DEAN MARTIN LEGACY VIA DEANA MARTIN

It’s been a running thing for years that my friend Susan Liben, who has been more than an avid fan of Dean Martin, wants to team up with me, an avid fan, but not necessarily a follower, of Jerry Lewis.   Susan knows all of Dean’s songs and life.   I can do a pretty good imitation of Jerry Lewis…really.  

Dean Martin has “passed on” some years ago leaving his legacy to his daughter, Deana, a singer and performer.    I did meet her when Susan and I attended an annual Dean Martin festival in Steubenville, OH.   Now here she was performing at Feinstein’s at the Regency Hotel, which may be the last of the legit nightclubs in New York City.  

Deana was joined by her talented band: Vincent Falcone conducting and at the piano; Lincoln Millman on the bass; Ted Sommer on drums and Bucky Pizzarelli on the guitar. 

The night brought songs such as Mack The Knife, Volare, Return To Me, Ain’t That A Kick In The Head, That’s Amore and The Lady Is A Tramp.   Deana talked about her father and members of “The Rack Pack”.   Memories Are Made Of This…and yes, that was sung as well.  

She came out into the audience to have us participate in That’s Amore and brought up three women from the crowd to join her in Memories Are Made of This as they sung the line, “sweet, sweet, the memories you gave to me”.

Her father’s humor came through during her banter.    No, she doesn’t sound like Dean and that’s okay. However, she does do his schtick of taking a sip of what is supposed to look like a martini.   

Deana had written a book entitled, “Memories Are Made Of This”, Dean Martin through his daughter’s eyes, soon to be movie.    It looks as if Jennifer Love Hewitt will portray Deana and rumor has it that Johnny Depp will take the Dean role although Deana said that it was still open. 

We also got a glimpse into a future recording of her singing a duet with her father.  Dean Martin was on screen singing, “True Love”  as Deana sang her part.  

Some celebs were there that evening including Pia Zadora and Sal Scognamillo, chef of the famous Patsy’s restaurant.   Sal brought sample bottles  of his sauces.   

Photos:  Susan and Deana;  Deana and her husband, John; Bucky Pizzarelli;  Pia Isadora; Sal Scognamillo

You can check out the schedule of entertainment at Feinstien’s by going to www.feinsteinsattheregency.com     

WHIRL WITH MERLE AT FAIRWAY MARKET

A new Fairway Market opened in Douglaston, New York, an area in Queens. I was really happy as it is a cross between a big supermarket chain and Whole Foods. They have the best of the best here. There's a butcher station in the meat department as well as items prepacked from the butcher department.

I met with Ray Venezia, the butcher maven. He must be third generation of butchers and more than knowledgeable about the various cuts of meats. He's been on television a few times as well.

He's of the old school of devoted butchers like they had years ago. We had a great chat as we talked not only about the cuts, but also, where the meat comes from. I had never heard of Hereford, Wagyu or Obe beef and organic one.

One of the meats that I got was a piece of pork belly to make my own bacon using my Cameron Smoker, which cooks on the top of the stove. I'm not sure which chips to use so I'll ask. Not that Fairway doesn't have their own smoked bacon.

Anyway, I took several videos.

SOTHYS SPA

I went back to Sothy's spa where Zina did this most fabulous and unusual facial. I'm not sure exactly which one it was, but it was like getting a complete facial plus a facial massage that involved pressure points. It will be talked about on my radio show by Trena Ross.

SNEAK PEEK AT SOTHYS

I had a great spa experience at Sothys in Midtown Manhattan. I will call it "Hannukah Sue Me" in order to remember the name of this body ritual. "Hanakasumi Body Ritual. Experience the ancient art of beauty with this relaxing body ritual inspired by Japanese traditions. Your journey begins with the application of a warmed exfoliating cream with cherry blossom and rice powder followed by an exfoliating towel massage to soften the skin and invigorate the body. A unique foot massage based on reflexology revives vital energy. Complete the ritual with a full body massage of melted aromatic shea butter to bring blissful relaxation."

That's Simona applying the blissful relaxation. More to come on this.

Westchester County: the Second Day

Tour of Tarrytown brought me to view Washington Irving's Sunnyside, Philipsburg Manor In nearby Sleepy Hollow, Kykuit Visitor Center and Union Church of Pocantico Hills. Time permitted us to go inside the Church to view one Matisse window above the altar and Chagall windows taking up the front and sides.

It was then off to Stone Barns Center that was established by David Rockefeller as a memorial to his wife, Peggy. The center is all about promoting sustainable, community-based food production. There are times that you can take a cooking class but best to get a taste of the food in their restaurant, Blue Hill. About half the food that you eat is grown or raised on the premises. Lunch was somewhere else.

SPA WEEK EVENT

I went to a spa week event on the 8th. Spa Week goes until the end of this week. Spas all over the country are offering two or three $50 treatments. If you go to www.spaweek.com you can find locations and relax. The event itself was basically for the media. I started out by getting a scalp and shoulder massage from Caudalie, a Vinotherapie Spa located at the Plaza Hotel. I will certainly follow up on this one as I will with Sothys, which seems to be located about a block away from Caudalie. This booth offered me a hand and arm massage with some really great smelling rub stuff.

There were other booths of some therapy or makeup, etc. but by the time I got to them they were booked until 8 p.m. and I wanted to do my radio show at that time. Food and wine was abundant and then there was the gift bag which seemed to weigh at least 10 lbs. It was loaded with all kinds of items for your body that wasn't necessarily from the spas. Dove had a "piticure" thing going but too late for that.

Brotherhood Winery

Brotherhood Winery, in Washingtonville, has certainly changed over the years. Although I was first there in 1967 it goes way back to 1839. It's actually America's oldest winery way before California and then owned by a European guy by the name of John Jaques. Prohibition was not a problem because they were producing sacramental wines. Family business until 1987 when Cesar Baeza converted Brotherhood into a premier winery in the Hudson Valley. Cesar, who was from Chile, joined with some Chilean wine makers and now imports the wines to add to his own. Pinto Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay grapes.

Having a limited amount of time to spend there, I went right for the tasting. Unusual one was the dry riesling as most are sweet and yes, they do have the sweet version. Specialty wines were pretty interesting. A few honey wines such as one made in an Ethiopian tradition, a May wine with strawberry juice and woodruff, and a red wine with ginseng root.

To add to the whole winery experience is a new restaurant called Vinum Cafe, which will open some time in April. Upscale French cuisine, tapas bar, and terrace area for groups. www.brotherhoodwinery.net

Orange County: The Gomez Mill House

A tour of the Gomez Mill House after breakfast at the Overlook Lodge. Here's the brief story on this

Gomez Mill House of Heritage and History

The Mill House, located just off 9W, five miles north of Newburgh, NY, on the Hudson River, is not only the oldest house on the National Register of Historic Places in Orange County and the earliest surviving Jewish residence in North America, it has been continuously inhabited for more than 280 years.
Site of an ancient Indian ceremonial ground; frontier trading post; earliest extant Jewish residence in North America; center of patriot activity in the American Revolution; home of writers and artists and men of affairs, it symbolizes Orange County’s regional and national history.
In 1714 Luis Moses Gomez, who had fled from the Spanish inquisition, purchased 6,000 acres of land along the Hudson Highlands where several Indian trails converged. Here he built a fieldstone block house into the side of a hill and by a stream that became known as “Jews Creek.”
The great walls of the house, about three feet thick, still stand today. Native Americans came to hold ceremonial rites at their campground at the Duyfil’s Danskammer, aka Devil Dance Chamber, on the shores of the Hudson on Gomez’s property. Luis Gomez and his sons conducted a thriving fur trade from the house for about 30 years and Luis Moses Gomez became the first parnas (president) when the synagogue of New York’s Spanish and Portuguese congregation was built. Among the family connections were poetess Emma Lazarus and Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo.
Future ownership followed with: Wolfert Acker, a Revolutionary War Patriot, who bought Mill House in 1772 and added the elegant second story, made from bricks baked in kilns on the property; Harry Armstrong, Gentleman Farmer, who came to Mill House in 1862 on his honeymoon, brought his southern bride Maddie and stayed for the next 60 years; Dard Hunter, Artisan and Craftsman, in 1909 built a mill in the style of a Devonshire cottage; Ms. Martha Gruening who tried to establish a Libertarian school at Mill House. Martha encouraged tolerance and the rights of all people; The Starin family purchased Mill House in 1947 and preserved its heritage and tradition.

The Gomez descendants took over and added their collection. Tour the house Wednesday thru Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.gomez.org

It seemed that Esther wanted to have lunch!

Orange County: Newburgh

We went to Torches Restaurant for dinner. It's one of the many restaurants located on the Waterfront area of Newburgh, NY. Although they were part of Restaurant Week, I decided to order off their regular menu. Began with a Fleur du Cap Chardonnay from South Africa. I had a Caesar Salad followed by Strip And Shore: Charbroiled NY Strip, grilled jumbo shrimp, cheddar smashed baked potatoes and veggies. Great dressing on the Caesar Salad. Steak served just as I requested and everything else was delicious. Locally made Ice Cream for dessert. I also went into the kitchen to video a Fire-y shrimp dish. Loved the fish in the tank.

Bear Mountain Inn

The old Bear Mountain Inn is undergoing lots of changes. Had a preview tour so didn't take photos. I will return when it's somewhat completed supposedly in a few months. I did stay at the Overlook Lodge, which is part of their property. Still raining so didn't get much outdoor shots. At the front desk is General Manager Michael Morris, who toured us at the Inn.

They have gone "Green" and with that I was able to wake up the next morning and not have that stuffy nose that I normally get from air conditioners. Especially ones that have old filters.

Orange County: West Point

You can't go on your own to take a tour of West Point Military Academy. It was a cold and rainy day so outdoor photo taking wasn't quite as would have liked it. Especially a great scene that overlooks the water. We visited the Jewish Chapel as I thought it was interested as far as the items displayed inside. Then went into the Visitor's Center/Museum.

Oh yeah, we did visit a Christian Chapel. Esther wanted to get a close up of the altar but couldn't

Hudson Valley: Orange County

I hopped on Metro North from Grand Central Station to Garrison in Dutchess County as it was just across the way via bridge to Orange County. Orange County Tourism assisted me in a tour of the area. Being that it was lunchtime, I went to the Thayer Hotel near West Point. It was Restaurant Week and went for their three-course meal. Esther, the Rubber Chicken tagged along as well. I had the smoked salmon as an appetizer, Rigatoni in a Bolognese sauce for my entree and a raspberry sorbet with berries for dessert.