The Sunset Tower is an old Hollywood landmark that has housed Elizabeth Taylor, Bugsy Siegel, Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes. It's storied and romantic history made it a perfect spot for my sister to celebrate her engagement to her soon-to-be hubby. I drooled over her photos of balcony taken French press breakfasts under blue California skies.

The building itself, which was built in 1921 by Leland A Bryant, is an art deco marvel, once one of the most trendy and glamorous places in town. It fell into disrepair in the 70s and 80s until it was saved from destruction and turned into the St James Club; then it became the Argyle before reclaiming its original name and roots as Sunset Tower.

The spa looks heavenly and I'd do just about anything to be lounging in a cabana by their pool on Valentine's Day.

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Posted on February 9, 2009

It would be difficult to accurately create a drink that truly represents a screaming orgasm because it would have to include one of the least popular ingredients in the bar keep's tool box (most bar tenders don't even bother stocking it at all), sweat.

But this version (which is called the Screaming Orgasm II – yes it's a sequel drink) tastes a lot like a drunken cherry which, come to think of it, isn't too far off theme.

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Posted on February 9, 2009

One if by Land, Two if by Sea has long held the title of the most romantic restaurant in town, and it's a reputation they take very seriously, with a piano player to greet you and a single red rose and candle at every table. It's spared from clich? by the admittedly gorgeous d?cor that succeeds in an interesting pairing of old turn of the century charm of Aaron Burr's carriage home and modern romance. Lovely chandeliers hang in the main dining room, walls of old exposed brick are lit by candles, and portraits of American forefathers gaze at patrons in love.

We went for restaurant week as an early, recessiony Valentine's meal. Like most restaurant week menus, I didn't feel we got the best the chef had to offer as far as the main course, but we were totally taken with our appetizer: a buttery saffron orzo with pea shoots and duck confit and dessert: a chocolate cup cake with peanut butter ice cream (which it seems has been replaced with chocolate fondant according to the menu on their site). My main was the Pan Seared Fluke and Jim feasted on steak. Both were fine, but I would go for the famous Wellington if I were to come back and order from the regular menu. My drink, called a Swedish Massage was an unexpectedly delightful vodka martini with blue cheese olives and a splash of scotch.

It's clear from the moment you walk in why so many couples get engaged here, everyone seems to be glowing in the air of romance and the firelight. The only thing slightly cold you'll find here is the service; and no one is actually rude, just a bit aloof, but patrons didn't seem to care, happily basking in the atmosphere of perpetual lovelight.

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Posted on February 9, 2009

I'm well aware that Yoko, the woman blamed for the inevitable break up the Beatles, is the butt of tons of jokes, and I know there's a lot of animosity towards her and her kind, but when I look at images like Annie Leibowitz's final photograph of she and John Lennon, I'm filled with a wistful love of love. Taken the same day he was murdered, Yoko said this of the photo:

“Why wasn't I told that John will be taken away from me soon after, without even a chance for me to say goodbye?” she says. “That's what I think about now when I see it.”

I look upon this picture as one of the most romantic images of our time. Lennon insisted that his wife be included in the picture, despite the fact that the magazine did not want her on the cover; in light of the tragic event later that day, the editors relented and chose to respect his wishes.

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Posted on February 9, 2009

I was hard pressed to correctly identify the decade that Raphael Saadiq's The Way I See It was released. From the Motown-era cover art, to the album's sound, this is a retro project through and through; so much so that, like me, you might wonder why these tracks had been gathering dust since the 60s in some deep Detroit archive before realizing (courtesy of the Jay-Z guest appearance) that this record was produced just last year.

Maybe it's this old fashioned sound that's kept the album off any major charts and the radio, which is a total shame because it's easy to see how the good-natured raciness of Let's Take a Walk, the updated AM gold Never Give You Up, or the best song of the album, Love That Girl, could easily have become big radio hits and acquainted a new generation with this classic R&B sound.

The subject of these simple, soulful songs is love: the loss of it (the poignant Big Easy), living in the midst of it (and riding each other) in Oh Girl, the avoidance of it (100 Yard Dash) and its complications (Staying in love). It's perfect for grabbing a partner and dancing to or, if no one is at hand, to daydreaming to like teenagers I imagine teenagers would have done back in 1964.

You may not be too surprised to learn that Saadiq comes from Tony! Toni! Tone! because, if you recall, their hit single, If I Had No Loot, was totally excellent.

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Posted on February 9, 2009