The Tout’s tips for the Oaks and the Derby
Frederico Tesio, a pre-eminent Italian breeder, who owned and bred Ribot one of the all time greats maintained that there is only one important piece of wood in the world and that piece of wood is the winning post at Epsom on the downs just ten miles south of London.
The Steeple Times asks The Palm’s supervisor Ezio Arceri: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
My family and girlfriend.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Let’s do it”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Who is Kerry Katona? That the average life is just 90 years. People should live longer.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My family as I am far away from them.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I’m happy as I am.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I hope to be saved.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“As soon as possible”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I think charity is the bloodline of the community and I support the Red Cross.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
They are useful but they are like the demon in that they are intrusive.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Friends, family and my girlfriend.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
A 30oz prime USDA New York strip steak from The Palm. I would eat it in the bedroom I had as a teenager.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
It depends on what time you wake up.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A Negroni.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
When they are unexpected.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mama.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
I don’t know. I’m a good guy.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I have a tattoo and I designed it myself. It is full of meanings relating to letters, faces, butterflies, spirals, happy faces, sad faces and jackals. It is about freedom.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Mercedes-Benz. I own a left-hand drive C-class with a British plate. I imported it to the UK.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m always happy.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I don’t have one but if I did, pictures of my family.
Ezio Arceri is the supervisor at The Palm, 1 – 3 Pont Street, London, SW1X 9EJ. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7201 0710. Website: http://www.thepalm.com/London
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/Arcezioo
Follow The Palm London on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/PalmLondon
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The Steeple Times suggests five of the best deals to accompany the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
‘The Season’ is nearly upon us and we at The Steeple Times especially look forward to a number of events. Our favourite has to be Masterpiece (26th June to 3rd July) but we also love the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21st to 25th May). Below, we suggest a few other ideas for readers visiting the show (more…)
“He condensed good and evil. An extraordinary personality” was Pier Ferdinando Casini, head of the Italian centrist Democratic Center Union party’s description of this seven times Prime Minister of Italy. Andreotti was given many nicknames by his detractors. Amongst them were the monikers of Beelzebub, The Hunchbank, The Black Pope and Divo Giulio (after Julius Caesar). Andreotti, famed for ambushing Margaret Thatcher at a 1990 summit on the single European currency, once stated: “Power wears out those who don’t have it” and he certainly was accused of using his to maximum effect in support of the Mafia.
£1.8 million Alfa Romeo to be auctioned at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed sale
The Bonhams auction that coincides with the Goodwood Festival of Speed always features rare and impressive vehicles, but a 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 ‘Le Mans’ tourer that will be sold there is truly spectacular.
The Steeple Times asks nightlife entrepreneur Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Get there on time.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Racism and injustice. I travel quite a bit and I am always taken aback by how prevalent both are everywhere in the world.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My family. They are all spread out, far away in different corners of the globe. It is difficult to see them often.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
The wellbeing of my loved ones.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I love that quote but sadly it is indicative of how failed the system is. I used to work in the equity derivatives arm of RBS’ investment bank and I can tell you first-hand it is a cowboy’s game, with a lot of cavalier moves being made at the expense of the general public.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
Racist slurs.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
This is probably true but I think all humans have a primal desire and need to help each other. I personally support Nordoff Robbins and Kids Company, both charities that help and provide support and protection for children.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Unfortunately I am incredibly addicted to my Blackberry. Thinking about it, I don’t think it one has ever been more than 5 feet away from my in almost 10 years. That is disturbing.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
So many… A random list off the top of my head: All of Led Zeppelin, Marcus Aurelius, Michelangelo, Rodin, Picasso, Piranesi, Buddy Holly, Hobbs, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and maybe Daniel Tosh because he’s hysterical. It would certainly make for quite the journey all around.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It’s hard to say, I am a lover of food, but I recently have developed a new obsession with steak, so maybe that and a spinach, avocado and mango salad. In any case, let’s just hope this situation never happens.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
The conventional wisdom would dictate after 5pm. If you are on holiday somewhere sunny, a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz (if in Italy) with lunch is always acceptable.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Vodka martini, dry, 3 olives.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
It’s a toss-up between very close friends and big luxurious bashes thrown by film studios and such. Both have their perks and are fun in different ways.
Who is the most positive person you know?
I am fortunate enough to have quite a few very positive people in my life.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Lazing about in Tuscany for 2 weeks every summer, doing nothing but eating pasta and tanning.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I strongly dislike tattoos.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A classic Ferrari.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I have a masters in journalism and finance.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Lots of pictures of my family, a handmade sculpture made by Amazonian natives and some invites for events this week.
Diego Bivero-Volpe is a partner in Conduit Brands. For more information, go to: http://www.conduitbrands.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DiegoB_V
The “Devil’s Advocate” is jailed for 14 years
Bogus lawyer Giovanni di Stefano was jailed for 14 years yesterday after being found guilty of nine counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception, eight counts of fraud, three counts of acquiring criminal property, two counts of using a false instrument, one count of attempting to obtain a money transfer by deception, one count of obtaining property by deception and one count of using criminal property.
The Steeple Times asks journalist and author Jessica Fellowes: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
To learn from history – in all senses of the word – but listen to the needs of the present.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“No man lives by bread alone – he needs his bit of crumpet”.
The revival of the shooting brake
The 2012/2013 shooting season may well be over, but one of Italy’s finest automotive design houses, Bertone, are about to showcase a shooting brake they have created to coincide with Aston Martin’s centenary and their having worked with the English brand for 60 years at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show.
Victoria Aitken launches a single for Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, the electro-house chart topping singer-songwriter Victoria Aitken, daughter of the former Conservative minister Jonathan Aitken, has released her latest single, Kiss Me.
Of what inspired her to write it, Aitken comments:
“Sometimes we are left ‘un-kissed’ and it can just be so depressing! I was inspired by my time with an Italian man, chatting and flirting over cocktails night after night. I then became annoyed, wondering when he was going to make his move. I believe many women and men feel like this: there is a certain vibe and then nothing”.
Produced by Marc JB, who has remixed seventy #1 UK dance chart hits for artists such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna, the single features a cover by the up-and-coming British visual artist Zoobs. In it, Aitken wears a headpiece and eye veil by Jane Taylor, a milliner who has created headwear for amongst others Paloma Faith and The Duchess of Cornwall.
The French romantic writer Victor Hugo once stated: “A compliment is like a kiss through a veil” and Victoria Aitken in Kiss Me certainly explores this further.
To listen to Kiss Me, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3P2AW6S5UI