Anyone who idolizes you is going to hate you when he discovers that you are fallible. He never forgives. He has deceived himself, and he blames you for it.
About Arlene Wszalek
Elbert Hubbard on celebrity
Elbert Hubbard
The unattributed quotation to the right, engraved in the lobby of the Storyteller’s Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, has often caught my eye. After my most recent visit, my curiosity got the better of me, and I looked up the quotation’s provenance. It’s by Elbert Hubbard, described by Wikipeidia as “an American writer, publisher, artist, businessman, anarchist and libertarian socialist philosopher.” He was a proponent of the Arts & Crafts movement (a favorite of mine). He lived from 1856-1915; he and his wife, the author and suffragist Alice Moore Hubbard, died in the sinking of the Lusitania.
Several other wonderful quotes are also attributed to him. A few of my favorites are below. I wish I’d met him.
Genius is often only the power of making continuous efforts.
Anyone who idolizes you is going to hate you when he discovers that you are fallible. He never forgives. He has deceived himself, and he blames you for it.
The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.
The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.
I’m sufficiently intrigued to add some Hubbard works to my reading list. I’m hoping someone’s written a decent biography of him, as well.
Super-Tuscan Extravaganza
Last night I was priviliged to be among the guests invited to a spectacular wine tasting dinner. The meal, prepared by Chef Craig Strong (Executive Chef, Studio, Montage Laguna Beach), was paired with three decades of each of the four Super-Tuscan wines: Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Solaia, and Tignanello.
The dinner was donated by philanthropists Hal and Sharon Lampert as a live auction item at the Vintage Hollywood event, with the proceeds going to OPCC. The winning bidders were kind enough to include my husband and me on their guest list, and that’s how I came to be part of such an extraordinary evening.
To my surprise, I conistently favored the Ornellaia, even in a blind test (we weren’t told which wines were which for the pasta and lamb courses until after we’d tried them). Having said that, all the wines were absolutely spectacular, and the food was delectable from start to finish.
Here’s the menu:
Hors d’oeuvres
Mini Caprese
Saffron Arrancini
Country pate on crostini
Mini onion and carraway tart
Brandade croquette with basil aioli
Paired with: Krug Grand Cruvee NV
Tableside presentation of Japanese Hamachi
Himalayan pink salt with caviar lime dressing
Didier Dagueneau Silex 2004
Farm-raised rabbit in prosciutto
Tuscan white beans, tomato, fine herbs
Antinori Solaia 1988
Antinori Tignanello 1988
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 1988
Teunta dell’Ornellaia Ornellaia 1988
Hand Rolled Pasta with Wild Mushrooms
Fresh Australian black truffles, foie gras butter sauce
Antinori Solaia 1998
Antinori Tignanello 1998
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 1998
Teunta dell’Ornellaia Ornellaia 1998
Superior Farms Grilled Lamb
Fava beans, baby fennel, artichoke ragout, lamb jus
Antinori Solaia 2004
Antinori Tignanello 2004
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2004
Teunta dell’Ornellaia Ornellaia 2004
White Chocolate Amaretto Mousse
Apricot and lemon verbena ice cream
I Started Young
Evidently I was into media from a far earlier age than I remembered! This is from May ’63, when I was 18 months old.
Thanks to Toby Lowenfels for giving me the idea to add a grab of the TV Guide cover for those who are curious. It’s Amanda Shore, Lee J. Cobb and James Drury of The Virginian.
9 Things I Loved About Hotel Le Germain Toronto
Front entrance to Le Germain Toronto.
My husband and I recently stayed twice at the Hotel Le Germain Toronto. I chose the hotel because of its affiliation with Tablet Hotels. I’m a member of the fee-based Tablet Plus program, which provides upgrades and amenities at certain of their properties.
Le Germain is a 122-room boutique hotel; while part of a (small) premium hotel group, it doesn’t feel anything like a chain. The ambiance is more urban chic than brash bling.
Our experience at the hotel was delightful, and we wish we could have stayed longer. Here, in no particular order, are 9 things we absolutely loved:
- The staff were all friendly and courteous, and the valet remembered us from one stay to the next. Admittedly only two days separated our stays, but it was nice to be welcomed back in such a personal way.
- We were upgraded on both stays, thanks to the TabletPlus* program. The first time to a Deluxe Room, the second time to a Luxury Room. Both were fantastic. We were partial to the walk-in shower in the Deluxe and the in-room wine bar in the Luxury.
- We loved the fresh apples and drinking water available in each floor’s lobby.
- It’s worth staying there JUST for the showers. The hotel is in a converted warehouse, so each floor has very high ceilings. The showers feature rainfall shower heads, positioned at about 8 feet. Pair that up with the Aveda toiletries and you’ve got bliss.
Click through for a better view of the amazing shower.
- The location is superb (depending on the purpose of your visit, of course). TIFF Bell Lightbox on one side, Second City on the other, a block away from the Sky Dome and the CN Tower, in the heart of the entertainment district. While there we never needed our car.
- A memorable (and complimentary) breakfast buffet. Six kinds of organic granolas; fresh and dried fruit; yogurt; toast, croissants, bagels and pastries, breeakfast meats, fresh fruit juices, coffee (latte, etc.) to order, and more.
- Free wireless throughout the property. THANK YOU.
- Bathroom stocked with a premium blowdryer (not the kind attached to the wall) and makeup mirror, PLUS a 3-way vanity mirror. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about here.
- All the room lights (as well as the built-in reading lights) can be controlled from the bed. Nice touch.
*Further amenities we received each stay, thanks to Tablet Plus: a welcome snack and note, a round of drinks from the bar, and a $20 credit to the hotel’s restaurant, Victor. We didn’t get to eat there, sadly, but hope to do so next time.
We did make use of the (complimentary) gym. It’s small but has a fine selection of cardio and weight equipment befitting the hotel’s size. Meeting and private dining rooms are available. The the hotel is dog-friendly for those who travel with canine family members.
Note: No consideration was sought or received for this post. We paid for our hotel room both nights, and I’m a paying member of Tablet Plus.
We look forward to returning!
Hotel Le Germain
30 Mercer Street
Toronto, ON M5V 1H3, Canada
(416) 345-9500
http://www.germaintoronto.com/en/home
