When she first appeared onstage earlier this week, Idina Menzel sounded almost as if she wanted to sing. For the wonderful actress whom we saw in WICKED a decade ago, a straight play seemed challenging–"Skintight" has nothing to do with musical theater. At first, anyway. Because soon the actress managed to play very well her part, Jodi, an annoying, self-centered woman who visits her 70-year-old father Elliot (Jack Wetherall) for his birthday announced, when all the old man wants is to enjoy his … [Read more...]
Brazilian Trooper’s Beans Updated
In the last 5 years we cooked this dish a few times, and only this week we got the best of our tryouts. This time we used canned beans which have the perfect texture for this recipe. We also sauteed whole garlic cloves with the bacon, which added flavor and fun to our whole new Trooper's Beans. Try it in your kitchen! INGREDIENTS: 10 oz bacon (we used maple bacon) 12 garlic cloves, divided 10 oz bacon, diced (we used maple bacon) 12 garlic cloves: 8 whole, 4 minced 1 tbsp salt 8 … [Read more...]
COSMOPOLITAN: An essential New Yorker’s Drink
As part of a series of foods and drinks which became essentially famous in New York City, which will be part of my upcoming show this fall, where I have finally decided to be so bold as to cook in the nude, we are featuring the Cosmopolitan. This time it is a very sophisticated drink with raspberry sorbet and sparkling wine. In reality it is very easy to make; and you'll have a hard time drinking it without sorbet from now on. INGREDIENTS Cointreau, 1/2 oz Raspberry sorbet, 4 tbsp Lime … [Read more...]
Imax VR at AMC in East Midtown Manhattan: “Eagle Flight”
Yesterday Hudson Oliver–a longtime friend of mine, who is a singer and ballroom instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studio–and I experienced Imax VR (virtual reality), which I heard is the only of two in the world right now, one here in Kip's Bay (Second Avenue and East 32nd Street) where we live in Manhattan, and one in Los Angeles. This is a real story, a very personal review of this new game and experience. We tried "Eagle Flight," which was so much fun. I felt slightly anxious, some light … [Read more...]
Why Is It Called BLOODY MARY?
Fernand Petiot claims to have invented this famous drink in the 1920's, while he worked at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, France. The name of the drink is associated with historical figures, the most famous one Queen Mary I of England, who tried to restore Catholicism during her reign. Does the color of tomato juice relate to the reign of a bloody queen? History aside, which we love about as much as enjoying the real drink: This Bloody Mary is perhaps the best recipe you will ever have. By … [Read more...]