Gotham Gal

50 Carmine Street

New restaurants are sprouting up all over town. It is hard to keep up with them. 50 Carmine has been on my list for awhile. I have called a few times at the last minute but wasn't able to get in. Last night, we just walked in around 7:30 and got a table for four. Our lucky night.

First of all, the company we were with was fun, so that always sets the tone. The food however, was delicious too! The restaurant has a real neighborhood vibe. Nothing fancy, warm tones, good service. Typical Italian that there are 3 courses to choose from. The appetizers, the pasta and an entree.

I had a delicious warmed escarole salad with croutons tossed in a warm anchovy vinagarette. My friend has the chopped salad with hazelnut dressing that exploded in your mouth and was light and refreshing. Someone else had the grilled calamari covered with crispy breadcrumbs. My husband had the appetizer special which was pork braised until crisp with shaved fennel and celery. All four of them were absolutely delicious with different flavors and consistencies.

Only one of us got a pasta for their main course. We didn't go for the 3 courses. I generally find it too much although I am always tempted to indulge in the pastas. I had the special salmon with was cooked to perfection over a barley pea concoction. My husband had the fish soup which he loved.

We couldn't help but try 2 desserts for the table. The pound cake made with olive oil was really really good. I'd like to find a recipe to make one at home myself. We also had a spicy chocolate tart which gave you a real kick in your mouth.

I can't remember the wine we had but it was a nice rich red which was the perfect accompanienment to the meal.

I am absolutely going back. The chef, Sarah Jenkins, is pushing the envelope, not unalike Mario Batalli, in her quest for original tasting Italian food. A real pleasure.

Whitney Biennial

As I member of the Whitney, I was given the opportunity to see the Biennial yesterday morning. I admit, I had absolutely no expectations based on the other Biennials which I had mixed feelings about. The presentations were almost trying to be in your face instead of embracing the art.

The place was absolutely packed yesterday with the press. I actually overhead someone say "everybody hates this but everybody goes.".

This Biennial was really good. It took me about 1 1/2 hours to slowly stroll from the 4th floor to the basement. I really enjoyed the presentation. I am absolutely going back with kids in tow. I thought the curator did a great job of representing interesting emerging and solid contemporary artists that really represent art today. It was eclectic but made sense.

I started on the top floor and in the first room saw 3 paintings from a Seattle based artist, Cameron Martin. I had actually seen his paintings at the Greenberg Van Doren Gallery a few years back. Had thought about purchasing a piece and then in the end didn't. Huge mistake. I remembered how much I loved his work seeing it again yesterday. The on that floor was Fred Tomaselli whose work I had also seen in the past. The decoupage of insects, flowers and butterflies painted over with color are psychedelic. Really great.

There was a small room dedicated only to the works of Mel Bochner. Bright wordings that reminded me of Richard Prince. I liked them. Very pop culture. Around the corner from that was a room that was completely installed with 60's themes of cigarettes and whiskey. The music playing in the background sounded like the White Stripes asking for cigarettes and whiskey. My kids will love this room. It was really fun and clever.

I roamed down to other floors. The music time line by Dave Muller, which takes up an entire wall is great. Again, clever and certainly representative of art over the past but in the medium of music combined with painting. Really liked that.

I walked around one corner and saw a room that had structures that almost looked like pieces of cars layered over a wooden platform. I didn't really get it but was surprised that the artist was Richard Prince. I am a fan of Richard Prince. I liked his earlier cowboys pieces and then loved his funny word paintings but am incredibly impressed at this presentation because it is so different from his past works.

One wall was of photos called "where we come from" by Emily Jaier. These were really awesome. She tells a story. Each picture has a story of people asking her to do something when they get to a location that they themselves can not visit. It is mostly of Israelis and Palestineans who live anywhere from New York to Canada to areas in the Middle East. They can not get back to their homes or visit their relatives because of the crisis and prejudices on both sides in the region. Makes you see each side's perspective. I thought these were smart and thought provoking.

One piece by Jim Hodges was beautiful. He had taken a picture of a beautiful large tree. He had then taken cutouts of the photo and bent them back to look like birds or leaves flying in the breeze.

The photographs by Catherine Opie of the surferers making their way out to the waves in the early morning were also impressive. The fog is so rolled in on some pictures you can barely make out the surferers in the photo but they are there. Great lighting.

The video presentations were all different but I did spend time really listening and watching each of them. There is one about a kid talking about his life vs. his parents and what he has learned from them. Another was of 4 video installations in one room that were linked as these kids sung about the United Nations and peace. Another was of the Russian Tsars that were killed and found in the 90's at a grave site. Interesting.

All and all, if you were completely unaware of any pop culture that was happening in our times over the past 40 years, you would get a good picture from this collection of artists that was put together by the Whitney. Each piece in some way represents how our culture has effected what artists think about and in turn create.

High fives for the Biennial. Really looking forward to going back up there with the kids.

My Architect

Last night I went to see the movie My Architect. Friends of ours, one of whom is an architect, loved the film. The other is in the film business so the recommendation was up there. I am really glad that we saw it.

The movie is about a son's quest to discover and get to know his father. His father happened to be Louis Kahn, one of the best architect's of our time. Louis Kahn also happened to have 2 children out of wedlock while being married and having a child in his marriage. So, he has 3 children, 2 girls and a boy. Nathaniel Kahn, this first-time documentarist, is his son. He was 11 when his father died.

Louis Kahn died of a heart attack in Penn Station, flat broke.

Louis Kahn was a nomad in many respects. He was all work. He started to make a true name for himself by the time he was 50 years old. He wanted to leave his mark on architecture with buildings that would remain forever as the pyramids have in Eygpt.

Nathaniel interviews other famed architects through out the film that knew his father. I.M. Pei, Stern, Gehry, Philip Johnson to name a few. He also interviews people that worked for his father at his firm. The people that ran his projects. Each interview gives you an interesting insight into Louis Kahn.

He tracks his roots from architectual books but also speaks to his 2 mistresses (one who is his mother). They both loved him actually treasured him. Neither of them ever got married.

The most interesting part of the film was Nathaniel's travels to each of his father's buildings. Louis Kahn was not only an architect but he was an artist. His buildings are unbelievable in size and detail. Outside they look like big concrete structures but the beauty is within the building. The Kimbell Art Museum in Texas, takes your breath away. But the true icing on the cake, is the capital in Bagladesh. The last building that he was commissioned to do. Not only is it a work of art, it actually works. The tug of war between good architecture is one on hand you have a piece of art but on the other hand, the building must flow and be used daily in an intelligent way otherwise the building's beauty if a waste.

Louis Kahn was not able to get the amount of projects that he would have liked. That is probably why he died broke. His true genius was more than likely hard to work with.

Although, I.M. Pei said it best in the film when he said that for architects, it is not the quantity but the quality. If you can just build one or two masterpieces, then you have made your mark.

Architects are a rare breed.

Staff Meals

I not only love books but love cookbooks too. I am also a magazine junkie. I have curbed my habit since we have completed our home but still love to see the latest and greatest. Food and Wine and Gourmet are my "fav" cooking magazines.

I admit that I get very excited when buying a new cookbook and then sometimes don't even making a recipe out of the book. That is the beauty of the magazines. New one every month with new recipes.

I have one cookbook which ranks high above the rest. Staff Meals. Fantastic book. The book is written by the owners of Chanterelle in Tribeca. Delicious home style meals that you can also serve to company.

I have probably made over 15 recipes in this book with no doctoring. That is a huge. As someone who cooks a lot, you know when the recipe isn't going to work and you sort of play around with it to make it taste good. Not this cookbook.

The chicken and cashews is excellent, the oven baked ribs fall off the bone, the moroccan lamb shanks hit the spot, the mushroom barley soup is a winner. I could go on and on.

If you have to have one cookbook on your shelf, pick this up. It is really a winner!

Stone Reader

I had read a review about the Stone Reader in New York Times last summer. It was a rave review about this documentary. Unfortunately, I never got around to seeing it.

Good friends of ours took a film class in Westchester where they got to see great Independent films every week and have discussions afterwards. Stone Reader was one of those films. They loved it. I now felt like I was really missing out on seeing this film.

This weekend, I finally saw the Stone Reader. It is a true story about the quest to find the author of The Stones of Summer. The director, Mark Moskowitz, had read a review of this book in the New York Times in 1972. Picked it up, but never got into the book. He put it on his shelf and every time he came across the book, he would start it again but never got into it. Finally, 20 years later, he picks up the book for the last time and finds that he loves this book. He then goes on a quest to find the author. The author has literally dropped off the face of the earth.

The movie is really a book lovers film. Mark interviews old friends and they discuss favorite books they read as kids, and adults. He finds the publisher of the book and talks about books with him. There are more one hit authors out there then I realized. Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind; Joseph Heller, Catch 22; J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye; etc. Also, some writers have written a variety of books but truly have only written one solid book.

In the end, he finds the author, whose life has taken an interesting turn. He is completely delighted in Mark's profound interest in his book. Mark then gets the book reissued after being dormant for 20 years. You can buy it today. I have not bought it yet but more than likely I won't be able to resist.

I admit that watching the movie at home get me the luxury of nodding off through out the film but it also inspired me to read more. The people he interviewed in this film are true lovers of books. Actually, one of my favorite quotes in the film from Mark is that at 40 years old he realized that it is not necessary to finish every book if it doesn't grab you. I completely agree. That goes under the "life is too short" category. One of my best friends sayings. I love that saying.

I am inspired though. I am thinking of reading all of Dickens this summer, or Mark Twain. Hmmm. Perhaps I will just read The Stones of Summer.

Kids Birthday Parties

Kids birthday parties is a big subject. Everyone wants a great party, especially the kid. People remember their birthday parties. Every year is another milestone until you get to be around 24. After that, only the big one's like 30, 35, 40, 50, etc.

All of our kids are born within 6 weeks of each other. Every year we spend the entire winter focusing on the next big event. As our kids have gone off to sleepaway camp during the summer, that makes for an extra party. So, there is a party for their school friends and a party with the camp friends. Next year, we will have a combination of 6 parties. Yikes.

Our oldest is having a bat mitzvah this year, so her party is taken care of - in a big way. Our youngest, hasn't gone off to sleepaway camp yet, so we had the big party with 8 boys sleeping over after a high stress evening at Laser Park. Our middle, is on her second party this weekend.

These parties always involve sleepovers. I like what she did this year. Last weekend, 6 girls from camp, spent the night. When they arrived, we walked up to Sephora for a little beauty action. Each girl got made up. They looked so cute. They also got $30 to spend (from me) to buy something for themselves. It is a true math experience. Must have some educational value - right? Then, we came back home for pizza and caesar salad. The girls watched a movie and made huge sundaes for dessert. They stayed up until around 2:30ish. Great time.

This week, the school group is coming. Tonight we are going out for chinese food, then to Magnolia for cupcakes, movies at home and a rocking sleepover.

I am exhausted. I was talking to my friend about adult birthday parties. I think next year, I might get all my girl friends together for wine, cheese, pedicures and manicures. A real fun 8 year old party. Maybe we could all have a sleepover at the Four Seasons.

Blue Water Grill

Blue Water Grill on Union Square is a favorite of mine. It could take me hours to figure out the amount of times that I have eaten there. The food is always good.

It has been my standard lunch place for many years. The sushi is good, the oysters are good, the fish is good. The miso marinated chilean sea bass with a wasabi sauce and sticky rice and broccoli is outstanding. They are also happy to accomodate if you have any thing you'd like instead which is always a bonus. The chopped salad appetizer is light and refreshing. The shrimp dumplings are also a good start to a meal. Their wine list is interesting and well priced.

I have gone at night and just sat at the bar and have had oysters and a variety of appetizers. Yum.

In the spring or fall, it is wonderful to sit outside and eat. The people watching is always fun and the outside area is intimate and chic.

The chocolate fondue for dessert is the perfect ending to a good meal.

I have probabaly continued to return so many times because the food is always good. The high ceilings and comfortable seating makes for a good dining experience. I have tried all of Steven Hanson's restaurants because he has good formula. The food is always good. The service is always good. The seating is comfortable and each restaurant has a different vibe. I give him tremendous credit for creating unique eating atmospheres with different types of food, all over the city. Fiamma in Soho was delicious and worth going to check out the architecture of the place. Different. Blue Fin in Times Square has a really good menu. The place itself is a bit too vast for my taste but I have sat at the bar and have had a good meal. He is about to open a new place on West 14th street in the Meat Packing area and will most definitely give that a try too.

This past week, I have eaten at Blue Water Grill for lunch twice. I can hardly wait for the weather when the heat lamps come out and we can sit outside. Soon, soon...

New Links

I have just added 2 links to my blog. I have been reading 2 friends of mine. One is Jerry Colonna, who just started his blog. Jerry is smart, compassionate and is dedicated to social fairness in the world. Above all, he is a really great writer and incredibly articulate. So, I am excited about reading his blog.

The other link is to Tom Watson. Tom is a journalist but he has also proven himself to be a pretty good business person which ranks high in my book. He writes about music, sports and politics. 2 of my favorite topics. Tom has really good insight and an interesting perspective. I enjoy reading his blog.

It is truly amazing as blogs have grown over the past year on the web, it is a helluva lot more interesting to read well informed, intelligent, articulate points of view on your blog of choice than the NYTimes editorial section. It will be a very interesting election as it is and it will certainly be interesting how the media and blogs play out as people have frank discussions about the candidates that they choose.

Voting Day in New York

My husband wrote a great blog today about taking our youngest son to the polls today. Check it out. AVC

We have taken our kids to the voting booth since they were really young. Our children have been privileged enough to meet a variety of candidates over the year face to face. They have become interested in the political landscape and how it affects the world. The conversations are always of interest. All of our kids have been fascinated with the fluxuation of the dollar when we have traveled overseas. "Why does it happen?" "How does our economy interact with theirs?" "How come our dollar was worth more before Bush?" Good question!

Josh, our youngest son, was really interested in the voting booth on how George Bush "cheated votes" to get elected last time. "How come judges got to decide that?" "Judges should not be able to vote and then make rulings on the same people they voted for." I was thinking, aren't we asking the same question with Cheney and Scalia ducking hunting together while Scalia is making decisions on Cheney's future? Good point Josh.

We asked if anyone was interested in going into politics. Josh considered it. Emily, our middle daughter, flatly refused. "You have to be pretty self-centered to want to be in politics". "Yes, I'd like to be the President of the US so I can be the boss of the entire world and do whatever I want and rule over everyone". I think she hit is right on the head....isn't that George Bush's platform?