Date Night: "CASINO ROYALE" Advance Screening

P received a couple of invitations to the advance screening of Martin Campbell's "Casino Royale" yesterday, courtesy of the Omega Watch Company (007's official time piece).

Due to the drizzling rain and traffic, we made it to the theater in the nick of time - just as the opening credits was starting.

All I can say is that Daniel Craig was the purr-fect choice to play the role of James Bond in Ian Fleming's first novel. He succeeded in making a few other actors before him (excluding Sean Connery) look like a bunch of pansies. Getting downright gritty, he wasn't squeamish about having a few drops of blood (okay, it was more like a pint) stain his ertswhile immaculate white shirt.

This is one Bond who didn't rely on the latest gizmos to bring his enemies down.
(I got so carried away that I half-expected him to snap their torsos in half with his bare hands!)
Were sure that the sappy scenes he had with sultry, green-eyed brunette, Vesper Lynd (played by French actress Eva Green) was crucial to the story line.
However, our sole gripe was that we thought those lovey-dovey parts got more air time than they deserved.

What-evah - who gives a hoot about our own personal opinion anyway?

Besides, the excitement and action during the first 20 minutes of the movie alone will be worth the price of the movie ticket.

The Vesper Martini:

3 parts Gordon Gin
1 part Smirnoff Red vodka
1/2 part lillet Blanc aperitif
To finish: lemon peel

Shake well with ice and strain into martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.


LINK:
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/casinoroyale/site/noflash.html

Steppin' Out: SON CUBANO, NYC

"Come out, Come out, Wherever you are..."

(SON CUBANO photo credit: cooltownstudios)

OK, I needed a "me-time" break again. Yup, it's Mamita's time to play! P agreed to do some father-daughter bonding while I did the Latin lounge rounds late Saturday night. He even graciously offered to take S swimming the next day so I could sleep late Sunday morning.
*Muah! Danke schoen!

Son Cubano is located at the heart of the Meatpacking District. Tasty tapitas and flavorful Cuban entrees are served during the evening, with weeknight entertainment provided by a live band. A DJ takes over Friday/Saturday nights from 10-ish till 4AM to spin the latest dance mixes.

The door policy is thistight after 11 PM - so make sure to dress to impress.

Oh, the DJ was gooooood. He was playing some really cool stuff - good enough to make everyone get up and bust a move in dancefloor.
One of the highlights of my night was when he beckoned and placed me in his spot for a few minutes.

But nothing beats being on the dance floor. Worked up some serious Latin-House induced sweat with my party-animal cousin and some zany friends.
Parched? Dehydrated?
No problemo.
Their Green Apple Mojito was simply deeeevine...

LINK: http://www.soncubanonyc.com/