Anthology

An Interview with Sheldon Reynolds of Earth, Wind & Fire

by: Casey Pukl

I have a feeling that Sheldon Reynolds is going to be one of my favorite people of 2012. I know that’s a bold call to make 6 days in, but I have a feeling you all might get on board following this interview. Best known for his time with The Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire, there’s so much inspiration behind this world class guitarist and songwriter that it’s hard not to be charmed by his positive attitude and fascination with the universe. This Rock & Roll and Songwriting Hall of Fame inductee is more than his impressive collection of hits. Did you know that he’s now a contributing editor for Astronomy Magazine? How about that  he and his wife are working on a series of inspirational books? There’a a lot about Sheldon Reynolds that I didn’t know, and I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did.

CP: What have you been up to lately?

SR: I’ve been doing a lot of production work, and trying to prepare for a hopefully great year with Elements of Fire playing a lot more gigs. So, we’ve been in the studio doing stuff with other artists and stuff like that. I just wrote a song that just came out a couple weeks ago for Ron Tyson who was a long time member of The Temptations, and it’s called “My Sweet Lady”. Other than that, I’m just trying to keep busy in this crazy economy, man.

CP: I hear you on that. I’m sure the economy and technology have really changed the way that you’re doing business these days, right?  Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Meshell Ndegeocello

by: Casey Pukl

Fearless. That’s the only word that comes to mind when thinking of Meshell Ndegeocello. There are few musicians out there that I perceive as truly being fearless. Ndegeocello is one of them. She’s unapologetic, honest, raw, and a damn good bass player and songwriter. It’s hard to listen to her and not feel like she knows you and you know her. From her early days of playing with David Bowie, Madonna, and John Cougar Mellencamp, Ndegeocello has come a long way. 9 studio albums into her successful career, her latest is perhaps her most accessible and daring release yet.

I truly cannot say enough good things about the singer/songwriter/bassist/rapper’s latest, Weather. The simplest release she has had by far stands in stark contrast to her previous albums and truly makes it shine. The album was produced by Grammy Award winner Joe Henry, and recorded in five days. Ndegeocello worked with jazz players on the record because she felt, “They have this ability not to be judgmental about music.” The result of this chemistry is 13 songs that have you soaking in luscious pop-driven sensibilities and wringing out raw emotion. The simplicity of the instrumental pieces perfectly complements the heart-wrenching vocals, and drives each song to place of pure and utter beauty.  In the second track, “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear”, drummer Deantoni Parks’ groove lays it on thick and tight in the verse, and later opens into what might just be the perfect understated chorus. The cello, played by Gabe Noel, also seals the deal on this track for me.

I had the opportunity to conduct my first ever e-mail interview with Meshell this morning! I apologize for the lack of my usual “flow” here, but via e-mail it’s a little less of a conversation, and more of a list of questions and answers. Special thanks to Meshell for taking the time to answer these questions for us! Read the rest of this entry »

Imbibe Without Breaking Your Resolution

by: Casey Pukl

Happy New Year! As always, with the new year comes the new resolutions. If you’re anything like the other 84% of Americans, you’ve probably vowed to either lose weight, eat better, or exercise more (I know I’m on the hook for all 3). Fortunately though, sticking to your resolution doesn’t have to mean fewer nights out on the town. Believe it or not, it is possible to make smart choices while indulging every now and again.

We all know that alcohol is notorious for destroying dieting efforts. Not only does it dehydrate the body and pack a good bit of sugar, but it loosens our inhibitions, making us more likely to nosh on those domino foods we all know we told ourselves we wouldn’t have.

Fortunately for us, Marc Canzoneri has come to the rescue with a few diet friendly beverages here at Anthology that won’t break the bank, and can reward you for all of your hard work in these first few days of the new year!

For the Wino:

Read the rest of this entry »

Champagne Cocktails & Other Sparkling Delights

by: Casey Pukl

If there’s one thing that’s for certain, no New Year’s Eve is complete without someone popping a bottle of Champagne. Whether you’re watching a master sommelier sabre a bottle of Dom Perignon in a world class restaurant or watching your great Uncle Fred clumsily spray the bubbly all over your living room, it’s the one tradition we can all seem to agree on. When there’s a new year coming, there must be sparkling beverages present.

Which is why our beverage manager, Marc Canzoneri, took some time out this morning to show me how to craft the perfect champagne cocktail, and pulled out a few bottles that are great for ringing in the new year.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Preview of Chef Todd Allison’s NYE Dishes

by: Casey Pukl

With all of the holiday entertaining that everyone has been up to, the last thing anyone wants to worry about is cooking yet another spectacular meal to ring in the new year. Fortunately for all of us, San Diego’s local restaurants have stepped up to the plate to take the pressure off, and there are some really spectacular menus floating around. Down in our kitchen, Chef Todd Allison has put together a four-course menu that is sure to be something special. If you’re still thinking about what to do for New Year’s Eve, check out some of the dishes you can look forward to here at Anthology!

 Chef Todd’s full menu has at least two options for the first three courses, and then one spectacular dessert to finish. I had the pleasure of tasting some of the items on the menu, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Start off your meal with an Endive and Apple Salad topped with golden raisins, bleu cheese, and candied walnuts. This salad pairs perfectly with a glass of our house champagne, and is an excellent start to the meal. Not only are the flavors fresh and bold, but the dish is full of festive color. This dish really highlights Chef Todd’s use of farm fresh ingredients.

The second option for the first course is a Salsify Chowder with parsley and paddlefish caviar. This chowder is hard to resist, and is great for those chilly nights we’ve been having!

Second course options include a Pan Roasted Pork Belly or Grilled Baja Prawns. Both dishes pack a huge amount of flavor into each savory bite.

For your entrée, try the Pan Roasted Local Halibut served with baby fennel, chantrelle mushrooms, and an olive oil potato fork mash. Halibut is a white fish that is similar to flounder, and has a fabulous buttery quality that perfectly complements the clean, bold flavor of fennel. Other entrée options include a Garlic Crusted Filet Mignon or Leek and Spinach Ravioli.

Dive into Chef Todd’s decadent Dark Chocolate Molten Cake for dessert. This warm, gooey cake is topped with a toasted homemade marshmallow and served with a graham Cracker Semi Freddo. This dessert is rich, delicious, and the perfect way to ring in 2012!

Tickets to our New Year’s Eve event move very quickly, so be sure to purchase your tickets as soon as possible! Rock cover band, The Trip, will keep the dance floor moving, and Chef Allison will most certainly keep the food coming! You can purchase tickets and get more information at the link below!

Tickets & More Information