Thursday, August 2, 2007

Rayuela+Brunch= Heaven

It appears that we at Casa Naranja are OCDing for Rayuela. Every day there is a new reason to love them and yet another excuse to dine there.

Rayuela has launched a weekend brunch with arepas and poached eggs, churros and Mayan chocolate, and guanabana mimosas plus live salsa music Sundays.

Central Park Summerstage- Sun Aug 5th 7:00 PM: Cine Fest Brasil

Cine Fest Brasil

AfroReggae

Film screening of Zuzu Angel
Sunday, August 05, 2007

From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Central Park SummerStage
The sounds and sights of Brazil will fill up this special concert and screening.


AfroReggae was formed in 1995 in the favela shanty-towns of Rio de Janeiro. Fusing many elements of Brazilian and international music past and present—including mangue beat, rap, samba-reggae, funk, raga, xaxado beats, drum ‘n’ bass, capoeira and candomblé—the 13 member group has established itself as one of Brazil’s most passionate and creative bands. AfroReggae has collaborated with artists like Arnaldo Antunes, Nando Reis and Caetano Veloso, and opened for the Rolling Stones at a 2006 Copacabana Beach concert for a crowd of over 2 million people.



AfroReggae’s performance will precede a screening of director Sergio Resende’s 2006 film Zuzu Angel, which tells the true story of a famous Brazilian fashion designer of the ‘70s, and her political awakening after the military regime kills her son.



Your city. Your park. Your SummerStage.Visit SummerStage.org for upcoming programs.

Juan Fernando Velasco - Sat, Aug 11th Nokia Theatre

JUAN FERNANDO VELASCO

Saturday • August 11
7:00PM DOORS/8:00PM SHOW
Nokia Theatre Times Square
1515 Broadway at 44th Street
16 & Over

Who knew Snakes could elicit such passion


Vivre.com is offering 25% thru Wed, Aug 8th. Enter promotion code PREFALL07

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Guide to Sangrias that Swing

From NY Mag

(Photo: Daniel Maurer)

Who said sangria had to consist of wine, triple sec, and brandy? Certain spots are pouring unexpected liquors into the classic summer refresher.

Pisco: Rayuela
165 Allen St., nr. Stanton St.; 212-253-8840
You can get a fine traditional red sangria at this progressive Latin eatery, but its stylo libre approach to cocktails also means a white variety that combines pisco (the potent Chilean brandy) with white wine, Bacardi Limon, and chunks of kiwi, pineapple, and orange. The Cava sangria is less cooling and more festive: At the bottom of the Champagne flute it comes in you’ll find strawberries, peaches, and mangos that have been marinated in potato vodka. Another offering that incorporates sake and pear liqueur has a rich, earthy taste. Glass: $10. Pitcher: $30.

Rum and infused vodka: Barramundi
67 Clinton St., nr. Rivington St.; 212-529-6900
This Lower East Side mainstay uses rum instead of brandy in their tart white sangria, which is ladled from a jug on the bar. While you’re sipping it at the open windows up front, see if you can taste the secret ingredient: house-infused vodka. Glass: $5. Pint: $8 (dollar off during happy hour, Daily, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

154 W. 13th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-989-7699
If you’re fortunate enough to snag a sidewalk seat on this sushi den’s leafy residential block, celebrate with a complex sangria in which the acidity of Sancerre wine evens out the dryness of Suishin sake. A bed of cantaloupe, honeydew, mango, papaya, pineapple, and kiwi infuses the drink with a tropical flavor. Glass: $8. Pitcher: $15.

Cachaça: Carne Vale
46 Ave. B, nr. 4th St.; 212-777-4686
Booze usually balances a sangria rather than dominates it, but at this Brazilian rodizio, the bracing taste of premium cachaça comes on strong. It’s combined with passion-fruit purée and the house sangria, a mix of red wines, Champagne, vodka, chopped fruit, and pineapple and cranberry juices. It’s best enjoyed on the narrow back patio, when there’s a live samba band on the weekend. Glass: $9. Pitcher: $45.

Gin, tequila, and beer: Boqueria
53 W. 19th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-255-4160
If the concept of beer sangria rubs you the wrong way, think of Boqueria’s signature drink (actually created at sister restaurant Suba) as more of a shandy: It’s wheat beer with just a bit of lemon juice and triple sec. A rose variety marries the dry woodiness of gold tequila with the tartness of cranberries and pomegranate juice. White rum and apricot purée drive the white sangria while a hint of gin puts a twist on the traditional red. Glass: $8. Pitcher $32.

Limoncello: Dani
333 Hudson St., at Charlton St.; 212-633-9333
What do you get when you mix homemade limoncello and Italian brandy with muddled fruit and passion-fruit purée, adding a colorful float of red wine? Sicilian sangria, says Ben Scorah, the mixologist at this West Village Italian spot. Dani’s kitchen was a filming location for No Reservations, but that's neither here nor there when you're sipping at one of the covered sidewalk seats. Glass: $10.

Julia Alvarez on the Quinceañera


Julia Alvarez reading from Once Upon a Quinceañera
August 6 at 7pm
Barnes and Noble
Lincoln Triangle
1972 Broadway
212-595-6859

Once Upon a Quinceañera is an enlightening, accessible, and entertaining portrait of contemporary Latino culture as well as a critical look at the rituals of coming of age and the economic and social consequences of the quince parties.

Monday, July 30, 2007

chic outlet shopping in spain

Leave it to the fabulous julib.com to report on another reason to jet to europe.



when in spain. you'll find versace, carolina herrera, and hugo boss at at madrid's la rozas village, just outside madrid and very near the museum district (hey, mix a bit of culture with your couture). and forty minutes outside barcelona, las roca village offers burberry, ralph lauren, la perla, and (hometown hero) camper. reductions up to 60 percent means you won't leave empty-handed. make time for a late meal at el bulli, but call ahead - they are booked six months in advance.
illustration by anne smith