The Black Enterprise Guide to the Best of Everything: products, places, style purveyors, and some really great experiences.WHO'S THE HOTTEST MEN'S DESIGNER? WHERE CAN A woman find the most stylish shoes without sacrificing comfort? What are the premium accoutrements ac·cou·ter·ment or ac·cou·tre·ment n. 1. An accessory item of equipment or dress. Often used in the plural. 2. Military equipment other than uniforms and weapons. Often used in the plural. 3. for today's business Today's Business is a show on CNBC that aired in the early morning, 5 to 7AM ET timeslot, hosted by Liz Claman and Bob Sellers, and it was replaced by Wake Up Call on Feb 4, 2002. and lifestyle demands? And which premier destinations help you escape from it all? We talked to our writers and editors as well as scores of experts, enthusiasts, and industry tastemakers to answer those questions--and more. Our result: The BLACK ENTERPRISE Guide to the Best of Everything. From high-end fashion and luxury autos to top-shelf spirits and enchanting resorts, this comprehensive package reveals the finest products, unmatched services, and world-class experiences for professionals and entrepreneurs who work smart, play hard, and deserve nothing but the best. Just as important, we unveil a number of African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. innovators and emerging talents worthy of recognition. They represent the force behind some of the world's first-class brands and exciting new properties. Read the following pages of our inaugural guide and discover the ultimate lifestyle. {fashion} Best Emerging Men's Designer NANA BOATENG Born in Ghana, Nana Boateng is a clothier to the stars with his custom men's line--Akua Adoma--offering suits, shirts, and overcoats, featuring Persian lamb and Australian wool (the softest in the world). Clients include actors Forest Whitaker, Djimon Hounsou Djimon Gaston Hounsou (born April 24, 1964) is an Academy Award-nominated Beninoise actor, dancer and fashion model. Biography Early life Hounsou (pronounced / , Derek Luke, Terry Crews, and tennis star Boris Becker Boris Franz Becker (born November 22 1967) is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from Germany. He is a six-time Grand Slam singles champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and the youngest-ever winner of the men's singles title at Wimbledon at the age of 17. . Carried in boutiques in London, Tokyo, and Rome, suits range from $1,800 to $5,000; coats $3,000 to $6,000. www.akuaadoma.rom [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Ties ROBERT TALBOTT Robert Talbott ties are known for their signature fabrics, intricate weaving, and fine quality. All neckwear is hand-sewn on the Monterey Peninsula The Monterey Peninsula in central California comprises the cities of Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, some unincorporated area of Monterey County and the private community of Pebble Beach. in California. Each tie is given special consideration such as the Seven Fold tie, which is created with seven hand cut layers. www.roberttalbott.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Cufflinks LONGMIRE Longmire provides men with one of the world's largest collection of cufflinks in 18-karat white, yellow, and rose gold and a stunning array of stones including diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. www.longmire.co.uk [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Bespoke be·spoke v. Past tense and a past participle of bespeak. adj. 1. Custom-made. Said especially of clothes. 2. Making or selling custom-made clothes: a bespoke tailor. Designer OZWALD BOATENG "Ozwald" redirects here. See also: Oswald. Ozwald Boateng(OBE) is a fashion designer. Born in Ghana in the late 1960s and brought up in north London. While studying computing at Southwark College, he was introduced to cutting and designing clothes by his girlfriend at the time. Designing for more than 20 years, Ozwald Boateng (Nana's cousin) is the first black to own a boutique on Britain's famed Savile Row Savile Row occupies a quiet corner of Mayfair in central London near Bond Street and is famous for its men's bespoke tailoring. Many of the greatest, most famous or most infamous men in history have patronised the many tailors that occupy this street; men such as Winston . His one-off designs, entirely made by hand, have impressed celebrities from Laurence Fishburne Laurence John Fishburne III[1] (born July 30 1961) is an American Academy Award-nominated, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actor of screen and stage, as well as playwright, director, and producer. to Mick Jagger Noun 1. Mick Jagger - English rock star (born in 1943) Jagger, Michael Philip Jagger . Boateng also has his own line of fabrics sold around the world. www.ozwaldboateng.com.uk [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beat Custom Shoes GJ CLEVERLEY The art of custom shoemaking is a rare skill. Renowned bespoke shoemakers George Glasgow and John Camera inherited tie knowledge of the craft from their mentor, famous London shoemaker George Cleverley, whose store they now operate. Using pre-Revolutionary Russian reindeer hide salvaged from a Danish ship sunk nearly 200 years ago, the duo fashioned a pair for Prince Charles Noun 1. Prince Charles - the eldest son of Elizabeth II and heir to the English throne (born in 1948) Charles . www.gjcleverleyco.uk [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Men's Retail Experience RALPH LAUREN Ralph Lauren (born Ralph Lifschitz on October 14, 1939) is an American fashion designer and business executive. Life Ralph J. Lauren was born in the New York City borough of The Bronx to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants Fraydl (Kotlar) and Frank Lifshitz, a house A New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. landmark, the Rhinelander Mansion--with antique furnishings and cashmere cashmere Animal-hair fibre forming the downy undercoat of the Kashmir goat. The fibre became known for its use in beautiful shawls and other handmade items produced in Kashmir, India. The fibres have diameters finer than those of the best wools. upholstery--houses Ralph Lauren's flagship men's boutique. http://stores.polo.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Leather Goods and Accessories MARTIN DINGMAN Martin Dingman provides an extensive assortment of belts, shoes, wallets, and other accessories. Fashioned in European tradition, each price is a timeless design, exquisitely constructed in the world's best leathers and exotic skins by hand. www.martindingman.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Emerging Jewelry Designer A jewelry designer is defined as a person who renders, creates, and models original Jewelry creations. By profession this person would be trained in the knowledge of metalsmithing and design. MYCHAEL KNIGHT Mychael Knight (until recently "Michael Knight", born April 11, 1978 in Nuremberg, Germany) is an Atlanta, Georgia-based fashion designer. Knight was formally trained as a designer when he received his Bachelor's degree for apparel design and merchandising at Georgia He is best known as Project Runway's "fan favorite" on season three. He didn't win, but he moved on to partner with premier diamond jeweler Louis Glick (www.louis glick.com) to present his own jewelry line. His unique bold diamond creations set in platinum start at $100,000. www.mychaelknight.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Emerging Handbag Line SUKARI Undiscovered luxury line Sukari--the Swahili word for "sweet" or "sugar"--boasts buttery lambskin and exotic ostrich ostrich, common name for a large flightless bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa and parts of SW Asia, allied to the rhea, the emu and the extinct moa. It is the largest of living birds; some males reach a height of 8 ft (244 cm) and weigh from 200 to 300 lb with suede interiors. And you can customize each piece with hardware cast in smooth or hammered 24-karat gold or rhodium rhodium (rō`dēəm), metallic chemical element; symbol Rh; at. no. 45; at. wt. 102.9055; m.p. about 1,966°C;; b.p. 3,727±100°C;; sp. gr. 12.41 at 20°C;; valence +2, +3, +4, +5, or +6. . The premiere collection, priced flora $860 to $3,800 and available by special older, was inspired by designer Alicia Ferriabough's travels. www.sukaridesigns.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Classic Handbag Designers LANA LANA Latency-Associated Nuclear Antigen LANA Lymphology Association of North America LANA Llama Association of North America LANA Lipizzan Association of North America LANA Low-Altitude Night Attack LANA Lithuanian Association of Nonlinear Analysts MARKS Alligator alligator, large aquatic reptile of the genus Alligator, in the same order as the crocodile. There are two species—a large type found in the S United States and a small type found in E China. Alligators differ from crocodiles in several ways. , ostrich, crocodile, and lizard skin LANA MARKS handbags are favorites of Angela Bassett and Oprah Winfrey “Oprah” redirects here. For the show, see The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah Gail Winfrey (born January 29, 1954) is the American multiple-Emmy Award winning host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest-rated talk show in television history. . The highly popular Diamond Cleopatra Clutch is loaned to one actress a year on the Academy Awards red carpet. www.lanamarks.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] JUDITH LEIBER Judith Leiber (born Judith Peto in 1921 in Budapest, Hungary) is a world-renowned designer of haute couture handbags. Judith Peto was the first woman to join the handbag-makers guild in Budapest. Judith Leiber's signature designs include the rectangular Goddess bag decorated with Austrian crystals. Leiber's products are all made in the U.S. by hand and sought after by Hollywood's hippest fashionistas. www.judithleiber.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Fashion Boutique TRACY REESE Tracy Reese (born on February 12, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American fashion designer. Tracy is the daughter of Claud (a manager) and Pat (a modern dance teacher). Tracy Reese's vibrant collections have dazzled many in the fashion world. The young designer successfully opened her own chic boutique in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of City's Meatpacking meatpacking or meat-processing, wholesale business of buying and slaughtering animals and then processing and distributing their carcasses to retailers. The livestock industry is among the largest in the world. District last year, where here breezy collections as well as her new home decor line are featured. The 2,200-square-foot store, with its chandeliers and curved walls, reflects the playful femininity of Reese's designs. www.tracyreese.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beat Executive Shoes SAMANTA SHOES Style with comfort equals luxury, says the designer of Samanta Shoes, whose unique hybrid of a high instep instep /in·step/ (-step) the dorsal part of the arch of the foot. in·step n. The arched middle part of the foot between toes and ankle. , flat foot mold, and moratorium on heels higher than three inches provide for easy, elegant stepping. Tyra Banks Tyra Lynne Banks (born December 4, 1973) is an American supermodel, television personality and talk show hostess.[1][2][3] She first emerged to prominence on the runways of Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, and the U.S. , Sanaa Lathan Sanaa McCoy Lathan (born September 19 1971) is a Tony Award-nominated American actress. Biography Career Following her training at Yale, where she performed in a number of Shakespeare's plays, Lathan earned acclaim both off-Broadway and on the Los Angeles stage. , Geena Davis Virginia Elizabeth "Geena" Davis (born January 21 1956) is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated American actress and former fashion model. Biography Early life , and Sophia Bush Sophia Anna Bush (born July 8, 1982) is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role of Brooke Davis in the CW series One Tree Hill and also for her role portraying Grace Andrews in the horror remake The Hitcher. all agree. www.samantashoes.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beat High-Fashion Shoe Designer COURTNEY CRAWFORD His collection is not for the fashionably timid. His clients are women who want to make a statement. Courtney Crawford designs sleek, sexy stilettos featuring fine leathers and skins often accented with a variety of furs--including chinchilla chinchilla (chĭnchĭl`ə), small burrowing rodent of South America. It lives in colonies at high altitudes (up to 15,000 ft/4,270 m) in the Andes of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. . www.courtneycrawford.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beat Luxury Retailer ASPREY Located in the United Kingdom, U.S., Japan, Hong Kong Hong Kong (hŏng kŏng), Mandarin Xianggang, special administrative region of China, formerly a British crown colony (2005 est. pop. 6,899,000), land area 422 sq mi (1,092 sq km), adjacent to Guangdong prov. , Malaysia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates, federation of sheikhdoms (2005 est. pop. 2,563,000), c.30,000 sq mi (77,700 sq km), SE Arabia, on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. , this 226-year old British luxury retailer offers an array of unique items ideal for client gifts or personal treats. Its extensive corporate gift collection features 18-karat white-gold-and-diamond cufflinks ($3,383) a travel alarm clock made from alligator skin alligator skin n. See ichthyosis. and stainless steel stainless steel: see steel. stainless steel Any of a family of alloy steels usually containing 10–30% chromium. The presence of chromium, together with low carbon content, gives remarkable resistance to corrosion and heat. ($1,293), and a sterling sliver ice bucket ice bucket n. 1. A small insulated container with a lid, used for holding ice. 2. A similar container without a lid used to cool bottles placed inside it. ($4,379). www.asprey.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Trendy Boutique THE RED LEMON STORE Raised in Japan, Phnewfula Frederiksen has attracted celebrity regulars including rapper Ludacris and actress Gabrielle Union to her trendy boutique in Los Angeles. From its selection of $600 jeans to candles that dissolve into moisturizing cream, it's a one-stop feel good shop. www.theredlemonstore.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Bridal Designer AMSALE Strong, feminine, and simply classic, Amsale is not your typical bridal designer. Her uniquely elegant gowns suit a variety of bridal celebrations. Her flagship salon is on Madison Avenue, but her creations can be found in fine boutiques nationwide. www.amsale.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Fragrance CLIVE CHRISTIAN The fragrance formula dates back to 1872 and has been a favorite of royalty for years. Today enjoyed by many, Clive Christian Perfumes bottles alluringly exotic and rare scents to create the world's most expensive perfumes. www.clive.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beat Diamond Buying Experience TIFFANY Known for fine jewelry and the best selection in stones, Tiffany & Co. also provides private consultations as well as workshops on how to select a suitable engagement ring. The contents of the little blue box with the satin ribbon come with a price tag no less than $1,430. www.tiffany.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {restaurants} Best Tea Sitting PALM COURT, THE RITZ LONDON For 36 [pounds sterling] per person, you can enjoy a variety of sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and other pastries (with condiments such as Devonshire Clotted Cream) and an eclectic selection of delicious teas, including South African Rooibos rooibos Noun S African a kind of tea made from the leaves of a South African wild shrub Also called: (rooibos tea (bush tea) [Afrikaans rooi red + bos bush] Noun 1. Red Tea. Men must wear a jacket and tie, and you must make a reservation--sometimes months in advance. www.theritzlondon.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Soul Food MS. TOOTSIE'S At Philadelphia's Ms. Tootsie's Restaurant Bar & Lounge, KeVen Parker and mother Joyce promise all the traditional comfort foods mama used to make: smothered smoth·er v. smoth·ered, smoth·er·ing, smoth·ers v.tr. 1. a. To suffocate (another). b. To deprive (a fire) of the oxygen necessary for combustion. 2. pork chops, fried whiting, and caramelized candied can·died adj. Permeated, covered, encrusted, or cooked with sugar: candied sweet potatoes. candied Adjective coated with or cooked in sugar: yams. They have also introduced several health-conscious alternatives. www.kevenparker.net/mstootsrbl.html [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best International Dining Experience LASSERRE For more than 60 years, Paris' Lasserre has maintained a celebrated standard of elegance and fine dining. [he restaurant is dramatically appointed, featuring a ceiling that opens up for open-air dining when weather permits. The wine cellar boasts 160,000 bottles. www.restaurant-lasserre.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best "Green" Restaurateur res·tau·ra·teur also res·tau·ran·teur n. The manager or owner of a restaurant. [French, from restaurer, to restore; see restaurant. GOVIND GOVIND Government-Industry (restricted information) ARMSTRONG Raised in Costa Rica and Los Angeles, Govind Armstrong's dishes are exquisite creations of local meats and produce in L.A and Miami--the locations of his highly celebrated Table 8 restaurants. His approach is minimalist for a clean, straightforward dining experience. Menus change not only with the season; new delights are introduced every few days--on recyclable paper, of course. Armstrong, co-owner and executive chef, opens his latest Table 8 this fall in New York. www.table8la.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {excursions} Beat Luxury Train Experience ORIENT-EXPRESS There's exquisite dining prepared by French chefs as well as breakfast and afternoon tea. The cabin suite includes 24-hour steward service, and the black-tie splendor of the bar car is where great acquaintances can be made. The Venice Simplon-Orient Express offers a luxury boutique as well. www.orient-express.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beat Charter Boat Experience PHOCEA Surround yourself with serene waters and splendid opulence aboard the 246-foot Phocea. Onboard amenities include satellite television, hair salon, gym, and sauna. And the hand-picked crew is there to cater to all that you may fancy. With an interior outfitted to the highest standards, this enchanted en·chant tr.v. en·chant·ed, en·chant·ing, en·chants 1. To cast a spell over; bewitch. 2. To attract and delight; entrance. See Synonyms at charm. vessel allows guests (up to 12) to sail the Mediterranean in virtuoso luxury. www.nigelburgess.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Family Cruise ROYAL CARIBBEAN There's a water park, onboard ice-skating, a theater group, deejay dee·jay n. Informal A disc jockey. [Pronunciation of DJ1.] deejay Noun Informal a disc jockey [from the initials DJ] , culinary classes, and even a reward program for frequent cruisers. For kids and teenagers, the Freedom family of ships offer a wealth of programs and activities to keep them well entertained. www.royalcaribbean.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beat Luxury Cruise REGENT SEVEN SEAS Select from a choice of ships in Regent Seven Seas Cruises' six-star fleet. Each boasts signature cuisines and amenities as well as superb guest-to-staff ratios for attentive service. In addition to fine living, these vessels offer a myriad of waterway destinations for the uber-traveler, including Europe, Asia, Antarctica, Africa, and India. www.regentexperience.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {golf experiences} Best Caribbean Course TEETH OF THE DOG, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC It provides interesting challenges and spectacular views for golfers who play the course with seven holes located directly on the Caribbean Sea. www.teethofthedog.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Resort Course PUNTA MITA FOUR SEASONS, MEXICO This 19-hole championship course is a private club for resort guests, with an optional Tail of the Whale par-3. www.fourseasons.com/puntamita [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Domestic Membership THE RITZ-CARLTON GOLF CLUB & SPA An 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course with a 7,178-yard challenge in Jupiter, Florida, is the first designed for the acclaimed resort. www.ritzcarltonclub.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Public Course PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA This article is about the community. For the golf course, see Pebble Beach Golf Links. Pebble Beach is a small private coastal unincorporated community in Monterey County, California which is best known as a golf destination and also one of the highest Considered one of the world's most challenging courses, California's Pebble Beach offers expansive ocean views, forestry, and four courses. www.pebblebeach.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best International Course ST. ANDREWS OLD COURSE, SCOTLAND There are several courses available to the public, but the favorite at St. Andrews Links in Scotland is the Old Course--mainly for the history. Because of the high demand, there is a handicap requirement--24 for men, 36 for women. www.standrews.org.uk [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {timepieces} Best Formal Watch KRIEGER GIGANTIUM ROSE Featuring three subsidiary dials that record minutes, hours, and running seconds, the 18-karat rose gold and diamond bracelet is available for $110,000 www.kriegerwatch.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Ladies Watch TIFFANY COCKTAIL Classic, elegant, and adorned with diamonds, Tiffany & Co.'s Art Deco Cocktail Watches are a feminine, beautiful complement to evening attire. Swiss-made. in 18-karat white gold, they range in price from $11,000 to $42,000. www.tiffany.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Limited Edition AUDEMARS PIGUET Millenary by Audemars Piguet is the fifth design in tie Tradition of Excellence, a limited and numbered collection of 20. This platinum chronograph chronograph /chron·o·graph/ (kron´ah-graf) an instrument for recording small intervals of time. chronograph an instrument for recording small intervals of time. with a sapphire crystal back has 323 components, 42 jewels, and 168 hours of power reserve. www.audemarspiguet.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Precision Watch HARRY WINSTON TOURBILLON Available in rose gold and platinum, the Excenter Tourbillon is a brilliant mechanical construction made through collaboration with master English watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin. www.harrywinston.tom [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {air travel} Best On-Demand Charter HAWKER BEECHCRAFT As the only chartel company owned by an aircraft manufacturer, Hawker Beechcraft is equipped to handle a variety of international and domestic itineraries 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The company connects with more than 5,000 airports domestically and more than 2,500 internationally. www.hawkerbeechcraft.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best International Airline SINGAPORE AIRLINES Boasting the largest seat in the sky. Singapore Airlines' first-class cabin offers passengers 35-inch leather seating accented with mahogany. Its beds provide work and testing comfort, and menus are prepared by a panel of renowned diets and wine consultants. The entertainment center offers a personal 23-inch LCD screen. www.singaporeair.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Airline Lounge VIRGIN AIRLINES The Virgin Airlines Clubhouse at John F. Kennedy "John Kennedy" and "JFK" redirect here. For other uses, see John Kennedy (disambiguation) and JFK (disambiguation). John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917–November 22, 1963), was the thirty-fifth President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in Airport in New York is the coolest plate to hang out. The 7,000-square-foot lounge is designed with floor to-ceiling windows, a waterfall, and a 90-foot long reflecting pool. It offers a full dining menu, well stocked bar, and Sony PlayStations. www.virginholidays.co.uk [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Fractional Program MARQUIS JET The Marquis Jet Card, backed by the Net lets Fleet, provides 24/7 access to jet travel in 25-hour increments with pricing ranging from $119,900 to $399,900. Membership also entitles card holders to a variety of luxury items and amenities www.marquisjet.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Business Jet CESSNA CITATION X The Cessna Citation X (X as in the Roman numeral for 10, not the letter) is a medium-sized business jet aircraft and it is the fastest business jet and fastest currently flying civilian airplane in the world, traveling up to Mach 0.92 (605 mph). The Cessna Citacion X starts at $20 and is the world's fastest business jet with a speed of Mach .92. Only the retired Concorde jet is faster. http://citacionx.cessna.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {cigars} Best Full-Bodied Brand FUENTE FUENTE OPUSX Arturo Fuente's premier brand is also one of the hardest to find. Packed with flavor, and constructed from a bold, spicy Mend of Dominican tobaccos, these cigars consistently rank among the finest in the world. (Ring gauge 50, length: 5 1/5"; Box of 25: $428) www.cigarfamily.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best International Label DAVIDOFF MILLENNIUM BLEND ROBUSTO With its deep brown wrapper and aromatic blend of Dominican tobaccos, the Millennium Blend is the most potent line offered by the cigar masters at Davidoff. Somewhere in the medium to full-bodied range, the well-crafted cigars continue to draw rave reviews. (Ring gauge: 50, length: 5 1/4"; Box of 25: $390) www.davidoffmadison.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Domestic Brand TATUAJE CABINET NOELLA One of the few premium cigars manufactured in the U.S., they have become wildly popular worldwide for their Cubanesque flavor. Blended from various Nicaraguan tobaccos, these richly-flavored cigars are not for the beginner. (Ring gauge: 42, length: 5 1/8"; Box of 25: $180) www.tatuajecigars.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Desktop Humidor hu·mi·dor n. A container designed for storing cigars or other tobacco products at a constant level of humidity. [From humid (on the model of cuspidor).] DANIEL MARSHALL the best desktop humidor must not only appeal to the eye, but also properly care for its contents. This is something Daniel Marshall understands. With a lacquered ebony exterior, the Daniel Marshall Macassar Ebony 125 Cigar Humidor ($700) is a sure fit for any executive's desk. Its Spanish cedar interior and self-regulating humidification Humidification The process of increasing the water-vapor content (humidity) of a gas. This process and its reverse operation, dehumidification, are important steps in air conditioning for human comfort and in many industrial operations. system also make it a fine box for maintaining and aging your prized cigars. http://danielmarshall.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {spirits} Best Rum 10 CANE What makes 10 Cane Rum so smooth? ]he process. Unlike most rum, which is derived from molasses molasses, sugar byproduct, the brownish liquid residue left after heat crystallization of sucrose (commercial sugar) in the process of refining. Molasses contains chiefly the uncrystallizable sugars as well as some remnant sucrose. , this luxury white rum is made directly from the first pressing of Trinidadian sugar cane and then distilled in small batches in French pot stills. A luxurious sip at a reasonable price: $35. www.10cane.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Cognac MARTELL CREATION GRAND EXTRA Both its taste and design are rich and opulent, with the triple arch of the bottle crafted by French designer Serge Mansau. Its flavor is defined by a smooth, full-bodied combination of spice and fruitful notes. Martell's Creation Grand Extra is the finest in a tradition of cognac distillation, www.martell.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Single Malt Scotch Single Malt Scotch is a type of single malt whisky, distilled by a single distillery in a pot still, using malted barley as the only grain ingredient in Scotland. As with any Scotch whisky, a Single Malt Scotch must be distilled in Scotland and matured in oak casks in Scotland for ARDBEG AIRIGH NAM BEIST Its name means "shelter of the beast," but Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist, even with smoky hints of flavor, has a creamier, sweeter taste than its name would suggest. Made from rare and finite whiskey stocks, its premium offering retails for $115. www.ardbeg.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Vodka KETEL ONE The first 100 gallons and the last 100 gallons in the distilling process of Ketel One are tossed out. believed to be too harsh or very weak. What's left is an ultra smooth product that is best enjoyed neat, but defines texture for any mixed cocktail. www.ketelone.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Brandy IMOYA It could be considered among the best in Cognac, France, except Imoya is made in South Africa. Its rich flavor and texture, distilled in a French process from African soil, make it a modern offering to Old World brands. www.imoyabrandy.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {consumer electronics} Best Plasma TV PANASONIC Last year, Panasonic released the mother of all televisions. With a full HD pixel resolution pixel resolution Telemedicine The sharpness of a computerized image, based on pixel concentration, which determines display resolution of 1,920 horizontal by 1,080 vertical, the Panasonic TH-13PZ600U is the world's largest high-definition plasma. It's the size of four 42-inch displays and weighs nearly 500 pounds. This 103-inch Goliath is priced at $69,999. www.panasonic.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Mobile Phone Design SAMSUNG/BANG & OLUFSEN Bang & Olufsen's innovative Serene Mobile breaks the mold in cell phone design. The display is located in the lower shell of the phone along with the microphone. A circular keyboard and loudspeaker are placed in the top shell. The camera lens is hidden along the side of the phone. It's at your fingertips "Fingertips" is a 1963 number-one hit single recorded live by "Little" Stevie Wonder for Motown's Tamla label. Wonder's first hit single, "Fingertips" was the first live, non-studio recording to reach number-one on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in the United States. for $1,275. www.bang-olufsen.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Laptop PC VOODOOPC ENVY The Envy W:201 is the first dual-video SLI (Scalable Link Interface) A multi-GPU interface from NVIDIA for connecting two or four NVIDIA display adapters together for faster graphics rendering on one monitor or two monitors. notebook with a 20-inch wide-screen LCD. The AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, www.amd.com) A major manufacturer of semiconductor devices including x86-compatible CPUs, embedded processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices and networking chips. Turion A version of the Athlon 64 CPU from AMD designed for thin, lightweight laptops. The Turion 64 CPUs dissipate as little as 25 watts compared to 65 for the Athlon. Introduced in 2005, Turion enhanced AMD's line of mobile CPUs, which included the Mobile Athlon 64 for full-sized laptops and 64 processors make the W:201 a smart buy, and the vibrant selection of Voodoo Classic Allure paints that are applied by hand make it tres chic. Starting price is $5,700. www.voodoopc.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Smart Phone APPLE iPHONE The newly released iPhone is one smart cookie. Use the multi-touch, wide-screen display to enjoy your favorite downloads, take high-quality photos, or search for directions and phone numbers. The predictive soft keyboard fixes mistakes as you type. Pick one up for $499 for the 4GB or $599 for the 8GB model. www.apple.com/iphone [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {spas} Best Male Spa BBRAXTON This gentlemen's grooming parlor, located in a "green" development in Harlem, offers barber services, hot towel shaves, manicures and pedicures, facials, and an Ike Behar custom shirt service. Other features? Leather armchairs, a fiat-screen TV, and a well-stocked bar. Though BBRAXTON's been open less than a year, Broadway actress Brenda Braxton and her husband, Anthony Van Putten, are already receiving requests for duplicate spas in Japan and California. www.bbraxton.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Hotel Spa BATHHOUSE Stone, glass, and special design orchestration allow for an open and luxurious experience at the 14,000-square foot Bathhouse in THEhotel at Mandalay Bay THEhotel is a high-end 43-story 1,117 suite hotel owned and operated by MGM Mirage. It is located on the Las Vegas Strip within the Mandalay Bay complex. While marketed as a separate hotel, THEhotel is an integrated expansion of Mandalay Bay. in Las Vegas The focus is the rejuvenating effects of water, hence varying presentations of waterfalls and rainfall corridors. www.mandalaybay.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Destination Spa MIRAVAL In a serene setting under open sky and surrounding views of mountains, Tucson, Arizona's Miraval is the quintessential getaway for mind, body, and spiritual enhancement. www.miravalresort.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {fine art} Best Contemporary Artist KEHINDE WILEY Kehinde Wiley paints B-boys adorned with French rococo in a technique that stirs curiosity and harsh critique. His portraits are unique and explore stereotypes of masculinity, power, spirituality, and class. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Classic Artist KYLE S. LANE A well-kept secret among art enthusiasts, Kyle S. Lane, a stipple stip·ple tr.v. stip·pled, stip·pling, stip·ples 1. To draw, engrave, or paint in dots or short strokes. 2. To apply (paint, for example) in dots or short strokes. 3. artist, is sold only through private placement. His earlier works featured images of the jazz greats. Today, he is focused on instruments of the New York Philharmonic The New York Philharmonic is the oldest active symphony orchestra in the United States, organized during 1842. Based in New York City, the Philharmonic performs most of its concerts at Avery Fisher Hall and has long been considered one of the best orchestras in the world. , with each creation composed of rail lions of dots. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Multimedia Artist KARA WALKER Controversial and genius are descriptors attached to Kara Walker's expressive silhouettes of repression, power, and sexuality in the historical context and contemporary perspectives of race relations in America. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {autos} Best Dealer Service BMW BMW in full Bayerische Motoren Werke AG German automaker. Founded as an aircraft engine manufacturer in 1916, the company assumed the name Bayerische Motoren Werke and became known for its high-speed motorcycles in the 1920s. OF STERLING Thomas Moorehead, owner of BMW of Sterling and Mini of Sterling, in Sterling, Virginia, has 32 technicians on staff, with 24 at masters status. With a customer service index above the national market, their round-the-dock service provides turnaround for the customer in a day. There are also loaner vehicles and an Enterprise Rent-a-Car on location. www.bmwofsterling.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Off-Road Vehicle LAND ROVER LR3 For easy transition from on-road to off-road maneuvering, the LR3 provides four-corner independent height-adjustable air suspension terrain response. Starts at $49300. www.landrover.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Driving Experience FERRARI CHALLENGE The longest-running sanctioned race of its kind on the continent, the exclusive event allows owners of the F430s, 360s, and other models to compete on some of the best tracks in the U.S. and Canada. www.ferrarichallenge.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Limited Edition MERCEDES SLR (1) (Scalable Linear Recording) A line of magnetic tape drives from Tandberg Data that evolved from the QIC Data Cartridge format. See QIC. (2) (Single Lens Reflex) A camera that uses the same lens for viewing and shooting. With sexy winged doors enveloping en·vel·op tr.v. en·vel·oped, en·vel·op·ing, en·vel·ops 1. To enclose or encase completely with or as if with a covering: "Accompanying the darkness, a stillness envelops the city" 650 horses, the Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 edition can be yours for $452,750. The 5.5-liter V8 engine that pushes zero to 60 in under 3.8 seconds was assembled by hand. www.mbuza.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Luxury SUV CADILLAC ESCALADE Spacious and well-equipped, the Cadillac Escalade is a fitting luxury vehicle for a broad range of professionals. The 2007 edition is complete with 41.3 inches of front legroom leg·room n. Room in which to stretch the legs while seated. legroom Noun space to move one's legs comfortably, as in a car legroom n → . Bose calibration, and privacy glass. Starting price: $55,570. www.cadillac.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Technology LEXUS LS 600H L Lexus introduces the LS 600h L, the world's first full-hybrid vehicle featuring a V8 power train. It offers an advanced pre-collision system, and it parks itself. www.lexus.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Sports Car LAMBORGHINI MURCIELAGO Its speed and design make it the sexiest car on the road. If a spectator blinks, he might miss the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster whizzing by at more than 60 miles an hour in less than 3.6 seconds, topping out at a high speed of more than 200 mph. A thrill of a ride for $328,150. www.lamborghini.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] {luxury hotels} Best Private Getaway CAYO ESPANTO, BELIZE This private island resort off the coast of Belize accommodates just 16 guests, it has five private casas and one over-water bungalow (each with its own houseman), with king-size beds dressed in Yves De Lormes sheets and a plunge pool on the verandah. Rates start at $1,695 a night. www.aprivateisland.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Exotic Getaway FOUR SEASONS TENTED tent·ed adj. 1. Covered with tents. 2. Sheltered in tents. 3. Resembling a tent. CAMP GOLDEN TRIANGLE, THAILAND Take a long tail boat to this jungle locale in Chiang Rai, Thailand (there's also transportation from the airport). Excursions include riding an elephant and hiking to a local village. The all inclusive Adventure Package starts at $1,443 a night. www.foufseasons.com/goldentriangle [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Luxury Shopping Services HOTEL FOUQUET'S BARRIERE, FRANCE The elegantly grand Hotel Fuquet's Barriere located at the intersection of the Champs Elysees and Avenue George V in Paris, provides a shopping package that includes a limo and personal shopper to accompany guests to top designer boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Prada Rates start at $2,698. www.fouquets-barriere.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Domestic Luxury Hotel SKYLOFTS AT MGM MGM in full Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. U.S. corporation and film studio. It was formed when the film distributor Marcus Loew, who bought Metro Pictures in 1920, merged it with the Goldwyn production company in 1924 and with Louis B. Mayer Pictures in 1925. GRAND Skylofts' Inspired Escapes program provides extended personalized service to guests in any of the two-story, modernly appointed lofts located at the top of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Aside from butler service, keys to a Porsche sports car or the 2008 Cayenne SUV are part of the package. Depending on loft size and car model, packages start at $1,200 per night. www.skyloftsmgmgrand.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Domestic Business Hotel MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK A $20 million redesign is enhancing an already elegantly classic hotel. The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas offers round-the-clock service for the busy professional. The award-winning restaurant features private dining rooms, and there is complimentary Lexus sedan service. www.mansiononturtlecreek.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best International Business Hotel PENINSULA HONG KONG Rolls Royce transportation services, helicopter sight seeing trips, bespoke body treatments, fine cuisine, and exquisite luxury accommodations-The Peninsula Hong Kong provides unparalleled services and amenities to its guests. http://hongkong.peninsula.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Hotel View JADE MOUNTAIN, ST. LUCIA Lucia frustration causes her to murder husband. [Ital. Opera: Donizetti, Lucia di Lammermoor, Westerman, 126–127] See : Madness Enjoy a therapeutic stay at Jade Mountain in St. Lucia where the rooms--called sanctuaries--are individually designed with infinity pools and outdoor bathrooms that provide breathtaking views of Piston Mountain and the Caribbean Sea. Sun Sanctuaries, which offer expansive panoramic views and more than 2,000 square feet, start at $1,400. www.jademountainstlucia.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Secluded Hideaway KAMALAME CAY, BAHAMAS Set on 96 acres and nest led by three miles of powder-fine sands, Kamalame Cay on Andros Island is accessible only by private seaplane seaplane, airplane designed to take off from and alight on water. The two most common types are the floatplane, whose fuselage is supported by struts attached to two or more pontoon floats, and the flying boat, whose boat-hull fuselage is constructed with the or ferry. Each of its 16 spacious suites and villas offers enchanting ocean views for $840 to $4,480 per night. www.kamalame.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best Caribbean Escape AMANYARA, TURKS & CAICOS There are 800 meters of white-sand beaches at the Amanyara resort along the coast of Northwest Point on Providenciales. Amanyara offers private villas and pavilions, with premium coral reef diving. Summer rates range from $1,000 to $6,750 a night. www.amanresorts.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Additional reporting by Denise Campbell, Sean Drakes, Alisa Gumbs, Alan Hughes, Pat Jacobs, Sheiresa McRae, Nicole Norfleet & Tennille M. Robinson |
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