"The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a star." - Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
Grace is one of my closest friends from college. She’s coming to town at a difficult time for me to see much of her (visiting from New Orleans) but I love her so much and I can never pass up an opportunity to spend time with her (even if […]
…And got two orders of Ceci e Pepe. But let me back up. I have a friend from New Orleans who bartended in New York for more years than I have been eating solid food. He doesn’t know everyone in New York; to claim that […]
On Friday I got to experience what it might be like for the rest of the world to eat out, to not be afflicted with crippling menu anxiety.
I went to Red Compass with my boss and a group of her friends. Most of them graduated from NYU’s Food Studies program, or the Cordon Bleu in Paris. So when she invited me to a Georgian restaurant, despite my complete dearth of knowledge of the cuisine (ahem, country), I knew it would be an enlightening experience.
We met at Black Crescent– an oyster and craft cocktail bar that recently reopened after an electrical fire, more on that in another post– for a drink before our reservation. Whitney introduced me to her friends: Megan, who manages an Italian restaurant in Meat Packing; Zara, an artist with decidedly food-focused hobbies (kombucha and kraut- making among them); and Kyle, a software engineer at a startup.
We drank cocktails with bell pepper shrubs and I listened to them casually throw around terms like khinkali, lobio, and khachapuri. The group usually goes to Oda House in the East Village for their Georgian food fix, but Red Compass just opened on Orchard Street, and they were excited to try a new one.
Kyle, the friendly techie outlier in a group of food nerds, explained each dish to me with the ease and cultural awareness of a Georgian. He casually mentioned his brother studied linguistics in Georgia on Fulbright for a year. Kyle spent three months there with him, eating Georgian food, obviously, and learning the language (surprisingly well).
We collected friends at Black Crescent, and grew to a congenial (read: tipsy) party of seven by the time we sat in the semi-basement tavern. White linen-tablecloths, exposed brick, and a live piano player belied the Georgian culture (so I was told), but it was certainly quaint.
The exclusively Georgian wine list included eight bottles under $45, and one red and one white at $65. Our server promptly recommended both with the high price tag (who could blame her). We opted to sample three of the more affordable whites, all grapes unbeknownst to me. Most reminded me of Sicilian Grillos: perfumed and slightly sticky, teetering on oxidized flavors, but not too sweet.
The more erudite members of our party– temporary Georgian resident at the helm– checked in with the lay folk for any particular preferences or aversions, but then they went to town. Phkali, kuchmachi, pork and mushroom khinkali, cold yogurt soup, kuchmachi, assorted pickles, lobio, megruli khachapuri, adjaruli khachapuri… I am pulling all of the names that sound familiar from the menu online.
For one evening, I put my faith, my dining fate, in orderers far wiser, far more cultured, and equally as open to new foods as I consider myself to me. I was not disappointed. It made me wonder if I should let people order for me more often. What do my biases towards bottarga and against ravioli mean!?
The flavors fall somewhere on the spectrum between Eastern European (Bulgarian maybe, hearty and brothy), and Middle Eastern… with a lot of cheesy bread. Khinkali are Georgia’s answer to soup dumplings, the dough is pillowy like pierogi’s and the broth is rich like …soup dumplings. Order them.
Red Compass is cozy, delicious (yes, I said it), affordable, and satisfies the desire for something new. Even if you don’t go with one of the few people who has lived in Georgia, you certainly cannot make a poor decision at this restaurant.
For more on what the aforementioned Red Compass menu items are… check back shortly.
Fish in a Bag with Shrimp Cracklins (Fried Shrimp Head) I first made this recipe for dinner when I lived in New Orleans, where all the shrimp are head-on. I spent a lot of time with Louisiana seafood then, at the Creole/ Alsatian restaurant […]
Bonnie Vee 5 words or less: dark, cozy; cocktails over food Date visited: 2/4/16 Location: Stanton at Chrystie Quick Breakdown: Interesting cocktails that don’t take too many liberties with my taste buds: Alcohol forward, but balanced flavors. Semi-confusing food for cocktail bar that ranges from […]
You know you’re destined to be a fashion designer if you: a) spent most of your childhood making clothes for your Barbie dolls instead of playing with your friends; b) read fashion magazines instead of your school books; c) ran a boutique out of your basement at age 10. In other words: if you want to be the next Yves Saint Laurent, it helps to be completely and utterly obsessed with fashion.
Working as a fashion designer can just as well mean supervising a design team at a sportswear company as producing a label under your own name. Although the former career may not seem as glamorous as the latter,
it certainly will make your life less stressful. To create your own label takes a lot of time, dedication and hard work. Not to mention living just above the poverty line for several years.
However, most people find that the best foundation for a design career is to get a fine arts degree in fashion at a prestigious school. Besides teaching you the craft, a good school will also add credibility to your resumÈ. “We live in a brandname society, and having the name of a good school behind you really does help,” says Carol Mongo, Director of the Fashion Department at Parsons School of Design in Paris.
There are as many different ways to embark upon a fashion career as there are styles of design. Ralph Lauren’s Polo empire was founded on a small tie collection that he sold to Bloomingdales.
Helmut Lang decided to open his own clothing store when he couldn’t find a t-shirt that he liked. Michael Kors built up a network of customers by selling clothes in a trendy NYC boutique.
There are a lot of colleges that have fashion programs, but only a handful has the kind of reputation that can really push your career. It’s hard to enter these schools as competition is high, and they tend to be very selective. You apply by sending a portfolio of drawings of your designs.
”We can’t teach you how to be creative you have to bring your creativity to us and let us lead you on your way. The most important quality that we look for in our students is that they are truly passionate and exuberant about fashion.”
She recommends students to get some sewing experience before they apply. Drawing is also an important skill for a designer ñ it is the way you communicate your ideas. In order to build an impressive portfolio it’s a good idea to have some experience in sketching; taking art classes will help you understand form and proportion. But you don’t have to be an expert drawer to get accepted to a school.
“Let’s be realistic,” says Carol Mongo at Parsons, “School’s not for everyone. If you’re just looking to get a job in the fashion industry ñ not a career as a designer ñ you probably don’t need to go school.” If you want to work as a seamstress or a patternmaker, the best thing is probably to apply for an internship at a fashion house and work your way up. However, there are many examples of famous designers who started out as interns with no formal training. For example, Dior’s brightest new star, men’s wear designer Hedi Slimane, had a degree in journalism when he started working with men’s wear designer JosÈ Levy.
“Let’s be realistic,” says Carol Mongo at Parsons, “School’s not for everyone. If you’re just looking to get a job in the fashion industry ñ not a career as a designer ñ you probably don’t need to go school.” If you want to work as a seamstress or a patternmaker, the best thing is probably to apply for an internship at a fashion house and work your way up. However, there are many examples of famous designers who started out as interns with no formal training. For example, Dior’s brightest new star, men’s wear designer Hedi Slimane, had a degree in journalism when he started working with men’s wear designer JosÈ Levy.
You know you’re destined to be a fashion designer if you: a) spent most of your childhood making clothes for your Barbie dolls instead of playing with your friends; b) read fashion magazines instead of your school books; c) ran a boutique out of your […]
Home to the rich and famous, Monte Carlo exudes style and panache. The locals walk the paths with a swagger; you can smell the affluence. The town is a charming blend of chic city living and wonderful sun-kissed beaches. Monte Carlo is a compact city; […]
Are you tired of watching your friends, family members and coworkers go on vacation and return a week later with a beautiful tan?
Well it could be you with that stunning tan if you plan your next vacation in the right place. By selecting one of our top ten places to get a tan as your next travel destination, you will be sure to come back with an eye-catching tan.
1. Located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Copacabana Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With a backdrop of the rolling hills of Brazil, you will not only find yourself tanning here but also enjoying the beautiful scenery. In addition to being a great place for tanning and for enjoying the landscape, Copacabana Beach is rarely quiet. There is always something happening on this beach, whether it is tourists enjoying the summer sun during the day or music and drinking at night. Copacabana Beach offers it all to the tourist looking for a tan.
2. Waikiki Beach on the Hawaiian island of Oahu is a great place for sunbathers to sit back, enjoy the sun and watch the action all around them. While sitting on the sand beachgoers can watch the experienced surfers surf the large waves that swell off the two-mile long beach. Hawaiian beaches offer soft sand and spectacular sun. After tanning during the day, stick around to watch the beautiful sunset at night.
3. If you are looking to get a great tan during your trip to Europe make a stop in Greece. The island of Crete off of the south coast of Greece is surrounded by 100 miles of beach along its coastline. Try the area of Rethimno on the islandís northern coast. The beach is beautiful but tends to be crowded, as it is one of the most popular spots on the island. If you are looking for a place to tan in solitude then try elsewhere, as there are plenty of small, secluded beaches scattered around the island where you will be more than likely to catch a few rays.
4. Baby Beach located on the coast of Aruba is a great place for sunbathers. The ocean along the beachís shore remains very calm and shallow making it a great place to put a low beach chair for the day. If you would rather work on your tan than take a dip, you can spread your beach towel out in the soft Arabian sand that lines the shore of Baby Beach. How great is this beach? It is even a favorite among locals, who make this one of the most frequently visited beaches among locals.
5. If you are looking for a great beach for sunbathing but are not sure about leaving the US, try Newpoprt Beach in Southern California. Newport Beach is one of the most famous and frequently visited beaches in California. When you arrive make sure to take notice of all the tan bodies around you, proof that sunbathing on this beach will get you that bronze tan you are looking for.
6. The worst part about tanning, other than the unexpected burn, is the tan lines that inevitably come with your sunbathing. What is the best way to avoid tan lines? By losing your bathing suit! Haulover Beach in Miami, Florida offers beachgoers the option of shedding their suits in pursuit of that all over tan. Located close to both South Beach and downtown Miami, Haulover Beach is the ultimate place for those seeking the perfect tan.
7. For the frequent traveler who is looking for a more unique place to bronze up, why not try the Sentosa Resort in Singapore. Sentosa offers guests the option of three beaches; Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach, and Tanjong Beach, which is probably the best bet for sunbathing. Tanjong Beach is typically frequented by those looking for a quiet day of solace and relaxation on the beach. The sun is bright, the water is cool and the conditions are perfect for tanning.
8. For a beautiful tan in a beautiful place, make sure to visit St. John Island in the Virgin Islands. One of the only seemingly untouched islands in the Caribbean, two-thirds of St. John is designated as a National Park, preventing any development on the land. There are a number of beaches on St. John from Cinnamon Bay to Hawksnest Beach but one thing is certain, whatever beach you choose on this island will be beautiful and great for tanning.
9. Down in southern Mexico you will find miles and miles of beaches in Cancun. Cancun boasts a fourteen mile peninsula that jets out into the ocean and provides a favorite beach-going spot for vacationers. There are a number of scenic beaches great for tanning in Cancun but think about trying San Miguelito, which is also home to a small, historic Mayan ruin.
10. If you have plenty of money to spend on your vacation, consider visiting the beaches of St. Tropez in France. A number of famous people make vacation stops at St. Tropez each year, pointing to the specter of this French getaway. The Plage Port Grimaud is undoubtedly the place to be seen catching rays in St. Tropez, as it is the most popular beach in the area.
Can you name the number one spectator sport in North America? It’s not baseball, figure skating or racing. It’s bird watching. That’s right, more people are watching birds than football and hockey combined. With so many people hoping to see a bird they’ve never seen […]