The Fabulous Fins

Another late blog post as I worked during the day today--gotta' figure out a new schedule for posting on the site.

After another day of sweat and toil, I was treated to a luxurious dinner by Peaches. He works at GW Fins in the French Quarter and was offered a dinner for two as a thank you for all of the training he's been taking care of recently. I happily accepted his invitation, as this is one of the premiere seafood houses in New Orleans, and I was not disappointed by the experience.

Yes, I'm talking about food again, because you know that food is one of life's essential and ultimate pleasures. We started off with some smoked sizzling oysters and a shrimp cocktail--both were a delight, and the oysters really do sizzle as they are presented at the table. We enjoyed a couple of salads--I had the Creole tomato salad with onions, cucumbers, bleu cheese and a sherry vinaigrette, while Brandon had a Butter Lettuce salad with avocado, asparagus, roasted pepper, deviled eggs and Green Goddess dressing.

The entrees were also fabulous. I enjoyed a wood-grilled Pompano with a 6 melon salsa, plantain chips and crab meat, while Brandon had a rib eye served with onion strings and a fantastic sweet potato side(with bourbon and bananas). While I wanted to enjoy a dessert, I was simply too full from the glorious repast.

If you're in the Crescent City and looking for a gorgeous, upscale dining experience, check out GW Fins--it's suddenly become one of this Sybarite's go-to destinations.

Sippin' on a cool one

As I was walking home from work this afternoon, the skies opened up and it began to pour. Lucky for me I was in the Quarter taking care of some business, and was only two blocks away from one of my local watering holes, so I decided to cool off and wait for the rain to pass--and wouldn't you know, Happy Hour had just begun! I smiled as I took a much needed rest and ordered up a libation that's been a favorite of mine recently, a sweet tea vodka and water.

Sweet tea vodka is very popular down here, and I had not been exposed to it previously. While I will never abandon the Ketel, this is actually a decent liquor, and the cocktails go down smooth (maybe a bit too smooth).

The brand they use at the Lantern is Dukes--not overly sweet and tastes great in a cocktail. Another popular brand is Firefly; we got a bottle at the package store the other day for about $23.

So if you're looking for a change of pace in your cocktail, order a sweet tea with water. It will quench your thirst and give you a buzz--truly a pleasure in life.

Super Luxe Sundays

We're in the middle of some pretty nasty weather, but I didn't want to let a little thunder and lightning keep me from my post. Looking around at gorgeous, luxurious things for Super Luxe Sundays, I went over to see some of the delights that have been designed at the House of Baccarat.

Most sybarites are familiar with Baccarat--started back in 1764, the company provides an array of crystalware for table and home. There are tons of gorgeous pieces and collections on their website, and here are a few that really tickled my fancy.



This Moulin Rouge champagne bucket features a bottle holder so you never have to worry about losing your bubble in the bucket.



I love this decanter--very handsome piece of crystal that would be perfect in my home.

Baccarat is sold in higher end retail establishments in this country (Neimen Marcus has a huge selection). And those of you who wish to add the ultimate Baccarat piece to your home should consider breaking out the Black Amex for this:



This piece was created in 1994 to celebrate the company's 230th anniversary. It features 230 lights and measures 16.4 feet high and 9.8 feet across. Weighing in at 1.5 tons and featuring over a mile of wiring the chandelier took over 15000 hours to complete.

Wouldn't this look great in your home?

The Pleasure of Employment

Apologies for the late post today, but I started my first day of work this morning.

After two weeks in New Orleans, and numerous interviews, I landed a job as a waiter at a restaurant called The Crazy Lobster. The restaurant is located on the Riverwalk near Harrah's Casino, and has a great view of the Mississippi. It's all about the seafood, and everything looks pretty fresh. They had a live band play all day, and it was busy--haven't had to move like that in quite a while.

Food and Beverage is my fall-back job track--I've done it so much throughout the years that I always say that if everything goes to hell, I can at least wait tables. This city takes its hospitality very seriously, and my lack of recent employment in the field undoubtedly cost me some jobs in the more upscale houses. I'm not worried, though--now that I have work I can get on with the business of truly getting settled in and taking time to learn about all the pleasures and luxuries New Orleans has to offer.

An obvious side benefit for me will be a weight reduction, as I must have sweated out three pounds today, working in the heat...

Friday on Fabulon

With the newsworld abuzz with yesterday's celebrity demises and a blustery day of intermittent showers pounding the Crescent City, I decided to make sure all of my readers (all three of you, LOL) take some time to visit Planet Fabulon. This blog has become a daily read for me, and always provides a snicker or an "oooh/ah" moment with the pictures and videos that are posted.

Planet Fabulon finds images of vintage fashion, avant garde photography and usually includes a killer one-liner under the image to round out the presentation. I have no idea where they find the time to scour the Internet for everything that they post, but it's always a pleasant surprise to see what's on the blog, which is usually updated several times a day.

So take some time today to put a smile on your face and see what's happening at Planet Fabulon.

As the cookie crumbles...

Since I have lots of friends who are great cooks, it would be unfair of me to constantly focus on the delightful offerings that come out of Brandon's kitchen (although we did enjoy a lovely steak dinner last night, served with roasted potatoes mixed in with the green bean dish I prepared earlier this week). My friend Paul has some mad skills in the kitchen too, and one of his recent blog posts gives readers a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Of course, the recipe is preceded by a rant, but that's just how he rolls. Click here to check out the post.

I love these cookies! They're moist, chewy and delightfully doughy. Paul keeps the cookies in the fridge, and the cold chunks of chocolate are a true pleasure to enjoy. Even with my desire to be conscious of my food consumption, I can never say no to "just one" as we watch bad TV.

Paul's signature pie around the holidays is the shoo-fly pie, which is a gooey molasses confection. Apparently this pie is de rigueur in Pennsylvania, and it's always a delight to enjoy. Shoo-fly pie comes in two varieties--wet bottom and dry bottom. We partake of the wet bottom, and that's all I'm going to say on the subject. Perhaps he can be persuaded to share that recipe in the future.

Keep your fork, there's Pie!

My friend and gracious host Brandon is an extraordinary cook. I've been raving about dishes that he's prepared since my arrival in the Crescent City, not only because I find food to be one of life's greatest pleasures, but also to keep the folks back home up to date on his latest culinary adventures. Some of my fondest memories of my time in St. Pete were Sundays spent on the back porch shared by Brandon and Paul, enjoying cocktails and delicious meals while carrying on.

Last week I wrote about the fantastic pork roast Brandon prepared. He saved the stock from the roast and used it yesterday to prepare a hearty soup of black eyed peas, collards, bacon, and tomatoes. The soup simmered away in the crockpot for 6 or 7 hours. Served with cornbread, it was a savory delight. Behold:

And if that wasn't enough, for dessert we enjoyed a delicious cherry pie. Brandon has been going on for a couple of days about pie, and yesterday as we were out for a walk, he picked up some ridicuously priced cherries at Rouses and threw together a prize-worthy confection. He enjoyed ice cream with his slice, but I tend to be more of a pie-purist, and simply had a plate of pie. So you know what's for breakfast this morning...



New Orleans is really hot and steamy right now, but I think it's a blessing in disguise as the weather guarantees that I sweat off some of the calories during my daily walk around the city. Today I head back to the Garden District for a follow-up interview at Commander's Palace; I hope to turn on the charm and get hired as I'm more than ready to get to work.

My Inner Sybarite

After a couple of drinks out last night, and a delicious pitcher of iced tea cocktails at home, Brandon suggested we put on an episode of Absolutely Fabulous for a laugh. I ecstatically agreed.

AbFab is one of my all-time favorite shows. Produced by the BBC in the early 90's, with special shows filmed well into this decade, AbFab follows the exploits of Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, childhood friends who grew up in the 60's and never let go of the booze, drugs and partying of their heyday. Their exploits are hilarious, and I laugh every time I watch an episode.

There's a part of my inner sybarite that longs to be like Patsy--always in Chanel or Dior suits, "working" at a magazine as Fashion Editor while swilling champagne or vodka and practically eating cigarettes. She's witty and acerbic and I love her. I try not to be as morally bankrupt as Patsy, but I, like her, "love shopping for knick knacks and gorgeous things".

If it's been a while since you've spent time with the ladies, check them out on YouTube or get a season or two from Netflix. Put on your Le Croix, throw back some bolly, and join in the depravity with the twisted, modern day Lucy and Ethel.

Love your pet? Get a portrait!

Glancing through the blogs I like to peruse, I noticed that my good friend Christine Winship updated an entry on her blog, The Pedigree Artist.

Christine is a dear friend and a fantastic artist. I've commissioned several works from her, and seeing art that was created specifically for me always brings me great joy. Christine develops work along many themes, but her blog focuses on the niche of creating pet portraits.

I am not a pet person, but I know that pets are like children to many of their owners. Christine can take a photo of your pet and render it into a gorgeous painting that becomes the ultimate keepsake. Her prices are reasonable and her attention to detail is amazing.

I know several friends that commissioned Christine to paint a picture of a friend's house as a Christmas gift--charming idea that allows the recipient to enjoy personalized art that showcases his home.

Many people feel that buying and collecting art is an expensive undertaking, but it doesn't have to be. The enjoyment of art is another of life's pleasures that should not be ignored. Check out Christine's work and get your personal collection going today.

Super Luxe Sundays

Today's post deals with anticipated luxury. New Orleans is awash with speculation and high anticipation for the reopening of a city landmark, The Roosevelt Hotel.

This hotel is part of the Waldorf-Astoria collection and is a member of the Hilton family of hotels. The Roosevelt was originally opened as The Grunewald in 1893, and later changed to the Fairmont Hotel. Closed in 2005, the Roosevelt Hotel's website boasts of a $145 million renovation, and you can't talk to a resident of this City who doesn't have the highest expectations for this property to succeed.

The Restless Sybarite has had the good fortune to stay in a host of beautiful hotels and luxurious properties during his stints on the road. Properties like the Essex House in Manhattan, the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas, and the Hotel Bel Air in Beverly Hills strive to indulge a patron's every whim and command top dollar for their ambiance and services. These properties offer a weary traveler sumptuous accommodations and makes him feel welcomed by surrounding him with plush furnishings, great art and (usually) top-rated food and drink.

Trust me, I've stayed at almost every level of hotel in this country, and the high end properties know how to do it right. I left each of those stays feeling rejuvenated and a bit grand for a day or two after the visit. I'm anxious to spend some time in the Roosevelt Hotel, scheduled to open July 1. It sounds like it's going to be a fantastic property, and I can hardly wait to indulge in its luxury.

Luxury Bathing with Dr. Bronner

I've spent quite a bit of time on the pleasures of food this week, so today I decided to turn to another of life's little luxuries that makes even a dreary day brighter: bathing.

I relish my time spent under the nozzle of a nice hot shower, and find that a daily bathing ritual offers many people their only opportunity for some personal time to relax, recharge and contemplate. I don't have an elaborate bathing routine (in fact, I prefew to shave in the shower but my mirror didn't make it in the move), but I do enjoy the luxury of good soap. Brandon shares my love for several products produced by Dr. Bronner, and has two varities for indulgence in the bath.

I was first turned on to Dr. Bronner when I got a stocking stuffer of his peppermint soap many Christmases ago from my friend Paul. I was amazed how the soap could cool down the body even in the summer heat of Florida, and I always left the shower feeling tingly and refreshed. Sold in various sizes, I encourage everyone to add some peppermint soap to your bathroom.

Brandon also has a tea tree soap that's quite delightful. I've never used this soap with regularity, but it has a nice fragrance and leaves you feeling nice and clean.

Dr. Bronner's soaps are completely biodegradable and vegetable based, and in perusing their website today I discovered that their products are made with Certified Fair Trade and organic oils.

So step up your hygiene and indulge in another simple luxury that sets the sybarite apart from the simpleton. You can find Dr. Bronner products in most major retailers and specialty health food and grocery stores, or go here to order online. Your skin and soul will thank you for it!

The Darker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice

I seem to be on a food kick with my posts this week, but I can't think of a better topic, especially in a city like New Orleans that offers such delightful variety. I mentioned at the end of my post yesterday that I was anticipating a delicious dinner that my friend Brandon put together for us, and once again, he outdid himself.

We picked up a nice pork roast at Rouses last weekend, and he put it in the crock pot before we left the house yesterday morning. Combined with onions, spices, and a kick-ass sauce he threw together, we enjoyed some spectacular sandwiches last night as we watched "The Color Purple". Accompanying the pork was a delicious homemade Cajun slaw that was primarily creole mustard based, which provided a nice counterpoint to the tangy flavor of the pork.

And feast your eyes on dessert:

While Brandon is a dynamic cook, his ultimate talents are best displayed in his baking. He found a recipe for a blueberry upside down cake in a booklet he had in the kitchen, and quickly adapted it to make use of the blueberries, strawberries and raspberries that were on hand. The result was positively delightful. The cake is so moist, and the berries add complexity to the cake without overwhelming it.

I've said it before; food is one of the great pleasures in life, and I'm fortunate to be in the company of a fabulous gormand. Time for some leftovers!

Good Pig, Bad Pig

I've had two distinct experiences with two kinds of pigs in the last 24 hours. My friend Angelique invited me to join her, her husband Zac and another friend for dinner last night at Cochon. Donald Link opened Cochon a couple of years ago, and has enjoyed critical acclaim for the down home, central Louisiana food he prepares. I was excited to check this place out, as I've read no fewer than five articles about it in the past two years. Thankfully, Angelique works there so we were able to feast on a discount, and feast we did. We shared appetizers of ribs, oysters, crawfish pie, rabbit livers, the evening special (eggplant with city ham and a sunny side up egg), as well as the boucherie plate. All of the meat is butchered and prepared on site, and each plate was absolutely delicious.

Knowing that we were having pork tonight, I opted for the smoked beef brisket served with horseradish potato salad for my entree. This dish was absolutely out of this world, and I enjoyed it with reckless abandon. I was also able to sample some of my dining companion's dinners, and enjoyed the pork tenderloin and the fried pigs ears, lima beans and collards that the kitchen sent to the table as a wonderful lagniappe. If you want to treat yourself to a delicious meal, you must try Cochon.

The bad pig was encountered this morning as Peaches and I made our way over to collect Angelique and head out to do a bit of shopping. These kids don't have a car, so now that I've arrived with my truck they're anxious to occasionally leave the Quarter and explore the largesse available in the suburbs. Driving down Rampart, I switched lanes as there was a truck stopped in the middle of the street, and was pulled over by the cops for failing to use my signal in a lane change. Yes, I got a ticket, which really pissed me off, because it was obvious the cops were just looking to fill a quota. I shook it off and we enjoyed our trip, but now I have to decide whether to fight the ticket or just pay the fine and move on.

Now I'm enjoying the smells of a slow cooking pork roast and anticipating a slice of triple berry upside down cake that Peaches is preparing for our evening repast. I should find out about a job in the next two days, so life is coming together nicely.

Holy Guacamole!

I have the good fortune of being surrounded by good cooks. Most of my friends in Florida and my host here in New Orleans enjoy cooking and sharing delicously prepared meals. One of the most important pleasures in life is good food, and being around folks who know how to work with food provides an excellent opportunity to pick up tips and develop new skills.

Since my arrival, I have not prepared a lot of food; Brandon can pull off a delicious meal with a few basic ingredients in no time, and I've been content to enjoy his dishes. When he was at work last night I finally broke down and whipped up some guacamole.

I have been on a gaucamole kick for a couple of months now, and I'm not sure what brought it on. It's a simple dish, and the ingredients are good for the body. I found a recipe from one of my favorite celebrity chefs, Ina Garten (aka The Barefoot Contessa), and could not believe how quick the dish is to prepare. You can whip up a batch in under 10 minutes, and the results are tasty and incredibly satisfying.

The recipe is on Food Network's web site. Go here for the recipe.

If you have another recipe for great guacamole, please share.

BYOM (Bring Your Own Meat)

I got a bit of a late start this morning after a night of revelry with Peaches in my new city. After pounding the pavement yesterday and enjoying an early evening stroll through the Marigny neighborhood, I went out to quench my thirst with a polite libation at Good Friends. Once Peaches got off work we wended our way over to the Golden Lantern for a couple of cocktails before heading home to enjoy a late night (early morning) snack to aid in soaking up the liquor.

Having been to New Orleans on numerous occasions before moving here, I always appreciate the promos that the bar owners put together in order to generate business. Flipping through the local rag yesterday I squealed as I saw not one, not two, but three different bars that have a weekly special that invites patrons to bring their own meat to the bar for grilling. I did not make it to Monday's BYOM night at the Phoenix, but plan to attend one of these evenings in the very near future to see who trots in a flank steak or a chicken breast. The image of patrons anticipating a delicious meal as they walk through the Quarter with their meat in a bag or Tupperware container to be skillfully grilled at the local watering hole still has me giggling.

Apparently the New Orleans Bears also hold a weekly bake sale at one of the bars, but I'll leave the details of that for another post...

Time Keeps On Slipping into the Future

As I awoke this morning I realized that today is June 15. In addition to this being my friend Suzanne's birthday, it also marks the middle of the year--that's right, kids, 2009 is half over. I am continually amazed at the speed which pages of the calendar fall away. This year has been fairly chaotic for me so far, but now that I'm in a new location, I have visions of fun, ease and splendor on the brain.

So far my time in New Orleans has been enchanting--the festivals were great fun yesterday, with tasty food and lively Zydeco music, and my host Peaches has been a gem. Today reality sets in as I look for work so I can begin the process of establishing myself in my new city. There seems to be ample opportunity to get work, so I am envisioning the job search to be a quick and easy process.

Wish me luck!

Super Luxe Sundays

To celebrate my arrival in New Orleans, today's offering for Super Luxe Sundays is local jewelry desinger Mignon Faget. Her web site offers a variety of "extraordinary jewelry" and other gorgeous things. To insure I do not violate the copyright terms on her site, I will refrain from posting pictures, but here are a few items that I found particularly appealing:

Diamond Tux Studs in 14K gold for $1100

Fleur De Lis belt buckle in 14K gold for $3350

King and Queen Goblets set of four for $65

Faget has five stores around Louisiana so check her out if you're in the mood for to add some luxury to your life.

The Pleasure of a lazy Saturday

So today is my first full day as a New Orleanian, and besides making groceries at Rouse's this morning, it's been a lovely, lazy day. After two days of packing, driving and schlepping, I needed a day of down time to relax and recharge before gearing up for the job search.

I am so excited to be in the city. It's definitely come back to life, and there's a whirlwind of activities to enjoy. My gracious host and good friend Brandon (the infamous Peaches Muffaletta Jackson) will be joining me tomorrow to enjoy the three festivals that are going on this weekend: the Tomato Festival, Seafood Festival and Zydeco Festival. I can't wait!

To celebrate my arrival in the city yesterday I decided to sample some local cuisine and ended up at the Chartres House Cafe. The building has been in existence since 1795 and is located on the corner of Chartres and Toulouse in the French Quarter. While the bartender seemed annoyed to be at work, I enjoyed a great dish of Jambalaya, and the restaurant was a great nice place to relax and enjoy a meal without the cacophony of Bourbon Street.

Think it's time for a disco nap before heading out to explore some more.

On the Road Again

Just a quick post this morning before I head out on the final leg of my trip to New Orleans. I got a later start than I anticipated yesterday, but made it to Tallahassee about midnight and threw it down for some much needed rest.

Now it's time for a quick shower and another cup of coffee, then I'm on the road. Catch up with you tomorrow from the Crescent City!

Life in Eight Boxes

Today is moving day. After a week of relentless sorting and purging, I have about two more boxes to pack, then a quick trip to the thrift store to donate a couple of pieces of furniture before cleaning up the apartment. I hope to be on the road by mid-afternoon.

I am very excited for the new adventures, and look forward to sharing the journey with you.

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie

As my time winds down here in Florida, I've been fortunate to receive lots of invites to join friends for a nibble or a cocktail before I take off. As I mentioned before, good friends are the ultimate luxury, and I consider myself very lucky to have such great people in my life.

I met up with my friend Nancy last night for our long-standing pizza and wine ritual. It's always a great time as we catch up and laugh about all manner of people and things. In addition to the vino and good conversation, we had a really good pizza...from Domino's, of all places.

Now I'm not a pizza snob, but I tend to gravitate toward local shops when indulging in my quest for a good pie. I don't have lots of specifications on what toppings must be included, and try to keep an open mind when sharing a pizza (except for anchovies, can't handle anchovies). Nancy is a vegetarian, and we've discovered a lovely creation from Domino's called the Pacific Veggie, which is part of their American Legends line. The Pacific Veggie has roasted red peppers, spinach, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and black olives with provolone and feta cheese. Ordered on a thin crust, it's a delicious experience. The vegetables were fresh and the pizza was delivered piping hot, although I'm sure it would be just as delicious eaten cold the next morning (which Nancy confirmed). Knowing that pizza will move to the bottom of the food chain as I move to the land of po-boy's and gumbo, I enjoyed every bite.

So if you're in the mood for a good pizza, give the Pacific Veggie a try. It's a simple pleasure that's worth the money. And for God's sakes, stay away from that pasta in a bread bowl thing Domino's has rolled out--it looks like a total carbfest that's guaranteed to bring shame and tighter pants the morning after.

Add some beauty to your kitchen

I see from traffic reports and a couple of comments that people are starting to find my musings, which is exciting. I hope to connect with folks around the world who resonate with the Restless Sybarite's mindset and lifestyle.

If you love nice things (and of course you do, or you wouldn't be here), my good friend Paul Anater has a great contest running on his blog this week. Paul is a designer and writes about a host of design topics at Kitchen and Residential Design. His mission is to provide useful information on various aspects of design that help people make better choices that reflect their sensibility when designing their living space. Knowledgable and highly opinionated, he's never one to shy away from any topic, and does not suffer fools, as several readers have discovered. I read his blog every day; for me it's like having a cup of coffee with him in the morning.

So Paul has partnered with Boston-based design firm All Modern to give away a gorgeous Alessi kettle. Behold:



Paul is obsessed with Alessi, as you'll see on his blog. Rather than rehash all of the particulars about the giveaway, head over to Kitchen and Residential Design and see for yourself. It's a super easy contest (just leave a comment), and a great way to get a lovely piece of luxury into your home.

It's Enough to Drive You Crazy If You Let It

Perusing through the blogs and newsfeeds this morning, I was disappointed to learn that the Living Legend, my girl Dolly Parton, did not win a Tony last night for her muscial adaption of "9 to 5". Apparently almost everything went to Elton John's "Billy Elliot". I haven't seen either show, so I can't comment on the merits of the awards, but I always love to see the Blue Valley Songbird get recognition for her endless talent.

I don't go in for award shows, but reading about the offerings on the Great White Way made me realize that it's been far too long since I've seen a show. I had the pleasure of seeing the original cast in "Wicked" several years ago, and we had front row seats for the revival of "Steel Magnolias", which was a fantastic production.

I love the theater and there's something magical about seeing a show on Broadway. Sure, the touring companies can be good; I've seen "Sunset Boulevard", "Cats", "Les Miserables" and "Hair" in various locales, but nothing holds the charm of hunkering down in a packed house in New York. Plays are one of the great pleasures in life, and I encourage everyone to see at least one show on Broadway.

Looks like I need to find a way to wing it up to New York this summer...

Super Luxe Sundays

As I sort and pack my possessions I come across items that remind me of the places that I've lived. This weekend I've had Boston on the brain; today is my friend Christine's birthday, and several people that I knew from my times in the city have reappeared this week to catch up on life's happenings. In keeping with the theme of Super Luxe Sundays, today I decided to spotlight a Boston institution for charming, luxurious gifts and jewlery, Shreve, Crump & Low.

Hailing itself as "The Gem of Boston since 1796", the flagship store is located on the corner of Boylston and Newberry Streets, diagonally across from the entrance to the Public Gardens and a stone's throw from the Ritz Carlton and Park Plaza hotels. Watchmaker John McFarlane opened the original store across the street from Paul Revere in Downtown Crossing in 1796, and consolidated into its present entity through growth and partnerships in the 1800's. I have fond memories of the gazing at the gorgeous displays in the windows that made many a passerby stop and dream, and stepping into the store made me wish my last name was Cabot or Kennedy instead of Smith.

Offering a beautiful selection of jewelry, silver and crystal objet d'art, a glance through the store or the company's website promotes visions of grand, fabulous living. Behold:

Gorgeous Men's Jaeger Reverso watch, available for $21,800.

Antique sterling silver handmade candy dish, available for $750.

Beautiful Baccarat ice bucket, available for $635.

If you appreciate nice things but don't live for luxury, there are many items that are well priced and delightful. And if you're ever in New England and in search of the perfect hostess gift, I always suggest the Gurgling Cod.

These pitchers come in three sizes and were first developed in 1964. Modeled after a traditional English "glug jug", the pitchers make a delightful sound as you pour them and are crafted to show a remarkable likeness to the native fish of New England that's on every menu in town.

So the next time you find yourself in Boston (please don't refer to it as Beantown), stop by Shreve, Crump & Low to feast your eyes on luxury. It's fine if you want to speak through a clenched jaw in an attempt to sound like a Mayflower-descended sophisticate, but for God's sakes don't drop the "r" from your speech pattern...

Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain

Short post this morning as I have to be in Tampa for an open house I committed to work.

My days of being an early riser are few and far between, having abandoned the 5am awakening to hit the gym before work long, long ago. Unlike some folks I know who can sleep the day away, I tend to get up around 7 or so. Knowing that I had to get up and take care of things before heading out this morning I set the alarm for 6 and hoped that I wouldn't languish in bed working the snooze button for 45 minutes, which is my typical MO.

I woke up today with the sound of rain beating down outside and smiled. I love the sound of rain in the morning, especially in Florida at this time of year, because you know that on most days the storm will pass in 10 to 15 minutes. Today was no exception; by the time my coffee was ready the storm was gone, and the sun began to light up the sky.

Yes, I know this means the day will probably be very sticky, helped in part by the morning moisture, but the morning shower outside my window did as much to get me going today as the shower I am about to jump in after breakfast.

So it's a simple pleasure today; waking up to the sounds of a summer rain.

I'm cuckoo for Ketel One

After a semi-productive day yesterday, I was invited out for a polite cocktail with my friend Cheeky Monkey. Having completed the two week booze restriction of the South Beach Diet that I recently started again, and realizing that I hadn't been out in what seemed like a month of Sundays, I accepted and headed to our usual watering hole.

Thursdays at this particular establishment feature a drink special of Long Island Ice Teas served in huge Mason jars for $3. As a former (and probably future) bartender, I hate making this drink; it ranks up there with a Ramos Fizz as a pain in the ass. Not that it's a complicated concoction, it's simply a time consuming drink to prepare, especially if you're working a busy bar. Watching the boys make them last night I determined that my opinion is my own personal issue, as they slung LIIT's right and left with speed (not precision--when you're dumping that much liquor in a drink and topping it with coke and sour mix, there's really no need to worry about proportion).

While I appreciate the need for value when you decide to get your drink on, I steered clear of the bucket 'o booze and enjoyed a couple of my standard libations: the Ketel One and soda. It's a crisp, refreshing cocktail that never fails to satisfy.

I've always been a vodka man. Through years of trial and error I've learned that whiskey makes me angry, scotch makes me cry and tequila opens me up to do all sorts of things that a person shouldn't do (at least not in public). For seasoned hopheads, vodka may be considered the gateway liquor of youth that leads the palate to more refined appreciation of single-malts and vintage agaves, but for my money, vodka's always been the liquor of choice.

In my younger days I was an Absolut kind of guy until moving to California where I stumbled upon Stolichnaya. Stoli is a delicious Russian vodka and I consumed scores of Stoli madras while holding up walls in various saloons around San Francisco. The flavor of Stoli was smoother than Absolut, and allowed me to indulge in fantasies of keeping up with Patsy Stone and Edina Monsoon, two characters I adore who consumed Stoli by the case. I spent many years indulging in the bliss of Stoli cocktails until a fateful day (the particulars of which escape me now) when I tried Ketel One.

Ah, Ketel. I was in love from the first libation. Ketel One is a Dutch vodka that has one of the cleanest tastes in the market. It's smooth and mixes perfectly with club soda, as well as standing on its own in a bone-dry martini. Once I found Ketel I never looked back unless I found myself at some watering hole or unfortunate cocktail soiree where they had no good booze on the bar. In addition to the taste (and I will debate anyone who claims that vodka is a flavorless liquor), the occasional night of overindulgence in Ketel can be quickly remedied by a glass or two of water.

Ketel is one the higher end of price points in the liquor realm (this is a blog about luxury and pleasure, remember), but in my mind it's worth the price. Life is too short to drink cheap liquor and date bad kissers, so if you're up for some good hootch, pay the extra dollar and enjoy a quality cocktail. Your brain and liver will thank you for it in the morning.

Prattling Pitchmen

I am one of those weird people who doesn't watch a lot of TV. I did not grow up with cable in my house, and I remember a year and a half of my childhood when we did not have a working television because my father refused to replace our broken set. While there are shows that I like, I gave up on cable several years ago because I couldn't justify the expense, and preferred spending my leisure hours reading and listening to music.

I frequently get invited over to my friend Paul's house to watch shows that he finds particularly entertaining, and while "Intervention" is not my cup of tea, he does pull out some gems. With the flood of confessional/confrontational "reality" programs that are available, it can be an amusing and/or horrifying entertainment experience. One show that we've followed consistently is "Pitchmen".

"Pitchmen" features Billy Mayes and Anthony Sullivan, arguably two of the most highly visible pitchmen in the country, as they interact with inventors on a quest to find the next big thing--that product which everyone sees in a 2 minute spot on TV and decides that they can't live without. From time to time they feature some neat products, but the show has been designed to be a showcase for the life of luxury (private jets, big houses, Billy's Bentley) that Billy and Sully enjoy and markets them as experts in the direct-response marketing arena. I will give them their due--they've managed to carve out a niche in the consumer's psyche, and they obviously do something right, as inventors flock to them in hopes that the duo will pitch their wares. My true delight in the show stems from the behind the scenes moments when you are witness to the egomania these two possess.

I've worked with both of these pitchmen in a customer support role back in the day when I worked at HSN. Dealing with product delivery and performance issues, potential product endorsements and show host talking points, I never stopped being amazed by the amount of attention Billy and Sully garnered at the network. When I worked in the call center, HSN had the stages set up in the middle of the center, and you could hear Billy yelling about OxyClean and OrangeGlo from the time you walked in the door. I was fascinated (and annoyed) watching them work.

I became a pitchman as well, having spent the last two years traveling around the country to promote a line of cookware. The stories I have from the road are many, and I'm sure I'll relay some of them in future posts. I'll tell you that until you hit the level those two have achieved, much of the life of a pitchman consists of cheap hotel rooms and long, long days of dealing with the great unwashed, my term of affection for the general public. It's an arduous, yet somewhat satisfying experience, especially when you help people get a great product into their home. I worked the long pitch, doing a demonstration that lasts about 45 minutes from start to close, and witnessed scores of vendors doing everything under the sun to get people to stop at their booth for a quick demonstration. With the decline in the market, I watched consumer spending quickly erode starting last fall, and I've realized that the "glamour" and excitement of a gypsy pot dealer has been lost for me.

I recommend taking at look at "Pitchmen", which plays on the Discovery Channel. Love 'em or hate 'em, the show usually provides some good entertainment, and lets all of you closet hucksters dream of the life of opulence you can enjoy once you get all the folks at home to pick up the phone and place their order. Quantities are limited, so call right now...

Wednesday at the Washateria

After a glorious Tuesday afternoon and evening of reading and relaxation I awoke this morning and realized that the first outside of the house task on the list today is laundry. I've been up for almost three hours and I'm still searching for the motivation to pull it together and get this done.

It's not that I mind doing laundry; I strive to maintain a fairly clean, neat house (the product of my anal-retentive nature and several roommate situations where I was a witness to unimaginable levels of sloth and slovenly living)and actually derive a great deal of satisfaction in maintaining an orderly abode. I'm spoiled when it comes to laundry, because the last few places I lived had facilities in the house/condo, so I could wash to my heart's content at any hour of the day or night. There is a washer and dryer in the garage of my current accommodation, but my landlord is out of town and already a bit disenchanted with me since I'm leaving in two weeks. The closest alternative is the laundromat down the street.

I don't mind laundromats; having spent many years in big cities before moving to FL, weekly trips to the washateria were part of my routine. The laundromat can provide a fertile ground for people watching, as it's one place that tends to be the great equalizer: doesn't matter what age/gender/race categories you occupy, everyone has to wash clothes, and those of us who choose to complete the task ourselves have a limited number of destinations to use. The laundromat by my place is clean and cheap and the dryers are nice and hot. I'm put off by the loud TV that plays bad Lifetime movies and the attendant who smokes and nurses a 40 as he shuffles around to check on the progress of loads that people have dropped off. I could venture out of the hood to a different laundromat, but that seems wasteful and counterproductive as this one is a five minute walk from the house.

So breakfast is done, and the last of the coffee's been consumed. Looks like it's time for me to suck it up, grab my quarters and head out for the next installment in the adventure series "Life at the Laundromat".

Mom, do you ever feel...less than fresh?

Don't panic--this post isn't about a mother and daughter strolling on the beach as they discuss feminine hygiene products, although that commercial always makes me giggle. I can't think of a better setting to have a heart to heart chat about douche...

I do want to talk about one of my favorite purveyors of personal grooming products, Nancy Boy. Based out of San Francisco, a friend turned me onto them several years ago, and my subsequent visits to my old stomping grounds allowed me to check out their store.

Developed by partners Eric and Jack, their website gives a history of the company, and promotes and ever-expanding line of shaving, bath and skincare products. They make a killer laundry detergent as well. I love their clean, fresh scents, especially as I am not one to go for over-the-top smells sold at the beauty counters in the mall.

One of the philosophies of the company is to invest their budget in product development rather than advertising. The conviction of satisfied customers proves to be their best source of advertising, and it obviously works.

If you happen to be in San Francisco, stop by their shop, located at 347 Hayes Street San Francisco, CA 94102. In addition to the personal products, they have a selection of cool, funky furniture. And every time I've shopped in the store, they always manage to throw something extra in the bag, on the house.

Folks who can't make it to the store should take some time to check them out online. If you're interested in trying their products, they offer great deals on travel sizes so you can sample their offerings without breaking the bank. They always throw in extras once you hit certain spending thresholds on the web and ship anywhere in the US. I encourage everyone to subscribe to their email blasts; they are always irreverent and funny.

Their philosophy of Tested on boyfriends, not animals is another great reason to give Nancy Boy a try.

The Pleasures of Packing

The calendar turns and the countdown begins...

Two weeks from today I will be driving to the Crescent City to begin the next adventure in my life. I awoke this morning realizing that I must begin sorting, purging and packing in earnest this week to prevent a last minute frenzy of stress and hyperactivity.

As I considered many pleasures to write about today, I realized that today should be a discussion of the pleasures of packing. Many folks view the task of moving as an arduous chore, but I've done it so many times that it's become old hat. As mentioned in a previous post, I've lived several different places and have endured two cross country moves, as well as journeys up and down the Eastern seaboard. Several times in my younger days I simply boxed everything that had to come with me and shipped my entire life by UPS; I've also rented vans and trucks for long hauls and enlisted the help of friends to help me load and unload all the trappings that I'd managed to accrue in my last destination.

This move will be very different, as I'm paring down to the barest of necessities; the plan is to take my kitchen stuff, computer equipment, clothes, music, treasured tchotchkes and a few books that hold special meaning and nothing more. Easier for me than for many as I underwent a fairly massive purge of stuff last year when I put everything into storage for a life on the road, but looking around I still see that I have ample opportunity to clean out more junk and let it go.

And the letting go is the pleasure of packing. Whether it's a factor of age, experience or sheer laziness, I have realized in the past few moves that I have lots of things that I don't need to carry with me as I move. This is quite a step for someone who was brought up in a family of packrats (and I'm not exaggerating--my father's parents had three two-story barns filled to the brim with stuff--not sure if it stemmed from enduring hard times in the Great Depression or simply being unable to let go). In the past when I moved I would carry around 5 or 6 big boxes of books, clothes that would never fit on my frame again, everything that was ever given to me as a gift; I even had a bag that contained every card and letter I received from the time I left my mother's house at 18. When packing up all this stuff I'd think why am I still holding onto this? but continue to wrap, pack and label.

Time and space constraints forced me to begin paring down about three moves ago, and after the first purge I actually found the process quite liberating. Things that I had been holding on to use as some trigger for a memory were discarded when I realized that I didn't require the talisman for the remembrance. As I began to "get lean" in packing and moving, I also discovered that it's much better to get the unused stuff out of your life and into the hands of someone who has a use for it.

So the next few days will consist of me ruthlessly going through everything I have (including several boxes that I never opened after moving in) and figuring out what really needs to come with me, what can go on craigslist or to the thrift store, and what simply needs to be pitched. It's an activity that has evolved from drudgery to pleasure for me, and I can't wait to see what I discover.