Vol. 1 #4 | September 2015
Joan Lunden’s Brave New assion
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Feature 6 11 52 70 96
Editor’s Letter: Random Thoughts Joan Lunden’s Inspirational Journey Paul Teutel Sr. Rides Again Frank Gifford: Always A Gentleman Letters
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Table of Contents
Travel 17 21 25 29 33 34 44 46
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JetBlue: New York’s Hometown Airline Spain: Do It Insightfully Kayaking: A Short Hop From NY Milwaukee: Urbane & Beer Aruba: A Place In The Sun Niagara: More Than Just Falls Cabo: Stronger Than The Storm Egypt For The Weekend
Real Estate
74 New York’s Best Condos 76 UN Plaza: A Steal At $70 Million Cover photo by: Gus Butera 4 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
Arts & Entertainment 57 58 61 62 65 66
Live Arts: yMusic Premiere LoMan Exhibition: Street Art Peking Dance: The 3-Inch Lotus Kierstead: Broadway Insider Marcus Goldhaber: Sinatra Redux Alvin Ailey: Taking The World By Storm
Dining
39 Maine Foodies: Lobstah In A Pot 79 Hunt & Fish Club Newest Celebrity Haunt 89 Taboon: Ancient Art Of Cooking
Retirement
92 Bainbridge Island New York Ex-Pats Liberal Haven
New York, New York 84 Brooklyn: Yesterday & Today
Random Thoughts t’s with a great sense of pride that I mention the ranking New York Lifestyles Magazine has attained on the major search engines. Many entities have attempted to buy their way onto the top spot to no avail. It can only be achieved through relevance and importance of information.
New York Lifestyles has been ranked as the top listing of the big search engines as a result of the hard work of our writing and design staff. Our articles have been current and deal with finance, health, arts & entertainment, business, travel and other topics of concern to our readers. I’d like to compliment our fine staff for their hard work that has gained us this important milestone in a short period of time. This issue has a sad note that by this time most of you have heard about; the passing of football great, Frank Gifford. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Kathy Lee and their family. Frank was not only a terrific football player and TV personality; he was first and foremost a gentleman. We have expanded our Arts & Entertainment offerings and this fall will expand even more with the addition of theater reviews and listings to accompany Jim Kierstead’s insider column. For adventure and sports junkies check out David Handschuh’s article on canoeing in Pennsylvania. In real estate we feature Daniel Bollinger’s story on New York’s best-and expensive-condos. This is truly upscale living. Our West Coast correspondent, Curt Winston, checks in with a piece on New York ex-pats who have moved in retirement to Bainbridge Island just off the coast of Seattle. Curt himself is a former East Coaster now living just feet off the water. He sits on 6 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
his front porch and watches submarines from a nearby base, slither through the waters on the way to somewhere. We will go to any lengths and sacrifice to bring you news that’s trendy. This issue features a piece on one of New York’s hottest and most upscale restaurants, the Hunt & Fish Club on West 44th Street. It’s become a favorite of numerous celebrities and trying to spot them is almost as good as the food. We’ve gone off-beat a bit with a story on Orange County Choppers, the high-quality motorcycle designers well known from their television show. Paul Teutel Sr., the gruff guru of custom bikes, whose tattoos have tattoos, is in preparation for a new television show set to debut in February and we have his exclusive story here. In Business we have a piece on New York’s hometown airline, JetBlue. What began as a small regional carrier, has morphed into an international airline that has won the respect of both the industry and passengers in a climate where other airlines are trying to squeeze every last nickel while squeezing passengers into ever decreasing space. I invite you to check out our letters page with comments from the readership and offer the opportunity to add your two cents... or more. Email to: bobn@newyorklifestylesmagazine.com
Bob Nesoff Executive Editor
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Check us out on the web! Vol. 1 #4 | September 2015 President / Publisher Bill Mason Executive Publisher Ernie Anastos Executive Editor Bob Nesoff Vice President of Sales Lyle Seltzer
Read Any of Our Past Issues In Digital Format
Art Director Eric Duncan Travel Editor Sandy Nesoff Photographers Maybelle Webster David Handschuh Contributing Writers Northeast Jon Haggins, Jeff Sylva, Stephanie Sylva, Ross Warren, Ed Curtis, Dale Reynolds, Ross Warren, Sandy Roberts Jason Wolfgang Gehlert, Phillipe Mignon Midwest Mira Temkin, Jodie Jacobs South Mona Hayden Southeast Pam Barker, Gerry Barker
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Joan Lunden... Passionate About Women’s Health Story by Bob Nesoff
f you look up the word “passionate” in the Merriam Webster Dictionary, it’ll say: “having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs expressing or relating to strong... feelings” What it should have is a picture of Joan Lunden next to it. That’s all the definition necessary.
The career journalist and former Good Morning America co-host is is on a mission to bring total awareness to the continuing scourge of breast cancer. Why? Joan Lunden herself was afflicted with the disease and that has given her the oomph to bring the message to the world that something should be done about it. Something must be done. Her mission today is to bring a message of hope and prevention, especially for women who are or could be affected by breast cancer.
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“Too many people do not have a plan in place in the event they are stricken with a serious illness,” she said. “I didn’t and when the diagnosis was given to me it was very difficult to wrap my brain around it.”
“I realized that: ‘Girlfriend you just got the opportunity of a lifetime.’ With that wake-up call and a new attitude, I learned as much as I could and determined to help other women. It was a turning point and gave me a focus on breast cancer and life.”
“With treatment today and early detection, breast cancer can frequently be controlled. A half century ago life expectancy was perhaps to the mid 50s. Today you can expect to live decades longer. Most of our parents didn’t really take care of themselves and many of us did not do so either.”
Joan’s true focus now zeroes in on helping women…not just those afflicted with breast or any other type of cancer. She founded a camp in Maine where women can explore what they can do and push themselves to limits they never thought possible.
“People had to dip into their life savings for treatment and often it would wipe them out financially.”
The camp, at Long Lake by Naples, Maine, gives women the opportunity to climb a rock wall, play tennis, do Tai Chi, yoga, zumba and a host of other physical activities.
“I was brought up with the ethic that ‘Whatever you do, make sure you are making a difference.’ If you do that, you can do anything,” Lunden said.
“This is our 10th year running the camp. Our guests range in age from 21 to 71 and all are treated equally. They come from the United States and Canada.”
Joan’s life changed with the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Once Joan Lunden gets her teeth into a subject she is passionate about, everything else goes by the wayside. NYLM was told that Joan was very busy with her project and only had a limited time for an interview. They forgot to tell her. What was originally slated for a brief talk stretched into about an hour with her talking almost non-stop.
“I had an ‘aha moment,’ and knew things were going to change. I thought I could wear glasses, a wig and slink about. Then I remembered my dad fighting cancer as a doctor and realized that trying to hide would be uncharacteristic.” 12 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
“I get passionate when I talk about these subjects,” she said, smiling. She then launched into a near monologue about what was next on the table.
‘mission’ including marching on Capitol Hill; and the basics of breast cancer.
Her major new project is a program: “ALIVE With Joan Lunden” that will broadcast in a new and unique manner... on an online TV channel.
The channel is available on smartphone, tablet or computer. It streams over the internet similar to Netflix. Subscribers get new content daily, delivered over-the-top to any device and available on demand.
“The show will be focused specifically on women surviving from and living with breast cancer and their circles of support. The channel will also be for every woman who wants to prevent cancer and live a healthy life.”
Never letting moss grow under her feet, Joan also has a book making its debut this month. Titled “Had I Known” (www. joanlunden.com/had-i-known), she shares the inspirational story of her personal fight against breast cancer.
“ALIVE is more than just a place to get information, it’s a welcoming community providing a constant connection for millions of women who might have felt they were going through the journey alone.”
“When I first heard the words ‘You have cancer,’ deep down I knew exactly what that meant. It meant CANCER... the Big C. It also meant this was the real deal and, yes, I could die from this.”
Some of the program content includes: the newest and most cutting-edge research, emerging therapies and technology; coaching sessions on fitness, nutrition and beauty; inspirational stories of survivors, caregivers and clinicians; interactive video ‘hangouts’ with real survivors and researchers; celebrity interviews; behind the scenes access as Joan crisscrosses the country on her
Joan had always gone for regularly scheduled mammograms. Her cancer was discovered when she took the advice of breast cancer expert Dr. Susan Love, who told Lunden that because she had dense breasts, she should have an ultrasound test as well as a mammogram. The diagnosis after that test was Stage 2 cancer.
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A mother of seven with a hectic career, she felt she had no choice but to fight. And fight she did, winning the battle with the loving support of husband, children and family. Millions of fans also lent their support after she went public. Joan realized, while undergoing treatment, that she did not know much about cancer and the impact that lifestyle choices can make. She started a new diet regimen, lost 30 pounds and managed to avoid many of the worst side-effects of chemo. “It also reconnected me to my late father,” she mused. “He was a cancer surgeon and I feel as though I am continuing his work.” “But then I started the battle, the fierce fight against the cancer cells and the warrior in me hoped I had what it would take to win... that when my treatments were over, the chemo, the surgery and the radiation... my disease would be gone for good, never to return.” Joan went public with her situation and 14 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
never shied away from confronting the disease. She wanted people to know what someone with cancer was going through and that there was hope. She even appeared on the cover of a national magazine au natural- not nude, but without a wig and her bald head in all its glory for all to see; and see that there was nothing to hide or be ashamed of. A native Californian she had originally wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps as a medical doctor, inspired by the people who commented to her “Your father saved my life.” “He was born in Australia and raised in China with his missionary parents. He became a doctor,” she continued. “I saw how he helped people and that was my life goal. I knew that I wanted to study medicine and become a doctor too.” That lasted until she went to work in a hospital as a teenager. I graduated high school at 16 and took a job at the hospital.
“When the scalpel came out and began to cut; when I saw blood, I knew that this was not what I could do.�
“That cruise took me to many countries and really broadened my world view.�
Tragedy struck when Joan was only 13-years-old. Her father was a pilot and often took the family on flights to a variety of destinations and showed them how other people lived. She said it truly broadened her horizons.
Joan graduated college and worked a variety of jobs, eventually becoming a reporter for WABC-TV in New York. She earned a reputation as a hard worker who delved into a story so that she knew every aspect of it and was able to convey that to the viewing audience.
“But then, as he was flying home one day,� she sadly remembered, the plane he was flying crashed and he was killed. “Life wasn’t the same but we knew that we had to go on; that he would want us to go on.� This was in the crazy 1960s when pot, open sex and the hippie culture were rampant throughout the United States and especially on the Left Coast. “My mother was concerned about the life I’d find on a college campus and she began researching alternatives,� Joan remembered. “She came up with something called ‘Semester at Sea’ where you spend the term on a ship sailing from country to country.� “My mother sent in an application for me and I was accepted. I had relatives who tried to talk her out of it telling her how dangerous it was, how far from home I’d be. She told them that she knew her daughter. And off I went.�
In 1976 she joined Good Morning America and co-hosted with David Hartman. That was her professional home for 17 years during which time she reported from 26 countries and covered stories ranging from presidential elections to the Olympics. Joan has been involved in many projects over the years, her latest, the fight against cancer and the push to inform women... and men... about what they need to do for prevention and follow up. “People think men can’t get breast cancer,� she said. “That’s not true and men should be as proactive as women in self-exams and taking care of themselves. For both a healthy diet, avoiding processed foods and exercise can help to lead a long and healthy life.� “The key to being a survivor is not letting that fear overwhelm you. You must find the strength and courage within yourself to let go of that fear and enjoy life, otherwise that monumental battle you KVTU GPVHIU UP PWFSDPNF ZPVS DBODFS XJMM IBWF CFFO GPS OPUIJOH w t SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 15
NY’s Hometown Airline By Bob Nesoff
ot that many years ago, a few airlines pretty much controlled transportation in and out of New York’s airports. Then came deregulation and after rapid expansion, the competition put a number of them into the history books. New airlines sprang up and then disappeared just as quickly. A few managed to stay on by providing service, quality and affordability. One of those has come to be known as “New York’s Hometown airline, JetBlue.” With New York as its home base, JetBlue has grown from its incorporation in 1998 as a small, regional airline, to become one of the major forces in air travel, now serving some 90 cities with nearly 900 daily flights. The airline carries more than 32 million passengers yearly. Not only does JetBlue serve a comprehensive list of U.S. cities, but it has regular flights to Mexico, Antigua and Quito, Jamaica, Bogota, St. Martin and the Dominican Republic with a fleet of more than 200 aircraft and 100 more on the way. “We are continuing to grow in New York,” commented Dave Clark, JetBlue’s vice president for planning. “We are adding a handful of new destinations every year and we now have more than 60.” “We are focusing on two areas, long haul Caribbean and cross-country in the United States,” Clark continued. “Although long haul works for us because it gives passengers more time to experience our airline and the service we provide, the fact is that regional flights are still our bread and butter.” “We have a major presence in Florida with our flights to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. We are the biggest carrier to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republican from New York.” “We have and always will, strive to provide the best experience in the industry. We have earned a reputation as a ‘family friendly’ airline and we’ll continue to work in that direction. We are committed to determining where our customers want to go, especially nonstop from New York. We are very happy to be a part of New York.”
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With the thaw in the political climate between the United States and Cuba, JetBlue was immediately on the scene providing charter service to Havana. Once the gem of the Caribbean for honeymooners and vacationers, Cuba has been a political pariah to the United States for more than half a century and suffered from an embargo and the strict limits on which American citizens were permitted to travel there. With an eye toward the new market, JetBlue has poised itself to become a major player in travel to that island. Clark notes that JetBlue has become the largest airline serving the Caribbean, surpassing other, larger airlines on those routes. Perhaps as a sign of the respect that JetBlue has earned amongst its peers, Robin Hayes, the airline’s president and CEO, will be a major speaker at a Caribbean travel conference next month in Curacao. The conference will focus on developing new ideas to grow tourism and with JetBlue’s growth, it is perfectly positioned to pass along positive ideas. In fact, CTO News, the publication of the Caribbean Tourism Association, called JetBlue “One of the worlds’s most acclaimed airlines.” That’s heady stuff. JetBlue has based its reputation on customer service and has earned a place in the very small niche of airlines that actually care about their passengers. One JetBlue flyer recounts the story of an accident he had on a trip to Buffalo and Canada. In a fall he severely injured his knee and was unable to walk. When JetBlue was notified of the accident, the ground personnel in Buffalo immediately reserved a seat where he was able to extend his leg.
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A representative was waiting for him at the curb when he arrived, took him directly to the gate by wheelchair and assisted him on to the plane. At JFK another representative was waiting and assisted him to luggage and then to the curb. The JetBlue representative refused to leave until his car arrived.� That type of concern is also extended to the military. JetBlue has donated space to the USO for service clubs, giving traveling military a place to relax between flights. The airline employees have also given time to build playgrounds in its service area. This year the Human Rights Campaign awarded JetBlue a perfect score for its inclusionary efforts. “Our concern for service begins with our hiring,� Clark said. “Our goal is to provide the best experience in the air. It all starts with our hiring practices, our specialty training. We have a training facility in Orlando... JetBlue University... where we immerse prospective employees and trainees in JetBlue culture and service.� “We are also constantly surveying passengers to learn about how they rate their experience with us. About 14 percent of passengers are asked to fill out the surveys. We don’t want to bombard the passengers, but we want to get a good sampling, learn how they feel, improve on what is good and correct what they may see as not so good.� It’s this hallmark of service that has earned the airline a loyal base of customers and enabled it to grow and become a major force in the industry. Looking to the future, JetBlue inaugurates its service to Mexico City on Oct. 1, to Antigua on Nov. 5, Albany, NY on Dec. 10, Daytona Beach, FL on Jan. 7 and Quito, Ecuador in 2016. The new destinations BSF TDIFEVMFE BU JOUFSWBMT TP UIBU UIFZ NBZ CF GVMMZ BOE QSPQFSMZ TFSWJDFE CFGPSF UIF OFYU POF JT BEEFE t
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Remnants of the Past Looking to the Future By Kyle Matthews pain, the mother country of the language that covers so much of today’s world and has taken hold in the United States as almost a second language, is a country steeped in the past while at the same time looking to the future. There are ancient buildings such as the remnant of an ancient synagogue in Toledo to the ultra-modern Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. And while today there is tolerance for virtually every culture, most Spaniards realize that was not always so. Prior to the Inquisition, Jews flourished throughout the country bringing a rich cultural heritage to the scene and they held many positions of great importance. Then came Torquemada and the Inquisition and Jews became anathema to Spanish society. Many were forced to convert or be burned at the stake. Those who did adopt Christianity were referred to as “Conversos” and many today have surnames that date back to that Jewish heritage.
SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 21
The beautiful Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca (now how is that for a synagogue’s name) was built in 1180, in Moorish style, in the fabulous walled city of Toledo and converted to a church in the 15th Century. Today it is a museum of Jewish Heritage with a modest €2.50 admission, and well worth the price. In today’s Spain most locals are aware of that history and while they do not run away from it, they do not embrace those negative attitudes of the past. The government has preserved a number of ancient synagogues and artifacts throughout the country and provides considerable security as they do with any other monument. While we had been to Spain several times, we had never ventured north to Basque Country so we hooked up with an Insight Vacations tour out of Madrid. Greeters waited at the airport and escorted us to what has to rank as the most comfortable touring bus we’ve ever been on. The number of seats has been reduced to provide extra leg room and the seats were very comfortable for the ride up north.
The trip from Madrid to the north covered some of the most beautiful country in Europe. Our tour director, Toni Aguilar, had promised to find sites of Jewish interest along the way but ruefully admitted that he was having some difficulty doing so. In Santiago, we were told, was a building in the central marketplace where the handful of local Jews would congregate and hold services. It wasn’t a synagogue, but rather a private residence used for that purpose. We found the address and noted that there was a spot on the door where a mezuzah had once adorned the door frame. The outline was clearly visible although it was no longer there. Interestingly enough, right in the middle of the outline was a dark Hebrew letter shim. That was enough to convince us we had found the correct building. A sharp knock on the door brought a gentleman who, although quite courteous, declined to admit us.
We found the Insight Vacations hosts to be extremely knowledgeable and even conversant about the Jewish history and heritage of ancient and modern Spain.
Broken Spanish from us and the same fluency in English from him was no asset and we were unable to determine why admission was barred. We were unable to detect any hint of anti-Semitism. To the contrary, all the Spaniards we came into contact with were courteous and friendly in the extreme.
While there were no Jewish sites on the itinerary, they promised to obtain information about one in Santiago de Compostela, ironically the termination point of one of Christianity’s most sacred pilgrimage routes.
Insight Vacation’s Toni Aguilar commented that he would discuss this at the next meeting company representatives held. It was noted to him that an allied firm, Uniworld Cruises, did provide such excursions and the participants were both Jews and non-Jews. Scripted tours are essential for first time visitors and even experienced travelers will find them beneficial in that you simply learn more from an experienced guide. For information, check out www.insightvacations.com t
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Adventure Vacation: A Short Trip From Manhattan Story and photos by David Handschuh t was a rainy, dreary day driving out of Manhattan, but the skies were clearing and held the promise of a brighter day. The stress faded away as we headed west on Interstate 80 to our destination. Maybe as a sign, just past the Delaware Water Gap and into Pennsylvania, the sun came out and we noticed our first clusters of trees with leaves changing colors. A mere two hours and 120 miles west of Manhattan, we were
walking past a Buddha statue at the Genetti Hotel (www.genetti. com/genettiwb) a green shamrock painted in the middle of the street and into the Thursday Farmer’s Market in the public square in the middle of Wilkes-Barre. PA. Amid bunches of red beets, boxes of potatoes and other farm fresh produce, two nuns in habits shopped alongside a couple from Israel who were in town to visit their son, a doctor at nearby WilkesBarre General Hospital. Gee, we asked ourselves. Where did that New York City stress go?
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Luzerne County, PA (www.tournepa.com) and the area around Wilkes-Barre is an easy drive and a real close-by getaway for New Yorkers.
neighborhood sanitation workers.
If your happy place is the outdoors and a Kayak ride, an easy hike past a collection of waterfalls in the woods or getting your fresh milk in actual glass bottles right from the dairy, this is the place.
Grab an early dinner downtown near the Wilkes-Barre’s town square, or check the schedule at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, a beautifully restored classic movie house where you’re taken back to the grand movie palace days, watching old films there.
Ricketts Glen State Park (www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/ findapark/rickettsglen) offers 13,000 acres for hiking and birding and a wondrous collection of 22 easily accessed waterfalls.
The Kirby Center is also a wonderful concert venue with top-notch musicians such as Jackson Browne, Los Lobos, Chris Cornell, and Lyle Lovett with John Hiatt scheduled for the next few months.
Bring your camera to capture the changing leaves and the beauty of your hike. Like true nature, it’s a bit buggy, so remember to bring insect repellent and wear a sensible pair of shoes for the walk.
Dating back to 1938, the art deco design of the ornate lobby, giant chandelier and luxury seating was restored in 1985 as part of a major downtown revitalization that continues today.
The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest there, while others vary in drop from nine feet upward. The air under the canopy of tall trees is cool, and almost always in the shade.
If slot machines, horse racing, live entertainment, poker and other games of chance are your thing, head over to Mohegan Sun Casino (www.mohegansunpocono.com).
Magical shafts of light poke through the forest, landing on small mushrooms and large ferns along serenely flowing streams.
A few drinks and an hour of listening to a Rolling Stones cover band and we call it an early evening. The river calls to us for tomorrow morning.
Grab a rock, dangle your feet in the water and listen to the sounds of silence. This is just the ticket for a peaceful and calm getaway from horn-honking cabbies and 7 a.m. garbage can concertos by your 26 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
The sun is shining, the humidity nonexistent and we head to Susquehanna Kayak and Canoe’s (www.kayaktheriver.com) along the river.
They supply your canoe or kayak, paddles and flotation device, take you to the launch point, adjust your kayak perfectly and pick you up at the end of your relaxing river trip. Just bring a dry bag for your camera, some sunscreen and a hat. It was an easy trip downstream with no rocks or rapids to distract us from watching the Peregrine Falcons, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles and other winged creatures that call the Susquehanna River their home. We work on our suntan and alternate strokes on the lightweight paddles as we head down the Susquehanna. Nice conversation and laughs with strangers have us pulling the Kayaks from the river a few hours later as friends. If you’re on the Kayak Wine Tour you’ll visit with Ray Bartolai at his namesake Bartolai Winery for wine tasting and snacks. Ray is passionate about the Wilkes-Barre area and wine, his imported olive oils and food and loves to pour samples and chat with visitors. Pick his brain on local history and how his family has been a part of Luzerne County for years. Susquehanna Kayak and Canoe offers half and full day trips, a full moon kayak cruise and overnight camping trips, where you can tent at riverside or island campsites not accessible by vehicle. Back in town, skateboarders and birders enjoy a stroll on the
River Walk in Wilkes-Barre. You can walk but if you stay at the Genetti Hotel you’re invited to take their free loaner bikes for a ride through the park, which offers high levees disguised in a natural public space. The levees were designed to keep the town from flooding after a disastrous 1972 flood, caused by Tropical Storm Agnes, pushed the Susquehanna River to the 41 foot level, with nine feet of water destroying the town’s downtown business district. John Maday, executive director of the Riverfront Parks Committee is a great source of information on the history and their Facebook page is the place to go to tap into local events on both the water and shoreline. One final stop, recommended as you finish up your stay here is The Lands at Hillside Farms (www.thelandsathillsidefarms.org), a 19th Century, 412-acre, nonprofit educational dairy farm. Watch the horses, cows and ducks near the barn or sit outside at a picnic table and snack on a cone or cup of their exceptional ice cream, made right there. As a throwback to days where a milkman delivered to your home, Hillside Farms still packages milk, juice and iced tea in glass bottles. We took a couple of large containers of their iced tea for the car trip home and the glass bottles are great to decorate with or to reuse. They’re also a great memory of a quick, close getaway. t SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 27
Hip, Urban & Don’t Forget the Beer… By Mira Temkin
Summerfest is the world’s largest music festival dating back almost 50 years and features more than 1,000 performances.
n the gleaming shores of Lake Michigan and located at the meeting of three rivers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a destination that blends its rich history with modern architecture and sophisticated flair. There’s a sense of excitement in the air that evokes a warm, Midwest welcome and an upbeat vibe. The gorgeous lakefront brings it all together where locals and visitors alike share the adventure of this great urban playground.
Beer Made Milwaukee Famous Messrs Schlitz, Blatz, Miller and Captain Pabst came over to Milwaukee in the 1800s and created their own brands of beer. While only Miller-Coors continues to brew today (rumor has it Pabst Blue Ribbon is going to begin brewing again), the others left an indelible mark on the cultural and civic aspects of the city with parks, theatres and stately homes. In its place, craft brewers have sprung up and have taken the reigns of home-grown beer.
Party Hearty in any Culture There’s good reason why Milwaukee is called the “City of Festivals.” You name it, they celebrate it…Irish Fest, German Fest, Brew Fest, Mexican Fiesta, Bastille Day, Italian Fest, Harvest Fair and they end the year with Milwaukee Holiday Lights. Granddaddy of them all is Summerfest, an 11-day celebration on the lake with live music, good food and the cold beer that put Milwaukee on the map.
You can’t visit Milwaukee without visiting a real brew house. So head on down to Lakefront Brewery for a tour that costs $8.00 and includes a 4-flight sampling of their best suds. Prepare for a “beer in hand” tour with a quirky guide. Stay for the Friday Fish Fry or hop on the Riverwalk Boat Tour for a relaxing sail down the Milwaukee River. SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 29
German Heritage and Cuisine There’s good reason why Mader’s has been the destination for authentic German specialties for over 100 years. Opened in 1902, the Mader family has been serving up their popular Reuben Rolls (which were awesome), along with platters of sauerbraten, wiener schnitzel and potato pancakes. While you’re waiting for their fresh-baked apple strudel, be sure to check out their extensive collection of medieval artifacts. Milwaukee Art Museum Spreads its Wings The MAM, as it’s called, has become the new icon of the city. Designed by world renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this stunning building is in itself a work of art, filled with more than 30,000 pieces from classic to modern. Works by Andy Warhol, Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe and others grace the white walls. Special exhibits bring in the best collections from across the globe. Look for the Burk Brise Soleil on the top of the structure; a moveable, wing-like sunscreen that welcomes the world. Come watch as the wings flap open and close throughout the day. It’s no coincidence that many of the city’s new bridges now imitate the wings of the museum. Go Hog Wild! Motorcycle fan or not, everyone will love the Harley-Davidson Museum, where history roars to life with exhibits that celebrate the story of this Milwaukee-based company. What I found really interesting was how the cycles were used during the world wars, both behind the scenes and on the front lines of freedom. When the soldiers came home from war, they all wanted, you guessed it, a Harley. Grab a burger at MOTOR’s where they serve All-American classics that celebrate the taste of life on the road. Three Domes in the City The Mitchell Park Domes, living landmarks, are always in season. Their desert, tropical and show domes feature an
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ecologically perfect environment. Under the desert dome, you’ll be amazed at the sky-high cacti that grow larger than life. The tropical dome is a rainforest filled with lush flowers and fertile vegetation, while the show dome will delight you with flower-filled themes. The Pfister – The Grand Dame of the City Built in 1893, the Pfister has long held the reputation as the “Grand Hotel of the West,” now the quintessential Milwaukee landmark. Luxury accommodations, exceptional dining and unparalleled service await you. This historic hotel is also known for its marvelous art collection. In 2009, The Pfister became one of a few hotels to offer an artist-in-residence program, featuring a working art studio and gallery that is open for hotel guests and visitors. Be sure to enjoy cocktails at Blu, the 23rd floor gem in the sky, and see all the way to….Michigan! Bet on it! Smack dab in the middle of downtown is the swank Potawatomi Hotel and Casino. Luxury rooms, outstanding entertainment, thrilling games and upscale dining are their hallmarks. With more than six million visitors each year, Potawatomi is the largest entertainment destination in the Midwest. Year round, Milwaukee invites you to indulge in life worth celebrating … bottoms up! For more information: www.visitmilwaukee.com About Mira Temkin Mira Temkin has a passion for writing and sharing her adventures across the globe. She covers everything from destinations to tours to cruises in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean and Europe with a keen eye and open mind. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Lakeland Boating, thevacationgals.com, businesstraveldestinations.com and Connect magazine. t
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297-527-1100 1-800-969-2310 www.amsterdammanor.com
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A Place in the Sun
Photo by David Stanley
By Ed Curtis
ruba is one of the more interesting islands in the Caribbean chain. Sitting barely 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela, the prevailing winds gently blowing from the mainland almost always negate the need for air-conditioning. As a result of the never-ending Venezuelan breeze, Aruba is dotted throughout the island with what appear to be giant Bonsai trees. In fact, the divi-divi trees with all of their leaves and branches facing northward, lend a mystic look to the island. The constant wind forces the branches and leaves to one side of the tree while the southern-facing side is nearly bare. There are two sides to Aruba, the beautiful west coast with its seven-mile strip of pure white sand beach and resorts lining the edge of the water and the rugged eastern coast with its “Middle Earth� looking jagged rocks carved out over eons by the wind. Aruba is moving headlong into the future with the intention of becoming totally green in the not-so-distant future. Today there are almost a dozen windmills on the windy eastern shore that provide much of the island’s energy needs. Plans are in the works to greatly increase that number and make Aruba one of the few places receiving all of its electricity from renewable sources. There is also an East Coast cave that has become a major attraction. Walk inside and a near perfect circle of light illuminates a small section of the cave floor. The light streams down from an opening in the cave’s roof. One word of caution... if you don’t like bats, let someone else show you his pictures of the cave’s interior.
Resorts line the Eastern coast with access to the beach and the warm Caribbean waters only yards from your hotel. Watersports enthusiasts can either swim, scuba, snorkel or jack up the adrenaline while kite surfing and parasailing. For those who enjoy more land-based sports, a Robert Trent Jones designed golf course will offer enough of a challenge to keep the interest of both duffers and would-be PGAers. Although the island has numerous towns and villages dotted across its relatively level interior, Oranjestad, its capital, is well worth the time for a self-guideded walking tour. There are many shops and some absolutely wonderful restaurants. While most of the local folk speak Dutch and Papiamento, English is never a problem. Neither is using the American dollar. The official currency is the Aruban florin, but dollars are always accepted. The only caveat is that there might be some reluctance to take $50 or $100 bills because of the fear of counterfeiting. Make sure you have a bunch of $20s. Aruba is a diverse island with some 90 nationalities represented in the population. Amazing for such a small nation. That diversity is reflected in the wide variety of fine restaurants in Aruba ranging from seafood (what did you expect on an island?), steak houses, Italian and Chinese to Indian and Mexican with a host of different choices in between. The temperature on the island averages 82Âş year-round and with UIF XJOE GSPN 7FOF[VFMB JU DSFBUFT B QMFBTBOU BUNPTQIFSF t SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 33
Niagara on the Lake By Jodie Jacobs
isten up lovers of the stage and slainte, aficionados of the vine. Travel north to Niagara-On-The-Lake for a top theater and wine experience. Niagara-On-The-Lake is a two-forone vacation about a day’s drive or a 70 minute flight from New York City over the Canadian border from Buffalo, NY. www.niagaraonthelake.com “It’s a very vibrant place to visit,” said Janice Thomson, executive director of the town’s Visitors and Convention Bureau. Indeed, you feel the vibes in the tiny downtown when browsing dozens of boutiques, snapping photos of the Prince of Wales impressive hotel exterior and picking up wine-trail maps and theater information from the VCB-Chamber of Commerce office on Queen Street. BTW, even if you don’t stay at the upscale Prince of Wales, reserve a table for lunch or tea there to see its elegant interior. www.vintage-hotels.com/princeofwales If one of the vibes you feel is British, it’s because of its roots. Called Newark in 1781, it was a destination for British loyalists during the
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American Revolution and it still has Fort George, a vital British Army headquarters during the War of 1812. www.friendsoffortgeorge.ca/fort-george
American soldiers burned the town when they left for Fort Niagara, but don’t worry; the town was rebuilt and the locals don’t hold it against their US neighbors. Instead they have package deals that encourage annual Yankee invasions to see the world-class Shaw (theater) Festival and visit the area’s wineries. It’s About Shaw When Brian Doherty, Niagara–on-the-Lake, and Calvin G. Rand, Buffalo, mounted their first season of George Bernard Shaw’s plays in 1962 they did four performances of “Don Juan in Hell” and four of “Candida” in the small, historic 1840’s Court House. What began as a short summer season of the plays of Shaw and his contemporaries has grown to shows in four theaters and includes recently written plays set in Shaw’s lifetime of 1856 to 1950.
More Than Just Falls The main venue is the modern, 869-seat Festival Theater. Then there is the original 327-seat Court House and the charming Edwardian 329-seat Royal George Theatre. An intimate, 175-seat Studio Theatre for contemporary Shavian productions has been added inside the Festival Theatre building.
See A Mix Of Shaw, Musicals, Broadway Plays And Fun, Insightful Shows In 2015 Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields’ “Sweet Charity” musical, Shaw’s “Pygmalion” and Moss Hart’s “Light Up the Sky” are in the Festival Theatre, each ending on different October dates.
The wonderful English theater tradition of ordering drinks ahead of time to be picked up during intermission is carried on at The Festival Theater’s café which also has delish desserts.
A new version of Henrik Ibsen’s “The Lady from the Sea”, Caryl Churchill’s “Top Girls” and J.M. Barrie’s “The Twelve-Pound Look” are in the Court Theatre until Sept. 12. Tony Kushner’s “The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures” is in the Studio Theatre through Oct. 10.
Tip: Order tickets before going up if it’s high season from June through August. Best plan is to go in September when all plays are still performed but many tourists have left. October is also good if you don’t mind a limited program schedule. You get fall color, a relaxing weekend in a quaint Canadian town and it is easier to book spa treatments and restaurants. www.shawfest.com/about-the-shaw
Rick Elice’s “Peter and the Starcatcher,” Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell” and Michel Marc Bouchard’s “The Divine: A Play for Sarah Bernhardt” are at the Royal George Theatre with different ending dates in October and November. www.shawfest.com/playbill “We suit the stage to the piece,” said Jackie Maxwell, the festival’s high energy artistic director.
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It’s About The Wine What started out as the summer arrival of knowledgeable theatergoers who came every year for the Shaw Festival has turned into a seasonal influx of exuberant wine tasters. The land between protected from extreme weather conditions by the Niagara Escarpment on the south and Lake Ontario on the north had been known for good fruits and vegetables but when wine became popular, the number of wineries in the region exploded. www.vqaontario.ca/Appellations/NiagaraPeninsula www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com When Reif Estates Owner/President Klaus Reif thinks back to when he established the winery in 1982 he recalls about 14 wineries in Ontario. “Now there are 250. In Niagara-On-TheLake there used to be four now there are 32,” Reif said. “It used to be that people would come for the Shaw Festival and see there are also wineries here. Now visitors come for the wineries and also go to the Shaw Festival.” Reif explained the area was perfect for wine growing. “Number one, there is great soil. Two is climate conditions. Some people think you need hot. No. Best is a cool climate. You need sun and cool nights. If hot, there is no backbone, just a lot of sugar. Best is northern viticulture (viniculture).” A 125 acre estate within the Niagara River Appellation, his winery attracts wine trail tourists on the Niagara River Parkway. “We have a quarter of a million people walk into our winery to taste the wine, do a tour, have a wine dinner and come for education 36 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
and many other different events,” he said. www.reifwinery.com At Pellar Estates, a gorgeous wine chateau on John Street East, Estate Manager Tim Coons thinks the region is not well-known beyond its bordering states and provinces but attributes growth of its wineries to a “lifestyle shift,” particularly among Canadians. “They’re taking time to appreciate it and the finer things in life,” Coons said. He added, “I do not think everyone knows about Niagara-OnThe-Lake’s wine. We’re a small wine making region that is not well known internationally. People interested in the arts used to come just to see plays and learned about the wine. It’s more intertwined now.” Coons pointed out that the wine trail has become a destination. “Lots of people from Ohio and New York come for the experience. It is very grass roots. They see the grapes, taste the product-the fruits of the land and interact with our team. They learn how we make the wine,” he said. At Pellar, it’s also about package combinations and food, according to Winemaker Katie Dickieson. We have a wine-theater package. People do a wine tasting tour here then off to theater. We also have a three-diamond restaurant headed by one of best chefs in Canada, Jason Parsons who is also on CityLine. www.peller.com
Where To Unpack The Suitcase When a town is as charming as Niagara-On-The-Lake you can expect delightful inns and B&Bs. The choice is tough because there are several enchanting places, each with its own personality www.niagaraonthelake.com/page/accommodations For sheer graciousness and history there is the Prince of Wales on Picon Street, an extension of Queen Street. Its block-long Victorian façade elicits lots of oohs. The advantage of staying there is its location between the Shaw Festival Theatre and the Royal George Theater so no worries about parking. Just expect luxury and convenience to come with a high-end price tag. www.vintage-hotels.com/princeofwales If looking for something a bit quieter and still want upscale English ambiance, consider the Oban Inn about two blocks north of downtown on Front Street. It also has a well-known restaurant and spa. To sit in the English garden across from the Queens Royal Park and Lake Ontario is to shed travel fatigue. Inside the day begins and ends with an English accent. Guests indulge in a full English breakfast accompanied by local jams. Guests and visitors come to try Oban’s popular prime rib with Yorkshire pudding before seeing a play at nearby Royal George Theatre. It’s also close to the Court House but a healthy walk to the Shaw Festival Theatre. www.obaninn.ca To feel like you have left the town to the tourists but want to stay
within a 12-15 minute walk to the Festival Theatre, check into the Riverbend Inn and Vineyard. www.riverbendinn.ca A stately 1860s Georgian mansion, the inn sits on a small vineyard at the curve of the scenic Niagara River Parkway at John Street. Owned since 2010 by the Del Ben family, it was adapted into an inn by the John Wiens family, former owners/operators of the Prince of Wales but was more bank-balance friendly than the hotel. A gem of an inn, the rooms are large and the food is wonderful. Its location makes it perfect for biking the scenic Niagara River Parkway and visiting nearby Fort George. And if you happen to be dining at the inn you won’t be able to resist the pull from Pellar Estates Winery, just across the vineyard. More Please Stop at the Visitors Bureau/Chamber of Commerce office by Court House on Queen Street. It’s across from the World War I Landmark Clock Tower Cenotaph. Here you can pick up tickets to just about every area attraction including those Shaw Festival productions that are still available, wine tours, Fort George and carriage rides. You probably have already browsed the downtown shops but before leaving, pick up a fruit mixture at Greaves Jams and Marmalades at 55 Queen St. The company’s fruit products are famous throughout Canada and make a tasty souvenir. www.greavesjams.com t
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At the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, you’re not just at the beach, you’re on it! Whether you choose a suite with a private balcony, a deluxe accommodation that adds a whirlpool bathtub-for-two, or something in between, you’ll find an artful combination of freshly updated, Victorian-reproduction furnishings and can’t-do-without amenities like free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. For adults traveling without children, the keyed-access concierge level offers accommodations enhanced with genteel extras like evening turndown service, the daily newspaper, morning coffee in the garden, a later checkout time, and use of the private rooftop sundeck and spa. Victoria’s, the on-site restaurant, offers fine dining in a charming setting. Drink in the view of the Atlantic from every table, and enjoy outdoor dining on the boardwalk patio during the warmer months. Beyond breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, a traditional Victorian afternoon tea is also offered (by advance reservation only.) The Plaza Pub, an oceanfront lounge with a cozy walnut bar, inviting leather chairs and cocktail tables on the patio, welcomes guests with a convivial atmosphere for cocktails and lighter fare. Both the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria’s Restaurant are open 365 days a year. Plan a week-long vacation or a romantic escape in any season—from a summer beach holiday to a cozy winter getaway—and enjoy the convenience of being located directly on Rehoboth Beach’s white sand beach and mile-long boardwalk.
BOARDWALK PLAZA HOTEL 2 Olive Ave & the Boardwalk | Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 LAT / LON: 38° 43 ‘ 09” N 75° 04’ 36” W RESERVATIONS: 800-33-BEACH or 302-227-7169 www.BoardwalkPlaza.com
September in Maine, A “Foodies” Delight By Karen Feld ’ve always looked forward to traditional Maine summers with lobster bakes in seaweed on the beach or picking up a “lobstah” roll local style with mayo inside a packaged hot dog bun or the whole boiled crustacean tossed live in a pot on the kitchen stove. September in Maine is when the magnificent colors begin to appear as well as country fair season – agricultural products and livestock are proudly exhibited. Folks walk around chewing on deep fried turkey drumsticks and bloomin’ onions. But Maine, today, is way more than that. The coastal city of Portland, especially the Old Port area, has grown into a vibrant food mecca. Young talented chefs are using Maine’s fresh products to show off their “wicked” culinary skills taking farm to table to new depths. Follow the Indonesian shadow puppet logo to Portland’s newest restaurant, Tempo Dulu, in the Danforth Inn which opened in June after Camden Harbour Inn owners Raymond Brunyanszki and Oscar Verest spared no expense in renovating their newly purchased Portland property. They transformed the historic property to an enchanting and plush Asian inspired hideaway. It takes the guest out of Portland. There’s no pretense or signage outside the Federal style Inn. Tempo Dulu beginning with a signature cocktail –both silky and floral-topped with Rose air (Combier Rose liquor foam) in the bar surpasses all expectations. My dinner partner selected a Seminyak Sling with house-made Falarnum, a clove liquor served in a Tiki glass.
The presentation was incredible and you could actually taste the layers of ingredients. Bar Manager Trevin Hutchins, wore a black shirt designed after the Han Dynasty, reminiscent of a chemist, as we watched him in front of purple LED lights, spray toasted oak bitters mist to finish the cocktail. If you’ve never tried a Smoked Manhattan, you’re in for a surprise. Hutchins uses a blow torch to smoke the artichoke liquor finished with Cynnar Averna for a spice note. Or try a refreshing sake snow cone with yuzu juice, salmon caviar and ginger smoked sea salt. Even the bitters are locally sourced. We sampled -- deviled quail egg with aioli shallots and mint--to whet our appetite at the bar. An upmarket second bar is planned for the lower level, an original speakeasy. The Southeast Asian themed restaurant harks back to “the good old days” in Indonesia. To ensure authenticity, the owners treated Chef Lawrence Klang to a culinary tour of Southeast Asia. A Norwegian moss lamp from Norway hangs in the cocktail lounge feeding off of the moisture in the air, creating a comfortable humidity free space. The original century old floor and molding contributes to the warm contemporary feel. Guests enjoy the true dining experience seated on comfortable suede couches and white linen tablecloths in the 36-seat dining or sun room. Restaurant manager Liz Totzeck and staff are well-informed raconteurs on Indonesian history. The menu offers three prix fixe options. I chose the five course, two pound lobster tasting menu ($109); and my friend, the chefs tasting ($87) served family style, which of course meant there was plenty to share. But first the chef treated us to wok-charred chili-pickled eggplant on a Pemaquid SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 39
oyster with a dash of anise and peppercorn. Totzeck recommended a bottle of 2012 Mannequin from Orin Swift Cellars, a wellbalanced, buttery artisan blend of unoaked Chardonnay and Syrah, which paired perfectly with the spicy lobster. Fresh flowers and pastel colored shrimp crackers with peanut and chili sauces added to the colorful presentation. A surprise smoked tomato shooter with lightly fried Jonah crab and smoked tomato and coconut with yellow curry exhibited a delicate blend of flavors finished with a bit of spice. It was truly unique to stimulate the palette. Each course – from the smoked lobster, to exceedingly light lobster and carrot dumplings, fried lobster with cured Foie Gras and the half chili lobster in the shell stuffed with scrambled duck eggs--was plated artistically, simply and elegantly. The varied Chef ’s menu delighted us as well—steamed halibut in banana leaf and Sumatra lamb curry with condiments. We chose the peanut butter gelatin panna cotta topped with fruit puree to finish. We couldn’t leave 40 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
without a delicious chili pineapple lollipop for the road. Tempo Dulu at The Danforth (163 Danforth Street, 207-879-8755) tops my list of favorite restaurants not only in Maine but around the country. Others I recommend: Union (119 Exchange Street, 207-808-8703), another newcomer to the scene located in the newspaper themed Press Hotel, formerly the home of the Portland Press Herald newspaper, opened in May. Chef Josh Berry, 39, a native Mainer was lured back home from the Stowe Mt. Lodge to oversee the open kitchen because “the Portland food scene is really hot.” Berry added, “You can’t hide anything here.” He laughs about stealing garlic scapes out of the planters to pickle fish. He stresses professional service and a notch of elegance in the 60-seat dining room rather than what he terms “the hipster scene” found in much of Portland.
Owner businessman Jim Brady encourages his entrepreneurial spirit. Berry views his menu as evolving and inspired by seasonality. He relies on some 50 local purveyors. Food is plated with tweezers so that a potato has as much eye appeal as a truffle. I recommend the corn and shrimp stew with truffle oil and the Burratta with sweet peas. Five Fifty-Five (555 Congress Street, 207-761-0555). You can’t go wrong with any of Chef Steve Corry’s imaginative small plates or savory dishes. My favorites are seared sea scallops with fennel and lemon puree and the Truffled lobster mac and artisanal cheese with black truffles and white truffle oil. The bar/lounge is comfortable to pop in for a bite before or after theater. Hugo’s (58 Middle Street, 207-774-8538) has evolved to mix ‘n match tasting menus with ingredients foraged and farmed from the sea, forest and field is priced from $45 to $90. The red birch tasting
bar opposite an open kitchen caters to vegetarians, pescetarians and omnivores. They also own the ultra- casual, uncomfortable but delicious and always packed Eventide Oyster Co. next door. The wait is long for a seat at the raw bar. Duck Fat (43 Middle Street, 207-774-8080) is a glorified diner with mostly counter seating but it’s worth the queue for lunch or a midafternoon break. Chef/owner Rob Evans, who has worked in top kitchens including The Inn at Little Washington and The French Laundry, gets creative with everything “duck.” Try the duck confit and duck fries with a flight of mayo. Back Bay (65 Portland Street, 207-772-8833) has been around longer than the others, but Chef/owner Larry Matthews maintains the quality. Slightly off the beaten path, it’s consistently good, well run and won’t disappoint for lavender marinated duck breast or fresh fish and a relaxing dining experience. t SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 41
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Cabo, Vacation Hot Spot a Hurricane Couldn’t Cool By Keri Zane
t’s been nearly a year since Hurricane Odile ravaged the Baja Peninsula and the entire tourism community has been hard at work over the last 11 months. Today nearly all the resorts in the area have been restored and re-opened for business. Here are several, now and later, options to treat you and every member of your multi-generational family to a fabulous getaway. Visit Cabo Now One of the first resorts to get back up and running, in large part thanks to the perseverance of GM Renato Mendonca, is the
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Sheraton Hacienda del Mar. While not an all-inclusive resort it is a property where you can stay an entire week, feel refreshed and never leave the property. The De Cortez Grill is a 5 Diamond fine dining experience where you can find something on the menu for everyone or try the resorts casual option, Tomatoes, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kids ages 4 to 12 can spend a few hours or all day, every day in the kids club. Make sure they experience the mushroom waterfall. For adults there is golf, a fitness center and the Cactus Spa is an absolute must. It is the only spa in Latin America to offer the Soft
Pack System, which is a unique combination of herbs, oils and therapies. The resort’s beautifully restored Parlor, Virreyes, or Imperial suites will comfortably accommodate any large family traveling together. They also have one-bedroom suites that comfortably sleep four. If you book your trip now the resort is offering a Sunsational Savings package. This includes the 3rd night free, a $150 USD Food & Beverage credit per room, per stay, per every 3 nights and more, plus a $50 spa credit per stay. DWKD (do what Kerri did) tip #1 Ask for the 80 minute Cactus Massage in the Cactus Spa - It is transformative! If you and your family prefer to explore off property activities Cabo offers a variety of multi-gen family friendly activities. Swimming with dolphins, catamaran cruises and horseback riding are a few and Terramar are the experts to help you with booking. For meals La Galeria in San Jose del Cabo is easy to find and conducive for large parties. The menu boasts a host of unique flavor combinations, all fresh fish and plenty of options, even for the finicky eater in your bunch. For the most unforgettable evening, dine at the Sunset de Mona Lisa. The restaurant is entirely al fresco with several tiered patios that overlook the bay. It’s the perfect perch to view the famous Cabo Arch and watch the sunset. A nice option to traditional Cabo fare. The menu is Italian, prepared by their chef Paulo Della Corte, who is Michelin trained and an Italian import! DWKD tip #2 Make your reservation well in advance of your visit, particularly for a large party. The restaurant books up quickly.
Visit Cabo Spring 2016 Another great multi-gen family property will be the newly renovated Westin Resort and Spa, Los Cabos. It was severely damaged during the hurricane and the owners chose to use this opportunity for a comprehensive renewal process. Set to reopen on March 1st, 2016, the updated family suites will offer private whirlpool baths and siesta beds on the terrace. Activities for your family will include three pools, tennis courts, golf, hiking, horseback riding, water sports, whale watching - in season and more. Watch for special reopening packages. Visit Cabo Year After Year If you find yourself compelled to return to Cabo year after year, you might want to explore Starwood Hotel’s first luxury collection resort called Solaz. Set to open in June of 2017 it is a unique blend of upscale resort and spa. The property will include 131 guest rooms, 21 - 3 bedroom residences with pool and common area access, parking and hotel services, 147 - 1, 2, and 3 bedroom vacation ownership units and 18 private residences with jacuzzi, common area, parking and beach club access. DWKD tip #3 Plan ahead to find fun upcoming activities that everyone in your family can enjoy. The 4th annual Los Cabos International Film Festival will take place November 11 - 15th. Visit the official website for more information. t Editor’s Note: Keri is a well known travel journalist and has worked with Peter Greenberg. Check out her new novel, “My Lover’s Keeper” at www.myloverskeeper.com
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A Weekend in Egypt
By Jon Haggins Photos by Laurel Van Horn
hile most people plan a trip abroad, especially to a place as far away as the Mid-East, for at least a week and perhaps more, sometimes the opportunity to spend just a few days is too intriguing to miss. Imagine a weekend in the wonders of Egypt. This was my first return in seventeen years. Arriving in Cairo is always an experience with bumper-to-bumper traffic like no other place in the world. I stayed in the Marriott Cairo Hotel on the Nile with a river view of the party boats. We visited the pyramids and what I discovered were new improvements such as paved roads in the desert for better access. 46 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
The pyramids remain the same... fortunately.
None are more celebrated than the Great Pyramids of Giza, located on a plateau on the west bank of the Nile River on the outskirts of modern-day Cairo. The oldest and largest of the three pyramids in Giza is the Great Pyramid, the only surviving structure out of the famed seven wonders of the ancient world. It was built for Khufu (Cheops, in Greek), Sneferu’s successor and the second of the eight kings of the fourth dynasty. Though Khufu reigned for 23 years (2589-2566 B.C.), relatively little is known of his reign beyond the grandeur of his pyramid. The sides of the pyramid’s base average 755.75 feet, and its original height was 481.4 feet, making it the largest pyramid in the world. Three small pyramids built for Khufu’s queens are lined up next to the Great Pyramid. The middle pyramid at Giza was built for
Khufu’s son Khafre (2558-2532 B.C). The southernmost pyramid at Giza was built for Khafre’s son, Menkaure (2532-2503 B.C.). It is the shortest of the three pyramids (218 feet).
be the largest Egyptian Museum in the world. The museum has collected an array of artifacts from Tut’s Tomb that have never been seen before.
Camel herders were in full gear to greet guests and offer rides; however, we didn’t have time for a ride but wish we did. Tourism has dropped off and the camel men were in desperate need of customers. After a quick spin and photo op in front of the pyramids we returned to our bus and were off to the Sphinx for a history lesson.
The Mena House Hotel is across from the pyramids. Originally King Mena’s hunting lodge, it’s a five star oasis with lots of amenities and a large manicured lawn. The view from the suites in the main building is of the pyramids.
The British Museum still hasn’t returned the beard of the Sphinx. A unique feature built inside Khafre’s pyramid complex was the Great Sphinx, a guardian statue carved in limestone with the head of a man and the body of a lion. It was the largest statue in the ancient world, measuring 240 feet long and 66 feet high. In the 18th dynasty (c. 1500 B.C.) the Great Sphinx would come to be worshiped itself, as the image of a local form of the God Horus. In 1799 French soldiers decided to use the ancient artifact for target practice and shot off its nose. We met with Tarek Sayed Tanfik the director of the New Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza which is expected to open in 2017. It’ll
Dinner at the Fairmont Heliopolis was entertaining and the food was typical Egyptian, including lots of lamb and fresh vegetables. My favorite entertainment was the belly dancer. She invited guests to dance with her. The hotel has a variety of restaurants offering dishes from around the world. Khan Al-Khalili Market is always fascinating with its many stalls and shopkeepers offering their goods. The market is where you can find rugs, garments, food, teas and trinkets. The first secret when shopping in the market is to negotiate. Never pay the first price. It’s a part of their culture. Five buses arrived with Asians as we were departing proving that tourism is having a slow return and it’s exciting for everyone.
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After a short flight south, we landed in the magical city of Luxor. The Winter Palace Hotel was the hotel of choice. It’s where Agatha Christies’ Death on the Nile was filmed many years ago. It’s a grand old building with great style and a lush garden in the back where royal palms stand guard. My room faced the Nile River where there were many ships waiting to take passengers up river to Aswan. I also had the best view of the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank. We boarded a motorboat the next morning to take us across the Nile to the West Bank. After disembarking, we boarded a bus that drove us to the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings is located near the city of Thebes, on the western banks of the Nile River. Thebes is upriver from Cairo in Upper Egypt. The Nile River flows north from its headwaters to the Mediterranean Sea. Thebes is considered Upper Egypt because it is closer to the headwaters of the Nile.
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The Valley of the Kings is where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the new Kingdom. We met with the Minister of Antiquities and the mayor for the inauguration of Tuthmosis III tomb after its restoration. It is carved into the cliffs as long shafts, heading deep underground and terminating in elaborate burial chambers. The tomb is decorated from top to bottom with religious images and texts, designed to aid the journey of the king to the after life. The next stop was at Hatshepsut’s tomb, which was carved out of the side of the mountain. A grand stairway leads up to the columned façade of the tomb. Hatshepsut is notably the only woman to rule Egypt as pharaoh and not as a Queen. Hatshepsut dressed in the robes of the Pharaoh, complete with a fake beard to solidify her claim as pharaoh. The Governor and other dignitaries inaugurated the official opening of the inner court.
Luxor Temple is a short walk from the Winter Palace Hotel. Nothing is more spectacular than the Luxor Temple. It is so grand in scale that’s it’s hard to imagine building such a structure. The Luxor Temple is a great complex dedicated to Amun, a creator god often fused with the sun god Ra into Amun- Ra. A carriage ride to Karnak Temple is a wonderful experience because you ride through town observing the shops and locals until you arrive at Karnak. But wait, the visit to the Karnak was even grander. Karnak Temple is a vast complex dedicated primarily to Amun and dating from as early as 2000 BC. It is an impressive sight, and second only to the Great Pyramids in popularity. No one can ever visit Luxor without a ride on a Felucca (sailboat) up and down the Nile. It’s the most peaceful experience ever, with the fluttering of the sail, a perfect way to see both sides of the Nile at leisure.
Returning to the Winter Palace Hotel for a luxe dinner in the garden was memorable under the royal palm trees and the cool night air. Friends asked why would I go to Egypt for the weekend, and I say because it’s Egypt and there is nothing in the world like it. Editor’s Note: Check out Jon’s interestingly named book Chasing Wild ASS. Oooooh, it’s not what you’re thinking. Chasing Wild ASS is a narrative of his travels to more than 60 countries around the world. The title came about while chasing jackasses in Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary in Gujarat, India. Chasing Wild ASS will entertain and offer tips to massage your soul. It’s a celebration of life. Get an autographed copy of Chasing Wild ASS. 489 pages including color photos and recipes. Paperback ISBN: 978-0-578-13897-8, $19.95 plus $5.00 S&H. Jon Haggins, PO Box 20902, New York, NY 10023. With any questions please email: jonhaggins@aol.com t SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 49
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52 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
Paul Teutul, Sr. Riding High On Success By C. Rider
e’s gruff, he’s tough and you really don’t want to mess with him. The tattoos covering his arms and body are so numerous it looks as though his tattoos have tattoos. When his ample white moustache curls, get out of the way. Paul Teutul Sr., the force behind Orange County Choppers (OCC) in Newburgh, NY, gives off the aura of someone you won’t want to meet in a dark alley on a stormy night. But once you sit down with him for a few minutes you find a personality totally at odds with his huge TV persona. Teutul (or Senior, as all in his facility call him) can hold his own in virtually any conversation. He is soft-spoken and intelligent. Face it, if he wasn’t, he could never have built OCC into the booming business that it is today. What started out as an expensive custom motorcycle business has morphed into what appears to be a multi-million dollar operation that has spawned the popular “American Chopper” TV series that débuted on the Discovery Channel and ran for several years. Without a doubt, that put both Teutul and OCC on the map. Now he is preparing for a new series that will begin early in 2016.
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“The new show will be called Orange County Choppers-American Made,” he says with a proud twinkle in his eyes. “We’ll be creating exciting new motorcycles and other vehicles right here in our shop.” “It will be fun and interesting. The show will be about more than creating motorcycles. We’ll be taking various vehicles and tricking them out. We took a 1936 bumper car and turned it into a hot rod using a motor from a snowmobile. That was really cool. We’re not going to get away from bikes completely but we’ll be doing some unique and different projects.” “This show will be on the A&E Channel and is scheduled to start on Feb. 20, 2016. The show will run for an hour and many of the same faces that appeared on American Chopper will be on the new show as well, doing what they do best.” “A new addition will be my nephew, Nick Mariconi, my sister’s son. Nick started working with me after high school graduation, as an iron worker. He decided he wanted to help other peopleit must run in the family-and transitioned to working with people with a chemical dependency. Six years later he returned to work with Uncle Paul at OCC. He shares his uncle’s love of fast machines, animals, fishing and tattoos.” “The other guys involved have all been with me and people watching the show will recognize them.” “I first got into motorcycles when I started my steel fabricating business back in 1971. My partner was a big motorcycle guy and, you know, when you have a steel fabricating business you can do a lot of stuff. You can take steel and cut it, shape it and do just about whatever you want with it. My partner did a lot of that and it got me interested. I watched all those really old-school methods of building a chopper and that’s what got me into it.” With all the bikes he’s built over the years there must be one that stands out in his mind as a favorite. When asked what his favorite motorcycle is, he smiles and replies: “The next one.” A New York native, Senior was born in Yonkers in 1949 and migrated to Rockland County. “The cost of living there was pretty high so we decided to move up here because it was much less expensive. We bought a house and my oldest son, Paulie, was born here. We’ve been here for 41 years.” Teutul transitioned into television when his friend and fellow car/ motorcycle enthusiast, Jesse James, moved him in that direction. He received a call from a television producer who asked him if he’d like to do a documentary and, as they say, the rest is history. “I had just put up a web site and they happened to see it. They said this guy looks like a motorcycle guy so let’s give him a call. They did and we began to develop the program.” In television it’s difficult to look ahead and see what’s going to click. American Chopper was hot from the getgo starting in March, 2003. In 2007 the show moved to Discovery’s sister channel, TLC and started with an 18-hour marathon. The OCC building is just south of the Newburgh exit on the Thomas E. Dewey Thruway (that’s the New York Thruway to you) and on the west side of the roadway. If you look quickly you can spot the building. The interior has become a virtual tourist destination, not only for motorcycle enthusiasts, but for the general public. On any day, you will find visitors wandering through the showroom marveling at the exquisite motorcycles fabricated by Teutul and his team of experts. 54 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
OCC souvenirs-from tee shirts to coffee cups- literally fly off the shelves. There is also the opportunity to take a tour of the facility, go into the shop and actually see the employees creating the custom choppers. Visitors marvel as sparks spray from the metal being ground into a fascinating new motorcycle. At the far end of the building is the OCC Café where you can grab a bag of chips or sit down and have a comfortable meal. There’s also a four-lane bowling alley next to the café. Why a bowling alley? Why not? Paul Teutul has made his mark not only on his own show, but has appeared as a guest on numerous other shows. He faced off with “The Donald,” Donald Trump, on Celebrity Apprentice. Now here’s someone the presidential candidate could go toe-to-toe with and have to give ground. He guested with fellow motorcycle enthusiast, Jay Leno, on the Tonight Show. Leno, a major collector of automobiles and motorcycles was blown away by Teutul. He’s also made appearances on Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman and more.
If any more proof that his tough guy image isn’t what Paul Teutul Sr. is, no more evidence is needed than a quick tally of the charities he’s helped, many with custom made motorcycles. He has made unique motorcycles for the Hudson Valley SPCA, Make-a-Wish Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the Boys & Girls Club of America. But dear to his heart is honoring and helping America’s military and veterans. He has built several motorcycles for them and has an amazing bike dedicated to the victims of the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center. He’s built bikes for many celebrities and had guest appearances with Mohammed Ali, Steven Tyler, Bill Murray, Shaquille O’Neal, Billy Joel and Michael Strahan to name just a few. Paul’s son, Mikey, joined the crew in 2003 when he was only 14. He started at the bottom answering telephones and worked his way up to assistant general manager. He’s also appeared on the Letterman show and with Jay Leno. His hobbies away from motorcycles include skeet shooting, music of all types and cooking. The OCC crew getting ready for the new show includes Ron Salsbury, Jason Pohl, Christian Welter, Rick Petko, Evan Favaro, Jim Quinn, Mike Tampone, Ralph Estrada and Phil Nask, all veterans of the previous television operations. If the past is any peek into the future, Orange County Choppers, Paul Teutul Sr. and his crew will be coming into many homes via television on a regular basis. t
SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 55
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yMusic “Come Around” World Premiere in NYC Courtesy New York Live Arts tarting in September and spanning the complete fall season, New York Live Arts will launch its debut music series dedicated to an annual exploration of the breadth and scope of today’s most vital contemporary musical artists, beginning with yMusic. A genre defying, indie-classical ensemble comprised of six New York City instrumentalists flourishing in the overlap between the pop and classical worlds, the group has become known for its “broad-minded, ambitious, eagerly collaborative” (Pitchfork) work “at the forefront of a rapidly changing performance culture” (The New York Times). Entitled Come Around, the world premiere season presents four full concerts of six new music commissions by composers Marcos Balter, an artist “making big waves lately for his adventurous, unpredictable work” (The New York Times); Paul Corley, “a masterful sculptor of sound” (Textura); the “fresh and vibrant” (The Classical Review) Mark Dancigers; Missy Mazzoli, hailed as “Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart” (Time Out New York); Qasim Navqi, drummer for American acoustic ensemble Dawn of Midi; and Robert Sirota, known by The New York Times as “One to reckon with.” The series culminates in a final concert featuring a world premiere music commission by Balter, created in collaboration with and for legendary choreographers Bill T. Jones and Dianne McIntyre, who will perform their world premiere solo dances alongside Balter on alternative evenings. The season begins September 11 and runs until December 12, 2015.
“Music is at the heart of nearly every performance commission New York Live Arts has ever undertaken,” said Director of Programs Thomas O. Kriegsmann. “We are thrilled to begin an era of deeper, more integrated explorations of the current landscape of contemporary music with yMusic, affording our creative community and audiences an unparalleled look at the emergence of one of today’s most unique and vital ensembles.” yMusic’s virtuosic execution and unique configuration (string trio, flute, clarinet and trumpet) has attracted the attention of high profile collaborators-from Dirty Projectors to My Brightest Diamond, Jose Gonzalez, Bon Iver and Beck-and evolved to become one of the great forces shaping contemporary music today. The performances in the 2015-16 season marks the first of this kind for New York Live Arts, bringing music to the studios, lobby and theater, and activating the wider Live Arts community. Directly after its nationwide tours with acclaimed musician Ben Folds-in celebration of the upcoming lauded collaborative chamber album So There, yMusic will kick-off its Live Arts season on September 11 at 8pm. “We are honored and thrilled to have been chosen as the inaugural group for Live Arts’ debut music series and for the chance to top off an explosive year of growth for our ensemble by performing a season-spanning series of commissions and concerts with experimental composers we deeply admire,” said yMusic member CJ Camerieri. “We look forward to introducing their genrebending, contemporary compositions to Live Arts’ music-loving public, and are very excited to collaborate with Bill T. Jones and Dianne McIntyre.” t SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 57
LoMan Art Festival By John Taki Photos by Rey Rosa Photography/ The LoMan Art Fest
The festival, conducted in early August, runs from 23rd Street to the South Street Seaport. This year it brought large-scale works by known artists to more than 20 Lower Manhattan neighborhoods.
o Wayne Rada, Lower Manhattan is as important as any other part of New York City. He’s seen the Tribeca Film Festival, street fairs, flower festival and he felt very strongly that Lower Manhattan should be able to stand on its own in that category.
“We wanted art to be accessible to everyone…free of charge,” Rada said.
Thus was born the LoMan (Lower Manhattan) Arts Festival.
“We conceived this festival as a revitalization of the artistic energy of downtown Manhattan,” he said. “New York is such a nexus for art, but these days so many artists are being pushed to the outer boroughs. We wanted to create a larger arts district.”
“We cover all mediums of art,” Rada said. “We include graphic arts, street art and even music and comedy.” 58 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
Rada is the founder and curator of the event which was organized by the non-profit L.I.S.A. Project NYC.
The event included a concert stage for music and entertainment. There were six comedy performers, two bands and 21 artists who created original art work. “We did so well last year,â€? Rada continued, “that artists began offering their works for free. There was no visual arts festival here and that’s why this event is so cool.â€? On display were original sculptures and huge murals painted on buildings, steel roll-up doors on stores and many other unmovable objects. A sculpture garden at 114 Mulberry Street in the “Ron English Temper Tot Lot,â€? featured a bust of Edward Snowden, the fugitive government secrets leaker now living in Russia. There were also works by English, Leon Reid IV, Nicolas Holiber, the DRÂĄFI and Sucklord. With New York a notoriously common locale for “street artists,â€? a panel discussion was held to talk about illegal vs. legal street art
installations, called the “Con Artist Collective.� Team Crash vs. Team BIO gave a live action battle pitting legendary street artists Crash and BIO against each other. The event challenged artists or teams to cover 28-foot high walls with black and white images in 90-minutes. The winner was declared by judging the crowd’s applause. There were live podcasts in the Sculpture Grden, including one from the comedy cast of “Legion of Skanks,� from the Anthony Cumia Network. Crowds were treated to an outdoor screening of the never before seen European cut of “Banksy Does New York.� One evening featured a concert by rapper/street artist TT the Artist, Corey Glover from “Living Colour� and others. To highlight the event, completed murals from the festival were projected on the building walls. Overall the LoMan Festival drew some 25,000 visitors to the BSFB t
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The Three Inch Lotus By Kim Yung evotees of exotic Chinese dance will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the U.S. Premiere of the Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera’s performance of The Three Inch Lotus at NYU’s Skirball Center. The Peking troupe will be there for one performance only on Sept. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera Company (Qi Shu Fang, President; Ding Mei Kui, Artistic Director), recipient of National Heritage Fellowship for the Arts, will present the 15th Annual Peking Opera Festival and the U.S. Premiere of The Three Inch Lotus featuring Wei Liu and the Wu Han Peking Opera Company of China, one of the Top Ten Peking Opera Companies in the world, as well as the Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera Company for one performance only at NYU Skirball Center (566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South). This performance is part of the World Stage Series presented by NYU Skirball Center. The Three Inch Lotus is a story about a woman, XianLiang, who was forced to follow the tradition of feet binding in order to marry into an upper class family. In the end, will XianLiang let her own daughter abide by the same tradition in order to marry into another privileged family? A struggle many mothers face even in the modern world, do you raise your daughter the same way you were raised? Or do you let dialogue with traditional dancing, performers provide an unforgettable glimpse of life and culture in ancient China! The performance will be in Chinese with English subtitles. Wei Liu (Artistic Director of Wu Han Peking Opera Company of China) is an award-winning Peking Opera performing artist. She is a Level-One Performing Artist of China*, and is known for her performances as virtuous and elite female characters (Qingyi). In her thirty-plus-year performing experience, she has created many original roles that received endless raves. Ms. Liu is also the youngest performer to ever receive two Plum Performance Awards, the highest honor to be received in the Performing Arts in China. Under her leadership, Wu Han Peking Opera Company has been continuously selected as one of Top Ten Peking Opera Companies in China for many years. Ms. Liu’s specialty is “Qiao Gong”, which is very similar to dancers standing on the balls of their feet. Qiao shoes come with additional small heels to give an illusion of tiny feet. An Qiao Gong artist performs on her or his toes throughout from beginning to the end, which sometime can last three hours. This type of skill is to portray a Chinese female whose feet were traditionally binded during ancient time. Admission for the 15th Annual Peking Opera Festival is free. Ticket may be reserved from 12:00pm to 6:00pm), or via email at online, please visit the website at For additional information, please visit
. To reserve tickets . t
SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 61
Very Superstitious! By Jim Kierstead
ave you enjoyed the summer everyone? I hope you’ve gotten to check out some of the amazing theatrical events around New York City! There’s always something great to do in the city, whatever season it may be. If you got to see HAMILTON (as we talked about last month), good for you! It continues to perform to sold out audiences and certainly dazzles. If you can learn about American history while being entertained, I think it’s a good thing! After my column last month (my first column in New York Lifestyles Magazine!), I got a lot of people asking why I ended the column with the theatre “good luck” wish of “Break a leg!” I mean, I think they all understood that this was a common wish in the theatre world, but it’s still a mystery to some why we use it. So I figured that this would be the perfect opportunity to let you all in on a little secret. Theatre people are VERY superstitious! I mean it... there are lots of superstitions in our business and “break a leg” represents just one of them! I’ll tell you about that in a bit. But, first, I’d like to fill you in on a few others... First of all, have you ever seen Shakespeare’s “MacBeth”? Probably! It’s done all the time! All 62 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
over the place! So when you go again, you must never utter the title of the play inside of the theatre! I mean it! Never ever say “MacBeth” in the theatre or that is an enormous example of “bad luck.” Instead, you can call it “The Scottish Play” or even “That Play.” But never “MacBeth.” Why, you ask? Well, many speculate that when the witches speak their lines of “Double double toil and trouble” that it’s actually conjuring up an evil spell (if you don’t get my reference, you might want to read “MacBeth” again since you may have fallen asleep in high school!). But do we really need a good reason? No! So just don’t say it! And if you do slip, don’t worry too much... there’s an antitdote! Go outside of the theatre, spin three times, spit (I’m not joking), and utter a Shakespearean insult (or some other equally colorful verbiage)! You’ll be fine! But better not to say it at all. “The Scottish Play” will do nicely. As a producer, another superstition in the theatre is that if you have a bad dress rehearsal, you’ll have a great opening! Now I must tell you... this comes from a place of practicality. When you are busy rehearsing a show, there is almost never an example of a production where everyone feels that there has been enough time preparing and that the show is ready to go. So, it stands to reason, during dress rehearsal (that final performance of rehearsals before the show performs before an
audience for the first time) people will be freaking out! Everything that can go wrong will go wrong and, by the time it’s over, people will be terrified that the Opening Night performance will be a serious disaster. So, I suspect that this superstition came about to help everyone get through that fear of the first performance after a dreadfully scary dress rehearsal. Everyone’s adrenaline will be running high and everyone will take to heart what was learned from all of the mistakes during the dress rehearsal. So I’m glad to have this one! “Bad dress, great opening!” Bring it on! Another superstition that theatre folks subsribe to is called “The Ghost Light.” It is believed that spirits inhabit theatres all over the place. The ghost of “Thespis” (the first known actor in ancient Greece) is especially busy, it seems. So it is commonplace to leave a light burning on the stage 24/7. This is meant to keep the ghosts and spirits away. On a practical note, it also prevents stage managers from tripping over wires in the dark! So I expect this one to continue for many years to come. Whether keeping away the ghosts, or the paramedics, “The Ghost Light” is probably a good idea. Ok... I like this one! No whistling in the theatre, please! This “superstition” came from a very practical origin. Originally, the stagehands in theatres were off-duty sailors! (I couldn’t make this up) And these sailor/stagehands used the same method of communication on the stage that they would use on a ship, which were various types of whistles. Since an absent-minded actor casually wandering through the theatre whistling before or after a show could seriously cause problems with the communication of the stagehands, it stands to reason that the “no whistling in the theatre”
request came about. And it just stuck! So save the whistling for outside, folks! Even though sailors are definitely not in the stagehand union, still... none of that whistling here. And last, but certainly not least, the superstition that started this article in the first place. “Break a leg!” Why do us theatre folk say that? Well it’s based on the old belief that wishing someone “good luck” is not a good thing after all. So I like to use the old adage, “Good luck is bad, bad luck is good... say ‘break a leg’ and it’s understood.” So there you go! Next time you want to wish someone a great performance, make sure to say “Break a leg!” Now you know why. Yes. Theater folks are full of superstitious ideas. There are lots more than these, even. But whatever helps them to perform their best for you sounds like a good idea to me! Until next time, enjoy what remains of the warm weather and, yes... Break a leg! Kinky Boots On Broadway at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre, on tour and in Toronto Winner of 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical It Shoulda Been You On Broadway at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre Nominated for 6 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Musical! Past projects: Pippin, You Can’t Take It With You, The Visit, Side Show, Rocky, The Glass Menagerie Notable investments: Something Rotten, Matilda Visit on the web at: www.kiersteadproductions.com t
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Channeling Sinatra By Ross Warren arcus Goldhaber may be a Red Sox fan, but New Yorkers have taken to the mellow voice of the Buffalo native who now makes his home in The City. Goldhaber recently filled the room at 54 Below, an intimate setting on 54th Street, and held the audience’s attention with both his voice and little comedy quips. He is more than just a singer, Marcus Goldhaber is an entertainer who easily reads his audience and keeps their attention. Music has been part of his life since a young age. “My mother would make a regular habit of playing the piano while I was doing my homework,� Goldhaber remembered. “She’d ask if I knew what song she was playing. As a result I had thousands of songs constantly playing in my head.� His easy voice and connection to the audience is reminiscent of an early Frank Sinatra. Sinatra lost his golden voice early on but kept his fans because he was the consummate entertainer. Goldhaber still has an excellent voice and has learned how to double up by entertaining as well. He intersperses his medley with quips and jokes as he goes along. In the smaller venues in which he appears, Goldhaber fills the rooms with both his voice and fans. He is known in 54 Below, The Blue Note, Iridium, Birdland, Kitano, The Metropolitan Room and the Cutting Room, all venerable jazz spots. Many of his devoted fans will follow him from show to show. That becomes evident following the performance when many in
the audience greet him warmly and it becomes evident that he knows who they are. Unlike other entertainers, Goldhaber does not rush them off, but rather stands and talks as if they were old friends. Napkins, pieces of paper and virtually anything that can be written on are passed to him for an autograph and he signs each one with a polite “thank you� to the fan. His first three solo albums have carved a niche for him and made him a standard in the cabaret scene. His latest, “A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening,� is a 12-track collection that has reintroduced some of his favorite standards as well as some new and original songs. “A lot of these songs have been inspired by moments in my life,� he comments. “That’s really where the joy lies for me, that’s the real passion I have. It’s not about simply writing a song or hearing something that swings. It’s really about the connection.� Along with two other singers, Marcus co-starred in Harold Arlen’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Song� off-Broadway. It was also Goldhaber’s tribute to Arlen, also a “Buffalonian.� He’s burnished his “creds� appearing before such luminaries as former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, members of the United Nations and an appearance at the 2014 Super Bowl. There are some singers and entertainers with powerful voices that can fill an arena. Goldhaber is not one of them, but then, he doesn’t try to be. His voice and talent suit him well to the cabarets and clubs where he can have an intimate evening with his friends BOE GBOT t
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Taking The World By Storm Courtesy Alvin Ailey Theater Photos Courtesy of AA Dance Company lvin Ailey American Dance Theater announces a groundbreaking year, led by Robert Battle in his fifth season as Artistic Director. The Company recently performed at Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet for Les Étés de la Danse International Dance Festival and the grace and bravura of the Company will soon reach the hearts and minds of audiences in South Africa, and throughout the U.S. via the screen, the stage, and the page. Historic South Africa Residency September 3 – 20 Recognized by U.S. Congressional Resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” Ailey will make a milestone return to South Africa September 3 – 20, nearly two decades after historic residencies in post-apartheid South Africa in 1997 and 1998, following the lifting of the international cultural boycott. Performances in Johannesburg at Teatro at Montecasino and – for the first time – Cape Town at Opera House, Artscape will be complemented by extensive educational activities in area schools, communities, and townships. This will harken back to the impactful outreach implemented during the Company’s early visits; stepping off the stage and into the community has always been a priority for Ailey. After its Johannesburg debut, Time magazine proclaimed that “the Ailey company’s tour leaves South Africa dancing in the aisles,” and this season is sure to be equally inspirational. This residency is made possible by lead sponsor Bloomberg Philanthropies with major support from the Ford Foundation and Bank of America, as well as assistance from travel and freight partners South African Airways and South African Airways Cargo. National Film Debut - “Lincoln Center: Great American Dance” October 22 On Thursday, October 22 at 7pm, audiences across the nation will be able to enjoy Ailey’s big screen debut, as part of “Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance.” The film will be presented by Fathom Events and Lincoln Center, and shown on approximately 400 screens across the country. Captured before a live audience during Ailey’s recent Lincoln Center season, the film includes audience favorites Chroma by Wayne McGregor, Grace by Ronald K. Brown, Takademe by Robert Battle, and of course, Alvin Ailey’s American masterpiece Revelations, a must-see for all. The film is directed for the screen by Matthew Diamond and features a rare look behind the scenes and exclusive interviews with the artists. Tickets are available at FathomEvents.com and at participating theater box offices.
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Robert Battle’s Inspiring Children’s Book My Story, My Dance Released October 27 On October 27, the children’s book My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin Ailey will be released by Paula Wiseman Books, a division of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Based on Battle’s life, it is the unique story of a young boy who, despite physical and other challenges, has a life filled with music, church, and movement – first martial arts, and then, after seeing Alvin Ailey’s Revelations, dance. Husband-and-wife team James Ransome and Lesa ClineRansome created the vibrant illustrations and wrote the inspiring narrative. The book is for ages 5 – 10, and is a success story that is sure to inspire all. Landmark Season At New York City Center December 2 – January 3 & 20 City North American Tour February 2 – May 8 Ailey closes 2015 with its 45th consecutive season at New York City Center from December 2, 2015 – January 3, 2016. The Company will present world premieres, new productions, and Ailey classics during this annual season that has become a joyous holiday tradition. Other highlights include an Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, December 2 at 7pm, the Saturday Family Matinee Series, and a special New Year’s Eve Celebration on December 31 at 7pm. Programming will be announced soon, and tickets starting at $25 go on sale September 8. The season continues in 2016 with a 20-city North American tour from February 2 – May 6 launched by a gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, February 2. Audiences from coast to coast will have the opportunity to see Ailey’s extraordinary dancers live in world premieres, new productions, and Ailey classics. For more information, visit www.alvinailey.org t
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COUNTRY CLUB PROPERTIES H I G H L A N D S C O U N T RY C L U B !
Distinctively elegant, this eight bedroom, eight bedroom, eight and one half bath home is a perfect family retreat. One of its unique features is the Blue Valley View in back and Whiteside Mountain in front. The elevator that serves all three floors has a glass wall to allow you to view the mountains. There are six fireplaces, a spacious entertaining kitchen with customcabinets, granite countertops and breakfast island. There is a game room and exercise room. Features include: Lutron lighting system, invisible dog fencing, extensive electronics system, alarmsystem, generator, Caradco doors and window and phantom screens. The main living area consists of a formal sitting room with glass front and back, a keeping room, formal dining, kitchen, master bedroom with fireplace and an office. In addition, there is an attached guest house at ground level. The grounds are beautifully designed with extensive rock work, cobblestone driveway and additional parking front and back. Membership at Highlands Country Club available subject toapproval. MLS# 65882. Offered at $3,900,000.
P R E S T I G I O U S B RU S H Y FA C E
Spectacular layered vistas await you from this lovely home, located on over 1.4 acres with usable yard in the desirable community of Brushy Face. The home features one level living with the living, kitchen, dining, master bedroom with ensuite bath, powder room, and laundry all on the main level. Great room design with lovely kitchen with breakfast bar, living room with stone fireplace opens onto a huge screened porch. Upstairs has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, plus an office. Lower level has great storage with a kids room, 2 additional sleeping rooms, 2 full baths, and a family room with fireplace. Full propane furnace plus central air, whole house generator and a 2 car garage round out this wonderful opportunity. MLS #81498. Offered at $2,150,000.
K A L A L A N TA - B O W E RY R OA D
Main house has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Guest house has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Wonderful old Highlands charm with this 1880 Farmhouse located on desirable Bowery Road and sits on over 10 acres of unspoiled nature. Spectacular southerly views! Level, grassy yard for family get togethers. Outdoor BBQ area perfect for cool summer evenings. One car garage. MLS #80904. Offered at $2,400,000
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Frank Gifford: More Than A Football Player By Bob Nesoff o say that I “knew” Frank Gifford would be a stretch of the truth. But having met him several times, it could be said that I knew him. The first time was at a charity golf outing, one of Gifford’s pleasure, combining his love of golf with his giving nature. He was there because he knew that his name, amongst those of other celebrities, would add revenue to the particular charity. Gifford was in a foursome along with former baseball great, Bobby Thomson, who sank the Dodger’s hopes of a pennant in 1951; Carey Edwards, the former New Jersey attorney general; and some unremembered, balding major donor to the charity. That was the idea... place a big donor with celebrities as a way of inducing the moneyman to participate and part with some bucks. Gifford was just “one of the boys” in the foursome. Not only did he lack any celebrity airs, but at almost every tee he was stopped by someone looking for an autograph. 70 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
He patiently tucked his driver under his arm, took the paper, scorecard and whatever was proffered to him and signed it with a smile. He then thanked the autograph seeker and even engaged him in conversation, not rushing him off. We met again over the years and each time there was a greeting from Gifford as though two old acquaintances were getting together. It’s almost required that when a celebrity passes away that comments from those who knew him/her always have nice things to say no matter what the individual was truly like. Gifford’s onair partner, Howard Cosell, comes to mind as the antithesis of Gifford’s personality. As well celebrity marriages often fail the test of time. Here too Gifford was not in that mold. He and his wife, television personality Kathy Lee, put together a rock-solid relationship that survived some rocky times, as many do. But there was never any question
about how he felt about Kathy Lee. Or she about him. They were in love.
held no ill-will toward the Eagle and felt it was a legitimate tackle. Bednarik passed away this spring.
“We rejoice in the extraordinary life he was privileged to live and we feel grateful and blessed to have been loved by such an amazing human being,” Kathy Lee said in a prepared statement.
He established the Giants career touchdown record with 78, a record that stands today. He rushed for 3,609 yards and 34 touchdowns, caught 367 passes for 5,434 yards and 43 touchdowns and ran one interception for a touchdown.
Likewise, the late Wellington Mara, top man in the New York Giants dynasty, considered Gifford to be like a son. Mara’s biological children considered Gifford a brother. In fact, when Gifford was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, Mara presented the plaque to him. Gifford returned the favor two decades later when Mara was inducted. “Frank Gifford was the ultimate Giant. He was the face of our franchise for so many years. More importantly, he was a treasured member of our family. My father loved him like a son. For me and my siblings, Frank was an older brother. We looked up to and admired him. We loved him and will miss him terribly,” John Mara, Giants co-owner and team president commented. As a football player Gifford made his mark at three positions: halfback, defensive back and flanker. He played in eight Pro-Bowls and was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1956. Gifford excelled as a college player and was a first round draft pick by the Giants. He played for them for 12 years, closing out his playing days in 1964. He lost a year after a devastating tackle by Philadelphia Eagles player Charlie Bednarik. Bednarik jumped up and celebrated the tackle, never realizing that Gifford was flat out on the ground. Gifford, ever the pro, said he
A few years after retiring he moved into the television booth for the second season of Monday Night Football, sharing it with former Dallas Cowboys star, “Dandy” Don Meredith and the mouthy Cosell. In 1971 he interviewed President Richard Nixon who said when he was a New York lawyer he often attended parties where Gifford was in attendance. The late Roone Arledge, ABC sports president, once commented: “Here was the president of the United States trying to impress people because he knew Frank Gifford.” Gifford passed away only days before his 85th birthday. As the baseball Giants were moving to San Francisco from Manhattan, a sports writer commented: “Twenty years from now if everyone who says he was at the last game in the Polo Grounds was really there, the Giants would never have had to move.” Twenty years from now if everyone who says he knew Frank Gifford really did, they could have filled Giants Stadium with a crowd lined up outside waiting to enter. t
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SANDS POINT – Totally renovated 5 bedroom 4 bath expanded ranch plan home has a new custom kitchen and new baths. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac. Basement has bedroom, bath, media room and huge playroom. Attached garage. More! $1,999,000
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large kitchen opening to Dining Room with built-ins. Full basement. Detached garage. $549,000
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PORT WASHINGTON - Fabulous 4/5 bedroom 3.5 new bath home on lush professionally landscaped property. Cath. ceiling LR/fpl and Dining Room opens to huge entertainment deck with hot tub. Top of the line eat-in-kitchen. Separate guest/in-law area.. Year round sun room, Family Room. Gas heat. Much more! $918,000
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252 East 57th St
Two of New York’s
By Daniel J Bollinger
had the pleasure of touring two luxury buildings: 200 East 62nd St. and 252 East 57th St. I could give you the same information that is in the brochures and online but instead I am going to give you the highlights and the features that make each unit special. If you are interested in learning more about these Luxury NYC residences please contact me. 200 East 62nd St The first residence I toured was 200 East 62nd St. It is a 30 story condo building located at 62nd St. and 3rd Ave. I toured the two bedroom model. The space has a great layout with bedrooms on opposite sides of the apartment for maximum privacy and the den and the dining area were in the center. It is designed for maximum light exposure as it is set back from the street with large windows throughout. Combine that with the white oak plank flooring throughout the residence and it is a bright apartment with plenty of natural sunlit space. All of the appliances and fixtures are top notch brand name models. The one thing that I think absolutely makes this apartment special is a desk made of natural wood that spans the entire second bedroom wall on the windowed side of the room. I am sorry to tell you but this isn’t standard in the apartments! I would recommend that you 74 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
schedule a viewing of the showroom so you can experience this excellent design feature. It makes the bedroom a great study room for children or convertible to an office space. This is a great starter apartment for someone new to the city and it is great value for the price. Now if price is not really a concern for you... 252 East 57th St The second building I had the pleasure of touring was 252 East 57th St. Now this building is truly luxury living. The designers really put the time and effort into creating a living experience that everyone would want to enjoy. Every single detail has meaning and I can’t list all of the amazing features of this 93 unit development (75’ pool, automated parking garage, 12,000 square feet of amenities, etc.) but I am going to point out some of the fantastic design features that you will experience. The first unique characteristic you will notice about 252 East 57th St. is the curved glass curtain wall floating upwards on its’ façade. In this very ‘square’ city of ours with all of its’ ‘square’ buildings leading to ‘square’ bedrooms and ‘square’ bathrooms and ‘square’ kitchens it is refreshing to see something curved... rounded... different... unique. And that is only what you initially experience from the outside. The room that contains this sculptural glass curtain wall is the definitive in family living. This den is very large and the model I experienced had a piano, dining table, a lounge area with sofa
200 East 62nd St
Super Lux Condos and chairs and was still very spacious. If you have four children and they all play piano... do not fret, we can fit four grand pianos in this den so all of the children can practice together. The rooms’ size is just an accoutrement to the grandeur experienced by the curved glass design. I have seen many a Manhattan skyline in many apartments in this great city; but, I have to say seeing the skyline through this curved like design is like no other experience I have ever had. It is very cycloramic and frames panoramic views that few if any ‘square’ windows can compare to. If family time together is important to you, this den will cultivate the family bonds of love on a daily basis as you build special memories that will last a lifetime. If family time over a home cooked meal is important to you as well then please let me escort you to our next stop on this tour... the kitchen.
The kitchen is another example of the stellar design of 252 East 57th St. When I entered the space I immediately sensed this is a perfect space to host a dinner party... a tasting event... a food extravaganza with friends and family. The kitchen is laid out with the cooking area being spacious enough for two or three chefs to comfortably create culinary masterpieces. With the four-seat kitchen island set directly in front of the main sink and the dining table right behind this island, culinary masterpieces can easily be served from oven to table. The design of the main kitchen sink would even impress my industrial design teachers from Pratt Institute. The off-set
edge of the sink allows a number of different tools from a cutting board to a pasta strainer to suspend over the sink to make cooking easier and more efficient. You really have to experience this space to appreciate the impeccable design and well thought out layout of this kitchen. If family cooking and meal time is important to you, this is the kitchen where your children’s favorite meals will be created and childhood memories will be remembered. So if you are looking for your first apartment in New York City and do not have a large family yet, I would recommend you stop in and tour 200 East 62nd St. It is a great value for the price and it is located in a great area of the city. Don’t forget to appreciate the wall to wall desk in the second bedroom. If you are looking for an apartment to raise children then I recommend you consider 252 East 57th St. The level of design and details devoted to each space are spectacular and really should be experienced first hand. I will be touring more luxury NYC apartments and writing about them in each issue of NY Lifestyles Magazine so I hope you DPOUJOVF SFBEJOH t Azad Property Group 646-692-9376
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Duplex Penthouse A By Richard Singleton
ew York City has some of the best, and most expensive, high-end living accommodations in the country. Nowhere is this more the case than on Manhattan’s East Side and, in particular, in the neighborhood of the United Nations. The world’s diplomats find the neighborhood convenient to the International Body for both offices and residences. The exquisite view of the East River and the outlying boroughs add to the panache of the area and the luxury accommodations become a major draw. 76 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
In addition to First World diplomats, that area has traditionally been home to many CEOs, entertainers and the uber-rich. It hasn’t tarnished with time and, in fact, continues to be a highly desired location. The duplex penthouse at 50 United Nations Plaza is located on the 42nd and 43rd floors of the building, and has four bedrooms plus staff quarters and measures about 9,700 square feet. The building is the first residential property in North America designed by Foster+Partners with the model apartments designed by the renowned firm of Gabellini Sheppard.
Steal At $70 Million On the first level, floor-to-ceiling bay windows in the living room yield direct views of the East River. A 525-square-foot terrace faces north, with views of the Queensboro Bridge and features an infinity edge pool which gives one the feeling of being suspended high up in the sky surrounded by New York’s most iconic skyscrapers. Weighing more than ten thousand pounds, a stainless steel staircase floats within a glass enclosed double height space linking the upper and lower floors of the penthouse. The apartment also has a private internal elevator and another staircase. A full-floor simplex penthouse one floor below, can be combined
with the duplex penthouse to create a spectacular triplex penthouse measuring 15,597 square feet. The purchase price would be $100 million for the triplex. 50 United Nations Plaza is a full service building, staffed with 24hour doormen, concierge, a live-in manager and staff of building porters. A private motor court and garden leads to a discreet lobby, and a resident’s only garage with 88 parking spaces – one for each residence that can be purchased for $150,000 per space. Residents will also have the option to purchase private wine cellars and BEEJUJPOBM TUPSBHF TQBDF t
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Trendy & Highly Rated By Sandy Nesoff ew York is a city of restaurants. Eateries range from little sandwich shops to some of the finest dining establishments to be found anywhere in the world. Too many restaurants equate glitz with quality and the mortality rate for new restaurants is amazingly high‌unless you have something different to offer. Hunt & Fish Club is one of those extraordinary establishments that truly deliver what it promises. The entrance on West 44th Street is somewhat nondescript, but that is totally blown away the moment you walk through the entrance. The bar, at the front of the restaurant, is populated by an upscale crowd of young executives, entertainers and athletes. Patrons
hardly give a second glance as the likes of singer Will.I.Am, rapper Taboo and Mets ace pitcher Matt Harvey settle in for a drink or dinner. There are upholstered seats along the wall providing a comfortable point of relaxation as the guests chill out to the sounds of live piano music. Just beyond the bar is arguably one of the more elegant restaurants in New York City... or anywhere for that matter. The room is beautifully fitted with marble (there are 50,000 pounds of marble throughout the restaurant), all sparkling under a magnificent crystal chandelier. Guests at the Hunt & Fish Club are dressed from suit and tie to casual... and every one fits in comfortably and relaxed. The varied conversations sometimes create a loud hum in the room, but in the relaxed atmosphere it is hardly noticed. SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 79
The wait staff is prompt and courteous, always at hand but never hovering. They seem to have an innate ability to judge when a diner needs something and they are immediately at hand. But yet there is never the feeling that they are staring. The menu is pricey, but no one seems to mind. The quality of the food at Hunt & Fish Club delivers. Executive Chef Jeff Kreisel, formerly executive sous chef at the Porter House, has designed a menu that exemplifies the name of the restaurant. Chef Richard Leach, the pastry chef, is a James Beard Award winner who was previously at the Park Avenue restaurant. The duo make an amazing pair. While you might expect to find such exotic fare at the Hunt & Fish Club as bison or venison; shark or octopus, you’d be mistaken. The menu offers a wide variety of seafood and steaks. Starters include Atlantic or Pacific oysters at $4 each, lobster cocktail at $33, Alaskan King Crab Legs $28 and Jumbo lump crab cocktail at $22. You can also create your own customized Grand Seafood Tower at market price.
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Salads range from local field greens at $12 to a classic iceberg wedge with tomato, blue cheese, bacon and chives for $16 with four more salad choices in between. Appetizers are interesting with a Bone Marrow with pickled onions and brioche toast for $18 and thick cut bacon for $14 to Owner’s Recipe Seafood Salad at $32. There are also five pasta dishes ranging in price from $16 for smoked ricotta to $25 for Agoletti lobster ravioli with house-made red sauce. The main courses offer eight seafood and chicken choices to seven meat possibilities. The HFC Signature Seafood is lobster stuffed with crab and scallops at market price. The same holds true for a 2.5-3 pound Maine lobster that is either steamed or broiled and covered in garlic herb butter. The restaurant boasts of its “Famous Burnt Lemon Chicken” with crispy lemon potatoes at $36. Don’t let the word “burnt” fool you. The skin is blackened and the meat is tender and juicy. The steak menu offers a specialty cut Kosher 14 ounce rib eye for observant Jewish diners at $58. Roasted lamb chops top the
menu with mint, yogurt and baby carrots for $68. There is also a Porterhouse for two, bone-in rib eye, sirloin, two filet mignon choices and a chef ’s selection that changes daily and is offered at market price. Steaks are done to the diner’s request and even those blackened and well-done, ooze juices and can almost be fork-cut. They are tasty and tender. At the outset a puffed roll is brought to the table with butter pats. The rolls are light and flaky and truly do not need butter. They make a wonderful starter. The restaurant has beautiful original artwork hung throughout provided by Studio Iyor. Studio Iyor worked with Roy Nachum in designing the Hunt & Fish Club. The restaurant has numerous painting and tile murals throughout. The Blue Room downstairs is spectacular and is used primarily for private events. Diners pass by a huge glass encased wine rack that is the envy of anyone with a private wine collection. The Blue Room features Roman reliefs and a mirrored ceiling.
There is also a Green Room with a soaring skylight, self-watering, living green wall and sculpture inspired by the biblical golden calf. The intent of the owners is to “Bring back the character and depth of Old School New York in a contemporary setting.” They have succeeded by any stretch of the imagination. The Hunt & Fish Club seats 180 patrons in an old-meets new aesthetic throughout the 9,000 square-foot restaurant. Reservations are strongly suggested and may either be made by phone (212) 575-4949 or on-line at info@hfcnyc.com. Rated: Five Stars Hunt & Fish Club 125 West 44th Street Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m Dinner: Sunday through Monday 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Lounge and bar daily until 1 a.m. t
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A Slice of Brooklyn Yesterday and Today By Stephanie and Jeff Sylva any people have great pride in their community, having formed a deep attachment to their roots. You may say some even develop a burning passion for their neighborhood. But how many of us would turn such a fervor for their environs into a career? Well, Tony Muia loved his home borough of Brooklyn so much, he did just that – made it his career, and a successful one at that. After 20 years in the health care profession, Tony was looking to 84 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
change careers – a daunting concept to say the least. Some friends suggested that since he loved to show friends and their visiting family members around Brooklyn, he should start that type of a business. Tony’s initial reaction was that they were just joking (probably eliciting a typical “FUHGETTABOUDIT”). Tony’s interest (he would even call it a “passion”) for showing people around Brooklyn was a result of his own travels. When traveling, Tony would use many of the typical guide books. But to help him get a deeper experience of a city and its neighborhoods, he would try to find a local person, maybe “a friend of a friend,” to
show him the city from a local’s point of view. In turn, Tony would reciprocate by showing people around New York and particularly Brooklyn. Tony loved giving visitors a deeper insight of Brooklyn – its iconic sights and distinctive neighborhoods with their ethnic foods. But it was no more than a hobby; that is, until a famous bus tour company began to offer a sightseeing tour of the borough. Tony felt that any real tour of Brooklyn needed to be given by a “native son” – someone who lived and died for Brooklyn. Thus began “A Slice of Brooklyn” Bus Tours. (The company
celebrated its 10th Anniversary on August 1 of this year.) “A Slice of Brooklyn” Bus Tours uses only Brooklyn-born guides. According to Tony, how can someone not from Brooklyn impart the true love of the neighborhood? A number of the company’s guides are family members. Our guide for “The Original Pizza Tour” (one of the three tours offered by “A Slice of Brooklyn”) was Tony’s cousin Paula (a native Brooklynite – immediately evident by her greeting of “How ya doin”?). Her love of Brooklyn became contagious. She was funny and entertaining while providing stories of the different Brooklyn neighborhoods and their interesting residents – both famous and infamous. SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 85
Besides learning about Brooklyn history, Paula pointed out the exact locations of famous films featuring Brooklyn neighborhoods as clips from the actual movies were played simultaneously on video screens. We saw locations used in such movies as “Saturday Night Fever” (John Travolta’s opening-scene strutting walk), “Goodfellas,” and “The French Connection” (Popeye Doyle’s frenetic car chase under the elevated subway). Providing lots of photo ops, stops were made at Brooklyn Bridge Park for awesome views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Skyline, and at Coney Island, for a walk along the boardwalk to admire the famous amusement park on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Of course, what would a trip to Brooklyn be like without pizza? The two stops made on this tour were both iconic pizzerias. Our first stop, Grimaldi’s under the Brooklyn Bridge, served Neopolitan thin crust “margarita” style pizza from their coalburning ovens. Later on the tour we stopped at L&B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst for thick Sicilian style pizza. Both pizza 86 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
styles (representing both northern and southern Brooklyn) were “delizioso.” A typical “A Slice of Brooklyn” tour will have as many foreign visitors as U.S. tourists. Why would so many tourists venture out to Brooklyn when there are so many sites to see in Manhattan? Because Brooklyn,the most populous New York City borough with 2.5 million residents has a certain cache and Americans and foreign visitors have always had a fascination with Brooklyn. Brooklyn is famous world-wide for: Coney Island with its famous wooden roller coaster, “The Cyclone,” built in 1927; Nathan’s Famous, which is still located on its original 1916 site, serving the hot dogs that made it “famous;” the Brooklyn Bridge, which was completed in 1883 and was the first steel-wire suspension bridge ever constructed; and the Brooklyn Dodgers (now the Los Angeles Dodgers) that played baseball in Brooklyn from 1884-1957. Each neighborhood in New York, and especially in Brooklyn, has its own architecture, foods, landmarks and movies locations.
The other tour we took with “A Slice of Brooklyn” Bus Tours was their famous “Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour.” This was a three-and-a-half hour tour offered during the Christmas season. Our guide, Joe, provided wonderful narration and showed us numerous video clips throughout the trip – T.V. coverage of the Christmas Lights Tour, footage of decorated homes that we would be seeing in person, and clips from old Christmas T.V. specials.
before we headed back to Manhattan.
We made two stops – one for 45 minutes in Dyker Heights and the other in Bay Ridge for 15 minutes. Tour Hosts were located on all street corners to help guide passengers through the streets and answer questions. Manhattan may have its Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and lavish store window displays on Fifth Avenue, but Brooklyn’s Christmas lights rival anything that Manhattan has to offer.
“A Slice of Brooklyn” has been featured on the Today Show, the Food Network and the Travel Channel.
“A Slice of Brooklyn” tour is not complete without a food component, and the Christmas Lights Tour did not disappoint. A stop at Bella Luna for a cannoli and hot chocolate hit the spot
For more information: Call 212-913-9917 or visit www.asliceofbrooklyn.com t
The third tour that “A Slice of Brooklyn” offers is the Neighborhood Tour. This four-and-a-half hour tour visits Brooklyn neighborhoods, landmarks and movie locations not covered in the other tours. A lunch at the famous Junior’s is provided and includes a pastrami sandwich, cheesecake, which they are famous for, and an egg cream (a Brooklyn original).
All of “A Slice of Brooklyn” Bus Tours start and end near Union Square in Manhattan. We feel that you will agree with their company slogan after you take one of their tours - “Manhattan? FUHGETTABOUTIT!”
SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 87
The Ancient Art of Ancient Cooking Written by Jon Haggins Photo by webmadphotography.com aboon Restaurant is known for its “Middleterranean;� specializing in the art of cooking in a taboon dome shaped, wood fired oven, used throughout the Middle East for nearly three millennia. The Restaurant is draped with white flowing curtains against floor to ceiling windows. A circular bar wraps around the middle of the room and rustic bare-bone, wooden table-tops are bleached white without tablecloths. Additional tables are set on the sidewalk and lit by candlelight for a romantic experience. A loaf of house Focaccia, a taboon-baked olive oil, rosemary, sage, fleur de sel bread is complimentary with each meal. The focaccia was complimented with a small bowl of schoog, a spicy Yemenite paste of cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lemon, caraway and cardamom. The Schoog was the perfect condiment. It reminds me of harissa (a hot paste used in North African cuisine, made from chili peppers, paprika and olive oil). The appetizer included Spanish Octopus with summer peas, grey squash, heirloom tomatoes, mint and yogurt. The Oxtail cigars were wrapped in crispy phyllo dough with Moroccan style
black beluga lentil sauce on the side. I challenged the oxtail with a dash of schoog to liven up the taste. The salmon crudo, sliced yuzu soaked, sushi grade salmon, red quinoa tabouli and green almond tzatziki was a fantastic dish! Our main course included branzino, a Mediterranean white fish that was taboon baked, then filleted and served with lemon soaked Greek potatoes, Swiss-chard and caper salsa verde. The branzino was perfectly prepared. The organic chicken taboon arrived with French-cut breast, homemade chicken sausage, frikeeh risotto, duck confit roasted carrots, cipollini onion and turnips. Roy our waiter was most attentive. The menu is very limited with very few choices for the main course. Our dessert included silan, a vanilla ice cream, puffed rice, caramelized pistachios, date honey and shredded halva. It had a very interesting twist, texture and flavor. The evening ended XJUI B CPXM GJMMFE XJUI UISFF CBMMT PG NBOHP TPSCFU t Taboon Restaurant 773 Tenth Avenue New York , NY 10019 212-713-0271
SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 89
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Bainbridge Island, A Haven For NY Ex-Pats By Curt Winston fter a long life and career fighting the New York traffic, high apartment rentals (or condos) and the cost of food that is exponentially higher than just over the George Washington Bridge, where can a Big Apple retiree go? Northwest... way northwest... off the coast of Seattle is a small enclave of former New Yorkers who have opted for the slower pace of island living. Although Bainbridge Island is just about the same size as Manhattan, a traffic jam is three cars coming to a stop sign at the same time.
protected by conservationists and organic-only eaters. Well, there are a handful of people who like rare steak as well. Mel Limon, an 88-year-old New York ex-pat and a theoretical Marxist, fled the East Coast academic life for the peace and quiet of Bainbridge. He found a population almost in line with his own brand of politics. The island is a place where neither Donald Trump nor Chris Christie would feel at home. Mel and his wife, Carol, live in the island’s co-op mobile home park right in the heart of Winslow, its only cluster of buildings that can be called a “town.”
The island is some five miles off the coast and a pleasant ferry ride from the Seattle terminal, an easy trot from the famed Pike Place Market. Bainbridge is also less populated than Manhattan with some 23,000 residents compared to 8.5 million.
“I’ve been on the island for about 15 years,” Liman muses. “I lived in other more remote areas but I’m an academic type and I needed more human contact. I get that here for as much or as little as I want.”
Bainbridge sits in Puget Sound and is a serene and bucolic place
On the East Coast Liman was an economics professor... When asked
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how he felt about the sobriquet “Theoretical Marxist,� he replied: “That’s what I am.� He finds enough intellectual stimulation in interaction with other New York refugees and folks from other parts of the country. Lew Mandell, a 72-year-old “liberal capitalist� spends much time helping other retirees live a reasonable life on what income and capital they have accumulated. His field in New York was “personal economics� and that has translated to his activities on bucolic Bainbridge Island Mandell, a writer also, along with his wife, Nancy, lives in a waterfront home on the upscale section of Point White on Bainbridge’s southern end. While Mel and his wife may live in a mobile home park on the island, they aren’t hurting either. Mel owns a villa in the South of France. Both men are Ph.D. professors. Mandel has been on Bainbridge Island for nine years after leaving New York. He grew up on Staten Island and was a professor at one of the SUNY entities. “The notion of living on an island and starting your day on a ferry was familiar to me,� Mandell said. Both fit comfortably into the islands liberal political style. Taxes are very low compared to New York and pensions and investments go considerably further. Washington State has no income tax and derives most of its income from a nine percent sales tax and a 1.1% of assessed property value tax. Most assessments are well below the property’s actual value. Crime on the island is low to non-existent and the climate is temperate. The area is protected by two big mountain ranges, the Olympics to the west and the Cascades in the east with 14,000foot Mt. Ranier. Summers are usually dry while fall and winter bring rains. Snow? Sometimes! The men belong to a breakfast club that is very informal and meets weekly. Discussions are on the intellectual side and far ranging enough to stimulate the participants. There’s even a Republican PS UXP JO UIF HSPVQ t SEPTEMBER 2015 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 93
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We Got Letters! Enjoyed Ernie Anastos
Editor: Congrats on a great publication. I especially enjoyed the piece on Fox newsman Ernie Anastos. You really hit the nail on the head when you called him a New York Icon. I always watched another channel for news but have switched to Fox-5 because Ernie is there. He is a voice of reason and honesty in a field that has become more and more suspect because of revelations that other news people have fudged their stories.
I went to see Penn & Teller after reading the feature on them and the show was fabulous. They are two truly crazy, but talented, individuals. They expose phonies in the world of so-called “magic” and then amaze you with what they do. I enjoyed the interview and especially the twist with having Teller speak at the end after being silent throughout. They seem like nice people. Sincerely, Mattia Morningside Heights
I look forward to your coming issues.
NYL: They are both talented and gentlemen.
Sincerely, Jerry S. Chelsea
Great features
NYL: Thanks. We did the piece because of the high regard in which we have always held Ernie Anastos.
Kudos
Editor: New York Lifestyles is a breath of fresh air. One magazine covering New York gets too political and takes sides, another just has some insipid articles. Your publication covers a wide range of topics and really gives me a feel for the personalities, destinations, and business side of New York.
Editor: Ernie Anastos has been around the horn for years. I watched him on WABC and have followed him on Fox for about 15 years. He has such a calm and soothing manner, not like others who take minor stories and go all dramatic with them.
I enjoyed the profiles of Ernie Anastos and Marvin Scott, both of whom I consider to be New York Icons. Your piece on John McEnroe brought together the U.S Open and the personality of McEnroe without making a joke of the man. He’s a great tennis champion and was very emotionally involved in his play.
I also enjoy the travel features. They have given me some ideas on vacation plans. The story on the child with Down’s Syndrome and her family was truly inspiring. They treat her like the human being that she is. Such children have feelings and too often unthinking people don’t realize that. Kudos to New York Lifestyles for bringing this out and humanizing them.
Terry East Village
Andrew Manhattan NYL: They are a wonderful family and an inspiration.
Great magazine
Editor: Wow! I just picked up a copy of the July issue of New York Lifestyles Magazine and absolutely loved it. 96 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
NYL: Thanks. We look forward in the coming months to being the best possible magazine. We are adding new writers every month and will delve into the real estate market in New York and elsewhere, one of our correspondents will be featuring spas and health and we’ll continue to bring you reviews of the best upscale restaurants in New York and “The Burbs.” We’d love to hear from more of you. Tell us what’s on your mind and let us know what you like or didn’t. What would you like to see more of, less of? Drop us a note at bobn@newyorklifestylesmagazine. com. We have some surprises coming up in the next few issues such as a free sweepstakes giveaway of trips and other goodies. t
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