Where Guestbook® New York - 2018 Edition by IN New York

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NEW YORK

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

CITY SPECTACULAR Welcome, visitors, to New York City! I have to admit, as both an editor and passionate New Yorker, I like nothing more than showing off this town, which I unabashedly believe is the most exciting city in the world. This year, Where’s annual GuestBook is chockablock with stories designed to whet your appetite, stir your cultural curiosity and entice you to shop in our diverse retail emporiums. Our fashion feature, “Harlem Renaissance” has a story behind the story: The day of shooting, major downpours were predicted for the NYC area, and our art director didn’t know whether or not to cancel the shoot. It involved models, makeup, wardrobe and staging—all outdoors, of course, about 70 blocks north of the Where offices. Instead, thanks to a fabulously creative photographer who decided to work with the weather, the Harlem photo session turned into one of our most dramatic fashion layouts ever. Harlem, of course, is only one of the city’s colorful neighborhoods. This year, we decided to break them down by category, guiding you toward the areas that are best for your trip, be they family-friendly, historically rich, or shoppingcentric. You can read all about it in “Finding Your Turf.” You can see all of New York’s neighborhoods, not to mention our bridges, landmark buildings and more from way up there in “Vantage Points,” which shows you Manhattan and beyond— south, north, east and west—all shot from skyscrapers and helicopters for this photo essay. Back on the ground, Broadway beckons: I mean, you are in the Big Apple, home of the Great White Way! So, make sure to read “Broadway Jewel Boxes,” which gives you a peek inside the storied palaces of the Times Square District. New York, is of course, also home to some of the world’s finest museums and galleries. In this year’s GuestBook, we introduce you to some of the lesser-known, but equally rich, art institutions, those with an ethnic tilt, indicative of the wide span of cultures and peoples that have aways been drawn to our island. Now, on to almost everybody’s favorite topic, at least in this city: food. This year, we bring you two features on the gastronomic joys of the city: “Small Plates” focuses on the trend toward appetizer-size dishes—tapas, mezes—that more and more restaurants are offering in addition

Above: Our models at the “Harlem Renaissance” photoshoot, right after the downpour.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR to, or in place of, entrées. And who doesn’t love a warm, flaky pastry? From unusual chicken potpies to decadent mille-feuilles, “Flour Power” gives you a good sampling of where to go for fantastic pastry dishes, both savory and sweet. Speaking of dining, if you are here to sample some of the city’s world-class restaurants (and of course you are), but feel a little bit intimidated by the large and often complex wine lists found in many fine dining venues, no worries. In “Uncorked,” we interview four top sommeliers, who share their insider tips for ordering the perfect bottle of wine for your meal, whether you are a vino expert or complete novice. Your evening need not end after a great meal, however. “Into the Night” takes you on a brief tour of our finest bars and lounges, from the über-trendy to the classics. OK, so you wake up the next morning after all that eating and drinking and moan, “Help! I need to detox.” We understand (we’ve been there). Well, just reading “Deep Freeze,” a look at all the cooling treatments available in city spas, will refresh you. And wait until you read about the igloos and the subzero chambers. And finally, a word on sports. In this year’s GuestBook, we decided to cover the other football (or, if you are not from the U.S., “fútbol.”). One of the biggest names in NYC fútbol (or soccer) is an import from Spain: David Villa, the New York City Football Club’s captain and one of the world’s greatest footballers around. So, welcome to our wonderful city, known to us natives as the greatest place on earth.

Lois Levine Editor-in-Chief Where GuestBook® New York

Top left: Red velvet cake from Two Little Hens (“Flour Power”). Bottom left: A view of the Belasco Theatre (“Broadway Jewel Boxes”) Below: The Staten Island Ferry (“First Look”).

A Q U ATA L I A V I P O F F E R I N G S PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS Appointments can be arranged through the boutique manager at any time. Requests should be made with at least 24 hours notice for the boutique to stay open off hours to accommodate a VIP.

MESSENGER SERVICE Purchases can be messengered free of charge to any hotel in Manhattan (Monday-Friday)

SHIPPING HOME Purchases can be mailed home via UPS ground anywhere in the Continental United States.

PRIVATE SHOPPING PARTIES Shopping events can be arranged through the boutique manager at any time.

FLAGSHIP STORE HOURS

Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm Sunday 12-5pm (closed Sundays during summer) 965 Madison Ave | New York, NY 10021 646.677.5555

CONTENTS 22

FIRST LOOK Iconic sights around this great city.

HARLEM RENAISSANCE Modern classic fashion against the backdrop of the historic neighborhood.

SMALL WONDERS Pretty little plates, packed with big flavors. BY GEORGIA KRAL

FLOUR POWER Pastries from top-tier restaurants. BY MERYL PEARLSTEIN

BROADWAY JEWEL BOXES Grand theaters that are worth a close look. BY BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON

FACES OF NYC Meet the city’s top influencers.

FINDING YOUR TURF These neighborhoods have what you’re looking for. BY KAREN TINA HARRISON

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

114

Soccer has gained celebrity status in NYC, and David Villa is its bright star.

What is more chic than a wedding in NYC? BY LOIS LEVINE

UNCORKED Everything you need to know about wine.

BY RICH FISHER

116

DEEP FREEZE Spa treatments designed to chill, in more ways than one. BY JONI SWEET

102

INTO THE NIGHT City’s best bars and lounges.

120

WE ARE THE WORLD Ethnic museums stir the melting pot. BY TERRY TRUCCO

VANTAGE POINTS A look at the island of Manhattan from the clouds. BY LOIS LEVINE

124

LOOK BOOK High-quality items offered by some of the city’s top retailers and art galleries.

BY THE EDITORS OF WHERE NEW YORK

108

BROOKLYN WALKS Three cool neighborhoods, meant for exploring. BY GEORGIA KRAL

BY JACKIE COOPERMAN

VILLA VICTORIOUS

127

INDEX

128

PARTING SHOT

ON THE COVER: FLATIRON BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. COVER PHOTO: JON ARNOLD/ GETTY IMAGES

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Where GuestBook® is produced by Morris Visitor Publications (MVP), a division of Morris Communications, Co., LLC. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901, morrismedianetwork.com. Where® magazine and the where® logo are registered trademarks of Morris Visitor Publications. MVP publishes Where magazine, Where® QuickGuide, IN New York and IN London magazines, and a host of other maps, guides and directories for business and leisure travelers, and is the publisher for the Hospitality Industry Association. In New York City, Where Guestbook is pleased to be a member of: MVP IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF LES CLEFS D’OR USA

CAVIAR TO GO

FINE DINING

MICHELIN GUIDE MICHELIN 2014 - 2017

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538 Madison Avenue at East 54th Street New York, NY 10022 - Also visit us in Miami at the Four Seasons Tower. Monday through Saturday, serving all day noon - 10 pm, Sunday noon - 4 pm. Inquire for Private Dining. 212 980 5908 - 1 800 NYCAVIAR - www.CaviarRusse.com

... Here you will find contemporary dishes of surprising delicacy and precision, with a pleasing bias towards wonderful seafood and shellfish, such as scallops with ricotta gnudi, or delicious bluefin tuna with uni and asparagus. You get buzzed in at street level, which adds a bit of mystery to proceedings. Up the stairs and you’ll find yourself in a lavish little jewel box, with colorful murals on the wall, Murano chandeliers hanging from an ornate ceiling, and semi-circular booths. The only thing missing is James Bond’s nemesis drumming his fingers on the table in the corner. Excerpt from 2016 review.

CONTRIBUTORS Rich Fisher

Villa Victorious, page 114 Rich Fisher is a writer from New Jersey who has covered sports for 37 years and won numerous awards. He observes, “How nice it is to see how dedicated David Villa is to making this work. A lot of superstars come here for the big bucks. I was impressed with how down-to-earth Villa is, a family man in a city where young men can go wild with the nightlife.”

Karen Tina Harrison Finding Your Turf, page 74

Karen Tina Harrison grew up just outside New York City, and moved to Manhattan to attend Columbia University. As a travel writer, she loves exploring urban neighborhoods on foot—this story allowed her to experience her own city as a vistor would. “The pavementpounding reporting” she did for this story “was an eye-opening look at these neighborhoods.”

Evan Sung

Flour Power, page 52 Evan Sung is a lifestyle photographer based in Brooklyn. In addition to his long tenure at The New York Times, Evan has photographed for Vogue and GQ, among others. His work has taken him “from Iceland to Seventh Avenue.” He was blown away by the “exquisite design” of the pastries at Gabriel Kreuther. “Chefs today use pastry in such creative ways.”

Meryl Pearlstein Flour Power, page 52

Originally from Boston, Meryl Pearlstein is an NYC-based travel writer, focusing on luxury, theater and food. She currently writes for ALLNY.com, Fodor’s, Where New 14

W H E R E G U E ST B OO K

York, and Travel and Food Notes, among other publications. She also founded MDP Publicity, her own strategy-and-results-oriented public relations firm.

Jackie Cooperman Uncorked, page 90

Jackie Cooperman lives in Greenwich Village. She covers culture and food for Departures, The Wall Street Journal and others. Her inspiration for this piece was noticing that most diners’ comfort zones shrink when ordering wine. She wanted “to demystify the process. The new generation of sommeliers makes ordering wine enjoyable, which puts customers at ease.”

Meryl Pearlstein

Noah Fecks

Uncorked, page 90 Noah Fecks is a dining and beverage photographer living in Brooklyn. Noah has been a featured speaker at The Society of Publication Designers and The James Beard House. “Just when I think there’s nothing new under the sun, I find myself surprised and excited. That’s how I felt about wine. Wine is so dynamic and living, it’s kind of unlocked by connecting with people who work with wine on a daily basis.”

Evan Sung

Rebecca Joslow MacGregor

Brooklyn Walks, page 116 Rebecca Joslow MacGregor lives in New York City and views it as “a moving masterpiece. I am inspired by the cacophony of sounds, amplifying down subway stairs, and wafting softly through the rooftop gardens along Park Avenue. I try to make sense of my surroundings by capturing them as watercolors within my sketch pad.”

Jackie Cooperman

Rich Fisher

CONTRIBUTORS Joni Sweet

Deep Freeze, page 96 Joni Sweet’s journalistic pursuits have taken her around the globe—hiking the rain forest of Borneo, hot air ballooning over Cappadocia. She has been published by National Geographic and Thrillist, among other publications. Until now, she generally thought of spas as warm and cozy, “but these chilled-out treatments were just as relaxing.”

Georgia Kral

Small Wonders, page 48 Brooklyn Walks, page 116 Georgia Kral is a freelance reporter and journalism professor, and has appeared in Food & Wine and Zagat, among other publications. She has lived in Brooklyn for 10 years and feels that trying many different small dishes “really lends itself to having fun, intimate dinners. Small plates boast less of a commitment to diners.”

Oliver Katibi Stalmans Harlem Renaissance, page 42

In photographing this piece, Oliver was inspired by the various political movements that played a role in evolving Harlem to where it is today. Stalman loves the “energy” of today’s Harlem. “It feels like a place that has yet to be morphed into a matrix focused entirely on monetary currency.”

Anna Katsanis

Harlem Renaissance, page 42 Anna’s interest in fashion, which stemmed from her love of film and fashion design, came at a young age. A film buff, Anna’s work has cinematic elements ranging from the 1950s to the 1970s. Anna’s 18

W H E R E G U E ST B OO K

styling work can be seen in several international publications, including Vogue, Elle and Glamour.

Terry Trucco

We Are the World, page 108 Terry Trucco has worked as a journalist in Tokyo and London, writing for The New York Times and International Herald Tribune, among others. Overnight New York is her website, featuring news of New York City hotels. Trucco loves the array of specialized museums here. “In a city where more than 180 different languages are spoken in the homes of its public school students, it’s no surprise that these places celebrate specific cultures.”

Joni Sweet

Terry Trucco

Brian Scott Lipton

Broadway Jewel Boxes, page 56 Currently the managing editor of MR Magazine, a menswear industry publication, Brian’s heart remains in theater. Former editorin-chief of TheaterMania.com, and a current writer for various publications, Lipton romanticizes about “the stairways to the mezzanine of the Lyceum,” which are “filled with portraits of celebrities,” and the “gorgeous murals, friezes and other details” elsewhere that often go unexplored.

Oliver Katibi Stalmans

Anna Katsanis

Danila and Lana Mednikov

Vantage Points, page 120 Danila and Lana moved to NYC from Ukraine 10 years ago. They are amazed by the architecture and the people, where everyone feels at home. Says Danila, “In order to see New York, you have to become a bird and fly as high as the skyscrapers, or even higher.”

Georgia Kral

Danila and Lana Mednikov

WHERE GUESTBOOK

FIRST LOOK

PHOTO: THE OCULUS, MICHAEL LEE/GETTY IMAGES

Distinct New York City landmarks that not only present a study in contrasts but also define the very heart and soul of the metropolis.

MANHATTAN Westfield World Trade Center Westfield World Trade Center was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, who created the space as a winged dove in flight, a staggering glass-and-steel-structure called The Oculus that instinctively elicits a “wow” upon first look. The center includes the largest shopping mall in Manhattan, access to the PATH trains to New Jersey and, through a maze of underground passages, 11 subway lines. 185 Greenwich St., 212.284.9982 WHERE GUESTBOOK

FIRST LOOK

Central Park So here’s the problem: With so much to see in this 843-acre park, the most visited urban park in the United States, some precious spots can get overlooked. The lovely Burnett Fountain in the Conservatory Garden (above) honors children’s book author Frances Hodgson Burnett (“The Secret Garden”) with a sculpture of the writer. The sculpture stands on the edge of a small concrete pool that features a variety of water lilies. Entrance to statue, 105th St. & Fifth Ave.

Times Square It was called Longacre Square until 1904, when The New York Times moved its headquarters to 1475 Broadway, permanently changing the area’s name to Times Square (top right). While Times Square has undergone several identities (including a rather seedy one from the 1960s to the 1980s), it has also been known, since the early 1900s, as the destination for the finest theater on earth, aka Broadway. Broadway & Seventh Ave., btw W. 42nd & W. 47th sts. 24

WHERE GUESTBOOK

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Why visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art? Well, there’s The Temple of Dendur (above, ca. 10 B.C.) in the Sackler Wing. For something a little more modern, check out the two suits of armor worn by King Henry Vlll; “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Emanuel Leutze; and “Water Lillies” by Claude Monet. Yes, it all takes our breath away, too. 1000 Fifth Ave., 212.535.7710

PHOTOS: BURNETT FOUNTAIN, BRITTANY SEABERG; TIMES SQUARE, MICHELE FALZONE; THE TEMPLE OF DENDUR, THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART/BROOKS WALKER

MANHATTAN

FIRST LOOK

Brooklyn Academy of Music The Brooklyn Academy of Music (known as BAM) has built its reputation on bringing stellar as well as avant-garde singers, dancers, musicians, theater and film from around the world to the über-trendy neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It presented its first show in 1861 and began operating in its current location in 1908. Today, the complex contains three performance venues: BAM Fisher; the Harvey Theater, which opened as the Majestic Theater in 1904; and the Peter Jay Sharp Building, a multistory arts center that includes the grand Howard Gilman Opera House (above), a Beaux Arts space that seats more than 2,000. Don’t let the word “opera” in its name fool you: Artists from Canadian, indie pop singer/songwriter Feist to wild punk rock act Les Savy Fav have played here. 30 Lafayette Ave., 718.636.4100 26

WHERE GUESTBOOK

PHOTO: HOWARD GILMAN OPERA HOUSE INTERIOR, ELLIOT KAUFMAN

BROOKLYN

FIRST LOOK

Brooklyn Museum Its extensive permanent collection includes ancient Egyptian relics, African art, decorative arts and contemporary works. Along with rotating exhibits, you can also have fun examining, up close, a real pre-Revolutionary dwelling, the two-room 1676 Jan Martense Schenck House. By contrast, the Beaux Arts Court (above) is the museum’s largest public space at 10,000 square feet. 200 Eastern Pkwy., 718.638.5000

Coney Island The last stop on the D, F, N and Q subway lines is the first stop for pleasure seekers looking for surf (the Atlantic Ocean), sand (a sprawling beach), exercise (a 2.5-mile boardwalk), eats (a Nathan’s Famous hot dog with sauerkraut, natch) and thrill rides at Luna Park, where the Cyclone is the granddaddy of all roller coasters and the WindstarZ hang glider (top right) soars above it all. 1000 Surf Ave., 718.373.5862 28

WHERE GUESTBOOK

Green-Wood Cemetery Since 1838, the 478-acre necropolis and National Historic Landmark, has been the preferred final resting place of New York’s social and cultural elite. Leonard Bernstein is a resident. So, too, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Visitors can explore the lush rolling landscape, with its hills, valleys, glacial ponds, marble monuments and funerary art, on their own or on a guided trolley tour. 500 25th St., 718.768.7300

PHOTOS: BEAUX ARTS COURT, BROOKLYN MUSEUM, JONGHEON KIM; WINDSTARZ, LUNA PARK, COURTESY LUNA PARK; VALLEY WATER AND CHAPEL, GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY, AARON BRASHEAR

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FIRST LOOK

Museum of the Moving Image The nation’s largest permanent collection of moving-image artifacts is housed inside this multimedia haven—a nationally registered historic site since 1978—where the history of film, television and digital media is on display via interactive exhibitions and screenings. More than 400 films are screened here annually, including classic, contemporary and silent films (accompanied by live music), restored from prints from the world’s leading archives. The museum is housed in one of the 13 buildings now occupied by Kaufman Astoria Studios—where the legendary TV show “Sesame Street” has been filmed since 1992—and was formerly comprised of the historic Astoria Studios complex, home to the production of three silent films directed by filmmaker and industry pioneer D.W. Griffith in the 1920s. 36-01 35th Ave., 718.784.0077 30

WHERE GUESTBOOK

PHOTO: MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE EXTERIOR, COURTESY MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE

QUEENS

New York Hall of Science

Flushing Meadows Corona Park Queens’ 897-acre centerpiece—home to a myriad of recreational football, soccer, basketball and cricket fields; the US Open Grand Slam tennis tournament since 1978; the New York Mets pro baseball club since 1964; Queens Museum; Queens Zoo; Queens Theatre in the Park; New York Hall of Science (the Hall’s Rocket Park, above); and the Unisphere (top above), completed in 1964 for the World’s Fair and declared a national landmark in 1995—has been open to the public around the clock since 1939. Grand Central Pkwy., Whitestone Exwy. btw 111th St. & College Point Blvd., Park Drive E., 718.760.6665 32

WHERE GUESTBOOK

Built for the 1964–65 World’s Fair, this museum is the first and only one of its kind in New York City. More than 5,000 2-by-3 foot panels of glass make up the facade of The Great Hall, a towering architectural beauty and at the time, the largest poured-in-place concrete structure in the world. Today, the Hall of Science hosts daily interactive learning events and temporary programs for kids and families, such as “Jean-Michel Costeau’s Secret Ocean 3D,” as well as permanent exhibitions, seven of which are held in in the Hall of Science’s space center, Rocket Park (bottom left). 47-01 111th St., 718.699.0005

Noguchi Museum In 1988, the then 80 year-old American artist Isamu Noguchi claimed that the opening of this museum, with its outdoor sculpture garden and indoor and outdoor galleries, was one of his life’s greatest achievements. Today, the Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum houses most of the late, great artist’s works. 9-01 33rd Rd., 718.204.7088

NOGUCHI MUSEUM, COURTESY THE ISAMU NOGUCHI FOUNDATION AND GARDEN MUSEUM

QUEENS

PHOTOS: FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK UNISPHERE, COURTESY ©ISTOCK/VEER; NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE EXTERIOR, COURTESY NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE; THE SCULPTURE GARDEN AT THE

FIRST LOOK

Yankee Stadium It opened in 1923 and became known as “The House That Ruth Built,” thanks to Yankee superstar Babe Ruth’s home runs on opening day, resulting in a 4-1 win over his former team, the Boston Red Sox. Since then, moments—from Lou Gehrig’s teary farewell speech in 1939 to Derek Jeter’s “Mr. November” moniker in 2001—are indelibly marked in the minds of Yankee fans. In 2008, the stadium closed, and the team moved across the street to a new, $2.3 billion stadium (above). And the game goes on. 1 E. 161st St., 718.293.4300 34

WHERE GUESTBOOK

THE BRONX

FIRST LOOK

New York Botanical Garden These gardens are lauded for rare floral collections and visual artistry, such as the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory (above). It is home to palm trees, aquatic and carnivorous plants, and, from mid-July to mid-September, water lilies like the Victoria amazonica, the world’s largest water lily, whose leaves can span seven feet across. 2900 Southern Blvd., 718.817.8700

Bronx Zoo Lions and tigers and bears are just the beginning. There are also American bison, giraffes (top right), sea lions, a mouse house and a strong conservation sensibility. In 2016, the zoo collected enough origami elephants to break a Guinness World Record—and raise awareness about elephant poaching. In 2015, it rescued a juvenile Indian cobra, found dehydrated and exposed to oil residue on a cargo ship. 2300 Southern Blvd., 718.220.1500 36

WHERE GUESTBOOK

Wave Hill Gardens Now, this was a celebrity magnet: Built as a country home in 1843, Wave Hill’s esteemed guests included Theodore Roosevelt’s family, who rented the complex for summering in 1870 and 1871; Mark Twain, who leased the estate from 1901 to 1903; and Arturo Toscanini, who resided there from 1942 to 1945. Today, ordinary folks like me and you can enjoy its 28 acres of gardens, grounds and woodlands. 675 W. 252nd St., 718.549.3200

PHOTOS: THE ENID A. HAUPT CONSERVATORY, IVO M. VERMEULEN; GIRAFFES AT THE BRONX ZOO, BRITTANY SEABERG; WAVE HILL, COURTESY WAVE HILL

THE BRONX

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T H E H I T B R O A D W AY M U S I C A L

FIRST LOOK

Fort Wadsworth This former military installation, situated on The Narrows that divide New York Bay into upper and lower halves, was the longest continually garrisoned military installation in the United States before it closed in 1994. It was used in the Peach Tree War in 1655, the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War (when it was also renamed in honor of Brigadier General James Wadsworth). Today, it is maintained by the National Park Service, and its 226 acres include magnificent views of the New York Harbor. 10 New York Ave., 718.354.4606 38

WHERE GUESTBOOK

PHOTO: FORT WADSWORTH, JIM WARK, AIRPHOTO

STATEN ISLAND

ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE SHOWS IN MUSICAL THEATER HISTORY. –Peter Marks,

Music Box Theatre 239 W. 45th St. • DearEvanHansen.com •

@DearEvanHansen

FIRST LOOK

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden Among the many charms of this space is the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden (above), with rockery resembling mountains that inspired the poems of Buddhist and Taoist monks. Its eight pavilions, bamboo forest path, waterfalls and koi-filled pond are guaranteed to calm even the most stressed-out visitor. 1000 Richmond Terr., 718.448.2500

Staten Island Ferry The gang from “Sex and the City” rode on it; so did Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson (“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”) and Melanie Griffith (“Working Girl”). On any given weekday, thousands of commuters ride as well, taking the 25-minute ride to Manhatttan (top right). One of the last remaining vestiges of a ferry system that transported people between Manhattan and its future boroughs long before bridges were built, the ferry costs nothing to ride. Sometimes the best things in life really are free. 4 South St., Manhattan, 311 40

WHERE GUESTBOOK

Alice Austen House She was one of America’s first women photographers, taking some 8,000 photographs over the course of her life. The family home of Alice Austen (1866–1952) was purchased by Austen’s grandfather, John Austen, in 1844. He did extensive renovations on the house, which was built in 1690, creating a Victorian Gothic cottage on beautifully landscaped grounds. In the late 1860s, Alice moved in with her mother after they were abandoned by Alice’s father. Saved from demolition in the 1960s, the house, an historic landmark, is open to the public. 2 Hylan Blvd., 718.816.4506

PHOTOS: NEW YORK CHINESE SCHOLAR’S GARDEN, CHRISTOPHER ONG; STATEN ISLAND FERRY, CHRISTOPHER ONG; ALICE AUSTEN HOUSE, ©SIOBHAN WALL

STATEN ISLAND

HARLEM RENAISSANCE Modern classic looks to make you fall in love with this historic Uptown neighborhood. PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLIVER KATIBI STALMANS

Merchandising and Styling, Anna Katsanis Assistant Stylist, Alexandria Rudolph Photography Assistant, Alex Contell Hair, Riad/Atelier Management Makeup, Liset Garza Models, Vlada Roslyakova/Women Management and Darron Clarke/Major Model Management Postproduction, Thrivestudio 42

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On him: KRAMMER & STOUDT jacket and shirt, krammer-stoudt.com • LEVI’S jeans, levi.com • MICHAEL KORS boots, michaelkors.com • ERIC JAVITS beret, special order at info@ericjavits.com. On her: MANILA GRACE coat, manilagrace.com • KRAMMER & STOUDT denim jacket • MARIMEKKO boots, us.marimekko. com • KATYA DOBRYAKOVA culottes, katyadobryakova.com • ALEJANDRA ALONSO ROJAS knit polo, alejandraalonsorojas.com • TIFFANY& CO. earrings, tiffany.com

This page, on him: KRAMMER & STOUDT jacket and pants, kram mer-stoudt.com • MICHAEL KORS shirt and boots, michaelkors.com • ERIC JAVITS beret, ericjavits.com On her: MARIMEKKO trench coat and boots, us.marimekko.com • NANAMICA pants, nanamica.com • ERIC JAVITS beret, ericjavits.com Facing page: BROOKS BROTHERS white dress shirt, brooksbrothers .com • ERIC JAVITS beret, special order at info@ericjavits.com

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WHERE G UEST B OOK

This page: CHIARA BONI LA PETITE ROBE coat, chiaraboni.com • ESCADA black turtleneck, escada.com • CLAUDIA ODDI ear cuff, modaoperandi.com • ERIC JAVITS beret, ericjavits.com Facing page, on her: ETRO embroidered jacket and fur-trim jacket, etro.com • TIFFANY & CO. earrings and bangle, tiffany.com • CLAUDIA ODDI ring, claudiaoddi.com • REISS belt, reiss.com • MISSONI boots and turtleneck, missoni.com • NUDE denim pants, shopbop.com On him: REISS leather jacket • MICHAEL KORS shirt and boots, michaelkors.com • KATYA DOBRYAKOVA culottes • VALENTINO sunglasses, sunglasshut.com • ERIC JAVITS beret, special order at info@ericjavits.com

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SMALL WONDERS Pretty little plates, packed with big flavors and designed for tasting, sharing and loving.

Small plates at Loring Place.

PHOTO: SMALL PLATES AT LORING PLACE, ALIZA ELIAZAROV

BY GEORGIA KRAL

Nowadays, we share everything: photos on Instagram, news on Facebook, UberPool rides with strangers. And we share our food in restaurants, too. The small-plate trend that rules the dining scene in New York City is built around the idea of sharing. Restaurants cater to guests who want to enjoy multiple dishes with their fellow diners, along with their followers on social media. In this food-obsessed town, small plates mean everybody gets to try a little something. While the dishes featured here are on the menu as Where GuestBook goes to press, they may not be when you read this. No problem. NYC chefs constantly invent new variations on the theme. At Chef Dan Kluger’s Loring Place (21 W. 8th St., 212.388.1831), the menu is divided into five sections: breads, spreads and snacks; small plates; pastas; pizzas; and large plates. Guests share dishes from all sections at this warm and welcoming restaurant. The former chef at ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina relies heavily on vegetables, and small plates are where they truly shine. “Often the dish starts from the vegetable up,” Kluger says. A roasted beets plate, for example, is built off two ingredients: the beets and grilled fennel. They play off each other in a flavorful way and are accompanied by chèvre (goat cheese) and orange vinaigrette. Another highlight on the smallplate menu is fluke crudo. Prepared with a careful touch, the fish is sliced in thin slivers and served with crunchy radishes and citrus chili vinaigrette. A wood-burning grill

turns out protein-forward dishes like halibut with peas and carrots, and chicken breast stuffed with herbs and served with roasted summer beans and mustard. Balaboosta (214 Mulberry St., 212.966.7366) feels a bit like someone’s well-loved home. Tables are clustered close together, framed photos decorate the wall, and the air is redolent with spice. Chef Einat Admony’s menu may sound familiar to some, but the dishes surprise with their adventurous spirit. Hummus, for example, is served do-it-yourself style. Only partially prepared, you mash it to your desired consistency with a pestle (a group activity, if ever there was one). Nearly every table orders fried olives to share, Admony says. Plump and briny, manzanilla and kalamata olives are fried schnitzel-style and served over a smear of organic house-made labne and harissa oil. And don’t miss crispy chicken “Under a Brick,” served with earthy Israeli couscous, apricots, leeks and gremolata. Even though it’s a larger dish, the restaurant encourages sharing it. How appropriate that the elegant restaurant inside the Met Breuer museum, Flora Bar (945 Madison Ave., 646.558.5383), sends from its kitchen dishes that also look like works of art. Take, for example, the purple endive salad. The leaves are arranged into a flower pattern, each overlapping the next. Underneath are crunchy pecans and bites of Bayley Hazen blue cheese, and the whole dish is dressed in olive oil, honey, shaved lemon peel and WHERE G UEST B OOK

the experience goes beyond the culinary. The eatery is party-oriented, the music is loud enough to inspire dancing, and nearly every square inch is decorated in graffiti and modern art (including a break-dancing purple rabbit as tall as the ceiling). The menu was designed with sharing in mind. Small plates “encourage social interaction,” says Chef Chris Santos (TV’s “Chopped”). Observes Santos: “It’s more communal. You get to see, eat and celebrate more dishes throughout the night.” Vandal’s menu spans the culinary spectrum: Guests can munch on foods as diverse as crab-cake corn dogs, yellowtail sashimi, spicy Korean rice cakes with kimchi, grilled sea bass tacos, and kale and spring pea salad. Chef Michael Psilakis runs a handful of Mediterraneaninspired and Greek restaurants, and Kefi (505 Columbus Ave., 212.873.0200), open since 2006, may be the most accessible of them all, thanks to the relaxed atmosphere and communal vibe. From dips to sandwiches to mezes— such as grilled octopus served with a chickpea salad, and meatballs with tomatoes, roasted garlic and olives—sharing as a style of dining translates across the menu. “Meze is part of the experience [of eating Greek food],” Psilakis explains. “The idea here is to offer guests this home-style approach to dining.”

This page: Grilled Chilean sea bass tacos at Vandal. Facing page, clockwise from top: A variety of plates at Flora Bar; hummus at Balaboosta; tzatziki and pita at Kefi.

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PHOTO: SELECTION OF PLATES FROM FLORA BAR, DAMIEN LAFARGUE

sorrel juice. In keeping with Ignacio Mattos and Thomas Carter’s other NYC restaurants, Estela and Café Altro Paradiso, everything at Flora Bar is designed to be shared, from tuna tartare to lobster and crab dumplings in yuzu broth. But some dishes (like the lobster dumplings) are too delicious to give up even one bite. Eating tapas is all about camaraderie, and that’s just what you’ll find at Toro (85 10th Ave., 212.691.2360), located in a gigantic open warehouse space steps from the Hudson River. The fun, casual vibe that cocktails and tapas conjure up spills over from table to table, from the bar area to large group tables. Co-owners and chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette’s menu features Spanish tapas and classic dishes like paella; the cocktail list also has a Spanish influence. “I was totally blown away by the tapas culture [in Spain],” Oringer says. Small-plate dining, he believes, promotes intrepid eating: “People can share a couple of safe things and a couple of adventurous things.” Menu highlights at Toro include bocadillo de erizos, a rich panino-like pressed sandwich with sea urchin, pickled mustard seeds and miso butter; and pulpo (octopus) cooked a la plancha. Some restaurants take the atmosphere as seriously as they do the menu. At Vandal (199 Bowery, 212.400.0199),

This page: The tarte flambĂŠe at Gabriel Kreuther. 41 W. 42nd St., 212.257.5826. Facing page: The Nomad Bar chicken potpie, including foie gras and truffles. 10 W. 28th St., 347.472.5660.

FLOUR POWER Pastries, both sweet and savory, from top-tier NYC restaurants. BY MERYL PEARLSTEIN PHOTOGRAPHED BY EVAN SUNG

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This page: Flaky layers filled with vanilla cream, Benoitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mille-feuille is a traditional dessert also found at its Parisian sibling. 60 W. 55th St., 646.943.7373. Facing page: The popular Red Velvet at The Upper East Sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Two Little Red Hens bakery is a crimson-toned butter cake with a hint of cocoa, covered with smooth cream-cheese frosting. 652 Second Ave., 212.452.0476.

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BROADWAY JEWEL BOXES These grand theaters are worth close examination. BY BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON

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PHOTOS: HUDSON THEATRE, LITTLE FANG PHOTO; HIRSCHFELD THEATRE, PAUL GELSOBELLO

HUDSON

HIRSCHFELD

Few spaces in NYC have had a more varied past. Since opening in 1903, after being built by Henry B. Harris (who perished on the Titanic), the Hudson Theatre (left) has been used as a television studio (whose tenants included “The Tonight Show”), a pornographic film house, a rock club and a conference center. It was (expensively) restored by the Ambassador Theatre Group in 2017, and its first show as a reborn playhouse was a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Sunday in the Park With George,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, followed by an intensely graphic theatrical adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian novel, “1984.” Don’t miss fine details in the lobby, such as the stunning mosaics, domes with Tiffany glass, handwoven carpets and gilded box-office windows. 139-141 W. 44th St.

Known from 1924 to 2003 as the Martin Beck, the Hirschfeld (above) housed everything from the Broadway debuts of “The Crucible” and “Sweet Bird of Youth” to revivals of “Guys and Dolls” and “Kiss Me, Kate.” For Elizabeth Taylor’s highly anticipated 1981 stage debut in Lillian Hellman’s “The Little Foxes,” the show’s producer redecorated the star’s dressing room in her favorite color, lavender. The theater was renamed in 2003 for cartoonist Al Hirschfeld, whose drawings of famous theatrical figures were favorites of readers of The New York Times. While the theater’s Moorish-style architecture is undeniably dramatic, when you attend a performance of the Tony Award-winning musical “Kinky Boots,” be sure to go up to the mezzanine, where there’s a lobby gallery devoted to the artist’s work. 302 W. 45th St. WHERE G UEST B OOK

Built in 1907 by impresario David Belasco—the self-proclaimed “Bishop of Broadway” and revered actor, playwright, director, producer and set designer—this regal showplace was restored in 2010. Make sure to look both up and around, so you don’t miss the Tiffany glass light fixtures, the numerous pastoral murals by American realist Everett Shinn and other architectural details created by original designer George Keister. Luminaries from Jayne Mansfield to Ralph Fiennes to Mark Rylance have acted on the Belasco stage. In 1969, a pre-Hollywood Al Pacino made his Broadway debut in “Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?” and won a Tony Award. If, during a show, you feel the presence of Mr. Belasco, who lived in a duplex apartment on top of his theater, you’re not alone—the theater is rumored to be haunted by his ghost! 111 W. 44th St. 58

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PHOTO; BELASCO THEATRE, WHITNEY COX

BELASCO

Behind the 1921 theater’s plain brick exterior lies a dignified auditorium, where delicate plasterwork reliefs on the pastel ceiling and walls recall 18th-century neoclassical motifs used by designer Robert Adam. Order prevails in the repeated swags, circles, semicircles and cameos. This is a genteel, aristocratic setting in which high drama can—and does—unfold. In 1935, Ayn Rand’s courtroom melodrama, “Night of January 16,” selected a jury of audience members to decide the heroine’s guilt or innocence at each of the play’s 235 performances. Savion Glover’s tap/rap/hip-hop revue, “Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk,” shook the Ambassador to its rafters in the late-1990s. But the show that puts the theater in the history books is “Chicago,” its current occupant. On Aug. 27, 2011, “Chicago” became Broadway’s longest-running American musical—still with no end in sight. 219 W. 49th St. 60

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PHOTO: AMBASSADOR THEATRE, WHITNEY COX

AMBASSADOR

PHOTO: LYCEUM THEATRE, WHITNEY COX

LYCEUM Broadway’s oldest, continuously operating legitimate theater since 1903, the Lyceum would be worth visiting for its stunningly decorated auditorium alone, with giant gilded Ls overhanging the side boxes. You will also want to see the intimate downstairs lounge with its old-fashioned (nonworking) fireplace and handsome bronze wall sconces (one of them even turns), while the two grand marble staircases leading up to the mezzanine are lined with black-and-white photographs of such theatrical legends as Helen Hayes and Charles Laughton. In the 1950s and 1960s, the elegant Lyceum introduced New York audiences to gritty “kitchen sink” dramas and black comedies from Britain, including John Osborne’s “Look Back in Anger,” Shelagh Delaney’s “A Taste of Honey,” Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker” and Joe Orton’s “Entertaining Mr. Sloane.” 149 W. 45th St. WHERE G UEST B OOK

SPECIAL PROMOTION SECTION

FACES OF NYC Meet the city’s top influencers—the front-runners of their industries—whose expertise creates unique and memorable experiences for travelers and locals alike. Those profiled here are the reason our city is a top visitor destination. PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL GELSOBELLO

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FACES OF CHIC LUXURY BEDDING

HÄSTENS Hästens knows nothing beats perfect natural sleep. Good sleep, like good architecture, enriches and supports everyday life on a multitude of levels. Director of Sales-North America Alisha A. Hylton (foreground, seated right) and the New York team—including Lori Derocco (next to Hylton), Kristin Heilig (background, seated), Lori Decker, Howard Abramovitz, Vicki Paladino (standing, left to right)—believe Hästens’ mastery of sleep innovation is a result of the company’s 165-year-long devotion to craftsmanship and the all-natural materials it uses—the finest pure flax, wool, cotton and hypoallergenic horsehair. There’s no substitute for the marvel that occurs each night to your body, mind and soul. Give Hästens your nights and wake up each day feeling better than you ever have before. That’s the true power of Hästens. 232 W. 18th St., btw Seventh & Eighth aves., 212.706.0509, hastens.com WHERE G UEST B OOK

FACES OF

NYC 2018

FACES OF LUXURY SKINCARE

OSSWALD PARFUMERIE LUXURY SKINCARE BOUTIQUE Tanja Dreiding Wallace (left)—whose grandfather Boris Dreiding established the world-famous Parfumerie Osswald in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1921— opened Osswald New York in 2012. Building on Parfumerie Osswald’s reputation for offering groundbreaking and hard-to-find brands, Osswald New York is home to over 30 luxury fragrance, skincare and cosmetic lines—many of which can only be found there. As Tanja Wallace likes to say, the Osswald New York team—including Josie Plumey (right)—offers a “little bit of Swiss hospitality in the Big Apple.” 311 W. Broadway, btw Canal & Grand sts., 212.615.3111, osswaldnyc.com 64

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FACE OF EFFECTIVE NONSURGICAL PAIN RELIEF

ROSENBERG WELLNESS CENTER Dr. Jeff Rosenberg has over 20 years of experience practicing chiropractic wellness and is certified in three chiropractic techniques—Cox, Active Release and Graston—that are proven most effective for lasting pain relief. This dedication to nonsurgical pain treatment offers patients a safe and fast road to recovery from disc injuries, carpal tunnel, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, shoulder pain and more. Dr. Rosenberg’s expert comprehensive care will alleviate both the patient’s concerns and discomfort, allowing them to enjoy the full benefits of his cutting-edge, holistic treatments. 635 Madison Ave., 4th fl., at E. 59th St., 212.858.0015, rosenbergwellnesscenter.com

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FACE OF LUXURY TIMEPIECES AND EXQUISITE JEWELRY

WEMPE Wempe, a family-owned company with 33 worldwide locations, led in the US by its president Ruediger Albers, is synonymous with the finest timepieces and jewelry. The 5,500-square-foot flagship store is on the corner of Fifth Avenue & 55th Street and is well known for its unrivaled selections of 20 Swiss and German watch brands, two in-store boutiques for Patek Philippe and Rolex, as well as its very own collection of men’s and women’s timepieces and fine jewelry. At Wempe, you will be sure to find superior expert advice, dependable service and the perfect timepiece or jewelry to celebrate a milestone, special occasion—or just because. 700 Fifth Ave., at 55th St., 212.397.9000, wempe.com 66

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FACES OF

NYC 2018

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FACES OF

NYC

P R O M OT I O N

2018

FACE OF AUTHENTIC VIENNESE CUISINE

GRÜNAUER RESTAURANT Peter Grünauer, owner of Grünauer restaurants in New York, Kansas City and Vienna, has owned and operated traditional Austrian restaurants for over 60 years. Peter grew up working in and around restaurants before bringing his knowledge and passion for Austrian cuisine, culture and life to New York City. In 1979, Peter created Vienna 79, a 65-seat restaurant located on 79th St. on New York’s Upper East Side. Vienna 79 was awarded four stars by food critic Mimi Sheraton of The New York Times. The Upper East Side has a long and storied Germanic culture and history. Grünauer is offering classic Viennese dishes while adding nouveau menu items to round out their menu where authenticity is paramount. 1578 1st Ave. at E. 82nd St., 212.988.1077, grunauernyc.com

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FACES OF THE DIGITAL AGE OF BROADWAY

BROADWAYHD Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, two of the most prolific and awarded Broadway producers today, are making their dream come true and bringing the magic of Broadway to everyone, everywhere with their streaming service, BroadwayHD. As the only theater streaming service of its kind, BroadwayHD offers viewers an unprecedented Broadway experience in beautiful HD and access to exclusive live streams. Plus, subscribers enjoy unlimited access to an on-demand lineup of over 200 theater productions and concerts. Where they want. When they want. The way they want. All at an incredibly attractive price. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Broadway the best way, your way. broadwayhd.com

FACES OF

NYC 2018

FACE OF HAMPTONS TRANSIT

HAMPTON LUXURY LINER Hampton Luxury Liner boasts 24 years of experience in luxury ground transportation and was acquired by M&V Limousines in November 2016. Mark Vigliante, President/ CEO of HLL, provides affordable luxury with amenities like Wi-Fi, USB ports, bottled water and a snack at no extra charge. Operating seven days a week, HLL buses travel express from Lexington Avenue to Southampton East End of Long Island, and all the way out to Montauk. Heading back to Manhattan, buses travel express to Third Avenue making stops from E. 40th St. to E. 86th St. It is HLLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal to deliver convenience and quality to guests traveling to and from the Hamptons. They also offer vineyard tours every Saturday and Sunday from NYC. 535 Eighth Ave., btw W. 36th & 37th sts., 3rd fl., 631.537.5800, hamptonluxuryliner.com

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FACES OF FINE FOOTWEAR

CITISHOES

Ben Khoudari (left) left his position as an electronics design engineer in 1993 and opened his own business—Citishoes. With a love for fashion and a knack for finding the best style to match each customer, Khoudari and his staff of professionals, including Manager Voltaire Blain (right), are dedicated to ensuring Citishoes is New York City’s premier shoe store. With its sterling reputation and extensive collection of the finest, classic brands such as Alden Shell Cordovan shoes—including special colors and custom models—Church’s, Edward Green, Gaziano & Girling, Paraboot and Mephisto, you’re sure to find your next perfect pair here. 445 Park Ave., btw E. 56th & E. 57th sts., 212.751.3200, citishoes.com WHERE G UEST B OOK

FACES OF

NYC 2018

FACES OF FABULOUS BLOOMS

STARBRIGHT FLORAL DESIGN Starbright Floral Design has a twodecade history in New York City, making its mark by offering the freshest and highest quality blooms. With this father/ son team—Nic (right) and Stephen Faitos—that drives innovation in both design and style, Starbright is expected to set the gold standard of modern floral design in NYC for many years to come. This organization is built on a culture of enthusiasm and a passion for flowers that spills over to its customers. Over 200 of the city’s bestknown concierges recommend Starbright, which has earned the moniker, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps.” 140 W. 26th St., btw Sixth & Seventh aves., 212.229.1610, starbrightnyc.com

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FACE OF UPSCALE SPORTS BARS

ATWOOD

Evan Rosenberg, Founder & Managing Partner of Atwood Sports Bar & Lounge, is in charge of day-today operations and restaurant aesthetics, design, marketing, events and all media outlets. Evan has worked in hospitality for over a decade and believes that Atwood embodies New York City and its love for great sports, drinks and food. Atwood opened in 2014 and has been a New York City staple ever since. This local hot spot features upscale bar bites, a large beer list and specialty craft cocktails. Come watch a game, enjoy brunch or dinner, or book your next happy hour or company outing. Did we mention they cater? Food, drinks, games, events: Atwood has a little something for everyone. 986 Second Ave., corner of E. 52 St., 212.371.2233, atwoodny.com WHERE G UEST B OOK

FINDING YOUR TURF Whatever your passion, you can indulge it in New York—especially if you know which neighborhood has exactly what you’re looking for. BY KAREN TINA HARRISON

emphasis is on the new. But history surrounds you in the city’s birthplace, Manhattan Island’s southern tip. To see it all, look for the free, red Downtown Connection bus, with 36 stops. One must: the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House (1 Bowling Green, 212.668.2363), at the bottom of the island. Inside is the admission-free George Gustav Heye Center, part of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian—a fitting tribute to New York’s original residents, the Lenape people, who lived on the other side of the Dutch-built wall that became Wall St. The Stone Street Historic District, a time capsule one block long and two wide, preserves the scale of the 17th century. The pedestrian-only area is lined with cafés like Stone Street Tavern (52 Stone St., 212.785.5658). St. Paul’s Chapel (209 Broadway, 212.602.0800), built in 1766, survived the Great Fire of 1776—and in 2001 74

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PHOTOS: NMAI ROTUNDA, R.A. WHITESIDE

THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT In New York, the

PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT

Rotunda at National Museum of the American Indian.

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withstood the destruction of the World Trade Center, one block away. Still a community hub, St. Paul’s often offers free classical concerts at lunchtime. For eats, dig into a steak at Delmonico’s (56 Beaver St., 212.509.1144), America’s oldest, continuously operating restaurant. You’ll want to take a peek at The Beekman hotel (123 Nassau St., 212.233.2300), originally built in 1881 as offices for bankers and lawyers. One World Trade Center has a mesmerizing time-lapse elevator which whooshes you up to One World Observatory (285 Fulton St., 844.696.1776). Another “FiDi” (Financial District) thrill is the Oculus, which houses a subway hub and Westfield World Trade Center (185 Greenwich St., 212.284.9982). Come hungry: This mall has Eataly, Épicerie Boulud, Shake Shack and lots more.

New York’s Theater District is more than theaters. It’s where the Broadway community lives and lounges. Remain calm if you spot a star browsing at The Drama Book Shop (250 W. 40th St., 212.944.0595), a welcoming place with miles of books and scripts, free Wi-Fi, a kids’ theater and a live-in dog named Chester. Since 1965, Joe Allen (326 W. 46th St., 212.581.6464) has been serving Broadway stars and their fans. While visiting, take note of the Broadway posters on the wall: As the restaurant notes on its website, “Everyone remembers the hits, but we revel in the flops.” Have you got what it takes? Get up after 9 pm and belt out a song at Don’t Tell Mama’s piano bar (343 W. 46th St., 212.757.0788) on Restaurant Row. Hourglass Tavern’s three-course pre-theater dinner costs $23.95 (373 W. 46th St., 212.265.2060), and its upstairs Bettibar pours for theater folk. Pick a piece of official Broadway merch from the Theatre Circle shop (268 W. 44th St., 212.391.7075). Triton Gallery (690 Eighth Ave., 212.765.2472) harbors a century’s worth of Broadway “window card” posters. Got a dramatic sweet tooth? Kee’s Chocolates (315 W. 39th St., 212.967.8088) creates the champagne and passion-fruit bonbons that are often messengered to Broadway stars’ dressing rooms. 76

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Champagne at Don’t Tell Mama.

PHOTOS: CHAMPAGNE AT DON’T TELL MAMA, ANDY S. DRACHENBERG/DON’T TELL MAMA

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Titanosaur at the American Museum of Natural History.

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New York families cherish the Upper West Side for its rambling apartments and cultural landmarks. Lincoln Center (10 Lincoln Center Plz., 212.875.5456) gives kids half-off ticket prices and runs family events galore, such as the recent WeBop jazz classes for kids. The nabe’s big draw is the massive American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West, at W. 79th St., 212.769.5100). Major kiddie bait: a 122-foot titanosaur model; the spectacular dioramas of wild animals in the dark, mood-inducing Hall of North American Mammals; and the “Dark Universe” space show at the museum’s Hayden Planetarium. Postmuseum, kids burn off steam in Central Park (central parknyc.org) at the Mariners’ Playground or Summit Rock (both near the W. 85th St. entrance). Ready to cruise the Upper West Side’s funnest street, Amsterdam Avenue? Not just girls love the Barbie doll windows done by the artist/owner of Apthorp Cleaners (383 Amsterdam Ave., 212.787.7182). And, if you are traveling, Apthorp will clean, press and pack your clothes in a garment valet box or your own luggage, and then, if you like, ship it for you! Known citywide for its marquee dish, The Meatball Shop (447 Amsterdam Ave., 212.422.1752) serves a $7 “Ballers in Training” dinner. A weekend breakfast institution for Upper West Siders since 1908, Barney Greengrass (541 Amsterdam Ave., 212.724.4707) offers what is arguably the best Jewish deli food in town (the smoked fish and creamed herring is addictive, and if you have never had a bialy, then this is the place to give it a try). Levain Bakery (167 W. 74th St., 212.874.6080, plus two other loca-

PHOTO: TITANOSAUR, AMNH/D. FINNIN

UPPER WEST SIDE

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Fifth Ave. at 82nd St.

Open 10 a.m. daily

Photograph by Stacey Wallenstein.

tions) bakes the city’s most-loved squishy cookie. Your kid’s Levain Bakery treat won’t last, but an uncommon plaything from the old-school (think toy saxophone with color-coded keys) from Stationery and Toy World will (125 W. 72nd St., 212.580.3922).

The Rhinelander Mansion, home to Ralph Lauren Men’s Flagship.

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If you were born for the opulent life, you’ll love Madison Avenue. Start with supersize treats (six for $15) from the très chic Macaron Café (44 E. 59th St., 212.486.2470, plus two other locations). Or join the stylish set for designer pizza and pasta at Serafina (33 E. 61st St., 212.702.9898, plus several other locations). For late-night libations, a drink at The Carlyle’s storied Bemelmans Bar (35 E. 76th St., 212.744.1600) is a must. When it’s time to shop, trend-surf accessories on the main floor of Barneys New York (660 Madison Ave., 212.826.8900, plus three other locations). Expect a wallet workout in the next few blocks at the U.S. flagships of Europe’s fabled labels like Hermès New York Madison (691 Madison Ave., 212.751.3181, plus several other locations) and Jimmy Choo (699 Madison Ave., 212.759.7078, plus several other locations). Keep walking for diamond heaven. De Beers (716 Madison Ave., 646.880.6862) sells eight-figure dazzlers as well as lovely, comfy “sleeper” earrings, made with wires or posts comfortable enough to sleep in (hence the name). Fred Leighton (773 Madison Ave., 212.288.1872) lends its exquisite vintage bijoux to red-carpeteers like Meryl Streep, Jennifer Anniston, Kerry Washington and Nicole Kidman. A vintage jewel of the architectural kind, the Rhinelander Mansion shelters Ralph Lauren Men’s Flagship (867 Madison Ave., 212.606.2100), where you will find men’s apparel, footwear, watches, vintage, accessories and more. Starting to suffer from sticker shock? Stop in at La Boutique Resale (1045 Madison Ave., 212.517.8099) for unusual women’s designer duds, most at least half off. Finally, your reward for mastering Madison: divine hot cocoa, candies, macarons and pastries in La Maison du Chocolat’s cozy lounge (1018 Madison Ave., 212.744.7117, plus several other locations).

PHOTO: RALPH LAUREN, NY MEN’S STORE, DIAMOND SHOT STUDIO®

UPPER EAST SIDE

NEW YORK’S grandest SHOPPING & DINING

65 SHOPS including Apple Store, Banana

Republic, diptyque, M•A•C Cosmetics, Swatch, TUMI, Warby Parker

35 DINING OPTIONS including Agern, Grand Central Oyster Bar, Great Northern Food Hall, Magnolia Bakery, Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C., Shake Shack, The Campbell

42ND ST. at PARK AVE. | GRANDCENTRALTERMINAL.COM 4 5 6 S 7

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN

Top: Display at Beam. Bottom: Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters.

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If you’re not a hipster yet, you will be after a deep dive into trendy Brooklyn’s hottest neighborhood. The Williamsburg scene, Bedford Avenue. Emerging from the L subway station, you’ll catch the aroma of small-batch java at Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters (125 N. 6th St., 347.586.0063), an archetypal, popular Williamsburg café with Instagramfamous avocado toast. Walk toward the waterfront Grand Ferry Park for the iconic views (and selfie backdrop). Just north, on Wythe Avenue, Beam (240 Kent Ave., 646.450.1469), a home boutique, distills the urban-ecochic Williamsburg aesthetic. The ’burg’s hippest souvenir could be the Brooklyn Collection, six bars of artisanal chocolates from MAST Brothers, one of Brooklyn’s breakout brands, using strange and wonderful ingredients like Sicilian olive oil, smoked maple, and toasted caraway. (111 N. 3rd St., 718.388.2644). For superb dining, try Cafe Mogador (133 Wythe Ave., 718.486.9222), serving traditional Moroccan tagine (slow-cooked stew) in a plantfilled, white-brick-walled space. Every day is brunch day at the critic’s darling, Sunday in Brooklyn (348 Wytne Ave., 347.222.6722). Weekends rule for Williamsburg boutiquing and partying. Everything at Artists & Fleas (weekends, 70 N. 7th St., 917.488.4203)—vintage duds, edgy jewelry, handicrafts—is distinctive. Maison Premiere’s city-renowned oyster happy hour (298 Bedford Ave., 347.335.0446) happens on weekdays from 4 to 7 pm and weekends from 11 pm to 1 am at the horseshoe-shaped bar. If you are looking for a killer view, go to Westlight (111 N. 12th St., 718.307.7100), at the top of the William Vale Hotel. Expect a crowd of well-dressed people, and at peak times, a bit of a line to get in. Fresh Kills Bar (161 Grand St., 718.599.7888) is considered one of the best cocktail joints in this ’hood, with meticulously-crafted cocktails. Hipster nightowls roost at Videology Bar & Cinema, a nest of cult movies and inexpensive food and drink (308 Bedford Ave., 718.712.3468). Finally, make sure to check out Pete’s Candy Store (709 Lorimer St., petescandy store.com), once a greasy spoon diner and now a hipster hootenanny with local bands and down-home bar with music, trivia skits and more.

Stocked with Thousands of Bolts of Drapery and Upholstery Material, Zarin Fabrics is the Largest Resource of Discounted Designer Fabrics. Zarinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Custom Upholstery and Window Treatment Services Include All Styles of Curtains, Blinds, Shades and Upholstered Pieces. Founded in 1936 by Harry Zarin, the Third Generation is Committed to the Highest Level of Customer Satisfaction. Nestled in the Charming Lower East Side, and Easily Accessible by All Means of Mass Transportation, it is Well Worth the Visit to this Amazing Old World New York City Fabric Landmark. Inquire about our exclusive design services!

69 Orchard Street (between Grand & Broome Streets), NYC | 212-925-6112 | zarinfabrics.com

DINE IN STYLE

Experience New York City’s extraordinary cuisine

STRIP HOUSE Experience charred cuts perfectly paired with decadent sides and served in siren-red interiors, where old-world glamour meets modern style and sophistication. Named one of “New York’s Best Steak Restaurants” by Zagat and awarded four stars by Forbes, the namesake cut isn’t the only thing to marvel at. The walls are adorned with original Studio Manasse prints of 1930s burlesque stars. Whether you are coming for the perfect after-work cocktail or to experience our late-night tableside service, you are guaranteed not to be disappointed.

13 E. 12th St., 212.328.0000; 15 W. 44th St., 212.336.5454; striphouse.com

DOS CAMINOS Join the fiesta at one of New York City’s original Mexican restaurants! Dos Caminos features an expanded menu of authentic Mexican streetfood dishes, including fresh guac and fresh ceviche, as well as an extensive selection of premium tequilas, killer margaritas and delicious, innovative cocktails. With five locations in New York City, experience the multi-regional modern cuisine for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, or enjoy happy hour weekdays 3-6 pm and 9 pm-close.

675 Hudson St., at W. 14th St., 212.699.2400; 373 Park Ave. South, at E. 27th St., 212.294.1000; doscaminos.com

BILL’S BAR & BURGER Bill’s began in New York City in 2009, becoming an instant hit. Bill’s Bar & Burger is your one-stop shop for classic American fare. In 2010, Bill’s Bar & Burger Rockefeller Center opened with 400 seats, making it the biggest stand-alone burger joint in the country. Every burger, shake and fry, in dozens of varieties, is made fresh daily. With three locations in New York City, Bill’s provides a welcoming space for guests to enjoy sports games, great food and an extensive list of local and craft beers.

16 W. 51st St., at Fifth Ave., 212.705.8510; 85 West St., 212.894.3800; billsbarandburger.com 84

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MASTRO’S STEAKHOUSE A trip to Mastro’s Steakhouse is a culinary adventure of pure refinement and unparalleled excellence. The menu features 15 different steaks and chops—ranging from a six-ounce petite filet to a 48-ounce double cut porterhouse—and an array of fresh seafood selections. Enjoy live entertainment at the bar seven nights a week, while sipping on handcrafted cocktails and eclectic wines. Recognized among the nation’s most extraordinary restaurants, Mastro’s is committed to delivering to its guests an unforgettable dining experience, every time.

1285 Sixth Ave., at W. 52nd St., 212.459.1222; mastosrestaurants.com

BENJAMIN STEAKHOUSE PRIME Benjamin Steakhouse Prime provides expertly grilled cuts of dry-aged USDA prime beef, an array of succulent seafood and impeccably refined service. The main dining room offers a spacious bar and lounge area. The Upstairs at Benjamin Prime overlooks the main dining room and houses a custombuilt wine wall with over 1,500 bottles of wine. Host an intimate dinner or a corporate event in one of five private dining rooms for groups up to 175 guests— each room can be divided into a variety of spaces utilizing a state-of-the-art moveable wall system.

23 E. 40th St., 212.338.0818; benjaminsteakhouse.com/prime

MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE At Morton’s, every guest is treated like a VIP. Enjoy USDA prime aged and custom-cut beef, succulent fish and the freshest seafood available, all served in an atmosphere of unmatched refinement. With two locations near many of New York City’s most exciting attractions, our distinctive private boardrooms are ideal for any private event, while the bar is a perfect gathering spot during Power Hour for speciallypriced drinks and bar bites. Morton’s prides itself on quality, consistency and unrivaled hospitality.

551 Fifth Ave., at E. 45th St., 212.972.3315, 136 Washington St., at Albany St., 212.608.0171; mortons.com WHERE G UEST B OOK

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AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

You’ve met your life partner, you are happily in love and you want to celebrate with a wedding to end all weddings. You are in the right city: New York holds a dazzling array of options for your Big Day, from intimate restaurants to cavernous halls, tree-filled parks to urban lounges, offthe-beaten path venues to classic establishments. 86

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Opt for one of our rooftop restaurants, where you and your guests can sip champagne and dance while drinking in skyline views, or go green with a wedding at one of our spectacular gardens. Many of our town’s grand museums and libraries rent out spaces for weddings, where, surrounded by some of the world’s greatest artworks and

PHOTOS: DANILA MEDNIKOV

What is more chic than a wedding in NYC?

literature, you can say your “I dos.” Music? From 20-piece big bands to a classical string quartet to some of the world’s greatest DJs, this town will keep your party humming. And then there is the gown, the bridesmaids’ dresses, the tuxedos, the flowers and more. But no need to panic—we have the best of it all, right here. So let’s get started. First, the gown: Shops like Designer Loft Bridal (designerloftnyc .com), Vera Wang Bride (verawang.com) and Kleinfeld Bridal (klein feldbridal.com), are three exceptional places to explore, all with highly trained associates, who will work with you tirelessly until you find “it.” For the groom, fine tuxedo rental shops include Baldwin Formal (nyctuxedos.com) and Abe’s Formal Wear (abesformalwear .com). If your groom is looking to purchase his suit, upscale department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Store (bergdorf goodman.com) and Saks Fifth Avenue (saksfifthavenue.com) are classic go-tos. Looking for music and video to make your party crackle? On the Move (onthemove.com), The Love Revival Orchestra

DESIGNER LOFT BRIDAL Shop the latest collections from recognized international bridal designers as well as emerging talents in an intimate setting. With an extensive variety of styles and sizes, Designer Loft gowns celebrate the diversity of every bride. Come discover the newest trends in bridal gowns with ease and comfort in mind. Also find bridal jackets, veils, jewelry and shoes!

By appointment only, open daily from 11 am to 6 pm.

226 West 37th Street, 2nd Floor (btw. 7th & 8th Aves) NY, NY 212.944.9013 DesignerLoftNYC.com

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

(theloverevival.com), Pure Platinum Party (pureplatinumparty.com) and GigMasters (gigmasters.com) all come with sterling reputations for throwing a heck of a bash, large or small. Flowers? Notable florists Starbright Floral Design (starbrightnyc.com), Rachel Cho Flowers (rachelchoflowers.com) and Belle Fleur (bellefleurny.com) will create dreamlike arrangements for bouquets, table settings and decorations; and to capture those unforgettable moments forever, leave the photography to Steven Rosen (stevenrosenphotography.com), Avery Leigh Photography (averyleighphotography.com) or A Day of Bliss photography (adayofbliss.com). Finally, if all these decisions have you screaming internally, “HELP,” this town is flush with wedding planners to handle virtually every detail. Highly-touted local planners, including Marcy Blum (marcyblum.com), Karen Bussen (karenbussen.com) and Ang Weddings (angweddingsandevents.com) will create budgets, draw up timelines, scout locations, provide vendor recommendations, consult on styling and more. It’s gonna be a great day!

STEVEN ROSEN PHOTOGRAPHY Your wedding is a unique story waiting to be told. My passion is to tell your story with photos that capture the iconic moments as well as the individual ones that make your day your own. With beautifully lit and composed portraits, we’ll show the world the love you share and capture special memories you can share for generations. Let’s talk about how we can tell your story next.

stevenrosenphotography.com 718.625.7076; 347.451.4063 steven@stevenrosenphotography.com instagram: @stevenrosenphoto

PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT

Aldo Sohm

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UNCORKED Everything you need to know about wine from those in the know. BY JACKIE COOPERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY NOAH FECKS

At New York’s most lauded restaurants, approachable sommeliers lead diners to unexpected, but highly enjoyable, wines. Here, they tell us how they help diners navigate the city’s best wine lists.

ALDO SOHM, Wine Director Le Bernardin (155 W. 51st St.); Partner/Wine Director/Chef Sommelier, Aldo Sohm Wine Bar (151 W. 51st St.) How do you take away the intimidation

I may have room for red wine. And, of course, it depends on the sauce. If the sauce has a red wine base, I have room for red wine. I can’t do a Cabernet Sauvignon from California with 16 percent alcohol, but I can do a Pinot. Rules are just guidelines and should sometimes be broken. In Italy, if you have grilled chicken breast and a bit of tomato sauce, you’ll get red wine, and it’s delicious. If you go to southern France, they’ll serve chilled red wine with grilled fish, and it’s delicious.

that some people feel when ordering from a wine list? The first thing I do is make

What’s the etiquette for establishing a

the customer comfortable before discussing the wine itself. I usually ask, “What wines do you enjoy? Lighter? Fuller? Reds? Whites?” Even if they say big Cabernets, which are a bit difficult to pair with the food at Le Bernardin, we find options.

price range? Give the sommelier a price span, so they see your budget. If you don’t want to say it out loud, you can point to two wines on the list, and then the sommelier knows immediately what to suggest. It’s a clear signal, without letting your dining partner know your budget.

Le Bernardin is known for its fine fish and seafood. What are the challenges

What should you know before going to

to pairing wine with this cuisine? It’s simple, but not so simple. If the preparation is poached, I’ll stay closer to white. If it’s grilled,

dine at a restaurant with an impressive wine list? Of course, you can go online and

do research, or we can even send our list to

you, but the bottom line is: You don’t know the dishes like the sommeliers do. I might recommend guests ask for a pairing, which is a great way to learn about wine in a very playful way. Do you use a sommelier yourself? Yes, I put

myself in the hands of the sommelier. If I am somewhere with a big wine list, I don’t want to take the time to go through it because I see my partner so rarely and I don’t want to waste time reading. I might say to the sommelier, “This is my budget. Don’t kill me. I just want to have a good time.”

FRANCESCO GROSSO, Beverage Director Marea (240 Central Park South) How do you respond to a diner seeking advice about choosing wine with his or her meal? Our wine list is updated every day

online: That’s a good tool to use. People sometimes call in advance for advice. We have three sommeliers on the floor for dinner and one or two for every lunch service, so we can speak with every guest who would like us to. WHERE G UEST B OOK

Arvid Rosengren

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It’s important to be honest about what’s most important to you in terms of wine. Do you have such strong tastes that you want [a bottle of ] Cabernet Sauvignon no matter what you’re eating, or do you want us to help you match the wine that best goes with the food?

say, “We really like wine, but we can only spend $45.” If someone tells me that, I’m likely going to find them something really great and only charge them $45, even if it’s a more expensive bottle. Are the rules—red is for meats, white is

Marea has an impressive list of Italian

for fish, pasta and poultry—still appli-

wines. Are diners appreciating Italian

cable? I think less in terms of color and more

wines more now? We get calls for obscure

in terms of weight and structure of a wine. You can have a big, bold white that will go with lamb or stew, but you don’t want to pair a heavy red with oysters. I’d err on lighter wines with heavier food, but not the opposite.

Italian varietals all the time. Recently, we had a well-known musician ask for a white varietal from the Marche called Pecorino. Usually, when I hear “pecorino,” I think of cheese. Luckily, we had a bottle, so I didn’t look stupid at the table. Any

up-and-coming

wine

regions?

One of the fastest-growing wine regions is Etna, Sicily. For a white varietal, I love Carricante, an indigenous white grape. Etna Bianco di Se is a blend of Carricante, Catarratto and Minnella grapes. For reds, I love Nerello Mascalese and Faro.

ARVID ROSENGREN, Wine Director Charlie Bird (5 King St.)

Any regions particularly fashionable right now? The trend at the moment is for lower alcohol, more elegant wines. People want that as opposed to the big, powerful wines from the late 1990s and early 2000s, when California, Bordeaux and the Barossa Valley gained huge scores from critics. We’re back to more viable wines with higher acidity, less heaviness. Burgundy, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir-based wines, and their counterparts in America or New Zealand, are all popular now, as are Champagne and Bordeaux.

Some people enjoy wine, but get overwhelmed by a huge wine list. The first thing

I would say is that a wine list doesn’t have to be big or expansive to be good. We’re seeing a movement now for restaurants doing smaller wine lists that are equally good. We have about 145 wines at Charlie Bird, and I’d like to think they’re all wines people want to drink. For novice wine drinkers, I recommend an app called Pickabottle that digests wine lists at restaurants in New York City. How can diners communicate their budget to a sommelier? Never be embarrassed by revealing what you want to spend: Simply say it. I love when young people come in and

JUSTIN TIMSIT, Wine Director Gramercy Tavern (42 E. 20th St.) How should customers approach sommeliers? The best thing for people to know is that there’s someone here to help them find what they like. The spirit of our restaurant is that people feel extremely comfortable and not alienated by the wine list. There is something here for everybody. Be honest: Find a budget you are comfortablel with and ask for assistance if you need it. The sommeliers and all of our wine captains are trained to help. We are not there to interrupt the experience. I’ll ask two or three questions and then deliver what you like. WHERE G UEST B OOK

How about people not wanting to name a price in front of their dining companFrancesco Grosso

ions? I typically ask a guest if there’s a wine

he or she drinks frequently or that evokes a great memory. If they say, “Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2005,” I know price is not an issue. If they say, “I had an interesting wine from Oregon, I think Pinot Noir,” that signals to me that maybe they’re still learning about wine. I can use that to understand what they’re asking for. There’s also a way to do this visually: When you show the guest a wine list, you draw their eyes to the price column, and you can follow their eyes from there and see what makes them comfortable. What changes are you seeing in how your clients drink wine? Now more than

ever, people want to know what’s in their wine, how it’s made and where it’s coming from. Guests are very interested in farmers market food, they are interested in meeting the farmer and want to know how the food is farmed. The same thing is now applying to the wine world. You see it with a lot of wine programs with biodynamic farmed wines or what people call “natural wines.” People are also looking for value. The Jura is an amazing region for great value, especially if you drink Burgundy. Beaujolais is another, probably one of the greatest price-to-value ratios that exists in wine. What’s been your most interesting wine request? I had a guest ask for an all-biodynamic pairing. She thought non-biodynamic wines give you headaches. I don’t know how true that is, but I wasn’t going to dissuade her if it made her happy. We put together a biodynamic tasting and explained the story behind every bottle. That was her first time at Gramercy Tavern. Since then, she and her husband have been back on a regular basis. 94

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Justin Timsit

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Premier57â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hydrotherapy spa pool.

DEEP FREEZE Spa treatments designed to chill, in more ways than one.

There is no better time to chill out than vacation, but the expression takes on a meaning of its own when it comes to 21st-century beautifying treatments. From frozen saunas and subzero body chambers to chilly massages and antiaging facials that practically freeze time, here are the spa experiences that will soothe, beautify and refresh you while in New York City. 96

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TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS GONE COLD Cold versions of standard treatments are the hottest thing on the spa scene right now. To get in on the trend, look to Haven Spa (250 Mercer St., 212.343.3515). The Greenwich Village spa (with the coolest twinkle-lit lounging area) uses cold packs in target areas of the body in its 90-minute Tourist Massage, along with a heavy emphasis on vigorous

PHOTO: PREMIER57, COURTESY PREMIER57

BY JONI SWEET

CHILLED SAUNAS+POLAR PLUNGE POOLS If a cool, dark cave sounds like paradise to you after hoofing around the city all day, you’re in luck at Aura Wellness Spa (49 W. 33rd St., 212.695.9559). The day spa chills one of its therapeutic grottoes to 40 degrees. These indoor 98

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caves, made from mineral-rich soil, are said to promote health benefits, like stress relief, boosted metabolism and improved circulation. The spa recommends breaking a sweat in the heated grottoes, then cooling down in the “Stone Ice Grotto” to remove toxins from the body. If nothing else, the experience is certainly a refreshing shock to the system. Access to the grottoes is complimentary when you book a massage, body scrub, facial or other spa treatment. Otherwise, $50 buys you a two-hour pass to the distinctive structures. If relaxation for you means splashing around in a pool, give Aire Ancient Baths (88 Franklin St., 646.878.6174) a try. The spa revives the wellness rituals of the ancient Greeks and Romans with 90-minute sessions in its candlelit, brick-walled bathing chamber. There are two chilled plunge pools (one of which often has an ice block bobbing around in it), and you can also float around in four other

Ayurvedic herbinfused oil treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental New York.

PHOTO: AYURVEDIC TREATMENT, STEPH GORALNICK

foot and shoulder rubs, to soothe travelers’ most common aches. And if you’ve found your skin looking less radiant than you would like, the chic spa’s Fire and Ice Facial will rejuvenate it with a warm and tingly resurfacing mask, followed by a facial massage using smooth, chilled bulbs to stimulate circulation. For a subtler, yet no less powerful approach to cooling guests down, check out Cornelia Spa at The Surrey (20 E. 76th St., 646.358.3600). Every body treatment, like the Champagne & Pearl Sugar Glow Body Polish, ends with the Upper East Side spa’s “Signature Cooling Caress,” in which guests are draped with a cooling neck towel and presented with a sorbet amuse-bouche. At ultra-luxe The Spa at Mandarin Oriental New York (80 Columbus Cir., 212.805.8880), the Ayurvedic Ritual uses smooth, chilled stones (or hot, if you’d prefer) in a nearly three-hour experience that features Ayurvedic herbinfused oil treatments on the body and a head massage. Another option at the luxe spot is the Thai Yoga Experience. After getting a massage, stretching out in assisted yoga postures and soaking in an herbal bath, you’ll cool down with a chilling foot massage and a tasty lemongrass cooler. If you want to give your fingers a cool treat, head down to Chillhouse (149 Essex St., 646.678.3501). This spa on the Lower East Side focuses on massages and meticulous manicures, and uses the cooling properties of mint in a coffee hand scrub to give your paws a gentle chill at the end of The Full Monty nail service. Freezing takes on both a literal and figurative meaning at Tribeca Medspa (114 Hudson St., 212.925.9500). Its antiaging Stem Cell Facial uses dermaplaning exfoliation and frozen bovine stem cells on the face to reduce the signs of aging. The stem cells help boost the production of collagen and elastin in your skin, resulting in a face that’s nearly frozen in time. The facial is one of many beautifying skincare options, such as Botox, chemical peels and nonsurgical face-lifts, for women and men available at the medical spa.

luxe tubs, including a saltwater “floatarium” as dense as the Dead Sea, and a bubbling jet-propelled pool, or duck into the eucalyptus-scented steam room. How about an igloo for your cooling pleasure? Step into the Ice Igloo at Premier57 (115 E. 57th St., 212.750.8800), a hydrotherapy wellness center. Chilled to 46 degrees, the Ice Igloo room helps clients acclimate their body temperature after sweat sessions in Premier57’s heated saunas. According to the spa, short stints in the cold environment stimulate the immune system, close pores and relieve pain.

Have you every wondered what it would be like to hop into a subzero chamber? The treatment’s called cryotherapy, and a number of spas around the city have begun to offer it. The process is simple: Strip down to your underwear, slip on some cotton or wool gloves (provided) and towel off any moisture on your body. Then, step into the 6-foot tube, which puts everything from the neck down into an environment cooled between minus 184 and minus 264 degrees. The session lasts for up to three minutes, and the sudden drop in body temperature promises health benefits like cardiovascular stimulation, calorie burning, reduced inflammation and improved recovery time after strenuous workouts. Celebrities like Demi Moore and Kate Moss have all caught on to the cryo-craze. KryoLife (57 W. 57th St., Ste. 1101, 212.551.3333) offers conventional full-body cryotherapy, along with local cryotherapy that targets particular areas of the body, and “KryoSculpt,” which uses minus 160-degree, liquid-nitrogen vapors on isolated body parts to create a slimming effect. Chill Space NYC (124 E. 40th St., Ste. 603, 212.661.3400), helmed by a chiropractor and kinesiologist, offers sessions in a high-tech cryo-sauna. If you need to warm up after your treatment, try the restorative flotation therapy in saltwater baths, which reduces sensory stimulation, along with infrared sauna sessions. Finally, whether you want full-body cryotherapy or a localized treatment, CryoVigor (2 W. 46th St., Ste. 505, 212.920.7440) will take care of you. The spa also offers a facial that uses the cold effects from cryotherapy to tighten pores, reduce puffiness and boost collagen production to smooth and rejuvenate the skin. Who knew chilling out could do so much beautifying? 100

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A client in a KryoLife chamber, set to about minus 250 degrees.

PHOTO: KRYOLIFE CHAMBER, KEVIN STURMAN

THE ULTIMATE COOLDOWN

INTO THE NIGHT This town overflows with bars and lounges, from dark and moody to loud and danceworthy. Here are some of our favorites.

The tried-and-true commuter bar in Grand Central Terminal is housed inside the legendary Campbell Apartment and recently reopened after touch-ups and the added swank of elegant wall sconces and a marble-top bar. People-watchers can observe the everyday comings and goings of Metro-North railroad riders from Connecticut, the Hudson Valley, Westchester, Harlem and the Bronx while snacking on crispy tuna tartare tacos and New York State cheeses with walnut raisin toast. Enjoy handcrafted libations from specialty cocktail bartenders at the Campbell Bar or outside on the Campbell Terrace, where couches offer a more casual and airy way to take in the sights, sounds and moonlight in Midtown East. 15 Vanderbilt Ave., 212.297.1781 102

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PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT

CAMPBELL APARTMENT

PHOTO: CAMPBELL BAR, COURTESY GERBER GROUP; EMPLOYEES ONLY, ÂŠEMILIE BALTZ

EMPLOYEES ONLY Bartenders and chefs have flocked to West Village cocktail bar Employees Only after their shifts since the early 2000s. Why? Great service, complex, flavor-popping drinks and endearing traditions, like chicken soup served after last call, make the place feel like home. An added bonus for night owls: A late-night menu offers tasty dishes, both small and large, until 3:30 am nightly. Recently, EO brought its distinctive brand of nightlife to Miami Beach. For now, though, make a point to stop by the original joint, where you can watch bartenders in white chef jackets free pour cocktails (like the Billionaire Cocktail, above: Bakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bourbon shaken with fresh lemon juice, grenadine and absinthe bitters) and become part of the EO family. 510 Hudson St., 212.242.3021 WHERE G UEST B OOK

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Dig in to appetizers of crispy fried calamari or “the meatball,” 16 ounces of Imperial Wagyu, Italian sausage and veal, and then, mains of pastas, brick-oven pizza or truffle gnocchi at Lavo’s Italian restaurant. After dinner, head downstairs and push back the tassel-adorned curtains to enter the popular subterranean nightclub and dance off those carbs. The decor is as decadent as the food upstairs, with a sunken dance floor, shimmering chandeliers, luxurious banquettes and disco lights galore. DJs spin dynamic dance tracks while club kids enjoy bottle service in the VIP area. If you haven’t yet made your evening plans, Lavo’s electric vibe and wide range of cocktails promises to be a royal romp. 39 E. 58th St., 212.750.5588 104

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PHOTO: LAVO, ED MENASHY

LAVO

PHOTO: CAFÉ CARLYLE, COURTESY THE CARLYLE, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL

CAFÉ CARLYLE Piano legends George Feyer and Bobby Short will forever be identified with their stints at Café Carlyle, tucked inside the Caryle Hotel on New York’s Upper East Side. This intimate, romantic venue, arguably the city’s definitive nightclub, has recently showcased Broadway performers, including Alan Cumming and Chita Rivera. On most Monday evenings, you can find filmmaker Woody Allen and his clarinet, playing with the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band. The musicthemed murals by French artist Marcel Vertés add yet another layer to the luxurious feel of the place, where both out-of-towners and older, more genteel New Yorkers enjoy a martini with their dinner and silkily sung songs from a bygone era. 35 E. 76th St., 212.744.1600 WHERE G UEST B OOK

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PHOTO: THE PRESS LOUNGE, KRIS TAMBURELLO

THE PRESS LOUNGE Panoramic views from atop the city can be humblingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a recognition of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relative insignificance in this vast metropolis. See if that feeling persists when you walk into the Ink48 Hotel and make your way up to The Press Lounge rooftop. No reservations are needed. A welcoming staff ushers you through a buzzing crowd and hands you a list of wines, all served by the glass. There are cocktails for those in the spirit for spirits (try a Salinger with Spring 44 gin, organic cucumber juice and tonic, or the Lucida, a refreshing blend of vodka, elderflower liqueur, coconut water and prosecco) and snacks for those whose stomachs need cushioning. Most of all, there is an ambience of warmth and elegance (fire pit, plush leather couches) that makes you feel darn special. 653 11th Ave., 212.757.2224

WE ARE THE WORLD BY TERRY TRUCCO

As a city renowned for opening its arms to immigrants, New York knows a thing or two about multiculturalism. And so do its museums. More than two dozen celebrate the art, history and achievements of the nations and peoples who helped shape the city. Viewed together, they are a panorama of the cultural richness and diversity that make New York the vibrant center it is today. But each stands proudly on its own with a compelling story to tell. Here is a sampling.

TENEMENT MUSEUM What was life like for the millions of working-class immigrants who poured into New York a century and a half ago? Grueling, as you discover at the Tenement Museum (Visitor center: 103 Orchard St., 877.975.3786), a faithfully restored building, where guided tours escort you into the confining quarters more than 7,000 immigrants called home between 1863 and 1935. Negotiating narrow hallways and wooden staircases, families crowded into identical three-room apartments. Forget socializing; renters often turned parlors into factories, producing a dozen dresses a day. Still, as you learn on the Sweatshop Workers Tour, hard work and thrift could lead to a brighter future (and a bigger apartment). To see how artists depicted the era, Kraushaar Galleries (15 E. 71st St., 212.288.2558) carries work by Ashcan School artists like John Sloan. 108

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MUSEUM OF CHINESE IN AMERICA As befits a museum dedicated to Chinese history and the Chinese American legacy, the Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre St., 855.955.6622) occupies a gorgeous, glass-faced building by Maya Lin, designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Step inside, and you’re enveloped by 600 years of history. With bilingual captions, permanent displays include an early20th-century laundry press and a reconstruction of a general store. Mesmerizing are the narrated diaries of immigrants, alive with tales of hard work, family and one man’s decision to cut off his braid to “look American.” Additional exhibitions change seasonally. For a look at related works of art, Pace Gallery (32 E. 57th St., 212.421.3292) represents Lin and numerous artists from China.

RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART An entrance designed to evoke a mandala ushers you into the contemplative world of the Rubin Museum of Art (150 W. 17th St., 212.620.5000), an elegant repository of art from Tibet, Nepal, India and other Himalayan lands. Fanning out from a chic spiral staircase, six floors of serene, softly lit galleries await, filled with impeccable exhibitions that have included a Tibetan Buddhist shrine room, an exploration of sound and exquisite sculpted Buddhas, stupas and hanging scroll paintings from the

PHOTOS: RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART, PETER AARON/ESTO; RECREATED TENEMENT APARTMENT OF THE ROGARSHEVSKY FAMILY IN 1915, BATTMAN STUDIOS

Ethnic museums stir the melting pot.

Clockwise, from left: The grand staircase at the Rubin Museum of Art; the restoration of the Museum at Eldridge Street took 20 years to complete and cost $20 million; the Rogarshevsky familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apartment at the Tenement Museum.

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A humble 19th-century stone cottage from Ireland is a startling sight among the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan’s Financial District. And that’s the point. Designed by artist Brian Tolle, the Irish Hunger Memorial (Vesey St. and North End Ave., 212.267.9700) stands as a powerful, openair reminder of the million and a half Irish killed or displaced by the potato famine of 1845–52 and of people suffering from hunger today. Pick your way through verdant Irish plantings, inspect stones harvested from Ireland’s 32 counties and admire the heart-pounding views of the Statue of Liberty. Want more? The Irish Arts Center (553 W. 51st St., irishartscenter.org) offers exhibitions of Irishborn artists, as well as Irish film, music, theater and more.

ITALIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM If you were an early-20th-century Italian immigrant, Banca Stabile is where you’d deposit money, send telegrams, book steamship travel and trade gossip with your neighbors. An unofficial community center for New York’s Little Italy from 1882 to 1932, the bank reopened in 2008 as home to the Italian American Museum (155 Mulberry St., 212.965.9000). Look for special exhibitions and artifacts like an organ grinder’s barrel organ and a wasp-waisted wedding gown from 1908. A highlight is the original bank vault stocked with cablegrams, steamship luggage tags and bankbooks with handwritten transactions. For a look at Italian art from this era, Mark Murray Fine Paintings (159 E. 63rd St., 212.585.2380) carries work by Giovanni Boldini and his contemporaries.

JAPAN SOCIETY Founded in 1907, Japan Society (333 E. 47th St., 212.832.1155) has perfected the art of cultural exchange. Your immersion in all things Japanese begins with the society’s exquisite Junzo Yoshimura building from 1971, with its indoor gardens, reflecting pool and waterfall. Once inside, Japan’s culture comes alive through lectures, performances by traditional and contemporary artists, and 110

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MUSEUM AT ELDRIDGE STREET From its prosaic name you’d never guess the Museum at Eldridge Street (12 Eldridge St., 212.219.0302) is a magnificent synagogue from 1887, painstakingly restored and a National Historic Landmark to boot. Easy to spot by its exuberant Moorish exterior, this was the first great house of worship in America built by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. They gave it their all. With soaring painted ceilings, carved woodwork, stained-glass windows and a showstopping 400-piece chandelier, the main chamber—pews for men downstairs, seating for women upstairs—is breathtaking, particularly because nearly everything is original to the building. To learn what contemporary Jewish artists are up to, stop by Eden Fine Art (437 Madison Ave., 212.888.0177).

EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Ave., 212.831.7272) lives up to its name. Founded in 1969 in response to the scarcity of Latino art shown at mainstream museums, El Museo exhibits work by Latino, Caribbean and Latin American artists, from edgy contemporary art to pre-Columbian Taíno artifacts. And true to its moniker, it’s located in the neighborhood, or barrio, once known as Spanish Harlem. Come for superbly curated exhibitions with bilingual captions, like recent shows by Cuba’s boundary-pushing printmaker Belkis Ayón and Nuyorican artist Antonio Lopez, whose drawings for Vogue encapsulated the disco era. To see more, Y Gallery (319 Grand St., 212.228.3897) represents artists who have shown work at El Museo. Additional riches await at the Ukrainian Museum (222 E. 6th St., 212.228.0110), Jewish Museum (1109 Fifth Ave., 212.423.3200), Scandinavia House (58 Park Ave., 212.779.3587) and many more. Just what you’d expect in a big city with a culture to match.

IRISH HUNGER MEMORIAL

the modern George Nakashima furniture seen throughout. Changing art exhibitions have ranged from Buddhist sculpture and samurai swords to prints depicting the Edo period’s complicated gender relations. To see more, Scholten Japanese Art (145 W. 58th St., 212.585.0474) shows wood-block prints, paintings and ukiyo-e.

PHOTOS: COMPOSITE PORTRAIT OF LOW FAMILY, CA. 1961, MUSEUM OF CHINESE IN AMERICA (MOCA) COLLECTION; TAÍNO CULTURE

collection. Interested in seeing more? Walter Arader Gallery (1016 Madison Ave., 484.919.8437) specializes in Himalayan art and often has pieces on view at the Rubin.

Clockwise, from left: The Irish Hunger Memorial replicates a pastoral landscape in Ireland; a composite portrait of the Low family, ca. 1961, at the Museum of Chinese in America; a TaĂno culture (A.D. 1200â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1500) belt (collar) is from the collection of El Museo del Barrio.

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VILLA VICTORIOUS Soccer has gained celebrity status in NYC, and David Villa is its bright star. BY RICH FISHER

While walking through the streets of New York, one can hardly avoid the sea of Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Islanders, Knicks, Nets, Giants and Jets shirts worn by some of the nation’s most passionate fans. But a new wardrobe has infiltrated the old garb, which features “Etihad Airways” across the chest, along with an Adidas logo and an NYCFC patch. It is the jersey of Major League Soccer’s New York City Football Club and a sign of the times in both the city and elsewhere in the U.S. Soccer—known as football to the rest of the world—is taking hold like never before. The growing American awareness (and a hefty contract) helped lure 36-year-old Spanish superstar David Villa Sánchez to the states, the first player signed by NYCFC. “Soccer interest has definitely come to the U.S.,” observes Villa. “People want to watch football.” Whereas New York’s soccer bars once contained mostly immigrants supporting their homeland’s teams, now Americans also flood establishments to view legendary foreign clubs in the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga and others. Numerous bars stage NYCFC viewing parties, bus trips to games and postgame galas. When the 2014 U.S. Men’s National Team advanced to the World Cup’s round of 16, the entire Big Apple was electrified on game days: You could hear shouts of soccer-crazed fans coming out of sports bars while walking down Manhattan streets, reflecting the zeal of an entire nation. Former Rutgers women’s coach Glenn Crooks is now an NYCFC 114

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PHOTOS: NATHAN CONGLETON, COURTESY NYCFC

radio announcer, and also does work for the Big Ten TV Network. He is pleasantly surprised at how New Yorkers have taken to the game. “I underestimated the support from the five boroughs,” Crooks says. “In MLS, the chief focus in marketing is the millennials and NYCFC has done a fantastic job marketing the club, not just to millennials, but to all the communities in the city. I have helped host some of the frequent meet and greets at the pub partners throughout the city: The team has a face and a great connection with its supporters.” The first wave of popularity for the sport, though, actually occurred in the 1970s and early 1980s, when the North American Soccer League’s New York Cosmos regularly played before 70,000 spectators with such international superstars as Pelé, Giorgio Chinaglia and Franz Beckenbauer. The NASL collapsed when its aging stars retired, but its brief popularity led to an explosion of youth leagues throughout the country, which began paying off in the 1990s. The early reboot in America’s interest came first from women’s soccer: The U.S. National Team has won three World Cups and four Olympic gold medals. The legal formation of MLS in 1993 was part of the United States’ bid to host the 1994 World Cup. The league began with 10 teams in 1996 and as of February 2018 will have 23, along with a national television contract and average attendance figures that surpass the NBA and NHL. NYCFC, now in its fourth year, gave the metropolitan area its second MLS team (creating a rivalry with the 23-year-old New York Red Bulls, who play in nearby Harrison, New Jersey). When NYCFC was formed, it was imperative to get a big name for the world’s largest media market. Few were bigger than Villa: He was signed as a Designated Player (DP)—a player MLS teams are allowed to sign outside the salary cap. Wearing his familiar No. 7, the ruggedly handsome Villa instantly provided a supreme talent and charismatic drawing card. Nicknamed “El Guaje” (“The Kid” in Asturian) because he grew up playing with children much older than himself, the Langreo native is Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer in international play, and the country’s all-time World Cup goal scorer. He debuted internationally in 2005 and became a key member of Spain’s teams that won the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) European Championship in 2008 and the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup in 2010. Villa played for Barcelona in La Liga from 2010 to 2013, which made him extremely recognizable to the huge following Barcelona has in New York. Next, Villa played one season with Atlético Madrid before the announcement on June 2, 2014, that he would play with NYCFC in its inaugural 2015 season.

Facing page: David Villa. This page: Villa (center), Ben Sweat (left) and Maximiliano Moralez (right) celebrating the first goal of the game against Atlanta United FC.

“It’s a big responsibility to be the first player in club history [to be signed] and captain,” Villa says. “It’s not only about performing on the field, but also doing good things off the field [Villa is involved in a numer of children’s charities]. Combining both is how we build the club.” Regarded as one of the top forwards of his generation, David has been everything New York hoped for with his quickness, agility and ability to deliver a powerful, accurate kick with either foot. “MLS is a very difficult league to play in, very complicated,” he says. “It’s very competitive and physical. I enjoy it—the competitiveness makes it very attractive to everyone else in the world. I love playing at Yankee Stadium and at our training facility. Truly everything is working out great.” Hearing that from a player of Villa’s stature certainly helps promote his team and league. And that was important to him: He made it a point to learn English in order to communicate directly with the U.S. media rather than through an interpreter. A devout family man, David also makes time for wife Patricia González (his childhood sweetheart) and children Zaida, Olaya and Luca. Living on the Upper West Side, Villa loves exposing his children to the allure of the Big Apple. “My first idea coming to New York was to play good football, but we try and take advantage of all that New York City has to offer,” Villa says. “It’s such an amazing opportunity for me and my family. We try and visit Central Park a lot, and all the classic landmarks that make Manhattan unique. We’re lucky to be able to live here.” Ironic, since New York City and NYCFC feel lucky to have him. WHERE G UEST B OOK

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BROOKLYN WALKS Three cool neighborhoods, meant for exploring. Time to lace up your walking shoes. BY GEORGIA KRAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY REBECCA JOSLOW MACGREGOR

Brooklyn is a borough of neighborhoods, each with its own particular flair and sensibility—and, just like those on Manhattan Island, they can be explored largely on foot. Visitors can see the sights, eat and drink like the locals, and shop, all in a day’s excursion. Here are three Brooklyn enclaves worth checking out.

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN Start your tour with lunch at DeKalb Market Hall located in the new mixed-use development City Point (445 Albee Square W.). Choose between a pastrami sandwich at the first outer-borough outpost of Manhattan’s famed Katz’s Deli or try something different like a Shanghai-inspired sandwich at Jianbing Company, a street-food staple made with a crepe, organic eggs, herbs, chili sauce and your choice of meat (I like the 13-spice pork). Next, walk a few blocks west to the New York Transit Museum (Boerum Pl. & Schermerhorn St.). Inside this decommissioned subway station are restored historic trains, buses and other relics of public transportation. Take a two-block walk north to Brooklyn Borough Hall, the seat of government here, and the adjoining Columbus Park. There’s a farmer’s market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and it’s always a good place to people-watch. End your day with dinner and cheesecake at the classic Brooklyn restaurant Junior’s (386 Flatbush Ave. Extension) or the old-school Italian red-sauce establishment Queen (84 Court St.). 116

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PROSPECT HEIGHTS Start your day at the gorgeous Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway), housed in an impressive building on Calvert and Olmsted-designed Eastern Parkway, considered the world’s first parkway. The museum is well-known for its permanent collections of feminist art and Egyptian art and artifacts. Follow your intake of art with a stroll through some living art. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (990 Washington Ave.) is located just behind the museum and is an oasis in the middle of the borough. The 52-acre garden features a wide array of flora and specimen trees as well as a children’s garden. Grab a quick salad or sandwich at the Yellow Magnolia Cafe, inside the garden. Prospect Heights features some of the most beautiful brownstone architecture in the city; wandering through the side streets between Vanderbilt and Washington avenues (Park Place and St. Marks Avenue, in particular) will inspire serious real estate envy. In between apartment peeping, check out some local boutiques: bookworms, Unnameable Books, (600 Vanderbilt Ave.), tea and flower lovers, Chrysanthemum Rare Teas & Flowers, (669 Washington Ave.); and for fashion fiends, O.N.A NYC (593A Vanderbilt Ave.) for hip and colorful local and sustainably produced designs. All that culture, shopping and walking has surely left you hungry, so finish out your day at critically acclaimed Olmsted (659 Vanderbilt Ave.) or the neighborhood Italian-influenced favorite with an impressive natural

wine list, Faun (606 Vanderbilt Ave.). You could also indulge in authentic Mexican food and mezcal at Madre Mezcaleria (706 Washington Ave.), with over 50 mezcals to choose from.

SUNSET PARK Sunset Park is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Brooklyn, with Chinese, Mexican, Puerto Rican and other ethnicities represented across the large neighborhood. Start your day at Industry City 118

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(220 36th St.), formerly a manufacturing center along the Brooklyn waterfront that over the past handful of years has been converted into a mecca for artist spaces and offices, shopping, dining and food production. Once inside, grab a bite at the very on-trend Avocaderia (238 36th St.) and a technologically advanced coffee at the Extraction Lab (51 35th St.), which uses custom-made Steampunk brewing machines to create your java. The pioneering cooking school The Brooklyn Kitchen (274 36th St.) recently opened a location here as well, where

you can take a class on knife skills or pickling (book in advance). Stop into home decor shops like Coral & Tusk (253 36th St.) for earthy pillows and throws, or Flavor Paper (65 36th St.) for wallpaper inspiration. Two avenues east and five blocks south from Industry City is the center of the neighborhood, the eponymous Sunset Park (41st to 44th sts., btw Fifth and Seventh aves.), a large city park that boasts unobstructed Manhattan and harbor views thanks to its location on a sloping hill. The park offers a swimming pool, pedestrian walkways, lush

green fields and a living memorial commemorating September 11. For tasty eats, Sunset Park has you covered. Some of the best tacos in NYC can be found at Tacos El Bronco (4324 Fourth Ave.), one block west of the park. This joint also serves breakfast and some seriously good smoothies. Be adventurous and try the popular tripe or lengua (tongue) tacos. If Chinese is more your speed, walk farther east to Eighth Avenue and check out Pacificana (813 55th St.), known for its dim sum as well as many other Cantonese classics. WHERE G UEST B OOK

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This page: View from One World Observatory. Facing page: View from the Empire State Bulding.

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VANTAGE POINTS A look at the island of Manhattan from the clouds. BY LOIS LEVINE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANILA AND LANA MEDNIKOV

Manhattan is an exciting but crowded city, simultaneously sprawling and dense. (Can you be both sprawling and dense? You can in NYC). But when you are in the thick of it, rushing down the streets and avenues to get to wherever you have to get, you rarely have time to look up, let alone hop on a helicopter and take in a holistic view of it all. Yet this city, which, once upon a time was blanketed by farmland, small villages and cows, really can’t be given its

due until you have seen it from a distance: if not by plane, then from one of our skyscraper viewing stations, or even from a neighboring island. That’s when you can gaze in awe and wonder how an island of 23 square miles can hold so much: so many different buildings, some squat, some towering, some old and ornate, some sleek and futuristic— not to mention more than 70 parks, including an 843-acre one known as Central Park. So feast your eyes on this. WHERE GUEST B OOK

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This page: View from Top of the Rock. Facing page: View of Central Park from Wings Air Helicopters tour.

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

LOOK BOOK We present a stylish array of must-buy items—decorative and functional, indulgent and essential, antique and recently made—for your shopping pleasure.

Tourneau’s TNY Series 40 GMT Automatic in rose gold ($3,200). TimeMachine, 57th St. & Madison Ave., 212.758.7300, tourneau.com Adorned with the Italian house’s trademark Vara bow, this streamlined Salvatore Ferragamo shoulder bag ($1,250) is perfectly poised to carry your look from morning to midnight. Bloomingdale’s, 59th St. & Lexington Ave., 212.705.2000, bloomingdales.com Extraordinary pair is handmade in England with remarkable detail. Highly intricate feathering is hand plated in sterling silver with 23k gold vermeil eyes and beaks. Truly exceptional as a centerpiece or on the mantel ($5,175 a pair). Scully & Scully, 504 Park Ave., 212.755.2590, scullyandscully.com The Perla by Aquatalia, a tapered-toe ballerina flat crafted in crinkled patent leather, is entirely weatherproof ($325). 965 Madison Ave., 646.677.5555, aquatalia.com

B LO O M IN G DA LE ’ S

Qayten’s Italian ceramic rings in 18 karat gold with white or cognac diamonds provide ease, comfort and beauty through spring technology ($2,500-$3,000) by Maurice Badler. 485 Park Ave., 800.622.3537, badler.com TO UR N E AU

AQUATAL I A

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SINCE WHERE GUESTBOOK NEW YORK IS AN ANNUAL PUBLICATION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE ITEMS SHOWN IN THE “LOOK BOOK” PAGES, WHILE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT PRESS TIME, MAY BE OUT OF STOCK. THE PRODUCTS FEATURED, HOWEVER, PROVIDE A FINE REPRESENTATION OF THE OVERALL QUALITY OF THE STORES’ MERCHANDISE OR GALLERIES’ ARTWORK. ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

C AV I AR RU SS E

O PE R A G A LLE RY

WE MP E

THE M ETROPOLI TAN FI NE ARTS AND ANTI QUES

The René Lalique Deux Figurines Clock (price upon request), circa 1926, features two female figures with a floral wreath etched in glass. Metropolitan Fine Arts and Antiques, 10 W. 57th St., 212.974.2584, metroantiques.com Caspian Sea Gold Osetra Caviar (starting at $295) from Caviar Russe, 538 Madison Ave., 800.2.CAVIAR, caviarrusse.com André Brasilier’s “L’Orchestre de jazz” (detail), 2017 ($125,000). Oil on canvas, 35 x 45.7 inches. At Opera Gallery, 791 Madison Ave., 646.707.3299, operagallery.com From top to bottom: 18-karat rose gold ring with one prasiolite about four carats, 10 baguette-cut prasiolites and 32 brilliant-cut diamonds; 18-karat rose gold ring with one morganite about 4.30 carats; 18-karat white gold ring with one blue topaz about five carats, 10 baguette-cut blue topazes and 32 brilliant-cut diamonds. All from the Colonna BY KIM collection (prices starting at $9,285). Wempe, 700 Fifth Ave., 212.397.9000, wempe.com Hästens Limited Edition Tribute bed, crafted with the purest flax, wool and cotton, slow-grown Swedish pine and hypoallergenic horsehair (price upon request). Hästens Store West, 232 W. 18th St., 212.706.0509, hastens.com

HÄSTENS

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Stainless steel, automatic, water-resistant Wempe Zeitmeister 42mm Chronograph, with moon phase and full calendar, sapphire crystal, screw-down case back on a crocodile strap ($4015). Exclusively available at Wempe, 212.397.9000, wempe.com Buccellati gold and diamond wide cuff bracelet from Botier Inc. ($30,000- $40,000). Manhattan Art & Antiques Center, 1050 Second Ave., 212.355.4400, the-maac.com

MANH AT TAN ART & A N TIQ U E S C E N T E R

The Tonight Show Happy Socks from The Shop at NBC Studios ($40). 30 Rockefeller Plaza (at Sixth Ave.), 212.664.2754, theshopatnbcstudios.com Aldenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 45152C Color 8 Shell Cordovan with Commando Sole ($806) from Citishoes, plus styles from Edward Green, Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Gaziano & Girling, Paraboot Mephisto and other fine brands, 445 Park Ave., 212.751.3200, citishoes.com

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T H E ME T STORE

The Renaissance Maiolica Sienna silk-twill 36-inch square scarf showcasing three Italian pottery designs ($175.00). The Met Store, 1000 Fifth Ave., 800.468.7386, store.metmuseum.org Top: Lime Cut Velvet ($59.99/yard); bottom left: Spring Meadow ($98/yard); bottom right: Purple Woven ($45/yard). Zarin Fabrics, 69 Orchard St., 212.925.6112, zarinfabrics.com

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C I T I S H OE S

ADVERTISERS INDEX ART, ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES Manhattan Art & Antiques Center ............ 41, 126

Kinky Boots—Broadway Musical ....................... 59

SHOPPING

Metropolitan Fine Arts & Antiques ... 20, 21, 125

The Lion King—Broadway Musical ................... 27

Aquatalia—Footwear ................................. 6, 7, 124

The Metropolitan Museum of Art.............. 79, 126 Opera Gallery...........................................................19

The Phantom of the Opera— Broadway Musical ........................................... 33

Bloomingdale’s—Apparel & Home Decor.....124, Inside Back Cover

DINING

Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center® —Attraction .......12, 13

Citishoes—Footwear ..................................... 71, 126

Atwood Sports Bar & Lounge ............................ 73

Wicked—Broadway Musical ............................... 35

Benjamin Steakhouse Prime............................... 85

Designer Loft Bridal—Wedding Gowns .......... 87 Down to Basics—Bedding .................................. 101

SERVICES

Hästens—Luxury Mattresses .............. 62, 63, 125

BroadwayHD—Live Streaming...........................69

Martinique Jewelers............................................... 15

Dos Caminos ...........................................................84

Carmel Car & Limousine Service— Transportation................................................ 107

Maurice Badler—Jewelry & Timepieces ....9, 124

Grünauer Restaurant ............................................ 68

Chabad-Lubavitch—Jewish Services ............. 113

Osswald Parfumerie & Luxury Skincare Boutique—Perfume & Skincare ...................64

Great Kosher Restaurants .................................. 112

Dr. Jeff Rosenberg—Chiropractic..................... 65

Rigby & Peller—Lingerie ...................................... 89

Mastro’s Steakhouse ............................................. 85

Grand Central Terminal—Transportation, Shopping & Dining ........................................... 81

Scully & Scully—Home Decor & Gifts... 16, 17, 124

Hampton Luxury Liner—Transportation..........70

The Shop at NBC Studios— Apparel & Gifts ....................................... 25, 126

Bill’s Bar & Burger .................................................84 Caviar Russe ..................................................... 11, 125

Morton’s The Steakhouse .................................... 85 Strip House ..............................................................84

Linhart Dentistry .................................................... 97

ENTERTAINMENT/ATTRACTIONS

The Shops at Columbus Circle— Retail & Dining ....................................................5

Aladdin—Broadway Musical ............................... 37

NYC Rejuvenation Clinic— Medical Aesthetics..........................................99

Chicago The Musical—Broadway Musical........ 31

Starbright Floral Design—Florist ...................... 72

Come From Away—Broadway Musical ............ 29

Steven Rosen Photography ................................ 88

Wempe—Gifts, Jewelry & Timepieces....Inside Front Cover, 1, 2, 66, 67, 125, 126

Dear Evan Hansen—Broadway Musical ........... 39

T-Mobile Times Square—Communications .... 77

Zarin Fabrics—Textiles ............................... 83, 126

PHOTO: READING ROOM, COURTESY THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY/JONATHAN BLANC

Tourneau—Timepieces ............... 124, Back Cover

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The Big Apple, 1900 Focusing on four distinct categories—Money, Density, Diversity and Creativity—the permanent exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, “New York at Its Core,” explores how each of these themes has contributed to making New York the spectacular metropolis that it is. In a particularly riveting section of the exhibit, a huge screen fades in and out, alternating between an image of a neighborhood or block from long ago (such as Mulberry Street, ca. 1900, above) and a current image of the exact same area, dramatically showing the change in landscape throughout the years. Check out the exhibit, and watch how the above scene fades into the 2015 version of Mulberry Street. Can you spot anything in the new image that survived from 1900? 128

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PHOTO: MULBERRY STREET, MANHATTAN, CA. 1900, PHOTOGRAPH BY DETROIT PUBLISHING CO., LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS DIVISION

PARTING SHOT