Archive for July, 2010

The big “mystery” builds…

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

I try to keep this personal blog separate from work stuff, but there will always be overlap! As a publicist for the state’s finest restaurants and a champion for our dining scene, work inevitably crosses into personal life everyday.

That said, if you follow my live food adventures on Twitter, you’ve probably seen “the countdown” for Rivers & Leaves Media (my marketing/pr firm).

On 8/9/10 at 11am, I’ll be announcing a major shift in my career, personal life and an ambitious venture that will hopefully impact our food scene. Be the first to get the announcement by visiting the website and drop your email address! Everyone is welcome to get the scoop!

Who has signed up?

Many members of the media, PR firms, food nerds, friends, restaurants, industry folks and tweeps from all over the country. Hundreds. It’s exciting and motivating to see the interest in what’s next.

Of course, there are many rumors trying to crack the news including a new food festival, firm mergers, journalism offers from national publications, partnerships, my own TV show, opening a restaurant and many more. My only comment is, what makes you think it’s just one of these things?

What do you think?

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in The Industry | 3 Comments »

EVENT: Staff Meal with Chef Justin Beckett at Petite Maison.

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

invite

Petite Maison’s quaint quarters will have to squeeze in an extra table Friday night. Get a preview of the highly-anticipated Beckett’s Table restaurant as Chef Beckett (close friend and client) will be the guest chef at Staff Meal tomorrow!

I will be there schmoozing (perhaps boozing) with all that show up! See you there.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Events | 1 Comment »

I need and want this: The Grobal self-watering plant pot.

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Inside the Fashion & Style section of  today’s Arizona Republic, you’ll find a splashy spread on inventor Treg Bradly who dreamed up a genius solution for black-thumbed folks like me.

Commissioning industrial designer Karim Rashid, they sculpted a super-functional planter that suits design nerds like yours truly.

Here’s the article by Kara G. Morrison: ARTICLE LINK

Here’s the website : PRODUCT WEBSITE

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Shopping Cart | 6 Comments »

Quick 5: NYC cocktail bars I loved. Which is the best?

Sunday, July 11th, 2010
See, I told you I was drunk when I told this story...

See, I told you I was NOT drunk when I tweeted this story...

After a limited 5 days in the city, I’m woefully under qualified to declare a “Best Bar”… but I’m gonna do it anyway. So there.

Don’t expect detailed descriptions… after all, I was drinking like a champ.

Death + Company

Took me three tries to get into this place! No rezzos, but if you show up and give them your number, they’ll buzz you when a spot is open. Worth the 1.5 wait? Yes. (Tip, go around the corner some badass brooklyn style pizza. Seriously, go.

The graphic design nerd in me fell in love with the playful menu. The alcoholic in me loved the drinks and service. Dark and mysterious.

http://www.deathandcompany.com/lounge

Angel Share

By far, this was the most-recommended bar by all tweeps and peeps. Walk up narrow stairs into a busy little Japanese restaurant. Make a sharp left turn and pull open the unmarked wooden door…. bingo. One of my favorite drinks of the entire trip was a cinnamon and fuji apple laced take on a classic. A soft shell crab salad was a perfect light nibble, ordered from the restaurant next door.

No Website

PDT

I can’t say much about this place. Seriously. (Stands for Please Don’t Tell). Think hotdogs + phone booths. Secret spot hidden in the most unlikely of places.

Order a bacon infused Old Fashioned with your hotdog. Don’t expect big blowup of  bacon flavor in your mouth or a stick of bacon bobbing in the drink. This a beautifully balanced and boozy drink.

http://www.pdtnyc.com

Pegu Club

Drumroll…. THE WINNER. By far, the cocktail king of this trip was Pegu Club. In fact, I went a second night because it was just that good. Every single vessel was victorious and drew dramatic sighs of bliss from our group.

Best cocktail of the trip: The Earl Grey MarTEAni. The body shutters with each sip of this sexy love potion. This may have been the best drink of my life. Shout-out to Kenta behind the bar. You are a god among men.

http://www.peguclub.com

má pêche

Although it’s not a bar, honorable mention goes out to má pêche of the momofuku restaurant clan. Our prix fixe lunch was terrific, but the cocktails left us buzzing. (literally). My traveling companion made it a point to seek out the bartender and give thanks for the splendid sippers.

http://www.momofuku.com/ma-peche

-JxP

Posted in Cocktail Hour, Crazy Stories, Travels | 4 Comments »

A New York Minute, Or Two.

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

View from the top of the world

I’m on day three in the city. But not enough time to write + eat + drink + work. If you wanna keep up, follow me on Twitter!

I’m taking a minute to recap the James Beard dinner.

1. The house is amazing. Four stories and you enter through the actual kitchen. Tons of funky history on the walls including Beard’s psychedelic chef coat.

2. Greg blew everyone away. Pasta was my favorite course.

3. Sat with new friends at Bon Appetit.  Talked food, NYC and the ridiculousness of SB1070.  Got encouragement to write an op-ed piece on the subject.

4. So proud of Greg and team. So nice to be in the company of giants in the industry.

VIDEO: Here’s a poor quality video of the main dining room.

-JxP

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in The Industry, Travels | 6 Comments »