I haven’t seen a film from Iran that I have loved as much as “A Separation” since I enjoyed “Children of Heaven” (1997). “A Separation”, winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, is an Iranian “Rashomon”. This masterpiece of cinema lays out multiple stories unfolding from six...
Seagrass Restaurant: Bon Appétit–Mi Cuit
Last weekend we went to Santa Barbara and had a delightful experience participating in the inaugural cooking lesson by Chef Robert Perez, owner of Seagrass (30 East Ortega Street). Trained in France, the Netherlands, and as a sous chef at L’Auberge de Soleil, Perez opened his first restaurant Citronée near Sacramento before moving...
“Foyle’s War”–Crime Foiled
I am addicted to the series “Foyle’s War” (six extraordinary seasons –2002-2010–on BBC Television) now available through Netflix. Set in a small coastal town, Hastings, in Great Britain during World War II, a middle-aged police chief, Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle (the underrated Michael Kitchen)...
Morimoto–A Culinary Haiku
One of the most extraordinary restaurants I have been to in my life is Morimoto in Napa. I sampled the culinary wizardry of Chef Morimoto during a wonderful spa weekend with my daughter. This is a must for those who love Japanese food with a unique riff on classical recipes. Imagine a French Laundry for Asian cuisine!
Chef Masaharu Morimoto is...
“Safe House”–A Safe Bet
It seems only fair to see a dick-flick after having recommended rom-coms for Valentine’s Day. And did I pick a winner–my husband gave it a 10, which is very rare for him. The movie is “Safe House” and it stars and is produced by the exceptional Denzel Washington.
No ordinary action-pic–although it has ample car...
Valentine’s Day–Rom-Coms (aka Chick Flicks) Anyone?
It’s that time of year again, when guys dread having to let their female partner/friend/spouse choose the movie while they fight back tears having to pass up another testosterone-charged action film (like “Drive” or “300”). Well, guess what? There are a few I thought are just right for snuggling together on the...
