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Full Access NYC

Borough by borough, day after day, seeking the little details that make NYC great.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Green Peppercorn Sauce

Classic steak Diane is served with a sauce of sautéed and cooked-down onions, garlic, whiskey, stock, cream, and crushed green peppercorns. Unlike black peppercorns, the green ones have a bright fruitiness to them. I love the same sauce on pork. I brine the tenderloin first to keep it juicy and then grill it whole. The grilling only takes about 10 minutes, and while the meat’s resting, you make the sauce.

Pkhali: Georgian Vegetarian Spinach Dip

The diverse cultural influences reflected in food and restaurants across the city are astounding.  Taking weekend trips to deeper parts of Brooklyn and Queens pays dividends to the traveler willing to sit on the N train for an extra 20 minutes.  Included below is an example of one of the great dishes available when you are in the city.

Saint Anthony’s Chapel: The Life’s Work of Father Suitbert Godfrey Mollinger

So many of us think we know Pittsburgh?  We know its historical reputation as the steelmaking mecca that helped build America, and all of us know Pittsburgh as the city of champions with our great sports teams.  Yet, the city has treasures that are lost to the average citizen.  There are secreted places known around the world and yet few Pittsburghers have ever heard of them.

The Nashville Farmers’ Market

The Nashville Farmers’ Market is a melting pot of shops, restaurants, and merchants that offer local and international food and crafts. Open every day of the year, NFM is perfect for taking a quick lunch break or spending the afternoon touring the historic area. One of the many Rent-A-Bike stations throughout the city is outside the market, and a great option for those that want to expand their exploration of Nashville.

Elizabeth Raymer Griffin’s Studio

Elizabeth Raymer Griffin doesn’t usually let other people into her studio. It’s her workspace, her secret hideout, a virtual reproduction of her college studio apartment. But I’m lucky, because Liz is my friend, so when I ask if I can profile her, she just says “Yes, ma’am!” and invites me right over to her Braddock Avenue studio “for visuals” even though I know that she’ll only look at the pictures I take of her through her fingers.

Yes, that’s right, my friend the self-portraitist hates being photographed.

Randyland in Pittsburgh: This isn’t Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, or CandyLand

Welcome to RANDYLAND, a place nestled in the depths of the residential North Shore of Pittsburgh in the midst of the famed Mexican War Streets.  The North Shore?  I know it as the North Side and to most Pittsburghers what else could it be.  After all, Three Rivers Stadium once stood here and its memory shimmers in pure glory. 

Major Ink in Atlanta

In a world of tattoos, you have a steady flow of ink, and a plethora of designs from which to choose.  Atlanta gives you a wide horizon of talented artists who showcase and brand their work in the most well known tattoo studios! Take a peek at a few suggested studios to visit if you’re thinking of adding a little art to your body.

Siblings Breaking Out with Musical and Artistic Talent

Typically in any family there is sibling rivalry at every turn but sometimes something magical happens. This would be the case with sisters Charlene and Liann Kaye who combined their talents for a lethal recipe. Charlene had the musical bug at a young age as Liann was touched by the angel of art. Their first attempt at meshing their work was when Charlene was jamming with local bands in Michigan. Liann, in her sophomore year took up a film class and gained some key pointers.

Michael McGovern in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, a city at once enigmatic, bold, beautiful and filled with promise.  So many of her sons and daughters have gone on to achieve fame and fortune.  Her children have had tremendous impact upon American culture.  Many of these stories we know, and still others have yet to be written, and still more have yet to unfold.  That being said, I wanted to introduce many of you to the unfolding tale of the local talent, Michael McGovern. 

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