Scene@ Koko Black Collins Street Salon Launch * Crocs Richmond Store Launch * Crown's Mother's Day Luncheon
The Sunday Age
Sunday May 13, 2007
ON WEDNESDAY night at the launch of the Koko Black Collins Street salon, it was hard to tear our eyes from the chocolates: milk chocolate hearts bitten to reveal an ooze of strawberry puree; a candied orange slice dipped in the most decadent dark; and morsels of pistachio marzipan covered in white chocolate, as pert and comely as a nipple.
Thankfully, the delightful Gabriel Gate was a willing distraction. Can you tell us about your new book, The Chocolate Lovers, we prodded? "It's the second in the series; it's to encourage kids to discover the joys of cooking. The first was about fruits and this one is about something everyone loves, chocolate. It's a storybook and a recipe book." Any favourites? "Some of the simplest are the best . . . dipping strawberries in chocolate or chocolate mousse . . . and you could always seduce me with a dozen fresh oysters and a glass of French champagne."Despite talk of champagne and seduction - and Gate's (still) dreamy accent - we managed to keep our feet; they were important on Thursday night at the launch of the new Crocs store in Richmond. Nick Russian, the owner of Melbourne's lushest club, eve, was all in readiness for his White Russian-themed birthday party next weekend, but still had time to talk business. "I'm developing a business plan for something else," he offered, but then retreated. "I don't want to say anything yet. I want to wait until it's done - I hate people who are 'gunna' do something." OK then, what else is goss? "I'm looking for love," he admitted. What kind of girl are you looking for, we inquired? "Oh, I'm easy." You're easy! "No, not easy," he laughed, "easy going."The Crown Mother's Day luncheon at Breezes on Friday was all pleasing ease as Ann Peacock and Jo Stuckey hosted Melbourne's most notable mums and their glittering progeny. What are you doing on Mother's Day, we wondered of Sue McIntosh. "We're going to Donovans for lunch. I'm very lucky," she smiled. And how are you feeling about Stephanie going to the UK at the end of the month? After biting on her lip she confessed, "I'm coping OK now, but if you were with me at the airport I'd be a mess."mgrigg@theage.com.au
© 2007 The Sunday Age