Monday, April 29, 2013

Graham Nash's Visual Harmony: Rock Photographer on the Inside Looking Out

By: Anne M. Raso

The Morrison Hotel Gallery in Soho and the Americana Shopping Mall in Manhasset, LI, are both currently proud to be hosting rock legend's Graham Nash's Virtual Harmony photography exhibit. I was lucky enough to attend the opening night celebration at the Manhattan location at 124 Prince Street and got some of Nash's own views on his photography. The photos are not your typical live, sweaty "rock star" shots but show vulnerability like the humble Nash himself has. He likes to portray a rock star having "a thinking man's moment" with no concern for vanity.
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Graham Nash (second to left) and Friends

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Once Upon A Dream: The Rascals Groovin' On The Great White Way

By: Anne M. Raso

I was lucky enough to get seats for the first night of the Rascals' 15-night reunion run called Once Upon A Dream at the Richard Rogers Theater in New York City. Outside of one private charity show at the Tribeca Grill and a run in Port Chester, NY, back in December, the original four Rascals have not performed together since lead singer and lyricist Eddie Brigati left the group in 1970--the same day the group made the transition from Atlantic to Columbia Records. It was said that he was not happy that he was not happy that singer/songwriter/keyboardist Felix Cavaliere sold the publishing rights to the group's body of material for only 200K (and it is not estimated to be worth 20 million)! Everyone has put their differences behind them thanks to actor/musician Steven Van Zandt and his wife Maureen having, what he calls, "a lifelong dream to reunite The Rascals." Van Zandt told me "they are like the American Beatles" and indeed The Fab Four's promoter Sid Bernstein was the group's manager back in their heyday from 1965 to 1970. At the final sound check before opening night, guitarist Gene Cornish told me that there would be lots of surprises in the show, "There are 28 songs so there is something for everyone. It goes from covers we were doing back at places like The Choo Choo Club (in Garfield, NJ, which is Brigati's hometown) and The Barge (in East Quoque, LI). There are the hits and the more psychedelic stuff and the covers and everything in between."
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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Cherrywood Kitchen: Sophisticated BBQ In Manhattan’s Most Elite ‘Hood!

By: Anne M. Raso

The words “sophisticated” and “BBQ” are rarely thought of together. As a matter of fact, BBQ is probably considered only as “casual dining” but a place like Cherrywood Kitchen in glamorous Soho has taken it up to the “fine dining” level not only because of its location, but for its use of fresh seafood (mostly brought in ALIVE from Chinatown markets) and Wagyu beef and other artisanal meats.
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Interior

Friday, April 12, 2013

Ivy: A Classy Casual Eatery That Makes Everyone Comfortable

By: Anne M. Raso

Ivy is a new breed of New American eatery popping up around midtown. It is casual place with a very open and airy floor plan--and even has a little sports bar vibe thanks to having a few big screen TVs showing the latest sports game. But this place is all about comfort food taken up a notch. There is attentive service and super-comfy banquets to sprawl out on in the back. If you need a place to totally chill after work (especially if you are really hungry), Ivy is the place to do it.
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Interior

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Raymi's Sunday Supper - Creative Peruvian In The Flatiron District!

By: Anne M. Raso

Like every other foodie in New York, I love a good deal--especially when it's on cuisine that is not easily accessible even in a world-class restaurant town like New York. There have never been very many Peruvian restaurants in town and chef Erik Ramirez puts his own Modern American spin on each dish without losing authenticity and usually using the traditional spices of this faraway land. For a price fixe of $38, diners get to pick an incredible FIVE items that are served family style in very large portions (the exact deal is two apps, two entrees and one dessert). I was lucky enough to go to a large press dinner where media members got to sample all the dishes available on Raymi's "getting to be legendary" Sunday Supper Menu.
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Interior Shot

Monday, April 8, 2013

A Beautiful Beach Body with Better For You Foods

By:  Finance Foodie

Now that the weather is finally starting to warm up, I finally get to ditch my down goose coat and snowboots in favor of gear that doesn’t make me look like the Michelin Man. However, with less clothing comes more skin – and skin is only in if it looks tight and toned.
Welcome to Miami!

Friday, April 5, 2013

A Scent-scational I Coloniali Party at Mercato Trattoria

By: Anne M. Raso

I Coloniali fragrances are an elite yet affordable brand sold exclusively at Bigelow Pharmacy in the West Village that are already iconic in Europe (products are made in both Italy and France). Karen Dubin, a recently retired 50-something ad exec who is famous for putting on Sniffapalooza (the Woodstock for fragrance addicts) has proudly procured I Coloniali as her first PR client and when she recently shared her favorite products in the line with fragrance connoisseurs at Mercato Trattoria in Midtown, all ears were at attention.
The Collection

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Ladies Do Lunch at Poggenpohl Kitchens on Park

By: Anne M. Raso

I loved getting to check out the new Poggenpohl kitchens during their special tour in their Park Avenue South store a couple of weeks back. They served a luxurious brunch after presentations by representatives from people who help put the finishing touches on their magnificent custom Euro kitchens. There were new types of antimicrobial countertops launched, new colors introduced and representatives reminded us that they indeed have a fabulous sale on their sample kitchens at the end of each season.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Beautiful Charity: Love, Alex Handbags Fall Line Preview

By: Anne M. Raso

I enjoyed getting to see the new fall line from Love, Alex handbags at their showroom near Carnegie Hall. This is the first ever fall line for the company whose bags are sold in exclusively boutiques and on LoveAlex.com. The unique thing abut these handbags is not only that they are designed by Alexandra Clancy, former on-air reporter and wife of famous author Tom Clancy, but she gives a percent of proceeds to children's charities. Her first-ever collection (the Spring 2013 line) is in stores now and ranges from $950 to $2500 but it's no longer a "guilty pleasure" to spend so much on a bag when you're doing such a philanthropic thing by buying one!
Metal Snakeskin Bag

Monday, April 1, 2013

Wrapping It Up with McDonald's New Premium McWrap

By: Finance Foodie

A few weeks back, McDonald’s broke the news that it’s adding a permanent new chicken offering to its menu - the Premium McWraps - as part of the company's broader effort to enhance menu offerings to meet customers’ evolving taste preferences. The tortilla-wrapped entrĂ©e features vegetables, grilled or crispy chicken breast along with a signature sauce served in a convenient hand-held and mess-free package (which is great for eating on the go - or in class). So naturally, I picked up a few of these $4.00 wrappies through out my week to keep me awake as I learn about the history of interest rates, the evolution of retail, and investing in family business - gotta love those lunch time classes!
Grilled Chicken and Ranch Premium McWrap