Fashion Is Fun Aug 20, 2009 @ 4:52pm

Notes from London & St. Trop: Foodie Edition

Where have all the fashionably fabulous people gone? St. Tropez, that’s where. Kate, Lila Grace, Leo, editors, designers. They’re here on hols where I am also quite lucky to be with my family. Post-beach they can often be found having a nibble at the resto we tried last night. I highly recommend it.

We treated ourselves to La Petite Maison (actually an hour away in Nice), a famed restaurant where they take their food very seriously. Some may know it because Gwyneth Paltrow raves about it on GOOP. I called for reservations and was told “No madam, we are booked until the end of the month.” It would probably help greatly if I was a bold-face name. But instead, I simply used my old London trick: just show up. And voila — a table for five right there and then.

Was it worth it? Yes. Pretentious? A little. The waiter bragged about Elton coming there all the time, and we did spot a gaggle of famous people, most notably Leo DiCaprio and Cindy Crawford.

Meanwhile back in London…

Guy Ritchie chose to wine and dine Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson, last night at the French resto’s London outpost. Perhaps his ex-wife’s best friend turned him on to the place, And given that Madonna’s other bestie is Stella McCartney, one could only wonder at the conversation that Ritchie must have had with Mr and Mrs Bono, seeing as Ali’s company is suing Stella McCartney’s for copyright infringement over the word “nude” that they both use in their products. Hang on, we thought Ali was all politically-correct, given her Edun line and and Bono saving the world and all that. Is this is a case of naked greed, perhaps?

Never mind. Let’s keep our eye on the ball. Food. And at La Petite Maison, it’s authentic, real and honest. Though I’m not sure the same can be said for some of its more famous patrons.

—CHARLEY B.

« Linda E in the New V!

Fashionista Main

posted by guest

Aug 20, 2009 5:09PM

I'm sorry, but it sounds as if the writer of this post just wanted to brag that he was recently in St. Tropez....and there happened to be some famous people there. Nothing here about fashion - just a bunch of name dropping.

posted by guest

Aug 20, 2009 5:10PM

no no, it was to discuss the resto he ate at when he went on hols. sorry, not sure what the point of this post is at all.

posted by guest

Aug 20, 2009 5:13PM

No fashion. He didn't even talk about the food! Totally name dropping and bragging about being on holiday in St. Tropez and getting into an exclusive celeb haunt.

posted by guest

Aug 20, 2009 5:39PM

how would this appeal to foodies if you don't even mention what you order? or even how the food tastes??

posted by guest

Aug 20, 2009 5:42PM

Practically unreadable for all the elementary typographical errors and mind-bogglingly awful syntax. Please, please, please edit your posts.
Also, isn't his calling the 'resto' a little pretentious a bit the pot calling the kettle black?

posted by guest

Aug 20, 2009 6:57PM

damnit #2, you beat me to it. Ummmm, is this a joke? Is this the Charly who wrote that post that sucked a while back too, shit forgot what it was about, it was that forgettable. But really, I am so turned off by this post.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 2:58AM

I hate this post, pretentious bitch!

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 6:40AM

"On hols?" Oh, wow. Just wow

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 6:45AM

Those of us who actually vacation in St. Tropez call it just that. The only people who say "St. Trop" are the ones who actually swim in the pool at Nikki Beach. And that's pretty much just you, a bunch of nouveau riche Russians, and Tara Reid.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 9:06AM

Hi all you mean and potentially libellous commentators. Your days of hiding behind the internet may be over. (this is especially to you #7). dont forget what the courts just decided on the Liskula Cohen case
(http://www.nypost.com/seven/08212009/news/regionalnews/secret_grudge_of_ny_skankies_185667.htm).
So use your real names or be named by courts, and stop being a coward. NO MORE ANONIMITY FOR LIBELLOUS COMMENTERS!

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 9:32AM

What they posted was mean and rude, but not libelous. Sorry.

But this was a very stupid post. Nothing about fashion ... I've been to St. Tropez, and there is loads about fashion you could talk about, instead of name dropping.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 11:02AM

This is one of the stupidest and most pointless posts I have ever read on this site.

Although, I do like the new site upgrade!

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 11:10AM

@10: No one has said anything libelous. Crack a law book before you start quoting something you don't have a degree in.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 11:17AM

Furthermore, the Cohen is something totally different. The ruling in that case is that Google has to hand over the name and IP address of a blogger who was writing slanderous material on Cohen. Writing endlessly about someone being one of the biggest whores in Manhattan is slander. Writing that Charley wrote a pointless, non-fashion post just to name drop is borderline fact.

Plus, it's really kinda hilarious that you are going all Kanye with the caplocks and berating at us for hiding behind anonymity, yet you are also not a registered user...

posted by nycshoegal

Aug 21, 2009 12:08PM

Ahhh..Charley B., my "favorite" writer on this site! Another mind-numbingly horrible, vomit inducing post. And to dare say that this has anything to do with foodies is a disgrace. Where is the food here exactly? I think it's time for Fashionista editors to wake up and let Charley go work for the Enquirer, or something.

posted by lark

Aug 21, 2009 12:36PM

Just terrible and boring. Go write for OK or Grazia, no even they're too good for that, how about say News of the World or Star..

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 2:03PM

Sorry, I am french, from paris and hate Nikki beach and everything it stands for. But you must be a clueless american because everyone in france calls st tropez st. trop you dumb cow. You cant live in amerca, the land where people freak out over mobama wearing shorts, and know that. Geez. In france we would die if carla ever showed up in a get up like that. Its not that its shorts, its just that its BAD SHORTS, EWWWWWWWWWWWW For chrissakes.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 2:07PM

I think all of you are just wrong. Sorry folks, Charlie has got it right here. Our family, from Maine, has has going to St Tropez for years because my grandma is from there, and even she calls it St. Trop. sorry, this is just a cultural divide. Its a bunch of people from ohio or whatever commenting on what they have no clue about. it is St. Trop and thats that.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 3:33PM

@17 : I am most certainly not an American, and it is most certainly not "St. Trop" to anyone dignified, well educated, and non-pretentious. And it could be my ignorance, but what, exactly, does Michelle Obama wearing shorts have to do with this discussion?

@18: Are you from Maine, or "from Maine" i.e. NE Harbor summers?

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 4:08PM

Number 13 and 14. . "Pretentious Bitch" is libellous in any law book. duh. Same principles apply though minute details may change. And being in 3rd year law, I I have cracked open plenty a law book. Breaking Media lawyers -- can you weigh in?

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 4:10PM

Number 19. You are right. It is your ignorance.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 4:14PM

# 11. Sorry, dining and travelling are not about fashion? So where do you wear your new clothes? In a dark closet? Watching tv? To the mall, like you Americans like to do?

Sorry, some of us like to get dressed up, the very raison d'etre of fashion and go out to nice places, or GASP -- travel. Losers.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 4:20PM

NYC Shoe gal. Or anyone else. i would love to hear from you personally. Email me anytime. I am sure we would have lots in common.
CharleyB@fashionista.com. Look forward to hearing from you.

regards

Charley

posted by nycshoegal

Aug 21, 2009 4:58PM

Charley, I am failing to see why me, or any other commenter on this site should be emailing you. To discuss what exactly? This is your job, right? It's not a diary so I don't see why we should be taking this up with you in private.
Being a foodie myself, and someone who has food critics for friends, I am offended.
This post has no right to claim being the "foodie edition" when the only "food" being served here is celeb gossip and name dropping - be it a person or a restaurant. Mentioning a name of a restaurant in an article doesn't make one to be about food. That is my biggest pet peeve on this particular subject.
That being said, whether you and I might happen to have something in common or not is irrelevant, as is, if I dare say, most of your "contribution" for this website, in my humble opinion.

Thank you and forgive me if this sounds harsh but don't dish it out if you can't take it.
(Elle McPherson post, anybody?)

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 5:01PM

#13 and #14. I wouldnt be so sure anymore as what counts as libel and what counts as "rude". Check this out:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208147/First-cyberbully-jailed-Facebook-death-threats.html.

So many comments on this site are persistent bullies who have crossed the line esp, NYCSHOEGAL, so tread carefully: The law is catching up with technology. Either that or keep a lawyer on retainer.

posted by Abby Gardner

Aug 21, 2009 5:04PM

Actually I wrote the headline and was trying to be a bit broad in my use of the term foodie. I thought it was kind of funny. Apparently I was wrong :) But that was not Charley's doing. (The St. Trop part too...though I know many educated, cultured people who indeed call it that.)
xAbby

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 5:08PM

TO NYc shoe gal from Charley B.

I understand why you are afraid and dont want to email me personally. If I were you I would be running too.

Judging by recent posts, I am not alone in that opinion.

Never mind, i look forward to hearing fron you in whichever way, via email or comments or posts.

posted by guest

Aug 21, 2009 5:21PM

Number 3 - I am a food journalist, and alot has changed. This is just a guess, but could it be that Charley could be restricted by word count?

A blog is about 200-300 words. It is NOT a restaurant review in the NY Times, which gets about 1000 words and where surely the writer would be getting paid more (has anyone ever wondered what a blogger gets paid?)

Plus, the challenge is to couch it in style terms. Things have changed. Perhaps moving with the times, or at least understanding the times, would be appropriate.

posted by nycshoegal

Aug 22, 2009 3:22PM

Charlie, why would i be "scared" to email you? I am not scared - i just have little desire to have a conversation with you.

#25 - what is your problem? I am a bully now? Seriously? In actuality I am just giving my honest opinion. And from what I see - that opinion is shared by a few. How many of my comments have you read exactly? I have not once called anyone a name, unlike some people, and my comments are not even rude.

I am simply criticizing the writing here and I have legitimate grounds to do so. And last time I checked, I have the right to have an opinion.
I guess if bloggers are so sensitive about feedback, they ought to just disable their comments section, no? Expecting only positive feedback is unrealistic.
And no, I do not support nasty comments, nor do i consider mine to be nasty. I don't sugar-coat it, but come on now, no need ot color me the Gorgon. Go hunt the anonymous "guest"-meanies down.

posted by etoilee8

Aug 22, 2009 5:24PM

NYCshoegal, your comments here are pretty mean (and this is coming from someone who enjoys your input in most cases). Suggesting that fashionista fire CB and let them go to the Enquirer? I don't know what about that you don't think was insulting. "Vomit inducing"? Ouch! Did you not have your morning cappuccino or something? Maybe I'm not as much of a foodie as you are but I don't see why this post received so much fury from you. If anything I learned two things. The restaurant is actually good and not a bunch of a celebrity hype. And if you show up, you just might get in. What's so bad about that?

posted by guest

Aug 23, 2009 10:05AM

NYCshoegal, if you have such a problem with Charley B's writing, which you clearly do, surely the simplest thing to do is to stop reading his posts rather than voicing your opinion a little too loudly. Nobody is making you read the posts, and your overly opinionated criticism is not even constructive.

posted by nycshoegal

Aug 23, 2009 6:05PM

#30 i was harsh here, yes. the thing is, i think i still might be holding a grudge over the Elle McPherson post CB did some time ago.

#31, thank you for mentioning it - i am pretty sure i will never again read anything written by Charlie since it is obviously most of the time pretty infuriating to me.

oh and, p.s. I am done defending myself, especially seeing how my commnts are definitely not the harshest on this website. i pay attention. thanks everyone. i know it's easier to attack me since i'm not hiding behind the safe "guest" post but i think this was enough for one sorry article.
xo.

posted by etoilee8

Aug 23, 2009 6:19PM

I'm not attacking you, merely saying "what's up here?" Also, I'm not a "guest". I mean when you told CB "I don't want to email you", admit it, that was a little rude and dismissive, right? You didn't even give them a chance to explain themselves.