We booked The Norm—the restaurant in the Brooklyn Museum that relies on local produce to serve global flavors—after attending the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime exhibit.

The show is the first U.S. retrospective to explore this French designer’s edgy, intriguing universe and his iconic scent Angel inspired by nighttime stars. It’s a scent I’ve been wearing since 2000 when I received a sample at Denise Rich’s first fundraiser for “Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation.” That nonprofit raises funds to fight leukemia, lymphoma and related cancers. It honors the tragically short life of her daughter, actress/writer Gabrielle Rich Aouad, who died from leukemia in 1996 at the tender age of 27.

Months afterward, on a flight to Paris, I learned from Benjamin Gillikin, then CEO of Thierry Mugler Parfums — the man I slept next to in business class — that the giveaway was the first and perhaps only time they contributed to a goodie bag.

At this star-studded gala, my son Eric assisted the event’s producer Scott Mauro, who, coincidentally, we had befriended on the 1998 inaugural Disney Magic press cruise. That assistance resulted in Eric prominently appearing — albeit unidentified — on February 18, 2001, on the front page of the London Sunday Times in a photo with Denise Rich and President Bill Clinton. (Friends initially thought Eric had photoshopped it. Not!)

For history buffs, just before the President left office in 2001, he pardoned financier Marc Rich, Denise’s ex-husband, who had fled to Switzerland to avoid prosecution. Marc couldn’t return home for his daughter Gabrielle’s funeral in 1996.

After seeing the show, we headed to the restaurant to grab a bite before heading home. We shared their lightly dressed kale salad ($12) and The Norm burger ($24). The gruyère cheeseburger is topped with caramelized mushrooms and onions and served with french fries.

I’d recommend a visit to the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime that’s on through May 7, 2023, and The Norm.

The Norm
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway
New York City, NY 11238
(718) 230-0897