Ever been to a wine tasting led by a Count? A French Count at that? Well, now's your chance ;-) The French Embassy hosts a monthly series of wine tasting with the French American Cultural Foundation at La Maison Française. It's actually part of a series of events called "Le Studio - defining French Savoir-Faire." I haven't written about any of their prior events, but this one feels pretty special to me. Count Eric de Saint Victor, the winemaker who will lead the tasting this Friday, is visiting from Bandol, in Provence, where he owns the Château de Pibarnon vineyard. Bandol is where my grandmother lived for some 30 years before moving to Paris to be closer to her daughters and to three of ...
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Ma Petite Liste – March 12-18 2012
This is a busy week for me! My husband and I are running our very first half marathon on Saturday. I've been ravaged by allergies (and they say springtime is the loveliest season in D.C.!) so I'm not feeling as confident as I would want, but I'm feeling pretty good about spending my Saint Patrick's Day running instead of drinking myself silly. It goes without saying, I'll be taking it pretty easy this week so I'm in decent shape comes race day. But here are a few fun happenings around town I would love to be able to do:MONDAY MARCH 12Pick your sweet sixteen and final fours to help raise money for Becky's Fund in their work to end and prevent domestic and dating violence. Enter Becky's Fund's ...
Sweet (or savoury) deal at Oceanaire
Oceanaire's happy hour ($3 draft beer, $4 glasses of wine) just got a little bit better... $39 for a bottle of wine and 6 oysters? That sounds great!! (but a little dangerous no?) ...
Festival Culturel de la Francophonie – 2012 Edition
Last night I had the privilege of joining the who's who of the French-speaking cultural and diplomatic world for the official launch of the 2012 Francophonie Cultural Festival. Hosted by H.E. Jean Paul Senninger and Madame Louise Akerblom at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the evening celebrated a community of French speakers present on every continent (that's right, we're EVERYWHERE!). In his speech, the Ambassador joked about his “little country,” surrounded by 2 big neighbours (Germany and France), where people speak 3 languages but that takes great pride in belonging to the francophone world. His remarks were followed by an hilarious presentation by the President of the ...
Magasinage – Marni mania at H&M
Marni for H&M is the latest high-profile designer collaboration for Swedish retail chain H&M, a tradition that started in November 2004 with Karl Lagerfeld and has since included an eclectic string of labels and creators, like Jimmy Choo, Sonia Rykiel, Lanvin or even Kylie Minogue. In less than 48 hours, average fashionistas on a budget like myself will be able to purchase a few items in Marni’s signature prints and colours, at a fraction of the usual costs. The exclusive collaboration collections are always in high demand, and last year’s collaboration with Versace highlighted the need for H&M to get a little more organized. The H&M store at Metro Center is gearing up for ...
Ma petite liste – MARCH 5-11, 2012
MONDAY MARCH 5Do you have a "week" spot for wine? Yes, it's a weak pun, but I didn't come up with it ;-) Celebrate the 50th National Wine Week at Smith & Wollensky March 5-9, 2012. To commemorate the occasion, the chain is introducing the Smith & Wollensky “Private Reserve” Sauvignon Blanc, which will be available throughout the week. You can also indulge in a $50 3-course lunch menu that comes with a sampling of 10 wines. And if 3 courses is to much for you you can also get the 10 samples for $10 with the purchase of an entree. The list of wines available will change daily.TUESDAY MARCH 6It's super Tuesday!!! Kimpton Hotel mixologist Rico Wisner created 5 politically ...
Rendez-Vous with French Cinema
The 17th Rendez-Vous with French Cinema opens today in New York City. 2011 was an amazing year for French films. Of course, there was the international success of The Artist but most importantly, there was the triumph of Intouchables and the suprising popular appeal of smaller movies like Les Femmes du 6eme Etage, Polisse or Un Monstre un Paris. Very few of these films will actually make their ways to American theaters. One of the best ways to get your fix of current French movies is through film festivals, like New York's Rendez Vous with French Cinema, which opens tonight with last year hit: Intouchables. I saw Intouchables when I was visiting my parents last February and absolutely loved ...
Top Chef winner Paul Qui to cook at Asia Nine
I wonder how fast this event will sell out now that Chef Paul Qui is Top Chef Season 9 winner Paul Qui ;-) He will be at hand at Asia Nine on March 31 (12-2PM) with fellow (but not so victorious) cheftestant Edward Lee to lead a class on "Asian Fusion Redefined." The demonstration will be paired with crisp wine white and followed by a Q&A. Buy your tickets quickly ($75)... I have a feeling this cooking class just got a little more popular than it was yesterday! Oh, and congratulations to chef Paul Qui of course. That winning menu looked pretty amazing! ...
Sip on your fave candidate this Super Tuesday
Photo credit - Kimpton HotelFor the Oscars, the Kimpton Hotels rolled out a fun set of cocktails inspired by nominated flicks (I obviously loved the "Strong and Silent Type" inspired by The Artist) at Helix Lounge. With the Oscars behind, time to look back to that other race going on... the race for the White House. Super Tuesday is just a few days away, and that means 419 GOP delegates are at stakes between Vermont (17), Alaska (24), North dakota (28), Idaho (32), Massachusetts (38), Oklahoma (40), Virginia (46), Tennessee (55), Ohio (63) and Georgia (76.) Watching the results roll in is always a ton of fun, and the Kimpton Hotels are joining in with a Super Tuesday Viewing Party at ...
Cannes Festival Poster Stars Marilyn Monroe
Our year with Marilyn continues as the blond icon graces the official poster of the 65th Cannes Film Festival. Organizers explained their choice stating that "the Festival is a temple of glamour and Marilyn is its perfect incarnation. Their coming together symbolises the ideal of simplicity and elegance."Last year, the Cannes Film Festival, presided by Robert De Niro, brought us a number of great films including Festival opener Midnight in Paris, Palme d'Or winner The Tree of Life, Drive (Nicolas Winding Refn was crowded best director), The Artist (with Jean Dujardin receiving a price for best actor and Uggie receiving a Palm Dog) or Footnote (best screenplay.) Films represented at Cannes ...
