For your daily cute fix, here is Mei Lan, the newest addition to the Zoo Atlanta family of Pandas. Sam and I headed over there last weekend for some quality time, and stood in line to patiendly wait our turn for 15 minutes of watching the mom and daughter sleep. The little one did roll over at one point, hence this photo. I hope to get more opportunities in the coming months.
So what was by all accounts the best Japanese chef in Atlanta has resurfaced in New York City with the opening of his restaurant Soto later this week at 357 Sixth Ave. Chef Sotohiro Kosugi came to Atlanta from Japan to lead the cuisine at a now-defunct Japanese hotel where the Hyatt Buckhead now stands, and moved his show across the street next to Disco Kroger in an unassuming strip mall when the hotel changed hands. Now comes the news that Soto has landed in another sushi-hungry town where the competition is fierce among the two-syllable sushi destinations (Masa, anyone?). Anyway, I was always blown away by Soto before he closed the first time, and hope to visit on some future trip to NYC. New York Magazine reports that Architect Hiro Tsuruta, known for his sleekly minimalist designs of ChikaLicious and Momofuku Noodle Bar is behind the design of his new digs – a far cry from the strip mall from whence he comes.
Our neighbor’s cute-as-a-button daughter celebrated her first birthday in style this weekend. The kids had an absolute blast, including beating on the most durable pinata I’ve ever seen. That monster took at least 50 hits before giving up the goods. Click here for more photos from the party.
Echostar held the 6th Annual Interactive TV Awards last week in Englewood, Colorado, and my project CNN Enhanced (nominated previously for two Emmys) won for ‘Best ITV News Program.’ Echostar – which runs the DISH Network service – offers over 40 virtual and enhanced channels, including entertainment, news, shopping, sports, user support and games.