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Hey, Georgetown: Meet The New Owners of The Julia Child House

The Washington Post recently broke the news that the Julia Child House -- in Georgetown, on Olive Street -- was sold to a Washington couple, Patricia and Rory Veevers-Carter. It turns out I know them, and on New York Social Diary today I tell readers something about them. They have  an interesting backstory, just like the house and Julia Child herself. They have big plans, too, for their new abode. 

Interview w/ Primates of Park Avenue Author Wednesday Martin, YouTube

 
Here's my interview with Wednesday Martin, taped on July 16 at the George Town Club. She is the author of "Primates of Park Avenue," the best-selling anthropological analysis of the lives, needs, wants, wins and losses, fears and hopes of rich women who reside on the Upper East Side of New York. We go deep into it and the points she makes are revealing, more than just dishing Botox and Birkin bags, though they get their shout outs. Please give it a watch. 

Wednesday Martin Applies Birkin Bag Logic to Rich & Powerful Washington

It was a good time interviewing "Primates of Park Avenue" author Wednesday Martin today at The Q&A Cafe. We went deep into her memoir, which takes a fascinating anthropological look at the very rich mothers of New York's Upper East Side. She found some parallels with wealthy Washington, too, well covered in The Washington Post's Reliable Source column. The full interview will air on Channel 16, DCN, tomorrow, and I'll post a YouTube link soon. In so many words, she says that the rich in Washington covet "influence" the way the rich of NY covet the Hermes Birkin bag. 

Wednesday Martin poses with members of the audience, and copies of her book, after The Q&A Cafe at the George Town Club. 

 

Watch "The Sports Fix," Thom Loverro & Kevin Sheehan, On YouTube Now

 

This was a fun show to tape because I love to talk about sports and because Thom Loverro and Kevin Sheehan and smart, but also cut-ups, and so we talked a lot of sports and laughed a lot, too. Just right for summer. I hope you have as much fun watching as we had taping. 

Bill Cosby

I do not know Bill Cosby nor have I ever met Bill Cosby, but once, when I was a producer for Larry King Live, I did a phone pre-interview with him. He wanted to come on the show. Believe it or not, it wasn't a given that any celebrity who wanted to come on would get on. There was a process. The executive producer asked me to call and talk to him about whatever it was. I don't remember the issue or topic - it was a pet cause, not a movie or show - but we didn't book him that occasion.

What I do vividly recall is his intolerant tone when he talked to me. He was exasperated with me from the start. He had a lot to say and, as was my job, I would ask an occasional question. He would pause, sigh, and say, "Will you let me speak?" I would back off politely and he would drone on again. If I commented in any particular way on what he was saying, he'd say, again with a pause and a deep sigh, "Are you done? May I continue?" 

He was hostile and aggressive. I was eager to get off the phone but the conversation went on for an hour -- round and round, with the same back and forth, him doing all the talking and me commenting or asking a question, with him asking if I was "done" or "may I speak?" That he treated me in a demeaning way -- and in that job I talked with lots of "celebrities," who were by and large polite -- made a lasting impression. 

Again, I never met him. I did go up to New York to cover the Autumn Jackson paternity trial in 1997, but there was no personal contact.

The phone conversation was my only "up close" experience with him, but when accusations of rape were made against him, and various women came forward, and they talked about his "tone," it was eerily familiar. 

Nuclear Fireworks

This photo could be from one of our recent boffo electrical storms, but no, this was my view of the cloud-shrouded July 4th fireworks on the Mall. The clouds and fog played cray cray with the 'works, producing apocalyptic images. I watched from the rooftop of the Capella Hotel, where they hosted a lively party with (loud) music and delicious ribs and burgers. Lots of fun. 

The photo below, on the other hand, reminds me of an electrified deep sea squid-like creature. Again, thanks to the clouds. Happy 4th, all. 

All Time Favorite Bill Dean July 4th Pool Party Photo

Georgetowner Bill Dean hosts his July 4th pool party every year, but my all-time favorite photo of the extravaganza remains this one from 2010. The pic tells the story. Happy Birthday, America. 

A Visit to Fig and Olive @ CityCenterDC

We walked into Fig & Olive today and thought we were on the set of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."  There was the distinctive mellow, blonde vibe typical of the restaurants seen so often on that show. The image would have held except the Washington patrons weren't tricked out with enough Botox to scare zoo animals. They looked like real people, having a pleasant meal in a pleasant, sunny room. 

F&O is in the heart of CityCenterDC, behind the dancing fountains, across from Hermes, adjacent to DBGB Kitchen + Bar, and it is the latest restaurant to open in the ritzy mall compound. It is part of a small chain started by a French chef who used Provence as the inspiration, as that sunny region is for many of the bistros in Bev Hills, too. 

These first pictures are the lower level. It's it a big, comfy lounge, with squishy chairs and sofas and loads and loads of pillows. A place to take a load off your feet. Kick back. Drink rosé wine. 

We  - Izette Folger and I - were invited by the restaurant to be their guests for lunch. We made the most of it. Three hours of nibbling, sipping, talking and lots and lots of laughing. We were very comfortable. I love it when restaurants invite me to come in for a bite and a look and some photos.

From the downstairs we headed up to the upper floor. While the lower level was virtually empty and quiet except for the piped in jazzy music, the upstairs was packed and the din of conversation filled the creamy bright room. We were led to a corner table in the back. 

Izette says hello to the head chef, Laurence Cohen. She wanted him to know how much we enjoyed the chicken paillard. 

The view from our corner table. It was their first lunch and the place was hopping. We ordered a sampler of different crostini, gazpacho, lamb and chicken paillard. Accidentally they also brought us a paella, and so we ate that, too. Plus apple sorbet with citrus. 

Directly behind our table was a large glass-enclosed dining room -- white, on white, on white, with a bit of yellow -- which appears to be available for private parties and possibly also dinner. This was the most California room of the whole place, with Provence well represented in the rosemary plants bordering the room in window boxes. 
Feeling sunny, Cali, loungey? Fig and Olive could be your place!