Armani Flagship Store

The morning after: HELLO HELLO Is someone here?

I was startled awake by Marie the housekeeper – thank God – or I woulda slept the entire day away. So after a bit of a chat with Maria, I got showered and dressed cause mama had to find some wireless internet access by hook, or by crook, because the apartment – for all of its wonderfulness – did not have a wireless connection. And y’all know I had to connect to all of you! So my options were: find a perfect, artsy lounge/cafe/ restaurant and buy an air card.

Before I went to NYC I had downloaded a list of Verizon Wireless stores to purchase an aircard or space modem or whatever I needed to be able to connect to the internet on my lap top.

Retail shopping: So into the Verizon Store I go. Wonderful service. I carried my laptop to the store and they hooked a sister up. I was connected!!

Which brings me to the Armani Worldwide Flagstore where I am writing this now. I learned about the new Armani Flagship store from the Elle Magazine I read on the plane.

Tidbit: I LOVE fashion and fine handcrafted clothing, jewelry, soap – anything and I adore Haute Couture. Thank God I am fat or I’d be fucking broke!!! See, the only things I can wear in those designer couture stores are their wallets, keychains, scarves and in the case of Hermes – ashtrays. Ha!

Anyhoo this same article mentioned that Armani sold its own Armani Brand of homemade chocolates. Methinks: Perfect gift for my hosts!! And so I make a plan to go to Armani; pick up Chocolates and then search for my perfect writing den restaurant. On the way there I run into Starbucks where the entire staff starts googling to find me a perfect internet restaurant. I decided to check one out on 55th and Sixth Avenue as I walked to Armani ( at 56th and Fifth Avenue) ansd it was so NOT the vibe I wanted: all bright lights and rows of square tables with horrid little chairs and screaming children. EWWW!!! I tried calling friends to see if they could recommend a place and no one was home. AARGH!! Well, I am thinking, first things first, I’ll go buy the chocolates at the Armani Store.

The Armani Store: I walk to the Armani store, enter and BAM!! I was slapped in the face with gorgeous interior and architectural design and sincere greetings. I was never really an Armani disciple. I get the beauty of it all and I totally appreciate the importance of Giorgio Armani’s contribution to fashion. I also admire his business acumen of getting his product out to the general public and he does make a fine leather purse. Hell, I can spot an Armani suit or jacket on a man a million miles away!

Note: The grand stair case in this place is amazing. It looks like it should be in the Guggenheim instead of a retail store!! It’s white and curves around like a wide sexy water slide… bad description but that’s how it feels… Awesome!

I was approached by an adorable wee blonde and we just started yakking when this gorgeous tanned Euro gentleman saunters up to join in on the fun. It was Phillippe the VP at Armani (who opened this store) And he was a total sweetheart to me. treated me like I was some big star about to drop thirty grand, and he knew I was not that bitch!

This particular shop is the first and only Flagship in the United States which basically carries all of the Armani labels under one roof as well as the Armani “Dolci” chocolatier. Evidently Armani is a big fan of chocolate and wanted to share his keen appreciation for the best handcrafted chocolates available.

I’m in.

So, one traveling umbrella, mini pouch and purse later, I venture up to the 3rd floor and the chocolate store – Dolci. I exit the elevator (the lifts are dark as a nightclub illuminated by tiny line strips of lighting) and my eye travels to my immediate right and the Armani Ristorante. Unbelievably cool — black and white seating cushion couch things and illuminated tables and the windows are darkened except for these vertical dotted lines of lights, an illuminated bar and… and well… I kinda of thought I was at the relaxation lounge of the Starship Enterprise.

Is the Restaurant at the Armani Store gonna be my writing haven? Who-da thunk it?

I purchased my chocolate, ran into Phillipe again and he escorted me back to the Armani Ristorante and told the staff to take good care of me.

And it was the perfect location. I had a delicious meal; cute assed waiter: Gianluca; managers stopping by to say hello and check in on me like I was their special sweetheart. In fact the entire staff treated me like I was their most favorite person in the world. Now, that, is service. And y’all know how I loves me some service!! And I got a lot of good writing done. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera. I don’t know what I was thinking!!! DAMN!!!

Check it out online! Armani Store 5th Avenue

Tonight I go to Lincoln Center to see Ms. Callaway.