Jazz @ Lincoln Center -

Red Hot Holiday Stomp:
Time Warner Center
Wynton Marsalis and Friends


"When Santa and the Mrs. get to dancin' the "New Orleans Bump," you know you're walking in a Wynton Wonderland--a place where joyous music meets comic storytelling. Wynton Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Dan Nimmer, Wycliffe Gordon, Don Vappie and others rattle the rafters with holiday classics swung with Crescent-City style"

We went with friends Susan and Jerry Schaffer from our building and both thoroughly enjoyed the show. Their jazzy versions of Christmas classics were delightful as was Wynton Marsalis' signature narration. Classic jazz afficionados may quibble with the arrangements and intensity but we, and the almost sold-out house, were happy.

Before the show we went to a good Italian restaurant just across the street from the show.

Gabriel's
11 W. 60th St.(bet. B'way & Columbus Ave.)
Manhattan, NY 10023
212-956-4600

The restaurant has two large rooms and a "happening" bar. We were seated right on time (no small thing pre-theater). The menu has an interesting variety of traditional and seasonal Tuscan dishes.

We started with "Roasted Sweet peppers with Mozzarella" which was absolutely perfect. Unfortunately I, at the last minute, switched to "Grilled Portobello Mushrooms" which were less than perfect. The balsamic vinegar was too overwhelming and drowned out the mushroom.

Jerry and I followed with "Stuffed Quail with potato au gratin" that was just right. The meat was tender a seasoned perfectly. Christina had the "Goat Stew in wine sauce with Hot Peppers" that she thought was delicious. Not your everyday dish! Susan had the "Gnocchi with cheese" that was also quite good. We shared a nice "Vino Nobile de Montepulciano"

All in all, a very nice restaurant conveniently located to the theater.