Luxury living...for life

The ideas of luxury and philanthropy needn't be mutually exclusive. Take for instance this phenomenal upcoming event:

Share Our Strength: Taste of the Nation, Napa Valley, CA - August 17, 2009


This event is ultra-luxe, yet 100% of the profit goes toward the charitable cause of ending childhood hunger for the millions of children whom currently suffer from this social, humanitarian injustice.

Notably, the cost to attend the event's Golf tournament, and Taste of the Nation evening ($215) includes breakfast, bloody marys, lunch on the golf course, and the evening festivities. The Taste of the Nation evening will feature top chefs from the best Napa Valley restaurants and wineries. The list of participants reads like a who's who of Napa hospitality.

At $215 this is a steal of a luxury... one that also is in the spirit of service.

Personally, I hope to make the trip out west... its a rare occasion to partake in life's luxuries while doing some real good.

Do check out Share Our Strength's website for more information and other event locales.

Restaurant Review: Buddakan NYC

So you're getting ready for a night out in NYC, but find yourself starved for sustenance. Where to go that will start the night off right? Buddakan. Found in the ever-lavish meatpacking district of NYC, Buddakan is the perfect fusion of...well, many things.

The lofty bar area is ultra sleek and modern, very sparingly and dimly lit so as to create a lounge-like atmosphere; it is a hybrid of euro-lounge and fine dining. Natural hues permeate the solid space while dark woods add depth to the bar and dining room, offset by hints of turqouise. The music, crowds, and conversations add to the social ambiance, making the venue easy-going and welcoming.

Its dining room is ultra luxurious, in a word: glorious. Reminiscent of a Baroque dining room, its stately long, communal tables are a change from the usual individualized seating of most restaurants. The grand chandeliers above add an unsurpassed richness to the space.

Its menu is overtly asian, with twinkles of outside influences, esp. French. The food, perhaps most importantly, is delicious. The candied ginger crusted lamb chops proved a favorite of mine, as was the lobster fried rice, lightly seasoned and accented beautifully with saffron. The seafood was well executed and the lamb, cooked medium rare, was a complex eye-opener.

The crowd was a great blend of beautiful people. No campy tourists here. Everyone was very well-dressed and ready for a good time. Whether spending the evening at Buddakan or in preparation for a night at one of the Meatpacking's other hot spots you're sure to have an amazing time.

Visit Buddakan for the ambiance, the drinks, and the great crowd... stay for the great food. For more information visit Buddakan NYC Online.

And don't forget about the Opus X giveaway to the most prolific reader-commentator. More details in SeriousBok's post: We Major!

We Major!

Shout out to my people Lateef who recently returned from Las Vegas. While in Sin City he hit the cigar lounges including the Casa Fuente Lounge. Pictured here is not for the faint of heart. Thats no Te-amo & Henny. That is Opus X & Louis xiii that he enjoyed. In Vegas that is a $200 sitting. If you gonna go do it major! Do it luxe! Props.




Glad to see my people doing it right. So to spread the love I'm giving away a Opus X to whoever leaves the most comments by August 20th. Real comments only not,"cool" or"nice". You must have a screen name. No anonymous comments will count. And past comments do count. We cant ignore our early supporters. And as of right now Hellraiser leads..

Peace

Luxe Cinema: Medicine for Melancholy

Yeah yeah Transformers, Star Trek blah blah....
I am a huge fan of independent films. I dont know what took me so long to share this with you all since this one is really worth seeing. Medicine For Melancholy directed by Barry Jenkins has been touring the U.S. since January of this year. I was able to see the film at the IFC Theater in NY in February. Barry's directing debut is descibed as, "A love story of bikes and one-night stands told through two African-American twenty-somethings dealing with issues of class, identity, and the evolving conundrum of being a minority in rapidly gentrifying San Francisco-a city with the smallest proportional black population of any other major American city."
Spend the day with Mika(Wyatt Cenac) & Angela(Tracey Higgins) and learn something about yourself. This film makes for a great dinner & movie evening.
Check the trailer here:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1133989/ and look for screening in your area. This film is still very popular and still touring the U.S.







While I am the subject of independent film I must say to those who have never been to an independent movie theater be prepared. This isnt your AMC Transformers crowd. The independent film crowd is usually mature and professional. Many are students of film. There is very little chance of crying babies,talkative teenagers or fools on the phone. Many times after the film(not movie) has ended do not be alarmed if no one leaves the theater after the credits have finished. Many times there will be a Q&A session to follow with the director and actors. Shout out to Mecca who was blessed to meet with Barry and Tracy. Now you have been briefed,enjoy your film.

Restaurant Review: Amy Ruth's Harlem, NY

On a beautiful post-Fourth of July Sunday, I ventured to arguably the best Soul Food restaurant in NYC. While many similar establishments have been watered-down by corporate imagery and marketing, Amy Ruth's in Harlem remains true to its founding heritage.

Entering the unencumbered space for Sunday brunch, one finds a simple, casual atmosphere. Here, decoration and formality are minimal. Perhaps more significant are the smiles that greet the newcomer from the many tables of well-satisfied customers.

Attentive service and an extensive menu of American comfort foods ensures a fulfilling experience. Classics like fried catfish, fried chicken, waffles, collard greens, and corn bread are executed in a scrumptuously simple, traditional style. There are no surprises here; just plain good food...Soul Food.

When in good company, as I was, brunch could'nt be better. Do check out Amy Ruth's online. But definitely find your way to Harlem to treat your palate to the classic, soulful flavors offered; a luxury by any standard.