Movies and a Drink

I went to see the film Pina about the life and dance of Pina Bausch. Truthfully I must admit that I had never heard of Pina, although I am a fan of modern dance. The film is in 3D, playing at the new Lincoln Center Film Society. It was a beautiful film done by Wim Wenders, who also did the Buena Vista Social Club.

It is an homage to Bausch, who unfortunately died of cancer just two days before shooting was scheduled to begin on the film. It’s really though a film about dance and the 3-D makes the dancers come alive.

I saw it at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center, which I had not been to before. It just opened over the summer. I’m a big fan of the Film Society, but the Walter Reade theater (which is still around by the way)  is kind of tucked away upstairs above Alice Tully Hall.

Now, it has its own beautiful building with several theaters and a very nice café.

They are showing the usual film festivals and specials, but then they are also showing new films like Pina and Coreolanus which is opening today directed by Ralph Fiennes. The café is the Indie Food and Wine. Created by the guy who owns the ino restaurants (‘inoteca cucina, ‘inoteca e liquori bar) etc. It’s a cozy place with communal tables and bar area. They are serving wine, although for some reason when we were there it wasn’t available.

Also, good snacks including truffle popcorn.

It was freezing cold the other night and I was near Gramercy Park looking for a place to have an after dinner drink with friends.

We ended up at the Gramercy Park hotel. At first I was going to go into the restaurant Mailonio, which has a very nice bar area, but we decided to try the Rose Bar across the hall.

I forgot what a perfect place it is for a  winter drink. There is a huge roaring fire in a larger than life fireplace. Cozy candlelight and a billiard table.

Supposedly, you need a reservation to snag even a small table, but on a Wednesday night around 9:30, we waltzed right in and sat ourselves down right next to the fireplace. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to order a Scotch or a Cognac—which will set you back at least $20 for a glass!

The bar menu goes until 8:30 and then doesn’t start until 11, so don’t go expecting food. But the music is great and the crowd is beautiful and it’s a cozy atmosphere.