The Secret's Out

If you're tuning in to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show tonight on CBS and find yourself in need of something to make you feel sexier (or something to forget that you will never be in the same shape as--or date!--a Victoria's Secret model), try one of these Stoli cocktails on for size. They're guaranteed to put you in the mood. (Or at least make you forget your troubles.)

Stoli Wild Cherri Bombshell (left)

1 part Stoli Wild Cherri

2 bar spoons cherry preserves

½ part fresh lemon juice

2 parts Rose Champagne

Combine Stoli, preserves and lemon juice and shake well

Strain into a flute, top with champagne

Dust with edible silver

Stoli Miraculous Martini (left)

2 parts Stoli Gala Applik

¾ part pear puree

¾ part lemon juice

*Crystallized cranberries (simmer these in vanilla bean simple syrup)

*Black pepper corn and brown sugar simple syrup

Glassware: Martini

Garnish: Crystallized cranberries on a pick

Stoli Vanil Secret

2 parts Stoli Vanil

1 part lemongrass simple syrup

¾ part lime juice

Dusting of kaffir lime leaf.

Glassware: Rocks

Garnish: Dusting of Kaffir lime leaf with a Red Rose petal floating on top.

 Stoli Original Starlet

2 parts Stoli

¾ part Rhubarb puree

½ part lemon juice

½ part strawberry puree

Glassware: Highball

Garnish: Sweet coating of the rim with cinnamon and chili bits. And a flames orange twist.

Let the Good Times Bowl

Bowlmor Times Square opened to the public last night. The space is a world apart from its sister location near Union Square...it's both cavernous and cozy all at the same time. There are multiple lane areas, each with its own New York-y theme, including Chinatown, Times Square, Central Park and Prohibition. And for food, consulting chef David Burke works his magic. For video, click here.

Turkey Tipple!

Try these scumptious cocktail recipes for a Thanksgiving that will make you forget all about how annoying your in-laws are!

Created by Master Sommelier Fred Dexheimer, both cocktails (appropriately enough) make luberal use of Wild Turkey Bourbon. 

And if you're not feeling bold enough to mix them up yourself, you can try them at Hill Country (30 West 26th Street) through Sunday. (NB: They're not open on Thanksgiving day.)
 
 

"Smashed Pumpkin" (above left)
1 oz Wild Turkey 101
1/4 oz almond liqueur
1/4 oz cinnamon schnapps
2 oz pumpkin pie filling
1/2 oz heavy cream
 
Puree or froth pumpkin pie filling with heavy cream.  Mix with other ingredients in a shaker with ice; shake well and strain into a martini glass. Rim with crumbled graham crackers and a cinnamon stick; top with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.

 "Pass the Turkey" (above right)
1.5 oz Wild Turkey 101
2 oz apple cider
1 tbs cranberry jelly
1 sprig fresh sage
1 sprig fresh thyme
 
Muddle sage and thyme with apple cider.  Add ice, top with Wild Turkey and cranberry jelly.  Shake well, strain over ice in a glass rimmed with turkey jus and breadcrumbs.
 
"Gosh Yam It" (not pictured)
1.5 oz Wild Turkey 101
1.5 oz sweet potato puree (see below)
1.5 tsp maple syrup
 
Cook yam/sweet potato in microwave with a small amount of butter, then add to blender to puree.  Mix puree with Wild Turkey.  Heat syrup in microwave, add to Wild Turkey/puree mixture, shake with ice and pour into glass.  Garnish with a toasted marshmallow.
 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at New York Insider!



Hip, Hip, Hooray for Beaujolais!

Actress and model Molly Sims helps unveil the 2010 Beajolais Nouveau in New York, with winemaker Franck Duboeuf. For slide show, click here.

Chocolatey Goodness

The Chocolate Show melts the hearts of New Yorkers with a luscious fashion show where all of the models are dressed in mouthwatering chocolate. Includes interviews with models and designers as well as a peek at the delicacies on offer.

When the Night Falls...

Would you challenge American Idol alum Jordin Sparks in karaoke? Here's what she sang at last night's wrap party at the Bryant Park Hotel for her star turn in In the Heights.

A 'Home' Run

Saturday night I was captivated and clapping while watching the premiere of Home Sweet Home, a new production by the Scandinavian American Theater Company (SATC).

Now I confess, I don’t really know that much about theater, and I went to the show primarily to high-five and support my friend Lisa Pettersson. Okay, and truth be told, being a flirtatious New Yorker and a
Swedish-American myself, I was curious to check out not only the performances of my friend and fellow countryfolk, but also to scope out the talent in the audience and perhaps to see if there were any good-looking Nordic types to wink at during intermission.

That said, all thoughts of frivolous flirtations quickly went out the window as I immediately became engaged by the riveting performance before me.

Home Sweet Home is an incredibly well-acted psychological drama by Danish playwright Andreas Garfield.  The script deals with the cultural upset created by current conflicts and war in the Middle East. The characters are complex and interesting and the drama that unfolds immediately demands the viewer's interest and attention.

This play reveals the traumatic experience of war and the unsympathetic indifference of home as refracted through a Nordic country.  Actor Albert Bendix, who plays the part of returning soldier Cartsten, gives a riveting performance.

Apart from the excellent acting and great script, this play is a must-see from a production standpoint. The set design was so innovative and interesting... I need to applaud set designer Marte Ekhougen, whose innovative use of the space and integration of film into the show was impressive.

The stage, which is filled with boxes, immediately suggests the baggage each character carries in, and the abstracted distortions created by projecting the film onto an uneven cardboard arrangement alludes to the cracks in the spirit carried in the souls and seen in the desperation of all three characters.

I loved the way the space reflected the disillusionment the characters felt and I really enjoyed the conceptual depth in the way the space was constructed.

One of my favorite aspects of living in New York City is how I am constantly being inspired and impressed by the brilliance of my friends and acquaintances. There are those moments here in town when the talent of those I know surpasses even my biggest expectations for them. Lisa Pettersson, whom I had already come to support, caused me to be awed and applauding with genuine stars in my eyes.  Needless to say, I highly recommend checking out this show while you still can. —Review by New York Insider Annika Connor, an artist whose paintings can be seen here.

ESSENTIAL INFO
Home Sweet Home will run through November 28th at the 9th Space at PS 122 (150 First Ave. at E. 9th Street). Tickets are $25.

Have YOU Got a Ticket to Ride?

If you've been wondering about those overly large buses that have been navigating the crowded streets of Times Square and Columbus Circle, here's a peek at what goes on both inside and outside The Ride.