French Open champion Li Na is reaping the rewards after her determined, yet unorthodox path made her the first player from Asia to win a Grand Slam title. Since her 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) victory over Francesca Schiavone in the Roland Garros final, carmaker Mercedes-Benz has signed a deal to make Li their first "global ambassador". They join luxury watchmaker Rolex and ice cream manufacturers Haagen-Dazs, along with sporting goods giants Nike, a longtime sponsor who got a boost in China from her success. "She has captivated a country," Max Eisenbud, Li's agent at IMG, told Sports Business Journal. "We could do 25 deals." Eisenbud has predicted that Li's endorsements over the next three years could top $40 million, perhaps eclipsing Russian superstar Maria Sharapova as the top endorsement earner in women's sports. Sharapova, who is also represented by Eisenbud, is estimated by Forbes to make more than $25 million annually in endorsements. Not long after her disappointing … [Read more...] about Li eyes New York launchpad to superstardom
Dry ice ice cream
Sofitel Metropole boasts home-made ice creams
Sofitel Metropole boasts home-made ice creams To mark summer, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi's La Terrasse du Metropole invites diners to experience its exclusive home-made ice creams which blend the French "savoir faire" with a local touch. Following a traditional French recipe and made from 100% natural ingredients and local fresh fruit, the home-made ice creams come in various original flavors. Chocolate lovers should try the "Sicilian Cassata Terrine", a layer of chocolate ice-cream, raspberry sherbet, dry fruits parfait and chocolate sauce. The "Bird Lover's Sundae" is beautifully decorated with pink macarron, strawberries and raspberries marinated in Grand Marnier, passion fruit sherbet and orange ice-cream. Rex Club Lounge opens The Rex Hotel has just launched its Club Lounge at the New Wing. The Rex Club Lounge on the 4th floor of the hotel is reserved for the exclusive use of guests on the executive floors. Located on the 4th and 5th floors, the executive accommodation features nine … [Read more...] about Sofitel Metropole boasts home-made ice creams
Basilico, straight out of Roma
Last Sunday we went to Basilico at the InterContinental Saigon Asiana for an Italian meal. Basilico restaurant at InterContinental Asiana Saigon offers authentic Italian cuisine. "In Italy, Sunday is our day for pizza. The servings (at Basilico) are quite big so we could share," suggested my friend from Torino, Italy. With its fountain, stone columns, and walls beside glass walls with a view of the shady street outside, Basilico evokes the city of Roma. Around the bar area, bunches of dried garlic and cold cuts hang down with the traditional welcoming sight of Italian desserts on the sideboard. There is also a terrace where patrons can sit under white umbrellas and coconut trees. We had a table next to the terrace where I could see the light of the pizza oven in the corner and life outside through the glass walls. For starters, we ordered pan-fried foie gras with mashed potato, and a Greek salad that included feta cheese, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers. Next up was pan-fried … [Read more...] about Basilico, straight out of Roma
Proper eating habits enhance nutritional value of persimmons
‘Decoding’ strange voices in Hanoi 90 years ago
These sounds are not only sweet melodies but they consist of fragrance, taste, amd color that excites all senses of listeners. The sound of peddlers makes Vietnamese streets become lively. It is very interesting for foreigners but they do not understand. To 'decode' these sounds, a French author, F. Fenis, published a think book titled "Peddlers and their sounds on Hanoi streets" (Les marchands ambulants et les cris de la rue Hanoi). The 40-page book describes forms of peddled wares and corresponding advertising sound through pictures and staves. Illustration photos in the book were drawn by students of the Indochina Art College, including To Ngoc Van, who became a great painter of Vietnam later. Below are some pages in the book: PV … [Read more...] about ‘Decoding’ strange voices in Hanoi 90 years ago