This Week in DC

June 21-22
The Moore Cadillac Hummer Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest
Featuring over 40 of America's best brews. There will, of course, also be lots of food and musical entertainment. Tickets are $25.
Location: Morven Park in Leesburg, VA, just north of Leesburg off of Route 15. The exact address is 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg, VA, 20176.

June 25
STOP TRAFFICK WITH FASHION
Aidah Summer Collection Fashion Show a VIP Fashion Benefit to stop child trafficking
Wednesday, June 25th at Lima Restaurant (14th & K St N.W.), 6pm Open Bar; 7pm Fashion Show; Tickets: $65
For more information and tickets visit:http://www.stoptraffick.com/ or http://www.pamelaspunch.com/
There will be GRAND OPENING SALE discounts!

Cartier Jewelery Event in Select US Cities

Thursday, June 19

Cartier is celebrating its new collection of LOVECHARITY bracelets during the third annual LOVEDAY celebration on June 19. Stop by Cartier at the locations below to enjoy Cartier champagne and music. 10% of all sales from the entire LOVE collection benefits partnered organizations. For more information, please visit www.love.cartier.com.

Cartier Chicago, Noon- 6PM, 630 N Michigan Avenue Chicago
Cartier Bal Harbour Shops Miami, 11Am -9PM, 9700 Collins Avenue Miami
Cartier Atlanta, Noon - 6PM, 3393 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta
Cartier Los Angeles, Noon - 6PM, 370 N. Rodeo Dr. Los Angeles

This Week in Chicago

June 19
Music Without Borders
Jay Pritzker Pavillion, Millennium Park
Famed Spanish artist Miguel Gil and Maria Del Mar Bonet accompanied by the Arab Orchestra of Barcelona, Llibert Foruny and Nino Galissa
6:30 pm, FREE

Third Thursdays at M Lounge (3 Stars; 1520 S. Wabash)
DJ spins neo soul, jazz, and lounge music.
$5 Stoli cocktails.
Every Third Thursday, Doors open at 5pm

June 20, 21, 22
Taste of Randolph Street, B/T Peoria and Racine
Fri. 5pm-11pm, Sat. 2pm-11pm, Sun. 2pm-10pm
Live Music All Weekend. Food from area restaurants and cooking demonstrations.
More info. 312-458-9401; http://www.jamfests.com/

Wednesday, June 11 - August 16
74th Season of Annual Grant Park Music Festival
Each week there will be a wide range of classical music concerts and special events at the state-of-the-art Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, and in other select city locations.
Click Here for the full schedule and more info.

Sarabeth's (New York): 3.5 Stars

By Angela

Are you doing lunch with the girls? Are you taking a client out for breakfast? Are you new in town and in the mood for good, simple, breakfast food? Do not miss a chance to try Sarabeth’s. This place has been receiving well-deserved accolades for years. I have been coming to this location for years. I have eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner here and I have never been disappointed.

The restaurant has a very warm, homey feel with bentwood chairs, brass touches and pictures on the wall. The windows are French doors that seem to welcome you to come and eat. They are also picturesque and allow for great people watching. The restaurant is split level, but both the upstairs and downstairs are a tight fit.

I have eaten and enjoyed dinner at Sarabeth’s; but they are known for their breakfast, lunch, and brunch. I have to agree that they really know how to do those meals. For lunch, their tomato soup is terrific, the mushroom soup and corn and shrimp soup are also very good, and their salads are delightful. But I am going to focus on my last meal there…breakfast, which is what they do best.

Some of the breakfast selections come with Sarabeth’s specialty items, a pastry (usually a scone) and jam. The tea is served in a pot, direct to the table (no tea bag will do). Their omelets are fresh, large and tasty and their specialty fruit juice is a “flower juice” consisting of pomegranate, orange, pineapple and banana juice. It is good; not too sweet, not too tart. But on this occasion, we had eggs, porridge, bacon and sausage.

While not everything was incredible, we all enjoyed our meal and agreed we would come again. One of us had the porridge. The porridge comes with blueberries, strawberries, or wheat berries. She had the wheat berries which have a rather nutty flavor, and while she was not a fan of the wheat berries, she said the porridge was very good - creamy and smooth. Another of us had the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and cream cheese. She said she liked her selection but, after all she had heard that she had expected an amazing dish. It was just good. I had the salmon Eggs Benedict. I really enjoy eggs Benedict and thought they did a good job with them. I shared a bite with everyone and all agreed the eggs Benedict were the best. The eggs were not too hard or too runny and the sauce was not overpowering. Even the salmon was tasty. The bacon was N. C. country bacon, thick and crispy with no fat and the sausages were pork sausages served with apricot jam. They were delicious.

The service was slow but friendly. Not surprising. As I mentioned, I have been to Sarabeth’s several times and have found the service usually friendly, helpful, and courteous if not always prompt. Sarabeth’s also has a counter where you can purchase cookies, cakes, jams, gifts and interesting flavored ice cream. I have tried several of their jams and recommend them all.

So, if you are looking for a place to try for breakfast, stop by. The atmosphere is inviting, the waiters are helpful, and the food is good. And though some may say they are a little pricey, I disagree, especially considering the area. I thought the food was worth the price of admission. Oh, there are several things you should know. They do not take reservations for breakfast or lunch. This is not much of a problem during the week. But on the weekend the wait can be quite long. I hear the waits can be up to an hour. During the week, I have never waited more than 20 minutes. For those who care, the bathroom is communal and the towels they leave out are thick, soft, and luxurious.

If you just want to try their famous jams, you can go to their website. They sell a full line of cakes, cookies, jams, and party cakes. They even share their recipes online. Check out http://www.sarabeths.com/

Price:$$$

Locations include:

Sarabeth's (West), 423 Amsterdam Avenue (80th Street), Phone: 212-496-628, Mon. - Sat. 8:00AM - 11:00PM, Sun. 8:00AM - 9:30PM

Sarabeth's (East), 1295 Madison Avenue (92nd Street), Tel: 212.410.7335, Mon. - Sat. 8:00AM - 11:00 PM, Sun. 8:00AM - 9:30PM

Sarabeth‘s (at the Whitney), 945 Madison Avenue (75th Street), Tel: 212.570.3670, Closed Mondays, Tues. - Thurs. 11:00AM - 4:30PM, Fri. 11:00AM - 3:45PM, Sat.-Sun. 10:00AM - 4:30PM

Sarabeth's Central Park South (CPS), 40 Central Park South (between 5th and 6th Aves), Tel: 212-826-5959, 7 days per week Breakfast: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Lunch: 11:30AM - 3:30PM, Afternoon Tea: Mon - Fri, 3:30 - 5:30PM, Dinner: Mon - Sat, 5:30 -11:00PM, Sunday, 5:30 - 10:00PM, Weekend Brunch: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Angela's iPod

What’s in the neo-soul section of my iPOD

CHOKLATE
CHOKLATE 2006: 4.5 Stars

I have had this CD for about two years and it is still one of my favorites. It is a true upbeat groove, a combination of soul, R&B, and hip hop. You can listen or tap your feet if you want but by the time you get to “Waitin” you will be up on your feet (if you like to dance). The music kicks and her voice melds perfectly. This is true "ear candy!" It is such a shame she does not get airplay on the radio. But at least you can go out and purchase her and hear for yourselves just how much fun this CD can be.

Although I like every song on this CD, the stand-outs are the upbeat “Waitin”, which features Chali 2na of Jurassic5, “Bigger Than You” a true slow groove, "Getting Is Good" a quiet ballad of life, “Heavy” a lazy, easy song of belief and risk, "What‘s About To Go Down" a bluesy, gospel rendition with a beautiful sax solo, and a very pretty secret cut that I’ll call "Fire Water." Her words are real and touch a chord within you, as she sings about things that are relevant to all of us - love, change and poverty.

She is on the label The Kajmere Sound. I have also purchased and enjoyed their compilation; I am sure they are up and coming. As she says, “I’ve been “waitin” a long time for this.”

Check her out @ http://www.choklatemusic.com/home.html

Riesling Week 2008

June 16th-22nd, 2008

This week find Rieslings from Germany, Austria and Alsace at the top restaurants in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Las Vegas. Restaurants will feature European Rieslings by the glass, European Riesling flights, or special Riesling pairing menus.

New York Restaurants:
154 South Gate, Jumeriah Essex House

Alto

Aquavit
Aureole

Blue Fin

Blue Water Grill

Bobo
Café Boulud

Craft

DB Bistro

Fat Cat Pie
Harry's Café & Steak

HearthL'Ecole Restaurant

Metro Café and Wine Bar

The Monday Room

Raoul's

Saul

Terroir

Thalassa

Tocqueville

Wakiya at the Gramercy Park Hotel

New York Retail Tastings:
67 Wines & Spirits, Saturday, June 21 from 4-7pm
Bottlerocket, Thursday, June 19th from 5-8pm
Crush Wines & Spirits, Monday, June 16th 5-7pm
Fountain Head Wines, Saturday, June 21st during regular store hours
Union Square Wine & Spirits, Thursday, June 19th from 6-8pm

Chicago Restaurants:
Blackbird

Blu Coral

Blue Water Grill

Café Bernard

Carlos' Restaurant

Le Colonial

D.O.C. Wine Bar

The Freehling Room

May Street Market

Mirabell Restaurant
Powerhouse

The Pump Room

Republic Restaurant & Lounge

Roy's Chicago

Salpicon

Shaw's Crab House

SpringTRU

Webster Wine Bar

Chicago Retail Tastings:
Printer's Row Wine Store, Thursday, June 19th from 5-8pm
Gentile's Wine Shop, Friday, June 20th from 6-9pm
Galleria Market, Friday, June 20th from 4-8pm
Provenance Food & Wine-Lincoln Square, Thursday, June 19th from 6-8pm
Provenance Food & Wine-Logan Square, Saturday, June 21st from 3-6pm
Holiday Wine & Spirits
Gourmet Pantry, Friday, June 20th from 4:30-7:30pm
Lush Wine & Spirits-Roscoe Village, Thursday, June 19th from 5:30-8pm

Lush Wine & Spirits- University Village, Friday, June 20th from 6-8pm
Artisan Cellar, Wednesday, June 18th from 3:30-6pm

Click here for Las Vegas & San Francisco participating Restaurants.

For more information, email info@germanwineusa.com.

Play It As It Lies

By Jeff

OK, let's continue our review of the the 69th Senior US Open. The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky and there was just enough wind to dislodge any number of allergy irritants. Basically, a perfect day. As a spectator, we’re used to seeing the masses following Tiger Woods (usually the ropes are restraining a crowd typically 10 rows deep). Not so for the Champions Tour. It’s not like there aren’t crowds, it’s just easier to get closer to the action than the regular PGA tour.

When you come to the 1st tee, you’ll notice a right facing, perpendicular set of tees. The first hole shares a tee box with the number 14 hole. Let’s examine the pro approach to playing, shall we?1st hole. Slightly downhill, baby dogleg left, tree lined fairway on the same side. Out of bounds to the right side, and, you have to cross a creek 40 yards in front of the green to a “Sunday sucker pin placement”. [Translation: if you don’t want to wreck your scorecard, don’t even think about hitting it here!] The pin is located on the green right behind the front left bunker. For the most part, the pros took either driver, or 3 woods, off the 1st tee depending on their methodology.

Hello course management! Most of the pros played their approach shots to the fat part of the green instead of trying to attack that pin. Hmmm, maybe they’re onto something? Since the 2nd tee box is near the 1st green, I decided to camp out on the rope to really get a good look at the pro’s tee shots.

Next is an uphill par 4 slight dogleg right. This is interesting to note because my 1st instinct is to hit with a driver. There were few pulled. The choices ranged from fairway wood, to hybrid/rescue, to long irons. Maybe it was just me, but these guys haven’t lost a step. They crushed their shots! The balls were decimated.

Now I really feel like a little kid. Golf is a game. And, although some would like to call it a way of life, I call it my mistress. I’m so consumed by it that all other menial tasks fall by the wayside. Now, before you say a word, just know, I’m not alone in this. While there, I took a moment to observe the employees and guests of the corporate tents in attendance. Quite a few were wearing their golf shoes. No, they weren’t playing, but they wanted to feel like they were while walking the course. Oak Hill is an ultra private club, requiring membership or an invitation to play the course. The thinking is similar to that of a kid who brings a glove to a baseball game.

I also noticed the camaraderie displayed between the players. It was extremely refreshing. You see, the major winning paydays occur on the main PGA tour. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like they’re playing for peanuts; but they seem to be having more fun. Despite the grueling challenges the tournament presents. Anytime the US open is involved, the course is set up to separate the great players from the marginally successful.

On Saturday, Jay Haas pitched a shot out of the left rough that ran onto the right side of the green and trickled into the hole for an unlikely birdie. I can just hear famed sportscaster Howard Cosell voice describing the action emphatically. “There! Right there. Perhaps THIS is a sign brought down from the Greek God Zeus as lightning has struck the wedge of one young 55 year old Jay Dean Haas from St Louis, Missouri.” Maybe it WAS a sign as Jay won on Sunday with a score of 7 over par. At once exorcising the demons from his failure at the 1995 Ryder Cup at this very Oak Hill course on the same18th tee. When you overcome that kind of adversity, you should be rewarded. He was. He lifted that trophy with jubilance. I felt for him. We all live vicariously through professional athletes at one time or another. It’s the stuff of legends. That sounded cheesy didn’t it? Oh well.

It’s time to get my clubs out and hit the links. Yes sir. More menial tasks jettisoned by the wayside for a day of joyful frustration chasing a little white ball. Forget the fitness trailer. Golf is my elixir, and I’m ingesting it like nobody’s business. Until next time remember, play it as it lies.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL DADS!!

Spiritual Journey - a message to daughters

07. A Message to My Daughter

So my only child just graduated. Like most parents, I am proud. I think back on her as a baby, a toddler, a young girl, a teen and cannot believe she stands before me a young lady, graduated and now getting ready to go off to college.

On graduation day, my daughter asked me if I had any words of wisdom for her. I, usually ready to jump on my soapbox and preach, was at a loss. What did I want to say? But pride and memories prevented me from saying more than what rang from my heart. I love you and am so proud of you.

Since then, I have thought a lot about what I want to tell my daughter. I want to tell her things that will matter to her, things that will make a difference to her, and things that will sustain her when I cannot be there. This is what I have to tell her.

Be true to yourself - never let others decide the road you must travel. You must live with your choices. You alone live with your failures and successes. At the end of the day, there is nothing worse than regretting the life you lived based on someone else's choices. If you choose your road, you get to learn from any poor choices but you also get to revel in your successes.

Be your own best friend - no one else knows your heart, your desires, your inner secrets as well as you do. Embrace yourself, spend time with yourself, and do for yourself. How can others truly like you if you do not like yourself? How can you give love to others if you do not love yourself? How can you have healthy relationships with others if you do not respect yourself? Put yourself first, in a healthy, positive manner, and you will do well.

Let no man or woman into your life who brings you down - life is hard enough without choosing to spend time with those who make it harder. Also, spending time with people like that just prolongs your own suffering. Friends and lovers are supposed to elevate each other. It is true that there will be hard times. I am not saying that life is easy. But, people who are always down, always miserable, trying to bring you down, not trying to improve their lot, are a drain on your spirit. Try to help them if you can. However, if they choose to remain "wallowers" in the mire of misery, wish them well but be on your way. Instead, seek those who are like you, at least aspiring to happiness.

Fight hard to do the things that are important to you, the things that make you happy - there are only so many hours in a day and days in your life. Spend those hours and days in ways that make you happy, in ways that are meaningful to you. If you do so, your days will be enriched and your memories and moments will be extended by the length, breadth and depth of your dedication.

Stand up for the things you believe in - it will give meaning to your life.

Be aware of those in need and try to bring some sunshine into their days - there will always be those better off than you and worse off than you. Those better off give you something to strive for. Those worse off remind you of where you could be, but for the grace of God. Keeping this in mind will give you a better perspective of your capabilities, possibilities and limitations. And giving back to others less fortunate will remind you what blessings you have yourself. If nothing else, helping others will lighten your load, and brighten your heart, even on the gloomiest of days.

Say thank you - this extra effort adds grace to the giver as well as the receiver. It is an uplifting affirmation that increases positive energy, confidence and well-being.

Say I'm sorry - this helps you as well as the other party to heal. It allows you to reconnect with the person who is hurting. It cleanses both of you and the air. It encourages love, compassion, understanding and personal growth as a human being.

Let go of painful things - clinging to pain prevents you from growing in hope and love. In reality, that is all there is. Why hold on to the very things that stunt your spiritual and personal growth. Besides, everything has its time. Let things go when their time is up. It allows you to make room for new things. Cry and be fully present to the pain in that moment. Tears cleanse the soul and heal the heart. Then, put the pain in a balloon and release it. In setting it free you set yourself free. free to love and hope. Then, look your best, spend time with friends, be attuned to your owns needs and be gentle with your self. You will be OK.

Find time to meditate - it can help you discover peace within yourself. It can help you find happiness in just being alive. If there is no time in your life to meditate at length: take a walk and enjoy nature, take a bath and deeply relax, or just close your eyes and breathe deeply and slowly. Meditation is an unsung hero in the world of self-rejuvenation. Trust me, it will help you in ways you can't even imagine.

Be kind to others - kindness is as much a state of mind as it is an act itself. When practiced, this simple act creates positive karma in your life and helps you find inner strength and peace. Further, when you are kind to others, you learn to be kind to yourself.

Live a good life - refrain from hurting others and yourself. Be a blessing to others and yourself. Don't take anything for granted. Appreciate the worth of everything that you encounter in your life. When you make a mistake; acknowledge it, regret it, understand what caused it, accept that there may be consequences, learn from it, and resolve not to make that same mistake again. Then let it go and be free to move on.

Be patient - keep calm when faced with things outside of your control. When you are patient, you are in a state of allowing. When you are allowing, you open yourself to the good things and blessings that are available and ready for you, even in moments when all you can imagine is pulling your hair out and screaming.

Be mindful - happiness is right now, right here, moment-by-moment, day-by-day. You create it as you go along and therefore it is your choice. When you are mindful, you live the life you are meant to live, you are being true to your inner self and you nourish your soul. When you are mindful, you notice the beauty around you, appreciate moments, and create an opportunity to learn, grow, improve and love.

Make friends and spend time with them - a friend is someone you keep because of who they are and who you are when you are with them. A friend is someone who lifts you up when you are down, who knows all your faults but loves you anyway, is someone you would do anything for, no holes barred and who would do the same for you. The number of friends does not determine happiness in life. It is the quality of the friendships you make and keep. Friendship is the fun you share, the secrets you tell each other and the memories you create together. So make good, true friends and spend time with them. It is the time you spend with them that will nurture your friendships and help them to grow and last.

Spend time with family - they can be your backbone, your strength, your comfort and your support if you let them.

Finally, know I love you.

I always have and always will. I will be here for you in good times and bad. I will share your happiness and hold you when you are in pain. I will be your rock when you need and the voice of reason and honesty when you need that as well. I will never lie to you or let you down. I can be your friend and your confidant, if you need, but I will always be your mother and I will always love you. You can find solace in my arms and a bed in my house. You may be too big to sit on my lap but it is still available, if you need. Yes, I love you my child, my heart, my beautiful daughter. And yet I give you wings to fly and soar and do and be all you can be and do.

GOOD LUCK AND MANY, MANY BLESSINGS!!!!!!!!!!!

DW's Loop

“How can you stay in the Loop, if you aren’t in the Loop?”

By DW

Friday
Project Art 2.0 @ Victor Hotel
311 N. Sangamon St
9pm-2am
Hennessey specials, live painting
No cover before 10
RSVP to info@plsmag.com for guestlist.


Saturday
Have dinner at On Q Club and Hennessy's Steak and Seafood
2300 Bushwood Dr.
Elgin, IL 60124
Upscale dining room, upstairs bar and club where DJs spin hip hop and Top 40 Thursday through Saturday.
http://www.onqclub.com/


Sunday
PLS Magazine hosts soCHIalite @ Chaise Lounge
1840 W. North Ave.
1pm-6pm
Free Hennessy French Iced Tea, Sidecars
100 $10 Akira gift cards
RSVP to info@plsmag.com.


Cocktail for the Week – Hennessy and Apple
Ingredients

• Cocktail Glass
• 1 oz Hennessy cognac
• 3 oz apple juice

Stir ingredients together in a cocktail glass over crushed ice, and serve.

Neonu's Miami Beach Weekend

I recently spent the weekend in Miami to celebrate a friend's birthday and as always it was a wonderful trip. I love long weekends in Miami. Sun, beach, food, drink and fun. That is what I call living. What's not to love...well let's find out.

The Loews Miami Beach Hotel: 5 Stars

This was my second time staying at the hotel and I love it. The rooms are very nice, but it is the service that makes this place special. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Each afternoon in the lobby you can treat yourself to a new flavor of lemonade - complimentary of course. But the pool is the shining star of this hotel. It is a large pool with two hot tubs. There is full towel service, waiters to meet your food and beverage needs, and ample lounge chairs and umbrellas. The bonus is that throughout the day you are served treats like free icees, frozen grapes, and smoothies. If you can, shell out the bucks for the cabana. The extra pampering is worth it.

The Fifth South Beach Night Club: 2.5 Stars

(Friday Night) This is a very spacious two level loft style club. The velvet rope, as expected in Miami, is in full effect so come looking great or carrying lots of cash. The upside was that our bartender was great. Very attentive. The music was OK - standard hip hop/R&B type club music. The crowd was mainly African- American, Florida, Twenty-somethings. I doubt I would return.

Lario's On the Beach: 4 Stars

820 Ocean Drive, 305.532.9577

Lario's (part of singer Gloria Estefan's Cuban restaurant chain) is in the process of changing its name to SOBE (short for south beach) Bongos Cafe. Whatever the name I always like dining here. It is reasonably priced. The food is good. And the live Cuban band is always fun and festive. This is a great place for large groups of people or special occasions. I am personally a fan of the skirt steak and regular mojito. The cerviche was a big hit with my friends. Reservations suggested to avoid a long wait. $$

China Grill Miami Beach: 3 Stars

China Grill started in New York and has now opened locations (with various names) in a number of cities. The food is Asian Contemporary and is served family style. Again, this is a good place for large groups. The food was good. I particularly liked the duck fried rice and the short ribs. However, this is not a restaurant to choose if you plan to have a lot of across the table conversations. House music spins quite loudly while you dine. It took a minute to get used to it, because your mind notes that you are in a restaurant with white tablecloths, but your body tells you it is time to dance. Fast. Different, but I liked it. What I did not like was the service. Our waiter was HORRIBLE. He took advantage of the "gratuity included" in a way that only karma can remedy. It is a very popular restaurant, so reservations are suggested. $$$

Bella Rose: 5 Stars

423 16th St., Miami Beach, 305-673-8634

Destiny found Bella Rose for me. I was walking with friends along Ocean Drive, when one decided he needed a bathroom break at the Hotel Victor. I remembered attending a great party there some years back and decided to check it out while everyone waited for him to return. The Hotel Victor has a great roof deck. When I got upstairs I noticed the DJ was breaking down his equipment. He told me I just missed the party, but that he was on his way to the next spot where he'd be spinning old school hip hop at a local joint. My group decided to stop by and boy are we glad we did. We arrived very late (after midnight) and left very early (it was still dark :)). DJ Self Born had us dancing non-stop to the best old school hip-hop, pop, rock, and R&B until we literally closed the place down. Yes, long after the locals had gone home. The crowd was 20-40 somethings and mainly white.

I do have to add a very important disclaimer. Bella Rose is not just a local spot, it is a hole in the wall. Seriously, it is. But people still dress nicely (neat jeans and tennis are OK) and there is bottle service if you desire. Wear dancing shoes.

Please comment on your thoughts on these Miami spots or others you would recommend or suggest we stay away from.