Marvelous Meryl at 60

In honor of the greatest living actress turning 60, I'd like to resubmit my favorite Meryl Streep roles. Who knows, the next one, as Julia Child, in the upcoming Julia and Julia, (opening Aug 7th) might be my new favorite.

1981 in The French Lieutenant’s Woman. Streep was gorgeous in the dual role of Sarah/Anna. and starred opposite an equally gorgeous Jeremy Irons. I still like to picture her in that brown hooded cape walking along the pounding surf. No other film has captured Streep’s physical beauty quite as well in my opinion. This was her 3rd Oscar nomination, and first as best actress.

1982 in Sophie’s Choice. The first time I saw Streep onscreen, and I was mesmerized. I like Roger Ebert’s description of her performance "there is hardly an emotion that she doesn’t touch in this movie, and yet we’re never aware of her straining". She dominated the acting awards that year like Philip Seymour Hoffman did in 2005. Her 4th nomination, first win as best actress.

1985 in Out of Africa as Karen Blixen. One of my all-time favorite films- that music, cinematography and wonderful chemistry between Streep and Redford. I saw it twice in the theater when I was 14! Her last narration dialogue while she is planning to leave her African farm still gets to me every time. It also started the trend towards Safari clothing…hello Ralph Lauren! Her 6th nomination.

2002 in Adaptation as Susan Orlean. The movie lost me in the last quarter, but Streep was having a blast playing novelist Orlean. Who can forget her transformation and hilarious scene when getting high on orchid dust. That’s the power of her involvement in any movie, she makes it even more watchable. Her 13th nomination.

2006 in The Devil Wears Prada. She nails the icy queen of Runway magazine. Never raising her voice, and saying much more with her deadly silences, she can rip you to shreds without a moment’s hesitation. My favorite line? Her last, "…….Go!" Her 14th nomination. She has 15 nominations and 2 wins.

CONDUIT

Conduit, a relatively new modern American style restaurant in the Mission area, caught my eye a while back for it's interior design. It's done by the Stanley Saitowitz/ Natoma group, the architect responsible for the gorgeous Yerba Buena Lofts on Folsom and the controversial Beth Sholom synagogue in the outer Richmond. I'm a big fan

and still wish I had made the move into YBL when I had the chance. The restaurant is definitely striking with it's interlocking pipes, dark woods and clean lines. The bathroom is partially unisex, only the minimalist frosted-glass covered stalls are marked men and women. I know alot of folks aren't fans of this type of sterile modernism, but I find it relaxing and peaceful. Nothing fancy or overly precious.

<--shared sinks and faucets

Oh yeah, they serve food here, really delicious food actually. Chef Justin Deering apparently worked at Boulevard and Fifth Floor, and the food served here is certainly comparable in my opinion. I had the scallop risotto as my first course and black cod for my main. Both were first rate, flavorful and cooked just right. The desert was somewhat disappointing however, a rather dry almond cake. I should have had the pot-de-creme which the waiter recommended first. The wait staff were very friendly and knowledgable, and even gave me tips on which angle to shoot my pictures! The menu is written in sparse terms only, like some haiku poem. Just ask the waiters for further clarification. Sometimes minimalism can be carried too far.

280 Valencia St. SF CA 94103 415.552.5200