Linnaean Libation League: Centennial Soiree at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Socially Superlative
August 17, 2010

This past Thursday on August 12th, 2010, the Linnaean Libation League threw the Centennial Soiree at the beautiful Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Although the rainy weather threatened to put a damper on the evening, that did not stop guests from arriving in their vintage 1910-inspired attire.

Attendees enjoyed a classic game of croquet on Cherry Esplanade. As I watched guests awkwardly strike the stubborn ball into the target I couldn’t help but be reminded of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, where the game is played with the crazy queen and her poor, suffering flamingos. If I had been wearing proper rain boots I would have given the game a shot. It certainly looked fun from the bench where my friend and I were perched.

Those not partaking in the outdoor activity enjoyed delicious Chandon champagne with lemon and sugar flavoring as they snacked on fresh vegetables. Dessert was provided by Melt Bakery. Despite eating several of their delicious peach-bourbon ice cream cookie sandwiches at a different event the night before, they still managed to satisfy my sweet tooth.

The second portion of the night was held at the Lily Pool Terrace. The walk from Cherry Esplanade to the Terrace once again made me think of Alice as she chases the White Rabbit all around, until eventually falling into her Wonderland.

Once inside the beautifully lit venue, Saranac and Hendrick’s cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were offered to guests as they took their seats. The first sight to catch my eye was a magnificently decorated cake from Elegantly Iced. The masterpiece was stationed in the center of the room, silently commanding attention from all its admirers.

Upon leaving the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, I also quietly departed from my own little Wonderland and back into modern reality.

- Megan Eileen McDonough


[Photos via Linnaean Libation League]

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/08/17/linnaean-libation-league-centennial-soiree-at-the-brooklyn-botanical-gardens/

DIY Shopping Tours Launch Party

Socially Superlative
June 15, 2010

Last Thursday, Jordana Hazan and Celebrity Hairstylist Sergio D’Larosa of Untapped PR hosted a launch party for DIY Shopping Tours. Held at the trendy Hotel on Rivington, it was certainly a great way to kick off what is sure to be a fabulous summer.

DIY is the first online shopping manual that offers Friday afternoon tours where guests are given entrance into some of the most exclusive showrooms in NYC and other cities around the world. During thesetours, shoppers have access to designer clothes and handbags at unbeatable discounts. This benefits the customer while also allowing the showrooms to eliminate extra stock.

Throughout the night guests danced to beats from celebrity DJ Yoshi while sipping on complimentary glasses of NUVO sparkling liquor. Attendees were also presented with a generous gift bag from several of the event’s sponsors, which included Hard Candy, Carolina Pad, and Fancy Love.

Founder of DIY, Lana Migliore, was on hand to answer questions about her company. She explained that during the four-hour tours, each person is not only treated to an intimate showroom experience for both clothing and accessories, but also leaves with a lavish gift bag worth more than $100 in consumer products. Now that’s what I call an afternoon well spent!

- Megan Eileen McDonough



http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/06/15/diy-shopping-tours-launch-party-2/

Restaurant Review: Volare

Socially Superlative
June 1, 2010

As soon as I walked through the doors of Volare Restaurant, conveniently located in the heart of Greenwich Village, I immediately felt a sense of comfort and ease. After a warm reception from the host, I began admiring the Moulin Rouge styled paintings slyly lining the walls.

Volare continues to remain a thriving restaurant for thirty-three years and is located in one very historic building. John Reed wrote “Ten Days that Shook the World” and Lillian Russell lived above the restaurant at one point. I also learned that the art I had been admiring are works done by 1930’s Broadway set designer Cleon Throckmorton, who once lived just around the corner from Volare.

Interestingly enough, Volare actually began as a restaurant serving mixed cuisine and only later developed into an Italian restaurant. Co-owner Sal Alaburic explained how many of their customers have been eating here for three generations now, creating a more personal dining experience and a sense of familiarity among clientele.

One of the unique aspects of Volare is their dedication to serving fresh food made to order. Although there is a menu available, chefs are on hand to create dishes based on what customers feel like eating on any given night. Their most popular dishes include the Osso Bucco, Veal Chop, and Gnocci.

My evening spent at Volare was quite unforgettable. Although a bit new to reviewing restaurants, I absolutely love traveling and experiencing how other countries incorporate their culture into the food they prepare. Needless to say, I was definitely looking forward to tasting a variety of Italian dishes.

I started with the savory Volare salad of white beans, onions, lettuce, and artichokes and paired this with a white wine. I then sampled several of their most popular entrees. I’m a huge fan of seafood so you can imagine how thrilled I was to taste shrimp, calamari, and lobster all in one sitting. I particularly appreciated the clams topped with garlic breading. It was an interesting take on a classic dish. The lemon-flavored sea bass was another standout dish that I would recommend to new customers.

Next I was served a plate with three different types of pasta. My favorite of the three was actually one that the chef made on the spot. The spaghetti with white cream sauce, peas, and bacon bits reminded me of a meal I had when traveling through Venice. While it is hard to compare any pasta to the kind one eats in Italy, Volare’s selection comes quite close.

Although I was completely stuffed by this point of the meal, I could not resist a beautifully presented bowl of tiramisu and a cannoli. I’ve always been a fan of delicious desserts, so there was no way I was going to pass on either of these treats. The tiramisu was easily the best I have ever tasted. Just thinking about it now makes me want a bowl.

After a fabulous night of dinner and drinks, the evening was coming to a close. I had the chance to speak to Sal a bit longer and as I sipped by cup of cappuccino I slowly lost track of time. I was so absorbed in his stories about life in New York that I failed to notice that the restaurant had already closed for the night. Sal and his staff were so friendly and helpful throughout the whole evening, I felt right at home.

I would definitely recommend Volare to anyone who appreciates great Italian food and who enjoys feeling like part of the family. The chefs’ creative ability to tweak orders on the spot is a major plus, and I would recommend asking them to cook whatever it is you are craving that night. You will not be disappointed!

- Megan Eileen McDonough

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/06/01/featuring-volare-restaurant/

Austria Uncorked Wine Tasting

Socially Superlative
May 8, 2010

Despite being completely over-packed, the rooftop of 2 Desbrosses Street in Tribeca proved to be my personal highlight of the night. There is nothing quite like an amazing view atop the world’s most powerful city. Add in a cool breeze, setting sun, and glass of white wine and this combination is a tough one to beat.

Before actually making it to the rooftop there was a slight hitch. Almost immediately after checking in with event reps and discovering that my name was nowhere on their list, I noticed my frustration being shared by many. Several other attendees who had gone so far as to bring their printed receipts of purchase with them to the event also found their names mysteriously missing from this list. After explaining that I did in fact have a purpose in being at their wine tasting, staff confusingly let me in.

Once inside the venue, I was greeted by beautifully decorated tables where venders from over 100 Austrian wineries and restaurants with New York City’s finest cuisine set up shop. Participating restaurants include Wallsé, Gordon Ramsey at The London, Seasonal Restaurant, Aldea Restaurant, KLEE Brasserie, BLT Prime, 10 Downing Food & Wine, Telepan NY, Salumeria Rosi, Recette, 15 East Restaurant, and breads from Grandaisy Bakery.

Proceeds from the event went towards benefitting GrowNYC’s “Learn It, Grow It, Eat It” program, a local education program which empowers teens to take control of their health through hands-on gardening, nutrition education, outreach, and managing a community farm-stand.

All in all, the night was a success and although I had a minor case of claustrophobia, meeting the vendors and drinking a wide variety of Austrian wines really did bring me back to the few days I spent in Salzburg. Perhaps an unorthodox way of celebrating Cinco de Mayo but to each his own.

- Megan Eileen McDonough


http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/05/08/austria-uncorked-wine-tasting/

Poker 101 Class and Tournament

Socially Superlative
April 26, 2010

Last night I experienced the beauty of Texas – Texas Hold ‘Em, that is.
Urban Girl Squad hosted a Poker 101 class at the Manhattan Bridge Club just off Columbus Circle, where about twenty New York City women gathered to learn the art of poker.

Although I had known nothing, and I mean nothing about the rules of poker, there was something about the game that always intrigued me. And yes, this interest developed long before Lady Gaga decided to sing a song about her poker face.

Experts, including Simon Feil from Poker At Your Place, who teaches beginner classes every Sunday evening at the same location, ran the two-hour class. After brief introductions, the Texas Hold ‘Em games began.

Despite being given a cheat sheet and fake money to gamble with, a lot of what was going on was a bit over my head. This is understandable considering the time constraints of this multi-leveled this card game.

Luckily, the environment was friendly and almost all of the other attendees were just as clueless as I when it came to knowing the value of their hand. It bonded us in a way, and the atmosphere certainly was not as strained as it would be at an actual casino, losing real money.

After a few rounds and some helpful critiques from our instructor I started gaining insight into the logic behind some of the decisions we were all making. By the end of the night I was thoroughly enjoying myself and left with an urge to keep working on my p-p-p-poker face.

- Megan Eileen McDonough

Photo via Urban Girl Squad.

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/04/26/poker-101-class-and-tournament-with-urban-girl-squad/

Tribeca Film Festival: The Western Front

Socially Superlative
April 26, 2010

When an email from my editor popped into my inbox last week about covering a pre-screening of The Western Front I quickly offered to review the film. It would be my first Tribeca Film Festival viewing since moving to the city last May and although completely ignorant of the storyline or even genre, I was eager to attend.

Before heading to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, where the film would be shown, I began reading up on Zach Iscol’s political documentary about his time served in Iraq. Once I guessed the complex issues sure to addressed in the film, I became less than enthused about the pending evening. After a surprise introduction from co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, Jane Rosenthal, the film began. Despite my initial reservations, I was blown away by this man’s story.

Primarily taking place in violent Al Anbar in 2004, the audience witness the disastrous effects that arise when violence is the only form of communication between nations. Zach tells of one night where a local man continued driving through a checkpoint, and was shot and killed by a fellow marine who judged him as the enemy. The next day the dead man’s brother comes forward to collect “blood money” and tells of his brother’s poor eyesight and the faulty brakes on his car. Zach knew that the meager $2500 given to the brother was not nearly enough to support the large family whom he was now responsible.

In another powerful scene, a man walks by a graffitied wall that looks like a wall one might see anywhere around the New York City. As the translated words “Don’t be afraid to kill Christians and Americans” creep onto the screen, I felt perhaps an ounce of the impact Zach and his fellow soldiers experienced during their time in the Middle East.

Near the conclusion of the film the audience watch as the Marine Corps implement counterinsurgency, realizing that killing one’s enemy does not defeat them. Through working with town Sheiks, the city slowly begins to return to its earlier state. These leaders have been guiding their districts for thousands of years and have tremendous influence over their people. With a group-based society rather than an individualized society, it is understandable why democracy “lit their country on fire.”

One theme that remained constant throughout The Western Front was the necessity of Arabic translators. Viewers effortlessly fell in love with one U.S. Marine Corps translator, Khalid Abood. Zach and his fellow soldiers were dependent on this man for communication purposes, which also helped them gain trust from locals and other community leaders later on. At the end of the film, a Q&A session took place where Abood and his family kindly answered questions about the struggle their family faced while living in Iraq and aiding the “enemy.”

For someone who grew up with a Marine Colonel for a father, I have tremendous respect for the brave soldiers who fight for our country. I’ve never been very interested in politics, casting aside issues I assume do not concern me. What this film made clear to me is that war directly affects everyone and not just in this country but in countries all over the world. I definitely recommend buying tickets to this film, where it shows at the Tribeca Film Festival this upcoming week.

While it will roughly pull at your heartstrings, viewers will leave both enthralled and empowered by the beauty and horror that is The Western Front.

- Megan Eileen McDonough


Images via The Western Front

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/04/26/tribeca-film-festival-the-western-front/

Organic Wine and Food Tasting with UGS

Socially Superlative
April 21, 2010

Tuesday evening, Amanda Hofman of Urban Girl Squad hosted another successful event. Taking place at New York Vintners in the trendy Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca, attendees partook in a nearly two-hour wine and organic food tasting fit for a queen.

Wine expert and organic gardener Gerard Quirk of New York Vintners and Holistic Nutrition Counselor, Andrea Davis, took turns explaining the benefits of organic eating and drinking. I found their obvious passion for healthy living very inspiring. Both demonstrated a genuine desire to encourage others to “go organic.”

Already placed on the tables when guests arrived were chips served with a delicious guacamole dip. Next came the main dish, which consisted of cheese, squash, and several other amazing ingredients that I can’t seem to recall. Perhaps I had one too many glasses of wine. Finishing off the food sampling were green grapes wrapped in goat cheese and topped with herbs.

Paired with the food were both red and white wines. After just returning from a mini vacation in San Francisco where I spent a whole day tasting (drinking) wine, I was more than ready to re-live the experience. Feeling a bit more seasoned on the winemaking process, I was surprised by how much I learned within just a few hours.

Wines from France, Peru, Argentina, and California were tasted during this session. Having visited these countries gave me a sense of familiarity as I noted elements from each region that are incorporated into their wines. That and the complimentary bottle of Bio Leaf Organic Olive Oil imported all the way from Italy made me want to travel again.

At the end of the night a few of us who were not ready (or willing) to leave our tables stayed for another glass of wine with Gerard. I have to say that of all the UGS events I’ve attended (and I’ve gone to quite a few) I enjoyed this one most. Guests were truly grateful to be eating a healthy meal and drinking great wine with great people.

- Megan Eileen McDonough

Photo courtesy of Urban Girl Squad

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/04/21/organic-wine-and-food-tasting-with-urban-girl-squad/