10 Links I Loved This Week

March 10, 2012 | posted by Molly

1. Jetsetter is having a huge Paris in Springtime sale. If you are planning a trip to the city of lights, check out their deals!

2. Carrie Bradshaw’s New York City brownstone is back on the market for $9.65 million. I keep hoping my husband will come home and say, “I got it” ala Mr. Big. I’ll keep dreaming…

3. My favorite boutique hotel specialists Mr. & Mrs. Smith curated a collection on Artspace. If they like it, guaranteed I will like it!

4. Handsome Coffee opened in downtown LA. I can’t wait to get my caffeine on!

5. I am obsessed with this DIY Chanel drip tee from one of my favorite blogs, The Londoner.

6. Jeremy Piven is in negotiations to star in the 10 episode drama “Mr. Selfridge,” chronicling the life of his famous London department store. Directed by Jon Jones of ”Downton Abbey” fame for UK network ITV, it can’t get on the air fast enough for me!

7. The boulder dropped at LACMA today or in formal terms Levitated Mass by artist Michael Heizer. At 340 tons, it’s the largest megalith moved since ancient times. Pretty cool, huh?!

8. ink.sack, Michael Voltaggio’s sandwich shop is now open an extended Tuesday-Sunday, giving you a chance to grab one of his creations all weekend long.

9. Fares to Los Angeles went on sale. Come see me!

10. My friends went to Zach Braff’s new London play “All New People,” and loved it. Get your tickets here for this limited run.

Tags: "All New People", Artspace, DIY Chanel drip tee, Downton Abbey, Handsome Coffee, ink.sack, Jeremy Piven, Jetsetter, LACMA, LACMA boulder, Levitated Mass, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Mr. Selfridge, Paris, Paris hotels, The Londoner, Zack Braff

La Cuisine Paris (Guest Blogger)

March 4, 2012 | posted by Jenn

It has always been a dream of mine to take cooking classes in Paris, so when my 30th birthday rolled around, I knew exactly what I wanted. My husband dutifully signed us up for a 3-hour lunchtime lesson at La Cuisine Paris (I’ll put it this way, if left to his own devices, he would microwave his dinner or bring it home in a paper bag). Choosing a cooking class abroad can be overwheleming, and we chose this one for several reasons: it was affordable, lessons were taught in English (almost half of us were celebrating our birthday, so clearly this is the thing to do for Americans in Paris!), and there were a variety of classes, dates and times to choose from. We were instructed to meet outside one of the oldest markets in Paris, The Marché Maubert, where our lesson would begin with a tour of the market and the chance to pick fresh, seasonal produce for our meal.

Despite the grey, damp weather , the market was bustling and we crowded around the different stalls while our chef chatted up the vendors and arranged for the group to sample various sausages, cheeses and fruits, all locally produced or grown—hors d’oeuvres if you will. Our afternoon menu was decided then and there, based on what looked fresh and plentiful – a departure from how I normally shop for food in the US. We filled our shopping bags with magrets de canard (duck breasts), aubergine (eggplant), pumpkin, apples, black radishes, beets and fresh herbs. We purchased only what we needed, nothing more, nothing less and I distinctly remember thinking “How will we feed 14 people with only 4 duck breasts!?”

From the market, we walked as a group to La Cuisine Paris where they greeted us with hot coffee and tea. We washed up, donned plastic aprons and each of us was given a cutting board, a knife and a task. Everything was very simply prepared, but delicious – not a fussy “French” cooking lesson, which I actually appreciated because we’ve repeated just about everything from memory back home. Shockingly, the duck breasts were very big, and when they came out of the oven, we sliced them and drizzled more of the glaze over them – plenty for everyone to have 2-3 big slices.The conversation was lively, and soon the 12 strangers in our class became friends. Within 90 minutes, we had a beautiful meal prepared and sat down as a group at a long communal table to feast and drink wine.

Le Menu

Oven Roasted Duck Breast with a Soy, Orange Shallot Glaze

Beets in Balsamic with Fresh Thyme

Roasted Pumpkin and Black Radish (sort of like root veggies)

Eggplant (simply done with salt/pepper/olive oil)

Apple Tarte Tatin with Creme Fraiche-click here for a very similar recipe

Cheese Course (also bought from the market) with French Bread

Tags: cooking school, La Cuisine Paris, Marché Maubert, Paris

On the Calendar: The Steins Collect at the Met

February 22, 2012 | posted by Molly

Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954) Woman with a Hat, 1905 Oil on canvas 31 3/4 x 23 1/2 in. (80.7 x 59.7 cm) San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Bequest of Elise S. Haas © 2012 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Pop culture last year ignited a new interest in the roaring 20s with films like ”Midnight in Paris” and the New York Times bestselling novel The Paris Wife. Perfect timing for The Steins Collection to hit the Met, which unites 200 works of art in its newest exhibit, The Steins Collect: Matisse, Picasso, and the Parisian Avant-Garde. Hemingway often speaks of Gertrude Stein in A Moveable Feast, and this is your chance to see up close the significant impact the Stein siblings (Gertrude, Leo, Michael, and his wife Sarah) had on the artists of their day and modern art of the 20th century.

A special preview is open to members of the Met February 24th & 25th before it opens to the public on February 28th. The next best thing to an invite to the Steins’ legendary Saturday-evening salons, don’t you think?

Details:

The Steins Collect: Matisse, Picasso, and the Parisian Avante-Garde
February 28-June 3, 2012
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York NY 10028

Tags: art, Gertrude Stein, Matisse, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, Picasso, The Steins Collect

Behind Every Great Man, There’s a Great Woman!

February 20, 2012 | posted by Molly

Happy Presidents’ Day! Jackie O Pop Art Print by J.Bao at Baostudio.

Tags: Baostudio, etsy, J.Bao, Jackie Kennedy Pop Art, Jackie O, Jackie O Pop Art, Pop Art

On the Calendar-Damien Hirst Exhibit

February 2, 2012 | posted by Molly

Usually, I make it my mission to experience something before I tell you about it, which makes limited engagements a challenge. My solution…a little glimpse of exciting things you shouldn’t miss that are on my calendar. This week, it’s the Damien Hirst: The Complete Spot Paintings Exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills. Can’t make it to Beverly Hills? Never fear, this was conceived as a single exhibition all at once in eleven locations that include New York, London, Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Athens, Geneva and Hong Kong. This exhibit precedes his first major museum opening at the Tate Modern in April 2012. Care to go around the world in eight days? Take the “Complete Spot Challenge,” visiting all venues and Mr. Hirst will sign a spot print dedicated to you personally. Just please, pack me in your suitcase.

DETAILS:
Damien Hirst: The Complete Spot Paintings
January 12-February 10, 2012
Gagosian
456 North Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-6pm
Click here for information on other locations

Tags: Damien Hirst: The Complete Spot Paintings Exhibit, Gagosian Gallery, Tate Modern

NEW York (Part 2): Savage Beauty

June 8, 2011 | posted by Molly

I do like art (heck, I married an artist and represent them for a living), but I’ll admit I’m not an avid collector or someone who can even offer an intelligent reason why some works are considered museum worthy and others just wind up on the sidewalk. But, what I can tell you is that art is an emotional experience. You have to reason that every artist has the goal to make you feel something, whether positive or negative. When a friend told me that I had to check out the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met, I had no idea that it would change my view of fashion, art and the blurred lines between fantasy and reality.

Alexander McQueen was known for many things in the fashion industry—among them, being unapologetic for his passion. I had not studied his collections nor had I read a single word about his life, but from the moment I stepped into the first room of “his house,” I was transported…sad, even, that I had not appreciated this young, brilliant talent before he took his own life.

As I moved from room to room, I started to realize that his inspiration wasn’t just some “out there” attempt at getting attention, but rather a much deeper, mad genius take on historical events, nature and above all, finding the beautiful in the ugly. At one point, the score from Schindler’s List began against a video installation and the air became haunted and melancholy. Sure, his costumes were breathtaking, but bravo to the Met for a brilliant job of setting the perfect mood. Now, if only I could afford that Sarabande dress from spring/summer 2007 decked out in silk and fresh flowers…

“There is no way back for me now. I am going to take you on journeys you’ve never dreamed were possible.” -Alexander McQueen

NOTE: Alexander McQueen, Savage Beauty is now showing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and was recently extended through August 7, 2011. If you can’t make the exhibit, you can still purchase the book.

TIP—if you go on a weekend, prepare to stand in line for tickets. You can avoid lines by becoming a member, which only cost $20 more than 2 tickets. Support the arts, avoid the lines-nuff said.

Tags: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty, Art Exhibits, fashion, Met, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cocktail Hour

April 25, 2011 | posted by Molly

And so it seems there are two words in my vocabulary lately–work and cocktails (exactly in that order). Oh, and vacation. But, unfortunately that’s a story for another day. I finally made a visit to Bar Keeper in Silver Lake and it ignited even further my recent obsession with bringing back the cocktail hour. Here’s what I’ve learned:

First things first. You must always have the right outfit, or in this case, be outfitted with
the right barware. Case in point— Cocktail Cups by Charles Schumann. I bought six.

If you are going to make me a [insert gin,vodka] tonic, please make it with Fever-Tree Tonic Water. Seriously, it really is the only tonic worth drinking.

Bitters makes everything better, and Bar Keeper has the biggest and best selection—which you will definitely need if you try to attempt any of these cocktail recipes .

I need a lesson from Marcos Tello, the mixologist behind some of LA’s finest bars i.e. The Edison, First & Hope. Pictured here, my special request at First & Hope for a drink similar to their former Blackberry Cobbler. This one was infused with rosemary—spectacular!

And finally, it’s five o’clock somewhere. Cheers, people!

Tags: Bar Keeper Silverlake, bitters, Charles Schumann, Cocktail Cups, cocktail hour, cocktails, Fever Tree Tonic Water, First & Hope, First and Hope, Marcos Tello, The Edison

Chicks with Knives: Pickling

March 14, 2011 | posted by Molly

Ok, so I’ll admit it. My first attempt at pickles was a big ole fail. After a few days of refrigeration, it was apparent there was something very unappealing growing in the bottom of the brand new jars I had paid entirely too much for at Sur la Table. SO…I decided $125 to take a lesson from the experts was an investment in my education (and would probably end up costing way less than my current method of trial and lots of errors).

Suzanne Griswold and Rachael Narins have made quite a splash within the food circles of LA. They are Chicks with Knives. Not only are they the creative force behind some of the city’s best secret dinners and cooking classes, but they specialize in pickles, often popping up in off beaten locations to blanket our town with their perishable canned goods (see also bacon jam—sinful).

It was a Sunday morning at Surfas, and I was ready to soak up as much info as I could, with visions of my perfectly packaged jars of pickles (à la Martha Stewart) ready to hand out to neighbors next Christmas. Well, the first hour alone was worth any price hesitation. Rachael gave us a very thorough run down of methods, common misconceptions (you shouldn’t pickle with your own homemade vinegar, and to think that was next on my list), and her favorite resources (The Joy of Pickling by Linda Ziedrich).

We partnered off and each got to make at least two different recipes, though we got to take home some of everything. My partner and I tried Classic Garlic-Dill Pickles and Spicy Mexican-Style Pickled Carrots & Jalapeño. Not only did we leave with new-found skills and seven jars of pickles, we also got a goodie bag filled with a canning kit, pickling spice and all the recipes. For more info on Chicks with Knives and to find out about their next pickling class, sign up for their newsletter. Here is a little peak:

Always start any recipe with beautiful fresh produce-preferably when someone else has done the shopping!

Pickling spice can be purchased or you can make your own (my preferred method)–luckily we got to take some home in our goodie bag.

We made quick, refrigerator pickles, which is very different and way less complicated than fermented pickles. Who knew! *See below for recipe courtesy of Chicks with Knives

I’m fast friends with anybody who understands the joy of pretty packaging and labeling!

The gorgeous goods: Spicky Mexican-Style Pickled Carrots & Jalapeño—Traditionally served as a condiment with Mexican food, but try chopping and adding to a green salad with sliced zucchini and crumbled feta cheese.

Kimchi-all I can say is WOW. A-mazing. And…a very clever tip, add in cold chicken stock, carrots and bean sprouts and serve as a chilled soup. Yes, I think I will.

Classic Garlic-Dill Pickles (Courtesy of Chicks with Knives)
Yields: 6 cups

1 pounds Kirby cucumbers
1 pound onions, sliced thin
2 tbsp salt
2 cups white sugar
6 each garlic clove
2 tsp pickling spice
2 tsp dill seed
4 cups white vinegar (1 liter)
1 cup dill weed sprigs

Slice the cucumbers thin. Layer in to a colander with the onions and sprinkle each layer with salt. Let stand for one to three hours (Note-we only let them stand about 15 minutes in the class and they still turned out great).

Rinse well.

Place the sugar, garlic, spices and vinegar in to a large non-reactive pan (such as stainless steel). Do NOT add the fresh dill. Bring to a boil. Add the cucumbers. Return to a boil and turn off the heat.

Pack the vegetables and fresh dill in to sterilized jars. Top with vinegar. Cool and seal.

Will be ready to eat in one or two days, but best about a week later. Will keep for a month in the fridge.

Tags: "Chicks with Knives", cooking classes, Los Angeles underground supper clubs, pickles, Pickling, Pickling Classes, Surfas

Homemade Dill Pickles

February 6, 2011 | posted by Molly

I’ve been wanting to make pickles for quite some time. Especially since spending an afternoon at the Bloody Mary bar at The Nines Hotel in Portland. So, this past week, I gave it a go.

STEP 1: Buy pickling (Kirby) cucumbers at the Farmer’s Market (yes, there is a difference between these and regular cucumbers, specifically a thinner skin allowing the brine to penetrate).

STEP 2: Wash, dry and slice said cucumbers.

STEP 3: Make a Pickling Spice and a Brine. Click here for the recipe I used

STEP 4: Add the cucumbers to canning jars, adding a little of the pickling spice and dill as you stack them. When your jar is full, cover completely with the brine.

STEP 5: Store jars with their lids loose in a cool, dark place for 3-6 days to ferment.

For complete instructions, try this recipe. My pickles were less crunchy than I would have liked and next time, I’ll use less clove. Pick your Own has tons of information and ideas. While, I won’t be opening up a pickle stand anytime soon, it was a good first attempt. I can’t wait to pickle green beans when they are at their peak.

If you are in Los Angeles and need a hands on step-by-step lesson on making homemade pickles (I think I might!), check out Chicks with Knifes Workshop at Surfas on February 20th. I was a little stunned by the $125 price tag, but trial and error can add up, especially if grandma isn’t around to help you.

If you want to ease your way in, try this book “Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It”. Don’t miss the how-to video!

Tags: "Chicks with Knives", "Jam It, canning, Cure It", dill pickles, Pickle It, pickles, Surfas

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