Friday, April 6, 2012

A Moon for the Misbegotten

Last night I went with a friend to see the production of A Moon for the Misbegotten put on by The Pearl Theatre Company.  I'm not what one would consider a "theatre buff" but I do enjoy a good show, especially an off-broadway independent production.  These shows often have a minimal budget and an intimate setting which allows the actors to really shine. Misbegotten did just that.

A revival of the 1943 Eugen O'Neill play, the production has been getting rave reviews around NYC.  It's a story of feisty Irish Josie (Kim Martin-Cotten) and her scheming farmer father, Phil Hogan (Dan Daily), who is trying to trick their drunk landlord James Tyrone Jr. (Andrew May), loosely based on the playwright's brother, into marrying his daughter.  After you finally get accustomed to the strong Irish accents, I found myself laughing throughout the first two acts of the play, and, unfortunately, dozing off in the last three that focused more on the inner demons of Tyrone and Josie.  To the plays credit, however, it did clock in at 2 hours and 50 minutes, and I also fall asleep in everything.

Though I think all three of the main characters did a good job in their performances, Daily's portrayal of Phil was my favorite of the night as it was the most natural.  Martin's acting was way too dramatic for my taste and I didn't see the chemistry between her and May.  All in all, I think it was extremely well done and now I'm itching to see the prequel to the three part story, Long Day's Journey Into Night, subject to a dose of caffeine beforehand.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Mad Men Inspired

I'm finally caught up on the Mad Men series! I'd love for Don Draper to fall in love with me so I can become the actual Meghan Draper.  The TV version has a worse voice, terrible teeth and spells our name wrong, so I think I have a good chance.  In order to really make him swoon though, I have to dress the part.  I love the 50s & 60s costume design on the show and, like many great fashion trends, I'm sure it's bound to make a comeback. Here are some ideas for when it does:

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Stars and Stripes

There are stories circulating that Star Jones is extremely upset by Sarah Palin's guest hosting duties on The Today Show yesterday.  I noticed something was going on because throughout the entire segment Star barely spoke, which is not like her and I don't blame her for the hostility.  I find Sarah Palin to be extremely irritating and cringed every time she said "lamestream media", disrespecting the very show that she was appearing on.  I can't wait to hopefully catch "Game Change" OnDemand this weekend, based on the lovely LW's recommendation, and conjure up even more reasons to dislike the Alaskan governor.  Check out the sour look on Star's face below.



Tuesday Tunes

It's actually Wednesday but I forgot to post my new jams yesterday! Without further ado...

1) All You Need is Love @ Ultra Music Festival 2012 by Avicii (a.k.a. my #1 man)

 

2) Take You Higher (Club Mix) by Goodwill & Hook N Sling

 

3) I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix) by Lykke Li 

 

4) Some Nights by FUN.


And in honor of seeing the Hunger Games last week...

5) One Engine by The Decemberists


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Veggie Restaurant Review

Being a vegetarian can be limiting here in NYC, pretty much in any city really, but I try to be flexible by finding something in any restaurant that my friends and I venture to.  However, my inner food lover jumps for joy when I find a restaurant that has more than three or four options, usually only consisting of salad or pasta.  Here's a review of my three favorite vegetarian restaurants in the city. 

Last week I went to dinner with LW and Shay at what has quickly become one of my favorites, Gobo (West Village Location: 401 Avenue of the Americas; Upper East Side Location: 1426 Third Avenue).  This was the fourth time I've been to the restaurant, and it has yet to disappoint.  Gobo has a sweet and sour "protein" that brings me back to my favorite vegetarian Chinese restaurant in Atlanta that me and Vlad frequented every summer in college. Each entree I try is better than the next.  The restaurant promises a zen experience, focusing on all the five senses in their preparations, and that it is.  I always leave with a satisfied pallet and all. Star dishes:  Sweet & Sour Protein, Mini Veggie Burger Slides (with a magic sauce), Grilled Oyster Mushrooms & Asparagus

It's been a few years since I visited Dirt Candy (430 E. 9th Street), one of the more well known upscale vegetarian restaurants located in the East Village, but I dream about it often.  Executive Chef and Owner, Amanda Cohen, opened up her first restaurant back in 2008 with a stellar resume that included Pure Food & Wine, Teany, and Heirloom.  We went a few months after it opened and diners now have to jump on reservations a month before planning to go.  It's a fairly small restaurant, which can make it some what awkward when you can't help but eavesdrop on the couple on their first date beside you, but worth the work it takes to get in. They have certainly left the vegetables up to the professionals.  Star dishes:  Jalapeno Hush Puppies with Maple Butter Sauce, Coconut Poached Tofu

Located a hop, skip and a jump from my apartment, Pure Food & Wine (54 Irving Place) offers so many different, delicious choices that even meat eaters find themselves flocking to the restaurant.  The ambiance in the restaurant is serene with a garden in the back, the food is flavorful and artistically presented, and the wine is plentiful.  Though some diners squander at the prices,  the quality of the food and the experience is worth every penny.  Star dishes: Zucchini Tomato Lasagna, Sweet Corn and Cashew Tamales, Natsu Maki 


Honorable mentions:
Angelica Kitchen (300 East 13th Street, at 2nd Avenue)
Dang Lai Palace (180 3rd. Avenue, between 16th & 17th Street)
Gust Organics (519 Avenue of the Americas, at 14th Street)
Quantum Leap (West Village location: 226 Thompson Street; East Village location: 203 1st Avenue between 12th & 13th Street)
Tamarind  (Flat Iron location: 41-43 East 22nd Street; Tribeca location: 99 Hudson Street)