Hot and steamy, even on a cool day, that’s August. Another indication that it is August is Sylvia’s Restaurant’s annual community breakfast with live entertainment. That’s right. Every Aug. 1, 127th Street and Lenox Avenue are alive with grits, biscuits and eggs. People venture out from every nook and cranny to chow down and bounce to the beat. This year marked Sylvia’s 55th anniversary, and I can’t wait to see what the 100th will bring. I suspect there will still be grits, an American staple. Personally, I don’t like grits, never have—too gritty.
This week’s favored restaurant was Cantina, the new Latino spot located directly across the street from Sylvia’s. I met my friend Monique Wells there for dinner and will be back. At 7 p.m. there was a waitlist for a table and no room at the bar. The hostess, though, was very nice and accommodating. She actually seated me before Monique’s arrival. This kind of accommodation is uncommon because you usually have to wait for the whole party to be present before getting a table. Not so in this instance, even though there were other couples behind me ready to be seated. What a perk, and they didn’t even know I write for the New York Amsterdam News! The house margarita was superb and service great—truly worthy of a good tip. I ordered the rice bowl with black beans, lettuce, avocado and grilled shrimp. It was reasonably priced and delicious. My next date is with longtime reader of the Cosmopolitan Review, Elizabeth Rankin-Fulcher. We talked about going to Babbalucci’s, which is located right next door, and another one of my favorites. Decisions, decisions. Elizabeth, you decide. The same goes for you, Gabriella (as in Styler). I haven’t forgotten you.
As you may recall, I ended last week’s column by revealing I had taken on the arduous task of redoing my daughter Julia’s bedroom while she was away at camp. I am happy to report I successfully finished painting the walls from pink to blue, installed and stacked the book shelves and set up her desk. You can’t prepare for back to school too soon. After all, it’s August. Macy’s online had an excellent deal on a new bed for Julia and mattress sets (of which we bought one for her and one for us). To compliment this purchase, I bought a lovely comforter set from the 125th Street Bed, Bath and Beyond (great selection, great deals) that included matching sets/pillow cases, along with new sheets for us from Target. I really scored. Macy’s, which has excellent customer service, did a wonderful job of delivering and set-up. The hardest job was rearranging the room so that everything fit, or was it the painting, or sifting through stuff to throw away? Whatever. It’s complete, she loves it and I now have something else to add to my resume.
Speaking of Macy’s, they do more than clothes and furniture. This year, Macy’s served as host for the St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters 15th annual Women of Valor Awards Tea. The event, which took place at the NY Marriott Marquis, welcomed more than 800 guests. The guest of honor was Diane Fields (Empire State Realty Trust), and the Macy’s Community Star Award Recipient was Joan Hornig (Joan Hornig Jewelry). Special guest speakers were Deputy Commissioner of Health Sonia Angell M.D., MPH, from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Rita Cosby, Emmy-winning TV host and best-selling author; and Rikki Klieman, CBS News legal analyst, criminal defense attorney and wife of former NYC Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.
Meanwhile, Billy Porter, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer, director, composer, playwright and recording artist mesmerized guests at the 2017 SummerScape Gala held at Montgomery Place in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. The gala was a summer celebration and benefit for the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College. The college is one of the rare few that is committed to the performing arts, viewing the discipline as a cultural and educational necessity. For those of you said you were looking for a quick get-away, here is something to check out. The gala continues until Aug. 20 with the 28th Bard Music Festival, which has been acclaimed as “seven weeks of cultural delight.” Offered is a robust schedule of cabaret, live jazz, dancing and more. Also on the bill is “Chopin and His World” through 12 chamber, orchestral, choral and operatic programs.
Word just in from Fatima Shama, executive director of the Fresh Air Fund. There is still one last chance to help send 700 NYC children away for one week to camp. Please, give, give, give. Camp is such a rewarding experiencing for both children and their caregivers. Every child deserves the opportunity to get out of the city for the summer. The benefits, besides fresh air, a change of scenery and a little peace and quiet, are endless.
Caregivers need a break to give some care to themselves. Remember how we spoke about mental health? Well this donation is just another example of how you can contribute to the well-being of someone else. Every little bit helps. To give, give, give, go to www.freshair.org or call 1-800-367-0003.
Looking for something totally upscale to do? Meet and mingle with 100 authors, buy their books and have them personally inscribed at this lively cocktail party, with all proceeds benefiting the East Hampton Library. The event begins at 5 p.m. with the book signing cocktail party and continues at 8 p.m. with private dinner parties featuring guest authors at area homes. Founding Honorary Chair Alec Baldwin will be joined by his wife Hilaria Baldwin. Other participating authors include Alan Alda, Ann Brashares, Robert A. Caro, Dick Cavett, Elliott Erwitt, Alex Guarnaschelli, Jeffrey Lyons, Peter Marino, Malcolm Nance, Jessica Seinfeld, Stephen Kennedy Smith and Elizabeth Vargas. Tickets for the reception only are $100. If you care to splurge and include the reception, it’s $300. Contact authorsnight@easthamptonlibrary.org or phone 631-324-0222. Can we do the same thing for the Countee Cullen library? Think about it.
Until next week…kisses.