Old Friends Over Eggs Benedict
To the Rosewood Miramar for breakfast at the Malibu Farm with London Sunday Times travel writer Jonathan Thompson.
The meeting was organized by my former News-Press colleague Karna Hughes, now an executive with Visit Santa Barbara, who thought my 13 years of experience living in our rarefied enclave might be of some use to the Dallas-based peripatetic scribe.
Over eggs Benedict, fruit juice, and lattes I regaled Jonathan, who was making his first visit to our Eden by the Beach, about the uniqueness of the community of 10,000 which boasts a bevy of billionaires and innumerable celebrities, not to mention a British royal or two.
His visit also included a tour of the extensive wine cellar at the San Ysidro Ranch and, following our 90-minute breakfast at L.A. developer Rick Caruso’s five-star hostelry where he was staying in a cottage, he took an Uber trip to former Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club patron Andy and Kim Busch’s Folded Hills vineyard on the scenic Gaviota coast.
Jonathan’s article is appearing in the U.K. newspaper this weekend.
Oprah Sells Oh-so Tony Penthouse
TV talk show titan Oprah Winfrey’s former penthouse in Miami Beach was just snapped up for $20 million.
The Florida aerie’s seller was Aston Martin’s executive chairman Lawrence Stroll, who purchased the 6,170-square-foot home six years ago for $13.5 million.
Stroll listed the 1992-built three-bedroom, six-bathroom condo for the first time last year for $32 million.
Oprah owned the property on oh-so tony Fisher Island from 1995 to 2001.
Stroll’s net worth is estimated at north of $2 billion. Earlier this year he led the purchase of 16.7 percent of the legendary U.K. car company, known for its starring role in James Bond movies, for $240 million.
Sightings: Former international racketeer Maria Sharapova noshing at Merci Montecito… TV host Ellen DeGeneres picking up takeout at Tre Lune… Actress Nicole Richie and daughter Harlow, 12, walking on Miramar Beach
Pip! Pip! – and be safe
