Amanda Michas from Blue Owl asked if I wanted to come by and take some pictures of a pop up restaurant event she was holding at her store. I wrote about Amanda and Blue Owl here. The intimate gathering was limited to 18 very lucky guests and the venue couldn’t have been more perfect. Amanda’s store was decked out with all of it’s lovely vintage goodies. The evening started with champaign and the introduction of Tonio Creanza (Amanda’s brother-in-law) who spoke about the Creanza family’s organic olive oil and his devotion for art restoration and culinary skills that he shares in workshops. Tonio grew up in Puglia, Italy and still works the land on the farm where his father began the olive oil process. He is fiercely passionate about what it offers in the culinary sense. I was fortunate to have interviewed him during his stay here and I will be posting A LOT more about Tonio and his MESSORS WORKSHOPS soon.

What came next was a walk up into “Residence No 2″ of the Connaught building in which the Michas family own. The suite had recently been vacated by it’s former tenants and that’s when the friends and family of the Michas’ poured all of their hard work into rejuvenating it back up to it’s glory. What Amanda and her sister, Jennifer created when styling the space for the event, was the icing on the cake. Two long tables and mismatched chairs set the stage. Butter On The Endive was the perfect match to cater this “pop up” event and made sure that each dish was “kissed” with a touch of the Creanza family’s olive oil.

I was just a witness to this fabulous evening but to be surrounded by such talent and capturing it, is my passion.