IT’S STILL HER PARTY
By Betty Ming Liu
Back in 1963, 16-year-old pop sensation Lesley Gore topped the charts with “It’s My Party.” So whatever happened to the chirpy strawberry blonde with the beehive hairdo?
How about this storyline: the nice, multi-tasking Jewish girl from affluent Tenafly, N.J., went on to graduate from Sarah Lawrence College (major: English and American Literature) and rack up another two dozen or so hits. When that gig waned, she turned to acting in summer stock, singing on the club circuit and discovering that she’s gay. Read more
GLUTEN FOR PUNISHMENT
UPPER EAST SIDE ITALIAN BRINGS PIZZA TO THE FORMERLY PIE-LESS
By Alan Lee
There usually aren’t many surprises when it comes to Italian dining. In fact, between when we pop open a bottle of wine and when we scrape the last crumbs from a plate of tiramisu, almost nothing happens that couldn’t have been predicted.
Walking into Opus, Enzo and Giuseppe Lentini’s Second Avenue eatery, it might not feel much different; Enzo greets customers warmly, the tables are set with heavy white tablecloths and couples huddle close to one another slurping pappardelle with veal ragu. Read more
PIQUANT PIDETTES & MEZE MADNESS
By Nancy J. Brandwein
How nice to take a break from my usual snacking routine—think sitting on a curb near a food cart—and perch at the bar at Pera, a beautiful modern brasserie that brings the flavors and style of “Istanbul’s Soho” to the suits near Grand Central. In an atmosphere this swish I didn’t expect to find generously portioned “pidettes,” mini Turkish pide, for only $4. Read more
GOOD WINES FOR TRASHY FOOD
TACO BELL MEETS ARGENTINEAN MALBEC AND DELICIOUSNESS ENSUES
By Josh Perilo
A couple weeks ago, I talked a bit about the basics of matching wine with cheese. I am going to assume that not everyone who read this has a plate full of $30-a-pound artisanal cheese hanging out in the fridge. Because of this, I am prepared to give you some more practical options for wine and food pairing, using the same ideas I set forth for matching wine and cheese.
Let’s call it “good wines for trashy food.” Because, to be honest, wine is really damn good with a chili cheese burrito from Taco Bell. Read more
REVANCHE
By Armond White
A possibly great filmmaker has arrived to restore cinema’s sanity against such sick minds as Neil LaBute, Michael Haneke, Lars Von Trier, Gus Van Sant and Todd Haynes. Austrian director-writer Götz Spielmann’s Revanche (his fifth film but the first to be released in the United States) provides a cure for sick cinema by avoiding the would-be bleakness of its hard-luck story. Read more
LIMITS OF CONTROL
By Armond White
Jim Jarmsuch has been responsible for many of the dullest hours ever spent at the movies. His new The Limits of Control is no different. It’s another deliberate excursion into hipster eccentricity as Lone Man (Isacch De Bankolé) helps smuggle diamonds from France to Spain and dispatches a Mr. Big type. Jarmusch still doesn’t know how to tell a story—just picaresques with a series of guest-star appearances (this time Alex Descas, Luis Tosar, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Bill Murray, et al.). Read more
STOLEN JEWELS
A woman contacted police on April 6 at 4:30 p.m. to report stolen jewelry valued at tens of thousands of dollars. The 74-year-old Park Avenue woman said she had last seen the jewelry on March 20, in the box in which she normally stores the items. The stolen baubles—gold earrings, a Cartier watch, Bulgari bracelet and a gold ring—were worth a total of $35,741, according to police. There were no signs of forced entry.
NOT SO POLISHED ROBBERY
On April 6 at 2:35 p.m., a man stole several dozen bottles of nail polish from a Duane Reade at 1327 York Avenue and East 71st Street. Cops said an employee noticed the theft and signaled for the manager. The manager attempted to stop the robber but was slashed on the right arm with a razor. The robber made off with 80 bottles of nail polish totaling $640, according to police.
FAILED DUANE READE ROBBERY
A man was arrested on April 8 after he was caught stealing items at a Duane Reade at 1191 Second Ave. and East 63rd Street. Police said that at 8:45 a.m. an employee witnessed Julio Santiago, 46, stuff merchandise in his coat. When the employee tried to stop Santiago, the two engaged in a struggle. Santiago ran out of the store but was detained by a traffic agent. Police arrived to make the arrest.
THE TALE OF JIM TEDISCO
BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU FOLLOW THE WRONG CONSULTANTS
By Alan S. Chartock
No matter were you live in this country, it was hard to miss the epic 20th Congressional District special election battle between Republican Jim Tedisco and Democrat Kevin Murphy. When the dust settled, Murphy was declared the winner in what must be seen as a stunning upset in a district with at least 70,000 more Republicans than Democrats.
You will remember that Gov. David Paterson had to call a special election after he named Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to the Senate. Read more
