Wine With Wanda

Wine, Dine and Unwind in Provence at Château La Coste and Le Château des Demoiselles

A great trip stays with you long after you've returned. Several months ago, I had a soul satisfying adventure in Provence and memories from that journey still provide moments of joy when I'm feeling stressed by my daily Manhattan grind. Two places that make frequent appearances in my rosé tinted daydreams are Château La Coste and Le Château des Demoiselles. (So many châteaux, so little time!) One is contemporary, the other is classic but both of these beautiful locations are quintessentially Provence. And you'll never go thirsty, rosè and other local wines flow in abundance at both!  

Provence has no shortage of stunning scenery but Château La Coste stands out in spectacular fashion. The landscape's natural beauty is enhanced by larger-than-life sculptures like Louise Bourgeois's famous Crouching Spider. Bold contemporary art installations from major artists are sprinkled throughout La Coste. Striking but melding harmoniously with the environment, the art is both whimsical and thought-provoking. And if you're like me and have an appetite that gets revved up by art, the dining options at La Coste include a restaurant by celebrated Argentine chef Francis Mallmann.

 

His first restaurant in Europe, Chef Mallmann's restaurant at La Coste showcases his renowned open-fire style of cooking that is inspired by traditional South American culinary techniques.

Provence is renowned for the high quality of their meats, seafood, and produce and Mallmann adds a distinctive South American flair to these exceptional Mediterranean ingredients. Vibrant with an airy design that is bathed in Provence's ethereal light, Restaurant Francis Mallmann's interior design was inspired by the colors that iconic artist Cezanne used in his Aix-en-Provence studio.  

And don't forget the wine! The friendly staff at the Château La Coste wine shop will pour you a taste or two, or three! If one day of contemporary art, fine food, and delicious wine isn't enough, accommodations are available at Villa La Coste. 

To fully immerse yourself in a more classic Provence way of life, book a stay at the historic guesthouse at Le Château des Demoiselles. The regal ambiance of this 300-hectares wine estate is genuine -- it once belonged to Monaco's royal family, the Grimaldis.

Luxurious but not ostentatious, the Château's five suites and common spaces are spacious and comfortable. You can even hire their chef to prepare gourmet meals during your stay.

75 hectares of the estate are planted to vines and Le Château des Demoiselles produces a great selection of red, white, and rosé. I suggest sipping a bottle of their elegant and refreshing 2018 Château des Demoiselles Côtes de Provence Rosé ($17) while planning your getaway to Provence.  

A Tale of Two Bottles: My Favorite Neighbor and Faust Wines Show Artistry Inside and Out

An eye-catching label is no guarantee that the wine within will captivate you but what joy when a bottle is beautiful inside and out! The best wines tell a story and the look of the physical bottle often conveys the winemaker's style and inspiration. I recently tasted two wonderful wines from California whose exterior and interior artistry were perfectly in sync. Meet My Favorite Neighbor and Faust! 

My Favorite Neighbor 2016 ($80)
Paso Robles, California
The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of family, friends, and community. Great neighbors make an impact on our lives, in ways big and small. The labels of My Favorite Neighbor wines honor the people who work with winemaker Eric Jensen to make honest wines that express the terroir of their Paso Robles vineyards, in central California. This particular bottle features a striking photograph of vineyard canopy management specialist Aurelio by photographer Greg Gorman. Aurelio has been farming grapes for 16 years and believes that wine was created by the gods.... and him. My Favorite Neighbor 2016 is a Cabernet Sauvignon based red blend with some Syrah and Petit Verdot. Voluptuous and graceful with rich dark fruit flavors and a touch of espresso, dark chocolate, earthy graphite, and a tinge of spice; this is a beautifully made wine that powerfully expresses the winemaking team’s passion for authenticity. All neighbors should have so much complexity and finesse! Visit the My Favorite Neighbor website to see images of the other cool folks featured on the wine bottles.

image courtesy of Faust Wines

Faust Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($110)
Napa Valley, California
Nothing gets the party going like a magnum. Like they say - go big or go home! This limited-edition Faust 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Graffiti Magnum is the second vintage collaboration between Faust Wines and acclaimed street artist Faust New York. The words of Goethe, “Live Dangerously and You Live Right” are the bottle’s inspiration and artwork. An exceptionally balanced blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot from estate vineyards in Coombsville and Rutherford and sourced from mountain growers in Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder, and Howell Mountain; it tells the story of terroir. This is no big oak bomb. The wine is captivatingly silky and elegant; the flavors of the grapes really shine through and are gently enhanced by French oak. Juicy and luscious with earthy nuance, it’s an elegant and well-crafted wine. 

Wine by Cuvaison, Labels by Warhol

Iconic artist Andy Warhol didn't hold back at a dinner party in the 1980's when the host and owner of Cuvaison Winery asked his opinion of their wine - "What a lousy label!" Instead of taking offense to Warhol's harsh appraisal, the moment was seized as an opportunity to challenge the artist to create something better.


In true Warhol fashion, the artist delved deeply into the project. His process included taking numerous Polaroids of grapes and using those images to create silkscreen prints for Cuvaison labels. Warhol created more than 50 unique labels to capture the personality of Cuvaison but until recently they were mostly forgotten in a drawer. 


In celebration of the 35 years since Warhol accepted the challenge, Cuvaison has released series one of a limited-edition box set featuring two wines labeled with his unique artwork. Cuvaison winemaker Steven Rogstad "strived to create wines that are as unique as Warhol's labels" and the set includes 2014 Chardonnay from their Carneros estate and a 2014 red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc from Mount Veeder. 

"The idea is not to live forever... it is to create something that will." - Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol passed away in 1987 but his influence as an artist remains profound. His collaboration with Cuvaison is an exciting opportunity to celebrate Warhol's legacy and also experience the artistry of these wonderful wines.

Series One of Andy Warhol by Cuvaison is available at the Cuvaison website for $250. 

A Decade of Delicious: The 2015 Michelin Guide to New York City Restaurants

Culinary stars were shining bright on stage at the gala celebration for the tenth edition of the Michelin Guide to New York City restaurants. Of course, the Michelin Man was there too!

There is certainly no shortage of places to dine in New York City but only 73 restaurants can currently boast that they're Michelin-starred! First published in France in 1900 to help hungry motorists find the very best meals on the road, Michelin introduced the NYC guide 10 years ago and their team of anonymous inspectors annually place a spotlight on the Big Apple's culinary stand-outs. Whether you're a local or a visitor, the Michelin Guide is a great resource for navigating New York's culinary landscape.

Not just a showcase for world-famous three-star eateries like Jean-Georges, Le Bernardin, and Masa; the Michelin Guide New York City 2015 ($18.99) lists 874 restaurants and more than 60 types of cuisine from Argentinian to Vietnamese. Every New Yorker knows that a great meal does not have to cost a fortune and the 2015 guide includes Bib Gourmand selections throughout the five boroughs that represent the Michelin Inspectors' favorites for good value. 

I attended the gala celebration for the 2015 Michelin Guide NYC and the extravaganza included tasting stations with beautiful bites from restaurants like Lincoln Ristorante, Telepan, NoMad, Jean-Georges, and the Spotted Pig.

It was an absolute pleasure to meet Chef Jonathan Benno of the elegant Lincoln Ristorante (1 Michelin Star) at Lincoln Center - I've dined there and the food & service are impeccable. At the gala Chef Benno served a hearty chic creation - Smoked Eel and Foie Gras Terrine with Apricot Mostarda and Brown Bread.

 

It's been years since I dined at Telepan (1 Michelin Star) but Chef Bill Telepan's dish of Heritage Pork 'BBQ-Style' with Pork Belly, Smoked Shoulder and Creamed Corn has definitely inspired me to visit soon!

At the gala, I ran into the incredibly talented Chef Manuel Berganza of the modern Spanish restaurant Andanada (1 Michelin Star).  (This may be my first "selfie" with a Michelin starred chef!) I promised Chef Berganza that I would visit Andanada again soon for his innovative interpretation of cuisine from Spain. (Click here to read my 2012 interview with Chef Berganza).

Could one (or more) of this fab foursome of young chefs from Jean-Georges earn his own Michelin star one day?

To learn more about the 2015 New York Michelin selections, visit the Michelin website.

 

 

 

 

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Black Dress Beauty: The Duchess of Alba

The Duchess of Alba
Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828)
1797

Some paintings are like cherished friends and Goya's powerful portrait, The Duchess of Alba, has always enchanted me. Goya so beautifully captures La Duquesa's confident stance. The fiery red sash on her gorgeous black dress reminds me of  a matador's cape that pulls you in closer at your own risk  - La Duquesa looks like she doesn't suffer fools. They say that Goya was quite in love with his subject and you can feel that affection in the portrait. The Duchess has the look of a woman who knows she is loved.

I haven't visited The Duchess in a few years and I'm long overdue. You can spend time with her too at the Hispanic Society of America Museum and Library in New York City - the portrait is part of the permanent collection at this FREE museum with an impressive collection of art from Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. On Saturday, March 8th at 11:00 am, the Hispanic Society is hosting a gallery talk - New Thoughts on Goya's Portrait of the Duchess of Alba. 

A New York Minute: What's Hot in the Big Apple

Are you one of the many tourists visiting New York this summer? Check out what's new in the always bustling Big Apple.

Enjoy the MET Everyday
You no longer have to worry about schlepping up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on a Monday and finding the doors closed. Starting July 1, the MET will be open 7 days a week. The new schedule applies to the main building on Fifth Avenue & 82nd Street and The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park. Another change at the MET that I'm not so happy about is that visitors will no longer receive one of the museum's iconic metal buttons with admission. Art giveth and art taketh away....



Nothing Says New York Like an Italian Restaurant
Through July 6, you can enjoy amazing three-course prix-fixe meals ($26 lunch, $40 dinner) during NYC's very first Italian DINE-OUT. Presented by the Italian Trade Commission, Italian DINE-OUT showcases 23 of New York City's most authentic Italian restaurants. Participating restaurants include Bice, Cipriani Dolci, Sirio Ristorante, and The Leopard at Des Artistes. Reservations can be made at Open Table.


Summer Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
For many New Yorkers, summer officially starts when Midsummer Night Swing kicks off. Through July 13, put on your dancing shoes and shimmy under the stars at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center. From Salsa to Jazz, live bands keep the crowd on their feet. $17 admission to the dance floor includes a dance lesson.

Springtime in New York: Impressionism at the MET, Floral Frocks, Al Fresco Dining at Felice 83

Springtime makes me feel as carefree as these Three Dancing Maidens in the Conservatory Garden at Central Park.

It is springtime in New York! Aren't you ready to come out of hibernation and enjoy everything that the Big Apple has to offer? Start the season off in style with a pretty Maggy London floral frock, an afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and delicious Tuscan food & wine at Felice 83.  


No trip to NYC is complete without a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With so many treasures under one roof, it is impossible to see everything in one visit but the Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity exhibition is a must-see for lovers of art & fashion. Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity presents a revealing look at the role of fashion in the works of the Impressionists and their contemporaries. The exhibition showcases eighty major figure paintings along with period costumes, accessories, fashion plates, photographs, and popular prints. Learn about the vital relationship between fashion and art during the pivotal years, from the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s, when Paris emerged as the style capital of the world.

Maggy London Pansy Print Fit and Flare Dress ($128)
A fun frock that evokes Monet's flowers is the perfect choice for a visit to the Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity exhibition at the MET. Later on, you'll be a breath of fresh air wherever you go in the Big Apple.


Felice 83's extensive wine list includes wonderful selections from throughout Italy, including their vineyard in Tuscany. 

Felice 83's Tagliere Misto Di Formaggi E Salumi: Chef’s selection of imported cured meats & cheeses.

After a day at the MET, I recommend taking a 10 minute walk east to Felice 83  (1593 First Avenue at 83rd Street) for a delicious glass of Italian wine and a bite to eat. One of my favorite places, Felice is a casual restaurant with seriously good food. From handmade pastas to organic wines, the menu showcases the best of Tuscany. They currently serve dinner and weekend brunch, but weekday lunch service will begin on May 13th. The weather should be perfect by then for sitting on their outdoor terrace. Click here to read my full review of Felice 83.

Storyscapes: Bombay Sapphire House of Imagination at the Tribeca Film Festival

This Exquisite Forest is one of the five Storyscapes featured at the Bombay Sapphire House of Imagination. The project allows people to create short animations in their web browser and build on the animations of others, creating a series of branching narrative trees that grow bigger as more people contribute.

One of the most popular annual happenings in New York City is the Tribeca Film Festival.  Founded in 2002, TFF is more than just a cinematic extravaganza - it is the catalyst for countless cool parties and events. If you're looking for something truly unique to do at the Festival, check out the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE House of Imagination: Storyscapes  from April 18-21.

Free and open the public, specialty BOMBAY SAPPHIRE cocktails and artisanal snacks will be served throughout Storyscapes - an all-new juried section at this year’s Festival, which honors transmedia and interactive innovation across genres. The launch of this collaborative installation encourages interactive public participation within the five Storyscapes selections. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to share personal accounts of Hurricane Sandy, engage with insomnia, or even create their own documentary with robots!I know, it may sound a little out there, but click here to read descriptions of the Storyscapes - they're pretty intriguing.

General Admission Hours:

4/18: 6pm - 10pm
4/19: 1pm - 6pm
4/20: 12pm - 5pm
4/21: 12pm - 5pm

Click here for the location of the Bombay Sapphire house of Imagination and to register. All visitors must be 21 or over. 

 

Where Fun & Chic Meet: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale

An absolute highlight of my recent whirlwind trip to Phoenix was staying at the fabulous Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Located in the tony Scottsdale area, The Westin Kierland is a grand oasis in the Sonoran Desert and just 20 miles from downtown Phoenix. Business travelers, golfers, spa lovers, shopaholics, foodies, families, singles, and couples can all carve out their own sublime space at The Westin Kierland - the Resort has perfected the formula for pampering and entertaining their guests.

The Accommodations

The view of the golf course from my room at The Westin Kierland

The Westin Kierland's 732 rooms all offer a private balcony or terrace and many have dramatic views of the lush championship golf course and mountain range. Elegantly appointed, the centerpiece of the room is the Westin Signature Heavenly Bed. No matter how jetlagged you may be, I promise that you will feel brand new after a good night's sleep in this plush temple of slumber - the Westin Heavenly Bed is ten layers of pillowtop mattress bliss. And, if you're traveling with your four-legged friend, the Westin Kierland is a dog friendly hotel and can pamper your pooch with their very own Westin Heavenly Dog Bed. (And, if you decide that you want to sleep like a baby while at home, Westin does sell their Heavenly Beds with all the trimmings - brand new, of course.)

Dining
From poolside noshing to fine dining, The Westin Kierland takes their food seriously. One of their most popular dining destinations is Deseo and I highly recommend it. The concept and menu were developed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Douglas Rodriguez - widely regarded as the creator of Nuevo Latino cuisine. Deseo means desire in Spanish and the restaurant hits the mark in satisfying cravings for inventive and delicious food.

Millionaire Tacos (yuca taco, lobster, ahi tuna, Japanese hamachi) and Rainbow Ceviche. Vibrant and fresh, all of the flavors meld together beautifully - the tacos are absolutely addictive.

Adobo Pork y Tlacoyo (chile marinated korobuta tenderloin with pork and bean corn empanada). Seasoned to perfection, the spices add richness but not too much heat.


Forget having a smoke after dinner, a chocolate cigar is a much better option.  Such a delicious and whimsical dessert - even the matches are edible!


 The soft glow of flickering candles guide you down the stairway to Deseo's foyer and towards Nelson Garcia-Miranda - Deseo's Resident Artist. Not only do his colorful paintings adorn Deseo, patrons can actually watch Garcia-Miranda deftly apply paint to canvas during Happy Hour. Garcia-Miranda arrived in Phoenix in 1999 after seeking political exile from Cuba but the richness of his cultural heritage is powerfully portrayed in the "Cubanidad" style of his paintings. Garcia-Miranda's creations truly complement the bold and colorful nature of the cuisine at Deseo.

Agave, The Arizona Spa
Agave, The Arizona Spa sits just outside the Resort and has 20 treatment rooms, a quiet lap pool, and a relaxing courtyard and garden. The indigenous Agave plant is incorporated into many of the treatments. A signature tradition at Agave that I really enjoyed was the Apache Burden Basket placed outside of every treatment room. Before your service begins, you are invited to symbolically place your burdens inside the basket to keep worries and troubles behind, just as the Apache people would traditionally do when entering their teepees. Living in NYC, sometimes I feel that I need an extra large burden box but I found the ritual very soothing and a great way to unwind before my Rollerssage - a full body treatment that combines the feeling of Swedish massage with the roll of semi-precious stones combined with radiant heat.

The Scottish Experience at Westin Kierland
 
As a tribute to the Scottish immigrants who contributed to the development of Arizona's railroads, mines, and towns; guests are encouraged to gather around the fire pit at the Resort’s Dreamweaver’s Canyon to enjoy the haunting sounds of the Scottish Bagpipes with Michael McClanathan. Other Scottish inspired activities include a Scottish Golf Experience  - complete with kilt rentals and Johnny Walker beverage carts. If you want the scotch without the golf, you can partake of the Saturday Night Scotch Tastings at the Rim Lobby Bar. And, if you see a tartan clad terrier running around The Westin Kierland, you haven't imbibed too much scotch - that's the resident pooch Scotty!

Experience the rush of the waves in the Arizona desert on The Kierland Flowrider.

I am happy to give The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa the little black dress seal of approval not only for luxury, but also for creativity. Did I mention that they have a Chief Fun Officer and a team exclusively focused on creating unforgettable activities for kids of all ages? Or the really cool Kierland FlowRider that allows guests to experience the exhilarating sensation of riding the waves? And, if shopping is the only cardio on your agenda, Kierland Commons, a very popular shopping area with more than 70 retailers, is located adjacent to the Resort and the Key to Kierland program gives you access to discounts at select shops and restaurants.

Visit The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa website to learn more. The Visit Phoenix website is also a great resource for planning your getaway.

 

 

Two Must Visit Phoenix Museums: The Heard Museum and The Musical Instrument Museum

On my recent trip to Phoenix, I had the chance to visit two amazing museums - the Musical Instrument Museum and the Heard Museum. They are both very special places and definitely worth the time if you are visiting the area.

Musical Instrument Museum

I would love to get trapped overnight in the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) and just rock out! MIM's mission is to collect, preserve, and make high-quality musical instruments, images, and music from every country in the world accessible to the public. Highlights include an Experience Gallery where visitors can play unique instruments from all over the globe and the Artist Gallery that showcases musical instruments that were played by legends such as Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley, Carlos Santana and John Lennon - in fact, MIM has the piano that Lennon used to compose Imagine. In the Geographical Galleries you can take a musical journey around the world. 

Heard Museum

Founded in 1929, the Heard Museum is an extraordinary tribute to the history, culture, and lives of America's Indigenous peoples - especially the American Indian cultures of the Southwest. The Heard's 12 exhibition galleries display an amazing array of baskets, pottery, and jewelry. Remembering Our Indian School Days: The Boarding School Experience is a powerful exhibition that tells the little known story of how Native American children were forcibly removed from their homes by the federal government and sent to boarding schools hundreds of miles away. The Heard's gift shop boasts a beautiful selection of jewelry, art, books and more.

Worth the Trip: Frida Kahlo's Dresses On Display in Mexico City

Visiting Casa Azul in Mexico City, the home of the late artist Frida Kahlo, has been on my travel wish list for many years. Her paintings have always moved me - not only for their artistic genius but also for how much they revealed about the woman who created them. Strong, non-conformist, and passionate, Frida's creativity also extended to her personal appearance. From her unibrow to elaborate blouses and peasant skirts, Frida's style was utterly unique.

Starting November 22nd, you can see Frida's wardrobe up close and personal in an exhibition at Casa Azul sponsored by Vogue Mexico. "Now, a full collection from her wardrobe is going on display in Mexico City after being locked away for nearly 50 years in her armoires and dressers: jewelry, shoes and clothes that still carry the scent of the late artist's perfume and cigarette smoke or stains from painting," reported the Associated Press. 
Visitors will also see that Frida wasn't just making a sartorial statement with her clothes - they also helped to conceal parts of her body that had been injured by polio and in a serious bus accident. And, through it all she painted.

To learn more, visit the Casa Azul/Frida Kahlo Museum website.

A New York Minute: Films for Foodies & A Trilogy of Art Shows

There's always something fabulous happening in New York City. Here are some great events worth adding to your itinerary whether you live in the Big Apple or just visiting our amazing city.

Kirsten Dunst indulging in cakes, cakes, and more cakes as the title character in Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette.

Cinema Tuesdays: Films for Foodies at the French Institute/Alliance Francaise
Tuesday, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2012
$10 per film
From coq au vin to crème brulée, the French know great food. Films for Foodies! not only reflects the range of French cuisine—from the fabulous meals at Versailles during the reign of Louis XVI to the extraordinary intensity of a Michelin three-star kitchen—but also delves into cinema’s celebration of French culinary heritage. Celebrated food and travel columnist for Esquire magazine and series co-curator John Mariani will introduce each film and moderate post-screening discussions with luminaries from New York’s culinary world, including Ariane Daguin (owner of the renowned gourmet purveyor D’Artagnan Foods), pâtissier François Payard, Belgian master chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud, and James Beard award-winning chef Jean-Louis Gerin.


Contemporary Art Fair NYC, American Craft Show NYC, and Art Off the Main
October 19, 20, 21 at the Javits Center.
$14 - Three shows, one admission.
Museums aren't the only places in town to see amazing art.The Contemporary Art Fair NYC provides a major showing of independent painters, photographers, sculptors and other artists doing non-functional work. The counterpart show, The American Craft Show NYC, features the work of fine artisans working with glass, ceramic, wood, and other materials. ART OFF the MAIN is the first fair ever to showcase the combined works from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.

 

My Manhattan: Sights & Bites

 New York City is one of the world's most visited tourist destinations and I feel blessed to call this crazy, creative, and chic city my home. If you are planning a visit to Manhattan, here are a few wonderful things that have recently caught my eye and tempted my tastebuds.


I was strolling along Park Avenue and suddenly these gorgeous, curvy, vibrant sculptures appeared - absolute joy! You can see The Three Graces in all their larger-than-life glory until November 15th at Park Avenue and 53rd Street. This exuberant work of art was created by the late Niki de Saint Phalle and more of her sculptures appear on the Park Avenue Mall from 52nd-60th Streets. Visit Art in the Parks for additional information.


I spotted this wacky blue shoe car zipping down Lexington Avenue last week. Apparently, it was a promotional vehicle for the discount retailer Marshalls to promote their shoe department. Will it appear again? Who knows - but that's the magic of Manhattan - you never know what amazing sight will appear, if only for a fleeting moment.

I've had some pretty great culinary moments recently. Last week, I was invited to help judge chocolates at the International Chocolate Awards. It was pretty intense but very delicious! The winners will be announced soon.



Whole Roasted Suckling Pig at The Breslin

Thanks to my friends at Frederick Wildman & Sons (wine & spirits importers) and Pig's Nose Scotch Whisky, I finally experienced the chef's table at one of my favorite restaurants - The Breslin. Our guest of honor was a whole roasted suckling pig - juicy meat + crispy skin = hog heaven!

 

Kellari Taverna

I've been dining at Kellari Taverna for years and I always recommend it  when people ask for dining suggestions near Broadway theatres, Times Square, and Grand Central Station. Kellari Taverna serves authentic Greek cuisine and the seafood is amazingly fresh and expertly prepared. I had lunch there yesterday and it was marvelous - I've never had a bad meal at Kellari Taverna.

 

 

The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges

  A friend treated me to a very ooh la la evening of drinks and dinner at The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges. The creative & classic cocktails, superb food and elegant ambiance get high marks from moi. And, I must commend the lighting that makes everyone look like a movie star!

A New York Minute: Never Ending Story Art Installation

New York City is one of the most creative cities in the world and I was recently reminded that presenting great art isn't the exclusive domain of large museums and galleries.  If you're in the Big Apple, I highly recommend Contaminate NYC's current exhibition Never Ending Story - it will be on display until October 15th at the Kristin Hanson Gallery (by appointment only, call 646 248 3679). Contaminate NYC is a social platform for immersive art experiences that challenges traditional boundaries by redefining artistic happenings and contaminating art forms, ideas, cultures, and aesthetics on a global level.

Created by London based textile artist and knitwear designer Chia-Shan Lee, the Never Ending Story installation won the environmental track of Contaminate NYC's 100 Hundred Days international contest for emerging artists. Inspired by both the concept of information overload in contemporary society and the waste of resources associated with the production of newspapers, Never Ending Story narrates a contemporary fairy-tale employing newspaper yarns as story-telling material.

I was amazed at how Chia-Shan created complex pieces of clothing and sculptures from the newspaper yarn. The garments have an earthy, organic and dream-like quality but are actually wearable pieces of clothing. In fact, the opening night of Never Ending Story featured dancers performing in the dresses and the fabrics conveyed both fragility and strength as the extremely agile dancers moved.

 

A dancer on the move in a Chia-Shan Lee design

An elaborate yet streamlined design from the Never Ending Story exhibition.


Founders of Contaminate NYC Elena Avesani (far left) and Alessandro Spreafico (far right) with artist Chia-Shan Lee (in black) with dancers wearing her creations.

Never Ending Story can be viewed until October 15, 2012 at the Kristin Hanson Gallery at 60 Reade Street in Tribeca by appointment only. Call 646-248-3679 to schedule a viewing. The dancers won't be there but imagine them bringing the designs to life as you view the pieces! 

New York Minute: International Migration Art Festival

Forgot what you learned about not playing with your food! In NYC until June 19th, the International Migration Art Festival (IMAFestival) consists of Art Your Food, an international art contest whose theme is food and migration, and Sport Your Food, an exhibition combining art, food, sport and technology. Conceived by Rossella Canevari (Artistic Director) and Elena Maria Manzini (Producer), this playful festival has a serious goal -  discovering new talents and putting a unique spotlight on the cultural and social dimensions of migration. The Festival opened in Milan and, after its run in NYC, it will land in London during the period of the Olympic games.

IMAFestival organizers Rossella Canevari and Elena Maria Manzini with Italian chef Cristina Bowerman and her dish inspired by discus throw.
image: Arturo Stanig

Sport Your Food will be on display at NYC's Italian food & cultural mecca EATALY until June 19th. The idea behind the exhibition is that great artists and great chefs often share the genius that enables them to grasp the zeitgeist and the course of history. Five chefs and five artists teamed up in pairs to work on the Olympic games theme by creating recipes and works of art. The works are introduced by their creators’ holograms, which appear in full-scale, discussing art, haute cuisine and sport. For example, three Michelin-star chef Massimo Bottura and the award-winning New York photographer & sculptor Gregg LeFevre, teamed up and drew their inspiration from pole vaulting. Apulian chef Cristina Bowerman and Sicilian painter Fulvio Di Piazza collaborated on an interpretation of discus throw.

I plan on popping by EATALY to check out Sport Your Food - it sounds deliciously interesting!


Holograms of Massimo Bottura & Gregg LeFevre
image courtesy Arturo Stanig

For more information, visit www.imafestival.com.

Hot Guys in Philly: Tanner, Van Gogh and Springsteen

Philadelphia lives up to its moniker as the City of Brotherly love with three amazing exhibitions that pay homage to 19th century painters Henry Ossawa Tanner and Vincent Van Gogh, and modern-day rock & roller Bruce Springsteen.

Henry Ossawa Turner: Modern Spirit
Through April 15 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA)

This comprehensive exhibition features more than 100 pieces, including 12 paintings that have never been shown in a Tanner retrospective. Henry Ossawa Tanner was not only an internationally acclaimed African-American artist, Philadelphia was an important part of his life: he lived there after the Civil War and actually studied at PAFA from 1879-1885. The exhibition includes his career-making Resurrection of Lazarus, which is making its first trip to the continent.

Van Gogh Up Close
Through May 6 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Some question whether Van Gogh actually cut off his own ear but few would dispute that his use of color and exuberant application of paint distinguished him as a true master of his craft. This exhibition focuses on the tumultuous years before Van Gogh took his own life - a period of feverish artistic experimentation that began when van Gogh left Antwerp for Paris in 1886 and continued until his death in Auvers in 1890.

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen
Through September 3 at the Constitution Center
He's talented, iconic, and still turns heads in a pair of Levi's - Bruce Springsteen just gets better with age. Never before seen outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, this first major exhibition about the American songwriter takes a comprehensive look at Springsteen's catalog, from early bands through his work with the E Street Band and as a solo artist. The exhibition includes more than 150 artifacts, including the Fender Esquire guitar from the cover of Born to Run, the outfit Springsteen wore on the cover of Born in the U.S.A., numerous handwritten lyric manuscripts, posters from all phases of his career, and various honors including his Academy Award for the song "Streets of Philadelphia." In addition, the exhibition features Springsteen's 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, which he purchased after the success of Born to Run.

Click here for more news on what's happening in Philadelphia.

Good Morning Baltimore!

Although one of my dearest friends is from Baltimore, I must confess that everything I think I know about the city comes from watching John Waters movies and The Wire - talk about two extremes! Well, I was thrilled to hear about all of the fun and exciting things happening in Bawlmer, including new restaurants and fun festivals.

New Restaurants

Wit & Wisdom, A Tavern by Michael Mina
Four Seasons Baltimore, Harbor East
Wit & Wisdom offers a menu inspired by the cuisine of the mid-Atlantic region, focusing on the Eastern Seaboard’s culinary heritage. Keeping the area’s history in mind, the restaurant offers American cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients, prepared through classical wood-fire-grilling and hearth-cooking techniques - it sounds delicious! I would definitely pay Wit & Wisdom a visit - I had a chance to dine at Michael Mina's restaurant at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the food was great.

Waterfront Kitchen
1419 Thames Street, Fell’s Point
Waterfront Kitchen is located on the first floor of Fell’s Point’s Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Museum. The menu, designed by long time local chef Jerry Pellegrino of Corks Restaurant, emphasizes seasonal ingredients, including those grown by participants in Living Classrooms Foundation's BUGS (Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students) program. BUGS, which serves inner-city grade school children, maintains a greenhouse and gardens just a few blocks away.

Special Events/Arts & Culture

Touch and the Enjoyment of Sculpture: Exploring the Appeal of Renaissance Statuettes
The Walters Art Museum
January 21-April 15, 2012
This groundbreaking show will explore the implications of tactile perception for enjoying sculpture by melding the research of a Johns Hopkins University neuroscientist studying how the brain reacts to tactile stimuli and a Walters’ curator interested in the increased appreciation of tactility as an aspect of European Renaissance art – a period marked by a new availability of small “collectibles” meant to be held.

Maryland Film Festival
Maryland Institute College of Art/The Charles Theater
May 3-6, 2012
Designed to advocate for films and filmmakers as they enter the marketplace, the Maryland Film Festival celebrates the art of film in the tradition of famous Baltimoreans like John Waters and Barry Levinson. Documentaries, short films and features are screened at several locations throughout the city.

HonFest
Hampden
June 9-10, 2012
Get out your teasing comb and Aqua Net, hon! Baltimore’s annual celebration of all things “Bawlmer” takes place along 36^th Street in Hampden and pays tribute to the neighborhoods, distinctive dialect and people of Baltimore. Enjoy live music, classic Bawlmer foods and Hampden’s eclectic merchants, and indulge your bouffant cravings and inner hon at the Glamour Lounge.


To learn more about what to see, do, and eat in Baltimore, check out the Visit Baltimore website.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the MET

 
Wow, wow, and more wow! I FINALLY made it to the blockbuster exhibition, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If your summer travel plans include New York City, you must add this to your itinerary - the MET will be displaying McQueen's breathtaking, jaw-dropping, technically perfect, and emotionally-charged couture through August 7, 2011.

 

Savage Beauty brilliantly displays McQueen's genius not just for creating avant-garde clothes but his amazing talent for building a narrative with fashion - his Scottish heritage, the Victorian Gothic, and even Jack the Ripper influenced his designs. The fashion world truly lost a genius when McQueen committed suicide in 2010 but his relevance has not diminished.  After all, Catherine Middleton opted to wear a "Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen" wedding gown on her walk down the aisle to Prince William.  As lovely as Middleton's dress was, and the form-fitting frock worn by her sister Pippa, I can't help but imagine what a wedding gown truly designed by McQueen himself would look like. Maybe some strategically placed feathers?

A few tips for visiting Savage Beauty: arrive at the MET really early (the museum opens at 9:30 AM) and save time by ordering your tickets online - this exhibition draws huge crowds. The suggested admission for adults is $20 and includes access to Savage Beauty, all museum galleries, and a same-day visit to The Cloisters Museum and Gardens. The audio guide is absolutely worth the extra $7 - it gives great background information and features interviews with McQueen collaborators/admirers such as Sarah Jessica Parker and  famed milliner Philip Treacy. Another option - pony up $50 for MET Mondays with McQueen and you can visit the exhibition on Monday, when the MET is normally closed (audio guide included, other galleries are closed).

I plan on visiting Savage Beauty again - it was truly exceptional!

Gallery photography by The Photograph Studio, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

It's Coming Up Roses on Park Avenue

Finally, a bright spot during this dreary New York City winter. I'm sending a big hug to artist Will Ryman for bringing some much needed spring cheer to the Big Apple with his larger-than-life rose buds. Thirty-eight pink and red giant rose sculptures, ranging in height from 3 to 25 feet, have been planted along the Park Avenue mall from 57th Street to 67th Street. 

According to NY1, Ryman said that he "wanted the colors from the stainless steel and fiberglass resin buds to provide a contrast to the city's wintry gray backdrop". You gotta love a guy who gives roses to the entire city! You have until May 31st to stop and smell these roses.

NYC Taxis Get Classy with Art by Chuck Close & Kehinde Wiley

New York City taxis finally get a (temporaray) makeover! According to the Wall Street Journal, "instead of an ad for a product or a mass retailer like Ciroc vodka or Sephora, 500 cabs across the city will boast the highbrow pieces of Chuck Close and Kehinde Wiley atop their cabs for the month of January. Mr. Close re-imagines his two portraits, "Lucas" and "Lorna," while Mr. Wiley offers up his pieces "The Virgin Martyr St. Cecilia" and "Femme Piquee Par Un Serpent." Catch them while you can! Now, if we could just get some nicer outfits for the taxi drivers...

Take a Dive: World's Largest Underwater Art Musuem in Mexico

Confession: I barely swim and don't scuba or snorkel but I really want to put on my little black bathing suit and visit Mexico's underwater art museum MUSA (Museo Subacautico de Arte). This amazing museum was created in the waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc and consists of 4 installations created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

Perhaps the most ambitious of the installations is The Silent Evolution, which consists of 400 life size statues that were made using the casts of real people. "Each of the sculptures is made from specialized materials used to promote coral life, with the total installations occupying an area of over 420sq metres of barren sea bed and weighing over 180 tons."

Stunning and eerily beautiful. 

You can book your dive for $120 per person with Aquanauts Dive Adventures.

Eat Like a Queen and Get Pampered Like a Princess in Philly

Rittenhouse Square
(photo: courtesy GPTMC)

Philadelphia may be known as the City of Brotherly Love, but my recent weekend getaway showed me that this town really knows how to treat a lady! Should I have expected anything less from a destination that counts divas like Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, and, if we want to go way back, fierce flag-making colonial gal Betsy Ross, as hometown girls?

While many visitors focus on Philly's important historical sights, I spent 2 glorious days immersed in this vibrant city's VERY hip present. World-class restaurants, stylish shops, and a diverse arts scene make Philly a perfect pick for your next escape. 

Where to stay: The Hotel Palomar (A Kimpton Hotel) Stay 2 nights and save 15%. Rates starting from $139, valid through Thursday-Sunday.

Conveniently located in Center City near shops and restaurants, the Hotel Palomar is a contemporary hotel that cleverly pays homage to Philly's past. Housed in the 80-year old American Institute of Architects, this 24-story property has been themed "Art in Motion." Walk into the lobby and the candy colored busts of founding father Benjamin Franklin are sure to give you a chuckle. Even the elevator interiors are whimsical. 

The Palomar's guest rooms are not only beautifully decorated but can be transformed into an oasis when you schedule an in-room spa treatment. No no-name amenities here -  the bathrooms are stocked with luxurious L'Occitane soaps and shampoos. Best of all, this gorgeous property is eco-friendly - the Hotel Palomar is the only LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in Philadelphia. 

Get Pampered
Head over to the Northern Liberties neighborhood and stroll The Piazza at Schmidts. Inspired by the piazzas of Rome, this 80,000 square-foot open air space is surrounded by a captivating mix of artist studios, boutiques and restaurants. Located within the Piazza are 2 great pampering spots - Spa East and Tenshi Beauty Bar.

Rejuvenate your face with Spa East's Jet Set Face Glow treatment - a 30 minute facial that cleans your pores and gets you pretty in a flash! Spa owner Samiyyah Staten gently massaged and treated my face with natural skincare products by Rhonda Allison. After this treatment, my skin looked and felt so smooth that I strolled for an hour before putting on any makeup. Spa East also offers massages, eyelash enhancement, and waxing. You can also indulge in the latest manicure trend, MINX, at Spa East.
                         
Tenshi means angel in Japanese and the makeup artists at Tenshi Beauty Bar can create a natural angelic look or a bold face using their line of mineral makeup. Pop in for a complimentary makeover at this beauty hotspot owned and created by Philly native Brandy Davila. Tenshi Beauty Bar also carries high-end botanical Phyto haircare products and offers hairstyling at Salon Tenshi, a full service salon, in the loft district.

 
Brandy Davila, creator and owner of Tenshi Beauty Bar, Tenshi Cosmetics and Tenshi Salon. In 2009, Brandy won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Urban League.

For a truly couture cosmetics experience, visit the shiny and new Shimmer & Spice boutique (about a 10 minute walk from Rittenhouse Square). The first store in Philly to carry Giella Custom Blend Cosmetics, visit Shimmer & Spice to get foundation, powder and other makeup blended on the spot just for you. Do you have a favorite lipstick color that has been discontinued? No worries, Shimmer & Spice can recreate it.  The owner, Pennsylvania native Kristyn April, honed her craft as a make-up artist in NYC. Shimmer & Spice also sells jewelry created by local designers, natural skin care products and stylish accessories.

Kristyn April, makeup artist & owner of Shimmer & Spice

Wine & Dine

Buddakan
My Philly friends wasted no time in letting me know that the wildly popular Buddakan restaurant started in their hometown and NOT in New York City. OK, I get it! This sleek and modern eatery draws a glamorous crowd that pampers their palates with Chef Stephen Starr's masterful Asian fusion cuisine. Under the serene eye of a massive statue of Buddha, diners indulge in Japanese Black Cod (pictured), Edamame Ravioli, King Crab Tempura, and the divine Tea Smoked Spareribs.

Chifa 
Iron Chef and James Beard Award winner Jose Garces' Chifa restaurant is a winning culinary tribute to the unique melding of Peruvian and Cantonese cuisines found in Peru.  The restaurant's colorful and spicy ambiance matches the menu. Try the Thai Beef Salad (made with tender Kobe. pictured), Chicken Wings in Spicy Garlic Ginger Sauce, and the jumbo & juicy Salt Baked Shrimp.
                       

Parc Brasserie
For a bit of Paris in Philly, a visit to the bustling Parc Brasserie is a must. Arrive early to snag one of the outdoor tables just steps away from picturesque Rittenhouse Square. Delicious pastries, perfect omelets, and fluffy pancakes are all served with a dash of ooh la la at Parc Brasserie.

Brown Betty
Let them eat cupcakes! One of Oprah's favorites, Brown Betty is a "modern vintage bakery" with  3 locations in Philly. The sweet creation of mother/daughter team Linda and Nerrinda Hinton, Brown Betty serves up moist and addictive cupcakes, poundcakes, cheesecakes and more.  The Red Velvet cupcake is a top-seller along with unique flavors like Sweet Potato and Rum Nudie. Many of the treats have clever names, such as Hattie Don't Play and Alice's Two Step, inspired by women in the Hinton family. 

Linda Hinton, co-founder of Brown Betty Desserts. As you can see, these treats sell out fast! Everything is baked on the premises and fresh!

Explore

Mural Arts Tour
The entire city of Philadelphia is an open air museum thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Mural Arts Program. Home to an astounding 3,000 murals, you never know when you will encounter a breathtaking work of art in Philly. A really fun way to learn about the murals and see a great deal of the City is to book the trolley tour. On a nice day, the flaps on the side of the trolley are left open for optimal viewing. I also observed that Philly residents passing by weren't shy about starting up conversations with us!

Maybe that lack of shyness is the essence of Philly. From passionate foodies, groundbreaking artists, and fierce fashionistas, Philadephians don't hold back on enjoying life.

To learn more about Philadelphia and to plan your divalicious getaway, visit www.VisitPhilly.com.

                

               

Ten in My Town: Elizabeth Bard's Paris

American girl goes to Paris. Meets charming French man. Falls in love with Monsieur Right and French cuisine. Lives happily ever after. Yes, this may sound like the plot of a Hollywood movie, but welcome to Elizabeth Bard’s life. Her new memoir Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes is chock full of engrossing prose and tasty meals. (Click here to read my review of the book.)

Elizabeth told moi, "there's a lot I've discovered in France - not just about effortless chic, but about how we as women can make better choices - pleasure and ambition, love and self." Although she has been busy traveling the world on her book tour, Elizabeth generously agreed to share a few of her favorite places in the City of Lights. Let her picks guide you to a great meal in Paris, or maybe even a romance of your own. Ooh la la!

 PS. Elizabeth will be making an appearance at Barnes & Noble (Tribeca, NYC) on Weds. April 7 at 7:00 pm.


To Buy the Perfect Little Black Dress – Galeries Lafayette. They have everything – and if you don’t find your little black dress, you can go shopping for a hot red lipstick underneath the breathtaking stained glass dome. If you want some color – go try one of the raw silk wrap dresses from Antoine et Lili. For browsing – I’d hit the small streets around rue du Dragon and rue de la Cherche Midi in the 6^th.

For a Night Out with the Girls - I find ice cream inspires girl talk better than alcohol – get yourself a double scoop of Berthillon on the Ile Saint Loius. Cacao Amer (bitter dark chocolate sorbet) is my favorite.

For a Romantic Dinner - Picnic on the tip of the Ile Saint Louis. 

To Take Out of Town Guests - We usually end up at L’Homme Bleu – a terrific Moroccan place, for tagine. We are lacking a favorite French place at the moment (ours changed hands a few years ago), but we often take people to Chez Denise near Les Halles – it’s one of the holdouts from the area’s market days – in fact, it used to be a brothel. The portions are huge (I love the cote de boeuf and the lapin au moutard), but save room for dessert – they make the best baba au rhum in Paris! The place is very well known, you should book – and you’ll probably be eating with an equal number of tourists and locals. 

For Something Sweet - Ladurée for macaroons (I’m a purist, so I tend to stick with vanilla, lemon, pistachio, and orange flower water (fleur d’oranger). Jean Paul Hevin for hot chocolate – it’s a quick walk from the Louvre, the tearoom is just above the shop. The hot chocolate is divine, and it’s much less crowded and touristy than Angelina’s. La Bague de Kenza – This Algerian bakery makes the best North African pastries in Paris. Choose in the boutique and have your pastries delivered to the tearoom next store.

For Cocktails  - I’m not a cocktail drinker in Paris – plant yourself at any sidewalk café with a glass of wine and watch the world go by. My neighborhood, along the Canal Saint Martin, is great for going out…if you like hipsters and men who haven’t shaved…

To Connect with Nature - The Buttes Chaumont is my favorite park in Paris. Sculpted from the ruins of one of Napoleon III’s old gypsum quarries, it has rolling hills, a man-made lake (complete with swans), and a fake waterfall.

To Connect with the Past - I’m a museum fanatic – but I prefer to have the place all to myself. The Louvre is open late on Wednesday evenings – and it’s completely empty! If you haven’t been to the Musée Jacquesmart Andre, do go – it’s the mansion of a 19^th century industrialist and his wife - much like the Frick collection in NY. Check out the hydraulic walls in the ballroom! There’s a great English Audioguide.

Where I Go to Unwind  - The market – every neighborhood has an outdoor market on a different day of the week; it’s a Paris experience that shouldn’t be missed! The markets are open from 8am-1pm, so get up early, grab a croissant and an expresso in a local café – then do your shopping for a lunchtime picnic. Ask your hotel (or local café) which days you can expect a market near you.

To Learn Something New - When I’m searching for inspiration. I usually end up at Librairie Gourmande – the best cookbook shop in Paris. Most of the cooking supply stores are on this street as well, so you can pick up some madeleine molds etc. on your way…

If you are interested in art history and design (and speak fairly high level French) – the week long summer courses at the Ecole de Louvre are a great value. The focus can be as specific as Art Deco doorknobs or as broad as “Paris under Henri IV”.