Whom You Know: August 2011

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Happy Birthday Mover and Shaker Ellen Christine! Top It Off Today to Our Favorite Milliner!

To celebrate, you ought to visit her site and make an appointment in her showroom to get your bespoke hat! Or 2!!! What are you waiting for...not everyone can look like they came off the cover of Vogue there is only one Ellen, and she has done many hats for the covers of Vogue in more than one country we believe....

http://ellenchristine.com/

Top Ten Reasons Why Charlie Says "GO SEE JENNA ESPOSITO SING AT FEINSTEIN'S TONIGHT, ESPECIALLY SINCE SHE'S MY AUNT AND I WILL BE THERE!"

10. She is pretty.

9. 'Cuz it's special.

8. She is singing Italian songs and I like Italian songs, especially "Volare".

7. My daddy is playing bass, my papa is playing guitar, my uncle is playing all sorts of things and my mommy is singing too!

6. My Aunt Jenna sparkles and if you are lucky enough to hug her, you will too!

5. My Aunt Jenna sings nice and loud and I like loud.

4. My Aunt Jenna loves a big crowd. A big crowd would make her happy. Don't you want to make her happy?

3. I hear Feinstein's is really fancy.

2. My Aunt Jenna is famous.

1. I might be there...you never know...I'm just saying...

***

Feinstein’s at Loews Regency

PRESENTS

JENNA ESPOSITO

ITALIAN UNDERCOVER

With special introduction by Mark Rotella, author of

Amore – The Story Of Italian American Song

Tuesday, August 30

8:30 p.m. (Doors open for dinner at 6 p.m.)

Feinstein’s at Loews Regency

540 Park Avenue at 61st Street, NYC

$25 Cover ǀ $40 Premium Seating ǀ

$25 Food & Beverage Minimum

Information/Reservations: 212-339-4095

Italian Undercover! Does the name Francesco Paulo LoVecchio mean anything to you?...Or how about Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco?? No?! Okay, one more try – surely you have heard of Concetta Franconero??! Need some help? Perhaps you would recognize them by their “undercover aliases” – Frankie Laine, Lou Christie and Connie Francis?! Here’s the scoop: Sure, most people are aware that Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and yes, Connie Francis are Italian. And most people are also aware that their given names have been changed considerably. But not everyone knows that the same can be said for countless others including Frankie Laine, Lou Christie, Bobby Rydell, and more...until now!! In this show, 3-time MAC Award nominee JENNA ESPOSITO revisits the music of some of the most popular and influential pop singers of the 20th century...who all happened to be Italians, Undercover! Come join in the fun of this “expose”, in this show that also features Jenna's five-piece band: musical director Fortune Esposito on guitar, David Crone on piano, Rob Broelmann on bass, Scott Morehouse on drums, Brian Broelmann on tenor sax, and Kelly Esposito-Broelmann and Rob Langeder on backup vocals. Also, as a special treat, author Mark Rotella, whose book Amore – The Story of Italian American Song, was the inspiration for “Italian Undercover” will be making a special appearance to introduce the show!

Jenna Esposito made her New York nightclub debut in August, 2004, and has since performed solo shows at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, The Metropolitan Room, BACKSTAGE dopo teatro, The Duplex, and Danny’s Skylight Room. Shehas also performed many shows in Manhattan’s historic Little Italy, including a solo show at the famed San Gennaro Festival. Her shows That’s Amore: Jenna Sings Love, Italian Style, Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis, A Hint of Rosemary: The Songs of Rosemary Clooney, and SMOOCH! have all received critical acclaim, and her annual “All-Star Birthday Bash” is a fun-filled evening during which she has shared the stage with a number of New York’s finest performers. Jenna has also performed shows at the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance, CA, and The M Bar in Hollywood, CA. Jenna recently made her debut at Manhattan’s historic Town Hall, where she shared the stage with Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Lucie Arnaz, Larry Gatlin and Marilyn Maye. Jenna writes a column for the website www.BroadwayWorld.com and is the host of MetroJam, the Metropolitan Room’s popular open mic night.

In November, 2009, Jenna celebrated the release of her second CD, To Connie…Love, Jenna. The CD is a live recording of Jenna’s Connie Francis tribute show, which was recorded during her June-July, 2009 run of the show at The Metropolitan Room in New York City. 13 Men…and Me!, Jenna’s debut CD, showcases her silky, wide-ranging voice and stylistic versatility with well loved standards such as “Just In Time” and “Down With Love,” pop hits including “One Less Bell To Answer,” and “Since I Fell For You,” as well as contemporary jazz/pop songs. Both discs are available at iTunes and CDBaby.com.

Jenna’s New York theater credits include Little Mary Sunshine, Godspell (Wings Theatre), How I Learned To Draw A Sheep (Cornelia St. Café), and Bad Girls by Joyce Carol Oates (Ensemble Studio Theatre) as well as Twelfth Night in London. Her regional credits include Anything Goes, West Side Story, Sleeping Beauty, and Guys and Dolls. Jenna is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College. For more information, please visitwww.JennaEsposito.com.

Terrific Takeout: Zana Restaurant

All Italian restaurants are not created equally, and you know we've been lucky enough to go to the best ones, and our first experience at Zana was a good one! Located at 30 East 30th street, you would think that instead they were oceanside, that is how fresh the mussels were. In past reviews you know Peachy Deegan has just adored Mussels Provencale by french hot spots Bistro Vendome and Jubilee, and we were excited to try them Italian-style! The Prince Edward Island Mussels of san marzano tomato, calabrian chile and white bean (or you can order them: shallot, white wine, lemon) will invigorate your senses and this red sauce is truly fantastic. The tiny bits of garlic danced through this dish with panache, and you know who loves garlic.

The Classic Caesar of hearts of romaine, parmegiano, ciabatta croutons, prosciutto chips, lemon anchovy vinaigrette was decidedly fresh and the arrangement was just beautiful. Everything in it was crispy and delightful and the cheese was especially outstanding. Finally, we tried the jumbo shrimp scampi, with lemon, parsley, white wine, garlic, saffron risotto, which was great, and we really loved the presentation-look at how appealingly the shrimp are arranged with their tails beautifully twisted. When those tails twist their way into your mouth, one big smile will appear on your face!

We enjoyed meeting Tim Gashi and are pleased to say Zana is Terrific Takeout!

http://zananyc.com/

Lime Rock’s Historic Festival This Weekend Important to Make-A-Wish

Lime Rock Park’s combined Historic Festival 29 Presented by Jaguar and Sunday in the Park Concours is one of the biggest events for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, the official charity of Lime Rock Park. Lime Rock set a goal of raising $100,000 this year – and it’s close ($60,000), thanks to Lime Rock’s generous fans.

Following are the ways fans coming to this weekend’s festival can help Make-A-Wish get over the final hump. (By the way, the vintage drivers and entrants are helping, too. See below.)

- A big percentage of each sale of the weekend’s Historic Festival 29 Souvenir Program goes to Make-A-Wish

- Fans have a chance to wave the green flag to start one of the Saturday or Monday races. All they need to do is go to the Make-A-Wish display at the Lime Rock Info Tent and buy a $5 raffle tickets. There are lots of races – 44 all told – so a fan’s chances are pretty good at becoming an Official Starter

- There is giant convention of MGs here this weekend – almost 100 – and they want a Make-A-Wish “People’s Pick” vote to choose the best one for the Sunday Car Show. Fans may make a small Make-A-Wish donation at the MG Tent (on No-Name Straight) on Sunday and they’ll get a voting card to pick their favorite MG

- Fans can also make a Make-A-Wish donation at the Rolls-Royce/Bentley display at West Bend during the Sunday in the Park Concours

- And what are many of the 300 vintage race car drivers doing? For every lap they complete this weekend, they’ve gotten “per-lap” pledges from friends, family and sponsors. The driver that collects the most money wins a Rolex watch, donated to Make-A-Wish by Rolex U.S.A.

- Even if fans are not coming to Lime Rock this weekend and still want to make a Make-A-Wish donation, they can go tolimerock.com (click here) to donate.

READ THIS: Disneystrology: What Your Birthday Character Says About You By Lisa Finander

Ooooh you know we just LOVE birthdays at Whom You Know, and what fun it is to see what Disney has come up with for your birthday. Fun for kids of all ages, like most Disney things are, Disneystrology gives you a bit of insight into who your friends are too! This book tells Peachy she is like Figaro from Pinocchio...what do you think? Who is born August 28 that is Thumper and he is one of Peachy's favorites. Mickey and Minnie are November 18...this book makes a fantastic gift-for birthdays of course!

***

Disneystrology combines astrology and numerology with the magic of movies to help readers understand their own personalities. Noted astrologer Lisa Finander has identified 366 unique Disney character types—everyone from Cinderella to WALL-E—and paired these characters to corresponding birth dates.

Readers born on June 3, for example, are especially enthusiastic, caring, and persuasive—traits shared with Dory from the 2003 hit, Finding Nemo. Others born on July 26 are courageous, tenacious, and good-humored—just like Mowgli in The Jungle Book. And those born on September 29 are just like Sulley from Monsters, Inc.— progressive, friendly, and accomplished.

Revisit your favorite characters in a whole new way! Illustrated with hundreds of stills from more than 90 years of classic animation, Disneystrology is an entertaining tribute to the most delightful characters in movie history.

Lisa Finander is an author and editor living in Minnesota, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology and Symbolism from Metropolitan University. As a noted public speaker, she has taught classes, given lectures, and held workshops. Her areas of expertise include but are not limited to: astrology, tarot, Jungian psychology, meditation, and spirituality. She is available for media.

Disneystrology is available for excerpt, feature, or review. First serial is available. Please consider covering Disneystrology in your October issue or on your website during the month of October.

Disneystrology: What Your Birthday Character Says About You

By Lisa Finander

Published by Quirk Books; October 2010

Paperback, 4C, $16.95, 376 pages

ISBN: 978-1-59474-453-2

About Disney Publishing Worldwide

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, with over 250 million children’s books and over 400 million children's magazines sold each year. Disney Publishing Worldwide includes the vertically integrated publishing imprints Disney Book Group in the U.S., Disney Libri in Italy and Libros Disney in Spain as well as an extensive worldwide licensing structure. DPW also publishes a range of children’s magazines globally including Topolino, Le Journal de Mickey and Donald Duck as well as family titles in the U.S. which include Disney FamilyFun and Disney en Familia. Disney English is DPW’s English language learning business, including Disney English centers in China and a worldwide retail licensing program. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books and magazines in 85 languages in 75 countries.

Terrific Takeout: Anatolia

Anatolia is absolutely brand-new and is a gem of a Mediterranean Turkish spot nestled at 401 East 62nd Street...they have been open for a week and of course Peachy Deegan had to check them out. They are so new we don't think they even have a website yet....the bread was fresh and delicious. We tried the Anatolia Salad: Romaine Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, chick peas, pickles and onion. Traditionally it also comes with olives but you know who said, "Hold the olives, please!" The salad was a unique combination of what we believe must be turkish; this is a new cuisine to us and it is fantastic. Peachy is not Greek or Turkish so she feels like these cuisines are not that different but you don't tell anyone Greek or Turkish that. It is kind of like when you live in County Cork, the people there think they are terribly different from County Kerry, but to the rest of the world they both seem pretty Irish...in any event, this cuisine is wonderful and maybe the Irish should be eating it.

The appetizer to try is the combination of hummus, avocado salad, spicy ezme, eggplant salad stuffed grapes and cacik. This is the first time Peachy's had most of these Mediterranean specialties and we'll tell you it won't be the last either. If you swing by Anatolia for a glass of wine, you should order this appetizer.

Finally, we tried the grilled sea trout which was quite good. We were sad they ran out of the Bronzini but such is life-you've got to be fast when a place is this good. Turkey is not just for thanksgiving....Anatolia is Terrific Takeout!

Anatolia

401 East 62nd Street

212 223 7500

Open 7 days a week: 11 to 11!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Champagne Wishes: Cellar No. 8's 2009 "8" Recommended by Whom You Know!

Exquisite! Cellar No. 8 Wine was one of the most delicious bottles of wine I've had in the last few years. Cellar No.8 wines are represented from meticulously chosen vineyards across select California sites. "Eight" has a unique blend of flavors that make this so scrumptious. The fruits include hints of blackberry, blueberry and mulberries. The spices- they tingle your palate and are a blend of cloves, cardamom and roasted coffee beans. The intricate blends of wine that are used in No. 8 include Petit Sirah, Grenache, Mouverde, Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and more. As far as seasons are concerned, think of this wine as a perfect complement to that early autumn barbecue, or football game tailgate. Along with a juicy steak,smoked sausage, or hamburger, I couldn't think of a more perfect wine to wash it all down. In conclusion, I give the Cellar No. 8 a two thumbs up!

Summer's heat has started to retreat. Nights are cooling down and it is time to bring back the beloved red wines! I am loving Cellar No 8's new red, "8." It is an awesome mix of 8 varietals -- Petite Sirah, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. I know, it sounds like a few too many, however it is "GR8!" Ok, I know that's a bit much, but it really is a wine you should try. It is a true California wine -- mostly from the Lodi region, which of course has a fantastic Mediterranean climate. The warm days and cool nights round out the flavor with smooth tannins and ripe berry. Their website is also a great place to check out recipes (seriously, could they make this any easier on us?!?)! The price point is so reasonable that I know this is going to be a regular for the fall season at my house!

Having tried two other wines by Cellar No. 8, I was very much looking forward to trying their 2009 "Eight". "Eight did not disappoint"! A blend of eight different varities, the aptly named "Eight", has something for everyone. This flavorful red contains a magical blend of Petite Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedre, Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine pays tribute to the history of the Asti Winery in Sonoma County and its founders. This deep red wine begins with fruity aromas (blackberry, blueberry and mulberry). These fruity berry flavors mix with spicier notes such as clove, cardamom and coffee beans. "Eight" is the perfect wine for any occasion. With a suggested retail price of $10, it is very affordable! Stock up on some now as it is the perfect addition to your Autumn palate!

I am already a big fan of Cellar No. 8 wines, so I was very excited to try this new red wine. "Eight" is a blend of Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This fantastic blend yields big flavor. The wine has a wonderful red color as it is poured into the glass. The aroma is of fresh berries. I was reminded of blackberries and blueberries when I smelled it. Those berry aromas are carried over into the delicious flavor of this wine as well. They are also accompanied by spices like clove and cardamom. I really enjoyed how smooth this wine is. It would pair easily with a juicy steak, but it can also be enjoyed all on its own! This wine would be perfect for almost any occasion!

Deep, complex, and utterly delectable, Cellar No. 8's newest offering, "Eight," is a must-have for any oenophile! Incredibly easy drinking, this wine explodes with flavor on the palate, yet does not feel at all heavy or overbearing. The wine's complexity comes from the fact that is is handcrafted from a blend of eight varietals: Petite Sirah, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. It boasts ripe berry flavors, thanks to the Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, and these are balanced by a hint of spiciness from the Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. The Cab, Merlot and Sangiovese round out the taste and give it some darker, deeper flavors. It is at once intriguing yet highly drinkable. It's an ideal party wine, as it's versatile enough to go with many different foods, and would be an especially great addition to a barbecue menu, as the summer season winds down. It's also a great rainy day wine - perfect for cuddling up on the couch with a good book or a good movie! Personally, I plan on keeping it stocked on my wine rack as we head into the fall and winter - it's definitely a new go-to in my book! So, wine-lovers of the world, this is your cue - run out and grab yourselves a bottle (or two or three!) or Celler No. 8's "Eight!"

***

CELLAR NO. 8 2009 “Eight” California

HISTORY In 1881 Andrea Sbarboro founded the Asti Winery in northern Sonoma County. Applying time-honored methods and expertise from the old country, Sbarboro and a group of Italian immigrants formed an entire community around which winemaking was its soul. Today, Cellar No. 8 wines honor and reflect the tradition of winemaking at Asti in a series of rich, complex wines from carefully chosen vineyard sites in California. The Cellar No. 8 “Eight” is a unique and flavorful blend of eight varieties: Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Petite Sirah lends bright flavors of triple berry pie, which are enhanced by lovely spicy notes from the Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. This wine pays homage to the history of the founding families who traditionally created field blends, yielding big, flavorful wines.

VINTAGE & VINEYARDS The 2009 growing season started dry, but with healthy spring rains, the vineyards flourished. Summer brought warm days and cool evenings, perfect for consistent ripening, while maintaining acidity within the grapes. Harvest began in mid-August and wrapped up in early November. This long vintage allowed the fruit to ripen fully with concentrated varietal fruit flavors. Overall, the 2009 vintage yielded wines of excellent quality. The majority of fruit in this wine comes from Lodi, where a Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool nights yields wines with soft, round tannins and ripe berry fruit characteristics.

TASTING NOTES Deep red with vibrant purple hues, “Eight” begins with enticing aromas of blackberry pie, with blueberry and mulberry notes, which continue on a lush, juicy palate. Ripe berry fruit flavors mingle with toasted baking spices – clove, cardamom and dark roasted coffee beans – supported by soft, round tannins and balanced acidity, which lead to a long, smooth finish. Alcohol: 13.8% Blend: 79% Petite Sirah, 7% Grenache, 5% Merlot, 4% Mourvèdre, 2% Syrah, 1% Zinfandel, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Sangiovese Harvest: September 1st, 2009 to October 28th, 2009 Brix at Harvest: 25.3° Acidity: 0.57 g/100ml pH: 3.56

READ THIS: NEW YORK PARTIES: Private Views By Jamee Gregory Photography by Eric Striffler

Ooooh, boy does Peachy Deegan love a good party! And of course you know the best ones are in New York, darling! And since no one was going to any parties this past weekend, with Hurricane Irene blasting up the East Coast, the next best thing was to READ ABOUT GOING TO PARTIES! Reading this book is kind of like your own personal party-hopping to each and every delightful hotspot Jamee highlights...and she is so good at showing you what to do rather than telling you. We love that. This also would be a good book to read if you are home sick and need to feel better...or if you are simply feeling like it's not your day.

Every party in this book is well-thought out and executed perfectly, from the standpoint of the reader. A lot of preparation goes into a party: the flowers, the invitations, your outfit, getting the staff ready, the degree of formality, outside with inside Plan B as Mover and Shaker Evelyn Lauder so smartly plans (click to see her lovely Whom video!), the menu, the theme, the atmosphere, the candles, the music, the list could become endless. There are obviously many components of a proper party! It's all about the theme and every component should support that!

We like how they use Mackenzie Childs on page 59; we don't know Jamee Gregory yet but we do know Jamie DeVault and she is just fabulous. Page 79: the Chandelini is totally genius; it deserves a spot in Chandelier Peachy, it is so genius. Page 101: Hilary Ross: No wonder why your table earned the cover of the book; it is to die for gorgeous; no one can beat pink and green the winning combination.

We were pleased to see Movers and Shakers Tatiana and Campion Platt mentioned! We believe they had the most fun party in the book, and we were not surprised. We think we see R. Couri Hay in this picture...p. 145 should look familiar to you as Made to Order was our 200th book review:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2010/10/whom-you-know-celebrates-our-200th-book.html Here they are as Movers and Shakers:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/08/movers-and-shakers-tatiana-s-platt.html

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/01/movers-and-shakers-campion-platt.html

(we were so thrilled to be #1 on Fame Game last week:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/august-24-2011-thank-you-fame-game-and.html
)

One thing that surprised us is that Lilly Pulitzer was not mentioned; though she does spend a lot of time in Florida we bet she throws some great soirees in New York, or at least used to. We love Evelyn Lauder's party starting on page 164 and that reminded us of another great hit by Rizzoli which we reviewed earlier this summer: ROOFTOP GARDENS

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/06/read-this-rooftop-gardens-terraces.html

Whom You Know Highly Recommends New York Parties Private Views by Jamee Gregory!

Here is how to Throw a Peachy Party:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/search/label/How%20To%20Throw%20a%20Peachy%20Party

***

NEW YORK PARTIES

Private Views

By Jamee Gregory

Photography by Eric Striffler

A sneak peek into the private parties of New York’s top tastemakers!

Entertaining expert, philanthropist, and author Jamee Gregory captures the behind-the-scenes stories of the most spectacular parties in Manhattan and the Hamptons given by the leading arbiters of style from the worlds of fashion, design, food, society, and philanthropy.

Says Gregory, “A party is a gift to one’s friends that requires thought and planning—a theatrical production for a very limited audience.” It is with this reverence for the art of entertaining and the thought, effort and preparation that goes into the making of a truly memorable evening, which inspired Gregory to compile this book, documenting memorable private parties, and creating a permanent record of entertaining in the twenty-first century. NEW YORK PARTIES takes us on a tour inside the parties of her closest friends—all superb hosts and hostesses in their own right—to show the spectacular results of their passionate preparations.

Each and every party in the book paints a portrait of the individual host or hostess. The stories, accompanied by Eric Striffler’s superb photographs, illuminate the personal manner in which each host receives their guest—be it an intimate brunch, or a seated dinner for a hundred and twenty five.

Gregory asks all the questions one would like to pose to the discriminating host—from their best-kept secret sources for linens, caterers, stationers, and florists, to favorite menus and seating tips, and the inspirations for their fêtes. Each host’s choice of invitation, table setting, menu, and wine and flower selections tells a special story, and Gregory generously shares this inspiring insider information.

Featured hosts include fashion designers Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Zang Toi; breast cancer advocate Evelyn Lauder and art patron and executive Leonard Lauder; philanthropist Hilary Geary Ross and financier Wilbur Ross; interior designer Jamie Drake; architect Campion Platt and his internet guru wife Tatiana; and home furnishings and floral expert Antony Todd.

About the Author and Photographer: Writer and Manhattan woman-about-town, Jamee Gregory is the author of New York Apartments: Private Views (Rizzoli 2004) and a contributing editor to Elle Decor. She entertains often and colorfully in her homes in Manhattan and Southampton and serves on the boards of the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Boys’ Club of New York, Venetian Heritage, and the Central Park Conservancy. Photographer Eric Striffler is a frequent contributor to Hamptons Cottages & Gardens and other leading design and travel magazines.

Serial rights are available for NEW YORK PARTIES so please don’t delay if you are interested in an excerpt. To arrange, please contact Melanie Holland at 917 754 3104 or mel@theproject-ny.com

Credit for the book must read © NEW YORK PARTIES: Private Views by Jamee Gregory, Rizzoli New York, 2010. Photographs, which may not be reproduced in any way without written permission, are to be credited © Eric Striffler, NEW YORK PARTIES: Private Views by Jamee Gregory, Rizzoli New York, 2010.

NEW YORK PARTIES: Private Views

By Jamee Gregory

Photography by Eric Striffler

Hardcover 9.25” x 11.5” / 208 pages / 300 color photos

$55.00 U.S., $65.00 Canadian, £40.00 U.K.
Rizzoli New York / ISBN: 978-0-8478-3403-7 Release date: October 2010

Peachy Picks Uncle Nick's Restaurant

If you don't have an Uncle Nick yet, you have one now.

And even if you do have one, you'll be asking yourself if he can cook like THIS.

And your answer will be: NO!

Above is the absolutely delectable mixed grill of fried zucchini, eggplant and peppers served with scordalia dip. Just fantastic!

We first featured Uncle Nick's in Terrific Takeout:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/terrific-takeout-uncle-nicks-restaurant.html

After the first bite, Peachy knew she just had to try more, so it advanced to Tasty Tidbits:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/tasty-tidbits-uncle-nicks-restaurant.html

We are pleased to say it has graduated to Peachy's Picks!

They even remembered that Peachy likes to eat salad. We feasted on the Maroulosata of crisp romaine, dill, scallions and feta and every bite was fresh and delicious.

We must say we have never seen this quality with such alacrity.

If you don't know what alacrity means, you should have gone to Miss Porter's School and taken English with Mr. McQuilkin because it was a vocabulary word.

In short, we are saying they did it right faster than anyone without any compromise in quality.

Sometimes meals with this many courses take many more hours...Uncle Nick's is casual with style and top cuisine, and top service. Great job, Carlos.

Mmmm do you know how delicious that piping hot bread was dipped in each of these four sauces?

Peachy does not even eat flat bread usually; she likes white, fluffy Italian bread. However, she likes Uncle Nick's flat bread, and she ESPECIALLY loves it with the four combo dips that are over-the-top addictive: tzatziki (A wonderful tradition!), tarama (Peachy's favorite she loves fish), melitzanosalata (You know Peachy is Irish and will eat almost anything green) and scordalia (YAY GARLIC)!

If you are a pyromaniac (Timmy are you reading? Timmy is a past member of the BC hockey team who used to light his roommate and fellow linemate's cologne on fire to make Peachy laugh), you will particularly appreciate the following dish:

Above you will see the triangle delight: Saganaki-Tiri, which comes to you lit on fire. The flame just went out as Peachy took the picture. Sharp cheese baked in lemon and butter will melt in your mouth instantaneously; you can be assured if you have never tried this, you haven't had anything quite like it and it is a must-try. Forget about your cholesterol.

We had such fun sitting outside in the garden in the back of the original Uncle Nick's on 9th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen, and by the time Peachy Deegan got to her entree it was dark out so the back lights came on; we want you to understand that this food was absolutely terrific and if Peachy ate the earlier courses faster, this would have been photographed in daylight. But why rush when you are having such a delightful dinner? Peachy ordered the Garides Kebob: shrimp marinated and skewered with onions, peppers and tomatoes. Every bite was fresh and delicious and we see why Uncle Nick's is so crowded every time we walk by...

We cannot remember the last time we had rice pudding this fabulous:

and in any event, we don't remember having one on a dinner review! Peachy's Nana from Ireland had a great recipe that Peachy has filed away (and has never made) and she imagines it would be as tasty as this super little number.

Our Esteemed Panelist adds:

Uncle Nick's Greek Cuisine is all about home cooked meals. You won't find fancy sauces on their menu but their are plenty of exotic dishes, at least for the average American.

I started out with the Oktapodaki (Grilled Octopus) which came in two meaty strips. It was simply presented, but the food spoke for itself. Peachy and I shared the Four Combo Dip which included Tzatziki, Tarama (fish roe), Melitzanosalata (eggplant), and Scordalia (garlic). I loved the variety in the dips and it could have been my entire meal. We also shared a Saganaki-Tiri (sharp cheese baked in lemon and butter) which was served to us in a flaming dish, extinguished by lemon juice. I really enjoyed the richness of the cheese and the flakiness of the fillo dough. We brought a large appetite to this meal and added on a cleanly presented, old fashioned Maroulosalata Greek salad. To wash this meal down, I chose a slightly dry cabernet sauvignon Katogi. My main meal consisted of the Paidakia (spring lamb chops) with some sliced potatoes.

The lamb chops were tender and juicy and the potatoes were somehow the best skinned potato slices I've ever had. We finished off our meals with a rice pudding and Greek custard wrapped in fillo. The rice pudding was perfect, with the right consistency and nicely chilled. The wrapped custard was a bit sweet for my taste, which I believe was the point, and I still enjoyed it, but in smaller bites.

We were treated to a nice desert wine that complimented our outdoor seating. Uncle Nick's is as straight forward as it gets; good food, prompt and attentive service, and casual dining at its best.

And one more great thing about Uncle Nick's?

The manager, Nick, seen below, does share his vodka!

Nick's wife's family started this gem of a place, and we are thrilled to know someone that not only is a vodka fanatic, but also loves hockey and can speak about it intelligently.

Peachy Picks Uncle Nick's Restaurant!

Uncle Nick's Restaurant is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.

http://unclenicksgreekcuisine.us/

Here are Peachy and Nick, after a serious discussion on the NHL over vodka of course.

You know Joey Mullen grew up somewhere near Uncle Nick's and his dad drove the Zamboni for the Rangers and Joey is a BC grad.

Joey is of course the greatest American hockey player:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Mullen

Dress by Donna Ricco, Pearls by Hot Girls Pearls

What did you do during Hurricane Irene, Whom You Know Readers? Peachy Deegan watched James and The Giant Peach!

Peachy herself never wants to be a giant peach, or even approach anywhere near the realm of big. However, growing a giant peach was just the thing for James, and whether or not you read this book in elementary school, we believe you'd love this movie!http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116683/ And the kicker? Guess where the giant peach takes this crew...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_and_the_Giant_Peach_(film) What did you do during Hurricane Irene?

Lenovo Extends Cloud Computing Platform with Virtual Computer Desktop Virtualization

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) announced today that customers are now able to buy Virtual Computer NxTop® directly through Lenovo sales and its network of business partners in North America. NxTop® 4.0 offers extreme flexibility, allowing IT to centrally manage images and use the same image templates for multiple deployment models, regardless of whether the data is hosted on a storage array network or locally on a fully encrypted hard drive. With NxTop® deployed on select Think-branded PCs, including models of ThinkPad laptops and ThinkCentre desktops, customers gain the unique benefits of NxTop®, including centralized PC management, greater mobility, remote support and a rich end-user experience.

“We chose Virtual Computer’s NxTop® virtualization platform as a key part of our focus on building a robust portfolio of virtualization and cloud computing solutions,” said Peter Schrady, vice president and general manager, Software & Peripherals Business Unit, Lenovo. “With NxTop, we’re combining our rock-solid, reliable PC hardware with multi-functional virtualization support to give business customers an affordable and easy-to-use computing solution.”

Lenovo and Virtual Computer previously collaborated to bring new NxTop® 4.0 capabilities to market. These capabilities include a flexible deployment option that leverages a centralized storage array to keep data off the endpoint device, while maintaining the advantages of local client execution. In addition, NxTop® 4.0 is optimized on select Think-branded PCs to deliver unique Lenovo capabilities, native PC performance, seamless user experience and zero-touch PC deployment through Lenovo’s custom factory installation.

“Client-Hosted VDI has become a mainstream solution, and hundreds of companies are already experiencing the unparalleled benefits of NxTop® installed on their Lenovo Think-branded PCs. This next stage of our relationship clearly demonstrates our collaboration and commitment to deliver a differentiated intelligent desktop virtualization solution. Customers can now get the powerful combination of local execution and centralized management directly from Lenovo or a Lenovo business partner,” said Dan McCall, CEO, Virtual Computer.

The global distribution agreement and the release of Virtual Computer NxTop® 4.0 advance the end-users’ ability to run multiple operating systems or personalities, including corporate and personal virtual machines, as well as enabling organizations to achieve greater manageability and cost savings than they can with server-hosted VDI.

NxTop® 4.0 will be demonstrated in Virtual Computers’ booth #1164 this week at VMworld 2011 in Las Vegas.

About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a $US21 billion personal technology company serving customers in more than 160 countries, and the world’s third-largest PC vendor. Dedicated to building exceptionally engineered PCs and mobile internet devices, Lenovo’s business is built on product innovation, a highly-efficient global supply chain and strong strategic execution. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Its product lines include legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Lenovo, a global Fortune 500 company, has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.

On Behavior, by Henry David Thoreau

"Behave so the aroma of your actions may enhance the general sweetness of the atmosphere."

~ Henry David Thoreau

READ THIS: STORYBOOK COTTAGES America’s Carpenter Gothic Style By Gladys Montgomery

The word cottage evokes a feeling of vacation, a simpler life, and a less formal approach to living that celebrates the word comfort...and what better time to explore cottages than the last unofficial week of summer? This book is not only an American history lesson, but also a world history lesson in its tribute to Gothic architecture, and it teaches the reader about its evolution from past to the modern day. Of course, we appreciate the English influences and love how this overall architecture design is echoed throughout so many college campuses with style. (ahem, BC.)

You can learn a lot from reading this book, and not just about architecture. We used to just say BC or AD, but now we know you can also say CE instead of AD, and that means Current Era. Of course, BC really means Boston College in Peachyspeak...
In New York City, Trinity Church (p. 36) is a great example of this style and though of course is not a cottage, these cottages featured throughout this book are a holy retreat to those that own them.

The Bourne House in Kennebunk, Maine is where Peachy would want to live if she could pick one place from this book as a cottage. Which is your favorite? We also like the brick look and the purple on pages 116-117 and we agree with Downing: vertical boarding looks better. The array of windows is simply gorgeous (p. 134) and all the gazebos too (p. 207); they will provide some idea options when you design your retreat from Manhattan. We love that they included Stockbridge, MA-home of the Norman Rockwell museum-but wish they included more of Connecticut. We'd like to drink The Peachy Deegan on page 219 because then you'd be drinking Star as well as seeing Stars...

Whom You Know Highly Recommends Storybook Cottages. Take a trip through these pages!

***

STORYBOOK COTTAGES

America’s Carpenter Gothic Style

By Gladys Montgomery

Hardcover / 224 pages / 175 color and b&w illustrations / 9” x 9”

$45.00 US / ISBN: 978-0-8478-3619-2 / Rizzoli / April 2011

The first vernacular expression of the Victorian romantic revival in American architecture of the nineteenth century was Carpenter Gothic, part of the Gothic Revival style that traces its legacy through 700 years of history, an engaging story artfully told by author Gladys Montgomery in STORYBOOK COTTAGES.

Carpenter Gothic, perhaps the most visually playful American architectural style, descends from the glorious Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages, though England’s Gothic Revival, to colonial American churches, and finally to its incarnation as an icon of rural landscape and the country town. Guided by the pattern books of Andrew Jackson Downing and others, and abetted by the invention of the steam-powered scroll saw, local builders adapted this style in cottages and villas across the continent. Its hallmarks—steep gables; pointed arches, windows, and doors; and elaborate gingerbread trim—express the era’s love of the romantic and the picturesque. Fanciful details imbue these homes with unmatched character, their popularity apparent by beautiful examples that can still be found across the country.

Incorporating illustrations from period pattern books, photographs, elevations and floor plans from the Historic American Buildings Survey, and stunning color photographs by leading architectural photographers—Brian Vanden Brink, Paul Rocheleau, Steve Gross, and Sue Daley, Tim Street-Porter, and others—Montgomery takes readers on an evocative visual tour of historic and newly constructed Carpenter Gothic cottages, highlighting the style’s defining details and a range of approaches for interior decoration.

STORYBOOK COTTAGES will appeal to architecture, interior design and landscape enthusiasts, as well as romantics who’ve dreamed of living in a cottage.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gladys Montgomery has penned more than 200 feature articles for regional, national and international magazines, including Antiques and Fine Art, Old House Interiors, Early American Homes, Traditional Home, Country Living, Yankee, Berkshire Living, Country Decorating Ideas, and Country Victorian. She edits the award-winning annual magazine Berkshire Living Home + Garden. This her fifth book; her Her credits include Antiquing Weekends (Rizzoli 2006) and Mountain and High Desert Hideaways (Rizzoli 2005).

Serial rights are available for STORYBOOK COTTAGES. To arrange, please contact Tooraj Kavoussi at (845) 784-4721 or tkavoussi@rizzoliusa.com. Credit for the book must read: ©Storybook Cottages by Gladys Montgomery, Rizzoli 2011. Images are available to accompany coverage and are to be credited on a case by-case basis. No images may be reproduced in any way, published, or transmitted digitally, without written permission from the publisher.

STORYBOOK COTTAGES

America’s Carpenter Gothic Style

By Gladys Montgomery

Hardcover with jacket / 224 pages / 9” x 9” / 175 color photographs + black-and-white illustrations

PRICE: $45.00 US / $53.00 CAN / £29.95 UK

ISBN: 978-0-8478-3646-8

PUBLICATION DATE: April 2011

Rizzoli New York

www.rizzoliusa.com

Get the Look at the MTV Video Music Awards with Pureology's Natasha Sunshine

Hot mini dresses took over the black carpet at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards, with rockin’ hair to match. Natasha Sunshine, Pureology Colour Ambassador and Owner of Byu-ti Hair Therapy, Pureology’s flagship salon gives a recap of last night’s hottest hairstyles and how to get each look:

Jessie J arrived showed off her cast and a sharp, glossy bob. To get the look, use Pureology's SuperSmooth Shampoo and HairCondition for added shine. Follow by spraying on ColourStylist FortifyingHeatSpray before blow-drying hair with a flat paddle brush. Finish with a flat iron, misting each section with GlossingMist prior to ironing to get extra shine.

Selena Gomez donned an updated ballerina bun by adding volume to the updo. Begin with clean dry hair. Use a dollop of ColourStylist NourishingNectar before blowdrying for volume. Give an all over mist to the hair using ColourStylist StrengtheningControl ZeroDullingHairspray. Tease (or lace) hair from the front hairline to the crown of the head. Pull hair back into a ponytail placed in the center back of the head. Make sure to leave fullness in the front and crown area when combing hair back. Spin ponytail into a smooth bun and secure with bobby pins making a criss cross pattern to keep your bun in place. Finish with a final mist of ColourStylist StrengtheningControl ZeroDullingHairspray.

Get Demi Lovato's gorgeous rockin' waves by blowdrying hair with ColourStylist CutclePolisher. Use a medium-sized round brush and work quickly. The real work is in the ironing. Using a 1 1/2 inch barrel curling iron, take 2-inch sections and wind the hair in a spiral fashion around your iron (you don't need to open your iron, you can simply wind it around a closed iron and hold the ends.) Spray each section before and after with StrengtheningControl ZeroDullingHairspray. Continue around the whole head until each section has been curled. Gently run your fingers through your hair and finish with a final mist of StrengtheningControl ZeroDullingHairspray.

For images or interviews, please contact Claire Buxton (cbuxton27@yahoo.com). Interviews with Natasha Sunshine are available upon request. For more information visit Pureology.com , Become a Pureology Facebook Fan. Please note, Pureology products can only be guaranteed authentic when purchased from a salon.

READ THIS: Kay Thompson's Eloise's Guide to Live Drawings by Hilary Knight

If you're bored with your life, for Lord's Sake, you ought to be reading both Whom You Know and all of the Eloise books!!! Can you just imagine what would happen if Eloise ever started going on the internet?!

You know Eloise is just fahbulous dahling in Hollywood:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/read-this-eloise-in-hollywood-by-j.html

And The Ultimate Eloise is simply tops:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/read-this-ultimate-eloise-by-kay.html

And Eloise at Christmas time cooled us off in August:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/read-this-eloise-at-christmastime-by.html

and so did Eloise in Moscow:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/read-this-eloise-in-moscow-by-kay.html

and what could be more chic than going to Paris with Eloise:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/read-this-eloise-in-paris-by-kay.html

and what fun it is to Take a Bawth:

http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/08/read-this-eloise-takes-bawth-drawings.html

The Petite Peachy Panel Raves:

Eloise’s Guide to Life contains excerpts from all four of your favorite childhood memories of life as a six year old in the Plaza Hotel. Readers can sink in and once again see Eloise combing her hair with a fork. She travels with hundreds of suitcases, and throws the “occasional” temper tantrum. This new compilation regenerates excitement about Eloise, Weenie, Skipperdee and her Nanny while maintaining Hillary Knight’s beautifully uncensored illustrations. As if Eloise’s hotel antics were not enough, her new book offers additional pink “advice” in page corners for readers of every age. Think you’re growing up too fast? Eloise will take you back to the Plaza Hotel…where both of you can stay six forever.

I wish I could stay six forever. I never had this book growing up, but if I had, I would have loved it. I would've loved to read her advice on how to stay six forever. I teach 3rd and 4th grade and my students love Eloise. I cannot wait until I can go back to school to show this book off. I know I'll have some girls absolutely fall in love with this book. My favorite parts were the advice tidbits on each page. They made me laugh out loud. I love the illustrations as well. I hope this inspires my students to write their own guide to life stories in our writer's workshop.

This may just be my favorite Eloise book! In "Eloise's Guide to Life or How To: Eat, Dress, Travel, Behave and Stay Six Forever", everyone's favorite six year old is sharing her best advice on, well, just about everything! Taking Eloise's tips from "Eloise", "Eloise in Paris", "Eloise in Moscow" and "Eloise at Christmastime", this book is rawther entertaining. My four year old loved loved loved this book! "Eloise combs her hair with a fork, mom!" Note to self: Keep close eye on all forks in silverware drawer. If one should go missing, I will know where to find it. "Eloise makes as much noise as she can, mom!" Note to self: When asking four year old child to play the drums a little more quietly, expect the response of, "But Eloise makes noise, mom!" If my four year old starts to say "No comprendo" ala Eloise, then I know we are in trouble. Merci beaucoup, Eloise. Thanks, alot.

What 6 year old doesn't have a need to write a guide to life?!??! If one was as fabulous as Eloise then it would be rawther shameful to not share one's knowledge! World take notice --Eloise's Guide to Life is lovely and fun way to sneak in some fun reading time with your little ones! Think of this as like a study guide of Eloise. It's perfect when you know you won't get in a whole story but just want a few quick laughs. I mean, what little girl doesn't get a good laugh about the idea of combing your hair with a fork? We love looking this book over while we have snack time at our house! As promised we learn how to "Eat, dress, travel, behave and stay six forever." My 3 year old cannot wait to get to six now! Perhaps I even miss six a little myself at times!

http://www.simonandschuster.com/search?term=Eloise

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Eloise's-Guide-to-Life/Kay-Thompson/9780689833106