Hello Dear Friend,

Before telling you the menu of ambrosias for the body and for the soul served by The Invisible Dog for the coming weeks, let’s take a moment for Memorial Day and fashion.

According to NYFP (New York Fashion Police), today is the unofficial start of the white-wearing season. Before, that would have been a serious faux pas.

Another NYFP source - Captain Benzur - gave me different version: NYC landlords are obligated to provide heat to tenants during the winter season, which runs from October 1st to May 31st. In the 19th century, homes were heated with coal, and the dust would almost certainly get on the outfit.

But what about the splashes of barbecue grease, ketchup and hot sauce?

So this week, pull out your fabulous white outfit, and come join us for a great meal made of art and food. It’s better when it’s shared by everyone, and for everyone.

Bon art-pétit, I hope to see you soon. Just don’t forget to RSVP!

Yours Lucien

Friday May 30, opening reception

The feast starts with Stephen Morrison who transforms familiar baked goods, fruits, vegetables, and other everyday foods into uncanny dog-like forms. He has developed a playful visual language of “food dogs,” and this show debuts twelve new additions to the growing pack. And always with his signature blend of humor and surrealism.

How the Sausage Gets Made, the new exhibition by Stephen Morrison opens on Friday, May 30 at The Scion Project, 288 Smith Street, Brooklyn (F or G train, Carroll St stop)
The reception is from 6 to 8pm.

Free Admission with RSVP

To please our guests, I will be preparing dozens of Pan Bagnat (if you never had one before, it’s like Frenchies who never had peanut butter…), a typical South of France sandwich and probably something else, but I still don’t know what (Morrison is lobbying for my famous and his favorite Potato Salad…).

Saturday May 31, Tagine Lunch at Atelier Jolie

As part of the day of celebration of Ahmed Yacoubi (see below), Eat Offbeat’s Moroccan Chef Rkia is preparing her renowned Tagine. Chef Rkia discovered her love for cooking in her mom's kitchen in and since then she blends her Sharif roots with global influences to create flavorful dishes that reflect her culinary story.

The lunch will be served at Atelier Jolie Cafe on Saturday May 31, from 12pm to 14:30pm.

Just be aware that the number of seats if very limited, so I encourage you to book as soon as possible. And if you miss the Tagine, Eat Offbeat offers a choice of amazing pastries from Venezuela, Sudan, Syria, Cuba to enjoy with your preferred drink. Mine? Their karkade, the hibiscus infusion.

Book now here

Saturday May 31, from 11am to 6pm, at Atelier Jolie

First comes the creation,
then go to the island of wish.
And there when you see the full moon,
find the dream of the Japanese woman,
who stayed one night in a cave,
then came out to see the galaxy.
She saw a gilded forest,
and she saw the birth of a moon.

It’s going to be a beautiful day of celebration - as the poem above created with the titles of Ahmed Yacoubi’s artworks. In collaboration with NYC Arab Festival, Yacoubi legacy will resonate all day long, all over the building. When the doors open at 11am, you will be welcomed with mint tea made after Yacoubi’s recipe from his famous 1972 Alchemist’s Recipes Cookbook.

The book is out of print and very rare to find, but according to some recent and reliable intelligence, there may be a copy available at 360 Record Shop.

There will be poetry readings, projections, music, fashion and design, a couple of (big) surprises according to the festival organizers and a cooking demo* I will be leading.

Around 2pm, Omar Berrada will tell the story of Yacoubi’s first exhibition in New York City, as well as his “colorful” stay until the artist moved for good, at Ellen Stewart's invitation, and he lived in La Mama's building at … 47 Great Jones Street, three doors down from Atelier Jolie.

There’s no doubt that Yacoubi’s spirit will be both with us and among us.

We made it easy for you and created a Day Pass at $15 that includes all activities and a combo Lunch + Day Pass which you can purchase right now.

You can also just show up and get it at the door.

Reserve a Day Pass

*Sometimes around 3 pm, I will make a demo of one of Yacoubi’s recipes: Stewed Fruits and Semolina. Why this one in particular? I don’t know, I was mouthwatering when I read it — especially because it’s the only one in the book with a special note: “Delicious.”

And just like that… it’s June.

Sunday June 8, a Lunch at la Salle A Manger (SAM)

I’m delighted to invite you for a luncheon at SAM, a so rare occasion to have a few seats open to reservation.

There will be artists, artist lovers, friends and you around the table.

What would be the four course menu?

I don’t know yet. Of course, it first depends on the market - yesterday at Lani’s farm,
I found fresh garlic and illico p(r)esto I made a basil pesto with it. I love this salad above, made with greens, and not fewer than 10 different fresh herbs, flowers and simply seasoned with rice vinegar and Jenin Olive Oil from Canaan Palestine.
But what you see is not what you get. There is a surprise underneath the hill of freshness. I keep improving it and it’s better each time.

Also in my mind, a new lemon tart, totally deconstructed with fresh strawberry, french meringue, rhubarb, crumble, and and … Ah, you want to know more?

Come join. Book right now, Only six seats available. Burp, and they are gone!

Reserve Luncheon

There are always gluten, dairy free, vegetarian options.
Feel free to message me if you have questions about the menu

Guest Artist at Atelier Jolie

I’m so thrilled and delighted to welcome artist Halsey Chait as guest artist at Atelier Jolie from May 27 to June 21, 2025.

I’ve known Chait for more than a decade now, following this work with attention and admiration. You may remember his solo show at 51 Bergen in 2018 : he is the only artist who has ever used the floor as canvas. It was breathtaking. His drawing technique based on meditation is impressive.

Chait will take possession of the iconic basement at 57 Great Jones and create a brand new piece of art.

During the month, he will also lead a series of four workshops - Ink, Paper, Presence.
Look how Chait presents them:

There is a quiet wonder in making the first mark on paper. One moment, blank space—then, with the movement of your hand, something exists that didn’t before. A line. A gesture. A beginning.

Before anyone told you what a drawing “should” be, there was just you, a pencil, and the pure joy of making a mark. This workshop is a return to that. No pressure. No plan. Just the tools, the paper, and the moment […]

Using simple materials—paper, pencil, pen—you’re invited to draw not with perfection in mind, but with presence. This is less a lesson than a space: open, generous, grounded in curiosity. No experience necessary. No outcome required.

Draw to meditate. Draw to transform. Draw because it reminds you you’re here. […] Come as you are. Make a mark. Let it grow.

The workshops are open to all, only ten spots per workshops.
June 6, 11, 13 & 18, various hours.

Reserve your workshop

Everyone is a perfume maker

Algorithmic Perfumery by EveryHuman opened on May 14 at Atelier Jolie and has been an incredible success since. The perfume machine is up until June 7. Come create your own scent in person at 57 Great Jones or online.
You can read more about this masterpiece here

Gift for Paid Readers

• One cooking class with Chef Lucien (in person or online).

• Two complementary Tajine Lunches at Atelier Jolie.

• Five day passes for Ahmed Yacoubi / NYC Arab Festival at Atelier Jolie.

• Two complementary luncheons at SAM on June 8.

• Four gift cards for a set of three perfumes by Algorithmic Perfumery. (in person or online).

• Two complementary access for Halsey Chait’s workshops

• Six complementary tickets for Little Red Riding Hood at L’Alliance New York (each is guest and +1)

Do you want one of these gifts?
Become a paid subscriber, peek past the paywall and follow the magic instructions below.