Ruth Reichl, one of the most famous food writers in America, debuted her new book, “Save Me The Plums,” at Books & Books in Bal Harbour this last Tuesday. The minute I heard about the event, Eliot and I signed up because we wanted to meet the legend.

It was definitely a good decision, at least for me. Reichl chronicled her career before she spoke about her book. While she is famous and I am not, her experiences were so similar to mine. I felt like we had the same long satisfying career. It had nothing to do with how much money she made over the years, and who gave her accolades. It was all about the journey and the experience she brought to her readers.

She never wanted to be a typical restaurant or food critic. Telling readers that a certain dish at a restaurant was too salty, or the waiters were rude, never appealed to her. She wanted to report on interesting new twists that young chefs were trying out, or what new foods were being discovered in local farmer’s markets.

That angle caught the attention of the LA Times when she was a food writer for small periodicals in Berkeley, CA. At the time she was living on a commune. She started her full time food career at the LA Times and then moved on to the New York Times to replace Bryan Miller. It was years later that SI Newhouse, of Condé Nast, asked her to be editor of Gourmet Magazine.

After repeatedly turning him down, Newhouse chased her with a big raise from the $84,000 she was making at the Times. He also gave her a car and driver, several club memberships, and a complete new wardrobe. The first task the Condé Nast PR department had on Reichl’s first day, was to get her a new hairdo and makeup. She remembers bumping into Anna Wintour in the elevator. Wintour looked at her with disdain. Reichl never got the hang of being a fashionista.

Reichl’s new Book is a memoir of how she transformed Gourmet from a stuffy relic of the old guard into a publication that embraced a new culinary era. It was also a time when “woman were taking on new challenges, pushing boundaries, and hanging onto the sense of wonder.”

Reichl wanted to be treated like an average customer. She disguised herself when visiting restaurants. She claims most restaurants had her photo posted in the kitchen with the words “WANTED” across the top. Anyone who spotted her, and then warned the restaurant management, got a $2,000 reward. Everyone wanted to be on their best behavior when Reichl was around.

These days Reichl lives with her husband in the Berkshires. She writes books and constantly cooks. A member of the Books & Books audience asked her what she thinks of people critiquing restaurants on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter? She claims she “loves it. You have to know how to decipher what people write. “If you can filter the comments, you will find some very unique comments that are very honest and important.”

Reichl has always enjoyed change. She predicts that more social media folks will focus on the experience of dining when they post, rather than the food itself. “It will be like theater. How did they feel about the adventure? Did it bring people together? Did they learn something new?”

Food shopping, food preparation and food dining over the years will be going through major transformations. The best is yet to come.

My girlfriend Debbie Nigro, a radio and Internet show host, wanted to offer these bracelets to every DigiDame reader. She said these bracelets are quickly becoming the darling of social media. They are constantly appearing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand Twitter. The price is right.

(aka Nana /Nonna/ GiGi /GlamMa)

Guaranteed to Make All The Other Grandmas JEALOUS!

Sunday, May 12, 2019

The Grandma Bracelet!

“Circled By” ™… Grandchildren

What Grandma doesn’t want to show off HER beautiful grandchildren? 

 Not one we’ve met yet! LOL

 We’ve seen grandkids photos posted on Facebook. 

 We’ve waited patiently while Grandmas scroll endlessly through their phones to show us their most adorable photos.

 Now Grandma aka Nana /Nonna/ GiGi /GlamMa can have her grandchild or all her grandchildren to show off in one place all the time effortlessly! On her arm!

 Go To CircledBy.com and simply upload your photos from any device to create your “Circled By” ™… Grandchildren Laser Engraved Photo Charm Bracelet.  Your photos will be laser engraved into the 304 stainless steel charm and protected with a durable protective transparent epoxy cover.

 Our “Circled By” ™… Grandchildren Bracelet is made from high-quality 22-gauge durable stainless steel and can hold up to 4 Photo Charms. The charms are the size of a penny.

Create A Single Child Photo Charm or Multiple Children Photo Charms 

One Initial Photo Charm & One Bracelet = $39.95

Additional Photo Charms On The Same Bracelet $19.95

Your “Circled By” ™… Grandchildren bracelet will arrive within 2-3 days packaged in a small box ready for gift giving and storage.

We can’t think of a better gift for Grandma (aka Nana /Nonna/ GiGi / GlamMa) than making sure she’s “Circled By” ™… Grandchildren wherever she goes. 

To Order: https://circledby.com/pages/mothers-day(Use Discount Code LE)

Also Available:

(The Mommy Bracelet)   “Circled By” ™… Children)

(The Aunt Bracelet) “Circled By” ™… Nieces and Nephews)

Every “Circled By” ™ Product is Laser Engraved On Stainless Steel To Last For Hundreds Of Generations.

Guaranteed To Bring A Smile Every Glance! Every Time!

To Order: https://circledby.com/pages/mothers-day(Use Discount Code LE)

My girl friend Joon is a riot. Her Nike sneakers are see thru. She said this style has been around for awhile. I haven’t see them, but I’m not a big sneaker person. For those like me, take a good look. This is the trendsetter. I’m not sure how and why Nike designed this model but I wanted you to see it.

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Old Movie Stars Dance to Uptown Funk

If you want to get yourself in a great mood, click below. You will be shaking your booty before you know it.

https://youtu.be/M1F0lBnsnkE

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Miami Beach Hospital Implodes

They finally imploded the abandoned hospital on Fifth Street and Alton in South Beach. It’s been an eyesore for years. A 40-story tower will take its place. Which is worse? Watch the building collapse. It’s fascinating to see how it’s done. Click below.

https://youtu.be/MiS1z8VMUr8

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Will Samsung Ever Learn?

Joanna Stern, of the WSJ, said it best. Samsung is not ready for prime time. Those were her words after she received the $2,000 Samsung Galaxy Fold this week from the company to review for her newspaper. It’s a smartphone that folds. HWH PR, my PR agency, spent 17 years teaching Samsung how to get Editor’s Choice Awards. Now 10 years after we ended our relationship, they are making early stage company mistakes. This is so difficult for us to watch. Click below to read Joanna’s story.

Samsung Galaxy Fold Non-Review: We Are Not Your Beta Testers

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The Tim Cook Book

Author Leander Kahney reveals how CEO Tim Cook has led Apple to the giant it is today. Go behind the scenes. Find out more about the company’s corporate culture. This is an easy read.

https://www.dealerscope.com/article/unboxed-reviewing-leander-kahneys-tim-cook-book/

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We went to the two-hour Tropicana show on our last night in Havana. It was an open air extravaganza. It reminded us of the early days of Desi Arnaz when he entertained us from his night club on TV, also called the Tropicana. The club was often featured on the legendary “I Love Lucy” TV show. If you watch the videos you will see the fantasy TV show come alive.

https://youtu.be/Y_8Rl1RMvZk

Other Scenes…

One of the best restaurants in Havana, La Guarida.

Spent the day in the country side miles away from Havana.

Tree top bungalows

Cuban Cigars

I almost bought a box of Cuban cigars today. The word “almost” is the operative word. The reason why I didn’t is because I found out that if I didn’t gift them to friends immediately, the cigars would go bad. I also found out that you can buy Cuban Cigars in the United States now so the novelty of getting one of these gems has long worn off. Even though I hate cigars, visiting a Cuban cigar specialty shop was a rare treat.

Sights From Cuba

One of my travel mates said Havana is one of the most beautiful cities because it has the same architecture everywhere. No mixing the old, with the new. Everything looks like it came from the same time period. That provides a very pleasing and rare look.

A Photo Studio

The first photo below features my friend Hector. I met him in Cuba six years ago. He visited us in Miami a few times. There is always a great bond when we meet up.

The photo gallery below belongs to Ernesto Fernandez. He is a famous Cuban photographer because he cleverly incorporates lights and videos in his photos. Each piece is totally unique. His work is exhibited all over the world. Eliot is pictured with Ernesto below. I would love to see them collaborate.

We are in Havana for the Cuban Art Bennial. People from all over the world are here to see all of the new Cuban contemporary work. Cuba has come a long way since we were here six years ago. The hotel we are staying in is totally luxurious and there are many new restaurants. Hopefully, future generations will turn this beautiful island into paradise.

We are missing a few in our group.

Posing with my new painting from José Fuster.

Gail, Ruth and me.

My special friend Bobby Williams

Dawn and Gail

Bobby and Gail

Team leader Carmen Santamarina

Happy birthday Steve!!!! You are the best brother ever. Today you retire from proofing DigiDame every day. Thank you for helping me out. I’m sorry you had to scratch your head all too often to figure out what I was trying to say. You made me look good. Have a wonderful year and enjoy the blessings of your wonderful children and grandchildren.

Love, Lois and Eliot

a

We leave for Cuba on my brother’s birthday, Friday, April 12th. We are attending The 2019 Havana Biennial. Read all about it in Cuban Art News.

https://cubanartnews.org/2019/01/16/first-look-the-2019-havana-biennial/

Our friend Alison Kaplan is a talent agent in South Florida. I follow her on Facebook. From time to time, she posts photos of her legendary singer and comedian clients before and after their gigs.

The high season is just about over in Florida. Most of the talent have gone from club house, to club house, in the gated communities from Ft. Lauderdale to Palm Beach. They also performed in local clubs.

I don’t think the talent makes the big money of their heydays, but they are getting paid. These gigs are not about making a lot of money. It’s about still drawing a crowd and being on stage. They live to entertain. Not entertain to live.

Alison and Robert Klein