Statistically, if you are in NYC you are probably not driving a car. But chances are, if you made it here, you have an appreciation for fine lifestyle, and therefore great automobiles. And if you are a true New Yorker, you expect VIP treatment. Today is your chance to beat the crowds and have access to the most exclusive show of privately owned custom cars and the latest brand new 2010 slick machinery creations on wheels. The cocktail party for the private viewing starts at 6pm (tickets are $150), and dinner at 8:30 (tickets start at 1,000). Both purchased entrances are tax-deductible.
All proceeds of the Gala Preview of the New York Auto Show will fund the East Side House in the South Bronx, which provides education and technology training to over 8,000 residents of the poorest congressional district in the US.
Quite a nice happy hour program: aperitif strolling through shiny beautiful cars, in a nice atmosphere filled of new leather smell without the hassle of the masses. An immersion into luxury while chipping in for a great cause.
If you haven’t been to Eleven Madison Park lately, it’s time. The experience is consistently sublime. As one of my favorites, I try to be a “regular” as often as I can. Last night, the biggest surprise on the menu was what wasn’t: the chef stopped serving the duck. Shocker. According to an insider, swiss executive chef Daniel Humm (pronounced "whom") was pretty fed up that people would come to his restaurant just to have the duck and said that he can do many good things besides the duck. Ja, of course he can! The duck orphans will like the chicken poularde. Underneath the crispy skin of the juicy Four Story Hill Farm chicken, a layer of bread crumbs with black truffles, lemon and rosemary made me forget the absence of the duck. As a starter I could not resist the mini “Park Dogs”, two tiny hot dogs filled with gourmet celery relish and black truffles. At $1,000 a pound, black truffle dishes are not cheap (imagine the white ones. Unspeakable but so delectable, can’t wait for the tortellini with white truffles to be back!). But if there’s anywhere to have them and splurge a little, this is the place: a very dedicated and friendly service, plus Humm’s inventive creations. A restaurant to keep coming back to.
It’s getting hot in here. And some people are taking off their clothes. According to Racked.com, the boys at Hollister in SoHo are still fully clad though. At least until this weekend, when the temperature will rise and they’ll start to show off their naked torsos. However, uptown, well, that’s a different story!
This past Wednesday afternoon, strolling up Fifth Avenue I walked by the usual clean cut frat boy looking model vendors hanging outside of the Abercrombie & Fitch store. They were all wearing cute matching blue plaid shirts. I couldn’t resist: I turned around and decide to go in, why not, I haven’t been there in ages. In this discotheque-like-store, with the music so loud and the lights so dark, I usually don’t feel inclined to splurge anyways cause I can’t see much. But wait, I did see something, as soon as I walked in, before my eyes got used to the darkness… I caught just a glimpse, and I can’t help myself and turn around again (for the second time in 5 seconds!) And there it was, the proof that Spring time has arrived: the in-store live mannequin…shirtless! It was quite the sight. What can I say, I’m a sucker and a victim of the brand’s explicit homoeroticism advertisement. Blame it on spring fever. Sorry girls, I was too distracted and suddenly shy to take out my camera and photograph the living Adonis. Guess you’ll have to check it out for yourselves this weekend. And happy shopping of course.
I’ve stayed away from green beer on St. Patty’s Day, and celebrated the holiday toasting with a birra on tap at Pulino’s Bar & Pizzeria instead! Opened two days, the latest Keith McNally spot is already hot and booming. Super friendly staff (with Do Not Cross the Line) t-shirts run around en masse (there’s lot’s of them). Timing was good, the Nduja appetizer - a spicy salami spread bruschetta – was very delightful and the pizzas we had, quattro formaggi and bianca tradizionale are crispy, thin, and slightly charred to perfection on the edges from the wood burning oven. The ambience reveals it’s creator’s signature subway tiles, colorful antique tile flooring, a long bar, and the informal bistro atmosphere that makes his clients always feel welcome, turning them into repeat customers. A novel touch in the décor are the tables made of those blue NYPD wood barricades, therefore the “Do Not Cross the Line” citing on the menu and t-shirts.
Pulino's menu for your viewing, and hopefully soon: tasting pleasure
Pulino’s is currently serving breakfast and lunch only, but dinner service is expected to begin shortly.
Southwest corner of Bowery and Houston 212-226-1966
To me, the ultimate proof that “the crisis” is somewhat passé is in my mailbox. Today I’ve received six glossy, beautifully printed and produced fashion catalogues! In one heap, the heavy pseudo-catalogues-not-quite-coffee-table-books were jammed in my little 10’X5’ metal mailbox.
Brunello Cucinelli’s catalogue in colorful stock paper and railroad board cover must have cost more to print then any book I’ve read in the past year, that includes the hard covers. Well, who am I to say right? Maybe they are cost conscious and that’s why they photographed the clothes on still headless mannequins instead of models posing in a remote mountainous grassland… The clothes nonetheless are amazing. No prices noted though. (Saving ink? More like a reader’s sticker shock.)
The oversized magazine style Bergdorf Goodman catalogue on the other hand has 27 contributors, several articles on art, a designer interview, photo shoots in a tropical forest, LA streets, The Surrey Hotel in New York, and even a studio set up for hand bags with a fluffy bunny, yellow canary, bees and even a very real looking green frog.
The Chanel platform clog goes for $1,795 at Bergdorf
Barney’s went for the add look. Each model is dressed by the same designer from head to tow, with the brand’s name in large fonts next to them. So, no need for a stylist really, just pick the same designer’s shoes, glasses, bags, some clothes and strike it on the model. I can’t help but think that those designers paid for that sheer straight forward advertisement. But as a client, should I notice this and come to that conclusion? Shouldn’t I believe that someone actually went through the work of actually composing the best looks, mix and matching patters and cuts, independently of who designed it?
Anthropology and Juicy Couture have the lightest paper stock, which goes with the less expensive cloths of all of the ones mentioned here… Which doesn’t mean cheap editorials at all! Anthropology definitely sent their crew to a faraway land, I would guess South East Asia, Thailand maybe; and Juicy delivers quality with super creative jewelry.
DramaBeaded Torsade Necklace $ 198
Talk about accessible in a crisis-denial era, Bloomindale’s catalogue is the most understated. Small, no frills, models or locations. A must have? None (I just saved!!) A good find I would consider buying? Everyday golden leather ballet flats by Michael Kors for $165.
A crisis might be still be lingering around us in our real lives, but oh, it’s so out of fashion.
There are many signs that starting now - and through the weekend, this is the time to focus on getting a new pair of jeans. The weather is extremely yucky on a Friday and shopping therapy always helps on rainy days. Even more so when there are several sales and discounts in denim departments all over town.
GAP
In this promotion, not only do you walk out with a new pair, you get rid of the old one, making room in the closet, but mainly doing something good. For every pair you donate to Gap, you receive 30% off the new one you pick. You have until Sunday to recycle your jeans.
OK, you don’t even have to brave the rain or even move your butt to get it refitted with a new pair of hot legging Joe’s jeans, for example. From today on, (for a limited time) you can take $20 off any jeans above $100 plus free shipping. Pretty comfy right? They sell great brands (Joe’s, 7, Rock & Republic) and make it very easy to browse by organizing them by fits: boot cut, skinny, straight, flare.. whatever fits your lazy booty desires.
You have three days, starting now, to browse through the dozens of top denim brands carried by Bloomies to find your two favorite pairs and getting your 25% off at the register. You have to buy two pairs, but that’s not so absurd when you consider the huge selection (Ture Religion, Hudson, Citizens of Humanity, Acne, J Brand, etc..) Note to guys: don’t fret, you don’t have to buy two pairs… You get 20% off when you buy a pair. If you buy more then $500 the discount jumps to 30%.
For some strange reason, it’s a good weekend to buy denim. And the weather helps.
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