» New York

Nobu 57

Carla — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:29:09 +0000

The last time “The Blondes” were in New York we went to Nobu 57 with our handsome dates and a few other friends. Nobu 57 is a big lively restaurant with a fun atmosphere — it’s a great place to dine with a fun foursome or more. The food is delicious and the people watching is pretty yummy too.

On my last visit we were seated at a table between Alec Baldwin and company, and Kelsey Grammer and company. I felt a little nervous sitting in-between these two: Mr. Baldwin is one of the most liberal guys in Hollywood and Mr. Grammer is one of the most conservative — both are very outspoken. The two met in the middle (right by our table), shook hands, and had a friendly conversation — politics were clearly not on the menu. Celebrities like dining at Nobu because they are “protected” from the public. I’ve noticed a “big guy” that stands inconspicuously near the tables of the “known” to intercede if a fan deigns to interrupt the star’s dinner for a picture or an autograph.

The real star at Nobu however, is the food — Japanese with a South American influence. Some of my favorite dishes are the tacos (especially the lobster and the king crab), the Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno, the Black Cod with miso, and any fresh vegetable they are serving with the jalapeno dressing. The service is just right — they are always there when you need them but never in the way. If you are overwhelmed by the menu just trust your server. Bonapeti!

Manhattan, Oscars, Champagne–Trifecta!

Carla — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:48:39 +0000

The Three Blondes (and company) spent Oscar weekend in New York. The Oscar telecast (as usual) didn’t get good reviews, but the blondes, watching from an apartment across from Central Park while drinking a glass (or two) of champagne, were having way too much fun to notice. We did, however, take plenty of notice of the dresses coming down the red carpet. While a few of you voted in the Qmuze poll, most of you emailed me your pick for favorite Oscar dress. The overwhelming winner was Mila Kunis in a lovely, lavender lace Elie Saab.

Other favorites: Cate Blanchette was stunning in a lavender Givenchy with chartreuse accent beading — a very interesting dress on what may be Hollywood’s most interesting actress. In the I’m-confident-enough-to-dress-my-age category: Hailee Steinfeld was pretty as a princess in her tea-length Marchesa and tiara-like headband; and Helen Mirren was elegant with short hair, diamonds, and a gun-metal gray dress that was not matronly, but not trying to be twenty-five (and this is one sixty-five year-old women who could possibly get away with trying to be twenty-five–google: “Helen Mirren in a red bikini” and see for yourself!)

And for the best looking couple…Matthew McConaughey and girlfriend Camila Alves; both looked incredible in Dolce & Gabbana.

Until next year…

FRIDAY FROTH…

Carla — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:56:00 +0000

I arrived in NEW YORK around four in the afternoon last Wednesday, and as it turns out, just in the nick of time. During the middle of the night, a storm hit the area that would dump two feet of snow, turning the city into a winter wonderland and closing airports.

When I got up Thursday morning big wet flakes were raining down. Undaunted, I made my way, leopard print umbrella in hand, down to TriBeCa to check out the OLY ATELIER flagship store at 408 Greenwich Street. The store inhabits a space that is simple and classic. Its natural hardwood floors, big arched windows, and a sensual circular staircase serve as a perfect canvas for Oly’s organic, chic, and elegant designs.

I perused the store for well over two hours, enjoying the displays of furniture, accessories, and jewelry as I would an art gallery but only better–I caressed, sat on, and tried on, as well as ogled. You can check out the Oly line at olystudio.com but until then…

A beautiful and bold bracelet

A mirror bed with a leather headboard–why get up?

Classically cool!

Elegant, sophisticated, sensual…

Oly’s wild side–a python mirror and a zebra chair.

Like a great story, a good wine, and designers, Kate McIntyre and Brad Huntzinger, Oly is complex but never complicated. The designs present themselves as a study in contradictions–earthy and natural yet sophisticated and elegant–making them eternally pleasing and sometimes surprising!

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Just down the street from Oly you will find Robert DeNiro’s GREENWICH HOTEL. The lobby boasts some original DeNiro artwork–the actor’s father was an artist and it’s clear that talent runs in the family. I didn’t have time to see a guest room but I have it on the best authority that they are each unique and roomy, have great beds/bedding, and are beautifully appointed. The hotel restaurant, LOCANDA VERDE, like the hotel lobby, is rustically hip, comfortable and cozy. The front section of the restaurant is a cafe from morning until four p.m. in the afternoon, serving delicious baked goods–pistachio huckleberry cake any one?–and pick-me-up espresso drinks. I stopped in for an afternoon latte and a nero cookie (chocolate, mint, and almond)–yum-yum! I’m giving this hotel my “take someone special, some good books and don’t leave the property” rating so check it out. Greenwich Hotel

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And what’s a trip to a new neighborhood without stopping by a cool shoe store? Between Oly and the Greenwich Hotel sits a jewel of a shoe shop–EDON MANOR. If you like shoes, and who doesn’t, these are the latest styles displayed in a unique setting. The website is worth a visit…

edon manor

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Back up town, I walked for miles through the snow in Central Park, had dinner at a favorite Mexican restaurant on the upper west side, and ended up at MAGNOLIA BAKERY on Columbus–big mistake for my waistline!

FRIDAY FROTH…

Carla — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Sarah Palin released her book, Going Rogue, this week to hoards of fans salivating for some “Sarah Speak”. Ms. Palin’s popularity it seems, has not waned since the 2008 presidential election. Why is Sarah so popular? Simply because she appeals to the “you can grow up and be president someday” in all of us. We were told as children, or told our children, that anything was possible with hard work–but not until the hockey mom from Alaska got picked to be a vice-presidential nominee did we really believe. The question for all of us is not can we be president, but should we be president? Are grit and common sense enough to qualify one to lead? Alaska, maybe. The free world? I think not.

A couple of thoughts on Ms. Palin: (a) She tries to explain away not being able to list newspapers or magazines that informed her world view, as asked by Katie Couric, by saying that she was ticked off at Ms. Couric and therefore was “flippant”, but it was “her bad” and she should have answered. This is akin to Bill Clinton telling the American public that he smoked pot but didn’t inhale. Sorry Sarah, I don’t buy it. (b) Newsweek magazine’s cover of Ms. Palin in her running shorts makes Ms. Palin look very good (in fact, great–she’s had five kids!) but makes Newsweek look HORRIBLE. Shame on you Newsweek!

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What do three blonds in New York do for fun? (a) They walk in Central park and talk about how men in New York are sophisticated and well dressed, and men in San Francisco are more casual and conservative. We concluded that there is a very European influence in New York while San Francisco’s influence is, well, not European. (b) They go see Jude Law in Hamlet. He was fabulous. Not just incredibly handsome and charming fabulous, but oozing Hamlet-like conflict fabulous. Mr. Law delivered his lines with a humor that had an underlying pathos that we (the three blonds) believe will earn him a Tony nomination. (c) They shop for SHOES! One of the blonds introduced the other two blonds to Roger Vivier shoes. These shoes are classic and feminine: some with a curved heel or a big buckle that give them a certain edge–very Catherine Deneuve. (d) They drink champagne, and because November is two of the blonds birth month, there were pink party favors that I can’t tell you about!

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People magazine’s sexiest man alive for this year is Johnny Depp–handsome and a little naughty–enough said!

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Most countries are known for something–France has its wine and Italy has its pasta. So, if you drink your way through France and eat your way through Italy, then surely you Kama Sutra your way through India! This exotic country has beautiful hotels (any of the Oberoi group will do nicely, thank-you), spicy and delicious food, and the kama sutra for sale in every hotel gift shop. Don’t take the kids.

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I read in New Delhi’s newspaper, Mail Today, that Indian actress, Mallika Sherawat, will be starring in Doug McHenry’s romantic comedy– Love, Barack. The paper said that the film “tracks the romance between a Democrat campaign volunteer and her Republican counterpart in the run-up to last year’s Presidential election.” Ms. Sherawat’s character is based on San Francisco’s attorney general, Kamala Harris.

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I like to keep Fridays light (frothy), but, I am going to close by saying that while David Brooks (genuflect) of the New York Times wrote a column today entitled “What Geithner Got Right”, and clearly I am fond of David Brooks (g), if I were Mr. Geithner, I would stay away from buses–people have been known to get thrown under them.

What’s happening in New York and Nantucket You Ask?

Carla — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:54:00 +0000

I just got back from a week in New York and a week in Nantucket. For any of you that are planning to visit either, or just like to be in-the-know, you’ve come to the right place. Both are quieter than in previous visits due to the economy, but still way cooler (at least in the figurative sense) than most other places.

I was surprised by the store-front vacancies on Fifth Avenue, especially south of Saks. The sidewalks were ridiculously easy to negotiate even with an open umbrella. Hell’s Kitchen on the other hand was packed–restaurants, shops, and sidewalks. It wasn’t so long ago that this area lived-up to its name, now it competes for cool with the downtown destinations. It’s a perfect place to have dinner before or after a show. Speaking of…Jude Law is performing in Hamlet for a couple-a-month run starting in September. I think the combination of this cool actor (so charming) and hot character (so complex) is worth the trip. And if you’re wondering what to wear, go with leggings. Leggings with big shirts, belted or not, were all over the East Village. The translation to fall should be leggings with big sweaters and stilettos or leggings with long jackets and riding boots. Your leggings will probably be black, but hit the gym just to be on the safe side!

Nantucket is not a good place for tourist and this is a good thing. Other than the great whaling museum there aren’t a lot of places for the “tourist bus” to stop. There are better beaches (for swimming), golf courses, and tennis courts all up and down the eastern seaboard. Hanging out is what’s happening–in the coffee shop, at the nude beach (you know who you are!), window shopping, or reading at the beach in the fog. At night there are good restaurants with happening bar scenes (LoLa 41, Corazon Del Mar, 21 Federal) or you can stroll the ballast-paved Main Street and probably catch some guy playing his guitar or a group of kids signing a capella (this should be done while eating fudge from Aunt Leah’s or ice cream from the Juice Bar). While leggings were on every hip woman in NY, Prosecco (Italy’s version of champagne) was on every hip menu in Nantucket–yum yum!