All Hallow's Eve 2014

We all love it;  the night as dark as black, a streetlamp shrouded in fog, the rustling of leaves, a distant scream in the night.  We'll stay home, shut off the lights in favor of just candles to give out candy then head out to scare up some fun of our own.  If you are still looking for some frightening ideas, here's a few suggestions.

Start out the night with sips of Black Ink wine.  As dark as blood, poured into Gothic wine glasses, it's an ideal start.

After that head over to Pier 6 in the Navy Yard (spooky enough after dark as it is) for a special authentic Transylvanian Cuisine Dinner being served October 31st only.  You'll dine on Goulash and Apple Tart while you sip a drink called "Dracula's Kiss." 

Proceed ominously to the the brand new statue of Edgar Allan Poe near The Boston Common for an appropriate Instagram pic. Dressing in black is advised.

After that it's just a short jaunt up the street for the Gatsby Reloaded Masquerade and Fashion Show at Liquid Art House.  It's their very first Halloween party so it's guaranteed to be fabulous. Get your decadent on and still be home before sunrise.

All one needs to do now is provide the soundtrack.  Happy Halloween everybody!!!

Art And Commerce

The age-old pull between art and commerce gets a new twist in Boston:  Liquid Art House.

It's a Friday night and we rest our weary feet beneath the over sized print by the famed photographic duo Formento and Formento, an homage to the late doyenne of Boston nightlife Marilyn Riseman.  It features a half dozen models sporting her signature jet black bob, near kabuki style makeup and the very clothing of the woman herself.  How haunting it is that she died just the day before the shoot took place for Boston Magazine, our host for the evening.

We're at Liquid Art House, perhaps the most lavish of Boston's newest restaurants, on the edge of the South End and helmed by our good acquaintance Chef Rachel Klein.  The soaring airiness of the center features a full, round bar where well-dressed patrons stand tonight for sips of a Tequila Old Fashioned or wine.  The wings feature comfy, spacious seating with a clean, modern design, an open kitchen and all that interesting artwork.

The food holds up, too, as we sample pork belly that, for one, is more juicy pork than fat, sliders and cheesecake nibbles.  All good.

We are lucky in that we can wander about, free to peruse the works scattered about and can do so up close, without intruding on the privacy of other diners.  The crowd is a mix of the well-heeled and hipsters.  It seems void, however, of bright-eyed, young artists.  Who will dine here?  It's a new concept that poses the question, something untried, like dining in an art gallery where one can actually purchase the work.  Or, will it become just an upscale spot where people go to see and be seen?  The food is worthy.  The space is beautiful.  How it plays out over time will be interesting to see.

Liquid Art House
100 Arlington Street
Boston, MA  02116
Telephone:  617.457.8130