I have spent too much time in downtown lounges over the last few months, supping on martinis and crab cakes alongside the antique turbines at Edison, martinis and crab cakes in the converted loading dock at Royal Clayton, martinis and crab cakes among the hockey fans at Liberty Grill, sauvignon blanc and crab cakes after an art opening at 626 Reserve, martinis and crab cakes and the Lakers at Trifecta, martinis and crab cakes and loud Iggy Pop at the Redwood, and so on. Some people call the loft-driven downtown boom a renaissance, some an economic miracle, some a rent in the living fabric of downtown. Others point to the crab cakes. And to the martinis, of course, which are as essential to the urban penthouse thing as an Eames chaise... More >>>