Volume 12. A Glimpse of New York

Everroving Global Around Town Senior Travel Correspondent Doug Wingate just submitted this report from O'Hare Airport:

I'm in O'Hare, having just left NYC for a few-day-jaunt. Saw several things, most of which are sadly winding down this very weekend.

First, saw Charles Busch's new comic tour de force -- playing for a limited run at the Lucille Lortel theater (co-starring with movie star Kathleen Turner), called THE THIRD STORY. It's frivolity at its height, involving a trio of mother-child fantasies ranging from madwoman scientists creating doppelgangers, to gun-totin' mob mommas seeking revenge on behalf of her princeling heir-apparent, to fairytale Eastern European witches enchanting traditional princes and princesses. Turner is in fine throaty form, but ... Busch is just a true treasure -- as in the fine tradition of the Davis/Crawford/McCambridge-type women he re-creates, but with his own uniqueness that's as original as that of those icons of the 30s and 40s cinema he effortlessly evokes. Its run ends in mid-March I think, so one can still catch Busch -- a subversive star not to be missed.

Also saw NYC Ballet's "21st Century Movement" series, with works all created since 2001 by such modern masters as Dutch choreographer Jorma Elo, NYCB's own ballet master Peter Martins and NYCB's former resident-choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, plus a recent world premiere by NYCB alumna Melissa Barak (no "c" in that last name!). It was all quite good, but I was most impressed by the Dutch dude -- quirky, original, but oh-so-grounded in fine form. NYCB's winter season sadly ends tomorrow though.

Finally, also saw the Roundabout Theater's current revival of PAL JOEY, also having final performances tomorrow the 28th of Feb. This is a remake of the Broadway classic that made Gene Kelly a star, and was a Hollywood star vehicle for Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth. The show itself is a bit creaky, but the women in the show are top-notch. Stockard Channing, as the rich-but-slumming Mrs. Simpson who sings the immortal "Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered," enchants and is deserving of a Tony in my opinion. Martha Plimpton, whom I have always thought of as indelibly contemporary, surprises with a knockout performance as Gladys Bumps, a spiralling-down chanteuse, singing the Elaine Stritch star-maker "Zip." She also deserves a Tony. Unfortunately, the show still has a number of fuddy-duddy "lesser songs" that have "no zip," and could've been replaced, but for the director's desire for "authenticity," I assume. Oh well ... All in all, however, I'd agree with The New Yorker's generally favorable review, rather than the other less favorable reviews from other critics.

Also enjoyed lunch one day at DB BISTRO MODERNE, part of the eponymous empire of uberchef Daniel Boulud. It is as marvelous as ever, and was packed for Thursday lunch; no signs of a recession there!

DINNER

SOUPES ET SALADES SOUPE DU JOUR AP 14.

ARUGULA SALAD Fava Beans, Iberian Ham, Manchego, Cherry Tomatoes AP 17.

HEIRLOOM BEETS Red & Yellow Endive, Pears, Blue Cheese, Toasted Nuts AP 18.

LOBSTER SALAD Mesclun, Hearts of Palm, Haricots Verts, Pesto Dressing AP 25.

CHARCUTERIES COUNTRY DUCK PATE Pickled Vegetables, Dijon Mustard AP 16.

FOIE GRAS TORCHON Poached Quince, House Made Brioche AP 25.

POISSONS CRUS ET CRUSTACES DANIEL BOULUD’S SMOKED SALMON

Celery Rémoulade, Horseradish, Grumberküechle »AP 19.

MOROCCAN TUNA TARTARE Cucumber Raita, Chickpeas, HarissaAP 19. / MC 36

PEEKYTOE CRAB Ruby Red Grapefruit, AvocadoAP 19.

PETITS PLATS CHAUDS ESCARGOT & CHICKEN OYSTER FRICASSÉE

Hazelnut Spaetzle, Button MushroomsAP 19. / MC 29.

NANTUCKET BAY SCALLOPS Celery Mousseline, Citrus Jus AP 19. / MC 36.

ORECCHIETTE PASTA Venison Ragout, Chestnut, Butternut Squash, Brussel Sprouts AP 19. / MC 29.

SPECIALITES DE LA MAISON OLIVIER’S ALSATIAN « TARTE FLAMBEE »Fromage Blanc, Bacon, OnionsAP 10. / 15. Layered with Shaved Black Truffles AP 75.

TOMATO TARTE TATIN Goat Cheese, Frisée, Black OlivesAP 18.

POISSONS DU MARCHE ROASTED STRIPED BASS Shelfish & Vegetable Minestrone

Coco Beans, FarfallineMC 29.

SAUTEED LEMON SOLE Truffle Pomme Puree, Leek FondueSauce Forestiere MC 38.

BACON VEILED SALMON Baby Carrots, Turnips, Fingerling Potatoes Riesling Veloute MC 29.

MAINE RED SWEET SHRIMP Artichoke Risotto, Sunchokes, Baby Fennel, Orange MC 36.

VIANDES DE BOUCHERIE ORGANIC CHICKEN BREAST "GRAND-MERE" Pomme Cocotte, Bacon, Button Mushrooms, Spinach MC 29.

HANGER STEAK Oxtail Ragout, Swiss Chard, Onion Compote, Bordelaise Sauce MC 33.

BERKSHIRE PORK CHOPCreamy Brussels Sprouts, PancettaChestnuts, Pomme Dauphine

MC 31.

PLATS MIJOTES LAMB TAJINE Braised Lamb Shoulder, Cauliflower Couscous Almonds, Dates MC 32.

CRISPY DUCK CONFIT Wild Mushrooms, Broccoli Rabe, Sweet & Sour Duck Jus MC 33.

BRAISED FLAT IRON STEAK Watercress Pomme Purée, Baby Carrots, Salsify, Sauce BourguignonneMC 31

. « COQ AU VIN »Wild Mushrooms, Bacon, SpaetzleMC 30.

SIDE DISHES

Super Green Spinach

Vegetables Jardinière

Bean Fricasée

Pommes Frites

Pommes Dauphines

Spaetzle

Brussels Sprouts

Mesclun Salad

SD 9.

THE ORIGINAL db BURGER Sirloin Burger Filled with Braised Short Ribs & Foie Gras Served on a Parmesan BunPommes Frites—or—Pommes SouffléesMC 32.

db BURGER ROYALE Layered with 10 grams of Shaved Black TrufflesMC 75.

db BURGER DOUBLE TRUFFLE Layered with 20 grams of Shaved Black TrufflesMC 150.

May I just say... some people have all the tasty luck!

Thanks Doug