GATEWAY DINER - AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN HOLLAND

Last Sunday I was biking through my town and all of a sudden I stood face to face with an original American Diner. Hidden in the middle of a park close to the centre of Almere. The Diner dates back to the late 40s and it's original place was Philipsburg, NJ. at the border of Pennsylvania & New Jersey in a Philipsburg was the gateway between those 2 States that's why they called it the Gateway Diner.

The legend was that the Rolling Stones ate here in the 1970's and raved about its authentic 'Jersey "diner culture". This was probably a stopping-off point between gigs in NYC and Philadelphia.

After some wandering around through Germany, the Gateway Diner opened it's door in 2010 at it's present location Beatrix Park, Almere. Finally I found my place to get that American Experience and sip on a original made Milkshake......I'll be back. (most pics are mine except the first & last ones) 

NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN

Brooklyn Fleamarket

Brooklyn

Smith & Butler, Brooklyn

The Diner, Williamsburg

Williamsburg

My Dream Ride

Facade's on Bedford, Williamsburg

Williamsburg

View from Williamsburg on Manhattan

The last day of my trip, I spent in the streets of Brooklyn & Williamsburg. Did some vintage shopping at the Brooklyn Flea, wish I could ship a container, too much great goodies. After the flea market it was time to pay a visit to the shops for example Smith & Butler on Smith, but also Brooklyn Circus and Steven Alan and others, but that's for tomorrows post. Had a beer @ Diner at Broadway, maybe the outside does't look that interesting the inside is more then that. Close by Diner you can find Hickoree's on the second floor of 6th str. but also that's for later. I strolled over Bedford with all the great facades and hip & trendy people. It was very relaxed to spent a day at the other side of the bridge. 

CHADS THINK'S T.G.I.F.....

Breakfast @ Balthazar

Gant Rugger, Bleecker Str.

Goorin Bros., Bleecker Street

The Palmer Trading Co.

Self Edge, Freeman's & Opening Ceremony signs

Gant Rugger, Prince Street

Lunch @ The Fat Radish

Rugby, Converse & Flight Club

Game Night Yankee's

Nope, that was not what I thought last week, Thank God it's Friday. I had a great day again, lot's of sun. I started the day with a breakfast at Baltazar on Spring Street. Their eggs benedict are amazing. Then I headed to Bleecker Street, where I bumped into Christopher Bastin at the Gant Rugger Store. After a quick chat I followed my way to the Goorin Bros Store. In 1895, Cassel Goorin sold his first hat in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cassel's sons – the Goorin Brothers – continued the tradition of hat making when they moved the family business to San Francisco in 1949. The next stop was Palmer Trading Co. Zack, the manager, told me everything about the collection and how the store was designed. This made me so enthusiastic that I bought a chambray tie with printed fishes myself. This store is worth a detour,  another detour worth is lunch at the Fat Radish on Orchard Street. I treated myself with a bacon cheeseburger with duck fat fries. Did you know that the owners are models in the latest Gant Rugger campaign? I ended the day with a game New York Yankees versus Tampa bay Ray. This was my first ball game...........Go Jeter Go!!

NEW YORK IN THE EVENING

Bill's Bar & Burger, Best in Town

Rugby Bleecker Str.

RRL Bleecker Str.

Hogs & Heifers Meatpacking

I had a great evening. I don't have to explain why, I guess?!

CHAD IN NEW YORK DAY TWO

Jack & Kate's Showroom

Steven Alan

The Spotted Pig

The Jean Shop

Car Porn, what a contrast

Levi's Shop

This morning started with a tour in the brand new showrooms of Jack Spade at Park Avenue.

It was great to meet the people of Jack Spade unfortunately I was not allowed to take pictures as there will be a press day next week. Then I walked in the direction of Meatpacking District and I popped into a cozy small shop of Steven Alen, where I bought myself a nice double face pocket square. I had a great lunch at the Spotted Pig, a Burger with Shoestring Fries....yammie. In Meatpacking I saw them all from Scoop New York till Jeffrey's and all in between like Levi's and the Jean Shop. And then finally it was time to head to the Industria Studio's for the Gant by Michael Bastian Show

LONDON THROUGHT THE EYES OF CHAD

Albion @ The Boundry, Shoreditch

Nike ID @ Boxpark, Shoreditch

Covent Garden

Rugby, Covent Garden

Globe-Trotter, Burlington Arcade

Albam @ Monmouth Str.

Neal's Diary

The Vintage Showroom @ Seven Dials

Pizza East, Portobello Road

RRL Mount Street

Brick Lane

"Tourist Traps"

This weekend I visited London, spent most of my time in the upcoming area's like Shoreditch, Brick lane, Sevendials to name a few. Had a great breakfast in the Albion on Boundry Street, a splendid pizza at Pizza East on Portobello Road, it's worth the long walk from Notting Hill Station. Popped my eyes out at The Vintage Showroom and RRL, you can find the originals at The Vintage Showroom and the copy's at RRL. Even the guy I spoke at RRL worked before at The Vintage Showroom. Visited the first Pop-Up Mall in Shoreditch, all the stores and restaurants are located in sea containers, enjoy some frozen yoghurt on one of the pick-nick tables. Visit Brick Lane on Sunday next to vintage shops you can smell and taste all the flavors of the world, as the street is packed with food stands. It's hard not to do anything touristic in London, so even I had a High Tea in the Orangery of Kensington Palace, and took some pictures of the Big Ben and Horse guards.