Event

Simply Barbra

The Man Behind the Woman
Steven Brinberg is an actor who has been lauded across the globe for his portrayal of Barbra Streisand in theaters, concert halls and clubs for over a decade. He was chosen by Miss Streisand's management to perform at her friend Donna Karan's birthday party. He regularly makes symphony appearances with Marvin Hamlisch. Brinberg has recorded two CDs and appeared in several films as well as on numerous television shows. For more information (and videos clips) visit www.simplybarbra.com.

On Piano: David Burnham (www.davidburnham.com)

The Scene
According to owner-actor Joe Reynolds, the "M" stands for music, martinis and mangia (Italian for "eat"). Enter through red velvet drapes to find a speakeasy-like interior dripping in dramatic red, from the vinyl booths to the server's micro-miniskirt. The crowd is eclectic and the mood is bohemian--low lighting, high artistic vibe.

The Food
The simple, casual Italian fare is almost an afterthought and ranges from inspiring to bland. The latter includes doughy pizzas with extras like prosciutto or artichokes added postmortem for texture, and so-so pastas. On the other hand, the scrumptious Roma tomatoes stuffed with a savory paste of garlic and anchovies and paired with tender chicken marsala in a luscious gravy, or baby-soft salmon in a mild curry sauce, deserve an encore. For dessert, try a chocolate chip-studded brownie or a smooth creme brulee.

Location & Parking
M Bar is on the corner of Fountain and Vine, across the street from El Pollo in the "Fountain Vine Plaza." Parking is free in the lot. Street parking provides overflow.