Secret Concierge

As booking rates drop, cruise lines have been offering everything from waived fuel charges to free airfare to convince you to come aboard. So get ready to say good-bye to land with this year's most value-packed European vacations.

The oldest steakhouse in NYC, Old Homestead recently invested in a 1.5 million dollar renovation, including the addition of the highly coveted Schnabel Room.

The Schnabel Room is named after American artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, who is well-known for designing the interior of the esteemed Gramercy Park Hotel.

His black and white photography adorn the room, including photographs of the iconic landmark cow and the co-owners, brothers Marc and Greg Sherry.

Although the private dining space has a modern, updated feel, the room is juxtaposed with the establishment’s rich history, such as the words PRIME emblazed on the brick wall – the former exterior of the restaurant.

The Sherry brothers fortuitously discovered the sign during the renovations, allowing the Schanbel Room to serve as a sort of time capsule - the last vestige of the former Meatpacking District - with its curtainless windows exposing the raw city.

The success of Fast and the Furious 4 in the box office has just clinched the fate of Fast and the Furious 5. No less than Paul Walker said he and Vin Diesel will be back for a Fast and the Furious 5 film and they are going to Brazil for this. The Fast and the Furious franchise was launched in 2001 and every year the Fast and the Furious franchise is getting bigger and better.

Fast and the Furious 5 opened with a boxoffice sales of $72.5 million which set the boxoffice record for April. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel were not in the third franchise but fans were adamant and demanded to have the two in the first true sequel. of Fast and the Furious. It may be take four for Fast and the Furious but Paul Walker said the best one has not been done yet.

One of the twins of Charlie Sheen and wife Brooke Mueller was left in the hospital three weeks after being born not due to a heart problem but because he needs to pack more weight. Charlie Sheen representative Stan Rosenfield said Max has to be left in the hospital because he still has to gain the required weight before being allowed to go home like his twin brother Bob.

However, baby Max is expected to comply with his weight requirement and be reunited with his brother soon. Brooke Mueller gave birth to their twin boys last March 14. This is the first for Brooke Mueller but not for Charlie Sheen who has three daughters by his ex-wife Denise Richards and a previous relationship. The twins are however his first boys. The weight issues being faced by baby Max is not something to worry about as it is common among infants born without reaching their full term.

Juicy colors in a tribal pattern make this Jelica Beaded Bag by Maje a standout addition to your handbag collection. It’s a simple foldover clutch with a detachable chain handle (there are hardly any clutches out there anymore that don’t have a detachable strap) and it’s fully lined with an interior zip pocket. What makes this bag special is all the intricate beading — every surface is covered in beads of every color, although the ones that stand out most are the blues and purples. It sells for $245, which considering all the detailing seems pretty reasonable.

The latest installment in the X-men Series. “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is yet to be shown in theaters this May but Internet users have seen the film’s teaser after it was leaked online this month. Barely a month before the film is scheduled to be shown in US theaters, a work print has already appeared online to the dismay of the film’s producers and its star Hugh Jackman. “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” narrates the beginnings of Wolverine, a story essential to all the other X-Men movies.

The Motion Picture Association of America and the FBI are already investigating the online leak of the film. Sexiest Man Alive Hugh Jackman was in Sydney, Australia recently to unveil a portion of the completed footage of the film. Hugh Jackman is however confident that fans will still flock to the theaters to watch the movie despite the online leak. Hugh Jackman said it is very disappointing because people are seeing an unfinished film.

Madonna may be feeling bummed about her adoption denial but that doesn’t stop her from caring. According to the Associated Press, the 50-year old Queen of Pop has pledged a substantial amount to the small mountain village of Pacentro, where Madonna’s grandparents were born. The mayor of the small Italian town noted $500,000 as being the amount and said most of the donation will go to the towns that were hit hard by a recent earthquake. In a statement, Madonna said “I am happy to lend a helping hand to the town that my ancestors are from. My heart goes out to the families that have lost loved ones or their homes.”

Fast and the Furious star Michelle Rodriguez said she is “glad” to be out of her wild twenties.

The 30-year-old actress said: “I’m soooo glad to be over my 20s, man. Boy, were they wild.”

She added to The Guardian Guide magazine: “I was blinded by the light… Wooo hooo! In my 20s, I used the excuse of adolescence to have enormous amounts of spontaneous fun. I’ve avoided responsibility for the last 10 years, now it’s time to get on it.”

Michelle, who starred in a number of films during her twenties including SWAT, Girlfight and Resident Evil, has denied claims she is a feminist but said she likes to stand up or women’s rights.

She said: “No. I’m not [a feminist]. I stand up for women’s rights. I want someting other than the usual female aspects of Cleopatra, the s**t and the mother to be exploited on screen.”

Michelle added: “I just want to give a voice to those women who want to kick a** around the world, who do boy things and have fun doing them and are accepted for it. I’m not about fighting or anything.”

A few days ago actress Gwyneth Paltrow voiced her concern over the high usage of shampoo amongst people in general by saying that she read an article wherein the research article said “environmental toxins” are found in shampoos and lotions which could lead to diseases such as asthma and cancer in children.

Gwyneth Paltrow has written, “Fetuses, infants and toddlers are basically unable to metabolize toxins the way adults are, and we are constantly filling our environment with chemicals that may or may not be safe.”

But now Hugh Pennington, a leading bacteriologist Professor has put in his weight against the actresses comments saying, “It does annoy me when celebrities use their position to spout nonsense. They have a perfect right to their views, even if they are loopy, but they do hold a position of influence.”

I think Gwyneth Paltrow has just made a comment to promote her lifestyle website which is not getting to many visitors and just to say something explosive she took this route.

Don’t you just love being the first to find a great new place? If you are a shopaholic, it could be a cool new store where they have the latest fashion trends. If you are a foodie, it could be a wonderful little neighborhood restaurant that none of your friends have discovered yet.

Nonna is just such a place.It has been open for a little more than a years and its a foodies dream. Nonna is great neighborhood eatery. But in this case the neighborhood just happens to be Highland Park. Which makes Nonna more than a cut above your average neighborhood Italian restaurant. Nonna has a warm, with a very intimate atmosphere that lends itself to quiet conversations and romantic dinners.

The Food Company started its catering business with friends and a vision –
creative food using the freshest and finest ingredients coupled with
impeccable service. Last holiday season they introduced Food Company’s
newest concept: Nonna.

The name, which mean Grandmother in Italian pays respect to Nonna Julia
who taught both Chef Julian the art of cooking and passion for good
food.  Nonna Julia learned from her father who after emigrating from
Italy opened a restaurant.

Chef Julian Barsotti spent years perfecting his culinary techniques training
in Italy, where he attended Verace Pizza Napoletana, Italy’s government-regulated organization dedicated to training cooks in thin-crust style of pizza that originated in Naples and in California. His extensive training shows in Nonna’s daily menus, which are shaped by locally harvested produce, meat and seafood.

So when you can’t make the trip to Naples, join them for a Neapolitan
pizza, handmade pasta and other savory Italian delights piping hot from
their wood burning oven or one of their delicious handmade pasta
dishes.You will love it.

Nonna is open for dinner Monday through Saturday evenings. The regulars
flock to Nonna on a nightly basis, so reservations are highly
recommended. Call 214-521-1800 to make your reservation.

NONNA
4115 Lomo Alta @ Lemmon Avenue
Dallas, 75219
214-521-1800
www.nonnadallas.com

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