Columnist Muriel Stevens: Helpful guide gets face-lift

Wednesday, March 31, 2004 | 8:32 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Reach her at (702) 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com.

The special 50th anniversary edition of the 2004 Relais & Chateaux International Guide includes 450 independently owned hotels and fine restaurants in 50 countries. The directory has been newly formatted and is easier to read. What I've always liked about this guide are the color photos that accurately portray the properties.

Twenty-two additions to this year's guide range from gracious Old World castles in the United Kingdom to exotic beach resorts in Tahiti. A number of small posh inns and restaurants in America are included.

To learn more about the Relais & Chateaux Association and gift certificates that may be used at all Relais & Chateaux hotels and restaurants worldwide (along with select Leading Hotels of the World), call (877) 334-6464 or visit www.relaischateaux.com.

Cargo, a new hip mag for men: Seasoned and young hipsters are snagging the premiere issue of Cargo mag, a new buyer's guide for men. Women, too, will like this insider's view of what men buy and and why they buy it.

I couldn't care less about high-tech, high-speed cars, yet I carefully read every bit of the sexy puff about five coveted foreign cars, soon to be available here in the United States.

The Lotus Elise sounds quite the buy at $39,985; that is, if you don't mind squeezing into a tiny car (smaller than Mazda's Miata) that does not include a trunk or room for a spare. Road & Track says it "may be the best handling car in the world," and it's a cool-looking ride, so who worries about a spare?

Specs and more about the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R ($78,000), Smart Roadster ($14,500 to $19,500), TVR Tuscan S ($86,500)and Morgan Aero 8 ($95,000) are included along with phone numbers, just in case you're the antsy kind who doesn't like to wait.

I'll subscribe to Cargo if it ever offers subscriptions. There was no offer in my premiere issue. Cargo's May/June issue goes on sale April 13. Mother's Day gift suggestions are included.

Chico's new catalog: Don't throw away the new Chico's catalog. There's a $10 savings certificate attached on the fold. Make a purchase of $50 or more. It's in effect through May 3 and can be used in any store, on-line or by phone.

New from L'Oreal: Sublime Bronze ($8.99), a self-tanning gelee, is so gentle I could barely detect it when I smoothed some on one arm. It performed as promised, drying quickly without any streaks. And the added vitamin E made my skin silky without any stickiness.

The one thing it didn't do was add any visible bronzing, at least not the one time I used it. The directions advise washing your hands directly after applying the gel. I didn't, and my hand remained the same color. Also advised is to use Sublime Bronze daily until you achieve the desired level of tan, and then apply it one to two times a week.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze is available in three formulations: lotion, tinted lotion and gelee.

Sublime Bronze update: Many hours after the first application there is a slight hint of bronze on my arm. The skin still feels silky. Sublime Bronze has possibilities.