Table of contents for June 2018 in Robb Report

“In our 30th year producing this list, we observed a new influence taking shape, that of purposeful intention.” EXCEPTIONAL ARTISTRY and crafts tend to be rooted in age-old practices, from the painstaking handwork required to assemble extraordinary watch movements to the patience and skill imbued in distilling and aging a fine whiskey. It’s those time-honored techniques combined with pioneering technology and advancements that inform the most intriguing and phenomenal designs and products on this year’s Best of the Best list. In our 30th year producing this list, we observed a new influence taking shape, that of purposeful intention. While it isn’t always tangible, it has lasting substance that results in a meaning greater than the sum of its parts. FOR LONGTIME consulting automotive editor, Robert Ross, this year’s best aerodynamic…

When Bugatti introduced the 2005 Veyron, the vehicle immediately became the measure by which all other supercars were judged. The 2010 Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport was so remarkable that we named it the Car of the Decade. And now, eight years later, the world has a new ultimate supercar: the Bugatti Chiron. This Monster of Molsheim (the small town in northeastern France where Bugattis are made) has a window sticker starting at roughly $3 million. Its specifications are essentially academic, even for the handful of people who will actually drive—much less own—one. (Of the 500 units planned, more than 300 have been sold.) Compared to its predecessor, the Chiron dials everything up—more power and torque, and handling response that is more immediate and light, with less under-steer. It’s astoundingly quick,…

“Life is measured in achievement, not in years alone,” the late racer Bruce McLaren once stated, a sentiment that certainly holds true for the British brand that bears his name. Relaunched as McLaren Automotive in 2010, the company has since released multiple models spread over its Sports Series, Super Series, and Ultimate Series categories. Known for bridging racetrack technology and daily-driver disposition, McLaren has perfected the formula with the new 720S. The latest Super Series sensation features a carbon-fiber core, an aluminum-paneled body, and an organic aesthetic reminiscent of the McLaren P1, whose shape was inspired by marine inhabitants. In the case of the 720S, its sculpted curves and linear flow—so intrinsic to the marque—resemble those of a great white shark. “ As breathtaking as the design is, what really…

“The high-water mark of early all-wheel-drive sports cars. Make that supercars.” Three decades ago, and long before the invention of today’s ubiquitous SUV, all-wheel drive was a technology nearly absent on all but the most serious off-road vehicles. Yet a few early adopters wanted the advantages that putting power to all four corners afforded—not just for mud-slinging brutes but for high-performance rally cars and even road-going sports models. And although the Audi Quattro debuted in 1980, it is probably the Porsche 959 that will be remembered as the high-water mark of early all-wheel-drive sports cars. Make that supercars. The 959’s immediate predecessor was a Group B rally car that debuted as the 953, a heavily modified variant of the 911 developed for—and taking overall first place in—the grueling 1984 Paris-to-Dakar…

The all-wheel-drive Performante, Lamborghini’s most powerful Huracán, is a 640 hp heartthrob that claimed a landslide victory in our 2018 Car of the Year contest. What at first appears as a single-purpose machine, decked with fins and spoilers, is in fact a delight to drive. It’s difficult to describe the uncanny precision wrought by the Performante’s active aerodynamics—flaps, channels, slots, and wings that optimize airflow by moving in response to real-time data. It’s these active aerodynamics—so carefully engineered into the car that it handles as if on rails—that elevate driver engagement and confidence. Every curve, every straight-line blast—try zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph—becomes a laugh-out-loud experience. “ Every curve, every straight-line blast—try zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a…

What has been the design highlight of your careers to date? IAN: For me, our new Jaguar I-PACE all-electric SUV; it is, without doubt, the most exciting thing I’ve worked on. Not having the need for an engine at the front gives you this amazing opportunity to use interior space in a different way. MORAY: It has to be the latest Ford GT. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on the design of a car like this. The most important automotive innovation of the past 30 years? IAN: It’s the innovation we’ve seen in just the past few years that is building up to become the perfect storm of change: electrification, autonomy, digitalization, connectivity. It’s going to be an amazing ride. MORAY: I once read that Americans felt…

“The idea is that during your transportation time, you can do everything you could do if you were on a private jet.” Becker’s ultra-personalized vehicles transport executives, dignitaries, and celebrities while providing them with all the accoutrements found on first-class flights. Take, for instance, this Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, which is outfitted with a fully functioning kitchen inspired by an aircraft galley. “The idea is that during your transportation time, you can do everything you could do if you were on a private jet,” says Howard Becker, the founder and CEO of Becker Automotive Designs. “And what private jet doesn’t have coffee if you want it?” The JetVan’s interior designer, Natalia Wilner, worked in the aviation industry for nearly 20 years and learned to make the most of limited dimensions. “I…

The open design and smart layout of Sunseeker’s 76 Yacht make it feel like a much larger vessel. On the main deck, 360 degrees of windows and a fully opening aft folding door erase the barrier between saloon and cockpit. Natural light from the sunroof above the James Bond–cool helm, large windows in the four staterooms belowdecks, and an open stairway add to the sense of space. Elegance is also in abundance, especially in the chef’s galley amidships and in the full-beam master suite with marble-clad head. The Sunseeker 76’s big-yacht feel extends to the exterior. The foredeck not only has the standard table and lounge but also two large sunbeds. The cockpit’s dining table and loose seating are ideal for alfresco meals—as is the flybridge, with its lounge, wet…

SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY Dominator Ilumen 28 The creative design, build quality, and onboard amenities make Dominator’s first Ilumen seem like a far larger yacht. Alberto Mancini’s inspired, rule-breaking design features a split-level master suite with an opening ceiling and private terrace; a saloon patterned with silk, nubuck leather, brushed steel, and zebrano and ebony woods; and a white onyx bar. Two types of stabilizers, a fast, efficient hull, and pod drives are all technology breakthroughs for a yacht this size. dominatoryachts.com MOST UNUSUAL FEATURE Abeking & Rasmussen Aviva Abeking & Rasmussen’s Aviva features the largest gym on any yacht—large enough to house a 33-foot-by-66-foot paddle-tennis court. A paddle fanatic, the owner insists his synthetic grass court, with its high ceiling, is the world’s best. With the net down, the sports…

“ Those sparkling infinity pools and soaking tubs are enough reason to keep room service on speed dial.” What is it about Kokomo? You feel it the minute you step off the resort’s seaplane. The heat of the sun-bleached jetty is warm enough to put a spring in your barefoot step, yet you can’t help but take your time, soaking up the views of the vibrant lagoon—somehow even bluer than the rest of the South Pacific Ocean—and golden sands. Greetings of “Bula!” ring out every time you arrive in the lobby, which, to be fair, is hardly a lobby at all but rather a breezy, beachy living room where you’re as comfortable in a dripping wet suit, fresh catch in hand (a gift for executive chef Anthony Healy to cook…

It’s easy to be blinded by the beauty of Bisate. Set in the heart of northern Rwanda’s Musanze Valley at the foot of the majestic Virunga Mountains, the safari lodge is unlike any you’ve ever seen. There are no canvas tents adorned with leather trunks or mosquito-net-covered beds here. Utterly un-camp-like are its six thatched villas, which, burrowed deep into a fern-covered hill, call to mind giant birds’ nests or oversize baskets. Inside is equally distinct; the domes are a strange and wonderful combination of royal and rustic, where glittering green chandeliers composed of thousands of recycled glass shards and giant, black, egg-shaped bathtubs blend with volcanic-stone walls and black-and-white animal hides. Only the sweeping terraces off each villa provide a reality check, with views over Mount Bisoke and, just…

The design hotel is nothing new. Travelers have been flocking to well-curated properties since the 19th century, when César Ritz flaunted custom artwork and the finest furnishings at his groundbreaking Ritz Paris (ritzparis.com). But with the advent of Instagram, travelers can’t help but wonder what exactly is driving the 21st-century hospitality experience. Are design hotels actually designed for the guest—or are they simply chasing “likes”? “You don’t have to make something Instagrammable to make a good hotel—that’s the tail wagging the dog,” says hotelier Ian Schrager (see page 210). “If you create a great product, you’ll have great status—not the other way around.” Still, like it or not, Schrager knows how to turn a hotel into a social-media phenomenon; look no further than the oft-Instragrammed neon escalator of his Public…

When architect Gil Hanse broke ground on a new project in 2015, he wasn’t simply creating a golf course—he was adding a third layout to what had become, in just a few years, one of the country’s top golf destinations. Streamsong Resort opened in central Florida in 2013, and its first two courses, Blue and Red, both earned Best of the Best accolades. Following up on two instant classics, Hanse proved worthy of the challenge. Hanse, who also designed the 2016 Olympic course, was given a larger but flatter piece of land at Streamsong than course architects Tom Doak (Blue) and Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (Red). He used the terrain’s width to build extra-expansive fairways and big, bold, rollicking greens. The resulting course is playable—and enjoyable—for golfers of all…

“It’s a testament to Samson that even if he only sent out a heaping serving of his heirloom beans, seasoned with just the right amount of rosemary and garlic, you could be content.” Los Angeles is booming with outstanding dining right now—and with Italian cuisine in particular. Flavors from up and down the boot are thriving. With comparable climates and a similar culinary ethos, the marriage makes sense. At their best, Italian and Californian cuisines both start with fresh, local meats and produce and let them shine on the plate. As a native Californian and son to an Italian mother, chef Steve Samson has long been an exemplar of the LA-meets-Italy mind meld. Sotto, his ode to southern Italian cooking and Neapolitan pizza, established him as a leader in the…

Ricardo Zarate is a good son. Not only has he named his latest restaurant after his mother, Rosaliné, he’s also put an epigraph on the menu declaring the eatery “a tribute to my beautiful mom.” These sentiments are lovely, but Zarate has honed in on the best way to honor his mother: making absolutely delicious cuisine at the place that bears her name. Hailing from Lima, Zarate has rooted his West Hollywood restaurant in the flavors of Peru. Begin by tearing off a piece of the stretchy turmeric flatbread and scooping up the smoky eggplant puree studded with briny Peruvian olives, crunchy cancha corn, and microgreens. As a Peruvian restaurant, it better do potatoes well, and Rosaliné certainly does, offering a fun take on the layered meat-and-potato dish causa by…

“You feel when you walk into these homes that you could arrive with your toothbrush and throw a dinner party that night.” When looking for inspiration on how to bring old-world opulence into the present, Moscow-based real estate developer Konstantin Akimov of A Project Development (APD) tapped two American sources: Ralph Lauren Home and the New York–based design firm Foley & Cox. The result is a stunning collection of six beaux-arts-style mansions called Noble Row, located in Moscow’s Golden Mile across the river from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. “The elegantly proportioned mansions are reminiscent of the great architectural traditions of the beaux arts yet offer all modern-day luxuries,” Akimov says. “We infused interior furnishings of the spaces with a different lifestyle in mind for each home,” says interior…

Interior design and fashion have always traveled in similar circles, encouraging and informing each other’s stylish desires. But fashion has the ultimate prenup: Change is necessary. Interiors insist on your full commitment—they want the you of your dreams and your future. After a decade of patrons seeking experiences in shops, hotels, and restaurants, these visceral, visual influences have made their mark at home. In particular, three different aesthetics have emerged: Opulence, with its devotion to history and repartee with color; Warm Minimalism—a supple, organic antidote to the white-on-white starkness of the 1980s; and Collected, a mixed-antique and vintage-heavy look pioneered by New York studio Roman and Williams, which describes its interiors and architecture as “eclectic, high-touch elevated craft.” Collected Roman and Williams Guild is the retail manifestation of the firm’s…

Brass Once the tired preserve of bathroom vanities and sconces, brass has not only been revisited—it’s become revered in artisan works like Belgian artist Yann Dessauvages’s stunning coffee table, exclusive to Studio Van Den Akker (starting at $35,000). studiovandenakker.com Wallpaper Between the Brooklyn-based studios and the historic houses with archival prints, wallpaper is now so exalted that it inspires religious devotion. Style Library’s Modulate pattern preaches the word with a 3-D effect print in an Emerald/Kingfisher colorway. stylelibrary.com Lacquer When interior designer Elizabeth Dinkel lacquered the bar and library of her client’s home in Los Angeles, the results were urbane and lustrous. The technique has lost its Hollywood-set-design slickness and evolved into a chic polished statement. elizabethdinkel.com Marble Marble used to be a well-behaved given. The kitchen of the revived…

VISTAGE vistageleader.com We exist solely to help high-integrity leaders make great decisions that benefit their companies, families and communities. That’s our company purpose. It’s to help business leaders get access to different perspectives and resources to help inform their decision-making. TERRANEA RESORT terranea.com Terranea is a 102-acre paradise, minutes from Los Angeles. Explore with outdoor adventures, unwind by sparkling pools, play the championship-style golf course, relax at the award-winning spa, or indulge at restaurants featuring California coastal cuisine and unparalleled ocean views. PADRÓN CIGARS padron.com Padrón adds Presidente and Soberano Tubos to the acclaimed 1964 Anniversary Series. 15-count boxes of portable tubos – complex, balanced, full-bodied tobacco aged a minimum four years – natural and maduro.…

1 PRE-BOARDING BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 7000 :“Given the hype surrounding it, including a recent win at the Red Dot Awards for design, I would not be surprised to see the Bombardier Global 7000—scheduled to enter service by year’s end—in the 2019 Best of the Best issue. The ultra-long-range business jet will accommodate up to 19 passengers in four distinct areas that can house a dining room, an entertainment center, and a master bedroom with a stand-up shower in an en suite bathroom.” —JOHN LYON 2 HYPER-SPEED HYBRID MCLAREN BP23 :“I try to live in the moment, but anticipation for McLaren’s new $2.2 million hypercar—set to premiere later this year—is making that difficult. Code-named BP23, the hybrid GT will have a top speed above 242 mph—making it the fastest and most refined…

“ All of its curves and creases have a purpose, channeling airflow and optimizing aerodynamics.” “Fastest and most powerful” appears to be the mantra among high-end automakers this year. Ferrari’s 812 Super-fast, powered by a 6.5-liter, naturally aspirated V-12, assumes that lofty position in the Maranello stable. And the 789 hp prancing horse certainly lives up to its name with a top speed of 211 mph. In the same spirit as Ferrari GTs going back to the early 1950s, the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive 812 is as refined and luxurious as it is absurdly quick and capable. Electronic power steering, magnetic shocks, and rear-wheel steering aid nimble handling, while its compliant ride reminds one that the 812 is made for real grand touring over long stretches of curving roads or highway. Like…

Get more out of the all-too-short summer season by using Wheels Up for some of your travel. As a Wheels Up Member, you can schedule yourflight with as little as 24 hours’ notice and arrive 20 minutes before departure with friends, family, and pets, landing at smaller private airports only minutes from your destination. Because summer is the peak season for travel, making the most of that precious time can be a challenge. With Wheels Up, flying private is now possible for more people than ever, which means more travelers can maximize the time spent enjoying their summer destinations. Wheels Up has disrupted the private aviation industry by offering an easy, intelligent, and flexible way to reach destinations all over the United States—for a modest one-time initiation fee, low annual…

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is the four-wheel equivalent of basketball’s LeBron James. Now in its eighth iteration, the British marque’s most iconic model—which dates back to 1925—dominates its class and is a perennial pick for nearly every accolade. Available in extended-and standard-wheelbase versions, the new Phantom VIII features a 563 hp, 6.75-liter, twin-turbocharged V-12 engine mated with a satellite-aided eight-speed transmission. The power train combines with the car’s all-aluminum space-frame construction and state-of-the-art air suspension to provide what Rolls-Royce refers to as a “magic carpet ride”—a promise that the Phantom definitely delivers on. But what makes the Phantom VIII phenomenal is the passenger experience inside the acoustically insulated cabin. Lavish with lambswool rugs, the interior includes accoutrements like the brand’s Rear Picnic Tables, video screens, and a bespoke dashboard gallery designed…

Many car cognoscenti put the Porsche 911 on a pedestal, viewing it as the ideal automobile for design and driving experience. Peter Nam sees the car—and specifically its 993 variant—as a canvas for creativity. “I find the 993 inspiring, because it’s the last generation of the air-cooled Porsche,” says the founder of the automotive engineering and design group Gunther Werks. Nam’s team, based in Southern California, takes any street-legal 993 donor vehicle (from 1994 through 1998) and transforms it into the Gunther Werks 400R—a car that even Ferdinand Porsche would pine for. The wide-bodied coupe is crafted from carbon fiber and carries a 431 hp, naturally aspirated engine from Rothsport Racing paired with a Getrag G50 six-speed manual transmission. Further enhancements include a KW hydraulic lift system, 18-inch forged-aluminum wheels,…

“Beneath the exterior’s bravado lies engineering that places the Vantage alongside such greats as the Porsche 911.” English attitude generally comes in two varieties: stately and proper (think Prince Charles and Roger Moore) or swashbuckling and irreverent (Prince Harry and Jason Statham). The brand-new Aston Martin Vantage fully inhabits the latter category. The totally reengineered coupe forges a new style for the marque, flaunting overt musculature inside and out. There’s no quiet reserve here—this is a fiery, two-seat sports car that speaks loudly and carries a big stick. Beneath the exterior’s bravado lies engineering that places the Vantage alongside such greats as the Porsche 911. In addition to a 503 hp, twin-turbo V-8 engine, the car has a 50/50 weight balance, an electronic rear differential, torque vectoring, and brilliant steering.…

SPORTSWEAR Boglioli This Northern Italian brand has combined tailored clothes with treated and garment-dyed fabrics to create the season’s best easygoing separates. LEFT: Boglioli (boglioli.it) cotton, nylon, and polyester blazer and wool flannel pants. Salvatore Ferragamo shirt; Richard James tie; Eleventy gloves. MIDDLE: Boglioli wool blazer and cotton, polyester, and elastane pants. MSGM shirt; Corneliani turtleneck; Paul Smith tie. RIGHT: Boglioli wool, nylon, acrylic, and silk blazer and cotton pants. Corneliani coat and turtleneck; Ralph Lauren shirt; Pal Zileri tie. LEATHER JACKETS Berluti With its newest jackets, the label underscores how a single piece can elevate an entire wardrobe. LEFT: Berluti (berluti.com) leather jacket and cotton suit. Coach shirt and turtleneck. RIGHT: Berluti jacket and shirt. Canali blazer; Pal Zileri turtleneck; Eidos pants. TRAVEL BLAZERS Canali A wardrobe essential, this…

“Each celestial body has been carefully calibrated to rotate around the sun at its real-life speed, meaning that Mercury orbits in 88 days, Venus in 224 days, and Earth in 365 days.” It is unusual for a watch company to offer a high-level complication—especially one originally designed for men—to its female clientele. In the case of the Lady Arpels Planétarium from Van Cleef & Arpels, the miniaturized, astronomically correct solar system in precious stones and aventurine is probably even more effective for women because of its delicate proportions and coloration. Created in collaboration with Dutch watchmaker Christiaan van der Klaauw, who is renowned for his expertise in astronomical timepieces, the complication illustrates the sun (in pink gold) and its closest planets—Mercury (pink mother-of-pearl), Venus (green enamel), and Earth (turquoise)—as well…

“Fulvio de Simoni’s powerful exterior is all about straight lines and sharp angles, down to the head-on view resembling a bull’s head.” Superyachts do not have to be the biggest, baddest vessels on the water to achieve notoriety. Sometimes they can be smaller statements that are so creative in design that they’re more like floating works of art than traditional yachts. The 164-foot Aurora from the Italian yard Rossinavi is one such vessel, with exterior and interior designs that are artistic opposites but are so inspired that they complete each other. Yacht-design architect Fulvio de Simoni’s powerful exterior is all about straight lines and sharp angles, down to the head-on view resembling a bull’s head. Designer Achille Salvagni’s interior, by contrast, offers soft curves and light, presenting rich details and…

Among the innovative features of Azimut’s Grande 35 Metri are two beach clubs and a largest-in-class balcony. Stefano Righini’s exterior uses every inch of the 115-foot yacht’s available space, including the 130-square-foot stern beach club. The spa-like setting is set away from the tender garage, which is located along the hull’s side, so sunbathers don’t have to compete for space with RIBs and Jet Skis. On the foredeck, the second club runs from the saloon windshield to the forepeak, sporting a dining table, lounges, sunbeds, and a hydromassage tub. The interior by Achille Salvagni includes matte-textured woods juxtaposed against darker, polished species, with inserts in brass, bronze, and stainless steel. The master of yacht interiors treated this like a bespoke yacht, designing original furniture, lamps, and other sculptural pieces. He…

Following two weeks of sea trials, a year and a half of final fit-out may sound excessive, but the time spent on the inimitable 350-foot Black Pearl helped make it one of the fastest and stunning sailing superyachts ever. Its three 230-foot-tall Dynarig carbon masts accommodate 31,000 square feet of sail—an awe-inspiring sight that translates to an exciting speed of 30 knots. Twin 12V M72 MTU diesel engines push the yacht to 17.5 knots under power. Also one of the largest sailing yachts ever, Black Pearl features a 49-foot beam and an interior volume of 2,700 gross tons, enough to house six staterooms for 12 guests. The boat was completed in late 2016 and, after sea trials and final outfitting, was delivered to its owner in March of this year.…

“It’s the journey—not the destinations—that makes the experience aboard the Andean Explorer so arresting.” Peru’s vast altiplano is an adventure as much for what it offers (riverbeds filled with hot-pink Chilean flamingos, galloping gauchos, volcanoes spewing smoke) as for what it doesn’t (luxury hotels). The Belmond Andean Explorer has introduced a way to see it all in comfort—without disrupting its undeveloped appeal. The 24-cabin sleeper train roared down the region’s storied rails for the first time last summer, taking passengers on epic one- and two-night trips from Cuzco to Arequipa and stopping along the way at ancient Incan ruins, Quechua villages, and remote mountaintop markets. As with any great adventure, however, it’s the journey—not the destinations—that makes the experience aboard the Andean Explorer so arresting. One day, the train may…

Shanghai didn’t need another luxury hotel—but it needed Amanyangyun. Opened in January in the quiet suburb of Minhang, the newest property from Aman Resorts has nothing in common with the city’s modern hotels. Rather, tucked away in a forest of centuries-old camphor trees, this tranquil retreat, with its utter lack of ostentation, is a reminder that there’s more to China’s famed financial capital than skyscrapers and urban sprawl. Those camphor trees? They traveled over 400 miles from the southeast province of Jiangxi before being replanted on Aman’s 25-acre parcel. More than a vanity project, the monumental relocation was an act of preservation that saved the forest—along with 50 Ming-dynasty-era stone houses—from being submerged by a local reservoir. Re-created brick by brick, the village houses have been repurposed as 13 guest…

“When Las Alcobas reopened to guests on October 25, it was as a member of the tight-knit local community—and a new favorite for Napa fans.” Though Las Alcobas Napa Valley’s first opening was a highly anticipated affair, it was the St. Helena hotel’s second opening—just seven months later—that secured its true wine-country status. The 68-room property from Mexican hotelier Samuel Leizorek debuted last spring, claiming what is possibly the last secluded sliver of real estate in one of Napa’s most coveted enclaves—just steps from the revered Beringer Estate and surrounded by some of Napa’s most storied vines. By October, however, Leizorek was forced to shutter his new hotel as one of the most devastating wildfires in California history blazed through the region. But rather than close entirely, Las Alcobas opened…

“Papadopoulos can take the familiar and add layers of flavor to make it outstanding.” “I mean, I don’t have a résumé,” Jimmy Papadopoulos says. “I joke with my friend who worked at Eleven Madison Park that I put in my time there, too—I bought the book.” Though he may not have worked for icons of fine dining, Papadopoulos shouldn’t be so modest. After cutting his teeth at an upscale suburban steak house, he earned rave reviews by making Central European food exciting at Chicago’s Bohemian House. Now, he’s opened Bellemore, a creative and endlessly delicious take on New American cuisine in the Windy City’s West Loop. The restaurant impresses upon entry. The spacious dining room is filled with curved leather banquettes, soaring mirrors behind the bar, a whimsical mural on…

The inspiration for Cote, admits owner Simon Kim, is what he calls his carnivorous mind. “I love meat. Growing up in Seoul, my dad didn’t take me to sports games; we went to restaurants, and sometimes we’d go to Korean barbecue places, where I loved the boisterous atmosphere,” Kim says. “When I came to America, I immediately fell in love with American steak houses.” As a restaurateur, Kim yearned to combine those two early loves—merging the fun and flavors of Korean barbecue with the premium cuts of beef, cocktails, and wine found at an American steak house. With chef David Shim—formerly of M. Wells steak house—at his side, he’s done it. The duo have created a convivial scene with impressive food to match. It begins with Cote’s own aging room.…

A longtime lieutenant to the great Daniel Boulud, Gavin Kaysen left New York behind in 2014 to return to his hometown of Minneapolis. The first restaurant he opened there, Spoon and Stable, featured a mix of influences from Italian to Thai. “We didn’t want it to be pretentious,” Kaysen says. “It doesn’t have a label on it; it’s just good food.” It is safe, however, to put a label on his second restaurant, Bellecour, located just outside of the city. He has honored his time with Boulud and his reverence for Paul Bocuse with a French restaurant and bakery that celebrates France’s traditional fare. “A lot of chefs are classically trained in French cuisine, and we don’t want to see that style of food go away,” Kaysen says. “I love…

“Though elegant, a surprising dash of playfulness permeates the contemporary space.” Tucked into the Engadin valley near St. Moritz, the seven-level Lonsdaleite estate is a modern-day castle that overlooks the Swiss Alps. Development of the property took five years, says Senada Adžem, listing agent and executive director of luxury sales at Douglas Elliman. Because of the home’s location and design—part is embedded in the mountain—construction wasn’t feasible during the winter. At nearly 43,000 square feet, Lonsdaleite is a portrait of sharp geometric lines and neutral tones. The entryway leads to the grand reception, where 35-foot floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Alps and mink covers an entire wall opposite the two fireplaces. Off the reception, crushed red velvet lines the library walls, which conceal a secret office. Though elegant, a surprising dash…

There’s no shortage of beautiful beach homes, but opportunities to live on a UNESCO World Heritage Site are scarce. Architect Alex Michaelis of London-based Michaelis Boyd Associates kept that in mind while envisioning the waterfront homes at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort in St. Lucia, wanting the Pitons (a pair of volcanic spires that rise from the Caribbean Sea) front and center. All five of the two-story, turnkey residences in the collection will face the verdant Pitons and glassy blue sea. “We wanted to bring something fresh and contemporary to the site and were heavily influenced by the vernacular architecture of the islands,” Michaelis says. The residences, ranging from 4,322 to 7,934 square feet, are clad in green-heart timber, a robust, durable wood that can withstand the salty sea breeze.…

When history repeats itself, the second go-around rarely offers a profound improvement over the first. Not so with the new Lamborghini Urus, the exponentially advanced successor to the marque’s original off-road raging bull, the 1980s-era LM002. The Urus, which is named after an extinct breed of ox, is also an improvement on current-model SUVs. It breaks boundaries in the burgeoning market, offering horsepower on par with its supercar sibling, the Lamborghini Huracán Performante, while the cutting-edge crossover’s four-wheel steering, active damping, and four-wheel-drive configuration are inherited from the brand’s flagship Aventador S. But the Urus doesn’t rest on other Lambos’ laurels. The front-engine SUV is unique in its combination of active torque vectoring, adaptive air suspension, active anti-roll bar, and six driving modes—including options for dirt, sand, and snow. In…

Its 212 mph top speed and 755 hp output make the ZR1 the fastest and most powerful production Corvette ever. It’s also one of the highest-tech sports cars on the planet, with wicked good looks and stratospheric performance at a price that’s anything but. An all-aluminum frame and magnetic ride suspension underpin the essence of the ZR1’s soul: a 6.2-liter, supercharged V-8 engine that expresses its anger through a quartet of fat, round exhaust tips that exit rear center. The 3ZR Package adds luxury amenities inside and out, and the aggressive composite bodywork can be made even more ominous with the ZTK Performance Package, which includes a rear stanchion-mounted carbon-fiber high wing and special Michelin Pilot tires. With stats and specs that are comparable to—or that even exceed—those of many…

Ferraris are the gold standard of today’s collector-car market, so it’s no surprise that, by the time our June issue goes to press in early May, the most valuable car sold across all auction houses in 2018 would be a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale. Sold by Gooding & Company in Scottsdale, Ariz., in January, Lot 134 brought $8,085,000, including commission. “This one-off Ferrari is the epitome of rolling art and possesses everything that the most discerning collectors value—spectacular design, impeccable provenance, and rarity,” states David Gooding, president and founder of Gooding & Company. The one-of-a-kind coupe—a presentation car at auto shows in Frankfurt, Turin, Paris, and Brussels in its time—was originally created for the personal use of Battista Pininfarina, whose eponymous carrozzeria designed the 275 GTB. Nearly 1,000 examples…

SCARVES Loro Piana A go-to source for some of the world’s most luxurious and rare materials, Loro Piana offers a wide range of scarves, including this plaid model in baby cashmere, to upgrade any wardrobe. loropiana.com WEEKEND BAGS Passavant and Lee Made with top-quality leather and aircraft-grade aluminum side panels, Passavant and Lee’s bags are attention-getters. This practical, lightweight weekender is a prime example. passavantandlee.com BELTS Bottega Veneta The belt has emerged as a key accessory this year, and Bottega Veneta provides the strongest assortment, from this blue woven-leather model to more classic styles. bottegaveneta.com BOOTS John Lobb The Chelsea boot is an enduring style that’s always in fashion, year in and year out—and examples from the British shoemaker John Lobb are exceptionally well made. johnlobb.com LEATHER ACCESSORIES Stefano Ricci…

“ A drool-worthy, openwork beauty that is the latest salvo in the ongoing battle between Bulgari and Piaget for world records in ultrathin watchmaking.” Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani leans back slightly in his chair and grins, his satisfaction just evident behind his reddish beard. “We know what we have,” says the director of Bulgari’s Watches Design Center, referring to what is probably the rarest commodity in the watch industry: a design strong enough to make even jaded watch collectors take notice and one upon which the brand can trade for years or even decades to come. Bulgari released no fewer than five references of the Octo Finissimo so far this year, each brimming with different measures of bravado and technical fortitude. The headliner of these latest models, which first debuted in…

“I’m different from most designers because I shape interiors rather than decorate them.” What was the first step with Aurora’s interior? The first challenge, given the exterior’s strong character, was to define the mood we wanted. My solution was to soften the interior with curves and a sense of youth connected to the 28-year-old owner. If I’d used the same muscular design as the exterior, which was complete when I came on, we would’ve created a monster. The yacht, with its internal slopes, was more like designing the interior of a race car. How did you make it all work? I turned negatives into positives. In the master cabin were two ugly stainless-steel beams with lots of pipes near the forward window. There was no way to hide them, so…

CRN’s Cloud 9 is much more than the sum of its parts. Zuccon International Projects created a clean profile by layering the five decks plus subdeck of the 243-foot exterior while also using smart design for external social areas. The foredeck doubles as a private gathering area, with an alfresco dining room under a specially designed tent. The beach club has an espresso bar where guests can enjoy water views. A gym is located on the upper deck, and the main deck houses a hair salon, massage table, and fold-down balcony. Cloud 9 also has a 2,600-gallon glass-bottomed pool on the main deck, plus a Jacuzzi on the sundeck and outdoor cinema on the owner’s deck. For water lovers, toys include a MasterCraft X20 competition ski boat, a sailing catamaran,…

“Unlike Paris’s other recently renovated palace hotels, the Crillon has pulled off a true reinvention.” Until last year, Louis XV deserved much of the credit for Hôtel de Crillon. The landmark structure, which the king commissioned in 1755, had been Paris’s most regal address for centuries, a grand showcase of neoclassical extravagance filled with frescoes, friezes, and miles of marble. But last July, a new Crillon emerged as a brighter and more vivacious version of its former self, brought to life by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and a dream team of Paris-based designers, artisans, and craftspeople. Unlike Paris’s other recently renovated palace hotels, the Crillon has pulled off a true reinvention. Gone are the Louis XV salon chairs and heavy velvet drapes. In their place are custom furnishings with a…

First come the cultural attractions, then come the hotels. That’s the standard formula for turning a second-tier city into a world-class destination. And with the debut of the Fontenay—Hamburg’s no-holds-barred design hotel on the edge of Alster Lake—the reinvention of this once-sleepy German city is nearly complete. Opened on the heels of a slew of state-of-the-art projects that include the mesmerizing Elbphilharmonie concert hall and Zaha Hadid’s rippling River Promenade, the Fontenay, with its amorphous white exterior, is an arresting newcomer to a neighborhood full of Hanseatic mansions and cherry trees. But the facade’s unorthodox ebb and flow isn’t architecture for the sake of architecture—its fluid shift from convex to concave creates innovative living spaces, where bubble-like glass walls eliminate the appearance of a barrier to the outside world, and…

The ancient Romans may have invented the concept of a spa, but the Swiss perfected it with their combination of cutting-edge products and clinics and crisp Alpine air. Further solidifying Switzerland’s place at the peak of world wellness is the country’s most anticipated project in years: Bürgenstock Resort. Set on the edge of Lake Lucerne, the historic Bürgenstock—which hosted Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn during its first heyday—relaunched in full last December following a $566 million renovation. The 148-acre mountain retreat is a one-stop wellness hub, home to the Waldhotel—a contemporary, 160-room property with a comprehensive medical center—and the five-star Bürgenstock Hotel, with its 107,000-square-foot Alpine Spa. Visit the latter for pure relaxation—La Prairie facials and Kneipp baths included. Check into the former for exclusive wellness retreats and targeted programs…

Christopher Kostow, the uber-talented chef behind Napa Valley’s three-star Meadowood, wanted to strip down to the essentials. At his latest restaurant, the Charter Oak, he and chef Katianna Hong do so with understated audacity. Their beautiful raw vegetable plate, picked from the garden and served with a fermented soy dip, gets no more fuss than that. There’s no chefing the plate up. They have the confidence to grow and select the right vegetables and then serve them in the most elemental way. When the duo does cook, they make use of the hearth that anchors the dining room, grilling and smoking rustic dishes such as beef rib cooked over Cabernet barrels or the grilled buttermilk-brined chicken served with Napa grape leaves. Combine the food with the gorgeous space and a…

The French Laundry “The French Laundry showed the importance of nostalgia in food. It traces what triggers you to take you to that same place when you first had a dish and it made you so happy. That’s all that matters sometimes about food.” —JAMES SYHABOUT “Thomas Keller brought an Americanness to fine dining. He opened the door for so many of us.” —WILL GUIDARA “In my lifetime, being a chef has gone from a profession with a lot of stereotypes to a place where it’s a totally acceptable career. Keller is a big part of that. He implemented a level of professionalism in the kitchen.” —JULIA SULLIVAN Momofuku Noodle Bar “Momofuku showed it doesn’t have to be really expensive tasting menus to be delicious. It can be culturally driven…

Before the proliferation of independent wine shops—before the Internet was a wine lover’s resource—there was Wally’s Wine & Spirits in Los Angeles. The longtime go-to source for finding just the right bottles, and exciting discoveries to boot, is turning 30 this year. Looking back to the beginning, partner Christian Navarro says, “People who bought wine then were reliant on merchants who traveled the world. Our customers didn’t know any small valleys in the Rhône, let alone how to find them. We set out to be the communicator of everything delicious in the world.” With the advent of powerful wine critics and the speed at which information now travels the globe, wine consumers can know almost as much as the merchants. How does Wally’s stay relevant? “The same way that set…

“Meticulous attention to detail is evident in every inch of the home, from the hand-sanded wood ceiling beams to the 80-year-old, dry-aged oak floors. Longtime Malibu resident Scott Gillen, the creator and founder of design firm Unvarnished, used the expertise he gained as a commercial film director to influence the 23 homes he designed and built in Malibu and Venice over the last 14 years. “My commercials were driven by design, and everything in a home is a series of design and composition,” says Gillen when discussing the similarities between filming a commercial and designing a home. “My standard is very simple: I build houses I would live in.” In 2015, Gillen purchased a 3.5-acre oceanfront promontory, and the following year he set about building a contemporary abode. On track…

“Hudson Yards is the model for what 21st-century cities should be.” In 2007, when the Metropolitan Transit Authority put out a request for ideas to transform the aging Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s West Side, few companies could take on the scale of the project. But Related Companies, a New York–based firm, had a vision, won the bid, and began constructing the largest private real estate development in the United States with Oxford Properties Group. Built on 28 acres, Hudson Yards will include about 100 shops and restaurants and 4,000 residences. Impressive engineering technology underpins the entire project to support the structures without interfering with the train tracks. The community sets a new standard for environmentally responsible living. “Hudson Yards is the model for what 21st-century cities should be,” says Related’s…

Among the world’s premium cigars, few have managed to maintain as consistent a reputation for uncompromising excellence as Davidoff, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its White Label cigars this year. In 1967, Zino Davidoff became the first individual in the Castro era to be granted his own brand of Cuban cigars, and in 1968 he established the now-iconic oval White Label Davidoff band. In 1991, the Russian-born entrepreneur moved his operations to the Dominican Republic, claiming Cuba’s quality was no longer up to his White Label standards. A limited edition of specially commissioned 50th-anniversary cigars and accessories will be introduced. davidoff.com…

High Scroller Hailed as the masterpiece by the 18th-century imperial court painter Qian Weicheng, Ten Auspicious Landscapes of Taishan—which is inscribed with 10 poems written by the Qianlong Emperor—spurred a 40-minute contest that drew more than 100 bids. Collectors chased the scroll to $18.7 million, more than double its $8.9 million high estimate, at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on April 3. sothebys.com Game, Set, Match For a mere three minutes, time seemed to all but stand still as three bidders vigorously vied for Helter Skelter I, a 34-foot-wide Charles Manson–inspired mixed media on canvas by Mark Bradford. Executed in 2007, the work hailed from the collection of tennis champion John McEnroe. It achieved $11,977,943—an auction record for a living African-American artist—at Phillips in London on March 8, with the Los…