Southern Comforters
This summer's drinks aren't shrinking chardonnays. Sultry South American contenders include the tangy Latinopolitan, the classic mojito, and the frothy pisco sour. But don't count the American South out: Kentucky juleps get a powerful fruit kick to join the gavotte.

Grill Talk
Charred isn't the only flavor you can get from your Weber. Why not steam, smoke, or roast more delicate meats than ground round? Like lobster, red snapper -- even a spicy, charcoal-free soft-shell crab.

Sizzle Matters
David Walzog, executive chef at No. 23's Grand Central steakhouse, offers tricks for selecting, seasoning, and grilling (heat, heat, heat) the sirloin of your dreams. You gonna argue with Michael Jordan?

Cool Thymes
These days, the trendiest desserts, from sorbets to soufflés, feature unexpected infusions of basil, thyme, and sage.

Loud Mouth
BY ZEV BOROW

Loud Records owner Steven Rifkind bases his business on the street, dispatching an army of kids to 25 cities to give away goodies, searching for the next Wu-Tang Clan, and, not incidentally, promoting a $100 million company that's selling records, marketing clothes, and now making movies with Miramax.

GOTHAM
Fringe festival defectors start their own; honor thy author
GOTHAM STYLE Keanu's shades; online cool

DEPARTMENTS
Media
BY MICHAEL WOLFF

Why perennial media baron Barry Diller casts a longer shadow than your average billionaire

Stars' Wars! How the summer blockbusters will fare

The Bottom Line
BY NATHANIEL WICE

Slow learner? The leading provider of easy access to new Internet stocks needs an update

The Insatiable Critic
BY GAEL GREENE

Another Watergate scandal: Jean-Louis Palladin's Gotham debut falters

MARKETPLACE
Best Bets
BY CORKY POLLAN

Serve up summer on trays rustic and refined

Smart City
BY STEPHANIE SAULMON

Scorched berth: The perfect grill for your barbecuing needs

Sales & Bargains
BY SHYAMA PATEL

Turn lame CDs into gold at the city's music resale stores.

THE ARTS
Movies
BY PETER RAINER

Despite the hype, a Star Wars prequel myth-es the mark

Annie Proulx talks the cowboy talk in Close Range

Theater
BY JOHN SIMON

In Do Re Mi, Nathan Lane shows why Encores! should be treasured

Classical Music
BY PETER G. DAVIS

Alfred Brendel's festival of ice at Carnegie Hall

Television
BY JOHN LEONARD

ABC's slinky Cleopatra plays fast and loose with history

CUE
New York Magazine's weekly guide to entertainment and the arts.

Intelligencer
(Gossip)

Classifieds
Strictly Personals