Liza belts out writer’s voice
Liza Minnelli’s first autobiography, “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!,” is scheduled for March 10.
Done by Liza herself, the memoir is an intimate look at her life, from her childhood as the daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli to her own stardom, including her Oscar-winning role in “Cabaret.” As well as her friendships with types like Frank Sinatra and Princess Diana, multiple miscarriages, four weddings and a lifelong substance abuse problem.
Encouraged by friends in California, where she now lives, Liza says it’s time to tell tales never shared before.
Others have written biographies about her — such as “Liza: Born a Star” and “Under the Rainbow: The Real Liza Minnelli” — but this is her only personal unload-all. It’s her personal life, about conflicts with her mother, a long dependency on drugs and sex with Mikhail Baryshnikov.
I love Liza. Her New York apartment had a wall of Andy Warhol paintings, many of her. Told to stop smoking, and to diet, she came to my kitchen, smoked cigarettes endlessly and helped herself to cake. The night before opening in a major NYC venue, she sat on my terrace singing.
I was a bridesmaid at her last wedding in 2002. The groom wore more makeup than she did. Their togetherness lasted less time than the ceremony itself. Elizabeth Taylor was her maid of honor, and the service had to be delayed a few hours because Elizabeth had the wrong shoes.
She was dressed by Halston in the ’70s, idolized by Lady Gaga, grew up at the Plaza. She phoned me once from Torino, Italy, before her opening night there. She brought her two dogs to my home. Got a crateload of red carnations from opera singer Luciano Pavarotti after a concert. Wore three sets of eyelashes to the Tonys. She told me, “I haven’t laid off since kindergarten” and fell asleep on the lap of Carol Channing one New Year’s Eve.
Do I know Liza Minnelli? Yes. And do I love her? Yes.
Dishing dirt
Local restaurants are struggling. Dave Goodside of the Upper East Side’s longtime favorite Beach Caféexplained the fundamentals.
Rents: Highest ever per square foot. Most commercial rents rise 3% per year and usually include the tenant absorbing a portion of the city’s annual real estate taxes.
Labor costs escalating: The minimum wage rose roughly $1 per hour. If the dishwasher gets a $1 raise, the team gets more because they feel they’re more valuable than him.
Labor pool more competitive: Food delivery couriers make more than my dishwasher. GrubHub’s couriers can make $30 to $40 an hour. Work outside, take breaks as they wish, start late and leave early. My dishwasher’s on his feet for an entire shift in a steamy kitchen — with no AC or windows — and stressed by a chef constantly telling him to move faster.
Food costs rise, and delivery services routinely take 30% of a transaction’s subtotal. Add 35% food costs and leave the restaurant with 35 cents collected on every $1 spent, not to be confused with profit. That 35% pays for all expenses listed above.
Couch potato
Customers now chill in easy-breezy PJs. Forty years ago, Elio’s or Primola would not send asparagus risotto to your door.
A delivery in general to combat this is private food delivery apps. No fees, smaller staff, manageable schedule, reduced hours, thinner menu.
Two guys talking. One: “I got married because I was tired of laundromats, restaurants and wearing socks with holes.” The other guy said: “Funny, I got divorced for the same reason.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.
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