Thomas Keller
Vegetables Are the New Meat!
Glenn Bunger, a 38-year-old teacher from Manhattan, was driving in rural Pennsylvania last month when he saw a roadside farm. Screech! Mr. Bunger had been seeking a plump pumpkin into which he could carve the Barack Obama sunrise logo, but as he perused the crates of fresh produce, something more impressive caught his eye: an enormous, perfect-looking butternut squash, placed on a table between pots of mums and some perennial herbs.
“I just knew I had to try it,” he said, still sounding a bit awed.
Back in the city that evening, Mr. Bunger, who is decidedly not a vegetarian (he’s from Texas), roasted the squash, which had cost $3. read more »
Attack of the Amusing Little Snack Cakes
"People see it and say, ‘Oh my God, is that a Twinkie and it’s … organic?" said Ms. Magid, a former fashion accessories designer for companies including J. Crew, Tommy Hilfiger, and Coach. When she started making the confection two years ago, she dubbed it a "Tweenkee," but she eventually changed the name in less direct tribute to the Hostess pastry, and perhaps a nod to the phrase "golden oldie." Enthusiasts include staffers at Women’s Wear Daily and Ed Bucciarelli, the CEO of Bendel. "They just laugh and then they eat it," Ms. Magid said. "It brings a sense of humor to the food." read more »
Thomas Keller: It's Tough Out There For a Celebrity Chef
Last night, Thomas Keller, the chef and owner of impossible-to-penetrate gastronomical temples like Napa’s French Laundry and New York’s Per Se, said he finds the recent celebrity-chef trend rather capricious. read more »
The 'Fashionable' East 50s Condo, and Le Cirque Ravioli
'The Essence of European Sophistication'
One day in late 2007, the 34-story Veneto will be the most voguish luxury condo in the East 50s. It happens to be east of Third Avenue, and it happens to now be a mammoth construction site, but that hasn't stopped Midtown-ers from dropping $125 million on the condo in only three months, filling up 50% of its residences.
To celebrate, developer Related served lunch at Le Cirque--not far from Veneto's 250 East 53rd locale. Writers from The Times and Town & Country downed their champagne and buttery halibut next to happy developers and sales reps.
Why Le Cirque? The restaurant was designed by Adam D. Tihany, the man behind the Veneto's "Terzo Piano resident lounge" and Arcobaleno children's playroom (and, of course, fitness center).
Incidentally, Mr. Tihany also designed Per Se for chef Thomas Keller at the Time Warner Center--a little building managed by Related.
"I get two calls a week, at least, from developers who want me to design their condos," Mr. Tihany said to the table. "I get a feeling that they don't look at me as a person or a designer, but as $200 extra per square foot." read more »
- Max AbelsonCommuning With Cooks Who Braise, Brand and Shill
Two Months of Waiting Yields Five Hours in Foodie Heaven
