Growing up in LA, I can tell you I've had my fair share of celebrity sightings. It never phases me though. Celebrities, they’re just people.
But today, walking near Washington Square Park, and staring down at the sidewalk to avoid some unsavory items, I noticed a pair of orange Converse All Stars. I thought to myself, "just like Mario Batali" as my eyes traveled up that pair of bare legs. Sure enough. My heart starting thumping. This was no Harrison Ford. This was no Britney Spears. This is a man who has inspired dozens of meals with which I’ve nourished myself, and those I love. Right there, in his orange high-tops! Bless him!
The best part is, thirty minutes later I saw him again, down at the playground on Sixth and Houston. New York is pretty great, isn't it?
LOL sara kate, i had a similar mario run in once, but it was while i was working for a record label
i was in the tower at 4th and bway, and there he was, right next to me, looking at a cd by one of my artists!
i got to recommend it to him, and he bought it!
a few years later i got invited to a "thing" where he was teaching nyc's most eligible bachelors how to cook (including isaac mizrahi who is HILARIOUS!) and i asked him if he still had the cd!
he said he did, and he still loves it
how cool is life???? :-)
ha! i've seen mario batali on the street, too! i was walking on 8th street, i think (it was a few yrs ago) and i was on my cell phone, talking to my dad. i saw mario batali approaching and said to my dad, "oh my goodness, it's mario batali!" and then i leaned away from the phone, towards mario and said, "i think you're great!" and he goes "THANKS!" it was pretty funny -- and that story still comes up every once in a while...
Why don't you do a series of interviews with food people ie chefs,restaurateurs,owners of great food shops et al. and inaugurate it with Mario Batali? it would be great reading. And you could do everyday food folk too like the guy who has owned a neighborhood spot for years etc.
Most of my run-ins have been at the Greenmarkets. I must confess to scoping out the chefs and their purchases. I always love to see what they buy and from which vendors!
sarah
i'm sooooo glad i'm not the only one that does that!
i see bobby flay all the time
its kind of surprising to me that he's there so much
i guess it proves that he's not lying on his shows that he likes to shop local