Natasha’s Notebook » 2007

Brazilian food - the chic way

March 26th, 2007 by Natasha

For our monthly restaurant get-together, I suggested to my fab friends Tracey, Rachael and Kate the trendy Mocoto restaurant in Knightsbridge. Well it seemed to be the talk of the town, so I asked them if they wanted to check it out. They all agreed and just like Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte in the popular SATC series, we hot-footed it down to the Brazilian eaterie.
We chose the house white, a Chardonnay. And at nearly £20 a bottle we couldn’t go wrong. But what you are really buying into is the décor and ambiance. I agreed with what The Independent said of the place: “The important business of the night doesn’t seem to be eating so much as hanging out and generally being fabulous.”
With its white walls and palm-tree leaves – the restaurant oozes fresh and progressive design. The people around us all spoke Portuguese – it was like being in a posh part of Rio.
The food was cooked well but not enough to satisfy this London girl - daughter of an Italian chef, so perhaps not totally fair of me to say.
We ate a typical dish of “feijuca”, which is black bean stew with smoked pork, sausages and sun dried beef, which was good - but not enough to convince me of what seems to be reinventing this heart-warming, staple food for the masses into something chic for the elite.

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A different kind of holiday (published in the American newspaper Our Sunday Visitor on 11/3/07)

March 26th, 2007 by Natasha

Only dry toast to eat and black tea to drink, going bare foot and no sleep – those are the fearsome aspects of the pilgrimage known as Saint Patrick’s Purgatory.
But in overcoming the difficulties of discomfort, a greater spiritual level is experienced by many who venture to Station Island in Lough Derg, situated in County Donegal, Ireland.
It is an isolated place, providing the perfect setting for the pilgrimage, Saint Patrick’s Purgatory. Pilgrims have flocked to the island each summer since the 12th century. And in the first maps of Ireland, the sole Irish landmark was the original cave of Saint Patrick’s Purgatory.
Medieval writings have revealed what people thought at the time; that the cave of Saint Patrick’s Purgatory in Lough Derg would lead the penitent through to purgatory. This made the place famous throughout 12th century Europe and is thought to have inspired Dante’s poem La Divina Commedia.
During this period, Ireland was considered to be at the end of the known world, consequently it was thought to be the pathway to the rest of the world.
Surprisingly, there are no written records of St Patrick ever visiting the island but it is known that the saint, who died in AD493, did find a place for prayer and contemplation during his life and it is believed that Station Island was that place.
The reason why Saint Patrick chose Lough Derg is not clear but the place has had a special quality about it, which dates back to ancient civilizations, much before Christianity.
Others followed in St Patrick’s footsteps and at the end of the 5th century monks had set up a religious community on the nearby Saint’s Island.
The name Lough Derg means “red lake” and according to legend it refers to the blood of the last serpent slain by Saint Patrick, when he rid Ireland of snakes in his attempt to end pagan practice and instill Christianity.
Today Lough Derg attracts over 20,000 pilgrims each year. Passenger ferries go back and fourth each summer, to the furthest island in the lake, Station Island.
Pilgrims come to the island fasting from the midnight before and they remove all footwear on arrival. Nine penitential stations are performed over the three days. Each station involves the repeated silent praying of the Lord’s prayer, the Hail Mary and the Apostles’ Creed, as pilgrims make their way from Saint Patrick’s Basilica to Saint Patrick’s Cross, Saint Brigid’s Cross, around the basilica and then in order around the penitential beds or cells.
Brian Martin, a 21-year-old philosophy student who lives in County Donegal has been on the pilgrimage each year for the past three years. Like many families in Ireland, it is a tradition in Brian’s family of “doing Lough Derg”, as locals have come to describe the pilgrimage.
He said Lough Derg is a place, which gives the individual time-out to consider things, to really think on a deeper level without the distractions of modern life.
This is especially true on the second day, when the pilgrim has been awake for 24 hours and has completed nearly all of the stations of the cross.
“You get an inner stillness that really makes you think about things on a deeper level,” Brian said. He added that during the year things will happen in his life and it makes him think “that’ll be worth thinking about at Logh Derg”.
He mentions how the bonds formed with fellow pilgrims are important too. Brian said: “Everyone there is going through a special internal experience. It’s quite wonderful how groups come together.”
Brian does the pilgrimage with his cousin and admitted that before he went the first time, he was worried about going hungry and being up all night, because he had never experienced those before.
“But while you are there, you do gather an extraordinary strength from other people. Some of the elderly people and have done the pilgrimage as much as 40 times before. So seeing they could do it and that they keep coming back - that gives you strength as well,” Brian concluded.

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Richard Young’s private viewing and party

March 23rd, 2007 by Natasha

At celebrity photographer, Richard Young’s private viewing and party Tuesday night, I grabbed a cocktail of crushed cranberry and vodka, and went to have a chat with Immodesty Blaize. As you can imagine she was unmissable with a white, silk headscarf a’ la Elizabeth Taylor and very Prada-inpsired. Immodesty was also wearing a gorgeous, vintage gold necklace and when I asked her where she got it, the Burlesque dancer responded with a sparkle in her eye: “I’m not telling, otherwise everyone will go there and I want it to be my secret!”
Britain’s answer to Dita Von Teese, famous for her curves spoke on the subject of the Size Zero. “It all depends on the individual person. In the 50s, role models like Marilyn Monroe were respected for their individuality. It’s just too rigid to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to size zero,” she said.

A waiter spilt his tray of Perroni bottles and larger landed all over our feet, and who noticed? Mica Paris! “Did he get you to babe?” she asked. All lashes and laughter, the singer turned TV presenter also spoke of individuality. The What Not to Wear presenter said: “I love the individual style that British women have. When I look at what they’re wearing in the street I think they’ve got style. It’s because we’re influenced by so many cultures over here, which you don’t get anywhere else.”
Chatty and instantly likable Mica is chuffed with the success of the BBC One programme, which they’re currently filming another series of, to be aired this September. She said it was due to the natural rapport she has with co-fashion guru, Lisa Butcher. “We’ve been mates for years and it was her who went to the show’s audition. There, she put my name forward and the next day I get a call from the producer inviting me to a meeting. She comes from a fashion background, being a model. But something we both have in common – we’re girly girls.
“How we are in front of the camera, that’s exactly what we’re like off it too. And I just genuinely love people. Making people feel good whether that’s through my music or the show – is what makes me happy,” she said.
Mica admitted she misses singing but still manages to do so once a month at Jazz venue, Ronnie Scotts.

Others who put in an appearance: Piers Morgan, Simon Rose, Karen Millen, Meg Mathews, Bella Fraud and Dillan Jones.

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Reading Festival launch party

March 20th, 2007 by Natasha

At London’s AKA bar last night, the line up to one of Britain’s coolest, summer music festivals was announced. And because tales don’t tell themselves here are a few of the highlights…
Music journos knocked back free Carling larger at a bar renowned for its cocktails. So despite looking forward to a Tobago Fizz, I decided to ask for lemonade in my beer, and the bar lady politely charged me the extra. Looking around I thought: “This is very rock n roll!” But then on closer inspection I noted: “Lots of smoking, drinking, loud music and ill-fitting clothes - this could also be a glammed-up version of student life.”
I was so glad I bought my friend Maria along, as well as my brother and his girlfriend, because trying to infiltrate these people is hard work. From the beginning of the night until the end - music lovers were speaking to the same people. It got me wondering; no wonder the whole MySpace phenomena is such a huge success. This is especially true for musicians and their fans. On the “a place for friends” website, suddenly the cliques became an open book and hiding behind a computer screen, people can leave messages and interact with complete strangers. The modern day version of walking up to someone in a crowded bar.
So as the Reading Festival line-up was announced by a chatty Radio One DJ on stage, the music connoisseurs oooed and ahhed when they heard:
Friday 24 August: Main Stage - Razorlight, Kings of Leon, Interpol, Maximo Park, Gossip, Gogol Bordello Radio One/ NME Stage - Ash, Brand New, The Subways, Enter Shikari
Saturday 25 August: Main Stage – Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Panic! At the Disco, Angels and Airwaves Radio One / NME Stage – The view, We are scientists, Biffo Clyro, The Twang
Sunday 26 August: Main Stage – The Smashing Pumpkins, Nine inch Nails, Lostprophets, Fall out boy, Funeral for a friend, +44 Radio One / NME Stage – Klaxons, LCD Soundsystem, CSS

Posted in Out and about in London | 3 Comments

The bird and the bee

March 16th, 2007 by Natasha

The bird and the bee was the support act at Lily Allen’s recent gig at the Carling Apollo, Hammersmith - before they all went off to the States. The band from LA, whose new single is called Fcking Boyfriend, reminded me of Saint Etienne meets the Carpenters. Inara George on vocals and Greg Kurstin on piano head this six-piece, 60s-inspired band. And although Lily had the songs everyone knew - this group’s music had you thinking about spring and who was the bird and who was the bee? If you are curious you can listen to their music here: http://www.myspace.com/thebirdandthebee

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Success MySpace style

March 13th, 2007 by Natasha

Lily Allen stormed onto the stage last night to a packed Hammersmith Apollo. Her fans were mainly teenage girls wearing flashing bunny ears, which were for sale outside the venue in west London.
The MySpace success story was without her trademark prom dress and opted instead for a baggy black outfit with white trainers. She apologised for being pissed and said she would try and sober up.
She smoked throughout the gig and a backstage man had to come on every 15 minutes or so to give her a fag. She had her usual rant and rave and this time politicians and fashion magazine editors were her target. “They can F*%k off!” she yelled.
Lily and her band were due to fly to America the following morning and when she told the crowd, they booed. “Don’t worry guys, I’m proud of my British roots. It’s just that they’ve got loadsa money so hopefully I’ll be coming back with a few more quid,” she giggled.
“Where’s my drink?” she shouted to her hangers-on and then she declared: “Now I sound like Amy Winehouse.” Lily stubbed out her cigarettes on music equipment as she belted out her tunes such as ‘Littlest Things’ and ‘Not Big’. She spilt her drink down her dress and was even spotted spitting behind her.
She performed a mix of old and new songs as well as a few covers. She told the London crowd to pretend it was Friday. “I wanna see you all dancing!” she screamed.
After singing ‘Smile’, the song that shot her to fame she left the stage and her fans began roaring: “Lily! Lily!” She came back on and finished with her latest tune ‘Alfie’. “Go out and but this,” Lily added.
Lily then stated that MySpace was the way forward: “It did me a few favours.” But I think that it may have done her a few financial favours but lets hope she doesn’t end up singing about going into rehab one-day. Amy Winehouse eat your heart out.

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Ronnie Rocks (partly published in the Daily Express on 8/3/07)

March 13th, 2007 by Natasha

IN true rock and roll fashion, Ronnie Wood failed to appear at the private viewing of his own exhibition in London last week.

The Rolling Stone, who is as nimble-fingered with a paintbrush as he is with a guitar was rumoured to be undergoing a throat operation.

As the exclusive art-loving crowd sipped wine at Mayfair’s Gallery 27 and mused over Ron’s trademark rock star portraits and newer, animal drawings - whispers circulated concerning the artist’s health.

Paul O’Grady turned up with film crew in tow and told Natasha’s Notebook: “I hope he gets better soon. He’s a lovely man.” Lilly Savage’s alter ego then revealed that Ronnie had once sketched his and Cilla Black’s portrait. But Cilla had put the picture in a book for safe-keeping and has not been able to find it since.

Paul added that Ronnie has a great, down-to-earth family. He has been married to Jo since 1985 and together they have two grown-up children.

The TV presenter and friend of the stars spoke of other un-rock n’ roll traits of the singers of “satisfaction”. Apparently Charlie Watts has always folded his clothes meticulously. Even after wild gigs, the drummer would make sure his outfits were washed and ironed to high standards.

“I’d feel quite intimidated if I didn’t know about the softer sides of these Rock legends,” he added. Paul was at Jilly Cooper’s 70th birthday bash last week where another intimidating personality attended, Jeffrey Archer. “Well the way I dealt with him was just smile and pretend I understood the big words he used.”

Paul spoke of his show on Channel Four, which is back on TV next month and said the secret to its success is his hatred of auto cues. He explained that he prefers to be totally natural in front of the camera and likes to talk on his own accord, especially when interviewing celebrities.

When Paul left the exhibition he smiled for the waiting paparazzi and even posed with a tramp, who had been trying to get in all night for some free booze.

One invitee was overheard saying: “Maybe they should let the tramp in, it’ll liven the place up a bit.” Many guests were surprised at how good the paintings, drawings and sketches were. Ronnie has had exhibitions across the world since the 1980s.

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Brazilian food - the chic way

A different kind of holiday (published in the American newspaper Our Sunday Visitor on 11/3/07)

Richard Young’s private viewing and party

Reading Festival launch party

The bird and the bee

Success MySpace style

Ronnie Rocks (partly published in the Daily Express on 8/3/07)