Summer is here, which means now is the time to start planning fabulous gatherings.  For many summertime party hosts, the organization of their event includes the preparation of hors d’oeuvres. Spike Mendelsohn, a contestant on the most recent season of Bravo’s popular Top Chef, offers two recipes guaranteed to entice even the most discerning palate.  The recipes can easily be created by home cooks with varying levels of gastronomic experience.The Summertime Greek Puff Pastry is a delicate and flavorsome tart prepared with only four ingredients.  For the ‘chef’ who is up for a challenge, The Tamarind Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewers combine unique elements to create a flavorful mélange. Read on for the detailed recipes…
 

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Throughout my (low-stakes) poker life I’ve enjoyed playing both online and live games.  While online poker has the benefits of being able to connect to a game from anywhere and automatic chip counting, it pales in comparison to the feeling of a live game where chips are stacked in front of you, the cards slide through your fingers, and you’re visually sizing up your competitors.  Poker purists may take issue with the X10 Ten Player Automated Table, which infuses live poker with some of the “convenience” of an online game.  There is a 27-inch display at the center of the table that keeps track of the action, while 12.1-inch screens lay in front of each player.  After virtual cards are distributed by a virtual dealer, players reveal the cards to themselves by touching their screen.

I suppose, at the very least, having one of these $30,000 machines in your basement will prevent one of your poker buddies from misdealing or shorting the pot, but is it worth the atmospheric sacrifices?

Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner and I can almost smell the sizzling burgers, steaks and sausages.  I’ve wheeled my grill from the garage to the patio in hopes of firing it up over the holiday for the first time this year.  If the rain forecasted for
Chicago on Sunday and Monday holds off, I’m looking forward to a three-day bender of deliciously grilled provisions.

On item that certainly, and sadly, won’t be present at my days of backyard barbecue bliss is the 56” Solaire Grill.  The gorgeous machine boasts a large grilling space, rotisserie burner and two side burners, affording the freedom to create your entire meal right at the grill.  The powerful Solaire is also available with InfraVection technology, for efficient heat distribution and a wide range of temperature options.

This high-end grill won’t be at my Memorial Day cookout, but maybe my group can finally settle the debate regarding the superiority of the bratwurst, chorizo, Italian and Polish sausages.  I’m an Italian sausage guy myself - spicy, of course.

Champagne House Veuve Clicquot has teamed with designer Karim Rashid to create the Globalight, an artistic, glowing, portable cooler to house your most special champagne.  I guess now I can finally get rid of that Styrofoam cooler with pink fluorescent lights mounted on the side that I’ve been toting around all these years.  The pre-chilled base of the stylish Globalight will keep Champagne at the ideal temperature for up to four hours, while the soft LED light display sets the mood for any entertaining environment.

The limited edition unique tote/chiller/design piece is available on eclicquot.com for $4,500.

And I still think $10 is outrageous for a movie ticket.  Especially with the talkers, cell phone checkers, texters, seat kickers, etc., that add their special brand of annoyance to the movie-going experience of today.  While theater owners and managers are currently facing a dilemma in creating a positive experience for their patrons, a new brand of movie theater is coming to the U.S.  Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas, originally founded in Australia in 1997, are coming to America complete with all of their luxury amenities, along with a $35 cost per ticket.

Complexes will boast theaters that have reclining armchair seats with footrests, digital projection, a lounge and bar serving cocktails and appetizers, concierge service and valet parking.  And forget about popcorn, soda and Milk Duds; Gold Class Cinemas will serve made to order foods such as sushi prepared from on-site chefs, brought to your reclining seat by a waiter.

The plan is to construct 50 Gold Coast Cinemas across the U.S. over the next five years, with the first two opening in October in South Barrington, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and the Seattle suburb Redmond, Washington. I’m certainly all for improving the theater experience, but at what cost I’m not sure. After spending $35 for a ticket, I’d certainly have to cut out my $4 Reese’s Pieces and $10 popcorn/Coke combo…or make that my (sure to be even more expensive) California Roll and Prosecco.

This is a gorgeous console from Howard Miller with raised panel doors and striking antique brass drawer pulls.  But that’s not all.  This sleek and elegant piece of furniture that fits stylishly into any room is, to borrow a line from the theme of THE Transformers, more than meets the eye.  Unlike the Michael Bay movie adaptation of the iconic 80s cartoon characters, this cabinet actually looks interesting.  All that movie holds is plot holes and several scenes that outstay their welcome, whereas the cabinet, Bar Devino, holds a full bar within its exterior shell.  Now that’s something useful.

The top slides open to reveal a sink surrounded by a granite surface. There are stemware racks, shelves; even a fixed bottle opener with catch basket on the inside cabinet.  38 wine bottles can be kept in the slide-out storage drawers.  And of course there’s a lock so you can completely hide your alcohol problem. Check out all the features here.

This unique cocktail shaker is one way to help your holiday party really take off.  The Dual-Fuel Cocktail Shaker has a body of nickel-plated stainless steel and brass that recalls the first romatic years of avaition design.  A lift off nose makes pouring the concoctions created in the turbulence-filled fuselage a breeze.  Each wing of the shaker doubles as a flask, perfect for the party host who wants to protect their personal supply.  The wings could definitely come in handy after a long night of serving up Cranberry Martinis to demanding holiday revelers.

I was flipping through the pages of Town & Country magazine when I came across an ad for Paolo Costagli’s “Happy Rings.”  They certainly made me happy.  I’ve never seen a ring so brightly colored as these magenta and mandarin accessories.  And though I’m not normally accustomed to such bold statements of color (alas, my entire wardrobe is black and gray) it was refreshing to see apparel that you couldn’t wear to a funeral.  So of course I went searching on PaoloCostagli.com and found my favorite version of the Happy Ring, pictured.  The only thing depressing about this green and pink Happy Ring is that I don’t have one!  For those looking to add a little happiness to their lives, these Paolo Costagli creations are available at Bergdorf Goodman.

On another note, while perusing Paolo Costagli’s website I also found these very timely pumpkin-shaped salt and pepper shakers - perfect for fall holidays.  Finally, you can season your pumpkin soup in style.

When I first heard the term “BeoVision,” I thought it referred to some sort of keen eyesight needed to defeat Grendel.*  I was wrong (certainly not the first time).  BeoVision 7 is actually a revolutionary entertainment system from Bang & Olufsen, the Danish company that has been creating cutting-edge, high quality products since its inception in 1925.  The BeoVision 7 is sleek and sophisticated, yet powerful enough to exceed your sound and picture expectations.  It comes with an integrated DVD player, choice of loudspeaker, and an HD screen with “VisionClear” technology that adjusts the picture based on surrounding light levels.  The screen itself can be turned and tilted with one touch of a remote button.  No word yet on wether the waterfall in the background of the picture was created naturally or sprung to life after appearing on BeoVision.  Stay tuned.

Check out the Bang & Olufsen site for more remarkable audio/visual products and telephones.

*Yes, that’s a Beowulf reference.

Thomas Blood, along with two other men, attempted to steal the Crown Jewels of England in 1671 and was captured.  The board game Outrage! dares players to succeed where Blood and his accomplices failed.  The game board depicts the Tower of London, which players must navigate to steal and make off with the historic jewels.  My head started to hurt going through all the rules (I’m more of an UNO guy…nice and simple) so I don’t know all the ins and outs, but I’m sure it’s a fascinating experience.

The Deluxe version of Outrage! holds the Guinness Record as “most expensive board game in the world.”  The board rests on a polished mahogany cabinet with drawer that holds all the game pieces.  The replicas of the Crown Jewels include a miniature St. Edward’s Crown with rubies, sapphires and emeralds; a small 18 karat gold Prince of Wales’ Crown; and Jewelled Sword of Offering with real jewels.  All for 7,995 British Pounds, or about $16,000 US.  At that price, you may want to build your own tower to protect the precious game.