Coffee that's "good to the last dropping"

British department store Peter Jones in Sloane Square is selling a gourmet coffee “Caffe Raro” blended from Jamaica’s highest region the Blue Mountains. The Kopi (Indonesian for coffee) Luwak (civet cat) bean grows in dozens of countries around the world, “Some varieties have earned a special reputation, often based on a combination of rarity, unusual circumstances and particularly good flavor. These coffees, from Jamaican Blue Mountain to Kona to Tanzanian Peaberry, command a premium price”. The Kopi Luwak could sell for $60.00 + by the cup, $75.00 per quarter pound, to $450.00 USD per pound and up to $600 per pound in Canada, which I’m sure most would consider ridiculous for some crappy coffee, but if you have deep pockets give it try. My arms are too short right now to dish out the money for it besides; I’m a tea man myself.

The process for this unique coffee is a natural one at that, go figure! The fermentation process takes place in the stomach of the civet cat “musang”, in high Javanese it’s “Luwak”. The Kopi Luwak beans are processed by these meticulous Indonesian mammals that climb among the coffee trees eating only the best and ripest coffee cherries. Enzymes in their digestive system break down the flesh of the fruit and then excreted by the animals to be gathered by workers and locals. The excrement is washed away so that the seed (bean) is clean enough to roast and produce this exotic coffee. It’s not so much that the coffee itself is expensive but the process alone that puts this luxury blend in the high priced gourmet coffee category.

I’m pretty sure you’re wondering how it must taste, right? Some have said that it has a chocolate taste to it, funny! I would assume so if it looks like a chocolate bar with peanuts…hah! Alas this same animal has also been blamed for causing the SARS epidemic in Asia. According to Peter Jones reps. All Profit from sales will go to Macmillan Cancer Support and are being sold at London, for £50 per cup and £324 a kilogram.

Photo by: miscpix

Photo by: miscpix

2008 Wine Trade "Buzz"

People, (directed to friends and those who think otherwise) I don't care what you say about wine and it not being your preferred social drink of choice but, I'm French and my family has instilled the wine conosuier in me since day one. Wine is the move in my book! Not only do I have an acquired taste for it, but I can't get enough of it.

An almost estimated 25 cultivateurs de vin (wine growers) will be attending wine trade tasting events in Chicago on Monday, April 14th and New York on Tuesday, April 15th as well as a series of consumer events that will run throughout the week in New York. Expect to catch me and the misses at some of these events looking for new wines to add to our collection. Mom will be proud!

The growers will include:

• Matthieu Baudry from Domaine Bernard Baudry in Chinon
• Pierre Breton from Catherine & Pierre Breton in Bourgueil
• Jean-Paul Brun from Terres Dorées in the Beaujolais
• Nathalie & Christian Chaussard from Domaine le Briseau in Jasnières
• Evelyne de Jessey from Domaine du Closel in Savennières
• Georges Descombes from Morgon
• Claude-Emmanuelle & Louis-Benoit Desvignes from Domaine Louis-Claude Desvignes in Morgon
• Fredrik Filliatreau from Domaine Filliatreau in Saumur-Champigny
• Grégoire Hubau from Château Moulin Pey-Labrie in Canon-Fronsac
• Olivier & Cécile Lemasson from Les Vins Contés in the Touraine
• Jean Manciat from the Mâconnais
• Marc Ollivier from Domaine de la Pépière in Muscadet
• Franck Peillot from Montagnieu in the Bugey
• François & Suzanne Pinon from Vouvray
• Thierry Puzelat from Clos du Tue-Boeuf
• Suzana & Sasa Radikon from Friuli
• Elie Renardat from Domaine Renardat-Fâche in the Bugey
• Luca Roagna from Barbaresco
• Catherine Roussel & Didier Barrouillet from Clos Roche Blanche in the Touraine
• Pascal & Annick Quénard from Chignin in the Savoie
• Michel & Françoise Tête form Juliénas
• Laurence & Eric Texier from the Rhône
• Gautier Thévenet from the Domaine de Roally in Clessé
• Jean-Paul Versino from Domaine Bois de Boursan in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

For more info check out Louis/Dressner

West Pier in Rapture

Destroyed by an unknown cause of fire and neglected, somewhere in or outside the U.K. lays an individual that still has a bit of hope for the second coming of Brighton’s West Pier, or for a lack of better words some faith that its partial departure into the Brighton shore isn’t long lost. However, remnants of the historical pier have been put to an interesting form of artistic usage. An unknown artist took the initiative to make use of the piers remains and creatively stenciled an image of Jesus Christ on a pole circumvented with barbed wire which is symbolic to the Crown of Thorns. In my opinion, this is simply a brilliant work of art.

Photos provided by Steve Sherriff:

Crown Point Festival Back Again

The Crown Point Festival

Film - Theater - Music

October 27- November 17, 2007

Abrons Art Center, LES, New York City
466 Grand Street

The Crown Point Festival is a three week festival of the best emerging and pioneering artists in film, theater and music from around the world showcased in the Lower East Side of New York City. Crown Points is organized with the belief that the current state of downtown culture offers tremendous opportunities for growth to those willing to embrace the challenge by making a commitment to excellence. Every performance is tailor-made to transport the audience on a unique unforgettable emotional experience.

Flower Power Revamped

Not really, but I'm sure most of you New Yorkers and out-of-towners are wondering what's the deal with some of the yellow cabs painted with flowers, right? By now nearly everyone has seen or glanced at them. It seems as though they’re arising and multiplying throughout the city. Well, guess what? It’s only the beginning! A non-profit charity called Portraits of Hope, brothers Ed and Bernie Massey who founded the charity in 1995 have formed yet another unique project, "Gardens in Transit”.

This may seem mundane at first but, there’s a lot of good in this artful mission. Garden in Transit may be the most ambitious community collaboration and public art project in New York City history. From September 2007 and until the year ends, New York City is being visually transformed, as the NYC taxi - the ubiquitous yellow icon -becomes a mobile artistic canvas, or Garden in Transit. As part of this art, education and creative therapy project, 23,000 children in schools and hospitals - in addition to many adult volunteers - have painted 80,000 flowers on 750,000 square feet of adhesive panels for a four month public art exhibition featured on taxis citywide. 90% of children participated through schools and hospitals across Greater New York City. Children in New Jersey, California, Ohio, Georgia, and Pennsylvania also participated in the project. So far, a little over 2000 cabs have had the makeover. The goal is to get all 23,000 cabs in NYC painted by the first week of October. The exhibit will last through December.

Little ones at work:Example on display:

More on Portraits of Hope

Preclusive Fashion

Fearing Crime, Japanese Wear the Hiding Place

by Martin Fackler
The New York Times
October 20, 2007

Though street crime is relatively low in Japan, quirky camouflage designs like this vending-machine dress are being offered to an increasingly anxious public to hide from would-be assailants.

Seems like our neighbors under the red sun, have thought of another yet more intriguing piece of fashion which may actually protect us. Yeah, it looks funny at first glance and the idea seems bizarre but, just think of how it would be to actually avoid being the victim of a crime in which the after affects may possibly alter the way you live and think in life, not too funny is it? Rape victim or whatever the case may be. Depending on where you reside, this article of clothing really just might save your life, seriously!

Another interesting fashion concept is the “manhole bag,” a purse that can hide valuables by unfolding to look like a sewer cover. Lay it on the street with your wallet inside, and unwitting thieves are supposed to walk right by. There is also a line of knife-proof high school uniforms made with the same material as Kevlar, and a book with tips on how to dress even the nerdiest children like “pseudohoodlums” to fend off schoolyard bullies.

Listen to This

As ee(a)rie as it may sound, artist Stelios Arcadious is known for pushing the boundaries, He literally spent 10 years searching for a surgeon who would be willing to perform the controversial operation of having a third ear implanted into his forearm. Believe it or not, Stelios Arcadious has had the third ear created in a lab from cells and implanted into his skin

He got his wish after working as a Research Fellow at Nottingham Trent University's Digital Research Unit. The ear was grown in a lab from cells and implanted into the 61-year-olds left forearm in 2006.

Mr. Arcadious states that art: "should be more than simply illustrating ideas…it is more of a relief at present than an ear but it is still recognizable as an ear." Once the ear is fully developed he hopes to get a microphone implanted as well as a tiny transmitter so that people can see this performance artist as a living exhibit and hear the sounds that his arm/third ear is picking up.

More on this artist at Daily Mail

A Taste of Biblical History

Located in Brooklyn there's an appealing place where the concept of an eatery that's inspired by historical and glorious biblical influences should not be overlooked. If you could care less about religion it's not a big deal but, the food itself is worth trying. Miriam's owner/Chef Rafael Hasid takes into consideration an interesting cookbook in which he utilizes to derive recipes from, The Bible. Take note that this restaurant is a full-fledged Israeli restaurant that also serves breakfast and lunch, a nice place for brunch. Also, take out is available and attire is casual.

Their categories consist of Israeli cuisines and a bar with an excellent selection of wines, cocktails, and beers with plenty of cozy seating and a warm candlelit atmosphere. Miriam's is a great place to bring a date as well as friends, to enjoy some good eating while listening to jazz and savoring their contemporary dishes.

Chef Rafael Hasid - Jacob's Stew: Ezekiel Bread:
Eve Salad:
Stuffed Figs:
Photos: Rahav Segev

:: addic[tee]d :: Fresh Tee Guide™

I've been rocking name brand tees of all sorts since way back when and I'm weary of the clichéd Polo (Mr. Ralph Lipshitz...well the exception of a teddy tee or "crisp" (Lo-Life talk) late 80's - 90's Lo tee will do! I miss the old Lo days.), DKNY, Armani, etc. Seriously! I stumbled across this site a while back and it's hands down one of my most preferred sites for exclusive, artistic, abstract, and trendy tees from around the globe.

Pardon my French for speaking Italian but addic[tee]d is the merda! In addition to addic[tee]ds site they have a plethora of links to companies and independent artists affiliated in some way or the other in the fight for producing real tees. Just the way I like 'em, ill!

Fall and 08 preview

Lore Winter 08 T-Shirt Preview:Debut Collection "First to Fall" from MadeMe: Longarm T-Shirt by Olly Moss:Rote Raupe* Limited T-Shirts: