The series that took us all across the country this summer, INSIDER CITY GUIDES with FOOD & WINE MAGAZINE’S BEST NEW CHEFS, launched on the F&W website.  The videos are presented by American Express and are also airing on Plum TV - I know because I saw one on TV last  weekend.   We are proud and drinking champagne at the office.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THEM!

We will also be putting up higher quality versions on our website soon.

- Henry

Because of our car trouble and tight schedule we missed our interview in Chicago. We’re going to have to reschedule for later in the month. Everybody’s feeling a bit melancholy and exhausted. We had a so-so breakfast at Denny’s this morning and drove to Jody’s childhood home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania to drop him off before the rest of us drove back to the city. At Jody’s house everyone perked up and we settled in for a few Budweisers and some quality time with Jody’s folks. It afforded us a rare look into the man, the myth, the legend, Jody Lee Lipes: Professional Cinematographer.

Jody’s parents are great. Their house is sprinkled with many tributes to their professional cinematographer son.

Jody is very famous in rural Pennsylvania. He’s constantly on the cover of “Bucks Fever” for various exploits.

This is a very rare photo, never before seen on the internet, of Jody’s twin sister Judy Lee Lipes.

This is where Jody learned to love light, in his childhood backyard.

We couldn’t have asked for a better end to our journey across America with Food & Wine Magazine and American Express.

xoHenry

Supermarché loves Philly. We’re staying with some of Jody’s high school buddies. Today we interviewed chef Marc Vetri (Food & Wine Best New Chef 1999) at his charming Italian restaurant Vetri on Spruce St. Opened in 1998, his restaurant has a 2 month waiting list and only 10 tables. Marc recommended Geno’s Steaks, Longwood Gardens, and Orlieb’s for late night jazz. Marc was awesome. He met us at Geno’s for a steak “wiz wit” at 1am after work.

Mel & Jeff in the back of a stretch golf cart in Longwood Gardens.

Jody fulfills his lifelong dream of stepping behind the glass at Geno’s.

This is a rough part of the trip sleep-wise, but we must soldier on. Last stop: Chicago.

xoSM

Had a great 4th of July in Malibu. Jody and Henry flew their beautiful girlfriends out for the occasion.  Now we’re back to work. We interviewed chef Nancy Silverton at her restaurant Osteria on Melrose Place where they filmed the famous TV show “Melrose Place”. We thought about making a shot-for-shot remake of their famous intro, but didn’t have time.

The smog was particularly heavy because of the fires in Northern California.

Henry & Jeff actually aren’t that crazy about LA. Next stop: Philly!

xoSM

It’s sad to leave such a wonderful city, but all good things must come to an end.  As you can see, Jody and Henry really got into the spirit of things.  Next stop: Los Angeles.

xoSM

Did we mention that we’re on a 10 city tour of the United States, interviewing the best chefs in the country and shooting 10 90-second spots for Food & Wine Magazine and American Express? These “travel vignettes” will air on Plum TV and on a special Food & Wine website.

Producer Melody Roscher (above) has decided to produce all of the spots with a baby monkey on her head.

Jody made a new friend too.

xoSM

Today we interviewed chef John Besh, who was named one of Food & Wine’s “Top 10 Chefs in America” in 1999, in his restaurant August. He recommended we check out Galatoire’s, Old Absinthe House, and Preservation Hall. It’s good to be back in New Orleans.

Henry hockey puck. The dry heat becomes wet humidity.

The b-card wall at The Old Absinthe Bar on Bourbon Street.

An absinthe fountain from 1864.

Audubon city park.

xoSM