I recently had the great fortune to attend Richard Strauss's masterpiece, Capriccio, at The Metropolitan Opera, starring world renowned soprano Renee Fleming.
Brilliant.
Perhaps because it is a consummation of all the fine arts,(literary, orchestral, vocal, visual & frequently ballet as in Capriccio),opera hits me on myriad levels. Breathtaking music from a phenomenal world-class orchestra accompanying the premier soprano of our time – in the setting of an 18th century chateau near Paris… all within the complexity of a great literary work.
A feast for the senses!
Take a peek at the final scene of Capriccio being performed at the Paris Opera House by none other than the magnificent Ms. Flemming herself. Don't do anything else. Just close your eyes and let the music sweep you away.
Capriccio, Strauss's final opera, is a dramatized aesthetic debate over which is more valuable, music or words? Swathed in achingly beautiful music one is likely to be persuaded by the former, though the opera itself ends without a decision cast one way or the other.
As I toyed with the question, I flipped and I flopped.
Words?
I find generally, the fewer the better… as they're usually ego's favorite vehicle on a direct path away from authenticity. Yet I couldn't do without Tolstoy, Bronte, Wilde…
Music?
It has an emotionality that breaks open the heart.
Ah - Why choose. Especially when one there is opera, the consummation of all the arts! Which happens to be the very resolution of Capriccio's story itself.
What would you choose if you could have only one? Music or Words?
Russell Braun, left, is the poet Olivier, Joseph Kaiser the composer Flamand and Peter Rose the theater director La Roche in Richard Strauss' "Capriccio" at the Metropolitan Opera. (Photo by Richard Drew, Associated Press)
I love simple, beautiful food that doesn't disappoint… or require a lengthy recovery period after putting it together. My take on the Italian Affogato is so easy I felt silly writing out the instructions!
Steaming espresso swirls around creamy vanilla ice-cream with a splash of Amaretto Liquor. Warning: It's likely you'll have the urge to head back to the kitchen to whip up another 🙂
Serve in a cozy mug to fit a casual occasion. In a beautiful dish they're elegant enough for a dinner party. Perfect any time of year, any time of day. Great with decaf or regular depending on your mood. If you don't have an espresso machine, simply use coffee.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Your Favorite Vanilla Ice-Cream or Gelato (coconut Ice-Cream if you're vegan)
Freshly Brewed Espresso or Coffee (Roastaroma if you're coffee-free)
Amaretto Liquor
Method
Place a ball of ice-cream in serving dish. Pour espresso around the ice-cream. Add 1 tablespoon of Amaretto. Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Note:Always use the freshest, best quality ingredients you can. It makes a huge impact on flavor! In the case of coffee & espresso, I highly recommend a Bialetti French Press or Espresso Maker. Because they're simply made and easy to rinse after each use, neither will acquire that bitter, old-coffee-machine-taste that ruins an otherwise great cup of coffee.
The Bialetti Mocha sound whistles a little tune when the espresso is ready!
"Summertime Shade." Oil on Canvas by Juliane Porter.
(please click image for better, larger view)
This gorgeous, old, climber in Chatham, MA begged to be painted.
I recall my father describing his great joy in climbing about the limbs of such trees as a young boy. I too have always loved and had tremendous respect for trees. They take me back to childhood… Their power, grace & often imposing wisdom of living hundreds of years- like the one pictured here in my painting.
This is a very expressive, childlike painting about innocence and the power of presence.
What do chandeliers, octopus and white stallions have in common?
Our final and perfectly lovely evening in New York City of course!
The evening began with dinner at Michael White's Marea, whose menu reads like a study of the sea. This high-end Italian restaurant features the regional food of Italy influenced heavily by ingredients drawn from the four bodies of water that surround the boot. The fish, sourced from both the Mediterranean and waters worldwide, stays true to this Mediterranean flavor profile contributing to the authenticity of the restaurant.
We were impressed on all levels: Superb cuisine, seamless service, and stylish ambiance. Every single bite of our four course experience was a special memory, but don't worry, I'll only share two: my pasta course and Jim's dessert - for the simple reason I found pictures of them both:-).
I savored every last morsel of the Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Octopus & Bone Marrow. This dish is Chef White's homage to American surf and turf – though it requires purely Italian cooking techniques. The dish glistens with the velvety smooth sauce, and each bite is unexpectedly complex despite looking so simple. The sweetness of the octopus compliments the tart red wine and tomato sauce made rich and smooth by the emulsified marrow. The home-made fusilli are tender yet al dente and the whole thing is topped with a crunch of breadcrumbs. Wow!
Marea's (NYC) Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Octopus & Bone Marrow (Photo by UrbanSpoon)
Three courses later, Jim devoured the Panna Cotta with Pink Peppercorn & Thyme. (He's becoming rather an expert on Panna Cotta as he orders it at every opportunity!) And, since we share everything, I can attest to it's fabulousness!
Marea's (NYC) Panna Cotta with Pink Peppercorn & Thyme (Photo by UrbanSpoon)
During dessert, we happened to get to know the two lovely ladies to our left when they inquired about my chandelier earrings. I promised Karen I'd post them here with a link to where I'd purchased them; Anthropologie. I apologize that it took me a couple weeks Karen!I'm behind posting this week because I've been immersed in the oil painting portrait of two beautiful children– their mama will be surprising her husband with it on his birthday so I can't fall behind:-) I've posted two pairs of my favorite chandelier earrings from Anthropologie below.(I wore the first that night)
Glass Beaded Chandelier Earrings by Anthropologie
Glass Beaded Chandelier Earrings by Anthropologie
And that brings us to white stallions…
We enjoyed the most serene and lovely horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park after dinner. It was a crisp, spring evening. Every now and then we'd pass someone jogging or walking their dog in the moonlight, a fellow carriage rider in the distance beyond the beautiful, old, gnarly trees. We had the park and the city all to ourselves, bundled up under our blanket, cherry blossoms perfuming the night… all under a backdrop of sparkling city lights.
The perfect finale.
Our carriage picked us up right outside Marea! The carriages happened to be lined up along the street just steps away:-)
Carriage Rides through NYC's Central Park after Dinner make a Romantic Evening
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2011-04-26 23:20:002025-12-06 15:04:47Octopus, Chandeliers & White Stallions
Fabululous Flirty Aprons (and gloves) keep you beautiful while you're in the kitchen!
I seriously can not get over how adorable these aprons and gloves are from FlirtyAprons.com! I've always been a fan of beautiful aprons, but these are even cuter than the (ahem) seven I already own!
Just one of the many reasons to love Flirty Aprons is for their designs in dressier colors like black, for more elegant occasions such as dinner parties or romantic evenings, when something cutesy would ruin a gorgeous outfit.
And they're about half the price of any similar designs I've seen.
How about these gloves! If you've seen me in the kitchen you know I never wash anything without putting on my trusty rubber gloves. FlirtyAprons's sassy red gingham and polka-dot versions are so cute, I'll look forward to washing dishes.
Oh, be sure to check out the aprons for men too. Extremely masculine and functional, each one has that little extra something to suit your man's personality. My personal favs are: I Like Big Buns and I Turn Grills On :-)
You've got to check FlirtyAprons.com out! Which are your favorites?
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2011-04-14 18:52:002025-12-06 15:04:50Lookin’ Good in the Kitchen with Flirty Aprons
The Violette Fizz is one of the Spring Cocktails featured currently at Bar Pleiades in NYC's Surrey Hotel
One never knows what surprises New York City traffic may pull. So when our driver promptly delivered us to Cafe Boulud (sumptuous details to be posted soon!) for our pre-theater dinneran hour early last Thursday…
Fate stepped in and redirected us to Chef Daniel Boulud's equally fabulous Bar Pleiades next door, where we happily sipped the time away on beautiful cocktails from their Spring selections.
The Violette Fizz, created by Bar Pleiades's genius mixologist, Maura, is a delightful concoction of Creme de Violette topped with an egg white and lime cream. Refreshing and garnished with a delicate violet, this tangy-sweet and light cocktail is perfection.
Nestled in the Surrey Hotel of NYC's Upper East Side, Daniel Boulud's Bar Pleiades is an upscale Coco Chanel inspired bar striking the balance of a well-made cocktail – elegant without being self-absorbed, cosmopolitan rather than edgy,and intimate without being stuffy. The selection of cocktails is updated seasonally to keep things fun and fresh, while a mainstay of classics are on the menu year-round. The bar will be happy, however, to make any cocktail you've had at any time of year, whether or not it's currently on the menu.
The decor is chic and gorgeous: polished black and white lacquered surfaces, pearl quilted booths, and intimate areas for privacy. This is both an ideal spot to meet someone and do some people watching on Madison Avenue. The service is warm, attentive and informative.
What is your favorite spot for a cocktail in New York City… or elsewhere 'round the world?
Daniel Boulud's Bar Pleiades's decor is chic and gorgeous
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2011-04-11 20:36:002025-12-06 15:04:52Daniel Boulud’s Bar Pleiades
Sweet Polenta Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting and Fresh Berries
What better way to celebrate the onset of Spring than with these beautiful italian-inspired cupcakes! Fresh berries atop a sweetened, cornmeal cake and a pillow of mascarpone cream.
Simple. Beautiful. Delicious.
And a perfect time to share two of my favorite cupcake accessories…
Silver cupcake liners, which I always have in stock for when the cupcake mood strikes. And, since cupcakes are a great treat to share with other people, a practical and easy way to transport them – the Cupcake Courier. I highly recommend this little baby. It has room for the tallest of cupcakes, or mounds of berries as the case may be, and they're all safely nestled and snapped into an easy to use container that I believe will survive even the bumpiest of car rides.
Sweet Polenta Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting and Fresh Berries nestled inside the Cupcake Courier (the top is currently off).
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup polenta, finely ground (if you'd prefer a more "textured" cupcake, substitute medium ground polenta)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 sticks butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
6 eggs, yolks and whites separated
1/2 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (the best you can get, it makes a HUGE difference in your baking results)
zest of 2 lemons
16 ounces mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus a pinch for the egg whites
4 cups mixed berries (I used blueberries, blackberries & raspberries)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line 2 cupcake pans with 24 muffin liners. Sift together the flour and baking powder then whisk in the polenta and salt.
In a mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and the sugar together until light and fluffy. While the mixer is running add the egg yolks, one at a time. Beat in the milk, vanilla, and lemon zest. With the mixer on low speed add the dry ingredients to this mixture until just incorporated.
In a separate, clean, dry bowl whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add a teaspoon of powdered sugar while the whites are mixing. Add half of the whites to the first mixture and beat with the paddle. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites with a large spatula to lighten the batter by incorporating air.
Spoon the batter into the lined muffin tins, filling each til about 2/3 full.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a wooden skewer comes out clean when inserted into the center. Cool each pan on a wire rack for a few minutes before removing the cupcakes. Again, cool the cupcakes completely to room temperature while before frosting.
Combine the mascarpone cheese with the confectioners' sugar slowly. Once you're past the stage of loose powdered sugar, beat together with a whisk until combined. Ice the cupcakes with the mascarpone frosting and top each with a mound of berries. Enjoy!
Recipe inspired/adapted from Michael Chiarello
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2011-04-05 00:04:002025-12-06 15:04:53Sweet Polenta Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting and Fresh Berries
A recent trip to visit family brought us to Greenville, South Carolina, a historic city of cozy neighborhoods with mature oak-lined streets and a downtown overflowing with culture and great restaurants. During our stay, we were treated to a wonderful Thai dinner at Lemongrass Thai Cuisine on North Main Street downtown.
The food at Lemongrass is delectably fresh while delivering the diverse spices and aromas of Thai cuisine- salty and sweet, fiery and mild, sour and bitter – into perfect harmony. The presentation of the meal was colorful and authentic, incorporating the rice tureen, clay pots and artful yet not-too-fussy arrangements.
Keeping it a little lighter, I ordered the Vegetarian Massaman Curry, a combination of mixed vegetables, potatoes, onions and pineapple sauteed in coconut milk and – of course – massaman curry, (a fragrant yellow curry that incorporates ground peanuts, lemongrass, and tamarind together with warm spices such as cardamom, bay leaves and fennel), topped with cashew nuts and avacado. Absolutely phenomenal.
In fact, everything we ordered was terrific. Fluffy jasmine rice. Tender, perfectly cooked squid, muscles and shrimp flavored with basil, lime and ginger in the Tom Yum Talay (soup). Crisp vegetarian spring rolls served with a tantalizing Thai sweet and sour sauce. Hungry yet?
So, not only do I recommend the city of Greenville, SC as a great place to visit, but a stop into Lemongrass Thai Cuisine is essential while you're there!
Do you have a favorite Thai restaurant or Thai dish? Do share 🙂
Last Saturday, Jim treated me to Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the Kennedy Center Opera House. The sold-out performance was absolutely magnificent, closing to a standing ovation, bravos galore and me (and a whole lot of other people) in tears.
Set in Japan, depicting the love affair between the 15-year-old Japanese geisha, Butterfly, and a young American naval officer, Madama Butterfly is beloved by music lovers everywhere for its wealth of melody and poignant, heart-on-the-sleeve emotionality. Take a peek at the opera through its spellbinding aria Un Bel Di Vedremo (note; same opera, different production than one we saw).
Perhaps the roots of my love for opera go back to my maternal grandmother who was a trained opera singer. My parents, avid opera patrons, first exposed me to performances via the Metropolitan Opera Saturday matinee broadcasts, aired each weekend, spicing up our family's weekend chores. However, it wasn't until my late twenties, during a performance by Placido Domingo, that I became permanently transfixed, on a whole new level, by the passion and power of opera.
It delights me to see the appreciation of opera on the incline, perhaps due in part, to the Met's high definition simulcasts, making first-rate opera available in theaters around the world. Have you been to any of these fabulously up-close productions? If so, which opera did you see?
For an extra treat, here is footage into scenes and music from a very old production of Madama Butterfly, featuring the glamorous Maria Callas, one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century.
Oil on Archival Linen Covered Board (Click Image for better, larger view)
The Met’s Capriccio, Starring Renee Flemming
I recently had the great fortune to attend Richard Strauss's masterpiece, Capriccio, at The Metropolitan Opera, starring world renowned soprano Renee Fleming.
Brilliant.
Perhaps because it is a consummation of all the fine arts, (literary, orchestral, vocal, visual & frequently ballet as in Capriccio), opera hits me on myriad levels. Breathtaking music from a phenomenal world-class orchestra accompanying the premier soprano of our time – in the setting of an 18th century chateau near Paris… all within the complexity of a great literary work.
A feast for the senses!
Take a peek at the final scene of Capriccio being performed at the Paris Opera House by none other than the magnificent Ms. Flemming herself. Don't do anything else. Just close your eyes and let the music sweep you away.
Capriccio, Strauss's final opera, is a dramatized aesthetic debate over which is more valuable, music or words? Swathed in achingly beautiful music one is likely to be persuaded by the former, though the opera itself ends without a decision cast one way or the other.
As I toyed with the question, I flipped and I flopped.
Words?
I find generally, the fewer the better… as they're usually ego's favorite vehicle on a direct path away from authenticity. Yet I couldn't do without Tolstoy, Bronte, Wilde…
Music?
It has an emotionality that breaks open the heart.
Ah - Why choose. Especially when one there is opera, the consummation of all the arts! Which happens to be the very resolution of Capriccio's story itself.
What would you choose if you could have only one? Music or Words?
Russell Braun, left, is the poet Olivier, Joseph Kaiser the composer Flamand and Peter Rose the theater director La Roche in Richard Strauss' "Capriccio" at the Metropolitan Opera. (Photo by Richard Drew, Associated Press)
Richard Strauss, Composer
Italian Affogato
Italian Affogato
I love simple, beautiful food that doesn't disappoint… or require a lengthy recovery period after putting it together. My take on the Italian Affogato is so easy I felt silly writing out the instructions!
Steaming espresso swirls around creamy vanilla ice-cream with a splash of Amaretto Liquor. Warning: It's likely you'll have the urge to head back to the kitchen to whip up another 🙂
Serve in a cozy mug to fit a casual occasion. In a beautiful dish they're elegant enough for a dinner party. Perfect any time of year, any time of day. Great with decaf or regular depending on your mood. If you don't have an espresso machine, simply use coffee.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Your Favorite Vanilla Ice-Cream or Gelato (coconut Ice-Cream if you're vegan)
Freshly Brewed Espresso or Coffee (Roastaroma if you're coffee-free)
Amaretto Liquor
Method
Place a ball of ice-cream in serving dish. Pour espresso around the ice-cream. Add 1 tablespoon of Amaretto. Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Note: Always use the freshest, best quality ingredients you can. It makes a huge impact on flavor! In the case of coffee & espresso, I highly recommend a Bialetti French Press or Espresso Maker. Because they're simply made and easy to rinse after each use, neither will acquire that bitter, old-coffee-machine-taste that ruins an otherwise great cup of coffee.
The Bialetti Mocha sound whistles a little tune when the espresso is ready!
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
“Summertime Shade”
"Summertime Shade." Oil on Canvas by Juliane Porter.
(please click image for better, larger view)
This gorgeous, old, climber in Chatham, MA begged to be painted.
I recall my father describing his great joy in climbing about the limbs of such trees as a young boy. I too have always loved and had tremendous respect for trees. They take me back to childhood… Their power, grace & often imposing wisdom of living hundreds of years- like the one pictured here in my painting.
This is a very expressive, childlike painting about innocence and the power of presence.
sun dappled shade
easy breezes
forgiving grace
a
wisdom of hundreds years
presence
See more artwork by Juliane Porter at www.JulianePorter.com.
The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
after hours
Soon they'll be asleep.
The house will be ours.
Nothing off limits.
No place we can't scour.
We'll stampede cross the wood floors as fast as we can.
And yowl like coyotes awake after ten.
From lands far and near we'll hunt down precious gifts.
Before morn' there'll be a mousie and twisty-tie blitz.
At first sign of light we'll take up our posts,
Performing purrs, trills and tricks to fill up our bowls.
We'll see you next time, maybe daytime you say?
Certainly!
Another fun time to play!
Octopus, Chandeliers & White Stallions
What do chandeliers, octopus and white stallions have in common?
Our final and perfectly lovely evening in New York City of course!
The evening began with dinner at Michael White's Marea, whose menu reads like a study of the sea. This high-end Italian restaurant features the regional food of Italy influenced heavily by ingredients drawn from the four bodies of water that surround the boot. The fish, sourced from both the Mediterranean and waters worldwide, stays true to this Mediterranean flavor profile contributing to the authenticity of the restaurant.
We were impressed on all levels: Superb cuisine, seamless service, and stylish ambiance. Every single bite of our four course experience was a special memory, but don't worry, I'll only share two: my pasta course and Jim's dessert - for the simple reason I found pictures of them both:-).
I savored every last morsel of the Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Octopus & Bone Marrow. This dish is Chef White's homage to American surf and turf – though it requires purely Italian cooking techniques. The dish glistens with the velvety smooth sauce, and each bite is unexpectedly complex despite looking so simple. The sweetness of the octopus compliments the tart red wine and tomato sauce made rich and smooth by the emulsified marrow. The home-made fusilli are tender yet al dente and the whole thing is topped with a crunch of breadcrumbs. Wow!
Marea's (NYC) Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Octopus & Bone Marrow (Photo by UrbanSpoon)
Three courses later, Jim devoured the Panna Cotta with Pink Peppercorn & Thyme. (He's becoming rather an expert on Panna Cotta as he orders it at every opportunity!) And, since we share everything, I can attest to it's fabulousness!
Marea's (NYC) Panna Cotta with Pink Peppercorn & Thyme (Photo by UrbanSpoon)
During dessert, we happened to get to know the two lovely ladies to our left when they inquired about my chandelier earrings. I promised Karen I'd post them here with a link to where I'd purchased them; Anthropologie. I apologize that it took me a couple weeks Karen! I'm behind posting this week because I've been immersed in the oil painting portrait of two beautiful children– their mama will be surprising her husband with it on his birthday so I can't fall behind:-) I've posted two pairs of my favorite chandelier earrings from Anthropologie below. (I wore the first that night)
Glass Beaded Chandelier Earrings by Anthropologie
Glass Beaded Chandelier Earrings by Anthropologie
And that brings us to white stallions…
We enjoyed the most serene and lovely horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park after dinner. It was a crisp, spring evening. Every now and then we'd pass someone jogging or walking their dog in the moonlight, a fellow carriage rider in the distance beyond the beautiful, old, gnarly trees. We had the park and the city all to ourselves, bundled up under our blanket, cherry blossoms perfuming the night… all under a backdrop of sparkling city lights.
The perfect finale.
Our carriage picked us up right outside Marea! The carriages happened to be lined up along the street just steps away:-)
Carriage Rides through NYC's Central Park after Dinner make a Romantic Evening
Lookin’ Good in the Kitchen with Flirty Aprons
Fabululous Flirty Aprons (and gloves) keep you beautiful while you're in the kitchen!
I seriously can not get over how adorable these aprons and gloves are from FlirtyAprons.com! I've always been a fan of beautiful aprons, but these are even cuter than the (ahem) seven I already own!
Just one of the many reasons to love Flirty Aprons is for their designs in dressier colors like black, for more elegant occasions such as dinner parties or romantic evenings, when something cutesy would ruin a gorgeous outfit.
And they're about half the price of any similar designs I've seen.
FlirtyAprons.com's Sassy Rubber Gloves
How about these gloves! If you've seen me in the kitchen you know I never wash anything without putting on my trusty rubber gloves. FlirtyAprons's sassy red gingham and polka-dot versions are so cute, I'll look forward to washing dishes.
Oh, be sure to check out the aprons for men too. Extremely masculine and functional, each one has that little extra something to suit your man's personality. My personal favs are: I Like Big Buns and I Turn Grills On :-)
You've got to check FlirtyAprons.com out! Which are your favorites?
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
Daniel Boulud’s Bar Pleiades
The Violette Fizz is one of the Spring Cocktails featured currently at Bar Pleiades in NYC's Surrey Hotel
One never knows what surprises New York City traffic may pull. So when our driver promptly delivered us to Cafe Boulud (sumptuous details to be posted soon!) for our pre-theater dinner an hour early last Thursday…
Fate stepped in and redirected us to Chef Daniel Boulud's equally fabulous Bar Pleiades next door, where we happily sipped the time away on beautiful cocktails from their Spring selections.
The Violette Fizz, created by Bar Pleiades's genius mixologist, Maura, is a delightful concoction of Creme de Violette topped with an egg white and lime cream. Refreshing and garnished with a delicate violet, this tangy-sweet and light cocktail is perfection.
Nestled in the Surrey Hotel of NYC's Upper East Side, Daniel Boulud's Bar Pleiades is an upscale Coco Chanel inspired bar striking the balance of a well-made cocktail – elegant without being self-absorbed, cosmopolitan rather than edgy, and intimate without being stuffy. The selection of cocktails is updated seasonally to keep things fun and fresh, while a mainstay of classics are on the menu year-round. The bar will be happy, however, to make any cocktail you've had at any time of year, whether or not it's currently on the menu.
The decor is chic and gorgeous: polished black and white lacquered surfaces, pearl quilted booths, and intimate areas for privacy. This is both an ideal spot to meet someone and do some people watching on Madison Avenue. The service is warm, attentive and informative.
What is your favorite spot for a cocktail in New York City… or elsewhere 'round the world?
Daniel Boulud's Bar Pleiades's decor is chic and gorgeous
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
Sweet Polenta Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting and Fresh Berries
What better way to celebrate the onset of Spring than with these beautiful italian-inspired cupcakes! Fresh berries atop a sweetened, cornmeal cake and a pillow of mascarpone cream.
Simple. Beautiful. Delicious.
And a perfect time to share two of my favorite cupcake accessories…
Silver cupcake liners, which I always have in stock for when the cupcake mood strikes. And, since cupcakes are a great treat to share with other people, a practical and easy way to transport them – the Cupcake Courier. I highly recommend this little baby. It has room for the tallest of cupcakes, or mounds of berries as the case may be, and they're all safely nestled and snapped into an easy to use container that I believe will survive even the bumpiest of car rides.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line 2 cupcake pans with 24 muffin liners. Sift together the flour and baking powder then whisk in the polenta and salt.
In a mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and the sugar together until light and fluffy. While the mixer is running add the egg yolks, one at a time. Beat in the milk, vanilla, and lemon zest. With the mixer on low speed add the dry ingredients to this mixture until just incorporated.
In a separate, clean, dry bowl whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add a teaspoon of powdered sugar while the whites are mixing. Add half of the whites to the first mixture and beat with the paddle. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites with a large spatula to lighten the batter by incorporating air.
Spoon the batter into the lined muffin tins, filling each til about 2/3 full.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a wooden skewer comes out clean when inserted into the center. Cool each pan on a wire rack for a few minutes before removing the cupcakes. Again, cool the cupcakes completely to room temperature while before frosting.
Combine the mascarpone cheese with the confectioners' sugar slowly. Once you're past the stage of loose powdered sugar, beat together with a whisk until combined. Ice the cupcakes with the mascarpone frosting and top each with a mound of berries. Enjoy!
Recipe inspired/adapted from Michael Chiarello
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
Lemongrass Thai Cuisine, Greenville, SC
Vegetarian Massaman
A recent trip to visit family brought us to Greenville, South Carolina, a historic city of cozy neighborhoods with mature oak-lined streets and a downtown overflowing with culture and great restaurants. During our stay, we were treated to a wonderful Thai dinner at Lemongrass Thai Cuisine on North Main Street downtown.
The food at Lemongrass is delectably fresh while delivering the diverse spices and aromas of Thai cuisine- salty and sweet, fiery and mild, sour and bitter – into perfect harmony. The presentation of the meal was colorful and authentic, incorporating the rice tureen, clay pots and artful yet not-too-fussy arrangements.
Keeping it a little lighter, I ordered the Vegetarian Massaman Curry, a combination of mixed vegetables, potatoes, onions and pineapple sauteed in coconut milk and – of course – massaman curry, (a fragrant yellow curry that incorporates ground peanuts, lemongrass, and tamarind together with warm spices such as cardamom, bay leaves and fennel), topped with cashew nuts and avacado. Absolutely phenomenal.
In fact, everything we ordered was terrific. Fluffy jasmine rice. Tender, perfectly cooked squid, muscles and shrimp flavored with basil, lime and ginger in the Tom Yum Talay (soup). Crisp vegetarian spring rolls served with a tantalizing Thai sweet and sour sauce. Hungry yet?
So, not only do I recommend the city of Greenville, SC as a great place to visit, but a stop into Lemongrass Thai Cuisine is essential while you're there!
Do you have a favorite Thai restaurant or Thai dish? Do share 🙂
Madama Butterfly
Puccini's Madama Butterfly
Last Saturday, Jim treated me to Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the Kennedy Center Opera House. The sold-out performance was absolutely magnificent, closing to a standing ovation, bravos galore and me (and a whole lot of other people) in tears.
Set in Japan, depicting the love affair between the 15-year-old Japanese geisha, Butterfly, and a young American naval officer, Madama Butterfly is beloved by music lovers everywhere for its wealth of melody and poignant, heart-on-the-sleeve emotionality. Take a peek at the opera through its spellbinding aria Un Bel Di Vedremo (note; same opera, different production than one we saw).
Perhaps the roots of my love for opera go back to my maternal grandmother who was a trained opera singer. My parents, avid opera patrons, first exposed me to performances via the Metropolitan Opera Saturday matinee broadcasts, aired each weekend, spicing up our family's weekend chores. However, it wasn't until my late twenties, during a performance by Placido Domingo, that I became permanently transfixed, on a whole new level, by the passion and power of opera.
It delights me to see the appreciation of opera on the incline, perhaps due in part, to the Met's high definition simulcasts, making first-rate opera available in theaters around the world. Have you been to any of these fabulously up-close productions? If so, which opera did you see?
For an extra treat, here is footage into scenes and music from a very old production of Madama Butterfly, featuring the glamorous Maria Callas, one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century.
Oil on Archival Linen Covered Board (Click Image for better, larger view)