2017, VOLUME 6.1
TRAVEL, FOOD & WINE LISA VANDERPUMP
BOUTIQUE LUXURY: THE BERNARDS INN THE BEST OF CHICAGO
COLORFUL COPENHAGEN THE ESSENCE OF THE E-CLASS ULTIMATE DESSERT DESTINATIONS
FRANK PELLEGRINO A LEGENDARY NEW YORKER’S LONG-LASTING LEGACY
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BETTER CONNECTIONS LEAD TO A BETTER RESULT
SAM JOSEPH, LUXURY COLLECTION SPECIALIST Luxury sellers have a right to expect an agent he created quite a buzz by depicting the royal who concentrates exclusively on extraorfamily. Selling a property dinary homes in our region. With superiSam has proven his outstanding perin the luxury arena or market knowledge and an impressive formance to both sellers and buyers by demands better connecbuyer clientele from the tristate area and receiving the NJ REALTORS® Circle of tions… and requires an agent beyond, coupled with the resources reExcellence Sales Award® on the Platwho has been a leader in this quired to market luxury properties effecinum Level in addition to earning the segment of the market for tively, Sam Joseph offers a platinum level designations of Accredited Buyer’s Repmany years and has the of service to those who want to sell their resentative (ABR®) and Certified Negocontacts to make a home to the luxury buyer. tiation Expert (CNE®). Out of 650 agents, deal happen. In 2007 and 2008, Sam was featured Sam was recognized as the #1 sales associas a luxury home specialist in HGTV’s program ate in Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices New Bought and Sold, where he offered his expertise in upJersey Properties Pinnacle Group division. He has scale listings and celebrity clientele. also received the coveted Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Sam has more than 15 years of Chairman’s Diamond Award. experience in decorating and Since 1992, Sam has lived in Glen Ridge, South Orange design, which enhances his and Montclair. talents as a REALTOR®. His Discerning property owners like you require the best repredesign expertise is an invalusentation available. Sam’s one-on-one personalized service is able asset to sellers in staging unique in today’s real estate luxury arena. Sam does not have their homes for maximum vala cast of agents on a team; you deal directly with him at all ue. As VP/Creative Director of times for every aspect of the selling process. Macy’s Herald Square, Sam Don’t you deserve unique? drove the vision for the world Choose Sam Joseph for personalized platinum service you famous holiday windows and andeserve. nual Flower Show. Previously, he was window director for London-based Harvey Nichols, where
SAM JOSEPH Mobile: 917-359-8990 samueliamarealtor@gmail.com www.samjosephrealtor.com
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INSIDE 2 017, VOLU M E 6 . 1
58 FEATURES
46
THE GOODFELLA | 46 In this issue, HudsonMOD pays tribute to a true New York legend: Frank Pellegrino Sr. Best known for his prominent restaurant Rao’s and role in GoodFellas, New Yorkers will truly miss the great impact he had on the city.
SECOND TO NONE: CHICAGO | 52 Springtime in Chicago is second to none. From top hotels to Michelin star eateries, let HudsonMOD help you plan your next excursion to ensure you don’t miss out on anything the Windy City has to offer.
WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN | 58 Jetset to Denmark’s capital with Danophile Sandi Todorovich. With its colorful building facades, local hotspots and famed sites, you’ll be reaching for your passport the moment you finish reading.
MASTERING THE ART OF DESSERT | 65 Life just got a little sweeter with the help of the metropolitan area’s top pastry chefs. With desserts from Racines, Latour, Maritime Parc, Virginia’s and Restaurant Serenade, the only dilemma you’ll face is which treat to take a bite out of first.
COVER PHOTOGRAPH: BOBBY BANK
10
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
THE LIFE PUBLISHER’S LETTER | 12 CONTRIBUTORS | 16 STATEMENTS | 18 COVET | 22 VIRTUOSO | 26 EXPERIENCE | 30 WINGS | 34 WATER | 36 WHEELS | 40 EVENTS | 72 MOD SELECTS | 80 THE SCENE | 82 THE QUOTE | 86 ENCORE | 88
34
52
BAL HARBOUR SHOPS T H E R I T Z - C A R LT O N , B A L H A R B O U R THE SEA VIEW HOTEL T H E S T. R E G I S B A L H A R B O U R R E S O R T
PUBLISHER
A New Venture This year’s Travel, Food & Wine issue took on new meaning with the passing of New York legend, actor and owner of Rao’s Restaurant, Frank Pellegrino Sr. When we learned of Mr. Pellegrino’s passing, we felt this issue should be dedicated to the guy who made Rao’s the New York icon it is today. Frank Pellegrino knew the importance of family, friends and customers and was ahead of his time (perhaps unbeknownst to him) when it came to business savvy. We have no doubt that Rao’s will live on for another one hundred years as a quintessential New York restaurant and a reminder of the city’s old world values. This year, MOD Media will be extending its reach to another region of ultra-discerning readers with ChicagoMOD. The premiere issue debuts in April. So if you’re planning a trip to this amazing place, please look for a copy of ChicagoMOD, the city’s authority on luxury. We’re excited about our new ventures in 2017 and look forward to catering to the New York, New Jersey and Chicago metropolitan areas’ most discerning appetites for a “Life Well Lived.”
SHANNON STEITZ PRESIDENT | GROUP PUBLISHER
@shannonsteitz @shannon.steitz.9 shannon-steitz-12525515 @ShannonSteitz1
12
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
REDISCOVER BEAUTY SALON & WELLNESS SPA
23 S. Fullerton Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042 973.746.8426
BANGZ.COM
NEVER LEAVE LUXURY BEHIND
LIFE WELL LIVED
2 0 17, VO L U M E 6 .1
hudsonmod.com
@HudsonMOD
Shannon Steitz Group Publisher EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Elaine SENIOR EDITOR Mike
Doremus Banka
MANAGING EDITOR Nicole
Fonzino Brooke EDITOR Emma Reynolds
LIFESTYLE EDITOR Jill
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Morris ILLUSTRATOR Isabella
Stubbs
Bannerman
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Simon Murray, Dom Miliano, Veronique Deblois, Sandi Todorovich CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jeremy Smith, Hellion Photography and Peter Wallburg Studios
SALES EXECUTIVES
Lisa Medina, Steven Fischer WEB DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING TEAM
Socialfix Media
©2016 by MOD Media, LLC All rights reserved ISSN# 2167-6151
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2017, VOLUME 6.1
TRAVEL, FOOD & WINE LISA VANDERPUMP
For all editorial inquiries contact editorial@hudsonmod.com.
BOUTIQUE LUXURY: THE BERNARDS INN THE BEST OF CHICAGO
COLORFUL COPENHAGEN
MASTERING
For subscription information and customer service contact circulation@hudsonmod.com.
the Art of Dessert
THE ESSENCE OF THE E-CLASS ULTIMATE DESSERT DESTINATIONS
Dessert has always been restaurants’ pièce de résistance, but award-winning pastry chefs like François Payard, Johnny Iuzzini and Dominique Ansel are taking things to the next level. Imagine desserts that resemble works of art and you’ll get a sense of the magic these culinary wizards are creating. And lucky us: the New York/New Jersey metro area boasts some of the most gifted pastry chefs in the world. BY VERONIQUE DEBLOIS
FRANK PELLEGRINO
HudsonMOD is published by MOD Media, LLC
JASON LEMBO Chief Executive Officer
A LEGENDARY NEW YORKER’S LONG-LASTING LEGACY
hudsonmod.com
SHANNON STEITZ President
CHRISTOPHER ANTONUCCI Executive Director
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Nicole Noonan, Steven Resnick, Alan Antonucci, Jeffrey Feinstein
MOD MEDIA, LLC
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CONTRIBUTORS
What’s your personal definition of luxury?
Dom Miliano
Sandi Todorovich
Veronique Deblois
Simon Murray
“I think luxury is being able
“To me, as it relates to travel,
“To me, luxury is about
“Luxury, of course, is a
to make smart choices.
luxury is an indulgence you
feeling completely pampered
relative word. For some, the
Having the ability to make
gift yourself that provides
and showered with personal
essential components to life
decisions among life’s many
an immediate feeling of
attention.”
are a luxury. I try to never
options, based solely on
immense pleasure. It is a
forget that. But—we’ll call it
things like quality, comfort,
combination of the highest
supreme luxury—is when all
beauty and convenience, is
quality and top service levels,
the tiny little details, the very
the ultimate luxury.”
at a price, and is frequently
minutiae, picked up only by
the part that lingers longest
our subconscious, is taken
in your memory.”
care of down to the last piston, the last drop, the last stitch. It’s transcending the norm, and entering the realm of the fantastic. That both ends of the spectrum exist in the same word is poetry.”
16
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
www.hillhousenaturals.com
The Life STATEMENTS
HIS
BY EMMA REYNOLDS
Regardless of which cold-weather activity you’re planning to engage in, why not embark on your winter adventure in genuine sporting fashion by slipping on functional yet classy gear? From the lift to the lodge (even if you’re not planning to hit the slopes), these après ski–inspired must-haves will keep you schussing—and sipping—in style.
GIVENCHY NAVIGATOR SUNGLASSES Add allure to your ensemble with a pair of sharply designed sunglasses. The metal frames are molded in a graphic shape while tinted lenses help contour your profile. Engraved arms create a dynamic and modern finish. Available at Neiman Marcus
MONCLER FUR-TRIM TRAPPER HAT
Retailers and NeimanMarcus.com, $405
Embodying the spirit of the French Alps, Moncler defines fine outerwear for the quintessential sportsman. A blend of wool and cashmere, this hat will keep you warm while adding style with its fur trim and quilted pattern. Perfect for walking around town or sitting indoors, it will keep you cozy wherever you go. Available at Neiman Marcus Retailers and NeimanMarcus.com, $735
BERLUTI POLISHED-LEATHER BOOTS The shoes a man wears can make or break a first impression, so leave an imprint with these statement kicks in midnight blue. Leather linings, waxed capra trims and Goodyear-welted rubber soles make these boots a substantial but worthwhile investment, while padded cuffs keep your feet comfortable and protected. Available at MrPorter.com, $2,080
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA DARK BLUE HIGH PERFORMANCE KNIT Amble into any occasion looking your best. This not-so-average sweater can be worn on its own or under a light jacket for a low-key evening in or a night on the town. The high-twist superfine merino wool fabric offers a lighter yet more resilient wear. Available at Ermenegildo Zegna Retailers and Zegna.com, $1,995
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HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
MADE IN ITALY belvest.com
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A P P A R E L
The Life STATEMENTS
HERS
Winter-resort escapism is filled with glitz and glamour. High-altitude gear paired with contoured seams and sharp designs will bring your look up a notch. Your glass of vin chaud will warm you up off the slopes, but these styles keep you cozy whether you’re on the mountain or by the fireside.
CORDOVA THE CODY With a merino wool exterior and cognac leather accents, the Cody ski suit deserves a spot in every woman’s wardrobe. Its high collar protects your face from the elements, while its gold embellishments add an exotic touch. Available at Cordova.co, $960
SANDRO BILLIE TWO-TONE BEANIE A pop of furry texture is exactly what your wintry wardrobe needs this season. An olive green knitted beanie decorated with two-tone white and black fur adds a playful element to any sophisticated outfit. Available at Sandro Retailers and Sandro-Paris.com, $125
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN RED SOLE BOOTIE This Neiman Marcus exclusive Christian Louboutin bootie is shearling-lined and comes in dark gray suede, perfect for trekking from hotel to lodge and beyond thanks to its extra-warmth and durable rubber sole. The suede fabric and studded detail provide the perfect dose of edge to your chic ski look. Available at Neiman Marcus Retailers and NeimanMarcus.com, $1,450
MONCLER GRENOBLE QUEYRAS With a merino wool exterior and cognac leather accents, the Cody deserves a spot in every woman’s wardrobe. Its high collar protects your face from the elements, while its gold embellishments add an exotic touch. Available at Cordova.co, $960
20 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
CACCIOLA IRON WORKS
holds the vision of quality craftsmanship, personalized service and integrity. CACCIOLA offers state-of-the-art techniques and unique designs for builders, architects and private residences throughout the metropolitan area.
www.cacciolairon.com
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65 North 9th St. Paterson NJ 07522
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Phone: 973 595 0854
The Life COVET
The Finer Things In Life When it comes to fashion accessorizing, nothing competes with fine jewelry. These exquisite pieces, crafted with delicate cuts, stunning materials and sparkling gems, will remain mainstays of any woman’s collection and add a touch of elegance to any outfit. There’s no such thing as crossing the fine when wearing these remarkable pieces. By Nicole Fonzino
JUDITH RIPKA PENDANT Looking for a vibrant pop of color for your jewelry collection? Check out this Judith Ripka pendant necklace. Although the brilliant canary yellow asscher-cut stone steals the show, the necklace also features beautiful white sapphire additives surrounding the jewel. The yellow pendant will instantly brighten any ensemble, making you daydream of warmer days. Available at Michael Anthony Jewelers, $550
TRI-GOLD HINGED BANGLE BRACELET Choosing the right jewelry for your outfit is the challenge of accessorizing. Made by Yanina & Co., this 18-karat tri-gold hinged bangle bracelet will solve that problem with three beautiful finishes. To add even more dazzle, Yanina & Co. fashioned it with multiple white diamonds in different shapes that keep the eye captivated. This bracelet will add sophistication to any ensemble. Available at Yanina & Co., price available upon request
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HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
Celebrate Your Favorite Destinations MADE IN AMERICA www.HappiestTees.com
The Life COVET
YELLOW CUSHION CUT DIAMOND Nothing mellow about this yellow diamond ring: the vibrant color is stunning. Custom designed by Aires Jewelers, the cushion cut diamond is certified by the Gemological Institute of America, weighing in at 5.12 carats. To top off its spectacular sparkle, Aires Jewelers set it in a platinum band and haloed the gem and part of the band with diamonds. Available at Aires Jewelers, $89,000
CUFF & LEATHER BRACELETS If you’re searching for the perfect bracelet to pair with day- or nighttime attire, these two from Diamond Dream may be just what you’re looking for. The cuff showcases interlocking chains with diamonds mixed in and a stud front feature, while the other (leather) bracelet features a large rose gold front with a diamond pave fixture on the band. Available at Diamond Dream Jewelers; cuff bracelet, $27,950 and leather bracelet, $7,900
HOOPED DIAMOND EARRINGS This year, add a twist to your standard diamond earrings. Instead of purchasing studs, reach for a hooped diamond pair instead. This diamond eternity hoop set from D’Amore Jewelers features sparkling round cut diamonds around the perimeter of the platinum setting. Make it the crowning accessory of your attire. Whether you’re in the office or dining with clients, it’s sure to be a conversation starter. Available at D’Amore Jewelers, price available upon request
24 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
Reveal The Beauty Within... TM
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VIRTUOSO
BY MIKE BANKA
MARRYING SMART Seeking Counsel Even When There Are No Marital Troubles Can Be Beneficial.
I
f you’re happily married, does it make
Don’t the overwhelming number of
sense to talk to a lawyer about marital
spouses wait until they have marital
problems you’re not experiencing? No one
trouble before seeking counsel?
starts a relationship expecting it to break
Yes. They often look at even privately
down. However, even when there is no hint of
consulting with me as a sign that the mar-
marital trouble, using real-time legal advice
riage will end instead of using the opportu-
during a marriage to stay informed in the
nity to be “married smart” in case a divorce
event of a divorce can be well advised. As we
occurs, especially for those that do not have
all know, half of all marriages end in divorce.
prenuptial agreements.
If this sounds like “tempting the devil,”
Steven M. Resnick. mony issues. Establishing better parenting patterns for children. Simply understand-
keep in mind that early legal advice can help
Is this usually something one spouse
ing how various issues are treated in the
ease a difficult situation and protect your
does “on the sly” without telling the
law for peace of mind.
position. It also may lay the groundwork for
other spouse?
reaching an agreement to resolve matters
Yes. It is confidential and works only if it
Are most people who seek this kind of
before they reach a crisis point that could
stays that way.
counsel previously divorced or have a
lead to a divorce. Steven M. Resnick, a legal attorney spe-
history of relationship problems? Why would a spouse seek such counsel if
There is a larger percentage who are from
cializing in family law, offers his insights on
he/she is having no marital problems?
second marriages or even living together
this controversial topic.
The reality is that the chances are high statis-
after a divorce as they see what happens
tically that marriages will have issues and not
when you don’t have advance knowledge or
Do many spouses avail themselves of
last. Consulting as a type of “checkup” on is-
warning on issues.
this type of counsel?
sues as to children or change in employment
Some do but certainly not enough. By the time
or a gift or inheritance will make a difference
Does this legal advice frequently lead to
I consult with a client as to a divorce matter
if a divorce occurs such that adjusting how
a “post”-nuptial?
that adversely affects their case, the response
you are handling these issues during the
Sometimes, but this type of consulting
is always, “I wish I had known that before.”
marriage will help in the end. Something as
is really meant to allow spouses to be
simple as titling an otherwise exempt asset
married smart.
Is this counseling on the rise?
into joint names will cause a major problem
I am definitely seeing an uptick for me as
if one is not aware of the ramifications.
Mr. Resnick handles all aspects of matrimonial and family law as well as appeals.
more people realize that it gives them peace of mind when something occurs like an in-
In what ways would this counsel protect
He has served as co-counsel for out-of-
heritance during the marriage and they want
a spouse?
state matters and has been named a Super
to know how they can protect that asset.
Protecting assets. Being careful as to ali-
Lawyer by his peers.
26 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
VIRTUOSO
BY NICOLE FONZINO
SOCIALFIX: TERRY TATEOSSIAN
I
n a technology-driven world, brand awareness is
ing awareness through video production, event promo-
imperative for success. That’s why Terry Tateossian,
tions and customized digital marketing strategies. Helping
founding partner of the New Jersey-based tech and
each charity create buzz in their respective areas not only
marketing company Socialfix Media, spends much of her
benefits the charity, but the surrounding communities as
time skyrocketing clients to new levels using her expertise
well, as Socialfix aims to raise social awareness and funds
and dedicated business services.
for each highlighted organization.
Terry and her team make it their goal to exceed clients’
“Our contribution is so small compared to the daily
expectations, but they also are dedicated to donating pro bono services to charities that may need help getting the most out
“WE TRY TO HELP CHARITIES WHICH IMPACT CHILDREN, SENIOR CITIZENS OR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH ADVOCACY OR SUPPORT IN GENERAL.”
of media platforms. In the past year, Socialfix received numerous
accolades
including
Forty
Under 40 from NJ BIZ, Future 50 Companies from Smart CEO and 50 Most Admired Companies of 2016. “We
try
to
help
charities
which
impact children, senior citizens or people who may not have enough advocacy
work nonprofit foundations do for the communities on
or support in general,” says Tateossian, who
a daily basis,” says Tateossian. “The real heroes of our
holds many charitable foundations close
world today are the people dedicating themselves to
to her heart. Socialfix has supported
improving others’ lives.”
numerous philanthropic organizations
Donating tailored tech and marketing services is hum-
across the country with over $500,000
bling and gives Tateossian and the entire team a sense of
in pro bono services. These include
purpose and meaning. She urges her team members to
the National Multiple Sclerosis
provide recommendations of any charities that may need
Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Parent-Child Home
Program,
Prison
Women’s
Association,
Toys
their marketing help. “I cannot say enough about volunteering as an organization and what that does for your corporate culture,” she says.
for Tots and the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. Terry and her team
aid
these
charities by rais-
Terry Tateossian Founding Partner
Charities that wish to work with or receive services from Socialfix Media should reach out to Terry directly at terry@socialfix.com or (908) 574-0898.
The Life EXPERIENCE
BY NICOLE FONZINO
STAYING R INN LUXURY
ight in New York City’s backyard sits the Bernards Inn, a Somerset Hills landmark that has been the chosen weekend destination for tristaters—especially New York socialites—for more
than a century. With views of rolling hills, secluded spaces and superior amenities, guests who visit the New Jersey-based hotel are inn for a treat. First opened to the public in 1907, the Bernards Inn quickly
gained a notable reputation among New York City’s elite residents who searched for a way to escape the concrete jungle on weekends. Merely a 55-minute train ride away, the Bernards Inn and its surrounding greenery were the answer.
30 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
THE AIR-KING A tribute to the golden age of aviation in the 1930s, featuring a prominent minute scale for navigational time-readings. It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.
OYSTER PERPETUAL AIR-KING
rolex
oyster perpetual and air-king are
ÂŽ
trademarks.
The Life EXPERIENCE
Now owned by Hampshire Destination Properties, the Bernards
with both a refined and quaint stay. There are 20 beautiful guest rooms,
Inn has remained the metropolitan residents’ ideal getaway and has
some named after elite estates in Somerset Hills, including the Over-
the accolades to prove it. Among its many honors are a AAA Four
leigh, Mayfield and Claremont. Most recently, 11 of the guest rooms
Diamond Award in dining and lodging for 20 consecutive years and
were redesigned by Jeffrey Haines, an award-winning interior designer.
Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator for 14 consecutive
With choices of suite, deluxe or superior rooms, the Bernards Inn
years. In 2008, the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Com-
offers a vast array of amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, flat
mission presented the inn with the Historic Preservation Award,
screen TVs, AVEDA spa bath and skincare products, plush robes, same-
acknowledging its contribution to preserving historical buildings.
day laundry and dry cleaning, turndown service and room service. Additionally, the inn curates special packages such as epicurean retreats, romantic proposal nights, mind and body escapes, and
The inn itself exudes a
a signature luxury getaway that includes an eight-hour excursion in
European hotel’s sophisti-
an exotic auto and a bottle of Dom Perignon. Even if you opt not to
cation with the charming
partake in one of the inn’s packages, Bernardsville is close to some of
feel of a countryside Amer-
the metropolitan area’s most desired attractions and activities, such
ican inn, providing guests
as local hiking and horseback riding trails, museums, shopping at the Mall at Short Hills and, of course, New York City. Along with hospitality, the Bernards Inn is renowned for its award-winning dining experiences, most notably the all-encompassing wine collection. Last year, the restaurant received two prestigious awards from Wine Spectator and World of Fine Wine for its global selection of wines. The cellar holds more than 14,000 bottles that can be paired with the restaurant’s signature dishes. Guests can wine and dine in several spaces: the Library Lounge for cocktails; the Conservatory for breakfast, lunch and dinner; the Great Room with fireside dining; al fresco dining when the weather permits; and the Silver Vault and Wine Pantry for secluded gatherings. The more than 5,500 square feet of event space provide the perfect location for spectacular weddings and private events. The inn also hosts various holiday-themed food and wine events. To learn more or book your stay, please visit BernardsInn.com.
32
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
LANDSCAPING | HARDSCAPING | WATER FEATURES | OUTDOOR KITCHENS LANDSCAPE LIGHTING | SPORTS COURTS | POOL DESIGN & INSTALLATION
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HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
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The Life WINGS
Travel in Style The next time you’re jetsetting to Europe, the Caribbean or a far-off destination, reach for a bag that’s not only practical, but stylish as well. From Ghurka trunks to Rimowa rollaways, these stylish and efficient flight accessories will showcase your sartorial sense from the time you set foot into the airport until the moment you touch down in paradise.
GUCCI Carry-ons offer convenience for travelers, especially for those weekend getaways. Try Gucci’s signature Italian-made blue leather duffle, an option that’s both lightweight and durable. Perfect for short-term transfers, the bag is equipped with leather handles and an adjustable shoulder strap so you can carry your items through security and the terminal without any fuss. The signature duffle also comes with a lock, detachable ID tag and metal feet to add protection to your stored items. Available at Gucci.com, $2,850
J.W. HULME CO. Losing your luggage is the worst, which is why every seasoned jetsetter packs a carry-on. J.W. Hulme Co.’s classic tote bag with graystone leather has adequate space to fit the essentials while also being a fashionforward choice. USA-made, this travel tote is equipped with leather handles, two exterior pockets and a shoulder strap, perfect for carrying your most prized possessions around any airport. You also can monogram your initials into the front leather fixture to ensure there is never any mix-up. Available at JWHulmeCo.com, $395
34 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
BY NICOLE FONZINO
GHURKA The newest trunk collection by this fine leather brand puts a contemporary twist on a classic design. Fashioned with French calfskin and twill lining, this custom-made collection offers seven pieces, including a beauty case, attache, trolley, wardrobe trunk and three different-sized suitcases. Each is hand-painted with colored stripes (yellow, white and black or black, orange, white and green) to add a vibrant touch. The hues, mixed with a plywood frame and brass palladium fixtures, ensure many eyes will be on you during your journey. Available at Ghurka.com, prices may vary
RIMOWA The future is officially here with Rimowa’s Salsa Deluxe rollaway. Its hard-shell exterior boasts a futuristic appearance but also is sturdy enough to sustain being sent around the baggage carousel. The Salsa Deluxe comes with a TSA combination lock, a two-flex divider and an “add a bag” feature that allows you to fasten another bag to the exterior to make juggling multiple pieces a thing of the past. The star feature of the Salsa Deluxe, however, is the electronic tag that allows you to check your bag via your phone and send your luggage tag directly to the electronic fixture on the exterior. The electronic tag mixed with multiwheel capabilities will have you gliding through the airport in no time. Available at Rimowa stores, prices may vary
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
35
WATER
BY SIMON MURRAY
THE M41 DEFIES DESCRIPTION THERE’S NOT MUCH OUT THERE THAT FLIES LIKE THIS WATER-BOUND ROCKET.
D
ave Hemmingson is in the business of building boats, al-
in the Korean War, and the much, much older Messier (M) 41, an open
though you would be forgiven for thinking he builds rock-
cluster of stars in the Canis Major constellation. While these other two
ets. Founder of Dave’s Custom Boats (DCB), the Southern
things seem distinct and separate, the best description for the DCB’s
California builder is known industrywide for pushing the limits of
high-performance catamaran may very well be the combination of a
design, construction and eye-bulging performance. With the M41
light tank and a dense cluster of stars light-years away. By that, I mean
Widebody, he may have outdone himself.
this cat is powerful as all hell and appears to be not of this world. First of all, it can move. Powered by twin Mercury Racing 1350
YET, THE M41 IS NOT THE FIRST M41 UNLEASHED.
engines, the M41 hit a top speed of 170 on its first test run. This
It shares a similar name with the M41 Walker Bulldog, a light tank used
wasn’t on a glasslike surface of a lake. No—this was In. The. Ocean.
36 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
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WATER
On Speedboat magazine’s performance evaluation, next to “Top Speed of Boat” is a plus sign beside 170 mph. We can only guess how fast this thing can fly in very placid conditions. Then again, Godspeed to anyone crazy enough to go above that posted top speed. Before I forget, the two Mercury Racing 1350 engines don’t come standard. The standard package includes a pair of 700s, but really, this is one of those cases of either going big or leaving your boat at home. The 1350 engines come with turbo M8 drives, bringing the horses flying across the water at 2,700 hp. With all the optional equipment added, you’re looking at a $1,059,088 boat that performs as it was meant to: fast, with nice handling and a bevy of accoutrements like a 6-person intercom system (good luck having a conversation in a wind tunnel without it). Not having this equipment is the equivalent of not having paddles for a rowboat, wheels on a car, or rockets for a launcher. You just wouldn’t do it. While all that speed is sure to get the water boiling, take a minute just to look at the thing. A col-
President of DCB. “If you look at the 41 from
laboration between Hem-
an aerial view or even the schematics, it’s got
mingson and automotive-based designer Rod Treme, this high-fly-
a really familiar look, kind of like [a] Lamborghini on the back.”
ing Frankenstein monster was parametrically math sculpted in
It also features a term that’s usually reserved for Ferraris and
Unigraphics NX CAD software before being precision crafted and
Lamborghinis and other supercars: Class A Surfacing, meaning it
milled out, full size, from one slab of Penske composite.
achieves optically and mathematically distortion-free highlights. In
“It’s just the next generation of boat building,” says Jeff Johnston,
cars, that means everything, including the interior cabin and all of the exterior. “So all the reflections on the piece—whether it be a car, a boat, a statue—look that much more beautiful and it amplifies the lines of the object,” says Hemmingson. “Of any of the super high-performance stuff, this is the only one in the marine industry I believe to date has Class A Surfacing applied to it.” Boy, does it show. Somewhere between a combat-ready vessel and a burning, burning, burning firebrand, the M41 certainly defies description. But for Hemmingson, only one matters anyway. He says, “It’s the ultimate DCB dreamboat come true.”
38
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
TODD TAYLOR | TTI
Complete model name: M41 Widebody Base price with standard power: $591,303 Top speed of boat: 170mph+ Standard engine: Mercury Racing 700x2 Maximum RPM: 6500 Maximum rated horsepower at prop: 1,350 hp Lower unit gear ratio: 1.30 Brand: Mercury Number of blades: 6 Total number passengers on boat: 6
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The Life WHEELS
THE ESSENCE OF LUXURY, POWER, SAFETY AND COMFORT
40 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
E
veryone loves a winner. In the automotive world, with three consecutive World Grand Prix championships won over the past three years, no one has embodied being number one more
magnificently than Mercedes Benz. The Formula 1 racers’ impressive turbo-charged power, reliability and race-winning technology consistently beat the best the automotive world could throw at them. Off the track, Mercedes Benz has incorporated race-proven turbo-charging into its lineup, offering the luxury car buyer smooth power and environmentally friendly fuel efficiency. From a technology standpoint, the use of a turbocharger seamlessly provides horsepower and torque on demand for situations like passing or blending into the flow of fast-moving highway traffic. It achieves this while managing to sip fuel during normal driving situations.
Š MERCEDES-BENZ USA
2017 MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS
BY DOM MILIANO
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The Life WHEELS
ENTER THE E-CLASS
of a button. The throttle response, the 9-speed transmission’s shifts
No Mercedes Benz model offers the luxury car buyer more power,
and the chassis response sharpen in Sport mode and ease in ECO.
safety, comfort and driving excitement than the new E-Class. You
You can even design a custom mode to match your driving style.
could say that the “E” in E-Class stands for the essence of all these things. Newly redesigned with more interior room, improved driving
DEFINING LUXURY
dynamics and crisper exterior styling, the E-Class is, in our opinion,
Road holding and acceleration are one side of the E-Class personality,
the sweet spot for the Mercedes Benz model line. Here’s why.
but inside the cabin is where driver and passenger really experience a car’s luxury. Here, this Mercedes Benz genuinely delivers. Want ergo-
INNER BEAUTY
nomically contoured and crafted seats? The E300 has them, and they
The 241-hp engine propels the E-Class to 60 in about 6.2 seconds
can be further enhanced with active side bolsters to hold you tighter
while delivering EPA combined estimated fuel economy of more
in corners. How about an interior with aromatherapy and a hot stone
than 25-MPG. Mercedes Benz, however, urges that the buyer not
massage? Both are available. Mercedes Benz says proudly that, on the
just measure efficiency at the gas pump. They suggest that confi-
inside, wherever you touch, the interior caresses you back.
dence-inspiring handling combined with exciting driving dynamics is just as important. The way the E300 delivers that excitement
THE PRICELESS LUXURY OF SAFETY
comes from something called DYNAMIC SELECT, a technology
There are two kinds of automotive safety technologies: active and
that lets you pick your car’s performance character with the touch
passive. When you’re driving a car that’s essentially an extension of
NEWLY REDESIGNED WITH MORE INTERIOR ROOM, IMPROVED DRIVING DYNAMICS AND CRISPER EXTERIOR STYLING
your eyes, hands and feet, that’s active
THE SPECS
safety. The E-Class’s responsive han-
MODEL: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
All of these safety features—lane
dling, powerful engine and confident
MSRP: From $52,150
departure assist, blind spot monitor-
braking combine to give the driver the
HORSEPOWER: 241 hp
ing, active brake assist (helps prevent
ENGINE: 2.0 L 4-cylinder
ability to maneuver around or away from problems. Being comfortably seated helps as well because it lessens driver fatigue, a
just a touch of the turn-signal lever.
forward collision), traction control,
MPG: 22 city / 30 highway DIMENSIONS: 194” L x 74” W x 58” H CURB WEIGHT: 3,792 lbs
frequent cause of accidents.
TORQUE: 273 lb-ft
Excellent power, handling and braking are just the tip of the E300 safety iceberg. They come standard with a laundry list of driver aids that enhance the protection enve-
crosswind stability, backup camera, rear cross-traffic alert and lane keep assist—are standard. Evasive steering assist is also avail-
able as an option. Speaking of steering assist, when properly set by the motorist, the car can drive itself for up to 60 seconds at a time without anyone’s hands on the wheel.
lope. Something as ubiquitous as cruise control has been tweaked
We think the most intriguing technical feature is the first-in-the-
in the 2017 E-Class to become what Mercedes Benz calls DRIVE
world Car-To-X Communication technology that connects your
PILOT. This tool takes intelligent cruise control in a new direc-
E-Class to a central information resource that sends you in-car up-
tion: sideways! In addition to traditional speed control functions,
dates about driving conditions before you get to them. Your car can
it can apply the brakes to slow or even stop, plus accelerate to keep
also report hazards that will be communicated to help other E-Class
up with the flow of traffic (of course, always while respecting the
drivers. Forewarned is forearmed!
speed limit you have set). DRIVE PILOT can even help you stay
In the real world, there are times when even the best of the best
between the painted lines on the road regardless of whether they
encounter situations that can’t be avoided. That’s when you’ll be
are on arrow-straight highways or curves. Once set, using all of the
glad your E300 has an impressive list of passive safety features.
technology it possesses for lane awareness, traffic congestion and
There are air bags for the front, sides and even your knees. When
the marked tracks on the road, it will change lanes for you too with
the car’s sensors anticipate a side impact, the PRE-SAFE system
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
43
The Life WHEELS
IN THE REAL WORLD, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN EVEN THE BEST OF THE BEST ENCOUNTER SITUATIONS THAT CAN’T BE AVOIDED. THAT’S WHEN YOU’LL BE GLAD YOUR E300 HAS AN IMPRESSIVE LIST OF PASSIVE SAFETY FEATURES. will deploy an air bag and broadcasts “pink noise” through the
model adds about $2,500. We think most buyers will choose the
sound system to help protect the occupants’ ears from the loud
$3,000 leather interior, the $600 heated seats and the $250 heat-
sounds of collision.
ed steering wheel. You can explore several other option packages at www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/build/class-E/. Here,
LIFE IS FULL OF OPTIONS
you can click and build your dream E300 without entering the
A very nicely equipped rear wheel drive E300 starts life with a
showroom. However, you really do want to make a visit because
sticker price at around $53,000. The full-time All Wheel Drive
the E300 test drive will be the real convincer.
PERFORMANCE
DESIGN
SAFETY
LUXURY
TECHNOLOGY
241-hp inline-4 turbo engine
Sport Package with sport body styling and grille integrated Star, or Luxury Package with standup Star
Radar-based Active Brake Assist collision mitigation
Power front seats with memory
New Car-to-X Communication
Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats*
COMAND® system with navigation, touchpad and 12.3” color screen
PRE-SAFE® with industryfirst hearing protection
Power tilt/sliding Panorama roof*
New DRIVE PILOT active safety suite with Active Lane Change Assist and Speed Limit Pilot*
13-speaker Burmester® surround sound*
DYNAMIC SELECT drive modes 4-wheel multilink suspension with selective damping
17” or 18” wheels LED headlamps and taillamps
Adaptive AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension*
64-color LED ambient lighting
Confident 4matic® allwheel drive*
Six wood choices*
* Item is optional or not available on some models. Visit MBUSA.com for more information.
44 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
Air Balance ionizer and aromatherapy*
Touch controls on steering wheel Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto Mercedes me with smartphone app, 4G LTE in-car WiFi3 Parking Pilot*
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
45
The
GoodFella BY SIMMON MURRAY
S
ECURING A TABLE AT RAO’S—THE 121-YEAR-OLD, FAMILY-OWNED East Harlem institution—is next to impossible, unless of course you know a guy.
Frank Pellegrino Sr., or “Frankie” to his closest friends, was the guy to know. Like home phones, giant pandas, Blockbuster Video stores and the polar ice
caps, old New York is disappearing and will soon be no more. Extinct. Gone for good. Like the dodo. The change is imperceptible, until it’s not. Iconic venues and graffitied storefronts, trattorias and bistros, greasy spoons and idiosyncratic delis—in other words, the gritty face of old New York—is being replaced by a sleek new one. The modernization many of us crave comes with a price. Luxury high rises sprouting along 57th Street and Central Park South cast long shadows on the storied park. When new developments around the city from Hudson Yards to One Vanderbilt break ground in the coming years, they will be adding observation decks to view the urban tableau from dizzying heights. Unabashedly extravagant luxury flagship stores in the Big Apple now rival Starbucks in their ominipresence. As façades that stretch into the sky and dazzle window-shoppers on the ground become the de rigueur, we are sacrificing and replacing the very DNA that makes the city what it is and gives it a distinct identity, one unlike any other city’s in the world. Which is why the recent passing of Frank Pel-
The Lamppost Reunion actors Robert Funaro, Ricky Aiello,
legrino Sr. hits especially hard. No one embodied the
Anthony Ribustello, Vincent Pastore
machismo, the lifeblood, the psyche of old New York
and the late Frank Pellegrino Sr.
more than Pellegrino, an actor-cum-restaurateur
gather outside of Rao’s.
46 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOBBY BANK
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
47
who leaves behind an institution more exclusive than any gentle-
takable against the more modern tenements, Rao’s has withstood
man’s club or Fashion Week after-party. For the uninitiated, Rao’s
the test of time like few other establishments.
restaurant is the eternal eatery in the city that never sleeps, famous
Similar to McSorely’s doughboy-hung wishbones or Keens’ col-
for being the toughest reservation to get in the United States. So
lection of churchwarden pipes, it’s the outré ambiance that gives it a
tough it borders on the impossible.
distinct look and feel. Inside (if you ever get in), you’ll find paneled walls bedecked with Christmas decorations that never come down and photos of Frankie Valli and Frank Sinatra. A myriad who’s who of celebrity-signed photos adorns the walls, all of them patrons: Leonardo DiCaprio, Keith Richards, Billy Crystal, Woody Allen… On one end you’ll find a bar, a jukebox and seating that can accommodate about 60 people at any Frank Pellegrino Sr.
given time but always
poses with Rao’s
seems like a lot less. Of course, the heart
executive chef Dino Gatto outside the East
and soul of the restau-
Harlem restaurant.
rant was Pellegrino, who became co-owner
in 1994 along with his cousin Ron Straci. (Their legal fracas is the stuff of legend.) The co-owners inherited the restaurant from Pellegrino’s aunt Anna Pellegrino, who got it from her husband Vincent Rao and bequeathed it to her nephews. Bo Dietl, a former NYPD detective and New York City mayoral candidate, was a close friend of Pellegrino. He joined him in Goodfellas and plays himself having dinner with DiCaprio in Rao’s in The Wolf of Wall Street. Dietl told Page Six: “We lost a part of New York when we lost Frankie. There’s nobody like him; he’s an icon. “Rao’s may be over 100 years old, but the person who made Rao’s what it is was Frankie. It is a place that is so unique because of him and it is not There it is, on the safest corner in Manhattan to park your car
going to be the same without him,” added Dietl.
you’ll find it: 114th Street and Pleasant Avenue in East Harlem, to
Pellegrino was born in the neighborhood on May 19, 1944. His fa-
be exact. Or smackdab in the middle of what was once an Italian
ther was a truck driver, his mother a seamstress. As a struggling singer
neighborhood larger than Little Italy when the restaurant (affec-
in his twenties, Pellegrino was playing the occasional nightclub and
tionately referred to as “the Joint” by its patrons) was founded in
cruise gig but was getting nowhere fast. In 1972, his aunt called to tell
1896. Situated on an urban cul-de-sac, its vermillion façade unmis-
him that the restaurant was exceptionally busy and his uncle needed
48 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
The renowned eatery is a New York City icon and remains one of the hardest restaurants to get reservations at. help. He came planning to work for two weeks and ended up staying for 45 years. Like a Gabriel García Márquez novel, the block Rao’s inhabits is fertile ground for a sprawling patchwork of larger-thanlife myths grounded in truth. Charles Rao, who emigrated with his parents from Italy to the U.S., is the progenitor credited with buying the saloon from the George Ehret Hell Gate Brewery in 1896. He named the place Rao’s, and the name stuck. This hand-me-down, all-in-the-family mentality has helped it survive across generations. During Prohibition, wine was pumped into Rao’s basement through a hose. The spot underwent various incarnations after that: as a bar, a steakhouse and an Italian-food-centric boîte. And yet the change has mostly been a thematic one in the kitchen, not structural. (Aside from an arsonist fire that gutted the place in 1995, which
a waiter to the maître d’ to finally owner. Along with his aunt Anna, a
necessitated a remodel, there have been few renovations.) Family
cigarette-smoking, dark sunglasses–wearing, elegant matriarch who
members have lived and died in the same neighborhood, including
wore white from head to toe (Mia Farrow’s character in Woody Allen’s
Pellegrino’s uncle and aunt, who passed the southern Neapolitan
Broadway Danny Rose was based on her), the two developed the no-res-
Smackdab in the middle of what once an Italian neighborhood larger than Little Italy when the restaurant (affectionately referred to as “the Joint” by its patrons) was founded in 1896. Italian cooking and home-style family restaurant onto him, continu-
ervation policy, just table assignments, decades ago. In hindsight it was a
ing the family legacy.
smart business move and earned Pellegrino the nickname “Frankie No”
It was Pellegrino, however, who elevated it to legend. A well-known
from all the people asking for a table only to be turned away.
personality in the New York restaurant industry, his humble beginnings
The alleged reason wasn’t exactly to spark a high demand. After
were with Rao’s, starting as a bartender and working his way up from
Mimi Sheraton, restaurant critic of the New York Times, awarded
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
49
Rao’s three stars for its “wonderfully simple, honest and complete-
There was no going back. Which is why, to this day, being one of
ly delicious Italian food,” Pellegrino wanted to protect the old-
the 85 or so people who have a table at Rao’s is like being a Yankee
school patrons’ preeminence, ensuring them a seat at his table. He
Stadium season ticket holder or a Powerball winner. It’s why Nor-
also closed the restaurant for three weeks, hoping the hullabaloo
man Mailer credited Ms. Sheraton as “the woman who ruined Rao’s.”
would blow over. It didn’t.
Want a table? Here are your options. You can try calling, but you will invariably get a voice-recording alerting you that the rest of 2017 is booked. Your only hope, in fact, is having a table lent to you for the night by one of the assorted VIPs, who own their tables like a time share, so getting into Rao’s is all about connections. It’s also about remaining in good standing with the gatekeepers. (The father of a good friend of mine was effectively blacklisted for saying there was too much salt in the tomato sauce.) According to legend, Warren Buffet was one of those who wanted a table and was firmly rebuffed, as Pellegrino sang: “I don’t need no money, fortune or fame. I’ve got all the riches, baby, one man can claim.” When the gourmand Jason Epstein served as editorial director of Random House, he helped to publish the first of Pellegrino’s four Rao’s cookbooks. The gesture gained Mr. Epstein access to Rao’s recipes but not to a regular table. The Rao’s empire, now overseen by Frank Pellegrino Jr., includes Rao’s Specialty Foods, an entity separate from the restaurant that sells jars of their famous pasta sauce (read: “gravy”). There are also Rao’s in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and one in Hollywood: replicas of the original without its tough-to-get-a-table and mob-hangout notoriety. “But before you label the place a ‘mob joint,’” Frank Jr. wrote last year in Rao’s Classics: More Than 140 Italian Favorites From the Legendary New York Restaurant, “please consider the fact that Elie Wiesel had also broken bread there.” But mob joint it was, and still is in some respects: a place where Hollywood comes to rub shoulders with wiseguys. Pellegrino epitomized both, with an acting career that spanned more than 25 years. Starting with Goodfellas and cast by Martin Scorsese himself to play the role of Johnny Dio, Pellegrino also acted in Cop Land, Mickey Blue Eyes and multiple episodes of Law & Order. Maybe his most famous role of
50 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
Even A-listers want an exclusive dining experience at the famed
all, however, was playing dogged FBI
restaurant. Past guests include Leonardo DiCaprio, President Bill
Chief Frank Cubitoso on HBO’s crime
Clinton, Sandra Bullock, Michael J. Fox and many others.
drama The Sopranos.
Fellow Sopranos co-star Robert Funaro (known
Can’t get a
for his role as Eugene Pontecorvo) says, “Four words
reservation? You
[that] best described Frank and his talent: love, integ-
can buy a jar of the
rity, devotion and determination. But honestly, what
restaurant’s famous
I miss most is his friendship and how he made you
gravy at Rao’s
feel when you were around him… like royalty!”
Specialty Foods.
As with the fictional Mafioso characters Pellegrino portrayed, Rao’s was imbued with its owner’s patina, equal parts glamour and tough guy, egalitarian and La Cosa Nostra. The place had its moments. Frank Jr. says John Gotti did dine at Rao’s—but only once. And for a time, in the 1960s, when the Genovese crime family dominated East Harlem from its bastion a block away, the FBI spied on Rao’s from across the street in Benjamin Franklin High School (now the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics). And then there was the time a mob murder occurred inside Rao’s, with one mobster shooting the other, allegedly over a song played on the jukebox. But legendary law enforcers were just as likely to be dining at Rao’s as goodfellas. And Pellegrino remained until his final days a devoted family man, one who was married to his wife for 49 years. The charm of Rao’s wasn’t so much
A favorite pair of Pellegrino’s cuff links bore turtle images.
in the subtle gangster presence as it was in the extremely loyal and
After passing away at 72 from lung cancer, Pellegrino’s friend
long-term characters who continue to work and come dine there,
Charles Gasparino, a senior correspondent for Fox Business Net-
characters like the beloved bartender Nicky the Vests, named for his
work, recently wrote on Facebook: “Frank was so old school—tough
Your only hope, in fact, is having a table lent to you for the night by one of the assorted VIPs, who own their tables like a timeshare, so getting into Rao’s is all about connections. extensive collection of vests and who’s now well into his eighties. Pellegrino was a constant presence at Rao’s, sometimes sipping a Chivas at the bar, sometimes puffing on a Parliament 100 on
exterior but had a heart of gold and he fought cancer as you would expect a street-kid from East Harlem would—until he could fight no more.”
the patio. He was a doting host to his customers. According to the
He leaves behind an impressive legacy. Instead of the food
cookbook Rao’s Classics, Pellegrino, out of all the animal kingdom,
empire he built, the regulars who dine at Rao’s remember mostly
sympathized most of all with the lowly turtle. “With its impregna-
their friend who would sing with them on Thursdays, broke bread
ble exterior, methodical and plodding style, resilience and pluck (be
with politicians and mobsters alike, and carried around a tough
careful when he snaps),” the book explains, “the turtle is his avatar.”
exterior that covered a heart of gold.
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
51
SECOND TO NONE:
CHI CA
GO BY ELAINE DOREMUS
52
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
ADAM ALEXANDER “CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL”
If you haven’t been to Chicago in a while, now is an ideal time to plan a first-class getaway for late spring or early summer. It’s when the lakefront comes alive and the weather is conducive for walking and getting around this magnificent city.
Counterclockwise from top: Chicago’s iconic skyline along Lake Michigan; Chicago Theatre on North State Street; the Field Museum; annual summer Chicago Blues Festival; Cloud Gate aka The Bean.
CHI CA
GO
With a host of affectionate nicknames including the Windy City,
ACCOMMODATIONS
Second City, City of Broad Shoulders and Chi-town, Chicago ri-
Luxury hotel accommodations in Chicago offer unparalleled ameni-
vals New York, Los Angeles and even Paris for its rich cultural of-
ties and services for discerning travelers. Many of the most exclusive
ferings, architectural significance, world-class dining and luxe
international hotel names have put down roots in Chicago, from the
accommodations. Yet, Chicagoans often say that theirs is a city
Ritz-Carlton, Trump International Hotel & Tower and Four Seasons
with a smalltown sensibility when it comes to hospitality and
Hotel to the Waldorf Astoria, InterContinental Chicago and theWit,
friendliness. Even better, it’s just shy of two hours by plane from
as well as a few noteworthy selects we’ve chosen to mention here.
New York and New Jersey and a very accessible city in every way.
The Peninsula Chicago offers guests Far Eastern graciousness
Don’t let recent news of increased violence in Chicago deter you.
blended with Midwestern hospitality that translates into a high-
While the crime rate rose last year in the under-populated south and
ly luxurious and sophisticated experience. Its 339 guest rooms
west sides, Chicago’s “Loop,” which encompasses the central business
received a $37-million makeover last year with each spacious room
district as well as the surrounding and bustling shopping, dining and
and suite now equipped with a state-of-the-art tablet technology of-
cultural attractions, is highly safe and tourist-friendly. The same goes
fering one-touch services. The hotel’s Keys to the City is an expe-
for the affluent neighborhoods outside the Loop, such as the Gold
riential program that provides guests with complimentary access to
Coast, Lincoln Square, Lakeview, the West Loop and Old Town—home
“only in Chicago” experiences. Or, opt for the Hamilton Nights room
for many families as well as top dining spots, entertainment venues,
package for impossible-to-get premier orchestra tickets to the hit
smaller museums and more.
musical Hamilton while on its Chicago tour through September. For a more boutique hotel experience, the Thompson Chicago offers a worldly, eclectic sensibility with a luxurious loftlike lobby and lounge accented with warm American woods and clean, mid-century lines. Located amidst the tree-lined streets and historic mansions of Chicago’s Gold Coast and Oak Street’s boutiques near The Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue, the hotel is home to the famed Nico Osteria restaurant, From left: The lobby of the Thompson Hotel; the Peninsula Chicago’s indoor pool.
54 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
which focuses on Italian-inspired seafood and housemade pastas. Another exclusive option is
the Langham Chicago, housed in a skyscraper designed by renowned architect Mies van der Rohe. This Forbes 5-star hotel offers timeless British style in an iconic Chicago landmark with views of the cityscape, the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The hotel’s award-winning wellness retreat, Chuan Spa, is a lavish sanctuary offering holistic healing treatments. ARTS AND CULTURE
Once you’ve unpacked your bags, it’s time to soak up some of the city’s cultural offerings. Chicago’s bevy of museums is so rich, diverse and robust that you can explore everything from culture, history and art to planet Earth, marine From top: T-Rex at the Field Museum; annual Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzger Pavilion.
life, science and industry. Choose from the many diverse niche museums such as the Driehaus Museum,
can find everything from Broadway
which celebrates America’s Gilded
world premieres to edgy original
Age, or the new American Writers
plays. Inquire about private tours
Museum opening this spring. Or, visit
available at some of the beautiful
the stunning Museum Campus, perched at the edge of Lake Michigan
and architecturally significant historic theater buildings, available
and home to three world-renowned museums: the Adler Planetarium
through Historic Theatre Tours or the Chicago Theatre. If laugh-
& Astronomy Museum, the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium.
ter is a priority, you won’t be disappointed. In the city considered to
For art aficionados, the Art Institute of Chicago offers master-
be the birthplace of improv comedy, the Second City has grown to
pieces from across the centuries from diverse civilizations as well as
become the world’s premier comedy club, theater and school of im-
French impressionist paintings. The newer Modern Wing, designed
provisation. For blues fans, the outdoor Chicago Blues Festival takes
by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano and a decade in the
place in June at its new location in Millennium Park.
ADAM ALEXANDER “JAZZ FESTIVAL”
making, is now home to the museum’s world-renowned collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. The 264,000-square-foot building makes
HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE
the Art Institute the second-largest art museum in the United States.
A diverse urban environment, Chicago reigns supreme in the world
Collectors and investors might want to contact Noble Private Art
of architecture. From the birth of the skyscraper to the pioneering of
Tours to craft their own private visitation of the many exclusive gal-
the modern home by Frank Lloyd Wright, the buildings and struc-
leries such as R.S. Johnson Fine Art, Richard Gray Gallery and Joel
tures are a legacy of influence and innovation. Legendary architects,
Oppenheimer, Inc.
including Wright, Howard Van Doren Shaw, Daniel Burnham and
Chicago is also a hotspot for performing arts with the unparalleled Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the world-renowned Lyric
Jens Jensen, are among those who left a lasting imprint on Chicagoland architecture and design.
Opera of Chicago and Joffrey Ballet, and five Tony Award–winning
History and architectural buffs might want to start at the Chicago
regional theaters, including Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the
History Museum to learn about the city’s defining history, including
Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that actually paved the way for Chicago’s
On any given day or night, in Chicago’s 200-plus theaters, you
many architecturally significant buildings and ushered in the skyscraper
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
55
CHI CA
GO
era. The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is the go-to authority
the city’s famed Magnificent Mile. This experience was named by
for tour information. Opt for a private tour or choose from 85 tours, in-
Travel + Leisure as one of the Top 10 Best Views in America, for a
cluding the CAF River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises.
view of up to 50 miles and including four states.
CHICAGO ATTRACTIONS
without saying that Chicago is a playground for many avid boating
A visit to Chicago would not be complete without a stroll through
and sailing elite. Charter a private yacht or sailboat for a day or eve-
Millennium Park. Completed in 2004, the 24.5-acre public park fea-
ning excursion, or book an elegant dinner cruise, to enjoy views of
tures the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a Frank Gehry-designed bandshell; the
Chicago from the sixth-largest body of freshwater on Earth. Many
Crown Fountain, with its splash pool; and the spectacular Cloud Gate,
cruises and charters leave from Navy Pier.
With the magnificent Lake Michigan lapping at its shores, it goes
dubbed “the Bean” by locals, designed by Bombay-born British sculp-
We’d be remiss not to mention the Chicago Cubs, who won their
tor Anish Kapoor and the backdrop for countless selfies since day one.
first World Series in 108 years last fall. While tickets may be hard
If you’re seeking a dose of thrill during your visit, get a bird’s-eye
to get, an opportunity to experience baseball at the iconic Wrigley
view of the stunning Chicago shore-
Field—now more than a century old—will be worth any price.
line from above Lake Michigan in a Chicago Helicopter Experience
SHOPPING
tour. Another option, albeit a bit
New York City may have Fifth Avenue, but a visit to Chicago demands a shopping excursion along the Magnificent Mile, the 13-block stretch along North Michigan Avenue between the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Oak Street in the Gold Coast. Among the Mag Mile stores, upscale retailers Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue anchor the area with elaborate window displays and some Clockwise from left: Millennium Park’s Crown Fountain; Chicago’s First Lady river boat architectural cruise; Adler Planetarium.
of the biggest style names. Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Chanel, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo and Giorgio Armani are among the exclusive designer labels. You’ll also find fine jewelers
and watch designers such as Cartier, Rolex, David Yurman, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and Lester Lampert. Coming in 2017: Tesla and a brand-new 20,000-square-foot Apple Store. DINING
While every major city has its culinary stars, Chicago is home to some of the most recognized chefs and restaurateurs in the world. The late Charlie Trotter, Rick Bayless, Grant Achatz, Stephanie more touristy, is a ride in a private, temperature-controlled gondola
Izard and Curtis Duffy are just a few synonymous with Chicago’s
atop the new nearly 200-foot tall Centennial Ferris Wheel on Navy
world-class dining scene that is ever evolving and setting the bar for
Pier, installed last year to celebrate the iconic pier’s 100th anniver-
ambience, superior service and amazing food.
sary. Or, opt for TILT at 360 Chicago (formerly the John Hancock
In fact, in 2016 Chicago scooped up 26 Michelin star-rated restau-
Observatory) for a 360-degree view—on a glass platform that ex-
rants, and in January, Blackbird was named Restaurant of the Year by
tends over the city—from a thousand feet above Lake Michigan and
Chicago’s prestigious Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence.
56 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
Described as a “cult favorite” by many, the restaurant features farmfresh ingredients and cutting-edge culinary technology that has been going strong since 1997. Time-tested fine dining options include Alinea, which has been heralded as one of the world’s top restaurants and one of two Chicago spots to earn three Michelin stars. Destination restaurants that you’ll rave about back home include Grace, Curtis Duffy’s first solo restaurant. His resume includes Charlie Trotter’s, the French Laundry,
room. Chicago Cut Steakhouse of-
Alinea and now Grace—a perfect example of fine dining done right
fers river views, sleek décor and more
and the other Chicago-based restaurant to receive three Michelin
than 600 wines. And Boeufhaus in the
stars. Then there is Everest, which offers Alsatian-French fine dining
Ukrainian Village specializes in grass-
atop the Chicago Stock Exchange with dramatic views and rare Old
fed grain-finished meat.
World elegance. Headed up by Executive Chef Anthony Martin, fine
MATTHEW GILSON “ALINEA DISHES”
dining destination Tru is a fusion of understatement and spectacle.
Clockwise from top: Luxury retailers along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile; scallop and wagyu presentations at Michelin-rated restaurant Alinea.
While there are too many acclaimed restaurants to mention them all here, a few additional worth checking out include Avec, Boka, Girl
Because Chicago is in the heart of the Midwest, there is no
& the Goat, the Purple Pig, bellyQ, GT Fish & Oyster, the Publican,
shortage of excellent steakhouses. RPM Steak (from celebri-
and newcomers L˜ena Brava, Steadfast and Bad Hunter. One thing is
ty couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic) is where celebrity spotting
certain: you won’t go hungry in Chi-town.
and dry-aged beef come together. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is a
It’s impossible to encapsulate Chicago’s incredible breadth of
classic Gold Coast restaurant that attracts celebs and VIPs with
culture, signature attractions and must-see events in a single article.
classically crafted cocktails and their exclusive USDA prime an-
With limitless possibilities to experience in the Windy City, visit the
gus steaks. Prime & Provisions features USDA all-natural prime
official tourism site to help plan every aspect of your upcoming trip:
heritage black angus beef in its signature state-of-the-art dry-aging
ChooseChicago.com.
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
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WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL
COPENHAGEN BY SANDI TODOROVICH
I NEVER IMAGINED A MOVE TO EUROPE PLANNED FOR ONE YEAR WOULD TURN INTO SIX and afford the opportunity to live not only in London but also in Copenhagen, a city I knew very little about but quickly fell hard for. Living in Copenhagen was such a contrast to London life, but equally enjoyable for many different reasons. I was lucky enough to meet some amazing Danes before I relocated there, which eased my transition to their lifestyle. It is a cosmopolitan city full of good looking Danes, and is known for its minimalist and functional design, numerous canals and colorfully painted houses on cobblestone streets.
THE DANES AND THEIR TRADITIONS
COPENHAGEN IS ACCESSIBLE.
They respect family, love their traditions, speak impecca-
Despite its relatively modest size, Copenhagen has plenty
ble English and relish a good Danish beer. They are envi-
of hotels, restaurants, sights and activities to keep you busy
ronmentally friendly and physically active. They use bikes
for a long weekend. Here are some of my recommenda-
for transportation and not just exercise, pedaling to work
tions as you spend time in one of my favorite cities.
daily in sun, rain or snow. Women rock their dresses and heels as they cycle out to dinner or for evening cocktails in
WHERE TO START:
the evenings—with their beautiful hair looking naturally
One of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe,
“undone,” of course. This is one tradition I took back with
the Strøget is the main drag that connects Nyhavn Canal
me to the States. I now bike to the office every day, never
(New Harbor) and Kongens Nytorv (the King’s Square) on
mind the frigid Chicago winters.
the eastern side of the city center with Town Hall on the western side. Most of the hotels are situated on both ends
COPENHAGEN HAS A GREAT CAFÉ SOCIETY!
of this east-west pedway, but to me the preferred area to
A wonderful and energetic café scene allows for great
stay is the east end near Nyhavn.
people-watching. True to the Danes’ love of the outdoors
Situated on bustling Kongens Nytorv Square, the newly
and lack of aversion to cold, the cafés have outside seating
renovated Hotel D’Angleterre is the premium luxury hotel
even in December, though heat lamps and cozy blankets
of Copenhagen. A city icon since 1755, the Hotel D’Angle-
are always nearby.
terre reopened as a stunning grand palace in May 2013
58 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
following a two-year closure for intense restoration. The hotel oozes sophistication and elegance, and has added contemporary refinement to its 92 rooms and suites. There’s a marvelous 1-star Michelin restaurant, Marchal, a fabulous champagne bar called Balthazar, as well as a spa and health club. With the best shopping and dining the city has to offer, this is the ideal location to begin your Copenhagen adventure. Like everything else in the city, lodging does not come without a hefty pricetag, so be pre-
Traditional and innovative Nordic cuisine tops the menu at world-class Noma (left) and Geranium (right).
pared to spend $700 or more at Copenhagen’s finest hotels. WHERE TO DINE: Food and wine are synonymous with European travel, and Copenhagen is no exception. A gastronomy haven, it’s filled with restaurants
NOMA – This is the restaurant that blew up
featuring innovative experimental food repre-
the food scene in Scandinavia. The name is a
senting the New Nordic cuisine, as well as those serving delicious tra-
blend of two Danish words that translate to “Nordic food,” and René
ditional Danish offerings such as smørrebrød and herring. And don’t
Redzepi and his creative team excel at their unique interpretation
forget the locals’ love of bread and pastries in the morning: Copen-
and presentation of Nordic cuisine. Noma is not a la carte. Rather,
hagen’s bakery scene is as popular ever. But then so are the outside
you have the choice of two different tasting menus with optional wine
markets. The Michelin Guide for Nordic Cities 2016 awarded a total
pairing. Reservations are hard to get, and not inexpensive!
of 20 stars to 16 restaurants in Copenhagen—the city’s highest annual
Noma has been named the Best Restaurant in the World four
total to date. Geranium tops the list with three stars, with two stars
times since 2010 by Restaurant Magazine and holds two Michelin
going to Noma and Restaurant Schønnemann.
stars. It is currently being reconcepted to have its own urban farm,
A myriad of fabulous restaurants awaits you, but here are a few of my favorites. Rest assured, you will not be disappointed!
so reservations were temporarily put on hold after the December 31, 2016 short-term closing. It reopens this year in a new location. In the interim, you can catch them in Tulum, Mexico, from April 12 to May 28, during which time they will be open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday.
chelin-starred Thai restaurant in the world outside Thailand is a fabulous and beautiful dining experience. Menus offer modern, personal interpretations of Thai dishes with vibrant flavor combinations. The Tasting Menu begins in the main floor
60 HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
L.P./HDG PHOTOGRAPHY, CLAES BECH POULSEN, LEONARDO WORLDWIDE CORP
KIIN KIIN – The only MiThe next level of luxury awaits you at the newly renovated Hotel D’Angleterre, one of Copenhagen’s premier stays.
Søllerød Kro, the Michelin star-rated eatery, offers patrons a la carte, four- or six-course menus.
transported to another time when dining here. Meals are served in one of three small but stylish dining rooms. The service is impeccable and the food divine. You have the option to order a la carte or choose a four- or six-course tasting menu. WHAT TO SEE AND DO: THE CANALS AND NYHAVN The best way to get the lay of the land is take a water-boat tour along the many canals surrounding the city. They last an hour, and it’s a relaxing and informative way to see this colorful city from a different vantage point. This is an absolute must-do, no matter what time of year you visit, as the canal boats are heated in winter. At the end of your tour, grab a seat outside for a drink at one of the numerous cafes lining the waterfront at Nyhavn. The colorful and picturesque canal houses lounge where the first course of a selection of street-food appetizers is
are behind you. Nyhavn is filled with locals and tourists alike enjoying
served. It’s followed by a six-course seasonal menu served at your table
the relaxed atmosphere. Jazz music plays in the background, and the
in the restaurant. The wine pairing is optional, but I highly recommend
people-watching is superb. In the summertime, this is the place to be,
it. Get ready to be blown away by the food, sleek décor and incompara-
and you may have to wait a bit to grab a sunny seat close to the water.
ble presentation. DESIGNER STORES RESTAURANT SCHØNNEMANN – Denmark is known for its
Copenhagen is known for its minimalist and functional design, with
smørrebrød, a traditional open-faced sandwich typically served on
clean and simple lines, and you definitely should check out some of
dense rye bread and topped with a multitude of items ranging from
the designer stores in town. Visit Illums Bolighus department store
pickled herring to roast beef with remoulade. You will find this dish
for beautifully Danish-designed home items, Georg Jensen for silver
at restaurants and cafes throughout the city, but there are a few in
jewelry and cutlery, Royal Copenhagen for its classic blue and white
particular that get rave reviews. My personal favorite is Restaurant
hand-painted tableware, Hay for functional yet affordable furniture
Schønnemann. This historic cellar-like establishment has been serv-
and Normann for contemporary design furniture and accessories. Ilse
ing herring, beer and schnapps since 1877. Tiny and crowded, with
Jacobsen creates very functional yet stylish rainwear worn by women
waiters wearing white shirts and ties and tables placed tightly togeth-
throughout town, especially when they’re biking in wet weather.
er on sand-covered floors, it is only open for lunch. Reservations are mandatory and taken by phone only. If you want to experience the best in Danish smørrebrød complemented by an extensive selection of schnapps, look no further. SØLLERØD KRO – If you’re willing to travel a bit outside the city center, then consider an exceptional meal at the 1 Michelin star Søllerød Kro in SOLLEROD KRO
the northern suburbs near Holte. Housed in a beautiful setting in a country road inn that opened in 1677, you feel
Stores like Georg Jensen, known for jewelry and cutlery, make Copenhagen a shopper’s paradise.
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
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WALKING AROUND TOWN Amble along the Strøget pedestrianized shopping street from end to end and stop at one of the many cafes where you can sit outside and have a drink. The people-watching is excellent, as many of the cafes are situated on the most popular walking streets. A favorite local place a little off the beaten path is Gråbrødretorv, a public square in the center of town shaded by trees, just off the Strøget. SPEND AN ENCHANTING EVENING AT TIVOLI GARDENS. Tivoli Gardens is an internationally famous amusement park and pleasure garden in the center of town. Founded in 1843, it is beloved by the Danes. There is something for everyone: amusement rides for the family, evening concerts, a large dining scene and absolutely stunning scenery lit up with
ART LOVERS
thousands of lights in the evening, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere.
Take a half-day trip 35 minutes north of the
The park is open in summer, opens again for Halloween and then
city to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
reopens from mid November until January through Christmas and
near Humlebæk, where you can see contemporary art in a beautiful
New Year’s Eve. The decorations and creativity around the hol-
setting overlooking the sea. The artwork is located inside the museum
idays are absolutely magical and a must-see when visiting at this
and on the lawn. Expect to see many locals enjoying the view.
Frederiksborg Slot, the largest Renaissance castle in northern Europe.
time. FAIRY TALE CASTLES Frederiksborg Slot, the largest Renaissance castle in northern Europe, is 40 minutes north of the city in Hillerød. You can reach it by train or car. The castle complex is encircled by beautiful landscaped gardens as well as a small lake with a boat you can ride on. This is one of the most stunning castles I have seen, and I’ve seen a lot! The exterior is beautiful from all sides; you feel as if you’re in a fairy tale. The courtyard entrance with the large fountain sets the stage for a castle tour you can do on your own with or without an informative audio guide. Make sure to leave time to admire the Great Hall and the Chapel rooms. There is so much more to see and do in Copenhagen, but here are some choice places and activities. I hope you’ll grab a map and explore on your own. You’ll see why so many The famous Tivoli Gardens offers stunning landscapes and activities for all ages.
people, yours truly included, have fallen in love with this wonderful city.
SANDI’S PERFECT SUNDAY IN COPENHAGEN: Wake up from your comfortable bed at the Hotel D’Angleterre and get ready to start your Sunday. Grab your light jacket and head outside for a five-minute walk along the Strøget to Café Europa 1989. This popular spot is located on the corner of Amagertorv, a bustling square along the pedestrian street, and has a number of outside tables. Grab a seat outside and enjoy your coffee and brunch with the other lucky patrons able to relax on the square. After brunch, head into Illum Bolighus just across Amagertorv Square to browse and shop for beautifully designed Danish home accessories. Afterward, stop in at Royal Copenhagen, also on the square, and browse for the famous blue and white porcelain dinnerware. Hopefully, you will be lucky enough to see a live demonstration going on as you enter the flagship store. After your shopping spree, walk north on Købmagergade, another pedestrian street, and enjoy the scenery
HUFFMAN TRAVEL Huffman Travel (www. huffmantravel.com), a proud member of Virtuoso, is a family-owned and -operated boutique travel consultancy. With 20+ years in the business, our team of luxury travel advisors know discerning travelers have access to several sources of information when planning a trip, but we also know that it takes more than secondary research to make a trip unique. Our carefully curated group of luxury travel President and CEO Shawna Huffman Owen advisors have built successful careers around designing custom itineraries and leveraging our expertise and industry contacts to create unforgettable memories for our clients. We are all passionate about travel and it shows!
as you pass near the lively University of Copenhagen just around the corner. Continue walking northwest as you cross into the Nørreport neighborhood, and arrive at the rela-
hood and the Church of Our Savior with the famous outside spiral
tively new and fabulous Torvehallerne gourmet food market. This
staircase, around Slotsholmen Island where you’ll see Parliament
beautiful covered market has everything from fresh fish to gourmet
and the famous Modern Library also known as the Black Diamond,
chocolate, coffee, organic food, herbs and spices, olive oil and cup-
and then finally back to Nyhavn.
cake stands, as well as food stalls with inside and outside seating.
You are now just a few minutes away from the Hotel D’Angle-
The market is comprised of two glass-enclosed buildings with the
terre where you can relax and freshen up before dinner. Head to the
common outside space in between them, and you can easily spend an
long-standing Ruby in Gammel Strand for an excellent pre-dinner
hour or two exploring the market.
cocktail in a very cozy apartment-like setting, but beware that there
From the market, it’s a 15-minute walk to Kongens Nytorv Square,
is no signage on the entrance. If you want to venture into uber trendy
where you can sit ouside and have a nice lunch if you haven’t already
Vesterbro, grab a drink at the very stylish Scandinavian bar Lidkoeb,
done so at Torvehallerne. Along the way, you’ll walk past Rosenborg
where the interior is decorated in light wood with a fireplace going
Slot and Kongens Have (the King’s Park), which is always filled with
alongside a sleek bar. The proprietors also own Ruby. Both estab-
young people hanging out, having lunch and enjoying the sun. Once
lishments offer excellent cocktails with contrasting settings.
you reach Kongens Nytorv, pick any of the places on the square for a great lunch or a drink outside.
If beer if more your style, take a taxi to Mikkeller in the hip Vesterbro area to taste the best brews in Denmark. This award-winning
After lunch, walk across the square to Nyhavn, the bustling har-
bar has rare beers on tap, as well as bottled brands. The place is tiny,
bor, and hop on a canal tour to see the city and the main sights from
always busy and not to be missed if you’re a fan of microbrewed beer.
the water. You’ll be taken past the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg Pal-
After drinks, head to the fabulous restaurant you no doubt booked
ace (the residence of the Royal Family), the very modern Copenha-
a few weeks in advance. Enjoy the ambience and expertly presented
gen Opera House (well worth a tour), the Christianshavn neighbor-
food and dream about your return visit to Copenhagen!
HUDSONMOD.com VOLUME 6.1
63
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MASTERING the Art of Dessert
Dessert has always been restaurants’ pièce de résistance, but award-winning pastry chefs like François Payard, Johnny Iuzzini and Dominique Ansel are taking things to the next level. Imagine desserts that resemble works of art and you’ll get a sense of the magic these culinary wizards are creating. And lucky us: the New York/New Jersey metro area boasts some of the most gifted pastry chefs in the world. BY VERONIQUE DEBLOIS
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Racines NY 94 Chambers Street Tribeca, NY 212.227.3400 RacinesNY.com HIGHLIGHTS About Racines NY: One part Paris, one part New York, Racines NY offers a unique and exciting blend of fine dining and bistro-avin that has instantly made its mark on the Manhattan culinary scene. The exquisite cuisine of Michelin-starred Chef Frederic Duca reflects his origins in Marseille and classical training while offering inventive creations based on the finest farm-sourced American and European ingredients. Cuisine: Contemporary French Popular Dishes: Popular dishes are the prawn tartare, the short ribs, sweetbreads with leeks and potato puree or squid ink spaghetti with uni and spiced carrot foam. Décor: An urban rustic space featuring an open kitchen and street art by French graffiti artist Blek Le Rat.
Featured Dessert and Wine Pairing at Racines NY Apple “Tatin” by Frederic Duca. This tempting treat is a deconstructed take on the classic tarte tatin that is typically a pastry topped with caramelized fruit. Chef Duca’s interpretation is made with caramelized apples, crème anglaise with just a touch of cinnamon, whipped cream and buttery madeleine cookies that stand in for the customary pastry top. The combination of tender apples and a pool of rich cream and buttery madeleines is pure comfort in a bowl. Owner/beverage director Arnaud Tronche recommends 2013 Camin Larredya Costat Darrer. This dessert wine from the Jurançon region of southwest France is a smart pairing with the apple “tatin” as it is yeasty on the nose, a great match to the buttery madeleines. Though sweet, the wine also has an acidity that complements the caramelized apples. Chef Frederic Duca
Restaurant Latour 1 Wild Turkey Way Hamburg, NJ 855.977.6473 CrystalGolfResort.com/Dine/Latour HIGHLIGHTS About Restaurant Latour Restaurant Latour is the culinary crown jewel of Crystal Springs Resort, an elegant oasis of refined cooking, gracious service and extraordinary wine in a luxurious setting. Under the direction of Executive Chef Anthony Bucco and Chef de Latour Martyna Krowicka, it showcases the best of New Jersey’s bountiful farms and artisan producers. Cuisine: Contemporary American Popular Dishes: Restaurant Latour offers two everevolving menus: the 5-course “Anthology” menu and the 7-course Chef Degustation “Chef’s Tasting.” Décor: Luxurious setting with panoramic view of hill country.
Featured Dessert and Wine Pairing at Latour Blood orange, vanilla, lime by Chef de Latour Martyna Krowicka. This amazing-looking dessert is a deconstructed take on meringue pie that features blood orange two ways: blood orange curd and blood orange caramel, both paired with lime purée, vanilla crème, toasted meringue and shortbread crumbs. The use of blood orange instead of a more common citrus provides a sweetness that pairs smartly with tangy lime. Contrasting textures include crunchy meringue, smooth curd and crumbly shortbread. Chef Krowicka’s plating is breathtaking with shades of purple, white and toast accented by edible flowers. Sommelier Susanne Lerescu recommends 2005 Sauternes Chateau de Myrat. It’s an on-point pairing because this is a lighter Sauternes that doesn’t overpower the refined, airy dessert. Citrus aromas with honey notes are light on the palate and the acidity isn’t cloying.
Chef de Latour Martyna Krowicka
Maritime Parc 84 Audrey Zapp Drive Jersey City, NJ 201.413.0050 MaritimeParc.com HIGHLIGHTS About Maritime Parc Maritime Parc is home to a stunning 55-seat à la carte restaurant and two privateevent spaces that have been the site of celebrity-studded galas and charitable fundraisers. Partner and Executive Chef Chris Siversen’s nuanced contemporary American menus, paired with Chef John Sauchelli’s deliciously creative desserts, have garnered great praise since the restaurant opened in 2010. Cuisine: Contemporary American Popular Dishes: Popular dishes on the seasonal menu are the grilled oysters, leek-bacon cream, the Grand Seafood Platter, the twenty-one day dry aged steak and the awardwinning MP Burger. Décor: Sleek, modern restaurant answer to the classic coastal fish house.
Featured Dessert and Wine Pairing at Maritime Parc PB&J sandwich by Chef John Sauchelli: peanut butter semifreddo, Concord grape gelée and pearls, Moscato foam, peanut butter powder, caramel and toasted brioche. Chef Sauchelli’s dessert has it all: creaminess, crunch, cold, tart and sweet. It’s a clever whimsical dessert with childhood flavors presented as a work of art with a variety of textures: the smooth grape jelly, the powdery peanut butter, the sweet wine foam, the velvety semifreddo and buttery brioche. The little pearls of Concord grape provide a fun pop. Chef Sauchelli recommends Passito di Pantelleria. Since the PB&J sandwich features Moscato foam, this wine makes so much sense as it is made using Zibibbo grapes similar to Moscato. It offers aromas of dried apricots and honey and rich, raisin-like flavors.
Chef John Sauchelli
Virginia’s 647 East 11th Street New York, NY 212.658.0182 VirginiasNYC.com HIGHLIGHTS About Virginia’s Located in the East Village, Virginia’s is helmed by Reed Adelson, veteran restaurateur of Locanda Verde and Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago. The cozy 38-seat space features a vibrant and accessible American menu featuring seasonal and local ingredients. Cuisine: Modern American Popular Dishes: Some popular dishes are the foie gras Torchon, the dry aged duck and the roasted Amish chicken. Décor: Virginia’s was designed to emulate classic European bistros but with a bit of a more modern aesthetic. Whitewashed exposed bricks and vaulted ceilings match with tan banquettes and dark marble to create a timeless, intimate atmosphere.
Featured Dessert and Wine Pairing at Virginia’s Almond chocolate financier by Matt Conroy. Financiers are popular French pastries made with finely ground almonds that provide a distinctive taste and texture. Chef Conroy’s version of the dessert pairs the almond chocolate financiers with Dulce de Leche and cinnamon ice cream. The similarly hued dessert components and the plate create a pleasing presentation. The rich Dulce de Leche, literally translated as “jam [made] of milk,” is slathered on the plate and topped by financiers in bar and crumble applications. The crumbled financier offers additional texture and a perfect contrast to the silky cinnamon-scented ice cream served in a quenelle. Matt Conroy recommends Pedro Ximenez from Bodegas Toro Albala from the Montilla-Moriles region of southern Spain. This is a dark and concentrated dessert wine with notes of chocolate, sweet raisins and citrus and with floral aromas. It is a great complement to the chocolate and caramel dessert.
Chef Matt Conroy
Restaurant Serenade 6 Roosevelt Avenue Chatham, NJ 973.701.0303 RestaurantSerenade.com HIGHLIGHTS About Restaurant Serenade In 2016, restaurateurs Chef James Laird and Nancy Sheridan Laird celebrated the 20th anniversary of Restaurant Serenade. Chef Laird’s signature contemporary American cuisine showcases the finest hand-selected seasonal and regional ingredients in simple, refined presentations and ever-changing tasting menus, complemented by an extensive, carefully curated wine collection. Cuisine: Contemporary American Popular Dishes: Lobster chowder, roasted Nova Scotia lobster and Berkshire pork chop. Décor: Elegant, understated décor with modern accents.
Featured Dessert and Wine Pairing at Restaurant Serenade French apple tart by Herman Loria. While most restaurants buy puff pastry, Chef Loria uses from-scratch puff pastry layered with frangipane, an almond-flavored filling, and local apples from Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick, NJ. The apples are basted with butter and turbinado sugar until perfectly golden brown. The tart is served warm from the oven with house-made Tahitian vanilla ice cream and plated with caramel sauce, sugar-coated red currants and a dried local apple chip. The buttery pastry is complemented by the slightly tart currants, smooth ice cream and bit of crunch from the paper-thin crisp apple slice. Chef Loria recommends NV Domaine Lafage Rivesaltes Ambré Hors d’ ge. This selection offers mocha and caramel flavors with just a bit of smokiness. It’s a perfect match with the buttery apple tart with caramel sauce. Chef Herman Loria
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BANGZ SALON & WELLNESS SPA WATCHES, WHISKEY & WHEELS Bangz, the premier salon and wellness spa, teamed up with HudsonMOD to host Watches, Whiskey & Wheels, an all-encompassing men’s event held at the stunning salon in Montclair, NJ. More than 200 VIP guests came to celebrate. Upon arrival, they viewed premier autos lining the streets outside of the salon, including vehicles from Maserati of Morris County, Audi Meadowlands, John Nouri’s Broadway Performance and Legendary Exotics as well as privately owned collections. As guests made their way inside, they were captivated by the salon’s beautiful interior (recently transformed from a 19th-century church) before grabbing a cocktail fashioned with Prairie Organic Vodka or shots of Pasion Tequila. Highland Park and Macallan also provided tastings.
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Attendees sampled Lavish, a hair product created by Bravo TV’s Untying the Knot star Vikki Ziegler; viewed Rolex timepieces provided by Michael Anthony Jewelers; danced to entertainment provided by SCE Event Group; took pictures in Eye to Eye Entertainment’s photo booth; toured Bangz’s Wellness Spa; and enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by celebrity chef Franco Vitella. Chef Vitella also made his famous Dragon Popcorn, a nitrogen-infused treat that instantly freezes the popcorn. The finishing touch was a complimentary swag bag filled with items from the evening’s top sponsors.
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THE BERNARDS INN WALK-AROUND WINE TASTING EVENT Last year the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, NJ was honored with the Best Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator and cited by World of Fine Wine for having one of the world’s best wine lists. To commemorate these exceptional achievements, the inn held a wine-tasting event to showcase its award-winning selections. Guests were able to taste test more than 100 wines from around the globe while visiting the spectacular wine room. All bottles were selected by the wine director and sommelier, Terri Baldwin, who spoke about them throughout the evening. Guests also were treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres.
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FASHION FOR THE PINK CRUSADE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS In 2016, the Pink Crusade hosted its esteemed event Fashion for the Pink Crusade, which benefited the breast-cancer program at Saint Barnabas Medical Center and Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center. The fashion event was held at the Park Savoy in Florham Park, NJ. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, auction and dinner raffle as well as an elaborate fashion show produced by Bloomingdale’s at Short Hills, which highlighted the store’s top brands. Attendees were asked to wear a touch of pink to honor those affected by breast cancer.
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DESIGN WITHIN REACH GRAND OPENING Late last year, one of the top brands in interior design, Design Within Reach, opened a brand-new location in New Jersey’s high-end Westfield Garden State Plaza. The 12,000-square-foot showroom boasts a stunning glass atrium entranceway, hundreds of pendant lights, 36 room vignettes and a swatch wall that showcases more than 300 swatches of the brand’s luxe upholstery selections. Design Within Reach’s new store also offers valet services and a Chilewich shop-in-shop. Guests who celebrated the grand opening experienced live entertainment, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the opportunity to browse the new storefront and speak with Design Within Reach representatives.
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1. Robert Youngworth, Bruce Levenbrook, Evan Berenzweig, Lewis Orenstein and Marc Feinson 2. DWR president John McPhee 3. Joe Sultan, John Edelman (DWR CEO) and Sandy Chilewich 4. Gabriel Cañizo and Stephen Staronka 5. Alyssa Young, Tamara Stout and Lisa Holovach 6. Hans Thure Mannerhagen and Ginny Flaherty 7. Chargaux 8. The Design Within Reach showroom in Paramus 9. April Claus, Cynthia Rivera and Michelle Faizi
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AIRES JEWELERS ANNUAL HOLIDAY EVENT Last December, Aires Jewelers celebrated not only its annual holiday event, but also its 70th year in business. Held at the impressive showroom in Morris Plains, dedicated clientele and guests came to commemorate the luxury jeweler for its incredible achievement. They were serenaded by a live vocalist throughout the evening while enjoying hors d’oeuvres prepared by Sage Catering, wine, scotch and cigar tastings, and cocktails fashioned with 6100 VDKA. Palermo’s Bakery created a beautiful cake that was on display for guests to marvel at. Attendees also could purchase holiday gifts from Aires Jewelers’ luxe jewelry and timepiece displays.
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EVENTS
THE VALERIE FUND’S 25TH ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BALL Each year, the Valerie Fund hosts its Thanksgiving Ball, which supports comprehensive healthcare services for children battling cancer and rare blood disorders. The foundation, which has been raising money on behalf of these efforts since 1976, celebrated its 25th annual gala with a black-tie-optional reception at the Hilton Short Hills. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and dinner reception as well as a live and silent auction.
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NEIMAN MARCUS SHORT HILLS MEET & GREET WITH THE NEW YORK GIANTS During the winter holidays, Neiman Marcus Short Hills hosted a meet and greet with the New York Giants at its store in the Mall at Short Hills. Guests had the opportunity to meet several players from the NFL team, including Trevin Wade, Will Beatty, Jonathan Casillas, Kelvin Sheppard, Bobby Rainey, Keenan Robinson and Zak DeOssie. Besides receiving autographs and taking pictures with the players, they enjoyed holiday hors d’oeuvres, photos with Santa Claus and a children’s fashion show. All proceeds from the event benefited the Trevin Wade Foundation, which supports underprivileged adolescents.
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A ROYAL BREW Drinking coffee like a royal is now possible with Royal Paris’ 24-karat gold coffee maker. Handcrafted by French artist Jean-Luc Rieutort, the Royal Coffee Maker doubles as a coffee maker and a work of art. Fashioned with a syphon brewer, a tool used in the mid-19th century to brew coffee for socialites, only eight Royal Coffee Makers are produced each month. The bespoke machine uses a Baccarat carafe and comes in 24-karat gold, copper or silver. Buyers can customize the base as well with semiprecious black obsidian, azurite or malachite with engravings. The brewing process is exquisite and perfectly timed, resulting in the perfect cup of coffee every time. Available at RoyalCoffeeMaker.com, retails between $10,000-$18,000
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COMING UP PEONIES It’s never too early to think of spring flowers. Allow Field + Fleur’s newest fragrance, Peony Blush, help you transition into the new season early. With powerful notes of peony, this feminine fragrance transports you into a meadow of fresh flowers. The perfect blend of rose, jasmine, sandalwood and pink peppercorn, this mist is light and airy, and boasts a quintessential springtime freshness. Available at HillHouseNaturals.com, $20
LIMITED EDITION LALIQUE
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LET’S TALK TERRARIUMS u The New York-based design firm Okeanos Aquascaping is shaking up the architectural realm by transforming ordinary rooms into one-of-a-kind spaces with custom-made aquariums, ponds and water features. The company, founded by Martin Schapira and Nathan Kamelhar, is showcasing its newest innovation, Elevate, which displays succulents in a lab-grade glass vessel that sits above the surface (hence the name). Whether you enjoy just plants or an additional hand-painted skull (limited-edition skulls crafted by Alec Monopoly, King Saladeen and Martinius Maximus the Third are also available), this terrarium display is sure to turn heads. Available at Isolat-e.com, starts at $325
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Give yourself the royal treatment with this remarkable 24 karat gold facial at Bangz Salon & Wellness Spa in Montclair, NJ. Including gold elixirs, caviar ampoules and a gold leaf application, this facial will leave your skin bright. It’s magical components helps regenerate skin cells, boost blood flow, combat wrinkles and restore elasticity, making this facial worth its weight in gold. Available at Bangz Salon & Wellness Spa in Montclair, NJ
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FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE Happiest Tee, the new luxe clothing company, allows you to celebrate your “happy place” wherever you go. Made from garments by State & Manor, Happiest Tee is 100 percent made in the U.S., eco-conscious and perfect for everyday wear. Choose your city, shirt style and color, and you’re ready to go. Happy places include Australia, Brooklyn, Hawaii, Italy, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Malibu, Mexico, Miami, Nashville, New York City and Paris. Whether it’s your favorite travel destination or home away from home, forget about wearing your heart on your sleeve; wear it smack dab in the middle of your shirt instead. Available at HappiestTee.com, prices may vary
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THE SCENE
CASA’s 11th Annual Wine Tasting
Paris Refashioned
Head down to Battello on the Hudson River waterfront to enjoy more than 90 wines selected by Cork Wines & Spirits, while participating in a silent auction in benefit of Hudson County CASA. WHEN: March 31 TIME: 6-10 PM WHERE: Battello, Jersey City, NJ VISIT: HudsonCountyCasa.org
Celebrate Parisian fashion at the Museum at FIT’s newest exhibit, which showcases French haute couture, ready-to-wear and other famous designs from 1958-1968. WHEN: February 10-April 15 WHERE: Special Exhibitions Gallery in the Museum at FIT, New York, NY VISIT: FITNYC.edu/Museum
Paris Refashioned
Pasta Primo Vino! 10th Anniversary Food & Wine Show Join in celebrating Giants of Generosity’s founder D. Jane Albanese at the foundation’s 10th Anniversary Food & Wine Show at the Clinton Inn. Guests will enjoy a delectable grand tasting, and the opportunity to enter the foundation’s raffle, followed by a performance and ceremony. WHEN: March 19 TIME: 1:30-5:30 PM WHERE: Clinton Inn, Tenafly, NJ VISIT: GiantsofGenerosity.org
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This spring, grab 10 of your closest friends and embark along the Shawangunk Wine Trail in the Hudson Valley for a day of indulgence. With 15 wineries along the mapped excurison and a select pasta dish at each location, Pasta Primo Vino! will showcase some of the region’s best food and wine combinations. WHEN: April 8-9 TIME: 10 AM-5 PM WHERE: Hudson Valley, NY VISIT: ShawangunkWineTrail.com
NJ Wine & Food Festival Crystal Springs Resort is known for delicious dishes and a vast wine selection. This March, enjoy sipping premier wines and tasting out-ofthis-world foods while learning more about each wine and dish from the resort’s highly rated chefs and sommeliers. WHEN: March 31-April 2 WHERE: Crystal Springs Resort, Sussex County, NJ VISIT: www.CrystalGolfResort.com/ Dine/Wine-Fest
THE SCENE
CASA’s 11th Annual Wine Tasting
Her Story Ball
Luxury Technology Show
Join Morris County’s chapter of Jack and Jill of America Incorporated for its Her Story Ball. Enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, wine tasting and a silent auction in an effort to bring the community together to raise money for worthy causes involving women and children. The event will honor notable women making remarkable contributions in their respective communities. WHEN: March 18 TIME: 7:30-11:30 PM WHERE: Hilton, Short Hills, NJ VISIT: MCJandJ.org
Are you an aficionado of gadgets and technology? If so, the Luxury Technology Show is the place for you. View the latest and greatest innovations firsthand while learning more about each showcased item. WHEN: March 23 TIME: 4-9 PM WHERE: Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY VISIT: TheLTS.com
Go Red for Women’s Luncheon Join the American Heart Association for a special luncheon at the New York Hilton Midtown. Guests will be able listen to survivors speak about their experiences and network with top leaders, all while raising awareness about women’s heart disease. WHEN: March 10 TIME: 10 AM WHERE: Hilton Midtown, New York, NY VISIT: AHANewYork.ejoinme.org
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AROUND THE GLOBE Miami International Boat Show February 16-20, 2017 Miami Beach, FL
Veuve Clicquot Carnaval March 4 Miami, FL
Art Paris Art Fair March 30-April 2 Grand Palais, Paris, France
Boston Flower Show Architectural Digest Home Design Show More than 400 notable design brands showcase pieces at the 16th annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show. Besides previewing everything from contemporary furniture to home accessories to informative sessions with interior experts, guests gain valuable insights from the best brands in the industry. WHEN: March 16-19 TIME: Thursday-Saturday: 10 AM-6 PM Sunday: 10 AM-5 PM WHERE: Piers 92 & 94, New York, NY VISIT: ADDesignShow.com
March 22-26 Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA
Vinitaly April 9-12 Verona, Italy
Pebble Beach Food & Wine April 20-23 Pebble Beach, CA
Chihuly Exhibition April 22-October 29 New York Botanical Garden Bronx, NY
COURTESY H ATNIM LEE, F IT MUSEU M - GIFT OF MELANIE MILLE R AND LATOUR
Architectural Digest Home Design Show
Everything, Anytime, Everywhere Eye to Eye Entertainment is a full service event planning and entertainment company servicing the tri-state area. From corporate events to high-end weddings, founders Paul and Joe Lebo provide high quality work and collaborate with customers to ensure they are completely satisfied every step of the way. With a wide range of services, Eye to Eye Entertainment serves as the one-stop shop for all of your event planning needs, making them the go-to source for everything entertainment related, anytime and everywhere!
EYEtoEYEent@hotmail.com www.EYEtoEYEent.com Weddings - Parties - Corporate Events DJS - Car Service - Entertainment - Photobooth 973.303.9059 | 973.303.9058 #EYEtoEYEent | #LeboTwins
355,000 The number of followers Massimo
Botturo—the chef patron of Osteria Francescana, the no. 1 restaurant in the world—has on Instagram.
$22.9 billion The amount of economic activity
Newark International Airport contributes to the New York/ New Jersey metropolitan area.
“The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.” – Arnold Palmer
ILLUSTRATION BY ISABELLA BANNERMAN
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The year the first flight departed from Teterboro Airport, making it the oldest airport in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.
The number of New York City restaurants awarded a Michelin star for 2017.
18.3
MILLION The number of people who were expected to travel Port Authority’s airports, bridges, tunnels and PATH stations during the 2016 holiday season, according to the Port Authority.
barrel can produce, according to Wine Spectator.
3
The number of champagnes created by Dom Perignon: Vintage, P2 and Rosé.
300Approximately the number of bottles one wine
The Life THE QUOTE
ENCORE
BY NICOLE FONZINO
and encourage them to support Resolution 752. If people join the cause, it helps. It’s not my sole responsibility to do this, but it’s something that resonates deeply with me. I felt compelled to do something. I’m not a politician or animal activist. I’m a normal person, a restaurateur who often eats meat and wears leather. This is about increasing awareness of the torture of these dogs, of their being boiled alive and beaten to death. We’re trying to educate people in other parts of the world that dogs are wonderful creatures that meet our needs and we should be meeting theirs.
Q: You held your first-ever Vanderpump Dog Foundation Gala last November. How did it go?
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f you don’t know Lisa Vanderpump by now, you should. She’s the philanthropist and businesswoman behind three popular Los Angeles restaurants—PUMP, SUR and Villa Blanca—and the star of two Bravo hit TV shows, Vanderpump Rules (that she also executive produces) and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. No less impressive than her entrepreneurial achievements is her love of animals. She is rarely seen without her beloved Pomeranian Giggy and owns a menagerie of pets, including eight dogs, eight swans, six turtles, two miniature horses and one show horse Tardon. Besides the latter who is stabled nearby, all of them live in her Beverly Hills mansion Villa Rosa. Given her affection for animals, it’s no surprise that she started the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, whose mission is the eradication of mistreatment of dogs. Learn more about Beverly Hills’ LVP and her dog activism in this HudsonMOD exclusive. Q: Tell us about the Vanderpump Dog Foundation and its efforts. A: So far, what the Vanderpump Dog Foundation has done is organize rallies and supply placards all over the world in order to stop Yulin [China’s dog meat festival] forever. We’ve also formed our own Resolution 752 with Congressman Alcee Hastings to stop the Yulin Festival primarily, and we already have 160 members of congress committed to supporting this resolution. We are looking for further support to get this resolution passed. Together with my husband Ken Todd and Dr. John Sessa, I am making a documentary about the Yulin fight to shed some light on the matter. We are opening the Vanderpump Dog Foundation Rescue Center, where we will be selling our product line Vanderpump Pets with the proceeds helping to finance the rescue center.
Q: How can people help you and your husband Ken end the Yulin Dog Meat Festival forever? A: Most people can contact their local politician or congressperson
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A: We were lucky to be hosted by the incredibly generous and wonderful Mario Lopez. He and his wife Courtney were so supportive. Diane Warren, an incredible songwriter, wrote us a song that Leona Lewis sang beautifully at the gala, along with Eric Benet. We had a lot of wonderful people involved and raised quite a lot of money.
Q: You launched Vanderpump Pets, a luxury accessory line for dogs. Which toy or item of clothing do your dogs like the most? A: Oh, they love all the toys! I mean, we’ve got funny toys like a little pink purse, a shoe, a sangria bottle, hankies, swans. They love them! They love the clothes too. It’s a very affordable line, and it’s all at Petco.
Q: You launched LVP Sangria with your daughter Pandora. Which sangria do you prefer? The red or pink? A: I like both. I don’t have a favorite. They are for different occasions. It’s like being asked if you prefer red or rosé wine. They are different. I like having the pink first and then the red for dinner.
Q: What drink do you reach for at the end of a long day? What’s your favorite dish? A: Well, I like our vodka, our own brand called Vanderpump Vodka. I love Vanderpump Vodka, soda, muddled mint and lime. That’s the drink I like as a cocktail. As for a favorite meal, I have so many! I would say probably fish.
Q: What does luxury mean to you? A: Oh, to feel pampered! Luxury is not just about money, but of course money helps, especially when it comes to things like travel. I think we should all spoil ourselves. Even if you can’t afford flowers, even if you just have a couple of fresh roses on your table with lots of greenery, or a beautiful teacup to have your tea at the end of the day, or a nice big fluffy towel, luxury is about treating yourself well. To read more, visit us online at HudsonMOD.com/Encore-Lisa-Vanderpump
THE DRINK of CHOICE THE DRINK of CHOICE THE DRINK of CHOICE THE DRINK of CHOICE. THE DRINK of CHOICE
DRINK RESPONSIBLY
THE DRINK of CHOICE