Society Marbella December 2011

BACK FOR GOOD

DECK THE HALLS

COVEREDYOUR CHRISTMAS

GARY BARLOW

GOURMET

BENTLEYAND THE

BEAST

FESTIVITIES

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS PLEASE CALL (0034) 952 81 41 45EMAIL [email protected] OR VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.LASALABANUS.COM

LA SALA - CALLE BELMONTE, NUEVA ANDALUCIA, MARBELLA

CHRISTMAS DINNER 2011 (€35.00 PER PERSON)

STARTERS

FRESHLY MADE LEEK AND POTATO SOUP DUCK SPRING ROLLS, ASIAN SALAD, HOI SIN SAUCE DEEP FRIED WALNUT CRUSTED GOATS CHEESE IBERIAN HAM CROQUETTE

MAINS

ROAST NORFOLK TURKEY WITH TRADITIONAL TRIMMINGS HONEY ROAST GAMMON WITH CRUSHED NEW POTATOES AND SEASONAL VEGETABLES

SALMON EN CROUTE, HOLLANDAISE SAUCE ROAST VEGETABLE RISOTTO, PESTO DRESSING

DESSERTS

CHRISTMAS PUDDING WITH BRANDY CREAM HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE SELECTION OF CONTINENTAL CHEESE WITH HOMEMADE CHUTNEY

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10AM TILL 2AM - WEEKENDS UNTIL 3AM

F R E E V A L E T P A R K I N G - J U S T D R O P O F F Y O U R K E Y S !

HOST YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY AT LA SALA, THE EXCLUSIVE PARTY VENUE IN PUERTO BANUS.

WITH A CHOICE OF FESTIVE MENUS YOUR PARTIES CAN BE AS SIMPLE OR EXTRAVAGANT AS YOU WISH

AND ALSO INCLUDE YOUR OWN PRIVATE PARTY SPACE, THE CHOICES ARE ENDLESS.

MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS OFFICE PARTY RESERVATION NOW! for 3 courses

€27.50Christmas Menus

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P U E R T O B A N U S

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LA SALA - CALLE BELMONTE, NUEVA ANDALUCIA, MARBELLA

New Years Eve Party IN THE BAR

THE EVENING WILL START AT 8.30PM

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS SERVED UNTIL 10.00PM

OUR HEAD CHEF RAMÓN HAS DESIGNED A SELECTION OF GOURMET CANAPÉS THAT WILL BE SERVED THROUGHOUT

THE EVENING UNTIL 11.30PM

LIVE MUSIC FROM MASQUERADE WILL BE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT ALONG WITH DJ LOLA TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE THE

NEW YEAR AND DANCE INTO THE SMALL HOURS

A DELICIOUS BREAKFAST OF BACON ROLLS WILL BE SERVED AT 1.00AM

LAST TICKETS AVAILABLE per person

In the Bar€90.00

New Years Menu IN THE RESTAURANTCHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL AND CANAPÉS

STARTERS CARPACCIO OF CRAB, WITH PINEAPPLE VINAIGRETTE

WARM SALAD OF COD AND AVOCADO CONSOMMÉ OF OXTAIL WITH JULIENNE OF CRISP VEGETABLES

LOBSTER, LANGOUSTINE, AND KING PRAWN ANTIPASTA DUCK LIVER PATE, RED ONION CHUTNEY AND WARM BRIOCHE

MAINS VEAL T BONE WITH BABY ROAST VEGETABLES AND ROSTI POTATOES

CARAMELIZED WILD SEA BREAM WITH RICOTTA FILLED COURGETTE FLOWERS CONFIT OF SUCKLING PIG WITH RED CABBAGE AND VIOLET POTATO PUREE

SUNDRIED TOMATO AND BASIL GNOCCHI WITH BLACK TRUFFLE SURF AND TURF WITH FILLET STEAK AND KING PRAWNS

DESSERT ASSIETTE OF GOURMET DESSERTS

CHEESEBOARD OF CONTINENTAL CHEESES

BACON ROLLS SERVED AT 1AM per person

Restaurant€195.00FULLY BOOKED

NEW YEARS EVE AT LA SALA

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Society Marbella published byICONPUBLISHING S.L. and produced by: PUBLISHER Andy ClarkDESIGNER Constanza Mtz

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVESSpencer WalkerMark BruceAnnalisa Turner-SterlingAurika Tiagulskaya

For all advertising enquires inSOCIETY, CONFETI and Focplease [email protected]

EDITORLaura-Jane [email protected]

ASSOCIATE EDITORNicola [email protected]

FEATURES EDITORChristie [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSGiles BrownDr. Ian KuahDaisy Omissi

SOCIETYPHOTOGRAPHERRuth Jones

ACCOUNTSAmanda [email protected]

Aninsight into DECEMBER

I t’s that time of year again. Christmas isn’t Christmas without a home full of decorations and this month we

have the best selection of wreaths, furnishings and ac-cessories to make sure your home is full of festive spirit. If that’s not enough, SOCIETY’s stocking fillers will take the struggle out of selecting original gifts for your near-est and dearest. If you still haven’t booked yourself into one of Marbel-la’s gourmet establishments for Christmas Lunch or New Year’s Eve, don’t panic! Costa Cuisine is packed with the finest selection of yuletide menus, ensuring that the only decision you have to make this season is WHERE to dine.For a bit of a laugh, why not check out our resident Scrooge, Giles Brown’s take on festive family gather-ings. In the words of the classic carol, tis the season to be jolly!As the year is coming to an end, we would like to take a moment to thank all of our readers and clients for a brilliantly successful 2011, we wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to prosperous 2012. Don’t forget, SOCIETY MARBELLA will be publishing in January, so we will see you bright and early in the New Year!

Feliz Navidad

Andy Clark

Dr. Kaye and the Ocean Clinic team thank all their patients who sup-ported us during the past year and made it possible to be voted again as the most popular Plastic Surgery Clinic in Marbella.We are looking forward to 2012, when we are going to offer our award-winning ser-vice in our extended, brand new instal-lations where state-of-the-art surgical equipment, beautiful patient rooms and a dedicated, bigger team will make your treatment with us memorable, whether you are considering reshaping your silouhette or a healthier, more youthful looking face.

Thank You!Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery EBOPRAS

Full Member of the German Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery DGPRÄC

Member of the Colegio de Medicos de Málaga (No.29/2909452)

FaceliftBlepharoplasty RhinoplastyOtoplastyBreast lift/reduction/augmentationLabiaplastyAbdominoplastyLiposuctionThigh liftBrachioplastyScar correctionDeep PeelingBotox - FillerDental aestheticsFacial feminization

Av. Ramon y Cajal, 7 - 29600 Marbella / +34 951 775 518 - Mob : 670 770 [email protected] - www.oceanclinic.net

wishes you all a MerryChristmas!

Winner Marbella Awards for the Second Year

Dr. Kai O. KayePlastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon

CONTENTS

Celebrity SpotlightSpotlighting the music legend that is, Gary Barlow

Top TenTop news snip-pets from the world of enter-tainment

A List Antics All the gossip and glamour straight from Hollywood Music’s marmiteLove it or hate it, you can’t deny the power ofthe “X”

The Beauty BarometerTop treatments and beauty products

Feel-good FactorHealth andbeauty news from along the coast

Keep it realThe hottest properties onthe coast

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Easy LivingHome trends and design ideas for the festive season

ChristmasTreats

a comedic take on yuletide gatherings

Who’s in...Who’s outThe glitterati of Marbella

Torque TalkOn the road with the most elite cars

WiredInnovativetechnology and gadgets

CostaCuisineWining anddining at the

Restaurant GuideComprehensive directory of local restaurants

SocietyPinboardA round up of the month’s events

MARBELLA

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This month we turn the spotlight on the music leg-end that is Gary Barlow

CELEBRITY SPOTLIGHT

Gary BarlowBorn January 20, 1971Singer/Songwriter, Pianist, Record ProducerFrom Frodsham, Cheshire

Gary Barlow was born in Frodsham, Cheshire

in 1971, the second son to Marge and Colin Barlow. He found himself immediately fascinated with pop music, thus decided to learn the keyboard upon hearing the Depeche Mode single ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’. By the tender age of 15, he was already writing and recording his own songs, resulting in the

manager at the age of 18. Always driven by a determina-tion that was equalled only by his talent, surprisingly Gary didn’t take to success imme-

Love is in the Air which he

name of Kurtis Rush, was never even released commercially.

But it wasn’t long before the Cheshire boy was making waves in the industry, having been put in touch with casting agent Nigel Martin-Smith, who was keen to start a boy band. Martin-Smith decided to use Barlow as the lead-singer after being impressed by his self

written material including an early demo tape conclud-ing that the band would be built around Barlow’s vocals and songwriting skills. As the driving force behind the newly formed pop act, Barlow would soon taste stardom on a global level. Making their

That started out performing Barlow’s unreleased songs. To begin with, they focused on mainstream pop but found greater success as they

increased the tempo and moved into the more dance music territory that character-ised most of their releases in

major success was with the single It Only Takes a Minute, which reached number seven in the charts in 1992. This was quickly followed up by A Mil-lion Love Songs (also reaching number seven) and Could It Be Magic, which reached number three. These singles were enough to propel their

Take That and Party, all the way to number two in the albums charts. This was the last time a Take That album would peak so low with

all hitting the number one spot.

In the years 1993-1996, Pray, Relight My Fire, Babe and Eve-rything Changes all reached number one consecutively. With Back for Good, Never Forget and How Deep is Your Love also topping the charts, Take That appeared to have mastered a magic formula for both critical and commercial success.

But not all was well within the group, with the egos of Barlow and fan favourite Robbie Williams increasingly clashing. The latter decided to leave the band as their ‘Greatest Hits’ collection was topping the charts, while Barlow pro-gressively chose to focus on other projects such as lend-ing his vocals to Elton John’s

The Lion King.The band split in 1996 and Bar-

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Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow

Images courtesy of Solarpix

2006 2011

low was predicted to embark upon an extremely successful

as the “new George Michael”. To begin with, he seemed to pick up where Take That left off, but he soon found it hard to maintain this momentum. This became more apparent as he faced a public back-lash, as a result of the media constructing a battle between him and Robbie Williams, around the time of the release of Robbie’s single Angels.

Stepping back from the limelight, Barlow turned his talents to song writing, creat-ing songs for Delta Goodrem, Donny Osmond, Atomic Kitten and Charlotte Church. Barlow further cemented his reputa-tion as a songwriter through collaborations with the likes of Christina Aguilera and Elton John.

Ten years later, Take That re-formed minus Robbie Williams and succeeded with a string of hits including Patience, Shine and Greatest Day, all reaching number one. They enjoyed sell-out tours for albums Beautiful World and Circus.

In 2009 Gary assembled a gang of celebrity pals includ-ing Cheryl Cole, Kimberly

Walsh, Chris Moyles, Ronan Keating and Alesha Dixon to take on the challenge of Mount Kilamanjaro rais-ing money for Comic Relief. As a result of the climb and Children In Need Rocks, Gary raised in excess £6 million that year.

Robbie Williams’ dramatic return to Take That in 2010 increased the media aware-ness of the band prior to the release of their sixth studio album Progress. Barlow, who

of the Ivor Novello award for songwriting, reached new heights in 2011 when he was named head judge on the new-look judging panel for X Factor. Filling in for the main force behind the show, Simon Cowell, Gary had big shoes

pressure to recreate and rejuvenate the show, he has

due to his extensive credibil-ity, hands-on approach and authentic comments.

Gary has made sure not to let his revised status and power go to waste, roping in pop su-perstars Lady Gaga and Cold-play for the BBC Children In Need Rocks Manchester show that took place last month.

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CELEBRITY SPOTLIGHT

Photo by Paul Hampartsoumian

Photo by Paul Hampartsoumian

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SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS Robert Downey Jr returns to our screens this Christmas as Sherlock Holm-es. In his most recent adventure he joins forces with Dr. Watson to outwit

Guy Richie and starring Jude Law and Rachel McAdams, this exciting adaptation is a treat for the whole family.

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TOP TEN Each month Society Marbella brings you our snippets from the world ofentertainment. What to see, what to watch and what not to miss!

TOP

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DOLLHOUSE BY KIM, KHLOE AND KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN Dollhouse is a delicious glimpse that goes be-hind the glitter of fame into the hearts of three

the family they love. Nothing is more important to the Rameros´ sisters, Kamille, Kassidy and Kyle, than family. Their mother has remarried and their new stepfather, a world-famous all-star baseball player, has come complete with two stepsiblings. Life in L.A. is pretty typical for this newly blended clan, until the day every-thing changes. Overnight, one of the Ramero sisters has become famous—magazine-cover, fashion-icon, headline-making famous! You’d think all the glitz and glamour would make life a breeze. Suddenly their problems are much bigger than sharing clothes and discussing crushes. Sound familiar?

NEW YEARS EVECreated by the team behind Valentine´s Day, New Year´s Eve celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts in intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year. Direc-tor/producer Garry Marshall and a stellar ensemble cast including Jon Bon Jovi, two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro, Lea Michelle, Sarah Jessica Parker and Academy Award winner Halle Berry; this movie will ring in the 2011 holiday sea-son with the romantic comedy of the year.

By Christie Holland

Nº4

UP ALL NIGHTBY ONE DIRECTIONWhat a year they have had, from Simon Cowell’s judges home to the X Factor stage and onto chart domination. One Direction have truly established themselves as the UK’s hottest boyband, and with the release of their debut album (just in time for Christmas), it doesn’t appear they plan on losing their new status anytime soon!

Nº2

Nº1

Nº3Image courtesy of Solarpix

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SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN ON NINTENDO DSSanta Claus is comin’ to DS! Join Kris Kringle in a heartwarming yuletide adventure based on the classic Christmas TV special. Use your DS Stylus to explore three interactive sto-

bag, and deliver toys to the kids of Sombertown. Hop from iceberg to iceberg with your friend Topper the penguin and conjure some Christ-mas magic as you cast spells with

-sents around every turn in the form of 20 mini-games spread throughout the three stories.

CHRISTMASBY MICHAEL BUBLE Take Michael Buble home this Christmas! Enjoy all the Christmas classics including Santa Baby, Ave Maria, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and an exclusive rendi-tion of White Christmas featuring Shania Twain.

HEAVENLY CHRISTMAS BY JACKIE EVANCHOAn early Christmas present for Jackie Evancho

recording, last year´s chart topping EP, O Holy Night left off. Featuring classic yuletide favourites including I’ll Be Home For Christmas, The First Noel, White Christmas and many others.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS:CHIPWRECKED In the third sequel of this popular familiar franchise, the vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become ‘chipwrecked’ on a remote island. As the ‘Munks and Chipettes try various

-cidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.

X FACTOR: THE FINAL With all the drama this year from Frankie’s departure and Kelly´s bout of sickness, to Amelia´s dramatic return and the judges feisty encounters, I wasn’t sure if

But it’s here! The judges and the contestants battle it out, with the help of a few famous faces, for the coveted top spot and a chance at the Christmas number one.

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STRICTLY COME DANCING: THE FINAL Saturday 17 December will see this year´s Strictly come to a sequin

rooms across the country in 3D, via the BBC’s HD Channel, bringing the magic of Blackpool’s ballroom to life from the comfort of your own

from the Tower Ballroom, as they compete for this year’s prestigious glitterball trophy and the chance to be crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2011.

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TOP TEN

Image courtesy of Solarpix

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Elizabeth Chase Olsen, born February 16 1989, is an Ameri-can actress and the younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. She adored theater as a child and began her career at the age of four, starring in her sisters movies’ Our First Video, How the West Was Fun and the direct to video series titled, The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley. The classically trained actress graduated from the Tisch

School of the Arts at New York University and the Atlantic Theater Company. Set to follow in the footsteps of Mary-Kate and Ashley, Eliza-beth has recently starred in

Peace, Love, and Misunder-standing with Jane Fonda and Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford. This followed with Martha Marcy May Marlene, where Olsen stars as Martha, “a damaged woman haunted by

painful memories and increas-ing paranoia, who struggles to re-assimilate with her family

Finally, The Silent House where she played the role of Sarah. Olsen is in every shot of Silent House, since the camera follows her in a single shot throughout the movie, either behind her shoulder or in front of her, capturing the rising fear, then panic, then hysteria that she successfully achieves through-

out the movie. Her candor and sincerity have attracted comparisons to Maggie Gyl-lenhaal, and her starring role

reviews at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, resulting in a lead role opposite Robert De Niro in the thriller Red Lights, sched-uled for release in early 2012. Not one to fall into her sisters’ shadows, this Olsen is set for success.

By Christie HollandImages courtesy of Solarpix

ONE TO WATCH!

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The estranged father of singer Charice Pempengco of the hit TV show Glee was stabbed to death in her hometown in the Philip-pines, leading the teen star to pull out of a concert in Singapore. The 19-year-old songstress, born Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco, is widely known in Asia from concerts and TV talent shows in the Philip-pines and South Korea as well as throughout the US for her role as Sunshine Corazon. Her father, 40-year-old construction worker Ricky Pempengco, was shopping in a small grocery store in the south of Manila, when he accidentally brushed up against a drunk man who became angry and stabbed him with an ice pick in the chest and back. SOCIETY MARBELLA’s thoughts are with Charice and her family.

Hollwood’s shining star,Dakota Fanning’s “sexual” perfume advert has been banned in the UK. Marc Jacob’s front women is pic-tured provocatively holding a bottle of Jacobs’ Oh, Lola! perfume between her upper thighs. Media uproar emerged over the seventeen year old NYU student’s sensual position and suggestive nude ensem-ble with critics remarking it as, “irresponsible,” and that it portrayed the actress in “a sexualized manner.” Looks like Oh, Lola! was a little too Lolita for Britain’s liking!

Kate Moss’s half sister, 13-year-old Lottie, is set to take the mod-elling world by storm after being signed by the same agency as her famous sibling. Kate was notably discovered at a similar age in JFK Airport, however Lottie’s discovery

was of a different affair. An appear-ance as a bridesmaid at her super-

model sisters’ wedding to Jamie Hitch earlier this year put her on the model map.

with Storm Model Management, this monumental occasion organised by Sarah Doukas, the agent who famously discovered Kate in New York. Looks

Dad of the Year, Peter Andre was

SPOTTED enjoying a day out with his chil-

dren at Aventura Amazonia in Marbella,

SPOTTED !

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It appears the Oscars’ team is back to the drawing board. No less than 24 hours after Brett Ratner resigned as producer, funny man Eddie Murphy followed him out the door. Ratner was on thin ice fol-lowing upsetting the Academy with his crass sex talk during an appearance on Howard Stern’s radio show, resulting in his decision to take his ingenious creations elsewhere. Academy president Tom Sherak released the statement, “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett

Bye Bye Piers. Fol-lowing six years on the job, the only original America’s Got Talent judge, Piers Morgan is saying his goodbyes. Despite these sad times, Piers, always the comedian joked, “Well, mem-bers of the Acad-

he quipped, refer-encing the recent vacant post left by Eddie Murphy.

Bollywood siren Aishwarya Rai, vot-ed one of the most beautiful women in the

Rai was rushed to hospital in Mumbai before giving birth to a gorgeous baby girl. Husband Abhishek Bachchan took to Twit-ter to share his excitement, “I AM DADA to the cutest baby girl!! Ecstatic!!!! Thank you

Congratulations to the happy couple, she’s going to be a beauty!

It’s that time again; time to reveal the… sexiest man alive! Each year People magazine takes on the

of traipsing through picture after picture of Hollywood’s most beautiful males to decide who will receive the coveted accolade. So who is 2011’s most desired object of affection? None other than blue eyed, French speaking, The Hangover star, Bradley Cooper. Whilst the rest of the world have no problem believing this beauty beat veterans Brad, Johnny and George to the crown, Mr. Cooper himself wasn’t as easily convinced. “I thought I was

adding that the ‘My mother is going to be so

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The Inbetween-ers star Simon Bird popped the question in Paris to his long time girlfriend, Lisa Owens. He is renowned for his awkward, geeky demea-nor on the hit TV

show, but we are sure character Will would be proud of Mr. Bird’s romantic proposal. Getting down on one knee and spending a month’s wages on a sparkler, Simon received a tearful yes for all his troubles. Aww… Congratu-lations to the happy couple!

Haylie Duff and Nick Zano call it quits after four years. Nick, who currently stars in the series 2 Broke Girls, met Miss Duff in 2007 on the set of the movie My Sexiest Year and the couple have been together ever since. Unfortunately the two have decided that the relationship had run its course. It seems the split was amicable. Let’s hope the break up is smooth sailing for the both of them!

It only took 17 years! Almost two decades after starring together in Speed, Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves -cially DATING! The duo have been friends for years but when Sandra started seeing Ryan Reynolds earlier this year, Keanu discovered his true feelings, so when they both arrived on the single train, they decided to move past platonic and give it a go! A true Hollywood happy ever after!

FINALLY!we know about it!

THE POWER OF THE

LOVE IT OR HATE IT. YOU CAN’T DENY

XXXMUSIC’S MARMITE

If you are one of the eleven million people who tune in each weekend

to witness the exciting, the extreme and the eccentric, or even if you are not, you can’t deny the power Simon Cowell’s creation has had on the pop world. Some critics have accused the media mogul of having his cake and eating it too, according to The Guardian, “others claim he also chooses the ingredients

pocketing dosh at every stage. Still the success of the show speaks for itself, producing 45 top 40 singles across its seven year lifespan;

expansion into the USA. Despite the international acclaim American Idol received, Simon, always wanting more, knew his spectacle, X Factor USA, would take reality television to new heights and

account even more. Simon Fuller, with whom Cowell shares a complicated relationship, was the driving force behind American Idol, an aftermath of his UK creation, Pop Idol, but with X Factor USA, Simon’s the star on camera and off.

X Factor’s worldwide domination has received a mixed response, being their number one fan, in my opinion the more screen time the better! Howev-

by all. Sting famously joined the long line of those who con-sider themselves authen-tic musicians, choosing to hit out at the show, describing it as a “pre-posterous,” programme, featuring judges who have “no recogniz-able talent apart from self-promotion, advising [contestants] what to wear and how to look.” And he didn’t stop at the judges, referring to the contestant as “…either Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston or Boyzone, they are not encouraged to create any real unique signature or

X Factor a great addition to the music and entertainment world, or is it really as detrimental as these, “authentic,” musicians believe? For Paul Williams, Editor of Mu-

sic Week, this issue is, “a bit more compli-cated than whether X Factor is a good thing or a bad thing. It follows on from a long history of talent shows on TV. The only problem with X Factor, for its critics, is that it’s executed much more success-fully than its predecessors… to criticise it

Although winners Steve Brookstein and Leon Jackson may have dropped off our radar, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and Matt Cardle are very much present in the music world, along with copious “losers,” One Direction, JLS, Olly Murs and the infamous Jedward. Leona is by far the shining star, achieving remarkable status not only in the UK but also across the pond, selling one million copies of her debut album, Spirit, in just 29 days, making it Britain’s fastest selling debut album ever. She went on to become the

20 years with her single, Bleeding Love; an impressive aftermath following its seven weeks at the UK top spot. Leona’s international acclaim has made her the world’s X Factor darling, and in regards to sales and worldwide notability, she is at the forefront. Despite losing out to Alexandra Burke in 2008, runners’ up JLS are taking the UK X Factor highest achievers standing into their own hands.

number one, a count that surpasses that of any other UK reality TV act. Pop Idol and Popstars contestants, Will Young, Girls Aloud and Gareth Gates each have four number ones to their names, whilst Leona and Alexandra Burke have hit the jackpot three times during their careers.

Whilst musical credibility is the aim of most con-testants who turn up to sing their hearts out in front of the judges, there are the infamous “15 minutes of fame” crowd who provide the enter-tainment factor that the producers crave and we love to hate. A certain duo who managed to extend

new extreme are Irish twins John and Edward, collec-tively known as Jedward.

Snapped up by mentor and novelty act king Louis Walsh, fol-

lowing their exit from the sixth series of the show, Jedward have dabbled in music and television, most recently

Brother. Whilst they are still very much seen as a novelty act, you can’t deny that they have grabbed the op-

20

By Christie Holland

portunity presented to them with both hands, and if I’m honest, who can blame them?!

It’s not only the contestants who have utilized the X Factor as a platform, the judging panel have become as notori-ous as the participants and have contrib-uted to the media frenzy that surrounds the show. From Danni Minogue and Sharon Osborne’s off screen battle, to Louis Walsh’s dismissal and reinstatement, the judges attract as much, possibly more, press than their acts. Cheryl Cole went from B-lister to the UK’s sweetheart when Simon made the decision to make the Geordie lass his right hand lady. She

show twice and then followed Simon to the US hoping to achieve a bigger and brighter future, before being dra-matically axed from the show days later. Although her career appeared to be in tatters, her former BFF, the man with the high waisted trousers, was smiling his way to the top of the viewer polls as extensive press covered Cheryl’s rapid decline, putting the X Factor USA on the front of every publication across the country. The pair are apparently not speaking since this dramatic turn of events, but Cheryl can’t forget it was Simon and his phenomenon that she has to thank for putting her on the Hollywood map.

When Cheryl revealed she would be taking a step away from Girls Aloud and going solo, which her ingenious management perfectly timed with the

X Factor live shows, she exploited the programme’s popularity by performing her debut single, Fight For This Love, to

result? 221,00 copies of her single were sold in the subsequent seven days. Miss Cole isn’t the only popstar who made the most of the show’s enormous follow-

opportunity, selling 358% more copies of Did It Again in the week after her perfor-mance than the week before, and when Michael Bublé performed his hit Cry Me A River, he saw a 323% increase in sales in the week following his appearance. “The X Factor results programme is a major marketing vehicle for established stars – particularly for those discovered through the TV talent show medium

said Managing Director of Nielsen Music Control, Jean Littolff.

With a new judging line-up, com-petitor rivalry and extensive press, this year has proven no different to

the media when news of Cowell and Cole’s departures hit the headlines, but Gary, Tulisa, Kelly and the ever returning Louis Walsh haven’t disappointed when it comes to the bitching and bickering the judges are renowned for.

With everyone and anyone putting their X Factor views on the table, Mr Cowell himself hasn’t kept quiet about the effect of his musical masterpiece,

“It’s got people inter-

A sweeping statement, but then Simon’s never been one to do anything quietly has he!

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Images courtesy of Solarpix

Beauty by

Sophie

(+34) 677 208 895

“For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it”

Image courtesy ofdramatic-jewels.com

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Happy Holidays

IN THE KNOW

thelatest local and national health and beauty news

FEEL-GOOD FACTOR

A Luminescent Fragrance

Through crystal Swarovski creates an Aura of Light... Aura by Swarovski. At the heart of the fragrance is a prism of energy, a fusion of amber, benzoin, and white musk. Three pure and noble olfactory vibrations become charged with energy, transforming into more intense, luminous rays of clear light. swarovski-aura.salonskincare.co.uk

Reinvent The Rules

Never ones to disap-point, Nails Inc have banished all Christmas gift woes with delecta-ble delights that have all the trimmings and more! ‘The Wonderobe’ is sim-ply the most unique gift this Christmas. Contain-ing 6 full size nail polishes displayed in a beautiful ‘wonderobe’ this is a capsule collec-tion of colours and products that you shouldn’t live without!nailsinc.com

Take A WalkOn The Wild Side

This season, Make Up For Ever drew inspiration from the python trend… for venomous beauty! Snake

-hanced with trendy minaud-iere-style packaging for a Wild & Chic collection with an offbeat tone. All touched with the professional and ex-travagant Make Up For Ever spirit for sexy and incredibly feminine makeup.makeupforever.com

Ice Ice Baby

Glide quickly past the competition! Morning frost or glam night out, here’s all the twirl, whirl & winter-wonderful snowglobe shades needed to send boys and girls into a double-spin. We love the mineralise eye shadows; fresh as ice, shimmering coolly, these six exceptionally chilled out shades are to die for.maccosmetics.com

A Touch Of Sparkle

Stuck on ideas for the perfect pres-

in Marbella and pick up one of their Elemis luxurious gift sets, guaranteed to bring home a little spa luxury. A

this dazzling collection contains time-less best-sellers. The complete 6-step

-cally formulated to give the gift of everlasting radiance. What more could you ask for?

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tailed than bright eyed, so required quite a bit of work, whereas Christie’s shape

the same with hairs growing in different directions on each, meaning precision is key. We discussed what colour would

brown to match our hair tones. As the appropriate shade was mixed, I relaxed on the therapist bed, and the tint was applied. Next was trimming, where Michelle used mini HD Brows scissors to cut back any hairs that were too long to wax. Following this was the mould-ing section of the treatment, where hot wax was applied and effortlessly pulled off to create the trademark HD shape.

Michelle applied HD Brows Comfort Me soothing cream to calm the skin, and

Michelle meticulously ensured that both brows matched, and used shading underneath using the HD Brows Palate to

the overall celebrity look. Whether 18 or 80, HD Brows is ideal for everything from creating the perfect arch to taming the more problematic brows all for an introductory offer of €25.

This affordable 45-minute treatment, repeated every four to six weeks de-pending on the rate of hair growth, not only changes your face dramatically, but also teaches you how to maintain the perfect look at home.

HD BrowsTel. 636 899 636hd-brows.co.uk

BE BROW PROUD

STAND OUTFROM THE CROWD

Growing up, you are taught the basics of make-up application and

encouraged to explore what suits your face; from matching the perfect pink lipstick to your skin tone, to techniques that lengthen lashes and make your eyes pop. However, why is it that we are never taught what to do with our eyebrows and most importantly how to create the perfect shape, all my mother ever told me was do not over-pluck them! Thankfully, HD Brows offer the complete experience of transform-ing your brows in seven simple steps.To begin, a consultation where HD Brow Technician Michelle Mellett talked myself and SOCIETY’s Features Editor Christie Holland through the process. My brows are more bushy-

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By Laura Jane Bruce

FEEL-GOOD FACTOR

Whether it’s your office party, a family gathering or New Year’s Eve, the talented team at Wood Hairdressing can transform you and make you the envy of all your friends. Whatever your style they can create a look which is perfect for you – as unique as you are.

All hair, make-up and styling by Wood HairdressingTel: + 34 952 771 791/ +34 645 089 399woodhairdressing.com

Before

Before

After

After

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Results of Facial Rejuvenation Acu-puncture treatment can be seen as

-cally visible, long lasting changes gen-erally occur during a series of sessions. A course of ten to twelve treatments followed by monthly maintenance is recommended.

“The treatment is incredibly relaxing and left my skin feel plumper, clearer

-

Carole Duménil, Acupuncturist, Lic.Ac.(UK) at The Bodyworks Health ClinicTel. 952 883 151 thebodyworksclinic.com/facial.php

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is a non surgical approach to healthy skin, wrinkle reduction, and facial resculpting. Called “one of the hottest applications of acupuncture,” by Harper’s Bazaar, this ground-breaking treatment helps

double chins, lift and tone sagging facial muscles, and rejuvenate dull, lifeless, or ageing skin.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture can be performed using just acupuncture or combined with facial acupressure (mas-sage). It is effective, safe, and painless, and provides immediate and lasting re-sults. It is all about balancing the body’s energy system, improving skin tissue, re-educating and toning underlying facial muscles.

A NATURAL WAY TOLOOK AND FEEL YOUNGER

OIL adv michelle

The Ultimate

Hair Makeover

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When any girl is asked about the hair of their dreams, the likes of Cheryl Cole, Kim Kardashian and Eva Longoria usu-ally spring to mind. Thick, glossy, long and glamorous. Unlike those admirable features, my hair is thin, dry, broken and anything but glam, so when Advanced Hair Studio offered me the opportunity to sample their exclusive Flashpoints Hair Extensions, well… they didn´t even

exclusive to Advanced Hair Studio, is one of the most sophisticated hair ex-tension procedures in the world offering you the opportunity to have luscious, thicker, longer hair without the use of glues, waxes or weaving. Instead, a link of Flashpoints hair is attached to a lock of your own hair resulting in a look so natural, no one will know the difference. I arrived at Advanced Hair Studio and was welcomed by Dan and his team. The Marbella based franchise is cur-rently the only studio of its kind in Spain and part of Advanced Hair Studio’s international network of over a 100 studio’s worldwide. I’d previously visited the studio for my consultation, which

points is that the hair is reusable, unlike other systems; the hair is simply removed and refused at the root as your hair naturally grows, a procedure that takes place on average every 8-10 weeks. This is a vital cost saving element as the hair only needs to be purchased approxi-mately once every twelve months. When Charlie announced I could stand

my chair! Wow! I was hooked for life from the moment I looked in the mirror, never before had I imagined I could have the long, glamourous hair I had dreamed of. It looked and felt so real, a fact that was only emphasized more during my celebratory drink that even-ing when a friend stood awestruck and in disbelief, tugging at my hair when I revealed where I had spent theafternoon.

Advanced Hair StudioAvienda Manolete 20, Centro Romano, Local 4, Nueva AndaluciaTel. 952 90 50 35advancedhairstudios.es

incidentally they provide free of charge

was particularly exciting as we discussed the length, colour and style I desired. Actu-ally talking about and visualising the hair I´d always wanted was quite an amazing feeling. I settled into the private studio, a true luxury that Advanced Hair Studio offer, no ad-ditional clients overhearing my conversa-tions or gawping as my hair is transformed! Charlie, my stylist, inquired what movie I would like to watch and lay a selection of the newest magazines on a table beside me before disappearing off to make me a cup of coffee. Once my hair was freshly washed, the extension procedure began. I had heard a few horror stories about extensive pain and pulling but I didn’t notice or feel a thing until lashings of luscious blonde locks appeared behind my shoulders. The entire experience was completely pain free, not only for me but also my hair.Once all the hair had been attached, a blow dry and trim to blend my natural hair

-tion. One of the unique attributes of Flash-

By Christie Holland

BEFORE AFTER

FEEL-GOOD FACTOR

London · Melbourne · Brussels · MumbaiJohannesburg · Hong Kong · Marbella

REVOLUTION IN HAIR EXTENSIONS

This is a sophisticated hair extension procedure where a link of your Flashpoints is attached to a lock of your hair. Best of all they are re-usable time and time again. Your new thicker and longer hair will look so natural that nobody will be able to tell the di!erence, they’ll only notice how great your hair looks. That’s because "ashpoints are human hair and virtually undetectable. Flashpoints are available in a wide range of thicknesses, lengths and matched to colour perfection.

Call to arrange your FREE CONSULTATION

Home visits availableT. (+34) 952 905 035

www.advancedhairstudios.es

Avenida Manolete 20 - Centro Romano Local 429660 Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, Spain

Wishing all our clients

and readers a

wonderful Christmas

and a very successful

New Year!

Nicola McGeorge

Why ADVERTISE in Society Marbella’s health and beauty section?

This dedicated segment of the magazine fea-tures the latest news and hottest products in the world of health and beauty, with striking images, guaranteed to grab the readers´ attention.

BENEFITSProduced by a health a beauty expert who understands the services you provide

Take advantage of before and after reviews, written by real people and photographed by a leading photog-rapher

Hair and make-up shoots to showcase your work

Editorial ideas are customised to each particular client

HD Brows - “I received 3O

For moreinformation please contact Nicola McGeorge on +34 665 361 964 or [email protected]

Gold

Hotel Puente Romano Grand Luxe · www.puenteromano.com · Tel. 952 82 09 00

AT THE PUENTE ROMANO NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA

Celebrate the New Year with a Great Show

Cocktail & Canapés from 8PM

MENU

Artichoke Hearts Stuffed with Glazed Lobster in Chablis Sauce

Oxtail Consommé with Garden Pearls

Loin of Wild Sea Bass with Grilled Scallops, Vegetable Noodles and Broccoli

Beef Tenderloin Mignonettes Sautéed in Truffle Saucewith Mini with Mini Vegetables & Amandine Potatoes

Opera of Chocolate with Wild Berries

The 12 Grapes of Good Luck at Midnight

Coffee and Mignardises

***

Price per Person: 250€ VAT Included · Champagne, Wine & Drinks Included

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This beautiful family home is one of only twelve villas that comprise this exclusive gated and secure community situated in the heart of Golf Valley. Surrounded by the prestigious golf courses of Las Brisas, Aloha and Los Naranjos and only a few minutes away from Puerto Banus and the beach, making this also an ideal holiday getaway.

A rare opportunity to own a property that is built on one level to

skylights, etc. This villa, not only oozes comfort due to the spacious rooms but is also drenched in natural light. Owing to the clever lay-out, the property has been designed using two wings; the entertain-ing/living area with its large lounge featuring a vaulted ceiling, styl-

sleeping area that can be separated off with the use of the sliding doors. This area consists of the spacious master bedroom suite, guest bedroom with en suite bathroom and a further two bedrooms that share a large bathroom. There are also plenty of storage rooms on the lower level where the two car garage is also located.

From the south facing terrace, you can soak in the beautiful views down to the sea, the stunning La Concha Mountain, the lush mature garden with its fruit trees giving it a tropical feel and the private sun decked swimming pool.

AN INCREDIBLE CHRISTMAS GIFT!

KEEP IT REAL

A LUXURY VILLA IN A GATED COMMUNITY

Seasons Greetings

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Seasons Greetings

Ref. 426VPV

Bedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 3+1Plot: 917 m2Built: 413 m2Terrace: 50 m2 Price: 1,495,000€

For further information please contactVANTAGE PROPERTY

Tel. +34 952 908 415Maria, +34 605 891 443Clare, +34 646 136 790

Email: [email protected]

KEEP IT REAL

UK Ltd is a listed English public company. It is resident in England as its place of effective

management is in England and it does not fall to be treated in any other jurisdiction as resident there.

UK Ltd business is real estate agency of properties allocated in different countries overseas including Spain. UK Property Ltd. main source of income is invoicing the vendors of properties in Spain for in-termediary services consisting in finding purchas-ers for the properties of its direct or indirect clients in Spain.

UK Ltd has got premises in Spain and has got at least one employee working mainly in Spain.

This employee is paid by UK Ltd under a UK con-tract of employment and continues to be held current in the UK social security system. No reports of this employee’s presence in Spain have been made by UK Ltd1. No tax harmonisation arrange-ments have been made.

Based on the above facts is clear that UK Ltd is, albeit unwittingly, operating a Permanent Estab-lishment (PE) in Spain. Some of the logic for this conclusion is given below. This article is meant to concern the potential effects of that discovery and addresses some of the possible cures.

REPRESENTATIVE OFFICEOR PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENTIt is already established that UK Ltd is not resident in Spain but in the UK. Therefore, if no Permanent Establishment exists, UK Ltd profits from its business activity in Spain fall under Article 7 of the UK Spain Treaty to avoid Double Taxation and are taxable in the UK only and not in Spain. If however a Per-manent Establishment does exist this implies a duty to produce returns and pay tax to the Spanish tax authorities.

UK Ltd. may or not may have a fixed place of business in Spain but the nature and duration of the activity is clear in this sense as it does not fall under any of the exemptions (Article 5 of the UK Spain Treaty to avoid Double Taxation)

Exemptions

Article 5 of the UK Spain Treaty to avoid Double Taxation defines the concept of Permanent Estab-lishment and also the exemption:

a.“… use of facilities solely for the purposes of stor-age, display, or delivery of goods or merchandise

b.“… the maintenance of a fixed place of busi-ness solely for the purpose of advertising, for the supply of information, for scientific research or for similar activities which have a preparatory or aux-

The “storage, display or delivery” exemption is of little help to UK Ltd.

The “preparatory or auxiliary activities” exemption. UK Ltd may argue that the services carried out in Spain may be of a nature ancillary to its principal activity. Clearly the fact that UK Ltd has its own premises and its core business there is related to Spanish real estate would be clear enough for the Spanish Tax Authorities to understand that.

AEAT, the Spanish equivalent of the Uk’s Inland Revenue, is known to accept that activities are merely auxiliary only provided that:

-ness in Spain are not, in themselves, the central activity or purpose of the foreign company, and are clearly ancillary to that central activity or pur-pose.

the foreign company, and not for other parties.

ancillary activities.

Permanent Establishment.A CAUTIONARY TALE.

By Dimas Cuesta Montejano

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1 It is not intended here to examine further the employee’s personal position

In the case of UK Ltd:

office in Spain clearly coincide with the core busi-ness purpose and commercial activity of UK Ltd. The duties and activities performed by the Spanish establishment cannot be distinguished as merely auxiliary or ancillary thereto.

to clients not to a theoretical UK Ltd Head Office.

-ness activities.

Therefore, the argument for the “preparatory or auxiliary activities” exemption also fails, on every ground. If the full circumstances of UK Ltd and its establishment in Spain were drawn to the atten-tion of AEAT (for example by invoicing directly to Spanish companies or individuals that they will use these for its own tax returns), UK Ltd. would be held to be operating in Spain through a Perma-nent Establishment.

Effects of Discovery

If compliance failures are discovered at the in-stance of the Tax authority, the law specifies that a penalty of 50% to 150% of the assessed unpaid tax is payable. 30% of this penalty may be rebated if the assessment is agreed by the taxpayer. In ad-dition, of course, the unpaid tax itself, and interest thereon must be paid.

If the taxpayer elects to make a voluntary “regu-larization” of the compliance failure –which is to

say that he spots the error and voluntarily makes good before AEAT starts a tax inspection- there are no penalties. There are, however, surcharges payable in addition to the unpaid tax and interest thereon. The amount of the surcharges depends on the time which has elapsed between the due and the actual dates of payment of the tax. 5% of the tax due is the surcharge where a compliance fail-ure is rectified within 3 months of the due date, 10% for 6 months, 15% for 9 months and 20% for the 12 months or more.

In this latter context, it should be noted that a tax-year in which a compliance failure has gone un-noticed for four years from the last day on which payment should have been made, may not be reo-pened by the tax authority. Any activity by either party (AEAT or taxpayer) causes the passage of time in this four year “proscription period” or stat-ute of limitation to be suspended. In a case where a taxpayer is considering voluntary regularization, a calculation of the competing risks should be made before electing this action. It is considered poor advice in Spain not to alert those clients, whose cir-cumstances are appropriate, to this possibility.

The question of whether UK Ltd should voluntarily regularise the past tax position or allow the passage of time the chance to heal all, must be a commer-cial and a legal decision. Extraneous matters (such as a disaffected employee, or a dissatisfied cus-tomer, or a displaced competitor) may constitute a risk. In the absence of the latter, however, it seems unlikely that UK Ltd past failures would be discov-ered by AEAT.

, partner at Lexland Abogados, advises financial institutions and wealth management companies on a regular basis, designing efficient financial products for UK clients with interests in Spain. You can find more information on interna-tional tax and estate planning on expatsinspain.org, where a series of articles have been published through the collabora-tion of Dimas Cuesta and the prestigious financial institution, St James’s Place.

Contact Lexland Abogados for a free consultation and assis-tance with your international tax and estate planning.Tel: +34 952 778899 [email protected] www.lexland.es

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Imillions of tiny pieces of Swarovski Elements crystals to stick to a wall. Just ask Peter Meirsman at Design by Penanc who has spent the last six years develop-ing a method to turn this innovative idea

the Jewel concept it was still in its early stages of development. It was still very rough and the Swarovski crystals didn’t sit evenly across a surface at all,” says

Belgium. “Even though it wasn’t perfect, I was still blown away by the potential in

was enough to get him excited and he embarked on a mission to help his part-

After several years of experiments and research, JEWEL - Treasure your Home, the most expensive paint technique in the world, was born and Peter’s com-pany, Design by Penanc, became the

The clever way to light up a room is to decorate it with a coat of Jewel, a luxury finish that is made using half a million pieces of Swarovski Elements crystal per square meter.

CRYSTAL

HAZEexclusive worldwide licenceholder. “We have been based here in Marbella for the last ten years, but as the only com-

Jewel, we travel all over the world work-ing for clients who want to add a unique touch of luxury to their homes,” reveals Peter, who is so passionate about this project that he still has the original Jewel

tucked away at home. Supported and encouraged along

the coveted “Made with Swarovski

moment of pride for everyone who had been involved in its evolution. “When we

-cations from Swarovski, it felt an amazing privilege to be a part of this completely new world of JEWEL,” admits Peter.The process of applying JEWEL, which contains half a million pieces of Swarovs-ki Elements crystal per square metre, is actually very delicate and takes many

By Daisy Omissi

39

days to complete. Every wall has to be prepared and primed with layer after

sanded smooth before two layers of JEWEL itself can be added by roller and

total and each layer has to be left over night to dry before the next layer can be added the following day. So whether Peter and his team are painting a wall of one square metre or 15 square metres, it is still a lengthy process and an incredibly labour intensive craft. The piece de re-sistance is a 16mm Swarovski crystal em-bedded in the corner of the decorated wall or ceiling. This Swarovski crystal is the seal that guarantees the authenticity of the product. Every client will also receive

-tees the authenticity of JEWEL.

up the room giving it harmony, bal-ance and elegance. JEWEL can exude a warm golden glow or it can give the impression of a snow white landscape, depending on the light source and the colour of base coat. The pleasant and lively effect of crystals is however not limited to the intensity of light. The mere presence of crystals adds energetic bal-ance to a room and creates a feeling of harmony and vitality in your environ-ment.

Peter naturally found himself wonder-ing if there was also a way of applying the crystals to furniture. As a complete interior design company with the capa-bility of producing luxury furniture at its 350sqm high technology workshop, this was an instinctive progression for Peter and his team. “As JEWEL was made for interior walls and ceilings, it was not easy to try the wood story,” says Peter, but nine months later he had found the compound to get the JEWEL inlay onto MDF wood or hard wood and was on his way back to Belgium to show it to his

partners Boss Paints and Swarovski. “It was a nerve racking moment; we were all shaking with anticipation,” confesses Peter. The sample was a black, high gloss, polished piano lacquer inlaid with two elegant JEWEL stripes, and the reception he received was ecstatic. This technique, which is also endorsed by Swarovski Elements, is now being pat-ented by Design by Penanc and can be

-tive objects and kitchens.

This is not the last you will hear from Peter and his team at Design by Penanc. They are constantly playing with new techniques and novelties with Swarovski crystals for interior design, and they are sure to come up with something that will catch your eye.

Design by PenancTel. 619 342 043penanc.com

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KEEP IT REAL

Many building contractors are unable to sustain their business in such a competitive and challenging market within Marbella, but

John May and his luxury building company, Quay Property Group, continues to thrive with their design and build approach. His luxury building company are constantly working to maintain Marbella’s status as THE hotspot for prime real estate. Here we showcase one of Quay Property Group’s latest projects.

This three-bed duplex apartment has stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea, it is being refurbished to the highest standards including an Italian kitchen, and John is working in conjunction with an exclusive design house for the com-plete interior design. The air-conditioning

the outside circulated internally rather than heating and cooling the existing air in a room. The ceilings throughout will have special effects from both decora-tions and lighting. The property will be controlled by a full home intelligence sys-tem via iPad. For the garden, the exterior will be lined with spyglass, allowing the view to the beach to be perfectly main-tained with complete privacy.

Quay Property GroupMellior Vasari la Alzambra, Local 3-1, Puerto BanusTel. 951 319 728quaypropertygroup.com

PUERTO BANÚS DUPLEXComplete refurbishment on the beachfront

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LUXURY HOME BUILDER“Formed in 2007 by experienced property

developer John May, Quay Property Group is a luxurybuilding contractor for clients in Marbella.” www.quaypropertygroup.com

Mellior Vasari La Alzambra Local 3-1Puerto Banús - Marbella - 29660Spain +34 951 319 728UK +44 0800 112 [email protected]

HappyChristmasto all our clients

essential_december_HR.indd 1 14/11/2011 10:08:57

Managing Director

Introducing the latest contemporaryand fashion carpets in Spain.

I can only advise you this on carpet decoration:

ISHONI, design by Manuela-Federica, hand knotted in Vietnam. 3.50x2.50m

The latest trends in contemporary car-pets consist of natural colours and

ethnic motifs, inspired by the most recent movements in fashion.This optically well-balanced design, as

-ances, will complement the most diverse of interiors, thus creating an outstanding architectural interaction in starkly differ-ent conditions.

Marbella Carpets - Golden Mile KM179Tel. 952 773 [email protected]

A room without a rug is like a garden without a tree

JEFF M.L. MEURS

“ ”

WILDLIFE COLLECTION

42

Nordea Bank S.A is a part of the leading financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. Some products and services mentioned may, due to local regulations, not be available to individuals resident in certain countries. The attention of the investor is drawn to the fact that there can be no guarantee on the profi tability of any investment in fi nancial instruments and that such investment may entail losses, and this irrespective of the quality of the fund managers selected by the Bank. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Nordea Bank is subject to the supervision of the CSSF (110, route d’Arlon L-2991 Luxembourg). Published by Nordea Bank S.A., R.C.S. Luxembourg No. B 14157, 562, rue de Neudorf, L-2220 Luxembourg, Tel +352 43 88 77 77 Zurich branch: Tel +41 44 421 42 42 www.nordeaprivatebanking.com

Visit us atwww.nordeaprivatebanking.com, or call +34 9 52 81 69 25 to arrange a meeting.

’’Unsere skandinavischen

Werte unterscheiden uns von unseren Mitbewer-

bern.

Nordea is a strong bank with a clear vision for the future. This makes it an excellent address for our clients.

Making it possible

This month’s Home Feature is brought to you byChristie Holland

-

-

Deck

Hallsthe

Contemporary Red Living Room by Dunelm Mill from £1.99Create the perfect location for yule-tide entertaining with Dunelm Mill´s homely Christmas collection. Kit out your living room with everything from festive cable knit cushions and `Noel´ hanging decorations to Santa´s Grotto House tea light holders and Edwina Crystal red table lamps. dunelm-mill.com

Festive Finishes by Homesense from £4.99Do something a little bit different with your décor this Christmas. Why not hang some quirky tree decorations in wool, felt and linen from Homesense to add a vintage feel or achieve a rustic look with craft cone wreaths. homesense.com

Luxury Carved Christmas Nativ-ity Set by The Contemporary Home £49.99This top of the range nativ-ity set by The Contemporary Home is sure to become a fam-ily favourite and something to be treasured in your home. Combine the Christmas Wood and Ging-ham Garland with the Silver Plated Candle Pots to create this fashionable ensemble. tch.net

EASY LIVING

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EASY LIVING

Striking Silver Christmas Tree by Homesense POAAdopt a modern ap-proach and theme your Christmas Tree in strik-ing silver, cool blue or crisp white for a creative alternative to the tradi-tional customary colours. Homesense have an ar-ray of tree hangings, free standing adornments and chic garlands perfect for creating a contemporary Christmas backdrop. homesense.com

Set of Silver Three Kings byThe Contemporary Home £29.99These regal and stately wise men make a wonderful centerpiece for the table but look equally stylish on the window sill or mantle piece. Made of resin, they

of three (of course - who could possibly split them up?) Our only word of warning is that they smash easily if dropped, so please handle them carefully - as you would any member of Royalty!tch.net

Rudolph Sterling Silver Christmas Decora-

This solid sterling silver Christmas decora-tion with red nose Swarovski crystal was designed and posted to Santa for ap-proval. He said he was very impressed, if they’re good enough for Santa! Comes with a soft storage pouch and silk lined gift box. braybrook.co.uk

Heart Shaped Crystal and Pearl Beaded Wreath by The Contem-porary Home £29.99Festooned with pearls and crystals like snow and ice, this wreath gives a magical ‘Winter Wonderland’ effect. A beauti-

for a wall or door that also makes a lovely candle sur-round for a table centerpiece. Also perfect for wed-dings, christen-ings, or just as a gorgeous home accessory that can be enjoyed all year round.tch.net

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EASY LIVINGGingerbread Tree Hangersby Melody Maison £11.95Three unique tree decorations complete with cute red and white ribbon for hang-ing on your tree and an iced effect for a true realistic appearance. These excep-tional creations come in the shape of a teacup, a teapot and cupcake, ideal for adding that extra festive feel, plus they almost look good enough to eat!melodymaison.co.uk

Gold Wire Circular Card Wreath byThe Contemporary Home £14.99Hang your cards in style during the festive season, and then carry on using the wreath throughout the year for notes, birthday cards and even stor-ing your favourite

mementoes.tch.net

Classic Touches by Dunelm Mill from £1.99For a subtle Christ-mas hint why not incorporate some simple accessories from Dunelm Mill to enhance your hallway? This Hol-land Ivy Garland makes a beautiful addition to your front door, whilst the Aqua Haze Collection Ceram-ic Hanging Hearts add warmth and can remain all year! Put your guests in the fes-tive mood as soon as they enter your home!dunelm-mill.com

Dear Santa by Not Mass Produced £21.49This little set says it all, hand cut and sanded from FSC approved solid wood and care-fully hand painted, this picture block has a

of Christmas sparkle.notmassproduced.com

LustList

Decorative Slate Labels by Nordic House Ltd £5.95These slate labels are so pretty! They are handmade, so each one is slightly differ-ent and can be used simply as a gift tag, or as a candle or napkin decoration!

nordichouse.co.uk

Hand Painted 2011 Bauble by The Contempo-rary Home £3.79This lovely 2011 hand painted bauble is beauti-ful and bright, an ideal addition to your Christ-mas tree. Buy one each year and save as a keepsake for Christmas’ to come.

tch.net

Handmade Felt Christmas Stock-ing by Peanut & Pip £36.00These beautiful Christmas stockings are handmade, sewn and beaded from layers of high quality wool felt and are quite simply gorgeous. A modern take on traditional stockings, the impeccably applied and very sweet designs on these lovely unique stockings will ensure they become special treasured decorations that come out year after year.

peanutandpip.com

Gingerbread Men Cushion by Dunelm Mill £5.99Liven up your sofa with this festive furnish-ing from Dunelm Mill. Cosy and quirky it will add a yuletide feel to any home.

dunelm-mill.com

Doodle Duvet by Stitch Designworks £39.95Endlessly individual, doodle duvet is a top quality 200 thread count white cot-ton duvet cover printed to resemble a

printed holes, lines and red margins on both sides. The duvet comes with its own pack of 8 wash-out doodle colour pens, so you can jot down late-night thoughts, draw a masterpiece, write a story or leave a message, then wash your duvet cover for a totally fresh start all over again! The perfect Christmas gift!

stitchdesignworks.co.uk

Set of 2 Heart Coast-ers by Charlotte

Ceramics £7.00Festive red and full of love this set of two heart shaped handmade ceramic coasters are each individually decorated with a shiny red glaze and brown speckled patches. Perfect for sharing a glass off eggnog with the one your love.

Personalised Mince Pie Plate by Aston´s of London £16.00This fantastic Bone China mince pie plate is the perfect way to get the little ones (and old ones) excited for Christmas morning. The plate is specially designed to leave a carrot for rudolph a mince pie for santa and a special drink to wash it down to be left by the side of it. You can personalise who this plate is from with 2 lines of 25 characters that appears on the bottom rim.

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SOCIETY’sSTOCKING FILLERS

DAD

MUM

TRAVEL IN STYLEWhether you’re jet-ting off to an exclusive ski resort, or to spend New Years in an exotic location, one thing is for certain, with this fash-ionable passport cover, Dad will cement his status as the most stylish man on the plane. smythson.com - €148

ACCESSOR-KEYSJazz up your keys with this classic Tiffany key ring. Mum’s mundane necessities will be transformed into chic accessories and be sure to get her noticed out and about.Return to Tiffany key ringtiffany.co.uk - £100

WRAP IT UPParents are becoming more and more fash-ionable day by day, and it doesn’t just stop with clothes. They are now picking up on all the mod cons such as smartphones and tablets, and this sleeve is perfect for protect-ing her gadget while she travels from meet-ing to meeting, or from brunch to lunch.Snake Print Tablet Sleevebershka.com - £9.99

SHOW THE GLITTERATI WHATYOU’RE MADE OFMake mum feel like the belle of the ball with this tinsel inspired wallet from Zara. The sequined embellishments are perfect for Christmas and New Year’s parties, as well as the abun-dance of events taking place over the yuletide period. Sequined wallet – zara.com - £29.99

SHE’S WORTH IT!Everyone needs a bit of bling in their life, and this YSL ring is the epitome of opulence. The beauty is, it can be worn day or night, and so, even though it may be edging towards the pricey side, mum will be sure get her money’s worth!harveynichols.com - £140

MOVING MEMORIESRelive your memoirs with this slim and stylish touch sensitive digital photo frame. This versatile gift will display your photos in fabulous quality and can even playback MPEG video clips

-ing those Christmas and New Year’s memories. This is something the whole family can enjoy! Slim Multimedia johnlewis.co.uk - £89

FESTIVE FEETA cracking Christmas treat! Dad will be sure to love Ru-dolf’s smiling face, textured antler detail and sparkling nose. Made rich in beautiful cotton, these men’s socks not only look great, they will keep dad’s feet cosy too! Dare to wear Rudolf Socks sockshop.co.uk - £3 per pair

REFUEL READY FOR CHRISTMASThis Fuel for Life gift set, created from a magic potion of mysterious star anise, vintage raspberry and authentic heliotropine is great for men of all ages. Includes Eau De Toilette, Shower Gel, After Shave Balm and Travel Spray.Diesel Fuel for Life for Men Denim Gift set – houseoffraser.co.uk - £39

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HIM

HER

GENTRY DOES IT

dates back as early as the 18th Century, but you don’t have to remember the war to warrant what has been described as one of the best presents to give to a man. They’re also perfect for engraving initials or a special message. Patent Leather Hip-

- £40

BE YOURSELF,BE REFRESHINGTap into the past with this retro style sweatshirt. Perfect for keeping chills at bay during the winter months here in Spain and in the UK. Team with light wash jeans for the optimum 70’s vibe.7-up bottle sweat-shirt topman.com £28

BRING A LITTLE JOYTHIS CHRISTMASCrafted from silky-smooth alu-minum and engineering-grade

joystick gives the user unparal-leled control over any virtual game. Simply place it over your on-screen joystick using the onboard suction cups and once the screen illuminates, the trans-parent Fling ‘melts’ away and becomes virtually invisible, so you’ll never miss any of the bat-tling/shooting/puzzling fun.Fling Joystick for iPad

- £21.49

THE WOLFPACK IS BACKOne of the most eagerly awaited DVD’s of the year, The

the antics of Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug as they jet to Thai-land for Stu’s wedding. But in true The Hangover fashion, plans for a subdued pre-wedding brunch don’t quite go to plan. The Hangover: Part II – amazon.co.uk - £9.97

BUBBLE BRACELET-

out the addition of a funky accessory, and this Links bracelet is both deluxe and wearable for all occasions. Compliment a beautiful evening dress or accentuate a retro look and you’ll guar-antee to turn heads.Effervescence Bubble Brace-let – - £140

STRUT YOUR STUFFYou can never have too many pairs of shoes, and these Rudolf red skyscrapers are ideal for the festive period, along with celebrations, birth-days, or any special night out. One tip though, don’t wear them out and about in Puerto Banus, it would be a crime to get these dirty.Miss KG Rihanna Platform – kurtgeiger.com - £80

MAKE ME UP!Every girl loves make-up, no

ensemble is the perfect gift to make sure she always looks her best over the festive period. All Decked Out

- £39.50

HATS THE WAY WE LIKE ITNow winter is upon us, this stylish hat is ideal for keeping the chills at bay, and with side ties and funky pom detail; it’s bang on trend.Faux sheepskin trapper hattopshop.com - £25

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For many people, Christmas is a magical time of year. A time for family, feasting

and merriment, and often the forgotten reason of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. For a heathen such as myself, it is a living hell. A grim travesty of fake bonhomie, mindless consumerism and gluttony, plus the inevitable reruns of Morecambe and Wise. And although those of you who have been in the immediate vicinity when I launch my berserker-style attacks on the bar and buffet whenever there’s a freebie going might not believe it, but the seem-ingly endless overindulgence frenzy that is Christmas in Spain is not my favourite time of year. As I’ve said before, the festive period is full of amateurs getting out of their tiny skulls whilst wearing silly hats, and I pride myself on being a professional lunch guest. I’m not sure about the names of the Three Kings who turn up two weeks after Christ-mas, but at my place they might as well be called MasterCard, Visa and American Express. Walk into any department store throughout the two-month long shopping season that seems to comprise Christmas and I dare you not to walk out with enough decorations to make your two-bedroom apartment look like the backstage area of Le Cage aux Folles, with enough shiny spar-kling things to make it look as if Elton John has blown through and redecorated. I’m often in favour of going into Christmas denial. Blank it out and let everyone know that you’re considering working on the 25th. Then make it clear to everyone you know that they will not be receiving a card or gift this year. Not that the Spanish postal system has a hope in Hell of delivering your Christmas card to the old country much before Easter. And don’t even think about buying a tree. I’ve given up on Christmas trees for one reason. I have a cat. OK, not a cat, more a psychotic feline companion. To you it’s a Christmas tree; to me it’s a Christmas tree. To my cat, it’s a seven-foot assault course, which she normally attacks at 3am. Trust me, trying to straighten up the damn thing at that time in the morn-

ing, wearing my Santa dressing gown and Rudolph antlers, is no easy task. The trouble with trying to blank Christmas out is that there is always bound to be at least one elderly relative who fails to under-stand the beauty, or indeed the point, of your scheme, leading to hurt feelings and unwanted knitwear. It might also be a dif-

-dren, as it will be hard to avoid the sugges-tion that you are just being tight, miserable, or both. And then you may be expected to host a Christmas family gathering. You know the “I’m a Celebrity” reality TV shows where they throw a mixed bag of Z listers

proceedings? Well Christmas at my place can sometimes resemble that, with myself in the Freddie Star role (I pride myself on my adventurous dining these days). Getting family and friends to sit down to-

Your more elderly relatives will be there, normally dressed for the occasion, bang on time, but if you have younger relatives who have been out enjoying Noche Bue-na at Tribeca12 until the early hours, you’ll need heavy lifting gear to prise them from under the duvet and to the table. Or even worse, they are still out partying and come bowling in halfway through lunch, having already started their own White Christmas. I once vaguely remember going out for early Christmas drinks and it lasting three days, including a Chocolate and Churros

be broken up by the Guardia Civil…

Remember to turn the TV off before you serve the meal as well. Firstly this will stop your eight-year-old nephew playing Halo 3 on the PS3. That’s another downside of Christmas, your nephews will beat you hands down on every video game that you have on your console, and laugh mockingly as they do so. And there is nothing worse than watching your guests

you have lovingly prepared because the Christmas “StrictlyXFactorMasterchefEnd-

minutes. Otherwise, my advice to avoiding Christ-mas (in fact my advice to avoiding most things, such as your ex, hacienda and your impending mid-life crisis) is to head to Las Vegas. They are all far too busy gambling and playing poker to even notice Christ-mas, what day it is, or the fact that they are in their pajamas playing slot machines in the middle of the day. If you haven’t got the cash to travel, and most people who owe you money disap-pear around the second week of Decem-ber, resurfacing about a week after Three Kings, the best way to avoid Christmas is to just tell everybody that you are going to a fabulous house party in the hills, then stock up on your favourite meals and DVDs and don’t answer the phone. You can get away with this for up to a week, then peo-ple start worrying. Normally about the cat. With this in mind, I hope that you all enjoy a glass of something light and bubbly with someone light and bubbly, and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And don’t panic. Christmas in Marbella is a piece of cake. But the next celebration is Valentine’s Day. And that’s a REAL mine-

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Apart from that is, SOCIETY MARBELLA’s Giles Brown, who is the last thing that

Christmas morning. Or any morning, for that matter…

Bah Humbug!Stuff the turkey

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WHO’S INWHO’S OUT

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NORDEA BANKAT NERMANS Last month Nermans, the Guiness world record holder for champagne sabering, played host to a Scandi-navian-inspired Autumn dinner organised by Nordea Bank. Cocktails and oysters welcomed guests prior to the innovative menu and Swedish specialities Joakim and Jennifer Nerman had prepared. A vibrant cham-pagne sabering experience and oyster-shucking dem-onstration entertained guests throughout the evening.

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A REVELATIONLa Sala was the venue of choice for the pres-entation of the new Bentley Continental GTC organised by Bentley Marbella. Guests wined and dined on La Sala´s innovative creations whilst marvelling at the impressive automobile.

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BIRTHDAYCELEBRATIONSCelebrating his 50th birthday in style, Brad Margison hosted a private party in Marbella for 70 people,

native South Africa. The evening commenced at SmallWorld Café with 30 litres of champagne mojitos

dishes including traditional Biltong, Boerewors and

part of the evening getting everyone into the party groove. Following the after dinner speeches, events moved on to the chic Tribeca12 nightclub where DJ entertainment and a percussionist ensured celebra-tions carried on well into the night, where the last stalwart sidled out in proper African style at 7am.


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CREATIVE CERAMICSThe latest collection of murals at G.Vega Ceramica was revealed in La Campana last month. Guests en-joyed a relaxed champagne reception whilst view-ing the vibrant creations, before devouring a mouth-watering selection of canapés and tapas.

ALLEZ ALI !Ali Winehouse opened its doors last month with the crème de la crème of Marbella celebrating with champagne, canapés and an extensive se-

and inviting ambiance is sure to make this the new hotspot on The Golden Mile.

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VICTORY IN THE VALLEValle Romano Golf Club played host to the most recent La Sala Golf Classic in association with Simply Golf Holidays and SOCIETY MARBELLA. This exclusive amateur golf competition, based on a four-man team format, has become a regular event, with the next offering held at La Quinta Golf and Country Club on Saturday 17 December.

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LA QUINTAEXPLORED golf event at La Quinta Golf and Country Club followed by a celebratory three course dinner at Nueva Kaskada. Los Naranjos´ golf coach, pro Olle Karlsson´s team, took home the generous prize, a three-day stay at Sierra Park plus four green fees, a much appreciated reward for an eventful day.

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Saturday 17th December 2011Exclusive amateur golf competition based on a four man team format with a shotgun

start at 9.00am on the beautiful La Quinta Golf & Country Club.

Prizes for the winning team, runners up and further prizes for the nearest to the pin and longest drive. Prize giving to be held at La Sala in Puerto Banus at 4.00pm.

(0034) 951 319 138 - [email protected]

in association with

Price is an incredible 60 which includes:Golf with buggies and a picnic lunch!PLACES LIMITED EARLY BOOKING RECOMMENDED

ONLY

PER PERSO

N

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NUEVA CARTENovember saw chef Ewald Fichthaler of Nueva Kaskada host Marbella’s elite for an evening of food and wine tasting from their new seasonal menu. As always, exceptional quality and pres-entation was evident in every dish and a vibrant atmosphere complemented the enthusiastic ambiance of the evening.

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Ourin-depth motoring review

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A few years back, there was a Guinness ad on TV that ended with the punch line “Perfection just takes a little longer.”

This phrase came back to me as I drove the latest Bentley GTC along some of the most challenging country roads in Croatia where the launch was held.

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I have always considered the original Bentley GT and its al fresco GTC sister to be a work in progress. At launch in 2004, the GT felt 90 percent right, with a

much to eradicate.

Bentley has progressively improved the car along the way, but the new GT, which made its debut at the beginning of this year, was a quantum leap ahead from the previous model.

The makeover entailed keeping the overall look of the car more or less the same, while changing every single body panel. Now it is the turn of its convertible sister, and it only took a few kilometres to

-els have now really come of age.

As with the GT, the GTC’s new body -

formation to the cars appearance. The new front with its freshly minted lights and aluminium Superformed front wings does away with the panel join line from the front, giving the car a crisper, neater and more homogenous look with fewer shut lines.

The middle section has the least chang-es, but has been altered enough to tie in with the new, more muscular look. Turn the corner and you come to the new composite bootlid design with its more sculpted and tauter looking upright sec-tion.

The new boot makes a vast improve-ment to the looks of the rear and as the composite material is ‘transparent’ to radio and GPS signals, it is home to the antennae. The revised tail-lights that complete the new rear look are a far more interesting design than the big red lozenges that went before.

It is important that a car of this class should have a purposeful stance on the road. Where 19-inch wheels were the entry-level footwear before, one-piece,

275/40ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tyres are now standard.

wheels shod with 275/35ZR21 tyres. One of four new designs offered, they look

arches to their brims.

The brakes are still the massive 405mm and 335mm vented discs front and rear, and you can have the even larger but lighter 420mm and 356mm cross-drilled, vented carbon silicon carbide discs with matching pads as an option.

The new GTC’s dynamics are as much of a revelation as its looks. The GT and GTC always felt heavy because they are. But handling and feel are all about weight management and the transparency of controls.

-

and suspension elements that placed a veil in front of the inherent excellence of the four-wheel-drive chassis.

On the move, the revised steering is now more communicative and perfectly at one with the chassis. The stiffer bodyshell undoubtedly helps the case, creating a stable platform for the suspension to work its magic. Boasting a torsional rigid-ity of 22,500Nm per degree of static twist, the GTC is the stiffest open car in the world.

Along with the retuned suspension and steering, stability and handling have also

been enhanced by the tracks being widened 48mm front and 41mm rear. The

stability system so that experienced driv-ers can ‘play’ with the handling more on demanding roads or even on track.

While there is no escaping the GTC’s massive 2,495kg kerb weight, the new performance orientated 40/60 front/rear torque bias gives the car a keener turn-in and better balance through and out of bends than the original 50/50 power split could manage.

The result is that you can now al-most think this big, heavy convertible around corners with a high level of pre-cision because it is a far more intuitive drive than before. Because of this, you no longer feel you have to manage the cars significant weight so carefully when pressing on through the bends, although as always smoothness trans-lates into speed.

The ride has also improved beyond recognition. I considered the original GT and GTC to be too stiff for a luxury car. The new Continuous Damper Control (CDC) suspension settings have been uprated to make full use of the new lower friction air suspension valving.

Whether in Normal or Sport modes, this delivers much improved supple-ness to the GTC’s secondary ride. The greater overall composure as the car moves down the road is quite clear. Even in its Sport setting, the suspension noticeably breathes better over short, sharp undulations. That said, while the soft Comfort setting is fine for wafting along the beachfront in California, it lacks finite rebound control when you pick up the pace.

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After much experimentation, I ended up leaving the adjustable damping set in

between comfort and handling that happens to perfectly suit my perception of the GTC’s inherent nature.

From the wide spread of test car colours, I chose the new Hallmark silver grey car with red interior because I think it is both a classic and classy combination that whispers good taste rather than shout-ing football player or Sandbanks estate agent.

The more I looked at the new GTC as I walked around it photographing the

what I saw. The styling department has

were present in the original design. Thus, I spent time admiring the end result rather than being draw to problem areas.

Although the cabin architecture is broadly similar to the original car, the de-tail updates have moved the game on here too. The build quality, always good, is even better now and importantly, it looks like it has a touch more craftsman-

perfect in a machine-made sort of way.

-cation (MDS) option is a must have. This brings a host of desirable extras that take

the car to another level of opulence and fascinating details. MDS brings 21-inch

on the seats, door and rear cabin panels. It is topped off by details like the piano black or dark stained burr walnut trim, knurled alloy gear knob and drilled alloy foot pedals. Truly exquisite.

The new seats are lighter and 25mm

room. They also have a Neck Warmer air-

your neck in open top driving.

The GTC is now a genuine four-seater so long as the rear seat occupants are no more than 1.7m tall. Even front seat

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occupants now have more knee room thanks to concave scalloping under the dashboard.

Too much power is just enough, and the uprated motor now makes 567bhp at 6,000rpm, up from the previous 552hp. However, the emphasis is on improved torque, which is up by 50Nm to 700Nm (516 lb ft) at 1,700rpm.

The objective difference in straight-line speed from this modest increase is marginal and requires a stopwatch to measure. However, combined with the 70kg weight reduction, you can subjectively feel a slightly snappier response and greater mid-range urge. Imagine removing the weight of one and a half passengers and you just about have it.

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Thanks to the four-wheel-drive system, which ensures a clean launch and per-fect distribution of power to the tarmac, the GTC will rocket to 0-100km/h time in 4.8 sec (0-60mph in 4.5 sec) and takes just 10.9 sec for the 0-160km/h (100mph) sprint. Its 314km/h (195mph) top speed is as near 200mph as makes no difference, making it the world’s fastest production four-seater convertible.

twin-turbo 6.0 litre W12 has been im-

an average fuel consumption of 16.5 L/100km (17.1 mpg Imperial or 14mpg (US)).

The 2,495kg kerb weight means that you are never going to feel supercar levels of tarmac scorching in this car. The GTC

is not the sort of car that screams off the line leaving four black lines on the tarmac. Even if it could, that would be unseemly behaviour for a Bentley of any description.

Instead, the GTC just squats down and goes with a deep growl from its big motor, and a strong and constant thrust that pushes you relentlessly towards the horizon.

its six-speed automatic partner are like an Olympic grade ice skating duet. With the Quickshift system from the Continen-tal Supersports now standard and able to deliver 200-millisecond upshifts, the engine and gearbox work quickly and seamlessly in perfect unison.Floor the throttle at speed and the super-

smooth kickdown brings the most appro-priate of the six forward ratios into play instantly. If needs be, the transmission will even double-downshift to deliver warp factor levels of drama-free acceleration. It is the epitome of the proverbial mailed

While the serene cabin of the GT Coupe tends to detach you from the outside world, the open GTC adds a whole different dimension to the driving experi-ence. It still cossets you with its creature comforts, but with the wind rushing past your ears, it also delivers a sensation akin to cruising the waves in a superyacht, but on perfectly calm seas and without the salt spray.

Should water dare to enter the equation, the seven-bow, triple-layer canvas roof with its heated glass rear window can be

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72

closed in 25 seconds at the touch of a button.

Once in place, it makes the cabin as snug as the Coupe’s, and unless you turn around, you cannot tell the difference by perception alone. In fact, the only wind noise that penetrates the near silent cabin comes from the big outside mirrors.

Where I would have hesitated to put my money down on the original Bentley GT and GTC for the reasons mentioned in the beginning, the improvements to the latest models are so far reaching that they go beyond merely eradicating the original

Where the original GT and GTC may have been desirable to many buyers for their image rather than just their technical and dynamic prowess, the latest cars exceeded my expectations on all levels.

With the strong impression that the whole is more than the sum of the parts, I have gone from being luke-warm about the original GTC to being genuinely enthusiastic about the new version. To paraphrase a well-known stockbrokers saying, this car is a defi-nite buy. To which I would add, and enjoy!

TORQUE TALK

Calle Pablo Ruiz Picasso s/n, Edif. Ferroman, 29670 San Pedro de Alcantara

Tel: (+34) 952 799 260 · Fax: (+34) 952 785 460

[email protected] · www.f1cargallery.com

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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WIRED

Laura-Jane Bruce takes a look at the coolest gadgets on the market

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euros! But now, Sega have introduced the Indoor Firework Projector that allows you to enjoy full-on displays, without having to leave the comfort of your own

displays across walls and ceilings, and can be used on birthday’s, celebrations, and is perfect for New Years Eve! It even blasts out suitably explosive sound effects. Battery-powered, the projector utilises six lenses, internal speakers and nine interchangeable image discs to replicate various awe-inspiring displays. Simply select a mode, insert a disc and turn off the lights. Because you can program your own shows and vary their duration and intensity, no two displays are the same. Better still, proper pyromaniacs can get busy designing bespoke

Lets face it; most tablets are somewhat tricky when using them to type text on. Whether you end up pressing multiple keys at once

screen isn’t quite wide enough for comfortable typing, manufactur-ers haven’t seemed to get it quite right yet. However, Asian com-pany ASUS have come up with the perfect solution, by featur-ing an optional docking station to their revolutionary tablet. This provides access to a full QWERTY keyboard along with unique Android Function keys, turning the tablet Transformer

12.98mm thick in a frame that weighs only 680g, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer is comfortable to hold from any position. The unique textured pattern offers a better tactile sensation, so it won’t feel as if it will slip out of your hands. An IPS Panel made from durable and scratch-resistant glass is viewable at angles up to 178°, and produces a crisper and more accurate colour range by up to 50 percent when compared to other tablets in the market. A 5MP rear- and 1.2MP front-facing camera can shoot and record HD video, which can be played back in stunning 1080p. A touchpad, 3.5mm audio jack, two USB ports as

media hub. The docking station also extends the Transformer’s 9.5 hours of battery life up to 16 hours, so users can use it all day for work and play.uk.asus.com

My multiple life…I decide

Finish the year with a bang

October’s cover girl Lady Gaga is edging closer to world domina-tion. Along with recording her new album, she has found the time to collaborate with Polaroid to devel-op an Instant Mobile Printer that produces your images right from your phone. Acting as their crea-tive director, Gaga has produced this stylish little rechargeable gizmo that prints the images trapped on your smartphones, digital cameras and PC or Mac via Bluetooth, churning out quality 3”x4” images with or without a classic Polaroid

Images in an instant

border, in under 45 seconds. If

you’re wondering where the ink

goes, wonder no more because

there isn’t any. The Polaroid uses

next generation ZINK Zero Ink

thermal technology to produce

stunningly vivid pictures, just load

the water-resistant, smudge proof,

tear-proof paper and you’re good

to go. And because the prints are

dry to the touch, you won’t need

to perform the old-school Polar-

oid shake (although that was my

favourite part!)

WIREDSeeing as we reported on the iPhone 4S last month, it was only fair that we trail Samsung’s equiva-lent. The closest contender to the innovative apple smartphone, this Galaxy S II is ultra slim (8.49mm), lightweight (116g), and super-fast, thanks to its dual-core 1.2GHz pro-cessor. The device’s exceptionally bright screen makes it perfect for watching movies and TV, or play-ing games and looking at apps, while its ground-breaking ‘organic’ LED technology, Super AMOLED Plus, also saves energy so you can enjoy watching content without affecting the battery life. What’s more, there’s immediate access to content and services such as catch up TV and movie down-loads, thanks to rapid connectivity and WiFi, with speeds up to 21Mbps which provides increased down-load speeds, and Bluetooth 3.0+HS

which reduces data transfer times

features an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD recording and play-back, Samsung’s patented AllShare technology so you can share pic-tures, movies, and music with other devices and Samsung’s new Kies Air which lets people manage their smartphone contents from their PC via local WiFi connections. A new ‘Live Panel’ feature on the Galaxy S II allows aggregation of live web, social networking and application contents to a single customisable home-screen, whilst it’s possible to place all the important parts of your life onto three adjacent home screens which you can switch between simply by pressing and holding on the screen. And it’s now available in both black and white, just in time for Christmas!samsung.com

Smarter than the average

iDJ Live is the easiest way to become a DJ with your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad. This iOS-DJ controller is perfect for anyone from Pro DJs to music lovers who have never tried DJing before. The iDJ Live system harnesses the processing power of your iProducts and enables you to channel David Guetta or Roger Sanchez. Mix your iPod music library on a hyper-realistic turntable interface. Perform live, record mixes on the go, or enable Automix mode and let the djay software mix your favourite playlist automatically. With unprecedented ease-of-use and innovative multi-touch mixing features, iDJ Live takes DJing to the next level and offers a unique experience for beginners and professionals alike. You can mix and scratch your music, including your iTunes Music libraries using two large performance platters and a central mixer section with a crossfader, buttons and knobs. numark.com

We’ve all been there – you only want to watch a DVD, but one of the three remote controls you need has gone AWOL! This is where the Logitech Harmony 1100 comes to the rescue. Compatible with over 225,000 devic-es from over 5,000 brands, it replaces the remotes your countless devices demand and makes life that little bit more organised. What’s more, its beautiful colour touch screen display features one-touch functionality, so to watch a DVD you need only press one button and the Harmony will take care of the rest. Just make sure you don’t lose it!logitech.com

Take control

Samsung is pioneering a unique new “MultiView” category to enable today’s increasingly ambitious camera user to frame the perfect shot from any angle.

out display, is ultra slim and stylish, boasting enhanced picture quality, touch screen technology, as well as many innovative and user-friendly features to ensure that all users can relax and enjoy their shooting

the most challenging images. The 3.0”

artistic possibilities, whether capturing the perfect self-portrait to polish your online

shots to demonstrate your photographic prowess. The unique screen tilts up and down so you can frame every shot, and easily view back your images from any perspective. Samsung has designed the device with the user in mind, in response to evolving consumer demands in the seg-

and creativity. For style-conscious con-sumers on the lookout for sophisticated, minimalist styling, the device’s ultra-slender

promises to make a visual impact.samsung.com

View lifefrom allangles

Pro meets portable

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With access to natural, cyclic produce, all compotes, tapenades and jus are freshly made. The bread stacked at the rear of the restaurant is freshly baked

and butter; all dishes prepared, served and shared with love. Au contraire, the effervescent jams, suspended proudly in the display case, are imported from the South of France by an artisan, who has been mixing jams for over 30 years. Also, the vibrant macaroons are created by Omaya and a supplier in Malaga, who chose La Parisienne personally to sell his cookies. Omaya handles the more

and basil, licorice and hazelnut, whereas the supplier concentrates on the classic

Each week, there will be new variations available, and be sure to try one of the rose macaroons, created exclusively for

in beautiful keepsake boxes. With the restaurant developing at an astonish-ing rate, and Cake Couture’s growing business, she can’t do it all, so assures only the most prestigious suppliers work in conjunction with her.

Our indulgent feast began with three taster dishes. Firstly, the traditional Salad Niçoise, complete with crunchy lettuce,

eggs, warm potatoes, red onion shav-ings and salty anchovies, drizzled with a pesto compote. The combination of the

We are fortunate enough to live in a town that offers it all; opulent

boutiques, beautiful weather nine months of the year and more restau-rants than we know what to do with. However, I know as well as the rest that sometimes we just want to escape, and the newly opened La Parisienne allows us to do just that, without hav-

J’adore this quaint restaurant café, as it brings a new dining concept to Mar-bella. Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and until 4pm on Satur-days, there are no time constraints on dishes, meaning you can enjoy a salad at 10am, or a pain au chocolat at 4pm, perfect for the erratic lifestyle of an Editor! Due to the extensive range of cultures living in and around the area, proprietor Omaya Bella-voine, who also owns Cake Couture Marbella, thought it was important to open an all day dining bistro, with dishes to suit all.

Omaya wanted to bring a little ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the Marbella lifestyle through bistro cooking and creating the right ambiance. The restaurant café and bakery, situated in the ever-developing Centro Plaza in Nueva Andalucia, is a bright open space, with glass windowpanes surrounding the entirety of the exterior, allowing natural light to strobe in. The colour scheme chosen; hues of green, white and brown, is continued throughout, from the antique, white wooden furniture to the authentic Portuguese stoneware plates, napkins, place set-tings and mini foliage pots decorating your dining space, all encompassing the organic, art deco design.

Those of you who assume La Parisi-enne only offer pastries and cakes are mistaken, as the kitchen produces high quality nouvelle cuisine each day. From French tartines to tradi-tional bistro dishes, along with dessert

the South Provence pervades through-out. The vivacious team strives to bring healthy, and more importantly tasty food to the Mediterranean. Not only

-

in the summer months, most dishes are available to takeaway.

On arrival, we were greeted with an hors d’oeuvre of smoothies, both rich and light respectively. Firstly, a Vie en Rose, a combination of sweet and savoury with red fruits, tomatoes, celery, gin-ger and mint, the French version of a Bloody Mary, without the Grey Goose. The other, a mandarin and grapefruit inspired sweet tipple, sharp and sour, and wonderfully refreshing. Whilst we were contemplating which dishes to order from the comprehensive menu, we directed our attention to the specials board, where copious amounts of daily specials were listed. The chef, who is also French, works closely with Omaya to se-

suppliers available. As the ingredients used are seasonal, the menu is continu-ally adapted to suit.

Haute Cuisine

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COSTA CUISINE

By Laura-Jane BrucePhotos by Ruth Jones

offset by the minty pesto and feathery potatoes.

Secondly, warm Quiche Lorraine, packed with bacon lardons, Gruyère cheese, crème fraîche and a hint of nutmeg. The earthy cheese matched with the subtle spice added a distinc-tive essence without overpowering the characteristic meaty bacon slices and soured cream, and was accompanied by a simple seasonal salad.

Our third starter was Jamon Serrano tar-

with roquette leaves, Serrano ham

popular in French cafés; it is lighter than a sandwich, whilst offering a more sub-stantial alternative to a salad, perfect for lunch on the go or those desiring a light snack.

The main dishes ensued, to begin a Boeuf Bourguignon, slowly braised in a red wine and beef broth, so that the meat and accompanying oozing po-tatoes and soft carrot pieces were silky and tender. The jus in which the stew was cooked permeated through the meat chunks, and lingered on the palate, long

next bite. Initially, the meat was sourced from Argentina. However, Omaya has worked closely with her suppliers and found a local purveyor in Marbella whose meats are more tender and

kind.

Our subsequent dish was Duck Parmenti-er, shredded and topped with a blanket of creamy mashed potato. The diced

while the accompanying pomme de terre topper enclosed the aromas in a

bite.

pieces resting on a bed of ratatouille, a traditional Provençal stewed vegetable dish, basted in light virgin sauce. The

with vegetables and the airy undertones of herbs, olive oil and lemon juice.

As if this generous banquet wasn’t enough for two, mon amie and I gorged on three desserts; an indulgent choco-

-cel encasing the smoothest vanilla ice cream, garnished with a dizzying choco-

-

ing island) consisting of poached egg white suspended in a crème anglaise moat and drizzled with salty caramel sauce. Finally, La Parisienne’s café gourmand; a platter of mini classically French desserts, including a crème car-amel shot, pot de crème with seasonal fruits, a colourful macaroon, French biscuit and meringue, and a centrally placed espresso.

Marbella has been crying out for; not only does it serve delicious French cuisine, but it’s fresh ingredients ce-ment it as the hot spot for 2012. C’est

La Parisienne French Bakery and Café Centro Plaza, 29660, Nueva AndaluciaTel. 951 279 056

La Parisienne Café

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COSTA CUISINE

If you’re looking for more of a party at-mosphere, El Gran Gatsby is certainly the place to spend the festive period. With its close proximity to Puerto Banus, there is always the option to keep going until the early hours. Leading up to Christmas, why not try something different to entertain the family, with special festive menus priced from €45 to €85. With its experimental but tasty dining, challenge everyone’s taste buds and make mealtime exciting.

Come New Years Eve, El Gran Gatsby have created an exceptional menu to coincide with the celebratory evening. 13 different dishes will be served throughout the evening, including pumpkin spheres

-

parmentier and bacon ‘Joselito’. Cocktails and an abundance of drinks will be free

tempo music guarantees you’ll be danc-ing the night away until the sun comes up. If that’s not enough, you can continue the celebrations into the early hours in Puerto Banus.

El Gran GatsbyPuerto BanusTel. 951 778 797elgrangatsby.com

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COSTA CUISINE

EL GRAN GATSBY

Yuletide Celebrations

MAGNA CAFÉ

MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL · GOLF RESORT & SPABulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n · 29602 Marbella · Spain

tel +34 952 82 22 11 · Fax +34 952 82 98 84hotel @marbellaclub.com · www.marbellaclub.com

Welcome Kir Royal

Party Bags

Marinated Scallops, Vichyssoise of Green Asparagus

& Lemon Grass

Roast Roast Turbot

with Shavings of Crab & Wok Vegetables

Pineapple & Guava Digestive

Beef Tenderloinwith Crispy Parmesan Vegetables,

Truffle Jus & Potato Purée with Chantarelle

Chocolate & Hazelnut Sandwichwith Banana Ice Cwith Banana Ice Cream & Irish Coffee Foam

Coffee & Mignardises... and the 12 Lucky Grapes!

Live Musicby Jazz Diva Helena Paul

Price: 95€ p. person (+8% VAT)- Drinks not included -

Tel: 952 768 936Tel: 952 768 936

New Year’s Eve at the MC Café

Christmas Day at the Grill Restaurant

Sunday, December 25th, 2011, 2 p.m.

Marcel Consommé with Sherry Wine

Suprême of Turbot with Vegetables,

Champagne Sauce and Trout Roe

Traditional Christmas Turkey

served with Bread Sauce & Fresh Cranberry served with Bread Sauce & Fresh Cranberry

Sauce,

with Roasted Parsnips and Château Potatoes

Yule Log with Chocolate and Vanilla

Christmas Sweets and Nougats

White Wine: Naia

Red Wine: Arzuaga Crianza

Cava: Gramona Gran ReservaCava: Gramona Gran Reserva

Canciones de Villancicos

Christmas Carols

Precio / Price p.p 130 € IVA Incluido / VAT Included

By now, the majority of your Christmas shopping should have been completed and sent off to Father Christmas, the decorations have probably made the annual trip down from the attic, pending to be displayed proudly throughout your home, and the family have most

that special restaurant to visit? Well look no further than Magna Café and El Gran Gatsby to

dish that will blow your mind, and leave even the most bulging bellies wanting more.

Whichever venue you choose, you can rest assured that either will show you a good time this yuletide.(All prices not including IVA.)

Miss being around family and friends at Christmas? Magna Café in Nueva Anda-lucia combines the perfect mix of feeling at home with exquisite cuisine. Surround yourself with loved ones throughout the fes-tive period, with four different menu options for groups, each one as delicious as the next, all including a welcome drink, an array of courses, wine, water and coffee. Priced from €40 to €65, they are abundantly af-fordable and will guarantee to liven up your Christmas spirit.

For New Years Eve, why not let the staff at Magna Café entertain you into 2012. On ar-rival, you are greeted with a complimentary glass of Mumm Champagne and shown to your table, each decorated with party favours. Throughout the evening, atmos-pheric music ensures a party atmosphere is maintained at all times! On the countdown to the big 2012, lucky grapes complete the traditional Spanish ambiance. Six decadent courses allow you to enjoy the night to the fullest surrounded by family and friends, with an open bar ensuring spirits are held high throughout the night.

Magna CaféMagna Marbella Golf, Calderon de la Barca s/n, Nueva Andalucia Tel. 952 929 578magnacafe.com

83

MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL · GOLF RESORT & SPABulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n · 29602 Marbella · Spain

tel +34 952 82 22 11 · Fax +34 952 82 98 84hotel @marbellaclub.com · www.marbellaclub.com

Welcome Kir Royal

Party Bags

Marinated Scallops, Vichyssoise of Green Asparagus

& Lemon Grass

Roast Roast Turbot

with Shavings of Crab & Wok Vegetables

Pineapple & Guava Digestive

Beef Tenderloinwith Crispy Parmesan Vegetables,

Truffle Jus & Potato Purée with Chantarelle

Chocolate & Hazelnut Sandwichwith Banana Ice Cwith Banana Ice Cream & Irish Coffee Foam

Coffee & Mignardises... and the 12 Lucky Grapes!

Live Musicby Jazz Diva Helena Paul

Price: 95€ p. person (+8% VAT)- Drinks not included -

Tel: 952 768 936Tel: 952 768 936

New Year’s Eve at the MC Café

Christmas Day at the Grill Restaurant

Sunday, December 25th, 2011, 2 p.m.

Marcel Consommé with Sherry Wine

Suprême of Turbot with Vegetables,

Champagne Sauce and Trout Roe

Traditional Christmas Turkey

served with Bread Sauce & Fresh Cranberry served with Bread Sauce & Fresh Cranberry

Sauce,

with Roasted Parsnips and Château Potatoes

Yule Log with Chocolate and Vanilla

Christmas Sweets and Nougats

White Wine: Naia

Red Wine: Arzuaga Crianza

Cava: Gramona Gran ReservaCava: Gramona Gran Reserva

Canciones de Villancicos

Christmas Carols

Precio / Price p.p 130 € IVA Incluido / VAT Included

84

Acacia Restaurant in Puerto Banus is renowned for their experimen-

tal dining concept. It has become a destination associated with innovative and avant-garde cuisine, but value for money being of the essence. Creative chef Victor Garvey wants to evoke the complete experience for each diner, involving all the senses. Not only do they serve incredible cuisine, Acacia have a drinks menu that boasts some of the most exclusive wines in the world.

Victor works in conjunction with small wineries and bodegas to ensure that one-of-a-kind tipples are available. Wines are graded in ‘Parker Points’, a

wine critic Robert Parker. All on Acacia’s wine list are 90 parker points and above, meaning that all are of the highest qual-ity and value. This international standard for grading wine guarantees that all wines have a touch of allure, and will be nothing like you’ve ever tasted before. Even the glasses used are Riedel, a

stage of enjoyment is carefully thought out so that your experience is the best it can be.

Some examples of beverages Acacia have available include a 1999 Turo d’en Mota, only 2,990 made in the entire world, voted the best sparkling wine by Wine Spectator Magazine, along with

-rant. Not only do Acacia stock excellent wines, they also distill their own infused brandys and offer exclusive gins, such as Citadelle which has been developing its

2009, and Jimipero, handmade in the US.

dishes, and were talked through the best pairings for each. Firstly, organic

-companied by organic Rio Frio caviar, smoked potato mousseline, and crispy salmon skin. The ideal drink that perfectly complimented the egg characteristics in the dish was a white wine, unlabeled,

Restaurant. Secondly, the winter version of Oysters in the Deep Ocean that we sampled in the October issue of SOCIETY MARBELLA. The general aesthetic from

in the sauce were richer and more in depth. The perfect accompaniment was a reserva vintage 2000 cava Augusti Torello Mata. The dryness on the pal-ate complimented the brashness of the

CREATIVE COMPLEMENTS

By Laura-Jane Bruce

oyster, while the bubbles enhanced the butter-based sauce. We also sampled

baby food popcorn. Victor champions ‘table side’ dining, meaning that the

is suspended in liquid nitrogen, which hardened the outer foam sphere, whilst the interior remains gooey. This is then dipped in 100% gold power and served on a slate plate, reminiscent of a white

-ers can play a game of chess using the pieces of temperate chocolate, a won-derfully interactive way to end a meal.

Why not take a risk and order an un-known wine, all staff are trained in the skill of pairing the perfect drink with your dish; this niche art form means you are guaranteed a well rounded experience each time you visit Acacia.

Acacia RestaurantPlaza Marina Banus, Bloque 2, Local 2A, Puerto BanusTel. 693 041 124acacia-restaurant.com

COSTA CUISINE

Photos by Ruth Jones

86

Salt and Pepper café is a healthy eating concept located in the

Cristamar Centre in Puerto Banus, and last month we were fortunate enough to sample some of their mouthwatering delights. Intrigued by their innovative no-

out more about this inspiring restaurant.

Salt and Pepper has been open for

following, returning day after day to enjoy their fresh produce. All ingredients used are sourced from local businesses in Marbella and San Pedro, and are prepared and used in the dishes that same day. Since opening, the response

ADD A PINCH OFSALTBy Laura-Jane Bruce

COSTA CUISINE

has been extremely positive, and it’s no wonder, their reasonable prices, excel-lent quality of food and friendly service means all clients feel welcome on each visit.

Their location adjacent to the biggest shopping centre in Puerto Banus means there is constant passing trade of locals

and visitors. Also, being located in the port, the abundance of car parks allows ease of parking.

throughout the day; open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their extensive menu offers sandwiches, wraps, salads and burgers, with halal options available, a Swedish touch permeates through-out many of the dishes. The beautiful

sandwiches are presented on ciabatta bread, and the fresh large salads all come with individual homemade dress-ings.

Owners and husband and wife team, Tina and Wissal’s strive for excellence stems from their experience in the hos-pitality industry. From cafes, nightclubs and hotels, they know exactly what cli-ents desire from their dining experience, and deliver it each time. They decided to open Salt and Pepper café because they noticed a niche in the restaurant market in Puerto Banus. Yes we have a variety of many cuisines, however no restaurants offer such a diverse range of dishes and quality prices that are easily found in London, Stockholm and Berlin.

With such a diverse range of high qual-ity cuisine at affordable prices, it’s no wonder Salt and Pepper café’s concept has hit Puerto Banus with such a force that they are changing the way people eat. Real honest food, with no tricks or special effects, and it’s obviously prov-ing to be popular as they are looking to sprinkle more areas of the coast with their charm.

Salt and Pepper CaféC.C Cristamar, Puerto BanusTel. 678 127 359/600 798 986

Salt and Pepper Café BarPuerto Banus

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COSTA CUISINE

. . . U N D E S T I N O D E C A T E G O R Í A M U N D I A L

Crta. de Casares s/n29690 Casares - Málaga reservas: +34 952 937 800www.fincacortesin.com

C E L E B R A T E C H R I S T M A S

C E L E B R A L A N A V I D A D

LIVING-SOCIETY-HC XMAS 2011.indd 1 21/11/11 13:08:10

An authentic French restaurant-cafe serving

breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Delicious sandwiches, quiches, tartines, salads,

soups and Plat du Jour

Freshly prepared daily with locally sourced

produce to eat in or take away including fresh

baguette sandwiches, salads and home made

cookies, madeleines, etc

Delicious daily specials

A selection of jams made in France and imported

especially

An exclusive range of “Palais des Thes” teas

Daily newspapers and magazines to read in a

relaxed, authentic ambience

Bringing a little joie de vivre to the Marbella

lifestyle!

Monday to Saturday, from 8.00 to 6.00 pmTel: +34 951 27 90 56

Centro Plaza29660 Nueva AndalucíaMarbella, Málaga

“Prepared, Served & Shared with Love”

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RESTAURANT LISTING

SAN ROQUE

Oriental

KAMAKURALocation: Golf resortTel. 956 646 575Considered one of

restaurants in Spain.

SOTOGRANDE

KE BARLocation: Frontline PortTel. 956 793 333Chic venue, ideal for watching the world pass by with snacks and full meals.

FLAHERTY’SLocation: Frontline PortTel. 956 790 390Lively Irish bar and restaurant with well-priced snacks and full dishes – fun ambi-ance and live music evenings.

CASARES

SCHILOLocation: Ctra. de Casares

tic breakfasts, salads, wok dishes, fajitas, burgers, wraps and sandwiches. Daily specials and superb evening menu. Eclectic décor and pleasant ambience.

BORA BORABEACH CLUBLocation: Urb. Linda Vista Baja, Calle Las Gitanillas, San PedroTel. 952 789 100Specialising in Italian fusion and seafood specialties, right on the beach. Dine, drink and relax by the pool. Excellent party venue.

PUERTO BANÚS

MACCHERONILocation: Jardines del Puerto Tel. 951 703 175Fashionable pizzeria serving authentic Italian specialties. Takeaway available. Open every night from 8pm.Oriental

Tel. 952 937 800

Gourmet, Asian-fu-sion cuisine created by world-class chef Schilo Van Cor-vorden at the Finca Cortesin Hotel and Golf Resort. Superb service, elegantsetting and excellent wine list.

WEST OF SAN PEDRO

LA PAPPARDELLALocation: Laguna VillageTel. 952 807 354lapappardella.comPopular Italian restaurant group that made its mark in London and Puerto Banús. Extensive list of dishes made

Italian ingredients, and great service.

-ence in chic, luxuri-ous surroundings.

BENAHAVIS

THAI GALLERYLocation: Puerta de BanusTel. 952 818 392thaigallery-restau-rante.comCreative cuisine with professional service and lively atmos-phere. Open daily for dinner.

NAGA THAILocation: C.C. CristamarTel. 952 815 319naga.esWide range of exqui-site and exotic dishes enjoyed in stylish surroundings. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Takeaway and full catering ser-vice also available.

NARUTOLocation: C.C.CristamarTel. 952 811 827Contemporary cuisine, presented by Sushi des Artistes (Golden Mile) – sushi, sashimi and Japa-nese tapas. Takea-way available. Open seven days a week from 1pm till late.

TABERNA DELALABARDEROLocation: Ctra. de RondaTel. 952 812 794alabarderoresort.comCreative inexpensive cuisine in elegant surroun-dings a including stunning garden setting.

LA CASITALocation: La HerediaTel. 952 788 033Restaurant and tapas bar. A unique dining experience. Modern classics with

in the stunning vil-lage of La Heredia. Live kitchen cams, private dining areas and a beautiful ter-race.

SAN PEDRO

PASSION CAFÉLocation: C.C. La ColoniaTel. 952 781 583passioncafe.euFresh and creative food served through-out the day. Fantas-

Ourselection of inter-national cuisine

+34 952 937 800 www.fincacortesin.comHOTEL, GOLF & SPA

. . . U N D E S T I N O D E C A T E G O R Í A M U N D I A LC E L E B R A L A N A V I D A D C E L E B R A T E C H R I S T M A S

LIVING SOCIETY-SCH-XMAS 230X300-2011.indd 1 21/11/11 13:22:27

92

BUDDHA BEACHLocation: Urb. Ma-rina Villa (beachside)Tel. 952 813 882buddhabeach-banus.comLuxurious Balinese setting with al fresco restaurant serving an appetising selection of dishes ranging from fresh seafood platters to Thai fu-sion cuisine, sushi, creative salads and lighter dishes. A “Snack and Wrap” menu can be en-joyed from Buddha’s beach beds.

LA SALA BANUSLocation: Calle BelmonteTel. 952 814 145lasalabanus.comOpen from 10am to midnight, seven days a week, La Sala of-fers eight individually styled settings to suit whatever mood you are in – for break-fast, lunch, dinner, afternoon drinks with friends, evening cocktails or private business meetings. A set lunch menu from Monday to Friday is available for 15€ for two courses, and complimentary valet parking is available from 10am.

BUBBLESLocation: Plaza An-tonio Banderas, TIBVTel. 606 070 979bubblesmarbella.comSuperb international cuisine and cocktails in stunning Balinese roof terrace setting.

TANGORESTAURANTELocation: Avenida de la Rivera, Puerto BanusTel. 952 812 358tangorestaurante.comServing excel-lent Argentinean cuisine. Its unrivalled

EVITABY BUENOS AIRESLocation: Avda. del PradoTel. 952 929 620Superb Argentinean cuisine. Golf views on a beautifulterrace.

YANX CAFÉLocation: Centro PlazaTel. 952 818 861cafeyanx.comA prized location and lively atmos-phere make this a great choice all-round.

NERMANSRESTAURANT AND BISTRO BARLocation: Avienda del PradoTel. 952 815 398nermans.comSumptuous home cooking in a relaxed atmosphere, with at-tentive bilingual staff and good value for money.

POLYNESIAN’S RESTAURANT AND COCKTAIL BARLocation: Urb. La AlcazabaTel. 952 816 100restaurantepolyne-sians.esExotic fusion of tropi-cal and oriental cui-sine, with indoor or al fresco dining, relax-ing ambience and

oven specialties.

French

LA PARISIENNELocation: Centro Plaza, 29660 Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, MalagaTel. 951 279 056An authentic Parisian patisserie and café, serving a blend of delicious sandwich-es, quiches, tartines, salads, soups and Plat du Jour. Freshly prepared daily with locally sourced produce to eat in or take away. Bringing a little joie de vivre to the Marbella lifestyle.

meat dishes and imaginative menu make Tango one of the best options in Banús.

EL GRAN GATSBYLocation: Puerto Banuselgrangatsby.comA vanguard con-cept of the Medi-terranean kitchen in the best spot of Puerto Banús, which offers you an author’s kitchen with

over the Mediterra-nean sea

OCEAN CLUBLocation: Avda. Lola FloresTel. 952 908 137oceanclub.esLuxurious beach-front restaurant and beach club located in the heart of Puerto Banus, offering tradi-tional French cuisine with a Mediterrane-an twist. Also Asian specialties on offer.

HUERTOLocation: Avda. Playas del Duque, Puerto BanusTel. 951087064Huerto combines creativity, skill, and excellent service to create an unforget-table experience for its diners. Huerto looks set to become a destination for food connoisseurs from around the world.

SALT AND PEPPER CAFÉ BARLocation: C.C Cris-tamar, Puerto BanusTel. 678 127 359/600 798 986Seasoned to per-fection, a healthy and wholesome café and bar with a Swedish touch, an ideal location to enjoy an al fresco lunch or light bite. ACACIALocation: Plaza Ma-rina Banus, Bloque

2, Local 2A, Puerto Banus (formally liquid lounge)Tel. 693 041 125Acacia-restaurant.comA centrally located, innovative and excit-ing eatery with each dish containing an essence of head chef, Victor Garvey’s passion.

NUEVAANDALUCIA

GIRASOLLocation: Avda. del PradoTel. 952 813 859Superb service and excellent food from award-winning chefs. Attractive surroundings and pleasant patioterrace overlooking golf valley.

CHARME CAFÉLocation: Centro Comercial PlazaTel. 952 906 312 charmecafe.comA charming restau-rant with elegant style and best quality of food, drinks and service! Charme Cafe is your very own unique venue to enjoy a coffee with amazing views or a fabulous lunch overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

MAGNA CAFÉLocation: Magna Marbella GolfTel. 952 929 587magnacafe.comExquisite cuisine in stunning surround-ings. Bar and large terrace with breath-taking views.

STARZ MARBELLALocation: C.C.Centro PlazaTel. 952 816 313starzmarbella.comInternational food with all-day break-fast and extensive lunch menu. Open Monday to Saturday 8.30am-5pm. Free

RESTAURANT LISTING

BOLLYWOODRESTAURANT Location: Urb. Fuente AlohaTel. 952 906 748Exotic blend of fan-tastic fragrant food, ambiance inspired by rich culture and all topped off with excellent service.

REGINA’SLocation: near An-dalucia PlazaTel. 952 814 529Elegant surround-ings with high-quality Italian dishes ranging from traditional to creative.

Oriental

THAI BANGKOKLocation: Plaza de Las OrquideasTel. 952 813 603SENSATIONSDELI & SUSHILocation: Av.Manolete, 20Tel. 952 814 964sensationsdeliandsu-shi.comInnovative andtantalising sushi crea-tions atcompetitive prices

GOLDEN MILE

Oriental

SUKHOTHAILocation: Marbella MarTel. 952 770 550sukhothai-restau-rante.comFabulous Thai cuisine with intimate sur-roundings and cos-mopolitan décor.

TAI PANLocation: Puente RomanoTel. 952 777 893taipan-restaurante.comEnjoy cocktails at Polynesian Bar be-fore sampling orien-tal cuisine in beauti-ful surroundings.

THAI ELEPHANTLocation: Opposite

94

ZOZOILocation: Plaza Al-tamirano Tel. 952 858 868 zozoi.comOld converted house provides perfect atmosphere for cuisine with a dif-ference.

SANTIAGOLocation: Paseo MaritimoTel. 952 770 078restaurantesantiago.com

and seafood from throughout Spain.

CASAMONOLocation: Calle Este-banez CalderonTel. 952 774 578The cuisine is in the style of a classic French bistro with a delicious array of cocktails.

GARUMLocation: Paseo MaritimoTel. 952 858 858garummarbella.comGreat for drinks, snacks and a la carte dining. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

THE ORANGE TREELocation: Orange SquareTel. 952 924 613Creative contempo-rary cuisine, with in-novative new menu every six weeks. Open daily for dinner from 6.30pm till late; early evening menu until 8pm.

BIJOU BAR & BISTROLocation: Plaza Juan de la RosaTel. 952 776 468bijoumarbella.comVaried and well-priced cuisine, designed to include fresh ingredients, in comfortable environ-ment with excellent, friendly service. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm.

AMAPOLARESTAURANTLocation: Calle Ortega y GassetTel. 952 774 650amapolamarbella.comQuaint restaurant set in the heart of Mar-bella, with experi-mental molecular gastronomy.

NUEVA KASKADALocation: Urb. La Montua, Calle Chor-readero, MarbellaTel. 952 864 478nuevakaskada.comOpen everyday from 7pm, enjoy fresh cuisine on their vast terrace.

French

CASANISLocation: Calle Ancha 8Tel. 952 900 450Exquisite bistro serv-ing menu del dia as well as a la carte, aperitifs and cock-tails. Open Monday to Saturday for dinner.

ZAFFERANOLocation: Calle Gloria 12Tel. 952 863 125ristorantezafferano.it Beautiful renovated old town house with modern Italian cuisine in elegant surroundings.

CASA NOSTRALocation: Calle Camilo Jose CelaTel. 952 861 108Local dining institu-tion since 1988, with extensive selection of superb Italian cuisine.

DA FABIOLocation: Marbella and El RosarioTel. 952 823 376/952 833 467Friendly, authentic Italian restaurant offering traditional cuisine and special

RESTAURANT

Tel. 952 587 637El Oceano is an oasis of laid-back luxury, privately owned and operated, where guest comfort and satisfaction is para-mount. The three restaurants serve

and the views are breathtaking.

MIJAS PLAYALocation: La Cala seafrontTel. 952 493 749Popular restaurant overlooking the sea, with entertainment and dancing every evening. Superb food in elegant sur-roundings.

VALPARAISOLocation: Ctra de MijasTel. 952 485 996restaurantevalparai-so.esExcellent Italian and International cuisine in charming and el-egant surroundings.

FUENGIROLA

PUEBLO LOPEZLocation: off Calle ValenciaTel. 952 471 929Well-established, family-run restaurant in charming Pueblo Lopez cobbled courtyard.

LOS BOLICHES

Vegetarian

VEGETALIALocation: Calle Santa Isabel 8Tel. 952 586 031restaurantevegeta-lia.comSalad buffet with hot dishes of the day at lunchtime; a la carte selection in the evenings, fresh juices and homemade desserts. Open Monday-Saturday lunch; Friday and Saturday dinner.

dishes prepared by the chef. Open daily 11am-midnight, with easy parking.

EAST OFMARBELLA

MOZAICRESTAURANT & LOUNGELocation: Las Chapas. Tel. 952 839 901Open for breakfast, lunch and din-ner from 9am till midnight (lounge until 2am), offering Belgium and Interna-tional cuisine.

BONO’S BEACHLocation: Costabella beachsideTel. 952 839 236bonosbeach.comFine cuisine in a stunning location on one of the most beautiful beaches in Marbella.

THE BEACH HOUSELocation: frontline beach ElviriaTel. 952 839 458thebeachhousemar-bella.comIdyllic location by the sea with stun-ning sunsets over one of the Coast’s best beaches. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

NIKKI BEACHLocation: Hotel Don Carlos (beachside)Tel. 952 836 239nikkibeach.com/MarbellaNikki’s signature ‘global’ cuisine served in luxurious beach club sur-roundings either on he palm-shaded al fresco terrace, or from one of the oversized beach beds.

MIJAS COSTA

EL OCEANO BEACH HOTEL &

Marbella ClubTel. 952 779 166thaielephant.esSumptuous original Thai and Japanese cuisine including sushi and a selec-tion of curries, with a large terrace area perfect for al fresco dining. Takeaway and delivery service also available – with full menus and online order service.

VILLA TIBERIOLocation: Marbella MarTel. 952 771 799villatiberio.comHighly popular restaurant set within stylish surroundings; al fresco at it’s best.

SMALL WORLD CAFÉLocation: C.C. Le VillageTel. 952 771 046smallworldcafe.comSmall World Café is a cool, contemporary restaurant where diners can enjoy lazy breakfasts, a quick bite for lunch or a relaxed dinner from the simple yetcreative menu.

SUITELocation: Hotel Pu-ente RomanoTel. 952 820 900suiteclubs.comStunning restaurant and lounge serving superb Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine in luxurious surroundings.

TERRAZZA DUALLocation: Marbella MarTel. 952 925 250terrazzadual.comGreat service and attractive surround-ings. Homemade dishes. Takeaway also available.

MARBELLA

RESTAURANT LISTING

www.tikitano.com

[email protected]

Tel. 952 79 84 49

Exit 164 off the N340

Christmas Day Traditional Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings

Christmas Crackers & children´s presents

Tikitano will be glittering with our usual Christmas decor

Live music all day with a special visit from Santa Claus

25/1

2/20

11

from69€

New Year’s Eve Gala DinnerSet menu including wine. Our tables will be laden with party gifts & grapes served at midnight

We have the best views of the coasts finest fireworks displays

Live music including a special performance from the Rat Pack and Southern Impact.

Children's menu available including our fun activity pack

31/1

2/20

11

from139€

New Year’s Day Brunch Set Brunch served from 14.00

Complimentary “recovery” Bloody Mary’s and Belinis served.01/0

1/20

12

from59€

Traditional Sunday Lunch

Ever

y Sun

day from25€

Christmas Eve

all the flavours that are yet to come at TikiTano. With our festive decorations sparkling and our

live musical entertainment you will dine full of Christmas cheer knowing the holidays have finally

begun.!

24/1

2/20

11

from55€

The complete one-stop print shops

500 Standard Business cards including design - only 99€+IVA

1000 A6 Flyers including design - only 129€+IVA

Competitive prices with no hidden extrasIn-house digital & litho printing

Real shops with real people

VIP BUSINESS CARDS

Cabopino: +34 951 310 395Nueva Andalucia: +34 952 906 121www.eyeprint.es

Range ofcard colours

Range offoil colours

Gloss & Matt

Plastic & card

NEW

Order yours now: 952 906 121Print on demand, providing instant solutions

for your print Expo Sign & display needs

Printed on our printers, by our printers. For our customers

SOCIETY PINBOARD

One of the most unique restaurants Marbella has to offer, Acacia, have now become one of the most charita-ble. Throughout the whole of Novem-ber, Victor, being half American himself, has pledged to donate 10% of all his

coincide with the American traditions of Thanksgiving. Victor believes that it doesn’t have to be a national holiday to make a difference.AcaciaTel. 693 041 125acacia-restaurant.com

D2999. ChinaChina is a dainty red Podenco who came to us as a newborn with

his mum and six siblings in December 2010. Poor China ended up

right ear. We had to operate to close the

wound. A very sociable chap, he goes

for walks with anyone who will take him

and he delicately sits waiting for food

when the volunteers stop for their break!

Can you offer him a home? All he really

wants is a bit of love and attention.

Charitable givings

D2439 KatishaKatisha came in with her three ador-able puppies who have already found homes. Poor Katisha misses her babies and misses being a new mum. She is not much older than a baby herself having become preg-

little dog with a big heart and yearns for a home of her own now her babies have all left her.

D2389. Goofy

Goofy is a

seven year

old Dalmatian

who’s owner

sadly died ear-

lier this year. He

longs to have a

home of his own where he is the only dog

in the house. He is excellent company

and craves to be at your side constantly.

He is happy to potter in the garden or go

for walks along the beach. Do you have

room in your life for a faithful companion

who wants to devote all his love to you?

To offer Goofy, China, Katisha or any of the other dogs at ADANA a home, contact the kennels on 952-113-467 or email [email protected]. adana.es facebook.com/ADANA.EsteponaADANA are holding their annual Christ-mas Fair on Sunday December 18 at the Palacio de Congressos, Estepona. Open from 11-4 with a great variety of stalls and ideas for Christmas, all raising money for abandoned, sick and injured animals.

ADANA, (Association for the Rights of Abandoned Animals) an animal charity on the Costa del Sol run entirely by vol-unteers aims to provide facilities for the shelter and care of abandoned, sick and injured animals, assisting the local authorities and promoting understand-ing, respect and affection for animals. Each month, SOCIETY MARBELLA will share with you a small selection of the dogs and cats housed at ADANA, look-ing for a new home.

Take me Home

For Take-away, Home Delivery and Reservations, please contact:

T. 952 906 748 Avenida Del prado. Local 4, Edificio Picaso, Aloha, 29660 Nueva Andalucia

www.facebook.com/Bollywoodindianmarbella

INDIAN RESTAURANTBAR & TERRACE

The Curry Stars in Marbella!

We offer a unique dining experience, serving an exotic blend of fantas-tic fragrant food in an ambiance inspired by rich culture

with excellent service.

We can accommodate tables for 2–20, inside therestaurant or outside on the terrace.

Conveniently situated in the heart of NuevaAndalucia minutes away from the famous

Puerto Banus and Aloha Golf courses.

Group Christmas Party menus available for December and special Menu available for the 24th & 31st December. Contact us for further details.

Open every day for dinner 18:00-00:00

BOLLYWOOD

THE ONE & ONLYIN MARBELLA

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Society Marbella December 2011

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