But I'm not sure why, when Herald nightlife columnist Lesley Abravanel asked to change a $100 bill so she could leave a tip, three different managers held it up to the light in turn, first at the table, then at the sushi bar, and then in the open kitchen, all in full view of other customers, to see if it was counterfeit. Or why she had been told by her waitress, when she requested some rice, that she didn't need it because her meal was "filling enough." Or why said rice was pasted to one side of the bowl as if the dish itself had been used for a scoop. And certainly there's no excuse for the ladies bathroom. Until you have to hit the john, which admittedly might never happen since camels have easier access to water than the clientele does here, you'd never recognize this good-looking spot, designed by Patrick Kennedy, as the former Rose's. But recognition might dawn if you require privacy for your bodily functions -- two out of three stall doors don't close, thanks to malfunctioning hardware. With all the money spent on the refurbishment of the interior, you'd think a couple of bucks could have been spared for new locks. Which of course begs the question: What other details will the management of Origin let slide?
Labor Day, that fashionable couture mile marker, has come and gone, but that no longer means you can't wear white -- especially if you live in the subtropics. You might choose to leave the whites behind on November 16, however. That's when the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Rd., Delray Beach; 561-495-0233, ext. 210) will be hosting the annual 101 Zinfandels event, co-sponsored by the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) and Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP). From 4:00 till 8:00 p.m., 50 wineries will be pouring approximately 166 zinfandels -- not the sugary pink stuff (white zinfandel), but the spicy red domestic varietal that is becoming increasingly popular as a great food wine. Just to prove its case, 30 Florida restaurants, from the Keys all the way up to Orlando, will also be presenting pairings. If you're not yet convinced that the $60 advance-ticket fee ($75 at the door) is worth it, be advised that Crown Wine & Spirits will be taking orders at the event for the vintages at a reduced price, making it that much more tempting to play 101 Zinfandels by the numbers. And if you prefer a more intimate experience, you can party with the principals from 20 wineries the night before at the "Meet the Winemakers Dinner," to be held at the Marriott Delray Beach. Ortanique on the Mile's Cindy Hutson will be pairing with Ryan Swarthout, executive chef of the JUST Inn Restaurant in Paso Robles, California, to create the comestibles. At press time, ticket info wasn't available, so hey, do your own research and monitor the Website (www.101www.zinfandels.com). What am I, your slave?
Also via the grapevine: Vine. This New York restaurant is known for many things: its location across the street from the New York Stock Exchange; its private dining room established inside an historic bank vault; its more than 2000-bottle wine cellar that comprises 130 varietals. And soon it will be known for one more thing -- its sister in South Beach. Headed by chef Ariane Duarte, Vine will debut in the Sanctuary Hotel, a new boutique property on James Avenue across the street from Casa Tua. If the former's success is anywhere close to the latter's, this is going to be the most coveted block of real estate on the beach. My advice is the same as it is for good wine: Buy now. Enjoy later.
