On a recent small tour of fancy schmancy midtown hotel cocktail bars, Shaun and I watched two unbelievable assholes get expelled from the St. Regis before heading down to the mellow confines of The Algonquin. We enjoyed an expertly made old fashioned (me) and a Millionaire (Shaun) in the hotel lobby; a grand, if not a bit ragged around the edges spot–I say “ragged” not like that ancient tattered chair from Nonnie Dot that sits in my apartment, but more like the ancient, “worn” high back chair that might sit in the apartment of the Glass family.

It's more laid back than other nearby spots and, I have to admit, it's a little odd to be splurging so fancily with a family of five all dressed in basketball shorts within viewing range. Still, it boasts lots of old New York hotel charm from its flowered carpet, to its dark wood and massive crown molding and high price drinks (we're talking $18–to put it into perspective: one truffle shuffle tee).

There are other rooms: The Blue Bar for drinks and “pub fair”, the Oak Room for cabaret, and the famous Round Room (where Dorothy Parker and her vicious circle met) for dining. But I prefer the lobby for one very special reason: Matilda! The adorable lilac point long hair greets you as you walk in from her throne. A resident cat has been a tradition of the hotel since 1930 when a stray wandered in and stole the heart of the owner, Frank Case. That cat was a male named Hamlet, and all subsequent males are named Hamlet while girl kitties are Matildas.

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Posted on July 7, 2008

I'll start with the bad news to get it out of the way. Petrossian, famous fancy caviar spot, suffers from the old school service of many places in Manhattan above 14th St. It's that odd feeling that no one that works there is quite glad you came. It's fine when some jabroni is throwing you a slice of pizza for a dollar, but it's a bit off putting when you're paying big time. The service wasn't pointedly rude, it just gave us a feeling that the staff's favorite time is the blessed minutes before anyone walks through the door.

And speaking of the door, I'll move on to the positives. First… the door. The exterior and the intricate door frame is really stunning, and strangely, the door itself is automatic. (I assume too many ancient billionaires were having a hard time opening it.)

The exquisite building is the historic, 1909 Alwyn Court Building, an apartment complex where one bedrooms go for $1.2 million. Nice to be sure, but it used to house only two apartments with fourteen rooms and five bathrooms a piece!

Inside is upscale like you might expect, a bit stuffy, jacket required (or as the website states “preferred”), carpet, art deco mirrors, and music so quiet it sounded like one of the couples surrounding us had brought a small radio or boom box that was going off in their purse. (Though this seemed unlikely).

I ordered a fantastic cordon bleu martini, a martini so smooth, it was almost too easy to drink, with blue cheese stuffed olives. The food was also pretty fantastic. Though I mixed up my dates for restaurant week and missed out on the $35 pre fixe, happily we got there just in time for the daily $48 pre fixe dinner menu (before 7:15).

For appetizers, most of us opted for the “Petrossian tasting”: maviar, salmon roe and trout roe served on mini blinis. This was the highlight of my meal. I love caviar and to have it at one of the city's premier spot gave me a little thrill. For entrees, I'd recommend meat over fish. My sister and I both got the cod, which was a solid “good” but Jim's lamb was really out of sight and Adam's steak was also reportedly delicious. My summer berry souffle was also tasty.

While the food and drinks never hit a wrong note, and the building itself is a sight to behold,?I just wish the service came with a smile. But we were smiling, especially after one of those deadly martinis and a bite of the trout caviar, so we more than made up for it.

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Posted on July 7, 2008

Only a man as undeniably adorable as James McAvoy could have ladies from my office rushing out to see Wanted. I recently became beyond enamored with him when I saw the excellent miniseries, State of Play, but have failed to see him in all the recent roles that have made him so famous lately. I missed Last King of Scotland, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Atonement. But I won't next his next big project, where (reportedly) he'll play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.

Sure, Hollywood has anointed him one of the next big things, but he was just as dreamy before he was famous, way back in Bright Young Things, Inspector Lynley, and Band of Brothers. His off screen persona exudes a wit and charm that distinguishes him from the current crop of dull young Hollywood actors working today (here he is with one of Jim's favorite actresses). Bad news for women across the country: sadly, the lad is married.

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Posted on July 7, 2008

The wonderful world of Maira Kalman is both new and old to me. As a kid I loved the David Byrne children's book Stay Up Late that she illustrated; recently I rediscovered her work when a friend recommended her fantastic book, The Principles of Uncertainty.

Theses musings and illustrations were originally published as a column in the New York Times, which I'm afraid I missed (that's right, I only read Entertainment Weekly and New York Magazine–much like the lone sixth grade who, despite almost insurmountable peer pressure, refuses to read the Harry Potter books).

It stretches the boundaries and definition of novel, graphic novel, art book, and journal. A series of sometimes rambling, often profound reveries and observations, the book teeters on some very iffy ground for me: a navel gazing journal of a middle age zen like woman who philosophizes on the meaning of existence and revels in the mundane? It could easily be a mawkish journey that is simply not my thing at this point in my life–and yet, I was mesmerized and swayed by her honesty and her art.

I feel like it's a book that I could come back to at different ages of my life and be affected by in new ways each time. Her soft, squishy paintings of family members, discarded furniture, wealthy women from the past and fruit offer unique, intimate experiences. It's a very special book that is just beautiful to look at, and beautiful to read.

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Posted on July 7, 2008

The Natural Stone Bridge and Caves lie about thirty minute north of my beloved Lake George (where we stay at the lovely Atateka Lodges run by the awesome Boggia family) in Pottersville. Amidst tall green trees and the buzz of the real outdoors (bring your Off!) is a fantastic family run natural park that has been open to visitors since 1944.

Nice teens greet you in the gemstone gift store and entrance before this guy sends you on your way. Other odd sculptures, like this giant with womanly curves holding a rock and this giant made of wood also holding a rock line the paths. Be prepared to climb a bit and walk some steep stairs, so wear decent shoes. The first view is pretty breathtaking and the entire tour (that you take on your own, sans guide thank goodness) is equally stunning.

Some of my favorite spots are the Giant's Slide, a hole through the ground 100 feet down, the large natural bridge, and the Noisy Cave–a dark cave with rushing water and colored lamps to help you see. I also love the name of Peter Pan's Peephole (which sounds dirty, but only looks into the Noisy Cave).

This is a wondrous way to enjoy the outdoors and worth the short jaunt if you happen to be in the Lake George area this summer. It's $12.50 per adult (but there's a 39 cent discount when you flash a AAA card!) and they have weekly log cabins you can stay in (but seriously, call the Boggia's first).

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Posted on July 7, 2008