midst the rest of us in this city of glamour, there are a precious few who seem to possess the gift to instantly change a room’s atmosphere by merely stepping into it. They can somehow create instant buzz, a tempered and mesmerizing electricity so powerful you can almost sense the hum of current running through them. When these extraordinary people become entertainment celebrities, they tend to demonstrate the ability to captivate large audiences. When they run for political office, which is a rarity, entire populations can become hypnotized by their words and their leadership. And if they are restaurateurs, customers will find themselves returning time and time again for reasons they often don’t fully understand. Yes, they enjoy the food, but their true motive for making this recurring journey is because they know that the owner or the maitre d’ will be there. Even if it is just to greet you for a few fleeting moments before you’re seated, or for a touch on the shoulder and a few words between courses, it is enough of a calling. They feel at home, somehow elevated and respected, and even needed.

[read more]