I hadn’t planned on doing movie reviews but why not!!!!  I LOVED La La Land!  I’m a sucker for a good musical…I wish I could live in a Fred and Ginger movie!

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers…could watch their films every day!

The musicals of the 40’s and 50’s were pure magic…loved them all.  Is it all fantasy, absolutely, is there something wrong with that, I think not!  At this time in our world, we need a bit of escapism and something that takes us away…this movie does just that and more.  While I’m sure you have seen the film, let me give you my thoughts on it.

Doesn’t everyone love a romance, I certainly do.  The story is pretty routine, girl meets boy (actually quite often, in different places), they connect via a wonderful dance number and go from there.  Pretty much what you would expect, what I didn’t expect was how good these two are, especially Ryan Gosling (of course, Emma Stone is superb). I couldn’t believe that he hadn’t been playing jazz his entire life…that he learned piano and jazz, no less, for the film is extraordinary. He is a natural dancer and I love to watch a good dancer (would rather be dancing with them but that’s another story!). Breaking into any industry when it is your passion isn’t an easy time but show business is probably one of the most competitive and one that gets a grip on the individual like no other profession (except maybe sports) and this is the story of that passion and drive for both our leads and what they have to do to make it, together and alone. I did love that the story of the working girl is updated to the 21st Century with our wanna be star as a barista, how 2017! Where this takes them is their story and we definitely want them to succeed.  It is charming and, to me a poignant story, one full of hope, desire, and lots and lots of wonderful music!  Go see it you won’t be disappointed!

I have always loved jazz and spent many an evening at the London House listening to George Sherling, and others, and Mister Kelly’s with all the great name jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and, of course, later as mentioned in my profile of Shelley MacArthur, the Gold Sardine Bar. Why are these places gone and where is a good cabaret in Chicago…someone, anyone!!!!  In New York, I never missed (or miss) an opportunity to go to the Café Carlyle and listen to whatever act was playing there, especially Bobby Short (perhaps not jazz, but always loved to hear him play!)

It’s Wednesday so I must close with a recipe…in case you need reminding next week is Valentine’s Day!  Here is my very special, very decadent, chocolate dessert, I don’t share this with anyone but here you are…..you won’t be disappointed….MAKE IT!  Serve with another bottle of champagne, a good one, it is Valentine’s Day after all, splurge!

NENA’S FRENCH CHOCOLATE CUPS

l box semi-sweet chocolate

2 egg yolks

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup heavy cream (plus more for topping)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Eatable candied violets or candied rose petals

Stir chocolate over hot water until melted. Beat egg yolks with warm water, slowly blend into chocolate.  Remove from heat and chill for about 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, whip the cream with the powdered sugar and cinnamon (remember to always put bowl and beaters in the freezer before whipping cream).  Fold cream into chocolate mixture and spoon into 6 individual pot de creme cups or small ramekins.  Chill until ready to serve.  Garnish with a dollop of addition sweetened whipping cream and place candied violets or roses.  Makes 6 servings.  Keeps for a few days in the refrigerator.

Handpainted Limoges pot de creme cups…they have a matching tray, have had them for years and also have a set of Limoges with handpainted lily of the valley (a major collection/passion!)