I haven't really done much "here's what I am eating" blog posts, but this is our last Sunday brunch in NY. Pacifico's, a mexican eatery on the incredible Smith St (10 blocks of restaurants and bars in Brooklyn) served me roast asparagus, corn bread and black beans.
Perfect set up for the schlepp back to Newark, New Jersey, and then home.
This is part of the costume exhibit at the wonderful wonderful Brooklyn Museum of Art. Brooklyn Museum have an innovative arrangement with the Metropolitan Museum of Art around their substantial archive of costume. They have given the archive to the Met for them to look after in return for the right to exhibit their archive from time to time.
The costume exhibit, a companion to the exhibition at the Met, is beautifully curated. I loved this doggy outfit for two reasons. First - it dates back to the 1920's. So even 90 years ago people were dressing up their dogs. Second - it completely reminds me of the New Yorker obsession with their dogs. They jog with dogs, they put dogs in little bags and travel on the subway. And they dress their dogs. And it was like that back in the 20's too!
I discovered these late on in my stay: black and white cookies.
I understand they are an NY institution. These are little ones. A big cookie is around 5 inches in diameter: these are easier to manage. The base is like a crispy version of a jaffa cake base and the dark icing is chocolate and the plain has a tiny hint of lemon. V v good. And do they represent the eternal struggle between good and evil? They are never around long enough for me to decide.
So my trip ends in Florida - St Augustine and Jacksonville to be exact.
We sitting sipping wine on the rooftop of a winery and the jazz duo are playing and their music wafts over on a gentle summer breeze. The saxophonist is my brother-in-law from Sentropollis. That's the name of the band, not a planet, by the way. Rooftops. Bit of a theme. A season of rooftop film screenings started last week in New York. Now that Bar One Ten is in hibernation til better times, I can't think of a single rooftop bar in Birmingham. Come on Brum - step up!
Last Sunday we had a very hot but very interesting time wandering around a number of properties at the House Tour open day.
A number of house owners showed the innovative ways they had restored or renovated their historic brownstone houses. They provided musicians to play while we looked around and local arts organisations (of which there are loads here) put on demonstrations and recitals.
A great idea that I definitely want to steal - Open house tour of the Jewellery Quarter anyone?
These posters were dotted about Brooklyn last Thursday. Hilarious because his many disguises in the photos really don't do much to persuade me that he can act! I love the "mad" look in the top right corner. Reminds me of that French and Saunders sketch when they are extras comparing head shots ("Look, glasses, no glasses and hands - shows my versatility").
Don't call us, Fabrice, we'll call you!
After being held in a pen, we are told to go upstairs. Its like a school gym that's been draped for a dance. Back curtains, a large circle outlined on the floor in white. Wierdly, without being asked, we all gather in the circle. There's smoke and red lights and loud music with a dance beat. It's like being at a club where no-one dances. This is a non-verbal piece and frankly, a bit of a tourist trap. Around me polyglot groups chatter excitedly. More smoke. There's no telling where the show will start other than, I assume, above us. To one side and the other some rigging and large speakers, about 10 ft off the ground. Other than that, its had to make anything out. Its a very young crowd on the whole and the smoke and red light sweeping the space is punctuated by camera flashes. Unlike other shows, I sense cameras are not just tolerated, they are encouraged. This has the feel of an event to be seen at and share. Put it this way, I'm not expecting Strindberg!
Oh they have just told us not to use flash photography. We will be moved about the space and can touch the scenery, but only with the flat of your palm. (Later)
If you do want to catch a game at Yankee Stadium (you can get reasonably priced tickets from StubHub), their sponsors Delta have a free river taxi up to the game! First come first served, or check out the website. The Mets have a water taxi too, Delta sponsor both teams. Rivalry is high and it wouldn't do to favour just one NY team.
They had a quick go to show us - the rotors are really powerful. You might see the jug at the front between the handlebars. It's $4 to blend your own.
Working at Fierce and travelling about for the Clore Leadership Programme - where I am the NESTA supported fellow for entrepreneurial cultural organisations - I get to see artistic and cultural work that is exciting and inspiring. This is the place I can share them online to see if you think they are inspiring too!
