Author Archives: meredith

Beauty of the Barnes

Posted on by
Reply


After years of efforts to resolve financial problems (or some say years of scandal—see the documentary The Art of the Steal), the famous Barnes Foundation will (as of May 19, 2012) relocate to a new site—on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the heart of Phili—from it’s historic home in the suburb of Merion.

It was founded in 1922 by Albert C. Barnes, a chemist who collected art after making a fortune by co-developing an antimicrobial drug. Today, the foundation (curated by Barnes himself) possesses more than 2,500 objects—including 800 paintings—estimated to be worth about $25 billion.
Here are some of my favorites.

My Last Supper

Posted on by
Reply

I went to a dinner last night at City Grit, a new membership-based supper club for the underground foody world, located in the rear of a church on Prince Street in Soho. It’s a fabulous antiques and furniture shop by day and an uber-cool supper club by night. The chef there, Sarah Simmons (who was running the club out of her apartment for many years before they found this space) put together a 5-course dining experience to go hand in hand with the launch of My Last Supper, The Next Course by Melanie Daneu (author and photographer). Melanie has spent the last few years traveling around the globe to interview and shoot every world-class chef. The book—second after My Last Supper—showcases stunning portraits of each chef, along with their last meal and even the recipes! Melanie is a very well-known portrait photographer, as is her husband Nigel Parry. She also has a food/photography blog worth checking out mylastsupper.com.

Sarah Simmons’ of City Grit pulled the following 5 courses together from My Last Supper, The Next Course to give us a ridiculously tasty intro to the gorgeous book:

1. Eric Ripert‘s truffled country bread with Gabrielle Hamilton‘s soft scrambled eggs
2. Micael Symons little pork meatballs with mint and cracked pepper pasta
3. Dan Barber‘s braised pig salad
4. Daniel Humm‘s herb roasted lamb with parmesan cream grits and Suzane Groin‘s italian brocoli with shallots, garlic and red pepper
5. April Bloomfield‘s banotee pie

Dan Adel: Painter & Illustrator

Posted on by
Reply


While on a recent trip to the South of France, my husband and I met a fascinating New York expat who now resides in the medieval village of Lacoste with his wife and child. We enjoyed some vin rosé together, visited his studio and even got into some heady political dialog. All in all it was a pleasure to meet Dan Adel, a wildly talented (and famous) painter and illustrator. I took a special liking to his newer “still” life oils (like the one above).
I would highly recommend a trip to that region and a visit with the artist himself, but if you can’t find time to get to France, you can find his work on Greene St. in NYC at Arcadia Fine Arts.

Breakfast with Zest

Posted on by
1


I made orange-zest silver dollar pancakes this morning. I topped them off with homemade whipped cream, a raspberry & mint coulis, and a little real VT maple syrup. Plated on Alberto Pinto Chinoiserie dessert plates. Great way to blow weekend guests away or (in this case) start a rainy day.

Adare to Dream

Posted on by
Reply

I had the pleasure of visiting Adare Manor, a Gothic Revival Country Home in Limerick County, Ireland that was built in the 1840’s and designed by architect James Pain.

It sits on 840 acres of parkland, including formal French gardens laid out by P.C. Hardwick. In 1987, Adare Manor was acquired by an American family, who restored the entire building and added one of the top golf courses in Ireland and turned it into a 5-star hotel and golf resort. Though I didn’t get to stay it’s definitely worth a look. With great gothic interiors, ornate wood-trim details and exotic taxidermy, I would have really enjoyed a fireside Guiness here.

Feeling a Little Shandy

Posted on by
Reply

The best drink on a hot day? The Shandy (short for shandygaff), of British origin, is a beer mixed with citrus-flavored soda. I make a Shandy with homemade sparkling lemonade and chilled pale ale, normally half-and-half proportions. Add mint and lemon zest if you want to dress is up, but if you’re hanging out in the yard, playing bocce, solo cups are fare game.

 

A Succulent Evening

Posted on by
Reply

I just went to a fabulous wedding in the Hamptons. The food delicious, the drinks overflowing, the music and lighting just right and the flora… out of this world gorgeous! …yet still laid back.

Magnolia branches clustered throughout the tent created a real-feel forest, while succulent-adorned centerpieces graced long, wood farm tables and clothed rounds (mixed!). And to pull it all together, the up-lighting had leafy gels that cast warm, dreamy shadows on the tent ceiling. Event planning and florals by the amazing Claire Bean.