11.06.2008

Speaking of Making Memories...





All images via pentagram

One of the items I recently crossed off on my list was having lunch with Audrey at the Mermaid Bar at Neiman Marcus… Truth be told, she was probably a little young for the experience, but once she caught sight of the ginormous chocolate cake under glass at the bar, she miraculously went from Eloise-esque to “what an amazingly well-behaved child” in the hopes of snagging a piece... She succeeded.

The Mermaid Bar isn’t particularly fancy; but it is particularly Southern, serving giant popovers with a little pat of homemade strawberry butter, chicken salad sandwiches, BLTs slathered with mayo, a never ending stream of ice tea and amazing, epic chocolate chip cookies… In fact Neiman Marcus in general in Dallas is a wholly different affair, especially the downtown store. It’s genteel and old school and completely and totally (and oddly given my somewhat crunchy northern California upbringing) appealing.

I was having brunch at my friend Achlee’s house a couple of weeks ago and flipped through this gorgeous book sitting on her coffee table. Reflection of A Man is a tome chronicling Stanley Marcus’ photographs (in addition to founding Neiman Marcus, he was a prolific photographer.) Edited by Marcus’ daughter and granddaughter, photographer Alison V. Smith, the images are really gorgeous and elegant, and it’s currently holding court at the top of my Christmas list…

Audrey’s just asking for more of that cake.

8 comments:

jora said...

I have always wondered about dining at the "mothership" NM. It sounds like a perfect place for a couple of ladies to spend the afternoon! "You know, just chatting and stuff." ;)

Michelle said...

Oh how fun! I remember doing stuff like that with my mom, it was always so special, and I never forgot it :)

Michelle Parks McCourt said...

me too, very cool. love the pics

Cassie said...

I especially love that photo of all those regal and classy women.

Melissa de la Fuente said...

Such lovely, happy photos! Now, I want to go to the mermaid bar....:)
xo
Melissa

Julia said...

That sounds like a fabulous date :) I didn't realize that he was such a photographer! What a legacy to leave.

traphic signs said...

i saw the exhibit that his daughter and granddaughter did in the spring, at the DMA and it was amazing. The outfits, the scenarios.. just make it all!!

this has been at the top of my list since then.

Modern Craft said...

I love that store-- and these photos reflect the same elegant, Southern, and appealing lifestyle. It's an amazing show of style.