy. It is too well lit & the stage could be more effectively located. The staff is very friendly, however, giving the place a bit of a neighbourhood feel. Entry is free, although your first drink will cost you 10 euros minimum.

Au Clairon des Chasseurs3, Place du TertreMontmartre

Métro: Anvers

Tel : 01 42 62 40 08

URL: http://www.le-clairon-des-chasseurs.com/

Entrance: Free, one drink minimum

Music: every night 21h – 02h

A Paris… Comme commença si souvent Francis Lemarque, il y a la tour Eiffel, les Grands Boulevards, l’arc de Triomphe et Montmartre. Et à Montmartre, il y a le Sacré Cœur, qu’on aperçoit de partout quand on arrive. Et au pied du Sacré Cœur, presque à l’ombre même de ses grandes formes blanches, il y a une place, toute petite et très célèbre : la place du Tertre. Le plus facile pour y accéder c’est de prendre le funiculaire d’en bas ! Et place du Tertre, il y a le « Clairon » comme en parlent les habitués.

Le Tennessee Jazz Club12, Rue André Mazet75006 ParisMetro: OdéonTel: 01-4354-3610

Entrance: 5 €

A particularly inviting … [jazz club] is Le Tennessee Jazz Club, nestled at the end of rue Mazet near metro Odéon. This unassuming bar offers one of the most convivial atmospheres for taking in a Saturday night show. Order a cocktail from their respectable selection and head down the short flight of stairs to the lower level. No matter where you sit, you’ll have a great view in this small, cellar-turned-concert space. You’ll feel like you stopped by a friend’s basement to watch the locals play under strings of multicolored party lights and soft bulbs. Unlike larger venues, the Tennessee has a real neighborhood feeling that will make you forget you’re just a visitor. Concerts can range from Caribbean jazz featuring melodious steel drums to lively Manouche jazz. At just five euros a show, it’s worth it to take a chance and soak up some authentic Parisian rhythms.

Autour de Midi11, rue Lepic75018 ParisMétro: BlancheTel : 01-5579-1648

E-mail: contact@autourdemidi.fr

URL: http://www.autourdemidi.fr/

Established in 2001, in the heart of Montmartre , “Autour de Midi”… et Minuit” offers two very distinct and complementary atmospheres : a traditional French restaurant on the main floor and a jazz club in a wonderfully cosy ‘cave voutée’ down below.

Bubble Blind Tasting

carolforest — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:08:39 +0000

Have to say most of my blind tasting are monotonous, red or white. Boring? … not really, but it’s fun to discover more about different taste and nature of Sparkling too. Me and friends recently went to a Champagne blind tasting event organized by Wine.Lux X Yahoo held at quite a special venue – the Subzero Showroom in CWB, HK. Thanks Wine.Lux for the invite indeed!

It was fun and somehow tasted quite a few sparkling wine, cave, champagne etc. Highlight: most interesting and rare to me is, I tasted Dynasty’s!

Let’s Chateauneuf du Pape!

carolforest — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:13:13 +0000

End of the year of 2011 for me is just one word – “busy”! Bridal shower, Weddings, X’mas, parties and New Year. It’s all fun and festive. Besides popping my Cedric Bouchard’s Champagne (well, I will call it a White instead given the way it was being made and the delicacy), for red, I’ve been switching from Burgundy/Bordeaux to Rhone recently and this is one of those I discovered and open up for most occasion -

2009 Domaine la Barroche Chateauneuf du Pape Signature

Varietal: Red Rhone Blend: 66% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah and 6% Cinsault

Domaine la Barroche has been in the same family since the 14th. It has 12.5ha of vines in Chateauneuf du Pape, mainly in the north and northeast of the appellation. These include some extraordinary 100 year-old Grenache vines that are the pride of the estate.

In 2003 Julien Barrot, son of the then winemaker, was given responsibility. In a very short period a succession of brilliant wines emerged, starting with the 2004 vintage. He then went from strength to strength with the 2005s (100 Points Parker), 2006s, and 2007s (99+ Points Parker). - That’s quite impressive and with such a price for this (around USD 50) I think this is a great buy to try something little different.

Tasting Note: Wine Advocate

Even better is the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Signature, which possesses the densest ruby/purple color of this trio. Expansive, broad notes of blueberries, blackberries, kirsch and garrigue are found in this full-bodied, sexy, opulent, stunning Chateauneuf du Pape. The forwardness and lusciousness of the 2009 vintage is brilliantly well-displayed in this offering. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

93-96+ - Robert Parker.