She's still singing and strumming
By: Mark Sachs
ARTICLE
WITH "Crossing
Jordan" beginning its sixth season Sunday on NBC, series
star Jill Hennessy looks back fondly on her years as Dr.
Jordan Cavanaugh, almost as fondly as another, earlier
gig. "I used to sing and play guitar for money on the
streets in New York and Toronto, and it was one of the
best jobs I've ever had," the L.A. resident said. "You
meet the most amazing people…. Busking is a real
conversation starter."
Listening to Lenny
On Friday, I'd go to
the Mulholland Tennis Club and have a drink and listen
to Lenny, the bartender. If you want a dose of New
York/Catskills comedy, Lenny's got it. He's one of the
funniest people I've ever met. I'd come with my husband,
Paulo [Mastropietro]; my 3-year-old son, Marco; and the
cast and crew of "Crossing Jordan." I feel guilty about
not spending more casual time with people from the show.
Then we'd go to dinner at Mario Batali and Nancy
Silverton's place, Mozza. Nancy makes these fried
zucchini flowers that must be what they pass out to
people entering heaven. Or I'd have a pizza with sausage
and sweet red onions. And they have an arugula salad
that's the best you can get outside of Italy.
Caddy and
carousel
On Saturday, Marco and I will
get up and make scrambled eggs with cheese, and he'll
beat the eggs and add the ingredients. We'll then head
to the Laurel Canyon Country Store. We'd take our bright
red '66 convertible Cadillac, and I'd bring my guitar.
I'd have a latte made by Lilly, the most beautiful
barista in L.A. She's a great conversationalist,
basically a therapist for so many people. She has the
best taste in music; she had Dylan's "Modern Times" on a
loop the last time I was there, which is so fine by me.
We'll play with the kids and the dogs and talk with the
amazing people who wander in, musicians, artists,
actors. I'll play some of my original songs on the
guitar and see what people think, then get back in the
Caddy and go to the carousel at the Santa Monica pier.
Marco loves it, and I do too, to tell you the truth.
Later, we'll drive to Point Dume and look for seals and
dolphins. I'll play the guitar, maybe make a little
money on the side. Then we'd go to the Reel Inn for
dinner, just south of Malibu. There's grilled fish,
black beans and rice, incredible cole slaw and beautiful
salsas. Then we'd go home, because I'd be exhausted.
Hitting the trail
On Sunday, we love Swingers on Beverly; great
breakfasts in a cool-diner sort of vibe. The wait staff
is not only exceptionally attractive but also incredibly
nice. If you like waitresses in miniskirts with
knee-high boots and fishnet stockings, this is the place
for you.
Later, we'd go for a hike at Betty Dearing Trail off
Mulholland, around Laurel Pass. And after that, it's
shopping at the farmers market for fresh produce and a
bunch of stuff to grill up: chicken, pork chops, lamb
chops, ribs. We'd invite a few people over and I'd make
a big salad and my husband makes a great sauce for
pasta.
Later, I'd play guitar with my friends, and if we get in
a really grooving jam, Marco dances. He would have given
them a run for their money at Studio 54.
