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Dinner for Two

Posted by Brian Newman on February 27, 2012
Posted in: Chicks, Style. Leave a comment

Fixing a home cooked meal for with a nice few bottles of wine can be one of the most enjoyable, romantic and delicious things to do with your woman. Find me a girl who doesn’t like a man who can handle himself in the kitchen and you can keep her. So, clean up the house, go to the butcher shop, the grocer, put on something nice and follow this recipe below to ensure a successful evening.

Gallopinggourmet1_2

PORTERHOUSE & ROASTED VEGETABLES

Find a butcher that specializes in Dry-Aged Beef. It makes a huge difference in taste and is always worth the extra money. I go to the Meat Hook here in Brooklyn whenever I get a chance. Ask the butcher for a nice sized Porterhouse for two. It should be around 30 to 40 oz and about an inch and a quarter thick to be considered a true Porterhouse. Otherwise its just a T-Bone steak.

It has two different cuts of beef on the bone. The right side is the NY strip cut and the other is the tenderloin or filet..

Dust it pretty good with course ground sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Wrap it back up in its paper from the butcher put it in the fridge.

Start with the vegetables so everything is done at the same time. You can cut the pieces big because they will be roasting for a while.

1 Cauliflower Bunch (clean and separate into pieces)

1 Bag of Brussel Sprouts (Cleaned, halved and brown and yellow pieces trimmed off)

1 Package of Baby Porta bella mushrooms (Cleaned and halved)

1 whole red Onion (cut into chunks)

8 Cloves of Garlic (whole or halved)

You can add any other vegetables you really like carrots, peppers. Butternut squash is also really good peeled, chopped and roasted. You can even roast the seeds and throw them in a salad or eat them as a snack.

Toss all vegetables in a large bowl and thoroughly cover with Olive Oil, salt and pepper. Pour the vegetables onto a baking sheet and put in a pre-heated oven at 350 Degrees for 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how crispy you like them.

When the veggies are about 15 minutes before being done, take out the Porterhouse and heat up a large cast iron grill pan on the stovetop and turn your broiler on high. Sear both sides of the steak (about a minute on each side) then throw the whole pan into the broiler for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. A little less or more depending on your taste.

When the steak is done slice and serve immediately with the roasted vegetables and a nice bottle of vino. One of my favorite wines with a porterhouse is nice Bertani, Amarone. Enjoy the meal and I hope it works as well for you as it did for me.

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Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…



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Valentine’s Day

Posted by Brian Newman on February 20, 2012
Posted in: Chicks, Style. Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day. A holiday thats so close to Christmas, we don’t always have much dough to shell out for something super fancy. Especially for a holiday that was invented by Hallmark to sell us more stuff we don’t need. As Men, we understand this because we are rational human beings who can go a month without eating chocolate. When dealing with the fairer sex it’s never exact science and as always, to win the game you have to play it, so here goes. 

If you’re woman really loves you she’ll be happy if you stick to the classics. Chocolates, flowers, candy, etc… If you do that and write her a sincere and honest card, you’ll be gravy, right? Wrong. It’s much more than just buying gifts. You need to treat her like a lady too. You can’t just buy her some stuff you picked up on the 13th and expect her to throw herself at you in a rage of passion. Do more everyday and when the special occasions arrive they will be that much better. 

Everyday should be like Valentine’s Day. Why treat her extra special just one day out of the year? If you truly care about her and how your relationship grows you’ll do little things that say you care everyday. 

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…

Keep Your Lady Happy

Posted by Brian Newman on January 26, 2012
Posted in: Chicks. 1 Comment

A wise man once said to me, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” The following  ManLaw is crucial to the health of a Man’s mind and spirit. Keeping your lady contented and comfortable being with and around you is an arduous and sometimes daunting task. A woman’s mood is subject to many different small details and circumstances that greatly effect their overall disposition and level of happiness. If you’ve ever gone steady with a girl for longer than 6 months you know what I’m talking about. A relationship can be like a nice hot shower. Comfortable, cleansing, relaxing and refreshing…..until she flushes the toilet.  

Here’s s a few simple things you can do at home to ensure your lady of choice keeps coming back for more. You don’t have to be whipped about it but if you call yourself a man, you can grow up a little and act like one. 

1. Women generally don’t like clutter so hang up you jacket in the closet or coat rack when you come in and try to keep your keys and things neatly in one spot. 

2. If you’re going out with the boys give her at least a day or two’s notice depending on how long you’ve been together. After you’ve been together a while, longer notice is necessary due to growth in irrational insanity. 

3. If you make a sandwich, put the mustard away and clean up the crumbs. 

4. Even though they should look before sitting and I think that asking us to put the seat down is just a test to see how much they can push us. It will make it easier for all of us if we just put the toilet seat down.  Ever had a bitchy cashier at the grocery or the bank? It’s probably because someone left the seat up this morning and they went to work with a cold ass. If you can’t even put the seat down, what else can’t you do????

5. Keep things in the fridge she likes, even if you don’t eat the stuff. Go out of your way to show her you know what she’s into. I’m not a big fan of olives but I have 5 different varieties in the fridge just for my fidanzata. 

6. Speaking of the fridge. Stop reading right now and clean out the fridge before another science project grows out of last years beef and bean burrito. 

7. I know you like Man movies, but watch James Bond with her if you want to watch a guy flick, not Scarface. I’m not saying you have to double feature Dirty Dancing and You’ve Got Mail every night, but it’s not always about you. 

8. Once again for the dummies. It’s not always about you. Get over it, bro. 

9. Clean the house a little more often, especially the bathroom. No chick likes a dirty bathroom.

10. Learn to cook something other than Chef Boyardee. A good woman appreciates a better man with a good meal, a good bottle of wine in a good clean house.  

Follow these ManLaws and I promise it will lead to some good clean fun. 

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…

All In The Details

Posted by Brian Newman on November 28, 2011
Posted in: Influential Men, Style. 1 Comment

“Between the sloven and coxcomb there is generally a competition which shall be the more contemptible: the one in total neglect of every thing which might make his appearance in public supportable, and the other in the cultivation of every superfluous ornament. The former offends by his negligence and dirt, and the latter for his finery and perfumery…and while both are right in their in their opinion, both wrong in their practice”

This is the opening sentence of  “The Gentleman’s Book of Etiquette” chapter called, “Dress,” written around 1860 by Cecil B. Hartley.  We have to find a middle ground of these two extreme examples of man’s ability and inability to dress and act accordingly. Though many of his social cues and etiquette for a Gentleman are outdated, his words keep coming back to one consistent rule. A true Gentleman must pay attention to the details. 

Not to get too deep on you guys this round lets focus on one thing… How to correctly tie a Tie and if you’re feeling ambitious, how to tie a Bow-Tie. Below is a how to from my friends at, http://www.artofmanliness.com. My favorite is the Half Windsor. 

1. Drape the tie around your neck. The wide end should extend about 12 inches below the narrow end of the tie. Cross the wide part of the tie over the narrow end.

2. Bring the wide end around and behind the narrow end.

3. Bring the wide end up and pull it down through the hole between your collar and tie.

4. Bring the wide end around the front, over the narrow end from right to left.

5. Bring the wide end up back through the loop again.

6. Pull the wide end down through the knot in front.

7. Tighten the necktie knot and center it with both hands.

Here is the Bow-Tie video. I prefer an all black silk bow-tie, but thats just me. These dudes get a little weird with the patterns. They may be a bit square but they show you right way to do it!!!

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays...

A Day of Thanksgiving

Posted by Brian Newman on November 24, 2011
Posted in: Influential Men. 1 Comment

Dear ManLaw Readers,

Thank you so very much for coming back again and again to read my thoughts on women, style and the art of the distinguished gentleman. Your comments, re-tweets and outpouring of love for #ManLawMondays is truly amazing. I am thankful for YOU.

This time of year is always filled with traveling, friends, booze, parties and spending quality time with your family. Thanksgiving is more than just a family dinner. It’s about being thankful for the people around you that care and love you enough to have you around eating all their mashed potatoes, double dipping their 7 layer dip and housing all their beer and whiskey.  I wanted to write a little bit about what Thanksgiving means to me and what I am thankful for every single day of my life.

I am so thankful to have my Mom and Dad, they have always supported my decisions and have always pushed me to be who I wanted to be, no one will ever be there for you like your family. I am thankful for wonderful my sister, Britt and her beautiful two kids, Brownwyn and Theodore. (She also is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at her house in Cleveland for some kids from Africa who are there working for Whole Foods and have no family here to spend it with. Best sister EVER.) I am thankful for my health. I am thankful for my grandfather, for putting on old jazz tunes when I was younger. I am thankful for the most wonderful and most beautiful girlfriend in the universe. Everyday is better, easier and more fun because of her. I can’t imagine how I even lived before she was around. I am thankful to be able to play my trumpet and sing everyday for a living, I am thankful for my friends who have been there for all the good and bad years.  I am thankful for, Tina, my Caddilac, for always getting me where I need to go on time and with style.  I am thankful for seltzer water. I am thankful for my fans who come to support me at my shows. I am thankful for bespoke suits. I am thankful for Budweiser and Jameson. I am thankful to have a roof over my head and food to eat whenever I want.  I am thankful for Italian dinners at John’s and Florio’s. I am thankful for Cuban heel boots. I am thankful for Dry Aged Beef. I am thankful to be surrounded by great musicians Scott Ritchie, Alex Smith, Paul Francis and Steve Kortyka. My brothers from different mothers. Last but certainly not least, I am thankful for love. 

There are so many things to be thankful for. Even if you think your life is rough and that things are not going so well for you. Open your eyes take a look around. You have to realize that its not that bad. Far more people have it worse than you and some don’t even have a turkey to cook today or a kitchen to cook anything in at all. I know that the holidays can be rough with all the family around, everyones nerves are always a bit on edge at my house but take some extra time to spend with your family today. Tell them you love them and thank them for all that they have done and continue to do for you.  Like the song says, “For all we know this may only be a dream, we come and go like the ripples in a stream. So Love me tonight, tomorrow was meant for some, but tomorrow may never come, for all we know.”

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…

Actions Speak Louder than Words

Posted by Brian Newman on November 21, 2011
Posted in: Influential Men. 2 Comments

A man of action is a man of distinction. No one ever learned anything  jabbering on all day long with no follow through. Your demeanor, your judgment and the way you operate separates you from the rest of the crowd.

Calvin Coolidge once said, “All growth depends on activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work. Work is not a curse; it is the prerogative of intelligence, the only means to manhood and the measure of civilization.”

After President Harding died while in office in 1923, Calvin Coolidge took over and cleaned things up after mess and scandal left by Harding.  He won the next election and created 6 years of  good times and prosperity for United States. 

File:Coolidge after signing indian treaty.jpg 

A person can talk all day about what they are going to do with their lives, how they are going to succeed in business, get the girl he wants but at the end of the day it’s just that. A whole lotta jive talk.

If you love someone, show it. If you want to get the job you want. Get it. If you want the girl. Get her. Stop talking and start doing. 

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…

Learn to Speak Woman

Posted by Brian Newman on November 14, 2011
Posted in: Chicks. Leave a comment

Over the years I have collected many, verbal and non verbal, cues and clues that women have tossed around in conversations, arguments, misunderstandings and in love and sex. From a late night escapade to any serious relationship, women utilize a language all to themselves. The wonderful creatures that they are, are just doing what comes natural to them. Engrained from birth is a power that has been refined by the process of human evolution. Over thousands of years their subtle guerrilla tactics have been honed and sharpened. From the most humble to the most “travelled”, their understanding of body language and vast knowledge of how dumb we are, gives them a constant upper hand. Women have the ability to leave a man not knowing what in the hell she wants him to do. This is a most crucial ManLaw. Without of a basic understanding of how women operate there is bound to be confusion on our part as Men. 

I know many of you Men are not good at this because all your girlfriends tell me about you at my shows. “I always forward your ManLaws to my boyfriend and STILL he still doesn’t treat me the way he should!!!! What do I do!!???” Your birds are opening up to me!! Thats your job!! You’re lucky I heed my own Laws and tell them to try and work it out with you first and have a conversation instead of introducing them to my boys. I don’t mean to throw you under the bus fellas but you’re acting like punks. Either break up with her and find someone else or treat her right. 

We must also understand that no matter what any woman says about not wanting to be in a serious relationship or that the casual attitude of sleeping with other people doesn’t bother them. IT BOTHERS THEM. It may start out that way but if a woman goes out in public with you more than 5 times, shes your girlfriend and thats what she tells her friends. No matter their disposition, age or creed. They all want someone who loves them, is there for them, is polite, honest, reliable, great in bed and a million other things they have been picturing about you in their heads since they were 6. If you’d like to be confused and alone for the rest of your life, stop reading now. If you want to try a little and give her a bit of effort maybe you’ll have a better time  coping with the issues that arise on a daily basis. I cannot divulge all the secrets but below are a few translations that can help guide you on your path to Knighthood. 

“If you want to go out tonight thats cool with me, I’m just gonna stay home” = If you’re in a relationship this means “Stay home” if it’s a fling it means, “Ask me out to dinner” or “I’m going out with another guy”

“You don’t have to get me anything for my birthday…” = “You god damn better get me lots for my birthday or you won’t see my panties ever again”

When you ask her a question and she says, “Noooooooooooo…” in a slightly questioning tone , it means “Yessssssssssss!!”

“I’m tired” = “Leave me alone and don’t touch me till morning”

“Yeah babe, whatever you want to do…” = “You better do what I want to do or you’re gonna pay”

“Baayyybeee???” = “I need you to do something.” It could be to get a dish from a high shelf or to paint the entire house before sundown.

“It’s okay. I can just take the train home from the city tonight. I’ll be fine.” = “Take me there and pick me up to make sure I get home safely.”

These examples may all sound like negative head games and that women are trying to pull some kind of proverbial wool over our eyes. The point of this exercise is to teach you that women want you to know what they want without coming right out and saying it. It’s too easy for them to just tell you what to do. They want you to listen to them and respond like you know what they said. Say “What?”to her enough times and you’ll know what I’m talking about. 

My father has a method that he calls “The Hinge.”  I don’t recommend this technique to be used often, but it can be good for days when you are having trouble coping with a woman’s daily needs. It’s super easy but also super transparent. While she talks to you about whatever it is that she is interested in at that moment, go about your businees and look at her in the eyes every 5 seconds or so and nod and agree with your head like a hinge. Say things like, “yeah, for sure” and “Anything you want, beautiful” Now, this is an extreme example and I don’t personally use this because my mother very much dislikes this tactic and it’s not the most solid option.  

All I am saying, gentlemen, is that we can sometimes use thier own powers against them but it’s more about “Dishing out what you want in return.”  Just treat people the way that you like to be treated. Use this knowledge to educate your self further on the matter of women’s language and you will live a happily fulfilled life with many good things to come your way.  We will never ever, ever, ever master this artform but every good challenge deserves another try. 

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…

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