Love: Gilda is one of my all-time favorite movies. Set in Buenos Aires, it tells the story of a love-hate triangle between Rita Hayworth, her former lover Glen Ford, and her current husband (and Ford's boss), played by George Macready. The snappy dialogue is innuendo laden to the hilt, Hayworth is amazing (as are her dresses), and the tension between the men is fascinating - there's a subtle homoerotic undercurrent that's perhaps surprising for a 1946 film. A pivotal scene takes place at a New Year's Eve party at Macready's casino, making it a good choice for anyone who wants to ring in 2011 with some celluloid.
Like: Gougeres, the classic cheesy French pastry puffs. They're easy to make (I like the Silver Palate version)and are a good addition to a New Year's Eve cocktail spread as they go nicely with champagne.
Discovery: When I first saw that a restaurant had opened in Berkeley called Gather, I rolled my eyes. That name! So the irritating side of NPR! But after reading and hearing many good things, we finally tried it. Gather prepares a daily "Vegan Charcuterie" that's a revelation. The contents of the board change all the time, but each is close-your-eyes-and-sigh delectable (this, coming from an avowed non-vegetarian.) If you have a New Year's resolution to follow Michael Pollan's edict of "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants," Gather's vegetables make it a pleasure to keep it.
Obsession: Flutes may be better for the bubbles, but after watching Boardwalk Empire, I've fancied champagne coupes or saucers instead. They just look more glamorous and have that vintage thing going on. (Gilda toasts with them too.) Some co-workers and I had a Yankee Swap holiday dinner and I was able to snag some, but I'm now also checking out eBay regularly for a larger set.
Complaints: I'm a pretty good cook, but this past week had a major dump-everything-down-the-disposal disaster attempting Dorie Greenspan's seemingly simple chocolate mousse recipe. So in addition to eating healthy, exercising and all that good stuff, one of my New Year's resolutions is to nail this dessert.
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