25A March Issue 2015

March 2015

25A Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

Food Issue Jeff Mauro Sandwich King Cornelia Guest Celeb Catering

GILLIS & GEORGE 30 Years of Safe Flights

Art | Design | Fashion | Features | Food | Health | Luxury | Profiles | Auto | Shopping | Travel

O LEG C ASSINI E L E G A N C E K N O W S O N LY O N E N A M E

速

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62

contents March 2015 Cover

62 Gillis Poll & George Poll: There Are No Secrets To Their

Success, Only Passion Determination And Hard Work

12 Publisher’s Note

Fashion

24

24

It's All About Sublime Sheer Elegance for New York Fashion Week Fall 2015 Eliann: Rising Star in Haute Fashion Raul Penaranda’s Fall/Winter 2015 Collection

A Book Review

Beauty Erno Laszlo Ralph Lauren Fragrances Launching in Spring

Regimen A Call for Cauliflower

30

Profile 38 The Ritz-Carlton and RXR Realty Create

Long Island's Most Luxurious Residences

Design

Keith Mazzei "My Client Wanted a Purple Dining Room" Oceanfront Living at its Best on Vero Beach’s Treasure Coast

N

Ocean

Watch

AT HARBOR POINTE

WATERFRONT TOWNHOUSE COMMUNITY Slips Included • Boats up to 60’ • Deep Water • Easy Ocean Access Oceanwatch at Harbor Pointe, nestled between Merrick and Freeport, is designed in the best of taste for maximum comfort, style and convenience. Situated on the second floor, the main living area provides unobstructed water views with expansive great rooms and thoughtfully designed kitchens.

Models Open Thursday through Monday 11:30 - 5:00 or call to schedule your tour of the models homes and community.

700 South Main Street • Freeport • New York 11520 516.608.8888 www.oceanwatchrealty.com

110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, 11746. 631.425.5720 | ©2015 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS ARE IN AN OFFERING PLAN AVAILABLE FROM THE SPONSOR. CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, AND NUMBER OF BEDROOMS ARE DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY. PHOTOS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

contents March 2015 Feature

52

The Untold Story of George Gershwin

and The Gold Coast

Celeb

58

Taste

72

80

Michael Nouri in NBC’s New Miniseries, ‘The Slap’ DARJA Nationwide, Recording Artist, Songwriter, Producer Food Network Star: Jeff Mauro Season One winner of “MasterChef Junior” on Fox: Alexander Weiss Cornelia Gues:t Celeb Catering Romeo Auer: Elegant Affairs Ramon Herrera: Messina Market Breakfast for Dinner: Serve the Unexpected at Your Next Party MR. PEPPERS Hot Sauce T-Bar Steak and Lounge: New York’s Dining Headquarters On The Upper East Side Juniper Bar: Newest Sexy & Sophisticated Upscale Bar and Restaurant in Midtown West Village Prime: Bleecker Street’s New Temple to Classic Steakhouse Fare Swifty’s Restaurant: A Swift and Elegant Affair

Travel The Ritz-Carlton Montreal Hotel Vernet Corinthia Hotel: London’s Headquarters

for Dining, Spa & Lifestyle Cruising in Paradise: An Eco-Friendly

Galápagos Adventure Dining at a Tavern and in the Clouds

with a Side of Local History Everwunder

Live Effortlessly.

Life can be complicated. But it doesn’t have to be.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences in the Village of North Hills on Long Island’s legendary North Shore. Within 20 miles of Manhattan and 60 miles from the Hamptons. See for yourself. The Best New Address on Long Island.

Residences starting at $1.5M.

888.563.2902 · TheResidencesLongIsland.com The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Long Island, North Hills are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. or any of its affiliates (“Ritz-Carlton”). RXR North Hills Phase I Owner LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under a license from Ritz-Carlton, which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein.

The complete offering terms are in an offering plan available from sponsor. File No. CD-14-0036.

102

contents March 2015 Art

106

Kathrina Miccio: One of the Top Artists to Capture True Celebrity Portraits Larry Aarons: An Artist Never Has a Second Chance to Make a First Impression

Auto 106 Porsche 918 Spyder

Poem My Special Island

Event

115

120

"Wrap it Up" Exhibit and Benefit for Glen Cove Arts Council at Hersh Gallery in Glen Cove Mouse Muse: A Book Launch with Lorna Owen North Shore Historical Museum Celebrates the 2nd Anniversary and 17 years of the Leadership of Brian Mercadante Geraldo Rivera Hosts 40Th Birthday for Wife Erica Rivera Talent Resources Hosts “TR Suites” at Sundance and NBA All-Star Weekend Talent Resources Presents KIA Luxury Lounge & Rolling Stone Party The Ritz-Carlton Grand Opening Party at The Residences North Hills, Long Island The MOMS & BigBelli Co. Present Mamarazzi® Breakfast Event

© 2015. DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

6 CONTINENTS. 52 COUNTRIES. 412 OFFICES. AND AN ENTIRE WORLD OF LUXURY REAL ESTATE.

Artist Yoni Alter

FINE HOMES

RESIDENTIAL

FINE HOMES

RESIDENTIAL

An increasingly global real estate market demands a brokerage that reaches beyond borders.

Douglas Elliman Fine Homes I Knight Frank Residential, the world’s first truly global, luxury real estate brand. 6 Continents. 52 Countries. 412 Offices worldwide.

Publisher’s Note

The Element of Success As our previous issue of 25A touched on our reader’s sense of beauty and romance, our annual food issue continues with a glimpse into our sense of taste.

In this issue, we feature my friends Gillis and George Poll of the Poll Brothers Restaurants. Known throughout the North Shore by their loyal following, they epitomize the element of success through their many years of determination, focus, and hard work. It seems all their knowledge and experience from a young age, led to their many major contributions in the hospitality industry. Please read, starting from page 68; you’ll see what I mean……

From the Food Network, we present Emmy-nominated ‘funny’ chef, Jeff Mauro, and 13 year-old Chef Alexander Weiss, the first-ever winner for MasterChef Junior. We also feature mouth-watering recipes from Celebrity Caterer Cornelia Guest, Andrea Correale, and Chefs Ramon Herrera and Romeo Auer. We also review some of New York City’s hottest new restaurants.

After we’re finishing tantalizing your taste buds, we’ll venture out of the kitchen and into the dining room to see decorator Keith Mazzei’s purple transformation. This issue also explores our fascination with the Galapagos Island, and shares the untold story of Gershwin’s intriguing life.

Of course, it will all be done with the style, trends, fashion, design and artistry the readers of 25A have come to expect. Enjoy!

Chase Backer Publisher

ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM DROPHEAD COUPÉ

What will your inspiration be?

Inspired by pioneer aviator, Charles Stewart Rolls, the Phantom Coupé Aviator Collection epitomizes the golden age of flight. From saddle leather footmats to an aviation grade Thommen clock, there is no limit to what can be achieved with Rolls-Royce Bespoke.

Choose your inspiration. Experience a car with endless possibilities; a car bespoke to you.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, NJ 07675-1227 Tel: 1-877-877-3735 www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com © Copyright Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited 2012. The Rolls-Royce name and logo are registered trademarks.

Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

25AA

November 2013

25A

Long Island’s Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

Long Island’s Gold Coast Luxury Magazine Publisher Chase Backer

Publisher Chase Backer Editor-In-Chief Jason Feinberg

Editor-In-Chief Pernilla Hughes

Nassau County Exec Ed Mangano Maksim Chmerkovskiy Megan Hilty Gateway Canyons Resort

Jr. Art Director Rebecca Townsend Office Manager Lori Biddiscombe Office Manager Lori Biddiscombe Asst. Office Manager Linda Cunningham

TIM

MATHESON

Art | Design | Fashion | Features | Food | Health | Luxury | Profiles | Sports | Shopping | Travel

Director of Financial Marketing Georgia Gerosavas Copy Editor Jari Mineroff

December 2013

25A Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

February 2014

25A

LAURA BELL

Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

BUNDY

Dan Lauria Peter Max Gold Coast Holiday Style Art | Design | Fashion | Features | Food | Health | Luxury | Profiles | Sports | Shopping | Travel

25A Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

March 2014

KATIE

LEE

Oleg Cassini Vera Wang The Gateway to Machu Picchu Bridal/Romance issue

Cover photo by Nigel Barker

Art | Design | Fashion | Features | Food | Health | Luxury | Profiles | Sports | Shopping | Travel

Fran Drescher Courtney Reed Eden Roc at Cap Cana Baker House 1650

BOBBY

25A

April / May 2014

Food Issue Alex Guarnaschelli Kingside Damaris Phillips Vitae American Cut Revel Gold Coast Chefs

Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

FLAY Art | Design | Fashion | Features | Food | Health | Luxury | Profiles | Sports | Shopping | Travel

Mother's Day Gift Guide Voltaire's Castle The House on Fort Hill

Anthony Rapp Basketball Legend

CLYDE FRAZIER

Copy Editor Carla Santella Director of Strategic Marketing Prof. Jack Mandel Editor-at-Large Gwen Wunderlich-Smith Director of Financial Marketing Georgia Gerosaus Features Editor Victoria R. Crosby Editor-at-Large Gwen Wunderlich FitnessEditor Editor Kristy Castagna Fashion Debi Pine Food Editor Morgan Features EditorClara Victoria Caruso Fitness Editor Pam Polestino Food Writer Venus Quintana Food Editor Venus Quintana Contributing Health Editor Scott B. Wells, M.D. Contributing Health Editor Brustein Scott B. Rosen, Wells, M.D. Nutrition Editor Lindsay M.S., R.D. Nutrition Brustein Rosen, M.S., R.D. SocietyEditor EditorLindsay Christopher Robbins Society Editor Christopher Robbins Arts and Travel Editor Diana Pinck Arts and Travel Editor Diana Pinck Gold Coast Writer Monica Randall Features Writer Victoria Crosby Event Coordinator Tina Ruggiero Gold Coast Writer Monica Randall

Contributors Andrea Correale, Shane Fonner, Olivia Katz, Jane Lerman, Liz Mendoza, Aline Contributors Marie, Correale, Alyssa Nightingale, Ilena Ryan, Jamie Jerome, Norah Lawlor, Norah Andrea Kristy Bradford, KimNatalie Radovich, Elizabeth Darwen, Shane Fonner, Gaebelein, Olivia Katz, Elizabeth Adams Miller, Diana Erbio, James Rothaar, BobbieMattone, Iarrobino,M.D., Julie Tarasovic Jane Lerman, Liz Lavanya Mendoza,Sunkara, Kelly O’Malley Contributing Photographers Andrea Mineo, Aline Marie, Alyssa Nightingale, Ilena Ryan, Iris Wiener Jovon Photography, Patrick McMullan, Tom Fitzgerald & Pam Deutchman, Deann Contributing Photographers Arce, Van Cushny, Paul Gerben, Clifton Parker, Paul Prince, Kat Rabbit, Johnny Patrick McMullan Schiano, Jennifer Thomas, Stacey Skordas, Wayne Herrschaft, Ric Marder, Deann Van Cushny, MarcoArce, Ricca, Jerritt ClarkPaul Gerben, Clifton Parker, Paul Prince, Kat Rabbit, Contributing Photo/Videographer Benno Klandt Johnny Schiano, Neil Tandy, Jennifer Thomas Contributing Illustrator Robert Bergin Advertising Account Reps Paul Anthony, Trish Cope Contributing Photo/Videographer Benno Klandt Hair & Make-up NuBest Salon and Spa Contributing Illustrator Robert Bergin Advertising Account Reps Paul Anthony, Trish Cope

Contact: 1057 Jericho Rd Contact: 1057 RdNY 11732 EastJericho Norwich, East Norwich, NY 11732 (f) 516.399.2444 516.864.2525 (f) 516.399.2444 For advertisment please call 516.864.2525 for more information. www.25Am agazine.com facebook/25amagazine twitter/25amagazine Writers, Models, Musicians and Photographers please inquire www.25Amagazine.com

twitter/25amagazine ©facebook/25amagazine Copyright 2013 by 25A magazine, All rights reserved. 25A magazine is published ten times per year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher Writers, Models, Musicians and Photographers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be please treated asinquire such and unconditionally assigned for publication subject to 25A magazine’s right to edit.

Art | Design | Fashion | Features | Food | Health | Luxury | Profiles | Sports | Shopping | Travel

© Copyright 2014 by 25A magazine, All rights reserved. 25A magazine is published ten times per year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as such and unconditionally assigned for publication subject to 25A magazine’s right to edit.

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couture

25A

It's All About Sublime Sheer Elegance For New York Fashion Week Fall 2015

Idan Cohen Sleeveless Dress with Golden and Crystal Swarowski Crystals 24

| 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Nicolas K Shibori Grey and Black Chiffon with Leather Trim Gown with Front Panel Slits

Nicole Miller Sheer Hunter Green Metallic Crinkled

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Nicole Miller Sheer Forest Print Slim Fitted Pantsuit with Varied Hues Matching Blouse

Pamela Roland Sheer Black Net Floor Length Gown with Gunmetal Black Bugle Beads

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Idan Cohen Black Swarowski Crystals and Bugle Beads Embroidery and on Sheer Net and Silk Gown

Vera Wang Long Sleeve Full Length Gown with Black Soutash and Floral Embroidery

couture

25A

ANZHELIKA STEEN-OLSEN FounderofEliann

NYC

Luxury Handbag Line Of Choice Among World-Renowned Socialites & Celebrities

RISING STAR IN HAUTE FASHION Empowering Women With Chic Handbag Designs

I

By James Rothaar

t has been a very eventful year for Anzhelika Steen-Olsen, the founder and creative director of NYC-based Eliann. Her company is rapidly becoming the luxury handbag line of choice among worldrenowned socialites, celebrities, and empowered women that are able to own any bag, clutch, or purse of their choice.

A lot has happened between our first encounter and now, things are spiraling upward marvelously for the nouveau chic label that cannot keep up enough stock in-house to satisfy its high-society clientele.

The rapidly rising designer label is currently working on its first exclusive line of products for a national retailer for Fall 2015.

Handbags by Eliann have made appearances at the most prestigious red-carpet events of the year, ranging from New York’s premier event, the Angel Ball, to the Academy Awards presentation in Los Angeles.

Academy-award winner Darlene Love was seen at the weekend Oscar festivities carrying a clutch by Eliann. Songwriter and socialite

Denise Rich carried an Eliann-designed clutch to NYC’s Angel Ball.

Anna Lynne McCord opted to carry an Eliann bag to the pre-Oscar bash, the Hollywood Domino. The Eliann bag line has cropped up everywhere VIP women gather.

“My art and passion for life find their freedom in my bags", Anzhelika Steen-Olsen, said. "Our style specifically, expresses a wordless communication that all refined women understand; celebrating and reflecting diversity in the society where we all live.”

Eliann creations are available in NYC specialty boutiques and online through Polyvore. Ms. Steen-Olsen’s collection will also soon be available on ahalife.com.

“Our profile has been raised even more this year through various celebrities, musicians and actors carrying Eliann bags", said SteenOlsen. "I especially enjoy working with celebrities to make one-of-kind pieces. It is quite an honor to see these various publications refer to me as the designer of the stars!"

March 2015 | 31

Raul Penaranda’s

Fall/Winter 2015 Collection

By Anzhelika Steen-Olsen

S

ome have compared this man to Carolina Herrera, whereas others refer to him as a rising star within the fashion elite. To me, he is simply a friend and a visionary.

On Valentine’s Day, Raul Penaranda proudly debuted his 2015 Fall/Winter ready-to-wear collection, ‘Romance,’ at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

His mantra, “Dream, Vision, Reality,” was apparent in his refined sophistication and quality craftsmanship. His new collection is inspired by the power of romance; reflected in the details of lace, tulle, beads and pearls. Mesmerizing the audience, Raul successfully captured the romantic vibe, further enhanced by the models’ perfectly coiled hair and makeup.

A Book Review THE

MAGICIAN’S LIE

T

his winter has been long, cold, and dreary, but I’ve got a cure for the Winter Blues. Run… don’t walk to your nearest book store and pick up a copy of, The MAGICIAN’S LIE, by Greer Macallister. This book has it all: a famous female magician whose specialty is sawing men in half; she has her reasons.

Ada begins as a gifted ballerina, then finds herself wandering the vast halls of BILTMORE CASTLE, a real former Vanderbilt mansion, where she then falls in love with the head gardener (see article on Biltmore, 25A Magazine March 2014 issue).

The details and descriptions are so vivid, rich, and textured, you can almost feel the characters breathe as you turn each riveting page. Macallister has crafted a spine tingling tale, with echoes of Wuthering-Heights, in both its setting and dramatic tension.

Immediately, the author sweeps the reader into a glorious dream world of the early 1900’s, detailing life on the road with a traveling magic show, exotic animals in tow, revealing secrets of the trade as she goes along. With a fantastic flair for delving beyond the surface, Macallister brings spellbinding mystery to her tale. Be prepared to lose sleep over this page-turner. You won’t be able to put it down.

Published by: Source Books-Landmark 2015 32

| 25A www.25Amagazine.com

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beauty

25A

Erno Laszlo Erno Laszlo-White Marble Collection Nothing says "winter is here" like dull, dreary, washed-out skin. Legendary skincare brand, Erno Laszlo, introduces a new powerful skincare duo that will give you a brighter start to the New Year – the White Marble Collection. Inspired by the luminous and unblemished perfection of pure white marble, the White Marble Treatment Cleansing Bar and Radiance Emulsion (serum) is designed to treat uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation, revealing a brighter and radiant complexion.

Combine the two and vanish any dark spots and discoloration, while also adding sufficient moisture and skin protection.

Price: $45 (White Marble Treatment Bar) & $175 (White Marble Radiance Emulsion); Each sold separately and available at ErnoLaszlo.com

Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Refresh Infusion Restore youthful radiance to dry skin with this fast-absorbing, deep penetrating silky pink serum.

Its triple-action formula delivers intense hydration, plumping and smoothing the skin while also helping reverse the damage caused by dehydration. This highly effective light serum includes potent triple-hydration and probiotic complexes to help restore skin’s vital water reserves and defense mechanisms, leaving it soft, supple and radiant.

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Price: $100, available in April, 2015 at ErnoLaszlo.com and The Erno Laszlo Institute

34 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Ralph Lauren Fragrances Launching in Spring

Ralph Lauren Fragrances Polo Red Intense Shift your masculine senses into overdrive with Ralph Lauren’s new and bold fragrance, POLO RED INTENSE. This powerful, masculine scent ensures a higher concentration of ingredients, building on the winning formula of POLO RED for a more robust and longer-lasting aroma.

This oriental spicy fragrance includes: · Top Notes: Red Grapefruit, Red Cranberry, Red Ginger · Mid Notes: Red Saffron, Red Sage, Orange Flower · Base Notes: Red Wood, Red Roasted Coffee, Red Leather Price: $86 (125ml), available at RalphLauren.com starting April, 2015

Ralph Lauren Fragrances Polo Supreme Oud A hypnotic blend of precious spices, smoky oud and rich woods, Ralph Lauren presents its most luxurious World of Polo fragrance yet. Designed for the refined gentleman looking for an indelible, signature scent, POLO SUPREME OUD is as discerning and selective as its wearer.

As the brand’s first men’s eau de parfum, it uses a higher concentration of refined ingredients to ensure quality, strength and longevity. Impeccably tailored, the oriental woody fragrance features a powerful contrast of notable ingredients, including: · TOP NOTES: Cinnamon, Pink Pepper · MID NOTES: Smoky Indian Oud Accord · BASE NOTES: Guaiac Wood, Vetiver Oud is one of the most exquisite materials used in haute perfumery. Valued at approximately 1.5 times that of gold, the unique ingredient is found in an exotic species of Agarwood trees located in the Middle East and Southeast Asia and is burned to create an intensely mesmerizing scent. Inspired by Ralph Lauren’s infinite taste for exceptional objects, Master Perfumer Carlos Benaim’s vision was to recreate the essence of the burning resin to create a scent that is “memorable, masculine and intoxicating.”

Price: $125.00 (125ML), available in March, 2015 at Bloomingdales, select Ralph Lauren boutiques, and RalphLauren.com

Ralph Lauren Fragrances RALPH Fresh Introducing RALPH Fresh, the fragrance that refreshes your zest for life – designed for the girl who is free-spirited, exhilarated and radiant. Inspired by a sparkling sorbet cocktail, the ultimate in refreshing drinks, this floral citrus fragrance is a sparkling mix of zesty yellow lemon, sweet magnolia and chilled watermelon.

Price: $74 for 100ml at RalphLauren.com in April, 2015

March 2015 | 35

regimen

25A

A Call For Cauliflower

By Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD

2014 was the “year of kale;” think roasted kale chips, massaged kale salads, and pressed kale juices. In 2015, it’s all about cauliflower. Cauliflower is popping up all over the media as a super-easy and versatile substitute in various recipes. If you’re trying to cut calories and fat while boosting your dietary fiber intake, cauliflower may be a great cooking alternative for you.

Cauliflower Pizza While pizza is undoubtedly delicious, it is not always the most nutritious.

Try this grain-free, fiber-rich version for a more waist-friendly option.

Simple Cauliflower Pizza Crust

But let’s back up… what is cauliflower? Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts. Whether you choose the white, orange, green or purple variety, this veggie contains a multitude of antioxidants, helping to minimize the risk for various diseases by strengthening the immune system. It also helps with the liver’s detoxification system by providing specific compounds (called phytonutrients) that can help to neutralize potential harmful agents. Cauliflower contains numerous vitamins and minerals including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, protein, folate, calcium, and more. It can provide relief to individuals suffering from indigestion, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension when it is substituted for unhealthy choices.

There are many creative and fun ways to incorporate cauliflower into your diet. Read on to explore five nutritious yet delicious recipes and ideas to enhance your weekly food repertoire:

Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes” Potatoes and cauliflower share a similar texture when mashed and prepared the same way. Steam cauliflower on the stove until it is fork-tender. Add the softened veggie to a food processor or mash it by hand using a potato masher. Once pureed, top with chives, low-fat cheese, fresh garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.

Cauliflower “Fried Rice” For a dish that feels completely carb-loaded but is actually grain-free, substitute raw pieces of pulverized cauliflower for rice in this classic Asianinspired dish. To make cauliflower “rice,” simply pulse raw cauliflower florets in a food processor about 10-15 times for one second each time.

You want the cauliflower to look like fairly uniform pieces of couscous or quinoa. Then, in a large sauté pan, heat oil over medium high heat.

Add onion and cook until beginning to brown (about two minutes.) Add the pulsed cauliflower, veggies of your choice; (I like shelled edamame, shaved carrots, and shredded pieces of kale), garlic and scallions, and sauté for another two or three minutes. Off the heat, add low-sodium soy sauce and sesame oil.

36 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Ingredients: 1 small to medium sized head of cauliflower 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 egg 1/3 cup ‘no sugar added’ tomato sauce ½ cup cheese of choice Chopped veggies of your choice for topping Directions: 1) Place a pizza stone (or baking sheet) in a preheated oven set to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) On a cutting board, place a large piece of parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking oil.

3) Wash and thoroughly dry a small head of cauliflower. Cut off the florets and add to food processor. Pulse for about 30 seconds; end result show be “powdery.” Place the cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with damp paper towel. Microwave for three-four minutes. Set cooked cauliflower aside to cool.

4) Once cauliflower is cool enough to handle, wrap it up in a clean dish towel. Squeeze tight to wring out all liquid (repeat this step a few times to minimize water.)

5) Add cauliflower back into bowl. Add cheeses and dried spices/ seasonings. Next, add your egg and mix well with hands.

6) Once mixed well, use hands to form the dough into a crust on your oiled parchment paper. Pat it down thoroughly.

7) Using the cutting board, slide the parchment paper onto your hot pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven. Bake for eight-eleven minutes, until it starts to turn golden brown. Remove from oven.

8) Add tomato sauce, cheese, and any other toppings of your choice (I like sliced mushrooms and spinach) to the pizza crust. Cook for another five-seven minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

Soup Base Cauliflower serves as a great substitute when trying to make a creamy, hearty soup without all the extra fat. Simply roast cauliflower in the oven and then puree it into any soup dish for a lower calorie alternative. Make sure to add the pureed cauliflower towards the end of the cooking process for the best flavor.

Cauliflower Steaks Cauliflower “steaks” are popping up all over restaurant menus as a main entrée for vegetarians or, in my opinion, a simple yet satisfying side dish for omnivores. Roasting large pieces of cauliflower with olive oil and seasoning (like garlic powder, curry, or paprika) creates crispy, brown cauliflower “steaks.”

Cauliflower Steaks with Ginger, Turmeric, and Cumin Adapted from thekitchn.com Ingredients: 1 large cauliflower head Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric Small handful of cilantro, chopped

Directions: 1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) Remove the leaves and trim the stem end of the cauliflower, leaving the core intact. Using a large knife, cut the cauliflower from top to base into three 3/4-inch-thick "steaks." Season each steak with salt and pepper on both sides.

3) Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the cauliflower steaks until golden brown, about two minutes on each side. Gently transfer the steaks to a baking sheet.

4) Whisk together the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil, ginger, cumin, and turmeric. Brush or spoon the mixture on the cauliflower steaks.

5) Roast in the oven until tender, about 15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

nutritionbybru.com Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD is a registered dietitian and the founder of Nutrition by Bru, a nutrition counseling and consulting practice in New York. She received a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the Greater New York Dietetic Association.

March 2015 | 37

profile

25A The Ritz-Carlton and RXR Realty

Joe Graziose, RXR’s Senior Vice President and Project Executive

I

f you are looking for the perfect blend of luxury, lifestyle and location, you need not look any further than The Ritz-Carlton Residences at North Hills. The legendary service of The Ritz-Carlton brand, together with the expertise of RXR Realty and Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, make for a brilliant and unsurpassed standard of splendid living.

On a recent tour of the property, I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Graziose (RXR’s Senior Vice President and project executive) and Emily Bock (Project Manager of Sales and Marketing.) This dynamic duo defined what makes this property so desirable. Bearing The Ritz-Carlton name insures a certain standard. Through decades of experience, The Ritz-Carlton has perfected the art of turning residential living into a luxury resort experience, delivering above and beyond the highest of expectations. Offering luxury within a thriving community allows the buyer to take on an emotional element of the lifestyle they are looking for. Feeling at home from the moment they arrive at the front gate, is an assurance the buyer can expect. The 244 luxury residences are rapidly becoming Long Island’s most sought after address.

Located 20 miles from New York City, this brilliant concept is bringing Manhattan’s amenities, luxury, and style to Long Island. The legendary North Shore offers premier shopping, dining, recreation, and schools as well as culture at your fingertips. Another perk is that the infamous Hamptons are only 60 miles away.

When choosing a new place to live there are many considerations taken into account. Because of its optimum location 70% of the buyers thus far are now living within a six mile radius of the Residences. The Ritz-Carlton

38 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Create Long Island's Most Luxurious Residences

By Bobbie Iarrobino. Photos by Paul Prince

Residences are the perfect option for those looking to maintain a Long Island presence, without the hassle of a private home. Case in point, worldrenowned architect Michael Harris Spector is making The Ritz-Carlton Residences at North Hills his new home.

Mr. Spector now resides in an 11,000 square foot estate in Old Westbury.

Michael purchased two units at The Residences, which he is combining to suit his grand sense of style. The location provides close proximity to his business and current home. “The move made sense," said Spector. "In New York City, the purchase price of a comparable unit, would be fifteen times the cost.”

Spector is excited about the move and knows his new residence will be just as magnificent as his current home. Working closely with Joe Graziose and The Ritz-Carlton–RXR team, he has flexibility in his unit’s design due to pre-construction. Based on Graziose’s excellence in customer care and ‘best of the best’ ethic, he has been able to accommodate Spector with his vision for the ultra modern interior he is seeking.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences provide many top tier amenities and advantages most condominiums do not. The stunning Residence’s ideal location is only the beginning. The exclusive gated community is situated on 17 acres of picture-perfect park-like grounds. Upon arriving home be assured the legendary service of The Ritz-Carlton brand. There is 24-hour concierge service, doormen, porters, as well as valet service. Anything you desire is a phone call away.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences at North Hills

THE LIFE YOU DREAM, BECOMES THE LIFE YOU LEAD Each of the buildings has five floors with 30 residences. The lower level is dedicated to a garage area. The grand two-story lobby is equipped with a fireplace, coffee bar and ample seating. The second floor conveniently has a bar, lounge area, as well as a fitness studio. The individual residences offer two to four bedroom options, ranging from 1500 to 3600 square feet.

Each residence boasts numerous high end details, including expansive private balconies or terraces, 10-12 foot high ceilings, state of the art marble baths with six-foot Bain soaking tubs, Newport brass fixtures, double vanities, glass enclosed showers with hand held and body sprays, and separate water closets. The spacious gourmet kitchens are equipped with professional quality appliances, high end cabinetry, buyer’s choice of marble or granite countertops, and hardwood floors. Geometric architectural details throughout the residences make the space paramount.

On site sits a three-story clubhouse. The lower level boasts an indoor pool, sauna, lockers, fitness center, and a yoga studio. The main level showcases a lounge, bar, fireplace, wine storage, as well as three 50 person banquet rooms that can be combined to accommodate larger crowds. There is a 30-seat movie theatre on the third level, with a 160-inch screen. There is also a golf simulator, card room, billiard tables and catering kitchens on this level.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences at North Hills are an amazing concept for anyone looking to downsize while gaining high living, along with a carefree lifestyle. Luxury is attention to detail, originality, exclusivity, and above all quality. The dream team of Ritz-Carlton, RXR, and Daniel Gale Sotheby’s has achieved true luxury right on our very own Gold Coast.

March 2015 | 39

The First Ever

Ritz-Carlton Residences On Long Island Is Well On Its Way To Setting A New Standard For

Luxury Living

the Ritz-Carlton Residences sales center

Joe Graziose

T

he Ritz-Carlton has always been a name synonymous with distinction. It is a timeless tradition of excellence, one that continues to redefine luxury, with an incomparable commitment to the finest personal services and an unwavering devotion to the gold standards that have made The Ritz-Carlton a top luxury brand globally.

The company believes that service should not simply be reactive, but anticipatory; that service should not simply be compliant, but spontaneous. The ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton Residences who help to bring this philosophy to life are artists of anticipation; ambassadors of the brand who deliver personal and memorable services and experiences to residence owners.

“We are very excited to bring The Ritz-Carlton lifestyle to Long Island,” said Scott Rechler, Chairman and CEO of RXR Realty, the property’s developer.

“This unique development – just 20 miles from Manhattan, will offer Long Islanders a luxurious home and full service lifestyle like no other. There is significant interest in the marketplace for residences of this caliber, without the burden of traditional home ownership.”

Proof of interest is evident in the fact that after only having opened their On-Site Sales Center on October 2nd, 2014, the team at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Long Island, North Hills have already sold nearly half of the 124 residences in Phase 1. This is RXR Realty’s second development to carry The Ritz-Carlton Residences brand name. Their first Residence opened in 2008 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and includes 192 luxury residences.

516-486-6100 | info@theresidenceslongisland.com | 6000 Royal Court, North Hills, NY | Mon-Sun 10am-5pm

Michael Harris Spector of Spector Group, with Joe Graziose, RXR Realty Closing the Deal on two of the Luxury Residences

Chase Backer, Bobbie Iarrobino, Joe Graziose, RXR Emily Bock, RXR, Tara Poli, Daniel Gale

Katherine Cirelli, Bradley Nelson, Emily Bock, Abby Sheeline

Louis Cappelli – President of Cappelli Organization, Frank Haftel – FVP at RXR Realty, Debbie Petkanas – Sales Manager at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty (DGSIR), Scott Rechler – Chairman & CEO of RXR Realty, Michael Maturo – President & CFO of RXR Realty, Patricia Petersen – President & CEO of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty (DGSIR), Joe Graziose – SVP at RXR Realty, James Retz-SVP of Marketing & Technology at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty (DGSIR)

MANHATTAN

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B R O O K LY N

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QUEENS

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LONG ISLAND

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THE HAMPTONS

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THE NORTH FORK

IDYLLIC COLONIAL

LIVING THE LIFESTYLE

GORGEOUS WATER VIEW ESTATE

SET ON TWO ACRES

GOLD COAST TIMELESS ELEGANCE

HARBOR GREEN ESTATES BAYFRONT

LUXURY RESORT‑STYLE LIVING

ELEGANT NEW CONSTRUCTION

STONE HILL

Old Westbury | $6,350,000 | Sequestered on 3.7 flat acres on the Polo Estates, this majestic brick Colonial offers 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Boasting all the amenities for luxury living. Web#2689782. Stuart Bayer C: 516.375.1005; Maria Bababev C: 516.287.7716

Laurel Hollow | $3,449,000 | Newly constructed 8,000 sf Colonial integrates European aesthetics with state‑of‑the‑art amenities for maximum comfort. Gorgeous grand entry with generously portioned rooms. Web#2660014.

Kerri Kelly C: 516.633.1613; Lorna Mann C: 516.633.4075

Smithtown | $2,899,000 | Spectacular custom‑built waterfront home on 1.5 acres overlooking the Nissequogue River. 5,000 square feet. Cabana, sports court, 3‑car garage and in‑ground heated gunite pool.

Web#2710473. Kelley J. Taylor O: 631.549.4400

Cold Spring Harbor | Price Upon Request Six‑year‑young, 5‑bedroom, 5.5‑bath residence on 2.5 acres boasts extraordinary luxury amenities, theater, gym, wine cellar, stunning outdoor pool and tennis complex. Web#2673682. Maureen Polyé 516.582.5646

Sands Point | $3,300,000 | Brick center hall Georgian Colonial on 2+ acres with water views. Six bedrooms, 5 baths, plus 2 half‑baths. Master and principal rooms with brick fireplaces. Web#2679588. Nancy Tobin C: 516.509.9765; Maria Rovegno C: 516.729.2413

Sands Point | $2,580,000 | Spectacular, spacious and light‑filled with 5/6 bedrooms and 6 full baths. Pool, cabana and outdoor fireplace. This level of luxury rarely available at this price. Amazing value. Web#2704908.

Maggie Keats C: 516.449.7598

Mill Neck | $3,850,000 | Fantastic 4‑acre estate. 10,294 sf.

Custom‑built 6‑bedroom en‑suite. 7.5‑baths, 4 fireplaces and 7‑car garage. In‑ground pool and gated entry.

Short distance to NYC. Web#2728333. Maria Kafetzis C: 516.885.2525; Charles Jones C: 212.602.1328

Massapequa | $2,990,000 | Magnificent Dutch Colonial on the open bay, 800 square foot chef’s kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 3.55 baths, den, library, office, 4 fireplaces, pier, boat‑lift and heated in‑ground pool. Web#2724154.

Joan Harley O: 516.795.3456; C: 516.318.7231

Muttontown | $2,498,000 | Stone Hill at Muttontown is a gated, luxury, single‑family Estate home neighborhood, in a premier Nassau County Gold Coast location.

Designer model home for sale, immediate occupancy.

Web#2661127. Roberta Feuerstein C: 516.364.2505

FOR GUIDANCE AND INSIGHT ON ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE, PUT THE POWER OF ELLIMAN TO WORK FOR YOU. ASKELLIMAN.COM 110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, 11746. 631.549.7401 | © 2015 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS ARE DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. PHOTOS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

RIVERDALE

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WESTCHESTER/PUTNAM

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ASPEN

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LOS ANGELES

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FLORIDA

MAGNIFICENT CUSTOM COLONIAL Manhasset | $4,788,000 | Perched high atop Manhasset Bay on a secluded cul‑de‑sac overlooking a 35‑acre preserve.

This state‑of‑the‑art, 5‑bedroom, 5.5‑bath Manor home, designed by architect Michael J. Wallin, offers the ultimate in luxury and craftsmanship. Completion in the Spring of 2015. Web#2668844. Traci Conway Clinton C: 516.857.0987

Sands Point | $2,099,000 | Sumptuous room sizes and impeccable detail define this custom‑built home’s open living spaces and its well‑appointed 5 bedrooms, including the luxe master suite. Two acres. Web#2654931.

Maggie Keats C: 516.449.7598

BEST OF HARBOR ACRES

CHIC AND EASY – MOVE RIGHT IN

A SHOWCASE HOME

GENERAL’S ROW

OCEAN WATCH

THE ESTATES AT GREEN FIELDS

THE MANOR AT MORGAN COURT

Sands Point | $1,825,000 | Architecturally stunning and thoughtfully designed Ranch with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and a wonderful open floor plan. 1.2 lush acres with pool in a prime Harbor Acres location. Web#2731053.

Maggie Keats C: 516.449.7598

Garden City | $599,000 | Nestled within the Avalon Garden City Community are 19 classic brick Colonial homes. “General’s Row” – conveniently located at the center of it all. Web#1194596. Catherine Gerspach C: 516.238.2771

Sands Point | $1,600,000 | Fabulous 4‑bedroom, 3‑bath beautifully updated Ranch, sited on magnificent acre with pool offers stylish and comfortable living with spacious rooms and an easy floor plan. Web#2719352.

Maggie Keats C: 516.449.7598

Freeport | From $549,900 | New Construction: waterfront Townhouses nestled between Merrick and Freeport in the hamlet of Harbor Point. Boat slips included – up to 60 feet with deep water access. Boater’s paradise. Web#2699081.

Doreen Teta O: 516.608.8888, C: 516.581.7652

Roslyn Harbor | $1,299,000 | This modern 4‑bedroom, 3‑bath Ranch on over one flat acre accommodates indoor/outdoor entertaining with cathedral great room, den, decks, in‑ground pool, cul‑de‑sac. Web#2729296.

Mollie Grossman O: 516.629.2221, C: 516.521.5335

Old Brookville | Price Upon Request | Welcome to the Estates at Green Fields in Old Brookville, a premier Gold Coast community of 16 Estate homes.

Web#2688492. Patricia Pascullo C: 516 287.4871; Roberta Feuerstein C: 516.364.2505

design

25A

Interior Design

Photos by Marco Ricca

"My Client Wanted a Purple Dining Room"

By Keith Mazzei

A

s an interior designer, there are many details to be discussed with your new clients.

The room was large enough to handle the Crotch Mahogany three pedestals with inlays adorning the top.

A homeowner wants the decorator's ideas right away for all the spaces in the house. As I look around the home, it is my hope to be inspired by an interesting piece of furniture, perhaps the architecture of the room or a great family heirloom. For this one particular client, this space didn't provide any of the Keith Mazzei above. My client wanted a purple dining room! Being a professional, all I could say was “great...I love it.”

Our next step involved window treatments. I approached the design for the arched windows differently than the traditional double hung windows in the room. We selected a sheer pattern to feel soft, and flow nicely on the curves of the arches. The simple drapery panels are a deep purple velvet.

The space offers a lot of light during the day, so I didn't mind the deep dark color on the windows. All the drapery was pulled together with a purple bead trim on all the leading edges of the treatments. The ceiling color and finish is a venetian plaster. I used deep color to pick up the royal velvets and contrast all of the custom white trim work in the room. Many homeowners forget about the ceiling, however, it’s a very important feature in any room.

Color and light reflect off the ceiling especially with those two magnificent rock crystal chandeliers. They have an old world charm to them with a twist of transitional design. The colors in the room shimmer in the reflection of the crystal and the effect is beautiful, day or night.

Most people are terribly afraid of color and that's why they hire a designer. If color is what they are looking for, most choose the classics like red, green or blue; but not this client. She loved color and wanted purple for her dining room and that's what I gave her.

Our first step was to make a floor plan. There were nice architectural features in the dining room like a beautiful fire place with a large mantle and arched windows. Additionally, this room was big enough to hold two chandeliers.

After selecting all the furniture we moved on to fabrics and color selection.

The biggest challenge was the dining chairs. My client wanted something transitional, yet attractive and very practical; knowing many family dinners would take place there. We decided on an i-cat print on the chairs with a purple shiny vinyl on the seats. The vinyl gave off the look of a silk at first glance, which was the attractive part and the vinyl seat covering was the practical part. A custom, banquet size dining table was a must.

46 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

We selected a transitional damask wall covering with a little silver on a crisp white background. It was a perfect backdrop for all the art work in the room, adding lots of color and pattern to the dining room. When selecting art for clients it really comes down to personal taste. There is no right or wrong. A lot of the art work is watercolors on glass. Yes, glass is the canvas for these artists. Once again, its a perfect blend of color with that little modern twist.

In the end, with all of the finishing touches, the clients were very happy.

We achieved the elegance of a purple dining room with the practicality for large entertaining.

danielgale.com

Port Washington, NY – Knickerbocker Bay Club 32 Waterfront Residences. Sophisticated design. Gourmet kitchens. Spa-like baths. Virtual doorman. Green rooftop deck with fire pit, BBQ, lounge area and putting green overlooking Manhasset Bay. Amenities tailored to the 62+ active adult lifestyle. SD #4. MLS# 2724683.

From $600,000 - $3,000,000.

Knickerbocker Bay Club, 516.883.6400

Bayville, NY – Think Spring SD #3. MLS# 2720642. $535,000.

Suzi Chase, 516.759.4800 ext.107 c.516.606.5151

Brookville, NY – Extraordinary 5.3 Acres SD #15. MLS# 2735958. $5,928,000.

Lois Kirschenbaum, 516.484.1800 ext.229 c.516.526.7425

Cold Spring Harbor, NY – Exceptional CSH SD #2. MLS# 2654971. $2,268,000.

Lee Cunningham 631.427.6600 ext.315 c.516.429.1180

Douglas Manor, NY SD #26. MLS# 2737368. $2,680,000.

Ann Carlucci, 516.627.4440 ext.203 Catherine Matteo, 516.627.4440 ext.243

E. Atlantic Beach, NY SD #28. MLS# 2740272. $459,888.

Tracy Tsai, 718.762.2268 ext.151 Catherine Matteo, 718.762.2268 ext.133

Huntington, NY – Custom Colonial Harborfields SD #6. MLS# 2739649. $899,000.

Ruth Vago 631.427.6600 ext.214 c.631.379.1679

Huntington, NY – West Hills SD #13. MLS# 2720870. $1,150,000.

Cathy Casalicchio 631.427.6600 ext.222 c.631.678.8929

Lattingtown, NY – New Construction Mill Neck, NY SD #3. MLS# 2689209. $3,500,000.

SD #6. MLS# 2734249. $12,850,000.

Tracey Murray Kupferberg, 516.759.4800 ext.143 Linda Faraldo, 516.674.2000 ext.122, c.516.984.9049 c.516.233.0567

Lloyd Harbor, NY – Contemporary CSH SD #2. MLS# 2736585. $1,900,000.

Cathy Casalicchio 631.427.6600 ext.222 c.631.678.8929

Northport, NY – Waterfront SD #4. MLS# 2690801. $1,290,000.

Nikki Sturges 631.427.6600 ext.211 c.631.375.8557

Oceanside, NY SD #11. MLS# 2736772. $469,000.

Natalie Stacom, 516.627.4440 ext.350 Catherine Matteo, 516.627.4440 ext.243

Old Brookville, NY SD #1. MLS# 2741551. $1,998,000.

Karen Sharf, 516.674.2000 ext.130 c.516.972.7647

Each office is independently owned and operated. We are pledged to provide equal opportunity for housing to any prospective customer or client, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

Vero Beach gaining reputation as THE NEW

Hamptons of Florida

Oceanfront Living at its Best on Vero Beach’s Treasure Coast

By Julie Tarasovic

N

estled along Florida’s Treasure Coast in Vero Beach is a majestic estate home that overlooks the crystal blue Atlantic Ocean. The history of this magnificent home is as unique as the story behind its creation. Built in 1992 by a Cuban immigrant who came to this country with nothing, he earned a scholarship to a prestigious school, made a fortune as an inventor, and then set out to build an oceanfront compound for his family and friends. He began with the main house which has over 9,000 square feet of exquisite oceanfront living space. He then

48 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

built a guest house and a pool house on the property, but sadly he died a few short years later and never completed his dream.

The new owners purchased the property and completed the house for themselves and their three children. This oceanfront estate is truly coastal living at its finest. Aside from breathtaking ocean views from every room, three stories of living space, balconies, five bedrooms, seven baths, including a large private guest suite, this home has every feature that one can imagine.

LUXURY FLORIDA HOME FOR SALE

Situated on the South Beach area of Vero’s Barrier Island, the home has a grand private portico entrance flanked with beautiful natural ivy and colorful tropical landscaping. Other features include a gourmet chef’s kitchen, spacious formal dining room, fireplaces, a Tuscan-inspired wine cellar, fitness room, home theatre, billiard/game room with bar and an indoor elevator.

Outside of the home is a playground for all things beachy and elegant. A four-car garage is on the lower level with a heated free form pool on the main level outside overlooking the ocean.

The owners have enjoyed this tremendous family estate with all of the activities and fun of living on the ocean. Kayaking, fishing, swimming, volleyball, bonfires, movie nights with friends and gorgeous sunrises every morning make this home a magical experience.

VERO BEACH

Aside from living in this beautiful estate, Vero Beach is a wonderful place to live. It has everything a big city offers without all of the big city problems.

It has excellent restaurants, great shopping, a charming downtown on the beachside filled with boutiques, upscale hotels, art galleries, a world class theatre, and museum. It is also a haven for golf, watersports, fishing, boating and surfing with an average daily temperature of 78 degrees all year long. In addition to the ocean, Vero Beach’s Intracoastal Waterway is teeming with all kinds of wildlife, dolphin, manatee and birds. Enjoy it all by kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, sailboats and motorboats.There is never a dull moment living in this upscale, family-friendly seaside paradise.

For more information regarding this oceanfront estate, please contact Andonia Kleopoulos, 561-997-4644, Dale Sorensen Real Estate.

March 2015 | 49

Building COMFORT around

your LIFESTYLE

Robert Beer & Family have been building quality, luxury homes for over 60 years making them a great choice for helping your family to build a new home. RB Shore Development specializes in New Construction, Land Development, Project Management, Renovations, Landscaping, Sports Courts, Pools, Canabas, and much more, If you’re thinking of buildning or renovating a home and want to learn more, consider what RB Shore Development can do for you today, from concept to completion.

Robert Beer | RB Shore Development LLC Rated By 25A Magazine As One Of Long Island’s Top Builder RB Shore Development LLC | www.builtbybeer.com | (516) 625-0025 | info@builtbybeer.com

Gershwin Working on His Rhapsody. Photo Credit: Gershwin Collection, Edward Jablonski

By Monica Randall

A

s a young man, no one seemed less likely to end up on the Gold Coast than George Gershwin. But then anyone who was anybody, whether through great wealth or talent eventually did. Even the most famous resident of them all, Jay Gatsby, whom Tom Buchanan called "Mr. Nobody From Nowhere,” made his claim from boot-legging, then built the biggest palace overlooking the Long Island Sound.

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George Gershwin’s parents immigrated to the U.S from St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia, in the 1890’s. In 1898, George was born in Brooklyn into a music loving family. Moishe Gershowitz, who changed his name to Gershwin, was enterprising, ambitious, and unlike other Jewish immigrants, he soon owned several restaurants all over the city. They moved to a comfortable home on the lower easts side that had five bedrooms, a

maid, and a piano in their living room. The Gershwins were very proud to afford private lessons in classical music for their gifted son. All through his boyhood, young George wanted to make a name for himself. This was a very exciting time to live in the city, and there was money to be made as an entertainer, songwriter, or composer in almost any field. Gershwin was writing his own music at age fifteen, and his first published score, was “La La Lucille” eventually was used in a Broadway show. Gershwin began playing the piano at parties around the city for two dollars a night. It was there that his life took a turn when he met Broadway star, Al Jolson. Gershwin had just written an experimental piece called, “Swanee,” and Jolson asked if he could sing it in his new Broadway show, “Sinbad.” It soon became one of the biggest hits in show business in 1918.

Gershwin, who had mastered the works of Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy, was soon fascinated by the new sounds of Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington at Harlem’s famed, Cotton Club. All of these new throbbing, innovative and dazzling sounds would swirl around in his head and he began to incorporate, mix, and infuse them into his original compositions. The Jazz Age was just beginning to revolutionize American pop culture along with the works of Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, and Fanny Brice. These sources of inspiration were like seeds waiting to sprout, and would eventually take flight in what is considered to be Gershwin’s greatest masterpiece, “Rhapsody in Blue.” By age twenty-one, he was fast becoming a rising star in Tin Pan Alley and Broadway, and he created a series of hits along with his brother Ira Gershwin, who wrote the lyrics. Together they created, “Lady be Good,” “Strike up the band,” Show Girl,” and “Funny Face,” made famous in the film classic, with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn. In 1931, Gershwin’s Patriotic, “Of Thee I Sing,” became the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize. While riding the wave of success, Gershwin came to believe he was destined to write the first American Opera. He had been drawn to the life of African Americans and their creation of spiritual, Jazz, and the Blues music. He loved the high spirits of the race which culminated in his second most famous creation, “Porgy and Bess” in 1932.

Rhapsody In Blue It was Paul Whiteman, the biggest bandleader of his age, who commissioned the Rhapsody for piano and orchestra. It was first performed at the Aeolian Hall in New York in 1924. Whiteman and his Palace-Royal Orchestra were billed as an experiment in modern music. The orchestra was arranged on a three level stage with an elaborate display of colorful Japanese screens as a backdrop. To the left was a huge black concert grand piano. Gershwin was said to have been nervous, but eager to play his Rhapsody for the first time before an audience that included such notables as Victor Herbert, and Jascha Heifetz. When the opening clarinet glissando began, followed

by Gershwin’s piano solo, it put the audience under a spell and was later described as electrifying. The press called it a highly ingenious work of sweeping brilliance. But another critic claimed it was full of unexpected tonal contortions, and musical somersaults that kept you on the edge of your seat. All agreed it was new, thrilling, and exciting. Years later, Paul Whiteman made a movie called, “The King of Jazz,” where the entire orchestra, dressed all in white, rose up from a giant piano on a black mirrored stage, while Gershwin’s Rhapsody was being played.

Time Magazine Cover July 20, 1925. Photo Credit: Time Magazine The Rhapsody in Blue, was a turning point for Gershwin that not only made him famous, it made him rich. He appeared on the cover of Time Magazine on July 20th in 1925. In an interview, Gershwin claimed he wrote the entire piece in ten days to reflect what he saw as a feverish musical kaleidoscope of America during the 1920’s. That same year F. Scott Fitzgerald was writing his take on the Jazz Age, and a life of excess in his iconic novel, “The Great Gatsby.” Gold Coast mansions were sprouting up like mushrooms, and Clarence Mackey hosted a million dollar party for the Prince of Wales at his Roslyn Castle. There is no doubt this was one of the most exciting times to be alive.

Gershwin soon became the most popular composer in America, and as would be expected he soon found his way to Long Island, where he often performed at many of the grand palaces on the Gold Coast. There is even some rare home movie footage of him playing the piano in Otto Kahn’s massive ballroom at Oheka Castle, in Woodbury. But the world was changing too fast, and the stock market crash in 1929, followed by the Great Depression, took its toll. On Broadway, tickets sales were down fifty percent. Hollywood was fast becoming the place to be. Lavish musicals, and Busby-Berkeley movies were being created to drown out the hard times America was facing. George and his brother Ira were lured to March 2015 | 53

World Renowned Concert Pianist Alicia Zizzo. Photo Credit: Monica Randall

Hollywood, though they did not want to leave their hometown that had been the source of everything they had created. Gershwin rented a large Spanish style house across the street from his brother and his family. At first, California was all very new and exciting, full of glamorous parties, and the intricacies of making movies fascinated him. But after time, he claimed he felt weighted down, not as driven and increasingly frustrated.

But while there, he wrote some of the best popular songs for the movies we’ve all come to love. “Shall We Dance,” with Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers, “A Foggy Day” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” were said to show a new artistic maturity in his work. But the stress, loss of control and mutilation of his music was taking its toll. The powerful movie moguls seemed indifferent to the fragilities of genius. And he wrote in a letter that he felt he was just another faceless, anonymous cog on the

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giant Hollywood wheel. Gershwin began to suffer painful headaches that eventually killed him. George Gershwin died in 1937 of a brain tumor at age 38. Ironically, F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was also in Hollywood at the same time writing for the movies, claimed Hollywood was killing him; he died of a heart attack at age forty.

Over the years there has been a greater appreciation of Gershwin’s music and he has become more popular with time. His unique and original compositions embraced the American public in a way that few others had.

His most famous "Rhapsody in Blue" has been performed and recorded by every major orchestra in the world, yet no other original composition has been more mishandled, butchered, misinterpreted, and something of it’s magic has been lost. But that was about to change.

Alicia Receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Music for Her Discovery of Gershwins Original Masterpiece

Enter World Renowned Concert Pianist, Alicia Zizzo Long Island native, Alicia Zizzo, was drawn to the piano at the age of six. She studied with Carlos Buhler, and her skill and virtuosity had her performing all over the world at an early age. The dark haired beauty, with Sophia Loren good looks holds a doctorate degree in music and has played before dignitaries, and royalty at the Kremlin, Buckingham Palace, and the White House. Some years ago while feverishly working on mastering Gershwin’s piano concerto in F to perform for the Chopin Society in Warsaw, Poland, she was suddenly asked to also play Gershwin’s signature work, “Rhapsody in Blue,” as part of the program. With only four weeks to master it, Alicia began to run through the standard sheet music available to her. After several run-throughs, she realized something was off; something didn’t feel right.

As in handwriting, there are subtleties, nuances, and a pulsing vibrating life, consistent to each individual. It cannot be faked, altered, or forged, and that element which was unique to Gershwin’s music seemed missing.

Determined to find out what it was, Alicia drove eight hours to the Library of Congress in Washington. After a lot of red tape, she was able to gain access to Gershwin’s original hand written manuscript. What she discovered was astonishing. The "Rhapsody in Blue,” we’ve all come to know and love, was different and a whole lot more complex, “It was like discovering King Tut’s Tomb,” she said years later. Standing alone in the dark, impersonal cold chambers of that famous library, she was then told no one could make xerox copies of anything on file there. However there was no law against making hand written copies. Determined to bring this masterpiece back to the world, she spent a week copying all 68 pages by hand.

A Beautiful Gold Coast Mansion In 1971, Alicia and her husband Thomas Zizzo, a stockbroker, and an

accomplished musician, bought “Ebbin Manor,” a long neglected Gold Coast mansion in Upper Brookville. After the fall of hundreds of estates in the area, Ebbin, built in 1914 by Mortimer Barns, stands as a living monument to those few that survived, were restored, and are enjoying a second heyday. The French style chateau stands high on a hilltop, surrounded by one of the most beautiful classical gardens. To reach the main house, one passes a massive carriage and stable complex reminiscent of those found in the South of France. The old world ivy covered building is attached to the house by way of a Colombier in the style of the “Ferme du Manoir” of Provincial France. At the North end there is a huge tower with a tiled conical roof set off by a dovecote, or pigeon house at the top. The main entrance to the house is guarded by a pair of marble nymphs and bronze peacocks mounted on stone pedestals. Ebbin was a home designed for entertaining, and after two years of painstaking restoration, Alicia and her husband began hosting elegant dinner parties, and candlelit musicals on Sunday afternoons. It was at one of those black tie dinner parties that one of the guests somehow managed to creep up the stairs, rummage through the master bedroom, and stole the rare reel of film, marked: Gershwin at The Otto Kahn Castle 1934. Everyone had his or her suspicions as to whom might have taken it, but we’ll save that story for another time. An imported French ballroom with two hundred year old paneled walls brushed with gold, was the perfect setting for what was about to happen there. The Louis XIV mantle and overhead mirror reflected a gracious room decorated with gilt French furniture covered with red silk Damask fabric. In the middle of the room, a huge concert grand Steinway stood on the ancient Fontainebleau floors that creaked when you walked on them.

The Newly Discovered Rhapsody Alicia sat at her concert grand and studied the handwritten pages before her. Some lay in piles on the weathered parquet floor. Her dark shoulder length hair was pulled back in a rubber band. She took a deep breath and ran her fingers over several passages of sheet music, repeating them until they were perfect. There was an overlay of determination animated in her eyes. She had always been a perfectionist, and now she was going to play as if Gershwin were there in the room with her. Her fingers began to move across the keyboard in a kind of entrainment and heightened concentration and danced like an athlete across a magical stage. She ran through unfamiliar harmonies that coalesced with unexpected rhythms that took her by surprise. She wove sound and light as delicate as chiffon and let the notes hang suspended in the air so it could fill the empty places in your soul.

Gershwin’s Rhapsody was being newly recreated as it filled the room like no other sound ever had. Following the original cadenza, her hands rolled like warm waves over the keys to his famous Andantino Moderato Melody.

It was played so delicately that if a bird had chirped outside the window it might have broken the spell. The piano responded as though it were a living thing that had waited all its life for that moment of rapture. Its strings vibrated and sang like a chorus of angels in radiant attendance. Alicia continued to play hour after hour without once getting up to do anything other than what lay before her.

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Otto Kahn's Long Island Castle where Gershwin Often Performed. Photo Credit, Monica Randall

The French Ballroom where Alicia Played the Original Version of the Rhapsody In Blue. Photo Credit: Monica Randall The truly gifted people I’ve come to know in life, don’t seem to get tired.

They seem to live on some kind of cosmic ether fluid that flows through their veins, and they can go without sleep, food, or water for days on end.

One can imagine Michelangelo, who at the age of seventy-five, lying in pain on his back, one hundred feet up on a makeshift scaffold, knowing his only mission was to breathe life into the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and nothing else really mattered. When Alicia finished the entire piece, she sat there unmoving, suddenly numbed by grief, that such a musical genius had died so young, and she wondered what other masterpieces might have followed had he lived.

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Ebbin Manor in Upper Brookville. Photo Credit: Monica Randall

Three weeks later she performed the “Rhapsody in Blue” at the centuries old Ostrovsky Palace, in Warsaw Poland, and received a standing ovation.

She later recorded the entire work for Warner Brothers, “Gershwin Rediscovered” on CD, available all over the world. George Gershwin remains one of America’s most revered composers of our time.

Sources: Gershwin: A biography, by Edward Jablonski George Gershwin, by William G. Hyland Mansions of Long Island Gold Coast: Rizzoli International

celeb

25A Michael Nouri In NBC’s New Miniseries, ‘The Slap’

By Clara Morgan

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eteran actor Michael Nouri is appearing in five of NBC’s eightepisode miniseries, The Slap. Based on the book by Christos Tsiolkas and Australian television series of the same name, The Slap is produced by Matchbox Pictures and stars Peter Sarsgaard, Thandie Newton, Uma Thurman, Zachary Quinto, Melissa George, Thomas Sadoski and Brian Cox. Written and co-produced by Jon Robin Baitz (“Brothers & Sisters”), co-produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald (“Gladiator,” “Men in Black”), and directed by Lisa Cholodenko (“The Kids are All Right”), The Slap takes an unflinching look at how one little slap can have a huge impact. The show follows Hector, played by Peter Sarsgaard (“Blue Jasmine,” “An Education”), a public servant and father who explodes when his hothead cousin slaps another couple’s misbehaving child. This moment ignites a chain of events that will uncover long-buried secrets within this group of friends and family that vigorously challenge the core values of everyone involved.

Nouri, who has enjoyed a successful career spanning film (“The Proposal,” “Finding Forrester”), television (“Damages,” “CSI: NY”), and theater (“Victor/Victoria” opposite Julie Andrews), will play Thanasis Korkoulis in The Slap, a successful attorney and childhood friend of Brian Cox’s character, Manolis, the patriarch of the family.

On Monday, February 9, 2015, Nouri joined the all-star cast of The Slap who gathered for the New York Premiere Party hosted

by NBC and Vanity Fair at The New Museum. On the red carpet, Nouri expressed his excitement for the show’s premiere, saying “the cast and crew have been just sensational to work with […] this has been an incredibly thrilling project to be a part of.”

Nouri’s upcoming feature credits include “The Squeeze” which is being released in April, 2015 in which he also serves as a coproducer, “Teleios,” “The List,” and “Street Level,” in which he costars with Danny Trejo. Nouri recently co-starred in the feature film “Taken Away” which aired on Lifetime in Fall 2014.

For more information, please visit http://www.nbc.com/the-slap

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celeb

25A

DARJA

Nationwide Recording Artist, Songwriter, Producer

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arja is an ASCAP registered singer/songwriter, originally from Riga, Latvia but raised in Germany and the UK. She deferred her university education to participate in the popular German reality TV Show Popstars 2001. More than 11,000 singers attended open television auditions in Frankfurt, Cologne, Berlin, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Munich, conducted by choreographer Detlef "D!" Soost, producer Alex Christensen, and singer and radio host Noah Sow. After auditioning in Frankfurt and after multiple recalls, Darja was chosen as one of 32 contestants who immediately traveled to Ibiza, Spain, to receive training in singing, dancing, and fitness. In the end, three females including Darja, and the five males that remained, moved into a loft in Munich to start working on their performance and publicity skills.

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During Popstars, Darja gained significant publicity in Germany and started working on a solo career with Producer Tony Coutura. Darja rejected a solo record deal offer by East West Records, owned by Warner Brothers, to pursue a BSC in International Relations at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Sciences. While still in college in 2003, Darja participated in ITV’s Pop Idol (Season 2), where she was selected into the last five of the 10 groups in the competition. After her performance of Shakira's "Underneath your Clothes," Simon Cowell stated, “as a Pop Star package, Darja was excellent.”

In 2007, Darja transferred to New York City to pursue an acting degree from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Since her graduation, she has

Performing Her Summer Hit Single “Summer Breeze” appeared in films, commercials, industrials and voiceovers, representing companies such as Perkinelmer, Canon, UBS Investment Bank and PUMA, where she is the voice of the PUMA Perfume Animagical Global Commercial Campaign, featuring Usain Bolt. Darja has worked as the host and Executive Producer for CorporateProfile.com, and is now concentrating on her musical comeback with her first album release. Darja is performing on a regular basis in NYC, including at the annual Montauk Music Festival on Long Island, the Les Couleurs Charity Foundation and has been featured on multiple occasions during fashion week.

Her summer hit single “Summer Breeze” in collaboration with Zilos and Amathus Music has received tremendous media attention in the form of numerous positive music blog write-ups and radio interviews. “Summer

Breeze” topped the prestigious Kings of Spins Charts for weeks at No.#1.

Most recently, Darja was featured on local NYC Cable TV on PoyzenTV. com, where she performed for up and coming fashion designer, Ev Bessar.

Here in the US, Darja is working with Solace Music Group; collaborators as well with Rihanna and Britney Spears. Her new single with Solace is coming out soon, as well as her new single with Eryck Bry of Friggy Music.

In addition, she has recently been invited to rock the stage at the prestigious TBAIMS – The Big Apple Indie Music Series for Independent Artists, which receives over 3000 submissions a month.

Darja is proud of her many projects with numerous producers and DJs around the world.

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Photos by Jovon Photography

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25A

Gillis Poll & George Poll

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GILLIS & GEORGE

There Are No Secrets To Their Success Only Passion, Determination And Hard Work

By Venus Quintana

F

or Gillis and George Poll, success has been a lifelong journey; one that has catapulted them to places they always imagined. The prolific brothers have taken Long Island by storm, and do not plan on stopping anytime soon. They are in the business of food, and have a knack of doing the common things uncommonly well.

age, that he was destined to be in the restaurant industry. “To be successful, states George, you have to put your heart into it.” His tenacity and innate business savvy led him to take on a position as a cashier in the family restaurant, before he worked his way into the city, helping his family run several other businesses.

There are no secrets to their success; only passion, determination and hard work. Growing up in Manhasset, Gillis and George, along with their brother Dean, were local boys raised within a family who loved to cook and entertain. The gregarious and entrepreneurial traits of their father, James, were already running through their veins from the beginning. It was at the age of 12 that Gillis started to work as a busboy at Pappas, his father’s restaurant in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. From here, Gillis’s love for the industry blossomed and his natural curiosity led him to the culinary metropolis of Manhattan. “I would sneak off, jump on the train and go to clubs and places that were happening,” he said. Years later, he chose Manhattan as his place of residence for 12 years. There, Gillis recognized the vast opportunities in the food and hospitality industry. “As I explored, I gained all the experience and knowledge that would, one day, serve me very well.”

This was the beginning of a journey that would take the brothers to new heights. At the age of 27, Gillis opened up a restaurant of his own, along with George and Dean. They named it Pappas Restaurant, after their father’s eatery, which later became the very popular Riverbay Seafood Bar & Grill. With the success of their first restaurant under their belt, the brothers started to conceptualize and plan a new venture. In an effort to reflect their local upbringing and service their community, they opened up Bryant & Cooper Steak House in 1985. Their vision was clear; to bring an urban style and city feel to the Long Island restaurant scene. “It’s all about building a culture. Each restaurant has its own energy,” explains Gillis. Located along Route 25A in Roslyn, Bryant & Cooper is considered to be the number one steakhouse on Long Island, serving up dry-aged prime steaks, chops, and jumbo Maine lobsters to local diners and A-list celebrities alike. This iconic spot exudes sophistication and effortlessly delivers first class service. An on-site retail market carries the same meats and homemade sauces for cooking at home.

George Poll is the youngest of the brothers and the last to enter the family business. A born leader, George had no doubt, even from a tender young

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Gillis Poll & George Poll

Providing Exceptional Dining on the Gold Coast

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The Poll Brothers Restaurant

Bryant & Cooper Combining a family-friendly lifestyle with quality food, Gillis and George opened up Majors Steakhouse in East Meadow. Their goal was to offer a casual dining experience with more affordable options. The menu is rounded out with the best of the basics; fresh lobster, juicy burgers and sandwiches for every palate, attracting a unique mix of clientele ranging from young families to suited business people.

With their repertoire of restaurants growing, Gillis and George realized that with each new venture, a new story was unfolding. With a strong desire to open a place in their hometown of Manhasset, the brothers unveiled Cipollini Trattoria & Bar in 2005. Perfectly positioned in the Americana shopping center, their goal was to create a cosmopolitan dining destination that would suit all palates. “We grew up here, and we’re very proud of the area that raised us,” says Gillis. The inspiration for the casual upscale trattoria came from a desire to provide an all-encompassing experience. Families, couples, friends, shoppers and business associates flock here for lunch, dinner and cocktails. Cipollini has gained a reputation for its selection of contemporary Italian and Mediterranean-influenced dishes, including an array of enticing entrees, salads and freshly made brick-oven pizzas. With a resolve to offer a quick alternative to a sit-down meal, the brothers opened Cipollini Pronto. Located just around the corner from Cipollini, the European style café is the perfect place for shoppers to enjoy a light bite or beverage while they take the weight off their feet. In its first few months, Cipollini was awarded the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy 66 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

of Hospitality Sciences, an honor extended to a few restaurants on Long Island including Bryant & Cooper.

With the success of Cipollini now in their repertoire, Gillis and George decided to try a new concept. Having already conquered Italian, seafood and steakhouse cuisine, it was a serendipitous encounter that led to the birth of Toku Modern Asian in 2007. Frank Castagna of Castagna Realty offered the brothers a location that was also at The Americana Manhasset; it seemed only logical to say yes. It was here, that Gillis and George initiated a project that would utilize all their skills and love for detail and design.

They both worked diligently with expert designers to create a space that is “sleek and modern” while keeping its “warmth and character.” The equally impressive cuisine is predominantly Japanese with Chinese elements and touches of Thai. The brothers had a hand in crafting the Modern Asian menu, combining ingredients and international cooking techniques. Guests may enjoy traditional meals with an appetizer, entree and dessert, or dine exclusively on sushi. Others can order cocktails and a table full of appetizers and skewers to share. “We are sticklers for details," Gillis explains. "We only serve up excellent food and we never cut corners.”

Bar Frites Restaurant turned out to be their next exciting adventure.

With the continued help of Frank Castagna, Gillis and George went on to open up the very popular French Bistro at the Wheatley Plaza. “For good reason, we tend to lean towards upscale shopping centers," states Gillis.

Cipollini

Essential

is to the Success of any Business

"We have a captive audience here and a big lunch crowd.” The atmosphere, comfortable and inviting, evokes images of Northern France with its antique mirrors, wooden tables, white tiled walls and big globe lights hanging from the gold colored tin ceiling. The menu offers Gillis & George’s take on Bistro fare including great comfort food dishes and the classics. The burgers, steak frites, croque monsieur and steamed mussels served with pomme frites are also among the favorites.

Adaptation is essential to the success of any business. “Because our restaurants are in such close proximity to each other, we had to develop new concepts and ideas to keep up with the ever-changing tastes of our consumers,” explains Gillis. The brothers next venture would lead them

to the historic village of Roslyn. Hendrick’s Tavern announced itself in 2012 with bold style, sophistication and enticing classic American cuisine, serving up steaks, chops, poultry and seafood, as well as pastas, pizzas and salads.

The stunning restaurant once belonged to the site of the George Washington Manor that was acquired by the brothers in 2008. It personifies the romance and history of New York’s golden era, revealing a blend of eclectic and modern interior styles with historic touches, evoking images of a Manhattan supper club. In addition to the three bars and dining areas, Hendricks also offers its original space for events, including a 150-seat ballroom overlooking a glistening pond and two private rooms upstairs.

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The Poll Brothers Restaurants

bar frites French bistro

Hendrick's tavern classic American cuisine

March 2015 | 69

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Poll Brothers Restaurants Providing Luxurious Atmosphere and Acclaimed Cuisine

Gillis and George have a very unique gift. In essence, everything they touch turns to gold. Some would say it is luck, others would say it is opportunity. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”

Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent. When asked about his recipe for success, Gillis will tell you, “our ‘ethos’ is simple: consistency is the key.

Both George and I are involved and continuously present in all of our restaurants. We believe in putting our time in.” George is a firm believer in living a passionate life and bringing that energy into the every day. Both of them agree a huge contributor to their success is the loyalty and professionalism of their staff.

“Our crew is hand-picked," states Gillis.

"They work behind the scenes diligently and understand the culture of what we do. After all, a great empire is only as good as the driving force behind it.”

A big part of what makes the Poll brothers so special is their desire to give back to the community. Over the years, they have been honored by numerous foundations, including St. Francis Hospital, The Mental Health Association of Nassau County, The Sass Foundation for Medical Research, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Children’s Medical Fund and the JCC Sid Jacobson Center. They also have supported over 50 charitable organizations in the Long Island community.

Gillis and George have always had a longing to expand outside of the Long Island area. With much anticipation, the brothers are opening a new restaurant at the Westchester Ridge Hill shopping center in Yonkers. The family-style Italian eatery named Angelo’s, will be open seven days for lunch and dinner. And so, the journey continues for the brothers with the Midas Touch, as they embark on another prosperous adventure. It certainly won’t be their last.

George and Gillis at Pappas Restaurant Years Ago 70 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Toku

Spring and Summer Outside Dining

Modern Asian Cuisine

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taste

25A Food Network Star

Jeff

Mauro Sandwich King

E

Emmy-nominated celebrity chef, Jeff Mauro, was born and raised in Chicago where he was determined from an early age to become the funniest chef in the world. With meat, cheese & bread coursing through his veins, he auditioned and was selected for season seven of the hit show, ‘Food Network Star.’ He ultimately won the competition by combining his passions for cooking with comedy and landed his own series, ‘Sandwich King.’ After more than five successful seasons, he was tapped by The Food Network to also host ‘Candy Craze’ and hit daytime show, ‘The Kitchen.’ Mauro lives in Chicago with his wife Sarah and son, Lorenzo.

His favorite color? Pastrami.

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Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Grilled Pineapple Relish Recipe courtesy of Jeff Mauro Yield: 4 sandwiches Level: Easy

Ingredients 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1 tablespoon ground coriander 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 boneless pork butt or shoulder, fat cap scored (about 5 pounds) Sandwich Build: Sweet Chile Sauce, warmed, recipe follows Unsalted butter, softened, to toast rolls 4 soft potato rolls or sweet Hawaiian bread rolls Grilled Pineapple Relish, recipe follows Shredded red cabbage, to garnish Sweet Chile Sauce: 2 cups rice vinegar 1 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper 1 teaspoon kosher salt 4 cloves garlic, smashed Oil, for grilling 1 fresh pineapple, skinned, cored and cut into 1-inch slices 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon peeled and grated fresh ginger 1 lime, juiced 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced 1/2 red onion, diced Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions Sandwich Build: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cinnamon and cumin to make a dry rub. Massage the rub over the pork, making sure to rub it in between the scored fat cap. Wrap the pork in plastic wrap and let it sit for 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F with the oven rack in the middle position.

Remove the plastic wrap from the pork and place in a Dutch oven with a lid. Cover and place in the oven to roast for 3 hours. After 3 hours, uncover and cook for another 45 minutes to brown the fat and cook until the pork registers 200 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes.

Using two forks or your hands, pull apart the warm pork. Toss with the Chile Sauce. Butter and toast the buns until golden brown. Place ample quantities of pork on the bottom bun and top with Grilled Pineapple Relish and shredded red cabbage. Do your best hula dance and enjoy.

Sweet Chile Sauce: Bring the vinegar, sugar, crushed red pepper, salt and garlic to a boil and cook until the sugar and salt dissolve. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, and then set aside until the pork is ready. Right before you toss in the pork, remove the smashed garlic cloves.

Grilled Pineapple Relish: Preheat a grill pan or grill over high heat. Rub the grill with a bit of oil and grill each side of the pineapple slices until dark grill marks appear, 3 to 5 minutes a side. Roughly chop the pineapple and add it to a bowl with the cilantro, ginger, lime juice, jalapeno and onions. Season with salt and pepper.

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Jeff Mauro's Chicago-Style Hot Dog with Homemade Relish Recipe courtesy of Jeff Mauro Yield: 4 servings Level: Intermediate

Ingredients

Directions

4 natural casing all-beef franks 4 fresh hot dog buns 1 small white onion, finely chopped 8 jarred sport pickled peppers (or sub pickled hot peppers) Homemade Bread and Butter Relish, for serving, recipe follows Yellow mustard, for slathering Hand Cut Fries with Celery Salt, for serving, recipe follows

Set up a large pot with a steamer insert and steam the franks until warm, about 5 minutes. When the franks are almost done, place the buns on top of the franks to steam, 1 to 2 minutes. Place the franks in the buns and top each with some of the onions, 2 peppers, some Homemade Bread and Butter Relish and slather with mustard. To serve, top the franks with a handful of Hand Cut Fries with Celery Salt, wrap each frank in foil and let steam, 2 to 3 minutes, before eating. Eat on the towel-lined trunk of a car.

Homemade Bread and Butter Relish: 1 cup bread and butter pickles, finely diced 1 tablespoon pickled cherry peppers, finely diced 1 teaspoon sugar

Homemade Bread and Butter Relish: Combine the pickles, peppers and sugar in a bowl and mix well. Serve.

Yield: 1 cup.

Hand Cut Fries with Celery Salt: Vegetable oil 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed Celery salt, for sprinkling

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Hand Cut Fries with Celery Salt: Fill a 6-quart heavy pot or Dutch oven two-thirds of the way full with oil. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fat thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick sticks. Fry the potatoes in batches, until golden brown, 8 minutes per batch. Transfer the potatoes with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with celery salt and serve immediately.

Jeff Mauro's Veggie Mini Burger Pita with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce Recipe courtesy of Jeff Mauro Yield: 4 servings Level: Intermediate

Ingredients 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed One 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro 1 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 tablespoon olive oil Sandwich Build: 4 whole wheat large pitas, about 8-inches in diameter, warmed Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, recipe follows Red leaf lettuce 1 large beef steak tomato, sliced Cucumber Yogurt Sauce: 1/2 cup English cucumber, diced 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 teaspoons tahini 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1 small clove garlic, grated Hot sauce, for sprinkling Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions Sandwich Build: For the veggie mini burgers: Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan.

Add the quinoa, cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the quinoa from the saucepan and spread out onto a baking sheet. Cool completely.

Puree half the can of cannellini in the bowl of a food processor. Add 1/4 cup of the cooked quinoa (save the rest for another time), the cannellini puree, the remaining whole cannellini, corn, panko, cilantro, salt, chili powder, cumin, garlic, pepper and lemon juice in a large bowl. Mix until the mixture comes together. Form 8 small patties, about 2-ounces each.

Refrigerate the patties for 15 minutes to firm up.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes per side.

For the sandwich build: Place 2 patties inside each pita, top with a dollop of Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, some lettuce and tomato. Serve while on the elliptical machine.

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce: Mix the cucumbers, yogurt, lemon juice, tahini, sugar, garlic in a small bowl. Sprinkle with hot sauce, salt and pepper.

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taste

25A Season One winner of “MasterChef Junior” on Fox

Alexander Weiss

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ew York City native Alexander Weiss is captivating audiences around the world with his mesmerizing recipes and impressive culinary flare. At the age of just 13 years old, he became a chef wunderkind; named the first-ever winner for MasterChef Junior; FOX’S popular TV show. In addition to his savory beef wellington or pistachio-flavored French macaroons, Weiss brings new light to cooking tofu. “My partnership with House Foods is a great opportunity to teach others about working with tofu and educate people about its different textures and types," said Weiss. "I am discovering new and creative ways to include it in my existing recipes and developing new ones, as well."

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Spicy Grilled Tofu Salad Recipe courtesy of Alexander Weiss Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients 1 block House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Firm, sliced about 1 ½ inches thick 1 tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp cinnamon 1 ½ tsp paprika Pinch of chili flakes 2 tsp Sriracha 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp canola oil Salt to taste 1 large bunch of your favorite salad mix (arugula, mesclun, romaine lettuce, etc) 1 tsp Dijon mustard 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp lemon juice ¾ cup olive oil, plus extra for the grill Salt and pepper to taste ½ cup chopped walnuts ¼ cup raisins or cranberries

Directions In a small pan, toast the cayenne, garlic powder, cinnamon, and paprika until fragrant (about a minute).

While the spices are toasting, mix the sriracha, soy sauce, and canola oil, then add in the toasted spices.

Season with salt and pour over the tofu in a large zip lock bag.

Marinade in the fridge for at least 4 hours, and up to 2 days.

Vinaigrette: In a large bowl, whisk together the mustard, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice.

Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly.

Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat and oil it well to prevent the tofu from sticking.

Once hot, place the tofu on and grill until thoroughly colored, about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Remove from the heat.

Mix the salad mix with the walnuts, raisins, and vinaigrette.

Toss well and serve on plates (or arrange in a serving bowl).

Fan out the tofu on top and serve.

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Alexander Weiss Tofu Macaroon Recipe courtesy of Alexander Weiss Yield: 12-15 Macaroons

Ingredients ¼ cup sugar Pinch of cream of tartar 1 cup confectioners’ sugar Pinch salt 2 egg whites ¾ cup almond flour Filling: Mascarpone Honey Cream: ½ pkg House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Soft, blended in a food processor until smooth ¼ cup good quality honey 2 Tbsp sugar 1 tsp vanilla 7 oz. room temperature mascarpone cheese.

Beat the tofu, mascarpone, honey, and sugar together until smooth, and then incorporate the vanilla until smooth.

Refrigerate until needed.

Carmel: ½ pkg House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Soft, blended in a food processor until smooth 3 Tbsp unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1 tsp flaked sea salt.

In a medium, heavy bottom pot, add in your sugar.

Cook until the sugar over medium heat, until the sugar has melted and turned to an amber color, about 10 minutes.

It is ok if there are still a few lumps.

Immediately at this stage, add in the butter and whisk vigorously- this mixture will bubble violently. Once the butter is incorporated, add in the blended tofu, and whisk vigorously again until it is combined, about 2 minutes.

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Remove from the pot and transfer to heatproof bowl to cool, then add in the flaked sea salt.

Refrigerate until needed.

Vanilla Bean Dulce de Leche: ½ pkg House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Soft, blended in a food processor until smooth 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 tsp unsalted butter 1 vanilla bean, scraped, pod reserved 1 ½ Tbsp heavy cream pinch of kosher salt In a medium, heavy bottom skillet over medium heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk with the bitter and vanilla bean and its pod.

Bring to a bubble and cook for about three minutes, or until this mixture starts to blister on the bottom of the pan, then add in the cream, tofu, and salt and whisk vigorously until combined well. Cook for a further 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened again.

Reserve in a bowl to cool, then refrigerate overnight in an airtight container until needed.

Directions Sift powdered sugar and almond flour and set aside.

Beat egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in a mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold in half of the flour and sugar mixture until nearly all combined, then add the remaining powdered sugar mixture. *You can test by taking batter and dropping it into the bowl with the rest of the batter- it should form ribbons and disappear in 10 seconds.

Spoon batter into a pastry bag with fitted tip. Pipe 1” rounds about 1 in. apart on baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Let rest at room temp for 25-30 min. or until the tops are dry to the touch before baking.

Place baking trays one at a time on the middle rack and bake for 15 min at 325. Cool macaroons and transfer to wire rack.

Sandwich macaroons with 1 tsp of filling.

Cornelia Guest

Celeb Catering Recipe Courtesy by Cornelia Guest

Flourless Chocolate Tart Serves 6 Active time: 30 Minutes Total time: 2 Hour and 30 minutes There are a few things I can’t live without, and chocolate is one of them!

Ingredients 16 ounces nondairy semisweet or dark chocolate chips 1-cup raw pecans 1-cup raw walnuts ¼ cup cane sugar 4 tablespoons Earth Balance “butter” 2 cups nondairy milk 2 tablespoons cornstarch powder ¼ cup water

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.

3. Pulverize pecans, walnuts, and sugar in a food processor.

4. Add Earth Balance “butter” and process until a thick batter forms.

5. Press Batter into a 9 to 10 inch tart pan.

6. Bake the crust for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a rack to cool.

7. In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat. It should be scalding hot but not boiling.

8. While milk is heating, combine cornstarch and water in a bowl or measuring cup until powder completely dissolves. This is your thickener.

9. Add melted chocolate to milk and whisky to combine thoroughly.

10. Whisk in thickener and sit well 11. Lower heats and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chocolate mixture will thicken.

12. Pour mixture into the baked tart shell and chill for at least 2 hours or as long as overnight.

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25A

Romeo Auer

Elegant Affairs Recipe Courtesy by Romeo Auer

Kobe Beef Carpaccio Ingredients 7 to 9 oz. Kobe Beef 2-4 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sea Salt 2 oz. Arugula, Rocket Greens, or Mache Flaked Sea Salt and Black Pepper 1 Lemon, plus 4 wedges for serving 2 oz. Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved into thin slices 2 tsp. Truffle Oil Shaved Truffles (optional)

Preparation Wrap the beef tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the beef for two hours before slicing it. Before slicing the beef, lay out chilled plates that are all brushed with olive oil and a little salt.

1.Trim off the fat from the beef. Next, slice the meat as thinly as possible. Lay four squares of plastic wrap on your work surface. On each piece of plastic, place an equal amount of sliced beef. Position the slices so they do not overlap. Top with another sheet of plastic wrap. Press down to seal.

2. Use a rolling pin to gently tap the beef so that it spreads out and be-

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comes wafer-thin, and, if possible, about the same size as the serving plate.

3. Remove the top layer of plastic wrap and invert the carpaccio on a plate. Next, peel off the other piece of wrap. Drizzle with a little olive oil and spread over the beef.

4. In a bowl, dress your greens with 2 tsp. of olive oil, black cracked pepper, and sea salt. Add lemon juice to taste. Scatter the dressed greens over the plates of carpaccio, followed by the Parmigiano and Truffle shavings.

Drizzle the entire plate with the truffle oil. Grind more pepper over the dish.

Serve this with a piece of toasted bread.

Ramon Herrera

Messina Market Recipe Courtesy by Ramon Herrera

Chicken Forestiere Makes: 2 servings Active Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes A la forestiere (“of the forest�) is characterizedby deep, hearty flavors, usually including mushrooms. Our version is lighter than the French classic but still has every bit of the flavor.

Ingredients 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat (8 ounces) 3 teaspoons canola oil, divided 2 tablespoons minced shallot, or onion 2 cups sliced mushrooms 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, or chives Preparation 1. Combine 2 tablespoons flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture.

2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side, adjusting heat as necessary to prevent burning. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil to the pan. Add shallot (or onion) and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the mushrooms with the remaining 1 tablespoon flour and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Pour in

broth and wine and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to a steady simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

4. Reduce heat to low and stir in parsley (or chives). Return the chicken to the pan, turn to coat with the sauce, and cook until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.

Tips & Notes Tips for Two: Store leftover canned broth for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in your freezer. Leftover broth in aseptic packages keeps for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Add to soups, sauces and stews; use for cooking rice and grains; add a little when reheating leftovers to prevent them drying out.

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25A Breakfast for Dinner: Serve the Unexpected

Bagels with Cream Cheese

Andrea Correale, President of Elegant Affairs, is a celebrity caterer and the new national entertaining expert for the Lenox brand. Andrea has been featured in multiple magazines and on television networks such as People magazine, Woman's Day magazine, Oprah.com, FOX 5, WCBS, Bravo, VH1, Lifetime, and Martha Stewart Living.

L'Oreal Paris Academy calls her their lifestyle expert with a series of entertaining videos used to inspire women nationwide. elegantaffairscaterers.com

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B

y this time of year, everyone is exhausted from the snow and suffering from the winter blues, which makes it the perfect time to entertain. Because most of your social circle is enjoying staying inside in their sweatpants, why not bring the casual party to your home? Forget chic affairs; tell everyone to come over in pajamas and sweats, and throw a breakfast-for-dinner party. It’s not about making a fuss, it’s about warmth, sharing, laughter and best of all: comfort food.

As far as the menu goes, you can’t have a breakfast-for-dinner party that doesn’t involve eggs. They’re a breakfast staple and can be cooked many different ways. If you’re up to standing at the stove, you can have a makeyour-own omelet station for guests with a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables. For an easy crowd pleaser, bake quiches or frittatas with your favorite ingredients. Another classic dish is eggs benedict, which allows you creative freedom. Consider a St. Patrick’s Day-themed eggs benedict with corned beef cabbage hash and a savory mustard hollandaise.

at Your Next Party

By Andrea Correale

Top Left. Savory Muffins with Herbs, Tomatoes, Feta Cheese and Ham Top Right. Deviled Egg Spoons Bottom Left. Breakfast Pizza Bottom Right. Eggs Benedict

For a fun twist on traditional eggs, put them on pizza dough along with your favorite breakfast foods like bacon, cheese, arugula, sausage, and more. Breakfast pizza is a great way to bridge the gap between breakfast and dinner.

You can’t have breakfast-for-dinner without French toast and pancakes.

Everyone loves a classic French toast, but it’s also fun to jazz it up a bit.

Try making a strawberry and burrata stuffed challah French toast with a three-berry compote, or bake it like a soufflé (similar to bread pudding) to hold in moisture. For a soufflé, use day-old bread and add cinnamon and vanilla, cream cheese, and maple syrup. If you make pancakes, go with a silver dollar size and serve them up with a variety of syrups and compotes to make it interesting.

As for proteins, don’t be afraid of different options out there. Consider a carved-to-order ham, or any variety of steak, such as a New York strip, porterhouse, or a skirt steak. There are always the popular breakfast choices, like bacon and sausage, which your guests will love.

Because any make-ahead dishes are ideal for a party, mini sandwiches

are a wonderful option, such as bacon, egg and cheese sliders, or cream cheese, dill and lox mini sandwiches. I love to make these sandwiches on mini croissants or bagels, as they’re easy for your guests to eat and are delicious.

No breakfast is complete without a great muffin. Of course, you can offer traditional sweet muffins, but savory muffins are a great twist, since you’re serving them for dinner. Think about sundried tomato and mozzarella muffins, spinach and olive muffins, or peach, basil and cheddar muffins. They’re easy to make ahead and are a delicious alternative to their sweeter counterparts.

Last but not least: what’s brunch without delicious cocktails? The same goes for when you host a breakfast-for-dinner party. Set up a Prosecco bar for your guests. It costs less than champagne and you can make so many amazing cocktails with it, such as a pomegranate ginger Prosecco cocktail, or a raspberry bellini.

So go ahead, pull your friends out of their winter slumps and host an amazing breakfast-for-dinner party. Your guests will love relaxing in their comfiest clothes while mingling and eating with friends.

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25A Giovanni Muscat

H

MR. PEPPERS

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SAUCE CO.

M

y name is Giovanni, and I am MR. PEPPERS HOT SAUCE CO.!

Like many immigrants that made this country great, my story is not that different. I came from Tunis, located on the coast of North Africa and landed in New York City on the eastern coast of America.

My father Jules was a chef; my grandfather Nicola a butcher, and I also became a chef, like my father. I have worked in many fine dining establishments in New York City and throughout Long Island. In 1990, I opened my own restaurant, Saverina’s of Huntington. Years later, I retired.

Retirement provided me with an ample amount of free time to explore new interests and endeavors. One day, while going through my antique collection of cookbooks, I came upon a book of my grandfathers with a recipe inside for a condiment called: Harissa. I attempted to put this recipe to work, and market it along with our unique hot sauce condiments that I have crafted.

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Harissa, is a Middle Eastern and North African staple. It is found throughout Europe and now in America, where it is also produced. It is a hot, divine, pepper pesto made from sundried sriracha chilies, garlic, olive oil and Middle Eastern spices. It is ready to use in sauces, soups, stew, or even as a spread on sandwiches. Add it to your barbeque sauce or dilute it with wine or broth to marinate your favorite meats. This product adds a hot delicious and spicy taste to all your favorite dishes, such as couscous and tagine.

The rest, as they say in America, is history.

All our products are all natural, preservative free and gluten free.

Mr. Peppers Hot Sauce Co. P.O. Box 218 Plainview, N.Y. 11803, 516-695-8265

PLANNING ON HAVING AN AFFAIR?

delicious cuisine, stylish presentation, impeccable service

OFF-PREMISE CATERING & EVENT DESIGN for your HOME, BUSINESS or VENUE Southampton 631 324 9825 路 Glen Cove 516 676 8500 路 Manhattan 212 991 0078 ElegantAffairsCaterers.com

T-BAR STEAK AND LOUNGE

NEW YORK’S DINING HEADQUARTERS ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE

By Elizabeth Darwen

T

-Bar Steak and Lounge is not your average New York City Steakhouse. Located in the comfortable Upper East Side neighborhood filled with small quiet restaurants, T-Bar is a fun and vibrant atmosphere with a modern twist on the great traditional American steakhouse. Established in October 2007, this restaurant brings a whole new crowd of people rushing up to the Upper East Side. Owned by restaurant veteran from the Lenox Room, Tony Fortuna, and managed by Sara Ruiz, this team has successfully made outstanding food even better in a contemporary way.

T-Bar does not have the dark and ominous typical steakhouse ambiance.

Instead it uses bright greens and oranges with straight modern lines mixed with eccentric patterns. Glass light fixtures echo off of the adorned designs effortlessly. Every room of the restaurant uses different textures that complement each other making a new and exciting environment for an overall dining experience. Dark wood details with white tile accents against the bright colors give a clean fashionable look that can draw in any type of crowd.

The bar showcases signature cocktails like the T-BAR Cosmo for any mood you are in. The lounge makes a perfect area to enjoy drinks from a vast list of red and white wines and cocktails, and includes a complete bar menu.

Executive Chef Ben Zwicker, also the previous chef at the Lenox Room, has undeniably taken the menu to new heights. He has formulated sauces such as the béarnaise and au poivre that will give any steak an extra kick.

They offer a lunch, dinner and brunch menu. Signature appetizers include Yellowfin Tuna Tartare and Seared Spanish Octopus, four prime cuts of steak and Crispy Long Island Duck for entrees, and the always satisfying Banana Parfait Mille Feuilles or Strawberry Sundae for dessert. Each item on the menu features T-Bar’s own modern touch. Along with the steak bar, the raw bar features an array of different tartars to suit any palate, as well as fresh seafood options such as tuna, branzino and salmon.

T-Bar Steak and Lounge is the perfect example of a new way of American dining in style with new world items, while keeping the cuisine rich and inventive to keep guests guessing and always coming back for more.

T-Bar Steak and Lounge 1278 Third Ave., New York, NY 10021

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JUNIPER BAR THE NEWEST, SEXY & SOPHISTICATED UPSCALE BAR AND RESTAURANT IN MIDTOWN WEST

J

By Elizabeth Darwen

uniper is the latest upscale bar and restaurant to descend upon New York’s Midtown West. Located at 237 West 35th Street, this sophisticated, multi-leveled restaurant, bar and entertainment space from New York restauranteur, Tom Murphy, has now officially launched. Home to an expansive main level bar, intimate 30-seat dining area, and classy event room, Juniper Bar is perfectly configured to become the hottest new neighborhood locale. Just steps away from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, Juniper is a fun and lively setting for casual small bites, post-work ‘catchups’, or delicious pre-theater dinners.

Stepping inside this newly minted establishment with its vibrant, rusticelegant décor, you know you have arrived at a very special destination.

Named after the bright blue juniper berry, known for its piney flavor and use in flavoring gin, the bar has a stylish color palate of teals, greys, and bursts of orange. Large, custom-designed lamps hang from the hand-painted patterned ceiling, adding texture and decoration to the room, and beams made from reclaimed wood bring an earthy vibe to the space.

Approachable and decidedly unpretentious, the hive of activity at Juniper can be seen through large front windows which draws in passersbys and will become alfresco from Spring. All-day light spills over the attractive front space; vintage high-top bar stools and small tables provide for casual dining. The main bar area, featuring a deluxe 48ft stone “smart bar” with USB charging stations for cell phones and tablets, is situated beside a dance floor and elevated DJ booth. It leads through to a 30-seat dining room lending itself to a more intimate environment. With large TV screens providing unobstructed views, Juniper is a sophisticated place to game-watch with friends. Downstairs, Juniper’s chic entertainment space offers the option to fully customize both food and beverage packages to ensure guests are presented with a unique and exciting event. The space has been cleverly designed with black banquettes, mirrors, reflecting marble top cocktail tables and white chandeliers, giving it a low-key, sexy lounge vibe.

Juniper boasts a generous menu of delicious wraps, sandwiches and gourmet burgers that go perfectly with one of their numerous draft and bottle beer offerings or a selection from their wine bar. The Lobster Club, with thin cut Applewood smoked bacon and lemon aioli, is quite simply delectable, and the burger menu features specialties like the spicy Fire Breathing Burger and the Thai Style with avocado, papaya, watercress, spicy chili glaze, and

goat cheese ginger mayo. Other items on the menu are Mexican-meets-Bistro tapas style appetizers. You’ll find fresh Maine Lobster Tacos, Cheese Steak Spring Rolls with aged provolone, and for the more health conscious there are lighter options including Edamame Hummus or Kale Artichoke Dip served with oregano pita chips. On the entrée list, you’ll find supremely well-executed classics such as the Filet of Salmon wrapped with thin cut potatoes, wood sorrel, and balsamic gastrique, or Bourbon Steak; a 14 ounce N.Y. Strip, sweet potato mash and bourbon jus.

Juniper’s inspiring cocktail list features creative combinations such as the Blueberry Lemon Gin & Tonic with fresh blueberries, mint, lemon and St. George Gin, and the Pomegranate Cranberry Cosmo with Tito’s Vodka, St. Germaine Elderflower, cranberry and pomegranate juice. Juniper could be mistaken for a downtown beer-nerd haunt with 15 drafts on tap, including a number of crafts, and organic options, as well as 16 bottles varieties.

Happy Hour at Juniper is sure to please Midtown West’s after-work revelers, with Prosecco, cabernet and sauvignon blanc, house-infused Juniper Rosemary Gin & Tonic and Ithaca Flower Power IPA all on offer for only $6 every weekday from 4:00-7:00pm.

Juniper Bar 237 West 35th St., New York, NY 10001 Phone: (212) 967-2511 Website: juniperbarnyc.com

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VILLAGE PRIME

BLEECKER STREET’S NEW TEMPLE TO CLASSIC STEAKHOUSE FARE

By Elizabeth Darwen

V

illage Prime, a new temple to modern American cuisine brings the fresh seafood and fine meats of a classic Uptown steakhouse to a hip downtown setting. Just steps from 7th Avenue, Village Prime combines excellently-prepared food with polished service in a chic and ambient space.

The menu at Village Prime is balanced between quality prime steak and fresh seafood, with a host of appetizers and entrees that are uncomplicated yet palate-pleasing; creative yet non-pretentious. The impressive USDA Prime Meat selection includes the deliciously-juicy Cowboy Rib-Eye, and the Bone-in New York Strip which is wonderfully succulent and chargrilled to perfection. A well-considered selection of gourmet steak sides are perfect partners to go with your chosen cut: caramelized onions, sautéed wild mushrooms, potato gratin, creamed spinach or lobster mac and cheese.

The superb interplay of texture and color by Executive Chef Rory O’Farrell is equally camera- and fork-ready. Start your dining experience with appetizers from the ‘Raw Bar’, which offers Market Oysters, Chilled Seafood Tower for two or four, and the ever-popular Tuna Tartare, or with starters such as the Lobster Bisque, French Onion Soup or the sublime Maryland Lump Crab Cake.

The menu’s seafood offerings are equally as enticing. The Chilean Sea Bass, pan-seared and served with crème fraiche, potato puree, Swiss chard and red wine-Worcestershire reduction, is fresh and flavorful, while the Linecaught Swordfish, served with zucchini and Brussel sprout risotto and crispy Brussel sprouts, serves as a lesson in how fish should be cooked.

Don’t forget about the dizzying desserts: the Chocolate Lava is smooth 88 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

and sinfully rich, and the classic Crème Brulée is elegantly presented in a long boat-like dish.

Village Prime’s weekend brunch is sure to make fashionable West Village revelers giggle in delight – featuring Cinnamon Pecan French Toast with fresh fruit, mascarpone and vanilla mousse; Steak & Eggs with homemade cast iron potatoes; or the Crab Meat Ciabatta with avocado, watercress and lemon vinaigrette. Better yet, enjoy your brunch with unlimited champagne for the fixed price of $30.

A lengthy cocktail menu features old classics and new creations alike — the Fig Blossom is composed of fig vodka, elderflower, orange juice, and splash of cranberry juice and the Strawberry Bliss is a delightful mix of vanilla vodka, strawberry puree, and basil. There is an extensive wine list, over 30 single malts from notable regions and a wide selection of craft beers.

Village Prime’s interior channels the glamour and sophistication of a vintage wine cellar, of which the designer, Lesly Zamor of Seed Design Planning, says he was inspired. The simple, black-and-white exterior stands as a stark contrast to its dimly-lit, ambient interior, particularly in the evening when exposed-filament bulbs emulate candlelight and cast an amber-glow over the front bar and intimate dining room. Unfinished wood and cow-hides line the walls, while walnut tables, leather banquette seating and wild flower arrangements give the restaurant an earthy, rustic feel – reminiscent of a luxury log cabin.

Village Prime: 302 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10014, Phone: (212) 727-7463 Website: villageprimenyc.com

SWIFTY’S RESTAURANT A SWIFT AND ELEGANT AFFAIR

By Elizabeth Darwen

S

wifty’s restaurant, located on the east side of Lexington between 72nd and 73rd, has been a favorite Upper East Side haunt for over 15 years, despite an ever-changing dining scene.

Renowned restaurateurs Stephen Attoe and Robert Caravaggi, former chef and maître d’ respectively of legendary Upper East Side boîte, Mortimer’s, created Swifty’s in 1999. Swifty’s combines classic, straightforward American and European cuisine with impeccable service and warm ambiance. Revolving fine art exhibit in both rooms add to this American bistro’s festive atmosphere.

The glamor and sophistication of Swifty’s also emanates from the distinctive clientele who have graced its tables since the day it was born. This is the rare kind of classy neighborhood watering hole where all are welcome to enjoy the fun and cultured atmosphere.

Celebrity clientele through the years and recently include: Owen Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tory Burch, Ricky Gervais, Valentino Garavani, Sopranos creator David Chase, Christine Baranski, Tony Bennett, Roger Waters, Jude Law, Anjelica Huston, Jane Fonda, Fernando Botero and more. Society names include Blaine Trump, Jamee Gregory, Reinaldo and Carolina Herrera, Laura Bush, Debbie Bancroft, Wendy Vanderbilt, Emelia Fanjul, Serena Boardman, Mark Gilbertson, Jeb Bush, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, Dan Lufkin, Emelia St Amand, and Aerin Lauder.

Styled by famed decorators Mario Buatta and Anne Eisenhower – the décor

at Swifty’s is reminiscent of a well-appointed English country house. The wooden paneling, patterned wallpaper, leather banquettes and mirrored walls are shown off to most romantic effect by dimly-lit lamps in the evening.

The intimate dining room, with rustic wooden floors and enhanced with seasonal flowers, presents the perfect place for a catch up with friends or a romantic dinner. The back room holds up to 44 guests for a private lunch or dinner.

Swifty’s dinner menu fixtures include corn fritters with Alaskan salmon roe, jumbo lump crabmeat served with tomato aspic, gruyere cheese soufflé, curried chicken salad, Peconic Bay scallops meunière, and sashimi grade tuna carpaccio. Current seasonal items include roasted loin of venison and classic cassoulet. The brunch menu includes a range of creative salads, organic free range eggs, blueberry and buckwheat pancakes, plus steaks and burgers from the grill. House made dessert highlights include chocolate and grand marnier soufflés, ginger pudding, ice creams and sorbets, and vanilla meringue cake.

Swifty’s Events Catering is used at many of New York’s social functions.

From events at the Frick Collection, to the Sloan Kettering Benefit at the International Fine Arts and Antiques Show, as well as private lunches and dinners at home, Swifty’s Events Catering reflects the personality and style of every host.

Swifty’s Restaurant: 1007 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10021 Phone: (212) 535-6000 Website: swiftysnyc.com

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EXECUTIVE CHEF DAVID HIGGS BRINGS

NEW FOOD PHILOSOPHIES TO THE SAXON BOUTIQUE HOTEL, VILLAS & SPA

S

ince joining Johannesburg’s Saxon Boutique Hotel just two months ago, award winning Executive Chef David Higgs, may appear to have been a little quiet but under this facade, he has been carefully designing together with his Food & Beverage team, a whole new culinary culture for the hotel. With huge amounts of energy and a clear vision to position The Saxon Hotel’s cuisine amongst the best in the world, he has injected the kitchen team with renewed enthusiasm to produce the finest menus in the country.

Inspired predominantly by his own philosophies, and especially a love for Italian food, ensuring that the freshest and highest quality ingredients are prepared simply and with passion, there is a variety of not only new menus soon to be unveiled, but also a range of exciting dining options and foodie experiences to choose from.

Soon to be refurbished, The Saxon Restaurant & Terrace overlooking the hotel’s immaculate gardens, will present a brassiere style cuisine in a relaxed ambiance offering a casual and comfortable dining experience. The choice of food will be sublime ranging from composed salads with unusual yet delicious variations, homemade pastas and risottos to grills prepared according to one’s individual preference alongside signature dishes of scallops, cutlets of beef or quail. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner, this new

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temperate style of restaurant is sure to match any occasion from business meetings to a relaxed, end of the day haven of solitude.

Working alongside Chef Higgs, Head Sommelier, Francis Krone, recognised both locally and internationally for his wine knowledge and expertise, together this creative duo are able to tailor-make an impeccable gourmet experience, offering many a memorable event - well suited to The Saxon’s reputation for its variety of individually inspired venues privatized for guests’ exclusive use and pleasure.

In-keeping with his creative flair however, Chef Higgs has also taken a few of the hotel’s existing activities and cleverly re-designed them to further promote The Saxon as offering a wide choice of unique foodie experiences.

Starting with Breakfast @ The Saxon, as much as this was Chef Higgs introduction to his cheffing career and is still his favourite meal of the day, this nourishing buffet appeals to a wide range of dietary requirements.

The soon to be launched Sunday Brunch on the other hand, combines decadence of style together with Chef’s philosophies to showcase the absolute finest cuisine, which enhanced by the tranquil setting and live saxophone music will offer local Jo’burgers something totally out of the ordinary.

And last but not least, High Tea @ The Saxon, where ladies and their friends, moms and daughters, as well as business counterparts, can enjoy individually plated sweet and savoury treats crafted by a very talented young lady pastry chef, Minette Smith who is part of Chef Higgs’s elite team.

All of these will be ‘rolled out’ to patrons over the coming months, but not without suitable announcements to ensure guests the opportunity to secure advance reservations.

However, this is not where the story ends. Chef Higgs was not awarded South Africa’s ‘Best Chef’ for nothing and like any stage performer, and renowned professional, he is orchestrating something exceptional, leaving the ‘best to last’ … so be prepared for an introduction to an entirely new, intimately exclusive, yet interactive fine dining experience that will entice guests not just locally, but worldwide. Watch this space!

For more information visit: http://www.saxon.co.za/#/home.

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25A The Ritz-Carlton Montreal Cooks Up A $200m Restoration

By Norah Bradford

The Ritz-Carlton Montreal Grand Entrance

T

he Ritz-Carlton Montreal offers its guests a sublime mixture of old and new. The only hotel in Quebec to be granted the CAA/AAA’s prestigious Five Diamond Award, The Ritz-Carlton Montreal has also been named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Best New Hotels and also has Robb Report’s Top 100 Hotels for 2013.

During an extensive $200 million restoration, the building’s façade was preserved and restored, public spaces were renovated and redecorated, and rooms were redesigned with the utmost in luxury and comfort in mind. The Ritz-Carlton Montreal expanded and converted part of the historic building to accommodate a new residential wing; The Ritz-Carlton Residences. These 45 exclusive residences provide the opportunity to live at a renowned Montreal address, while enjoying the comforts and services of a luxury hotel.

The Ritz-Carlton Montreal has 98 guest rooms and 31 suites. The Royal Suite, at 4,700 sq. ft, is the largest hotel suite in Montreal. The guest rooms feature high-tech amenities, such as intuitively remembering a guest’s temperature preferences upon check-in, and motion sensors that activate lights to guide guests in a darkened room.

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The Ritz-Carlton Montreal Deluxe Room Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Montreal have access to a wealth of amenities; dining at Maison Boulud, enjoying afternoon tea in the hotel’s impeccable garden, working out at the gym or lounging in the Palm Court. Nearby, Montreal’s nightlife, boutiques and galleries, sporting events, theatre and other cultural attractions beckon. The hotel is in the heart of Montreal’s best shopping district, where guests can find all the best international brands. Guests can even shop at the famed jeweler Tiffany & Co., which opened its 2,000 sq. ft. boutique just below The Ritz-Carlton Residences.

Fine dining has been synonymous with The Ritz-Carlton Montreal since the turn of the century. Today, famed Chef Daniel Boulud’s Maison Boulud puts a modern spin on traditional French culinary tradition with a particular focus on local ingredients and artisanal Quebecois products. The chic and elegant Maison Boulud was designed as a counterpoint to the more traditional areas of the hotel by the innovative design team, Super Potato, who are internationally renowned for their cutting edge restaurant design.

The Ritz-Carlton Montreal 1228 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H3G 1H6, Canada Phone: (514) 842-4212 Website: ritzmontreal.com

Hotel Vernet Bar

Hotel Vernet Room

Hotel Vernet

A 21st Century Parisian Boutique Hotel In The Heart Of The City

By Norah Bradford

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ernet was a painter who specialized in producing paintings of the sea. He brought them back to Paris from Rome, where he was an integral piece of the social fabric and well known to the circle of aristocrats in the Grand Tour of the 18th Century; an older version of what today we would refer to as “the Jet-Set.” Hotel Vernet, a luxury boutique property located on a secluded street just off the Champs-Elysees, and a three minute walk from the venerable Four Seasons Hotel George V, draws on the spirit of Vernet.

With its stunning décor, Hotel Vernet is an aesthetically pleasing place to stay and socialize when visiting Paris. Thoroughly renovated to celebrate the building’s 100th anniversary, the Vernet is very 21st Century inside, though it still retains some of its distinguishing architectural features which make it oh-so-Parisian. Interior designer François Champsaur pays tribute to Parisian elegance and French craftsmanship with the hotel’s décor; the stand out example of this is the stained glass dome of the restaurant designed by Gustav Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame.

The rooms and suites have been cleverly designed with an aesthetic that

is truly unique. Modern touches in the form of appliances, amenities and free wireless internet access all help make the guest feel welcome in a modern space that is their home-away-from-home whilst visiting Paris.

The bar at the Hotel Vernet is a centerpiece of the social life of the hotel.

It has a fabulous ceiling fresco, painted by internationally celebrated Jean-Michel Aberola, which contrasts against the dynamic carpet design created by the same artist. The bar serves classic cocktails with creative and modern execution. Try the Martini Royale Bianco or the non-alcoholic Fruits de Vernet.

Dining at the hotel’s restaurant, ‘V’, by Executive Chef Richard Robe, offers a sense of theater as its large glass window enables diners to see the kitchen in action. The menu is designed like a travel diary with the aim of creating a gastronomic journey for every visitor.

Hotel Vernet 25 rue Vernet, 75008 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0)1-44-31-98-00 Website: hotelvernet-paris.com March 2015 | 93

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25A CORINTHIA HOTEL LONDON

LONDON’S HEADQUARTERS FOR DINING, SPA & LIFESTYLE

By Norah Bradford

C

orinthia Hotel London is a luxury hotel with a unique location.

Nestled between the River Thames, The iconic structures of British government and 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square and the art exhibition of the National Gallery and a brisk stroll from the chic boutiques and dining of St. James’s and Mayfair.

The Corinthia London’s history has an interesting historical pedigree.

The establishment opened in the late 19th century with its brochure advertising its virtues which would not be lost on the modern visitor.

“That the hotel’s location is particularly recommend it to ladies and families visiting the West End during the Season; to traveler’s from Paris and the Continent, arriving from Dover and Folkestone at the Charing Cross Terminus; to Officers and others attending the levees at St James; to Ladies going to the Drawing Rooms, State Balls, and Concerts at Buckingham Palace; and to colonial and American visitors unused to the great world of London.”

During the First and Second World War the hotel’s location led it to be requisitioned by the Government in order to provide extra space for administrating the conflicts. Room 474 was the first headquarters for SOE, what today is part of the Secret Intelligence Service of James Bond fame.

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After the building was sold in the mid 2000s an extensive refurbishment took its history full circle - back to its roots as a luxury destination at the heart of London. The hotel today boasts a number of rooms, suites and penthouses all with Hypnos beds, Nespresso machines and a Loewe television.

Essential for recovery after a long journey to the City, leaving the room you have within the hotel a beauty salon by Daniel Galvin and an extensive multi-floor spa - ESPA Life at Corinthia.

Dining and entertaining options abound and are all first rate experiences.

Massimo Restaurant and Bar, a large open dining space with massive columns serves flawless Italian cuisine. The Northall restaurant looking forward towards the Embankment and River Thames serves Executive Head Chef Garry Hollihead’s impeccable interpretation of classic British food.

For afternoon tea or drinks the Lobby Lounge, illuminated by a custom chandelier by Baccarat is an exquisite venue. For evening drinks the more intimate Bassoon Bar offers cocktails and classic drinks in replica Queen Victoria glassware. Regular live music underscores the theme and the name of this see-and-be-seen in venue.

Corinthia Hotel London Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD, United Kingdom Phone:+44-20-7930-8181 Website: corinthia.com/hotels/london

Casino Themed Parties DJ’s for All Occasion’s | Green Screen Photo Favors | Movies Under the Stars | Invitations

516-867-1203 www.NYCasinoParties.com info@NYCasinoparties.com

Cruising in Paradise:

An Eco-Friendly Galápagos Adventure

By Lavanya Sunkara

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he name Galápagos conjures images of exotic wildlife, breathtaking volcanic vistas, and 100-year-old giant tortoises. Located 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the islands have lured many explorers, including Charles Darwin, who developed his Theory of Evolution during his visit. Darwin may have roughed it on the H.M.S Beagle, but Ecoventura’s luxury yachts make it easy to see the archipelago in all its glory. With comfortable, ocean-facing cabins, gourmet meals, a fully stocked bar, multiple decks for sunbathing and stargazing, a friendly crew, naturalist guides, and exciting daily excursions, you are bound to have an unforgettable vacation on the enchanted isles.

Ecoventura has been leading expedition cruises in the Galápagos since 1990. The first-class fleet includes three motor-yachts – named M/Y Eric, Flamingo I, and Letty – each serving 20 guests. The seven-day cruise on Flamingo I, upon which I embarked, whisked me to San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Española, Isabela, and Floreana. The islands, created five-million years ago by undersea volcanic eruptions, are now protected as a national park; each provide abundant opportunities for visitors to come face-to-face with unique wildlife that wander freely and fearlessly. Every island is drastically different in its flora and fauna, including colorful iguanas, penguins, sally light-foot crabs, blue-footed booby birds, albatrosses, and tortoises. The best way to experience the natural beauty of the Galápagos is aboard small 96 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

vessels, such as those offered by Ecoventura, which can visit sites that cannot accommodate larger boats.

Every day, I awoke to magical new landscapes, untouched by civilization or barely populated. After a delectable hot breakfast, we ventured out in groups of 10 in panga – inflatable zodiac boats – for land and sea activities accompanied by our two enthusiastic, sibling naturalist guides, Ivan and Karina Lopez.

“Hello Paradisers, welcome to another beautiful day in paradise,” Ivan said, as we boarded the panga. One morning, we strolled along a picture perfect white sand beach along turquoise blue water in Cerro Brujo, on San Cristóbal Island – where sunbathing sea lions greeted us audibly – and Kicker Rock, a vertical tuff cone formation that juts up 500 feet out of the ocean, stood tall in the distance.

An afternoon adventure in Playa Ochoa took us snorkeling with sea lions that danced around us like ballerinas while playfully blowing bubbles. Our guides, always attentive and supportive, paid extra attention to novice snorkelers like myself, so I could enjoy the marine life. After gaining more experience, I was ready to go deep-water snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, a collapsed, sunken volcanic cone that attracts divers from around the

world. I had a spectacular opportunity to join an underwater kaleidoscope of colorful fish, sea turtles, eagle rays, and shy reef sharks.

Leaving the undersea world behind, we cruised to Punta Pitt, another vertical tuff rock formation in San Cristóbal where nazca, blue-footed and red-footed boobies nested. With no predators, the birds of the Galápagos were unfazed by our presence, allowing us to get close to admire their beauty. Frigatebirds, known for their bright-red necks puffed in a dazzling display during courtship, can be spotted hovering above areas where blue-footed boobies fish, trying to steal their catches and following cruise boats to catch free rides. Near the shore, the world’s smallest penguins are seen perched on rocks, foraging for food in the water. On every island – from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz – we met different species of Darwin’s finches; their little bodies camouflaged to their surroundings, reminding us how remarkable nature truly is.

There is no shortage of wildlife on terra firma. Gentle hikes on the islands brought us up close to amazing animals. The land iguana can be seen feeding on leaves under prickly pear cacti on South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs offering otherworldly views. On Santa Cruz, the scenery gradually transformed as we drove up through all seven vegetation zones to reach the tortoise reserve at “Las Primicias,” one of the private farms in the highlands where we met graceful tortoises in their natural habitat. Encountering a giant tortoise is like traveling back to a time when nature was completely untouched and giants roamed the earth. There is no Lonesome George anymore, but The Centro de Crianza Fausto llerena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station) is breeding tortoises for their conservation.

From the exotic wildlife and the secluded beaches to the stunning marine life, the outings were unforgettable, but on the onboard experience was icing on the cake. Chilly snorkeling trips were instantly forgotten the sec-

ond I stepped onboard and was handed hot chocolate and offered hors d’oeuvre. Fresh juice and fruit followed hikes. Ecuadorian and international gourmet cuisine, from cheese-stuffed yucca dumplings and chicken cordon bleu to pistachio-encrusted mahi-mahi, satiated our appetites. Our guide, Ivan, belted out a few tunes with his talented bandmates/fellow crewmembers on the top deck as we sipped Chilean wine and snapped photos with new friends.

The trip was all the more fulfilling knowing that I was onboard an eco-friendly ship; Ecoventura received Rainforest Alliance’s Smart Voyager certification for its environmental stewardship. They are committed to protecting the vulnerable ecosystems of the islands, ensuring that guests enjoy the comforts of home, while keeping the environment free from pollutants through the use of biodegradable products. Ecoventura’s M/Y Eric yacht is equipped with solar panels and wind generators. In 2006, the company became the first operation in the Galapagos to completely offset carbon emissions and aims to make its ships the greenest in the islands. I cannot wait to return to paradise on their fanciest ship yet, MV Origin, debuting in early 2016.

As the sun set below the horizon and night fell over the Pacific, we slumbered contently to the slight hum of the engine and the splashing of waves.

Darwin may have slept on a hammock, but we were blissful to have walked in his footsteps in grandeur.

Galápagos is a year-round destination. December through May is warmer and the winds are calmer for cruising.

Visit www.Ecoventura.com or call 800-633-7972 for more information.

Price: $4,100 to $4,900 per passenger.

Where to Stay in Ecuador: Hotel Oro Verde in Guayaquil.

Airline to Galápagos: AeroGal from Guayaquil to San Cristóbal Island.

March 2015 | 97

Dining at a Tavern and in the Clouds with a Side of Local History

Castle in the Clouds. Photo Credit Philibrick Photography 2008

S

By Diana Erbio

avoring cuisine created by culinary masters, ordering that indulgent dessert sans guilt and saying yes please, when asked for a refill on that cocktail are all high on my list of vacation pleasures. Also relished, much like the surprise of a complimentary appetizer sample bestowed by the chef, is uncovering bits of local history.

suites. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the adjoining Wolfe’s Tavern. The original fireplaces, wood floors and tin ceiling have kept safe the taverns’ early American atmosphere for present day travelers.

Over 2000 pewter mugs hang from the wood beams. Each represents the 100 different beers that have been sampled by an individual tavern patron to earn the mug.

At Wolfe’s Tavern in Wolfeboro New Hampshire all of the above can be experienced. The tavern is in the original 1812 structure built by Nathanial Rogers. When the rail line started to transport tourists to the lakeside town of Wolfeboro wanting to connect to the steamboats on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1872, the private residence began welcoming lodgers.

During the 1920s it was a restaurant and gift shop called The Copper Kettle, in the 1930s it became a high-end summer guest house named Carr House for its new owners. Closed during WWII and reopened in 1945, the lakeside structure once again found itself under new ownership in 1962. It was then expanded and renamed the Wolfeboro Inn. Today the Wolfeboro Inn is open year round and has 44 guest rooms and

Dinner specialties at the tavern range from chicken pot pie with house made chicken gravy with carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, butternut squash, spinach and fresh oregano and Short Rib Shepherd’s pie, to Sesame Crusted Sashimi Grade Tuna. During the off season Chef’s Table is a dining experience offered to 8 to 12 people. For each event Chef Hoke Wilson creates a different menu and pairs the courses with specially selected beer and wine offerings.

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Breakfast at the tavern can be hardy or light. I went with the Challah French Bread, which is cinnamon and nutmeg soaked challah bread griddled and finished with butter and maple syrup, while my husband

Castle in the Clouds. Photo Credit Philibrick Photography

Wolfeboro Inn

chose the Corned Beef Hash Skillet (homemade corned beef, pan bronzed and topped with Swiss cheese and chives and 2 cage free fried eggs) before we set out to explore. As you can tell, we opted for hardy. An amazing day trip about a half hour drive from the New Hampshire Inn was to Castle in the Clouds, a mountaintop estate built in 1913 by Tom Plant who had made his fortune in the shoe manufacturing industry. By 1910 Plant’s factory was the largest in the United States.

Tom Plant named his estate in the clouds LUCKNOW. But unfortunately for Tom Plant his luck ran out and LUCKNOW went into foreclosure in 1941 and was sold. In 1956 a subsequent owner renamed the mansion in the mountains, Castle in the Clouds and opened it to the public. Today the Castle Preservation Society owns the estate, minus a bottling plant on the original parcel that is privately held.

The surrounding 5500 acres include a waterfall that can be reached via a foot bridge. We trekked to it from the parking lot before taking the trolley bus to the castle in the clouds. The 16 room mansion built in the Arts and Craft style fit naturally into the landscape. The home is set up as it was when Tom and his second wife Olive lived there. Hydroelectric power, semi-circular needle showers, ammonia-brine cooled refrigeration, central vacuum and intercom systems are evidence of its technological modernity.

We wandered the rooms and noted glasswork by Tiffany Studios of NY, an octagonal dining room, with star-patterned hardwood floor, marble fireplace and secret room which could be entered from a half-size door which when closed and locked from inside blended into the outside wall and could not easily be detected. We were told Tom Plant liked to escape to this room to read and think in solitude.

When satisfied that we had discovered most of LUCKNOW’s treasures we took the trolley bus to the Carriage House Restaurant for a lunch that was scenic and delicious. From our table on the stone terrace, the mountain

views reminded us that we were actually in the clouds. We both chose the Tom Foolery, which was home cooked turkey, melted Brie, apple smoked bacon with cranberry aioli on a cranberry ciabatta roll. Other tempting choices included crab cakes with caper remoulade, an English pub burger marinated in ale, with cheddar caramelized onion and gravy on an English muffin, lobster roll and a variety of soups, salads and more.

Back at the Wolfeboro Inn we wandered down to the lakefront where the Winnipesaukee Belle was docked. We decided we would take a cruise on the 65-foot replica turn-of-the-century paddle wheeled boat the next day and be transported on Lake Winnipesaukee just as the lodgers of past centuries were when they stayed at the Inn built by Nathanial Rogers in 1812. I was right when I anticipated we would be served more tasty bits of local history.

Sidebar Wolfeboro Inn. 90 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH. 603-569-3016 www. wolfeboroinn.com Castle in the Clouds. 455 Old Mountain Road, Route 171, Moutonborough, NH. 603-476-5900. www.castleintheclouds.org Open May 9th through May 31st – Weekends Only. June 6th through October 25th- Open Daily.

Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm.

Nearby Museums for additional sides of local history New Hampshire Boat Museum. 399 Center Street. Wolfeboro, NH. 603569-4554 www.NHBM.org Wright Museum which explores experiences of America’s Greatest Generation during World War II on the home front and on the battlefield. 77 Center Street. Wolfeboro, NH. 603-569-1212 www.wrightmuseum.org Diana Erbio is a freelance writer and lives on Long Island.

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25A DONATE Get your sisters, mothers, and girlfriends together to join forces and raise awareness for heart disease at the Sea Star Ballroom in Riverhead.

On March 6 from 7pm-11pm come together for a sit down dinner, complimentary wine, DJ & dancing, cash bar, raffle prizes & more. Tickets are $85 per person in advance and $95 per person at the door. Portions of the proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association. Check out the 'Stay the Night' package, where the adjacent Hyatt Place East End offers one ticket to the Red Dress Dinner and an overnight stay at the beautiful hotel. Please call (631) 208-9200, ext. 426 for tickets or for more information! www.atlantisbanquetsandevents.com.

ever wunder

By Gwen Wunderlich-Smith

For many of us spring can’t come soon enough. Let our event calendar help you get through the rest of the cold days with some live music, charitable dinners and even a little shopping.

By the time you have headed out to all of these fabulous places it will be just about time.

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ENJOY Prepare yourself for a six-week mid-winter music festival. Taking place in Long Island's unique vineyard tasting rooms, craft breweries, hotels and theater, Live on the Vine offers an unforgettable experience. The 2015 Winterfest takes place from February 21 through March 29 featuring world-class musicians, award-winning wines, and superb local cuisine amongst the spectacular backdrop of the legendary North Fork of Long Island. http://www.liwinterfest.com.

DINE Situated on what once was the coast of Manhattan now lies New York’s finest dining experience; Santina. Guaranteeing to serve lighter, coastal Italian fare, yet heavy on the seafood, they have seamlessly integrated Italian coastal cuisine with modern culinary sensibilities. While the outside resembles a glass box, the room inside is furnished with a rectangular bar, 100 seats at white marble tables that lay beneath Murano chandeliers. Santina is located underneath the Gansevoort entrance to the High Line Park at 820 Washington Street. santinanyc.com.

SHOP Join us for an exclusive showing of Isabelle Armstrong’s Fall 2015 collection on March 6-7, at The Wedding Salon of Manhasset (1468 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, NY) to sip champagne and view the collection. Isabelle Armstrong is a luxury bridal collection headquartered in New York City, creating beautifully crafted gowns that epitomize elegance, glamour, and allure. The exclusive design house is comprised of a select team, which combine their talent and experience to create beautiful, sophisticated pieces. Each gown is made with a precise attention to detail—from perfect pleats, delicate drapery, to the highest quality of fabrics and materials— which place the Isabelle Armstrong Collection on the highest tier of wedding gown designers. http://www.isabellearmstrongny.com.

CELEBRATE Sand’s Point invites you to “Dinner Party at the Guggenheims.” Expect an elegant dinner theater experience that will explore the festive spirit of the Guggenheims, whose reputation of lavish entertainment at their Gold Coast estate is well known. Inside décor bears semblance to rich Italian Renaissance-style mansion, featuring exquisite chandeliers with detailed ceilings, and a grand, rustic staircase. Taking place on March 21st at 7 p.m., theatregoers get to time-travel back to the speakeasy era of the 1920s, all the way to the 1940s. This enchanted evening will feature a live orchestra in the Palm Court, a show by Tiger/Fried Productions and a served gourmet dinner with open bar, catered by Philip Stone, including dessert with the performers. Festive attire is encouraged, and the hoofers and flappers in the audience will have ample opportunity to interact with members of the Guggenheim family. Join us for this unforgettable night. Tickets for “Dinner Party at the Guggenheims” are $110 per person and may be purchased at TheSandsPointPreserve.com or by phone at (516) 571-7904.

March 2015 | 101

Kathrina & Billy Joel

Artist KATHRINA MICCIO

One Of The Top Artists To Capture True Celebrity Portraits

K

By Chase Backer

athrina Miccio feels her entry into modern expressionism of music-dedicated artwork, was smooth and fast. When asked

by The Cutting Room’s owner, Steve Walter, to have a onewoman show in 2001, she jumped at the chance. Miccio stated, “portraits of musicians just made sense.” Co-owner Chris Noth, said to me, “the paintings are staying. The room just came to life! If you sell something, replace it.” Kathrina laughed and stated, “and who am I to argue with Mr. Big?” Her work has remained on permanent display since then.

Presently 20 portraits are seen as a permanent installation on the “Kat Walk” of The Cutting Room NYC, music venue. “The Faces of Music Collection II” 2001-present. Some 20 or so of Miccio’s portraits of rock musicians and jazz legends, range from Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Jimmy Page, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, to name a few.

Kathrina was asked to paint a portrait of Billy Joel to display at The Cutting Room when he performed there for a private show. When we met, I

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described how I captured the image of him that I used for his painting.

He said he remembered that exact moment and what he was thinking at the time. Kathrina states, “it was one of the greatest moments of my career; that I caught a moment, and got into his head.” Her painting of Ray Charles was also featured in “The Biography of Billy Joel,” by Marc Bego, also pictured with Billy Joel’s daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. She was asked to paint a portrait of Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones when he performed there. “It was very nerve racking to paint a portrait of an incredible painter.” He noted, “Wow, that’s quite good, isn’t it?”

Ronnie liked it so much, he signed the back of the piece. His wife, Sally Humphreys, told me it was the best likeness of her husband she has ever seen. Kathrina stated, “I was both grateful and relieved. It was an incredible feeling.”

Miccio was commissioned by British Airways to paint a portrait of Roger Daltrey when he showcased at The Cutting Room. He liked it so much, he signed it as well. Miccio stated, “he was so incredibly nice and very personable.”

Andrea Bocelli

Roger Daltrey

Ronnie Wood

Rob Thomas

Kathrina Miccio Captures Musicians' Lightness on Canvas

Janis Joplin

Eric Clapton

When asked about her painting of Joan Rivers, Miccio said Joan performed at The Cutting Room for years, so her portrait hung there. She would refer to it every once in awhile on stage, and joke about herself. “When Joan signed it, remembers Miccio, she made me know she loved the painting, and the jokes were “in jest.”

Most recently she displayed her original work for “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” Exhibit at The Revel Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ, and was asked to paint a portrait of Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 where he performed. I spent quite awhile talking with him about the piece. He signed the back writing, “This is F*@cking Awesome.” Miccio laughed and said, “I guess he liked it.”

Kathrina exhibited “Gibson Masters” at The Gibson Guitar Showroom Gallery in New York. It was a tremendous success with a nearly sold out show, and was a star-studded night. Some guests included the late actor and sponsor for her show; “Sopranos” James Gandolfini, actor Federico Castelluccio, “Analyze That” Raymond Franza, “American Idol-Rock of Ages” star Constantine Maroulis, and “New York Dolls” Steve Conte.

Gibson Masters received rave reviews from The New York Daily News.

Miccio was also honored at the Artist of The Year Award Show and was showcased in Talent in Motion Magazine and The Long Island Exchange.

Ray Charles She recently participated in the first ever art gallery opening at SM Gallery in Coney Island, NY. Miccio also has a collection of Italian portraits and landscapes. One of them, "Visioni" was exhibited at the Salmagundi Club Art, N.Y. Her work is in numerous private and corporate collections including those of actors; the late James Gandolfini, Whoopi Goldberg, recording artist Andrea Bocelli, The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Beau Dietl, and Marianne Stern Interiors. Her murals and paintings adorn the walls of numerous restaurants such as Lusso, SOHO NYC, and Johnnies NYC, and many corporate buildings and private homes. Miccio has been featured as a mural artist for NBC Nate Berkus, “American “Dream Builders,” and the TV documentary about Joan Rivers; “A Piece of Work,” Soprano’s Dominic Chianese documentary for HBO, FX “Rescue Me” with Denis Leary, “Love Monkey” with Tom Cavanaugh, “Top Model” with Tyra Banks, and “Celebrity Apprentice.”

When asked where she gets her inspiration, Kathrina responds, “I paint what I know. I began my career working with actors and musicians as a makeup artist. I do a lot of research to get to know the character before I start any project. These characters have become legends for a reason. They evoke emotion, speak to us with their voices, and come to life on canvas.

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artform

25A

An Artist Never Has A Second Chance To Make A First Impression

By Larry Aarons Forty-five years ago, I ventured to become an illustrator, but instead, my life took a slight turn and I became one of the original advertising “Mad Men.” I was very successful with my own advertising agency, as well as serving as creative director for others.

Throughout my advertising career, I Larry Aarons continued to study the classics in art.

The calling to become an artist never left me. So a few years back I left the advertising business world to return to my first passion as an artist and have not looked back. My art is portrait realism with a very human approach.

I focus my drawings in three areas of medium; graphite, charcoal and pastel.

The one thing I learned from all of my advertising years is to give the viewer and/or buyer, a reason or mantra to know who you are and what you stand for. I let my years of marketing drive the theme for my portrait art and themed it: “The Myths of Man.” My website: ‘larryaaronsart.com” shows the depth of my portrait art. “The Myths of Man” has enabled me to bring different classic images and individual portraits all under one theme for the viewer to see and understand. Each and every one of my many portraits deals 104 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

with the emotional concept: "to reach the head you must touch the heart.”

I feel my art engages the viewer in three ways: 1st: The viewer is taken in by the unique quality and realism of my art.

2nd: The awe and respect for my ability to capture the essence of the person in the portrait is so realistic, but yet human in nature. This is due to the chairoscuro lighting my art possess.

3rd: As both a former graphic designer and creative director what I have learned is to give a person the chance to become part of the solution.

Therefore I purposefully leave what the viewer sees as unfinished so they can fill in the blanks for themselves.

My art gives an individual the ability to feel who the person is and connect with them both on an emotional level and on a personal level. To read into their eyes and see who they are. My portrait technique has proven to be successful.

My art is now in private collections on Long Island and in New York City.

I am also always doing personal portraits by commission. To see or purchase art from “The Myths of Man” collection or to see the commissioned portraits I have done, visit my website larryaaronsart.com Larry Aarons Email; aaronscreative@hotmail.com

Porsche 918 Spyder 887 hp The 918 Spyder embodies the essence of the Porsche idea: it combines pedigree motor racing technology with excellent everyday utility, and maximum performance with minimum consumption.

$1,000,000.

214 Miles Per Hour

Engine Type Parallel Full Hybrid; 4.6-liter V8 and Two Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous Motors

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The future of the sports car.

Two previously conflicting objectives were established for the 918 Spyder: maximum performance and extreme levels of efficiency. The result was the creation of the super sports car for the next decade with a strategic hybrid drive. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 214 miles per hour and lapping the famed Nuerburgring Nordschleife race track in 6 minutes and 57 seconds - a production car record - the 918 Spyder combines unparalleled performance and handling with 21st century sustainability. It is capable of travelling up to 93 miles per hour purely on electric power and yields an EPA rated 67 MPGe.

Engine: Cylinders 8 - Valves per cylinder 4 Fuel injection Direct fuel injection Displacement 4.6-liter - Bore/Stroke 95 mm x 81 mm Maxmimum total system power output 887 hp Maxmimum engine power output @ engine speed 608 hp @ 8,700 rpm Maximum hybrid power output on rear axle 156 hp Maximum electric motor power output on front axle 129 hp Maximum torque @ engine speed 398 lb.-ft. @ 6,700 rpm Maximum torque calculated on the crankshaft in 7th gear (combined) 944 lb.-ft.

poems

25A

My Special Island

By Victoria R. Crosby

When I am feeling stressed out with the problems of the day, I let my mind take me to a place far away.

Underneath a tropic sea so calm and serene, I float in warm waters of crystal blue-green.

I am a mermaid at one with the sea, my hair drifts around me so wild and so free.

The colorful fish of every shape and size, swim through the coral delighting my eyes.

My body relaxes as my troubles like bubbles rise up and depart.

My blood pressure goes down, and the rate of my heart.

The tension is gone and I am at peace, floating gently I feel the release.

Although this vacation takes place in the mind the body’s reaction is as real as you’ll find.

So when your troubles surround you and threaten your health, go back to your island, it doesn’t take any wealth Just take a deep breath, close your eyes and send your spirit on holiday, simply pretend.

(c) Copyright 2001 Victoria R. Crosby All Rights reserved

Victoria Crosby is available for poetry readings, which entertain and inspire and power point presentations on historic preservation at libraries and other venues. For further information, contact 516.864.2525. Victoria Crosby has been Glen Cove’s poet laureate for 20 years and her radio show Oasis, for relaxation and inspiration, on WHPC 90.3fm can be heard every Thursday at 2pm and any time at NCC.EDU/WHPC.

Kelly O’Malley Mattone,M.D. Ultherapy - CoolSculpting - Botox - Dysport - Restylane - Lashes - InvisiLift MicroCurrent Facial Sculpting - Endermologie - Facials - Painless Hair Removal 8 Bond Street, Suite 200, Great Neck, NY 11021 - 516.482.2424 - www.aestheticmedicalstudio.com

25a-list

25A

"Wrap it Up" Exhibit and Benefit for Glen Cove Arts Council at Hersh Gallery in Glen Cove

By Victoria R. Crosby Steve Forster and his wife Rebecca, both artists and co-owners of LIAFA/ Hersh Gallery, were very pleased with the attendance and sales of art by teachers and advanced students which included, Ken Cerreta, Rebecca Forster, Steven Forster, Beatrice Barkin, Smadar Maduel, Larry Aarons, Marjorie Van de Stouwe, Debbie Kossoff, Michael Korol, Manu Saluja, Amy Jalbert, Gladys Santiago, Robin Kappy, Jessica Dayan, Christine D'Addario, Leeanna Chipana, Daniel G. daSilva, Emily Adams, Robert Armetta and Dina Brodsky.

Talented youth from the community have been taking classes at LIAFA through scholarships provided by Glen Cove Arts Council, and this is a way for LIAFA to give back.

"Glen Cove Arts Council is very grateful to all the artists for their generous donations of time and talent." said Victoria Crosby, founder and president of GCAC. "Wrap It Up" the second annual art exhibit and sale to benefit the Glen Cove Arts Council, was held in early December, with a wine and cheese reception at the Hersh Gallery at 14A Glen Street in Glen Cove. Artworks by LIAFA, the Long Island Academy of Fine Art, donated 50% of the sales to GCAC. Many of the small works of art priced from $200-$600, perfect for holiday gift giving, were sold at the opening, but there were some available for purchase as the exhibit was extended to February 8, 2015. Small works of art made thoughtful gifts for Valentine's Day.

Debbie Kossoff and Marjorie Van de Stouwe 110 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Steven Forster

The mission of GCAC is to expose the arts to people, especially youth, who may not have opportunities to take classes in the arts, or to visit museums, theater, opera, or ballet.

For information on GCAC email GCartscouncil@aol.com.

For further information on LIAFA or Hersh Gallery visit LIAFA.com or hershfineart.com or call 516 590 4324.

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mouse muse A book launch with Lorna Owen

I

By Victoria R. Crosby

recently attended a fascinating evening with author Lorna Owen, at the launch party for her book “Mouse Muse, The Mouse in Art.”

As she personally wrote in each book purchased and signed it, each guest received a gift of a chocolate mouse.

Now you may not think mice are fascinating creatures, but Lorna definitely does. She has a popular blog, ‘Mouse Interrupted,’ which combines her passion for art and empathy for the lowly mouse.

Lorna Owen is a writer and editor. She earned her Master’s Degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Owen took classes in studio arts and art history, and served a year managing the workshop of an Italian artist in New York City. She is the former senior editor for Nan A. Talese Books, a literary imprint of Doubleday (Random House.) Owen has had the honor of working with writers from all over the world, and edited books for many award-winning writers, both in fiction and non-fiction. I asked her about her work with Nan Talese, and with other authors. “Nan Talese is a legend in her field, and it was a privilege to have had the opportunity to learn from her. I admired her unwavering support of her authors.”

As we arrived at the book launch event at Project Art Space on Fifth Avenue in New York City, there was a film projected onto a wall, shown on a loop, of four mice playing in a special mouse house, furnished with tables, doors, chairs, rugs, all made from thin slices of cheese, bread; everything was completely edible. The film, “Mouse Palace,” by Austrian videographers Harald Hund and Paul Horn, is one of the artworks featured in Mouse Muse.

The book, as the name suggests, features the mouse in works of art, from paintings and sculpture, to cartoons and comic books, including the world’s most famous mouse; Mickey Mouse. The amount of art which involves mice, was surprising, also that someone could write a complete book (one hundred and sixty eight pages, published by Monacelli Press,) about mice featured in art. This well-researched book contains beautiful reproductions of art by Pablo Picasso, Aubrey Beardsley, Walt Disney, Joan Miro, Beatrix Potter, Vasily Kandinsky, John Constable and many others.

Over the centuries the mouse has been depicted in many countries and cultures, as a symbol of both good luck and of evil, in political propaganda, satire and parody, but this book is the first of its kind to catalogue artworks, which feature the mouse as muse.

I also asked Ms. Owens to share a story about an author who impressed her the most. “I acquired Helen Oyeyemi's first three novels. She wrote her first book, “The Icarus Girl”, when she was only 18 years old. It was astonishing; from the first pages you could see she was someone who would become a force in literature. At a very young age, I accompanied her when we invited her to the United States from London for a book tour.

She handled herself with so much grace, and was great fun. I remember we ended up getting stuck for an entire day at the San Francisco Airport and she taught me all about Facebook; that was almost ten years ago when the site was just for college kids. Imagine.”

Lorna Owen lives in Connecticut with her husband, two dogs, and, not surprisingly, two pet mice.

It was the mouse that sparked Lorna’s interest in writing and art. “To write about it through the lens of the artist who put one, or sometimes more than one, in their works, I saw it as a perfect way to help others see this tiny creature with the same fascination that I have.” Lorna states.

Lorna Owen will give a power point presentation, and book signing at the Art League of Long Island on July 9, 2015, and plans to write more books about animals in art.

Owen’s friends and associates, other artists, writers and readers of her blog attended the cocktail party.

For more information visit: Lornaowen.com or artleagueli.net

112 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

North Shore Historical Museum Celebrates the 2nd Anniversary Year of the Leadership of Brian Mercadante

By Victoria R. Crosby

Mayor Reginald Spinello Presenting a Barry Rivadue as J.P. Morgan Citation to Brian Mercadante Being Interviewed by Cognac Wellerlane

T

Jim Foote as Teddy Roosevelt

he The North Shore Historical Museum recently celebrated the second anniversary of it's official opening, and the leadership of its board president, Brian Mercadante.

Seventeen years ago, when Mercadante was vice president of Glen Cove Business Improvement District, he approached the Glen Cove Mayor with the idea to create a museum of the history of the North Shore, in the old empty court house, which was at that time in great disrepair. Under Mercadante's leadership over the many years, the board raised the money through grants and fundraising, to restore the building inside and out. Now Mercadante will be stepping down as president, but will remain on the board as President Emeritus.

The party was attended by many board members, supporters and members of the museum and Mercadante with his wife Betsy, and their children and grandson.

A few dead celebrities of the Gold Coast also attended; board member, Jim Foote as former US president Theodore Roosevelt, congratulated Brain Mercadante on his years of leadership, Eve Califano was Mrs. Astor, Victoria Crosby was Mrs. Vanderbilt, Barry Rivadue was J.P. Morgan and Monica Randall, celebrated Gold Coast author and historian, and a member of the NSHM Board of Associates, was Barbara Hutton.

Glen Cove Mayor Reginald Spinello and his wife Coleen attended and the Mayor presented a citation to Brian Mercadante on behalf of himself and the City Council.

There were also citations from Assemblyman Charles Lavine, and Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, who were unable to attend. Glen Cove's poet laureate, Victoria Crosby, read a special poem, Ode to Brian Mercadate, then presented it to him in a frame. Barry Rivadue created a special video showing highlights of all the fundraising events over the past two years that benefitted the museum.

Brian and Betsy Mercadante With Their Children and Grandson

The Long Island Exchange reporter Cognac Wellerlane interviewed event chairman Victoria Crosby, Brain Mercadante, Barry Rivadue, and the Mayor.

For more information: thelongislandexchange.com.

For further information on exhibits and events visit: northshorehistoricalmuseuum.org.

Ode to Brian Mercadante

By Victoria R. Crosby In 1997 Brian Mercadante had an epiphany, a brilliant idea, a concept most thrilling.

So he went to the Mayor to ask if he was willing to allow him to create a museum in the crumbling old courthouse which was an eye sore, and nobody used it anymore.

Brian was VP of the BID at the time, and he thought that to demolish the historic courthouse would be a crime.

The building had been neglected and was in a terrible state, but with Brian’s vision, it was not too late to preserve and restore to its original glory, yet how to raise the money was another story.

With members of the BID a board was created.

From New York State a charter was obtained, now all that remained was the grant writing and fund raising.

How it was accomplished is really quite amazing.

With an evolving board and many fundraising events under Brian’s leadership there were many accomplishments.

Now after all these years of hard work the museum finally opened two years ago, and so we say congratulations from all of us to Brian, our President Emeritus.

Copyright © 2015 Victoria R. Crosby All Rights Reserved.

March 2015 | 113

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Geraldo Rivera Hosts 40Th Birthday For Wife Erica Rivera

By Clara Morgan

Gigi Stone, Ian Woods, Dan Abrams, Florinka Pesenti ©PatrickMcMullan.com

Sol Liliana Rivera, Geraldo Rivera, Erica Rivera ©PatrickMcMullan.com

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Talent Resources Hosts “TR Suites” At Sundance And NBA All-Star Weekend Park City, UT and New York, NY

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Luxury “TR Suites” in Park City: Aloe Blacc Luxury “TR Suites” in Park City: Jonathan Bennett Luxury “TR Suites” in Park City: Tony Revolori and Eli ©Talent Resources ©Talent Resources Roth ©Talent Resources

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Talent Resources Presents KIA Luxury Lounge & Rolling Stone Party Superbowl Weekend 2015 - Scottsdale, AZ

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