Working for Your Dinner and MORE!

Paul and I are not always the easiest people to buy Christmas or Birthday presents for--especially Paul who, just when you think you have a good idea, comes home with a smile on his face proclaiming "Look what I got!"

This fact does not seem to faze the likes of Scott and Jory who each year manage to come up with some of the most unique gifts for us. Last night we actively participated in our gift for this year by dutifully opening box #1 at the appointed hour. Inside was a pop-up paper martini glass along with a "lucky red" Chinese envelope (cute because we're going to China!) containing money. The instructions sent us to an address in the village. We only had a small clue to the name and when the taxi dropped us off at the corner of 7th Ave. and LeRoy, the only indication that we were at the right spot was the small group of people milling about outside the door. No signs and the doors were locked! Could we be at one of those places that only the really "in" crowd knows about ?????? Not wanting to look like we didn't know what we were doing, we too milled about and waited patiently. Promptly at 7:15 pm the door swung open and we followed the crowd down some rather steep, dark stairs to what was definitely a 'retro' bar from another time. Scott and Jory told us the staff arrives two hours ahead of opening to squeeze fresh juice, chill glasses, cut blocks of ice to keep the drinks from diluting quickly and load garnishes into a custom-built ice block. Drink selections come on a menu or you can name your favorite liquor and the bartender will dream up a cocktail just for you. Paul had an old fashioned "Manhattan" and I had a "Tequila Gimlet" which were delightful. Drinks are served in old fashioned martini glasses, and there are NO bar snacks except for a oyster station at the bar.

Now that we felt like we were in the know and with libations attended to, we were ready for the second envelope. This time, the directions sent us to 310 West 4th Street near W. 12th. This certainly was "The Place" to be! We were ushered to a cozy corner table and enjoyed every bite of our dinner. Paul's "Wild Mushroom Risotto was well prepared as was my "Frisee Salad with Pear, Cheese and Candied Nuts". Our main courses of "Short Ribs" on mashed potatoes for Paul and Roasted Cod with Fingerling Potatoes and Broccoli Rabe" for me could not have been better. The portions were just the right size, which left room for chocolate cake and some wonderful spiced and caramelized pears with ice cream. Usually after coffee, we would have happily headed back home, but not tonight--we were, after all, swinging in the Village!



Our last envelope contained a picture of the Knights of the round table and a clue which read, "where this group might go to enjoy some blues". Looking at the address, Paul guessed right away that it was "Arthur's Tavern" on Grove Street. We got there just in time to snag the last table and enjoyed a set along with our after-dinner drinks. The crowd here reminded Paul of his college days and looking around we definitely felt a little "over the hill"! It was a great spot and we clapped and tapped our feet right along with the best of them. What an adventure, and what a night!

THE NEW YORK SWINGERS

New Talent

Last night I was invited to attend a concert by relative newcomers to the music industry. The presentation was by invitation only, and the venue was a delightfully decorated living room setting. The never before heard, newly written and performed, selection on piano and recorder was performed by the brother and sister team of Jordyn and Justin Radin who just happen to live in our building.

The performance was a very good first effort by this team and the organization impressive. Their timing was good, the carefully written Playbill and individually issued tickets professional, and the length of the intermission was just right for sharing some refreshments.

If you ever have the good fortune to catch this act, don't hesitate!

Christina
December 28, 2006

Sony Reader - acceptable but not elegant

I received the new "Sony Reader" from Chris for Christmas. I think she bought it in self-defense from all the books I buy. We long ago filled up the NY apartment and are working on the house in the Berkshires. I have made a point to use it over Christmas because we needed to make a decision about what to take to China. I have been accumulating soft-cover "trade edition" books since we returned from Paris. Essentially, if it is usable, it gives us a lot more flexibility in what we take.

The bottom line is it is usable, but flawed.

The unit is about the size of a "trade" pocket book and weighs about the same. The screen, using the new e-ink is quite remarkable. The text is exceptionally crisp; indistinguishable from print and can be instantly re-sized to three pre-set fonts. Enough for most normal reading conditions. The main drawback is the screen in not back-lit and must be read in good lighting. It is difficult to read in shady or shadowed places. On the other hand, the battery life, thanks no doubt to the lack of a back-light is almost infinite (Sony claims 7,000 page turns, about 20 books). It re-charges when attached to your computer or an outlet. Lastly, it does a good job of presenting large images (like personal photos in gray-tones) but a lousy job with small, usually detailed, graphics or pictures in books.

The controls are acceptable, but not elegant. It is page-oriented and you can rapidly page forward or backward. It also uses predetermined "hot links" (from an Index or Table of Contents). What you cannot do is browse. A real limitation with more serious non-fiction books.

Books are downloaded from a Sony Connect web-site. It is also acceptable but not elegant. It reminded me of Audible.com, the site for downloading books-on-tape. The book's cost ranges from $3 for a non-copyrighted work to about $15 for a current publication. Not a bargain. A bigger issue is the library. It is not very large and not easily browsed. No one at Sony must ever have used Amazon or Netflix. This is the most important area for them to fix. New generations of software and hardware can improve the unit, but if there is no content it won't matter. The unit accepts other formats (Word and Adobe) but not easily.

The bottom line? We'll take it, but only as a supplement to the physical books. It works best with "undemanding" fiction - mysteries, suspense rather than Literature or Non-Fiction. I've downloaded a half dozen mysteries to take with us.

Antica Venezia

Antica Venezia is a pleasant, rustic restaurant with a cozy fireplace on the far west side (10th Street and the River).

Antica Venezia

396 West St.
(W. 10th St.)
Manhattan, NY 10014
212-229-0606

Regrets Only

Regrets Only
Manhattan Theater Club at City Center
131 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019



"A delicious new comedy of Manhattan manners, exploring the very latest topics in marriage and friendship. The setting: a Park Avenue penthouse. The players: a powerhouse attorney, his deliriously social wife and their closest friend, one of the world's most staggeringly successful fashion designers. Add a daughter's engagement, some major gowns, the President of the United States, and stir."

We just saw "Regrets Only", a Manhattan Theater Club production. We enjoyed it immensely. It reminded me a little bit of 1930's movies like "The Thin Man". The set, of a NY duplex apartment is so beautiful that Chris and the woman next to us were discussing how many closets it had! Paul Rudnick has written hilarious, sophisticated NY one-liner type dialog; and the cast, especially Christine Baranski (of Sybill fame) has a ball delivering it. Jackie Hoffman plays "the only Jewish maid in NY with wisecracking zest. The only quibble is the story-line is a bit weak, but you laugh so often you lose track.

Ada Restaurant

Ada Restaurant

208 E. 58th St.

(bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10022
212-371-6060

We decided to try a new Indian restaurant. We had been going to Dawat on 58th Street for years and felt it was a little too familiar. Ada is just down the block. It's looks about the same - nice but nothing special, but the service is significantly better - friendly and attentive - although a bit slow.

The menu is traditional with a fusion of western flavors (mushrooms and herbs). We really enjoyed the "Chef's Basket" of three breads (assorted Naans and Kulchas). We followed with a "Wild Mushroom Samosa" and "Goan Barbecue Ribs". Both were excellent.

I had "Stuffed Morel Mushrooms" that were very flavorful. Chris had a whole striped bass with braised greens. We shared a "Pilau Rice" with vegetables that was absolutely wonderful. We both had Indian Beer.

In all, a very nice evening. We plan on trying some other new Indian restaurants next year.

The social event of the season on Sutton Place

Last night was the premier event of the Sutton Place Christmas social season. I refer, of course to our annual soiree.

In my considered, and unbiased view, this year we had the best, and most creative decorations - thanks in no small part to my efforts to stay totally uninvolved. An effort in which I was completely successful. Chris and Jory really did a wonderful job creating a White Christmas "vignette" that wonderfully evoked the season. What was even more wonderful, everyone noticed, and commented, on the new look. The food was also quite good thanks to my undying insistence on "pigs in the blanket" (now a trendy favorite!) and the delightful little "lamb chops". One particularly good new item this year was the "shrimp toast--and those were just the appetizers! The "beef tenderloin" seemed to be a crowd favorite and once again, no one went home hungry! The wine and champagne punch was OK, but not outstanding. It was better last year.

Chris insists on songs before dessert so the place was truly "alive with the sound of carolling". This is always best done after numerous glasses of wine and champagne punch. Jerry Greenberg returned to sing and play for the third year. He does a does a great job of sensing the mood of the room and keeping it upbeat.

With a party like this it's the guests who make it happen - or not. As the party has evolved over the years some new people come and go, but the core group has remained the same. Long-time friends and neighbors and Pfizerites. Many do not see each other from year to year but seem to pick up as if no time has passed. Both Chris and I really look forward to seeing everyone each year, then never seem to have enough time to talk.

HAPPY CHANUKAH AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

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.

Suddenly Last Summer

Roundabout Theater

Laura Pels Theater

111 West 46th Street (betw. 6th & 7th Aves)

New York, New York

This is a new production of the psychological drama by Tennessee Williams, starring Blythe Danner as the formidable Mrs. Venable, an aging widow distraught over the mysterious death of her son. Carla Gugino plays the young cousin who traveled with him and knows the true story of his death. Mrs. Venable will stop at nothing to preserve her son's reputation.

We really like this show. A real, horrible, drama is a nice change of pace from musical comedy. Blythe Danner is wonderful as the diabolical mother trying to bribe the doctor to give her niece a lobotomy to prevent her from talking about her son. Carla Gugino was also wonderful as the somewhat crazed niece facing lobotomy if she perists in her story. (I think she had lip enhancements which I found very distracting--Chris). The doctor, Gale Herold, is just a supporting player to the two women in this production, as are the rest of the cast.

Christmas in New York

Every year there are different things that "get us into the spirit". Sometimes it's an early snowfall or passing the newly lit Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. This year it was the lighting of the large Christmas tree at the Metropolitan Museum. This has been a ritual at the Met for at least 30 years. If you've never seen the "angel tree" as it's known you're missing a very special time. The tree is decorated exclusively with 18th century Neapolitan creche figures. The figures are individual works of art that combine to form a re-creation of a village nativity scene. The tree itself is decorated with angels and candles that seem to swirl in their silk robes to the star on top. The yearly tree lighting is a grand affair which includes a dramatic rising of the lights (accompanied by the sounds of music), that makes the figures seem to glow with the rising sun. Each year there is some live entertainment that never disappoints. This year the New York Children's choir delighted us with their upbeat versions of traditional Christmas carols.

We loved every part of it, especially the children's choir and thought we were ready for the holidays at last!

After the tree lighting, it was only 7:30 and there we were "all dressed up with no where to go". After the Met, we frequently go to Bemelman's Bar at the Carlyle Hotel where they have music every night. But it was too crowded so we walked over to the Regency Hotel on Park Avenue. Amazingly there was room for Michael Feinstein's holiday show.

Feinstein’s at the Regency
Home for the Holidays
540 Park Avenue, at 61st Street
(212) 339-4095;

Neither Christina nor I had ever seen him perform. We were hoping to see the show, an annual favorite, before we left for China, but had very little time or hope of getting a ticket.

The show was absolutely delightful. He performs with a six member band (including Jay Leonhart that we'd seen a couple of weeks ago at the Blue Note) and three back-up singers. It's really almost too big a show for cabaret, but it is his room. He brought a little polish and romance to all the traditional Christmas favorites and did a wonderful boogie-woogie tune, "Pig-foot Pete", an Oscar runner-up from the year White Christmas won (1942). At the end Chris let out a mournful "No, it can't be over!"

It was a great show. See it if you can. He's there until the 30th of December.

Vertical Hour

Julianne Moore plays a young American war correspondent turned academic who now teaches Political Studies at Yale. A brief holiday with her boyfriend in the Welsh borders brings her into contact with the kind of Englishman whose culture and beliefs are a surprise and a challenge, both to her and to her relationship.

We enjoyed the play without really liking it. The story is a glib panoply of contemporary concerns - Iraq, terrorism, state of the US and UK society and government over-layed with a Freudian melange of guilt and Father/Son competition. I knew it was going to be "interesting" when it started with a discussion of Freud between Julianne Moore and a 20 year old student. If it sounds like a mess, it is - almost.

But it is saved by the absolutely wonderful performance of Bill Nighy as the father and a credible performance by Julianne Moore. But it's really his show. He plays the father of her boyfriend and lends an air of verisimilitude to his portrayal of a brilliant, lecherous carryover from the hippy/druggy sixties. One of the critics referred to it as a "guilty pleasure". Which is an apt description; because the dialog is enjoyable even though the story totally lacks subtlety and nuance.

Music Box Theater

252 West 45th Street

New York, New York 10036

Heartbreak House

George Bernard Shaw's 'Heartbreak House' is thought-provoking, amusing and touching, with compassion for the foibles of mere mortals. The play is an exhilarating comic masterpiece.

Comments
It's amazing how relevant and current Shaw's description of a civilization in decline remains almost a century after it was written. His descriptions of different personality archetypes and how they interact is still right on. The cast is wonderful. Phillip Boscoe as the Captain and Swoosie Kurtz and Laila Robbins as the two daughters are especially good. Roundabout Theater is now two for two. An auspicious beginning!

Roundabout Theater Company

American Airlines Theatre
227 W 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

The Apple Tree

We saw the Roundabout Theater production of 'The Apple Tree' last night. It is a unique show featuring three one-act musicals about men, women and a little thing called temptation. The Apple Tree is based on "The Diary of Adam and Eve" (detailing the goings-on in Eden) by Mark Twain; "The Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton; and "Passionella" by Jules Feiffer, with additional book material by Jerome Coopersmith.

It was very entertaining, not heavy or serious, but good fun. Just right for the season. We've been subscribers to Roundabout Theater for a number of years and have found their productions uneven. This is the first of this season and hopefully indicative of the remaining ones. We're seeing the next one, Heartbreak House tonight so we'll know.

Studio 54
254 W 54th St
New York, NY 10019

Blue Note New York

We went to the (world famous) Blue Note for the Jazz Brunch on Sunday. The room and tables are tight but not overcrowded at Brunch.

Appearing were:

Jay Leonhart, bass and vocals

Wycliffe Gordon, trombone and vocals

Ted Rosenthal, piano

We enjoyed the show. The three had a nice, relaxed, stage presence and played a smooth Jazz.

On the other hand, the food was what you might expect at a Night Club - pretty bad. The eggs and hamburger were OK, but the fries were inedible!

Blue Note

131 West 3rd St.

New York, NY 10012

212-475-8592

We go back to school!?

Any topics that interest us. There's a lot to choose from. We've taken courses at NYU, museums, and the 92nd St Y. We even joined a private library, the Mercantile because they have discussion groups about books. Sometimes joined by friends, most often Ellen and Al Sharfstein (he's also on an extended sabbatical). One of the more interesting things we discovered was a group called One Day University. They had the idea to run a one day series of lectures featuring world class professors from Ivy League schools. The target audience was Baby-Boomers like ourselves who might be interested in topics they couldn't get out of the daily papers. It was inspired by the orientations that schools do for parents telling them a bit about what their kids will be studying.

This is the second "semester" for the program, the first having taken place in the spring. This time around there were 300 people at the session and they've added sites in New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida.

The day is just right with a total of 5 sessions of varied topics interspersed with refreshment and lunch breaks. Lectures complete with audio visuals and sometimes handouts are always concluded with a question period. My own personal favourites are the more obsure topics. Like the discussion of "Resilience" and how it impacts peoples ability to succeed. Or the discussion of the Imperial Presidency which included a good discussion of the Constitution and the Founding Fathers views of "Separation of Powers". In short, let's make sure they're at each others throats and can't do too much. Kind of like our own view that a divided government between the two parties is the best antidote to over-reach.

There was one 'miss' this time, but on the whole, topics were informative and stimulating and both felt it was a day well spent.

COURSE SCHEDULE AND PROFESSORS

9:00am - 10:00am
Psychology: The Science of Human Resilience
Andrew Shatté, University of Pennsylvania Most Popular Teacher Award

10:15am - 11:15am
American Studies: The Dawn of Cinema and the Transformation of America
Charles Musser, Yale University Film Department Co-Chair and Director
As part of our "extended sabbatical" we are always looking for speakers, programs, courses.

11:30am - 12:30am
Literature: Fairy Tale Culture in Modern Life
Marie Tatar, Harvard University Dean for the Humanities

12:30 - 1:30
Lunch Break

1:30 - 2:30
Sociology: Crime and Punishment 2006
Devah Pager, Princeton University Professor and Fulbright Grant Winner

2:45 - 3:45
Political Science: George W. Bush, the Imperial President?
Richard Pious. Department of Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University, author of The American Presidency

4:00 - 4:30
Reception



One Day University

We go Mexican!

We went to this exceptionally good Mexican restaurant on our first venture back into the world of New York eating. It seemed like the perfect "we're home!" kind of place. It shares a chef (Sandoval) and ownership with Maya, another fine Mexican restaurant on First Avenue and 64th Street where we've enjoyed some fine meals.

The upstairs dining room feels like an exclusive beachside hacienda. Palm trees sculpted onto the walls, straw paddles roatating along the tall, angled off-white ceiling.

I started with "Ostiones Pampano" - cornmeal crusted oysters with black bean~mango tomato~chile and chipotle vinaigrette. Chris had "Ensalada Mixta ~ mixed greens, and avocado with a cilantro~lime vinaigrette (we've been salad-deprived for the last six weeks in Paris). The vegetables and citrus dressing were exquisitely fresh.

For the main course I had "Huachinango" ~ a whole baby red snapper with cactus~tomato salad and tomato-chile. It had been de-boned, rounded out, and stuffed with the cactus salad. I loved it. Chris had the swordfish special which this night was a piece of perfectly grilled fillet cut round and placed on a bed of julienned veggies surrounded by fresh diced mango. A bowl of fried plantain was the perfect accompanyment for both our dishes.

We shared an "Arroz con Leche", rice pudding that was undistinguished. The Margaritas on the otherhand were so good we had TWO!

Our only complaint was the service felt a little rushed. They didn't ruch the service, as soon as you finished a plate there was a server to whisk it away. Maybe a little too efficient!

Pampano
209 E. 49th St.(bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10017
212-751-4545

Zagats says..
Co-owned by Placido Domingo and chef Richard Sandoval, this “classy” Midtown Mexican “hits the high notes” with an “exceptional” “coastal” menu displaying a “mastery” of “creative seafood”; with a “chic”, “airy” space and “(maybe too) attentive” service, it elicits many a “gracias” as a “distinctive” “change of pace.”

Jazz at the Club Lionel Hampton in Paris

Last night we went to the Jazz club at the Meridien Hotel in the Port Maillot area near l'Etoile at l'Arc de Triomphe. I had first gone to this club with my friend Robert Crief from my days at Otis (the company, not the house). It is a medium-sized night club that has live music every night beginning at 10:30.


Last night there was a four piece band and singer (called Air Swing and Fire????) featuring Cole Porter tunes. It was Sunday night and they were about half full. We were in the second row of tables. It couldn't have been more perfect -in Paris - Cole Porter - songs in English; I could understand! We were in heaven.


The club has a 25 E minimum (generally, the price of the first drink). That's for the evening, not the set. After that the prices drop to a more reasonable level. We stayed for about 2 hours. I can never understand why NY has no places like this.




Le Jazz Club Lionel Hampton
Hotel Meridien Etoile
81 Blvd. Gouvion Saint Cyr,

75015 Paris.

Tel: 01 40 68 30 42

.

Stella Maris - our best meal of the trip

This year it seems that Christina and I are eating out less, especially in 'Michelin-starred' restaurants. I think that we've been through the frenzy of having to try all the great restaurants and now look to discover the perfect place for a good evening meal. More often we decide to stay in and enjoy a bottle of wine, some cheese and a simple terrine. It's not that we don't like going out. We really enjoy a great restaurant and meal. Its just that we've decided we can do without the really mediocre places. We'd rather spend a little more (or a lot) for a memorable evening.

Last night we ate at Stella Maris a 'one-star' Michelin rated spot. We'd been there before about 3 years ago and remembered thinking that from the outside it was pretty undistinguished. Well, let me just say, the decore may be simple, but the food is fabulous. From start to finish we didn't have a single complaint (well maybe there was the unpleasantness of the American 'salesperson' at the next table talking so loudly we wished we could have stuffed a sock in his mouth). We tried not to let this dampen our spirits because he wasn't a bad guy, just loud and a little full of himself. Our food on the other hand was mouthwatering. Christina started with a terrine of ris de veau (pancreas), and mushrooms served with, truffled mashed potato (just a spoonful) and cepes (mushrooms). Paul enjoyed the house specialty of Millefeuille de Thon Rouge (layers of raw tuna with eggplant). We followed this with a Tourte de Gibier (really a sort of Beefwellington) but instead of beef, made with a variety of game meats including hare and pheasant. This was served with a rich brown sauce, beets, mashed potato and a green salad. Christina's Pomarde (female pigeon!) was perfectly done atop a choucroute (wrapped cabbage leaves), a rosti potato and some green beans topped with a slice of fresh foie gras (her favorite). It was a perfect 10 all round leaving us not wanting dessert else we spoil the memory of the meal we'd just eaten. Coffee was perfectly served with chocolate madeleines, crystalized orange peels and other little sweets. We'll definitely return!

ZAGATS says...
Tateru Yoshino – a remarkable chef who trained with the likes of Robuchon and Gagnaire – brings creativity and a Japanese mastery of technique to Classic French cuisine in his small place in the 8th; gourmets grin his interpretation of such national treasures as tête de veau (veal head, a French traditional dish we will never have it again anywhere) and lièvre (wild hare) à la royale is irreproachable, the service exceptional and a successful recent face-lift has warmed the formerly cold decor; given all this, prices aren’t so bad.

Stella Maris
4, rue Arsène Houssaye
Paris, France 75008
01 42 89 16 22

The French Resistance and German Occupation

The order from de Gaulle establishing the Free French and the resistance in 1940.

Three galleries and six rooms present the adventure of Free France, the manuscripts of the General de Gaulle, the action of the resistance, the tragic world of the concentration camps. Showcases contain authentic souvenirs of fighters, uniforms, weapons, clandestine press, transmitters and relics from the camps.

Hotel Les Invalides

Musée de l'Ordre de la Liberation
51 bis, boulevard de Latour-Maubourg ,

75007 Paris

47 05 04 10