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Day: 8 April 2024

Beefbar New York takes the Big Apple by storm

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/04/2024

Beefbar, the famous Monaco steakhouse brand, has opened its first American branch in New York City’s iconic Tribeca district.

When Riccardo Giraudi first opened Beefbar in Fontvieille in 2005, little did he know that he was on his way to building a global empire. Nearly two decades later, his brand has grown exponentially, with Beefbar restaurants now present in dozens of glamourous locations all around the world, including Paris, London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Mexico and Sao Paulo. 

The one place that Giraudi hadn’t expanded to was the US, but that has changed with the launch of a sophisticated and elegant Beefbar in the restaurant space that was once occupied by the original Nobu on 26th March.  

INTERNATIONALLY INSPIRED 

Beefbar has brought its carefully developed menu to the New York location and the US carte feature such “internationally inspired” treats as a Croque Sando, a Beefbar classic sandwich featuring ribeye beef, prosciutto ham and mozzarella smothered in the restaurant’s signature sauce, and the innovative Shiso beef tartare, a mouth-watering combination of Wagyu beef tartare and shiso leaf tempura with a miso-yuzu dressing. 

The signature Croque Sando. Photo credit: Francis Amiand

“My family has been exporting quality beef from the United States to Europe for over 40 years, and Beefbar was created 20 years ago to showcase the incredible products that American producers could produce,” said Giraudi. “Bringing the brand back to the roots of its products is a huge honour. I hope New York enjoys all the great recipes we’ve developed over the years.”

 

The designers of the project, Monaco-based architects Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet, have a long-held connection with Giraudi and Beefbar, and brought their eclectic approach to colour and texture to the new address by blending an urban chic aesthetic with Art Deco elements. 

 Read related:

Interview | Humbert and Poyet, the Monaco designers who don’t “shy away from anything”

 

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Photo credit: Francis Amiand

Meet Alpha, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport’s adorable new mascot

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/04/2024

A cuddly new team member has arrived on the scene at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. Alpha the mascot, who joined the travel hub in late March, has been tasked with “transforming every moment spent at the airport into a pleasurable experience”.  

Airport mascots have been around for years and are a fun way to perk weary passengers up, welcome new arrivals to a destination and make any terminal Instagram-able simply by virtue of their presence.  

Now the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has one of its very own. Since 30th March, a new mascot, Alpha, has been part of the airport’s team, and he is making a career out of brightening people’s days. 

 

Alpha is instantly recognisable. He is a life-sized blue creature, with something akin to a propellor atop his head. He has an infectious smile and large friendly eyes, not entirely unlike a cheery, walking egg.  

HE’S EVERYWHERE 

Alpha is never stationary; he can be found in shops, restaurants and play areas. He likes to have his photo taken and passengers are being encouraged to take a selfie or pose with him alongside their families. 

Keep an eye out for him next time you are travelling through!

Read related:

Nice Airport: easyJet offers new summer destinations from €30

 

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Images via Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

 

French tennis icon Henri Leconte thrills fans at book signing event in Monaco

by: Niki Borisova
08/04/2024
Henri Leconte

With the 2024 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters now in full swing, the weekend provided the perfect moment for French tennis star Henri Leconte to come to Monaco for a book signing event, organized by Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo, featuring his latest work, Balles Neuves.

On 6th April at Fnac, which is found on the ground floor of the Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo mall, Henri Leconte met with delighted fans and signed copies of his new book, all while discussing the challenges of modern tennis and sharing his opinions on today’s top players.

Leconte, who has nine singles titles to his name, as well as a 1991 Davis Cup win and a 1988 French Open title, no longer plays professional tennis, but he has established himself as a popular commentator in the Francophone tennis world as well as a published author.

Balles Neuves, his new book, is an exploration of tennis as a continuous journey.

“It’s about prioritising your time effectively, adapting to the changes and building a character. Tennis is a significant responsibility and is evidence of one’s work ethic,” he said.

“This is the best tournament”

The book signing coincided with the first day of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, and Leconte thrilled his fans with stories of his own tennis experiences in Monaco, such as his triumphant match against Bjorn Borg, his idol, at the Monte-Carlo Open tournament in 1982.

“Every time the Rolex Masters starts, it’s an emotional time for me. This is the best tournament.” he said.

Leconte also shared his prediction for 2024 tournament, saying, “Jannik Sinner will probably reach the finals. There’s an anticipation of many surprises, and Dimitrov is also in excellent form.”

See more: Interview: ATP Top 10 tennis pro Grigor Dimitrov

Broached by fans on his views on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, he said, “It’s clear to me. Roger is like James Bond—suave, sophisticated. Rafael, on the other hand, is the Terminator—unstoppable and relentless.”

At the book signing event, lucky fans had the opportunity to win four tickets to the upcoming Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tournament, including a pair to the final, courtesy of Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo.

 

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Photo by Monaco Life

The first ever Padel Best Expo is underway in Monaco

by: Niki Borisova
08/04/2024
Padel best expo

The high octane Padel Best Expo is currently underway at the Grimaldi Forum featuring everything padel enthusiasts could wish for: the world’s leading padel brands and suppliers, celebrity appearances, and official competitions. 

On Sunday 7th April, the long awaited first edition of Padel Best Expo, organised by BSG Italy, kicked off, with Louis Ducruet officially opening the event by cutting the ribbon. Roberta Ceccarelli, CEO of BSG, lead the ceremony, saying “It’s very emotional being here today, setting the exposition in motion after the hard work we have done preparing it since July.”

The traditional rope cutting ceremony was followed by a dance and show, and the appearance of Paddy, the official mascot for Padel Best Expo.

Roberta Ceccarelli, CEO of BSG, and Louis Ducruet opening the Padel Best Expo on Sunday

Inside the Grimaldi Forum’s Padel Exposition

This year’s exposition is all about innovation and technology integration in the sport, with a spotlight on current trends. Visitors get a sneak peek into the experiential event inside the Grimaldi Forum, with the latest equipment, materials and courts all on show.

The exposition also features start-ups who are leading the new global trends in padel, as well as padel federations from various countries, with special areas for networking in the ‘Digital Space Stations’, a key concept of the exposition.

It gives regular players a chance to meet up and enjoy their shared passion, padel, while providing an opportunity for the more novice players to discover the specifics of the sport that is taking the world by storm.

Louis Ducruet at the Padel Forum, photo credits: Frederic Nebinger, Prince Palace

Second edition of Five Padel Cup inside the Grimaldi Forum 

Several Padel courts have been set up inside the Grimaldi Forum, enabling the Five Padel Cup to take place in the heart of the expo. Here, five tournaments are taking place: Club Padel Cup, Women Padel Cup, For All Padel Cup, Generation Z and Champions and Business. There is also a ‘have fun’ area, with a digital gym and interactive games for visitors to participate in.

See more: Monaco to host inaugural Padel Best Expo and CUPRA FIP Tour 2024 stage this April

Among the teams taking part in the Padel Best Expo is the Barbagiuans of Monaco, founded by Prince Albert II and now chaired by Louis Ducruet, who will field several teams, most of them made up of iconic figures from local and international football.

The Padel Best Exp is on from the 7th to 9th April at Grimaldi Forum. Tickets are available here.

 

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Публикация от Monaco Life | News from Monaco (@monacolife_)

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Photo credits: Frederic Nebinger, Prince Palace

France increases cigarette prices as personal use import limits are lifted

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/04/2024
cigarette prices

Cigarette prices have hit an all-time high in France, with the average cost of a single packet now sitting at €11.50. At the same time, limits on personal use imports within the EU have been lifted.  

Mixed messages abound when it comes to the purchase of cigarettes in France these days. On the one hand, the price of individual packets has gone up twice this year so far in a clear effort to curb smoking in the country while on the other, the government has lifted the one carton per person import limit into France from other EU countries, meaning that if smokers want to bring back a large supply for less, they simply need to cross the border to take advantage of cheaper prices in the country’s European neighbours.  

58¢ PER CIGARETTE 

At the start of 2024, the French government raised cigarette prices, both pre-rolled and loose tobacco, to a record high of €11 per pack on average. This was quickly followed up on 1st March with another hike of 50¢ per packet, bringing the cost of a single cigarette up to an average of 58¢.  

These prices, which are a full 70% higher than a decade ago, are designed to be deterrents to smokers, with the idea being that by making the cost so untenable, people will have to quit or suffer financial hardship.  

See more: Cancer-related deaths in Europe expected to rise by a third by 2045

The move is part of an overall government plan put into motion last November to create a smoking-free society by 2032. In addition to yearly price rises, the government is also imposing bans on smoking in public spaces, such as beaches and parks. There are ongoing discussions about bans on disposable e-cigarettes. 

NO LIMITS 

But these endeavours are commendable, and have been widely welcomed by health officials and authorities, since 27th March, France has, by official decree, changes the rules on importing cigarettes into the country from other EU nations.

Essentially, the limit of one carton per person has been lifted, allowing smokers to bring home a much larger supply of cigarettes for personal consumption.  

The rules state that the consumer must be 18 or older and that the cigarettes are for personal use only. Additionally, the person must be “reasonable” in the quantity brought back, and prove, through a set of criteria, that they are not bringing tobacco into France to sell for profit. 

France’s neighbours, including Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Andorra, all sell tobacco products for considerably less than the domestic prices, ranging from €4 in Andorra to a pricier €9.50 in Switzerland. A packet of cigarettes in Italy will set consumers back about €6. 

 

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Photo source: Unsplash

Georges Marsan returns as mayor amid corruption charges

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/04/2024

Three months after being indicted on corruption and influence peddling charges, Monaco’s long-running Mayor Georges Marsan has returned to office.

On Monday 8th April, the Mairie released a press statement, simply stating, “It is in thanking the Deputy Mayor, the members of the Municipal Council and all the staff that Mayor Georges Marsan returned to the Town Hall today.”

On 14th December 2023, Monaco’s six-time mayor, Georges Marsan, was indicted for “active corruption against a national public official, passive corruption by a national public official, active and passive influence peddling, illegal taking of interest by a national public official and criminal conspiracy”. 

He was ordered to stay away from municipal headquarters, and Camille Svara stepped in as mayor on 3rd January for “an indefinite period”. 

Late Monday, the Monaco Prosecutor’s Office also released a statement, revealing that the judicial order preventing Marsan from contacting Mairie staff had been lifted, however the 67-year-old Monegasque politician continued to face the charges against him.

“Georges Marsan remains charged and subject to judicial supervision which notably prohibits him from entering into contact with various people, including traders at the Condamine market and the Halle de Monaco, places that he is prohibited from frequenting,” read the statement. “The public prosecutor’s office recalls that Mr. Marsan is still presumed innocent.”

Georges Marsan has always maintained his innocence, saying through his legal advisor at the time Thomas Brezzo – who has since been elected National Council President – “My actions have always been for the benefit of [Monaco’s] citizens, and have always been motivated by the general interest and standing of the Principality of Monaco… I believe I am being subjected to abusive measures and real harassment. I confirm: I have never taken advantage of my position. I cannot wait for my innocence to be proven.” 

A more detailed response by Mayor Georges Marsan is expected when he holds a press conference on Tuesday 16th April at the Town Hall.  

SEE ALSO:

Thomas Brezzo, the new President of the Conseil National de Monaco, pledges an era of “dynamism”

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco