Archive for the ‘Hot Date’ Category

The vixenry and aristry of Darkgarden.com

Dollys and Dandys, how much do I love living in the Bay Area, a treasure trove of creative swirly heads who put up their tent pole to create  a sublime subculture out  of history, a little steel, a bit of steam, a little lace and quite  possibly, a snifter of absinthe. This, my kumquats is where myself and the mister are spending our weekend: in a sliver of history that might have been. Make sure you check out the launch of Dark Gardens haunting and haute new Dollymop line at the fab fashion show on Saturday night: Alterna-bridal (and boudoir) looks to be displayed. Mon Dieu! See you there!

Event of the Season

The Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition returns to the San Francisco Bay Area March 12-14, 2010 presenting a world of polished mahogany, leather and brass, where steam power, airships and clockwork are the cutting edge of technology; a neo-Victorian experience, spanning from the 1830s to the early 1900s and from cultivated London to the rugged coast of San Francisco. The Exhibition has moved to the Hilton Garden Inn in Emeryville, CA for 2010, preparing to host an estimated 1000+ attendees. It will offer a huge Traders’ Concourse and over 25 programs in three tracks including academic presentations, panel discussions and hands-on “Maker” workshops. Our Guests of Honor are: James Blaylock (Author of Homunculus, The Digging Leviathan, Land of Dreams), Phil and Kaja Foglio (Artists of Girl Genius), and Jon Sarriugarte (Maker of The Golden Mean, Electrobite and much more). Appearances also include “Steampunk Scholar” Mike Perschon, Tor Books Editor Liz Gorinsky and acclaimed new Steampunk author Gail Carriger (Soulless, Orbit Books).

New for 2010 is an amazing outdoor Exploratory Steam and Kinetics Enclosure, featuring The Golden Mean snail art car, Tom Sepe’s “Whirlygig Emoto” hybrid steam motorcycle, and steam vehicles, boilers, Pandemonium and Caliope from the Crew of the Neverwas Haul!

For evening entertainment, Exhibition guests can trip the gaslight fantastic at the Steampunk Ball, don their Steamy best to compete in the Costume Competition and gather for the illustrious Party-at the Center of the Earth. Special $99 room rates are available at the hotel for Nova Albion guests on a first-come, firstserved basis and can be booked at: www.steampunkexhibition.com/hotel-reservations/.

The Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition is a celebration of all things Steampunk, from Gaslamp fantasy to clockwork mechanicals, and everything in-between. The event is a chance for fans, authors, makers, tinkerers, adventurers and folks of all stripes to gather, converge, discuss and experience the excitement and the possibilities of an alternate History-That-Might-Have-Been.
$60 Early Bird tickets are on sale now at: http://www.steampunkexhibition.com/tickets – prices will increase to $75 at the door.

Photography: Russ Young
Excerpted from www.steampunkexhibition.com

Ever since I set foot in the Spice Market in NYC’s historic Meat Packing District, I was smitten. It was 2004 and I was working as a consulting designer for the Table Top division at Williams Sonoma in SF. I was asked to pick a good restaurant for “food trend” for the team (we were in NYC for a housewares show), and it being NYC, there was no shortage of fabulous offerings. I settled on Spice Market because of it’s ambiance, the mix of ancient Orient/Indian sensibilities, and it’s yummy menu, perfect for sharing. The team was overjoyed, the food creative and delicious, the drinks a sublime work of mixology (ginger and tamarind!). I recently had an encore experience there a few weeks ago when in NYC for the Eco Beautiful Weddings Magazine launch and NYC press trip for Destination I Do. With my girl friend Candice Lapin of the fabulous Paratinovia social community as my dining companion, it was nothing short of perfection. Spice Market is beautiful, otherworld, and transformative. Now how many restaurants have that on the menu?

Spice Market Valentine’s Day & Chinese New Year

One of the Meatpacking District’s most stylish destinations hascreated a Valentine’s Day package both unique and romantic – Jean-Georges’ Spice Market. Spice Market is celebrating the 2010 Chinese New Year as well with special fortune cookies.

This year marks a special occasion: both Valentine’s Day and the Chinese New Year fall on Feb. 14, 2010. Spice Market has planned a special menu for both of the holidays and the pastry chef is serving two fortune cookies in celebration: Chocolate and Green Tea. A timeless paean to Southeast Asian sensuality, Spice Market lights up Manhattan’s Meatpacking District with Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s piquant elevations of the region’s street cuisine served in a casual, sexy atmosphere. Have a magical evening and feast on a $78 5-course prix-fixe menu (Vegetarian option available).

When: Lunch & Dinner
Where: Spice Market, 403 West 13th Street (Corner of 9th Avenue)
Price: $78, 5-course prix-fixe
Reservations: www.spicemarketnewyork.com or call 212.675.2322

Spicy romance awaits you at the Spice Market NYC.

Valentine’s Day Menu 2010

$78.00 per person

Lobster Roll with Dill and Sriracha

Shaved Tuna with Chili Tapioca, Asian Pear and Lime

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Spiced Chicken Samosas with Cilantro Yogurt

Black Pepper Shrimp with Sun Dried Pineapple

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Steamed Red Snapper, Shiitake Mushrooms,
Ginger, Scallion and Tarragon

Baby Corn and Broccoli with Lemongrass and Chili

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Grilled Strip Steak with Garlic, Coriander and Sesame

Ginger Fried Rice

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Dessert

Crushed White Chocolate and Yuzu Pavlova

Choice of Sorbet (Coconut, Mango, Passion Fruit)

House Made Fortune Cookie

$78 per person (a la carte menu also available)

Valentines Day Vegetarian Option 2010
$78 per person (a la carte menu also available)

First Course
Avocado and Radish Salad
Chinese Mustard, Tempura Onions

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Second Course
Fragrant Mushroom Egg Rolls
Galangal Emulsion

*****

Third Course
Vegetables in Green Curry

Baby Corn with Lemongrass and Chili

*****

Fourth Course
Spicy Shanghai Noodles
Chilled Silken Tofu, Garlic and Herbs

*****

Dessert
Crushed White Chocolate and Yuzu Pavlova

Choice of Sorbet (Coconut, Mango, Passion Fruit)