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La Sinfonia Restaurant, Milan -
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Palazzo Vecchietti Florence,
Italy |
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CSA - Czech
Airlines |
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NEW: Seven Stars And Stripes -
BOOKs |
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NEXT: Premier Palace, Kiev -
Ukraine |
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| La Sinfonia Restaurant |
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| Milan, Italy |
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| 6 Stars and 5 Stripes |
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| In the fiercely competitive world of culinary arts, Executive Chef
Giacomo Gaspari of La Sinfonia Restaurant in Milan’s fabled Town House
Galleria stands out as a master of his trade. His stage is a restaurant in
Milan, a city famously known for some of the greatest musical venues in the
world. As if conducting opera at La Scala, a stone’s throw away, Chef
Gaspari communicates artistic directions to his team during his culinary
performance each night. And like conductors who can be revered as a god, Chef
Gaspari is the star of his show. It doesn’t take much to see for yourself
how La Sinfonia Restaurant is set up as a jewel in the crown of the fine dining
scene in Milan. Live music emanates from the glass enclosed
‘galleria’ just outside the windows of the restaurant. The view from
window-side tables is reminiscent of 19th century glass and steel ‘world
expo’ construction.
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(CLICK HERE for more) |
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Lamb Filet in Bronte Pistachio Crust was cooked to the perfect temperature of
rose-colored pink. The crust of Bronte pistachios provided a stronger, sharper
taste than regular pistachios, due perhaps from being grown in the rich
volcanic soil of Mt. Etna in Sicily. A ruby colored Tavel Rose Perrin &
Fils, 2005 was suggested to accompany the lamb and our eyes couldnt help but
dart back and forth between the interior of the lamb filet and the color of the
wine. The rose was crisp and clean with hints of spice and raspberry aromas.
Now came the Beef Filet with Artichokes and Mushrooms blending the earthy
flavor of mushrooms and fresh picked flavor of artichokes. It was appropriate
to pair this entrée with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva 2006,
Kornell
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(CLICK HERE for more) |
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| Seven Stars and Stripes Inc. now offers, for the first time, this
extraordinary, custom designed ‘His & Her Seven Stars Cufflink
set. Limited Edition. |
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| Czech Airlines |
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| 'No Rating' |
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| Czech Airlines business class within Europe is unacceptable with all
due respect to the fact that this airline was founded by the Czech government,
and they deserve better. We are not reporting here about a one time faux pas,
we flew eight times with full business class fare. We have experienced
Lufthansa business class and Czech Airlines business class parallel, and we
highly suggest booking with Lufthansa or another well-established alternative
airline. The majority of the Czech Airlines employees that we experienced
seemed oblivious to the concept of service. Check-in at ground level is the
first impression for any upcoming flight and sets the tone for the overall
experience. We unfortunately witnessed at this point already on several Czech
Airlines flights, unfriendly, uncaring and incompetent staff. With Lufthansa we
experienced the exact opposite; from the get-go the staff was charming,
friendly and skilled. |
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| Lufthansa Business Class -
“Discover Flavor” |
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One example: On board of one of the Czech Airlines business class flights we
experienced the questionable interpersonal skills of the Purser. The attendant
ruined my business suite by her own doing; she didnt know how to handle the
situation, nor were there any standard forms or protocol for such incident, not
even a sincere apology. At a similar incident with Lufthansa the attendant was
not only well prepared and highly apologetic but came right away with the
appropriate form to address this issue. For meals on Czech Airlines business
class within Europe, chicken it is, judged by us to be unappetizing and boring
at best. By comparison to Lufthansa, who recently implemented a new taste menu
called Discover Flavor the obligatory chicken in Czech Airlines business class
had no flavor to discover. On one of the CSA flights our luggage disappeared
for 4 days and from the unaccommodating ground personal to the promised calls
we never received, it was a frustrating experience that no one should have to
endure.
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(CLICK HERE for more) |
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| In Next Gazette: |
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| * Premier Palace, Kiev -
Ukraine |
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| In The Press: |
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* Boulevard
Magazine:
Alchymist Grand Hotel & SPA |
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| Dear Friends, |
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| Returning to my home last month from the Ukraine was
definitely different from any of my business trips before and from here on. My
wonderful wife had given birth to our son David three weeks early and I got to
meet him for the first time when he was 3 days old. Last month we visited Italy
and The Town House Palazzo Vecchietti of Florence, hidden amongst Chanel, Gucci
and romantic outdoor cafes, this is one of the most beautiful, historic small
hotels I may recall. The impressions we took home from Tuscany’s
countryside can only be described as unerasable and captivating. The colors of
this cultivated land, created by its inhabitants, as it seems, are in perfect
synergy with nature. I am looking forward to return to Tuscany sometime with my
wife and son, and be certain that we will refrain from flying with CSA, Czech
Airlines until their service has improved. Until next month from Premier Palace
Hotel in Kiev, when we are inviting you to join us for a 100-year celebration
since ground was first broken on the original hotel in the heart of the
downtown, making it one of the city’s architectural heritage
sites. |
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| I remain yours truly |
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Thorsten Buehrmann |
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| (CLICK
HERE TO FLIP THE BOOK!) |
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| Our exquisite hardcover coffee table books, custom designed for each
resort, hotel, spa and restaurant, feature highlights and possible excursions
of each establishment, along with the Seven Stars and Stripes review and award
presentation. These impressive hard cover books, now available in three
different styles, are luxuriously wrapped and make great holiday gifts and
keepsakes, all the while showing the full potential of what guests may
experience.
Please ‘CLICK and FLIP through the 2009
Seven Stars and Stripes review and award celebration at the Alchymist Grand
Hotel & SPA in Prague, CZ. Enjoy! |
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| Palazzo Vecchietti |
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| Florence, Italy |
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| 4 Stars and 5 Stripes |
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| The conversion or revitalization of the historic building, which
resulted in fourteen spacious accommodations, has certainly added to its
original character, but this decorator had set the tone. My stunning suite 305
featured high ceilings, a living and bedroom enveloped in relaxing blues, a
fully functioning and especially equipped mini kitchen and two equally
luxurious bathrooms - besides a private terrace overlooking rooftops and
outside courtyard. Our accommodations, Edmund resided in 306 (held in classy
off-white and black), were impeccable and with some minor adjustments this
privately owned Town House Palazzo Vecchietti itself has all the potential to
reach ’World Level Perfection’. ...
... (CLICK HERE for more) |
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| In regards to service, the house butler was very nice, when he was
available, and his attention to detail was most of the time that of a trained
professional. We believe that the proprietors have the vision to work out the
shortcomings and that these should not be overrated since this team is still
operating in its infancy. A glorious breakfast was served in the ‘Living
Room’ where all guests sit at his or her preferred time around a large
dining table, caringly set with exquisitely designed china by the Richard
Ginori factory.
... (CLICK HERE for more) |
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| Siena, built over three hills and surrounded by medieval walls, is
brimming with Gothic and Romanesque architecture. We visited the Piazza del
Campo, famous for its shell-shape, and ever the focus of city life. Within this
square sits the Fonte Gaia, a unique quadrangular fountain surrounded by
historic figurines. We found out that the original, by Jacopo della Quercia, is
now preserved at Santa Maria della Scala. We admired that the Torre del Mangia
and the Palazzo Pubblico form that one perfect photo spot at Piazza del Campo.
The tower built in 1848 and 102 meters high must grant breathtaking views over
Siena and the surrounding countryside.
... (CLICK HERE for more) |
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| Congratulations to all, from your Guests and from Seven Stars and
Stripes: |
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- For your visible commitment to excellence.
- For your willingness to be recognized for your latest
innovations.
- For your devotion to your staff and company.
- For your ability to receive.
- For your decision to raise the bar.
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