Imbible

Imbible Is Moving ...

2008-05-05T12:04:48-04:00

IS NOW

Although having three separate blogs made sense for a while, we've decided to consolidate Imbible and Fashion Geek into our third blog, Bottomless Dish.

B-Dish, as the cool kids call it, began as our restaurant / food news blog, but as of today it'll also cover nightlife, events, parties, gossip, shopping, NYC news and more. Everything that's currently on Imbible will remain online, but there won't be anymore new posts, so if you subscribe to the RSS feed, be sure to switch over to Bottomless Dish instead. It's actually very simple--even for a bunch of drunks.

Tribeca Film Festival: Last Chance

2008-05-02T13:07:56-04:00

Above: Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Emile Hirsch and Kick Gurry star in "Speed Racer" (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

The Tribeca Film Festival will go out with a bang at the red carpet world premiere of "Speed Racer," but there's still plenty to do between now and then if you're around for the weekend.

Various screenings and panel discussions will continue through Sunday, and in some cases tickets may still be available. For a complete schedule and to buy tickets, click here.

For a rundown of other events, we've got you covered ...

FRIDAY, MAY 2
It's the last day of the Tribeca/ASCAP music lounge at Canal Room, an ongoing series open to festival badge-holders, members of the industry, filmmakers, and selected members of the press. If you fall into any of those categories, head over this afternoon in between screenings to catch one or more of the following sets:

2:30-3:00 Anya Marina
3:00-3:30 Meaghan Smith
3:40-4:10 Rachael Yamagata
4:20-4:50 Joseph Arthur
5:00-5:30 Sixpence None The Richer

In other TFF music news, Webster Hall will host the Breaking the Band concert event tonight, with live performances by The Hold Steady, the Virgins, Republic Tigers and Bad Veins. Celebrity arrivals begin at 6pm.

SATURDAY, MAY 3
The Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair kicks off tomorrow morning on Harrison Street (between Greenwich Street and West Street). More than 30 Tribeca eateries, merchants and local organizations will line the streets, while a main stage showcases live performances from several Broadway musicals ("Legally Blonde," "Grease" and "Xanadu"), plus the New American Youth Ballet and the PS 150 Youth Singers. A variety of other local dance troupes, puppeteers and other performance groups will also appear. The street fair is free and open to the public.

In honor of TFF's Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day, the U.S. Tennis Association will set up two short courts and a quick serve cage for young aspiring tennis players, all on the streets of Tribeca (at N. Moore between Greenwich and West). ESPN’s Play Your Way youth fitness outreach program will be in attendance to "inspire kids to be physically active by teaching them to make up their own games and encourage creative recreational play" (per the press release). And there's more: the New York Rangers and New York Knicks get in on the action for the first time this year--though whether the Knicks actually qualify as a sports team is another question altogether. The New York Jets will also be on N. Moore Street, holding something called “Generation Jets Fest”--a "football themepark filled with obstacles and tests of skill such as the quarterback challenge and touchdown run."

And, finally, "Speed Racer" will be revealed to the world on Saturday evening at BMCC/TPAC (199 Chambers Street), with red carpet arrivals commencing at 5:45pm. Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, Emile Hirsch, John Goodman and Joel Silver are all expected to attend, so wear your finest stalkerazzi get-up and your digi-cam, and head over early to get a good view of the celebs.

Tribeca Film Festival "Industry Party" Tonight at Mansion

2008-05-01T12:15:34-04:00

Finally, an event where you don't need an official festival pass to party in honor of the Tribeca Film Festival. Our friends over at the Bloc Group are hosting the official after-party tonight for the TFF filmmaker/industry event at The Manse. No specific names (other than celebrity DJ Graham Funke) are mentioned on the invite, but "movie moguls, film industry insiders, performances and revelry into the late hours" sounds OK to me. Doors at midnight, and don't forget to RSVP.**

**We can't guarantee that RSVP'ing will get you in, and if you wouldn't be able to flex your way into Mansion on a regular night, don't expect to breeze past the doormen tonight. But as always, arriving with a harem of hot girls and a willingness to drop cash certainly won't hurt your chances of getting in.

Tribeca Film Festival Events at the Apple Store

2008-04-29T17:58:05-04:00

Tribeca meets Soho at a series of filmmaking events and workshops at The Apple Store, all of which are free and open to the public, during the Tribeca Film Festival. Last week's speakers included actor Clive Owen and "SNL" / "Baby Mama" star Amy Poehler, and the fun continues this week.

Tonight at 6:30, screenwriter / director / producer Tom Kalin will discuss his latest project, "Savage Grace," starring Julianne Moore, and field questions from the audience. Stick around after that to hear from actress Isabella Rossellini (8pm), who is making her directorial debut at the film fest with a series of short films collectively known as "Green Porno," which she also wrote and appears in. (Get your head out of the gutter--the title refers to the mating habits of various creatures).

Tomorrow night (April 30) at 6:30pm, "Superbad" director Greg Mottola stops by to chat about "Adventureland," a new comedy to be released later this year, and on Friday Beastie Boy Adam Yauch discusses his new film, "Gunnin' For that #1 Spot," currently screening at the festival (May 2, 6:30pm).

Then on Saturday (May 3) Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis ("Crash," "Million Dollar Baby") drops in to speak about his most recent opus, "In the Valley of Elah," and two forthcoming projects, "Quantum of Solace" and "Ranger's Apprentice" (6:30pm).

Finally, on Sunday (the final day of the festival), Matthew Modine--one of this year's TFF jurors--will screen his short film, "I Think I Thought," followed by a discussion and a Q&A.

(Image borrowed from Apple)

Watch the NFL Draft at Southern Hospitality with Giants Player Shaun O'Hara

2008-04-25T18:06:04-04:00

Personally, the only draft I care about is the kind that's served in a glass, but football fans might be interested to know that this Saturday afternoon, Southern Hospitality will be throwing a special event to celebrate the NFL draft. Free and open to the public, the pre-draft show kicks off at 11am, with live coverage of the draft itself starting at 3pm. Giants center Shaun O'Hara will be making a special guest appearance, so you can congratulate him in person for the team's recent Superbowl victory, then go sample some down-home Southern grub prepared by SoHo's new executive chef, Dr. BBQ, and take advantage of draft beer specials all day.**

**Get it? draft beer for the NFL draft? It's a lot funnier when you're as drunk as I am right now.

Tribeca Film Festival: Parties and Events (Stalkerazzi Special)

2008-04-25T16:42:49-04:00

(Photo borrowed from Downtown Express)

While the film buffs are taking in the cinema, the less cultured are hatching plans to encounter as many celebrities as possible during the Tribeca Film Festival, which began on Wednesday and runs through Sunday May 4th. And though the public screening dates and locations are no secret, if you're looking for the scoop on what events will draw the celeb guests (i.e., what street corners to casually find yourself on), look no further. Here's your chance to snap a few pics of the beautiful people and live vicariously through those of us who were able to wrangle enough press clips to score a pass to the festival--and word to the wise, stick to admiring from afar, and don't even bother trying to finesse your way through the door if you're not supposed to be there.

Tribeca All Access Awards and Party
Tonight at Buddakan ... Arrivals begin at 7pm, and attendees will include Jesse L. Martin and Adam Beach (both of "Law & Order" fame), actress Joy Bryant, Damon Dash, actor Anthony Mackie, Jaime Hector ("The Wire") and more.

"Bart Got a Room" Premiere After-Party at Tenjune
As if Tenjune wasn't hard enough to get into on a Friday night, at 8pm tonight the MePa hot spot transforms into the Cadillac Lounge to host the "Bart Got a Room" after-party. There's lots of buzz about this little charmer, which stars William H. Macy and Cheryl Hines, both of whom are expected to attend the party. (If you're too excited to wait 'til 8pm, you could race over the AMC theater at 19th and Broadway to catch the red carpet arrivals for the screening at 5:20pm, but let's be honest, Macy and Hines are no Brangelina.)

"SqueezeBox!" Red Carpet Premiere and After-Party
The film debuts tonight at Tishman/ New School (66 W 12th Street between 5th and 6th), and at 8:20pm, celebs like John Waters, Debbie Harry, Jesse Malin and Patricia Field will begin to arrive. There's also an after-party later on at the Blender Theater at Gramercy.

Shorts: "Cold Feet" Red Carpet Premiere
Head to the AMC Village 7 (66 3rd Avenue at 11th Street) at 10pm to catch a glimpse of Matthew Modine and Rider Strong--yes, the same one who played Cory Mathhews' best friend on "Boy Meets World"--who was also in attendance at Wednesday night's "Big Mama" fete at the MoMa.

"Hotel Gramercy Park" and "Savage Grace" Red Carpet Premieres
Hotel aficionado Ian Schrager will be on hand at the Village East Cinemas (181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street) on Saturday, April 26 at around 6pm. (But don't bother asking him why you can't get into Rose Bar. Anyone who would ask that doesn't deserve to get in.) Later, "Savage Grace" director Tom Kalin and actress Julianne Moore will walk the red carpet at BMCC/ TPAC (199 Chambers Street), circa 8:45pm.

Mariah Carey and a Bunch of Other People at Tenjune
Technically tomorrow night's event at the Cadillac Lounge at Tenjune is an after-party for the premiere of "Tennessee," but somehow I think no one on the stalkerazzi circuit is as interested in that as in the fact that Mariah Carey, who is in the movie, will be there. Doors at 8pm.

That should be enough to keep you occupied 'til next week, when we'll be back with more from the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival trenches.

New Review Fridays: Bowery Wine Company

2008-04-25T13:07:12-04:00

This week we review Bowery Wine Company, the latest in a string of new spots seemingly designed to remind us that the CBGB-era Bowery is dead and gone. But while we mourn the loss of the punk age, it seems that Bowery Wine Company--which is part-owned by Bruce Willis--isn't half bad, at least as wine bars go.

Hits: Despite the fancy digs, inexpensive wine and sangrias are served along with a tasty roster of finger foods and desserts worthy of a multi-starred restaurant.

Misses: If you're allergic to yuppies and foreign tourists, try another wine bar; the surrounding luxury condos feed this high-end haunt with a high-rolling clientèle.

Read our full editorial review of Bowery Wine Company, then peruse other New & Notable bar reviews or check out our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you hammered).

Tribeca Film Festival: Cast of "Baby Mama" Celebrates at the MoMA

2008-04-24T16:02:57-04:00

(Photo by Peter Bixler)

The Tribeca Film Festival is off to a strong start, with the stars turning out for last night's world premiere of "Baby Mama" at the Ziegfeld. We were in attendance at the official after-party, held at the Museum of Modern Art, which could have been mistaken for a "Saturday Night Live" reunion. In addition to Lorne Michaels and "Baby Mama" stars Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, guests at the MoMa included a long list of present and former cast-members, like Jimmy Fallon (who eventually left the party with former "SNL" player Chris Kattan), Rachel Dratch, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Molly Shannon and even Chevy Chase. But the superstar of the evening was Steve Martin, who sauntered in wearing a panama hat, spent most of his time at a table with Lorne and Chevy and later departed without obliging the fans who were waiting outside for an autograph. (That said, Martin's role in "Baby Mama" is much funnier than the rest of the movie.)

Other big name guests included Poehler's hilarious husband, Will Arnett, Seth Green (of "Family Guy" / "Austin Powers" / "Robot Chicken" fame), and Dax Shepard (whom I profiled in an interview piece last year), who doted on girlfriend Kristen Bell, star of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," most of the night.

Several sad people outside were hoping to catch a glimpse of Robert De Niro, who wasn't even there. One such fan informed me he was also there to see Frank Oz (better known as the voice of Yoda), who was my next-door neighbor on the Upper West Side for many years, and who I didn't see at the MoMa. Just as I was breaking the news that the Oz / De Niro gala must have been on the other side of town, Lorne Michaels walked outside. One eager fan yelled, "Lorne, can I get a picture?" to which Lorne responded, "I'm good, thanks," and jumped in a car.

A 30-second clip from inside the party, taken on my date's cell-phone from the future, is below.

New Yorkers Officially Not Invited to the Unofficial Kickoff of the Tribeca Film Festival Tonight

2008-04-22T15:05:46-04:00

It's that time of year again--time for the Tribeca Film Festival, which was established as a means to help rebuild and rejuvenate downtown Manhattan in the wake of 9/11. Since then, it has become an institution of New York arts and culture, set apart from things like Sundance because it offers regular people, not just celebrities, the opportunity to participate. But while the average New Yorker can purchase tickets to any of the 100-odd screenings to be held this year, don't worry about the death of elitism. Thankfully, Graydon Carter and Vanity Fair still understand the value of keeping things exclusive, and they prove it tonight at their annual opening gala, a dinner traditionally held at the NY County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street. Needless to say, we were not invited.

But according to a tipster inside the courthouse, we're not the only ones.

All employees at 60 Centre Street--including all NY State Supreme Court judges--received an email earlier today, politely reminding them to slink out the back door when they leave the building tonight. After all, Vanity Fair would be none too pleased if any of their A-list guests were forced to brush shoulders with commoners ...

April 22, 2008

To: All Justices
All Users, 60 Centre Street

Re: Vanity Fair/Tribeca Film Festival, Seventh Annual Dinner - Today, Tuesday April 22, 2008

The City of New York and the Unified Court System have authorized the use of the County Courthouse Rotunda for the Tuesday, April 22nd Annual Dinner of the Tribeca Film Festival. The dinner and festival offer the opportunity to "showcase" Lower Manhattan and promote artistic and commercial enterprise following the traumatic events of September 11th, 2001.

The dinner, sponsored by Vanity Fair, is for festival participants only. We are cooperating with Vanity Fair, which is providing equipment, decorations, meals, etc. During this evening, the Rotunda, front entrance and the Hamill Place side door will be devoted exclusively to the dinner program. Therefore, court personnel are requested to exit the rear of the building or Pearl Street side door.

We regret any inconvenience occasioned by this worthy cause. Thank you for your cooperation.

We'll leave it to those who did make the guest list to report on tonight's gala, but for your daily dose of the Tribeca Film Festival, check back here starting tomorrow. We'll be on-hand at the opening press conference in the morning--along with Governor ~~Spitzer~~ Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg and others--and tomorrow night we'll be checking out the Baby Mama world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater and the official after party at the MoMA.

(Image borrowed from the Unified Court System)

Get Your Swagger On with Mickey "MeMpHiTz" Wright

2008-04-21T15:23:05-04:00

Meet Mickey "MeMpHiTz" Wright, Vice President of Jive A&R, the new face of P. Diddy's latest Sean John ad campaign, and the man responsible for signing T-Pain, J-Kwon and other superstars to the Jive label. With so much on his plate, 2008 is shaping up to be a year of big things for the young record exec, so when we were approached about giving him the opportunity to reach our readers, we were happy to oblige. Read on for MeMpHiTz's list of his favorite spots to get his swagger on in NYC, in his own words ...

CLUBS

Corio
Last summer my boy Ant Rich did a weekly party at Corio (this is where I discovered DJ Love on the Run), and I never missed it. Those were some of my most memorable Summer ’07 nights! It’s the perfect place for a chill vibe with great music. Don’t let the small space fool you though; we got it popping in there! The running burlesque show in between DJ sets is legendary.

GoldBar
Besides the specialty drinks that get right quickly, the room is incredibly fly, the music is always upbeat, and the women dancing to the tunes are some of New York’s finest. Also, the décor is second to none as far as clubs go.

Soho House
The only place in New York where you can have glass of wine from an award-winning selection, order some food at the bar, take the food to a screening room and watch a pre-screening, then go to a rooftop for some more drinks and pool time. It’s a members only club, but Ant Rich (who is a founding member) always takes care of me.

The Box
Anyone who knows Memphitz knows that I am a HUGE fan of outright outrageousness. The Box falls nothing short of that. The cabaret-style performance coupled with the exclusivity at the door makes for the type of nightlife experience you can only get in New York.

Love
Every Thursday I go to Love and watch Q-Tip, Kid Capri, DJ Premiere, and other legendary DJs put it down. They remind me of when I originally fell in love with hip-hop and why I got into this business in the first place.

SHOPS

Flight Club
By far the best collection of rare kicks in New York. If they don’t have it, tell ‘em what you want and they’ll get it for you eventually.

Barney's Co-op
Co-op is the best place to shop if want to stay cutting edge in terms of fashion's freshest brands, while still carrying the classics. Plus the sneaker buyer is on point. It’s also the greatest selection of denim that I’ve encountered since moving to NY. That’s what I call urban chic!

Seize Sur Vingt
Now that I am a Vice President I feel the need to spruce it up every now and then. When I’m looking to get a suit custom-made or increase my button-up game, Seize Sur Vingt is my spot. The manger, Richie, aka, DJ Love on the Run, is one of my favorite club DJs in NY, and he lets me go in the backyard and drink wine while I’m with a lady going through fabrics and patterns!

A-Life
Two words: purple carpet. How can I not love a store that's entirely covered in purple carpeting? With Global brands like Nike and Adidas overly producing their styles, A-Life is my new favorite sneaker brand. The silhouette is super original, unlike other start-up sneaker lines, and their patters and colors are always wild.

Sean John
Although my man Diddy pretty much sends me whatever Sean John I need, it’s still fun for me to frequent his 5th Avenue flagship store. How many former college drop-out interns own stores on 5th Avenue? Puff is amazing, and so is the store.

RESTAURANTS

Virgil’s BBQ
I’m not saying that any place in NY can compete with Memphis BBQ, but when I miss home this is the closest substitute.

Blue Ribbon
Their seafood platter will have you poking at the top, wishing they gave you more lobster. The Park Slope branch is just as good as the one in Soho and it’s in BK where I am a resident.

Phillipe
About two years ago we got sick of Mr. Chow’s horrible waits, small space, and inconsistent prices, all the while still craving the food. Phillipe Chow's offers the same menu, but it’s not the zoo that Mr. Chow's is. There’s also a private room in the basement that’s amazing for dinner parties.

Cipriani's Downtown
I’m not gonna lie; I’ve had better Italian food. But you’re not going to get a better scene than Giuseppe Cipriani's restaurant, a staple of New York’s downtown social-climbing scene. The bellinis are still a classic, and the club upstairs is still among the flyest places to frequent (if you can get in!!!). The oversized Peter Beard paintings are a nice touch.

Stanton Social
Great menu, great music, great scene, and the aesthetics are incredible. Plus the Lower East Side has become my new favorite playground so the location is great.