Her character may have given up on being the queen bee of Constance Billard, but Taylor Momsen of "Gossip Girl" looked more glamorous than her 14 years at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on Monday night.
"Gossip Girl" may have ended its first season on Monday, but the cast-chasing will continue all summer long: We're just too used to tipping off our readers of the cast's whereabouts! You know you love us.
Famed chef Daniel Boulud strikes again this week in NYC, with the opening of Bar Boulud on the Upper West Side, right off Lincoln Center. Daniel's newest spot promises a casual wine bar and bistro atmosphere, but we hear it's a lot less casual than originally planned with three private dining rooms, a huge kitchen and even a separate charcuterie kitchen.
What to expect menu-wise? Rustic bistro dishes like a saffron scented poisson soup or pork, lamb and rabbit terrines. The charcuterie is rumored to be out-of-this-world, rare and delicious and the extensive wine list (overseen by Daniel Johnnes) is devoted to just two regions: Burgundy and the Rhone Valley, but it's full of plenty of options. Bar Boulud is a great spot for a little New Year's splurging in our book.
Update: NY restoblog Eater says that Bar Boulud has hit an opening snag. Expect reservations around the middle of January at the earliest.
Josie's Restaurant West on Manhattan's Upper West Side takes the proverbial granola out of organic eating (though the dairy-free oatmeal with maple syrup and fresh fruit is delicious).
Executive chef Louis Lanza also owns the place, in addition to three spin-off restaurants dotting the island: Josie's East, Citrus Bar & Grill, and Josephina.
Josie's is one of the few places in the city where everyone in a group of New Yorkers--and all the neurotic eating habits that comes with them--can find something to eat. While vegans fill up on animal-free fare, their carnivore friends can still find gorge. For every scrambled tofu omelet, there is a free-range egg one to match. And for every veggie burger, there is a beef patty made from a steer who supposedly was able to live his life grazing in an open field.
If you're in NYC, looking for an amazing view, a blend of French and Asian cuisine, and have some serious cash (or a whole tax refund to blow!) head to Asiate, at the striking Mandarin Oriental on Columbus Circle.
You might spend the evening surrounded by wealthy businessmen and their mistresses, but you'll soon be captivated by menu items like Suckling Pig with Pig Cheek Confit and Japonegi Sauce and Steamed Roasted Chicken Breast with Hickory Salt and Smoked Foie Gras. The best items on the menu came in the form of surprises - like a tuna amuse with carrot mousse and miniature gruyere popovers to start.
The service is excellent, and there's something about being on top of the city and looking out over Central Park that lends a powerful-if unrealistic sense of satisfaction. Just don't expect an early reservation, but not to worry, you can blow the rest of your refund on the tasty, pricey drinks in the adjacent bar. Go live it up for one night!
As we're on a little bit of a comfort food kick this week (must be the weather), today we're thinking rich, buttery, decorated baked goods. We're thinking Crumbs. With five locations (even one in the Hamptons), Crumbs is within craving distance at all times.
It's pretty much got everything a bakery should have, including cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and custom-made sheet cakes. Might sound normal, but after you dig into their fresh preserve fillings (peach, blueberry) you'll realize they're a step above. Or bite into one of their famous red velvet, cappuccino, or Devil Dog cupcakes - just big enough for a little lunchtime break. There are more than 25 types of cupcakes baked daily, and you can order a sixer of 'em, perfect for surprising someone on their birthday classily, or if you forgot to get a gift ahead of time.
Crumbs was opened by Mia and Jason Bauer four years ago, and interiors were inspired by old-school candy shops, with tile floors, wood display cases and "wall to wall treats." Don't worry - your winter sweaters will hide those few extra pounds.
American Idol songstress Kelly Clarkson was in Manhattan this weekend at the uber-posh (and pricey) Mandarin Oriental at Columbus Circle with her bro Jason and promoter Jay Galvin.
The threesome apparently made a mess (and a scene) in the hotel's swank bar area, when Jason slopped a glass of whiskey "all over himself" (Kelly was sipping white wine to avoid stains, luckily). Ms.Clarkson then stood up just before midnight and announced, quite loudly, that she "had to go to bed" because she "had" to sing in the a.m.
We're guessing she stayed there overnight too, though no one's confirming it. The MO loves its celeb guests. You may remember it as Ashlee Simpson's hotel hideout post-SNL-gate, but it looks like Kelly was just there for a drink and expensive nap rather than crisis control.
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by egw
