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Michelin-starred Yoshi goes al fresco for summer nights

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/06/2022

Yoshi fans can now enjoy their favourite Michelin-star cuisine poolside as the Metropole Hotel takes its renowned Japanese restaurant to the Karl Lagerfeld-designed Odyssey rooftop terrace for the summer months.

Yoshi, the intimate dining room located on the ground floor of the Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo, got its Michelin star by “paying tribute to Japanese cuisine with premium ingredients and flawless technique”, according to the coveted guide. It remains the only Japanese restaurant in all of Monaco and the French Riviera to receive such an accolade.

Chef Takeo Yamazaki, 14 years at the helm, and his team are experts in creating picture-perfect nigiris, makis, sashimi, and teppanyaki fish and meat dishes, which are accompanied by the finest sakes, whiskeys and Japanese green teas that have been carefully selected by the head sommelier.

Now, the chefs are taking their talents to the rooftop kitchen where they will prepare their traditional cuisine for guests to enjoy al fresco by the swimming pool terrace and glamorous setting created by world-famous fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

The Odyssey terrace, photo by the Metropole Hotel

“The decision to bring Yoshi to Odyssey was initiated by our guests who wished to be able to enjoy an al fresco gastronomic offer,” Serge Ethuin, Genereal Manager of the Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo, told Monaco Life. “After consultation with chefs Christophe Cussac, Takeo Yamazaki and the catering team, we decided to grant our customers’ wishes.”

With its giant palm trees, cascades of wisteria and subtle notes of jasmine, the terrace and gardens form a veritable oasis in the heart of Monte-Carlo; a relaxing place to spend an evening with refreshing, light, Japanese cuisine.

Ebi Shinjo, one of the chef’s signature dishes. Photo courtesy Studio Phenix

During a press event on Wednesday 22nd June, we were treated to Chef Takeo Yamazaki’s signature dishes: Ebi Shinjo – a kombu consommé with a deliciously light and flavourful shrimp ball; Omakase – a selection of sushis and sashimis; and Ghindara – black cod marinated for 72 hours, perfectly grilled, and served in a decorative leaf accompanied by a warm miso broth.

Every ingredient, every creation, every plate is of extraordinary quality. Course after course is a delicious surprise.

Featured alongside each dish was a premium sake, Dassai 21. We learned that the number represents the degree to which the rice has been milled or polished. So, in Dassai 21, the rice grains have been polished so much that only 21% of the grains have actually been used. The lower the number, the more polished the rice grain and the higher quality the sake.

Shake by Yoshi, photo courtesy Metropole Hotel

The rooftop traditionally houses Odyssey, a fixture in the hotel since 2013, headed by Chef Christophe Cussac and his Mediterranean-inspired menu. The Odyssey terrace restaurant is still open for guests during the day, between 12pm and 5pm.

“Since the opening on 17th June, we have been almost fully booked every night,” reveals Ethuin. “The guests love to have access to this glamorous setting created by Karl Lagerfeld, they also appreciate dining in this oasis in the heart of Monte-Carlo.

We believe that Lagerfeld would have been very proud to see Yoshi set up in the place he created because, for him, Yoshi was the best Japanese restaurant in Europe.”

Yoshi at Odyssey is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30pm to 10.30pm, until the end of September.

Click on the gallery below to see more photos by Monaco Life of Yoshi at Odyssey…

Family affair: Twins join Princely couple for official tour in Norway

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/06/2022

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene have taken their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, to Norway for a commemorative tour dedicated to his ancestor, ocean explorer Albert I.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were joined by their children Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, as well as Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, on Wednesday 22nd June at the Fram Museum for the inauguration of ‘Sailing the Sea of Science, Scientist and explorer. Prince Albert I and the early Norwegian exploration of Svalbard’.

The exhibition has been created by the Fram Museum in cooperation with the Albert I Committee, and with contributions by the Archives of the Prince’s Palace, the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco, and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. It tracks the scientific fields of Prince Albert I at Spitzberg, the main island of Svalbard, in 1898, 1899, 1906 and 1907.

Photo by Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace, and Sven Gj Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court of Norway

Prince Jacques helped his father in cutting the ribbon to officially open the exhibition, which includes the polar exploration ship Gjoa.

Earlier in the day, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were the guests of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway for lunch at their private residence Bygdø Kongsgaard.

Photo by Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace, and Sven Gj Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court of Norway

The commemorative tour will take them to Longyearbyen, the capital of Spitsbergen, on Thursday where Prince Albert II will unveil a bronze bust of Prince Albert I offered to the Norwegian Polar Institute of Longyearbyen in memory of his many Arctic expeditions and exchanges with Norwegian explorers.

This will be followed by a private cruise aboard Commander Charcot, which will sail from Longyearbyen and follow the route taken by Prince Albert I during his campaigns.

Photos: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace, and Sven Gj Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court of Norway

 

 

 

Johnny Depp to join Jeff Beck on stage in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/06/2022

Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck has just been added to the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival line-up for one night only in July and will be playing alongside another well-known name: Johnny Depp.

Inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his work in the 1960’s band The Yardbirds in 1992 and again for his solo career in 2009, Jeff Beck is considered one of the best rock guitarists of all-time.

Known for his fast, complex playing style, he is a godfather of heavy metal and jazz-rock, and this summer he is coming to the Principality for one night as part of his European tour.

As if this isn’t a treat enough, the superstar will be on stage alongside another superstar, though from a different medium, actor Johnny Depp. The two have collaborated before and enjoy making music together. Depp is even making an appearance on Beck’s upcoming album, entitled 18, as the composer of two songs. They also worked together in 2020, releasing a cover of John Lennon’s Isolation.

Of the unexpecting pairing, Beck says, “Someone came knocking on my dressing room door in Japan five years ago, and we haven’t stopped laughing since!” Depp adds, “It’s a tremendous honour to be able to play and write music with Jeff, one of the greats, who I now have the privilege of calling my brother.”

As for the title of the new album, Beck explains, “When Johnny and I started playing together, it really ignited our youthful and creative spirit. We were joking about feeling like we were 18 again, so that became the title of the album as well.”

Depp’s name has been front and centre in the media recently because of the defamation trial he brought, and won, against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

But when on stage with Beck, it’s all about the music.

The newly-added event will feature Beck and Depp along with Rhonda Smith on bass, Anika Nilles on drums, and Robert Stevenson on keyboards. Tickets for the show, which is set for 9th July at Opera Garnier Monte-Carlo, are on sale now from €250 and can be purchased on the SBM website at https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/shows/monte-carlo-summer-festival/jeff-beck

 

 

 

A&K Travel Group acquires Crystal Cruises

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/06/2022

The Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony cruise vessels have been acquired by A&K Travel Group, the company owned by Abercrombie and Kent CEO Geoffrey Kent, and Heritage, the holding company chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio.

The two ships will resume service in 2023 after undergoing extensive refurbishment and will operate under the award-winning Crystal Cruises brand that has also been acquired by A&K Travel Group Ltd.

“I am thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have, a special place in my heart,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group, Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent. “Thirty-five years ago, my family acquired control of Sitmar Cruises, building three of the first purpose-built cruise ships, and 30 years ago my family pioneered a new way of cruising. Our goal was to deliver the best experience, pampering guests from all over the world with around-the-clock butler service and extraordinary culinary experiences.

“Selling the cruise business that belonged to my family for a quarter of a century was a difficult decision, as I knew I would miss this industry immensely. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice. Having next to me my incredible friend and inspiring leader Geoffrey Kent makes this venture even more enjoyable.”

The two ships were on the market after Crystal, operated by Genting Hong Kong, suspended operations in January and shut down in February, ending a world cruise on Crystal Serenity after just two weeks in January. Both ships were seized by authorities in The Bahamas in early February for unpaid fuel bills of more than $4 million.

“Even though it seems like yesterday, 30 years have passed since the Lefebvre family and I had our first ship together…Manfredi and I have been best friends and business associates ever since,” added Geoffrey Kent, Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group Ltd. and Crystal Cruises, and Founder, Co-Chairman and CEO of Abercrombie & Kent. “The idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride.”

Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent will report to Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, who commented: “The acquisition of Crystal has been extremely challenging but the satisfaction of having this jewel in our family is the best payoff for all the hard work and efforts of the A&K team. Manfredi, Geoffrey and I look forward to welcoming past Crystal and Abercrombie & Kent guests onboard, as well as those seeking rewarding luxury experiences.”

A&K Travel Group Ltd. has partnered with cruise ship manager V.Ships Leisure, based in Monaco.

 

Photo source: Crystal Cruises

 

 

 

Mareterra: Monaco’s new property goldmine delivers ahead of schedule

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/06/2022

With two and a half years until delivery, only four apartments are still for sale in Monaco’s future eco-district Mareterra, while the majority of incoming families will be European, it has been revealed.

Guy-Thomas Levy-Soussan, managing director of SAM L’Anse du Portier, was guest speaker at the Junior Economic Chamber of Monaco meeting on Tuesday. As head of the company responsible for the design, development, financing and marketing of Mareterra, he revealed some very interesting facts about Monaco’s new property goldmine, a future district that is being created thanks to an enormous, multi-billion euro land reclamation project.

The properties, which will cradle Monaco’s new coastline, are definitely expansive, with only 140 apartments and 10 villas built on a total area of six hectares. The smallest apartment is 400sqm; the largest villas are over 3,000sqm. The rest of the district will be filled with 800 trees, making it the densest area in terms of greenery in the entire Principality.

The aim, said Guy-Thomas Levy-Soussan, was to accommodate more families who are settling in Monaco, a demographic that has been significantly growing in size over the years. It goes against a 20-year trend where people would buy studios and small apartments in Monaco for the residency status, but live abroad.

Of the 140 apartments on offer at Mareterra, 136 have already sold – a clear indication that demand is incredibly high, despite the matching price tag. Levy-Soussan was reluctant to reveal the exact price per square metre in the new district, however it would have to be somewhere above Fontvielle’s €58,000 per sqm and Monte-Carlo’s €60,0000 per sqm.

Still, it is not a question of money, said Levy-Soussan, when it came to selecting the district’s new residents. There are “no clients from the Middle East, Asia, and few Russians”, he said, and no investors. Prospective residents were put through a rigorous selection process in order to “have the best people for the neighbourhood”.

So, who will be living in Monaco’s most sought-after district? Mostly families from Italy, France, Belgium and Switzerland, he revealed.

Meanwhile, the project is said to be six months ahead of schedule.

SEE ALSO: 2021 property report: market rebounds but still down

Photo by Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

 

 

 

 

Monaco mourns the death of first firefighter in its history

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/06/2022

A manslaughter and involuntary injury investigation has been opened into the death of Sergeant Thierry Perard on Sunday, the first firefighter to have died on duty in the history of the Principality.

Prince Albert was among many members of the community to express his condolences to the family and peers of Sergeant Thierry Perard, who died from toxic smoke inhalation on what should have been a day of celebration, Father’s Day.

“It is with great sadness that HSH Prince Albert II learned of the death of Sergeant Thierry Perard in the performance of his duties”, said the Palace in a statement, adding that it was “the first time in its history that the firefighter’s unit from the Principality loses one of its own, in the performance of his duty to save lives.”

Sergeant Thierry Perard was responding with his unit to a raging apartment fire in Le 21 residence building on Avenue Princess Grace on Sunday. Hours later, the government confirmed that the firefighter, with 26 years of experience, had died.

“His Serene Highness wishes to assure the wife and daughter of this firefighter that together with His family, He shares their deep sorrow,” said the Palace. “He also endorses the strong emotion of the Corps of Firefighters of the Principality, and of all the Public Force, deeply affected by this terrible event.”

Meanwhile, Minister of State Pierre Dartout on Monday visited La Condamine barracks with Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario to express the government’s sympathy to firefighters and the family of the victim.

“The tragic death of Sergeant Thierry Perard is a painful reminder of the total commitment of firefighters to help our national community,” said the government in a statement.

Smoke billowed from the apartment on Avenue Princess Grace on Sunday, photo supplied to Monaco Life

Sergeant Thierry Perard reportedly entered the 400sqm home just after 1pm searching for its missing occupants, the toxic flames fuelled by large amounts of burning furniture and winds entering from three facades. It was, say experts, an “unprecedented” random phenomena.

Sergeant Perard was transported to hospital with toxic smoke inhalation and later died of his injuries. He had served 26 years in the brigade.

In total, 65 firefighters were called to the scene at the seaside district of Larvotto. The blazing apartment was situated on the first of five floors of block B, opposite the Grimaldi Forum, which is currently hosting the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.

On Monday, it was confirmed to Monaco Matin that the Public Security office, under the supervision of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Monaco, had opened an investigation for manslaughter and involuntary injury. The apartment is believed to be owned by a woman aged almost 100 years. Forensic experts from Marseille have been sent in to deteremine the origin of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the situation that led to the death of Sergeant Perard.

 

 

Photo by Stephane Dana, Government Communication Department