The HAMPTON Report

At L’Ecole, the student-run restaurant at the French Culinary Institute in SoHo, it seems like they’re mixing drinks with a light saber.

When the economy goes into the toilet, what happens to a cable channel devoted to chronicling the lifestyles of the rich and famous?

GWYNETH Paltrow lives in the buccolic splendour of Belsize Park in London, a green beating lung slithered in the 20-odd yards between the Finchley Road and Captain Rizz’s campaign truck.

Buyers who have registered an interest in million-pound properties are now starting to make formal offers – believing this to be an opportune time to secure a good deal, even though prices are forecast to fall further.

The Pearl River-based securities investor accused of swindling clients out of more than $100 million bought a $27 million Southampton oceanfront house last month.

Accused Pearl River-based investment swindler James Nicholson paid $27 million for an oceanfront house in Southampton in January, even as investigators say he was ripping off 370-plus clients for more than $100 million.

“American Idol” contestant Nick Mitchell was eliminated from the show on Thursday night, as his brand of campy comedy left voters unamused. His stage name of Norman Gentle and his intentionally overwrought performance, unlike anything the show has ever seen (perhaps not in a good way), lost out to the kinds of straight-ahead performances contestants give every week.

Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert advanced to the next round of the competition, cutting out the other nine contestants. Eventually, some of those contestants could be back when the judges pick three wildcard contestants on Thursday, giving them another shot on the show.

But Mitchell is probably not the most likely candidate to get a second chance from the judges, as alpha judge Simon Cowell expressed considerable displeasure with the comedian’s performance.

Did the show’s voters do right in eliminating Mitchell? His performance style was unorthodox and his voice was unmistakably average. But was his comedy style truly unwatchable?

(PHOTO: FOX)

U2 played a few tracks from their new album, and an old favourite from an earlier record, to a small crowd at the BBC in London this afternoon. It was part of a hectic promotion schedule for the Dubliners as they publicise their 12th studio album “No Line on the Horizon” which comes out next week.

Bono announced a tour starting this summer, without giving much else away, and assured punters that there would be cheap seats available in these dire economic times. There would, however, still be expensive ones.

“Rich people have feelings too and we want to cater to them also,” he joked.

U2 played “Get On Your Boots”, “Magnificent” and “Breathe” from the new record and “Beautiful Day” from “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”.

The “gig” was a first of sorts. While the band has played Get On Your Boots at awards ceremonies, this was the first time they had played a number of the new tunes to a non-professional audience. Well, having said that, I was there as a journalist and I wasn’t the only one, but there WERE some genuine fans there.

For those who missed it, there could be a bit more U2 action from the roof of Broadcasting House this evening. The speakers are certainly up and ready, but how much you will see from the street (which does have a name and its name is Portland Place) I cannot be sure.

Roasted beets with garlic-walnut sauce is a more adventuresome alternative to the typical goat cheese pairing.

This dish is another wonderful take on cauliflower, which absorbs flavor as it stews in the spicy broth.