My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

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Hello all of my lovely semi constant readers! As a special Christmas present from me to you, I have added a bonus blog just for you! So sit back , put another log on the fire. Also be sure to listen to Priscilla Barnes' new podcast " BarneStorming" on http://radiotitans.com. It is fantastic, interesting and a great listen. Please check it out🎁

1) Irving Berlin'sWhite Christmas The Musical , showing at Golden Gate Theatre is one of the highlights of the holiday season. Featuring all the beautiful songs you know and love with lots of dancing and singing in the old Hollywood tradition. The cast was energetic and very talented but every time Lorna Luft appeared on stage the real old Hollywood Magic happened. Lorna was a joy to meet and very gracious. The perfectly wrapped Christmas gift for anyone you love.

2) One of my favorite all time things to do is get on Hulu and check out all the Holiday classics from The Brady Bunch, Family Guy and SNL. Don't forget to look for Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special on Netflix. Grace Jones......enough said. 

3) No Christmas is complete for me without The Cliff House. Sitting atop a cliff jutting out over the beautiful Pacific Ocean in San Francisco, it remains a local favorite romantic spot no matter the weather. Full sweeping views of Seal Rock and the old Sutro Baths while enjoying a lovely Christmas Dinner and a bubbly glass of chilled Champagne in this historic place. The view is ever changing- you might get frolicking seals, enthusiastic surfers and if you are lucky rumor has it there is a family of dolphins that have been spotted occasionally.

4) Finn Town the new Castro eatery from Chef Ryan Scott is a joy to discover . A nice clubby feel and that magic sensation of this place having always been here. Excellent dishes like the Cornflake Crusted Sandwich on a homemade Brioche bun, and the made -to -order Pecan Madeleines are standouts. The fanciful handcrafted cocktails are a hit and a must mention are the Fanny Farmer rolls with bacon butter.

5) A new holiday tradition is a little known Preston Sturges film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray with a holiday twist called "Remember The Night" The snappy dialogue and chemistry between the two stars is unforgettable.

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But my favorite Christmas present is my husband's famous Chicken Verde Enchiladas and mini Cranberry Margaritas. The perfect Yuletide dish so warm and hearty!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Season's Greetings to all of my semi constant readers.  Christmas is fast approaching and I wanted to share some of my favorite things. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and see you in 2017.

1) I spent a magical night with my husband at Feinstein's At The Nikko catching the  Jane Lynch  Christmas show with special guests Kate Flannery and Tim Davis and The Tony Guerrero Quintet . This was easily the best show I have ever seen at Feinstein's. They performed seclections from my favorite Christmas Album " A Swingin Little Christmas ". The harmony between Kate, Tim and Jane was thrilling on Coventry Carol and Sentimental Christmas. Kate was my favorite, with amazing comedic timing and great vocal chops she steals the show. Special thanks to Jordan Perlman from Feinstein's for his great customer service.

2) A special Christmas treat can be found at b. patisserie in San Francisco The seasonal Koign Amanns a must  have. My favorite is the Pecan Kouign Amann with a delicious flakey sugary crust and crunchy pecan filling. 

3) Our Christmas Eve is never complete without two movie classics " A Diva's Christmas Carol" featuring the delightful nasty Scrooge Vanessa Williams, Kathy Griffin, Chilli from TLC. This is hilarious with 80's flashbacks and perfect 80's music. Vanessa chews up scenery as Ebony Scrooge. "Meet Me In St. Louis " is the perfect holiday movie featuring Vincente Minnelli directing Judy Garland in one of her best roles ever. As Tootie, Margaret O'Brien steals every scene she is in. My favorite Christmas Song of all time sung by Judy " Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas " is the best kind of holiday song - Wistful and a little nostalgic.

4) Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy in Katya's Holiday Spectacular at Oasis SF was an unexpected treat featuring her special "Popera" style of music. Carol of The Bells was hilarious and beautiful with a box full bells and her special elves.

5) My last offering is my new holiday crated cocktail " Cranberry Mint Sparkle. One part Smirnoff Peppermint Twist Vodka , three parts  Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka mix with Diet  Oceanspray Cranberry Juice , squeezed Lime Juice and top with Diet  Cranberry Sprite. Garnish with limes and cranberries and a sprig of mint. For even more flair I make ice cube stars with cranberries and mint embedded in them.

BarneStorming with Priscilla Barnes is streaming now on #RadioTitans

BarneStorming with Priscilla Barnes is up and streaming on RadioTitans.com. Please go to this link to listen to Priscilla's first podcast show: http://radiotitans.com/Barnestorming/mainmenu.html#
Her first guest will be #ShawnSchepps from "The Terminator", "Racing With The Moon", and "Golden Girls". Shawn also wrote "Encino Man", "Son-in-Law" and "Drumline".
If you would like to be on Priscilla's fan page, please go to:
https://www.facebook.com/PriscillaOnTV/
and then go to http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0055733/
to learn more about her career in TV and Movies.

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

It has been a whirlwind of a month. So many activities and shows to watch. I am very excited about Priscilla Barnes' new podcast on RadioTitans.com called Barnestorming. There will be some great guests coming up. And now for my top five.

1) I just went to a B52's Tribute at Oasis SF produced by Heklina with special guest star The amazing Cindy Wilson. A great line-up of acts with Cindy perched in a chair sipping a glass of Champagne and clearly enjoying the antics of the performers. She performed "She Brakes For Rainbows." A personal favorite of mine, so great to see how much she enjoyed donning one of her eponymous Beehives. I also went to see her two nights later sans wig sporting a short sassy do and performing songs from her new solo EP Sunrise with 5 songs, three of them covers. She was in amazing vocal form with a new trancey sound.

2) I am very excited to announce that Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour concert has been released on Showtime. And it is spectacular!! She is truely iconic and this showcases all the best qualities that make her concerts such an event. The cinematic sweep is thrilling to watch as she works the crowd into a frenzy while performing revamped versions of her hits and new cuts from the Rebel Heart album. A personal favorite was her version of "La Vie En Rose". 

3)  One of the best Lobster Corn Chowders I ever had was at New England Lobster Company in Burlingame CA. Buttery and creamy with succulent chunks of Lobster. Everything is fresh and flown in daily and the Lobster Roll is as tasty as anything I have ever had.

4) Gilmore Girls A year In The Life. Set a decade after the series wrapped, it follows Rory and Lorelei throughout four seasons of a year. At times , very emotional and hilarious with the familiar rat tat tat snappy dialogue we know and love. Look for cameos from Parenthood and the now famous 4 last words. I loved it all but could really use some more Star's Hollow right now - maybe one more year?

5) My favorite train wreck reality show is Mariah's World. It follows her Sweet Fantasy touring an 8 part series. Something is really wrong when Mariah is portrayed as the least Diva in the cast. Fights breakout between dancers and back up singers while Momma Mariah soothes damaged egos. Hilariously inept assistant  Molly and Stella the Diva manager are standouts. Seeing Mariah in a bustier and heels lying on a chaise lounge talking to her children is great little nugget. I love it.

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Happy holidays to all of my semi-constant readers. This is a season of joy for many reasons . Great food, Christmas specials and a great holiday album. Here are some of my favs. 

1) I was recently at an Andy Cohen interview and book signing at The Castro Theater. He was a very entertaining and charming interview sipping tequila while promoting his new book"Superficial". I am very excited to read this over the holidays.

2)  My newest binge watch this season is "Search Party" with a wonderful cast featuring Alia Shawkat and a hilarious group of self absorbed twenty-somethings trying to solve a mysterious disappearance of a former classmate. Many great cameos like Christine Ebersole, Rosie Perez and Parker Posey round a comic ensemble.

3)  A Pentatonix Christmas featuring cool classics like White Christmas, Up on The Housetop and Hallelujah is a must buy this season to brighten up any festive occasion.

4) One non holiday standout is The Weeknd's new release " Starboy" . A double album full of hits with collaborations with Daft Punk. I feel it Coming and the title track Starboy are sure to be big hits and there is a wide range of sound and style reminiscent of Michael Jackson.

5) Hairspray Live An all star cast featuring Sean Hayes, Harvey Fierstein, Kristin Chenoweth and newcomer Maddie Baillio. Bright vivid sets and the music we know and love make this the best addition to the growing number of live musicals on tv.

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

This week is a double header. A recent trip to Amsterdam has inspired me as always as I have a true love for this amazing city and have been visiting for almost 20 years.

1) My love for the canals knows no bounds and a canal boat excursion is even great in the rainy November weather. The beautiful Hermitage Museum Amsterdam is located in the old Amstelhof built in1683 on the banks of The Amstel River. We checked out the latest exhibit on Catherine The Great "Self Polished Diamond " Do not miss this. The audio tour with the beautiful cameos and jewelry she so lovingly collected.

2) One of the newest additions to the skyline is the modern A'DAM  building with a revolving bar and restaurant called Moon and Europe's highest swing Over The Edge lets you swing out high above The Amstel River.

3) Christmas time in the city is a joy to behold with all the delish speculaas cookies and hot cappuccinos. Shop til you drop but save a bit of an appetite for The Vlaamse frites at the well known Manneken Pis. Share any size a you will be treated to the buttery crunchy goodness with your choice of sauces. I prefer a War Sauce or a Curry and Peanut Sauce. Enjoy!!

4) When you are craving a beer, head to some of my favorite Dutch bars. Mixed crowds of Gay and Straight mingle at Barderij and 'T Mandje. Mostly locals with lots of history. sing, dance,drink beer and enjoy the moment.

5) A wonderful way to wrap up an evening of shopping in The Kalverstraat is a dinner at Humphrey's. A three course pre fixe meal of fine European fare in this rustic chandelier'ed establishment will make you want to come back and visit Amsterdam again and again.