Metropolitan Magazine August 2018

Page 1

METROPOLITAN AUGUST 2018 $20.00

AUGUST ISSUE

MEET THE NEW VICE CHAIRWOMAN OF AMERICA FIRST

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



July/August 2018 | 1


COUTURE

2 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com


“To Be Well Dressed Is A Little Like Being In Love” . . . Oleg Cassini

July/August 2018 | 3


WHERE

TRADITION

QUALITY and VALUE

meet



CONTENTS AUGUST 2018 FASHION

42 Kimberly Guilfoyle

18 Road Warrior 23 Hot Summer Cool Suits 28 Agean Allure

AUTO 34 Lamborghini

COVER 42 Kimberly Guilfoyle

TASTE

18 Road Warrior

22 Corsetted in Time

23 Hot 23 HotSummer SummerCool CoolSuits Suits

52 Work Dinner at Nerai 54 Hot & Spicy 56 The Rosé for Summer 2018! 58 Southampton’s Modern Mexican Restaurant 60 Main Restaurant & Lounge 62 A Delicious Piece of Italy at Sotto Sopra 64 Rustic Latin Cuisine La Pulperia UES 66 Bobby Van’s Steakhouse, “The Original”

52 Nerai


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CONTENTS 77

AUGUST 2018 28

JETSET 68 The Brazilian Court 60 Designer Hotel Opens in August 72 Eden Roc

ART 74 Vertilicious 76 George Stave Retrospective 78 Justin Love, Artist & Explorer 80 Keith Kattner Presents Entropy

PROFILE

74

82 My Father's Place 88 Trouser Press 90 A Marriage of Luxury of Convenience 92 In the City that Never Sleeps 96 The Complexity of High Net Worth Divorces 98 Aesha 100 Everybody Drinks at Bemelmans 102 What Does Nude Mean to You? 104 Elements Fitness Raises the Barre for Fitness

78

REGIMEN 106 Is Coconut Oil Healthy

SOCIAL

82

108 Cover Party at Nerai 109 A New Power Couple Emerges 112 Liars, Leakers and Liberals 114 S potlight 116 Society Scene 118 Hamptons Social Scene 119 Victory Cup Polo Match on Governors Island 120 New York Party Scene 122 Summer Sizzles


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Publisher Chase Backer Editor-in-Chief Adam Kluger Assistant Editor Willy Nichter Creative and Editorial Director Heidi North Web Designer Heidi North Director of Marketing-NYC Jaime Backer Lifestyle Editor Elizabeth Langevin Cover Editor Adam Kluger Cover Photographer Matt Licari Features Editor Melissa Clark Luxury Editor Stephanie L. Howitt Fashion Editor Heidi North Fashion Photographer Matt Licari Profiles Editor Alexandra Appino-Tabone Social Editor Clara Morgan Food Editor Andrea Correale Nutrition Editor Lindsay Brustein Rosen, M.S., R.D., CDN. Gold Coast Writer Monica Randall Contributors Matt Licari, Diana Rice, Fern Siegel, Elizabeth Darwen, Megan Mandrachio, Lucy Flinn, Norah Bradford, Jackie Price, Harry White, Deborah Rothberg, Paul Prince, Jennifer Pelaez, Leslie Long, Catherine Andersen, Lillian Langtry, Jackie Price Nicole Clarke, Bennett Marcus, Peter Elston, Johnny Angel, Harry White, Victoria Crosby Contributing Photographers Matt Licari, Rene Bernal, tama66, pixel2013, MichaelGaida, Benno Klandt, Michael Paniccia, Jay Mathews, Filip Shobot, Chris Carroll, Lenny Stucker, Patrick McMullan, MA , Tom Fitzgerald and Pam Deutchman, Sandy Ramirez, Jan Klier, Mitchel Gray, Paul Prince, Kristiina Wilson,

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Š Copyright 2018 by Metropolitan Magazine, All rights reserved. Metropolitan is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as such and unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Metropolitan magazine’s right to edit.



PUBLISHER’S NOTE

“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” –Helen Keller On the surface, when one looks at newswoman Kimberly Guilfoyle one is struck by her eyes and her smile and her other-worldly beauty. When I look at Kimberly I see a brilliant woman with a wicked sense of humor. I see a friend. Kimberly has been my friend and a friend to our magazines for a number of years now. She has introduced us to her many loyal friends in the Television Industry and she has always accommodated any favor or request. She is a class act and an exceptional journalist, attorney and person. She is passionate about fighting for what she believes in and protecting the rights of those she feels have been overlooked or left behind. One might look at Kimberly Guilfoyle and simply see a beautiful woman. They wouldn’t be wrong but they would be missing the big picture entirely. I look at Kimberly and I see a friend. A friend who has the right stuff to face any challenge head-on with intelligence, pride, determination and guts. She is a natural born leader who pursues excellence in all she does. It’s no surprise that a son of our current President of the United States would recognize her inner greatness too. For a moment in time our cameras were able to capture something that is easier felt than seen between these two dynamic and accomplished individuals. Electricity, warmth, magic and unlimited potential. We wish them well. August showers have brought our magazine a flood of wonderful art, luxury destinations and fun events like the Victory Cup Polo Match at Governor’s Island that survived an early rainstorm to see the sun break through on a magnificent equestrian event for all New Yorkers to enjoy at a very special location. Governor’s Island is where America’s Continental Army once fired cannon-balls to chase British Navy ships during the Revolutionary War. According to historians, the colonists’ cannon-fire inflicted enough damage to make the British commanders cautious of entering the East River, which later contributed to the success of General George Washington’s retreat across it from Brooklyn into Manhattan after the Battle of Long Island aka the Battle of Brooklyn. New Yorkers appreciate the rich history of our city and our cultural diversity on an island (Manhattan) representing what Alexis de Tocqueville once called America’s Great Experiment. Nothing less than our modern democracy. In the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, where immigrants have arrived from all parts of the world yearning to be free, we are still the eyes of the world. We are all very blessed! Enjoy!

Chase Backer Publisher, Metropolitan/25A



Photograph by Jill Lotenberg

EDITOR’S NOTE

Editor in Chief’s Note: Just Another Day at the Office The power couple was hanging out in the living room of a beautiful Manhattan apartment tastefully decorated, light and airy. There was no opportunity for polite chit-chat as the hair and make-up team were scurrying about like the pit crew at the Indy 500. Everybody was on point making sure every hair was in place, that outfits looked immaculate and that no one tripped over the camera cables. Attention to detail was the collective mantra and why not? These photographs would include the famous son of the current President of the United States and the stunning Kimberly Guilfoyle. Flashback four hours earlier. Stefan the photographer, previously booked for the shoot was writhing in pain in a NYC emergency room after taking an accidental spill. (Thankfully, he’s ok!) After countless fruitless calls to find another top photographer on short notice to fill in.... The shoot was off. Then a couple more calls and a flicker of hope. And then... The shoot was back on. In marched the new photo crew led by a spunky photo artist Jill Lotenberg and the business of shooting the Metropolitan Magazine August cover was game on. In walked Donald Trump Jr. in a pink polo shirt showing off his tan and bright, toothy smile. He shook hands, said hello to the crew and then disappeared for a brief moment into a side room to change his shirt for the shoot and see his lovely girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle. Donald Jr. popped right back out and warned the crew politely, as the couple walked into the professionally lit living room, that he really had to leave in 5 minutes. The ever playful and always undaunted Publisher Chase Backer broke everybody up by suggesting we all needed to hurry up so Donald Trump Jr. could get out the door and start his own inevitable run for the Presidency. Smiles and laughter filled the room. Don was a good sport and a regular guy. Clearly the new power couple were besotted with each other and their electricity lit up the whole living room. The way they looked each other in the eyes and smiled made everybody else smile too. Good thing the twenty some odd people doing various jobs were all total pros too. Especially, our opinionated Publisher who prior to the shoot put Cecile B. De Mille to shame by instructing the camera-person on every shot. Details matter. Lamps were moved. Shot locations changed and changed again and again. Clearly, Kimberly who joked that she loved their hilarious new power couple name of “Donberly,” was entirely comfortable being a gracious hostess. She looked gorgeous. The camera clicked, exclusive jeweler David Birnbaum’s amazing super-gems sparkled and the couple in the center of our frenetic crew handled everything going on like just another day the office. The Oval Office. We hope you enjoy these gorgeous photos almost as much as we all enjoyed being a part of this amazing photo shoot. Adam Kluger Editor In Chief, Metropolitan/25A

July/August 2018 | 14


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H OT SUMMER

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AGEAN ALLURE D E SIG N ED AND MO DE LE D BY

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cover

MEET THE NEW VICE CHAIRWOMAN OF AMERICA FIRST

K I M B E R LY GUILFOYLE

T

BY CHASE BACKER | PHOTOS BY JILL LOTENBERG

here’s a prescient passage in Kimberly Guilfoyle’s 2015 memoir: “Making the decision to end a relationship is never easy, regardless of whether you are the party initiating the split or the one just coming around to accepting it as reality. But you will know it when the time comes.” In that part of Making the Case: How to Be Your Own Best Advocate, which offers advice to readers on how to achieve their personal goals at every stage of life, Guilfoyle is referring to the challenges that come with dating and marriage, and the decision to end a romantic relationship. However, this sentiment could also apply to the relationships forged

in the workplace and, more specifically, to Guilfoyle’s decision to move on from her high-profile gig at Fox News Channel last month. As a co-host of the lively panel ensemble, The Five, the spunky lawyer-turned-media personality truly held court. She combined legal knowledge and a journalist’s way-with-words to dissect the news of the day with a degree of levity and wit often missing from other news programs. In a tweet on July 24, Guilfoyle announced that she would be leaving Fox for a new adventure: “Today I have a bitter-sweet announcement. I’ve decided to leave Fox News Channel and dedicate myself full time to joining America First as Vice Chairwoman, campaigning across the country and firmly standing with President Trump. I will miss my Fox

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ADAM WEISS JEWELRY COURTESY OF DAVID BIRNBAUM ASSISTANTS: PAULINE POKORADI & KHALEEL ALEXANDER DINA SERAFINO MAKE UP ANTHONY LEE CARBAJAL HAIR STYLIST


All Photos Š jill lotenberg

July/August 2018 | 43


cover

“My dad taught me to be fearless, to live life with no regrets, and to fully realize the importance of giving back when you have been blessed with so much,” says Guilfoyle.

Her nickname for him is “Junior Mints.” Their friends affectionately call them “Donberly” and say their compatibility is off-the-charts—both are high-energy individuals who love to start new projects and take on new challenges.

family. I thank Fox for the opportunities it has provided me. I thank all the talented producers, staff, and above all I thank the best fans out there.” America First Action is the primary super PAC (political action committee) dedicated to electing federal candidates who support the agenda of the Trump-Pence administration. The PAC has an affiliated nonprofit, America First Policies, a grassroots advocacy group established to promote policies and legislation that will put Americans first. As Vice Chairwoman of America First, Guilfoyle is assisting the board and staff with fundraising, media appearances, and grassroots outreach. In a field where lots of pro-Trump PACs have sprouted since the President’s election, America First Action has earned its place as the premier one, in large part because it has the blessing of the Trump family. “Kimberly has been best-in-class at everything she’s done as a professional,” says Tommy Hicks Jr., chairman of the group’s board and a close friend of the Trumps. “She’s become one of the most recognizable personalities on television and has a unique ability to communicate the President’s MAGA agenda to any audience. She will be immensely valuable to our organization as we help the President advance his 44 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

campaign promises, which have restored hope to tens of millions of American citizens.” For Guilfoyle, whose career in law and journalism has exposed her to the very best and worst of humanity, the haves and have nots, tragedies and triumphs, and everything in between, becoming an ambassador for the “forgotten man and woman” isn’t much of a stretch for her. “Kimberly may be best known for her intellect, tell-it-like-it-is persona, and striking beauty, but it’s also her humble roots and her genuine love of people that make her the perfect choice to be the face of the grassroots movement that will reelect Donald J. Trump in 2020,” says Donald Trump Jr., who also happens to be her new beau. “Those of us who live our lives in the metropolitan enclaves of New York City or Washington, D.C., are too quick to forget that many Americans have limited resources to learn about critical policy debates in Washington, D.C., or to take action to advance those policies,” says Guilfoyle, who splits her time between those two cities. “America First is working tirelessly to bridge that gap. We believe all Americans deserve to be a part of the conversation, and to live in a country where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their own American dream. In other words, they deserve an advocate. And I want them to know they’ve got one—in me and in the entire America First team.” Her new position gives her the freedom to travel the country at short notice on behalf of America First. She traveled most recently to Wheeling, West Virginia, the 22nd stop on a nationwide tour—“Tax Cuts to Put America First”—hosted by America First Policies to promote the ways the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is positively impacting Americans of all walks of life, in all parts of the country. The event was headlined by Vice President Mike Pence. The new position also gives her more time to spend with Donald Trump Jr., who has already hit the campaign trail for congressional candidates who have proven themselves to be staunch supporters of the President’s agenda. “Don Jr., as he is known to friends and family, has emerged as one of his father’s most astute and savvy spokesmen,” says Bill White, a friend and CEO of the New York-based Constellations Group. “And with Kimberly by his side, well, that’s a patriotic power couple unlike any other.” The couple first met 12 years ago at a party in New York City, but these


The couple first met 12 years ago at a party in New York City, but these days, the two prefer to spend their weekends fishing instead of hitting the social circuit.

July/August 2018 | 45


days, the two prefer to spend their weekends fishing instead of hitting the social circuit. Her nickname for him is “Junior Mints.” Their friends affectionately call them “Donberly” and say their compatibility is off-the-charts—both are high-energy individuals who love to start new projects and take on new challenges. Charlie Kirk, the founder of the youth organization Turning Point USA, knows both well. “Like Don Jr., Kimberly is a superstar talent who earns enthusiastic and unanimous support from our student leaders,” says Kirk. “We receive hundreds of requests for Kimberly to speak at our events weekly. She’s a tremendous asset to the President and the conservative movement. I have no doubt that young voters will rally to her message and her new, exciting role with America First.” “Kimberly has never been afraid to try something new, which is why she has accomplished so much in her 49 years,” says childhood friend Shawn McSweeney. Indeed, anyone who has taken even a cursory glance at Guilfoyle’s biography would think she has lived more than one life: Long before she was considered by the Trump administration for the role of White House Press Secretary, she was taking her home state of California by storm, even earning the nickname “The Hurricane.” A successful assistant district attorney at the San Francisco and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Offices, she prosecuted domestic violence, child abuse, murder, and drug cases with gusto for nearly a decade. In 2001, Guilfoyle successfully convicted the owner of two Presa Canario dogs for seconddegree murder after the dogs mauled Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old lacrosse coach, to death in San Francisco. It was a horrific


case that made headlines around the world and made Guilfoyle a household name. It also established precedent for what constitutes a “second-degree implied malice murder.” Stephen Kay, Guilfoyle’s supervisor and mentor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office—and who is perhaps best known for prosecuting the convicted ex-Manson family members in the 1970s— remembers the dog mauling case (People v. Noel and Knoller) like it was yesterday. “She did such an amazing job during her direct examination of the coroner,” he says. Kay describes his protégé as exceptionally talented, hardworking, and a “natural” in the courtroom. Another early colleague in the Los Angeles DA’s Office, Wendy Segall, who was recently elected as a judge to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, also sings Guilfoyle’s praises to this day: “Kimberly and I met in 1996 when we began working together, I as a deputy district attorney assigned to the Major Narcotics Division and the Stalking and Threat Assessment Team and she as an assistant DA. We quickly became friends and remain extremely close to this day. She was a rising star in the office and was assigned cases involving homicide, violent crime, domestic violence, and sexual assaults earlier than most young prosecutors. Kimberly always remained calm in and out of the courtroom. She won the majority of her cases because she was extremely thorough in her trial preparation and always outshined her opposition.” In 2001, Guilfoyle married Gavin Newsom, then a San Francisco city supervisor. He was elected mayor in 2003, and Guilfoyle embraced her role as the First Lady of San Francisco. “One of my fondest memories from that exciting time in my life was hosting Prince Charles and Dutchess Camilla for one of their first official visits to the United States,” she says. It was her bold cross-country move to New York City in 2004 after her divorce from Newsom that led to a brand-new career in television. As a TV host and legal analyst for Court TV, ABC News, and CNN, Guilfoyle covered some of the most famous court cases of our time (O.J. Simpson, JonBenét Ramsey, Natalee Holloway, and Michael Jackson, to name a few). She is also the mother to a 11-year-old son, Ronan, whom she says is her greatest achievement. Ronan’s father is Guilfoyle’s second husband, Eric Villency, CEO of the Villency Design Group, a furniture and interior design company. The two divorced in 2009. “Kimberly is loyal, generous, and an amazing mom,” says a close friend, Susan Shin. “Ronan is so sweet-natured, and he really looks up to his mother and father. I knew Eric before I met Kimberly, and I’m so

impressed by their great co-parenting relationship.” Born in the San Francisco Mission District to an Irish father and Puerto Rican mother, Kimberly is a first-generation American who was an overachiever even as a kid. (Her story of landing her first summer job at a deli counter by impressing the owner with her knowledge of different kinds of salami and her fondness for honey baked ham and bacon is positively charming.) She lost her mother, Mercedes, to a long and painful battle with leukemia when she was only 11 years old. Kimberly immediately took on the responsibilities of helping to raise her younger brother, Anthony, who was only 8 at the time; shopping and preparing meals; and keeping house. She credits her loving father, also named Anthony, with building her faith and resiliency during that extremely difficult time, and during each important moment of her life thereafter. He worked as a building contractor and for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company and was a pillar of the San Francisco community. He passed away in 2008. “Our mother made the most of her time with me and Kimberly,” brother Anthony Guilfoyle says. “She filled our home with music, dance, crafts, wonderful meals, and the best birthday and holiday celebrations you could ever imagine.” Mercedes Guilfoyle taught students with special needs and would often take her daughter into the classroom to assist with lessons. She was also an avid volunteer, who—with daughter and son in tow—would help needy residents of the nearby Indian reservations. The love of helping others that Guilfoyle’s mother instilled in her is reflected in Guilfoyle’s many awards, including “Outstanding Woman of the Year” from the City of San Francisco, “USO Entertainer of the Year,” the “Latino Star Award,” New York City’s “Special Civil Rights Award,” and the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s “Strength of Our Society Award” for her contributions to child advocacy. Guilfoyle also serves on the board of the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation; the Children’s Council of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the first child protective agency ever established; and KultureCity, a foundation founded by families who work for a better future for children with autism. “My dad taught me to be fearless, to live life with no regrets, and to fully realize the importance of giving back when you have been blessed with so much,” says Guilfoyle.

July/August 2018 | 47


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CHANEL KORBY B Y W. A . M U L L E R

D

edicated and diligent, Chanel Korby’s devotion to business development and real estate began in early childhood when Diamond Silk Bracelet she watched her parent’s buy, Total Diamonds: 44 caratsmultiple sell and develop 18 karat white gold properties on Manhattan’s Central Park West, in Southampton, NY as well as in Montreal. Prior to joining Yelp, she worked in sales and marketing at the TRUMP Organization

- a luxury brokerage firm; with an awardwinning public relations marketing company, and at APrivateClub.com - “New York’s most elite social networking site” (Gotham Magazine). Through these affiliations Chanel gained valuable experience in business development providing superior service to clients. Chanel was a dean’s list student at New York’s Trinity High School and the Kent W W W. A R EON E .COM She is a Boarding School in RConnecticut. DAV I D. B I R N B AU M. N Y@G MA I L .COM 5 8 9 F I F T H AV E N U E AT E . 4 8 T H ST R E E T, N YC 2 1 2 - 5 7 5 - 0 2 6 6 B U S I N E S S DAYS

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taste

Spiro Menegatos Owner, Nerai

“Work Dinner” at Nerai THE METROP OLITAN MAGAZINE STAFF

AK: Publisher Chase Backer suggested that the magazine team convene for a impromptu working dinner at the gorgeous Greek Restaurant, Nerai. Home to our recent Metropolitan Magazine Party that people were still talking and writing about. Upon our arrival, Spiro the owner, made sure Chase and the team had a prime table and drinks all around. Scotch and soda was my request throughout the meal and I did not regret it. Chase usually prefers vodka. Features Reporter Melissa Clark goes for Prosecco and our beloved Creative Director Heidi North, helped herself to a multi-colored, extremely strong, alcohol-based 52 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

concoction(Aperol Spritzer) that was strong, strong, strong (yes, I took a taste!). So, there we were happy and hungry (no longer thirsty) as the friendly and elegant waiters presented some of the house delicacies, while Chase worked his phone. First up, the Soutzoukakia, aromatic meatballs in tomato ragu over herbed rice with crumbled manouri cheese, were as savory and delicious as they sound. It was hard to make out how many were on the serving plate but I managed to eat about half of them myself, surreptitiously, as no one was watching, and I would have asked our waiter for 10 more plates of Soutzoukakia

if I could have. But decorum, chivalry and the forethought to save room for other amazing food prevailed. Next up, Tuna Tartare, diced yellowfin tuna over potato kataifi served with tarama espuma and fish roe. Delicious. I quickly grabbed the silver serving trident, slammed it into the tower of tuna and extracted a polite portion for my own plate. Yummy! Is that even a real adjective? I hope so because it applies in this case. To cleanse the palate, was a plate of feta cheese cubes and watermelon. Ooh. So good. Uh-oh, Melissa, who recently interviewed John Travolta, Chazz Palminteri and the musician


“I quickly grabbed the silver serving trident, slammed it into the tower of tuna and extracted a polite portion for my own plate. Yummy!” Moby, has something to say. She is going absolutely crazy over the Kolokithokeftedakia, which is a really pretty Greek word for Zucchini Tater Tots. Melissa is right. As usual. incredible deliciousness, texture, taste. Microphone drop. Kolokithokeftedakia in- the- house! Also joining the crew are a number of interesting friends of Chase, popping in throughout the meal/work dinner, joining the editorial table to discuss possible articles and ideas for the magazine. Creative ideas seem to be that much wmore amazing when accompanied by tall glasses of scotch and soda and these delicious fried zucchini chips

that somehow ended up on my side of the table. Chip after chip after chip. They just did not stand a chance. Nerai calls them Kolokithakia Tiganita, paper-thin fried zucchini chips served with tzatziki. I just call them —all gone. Let the other happy folks at the table enjoy the grilled octopus (looks like sumptuous slices of chicken to me!). I’m still saving room. Chase just requested the lamb chops or Paidakia sti Skara with honey glazed carrots, dolma and oregano just for the table. A specialty of the house. Flown in from Australia for Nerai’s very fortunate diners. I’m ashamed to admit how many lamb chops

I ended up consuming. Ashamed but also... ecstatic. Nerai should be Greek for Nirvana. Actually Nerai is short for Neraida, meaning mermaid. Diners hearing the siren call of Nerai should heed the invitation to experience Greek food and hospitality at its finest. We sure did!

Thanks, Spiro! nerainyc.com

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taste

Hot & Spicy 1770 HOUSE’S HIBISCUS MARGARITAS HEAT UP HAMPTONS HAPPY HOUR

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ast Hampton’s 1770 House is a landmark restaurant that is quintessentially historic and modern at the same time. The House is an important part of East Hampton’s mythology, dating back to the mid-1600’s when the Talmage, Hedges and Gardiner families sought refuge from a turbulent England. Soon enough other groups seeking a different type of refuge began arriving; artists, writers and wealthy urbanites wanted peace, quiet and inspiration. And finally, much more recently, well-known business and entertainment personalities discovered East Hampton and contributed to the village’s old and new dynamic. Stand outside 1770’s colonial entrance on 143 Main Street today and you’ll feel the beat of a thriving and increasingly year-round community. Down the road a bit, Hampton Ambassador passengers alight, lungs soggy with heavy

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BY D.D. RICE

air conditioning, in time to catch Guild Hall’s Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin. A stylish woman passes, dividing the sidewalk with a stroller carrying a young ballerina twirling a bamboo parasol, eyes trained ahead, ready for a birthday party or an LVIS event. And two teenaged boys clad in tennis whites pedal bicycles indiscriminately across road, sidewalk and grass, having taken advantage of the short cut behind St. Luke’s Church. This is East Hampton in August and just about everyone seems to have their hustle on. Since its inception and renovation by the much beloved and sorely missed Ben and Bonnie Krupinski, 1770 House has been a highly successful marriage of old and new charm. The real thrill of 1770 House, is having your feet comfortably planted on the hallowed ground of old East Hampton while your eyes and taste buds are keenly attuned to the present, specifically the intriguing offerings of 1770’s award winning

sommelier, Michael Cohen and legendary chef, Michael Rizzo. Once inside the restaurant, the subtle and intoxicating markers of privilege bring the rooms into sharp focus – professionals with a sense of style and purpose have worked their magic here. Chestnut colored ceiling beams and glossy dark wood floorboards set off elegant rugs and gracious tables. Handsome rattan chairs and coordinating table top chargers invite old guard, recent arrivals and weary travelers alike to enter, sit and enjoy. Or, you may find yourself seated, as I recently did, at one of the intimate tables in 1770’s lush private garden where you can relax and contemplate lofty ideas about the nature of temptation and serenity. Confession: I wanted nothing so much as to savor a well-crafted and semi-exotic cocktail before getting down to the serious business of deciding what to eat. At this point, Michael Cohen suggested his signature summer whiz-bang:


THE SPICY HIBISCUS MARGARITA 2oz Gran Centenario Hibiscus infused Tequila 1oz Cointreau 2.5oz Infused Grapefruit juice (Recipe to follow) Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake briefly and pour over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a sliver of chili and sprig of mint. INFUSED GRAPEFRUIT JUICE: 8oz Grapefruit juice. Freshly squeezed is ideal but prepared or store bought is fine. I prefer ruby red. 2 Serrano or Jalapeno chilies sliced, keep some for garnish. (note: the seeds of the chili are the spiciest part, keep the seeds if you like it spicy, deseed for a milder version). 1 bunch of fresh mint In a pitcher or quart container pour in the grapefruit juice. Add 3/4 of the sliced chilies and half of the bunch of mint. Cover, refrigerate and allow to steep at least 4 hours but no more than 24 hours.

the Spicy Hibiscus Margarita. The concoction arrived in a beautiful low-ball glass topped with a minty sprig from the garden and looked like a mid-summer dream. Michael explained: It’s a spicy margarita with a twist. We’ve steeped the serrano chilies in grapefruit juice for several hours and used a hibiscus infused tequila. The goal was to create a refreshing and dynamic cocktail that is perfect for warmer weather but also balanced and dynamic. The margarita was zesty and alive - while some taste buds enjoyed the drink’s snappy freshness, others reveled in the soft sweetness of the pink grapefruit, leaving just a few stalwarts to discern the hibiscus tequila. And, even though I haven’t a clue what hibiscus is supposed to taste like, Michael Cohen had achieved his goal - the margarita was vibrant, cooling and delicious. How does one think of such a clever libation? According to Michael, chance and coincidence played a part: I was actually unfamiliar with

the hibiscus tequila until one of our liquor reps mistakenly sent us a bottle. I saw it and was intrigued. What could I make with this? It was summertime and it was hot. I had had spicy cocktails before, and by chance the chef had just brought in a batch of mixed chili peppers from Balsam, a local farm. They were beautiful, small, bright, shiny red, yellow, orange, green serranoes. Absolutely Gorgeous. I had an infused tequila and these chilies, the rest of the cocktail fell in place. We had planted a patch of mint on our back garden at the restaurant and I remembered a friend saying she used grapefruit juice in her margaritas before. A few tweaks later the spicy hibiscus margarita was born. Although the specialty margarita was undeniably the first big hit of the evening, I should at least mention that there were many wonderful dishes and combinations of flavors and textures that followed, among them: (Montauk Fluke Tartar with Wasabi Tobiko, Radish and

Cucumber; Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with Peach Vanilla Compote and Buttermilk Pancake; Seared Sea Scallops with Hon Shimeji Mushrooms and Sweet Peas; Himalayan Salt Dry Aged N.Y. Strip with Wild Chanterelles; and finally Dark Chocolate Crème Brulée with Smoked Salt and Toasted Marshmallows). The spicy hibiscus margarita is only available upon request and will be offered through the early fall. If your next visit to East Hampton isn’t until the cooler months, you can grab a sweater and sample the autumnal signature cocktails within the speakeasy atmosphere of 1770’s downstairs tavern. Starting in the fall, Michael’s specialty cocktails will showcase cold weather sippers like whiskey, bourbon and aged rum.

1770house.com


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The Rosé for Summer 2018! CHÂTEAU DE CHAUSSE’S CÔTES DE PROVENCE AOC, 2016…

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dyllically nestled in France’s ProvenceAlpes-Côte d’Azur region in the heart of the St. Tropez peninsula, the award-winning Château de Chausse winery is celebrating the spirit of this summer’s season by offering its Côtes de Provence AOC Rosé, 2016—one of the premier rosés from France—along with five other premium estate wines. Available from select retailers in the United States and online, this should be especially welcome news this summer for international wine connoisseurs who are also residents and visitors of the Hamptons, the seaside resort area on Long Island’s East End long favored by New Yorkers.

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BY ELIZABETH DARWEN

One reason that the arrival of Château de Chausse should make such a valuable addition to dinner tables and cocktail parties in the Hamptons this summer—and all year long—is the diverse variety of choices it offers. This is especially true in an area that while boasting more than 60 domestic wineries and vineyards, knowing how and where to procure that ideal French import can sometimes be difficult. Crafting some of the most expressive and natural wines that only the St. Tropez peninsula region of France can offer—and organically cultivating them from the finest hand-picked and hand-pressed grapes on 38 planted acres— this rare and unique collection is available in

cases of six with prices ranging between $19.99 and $39.99. Château de Chausse estate lies just nine miles from St. Tropez. The 135-acre property was originally purchased in 1986 by Yves and Roseline Schelcher, a Swiss couple who increased the estate’s original five acres of vines to 37 total planted vineyard acres. Their first official release under the Château de Chausse label was in 1993. After 30 years of ownership, the Schelchers sold their estate in 2016.

chateaudechausse.com.



taste

Southampton’s Modern Mexican Restaurant SPICE THINGS UP THIS SUMMER, AND ALL YEAR LONG, AT UNION CANTINA BY LILLIAN LANGTRY

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here’s a lot to be said for consistency—especially in the Hamptons, where trendy new restaurants and food fads often come and go faster than the seasonal New York City crowds who flock to Long Island’s East End every summer. This also means that plenty of eating and drinking options abound for virtually every taste. However, for those in search the perfect Mexican meal in a vibrant, fun atmosphere, they don’t have to look any further than one place: Union Cantina, Southampton’s modern Mexican restaurant. Now in its third-year and named in May as one of the Hamptons’ 20 Essential Restaurants by Eater New York, this delicious year-round destination, ideally located in the heart of Southampton’s Bowden Square, was designed by Ian Duke and David Hilty. They are the also

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the owners of another one of the East End’s most popular and dynamic nightlife destinations, Southampton Social Club, where Food Network personality and award-winning Executive Chef Scott Kampf, heads up the kitchens at both establishments. This summer, and all year long at Union Cantina, patrons—who have notably included the famous likes of Jon Bon Jovi, Michael J. Fox, Uma Thurman and Brooke Shields—can expect the finest fresh ingredients and hand-crafted favorites that have come to characterize its authentic Mexican food and cocktail menu. The diverse and elaborate offerings include the Baja Tacos, a Negra Modello beer-battered cod with spicy mango slaw, the Blackened MahiMahi Tacos, a double taco delight with mango pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos, and avocado crema. Deconstructed Enchiladas remain a popular favorite. Be sure to leave enough room

for desert where there is the Classic Churros to satisfy your sweet tooth. There is also an equally vibrant brunch menu that features two-for-one Margaritas and Brunch Cocktails. This is also just a small sampling because hidden behind the restaurant is the prohibitionera, speakeasy-style 400 Rabbits Tequila Bar, which stocks over 100 different types of tequila that are a key ingredient in Union Cantina’s unique and signature specialty cocktail selections. Besides the many food and drink options, some of which are discounted during the summer, there is also the fun element to be had at Union Cantina where you can play Bocce Ball and other lawn games. unioncantina.net


127 W 28th Street, New York, NY 10001 646.484.4361 www.hotelhaydennyc.com


taste

75 Main Restaurant & Lounge Leading the Southampton Social Scene BY PETER BLACKMAN

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his summer 2018 Zach Erdem’s 75 Main continues its reign as one of the highly coveted restaurant locations in Southampton’s social circuit. Diners flock to the Main Street hotspot year-round as tables fill with a devoted clientele which include celebrities and Hampton locals, alike. Restaurateur Zach Erdem’s 75 Main has been the go-to spot for celebs including Former Vice President Joe Biden, LA Reid, Alex Rodriguez, Barbara Walters and many more. This summer, 75 Main’s renewed interior has a euro-chic all-white design that showcases gallery-style artwork by Raphael Mazzucco. All new walnut colored furnishing brightens the front of house dining room, but for more intimate affairs, white linens create a more sophisticated dining experience in the back of house. Large

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doors open the front of house to the streets of Southampton where guests can dine al-fresco under the new bright yellow awning. Fresh flowers and green trees surround the outdoor patio tables add to the restaurant’s longstanding charm. Those who reserve a seat at 75 Main will appreciate the diverse menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mediterranean, Italian, and Asian influences. The team of experienced sous chefs assist in the creation of the versatile menu. This summer 75 Main is introducing sushi to the menu created by Master Chef Joseph Kim, formerly of Moriomoto and KOZU. Hailing from Turkey is international award-winning pastry chef, Gursel Aydin, promising insta-worthy dessert pastries throughout the summer. Debuting his culinary creations in the Hamptons for the first time at 75 Main, Pastry

Chef Gursel Aydin, will cook up everything from restaurant favorites to masterfully creative pastry delights. Diners will enjoy the indulgent flavors of walnut crumble and raspberry sauce over the Double Chocolate Dome Cake. The Mille Fuille is a homemade crispy filo pastry with Baumaniere cream and strawberry sorbet. Executive Pastry Chef will unveil his uniquely made pastries which will also include the traditional Mascarpone Tiramisu, Cheesecake, Chocolate Moelleux, Mille Fuille and Devil’s Fudge Cake. Wake up to a homestyle brunch menu the entire family will enjoy. Opt for a classic breakfast such as Egg Any Style, Omelets to your liking, or Eggs Benedict atop toasted English muffin with Canadian bacon finished with Hollandaise sauce. Early diners may also choose specialty brunch options such as a Belgium Waffle topped with warm berry compote and whipped


cream. The Cinnamon French Toast served with Vermont Maple Syrup has a sweet aroma that foreshadows its satisfying taste. The Smoked Salmon Platter is served with a toasted plain bagel, cream cheese, sliced red onions and capers. For a healthier morning fix, the Marinated Portobello & Vegetable Salad is fresh mix of greens with a light drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. Southampton locals and frequent diners will enjoy classic dishes including the Prime Black Truffle Burger which is dressed in Italian black truffle Romano cheese, roasted garlic aioli over black truffle, and consistently regarded as flavorfully filling. The Marinated Skirt Steak with a side of mashed potatoes, French beans and served with chimichurri sauce will melt in your mouth as it is cooked to tender perfection. Favored menu options also include Traditional Maine Lobster Roll in a toasted pull-apart

bun, Jumbo Shrimp Martini with horseradish Remoulade sauce, and Grilled Filet Mignon with brandy green pepper corn sauce, mashed potato and grilled asparagus. The 75 Main lunch menu has more to savor from the Chicken Fettuccini featuring grilled chicken, Kalamata olives, sundried tomato sautÊed with garlic and olive oil to a Butter Poached Lobster complemented by fricassee of cremini, shitake mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and asparagus in a buttery lobster broth. For diners with dietary considerations, the attentive restaurateur Zach Erdem and waitstaff will assure finely crafted meals fit guest’s needs. Colorful salads at 75 Main never skimp on exquisite taste such as the Chopped Salad mixed with gorgonzola, roasted red peppers, candied walnuts, cranraisins, red onions with balsamic vinegar. Freshly picked,

seasonal berries are served in the Fresh Fruit Salad alongside yogurt and granola. The Veggie Panini combines portobello, zucchini, squash, red onion grilled and served on focaccia bread with fresh mozzarella and homemade Cajun potato chips. Indulge in the Country Roasted Organic (semi-boneless) Chicken which is a half chicken alongside yucan gold wiped potatoes, fresh vegetables in a light chicken au jus. Classic cocktail beverages complement every meal such as the 75 Main Cosmopolitan made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, triple sec, lime, and cranberry juice. The Arnold Palmer blends Absolut Citron with fresh brewed iced tea which is refreshing on hot summer days.

75main.com

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A Delicious Piece of Italy at Sotto Sopra BY ELIZABETH ELSTON

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ear-round residents in the Hamptons know that one of the best kept secrets lies only a short drive east of East Hampton. Residing in the scenic ocean town of Amagansett, NY is Northern Italian restaurant Sotto Sopra at 231 Main Street where true EastEnders enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and exceptional service. During the summer season when the seasonal renters and weekend visitors flock to the villages, Amagansett, NY is the downto-earth Hamptons alternative for those looking to enjoy the historic beauty of a quintessential East End hamlet. Under the direction of Managing Partner, Rose Evangelista, the attentive waitstaff hold to the highest regard ideals of family and food within the Italian culture. Offering more than just expertly prepared Italian dishes and

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incomparable service, Sotto Sopra offers diners the comforts of home and the provincial charm of traditional Italy. Executive Chef Angelo promises diners delicious dishes to savor when navigating the Italian menu, which now features fresh sushi options on the updated menu. Every evening from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. diners can enjoy the famous Prix Fixe, which offers a sensibly priced three-course meal. A traditional Italian course begins with a small bite to eat referred to as antipasto, translating to “before the meal”. At Sotto Sopra guests can enjoy the appetizing Calamari Fritti which is a heaping plate of warm, crispy fried calamari paired with simmering red pepperoncini sauce. The Salumi is a variety of freshly sliced Italian meat plated with olives and crispy artichoke. The exceptional Tuna Tartare consists of flaked tuna, avocado mousse within a sesame-crusted wonton.

The light and healthy salad menu boasts fresh garden vegetables enhanced with heart-healthy dressings. The Tri-colore Salad mixes arugula, radicchio, endive, pistachio and pomegranate dressed with lemon balsamic. The Insalata Bistecca features iceberg lettuce with tomato, pancetta and a drizzle of creamy bleu cheese dressing. The classic Caprese Salad is a delicious spread of burrata mozzarella, sliced tomato and dressed with basil oil. The favored selection of pizzas cooked in the authentic wood burning oven imparts a unique, smoky flavor impossible to replicate. The Curato Pizza is proven to be extraordinary, melting together bresalo, provolone and arugula. Sporting a healthy amount of toppings, the Margherita Pizza includes mozzarella, tomato and basil over a thin and crispy crust. As part of any authentic Italian course, the il primo, translating to “first course”, is reserved


for the pastas. True to its roots, Sotto Sopra has a variety of pastas to enjoy which include the Rigatoni Toscano made with roasted tomato sauce over sausage and broccoli rabe. The Pasta Pomodoro features homemade tomato sauce and mozzarella, over the classic tube-shaped rigatoni. The Risotto is a delectable blend of sautéed mushrooms, pancetta and parmesan. The second course, or “il secondo” in Italian, encompasses the meats, and the generous portions offered at Sotto Sopra servings of fish, chicken, pork, beef and lamb. The Salmone alla Griglia is Tuscan-rubbed grilled salmon with escarole and roasted potatoes. The fresh Zuppa di Pesce combines lobster, shrimp, clams and mussels in a savory tomato sauce and basil aioli. Exceptional meat selections include the Tournedos de Manzo petit beef filets, sautéed mushrooms and enriched with a red wine shallot sauce. The Porco al Forno is a grilled pork

chop along with sage and mustard mashed potato and poached raisins. On the Classic Grill menu, diners will find a double thick cut Veal Porterhouse or the juicy Prime certified, flamegrilled Sirloin. The Sides for Two complement any assortment of culinary courses served by Sotto Sopra and include Hash Browns, pan roasted with onion, oregano and thyme. Choose between the Asparagus grilled with rich, extra virgin olive oil or Brussel Sprouts roasted with fresh rosemary. Opt for the classic Mashed Potatoes or upgrade to the sage and mustard flavor. Sautéed Mushrooms combine cremini and portabella mushrooms with oysters. Lastly, fresh off the cob is pan roasted Sweet Corn. In Italy the meal is not over until something sweet balances the palate and the dessert or “dolce” in a traditional Italian meal is the highlight of every Sotto Sopra meal. The

whipped and creamy Tiramisu is the perfect ending to any Prix Fixe course. The expertly prepared Tartufo is a plated, dome-shaped ice cream dessert composed of frozen fruit or fruit syrup. The candied Chocolate Turtle is a handy option made with pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate. This Summer from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the bar menu includes half-priced drinks for a very, very Happy Hour. The specialty house drink is the popular Sotto Blue which muffles blueberries in a tangy Vodka and Lemonade drink. Diners may also choose the Southfork Margarita, or the French 75 featured on the cocktail menu. An extensive wine list includes distinguished brands such as Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs, Wölffer Estate Rosé and the French Sancerre.

restaurantsottosopra.com

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Rustic Latin Cuisine La Pulperia UES YOLO BRUNCH NEW YORK'S MOST INSTGRAMMABLE MIMOSAS BY ELIZABETH DARWEN

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ustic Latin cuisine restaurant La Pulperia Upper East Side, co-owned by Victor Medina and Head Chef Carlos Barroz, introduces You Only Live Once (YOLO) mimosas during Saturday and Sunday brunch, between 12:00pm4:00pm. Diners are encouraged to share their best brunch pictures via the Instagram hashtag #yolobrunch. The popular restaurant and Cockteleria also offers Unlimited Brunch Cocktails for $25/person (does not include YOLO mimosas, which are $25 per glass), featuring

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an ample selection of classic and innovative cocktails, accompanying their delicious rustic Latin brunch. With a Latin twist to a classic weekend brunch, delectable menu items include Lobster & Baked Eggs seasoned with fresh herbs, crema de blue cheese, fresh cream and truffle scented toasted bread; La Pulperia Omelet with caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, tomato confit, Chihuahua cheese, a side of home fries and a house salad; and Tortilla Espanola, a Spanish style omelet with potato confit, onions and a choice of cheese or chorizo.

For additional entertainment, the Upper East Side location hosts live Brazilian Jazz every Monday night at 7:00pm, giving patrons a chance to unwind at the beginning of the week with Brazilian themed entertainment. Happy Hour specials are available all-day Monday, as well as Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 7:00pm and Sundays from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Tuesday is Ladies Night at La Pulperia UES (also at the HK location), with the first drink free for all ladies between 5:00pm - 7:00pm. La Pulperia’s signature menu items include: Las Tablas, which allow patrons to choose


from a variety of grilled proteins such as their famous Pulpo (grilled octopus), and are accompanied by five seasonal “cazuelitas”, a tasting of traditional side dishes such as Eggplant Chambota, Russian Potato Salad and Celery Root Gratin; Pacu Fish Ribs, a rarity in New York, are made with a grilled Brazilian Pacu – a wild and sustainable fresh water fish - and served with an orange chipotle BBQ sauce and coconut rice; Moqueca Mixta which includes a mix of fresh squid, shrimp, mussels, white

fish, scallops, soy beans, Spanish chorizo, bacalao and green coconut rice in dende oil; and El Salmon Brulee, a delicious platter of Verlasso salmon tartar, fromage brulee, strawberry and ginger leche de tigre, and micro bull blood greens. In addition to dining in the restaurant, The Upper East Side location also offers local delivery. Must-try drinks at the Upper East Side location include: La Pulpleria UES (Raizul tequila, fresh pineapple, fresh cilantro, lime juice, Volcanic Lava Salt rim), Upper

East Side Lady (Strawberry infused gin, Elder Flower liquor, lavender nectar, and gold flakes), and The Smoky Room (House mescal and Milagro, passion fruit puree, fresh pomegranate juice, agave nectar). Each of the three La Pulperia’s hosts their own set of unique events and dining specials, with available private party menus and online delivery additionally being available within the Upper East Side. pulperianyc.com

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Bobby Van’s Steakhouse, “The Original” THE PREMIER STEAKHOUSE AND GRILL IN NEW YORK CITY BY PETER ELSTON

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stablished in 1969, Bobby Van’s Steakhouse has become a staple of New York City dining. Founded on the principles of quality food and superior customer service, Bobby Van’s maintains the same high standards more than four decades later. Bobby Van’s Steakhouse has grown to include ten restaurants across New York City, Washington D.C. and the Hamptons, as well as a takeout burger joint called BV’s Burger. The friendly staff, warm décor and prime selection of steaks, chops and seafood at Bobby Van’s

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create a true New York steakhouse experience. Known for its classic steakhouse fare, Bobby Van’s serves a variety of steak dishes including the traditional Porterhouse Steak (a premium cut of beef that can be shared between 2-4 people) and its signature Filet Mignon (a prime, tender cut of beef with exceptional taste and texture), as well as fresh seafood options such as Chilean Sea Bass (prepared with Miso & Tamari glaze and served with asparagus, Bok Choy and Shitake mushrooms in a white truffle fish broth). Each of Bobby Van’s New York City locations offers a unique experience for Bobby Van’s customers,

while upholding the superior qualities that make Bobby Van’s Steakhouse a New York icon. Since opening its doors in 1996, Bobby Van’s Steakhouse on Park Avenue has become known as “the original” Bobby Van’s in New York City. Housed within the landmark Helmsley Building, the venue boasts scenic views of iconic Park Avenue. With its elegant menu options, awardwinning wine list and refined décor, Bobby Van’s Steakhouse on Park Avenue attracts guests looking for a luxury dining experience. BobbyVans.com


CHANEL


jetset

The Brazilian Court PALM BEACH

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uilt in the 1920s with luxury in its framework, The Brazilian Court Hotel continues to stand lavishly in the center of Palm Beach. Its beautiful Spanish Colonial exterior is complemented with a cosmopolitan-styled interior. Guests can expect nothing less than excellence at this exclusive landmark hotel. Whether you read a book by the pool or take a stroll through one of the tranquil courtyards, the boutique hotel gives its guests a glamorous and intimate setting perfect for a getaway. Guests can choose sfrom studios, one-, two- or three-

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bedroom suites that exude a residential feel. Each room has complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, a marble bathroom, walk-in shower and jetted tub, a mini fridge, a Wine Captain, a minibar, pillow-topped beds with plush bedding, cozy bathrobes and slippers, a flat-screen HD TV with a DVD Player, hairdryer, make-up mirror, central AC and a safe. Some of the many services offered to guests include twice-a-day maid service, same-day laundry, pressing and dry cleaning, room service, and a complimentary newspaper. Guests can enjoy classic French cuisine prepared by three Michelin star award-winning Chef Daniel Boulud in Café Boulud. They can

also spend the day at the renowned Parisiantrained stylist Frédéric Fekkai’s Salon and Spa and be pampered. The Brazilian Court prides itself on customer service and is happy to accommodate its guests. The hotel not only shuttles you to and from the beach in a private car, but they also have beach chairs and umbrellas ready upon your arrival, as well as a beach bag fully stocked with towels, sunscreen, bottled water and some reading material. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center, provides bike rentals on-site and is pet friendly. The hotel is steps away from Worth Avenue— the ultimate designer shopping destination.


Shops, galleries and fine dining establishments can be found there for guests to explore. Guests can enjoy a game of golf at a nearby course, visit the International Polo Club or if traveling with family, check out the Palm Beach Zoo. The Brazilian Court Hotel is a luxurious vacation spot, and perfect location for business meetings, conferences, training seminars, retreats, and banquets. The hotel features four meeting venues, with audiovisual equipment and technical support on-site. Steps away is the Brazilian Court Pavilion, which has both a boardroov m and a conference room. The Brazilian Court Hotel has a versatile indoor

and outdoor event space, perfect for an intimate wedding or family gathering. Booking only one wedding at a time, the hotel ensures that you will receive their full, undivided attention. Work with renowned Chef Daniel Boulud and Executive Chef Rick Mace to create the perfect French-American menu for your big day and treat yourself and your wedding party to the FrĂŠdĂŠric Fekkai Salon for onsite hair and makeup. The hotel will even help you plan offsite wedding party activities and just about anything to make your day extra special. The Ballroom and the Conservatory, which is an extension of the ballroom, are both designed with neutral tones and modern touches that

can work with a variety of tastes and purposes. Full of natural light from arched glass doors that line the perimeter of the room, the Conservatory overlooks the beautifully landscaped gardens. Guests can also enjoy cocktail hour outside on the terrace and fountain courtyard. Whether you are planning an event or a quiet relaxing weekend getaway, The Brazilian Court Hotel is the perfect place to stay. Its central location and attentive staff will make your luxury trip to be one to remember.

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jetset

Designer Hotel Opens in August

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CELEBRATE INDIVIDUALITY AT QT PERTH

he ultimate travel destination is blossoming on Australia’s West Coast. Bursting into the buoyant Western Australian entertainment scene this August, QT Perth will deliver an exciting new hospitality precinct in the heart of the city and a stone’s throw from the winding Swan River. Australia has long been travellers dream destinations, QT Perth is delivering just one more reason to bump it to the top of your bucket list! Perfect for modern explorers, wild flowers and the creatively charged, this is QT’s first property on Australia’s West Coast, merging industrial glamour with a contemporary, urban-cool aesthetic. Showcasing the best of QT’s signature service and design, the bold 18-storey hotel boasts 184 bold-yet-welcoming guest rooms, a

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signature bar & grill restaurant concept, rooftop bar, café and 7 conference rooms to host a variety of innovative events. Collaborating with some of Australia’s most talented creatives, Nic Graham has reimagined what a hotels’ public space should be like, offering thoughtfully designed areas for locals and visitors to come together. Longstanding QT guest room designer, Shelley Indyk has created wildly individual and thoughtfully designed guest rooms where you will find handmade ceramics by local craftspeople including Dale Frances. The perfect escape doesn’t end there, the cutting-edge bar and dining offerings are top-notch with Italian-inspired Santini Grill by Creative Food Director Robert Marchetti’s and Executive Chef Nic Wood. Together, the pair will bring a Mediterranean flare to the city using the very best in local produce. Santini Bar will

act as the hotel’s social hub; a place to settle in and enjoy artisan drops from the finest local wineries or distilleries. Perched high in the sky, the Rooftop at QT will offer the highest rooftop party venue in Perth with spectacular views across the Swan River, Perth Hills and Optus Stadium, whilst the QT Café on entry level will be the local destination for perfectly brewed coffee and all-day pickme-ups. Located right on the doorstep of the Murray Street Mall with less than a minute walk to Perth’s shopping hub, QT Perth will become the modern explorer’s gateway to the Perth central business district. Celebrating individuality, QT Perth will encourage guests to feel liberated in a world less conventional. QT Perth is now taking reservations beginning August 1st.


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jetset

Eden Roc GLORIOUSNESS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BY JAIME BACKER & ROSE WELDON

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n the Eastern side of the Dominican Republic, just a few minutes away from the Caribbean shore, stands the Relais & Chateaux Eden Roc at Cap Cana Hotel. Having opened in 2012, Eden Roc is quickly becoming renowned as one of the greatest hotels in the Caribbean for its luxurious and awe-inspiring offerings in living space, amenities and surrounding activities. When staying at Eden Roc, one can choose from 34 living spaces, in accordance with his or her desired view and amount of people in their party.

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For those who seek to be close to the beaches for which the Dominican Republic is well known, Eden Roc offers two options for beachfront suites: a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom. Both options are accompanied by adjacent living rooms and, depending on the room, a balcony or a terrace with ocean views. If guests would prefer to spend time in the pool rather than the ocean, Eden Roc also has three options for luxury pool suites: junior (an open space ideal for romantic getaways), onebedroom and family suites. But the pinnacle of the living spaces comes in the form of the two on-site villas. The first of these is the three-bedroom Royale Villa, which comes

complete with a full kitchen, living room, private pool and a gazebo. The second is the opulent Imperiale Villa. With four bedrooms on two levels, and featuring 24-hour butler service, a personal chef and a free-form infinity pool and lagoon, it is plain to see why it is called the “jewel of Eden Roc.” Guests staying in one of the resort’s spaces are also welcome to numerous amenities, including private airport service to and from Punta Cana International Airport, 24/7 room service, complimentary daily breakfast at one of the onsite restaurants and complimentary Wi-Fi. In addition to the luxurious accommodation options, Eden Roc’s on-site restaurants strive to give guests a sense of elegance and relaxation.


Mediterraneo, as per its name, focuses on Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast and dinner. Its open terrace invites guests to dine on many delicacies from the region with views of the lush gardens at hand. Nearby, at La Palapa by Eden Roc, located at the Eden Roc Beach Club, a menu ranging from favorite Dominican dishes to classic Italian pastas is served with a view of the Caribbean Sea. The Beach Club also features the BLUE Grill + Bar, which focuses on the culinary fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisines. When it comes to activities in and around Eden Roc, guests have a number of choices for recreation. The most prominent is the Eden Roc Beach

Club, which boasts an infinity pool, exclusive access to Caletòn Beach, a beach bar and the Koko Kid’s Club for children. Also on-site at the Beach Club is the Solaya Fitness and Wellness Spa, which caters to the fitness and beauty needs of guests with a state-of-the-art gym and relaxing facials and massages. For visitors who enjoy more livelier recreation, Cap Cana offers many different options, all of them close to Eden Roc. Golf enthusiasts, will also be satisfied, as Cap Cana is home to the Punta Espada Golf Club. Designed by master golfer Jack Nicklaus, the course allows players to enjoy their favorite game while marveling at the gorgeous natural landmarks of the area. The club also features

an on-site restaurant and bar, pro shop, library, locker room and private members’ club. The nearby Scape Park at Cap Cana is abuzz with dozens of attractions, including fishing, boating, waterfall and cave expeditions, and zip-lining adventures. There is no rush to find transportation, as Scape Park can pick up guests directly from Eden Roc in one of its air-conditioned buses, a service that comes free of charge. In a location with dozens of hotels, it is the stunning Eden Roc at Cap Cana that manages to stand out from the rest, with its top-notch levels of glamour, grandeur and amenities. Likewise, everyone’s reason for visiting this hotel is unique. What’s yours? edenroccapcana.com July/August 2018 | 73


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Vertilicious AN INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN FARELL BY HEIDI NORTH

HN: When I met you, you mentioned something that caught my attention, which was Quantum Physics. It seems like a lot of artists are attracted to Quantum Physics. What is it about Quantum Physics that attracts you? BF: It’s more the mystery behind the whole thing the lack of information we have and the on-going discovery. So much is unknown. The premise of quantum physics is that nothing exists and/or a particles position or existence is unknown until one observes it. My daily practice of yoga and meditation consists of knowing that this reality, this existence, is merely a perception of the mind. That you can change your life and or path by changing your thoughts of who you are, who you want to be, who you perceive to be. It doesn't exist until you observe it and register it in your mind. The art is a by product of these observances and beliefs in these fields of study. The goal is to create work that at some point I can show the individual at the micro level, interacting and being one with particles, and vice versa. Showing no separation . That you are one, homogenous unit. HN: The Saks Installation looks very type driven and influenced by art deco can you tell us about it? BF: It is influenced by that, yes. I was hired by 74 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

Joel Warren whom was with Warren Tricomi. He created his own salon at Saks Fifth Avenue called the salon project. He hired me to create and design a selfie room which evolved into a massive, multi-dimensional optical illusion. People say it gives them vertigo. Joel has two salons in Saks so far and is opening 14 more around the us. The latest just opened at the Saks in the Westfield Mall at Oculus. HN: Have you studied lettering? BF: I studied landscape design, and architecture. The lettering represents the structure of the whole installation. The walls are the letters and letters are the walls. The lettering is the scaffolding, the foundation that holds the whole thing up which gives it the optical illusion. Like particles in quantum mechanics which form matter at the macro level, you have the letters which at the macro level, form the words. The letters are the thing. Words don't exist without them. HN: Did you use the computer? BF: I did not use the computer. I have a very mechanical mind and can draw in 1 point up 10-point perspective. I just completed a piece for Plantmade in NYC. It was a word search game in multiple dimensions, which used

5-point perspective. HN: How did you know you could do that? BF: Basically, I stumbled upon it, through my architectural renderings and when I was working on the Saks installation. I love building construction and architecture. I’m always fascinated on how these crooked buildings stay up. It’s all through physics. So how do they stand. I'm creating works of simple complexity to the almost impossible on paper. All hand rendered not thought out or planned. I just go for it from a point and go from there. I don’t use a projector. It evolves from the rendering to something absolutely different. Working with clients helps this to evolve as well. HN: How about working with clients? BF: wwI love working with teams and architectural designers. I welcome their input. I embrace the collaborative process and applaud it. I want to give them the joy and space to be creative. Why not! At the end they have to be happy, and it has to be as fascinating and amazing as possible. I know that Koons, Murakami, Kusama work with people all the time. brianfarrellart.com


Brian Farell

Saks Fith Ave Selfie Room at The Salon Project by Joel Warren


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Still Life with Silk Insignia 2002 oil 24 x 22" (2002) $4500


Still Life Sabonette do Porto (2005) oil 15 x 21�

George Stave Retrospective

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ew Jersey painter George Stave (1923-2011) was known for his representational approach to landscapes and still life and portraitures. Stave had his first one man show at the LA County Museum at the age of twenty five. A student of Robert Motherwell in the 1950s Stave broke with the abstract expressionist influence over the course of the 1960s, pursuing instead an approach to realism based on direct observation in the manner of Fairfield Porter and Alex Katz. His landscapes were painted en plein air in order to capture the unique qualities and evanescence of natural light. His still lifes were painted in north facing light in the interiors of his home and studio. Stave’s achievements in landscape painting were celebrated in a one-man exhibition at the Newark Museum in 1981. Although he traveled widely, painting in France and Italy, and in the American Midwest and West, most of Stave’s work centered on the particular landscape and light of his mid Atlantic seaboard. Like Walker Evans before him, Stave was keen to capture the remaining traces of American vernacular architecture, and the cultural trappings of popular culture found in the subjects of his still life compositions. george-stave-paintings.net

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Justin Love in his Woodstock, NY painting studio “Loveland”, wearing a self designed suit, surrounded by oil paintings from Thailand, Vietnam, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Woodstock.

Justin Love, Artist & Explorer BY ADAM KLUGER

AK: Justin, it’s been a while since we first met in Woodstock. How did you get into art and exploring? JL: Well, I was from New York City and I moved to Woodstock, bought a big old church, converted it to a painting studio and music house and called it Loveland. After a few years I went to check out Costa Rica, I loved it, got a screen room studio on the beach of the Pacific Coast called Guanacaste ...I went there to paint over five years produced some of my greatest art in that tropical paradise of passionate feeling. Once coming back from the US ,I stopped in Jamaica and I just loved it too. The Jamaican people are just so lively, friendly, and in your face with jokes and fun. I started recording music and went to live in a castle on Negril’s West End. I painted and wrote music and recorded many collaborations there with a lot of Jamaican music stars and had my songs played daily on IRIE fm which is the biggest station there. David Rosenstein owner of Tingalayas resort, a very beautiful private resort and yoga center on the West End of Negril, bought many paintings to 78 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

decorate his resort and he actually has collected more than 60 paintings of mine over the years, and is my biggest collector. After about seven years painting in Jamaica I thought to try Asia, so I went to Thailand to look around and to Vietnam shortly after that. I stayed about three months just touring around and came back to the US. I found I really missed Asia so I decided I would just go back and paint there. I set up a studio in my room at the Dream Hotel in Bangkok and soon they invited me to hang paintings in the lobby. After a while I was decorating both lobbies of the Dream Hotel and that went on for four years. It is a wonderfully cool decorated hotel with the most wonderful staff a hotel could have. They all became like my family .In the last year they gave me a studio space to paint right in the lobby. I also decorated the Ocean Hotel which was more of a lounge type space famous for its weekly pool parties and electronic music dance nights. They gave me a studio to paint in the lobby as well. Now I have a show at the Rembrandt hotel in Bangkok. I also love Bali , but

there is so much art there, and I did not feel the need to create anymore. I just enjoy looking at what’s there. Let me say that Bali is an incredible place, with the greatest friendly people, fantastic music, amazing dancers which I have painted, and temples every 10 feet that hold your interest. If you go there, be sure to spend a lot of time in Ubud. AK: Your series of paintings of Asian girls is also quite provocative and beautiful. JL: After I found myself painting in Thailand and Vietnam, it was no brainer to paint the women there. They were so exotic and beautiful. I just found myself driven to photograph them. After taking endless photos I thought, why not paint some of these women? So I found a friend of mine who is an exceptional photorealistic, although a very traditional painter and I took him on as my assistant. I start with taking photos, I put them into my computer, manipulate them every which way and compose scenes with the figures. Then I make a print which we use as the map to paint


“Pets” oil on canvas painting, 65 x45" , painted 2018

“Hot Ice”, oil on canvas painting, 60 x 45" painted 2018

a large scale oil painting on canvas. I think these are some of the most amazing things I’ve seen and the quality of the painting is phenomenal. They are totally contemporary and original and I am sure in the future this series will be well regarded as having really captured some of the beauty and style of the Asian girls from early 21stcentury. If You walked into a house with eight or 12 of these paintings spread around the house it would make quite some impression on a person. AK: Yet they are just one small aspect to your overall body of work. JL: I make paintings that make people feel

good. Excited to be alive and willing to push themselves to follow their dreams and live up to their highest potential. That’s what I’m aiming for when I make these pieces-and it comes through. We are here for a short time in this life. Let’s do the best we possibly can and appreciate the beauty we are given. As far as the investment qualities of my paintings I would say it’s obvious if you studied my collection of work. My paintings are recognizably mine from my the earliest periods throughout my career. I have done many periods of work in many original styles, mediums and countries and they all have a very strong and clear identity. What I find is that people like living

with my work and even those people that have paintings of mine for 20 or 30 years still enjoy looking at them. AK: That’s terrific Justin! Your work definitely resonates with a sense of joy and playful celebration of life. Thanks for sharing your journey! JL: Thank you! You can contact Justin Love at 845-430-0005 Email: mrjustinlove@yahoo.com www.instagram.com/justinlovepaintings www.justinlove.com July/August 2018 | 79


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Thor and the little Red Rooster - 36” x 36” - 2018

Keith Kattner Presents Entropy

AT SAPHIRA & VENTURA GALLERY

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BY DEBBIE DICKINSON

eurosurgeon turned fine oil painter Keith Kattner presents Entropy and is currently featured as part of the International Contemporary Art Societies’ Saphira & Ventura Gallery’s in Ego, Oblivion and Connection Exhibition. “Entropy is the universal law where nature’s tendency is towards randomness and decay. Civilization is one towards creation and order. This uneasy transfer of energy between creation and destructive process affects everything we do and has been present since the beginning of time,” says Keith Kattner. Dr. Kattner discussed early painting, passion for art history and concluded with describing over 50 artworks in his private collection on loan to the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee. He mentioned to observe the mythical figures in featured artworks that are part of his pivotal decision shift from a 30-year medical career to become an artist. His recent work depicts his early discovery of Entropy in Oil on Canvas. Along with eleven other artists and sculptors, this collective depicts the struggle and individuality of the artists. Keith Kattner launched in Manhattan as speaker at the inaugural Art Talks at Barnes & Noble on the Upper East Side. Be sure not to miss this exhibit of his style and use of color. For further information edentpr@gmail.com. Check out Saphira & Ventura 4 West 43rd Street until August 5, 2018. keithkattnerartist.com

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City Sublime - 36" x 48" - 2018

CITY SCENE - 36" x 36" - 2017

Reflection 8 - 40" x 30" - 2015


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PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE ROSENFIELD ©

My Father’s Place BY ADAM KLUGER | PHOTOS BY STEVE ROSENFIELD

© MARK SCHOEN

AK: Eppy, tell us about My Father’s Place. Eppy: “There was a time when there was records and radio and dinosaurs walked the earth (laugh) and there was so much music product that the record companies needed places to show off their bands and that went on pretty much until Napster happened. I didn’t know how huge My Father’s Place was going to be. We opened up in ‘71/’72 but there was just so many record companies and so many artists on so many labels that needed to be seen to get the public fanatical about their act. We put in a sound system we put up a stage and the mere fact that we were tied in with the radio station WLIR, I was able to take some of those bands and broadcast some of them and that’s how we created the little franchise that was there from 1971-1988.”

EDITOR’S NOTE Sometimes the job of a journalist is to know when to shut your mouth and just listen. When you run into a really unique interview subject who not only has some really great stories to tell but also knows how to tell a good story. Ladies and Gentleman, Mike “Eppy” Epstein, the original owner of the legendary Long Island Club, “My Father’s Place.” ( Applause)

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AK: How did the club’s relationship with WLIR get started? “What I was... was a guy that went in there (WLIR) in the 70’s and suggested to the ownership that was struggling that one of the ways they could stop struggling was by doing a live radio broadcast. I went with the sales manager of LIR to see a little soda company called Dr. Pepper, they were not part of the Coca Cola conglomerate yet, and so Dr. Pepper gave us what I thought was a huge amount of money at the time, a thousand dollars a week, to do a live radio broadcast in the Ultrasonic Recording Studio across the street from the Calderon Theater and so that anyone that I booked on the weekend I’d have them do a Sunday night radio broadcast on LIR at 8 O’Clock. This went on for three years. Anyone coming up would do that radio broadcast for LIR so that the acts were being born right there and then. Listeners would hear acts on the air on the concert. Sometimes they would be invited to go see the concert by LIR. They would hear the record all week long. And then they could come see that band play at, My Father’s Place. And so we started the star-making machinery at least on our little cosmic level that we had.” AK: Who put My Father’s Place on the map? “Some people say it was Richie Havens who opened the club in 71 for me. Also there was a real power broker in the music business named Albert Grossman. Grossman told me, “If you get a good PA and


BILLY JOEL PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE ROSENFIELD ©

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PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE ROSENFIELD ©

ELVIS COSTELLO

get good sightlines for the audience and you get good monitors you are going to automatically do well but you are going to have to spend that money on a PA,” and so what he did without me knowing it was, he got me “The Band” who started playing doing live radio broadcasts and “The Band” were much too big to play My Father’s Place but that’s really where the helping hand came from. After that everything changed...got bigger and bigger. I was the music producer for the LIR Radio Broadcast Series. I’d emcee the show and having a show week after week on LIR , that I think gave us the recognition, even on a small level.” AK: Who were some early acts? Eppy: there were about 100 people in the place and we were doing a live radio broadcast for LIR now starting in 1973 when Bruce Springsteen played when the radio broadcasts were broadcast from the stage of My Father’s Place — The emcee says, “tonight we have a gentleman from Asbury Park named Bruce Springsteen — big hand for the Bruce Springsteen band,” now before he said that I’m backstage with Bruce. Bruce and I just smoked a joint and he is so nervous about getting on stage and he says to me, “Eppy, radio is a nervous business, “I said Bruce don’t worry about that just sing to that one guy out there, pick out one guy sing to him and forget about the broadcast. ” AK: Wow! What about Billy Joel? Eppy: It was at the Ultrasonic recording studio where we did those radio broadcasts in the 70’s and —Charlie Daniels calls me and

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he has laryngitis — Billy was making his record at Ultrasonic Records called “Greetings from Cold Spring Harbor.” He was in the studio, so I said, “Billy do you mind being the Piano Man tonight- well no one had ever called him that but me and a few other people — after the shows we’d all sit around the piano and Billy would do impressions and tell jokes and he was a pretty good impressionist— so he said, “no, I don’t want to do that,” so I had to bring the program director from the radio station who said to him, “look Billy do us a favor — we will play the shit out of this record when it comes out - just do the broadcast tonight. Do a half hour, tell jokes, sing Beatles songs we don’t care.” I got on the microphone, I was still emceeing the shows and I said, “this guy is one of my favorite song writers the next time you see him probably won’t be at My Father’s Place -it will probably be at the Nassau Coliseum after his record comes out... a big hand for Billy Joel!” AK: Nice! Did Bob Marley ever play My Father’s Place? Eppy: “Bob was getting ready to play the club before he got sick. We were very close and he really taught me a lot of things but when I met him he wasn’t even known.” AK: How did you become friends with Bob Marley? Eppy: “In 1973 I was in a small club on the North Coast of Jamaica called the Roots club. All the acts from Kingston would travel there because of their PA system. I was exposed to reggae music and some of the acts that played


RUNAWAYS

PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE ROSENFIELD ©

TOOTS & THE MAYTALS

were Burning Spear, Big Youth, the Mighty Diamonds and Bob Marley and the Wailers.. they were called The Wailers because at that time Peter Mcintosh and Bunny Livingston and Bob Marley were equals. So they actually played there but they were all unknown.” AK: Amazing. Eppy: “And so Bob would sit with me and talk to me for hours and straighten my ass out (laugh) the way I was living and I think I would have been a different person if I didn’t meet him... he actually told me that I should not let people tell me what to do. I should do what I really wanted to do and not be under pressure from peers and he said that we could heal the world with music that there’s no reason for there to be starvation or fighting anywhere ...at the time he was concerned about Angola and he thought in his mind that if we all work together to write music and promote music that we could heal the wounds of the world with music that was his great fantasy and I fell into that. Bob was always planning to come and he didn’t —he was recording, touring and then he became too big - so he was never in My Fathers Place— although we spoke and he always planned to come there at some point —he was so close on a few occasions and just didn’t make it.” PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE ROSENFIELD ©

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AK: What impressed you the most about Bob Marley besides his music? Eppy: “For a guy who didn’t have much of an education he was in Baltimore for a while growing up... he was very well read and he really had a handle on political science and he was very astute in the way that he spoke...There’s no doubt in my mind that if Bob didn’t die he would be in politics right now, no doubt in my mind.” AK: Any other fun travels? Eppy: WLIR would send me to England. “The Police” didn’t have a record deal in America. So when I came back I played their record and then the record company had to sign them. We went against the grain of the record companies even though they didn’t want us to— we still played what we wanted.” AK: It wasn’t just musical acts that you supported. What’s your Andy Kaufman Story? Eppy: “One of the girls that worked for me was a topless dancer even though she was 16 — and she said “there’s this crazy guy Eppy,” who comes in the strip club and he entertains everyone and he strips out of his street clothes and has Elvis Presley clothes underneath and he gets on stage with a foreign accent and then when he picks up the guitar and plays and sings it sounds just like Elvis Presley and the girls are oohing and ahhing and taking him in the bathroom and performing sexual favors and she said ,”why don’t you come and check him out?” So that’s what I did and Andy was very talented...and I tried to manage him I booked him quite a bit I had him play in the club a lot. I spent a lot of time talking to him but I realized that after he got hit by a beer bottle and had a little bump on his head that he really didn’t want to be a star what he wanted to do was incite a riot. I didn’t know what to do with him so I said Andy I can’t handle you because you are not really passionate about being a star you just want to

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PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE ROSENFIELD ©

LOU REED


create havoc...and he would make people get so angry that there were always riots when he played, you know? And he loved that he lived off that rioting and I saw it as a very dark thing and I didn’t know how to fix it, I really didn’t. I was frustrated about it so I took Andy at 3 O’Clock in the morning to the only comedy club in New York at that time called the Improvisation—and the gentleman who ran the place I said to him,” look this guy plays for us and he’s incredible,” and I said to Bud Friedman, “ can you just put him on and watch him for me? Maybe you’ll have some ideas because I don’t know what to do with him,” so Bud said to Andy ok get on stage he said,” Ladies and gentlemen I don’t know anything about this act —the kid from Long Island —Eppy’s here from My Father’s Place and wants me to bring him on stage and so he performed for like 10 15 people in the audience— but one of those people in the audience turned out to be Andy’s lifelong manager- for the rest of his career.” AK: In the Hollywood film Man in the Moon, where Jim Carrey portrayed Andy Kaufman, it was Danny Devito who played that manager and obviously co-starred with Andy on the hit sitcom Taxi.” Eppy: “ Danny Devito loved Andy really loved him and wanted to help him but realized that Andy was really a tortured soul. Andy had no vices. None whatsoever except for ice cream and sex. He wanted to have a relationship with a girl but didn’t know how and women were afraid of him (laugh).” PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE ROSENFIELD ©

AK: Was there ever a musical act that was so big that even you were intimidated? Eppy: James Brown. Didn’t even talk to him I was afraid to. Great show. Shook his hand.

RON WOOD

AK: Great stories Eppy. Thanks so much! Eppy: Thank you.

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Trouser Press:

Editor’s Note:

y son Robbie just turned 11. He’s into video games like Pokemon, Yokai Watch and Ben 10, karate and chocolate. He hasn’t discovered music and girls yet. I envy him because those are two lifechanging discoveries that are just about the best things ever. Or as the terrific Irish pop-punk band, The Undertones once sang, “More Songs About Chocolate and Girls.” The Undertones first caught my attention as a high school student at Horace Mann through their catchy songs, like “It’s Gonna Happen,” and “Teenage Kicks,” the song that legendary Radio Host Jonathan Peel called the perfect song and actually played twice in a row because he liked it so much. My older sister Jane’s record collection (yes, “records”large black vinyl discs with grooves played on something called a Victrola) had The Stones, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Cher and Sly and the Family Stone. My mom bought Cat Steven’s “Tea for the Tillerman,” which we all loved. And then my friend Steve introduced me to the Talking Heads, The Clash and others. I used to play “Take Me To The River” over and over and over. Blondie was amazing. I tried my hand at DJ-ing in summer camp (Kenmont) where I favored an eclectic selection that ran from Bruce Springsteen, ELO’s “Sweet Talkin’ Woman,” Richard Hell’s “Blank Generation” and “The Day the World Turned Day-Glo,” by X-Ray Spex. When I was 13 and shared my first French kiss with a girl named Marlene under an oak tree after a gym dance before joining some guys and girls for a spin the bottle party (Robbie has a lot to look forward to!) the music we all listened to was the Rumours album by Fleetwood Mac featuring the silky smooth voice of songbird Stevie Nicks, and Saturday Night Fever with those catchy disco songs with falsetto flourishes by the Bee Gees. The 70’s boasted amazing Rock and Roll, Punk and then the 80’s ushered in New Wave. I was editor in chief of a music arts magazine called the Pop World Press with all my pals. We wrote about the bands we would see at the Ritz, The

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Pier, The Beacon, Danceteria, The Peppermint Lounge and even Central Park. There was the emergence of a new Music Channel called MTV and they played music videos and that was really cool too. But before MTV if a New York City teenager wanted to read up on some of his favorite bands there was Rolling Stone of course and another smaller magazine called Trouser Press. It featured color photos of your favorite musicians of the time, amazing writing and cool features. Music Critic Ira Robbins created Trouser Press and I got to interview him today..and yes Robbie is behind me on the couch playing a video game (it’s the weekend and just for a little while) and talking along with the game, excited, mocking the villains he is defeating..with the same excitement I found reading Trouser Press about the Clash and The Sex Pistols and Duran Duran --and then playing my King Karol (99c) singles on that trusty blue and green Victrola. Diving on my bed pretending I was making the winning save as the goalie of our soccer team and feeling an adrenaline rush because I knew my friends and I were going to go out and see one of those bands over the weekend. And Trouser Press was a part of all that. AK: Ira, what are some of your musical memories and highlights from being the founder of Trouser Press? IR: It’s silly, but I remember being in a press room with some video journalists one time and Pete Townshend , the guitar player for The Who, walked to the microphone, looked around and then said, “Oh, Hi Ira!” That was kind of cool. Everybody else in the room sort of looked at me like who’s that? AK: Cool! Who else? IR: Always great to be able to be invited to watch lives shows from the side of the stage. Musicians are real people too. Like Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, great guy. I’ve always felt in sync with them like we share a common language. They Might be Giants were always great to talk with, Fountains of Wayne, Blondie, Elvis Costello was smart and interesting. AK: Who was difficult? IR: Most journalists would agree that John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols is pretty intolerable. One time his manager Malcolm McClaren heard me talking on the phone and just hung up on me

AK: How did Trouser Press start out? IR: It was actually a fanzine that I started around 1974 and sold on 14th St. for 25 cents an issue. I was a rock critic, the British Invasion was underway, and people just seemed to like the magazine and it picked up steam. Around 76-77 you had the emergence of New Wave, British bands and the magazine’s following slowly grew. There was no corporate sponsorship to lend support but over time Trouser Press grew to 10,000 subscribers and 60,000 readers up until we stopped publishing in 1984. AK: I was one of those loyal readers I would search out record stores and newspaper stands for the magazine. It was like finding gold! IR: On our facebook page fans can still check out the 94 issues. They are scanned in. AK: Why did you start the magazine? IR: I was a rock critic and I just liked talking about music to people. Our staff liked all those other British music magazines like Zig Zag, Let It Rock, Bop!, Crawdaddy. AK: favorite issue of Trouser Press? IR: In 1977, we featured and interview with Jimmy Page. That’s a pretty valuable issue. The magazine provided more than just interviews, there were special features, reviews, insights, discographies, we had great researchers. AK: Favorite Artists to write about? IR: It’s kind of funny today when I run into musicians over thirty years later and they say to me, “oh, you guys were so mean to us back then,” sometimes you might hear a band and not like them initially but then end up liking them. Some of my personal favorites? Dylan, The Clash, The Ramones, Elvis Costello, Hendrix, Cream. AK: Favorite live shows? IR: The Who, Neil Young, The Clash, The Melvins, Dylan, Elvis Costello, The Undertones. AK: The Undertones? Really? What were they like? IR: Really great guys. AK: Their music is so amazing and Feargal Sharkey’s voice. If Trouser Press were around today who are some of the bands you would want to be writing about? IR: Probably a lot of the more cerebral bands like The National or Radiohead, St. Vincent, bands like that. AK: What is Trouser Press’ legacy do you think? IR: Not sure, but we always loved receiving fan letters from somewhere like Kansas that would thank us for being their connection to the outside world, the world of music.


R O B I N KOFFLE R JE WE LE RY


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David Wilkenfeld and Tanja Plecas

A Marriage Of Luxury And Convenience

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leinfeld Bridal, the world’s most famous luxury wedding dress retailer, and Occasion Brands, the holding company for online special occasion leaders PromGirl and Simply Dresses, recently announced a strategic partnership to bring high quality and affordable bridal party dresses and wedding guest attire to the digital shopping landscape. Together, these two iconic brands are proud to launch KleinfeldBridalParty.com, a platform which offers a complete line of dresses for bridesmaids, mothers-of-the-bride, flower girls, and wedding guests. Featuring today’s top wedding styles and color trends, the bridesmaid collection highlights a carefully curated selection of dresses for virtually any type of wedding. The collection includes exclusive styles by Kleinfeld that are only available through KleinfeldBridalParty.com. Additionally, Kleinfeld Bridal Party is pleased to offer gowns from top designers such as Jenny Yoo, Hayley Paige, and Adrianna Papell. Dress selections are available in a range of sizes from 2 to 24 to complement most body shapes and sizes. Extra lengths have been added to the dresses which eliminates the need for special orders or extra charges. Kleinfeld Bridal Party prides itself on

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BY CH R I ST I N E MI CH E L CA RT E R

fitting all bridesmaids with in-stock dresses that are ready to ship immediately, thereby creating a stress-free shopping experience. With dresses starting at $149 and up, the entire wedding party and guests can now experience the signature quality and timeless style of the Kleinfeld brand. Kleinfeld’s partnership with Occasion Brands marks its first venture to a direct-to-consumer online business model. “With omni-channel distribution becoming the retail norm, it has become increasingly important to create solutions that meet the needs of today’s digitallydriven millennials. Our brides have asked and we have responded… Kleinfeld is embracing ecommerce. With the help of Occasion Brands, we are bringing the luxury and experience of Kleinfeld right to our customer’s doorstep and we couldn’t be more pleased,” said Ronnie Rothstein, co-owner of Kleinfeld Bridal. “We are very excited about this marriage of two iconic brands,” said Occasion Brands’ founder and CEO David Wilkenfeld. “From the day we launched our first online store, our customers have inspired us with their individuality  and authenticity. We are proud to continue this tradition through the introduction of Kleinfeld Bridal Party, which will give our customers even more ways to stay connected to our brands. It is our great privilege to be a part of someone’s most special day

and our promise to provide brides and their bridal parties with today’s trends that are high quality, affordable, and match each customer’s personality.” Packed with innovative and bridefriendly tools, KleinfeldBridalParty.com helps brides track their progress and creates a fun and engaging experience for bridesmaids. Through virtual showrooms, a bridal party can collaborate – from anywhere – on the styles and the colors of their dresses. By focusing on high quality products, affordable pricing, and online convenience, every bridal party in America can now experience the style and impeccable quality of a Kleinfeld signature wedding. Putting All Women- Not Just the Bride- Front and Center For 20 years David Wilkenfeld has been the CEO of the leading online retailer of special occasion fashion, Occasion Brands. Their state of the art New Jersey facility houses thousands of dresses and its online brands include PromGirl. com and SimplyDresses.com. Both online sites offer an extensive, convenient selection of highquality dresses at affordable prices. For over 70 years CEOs Ronnie Rothstein and Mara Urshel (the duo behind Kleinfeld Bridal) have owned the largest luxury bridal company in the world. After all, their 35,000 square foot flagship


“We are very excited about this marriage of two iconic brands,” —david wilkenfeld Occasion Brand Founder and CEO

Kim Collins, David Wilkenfeld, Tanja Plecas

salon in Chelsea has become somewhat of a household name, hosting TLC’s hit show “Say Yes to The Dress.” One retailer owned the growing online bridal retail market, while the other had a national brand reputation synonymous with style. Wilkenfeld noticed an emerging trend that contradicted the attitudes of brides in previous years and would lead to a partnership between Occasion Brands and Kleinfeld Bridal. Brides were now willing to share the spotlight with the females in their bridal party and wanted them to look equally spectacular for the big day. Women all across America wanted their bridal party to experience the impeccable quality of a Kleinfeld signature wedding. Together the they launched KleinfeldBridalParty.com, a partnership to bring high-quality yet affordable bridal party dresses and wedding guest attire online. Kleinfeld’s partnership with Occasion Brands marks its first venture to a direct-to-consumer online business model. The site creates a fun and engaging experience for the entire bridal party, and helps brides track their progress with innovative and bride-friendly tools (like its virtual showroom). It also offers a complete line of dresses for mothersof-the-bride, flower girls, and wedding guests, but the bridesmaids’ collection highlights a carefully curated selection of dresses for virtually any type of wedding. The collection also includes

gowns from top designers such as Jenny Yoo, Hayley Paige, Adrianna Papell, and exclusive styles by Kleinfeld Bridal. And unlike most instore bridal boutique experiences, bridesmaids’ dresses range in size from 2-24, are complete with extra lengths to eliminate the need for special orders or extra charges and are in-stock and ready to ship immediately. About Kleinfeld  Founded in 1941, Kleinfeld is the largest luxury bridal retailer in the world, carrying an unparalleled selection of American and European designer wedding dresses. The 35,000 square foot flagship salon is located in the heart of Chelsea, New York City, and is host to TLC’s hit show, Say Yes to the Dress. For more than 70 years, thousands of brides have traveled to Kleinfeld Bridal to find their perfect gown from a vast assortment of fabrics, styles, and brands. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll feel the magic of Kleinfeld, with the greatest professional staff of over 200 employees who are dedicated to finding and perfecting your bridal look. Kleinfeld Bridal is owned by Ronnie Rothstein and Mara Urshel.

About Occasion Brands Occasion Brands creates the corporate umbrella that defines a family of superior brands serving the special occasion market, including PromGirl.com, SimplyDresses.com, and now, KleinfeldBridalParty.com. Founded in 1998, it is the leading online retailer of special occasion fashion, offering an extensive selection of highquality, “in-stock” dresses at an affordable price. Occasion Brands draws millions of visitors online and helps celebrate their many life stages by providing a world-class shopping experience. Its customers, and their shopping experience, are at the forefront of everything they do. Occasion Brands takes pride in ensuring that the customer’s experience is nothing short of perfection from the ease of browsing styles, to finding the perfect dress to complement their personality, to wearing the finest quality dresses from top designer brands. Today, Occasion Brands’ reach is global and they are proud to deliver “dream dresses” all around the world. They are able to make this happen with an expert team of seasoned professionals in Middletown, Delaware; New York City; and a state of the art facility in New Jersey that houses hundreds of thousands of dresses.

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In the City that Never Sleeps HOT SPOTS BY ERIKA BOGNER

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Photo by John Garcia at Caden Collective

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orking in the private eve n t i n d u s t r y means finding yourself in a lot of unique spaces. While most elicit “oohs” and “ahhhs”, some require hard hats and good hand washings. Like many creative industries, events allows you to define your own schedule, though really that translates to having to be always on. When there is downtime, it’s hard to not want to match the character of the venues I find in my events. My favorite local haunts tend to be of the more private persuasion. Cavernous-like with secret spots and spacious lounges for entertaining. Fortunately, New York City is ripe with discrete yet vivacious and unique spots. Leading with an oldie but still goodie, Norwood, the Chelsea-based private arts club; is great for winding down at after an eventful night, as well as networking and schmoozing clients. The multi-floor club, located in a repurposed townhouse, boasts the best bartenders, a delicious rotating seasonal menu that always hits the spot, live music, a curated and ever-changing art collection and the City’s top creatives, all under one prewar roof. The National Arts Club is also a fabulous space to attend an event. Watch for their yearly milliner’s ball. And if you can find someone with a membership to the Friar’s Club – a magically gilded place full of fun “old New York” types, with stories that could go on for many evenings – go! Open to the public but also off the beaten path you’ll find jazz at KGB’s Red Room and wild nights at places like Mimi’s Downstairs (20 Prince Street) Louie & Chan (downstairs), Kitty’s Speakeasy, The Box, Duane Park and Von. Alley Cat Amateur Theatre in Beekman Hotel, along with the also newly opened AMAYA Mezcal Social Club, are both fun new spots that are list only and totally worth it! For creatives and partiers alike, I recommend following what’s happening at the Caden Collective. They host in their multiple beautifully renovated spaces everything from pop-ups and film premieres to list-only concerts and private parties. Daytime they make their spaces available to musicians, artists and the fashion industry for film and video shoots, as well as

meetings and collaborations. Membership has endless perks. Although only a bridge ride away, Manhattan and Brooklyn are worlds apart. I typically avoid the college campus feel of the Bedford Ave strip of Williamsburg and venture further in, or along the water. For Mexican food lovers, Cantina Royal, located next to ACME Studios offers a cool vibe, great people watching and an amazing selection of dishes and hot sauces. The Owl Music Parlor is a must for intimate live music performances, you’ll find everything from classical, instrumental and experimental to folk and rock bands. House of Yes is quickly becoming a pop culture icon, though fortunately, their mantra is avoiding exclusivity and with a little line wait, anyone can still get in. Murmurr theater is also new on the scene, one of the more beautiful new spaces, the venue is located in an old synagogue. You’ll also never go wrong with a show at National Sawdust,

Trans Pecos, Market Hotel, Issue Project Room or Brooklyn Steel. Barwise, for me Brooklyn is all about the dive bar Freddy’s Lounge and Barroom, the Abbey, Hollow Nickel, Brooklyn Inn, Hank’s Saloon (closing 2018) and Sharlene’s are a few of my favorites. As far as food goes, stop by Honey Badger, Skål BK or Brasserie Seoul for some of Brooklyn’s most unique dining menus and events. As for finding your way into one of my private parties – you can “RSVP” to my list @ nyceventpro. com. Currently in the works – a collaboration with NoHo Sound to expand early 2019 into a new venue that not only includes high-end audio showrooms but potentially a record listening cafe and indoor/outdoor event and concert spaces. (Shh!) In the meantime, be sure to join their list for multi-genre music showcases and other performances in their Cooper Square location.


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BECKY IN BOCA Takes the Spotlight BY W.A. MULLER

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eckyinBoca is a TV & Radio Talk Show Host, Social Media Blogger and long-time resident of Boca Raton. The BeckyinBoca Show airs every Thursday night on AMP2TV, WWNN1470 am & 95.3 fm radio. The BeckyinBoca Show show is also streamed across a wide array of social media platforms, including the BeckyinBoca Show Facebook page. Becky is frequently seen out and about in the community with her microphone, lights and cameraman. Becky spreads the word about what is happening in downtown Boca Raton. The BeckyinBoca Show features interesting people and businesses. Becky is a trusted source for local information. Whether Becky is interviewing a visiting celebrity, featuring the hottest new restaurant or educating consumers on the latest cosmetic procedure, her shows are always entertaining. BeckyinBoca brings her viewers and listeners the very best of Boca Raton.


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The Complexity of High Net Worth Divorces BY JACQUELINE NEWMAN, ESQ

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hen it comes to money issues in divorce, the laws are drafted to target those with simple financial lives and make it cost efficient so they do not have to spend tons of money on lawyers litigating in court. However, a high-net-worth divorce can present many issues that differ from divorces involving fewer financial assets. It is riskier to litigate high income cases in Court because there is less guidance from the law. Much of the statutory law applies to middle to low income families so when you have high income cases, the judges are given great discretion when they structure awards. This leads to inconsistency and therefore great risks as one judge may greatly differ from another. More often than not, high net worth cases have more complex assets to value and distribute. This complexity may involve many financial

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experts valuing assets that have a great degree of subjectivity (such as business appraisals), which can lead to a battle of the experts and more litigation. While I often say that no one can emotionally afford litigation and even if technically one can financially afford it, no one likes to pay attorneys. Having to pay legal h fees can be a great motivator to parties to settle their case. However, if there are financial means to wage a legal battle vs. a situation where there are not, it can make a huge difference in how the case plays out. Child support for high income cases can be very difficult to calculate as the amount is often determined by the “needs” of the child vs. a formulaic approach in middle income cases. Determining the “needs” of a 5 year old becomes a battle amongst parents. Does Sophie need a matching black pony at Mommy’s house as well as Daddy’s house?

Sometimes high net worth cases can actually be easier to settle because if there is enough money that everyone can continue to live their lifestyles together or separate, it makes the split an easier pill to swallow. As it costs more to support two households than one, middle income families can feel the financial strain in a divorce more than wealthier families because their day-to-day lifestyles can change. This makes the settlement more difficult. About Jacqueline Newman: Jacqueline Newman nycdivorcelawyer.com is a New York City based divorce lawyer and experienced NY matrimonial law expert. As managing partner of a top tier 5th Avenue Manhattan law firm focused exclusively on divorce, her practice runs the gamut from prenups for high net worth people contemplating marriage to high conflict matrimonial litigation in dissolutions involving complex financial assets and difficult custody issues. She is the Author of “Soon-to-Be Ex: A Woman’s Guide to Her Perfect Divorce and Relaunch” & Soon-to-Be Ex for Men: Preserving Wealth, Fatherhood, and Sanity during Divorce


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I N C LU D E D . S P O N S O R : 3 0 PA R K P L AC E R E S I D E N T I A L L LC , C /O S I LV E R S T E I N P R O P E R T I E S I N C . 2 5 0 G R E E N W I C H S T R E E T, N E W YO R K , N E W YO R K 1 0 0 07. E Q U A L H O U S I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y. 3 0 PA R K P L AC E , F O U R S E A S O N S P R I VAT E R E S I D E N C E S N E W YO R K D O W N TO W N W I L L B E M A N AG E D BY F O U R S E A S O N S H OT E L S L I M I T E D A N D/O R I T S A F F I L I AT E S ( F O U R

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Aesha

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he evening of July 16, 2018 saw an odd occurrence on ABC’s The Proposal. During the swimwear segment of the show, one of the contestants, a Queens native, raised a few eyebrows and plenty of cheers by rapping to the then-mystery man behind the curtain. That contestant was none other than Women of Achievement’s own Ms. New York, Aesha Waks. “The producers of the show just loved that I rapped, and pushed for me to do it on the show. I thought it would be fun, so I said sure, why not?” said Aesha. Just 8 months before this, Aesha was in Los Angeles aboard the Queen Mary as part of the Women of Achievement national pageant in which she was the crowned the 2nd runner up. The pageant serves to recognize outstanding women and the organizations in which they serve their communities with. Aesha, who cured herself of anorexia, stood on a platform of fighting eating disorders. It’s a fight she’s been involved in for a long time now, even writing a

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BY SEAN BUT TIMER

book titled The Model Body Plan, in which she separates “fact from fad,” and offers sensible weight loss solutions. The book is available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon. After being crowned aboard the Queen Mary, Aesha was approached to submit herself for a new show from The Bachelorette’s Mike Fleiss. She was told that the show would be similar to a competition with different categories such as swimwear, evening wear, and that she would be a great fit. Being no stranger to pageants, Aesha agreed and was subjected to 3 months of interviews. Aesha says, “They put us through a psych eval, drug test, STD test, you name it. Ultimately, though, it made us more feel comfortable, like we could just be ourselves after that.” After being accepted, she was flown back out to LA to the Warner Bros lot for rehearsal… an experience she can only describe as surreal. “It reminded me of when I was a kid, going to Disneyland. But it’s one thing to see these movie sets and another to be actually involved in one of those productions.”

This was certainly not her first time on TV or film, though. Over the years, Aesha has compiled an impressive acting resume, starring alongside names like Sam Rockwell, Paul Giamatti, Adrian Grenier, etc. She was almost Meadow Soprano… but that’s a story for another time. Her latest foray into acting is indie thriller Smoke Screen (2018), which has her playing contract killer Emma Pierce, a role type she has always wanted to play. She revealed, ”I grew up watching James Bond and looked up to the femme fatales and contract killers, and I love playing characters that are so diametrically opposed to how I really am. It’s also a rarity to come across such a well written, strong female character.” Smoke Screen was just released and is available on Amazon. Despite being eliminated in one of the final rounds of The Proposal, among a gaggle of blonds, Aesha remains a hopeless romantic and a believer in true love. She is currently an advanced personal trainer and sports nutritionist for the YMCA in NYC.


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Everybody Drinks at Bemelmans BY ADAM KLUGER

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othing can come when it’s forced. Or when distractions pile up too high. Or when the font is too thick. That’s what aspiring writer Fin Palworth thought to himself as he looked at his computer screen and pondered over the stubborn foolishness driving his futile attempts to become an author. There were so many great writers that Palworth revered like Hemingway and Bukowski and yet, so many more bad writers saturated the marketplace. Life and misery. Misery and life. And then all of a sudden. Bam! It happened. Through some miracle, Fin Palworth had published a book. A real book. He had been discovered, finally. It was by a kind and intelligent French publisher, a friend of a friend, who wanted to bring out more of Fin’s unpublished manuscripts every few months and translate his writings into French. The black cloud lifted. Fin felt like himself again, his old self, for the first time in for so long... he didn’t want to recall. He could breathe again.

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He held the book. 292 pages. He marveled at the cover. The publisher had designed it and it made no sense at all. It had a typewriter in the middle of some abstract imagery. Fin liked it plenty and before he knew it, a few weeks later, after months of discussion, a book arrived in the mail. The spine had the title and his name. The background color was a bold yellow. What an unusual and pleasant surprise. The very first copy. Over 50 years of life had been poured into this book and it was done. Fin studied the colors on the cover, he felt the heft of the book. It was heavy with pages and stories. The grease from his fingers left marks on the shiny black cover material. A well read book, Fin thought, collects many grease stains. His IPhone beeped. The Ex. Time to discuss bills and schedules. Later on...Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, almost 2 hours long --was the only music Fin would play over and over. Discordant jazz presented with a repeating coda and drum beat, with an adventurous horn that would flow down streets and alleys and the whole of New

York City. Fin drank and wrote. Coffee. Very strong. And the squealing horn was like a good friend encouraging Fin to keep going, faster and faster...to let it out...let it all out. The iIPhone beeped again. It was Cecile. She had sent a photo on a red carpet. The correspondence had heated up into a proposed meeting. Bemelmans was chosen. It was Fin’s choice. The Carlyle Hotel. Jazz. Hard Drinks. Cecile wanted Fin to whisper into her ear while reading to her from his new book. The story Fin chose for Cecile was a conversation between two rakes about a beautiful woman that involves a twist with a knife and a gun. He sat at the famed Bemelmans bar nursing a glass of water, with his book in hand watching the far staircase in anticipation of Cecile’s dramatic arrival. The piano player had begun playing a playful jazz number and Bemelmans was filling up quickly with couples. Tables had a $100 cover. One older gentleman with a deep tan and a shiny gold Rolex and pinky ring welcomed a tall blonde model wearing an ostrich and leopard


“And then there was a soft tap on his shoulder...”

jacket. Sharif the bartender, resplendent in a red blazer, oversaw all manner of introductions and requests for libations with the experienced hand of a host who had seen his share of bar side shenanigans and knew how to always keep things Cafe Carlyle classy. Where was Cecile? Would she descend the staircase in a peacock gown and head-dress looking like a 1920’s flapper with her classic Midwest features and brown curls? Cecile was really pretty. Maybe she would stand him up. It had happened before for various reasons. Being practically broke is not a big selling point. “Vat’s that?” the blonde haired model asked with a slight Eastern European accent to match her aquiline features. “My book, I’m embarrassed but excited to say.” “Very nice ...vat’s it about?” “Failure...my failures as a man but as told through various male protagonists.” “Vat does that mean?” “Well it is sort of an exploration into...” “Hey, uh...let me see that... the older, tanned man with the Rolex interjected, “I’ll give you twenty bucks for it... my girl wants to read it.” “Oh, I’m

very honored, thank you so much... but this is the first copy. I’d really like to hold onto it.” The older guy collected his drink from Sharif and replied, “it may not look like it but I’m worth $200 Million dollars, I was a lawyer and then I got involved in pop-up Christmas stores and I’m incredibly wealthy.” “That’s amazing! Santa was good to you. Are you going to buy us all a round?” Fin’s jest fell on a deaf ear. “25 bucks for the book? “the older man replied impatiently as his young date watched on bemusedly at the nonsense she had triggered. “I’d do it for $50.” The man was suddenly bored and looked at a message on his phone. He reached into his pocket and brought out his alligator skin wallet and then took out his business card and handed it drunkenly to Fin. Here’s my business card. Google me. I’m worth $240 million dollars.” Fin took the card and pulled his book off the bar ledge and stuffed it into his coat. The cover now had a slight tear. Where was Cecile? Would she be gently surrounded by a unique Cecile scent that would

be a mixture of mint, vetiver and patchouli that she had designed in a spice and perfume market in Florence for herself and herself only? Would Cecile’s knuckles hint of that same addictive aroma as Fin held and softly kissed her artistic, slender hand? Would Cecile dare reveal a slight cleavage and pale breasts that pushed out defiantly against her sparkly dress as a silver charm necklace dangled off her majestic, white neck surrounded by copper and gold waves and curls? Docked on the lower half of her face would there be a pair of shiny, pink lips shaped like a bow, waiting to be kissed? Would each wet and soft application elicit new shocks of pleasure and soft cooing? Fin took a sip of his expensive whiskey on the rocks that he definitely couldn’t afford. It tasted like liquid velvet. And then there was a soft tap on his shoulder.

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What Does Nude Mean to You? Ally Shoes Launches “5 Shades of Nude” Heel Collection What does the color “nude” mean to you? The answer varies from woman to woman. After launching their “Little Back Heel” collection with huge success , Ally Shoes has taken on the color nude. Once again, they have built something consumers don’t have to compromise on. Ally Shoes is officially launching their “5 Shades of Nude” collection on July 31th (media embargo) on Indiegogo, proving that beauty doesn’t have to hurt and recognizing that one shade doesn’t fit all. Ally Shoes is a female-led, fashion-forward startup known for marrying classic style with modern technology to create high-performance and high-quality heels for high-achieving women of all backgrounds. The team includes Stanford MBA- turnedFounder, Samantha Dong, Yeezy Designer, Sara Jaramillo, Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Roxann Clarke, and Chief Advisor, Jeff Henderson. Together, they have re-engineered heels with new adaptable material, a patent-pending internal structure, and a proprietary fit algorithm to bring superior fit and comfort to classic pumps. 102 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

Ally Shoes Features • Adaptable leather that conforms to foot shape throughout the day • Insole with 3-point comfort system to address common problem areas felt in heels • 3 inch heel height that is universal for style and comfort • Grip-textured outsole to allow stable ground contact while walking In addition to creating game-changing heels, Ally focuses on building a supportive female community around the shared experience of wearing heels. The Ally Circle was initially formed when the team brought together friends to sample shoes. This small community of early adopters and testers has grown into a tightknit community of women in NYC and around the world.

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Elements Fitness Raises the Barre for Fitness In the Hamptons This Summer BY PETER ELSTON

Time is no longer an excuse with Elements 25-minute AF Express Series

CEO

and Master Trainer Andrea Fornarola of Elements Fitness Studio located in East Hampton, NY has carefully structured a detailed program of fitness events desiwgned to meet all summer body goals. The high-end fitness boutique has quickly become a popular workout destination in the Hamptons for its signature and proprietary high energy barre, dance, HIIT AF Express & SUP Barre classes on trend for Summer 2018. Elements, a boutique health and wellness company, featuring studio locations, corporate & amenity fitness & wellness programs and personal training delivers meaningful fitness and wellness experiences geared towards transforming bodies, change lives and creating community. Elements Fitness Studio’s innovative events, excursions and pop-up shops can be easily integrated into any fitness devotee’s daily workout schedule and lifestyle. Time is no longer an excuse with Elements 25-minute AF Express Series suitable for the busiest Hamptons summer agenda. For a fast and fun workout, join Elements Fitness for a 25-minute Sweat, Tone or Stretch Express session designed to meet client’s specific needs. The Toned AF Express class fuses ultra-isometric exercises and intense interval training applying principals from Ballet conditioning and Pilates core work. The Sexy AF Express cardio dance class utilizes high-energy, intervalbased formula exercises that will torch calories fast. Get the most out of the 25-minute session with the Sweaty AF Express class which pairs higher intensity sweat methods with Elements’ popular toned class formula in a non-stop cardio HIIT conditioning sequence. The Stretch AF Express class is great on its own or for a post-workout recovery stretch and strengthening class, focused on lengthening, elongating and releasing your best body utilizing resistance bands and the barre. Train then shop the Elements Lifestyle Boutique boasting innovative fitness apparel, jewelry and merchandise focused on motivating everyone from the beginner to the athlete. The luxury lifestyle boutique is highly regarded as the best collection of fitness merchandise in East Hampton, NY, now showcasing new and fun summer pop-ups. For more information, visit www.elementsfitnessstudio.com Facebook: elementsbarrefit | Twitter: @ElementsfitNYC | Instagram: elementsbarrefit

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Is Coconut Oil Healthy? BY LINDSAY BRUSTEIN ROSEN, MS, RD, CDN

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any Americans think of coconut oil as a “healthy food.” However, a recent report from the American Heart Association advised against its use, stating that it increases LDL cholesterol (a cause of cardiovascular disease). There is conflicting information surrounding this oil, so it is quite confusing if should consume it. Here are the facts about this trendy fat. What is coconut oil and is it healthy? Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of the coconut fruit. It contains mostly saturated fat, which is also found in large quantities in butter and red meat. Like other saturated fats, coconut oil increases LDL cholesterol; LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol associated with increased risk of heart disease. But, coconut oil also does a nice job of raising HDL, the “good” cholesterol. This may be due to its high content of a fatty acid known as lauric acid. Unfortunately, the research is not crystal clear and health experts support both sides of the argument. In a survey conducted by The New York Times, approximately three-quarters of consumers described coconut oil as “healthy.” In that same survey, only 37 percent of nutrition professionals said the same. Like many things, this isn’t “black versus white,” or even “healthy or unhealthy.” The answer is somewhere in the middle. Here are my suggestions: Be mindful of your portion. If you like the flavor of coconut oil (it does have

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a coconut-y flavor), use it. Still, keep in mind that this oil (like all oils) is quite nutrient-dense and that 2 small tablespoons pack in 240 calories. Be wary of miracle health claims. There is some research being done with the kinds of fats in coconut oil and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Diabetes. Keep in mind that this research is in its early stages and nothing has been proven quite yet. Learn the label lingo. There are many terms found on the coconut oil jar. Make sure you understand what they mean so you know exactly what you are consuming. • “Unrefined” or “virgin” This oil was extracted from fresh coconut meat, and no further processing was done. It will have a deeper, tropical flavor. • “ Refined” This oil was extracted from dried coconut meat and underwent a type of processing to remove impurities and pigments. This oil has a more neutral flavor and a higher smoke point, so it is better for higher-heat cooking than the unrefined variety. • “ Cold-pressed” or “expeller-pressed” The oil was extracted by a machine that presses and grinds the coconut. Coldpressed is done at a lower temperature to lock in more of the coconut flavor. No additional chemicals are used in these methods. Also note that these oils tend to be pricier. Use other heart-healthy fats too. There is not as much evidence that coconut

oil is beneficial to health in the same way that liquid vegetable oils like canola and olive oil are, which are a mix of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, and have been shown in research to be heart-healthy. Use a combination of these oils in your cooking. Oil is still oil. Just because a recipe swaps out butter or vegetable oil for coconut oil, it does not mean that food is “healthy.” Cookies are still cookies, no matter what type of fat or oil is used.

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

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METROPOLITAN MAGAZINE COVER PARTY AT NERAI Photos by Paul Prince

Cheryl Casone, Chase Backer, Jill Dobson

Cherly Casone and Jill Dobson

Adam Kluger, Jill Dobson, Steve Tananbaum

Chase Backer and Spiro Menegatos

John Mahdessian, Chase Backer

Dr. Kelly Powers

Christine Mignanelli

Jillian Backer, Jaime Backer, and Heidi North

Jill Dobson and Friends

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Photography by Paul Prince

A New Power Couple Emerges! BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE METROPOLITAN MAGAZINE PARTY AT NERAI

“L

ook who just walked in,” someone whispered and just like that the elegant magazine cover party at Nerai (Kim Kardashian’s favorite Greek Restaurant in Manhattan) was all abuzz, as the emergence of a new power couple was now official. “Hey Don,” I heard myself say, as I reached in to shake the hand of one of the sons of the current President of the United States, “Adam Kluger. I’m the new Editor in Chief of the magazine, we have a mutual friend...” Donald Trump Jr. was tan, tall and seemed extremely happy at that moment. Why shouldn’t he be? He had the gorgeous and brilliant Newswoman Kimberly Guilfoyle right next to

BY ADAM KLUGER

him, all aglow herself. Photographers and special guests of the always debonair Publisher Chase Backer waited patiently to introduce themselves to the hot new couple of the moment. Everyone was extremely polite and surprisingly well behaved. “Kimberly, you look beautiful, we worked together a while ago on Fox Strategy Room, a couple times with some of our PR clients,” I said, diving into Ms. Guilfoyle’s mesmerizing eyes. “When can we get you on the cover of the magazine again?” “Sure, I would love to be on the cover again,” said Kimberly, who was utterly radiant in a smart red number that had a certain famous hand subtly curled around her thin waist, as a cordon of fidgety photographers and guests smiled along with the happy couple.

Things could not have been going better as I found a safe haven with Chase’s daughters, Jaime Backer, the enchanting Associate Publisher of the magazine and a millennial far, far wiser than her age. And her budding fashionista sister Jillian, who was attending to serious business on her Iphone. I like hanging out with millennials, they are far less jaded, far less risk averse and far more tech-savvy than old school gangsters like myself. Another noted ringleader, Chase, who often carries himself in an almost presidential manner, effortlessly organized a group photo surrounding the new power couple that also included Kimberly’s famous TV friends, Fox Business News Anchor Cheryl Casone and Entertainment Journalist extraordinaire Jill Dobson. Both ladies recently graced the covers July/August 2018 | 109


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Paul Prince

“Look who just walked in.” of 25A and Metropolitan Magazine respectively and were being feted by a room full of media folks like popular Fox Anchor Laura Ingle, media personality Mark Simone, Dr. Robi Ludwig, everybody’s favorite on-camera therapist and lifestyle stunner Andrea Syrtash. Spiro, the energetic and always generous owner of Nerai, had various open bars and dazzled his VIP guests with never-ending trays of delectable appetizers like tuna tartare, meatballs and other sumptuous snacks that I just missed out on as I was busy conferring with the magazine’s super-talented Creative Director Heidi North and always smiling, intrepid features reporter, Melissa Clark, who just interviewed John Travolta about his new Gotti movie, about some exciting articles and cover shoots lined up for the summer. 110 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

Dr. Kelly Powers, another powerhouse Fox News personality who sometimes accompanies Chase on fun adventures with the famous, talented, rich and charitable, stole a bit of the new celebrity couple’s thunder by making a ridiculously bold fashion statement in a bright colored pants suit that should have been getting oohed and ahhed at on a runway. Covergirls Cheryl Casone and Jill Dobson were delighted to see their famous pal. Together the terrific trio looked like angels, Charlie’s Angels. I bet they are a lot of fun to fight crime with. I took a moment to share with Cheryl that her eyes had an amazing violet hue on the 25A cover. Cheryl nodded approvingly. I also chatted with Jill and let her know that our decision to feature her on the Metropolitan Magazine cover in a light green, brocaded dress was a no-brainer as she

looks like an absolute timeless beauty, “a modern take on Botticelli’s Venus Rising, “ I offered to her, hoping I didn’t sound either too pretentious or too much like a fan boy. Fortunately, Jill replied, “I love it.” Phew! This Editor in Chief stuff is fun but perhaps one little scotch and soda wouldn’t be a bad thing. The restaurant’s wine expert Michael and I talked a little about doing a wine story at Nerai until another restaurant bigwig, George said he had located the owner Spiro, who seriously could not be nicer or more gracious. Chase just asked me to join his table for dinner. Wow. I didn’t really know what to say. I was a little light in the wallet and also did not want to impose. Chase, an intuitive judge of people and situations, said something to Spiro as I had suddenly become engaged in an interesting conversation with an executive


named AnthonyArango, about one of his side businesses. I made sure to take Anthony’s card along with those from a bunch from other wellwishers throughout the night, like beauty expert Nicole Bryl who has “worked” on the famous face of Melania Trump, our glamorous first lady, Top Doctor Daniela Atanassova, another one of those incredibly brilliant people who has dedicated her life to helping others, Downtown artist Lisa Levy who kept all her clothes on, Jewelry Diva, Mina, PR Maven Lainie Speiser, who handles controversial political strategist Roger Stone, and Samantha Dong, the attractive young CEO of a hot new shoe company called Ally, who got along famously with the party’s Cover Girls and with Fashion model and actress Elle, from (the always gracious) talent manager Richard Alan’s ultra-chic modeling agency. I was the new guy. I had been the cover editor for

Metropolitan/25A just a little while, and then suddenly, Chase, decided to roll the dice and take a risk on a 52 year old rookie. A lifelong, professional writer, Native Manhattanite, TV journalist and CEO of a boutique PR firm, to help him run his magnificent magazines. This really must be a dream. It’s not possible. Is it? I tried to slip unnoticed out of the magazine party before someone told me, “Adam, just kidding about your landing the absolute best job ever.” I felt a tap on my shoulder, It was that restaurant bigwig named George again. Uh oh, is the rookie supposed to pay the bill for the party? Did someone forget to mention that to me? Is that part of rookie hazing? Where’s the nearest open window or backdoor? “Chase and Spiro wanted you to have this before you left.” A small white paper bag. Simple,

like me. I smiled and thanked George and decided to eschew a subway ride a couple blocks away. Yes, I would splurge on a cab (get a receipt, Adam!) as my head was actually spinning and why not see our beautiful city at night like the beautiful people do. I jumped in the front seat of the cab because it was air conditioned, as Mbute the friendly cab driver and I, eagerly shared the contents of the white bag at a red light. They were the best lamb chops I ever tasted, (apparently, flown into Nerai from Australia!) The lamb chops and moment were something to be shared-- with others--with new friends, and a fellow New Yorker, like Mbute--like the job of a lifetime and a magical, celebratory night with Chase Backer and his famous guests.

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Liars, Leakers, and Liberals WHEN JUDGE JEANINE PIRRO SPEAKS...PEOPLE LISTEN. BY MELISSA CLARK | PHOTOS BY ROB RICH/SOCIETYALLURE.COM

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er new book entitled, “ Liars, Leakers, and Liberals: The Case Against The Anti-Trump Conspiracy. “ is the #1 Best-seller on Amazon. That’s #1, as in the most popular book in America. Thanks in part, no doubt, to a highly publicized, post-show argument with “The View” host, Whoopi Goldberg. Here’s what the Judge had to say recently about “Liars, Leakers, and Liberals,” at a packed book party at the Sanctuary Hotel’s Tender Steak and Sushi restaurant attended by everyone from newsman Geraldo Rivera to the President’s son Eric Trump, and his wife Lana Trump “Today in America I think we are more fractured than we’ve ever been and my background is about truth, justice and law and order. I had to write this book because, for the first time in all these years, I’ve been a lawyer, prosecutor, judge and a district attorney. I saw crimes being committed that nobody seems to care about. It’s almost as though it doesn’t matter what people of a particular party do; they get away with it.” This is Pirro’s fifth book. As an outspoken member of the U.S. Judicial System, Pirro says that “no one is above the law, and no one is beneath the law.” This is a very “satisfying effort,” Pirro added in her thank you speech.

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Spotlight YMCA WITH JULIANNE MICHELLE

Founded in 1852, New York City’s YMCA serves to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Today the Y engages a diverse population of more than half a million active New Yorkers through programs and services at its 24 branches. Connect through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ymcanyc. 44TH Annual Dodge Award Gala, Wednesday, June 6, 2018 On Wednesday, June 6, more than 500 community and business leaders, and supporters of New York City’s YMCA gathered at the 44th Annual Dodge Award Dinner at Cipriani 42nd Street® to recognize and proudly celebrate the recipients of the Dodge Award, which is presented annually to individuals who embody the Dodge family’s legacy of service and who work tirelessly to serve New Yorkers. New York City’s YMCA honored Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder, Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and 108th Mayor of New York City, and Sandra E. O’Connor, Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer, JPMorgan Chase & Co. The dinner also featured a special performance by two-time Tony Award® winner Brian Stokes Mitchell. The event raised a record-setting $1.65 million, which will be used to continue to deepen the YMCA’s impact in the city, especially in the Bronx. Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO of New York City’s YMCA, stated, “This year’s dinner celebrated the YMCA’s expanding services in the Bronx, where we are breaking ground on two new branches this year to open in 2020. We are excited to build new buildings, push our boundaries, and serve new communities now and for years to come.”

More info at: http://www.ymcanyc.org http://www.chdodgefoundation.org Julianne Michelle; Janice Reals Ellig, Chief Executive Officer of The Ellig Group, LLC and emeritus member of the YMCA Board

Edward Skyler, Executive Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Citigroup Inc. and Co-Chair of the Dodge Award Dinner, Pepper Evans, VP, Card Partnership Marketing & Innovation at Capital One, and Robert C. Lieber, Executive Managing Director of C-III Capital Partners and Vice Chair of the New York City’s YMCA Board. 114 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

Julianne Michelle is an award-winning actress whose career began at the age of 5. She is currently playing Max in the upcoming sitcom, New Dogs, Old Tricks, for Amazon TV. Throughout her life, Julianne has supported numerous worthy causes, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Alzheimer’s Association, Fountain House, The Children of Chernobyl, Child Haven, and Positively Kids. Julianne was honored by Teen People Magazine as one of “20 Teens Who Will Change the World”, was named by L’Oréal Paris as one of the “Top Five Teens in the World”, and has received other awards of recognition as well as a letter of commendation from President Bill Clinton. Julianne graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s degree in social work and received her LMSW in 2018. Her clinical background and personal experience have enlightened the mission of her upcoming jewelry brand, Juls, which will be donating 10% of all net proceeds to disenfranchised women and survivors of domestic violence. Instagram: @realjuliannemichelle, Twitter: @julmichelle


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HAMPTONS SOCIETY SCENE

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14TH ANNUAL HAMPTONS HAPPENING & THE HAMPTONS JEWELRY SHOW By Clara Morgan

The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation celebrated The 14th Annual Hamptons Happening honoring the Philanthropic Contributions of Leading Industry Visionaries, Bridgehampton, NY: Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Rami Brook Sharp, Robert Sharp ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

Joe Farrell, Ramy Brook Sharp, Chef Matt Lambert at The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s The 14th Annual Hamptons Happening ©Patrick McMullan

Chris Wragge, Elin Nierenberg, Michael Nierenberg at The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s The 14th Annual Hamptons Happening ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

Kenneth Fishel, Maria Fishel, Melissa Fishel, Bradley Fishel at The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s The 14th Annual Hamptons Happening ©Patrick McMullan

Sheriff and Kat at The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s The 14th Annual Hamptons Happening ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

Inaugural Hamptons Jewelry Show featuring hundreds of rare and exceptional items from over 90 exclusive dealers from around the world, Southampton, NY: Rick Friedman, David Friedman ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

Zach Erdem, Alexandra Mor at the Inaugural Hamptons Jewelry Show, Southampton, NY ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman at the Inaugural Hamptons Jewelry Show, Southampton, NY ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

Jennifer Creel at the Inaugural Hamptons Jewelry Show, Southampton, NY ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

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HAMPTONS SOCIAL SCENE

SUMMER PARTIES, DANCERS FOR GOOD, & AUTHORS NIGHT By Clara Morgan

Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events produced A Summer Celebration at the Southampton Arts Center, Southampton, NY: Chris Wragge, Larry Scott ©Getty Images

Molly Sims and Scott Stuber at the Summer Melissa Rand and Bradford Rand at the Celebration produced by Lawrence Scott Events Summer Celebration produced by Lawrence ©Getty Images Scott Events ©Getty Images

Assemblage of dancers gave their miraculous talents in support of Dancers For Good to raise funds for the vital services of the evening’s beneficiary, The Actors Fund, East Hampton, NY: Bebe Neuwirth, Chita Rivera ©Dancers For Good, Inc.

6th Annual Hamptons White Party with actress Lori Loughlin at the Southampton Social Club, Southampton, NY: Ian Duke, Lori Loughlin ©Teresa Pyskaty

Iconic Broadcaster & Author Geraldo Rivera’s The Geraldo Show: A Memoir joined East Hampton Library’s 14th Annual Authors Night, East Hampton, NY: Geraldo Rivera ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

Lloyd Culbreath, Stephanie Pope at the Dancers For Good event for The Actors Fund, East Hampton, NY ©Dancers For Good, Inc.

Andrea Fornarola Hunsberger at the 6th Annual Hamptons White Party ©Teresa Pyskaty

Alec Baldwin, Hilaria Baldwin at East Hampton Library’s 14th Annual Authors Night ©Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

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Victory Cup Polo Match at Governors Island

Photos by Erika Bogner

July/August 2018 | 119


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NEW YORK SOCIAL SCENE

CONCERTS, SCREENINGS, LUNCHEONS, & PARTIES By Clara Morgan

Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events produced the event experience for Northwell Health’s 13th Annual Feinstein Institute Summer Concert featuring Fergie at Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, NY: Chris Wragge, Larry Scott ©Northwell Health Studios

Chloë Grace Moretz at the screening of The Miseducation of Cameron Post hosted by La Pulperia’s Midtown Restaurant, NY ©Dave Allocca/Starpix

Jill Zarin’s 6th annual Luxury Luncheon produced by Ticket2Events at Topping Rose, Bridgehampton, NY: Jill Zarin ©Johnny Nunez

Fergie performing at the 13th Annual Feinstein Institute Summer Concert produced by Lawrence Scott Events ©Northwell Health Studios

Tovah Feldshuh at the screening of The Miseducation of Cameron Post hosted by La Pulperia’s Midtown Restaurant, NY ©Dave Allocca/Starpix

Jill Zarin’s 6th annual Luxury Luncheon produced by Ticket2Events at Topping Rose, Bridgehampton, NY: Lauren Wirkus ©Johnny Nunez

The Pioneer Chapter of Hadassah Honored 2018 Woman of the Year Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, Westhampton, NY: Jean Shafiroff ©Patrick McMullan

Jack Lenor Larsen celebrated his birthday at LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, NY: Jack Lenor Larsen, Marcia Young, Chris Moronghiello, Gerit Quely ©Sabine Dietrich Hindra

Friends Of The Budapest Festival Orchestra Summer Kickoff, Southampton, NY: Jay Lieberman, Penny Lieberman, Budapest Orchestra Musicians ©Annie Watt

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Summer Sizzles

I

BY DEBRA ROTHBERG

magine a world without heart disease or stroke. Many say this is unattainable, considering heart disease kills more Americans than the next four leading causes of death combined. But this vision — for a world free of heart disease and stroke — drives the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association. On Saturday June 23, 2018, at the Southampton Arts Center in Southampton the much-anticipated American Heart Association’s 22nd Annual Hamptons Heart Ball chaired by the gracious and graceful Jean Shafiroff, Philanthropic Author, Fashion Icon and Chuck Simonton, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Divisional Vice President, Global Medical Affairs, Abbott. This year, the Heart Ball honored Audrey & Martin Gruss, of The Audrey and Martin Gruss Foundation and Dr. Apostolos K. Tassiopoulos, Department Chair of Vascular Surgery at Stony Brook Director of the Heart and Stroke Center at Southampton Hospital. Heart disease continues to be the nation’s No. 1 cause of death, philanthropy enables the American

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Heart Association to fund groundbreaking research, develop guidelines to improve patient care and help people lower their risk factors for heart disease and stroke. On Memorial Day Owner and fashion designer Donna Karan joined forces with her daughter, Gabby Karan De Felice to create Urban Zen @ Tutto il Giorno. The interior and fashion inspired by Kenya and made by artisans in Africa, Haiti, Papua New Guinea and Uruguay. Comfortable, open and airy both inside and out with a 2000-square-foot outdoor patio overlooking the bay. Expect warmth, style and the synergy like-minded people, organizations, art shows, book signings, conversation, dinner parties, and trunk shows. Knowing first hand artists, designers and enthusiasts really can get stressed out, on Saturday Mornings Urban Zen will host a free morning mediation. Times vary so be sure get on their email list for times and events. Certainly, my new home away from home. Special thanks to Donna Karan and her lovely Assistant Manager Michelle. urbanzen.com


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