Third Time's A Charm: Jamie XX remixes Radiohead's 'Bloom' (one more time)

You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many of Jamie XX's  Radiohead remixes. The first in the series of Jamie XX's Bloom remixes debuted in September 2011 on Radiohead's TKOL RMX 1234567 album. TKOL RMX 1234567 features seven remixes by various artists including SBTRKT, Modeselektor, Four Tet, and of course Jamie XX. The second remix done by Jamie is unfortunately, nowhere to be found (trust me, I've looked,) but sources say it does exist. Leaving us Jamie and Radiohead fans, to pray to the music gods for its highly anticipated release. The third and most recent remix of Radiohead's Bloom, (DL below) will be released as a stand alone single by Indie label Young Turks on 12" vinyl on January 23. This remix boasts an entirely different sound than the original song. Clearly a club mix, the nearly eight minute track subtly rises and falls in and out of ambient grooves in traditional Jamie XX fashion. Proving once again that he can do no wrong as a DJ or producer.

Radiohead-Bloom (Jamie XX Rework Part 3)

Momofuku Noodle Bar

Nothing speaks to the soul quite like a big bowl of noodles and broth. So much so, that practically every culture has their own version of this ultimate comfort food. Jews have their chicken noodle soup with matzo balls, Vietnamese have Pho, and the Koreans' (and everyone else in NYC) have David Chang's Momofuku Noodle Bar. The birthplace of what is now a six restaurant dynasty, Momofuku Noodle Bar, encapsulates all that is wonderful about ramen and David Chang.

The Noodle Bar has succesfully elevated noodles to a gourmet level for a fair price, making it the dining destination for hipsters and sophisticated foodies alike. The focus might be in the direction of ramen, but Mr. Chang's vision and palate extends far beyond that. The recipient of various accolades, including the James Beard Society rising chef award and two Michelin stars for Momofuku Ko, the twelve seat, pre-fixed menu sister of the noodle bar. Chang has proven himself to be more than just a maestro of noodles, but as a culinary force to be reckoned with.

The Noddle Bar, now known as an East Village hot spot, is constructed like a traditional ramenya. A long table crowded with bar stools runs the length of the restaurant overlooking the kitchen, completing the ambiance in this wonderful world of noodles. The restaurant itself is a paradox, seamlessly interweaving the old with the new. Whether it's the traditional style ramen done in a totally contemporary way or the seemingly regular soft serve that is transformed into a glorified, creamy 'pumpkin ale' revelation, Chang has been able to take what's good from the past and make it unique in the present.

A constantly changing menu based on seasonal ingredients allows the restaurant to always put forth the highest quality product. By modifying his menus frequently, Chang guarantees his patrons the freshest, and therefore, the most delicious food possible. In the winter, you might see Spanish Mackerel Tataki garnished with celery root, white miso, and chestnuts on the menu or roasted beets with lemon, horseradish, capers. In the summer, Ruby Shrimp with green olive, raddish and cucumber take top billing alongside an asparagus salad with peekytoe crab, lemon and ramps. Whatever the season might be, Chang's vivid imagination and willingness to take risks with the food he serves makes Momofuku Noodle Bar fresh and new, even to the most die hard fans.

But, in a world of constantly changing menus and flavors, lies the heart of Momofuku. The flagship dishes that are always on the menu, the Momofuku ramen and pork buns. Two staples that are sure to remain a part of the restaurant until the day its doors close.  

Momofuku Ramen, the namesake dish, is composed of pork belly, pork shoulder and a poached egg all stewing in a perfectly balanced miso broth. The noodles remain dense, without getting mushy or mealy as you're eating. A poached egg happily floats in your bowl and is a vision within itself. And the pork, well, the pork is enough to make you want to stand up, swing your napkin around your head like a helicopter and sing the national anthem.

Then there's the pork buns. These alone are worth the 30+ minute wait at the no reservation restaurant. Perfectly roasted, succulent pork is placed in the middle of a light bun complimented by a dash of sweet and tangy Hoisin sauce, crunchy, cool cucumbers and scallions. With each bite the pork melts in your mouth, leaving your elated taste buds to try and comprehend what exactly just happened. 

White Rabbits-Heavy Metal

 After a two and a half year hiatus, Brooklyn based indie rock band, White Rabbits, has released their first single, Heavy Metal, from their junior album, Milk Famous. Heavy Metal, a funky minimalist track with a catchy electro back beat feels anything but what its name would seem to imply. With not much metal but a whole lot of heavy, this track has me gearing up for the release of an album that's  sure to be the background music at every hipster, rooftop party this spring.

Download the groovy track for the small price of your email address

 Heavy Metal Download

 P.S. 

Mark your calendars, Milk Famous will be released on March 6, 2012

My Nails Are Cooler Than Yours.

That is, if they looked like this...

zebber.tumbler.com

Since the release of its lineup on Monday, the little festival called Coachella, has been the dominating topic of, well, just about everything. Now, almost a week later, the initial euphoria has begun to settle down. We can now begin to think about things other then who we're going to rock the eff out to in the desert. So naturally, this is the time that us ladies get to thinking about the second most important part of the weekend. Our outfits. Coachella, whether you like it or not, is a place to make a fashion statement. Yeah you're dirty, yeah you smell, yeah you're hungover and yeah, people are judging your outfit. So buck up, accept it, and start planning. I understand it's early but the truth is, it's never too early to start thinking ensembles.

That's precisely why I got so excited when I opened a text from my friend Gillian earlier today. The text read "I need these for Coachella" with the above picture attached. The minute I saw these super rad, Aztec inspired nails, my heart skipped a beat and I knew that they were a Coachella MUST. I did some research and found these nails featured on http://zebber.tumblr.com/ . This chick is super talented and has some really great nail design ideas. She even posts "How-To" tutorials. So ladies, if you want your nails to look like these, and therefore look cooler then everyone else, (which I know you do) I suggest you get to practicing. I have a feeling it's harder to do then it looks.

Pre-Fall Prabal & Pictureplane, Oh My!

Prabal Gurung is on one hell of roll. After major success and wide spread recognition for his S/S collection, Mr. Gurung has done it again with his stunning looks for Pre-Fall. Inspired by kaleidoscopes and exquisite patterns that he created himself, the collection sets the tone for what's sure to be one seriously fun Fall. In the video released by Style.com previewing his Pre-Fall looks, Gurung features models dancing around to Pictureplane's, Body Mod. The entire thing is drool-worthy.

You can purchase his collection on Moda Operandi. I'm seriously considering selling a kidney on the black market to buy the Kaleidoscope suit.
Prabal Gurung Pre-Fall collection on Moda Operandi

Sexy, synthwave pop mixed with bristly vocals characterizes Pictureplane's sophomore album, Thee Physical. Tracks like 'Body Mod,' used in Prabal Gurung's Pre-Fall video are just the beginning of an album that is clearly made to be danced to.

Album Download
Pictureplane-Thee Physical

Rediscovering RJD2

RJD2's Deadringer, might be an oldie but it sure is one hell of a goodie, and has recently found it's way back into my frequently played section in my Itunes library. Originally released in 2002, Deadringer seamlessly blends instrumentals with sample based hip hop. The marriage of all these sounds leave a soulful, funky and sometimes even bluesy sound that is impossible not to groove to.

For your listening pleasure:

Deadringer-RJD2

Meatballs; 2012's answer to the Cupcake

There's been quite a lot of talk about balls lately. Balls here, balls there, balls just about, everywhere.*

 <Pause for obligatory "THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID" moment>

aaaaaaannnd...

now, we can continue forward.

No, I'm not talking about those kind of balls. I'm talking about MEAT-balls. Hence the title of this post, silly.

*(Sorry for the cheap "ball" reference opener. It just feels necessary when writing a post about meatballs.)

 It seems that over the past few months people are discussing the new, the old, the how to, the ins and outs and all the other who's its and what's its concerning the wide world of meatballs. From segments on Rachel Ray dedicated to the craft of meat-balling, to restaurants like NYC's The Meatball Shop, quickly establishing itself as a neighborhood staple, it's hard to ignore the apparent shift in interest from small cups of cake, to small balls of meat.

THEN

NOW
Photo Credit: themeatballshop.com

Before my visit to New York city this December, I made a list of activities crucial to the success of my trip. My list was short and to the point, and read as follows:

1) Purchase east coast 'exclusive' clothing and/or accessories

2) attend a Broadway show

3) dine at as many different restaurants as physically possible.

You might think it no great feat to shop and eat all around the city whilst singing tunes from Priscilla Queen of the Desert, but let me tell you, it is not as simple as it seems. Items one and two were easier to cross off my list due to a keen eye for statement pieces and the generosity of a family friend who funded my trip to the theatre. Item three was not as simple, and required more time and consideration. To help me navigate my way around the restaurants of New York city, I employed my Uncle, a kindred foodie and West Village resident, to compose a directory of affordable 'must-eats' for me. When I opened my email and saw the list for the first time I was impressed, excited and overwhelmed. I imagine this moment was somewhat akin to the way Moses felt after he first saw the Ten Commandments atop Mount Sinai. The only difference is, my list was five times the size.

I knew choosing the restaurants within the vast list, for the few precious meal slots, would be hard. But for a foodie like me, this task seemed near impossible. After studying and researching the list for more time then I'd like to admit, a couple of restaurants did begin to stand out. Having meatballs fresh on my radar, I became particularly excited when I crossed The Meatball Shop in the 'Lower East side' section of my guide. This was a restaurant devoted to serving meatballs and not much else. So I knew that The Meatball Shop was a 'no exception, must-eat' on my trip. It was just a matter of when.

Cut to Sunday morning at 2:45. With three extra dry martinis, one nightclub and two bars under my belt, the next logical progression of the evening was to eat. Again. Wandering the bustling streets of the Lower East side led my friends and myself straight to the doors of none other then, The Meatball Shop. The time for my meatball moment had come.

The Meatball Shop was quaint and crowded and smelled like your grandma's cooking. (That is if your Grandma is/was an old world Italian cook with mad skills in the kitchen.) The dimly lit space felt friendly and casual, all while maintaining an air of sophistication. Most notable about the restaurant was the apparent, built in element of fun. A fill in yourself menu made the process of picking your meal even more exciting, while upbeat, familiar tunes played from the speakers. Plus, the price range was very much suited to my less then extravagant budget.

The Meatball Shop's 'fill in the blank' menu

After serious deliberation, I opted to go with the spicy pork balls, with spicy meat sauce, over the 'everything but the kitchen sink' salad.

 The meal transcended 'delicious' and took me straight into a full blown food experience. The balls were perfectly constructed with just the right amount of zing to them. Their wonderfully light consistency was attributed to the use of bread, instead of breadcrumbs, as the glue for the ball. (A great trick to note when making your own balls at home.) The sauce was robust with flavor without overpowering the dish. All of which was a top a colorful salad including garbanzo beans, beets, tomatoes and carrots. Each ingredient had a purpose and complimented the plate, while letting the star of the dish, the meatballs, shine.

Meatballs, especially these ones, are great at any time, but there is something to be said about having them under the aforementioned circumstance. After drunk munching on a spicy pork meatball, a bacon wrapped hot dog suddenly feels like nothing more then one big joke.

After leaving New York, I found myself fantasizing about my meal at The Meatball Shop. When my Uncle gave my dad The Meatball Shop cookbook for Hannukah just three weeks later, I recognized this as an act of divine intervention. The universe was clearly telling me to stop dreaming and start balling. And that's exactly what I did.

New Years was just around the corner and I knew that the spicy pork balls must make an appearance at my dinner party. So I got to cooking.

Here is the recipe for the spicy pork balls straight from The Meatball Shop cookbook:

Serves 6-8 people
 
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 pounds pork shoulder, ground (have your butcher grind it for you)
1 tablespoon  salt
4 jarred hot cherry peppers, minced
¼ cup hot cherry pepper pickling liquid
4 slices fresh white bread, minced
3 large eggs

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Drizzle the olive oil into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.
2. Combine the ground pork, salt, cherry peppers, pickling liquid, bread, and eggs in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.

3. Roll the mixture into round, golf-size meatballs (about 1 ½ inches), making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.

4. Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165 degrees F.
5. Allow the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish before serving.

Needless to say, they were a huge hit. Because, let's face it no other food is as comforting, endearing or approachable as meatballs. Especially with a few drinks under your belt.

Neon Necessities

Me at the High line in NYC proudly sporting my neon satchel

There are certain things in life that cannot be skimped on. Example A) nail clippers, such a clever and crucial little invention that contributes so greatly to our daily life. Example B) a toothbrush, because no one wants to hang out with someone who has gingivitis, ew. And, example C) a fluorescent neon satchel, because let's face it, a life without neon is, just, no life at all...

Alright, well maybe I'm being slightly dramatic by equating the possession of anything neon to a happier and healthier life. But let's face it, nothing says "Hey! Look at me, my life's one big party!" like a fluorescent accessory.

Because I prefer to be a one woman soiree at all times, I opted to go with a neon purse for my standard day-to-day fluorescent accompaniment. The common man might say that a neon satchel for everyday life is "a little much," but I'd like to think that my life becomes much more fiesta-esque whenever my satchel of awesomeness is by my side. 

I first came across this little gem of a bag at a friend's apartment, when visiting New York city just a couple of weeks ago. Immediatley thereafter, I decided I must also own one of these satchels. I ventured to Soho and straight to Wink, the NYC staple where I could buy one of these bad boys. (The satchels are so mah-jor that they are on the homepage of the store's website. Go check it out yourself...after you're done reading my post of course.)

Wink Soho

Now back to my story...

I approached the store and there, in the window, like a beaming beacon of flamboyance, was a single yellow satchel. It glowed amongst a sea of its pink, green and orange counterparts. Knowing what a special item this bag was, I maneuvered my way through the crowded store to the bag and stealthily swooped up the satchel from the display window. For lack of a better phrase, I began 'to check out' my now, much-more-sassy self with the bag slung across my shoulder. Several of my shopping peers noticed I had snatched up the last yellow satchel in the store and began to congregate behind me, all with their eyes glued to the bag. The mood quickly changed as I realized I was in possession of the last precious yellow bag. As the other shoppers began to circle around me like a group of hungry hawks, I knew this was a do or die life moment. If I released the bag for even one second, it would be picked up by someone else and gone forever (or at least until I ordered it online and then would have to wait for it to be shipped, which just isn't as fun.) So without further hesitation I purchased the satchel and left the rest of those hooligans to fend for themselves. 

(I don't want you to think I'm this cut throat all of the time, it's only when a fluorescent satchel is at stake, that I turn all "survival of the fittest.") 

And there you have it. My story of how I used my ninja like shopping instincts to obtain the very last fluoresecent yellow Cambridge Satchel Company bag at Wink Soho. 

Deets about the satchel:

The bag is all leather and made by The Cambridge Satchel Company in London. You can purchase the satchel through their website in a variety of colors, or through Wink's site. My obvious advice is to go with the neon colors (duh, didn't you just read my post??) because why carry something bland when you can have a bag that is literally brighter then the sun?!

One of my favorites, Robyn and three other chicks whose names I do not know, all rocking the neon Cambridge Satchel.

Celeb stylist Brad Goreski looking faboosh with his pocket party