As a lifelong New Yorker
there are very few things that can surprise you, especially in a positive way.
For someone like me who attends as many concerts, comedy shows, and plays as I
can, there are only a handful of venues that can contain the amount of people
that will want to come and also be someplace I will be willing to go. When you
also consider what tickets go for these days that may also throw a wrench into
my plans, though I have been known to overpay for shows and it stings if I am
disappointed. But if it is someone I really love I will go anywhere, any time.
Such is the case for someone familiar to anyone who has read this blog. I am of
course talking about the very talented singer, songwriter, and actor, Levi
Kreis.
When I found out Levi
would be back in New York City the week of Thanksgiving I considered it a
blessing. But as if that weren’t even enough, he would be performing as a new
venue I had been aching to check out, 54 Below. The location is exactly what it
sounds like. It is an underground club, adjacent to Studio 54, where all
Broadway stars and talented singers of any and every genre are performing.
However, 54 Below isn’t
exactly what it sounds like and I LOVE when I am surprised! Oh how it happens
so infrequently.
Once I arrived and figured
out how to get in (I have to admit that I had trouble opening the very obvious
red door), I climbed down the stairs to an entertainment paradise. I had 5:30
p.m. dinner reservation for the 7 p.m. show and I was the first guest to
arrive. I was treated so kindly by the staff and offered a seat while they were
still setting up before the doors opened. In that brief time I got the feel of
an intimate club with a close-knit workforce that was simultaneously hosting
some of the biggest names in show biz. For heavens sake Patti Lapone performed
when 54 Below opened its doors in June of this year.
As I sat there enjoying
the hustle of the place, I got a great surprise. I got to see Levi and his
partner walk in. Since I have had the pleasure to get to know Levi and his
music over the last two years, I have also had the privilege of supporting his
album and getting to know him personally. Getting to say a private hello and
catch up for a few minutes on this particular evening before his sound check
and performance made it all the more magical. I will hold those moments dear to
me forever.
Then the doors opened.
More and more guests were arriving. I was happy to be seated so close the
stage. I was even more excited to see the beautifully crafted water bottles on
the table. As a migraine patient I am on a strict regime of medication and you
would not believe me if I told you how many events, parties, or clubs that I
have gone to where water is the hardest commodity to come by. Right away 54
Below had won me over.
Next, as I sat there
taking in the gorgeous red décor that was somehow sexy, warm, and subtle all at
the same time, I couldn’t stop looking around. There were great big booths in
the back, small intimate tables, and even tables that were long and perfect for
bigger celebrations. The lights weren’t overwhelming and as the music played in
the background that too was appropriate for the space we were in. I told you as
a migraine patient light and sound are the first things we notice before we can
even begin to enjoy ourselves and this place beat any bar I could set. For a
good example we can turn to the menu.
Since I was there about
dinnertime that was what I was looking for. When I go to a place where there is
alcohol usually there is only bar food- a.k.a. greasy, salty, foods I usually
can’t have. Such was not the case. The chef here has an incredible menu of
which I cannot do justice here. Chef Andre trained at The French Culinary
Institute in New York. I was so excited I was almost afraid I would never
decide. But I ordered the first thing that jumped up at me and closed the menu.
I was too full for dessert, a thought now that makes me sad but I know I will
be back many, many more times and so I am comforted.
For my dinner, I had the
penne pasta with broccoli, sweet sausage, and ricotta salata. Ricotta salata is
my favorite kinds of cheese and I have never ever seen this on a menu so I was
dancing in my seat. When this plate came out, in what seemed to be a matter of
seconds, the site was breathtaking. I was eating a five star dinner and I
wasn’t paying five star prices, although I would have gladly. It stands as one
of my favorite meals of all time. Even the coffee was divine, another unusual
beverage for a performance venue but a delightful one for me. It too was
amazing.
I loved this combination
of fine dining and top-notch entertainment. That this has not existed before is
sad. But it has made me appreciate it all the more. Needles to say this is a
place I will be recommending to everyone and anyone I can, and I think a gift
card or a night out is the perfect gift this holiday season.
As for Levi, what can I
say? As I tweeted that night “Oh my man I love him so..” Watching him perform
live does something for my soul that I can’t describe. Even I forget just how
powerful it is until I see another show. I listen to all of his albums on my
iPod regularly, but I am sorry that does not compare to hearing it live. In
person his voice, piano playing skills, and charm is healing and revitalizing.
The timing of this post
reminds me of a special moment I shared with Levi last year. Last year as part
of his fundraising campaign for his new album, I was a contributor and as an
incentive I got a call from Levi on my birthday. But it wasn’t just any call
and it wasn’t just any birthday. It was my thirtieth birthday and Levi was
calling to wish me a happy birthday and sing my favorite song of his, “Gonna Be
Alright”. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. I have listened to
that message countless times during this year when I am in pain during a severe
migraine attack and needed help getting through. I listen when I need smile on
my face. I listen when I want to remember how lucky I am.
It is nights like this where
everything is “Just This Good”.
For more on why I love
Levi and you should too:
http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2011/03/for-those-who-need-to-know-its-gonna-be.html
For 54 Below:
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