Minggu, 20 Mei 2012
Senin, 14 Mei 2012
2NE1 become the first Korean artists to be on the cover of ‘WWD Japan’
The ladies of 2NE1 have become the first Korean artists to grace the cover of popular Japanese fashion magazine, ‘WWD Japan‘!
2NE1 were chosen as cover models for the magazine’s winter issue, which allowed them to join the ranks of many other famous women in Japan who previously graced the cover such as professional skater Asada Mao and actress Miyazawa Rie.
For their pictorial, 2NE1 wore French brand Balmain, which gave them an elegant gloss to their fierce charisma. Reportedly, the members’ outfits had cost around 25 million yen (approximately 322,872 USD).
In related news, 2NE1 will join fellow YG Entertainment artists and perform at the ‘YG Family Concert in Japan‘ on January 7th and 8th at the Kyocera Dome, and on January 21st and 22nd at the Saitama Super Arena
The staggering cost of 2NE1′s “Lonely” MV outfits revealed!
The expensive outfits for 2NE1‘s “Lonely” music video has generated a ton of conversation recently and for good reason!
The clothes worn in their latest music video are pieces from the French brand “Balmain“, which was launched in 1945 by French designer Pierre Balmain. In 2006, Christophe Decarnin became the director, and for the past few years, Balmain has become a hot trend in the fashion world.
Musicians such as Kanye West, Madonna, Beyonce, and Rihanna have worn items from their line. Currently, Balmain is one of the most expensive high-end brands.
They have also been chosen as Big Bang and 2NE1′s favorite brands for their one-of-a-kind art-like designs and their exceptional details.
A representative said:
“Not only is it expensive, but it is a designer label that rarely provides wardrobe to celebrities. Occasionally, fashionable actors receive sponsored pieces for special award ceremony-like events, but favorably, 2NE1 has been the only singers to receive sponsored pieces for the past few years.“
The total cost of 2NE1′s wardrobe for their “Lonely” music video comes out to about 200 million won (~$183,800 USD), but the production costs of the music came in lower at 150 million won (~$137,800 USD). Therefore, the wardrobe for the music video actually exceeded the production costs for the music!
This type of dedication to their outfits is nothing new though, as Park Bom previously received much attention for the $20,000 Alexander McQueen dress in her “Don’t Cry” music video.
2NE1 & Gummy show their support for Yang Hyun Suk on ‘K-Pop Star’
Rather than cheering for the Top 3 finalists, several YG artists came out to show their support for CEOYang Hyun Suk on the April 22nd live broadcast of ‘K-Pop Star‘
While each held a hand-made placard, 2NE1 and Gummy were interviewed by MC Boom during the second half of the performance. CL cheerfully remarked, “We actually came out to support CEO Yang Hyun Suk. We even personally made these placards. Can you see this placard that says ‘milky white-skinned Yang Hyun Suk’?”
Boom later questioned Sandara Park which finalist she wanted to see join YG Entertainment. While holding holding a placard that read ‘we love you Yang Hyun Suk’, she replied, “I welcome everybody because they are all equally good.”
When asked which finalist she was rooting for, Park Bom answered, “I’m actually cheering for all three finalists, but I’d like to ask Park Ji Min if she has been taking the bamboo salt health medicine I gave her,” expressing her special affection towards the finalist.
Power vocalist Gummy also expressed her desire in working with Lee Ha Yi if given the opportunity.
2ne1 at Se7en Japanesse Showcase
Singer Se7en successfully held a showcase for about 5,000 enthusiastic fans in Japan.
On May 3rd, Se7en held his 7th single showcase in Tokyo, titled ‘LOVE AGAIN‘. During the showcase, Se7en performed a total of 10 songs, including ‘Love Again‘, as well as ‘Somebody Else‘, ‘Light‘, and ‘Angel‘. Se7en also sang a Japanese-version of his recent hit song ‘Even If I Can’t Sing‘, displaying a different charm from his ‘Love Again’ concept.
As a nice surprise, girl group 2NE1 made an unannounced appearance during the showcase to congratulate Se7en. It was reported that 2NE1, who are also promoting in Japan, heard of Se7en’s showcase and decided to make a brief visit to show their support.
Meanwhile, Se7en will be visiting cities throughout Japan including Fukuoka on May 5th, Nagoya on the 6th, and Osaka on the 12th.
2ne1 Intels "Ultrabook Song"
The “Make Thumb Noise” project is an event sponsored through Intel Korea’s Facebook page in which 2NE1 and Teddy Park will collaborate with Intel to create an “Ultrabook Song“. Teddy Park will be producing the song while the girls of 2NE1 will be lending their vocals for it.
The “Make Thumb Noise” project is receiving much attention for fans will be able to participate in the production of the “Ultrabook Song” through Intel Korea’s Facebook page. Through the Facebook page, two to three short music clips will be posted every week, where fans will then be able to vote for the clip they liked the most. Teddy will then make the next music track based on the favored clip.
The voting will begin on May 10th and will run on for four weeks. The finalized product is expected to be released through Intel Korea’s Facebook page on June 5th.
In addition, the “Ultrabook Song” photos and making-of video will be released in English, Japanese, and Korean.
Intel Korea’s president Lee Hee Sung said, “2NE1 can exemplify the Ultrabook’s stylish and unique image very well and Teddy is Korea’s top producer, therefore I am positive they will be able to make the “Make Thumb Noise” project a success. This project will be one in which everyone who is interested in IT and culture will be able to participate and communicate with each other.”
Teddy and 2NE1′s CL said, “We became interested in working on the “Make Thumb Noise” project with Intel Korea because they are allowing fans to participate in the process of producing the music, which we thought was creative. We will try our best to make great music through the process and the finalized product. It will be an exciting project.”
A high-end food court
Neither good food nor subtlety was a strong suit at the busy suburban mall food courts of my youth. In those pre-Sbarro years, kitsch was king. Over-the-top Union Jack displays heralded the fish and chips stand, and garish, if not stereotypical, lanterns and kimonos indicated where greasy tempura was dished out. Last and perhaps least, there were those poor folks peddling lemonade wearing puffy chapeaus that made Smurf hats look like Vivienne Westwood creations by comparison.
Nowadays, Boulderites would be mortified by such displays. We pride ourselves on our refinement and erudite dining sense, and we expect understatement when it comes to our food courts.
Such is the case with the prepared food section at the expanded Whole Foods Market. While the wide open space rivals the size of most old-school shopping mall venues, subdued colors and signage make it obvious this isn’t our
parents’ food court. One thing that time has not changed, however, is the crowds.
Navigating through the lunchtime crowd with friend Kon, our experience fell somewhere between the first level of Frogger and the running of the bulls at Pamplona. We bounced off the salad bar, rebounded off the sushi case and bypassed the taqueria before settling in for main courses at the BBQ stand and Asian noodle kiosk.
Kon picked up a $10.78 barbecue combo plate, consisting of ribs, chicken, slaw and macaroni and cheese. A subtle measure of smoke flavor and tenderness were the highlights of the ribs. The chicken was simply tender white meat doused in basic barbecue sauce, not necessarily a choice that broke new culinary ground. Purple and green slaw was satisfyingly crisp, with both fresh taste and lighter saucing than retro mayonnaise-based versions. While the texture of the mac and cheese was comfortingly soft, it lacked the appealing dairy tang common to most gourmet interpretations of this pasta found around town.
We also sampled a $1.68 bite-sized assortment of fennel salad, horseradish polenta and Chinese pork. The fennel had a snappy freshness and delicate anise tones. “Creamy” best describes the polenta, but the bite of the horseradish was scarcely detectable. The Asian pig pleasantly surprised with its char siulike flavors, although the taste was not as assertive as its butcher shop inspiration. To its credit, this pork lacked the shockingly red food coloring found in most versions.
Another Asian-inspired item was the $6.99 pho ga, a take on Vietnamese chicken and rice noodle soup. Cooked to order, this dish took a while to prepare, as the lunchtime crush created a bottleneck at the noodle bar. I did appreciate the ability to choose what veggies went into my soup, and I selected the triumvirate of bok choy, snap peas and scallions. Once it was finished cooking, the noodles were correctly al dente, and the overall impression was that this was a satisfying soup. However, a Vietnamese restaurant version would have a more deeply-flavored broth with complex herbal notes.
While Kon and I exercised restraint in our choices, we noticed it’s all too easy to run up an expensive tab among some of the options here, particularly with selections sold by weight (salad bar, anyone?). Some dishes, like the pho ga, are competitively priced. But finding these more affordable selections requires some prudence and investigation on the part of the value-conscious diner.
Santa Fe in Longmont
Back in high school, a friend of mine worked at a Washington, D.C., beverage emporium called Georgetown Coffee and Tea.
Smart aleck that he was, he’d respond to customers who asked if the shop carried coffee by proclaiming, “Why, that’s our middle name!” For those who asked if he had tea, he’d turn around and feign surprise at a conspicuous stack of the beverage.
Despite my friend’s inherent snideness, I’ll admit I appreciate a business with a name that unambiguously identifies what it offers. Such is the case with Longmont’s to-the-point Santa Fe Coffee & Burrito Co. This welcoming breakfast and lunch spot features caffeine ranging from classic diner coffee to espresso drinks and hearty, New Mexico-influenced meals.
The cozy space, formerly occupied by Swanky Franks, is unpretentious and comfortable, and thankfully, the management has resisted the temptation to go overboard on clichéd Southwestern bric-a-brac. Friends Maureen, Cynthia, Doug and I recently piled into a comfortable upholstered booth underneath tasteful photographs for breakfast. The gentlemanly proprietor promptly filled our mugs with old-school Farmers Brothers coffee. Due to his attentive yet unobtrusive service, he never let me see the bottom of my cup during the meal.
Doug ordered up the Santa Fe skillet, an $8.25 blend of bacon, chorizo, potato, bell pepper and onion. Generously proportioned and presented piping hot, as any self-respecting skillet should be, this breakfast’s ingredients, including eggs, were all perfectly prepared, no mean feat given the differing cooking times of each element.
Cynthia’s $8.25 breakfast burrito arrived freighted with chorizo. More than enough for two meals, there was plenty of sausage, and it wasn’t the grease sink that one would expect it to be. Like the skillet, the eggs, tortilla and high-quality meat were balanced in terms of taste, although the texture was a touch dry.
Maureen enjoyed her $7.25 Huevos Rancheros, topped with a not-too-spicy green chile that tasted as if it had been enriched by chicken broth. Regardless of the ingredient composition, this Southwest gravy was one of the smoother and more flavorful versions I’ve had in recent memory. Equally laudable were the home fries, which Maureen dubbed the genuine article. Indeed, these spuds lived up to the ideal described by iconoclastic food writer John Thorne in his book Serious Pig. Golden crisp on the outside, these potatoes conveyed buttery flavor and darn near fluffy insides.
My selection of the $7.50 enchilada and eggs was an exercise in unfussy balance. The tangy red ranchera sauce served as a mellowing influence on the compelling richness of the cheesy enchiladas. Attention to detail was also evident in the preparation of the eggs, which I had ordered sunny side up. Sides of Spanish rice and smooth, not-too-salty refried beans rounded out this dish.
My only service quibble arose when I went to pay the tab at the register, and noticed a board listing the day’s specials. We hadn’t been informed by the staff of these selections, which included a chicken-fried steak sauced with both gravy and green chile. In retrospect, that was probably just as well, since I was likely better off having something healthier than fried beef. That concern aside, this eatery certainly lives up to the promise of its name, and delivers on both the bottomless coffee and lip-smacking, reasonably priced Southwestern fare.
Chinese-American standbys
I’ve finally taken a “If you can’t beat, join ‘em” tack to my critical assessment of local Chinese restaurants. No longer do I hold Boulder eateries to the same standard of the Bay Area joints of my youth. Why? Because for the most part, establishments around here are not, strictly speaking, Chinese restaurants. They are Chinese-American restaurants featuring standbys like sesame chicken and sweet and sour pork versus more authentico selections like braised duck feet and ground pork with salted fish.
If I had ordered a Chicago hot dog in a Chinese restaurant growing up, my mom would have looked askance at me the same as if I had ordered sesame chicken. But now, I understand this poultry dish is an entirely proper choice for a Chinese-American venue. Moreover, I’ve come to expect it’ll arrive in a lunch combo with fried rice, egg roll and a cream cheese-filled wonton, especially appropriate given the lactose intolerance common among Asians.
Fan’s Chinese Cuisine, situated in a Niwot strip mall near a sheriff ’s office substation, does in fact offer the above mentioned archetypical special. It also serves up dishes free of MSG, as well as gluten-free choices.
Outside of that, the lunch bill of fare is a Chinese-American hall of fame, spotlighting such chestnuts as chow mein, Szechuan beef and vegetarian Buddha’s Delight.
The first thing that struck pal Keith and I upon entering was our server’s friendly greeting. She quickly presented us with menus and asked if we wanted soup. The second thing that struck me was something more intangible, which was a very specific vibe I got from the stark but welcoming décor. While the furnishings weren’t ornate or brand new, they were clean, and someone had obviously taken good care of them. Then it struck me, this was the same minimalist ambience of the restaurants of my childhood.
Soup is free for those dining in, and Keith’s wonton soup had true dumplings instead of just wrappers and a pleasant broth that wasn’t too salty. The hot and sour was a balanced affair, with pepper and vinegar playing well with one another.
Keith’s $6.95 Mongolian beef highlighted a nicely stir-fried complement of pepper and onion, and the flavorful meat had just the right measure of peppery seasoning. Both the egg roll and cream cheese wonton that came with lunch appeared to have come straight out of the fryer, each with correctly crisp texture and piping hot fillings.
I enjoyed my $7.95 Grand Marnier shrimp, although it would have been better if it hadn’t cooled off before arriving at the table. Otherwise, the seafood was surprisingly fresh-tasting given the price, and the steamed rather than fried preparation made for a healthier dish. Plenty of pineapple and crisp-tender broccoli rounded out the plate, and complemented the citrusy creaminess of the subtle liqueur-based sauce.
My main takeaway regarding Fan’s is that I got exactly what I wanted and expected. And while that may sound like faint praise, it’s not, because the strength of this type of restaurant lies in its consistency and value. You don’t come to a place like this for foodie flourishes and pretense. Additionally, the friendly service — more expensive local restaurants would be hard-pressed to compete — and nostalgic ambience will likely lead to return visits on my part.
Al fresco at Zucca
Located smack dab in the middle of downtown Louisville, Zucca Italian Ristorante boasts an inviting ambience balancing the rustic with a subtle but unmistakable European flair. The same can also be said of the menu, which ranges from old standbys like comforting spaghetti and meatballs to more elevated selections like seafood cannelloni and rack of lamb.
Besides the three Ps of panini (available at lunch), pasta and pizza, Zucca also boasts an entrée selection that includes grilled steak, vegetarian polenta with Parmesan-crusted zucchini and grilled trout. For salads, there’s the de rigueur green and Caesar versions, as well as main course preparations showcasing beef and gorgonzola or walnut-crusted trout.
Pal Ann and I made the most of a sunny lunch opportunity, opting for al fresco dining that would hopefully accompany al dente pasta. When our hospitable server brought out our $7 fried calamari starter, we were struck by this dish’s unexpected eye appeal. Bits of tomato, pickled peppers and a sprinkling of white balsamic made for a more compelling garnish than tired marinara sauce. Additionally, the seafood’s cooking time was optimal, making for a not-at-all rubbery, tender consistency.
A mouthful of spring (but not the “Spring Surprise” from Monty Python’s Crunchy Frog Chocolate skit) best describes the $9 arugula salad, which also featured radicchio, hazelnuts, Fuji apple and gorgonzola. This harmonious dish allowed for each ingredient’s strong suits to shine. For example, the arugula’s earthy pepper tones made for an intriguing contrast against the sweet/tart qualities of the thinly sliced and crisp fruit.
Ann swapped out the Cavatappi corkscrew pasta in her $11 sausage, mushroom and mozzarella entrée in favor of glutenfree corn penne noodle. The golden color of the pasta, contrasting against the bright tones of a tomato cream sauce, made for a food photographer’s dream. These noodles carried a pleasing al dente texture that nearly equaled its wheat counterpart, and it’s to Zucca’s credit there was not an upcharge for this change. Hearty flavor reminiscent of an accomplished homemade preparation characterized the sauce. This dish was a solid choice, although the simple addition of more fresh herbs or crushed red pepper would make the flavors pop even more.
A tender $13 helping of delicately flavored pancetta-wrapped chicken breast arrived atop rice-like orzo pasta cooked perfectly al dente. A combination of ricotta and gorgonzola left an overall creamy impression that was balanced out by the mild earthiness of ten der local pea shoots from the owners’ Three Leaf farms. As was the case with Ann’s pasta, I could sense that the cooks knew what they were doing; I just wanted a little something more in terms of unique seasonings to elevate the dish from well-executed to memorable.
The preparations at Zucca are all more than competent, although a bolder hand with the seasonings in some of the dishes would easily take things to the next level. The surprisingly peppy calamari began with a foundation of good technique, and took things further with vibrant presentation and unexpected but effective flavors. A similar approach to the other dishes would make this eatery a true standout — I suspect ingredients from the farm will help. That said, if you’re looking for Italian fare with an emphasis on fresh flavors that’s more sophisticated than a red-sauce-and-checkered-tablecloth joint, this eatery will satisfy.
A distinctive Indian lunch buffet
For those old enough, you may remember 1985 as a dark time, mostly because that’s when McDonald’s launched the McDLT. In today’s recycling-conscious age, the McDLT probably wouldn’t exist. For those of you unfamiliar with this environmental atrocity, this was a burger adorned with lettuce and tomato that came in a double-chambered Styrofoam container. The purpose of this excessive packaging was explained by the voiceovers in the TV ads as, “You get a hot side hot, you get a cool side cool.” What this meant is the hot burger and half a bun were confined to one chamber, while the other held cool lettuce tomato, cheese and the other half bun.
I’ll reluctantly admit there was some wisdom underlying this isolation of temperatures and textures. One problem (of many) associated with McDonald’s burgers is they are often an amorphous mass, where meat, bun, cheese and toppings all blend together in an indistinguishable blob. The McDLT recognized this fault, and took steps to address the nearly unavoidable pitfalls of serving something prepared and held well in advance of consumption.
Beef certainly isn’t on the menu at Jai Ho, the 28th Street spinoff of a popular Aurora Indian eatery. On a recent excursion to sample their $9.99 lunch buffet, it was evident to friend Michael and I that the kitchen handily understands how to preserve distinct flavors and textures. That’s no small feat in a buffet setting, and they didn’t even have to resort to Styrofoam packaging to accomplish this.
Our first clue regarding Jai Ho’s flavor expertise came in the form of the $3.50 mango lassi. Most of these yogurt-based drinks are tooth-achingly sweet, but here the sugar was tempered by salt, an ingredient found in non-fruited versions of this beverage. This addition helped complement the subtle sweetness in the same way that salt enhances caramel as well as giving the drink an air of authenticity.
The creamy greens in the saag were also noteworthy for retaining a welcome hint of crispness, as opposed to the unappealingly mushy veggies found elsewhere. Michael was particularly enamored with this meatless option, deeming it “out of this world.” Another winner was the dosa, the crispy crepe with a hint of sourdough tang, here augmented with a tender vegetable filling. It’s worth noting this compelling choice wasn’t available at the buffet line, but was a freshly made preparation that our server automatically brought to our table.
But probably the best evidence of the distinct tastes on tap comes from comparing the Vindaloo and the Tikka Masala. Both are stew-like chicken dishes, perfect with rice, but they couldn’t be more different regarding spicing. The masala here was classic subcontinental-inspired comfort food, a mild tomato-based curry with the velvety suaveness of its cousin, butter chicken. The Vindaloo ably lived up to its piquant reputation with plenty of hot red chile, although not enough to obscure the taste of tender poultry.
Although it took a while to get our check, presenting a potential issue for those on tight lunch schedules, the food here makes for one of the better Indian buffets. I would have happily paid the full price of the lunch for a serving of either the punchy Vindaloo or smooth Tikka Masala with rice, and I am likely to return.
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