Must Watch: Taking the Stage

After only two episodes I am completely hooked on MTV's new reality show Taking the Stage. The show airs every Thursday night at 10:00pm and follows the lives of seven students at Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA). The show is executive produced by Nick Lachey, who is an alum of SCPA (although he doesn't seem bad a** enough to survive that school).
If you are not watching the show, you should be locked up and forced to watch so you can see the fabulousness that you're missing and realize the error of your ways! In the meantime, here are a few reasons why you should tune in:

1) The show is like the best combination of the movies Step Up, Save the Last Dance, Center Stage, and the prom scene from She's All That, except . . . its REAL.

2) The show has the most ridiculous (translation: amazing) soundtrack including: Little Jackie, Lady GaGa, Kevin Rudolf, Flo Rida and more. I dare you to not dance.

3) So far in every episode there has been a spontaneous dance battle. Need I say more?

4) Mia, the aspiring singer/songwriter who also plays guitar and saxophone. Mia gets broken up with 2 minutes before she was supposed to go on stage for the senior talent show and she STILL nailed the song and got a request from a Jive Records rep for a demo tape! That's right girlfriend, you show 'em. On the most recent episode she performed a cover of Adele's "Chasing Pavements" at the homecoming dance that rivaled the original. She looks like a hybrid of actress Sarah Rue and teen pop singer JoJo. Give this girl a record deal!

5) Aaron's unrequited love for Mia. Aaron is Mia's best friend and also happens to be in love with her. He calls their relationship a "platonic mess". Whenever she wants a band to back her up, he rallies the troops, and anchors the band on the drums. When Mia wanted to enter the couples dance contest, he agreed to be her partner. We all had that person in high school we desperately loved and watched them date jerk after jerk after jerk. You'll want to reach through the TV and hug Aaron. And maybe even offer to take him out yourself!

6) Tyler, a junior amongst mostly seniors on the show, has so much swagger, I always here MIA singing "No one on the corner has swagger like us, swagger, swagger like us" each time he comes on camera. The kid has sick dance moves and a smile that melts the ladies' hearts.

7) Jasmine's Juliard audition. She has been prepping, but will she crack under the pressure? Julia Stiles flashback!
8) IT MAKES YOU WANT TO DANCE!

People Are Better Than No People

First let me say, this week's episode of Grey's Anatomy was one of the most heart-wrenching, agonizing episodes to watch; rivaling the two EMTs hanging upside down in the ambulance, or the two strangers brought together by a giant metal pole sticking right through their abdomens. In a season that has even the most loyal fans saying "the show has lost its mojo" I was relieved to see an episode that had me enthralled start to finish.

This week's episode began with Alex narrating (weird, its always Meredith) and he is pacing outside Izzie hospital room while she sleeps. A nurse approaches him to see if he'd like a cot set up in her room, but he declines.

Cut to Callie and Dr. Robbins dancing in one of their apartments. Weird, since we never saw them go on a first date, but a super cute scene none the less. Then we see Dr. Hunt watching a surgery video with Cristina in her bed. As he is talking to her, he turns to find her asleep and caresses her face before laying down himself. He looks up at the ceiling and begins watching the fan go round and round.

The next scene is one of the most horrifying I can remember in Grey's history. After watching the fan, something clearly triggered for Dr. Hunt and he begins to strangle Cristina in his sleep. The camera shows Cristina gagging, trying to breathe and scream while Hunt is on top of her, squeezing with all his force with eyes that look completely catatonic. SCARY.

Thank goodness Callie hears the struggle, busts into Cristina's room and starts screaming at both of them. This wake's Owen from his state, his hands release and Cristina goes running into the bathroom gasping for air and crying. Owen just looks down at his hands and starts muttering in confusion. Callie calls Meredith to come over and when she sees Cristina she insists she is fine, but Meredith gets quite another impression when she sees the huge red marks on Cristina's neck. Owen knocks on the bathroom door pleading to just see Cristina and know she is alright. Meredith discourages it, but Cristina opens the door anyway.

Owen begins crying, saying over and over again "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Cristina says "Look at me. Look at me. I'm fine. See? Its ok. You were asleep. Its ok" and allows him to hug her.

The next morning at Meredith's kitchen table, Derek and Meredith are sitting down to breakfast (before his first day back at the hospital) and he puts the engagement ring box on the table and opens it. He doesn't say anything. Meredith looks at the ring and says "No, not like this." He picks up the box, gets up and leaves.

At the hospital, Cristina comes in wearing a turtleneck under her scrubs to hide her red marks from the night before. Just as Meredith begins to lecture her about how Hunt is "not ok" Alex steps in and asks Meredith "How about your boyfriend? Is he ok? Because he's operating on Izzie's brain today." Touche Alex.

All of the surgeons gather in Izzie's room to hear about the procedures and treatments she is going to need. Bailey is the resident on her case and will be working with the Chief and Derek on her initial surgery. Bailey tells Meredith, Cristina and Izzie that they are allowed to come into her room, but as friends, not as surgeons. Bailey describes the first surgery and the Chief explains they will also be harvesting eggs. Oh right. In case she lives through this hellish ordeal and decides she wants children. Geesh!

In this same scene was also meet a new doctor, Izzie's oncologist. This women is so cold she makes Cristina and Bailey look like sunshine and rainbows. She proudly exclaims "every surgeon in this room now answers to me. Welcome to the cancer wing folks." Is that right Miss high and mighty? We'll see about that.

Across the floor Dr. Sloan and Lexi are treating a very elderly woman who is likely to pass away in the next few days. They are explaining to her two nephews and niece that they should probably say their goodbyes. The family starts asking exactly what time she might die, since they have flights to catch. Nice, very classy. You are obviously heart broken.

In a rare "Cristina has a heart" scene she tries to talk Izzie's oncologist out of giving her bad news right before surgery. She will have some pretty toxic chemo and Cristina doesn't want her to hear about it until after she successfully comes out of brain surgery. The oncologist disagrees, but Cristina holds her off by lying about Izzie's getting test down in radiology instead of being in her room. I like this softer Cristina. It shocks me, but I like it.

Outside Izzie's room the Chief asks Karev if he wants to fertilize Izzie's eggs, since they have a better chance of surviving the egg freezing process if they are already fertilized. He says "give me the cup." As if your girlfriend having brain surgery isn't a big enough mind f**k, how about you now imagine having children with her, or deciding what to do with your frozen embryos.

Up on the roof a helicopter is landing with a trauma patient and Derek and Hunt are up there waiting. Hunt becomes transfixed by the helicopter fan going round and round. Are we seeing a pattern? As the patient gets unloaded Hunt is paralyzed, staring down at his hands.

Down stairs in the hospital Sloan's patient is flat lining again. The family waits, hoping she will die (morbid, yes). They finally explain to the doctors, she was given one month to live four years ago. They said their goodbyes then, but she made it. That this keeps happening. She gets to the edge, they fly out to say goodbye and she makes it again. They are not being horrible, selfish people, they just really want to know if she is crying wolf again.

Outside the hospital Derek and Hunt are sitting on a bench and Derek tells Hunt he knows about treatments and centers for veterans with PTSD. Hunt goes on the defensive and says "Instead of focusing on me, how you, the man who cut out half a woman's brain and ran away into the woods, takes a minute and looks at yourself in the mirror." Then he storms off. Ok, not a member of team Derek. Got it.

Meanwhile, Alex is in an on call room trying to deposit his "goods" into the plastic cup. Meredith knocks on the door and opens it. She says "You left the door unlocked. That was bold." HA! She asks Alex how he is doing. He starts pacing and yelling, "She told me she was seeing a ghost. I'm so used to all the crazy chicks in my life I didn't even . . I'm a doctor! I didn't even think . . . and now she's . . . this is wrong. This isn't how its supposed to happen. This isn't how Izzie and I were supposed to make a baby." Um, excuse me while I rip my heart out in pain.

In the basement of the hospital Cristina goes looking for Hunt and finds him standing over the vent (Aww, their spot). He starts saying "what if I never woke up? How could I do this? I have no memory of doing that. My own hands. No memory. We have to stop seeing each other." Cristina says again "I told you, I know my limits. I will tell you when its enough." But then something strange happens. He goes in to kiss her and she pulls away. Hm. Apparently she still wants to be together, but doesn't want to kiss yet.

Up in Izzie's room Bailey is checking on Izzie. She finds her knitting a scarf. She starts asking Izzie about how she would handle the surgery she is going to do that afternoon. Bailey says she doesn't want Izzie to get rusty, since she will be back to work after all her procedures. Glad someone is giving Izzie some reassurance since her friends are nowhere to be found.

In another room, Derek is running through Izzie's surgery with his surgical instruments. He is talking to himself and his hands are shaking. Reminds me of when Burke discovered his hand was shaking post surgery. Never a good sign.

All the residents sit down to eat lunch and everyone asks - how is Izzie? They discover none of them have gone to see her since this morning's briefing. Bailey goes to check on her, and finds out no one has come to visit. Sad.

Down stairs in the Chapel Callie is lying on a pew bench telling Dr. Robbins how every day she wished Izzie would die (once she found out George was cheating on her with Izzie). She asks "what kind of a person, what kind of doctor does that?" Dr. Robbins asks, "Are you in here now praying for Izzie to die?" Callie says "No, I am praying for her to live."

Lexi is treating the old lady who doesn't want to die. Karev comes in to shock her, and she lives again. He tells Lexi not to let her bratty family near her. She insists that they be allowed to come in. She says, "They are my people. People keep you going. People are better than no people." LIGHT BULB. You can see Karev connecting the dots. Oh gee, maybe I should have gone to visit my dying girlfriend today.

Derek is outside the O.R. scrubbing in for Izzie's surgery. Meredith brings the Chief Derek's lucky ferry boat scrub cap for him to wear (reference back to episode one of the entire series when Derek tells Meredith he loves ferry boats). Derek sees her leaving the room and follows her in to the hall. He says, "I need to know that at least I have you. No matter what happens in there. I need to know. I need you to say yes. I need to know." Meredith responds "I can't say yes. Not if agreeing to be with you forever will make it ok if Izzie dies. I can't say yes. I love you and you can do this. You can do this. I know you can." Wow, shot down twice in one day!

Cut to Karev racing through the hospital to get to Izzie's room. When he arrives, she is already gone, already in surgery. How will you live with yourself if she doesn't make it? Cut to Izzie on the operating table. She says to Dr. Bailey, "If something goes wrong, the scarf, I made it for you." And I'm crying.

In another room Callie finds George smashing bones. Callie asks why he hasn't been with Izzie all day. He explains that he asked Izzie a thousand times what was wrong, but she never told him. She chose to confide in Cristina instead of him. Callie tries to encourage George to go see his best friend, in case she doesn't make it. He refuses. She says "George, you were my husband and you slept with her. You are the reason I wished her dead. You owe me this."

Meredith, Cristina and Karev are waiting outside of Izzie's O.R. and Izzie's interns come by to ask if they can stay. Meredith tries to shoo them away, but Karev says "They can stay. People are better than no people." Aww, he learned something from the old lady!

Inside the O.R. Derek is cutting, with Bailey as his wingwoman, and the oncologist comes in. She starts second guessing Shepard. Her constant questioning causes Derek to start explaining his decisions, which immediately turns into a returned confidence and he puts her right in her place. FINALLY! Bailey smirks with an "I told you so" satisfaction.

In another room, the elderly woman finally does pass away. There is a moment where it seems she comes back, but Lexi says its just her pacemaker. When Dr. Sloan comes to call time of death, the family's whole attitude changes once they realize its really over. All three of her nephews/nieces begin crying and say they aren't in a rush after all.

Outside Izzie's O.R. Meredith tries to tell Cristina how worried she is about her. She tries to provide a sense of reality by asking "Hands around your neck?" To which Cristina quickly replies, "Ring thrown in your face?" Touche.

Bailey finally comes out to let everyone know Izzie is fine and Derek was able to remove the entire tumor. She says "Your friend in fine, no thanks to any of you. Tomorrow, do better."

The Chief comes to check on Derek, and Derek lets him know Meredith turned him down twice today. The Chief says "So you showed her your dark side, she never struck me as a woman afraid of a dark side." He then goes on to say "Did you know it was Meredith's idea to have Izzie harvest her eggs. She believed Izzie would have a future. She believed in you." The Chief exits and Derek turns on his electric razor and starts to shave his beard. Goodbye shameful, woods Derek! I say again, FINALLY!

As soon as Izzie is back in her room, Karev goes to visit. To my surprise Izzie still has all her hair, and just a big bandage around her forehead. Is it just me, or does brain surgery usually require shaving one's head? Alex takes Izzie's hand. Outside her room, Bailey walks by wearing the green scarf Izzie made. Awww. Love those little details.

Meanwhile Cristina finds Hunt to let him know Izzie is ok. He asks "Can I hold you?" She rushes toward him and they embrace. Then they kiss. Then his shirt is coming off. Then her shirt is coming off. WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!! This is how they are going to have sex for the first time? Post-strangle! No, no, no! But yes, they do. In a rather steamy, very nude scene. Big props to Sandra Oh, who always seems to convey so much emotion through just her eyes.

Its finally the end of the day and Meredith is at the elevator. The door opens and the Chief comes running towards her and says "No! You can't take that one. Take this one." The door opens and Derek (freshly shaven and looking drop dead gorgeous) is in the elevator. The elevator walls are covered in X-ray films, MRI scans and charts. Derek begins "This is the first surgery we ever scrubbed in on together. I kissed you after this surgery. This is the surgery Dr. Bailey kicked you of, for finding us together, naked in your car. This is the surgery where you held the clamp the whole time and never flinched. That's when I knew you were going to make an incredible surgeon. This is the surgery that made our clinical trial a success and you talked me into it. That's when I knew I needed you. This is today. Izzie's scans. See that? tumor free. Because of you. You got me into the O.R. If there is a crisis you don't freeze. You move forward. You get the rest of us to move forward. Because you've seen worse. You've survived worse. And you know we'll survive too. You say you're all dark and twisty. Its not a flaw, its a strength. It makes you who you are. I am not going to get down on one knee. I am not going to ask a question. But I love you Meredith Grey and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." AWWWWWWW. Perfect proposal!

Meredith smiles and says "And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Begin passionate kiss. THANK GOD! Shonda Rhimes, if you had them break up again, I would not even know what to do with myself! Let's start planning a wedding!

In the on call room, Hunt and Cristina are laying in the bed, post-coital. She says "I don't think . . . I can't handle this after all. I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry, but I am lying here in your arms and I'm afraid to fall asleep." Noooooooooo! I knew sleeping together was a bad idea! Cristina, don't give up on him now! Now he has seen you naked and won't be able to stop thinking about you!

Cut to Hunt on the table, going into an MRI with Derek. Apparently Cristina dumping him was just the push he needed to get checked out for PTSD.

Meredith goes to Cristina's apartment after work. She opens the door and says, "I'm engaged." Cristina, looking up at the ceiling fan says "I broke up with Owen." Meredith crawls into bed next to her. They really are BFFs despite the fact that 90% of the time they aren't listening to each other, they are always judging the other one and always accusing the other one of being selfish. When it really matters, they show up.

In the final scene Alex crawls into Izzie's bed and lays down next to her. She opens her eyes and says "hey" to which he responds "I spooged into a cup for you today." Nice, Alex, nice. He lays next to her, just staring at her, holding her hand. I guess we'd call these gestures better late than never? He is lucky she lived! Hopefully he becomes more attentive going forward.

There were no scenes for next week, but since we know Katherine Heigel is leaving the show, Izzie's death must be coming soon. It will be interesting to see how she exits. Apparently T.R. Knight is leaving the show as well, so we have that exit story line to be revealed as well. Maybe their two characters will be replaced by two new, hotter doctors! Oooo, that just occurred to me! I will think about that until the next episode.

The Future According to Grandfather

This week on the Upper East Side its . . . snowing! At least in the opening scene as Dan and Vanessa make their way to Nate's to watch some March Madness. On their walk Vanessa shares with Dan that she and Nate are going to spend the summer traveling in Eastern Europe. Once at Nate's, Nate receives a call from his cousin Tripp inviting him to the family compound for their annual gathering to celebrate the family's arrival in America (how high brow). Nate is not at all interested after feeling completed shut out by his family when his father was arrested.

At the Palace, Chuck is using Serena's phone to try and call Blair. Serena snatches the phone back and says "Blair got rejected from Yale. Let her lick her wounds." In in a retort only suitable for Chuck Bass, he responds, "Perhaps I can lick her wounds for her." Oh yeah, he went there. Slippery little snake.

A few rooms away Lily and her art collector Becks are discussing possible pieces for the living room when Lily gets a call from Rufus. Becks decides this would be a good time to tell Lily she and Rufus went out on a few dates. Lily decides she and Rufus should make a list of all of their ex lovers and share them with each other (most people's worst nightmare). Rufus agrees but with the caveat "this has disaster written all over it." So wise Rufus, so wise.

Vanessa and Dan finally convince Nate to go see his family, and he agrees on the condition that they come with. The threesome rolls up in a limo to a house suitable for the cliff walk in Newport, RI. Huge. Classic. Singing "We're Loaded". Tripp greets Nate and confesses he didn't tell their grandfather Nate was coming. As their grandfather lands in his helicopter, Nate is visibly tense until his grandfather lays eyes on him and says "Nathaniel my boy, I am so thrilled to see you." Breathe Nate, breathe.

Chuck, not satisfied with Serena's suggestion of giving Blair space, heads over to her house. He arrives to find her drinking in the living room wearing a sexy, revealing, black and white dress. Chuck is no fool. Knowing she is over the edge, he comes armed. With Tiffany. As he presents Blair with the gift, who appears from the next room, with his shirt unbuttoned? CARTER! Can this slime ball grab his passport and head overseas again. Good grief! Sadly Blair only has eyes for Carter today.

Back at the Vanderbilt family compound Dan and Vanessa are getting the tour, and full family history from Nate's grandfather. At the end, his grandfather tells Nate he is proud of him and that "I used to worry you got your mother's looks and your father's brains, but you handled yourself admirably." I guess that's supposed to be a compliment?

Back in the city, S and B are shopping at Chanel when Blair decides to steal a pair of sunglasses (probably $1200). Serena tries to talk her out of it and Blair declares "If I can say, Blair Waldorf would never do that, I'll do it." Oh boy, here we go. Serena decides to call Chuck for help.
Back at the fmaily compound cousin Tripp's fiance tells Vanessa how all the Vanderbilt men go into politics and how the grandfather persuades them all eventually. Vanessa responds "The only thing Nate has voted for is American Idol." LOVE IT! And I secretly hope if Nate Archibald did exist, that he really would watch Idol.

Back at the Palace Chuck has called Carter to come over. Carter arrives and says "I'm surprised you raised the white flag so soon." Just as he is about to pat himself on the back, Serena appears and tells him to take his passport and leave. He says he's not quite done here yet. But Serena insists if he doesn't, she will reveal what happened in Santorini. I love these random references to far away places and events. Perhaps its Carter's turn to have killed someone.

Later on Rufus comes over to have dinner with Lily and they swap their ex lists. Rufus has 13 people, to Lily's two pages or roughly 40-50 or so. She decides just to hand him page 1. Good move, Lil.

That night Dan and Vanessa return home to the loft in Brooklyn and Jenny notices Dan is limping from the game of football at the Vanderbilt house. He says "it turned out to be less Gatsby and more Fight Club." HA! Excellent line.

Later that night Chuck and Serena go looking for Blair. They ask Dorota where she is, but she won't utter a peep. Chuck says "Come on! I'm not going to play Where's Waldorf all night!" HA! Get it - Where's Waldo, Where's Waldorf? They do eventually find her crying and begging the Dean of Sarah Lawrence College to accept her application. Turns out B has not quite given up on her old, college-bound self.

A few blocks away Nate and Vanessa are enjoying a private, cozy dinner together when Tripp calls to invite Nate to join him at a family dinner. Vanessa encourages him to go. Nate leaves, but promises her they will have "Summer Perogi Tour 2009" when they head to Europe.

The next night Nate, Dan, Vanessa, Serena, Chuck and Blair all attend Nate's big family party at the compound. Nate wears a jacket with the family crest, and Blair is dressed in a body hugging, stunning, black and white dress. Good thing she looks so good, since her behavior at the party is oh so bad. Blair decides to keep drinking and shares secrets of all the family and friends she knows at the party. This is about to get interesting.

Back in the city Rufus is at Lily's and orders them Chinese. When he goes into her purse to grab cash to pay the delivery man what does he find? The other page of her list! Uh oh. This is a predictable twist, but Rufus sometimes surprises me.

Back at Nate's family party Vanessa is grabbing a drink at the bar when cousin Tripp informs her Nate got offered a summer internship at the mayor's office. Vanessa politely explains that she and Nate are actually traveling in Europe, and he must be mistaken. As soon as Tripp walks away, Vanessa goes to confront Nate.

Across the room, Chuck removes Blair as she insults yet another party guest. He says "Are you about done?" and pulls her around the corner. Blair pushes Chuck up against the wall, and presses her body against his. She is coming onto him full force. She asks if he remembers the first time he saw the real her, no inhibitions, dancing for him at Vitrola. She says "Take me now. Prove that nothing matters" and starts to kiss him. Chuck says "This isn't you. Its not the Blair I want." Hot moment RUINED! Blair rolls her and eyes and says "That's right, and I never will be again." Flare for the dramatic, B?

Blair storms off and perches herself on a couch in the storage room. Nate finds her and gives her his jacket. She starts talking about the first time she came to his family house and the way they used to talk about the future. Nate says "You can't fight against who you are" and Blair looks at him sideways and says "What happened to the Nate Archibald that just wanted to get high and play Halo?" HA! Totally accurate portrayal of the average 17 year old high school male.

In the main room of the party Serena confronts Dan about his sexy romp in the costume closet with Miss Carr. To show her disapproval, she slaps him across the face. A bit random, but I'll take it.

Back at the Palace, Lily and Rufus are eating their Chinese food and Rufus keeps waiting for Lily to mention she has more to her list. She doesn't, so he confronts her then walks out. Here we go again.

Back at the party Vanessa confronts Nate about the summer plans. He says he doesn't know what to do, but his grandfather believes in him. She says "I believe in you too. Just a different you." Awwww, V. You can be our girlfriend any day!

Nate does wind up accepting the internship, and does so by giving a whole speech about family tradition in front of all the party guests.

Meanwhile Chuck confesses to Serena "I'm losing her" (meaning Blair). Serena says "So fight. Make her feel safe. You know what to say." I think we know too! Three little words Chuck!

Dan and Vanessa leave the party and head back to the loft. Jenny greets them and asks Vanessa whats wrong. She says she thinks she just got dumped for Nate's grandfather. Dan quips "Welcome to the world of Upper East side grandparents. I've gone up against them myself. They are tougher than they look." HA! He is of course refering to Serena's wretched, secret spilling grandmother.

Later, Rufus comes back to the Palace to talk to Lily, this time with a new list. A list of things that make her happy, make her sad or that he feels lucky to know about her. He says "This is the only list I need." Awww. Many cute moments tonight!

At the end of the night, Chuck comes to see Blair, but Dorota tells him to go away, she is already asleep. Meanwhile Blair is acutally upstairs with Nate, who felt the need to make sure she made it home ok. As he is about to leave, she grabs his hand and says "stay." Uh oh. Just then Chuck notices something in the entryway. He is staring at it. We can't see it. We're waiting. And its. . . . Nate's jacket! With the family crest! Chuck just turns towards the stairs, as if to see up into Blair's room. END EPISODE. What???????? You can't stop there!

In the previews for next week Jenny is having a sweet sixteen party that apparently the whole school wants to come to. Nate and Blair are seen in a room together with Nate on the bed, and Blair locking the door. Then Vanessa and Chuck arrive to the party and see Nate and Blair together and decide to make out in front of them to stir up some jealousy! God I love this show! Can't wait for the partner swap!

Dining Out: Flora

Each year the most glamorous restaurants in Boston open their doors to the commoners for a bi-annual event called Restaurant Week. Each March, and again in August, over 100 restaurants offer prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner encouraging patrons to try places that might otherwise feel a bit out of their league.

I for one, am a HUGE fan of restaurant week. I love trying new places, but especially when I can get dressed up and experience a place that normally seems out of reach.

Tonight I dined with two of my favorite ladies at Flora in Arlington. On Massachusetts Avenue, just before Arlington Center, Flora is located across the street from a restaurant I discovered with these same ladies during the last cycle of restaurant week called Ristorante Olivio.

Flora is inside of a building that looks as if it used to be a post office or a bank. It has incredibly high ceilings, enormous windows (almost floor to ceiling) and exquisite crown molding and other structural details.

The restaurant is decorated in earth tones: acorn brown, Fall leaf green, apple red, and mustard yellow. The space is split into two main dining areas (one which houses the bar) and additionally they have two private party rooms. Despite the square footage, the restaurant still feels warm and cozy.

Adding to the charm, the kitchen is open to the dining room, and you can watch the four chefs make your meal. Each of the men (in their 40s and 50s) were sporting great hats - a yellow Eddie Bauer hat, a blue Red Sox hat, a pale blue bucket hat, and what looked like a black and red surgeon's scrub cap. It was like Grumpy Old Men, gone culinary.

At the table, our waitress greeted us with a big smile and couldn't wait to tell us the specials. Any special could be substituted into the restaurant week menu (score!). We each started with a glass of wine, and then I ordered the organic green leaf salad, the butternut squash ravioli and the chocolate cloud cake.

While we waited the waitress brought a basket of bread that had two offerings - a squash bread (a citrus orange color) and a wheat/grain bread. Neither were particularly good. When my salad arrived it was nothing more than greens. Although the dressing was delicious, it was begging for a tomato or a sprinkling of feta or blue cheese. I was starting to panic that I had selected a dud for our bi-annual tradition! I also felt a bit embarrassed when I looked around the room and noticed our presence was bringing the average age down by about 15 years.

However, my faith was restored with the entrees. My butternut squash ravioli was a very generous portion. The ravioli was served with mushrooms (my favorite), peas, sliced almonds and parmesan cheese. Can you say yum? The girls had the spinach stuffed chicken and the daube of beef (a slow cooked pot roast). Everyone loved their main dish. Phew! Relief!

When it came time for dessert we had two chocolate cloud cakes and a macadamia nut pie delivered to the table. The chocolate cake was more like a light brownie. It was served with a drizzle of caramel sauce, fresh whipped cream, a sprinkling of powdered sugar and a mint leaf for garnish. It was quite delicious.

As the meal came to a close, I took out my camera for a photo opp (we always take a shot at our restaurant week dinners) and the hostess saw my camera and quickly scurried over to offer to take the shot for us. How nice! She even took two pictures, one full body, one close up (a girl after my own heart).

As I put on my coat and looked once more around the restaurant I thought how perfect it would be for a private party, or even a small wedding reception. With all the detailing, the beautiful colors and the friendly staff, I couldn't imagine it would be anything short of divine.

The next time your parents are in town, or you are looking for a quiet place to share a delicious meal, follow Mass Ave out of Boston, past Cambridge and into Arlington. Flora awaits you.

Winner's Circle: Jessica Stroup

Over the weekend, the cast of 90210 celebrated wrapping the first season of their show at a blow out fiesta in Hollywood, CA. Jessica Stroup, who plays Silver on the show, looked stunning in a shoulder baring, blue/gun metal gray dress, with a gold chain accent. Simple, clean lines, perfect hair to match, and she is even smiling! (Rare for paparazzi stalked celebs). A+ Jessica!

Bromance Spectacular

This weekend I saw "I Love You, Man", a comedy anchored by Paul Rudd and Jason Segal. Paul Rudd plays a recently engaged man, who has no male friends and thus no one to ask to be his best man. He sets out on a quest to create a posse of groomsmen.

Paul Rudd beautifully walks the line between awkward and endearing as he tries to navigate "dude land" for the first time in his life. Best known for his roles in Clueless, Object of My Affection, 40 Year Old Virgin, Anchorman and Knocked Up, in "I Love You, Man" Rudd proves he belongs as the headliner for the big show.

Jason Segal who plays Marshall on the CBS hit "How I Met Your Mother" co-stars in the film as Paul Rudd's new found best bro. Segal's goofy, off the wall, physical humor gets some of the biggest laughs in the film.

There are several other all stars in this cast: Rashida Jones (Karen on The Office) plays Paul Rudd's fiance. Her best friend is played by Jamie Pressly (My Name is Earl). Paul Rudd's parents are played by Jane Curtin (Third Rock from the Sun) and J.K. Simmons (Juno). His brother is played by the hilarious Andy Samberg (SNL).

The movie is laugh out loud funny and another slam dunk from the Paul Rudd, Jason Segal, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogan, Judd Apatow crew. As we move out of the era of Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and Will Ferrell, we happily usher in this new set of bros.

Dining Out: The Secret Garden

On Massachusetts Avenue, nestled between bustling Harvard Square and bohemian Central Square, lies Cambridge's best kept culinary secret - Garden at the Cellar.

I had read about Garden at the Cellar before. In either Improper Bostonian, Stuff at Night, Boston Magazine, or perhaps all three. This Friday night, I traveled to the land between Squares to find out what all the hype was about.

Originally, my dinner date and I had planned to celebrate the arrival of the weekend at Olives in Charlestown, one of the many successful restaurants of Chef Todd English. But when a phone call confirmed the restaurant was completely booked for the evening, we needed a new venue for our dinner out.

My dinner date suggested we visit Garden at the Cellar where she had eaten back in December, and just so happens to know the owner and executive chef. Never one to turn down trying something new, or the chance to meet a young, successful business owner, I relished in the opportunity and we headed down Mass Ave.

Garden at the Cellar is at the center of a three part building. On the bottom floor there is a bar with stone walls and a medieval feel. They show soccer games on TV and have PBR on tap. Its basically a man cave. Men beware: the bar is cash only. Thankfully, Bank of America is across the street if you need a quick rescue from this sudden realization.

Upstairs on the right hand side of the building there is a wine store (or cellar, get it?) and at the center, is the jewel of the triple crown - the restaurant, Garden at the Cellar.

The restaurant has a warm and inviting feeling. It has hardwood floors, and one wall made entirely of stone. There are several tables along one wall, and a bar spanning the length of the opposite wall. We were greeted by a wonderful hostess who looked like she could be one of our best friends. Since the wait was about 30 minutes, she encouraged us to have a drink downstairs and she would come get us when our table was ready. How fantastic! I was loving the place already.

Exactly 30 minutes later the hostess did come retrieve us and lead us to the table right in front, against the windows. Excellent view both out the window, and of the whole restaurant. The table tops are made of copper and each table has a terra cotta pot of fresh herbs as a centerpiece. I felt transported to Tuscany.

Our waiter came to take our order and brought us warm, crusty, delicious bread with herb butter, served in a terra cotta pot! (I am all for themed accents). We stared with the Margherita flatbread pizza. It came out quite speedily, served a top a wooden slab (very rustic). The dough was thin and perfectly cooked, the cheese was a perfect gooey level of melted, and the tomatoes were fresh and plump. Perfect 10.

When it came time to order dinner I was quite conflicted! Everything looked and sounded so delicious. Earlier that day, my former roommate (who had been to Garden before) insisted that I order the homemade tater tots. Now, as someone who keeps the original tater tots in my freezer at the ready, I was hesitant to try a new twist on the staple, but her sales pitch was quite convincing, so I set about picking an item that would compliment the tots.

I decided on the tomato and herb soup, which is served with a grilled cheese sandwich (jackpot!) and my dinner date chose the roasted beet salad and a side of rosemary french fries. As we waited for our choices to be prepared and delivered, I couldn't help but notice the amazing playlist that had been showcasing one awesome song after another. The Beatles, James Brown, the Police, and Fiona Apple, just to name a few. More on this later.

When our food arrived, the presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Each plate looked so beautiful I didn't want to eat anything, for fear of disturbing the perfect presentation. That fear quickly diminished as the smells from our dishes wafted up to my nose.

My soup was fantastic. I didn't know tomato soup could taste that good! It was just a little bit thick and perfectly seasoned. The grilled cheese sandwich that came with the soup would not have been fantastic on its own (crusty white bread, with a sharp cheddar cheese) but in combination with the soup (I was dunking it in, who are we kidding?) it was superb. The soup and sandwich are listed on the menu as one item, which makes perfect sense, since they are a harmonious compliment to one another.

My dining companion loved her salad which was centered around roasted beets but also had a pile of fresh arugula and a generous sprinkling of goat cheese. She ordered rosemary fries on the side, which were the long lost twins of the McDonalds french fry. Perfectly crispy, perfectly golden, but in this case, with the added deliciousness of the rosemary.

And finally, the piece de resistance, the homemade tater tots. The tots are round, with a perfectly crisp, golden outside, and a warm, delicious center. The tots are filled with what tasted like a lighter version of a mashed potato with a little bit of cheese. Perfection, and gone in two and a half minutes.

We eventually had to tap out. The food was so delicious, and the portions so generous, we couldn't finish! The food was so incredible; had their been a dessert menu (which sadly there is not) I would have mentally powered through to try some. When our waiter brought the check, it was delivered with a small dish of chocolate. The absolute perfect palette cleanser to end the meal.

If the evening stopped right there, it would have been an A+, but since my dinner date knew the Chef, we asked our waiter if it might be possible to ask the Chef to come say a quick "hello". Like having our very own genie in a bottle, mere moments later, the executive Chef and owner appeared at our table and greeted my dinner date with a big hug. He introduced himself to me (his name is Will Gilson), and asked if we enjoyed our meal. I genuinely replied "I eat out about six nights a week and this is one of the best meals I have ever had in my life". His eyes sparkled and his warm smile grew ear to ear. It is clear he loves what he does. He shared with us that the restaurant has been open just over two years and they have busy since the doors opened. It is absolutely no surprise that he is nominated for the 2009 James Beard award which is like the Oscars of the culinary world.

In addition to his cooking chops, Chef Will has great taste in music. I complimented the music selection and asked who controls the playlist. Sheepishly he raised his hand. Could I be more impressed? He had to return to expediting in the kitchen, but we promised to come back again soon, a promise I fully intend to keep.

Overall, I was charmed by the Chef, transported by the warm and inviting decor, and completely hooked and impressed by the delicious, fresh, cravable food.

I think its time the rest of the world was let in on the secret.

Faith Transplant

This week's episode of Grey's Anatomy opens with Izzie and Cristina reading about cancer treatments at the kitchen table. Each time someone walks in, Izzie frantically covers up all the information and tries to divert attention away. First Alex, then Meredith. Apparently Cristina will be keeping this secret a while longer.

At the hospital the Chief is still most concerned with when Derek plans to return. In a last ditch effort to restore order to the hospital, Bailey asks Callie to go to the woods and talk some sense into Derek. Callie reluctantly agrees and heads off to the trailer.

Meanwhile all of the residents are preparing their interns for the biggest surgery to ever come to Seattle Grace (even bigger than the seven person kidney swap!). Dave, a man hit by a drunk driver and left with no nose and mouth, is having a face transplant. When the camera finally reveals the patient, the sight to behold is so gruesome it makes Two-Face from the recent film "The Dark Knight" look like a victim of a mild, discolored birth mark. This kind of disfigurement is horrifying.

Dr. Sloan asks the interns and residents a few questions about the procedure. Lexi answers each question perfectly and Sloan replies "You were awesome in there." He asks her to assist with the face transplant surgery, over many of the residents.

When receiving their assignments for the day Cristina learns she will be doing her first solo surgery; a hernia repair on an elderly woman. The actress is the same woman who played the uptight, rigid, Mrs. Kim on Gilmore Girls. This character is quite the opposite - energetic, frantic and worried. Rather than appease her, Cristina winds up taking a phone call in the middle of the consultation, as she tries to book Izzie an oncology appointment.

Across town Callie has arrived at Derek's trailer. She tries to snap him out of his funk by sharing her own patient death story about a man who died after a simple knee replacement surgery. Derek, still in a state of doom and gloom, asks her "How do you live with it? How do you look yourself in the mirror every day? Seriously. I am really asking." Callie looks at his cooler of beer and says "Can I have one of those?" So much for progress.

Back at the hospital Meredith and Cristina are walking the halls together, and Meredith is going on and on in her typical self absorbed way when she says to Cristina "You're not listening to me are you? I get it, you've got a solo surgery and G.I. Joe. Its a charmed life." Classic Grey's moment. LOVE IT.

After his spectacular showing last week with the band geek with the heart problem, Hunt asks Karev to assist him in harvesting the skin for the face transplant. Alex lifts the face up off of the cadaver, and like a 10 year old, says "Awesome." That seems to be a popular word today.

Down the hall, three interns are helping to treat a patient, but they all seem to be having problems. One with a black eye, one with a bleeding hand and one that can't stop crying. Meredith and George wish to ignore their clearly plagued interns, but Bailey forces them to manage the situation. She says "Do you think I wanted to get involved with your intern dramas? Getting married in Vegas, shacking up with an attending, cutting L-vad wires?" She makes a good point. Meredith tells the interns "You're scaring the patients. Cut it out."

Down the hall with Dave the face transplant patient, Izzie flips out on her interns when they mock the patient and refer to him as "blow hole". Sloan takes Izzie off the case, but she demands to have the right to stay with him before and after, pleading "he needs me."

With no sign of Derek, and now no sign of Callie, Bailey asks Dr. Hunt to go into the woods and try and retrieve Derek. He resists and she replies "You survived a war. You can do this." Hunt says "People don't really say no to you do they?" Bailey responds "Not when I say please." LOVE IT.

While waiting for surgery, Dave (the face guy) has three friends arrive. He has never met them, but they have been part of an online chat room for orchid lovers for years. They enter the room, to meet him for the first time, and wish he good luck in the surgery, when he turns away from them and starts yells "Get them out, they are strangers." The orchid friends are stunned, and only Izzie seems to understand his breakdown.

Downstairs at lunch, Izzie and Cristina are trying to talk about her oncology appointment, but so no one else catches on, they keep saying Izzie needs an enema. Finally George asks "And enema is code for what?" Izzie just gets up and walks away. This is the third episode in a row George has suspected something is up. The George I know would go to the Chief, or at least look through the Chief's files. Come on, George! Dig deeper!

Over at Casa de Derek, Hunt has arrived and is telling a story about losing two parents and having to comfort their three children, all under the age of 9. He tells Derek "Despite that, I showed up. I went to work the next day." Derek responds "And you're dead inside." OUCH. Blunt much? Callie hands Hunt a beer.

Back at the hospital Cristina is frantically looking for Izzie to see how her appointment went. Cristina finds her in the locker room, she never went. Izzie confesses "What are they going to call me? Swiss cheese for brains? I don't want to stick around to find out what they are going to say about me when I'm the patient." Earlier meltdown explained.

Back in Dave's room Lexi explains he can't have the surgery without his friends present, because Psych requires him to have a support system in place for post-surgery. Lexi says "You know, they didn't look away from you. You looked away from them. You didn't trust them." The camera moves to Izzie. You can actually see the light bulb go off.

Dave's friends do come back and he explains he didn't want them to see someone so ugly. In a very touching moment, one of the friend kisses Dave on the cheek and says "Please do not call my dear friend ugly. You are a survivor and its written all over your face." Awww.

In the hallway Bailey tells the Chief that in an attempt to bring Derek back, she also lost Callie and Dr. Hunt. The Chief decides to take matters into his own hands and heads to the woods. Derek is furious with him and begins ranting and raving. He screams "Why would you send Meredith out here expecting a ring? I hit the ring into the woods. You destroyed me." The Chief yells right back at Derek and says he refuses to accept ownership for Derek's meltdown. Derek starts to cry. He confesses "I don't think I can get her back." The Chief explains that Adele discovered he was having a multi-year affair and still found a way to forgive him. He assures Derek "You can make your way back from anything."

Back at the hospital Meredith and George and trying to find out what is going on with their three interns. After pressuring a weak link they find out Pierce, Steve and Megan are in a bit of a love triangle. Meredith and George take all three of them into the bathroom. Meredith tells Pierce to put ice on his eye, tells Steve to get his hand stitched up and tells Megan to head down to O.B. since she is pregnant. She says "Use the good sense the lord gave you and never act this way again!" George whispers "That was very Bailey." HA! Love it!

Its finally time for Cristina's solo surgery. While on the table her patient starts freaking out since Cristina never answered any of her questions. Cristina assures her she will take care of her, but you can tell Cristina is feeling some kind of unrest. All of sudden she looks up, straight across the table to Alex and Bailey and says "Izzie has stage 4 cancer and she is resisting treatment. (Pause) Scalpel please." As Cristina gets that weight off her chest and prepares for her first solo cut, Alex and Bailey are still staring as if Cristina's words are hanging in the air.

Its finally time for Dave's face transplant, and everyone in the gallery is watching Sloan's every move. He decides to let Lexi assist him in putting on the face. When they have succeeded, they both look up to see everyone in the gallery mocking them. When they check on Dave post-op, he asks to see his face. All of his friends are there, holding his hand, when his new face is revealed. Izzie is moved by their support and escapes outside for a minute.

Izzie is sitting outside on the bench when Cristina comes out to join her. Cristina admits she told Alex and Bailey, who are telling Meredith and George. Cristina says "I want you to fight. For whatever that's worth, I want you to fight." Izzie, clearly having had an "ah ha" moment says "Thank you" in a way that shows a purpose, and perhaps a glimmer of hope that she will accept treatment.

Inside the hospital, Sloan has finished his post-op with Dave and comes to find Lexi. She grabs his face and plants a huge kiss. She looks across the hall at the other interns and says "They think you are taking advantage of me. They think that I am using you. They think we are ugly, but I think we are beautiful. We will adapt to this hostile environment." Aww, directly lifted from Dave's "I am like the orchid" speech earlier. Jeez Shonda, some new material please!

In the second to last scene of the episode, Meredith drives up to Derek's trailer. The following conversation ensues:
D: I love you.
M: I know.
D: Would you still love me if I wasn't a surgeon?
M: No.

OUCH! Meredith follows her "no" by explaining Izzie has stage 4 cancer in her brain, skin and liver and Derek is one of about twenty people that can help to save her. If he walks away from a gift like that, she could never respect him. She pulls out Izzie's films for him to review and walks away. Well, at least we know they are speaking again. Now if only one of them could head into the woods and find that diamond! Priorities people!

Finally, in a scene with no dialogue, Izzie changes out of her scrubs and into a gown, and leaves the locker room for a hospital bed. Surrounded by all her friends, she succumbs to her medical reality.

In scenes from next week we see that Alex has a tantrum about Izzie becoming ill, Derek returns to the hospital to operate on Izzie and George is completely devastated by the idea of losing his best friend. Since we all read US Weekly, we are well aware that Katherine Heigel (Izzie) is leaving the show, so we know her character is likely dying. We just don't know when and exactly how. Something tells me she won't be going quietly.

Dining Out: The Local

Tonight I went with a high school friend back to our old stomping grounds to check out a new place in West Newton called The Local. I had heard about it through a coworker who raved about the menu and the great prices. When she told me she had ordered fried pickles and loved them, I knew this was a place I had to check out!

The Local is in the location formerly occupied by R.J. Crowleys, a neighborhood burger and beer bar. On both the inside and the outside, The Local is just R.J. Crowleys with a new coat of paint, but despite the same decor, there is a HUGE difference in the food.

The menu at The Local includes a great selection of wine, beer and cocktails. They have my favorite beer - Harpoon Raspberry UFO on tap, so mad props there. Beer comes in 16 oz or 20 oz glasses.

The menu is mostly appetizers and small plates and then a few large entrees. We tried the truffle fries to start, which came in a big silver bucket and were covered in parmesan cheese. INCREDIBLY delicious. I will be craving them again soon I am sure.

I ordered the truffle and chive mac and cheese, while my date ordered the cheddar and bacon burger with fries (we like truffles and french fries, ok?).

This was, hands down, the best mac and cheese I have ever had in my life. Creamy, great flavor, perfect temperature. I actually contemplated licking the bowl.

My date said her burger was perfect and totally hit the spot.

As we were wrapping up our meal, we saw a couple at the table next to us get their food - an order of fish and chips, the tomato and basil flat bread pizza and the mixed green salad. Each dish looked incredible and we turned to each other and said in unison "We have to come back!".

In addition to the great food, we were seated right away and our waitress was fabulous! Both funny and attentive, I wanted to be her BFF. I commented that I liked her green St Patricks Day beads and she said "you want some? we have tons in the back." She brought each of us a green necklace with a Jameson pendant on it. MONEY.

To top it all off, The Local was playing an awesome list of tunes! Kings of Leon, The Killers, The Verve Pipe . . . seems too angsty for dinner, but it was perfect.

Of course we ran into two people that went to our high school, but that just proves the place is living up to its name - The Local.

Mistakes

This week on the season finale of The City, the show opens with Alixe, Whit's boss at DVF, informing her and Olivia that this week they will be deciding on one of the two of them to go to London to work with the London PR team. After Olivia's stunt with the Elle cover, Whitney is less than pleased to be paired up with her again for anything, especially a head to head contest for one spot.

Across town at One Management, Erin is working away when Adam arrives and asks to talk to her. This reminded me of the many times of The Hills someone would spontaneously show up at someones work to force a conversation. Both shows have the same executive producer. He clearly favors the work place drama.

Adam basically tells Erin that she is driving him and Allie apart and she needs to mind her own business. In fact, he takes it one step further and says "How many guys do you date at a time? You're a player!" He has a point. But still, he should not have blind sided her at work, and raised his voice in her office. Bad Adam.

That night Whitney calls LC back in L.A. to say she feels like she may have made a mistake coming to NYC. LC answers the phone while at People's Revolution (no sign on Kelly Cutrone, but LC was whispering so maybe she actually was there, waiting to yell at Lauren for talking and not working). LC urges Whitney not to give up a fantastic job for a guy and to learn from her mistake with the whole Paris/Jason situation. Glad to see LC is humble enough to use that misstep as an example.

That night at Erin's, Erin tells Allie about Adam's surprise drop in at work. Allie is embarrassed but kind of flattered also. Total masochist.

Its Fashion Week in NYC and the DVF team is setting up for her runway show. In the front row are Anne Wintour (if you don't know who that is, you don't deserve to read this blog), Diana Ross and Julia Stiles. Back stage Olivia is chatting with the U.K. PR director and once again takes credit for the Elle cover look. Olivia has lied so much, I think she is actually starting to believe that she did in fact pull the look.

Whit finally confronts Olivia and demands that she give credit where credit is due. Olivia laughs it off and makes Whitney feel trivial. Karma's a bitch Olivia. You'll get yours.

Post-show DVF has an after party and Whitney is sitting by herself. DVF herself comes and sits beside her and asks "Why are you sitting alone? What's wrong? What is going on with the boyfriend?" Whitney tells Diane about Jay, and she gives some strange analogy about absence is like the wind to a fire, if the fire is small, the wind puts it out, if the fire is large, the wind fuels it. She lost me, but ok. She also tells Whitney "The most important relationship you have is the one with yourself." This is the final line in the series finale of Sex and the City. Diane, you plagiarist!

Meanwhile, across town Allie goes to visit Adam at work and confront him about his attack on Erin. He tells Allie how much he misses her and he wants her to move back in. She says she can't handle all the lying, the cheating, the hiding. He says he is done with those ways. She asks "do you promise?". He answers yes and like the fool that she is, Allie believes him. This lead to - I love you. No, I love you more. No, I love YOU more. Gag me.

Back at the DVF after party, Olivia finds out she will be the U.K. liaison and decides to tell Whit right then, at the party. Totally deflated, Whit just blows past her.

Just then Jay calls. He is outside the building. WHAT? Shouldn't he be on tour reveling in his freedom with groupies? Whitney goes out to meet him and there he is, looking gorgeous, in a full suit. That helps your cause.

He says: It took me going away to realize I really love you (I SQUEAL)
Whit: Its too little, too late Jay
Jay: You don't love me?
Whit: I lost myself in us. I need to focus on what I came here to do.

UGH! WHITNEY! Just as I was hoping for a reconciliation! And US Weekly had led me to believe in real life they are in fact still together. So confusing!

In the final moment, Whitney walks away, leaving Jay alone in the street.

I would be depressed the season is over, but the preview for the premiere of The Hills looks AMAZING. Despite Lauren's tragically dark red lipstick, the reconciliation of Lauren and Heidi would be revolutionary.

The Age of Innocence

After weeks on hiatus Gossip Girl finally returned with an hour of extraordinary twists and turns! Its the night of the senior class play "Age of Innocence" (how ironic) and Blair is going on and on about how perfect her life is, and how she simply cannot relate to her tortured character in the show. Meanwhile, Serena is busy chasing after the show's young director, Julian. Blair asks, in one of the best lines of the night "Aren't you sick of brooding artists?". Of course not, the brooding turns her on.

While prepping for curtain call, Nelly Yuki (whose voice magically dropped three octaves lower this week) discovers via email that she has been accepted to Yale. Blair has a complete tantrum and runs to the head mistress, who informs her that her admission has in fact been rescinded. Apparently an anonymous caller informed the Dean of Blair's antics with Miss Carr and he was less than impressed. Beware: Blair is on the war path.

In a funny moment Penelope (one of the mean girl peons) discovers her costume for the play is Dorota's exact uniform. Priceless.

Across town Chuck is about to have lunch when he discovers his mystery woman Elle sharing a meal with none other than globe trotting, gambling Carter. Chuck tries to talk to Elle, but she excuses herself and exits through the restaurant kitchen. Classy.

Back at play practice, Miss Carr arrives and Dan asks Jenny to pass her a note. SO 7th grade, Lonely Boy! Meanwhile a Gossip Girl blasts flies around the school announcing that Blair dated Lord Markus, even while knowing he was doing his step mom. Ick. Blair is confident that Vanessa is behind the text (since she saw said event first hand) and Blair shifts her disdain from Nelly to Vanessa. Vanessa is awfully busy impressing the play director Julian. In an effort to help Serena get his attention, they both go to dinner with Julian, and Nate comes along for some eye candy. The conversation winds up being Julian and Vanessa talking about classic film while Nate and Serena look bored to tears. Snooze fest! When is someone going to take off their clothes or throw a drink in someone's face?

Meanwhile at Casa de Chuck, Elle makes a surprise appearance and asks for Chuck's help to get out of the gentleman's club. He offers to help her get a passport and flee the country. To show her gratitude, she makes out with him. Child's play for Chuck. Escorts, fake identities - all in a day's work.

Later, Julian comes over to Serena's to help her with her lines (per her request. a last ditch effort to get face time with him) and has Vanessa feeding her information via bluetooth. Oh Gossip Girl, you are so tech savvy!

Another GG blast goes out, this time about Serena getting into Yale on the condition the school could issue a press release. Now Serena is pissed at Blair, thinking she is behind the text, and out to sabotage her. Again.

Meanwhile Dan and Miss Carr meet up in the costume closet at school and with one kiss on the wrist they are getting it on. So antiquated, yet so hot!

Back at the Palace Chuck sends Elle off with Carter to get a new passport, while he meets up with his father's friend Mr. Campbell to try and find out more information about the gentleman's club. Mr. Campbell is tight lipped, but does text Chuck a time and a place. Is it just me, or is this story line lame? Anyone for a return focus on Chuck and Blair? Or just Chuck destroying people?

Back at school the play has began and Blair and Dan share a scene in a carriage where in between lines they are muttering to each other about the earlier GG texts. This was hands down the best scene of the night. Great comedic performances from both B and Lonely Boy. Bravo.

As the play is coming to a close, Nate spies Vanessa in the audience next to Julian, who he believes is into her (and vice versa). He flips out on stage, which prompts Blair, Serena and Nelly Yuki to all flip out as well. Mortifying and SO excellent at the same time.

After the curtain comes down, Nate and Vanessa get into a raised voice spat about having nothing in common, and Nate storms off. Ouch. Meanwhile, Dan is putting all the pieces together and realizes that Miss Carr is the one behind all the GG texts. She is the only one who had all that information. He says to her "You know how you felt when your ideals were crushed? (pause) You just crushed mine." Oooooo! Then the best moment all night, Dan passes Blair back stage and says "Miss Carr and I had sex in the costume closet. Do whatever you want with that." YES! Awesome. Lonely boy has crossed over from Brooklyn humble to Upper East Side back stabber. The transformation is complete!

Back to Chuck . . . Elle reappears one final time to say she got out of the club. They gave her enough money to disappear. All of a sudden she doesn't need Chuck, his passport or his romantic plans to head to Brazil. He genuinely asks "You were just using me?". Um, the Chuck Bass I know does not have this kind of vulnerability. Please return heartless Chuck and send this impostor away! Elle responds "You've got a good heart, you should give it to somebody who cares." Translation - BLAIR.

In one of the final scenes, distraught about their fight, Vanessa arrives at Nate's house with snacks offering to watch ESPN. Meanwhile, he is sitting watching the DVD of "Age of Innocence" on his laptop (a DVD she gave him). Aww, they are trying to meet in the middle. CUUUUUUTE.

In the final scene of the night, Blair (wearing a positively stunning sequin dress) is sitting at the bar at the Palace when Serena comes to apologize for accusing her of sending the Yale GG text. Blair demands to be left alone, only to have the stool next to her filled by who . . . Carter. Uh oh. You are not Chuck. This is not the ending I am rooting for! No no no.


And speaking of Chuck, at the exact same time, he drops by Blair's house (Dorota comes to the elevator in a pink bathrobe to greet him) and he says he will wait until Blair comes home. Uh oh. Hope she doesn't come back with Carter!

In the previews for next week Nate's grandfather comes to town. It looks like Blair may hook up with Carter AND Nate next week! No more Yale, no more rules. I like where this headed!

Need more GG commentary? Check out the best recap around courtesy of New York Magazine.