Promenade - Fall 2009 by Promenade Magazine

PROMENADE ■ Fashion Forecast ■ The Fall Theatre Season ■ Stunning Jewelry ■ Timeless Watches ■ Sunday Brunch ■

PROMENADE About New York since 1934

FALL 2009

dining shopping

autumnin New York theatre

art

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FALL 2009

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HOTEL WALDORF-ASTORIA 301 PARK AVENUE 212-751-9824 509 MADISON AVENUE AT 53RD STREET 212-888-0505 NEW YORK, NY 10022 TOLL-FREE: 800-CELLINI www.CelliniJewelers.com

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NATURAL PINK AND WHITE DIAMONDS FROM OUR EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

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Fall 2009

Joan Marcus

Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

Jewelry

Ragtime comes to Broadway

Museums

FALL IN

PROMENADE

utumn in New York. It’s the season when everything is new. On the city’s famed stages, a host of stars begin performing. In the finest shops and boutiques, the latest designer styles are making their appearance. A vibrant new music director is at the helm of the New York Philharmonic. Innovative restaurants are opening their doors and chefs are creating novel dishes at established venues. Legendary jewelry designers and veteran watchmakers are showing their original creations. In Promenade you’ll see all of this. Fabulous fashion from the fall runways, elegant bijoux in the colors of the season, fresh retail faces on the city’s chic streets. Great real estate in the dynamic Flatiron District. Sunday brunch at some of New York’s best restaurants. In the arts: bold productions at the Met; a Vasily Kandinsky retrospective at the Guggenheim, a Jane Austen tribute at the Morgan and the interesting, political brooches worn by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, collected at the Museum of Arts & Design. Plus Christopher Wheeldon’s brash new dance company at City Center. On Broadway and off, another celebrity-packed season, sure to delight: Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig, Sienna Miller, John Stamos, Gina Gershon, Jude Law, Carrie Fisher, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lynn Redgrave, Willem Dafoe and many others. Travelers, take note of our trip to Patagonia…a luxurious visit to Chile’s outback. And as always in Promenade, our up-to-date guides for shopping, dining, theatre, museums, galleries, performing arts, sightseeing and spas will make your autumn in New York a pleasure. For more luxury information and things to do, visit our website: nyluxury.com. Enjoy!

Shopping

Dining

Erin Baiano

David L. Miller Publisher 4

Performing Arts

PROMENADE I

DEDICATED TO THE AFFLUENT NEW YORK CITY VISITOR

HOTEL WALDORF-ASTORIA 301 PARK AVENUE 212-751-9824 509 MADISON AVENUE AT 53RD STREET 212-888-0505 NEW YORK, NY 10022 TOLL-FREE: 800-CELLINI www.CelliniJewelers.com

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TIMELESS GLAMOUR PAVÉ DIAMOND BROOCHES FROM OUR EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION

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About New York since 1934

PROMENADE

nyluxury.com Fall 2009

Shopping New York

hot shops in the city

The Fall Runway Report Amazing grays, dazzling metallics, and the sexy single shoulder. Page 16 Seasonal Splendor Jewels that sizzle in fall colors. Page 22 New Shops on Chic Streets Fresh faces change the retail landscape. Page 26 The Style Interview: Amy Smilovic The founder of Tibi designs clothes that put the sophisticated woman in a good mood. Page 28 while away the hours

Editor’s Picks: The Virtual Voyager: Topflight tips for the discerning traveler. Page 12 Watches…Special timepieces for the autumn hours. Page 14 Our List of the Best Places Great suggestions for successful shopping. Page 30

fashion forward colors of the season

on the cover Clockwise from left: Carolina Herrera, fall 2009 collection; The Oak Room; cuff by Anna Ruth Henriques; Jude Law in Hamlet ; Cellini citrine and diamond earrings; Vasily Kandinsky’s Black Lines. Photo credits: Jude Law, Johan Persson; The Oak Room, Travis Rathbone

waiting in style

talking with Tibi

HUGO BOSS FASHIONS INC. Phone 212 940 0600 BOSS Black

BOSS Store New York The Shops at Columbus Circle 10 Columbus Circle BOSS Store New York SOHO 555 Broadway HUGO BOSS Store New York Meatpacking 401 West 14th Street BOSS Store Hackensack The Shops At Riverside One Riverside Square for other store locations please visit our website www.hugoboss.com

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About New York since 1934

PROMENADE

nyluxury.com

Annabel Clark

Fall 2009

the fall theatre season flatiron flair

THEATRE

Gina Gershon The edgy, sexy, funny performer breaks new ground in Bye Bye Birdie. Page 46

a bold

new co mpany Erin Baian o

Brigitte La combe / M etropolitan Opera

On the Town The Fall Season Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman, Sienna Miller, Jude Law, John Stamos, Anna Deavere Smith, Philip Seymour Hoffman and many more. Page 48 OPERA

A Met season with fresh perspectives and bold innovation And Alan Gilbert takes the reins at the NY Philharmonic. Page 58

tosca a t the

Met

DANCE

Morphoses in New York Christopher Wheeldon’s brash new company hopes to move ballet out of the box. Page 60 MUSEUMS

The Fall Preview: Kandinsky at the Guggenheim, Jane Austen at the Morgan and Madeleine Albright’s brooches at the Museum of Arts & Design. Page 66 REAL ESTATE

The Flatiron District Grand loft living in a dynamic neighborhood. Page 78 TRAVEL

Peaceful Patagonia Eco adventures, lush forests, exotic marine life and luxurious villas in Chile’s outback. Page 80

Ben Benson’s steak and more Patagonia’s pleasures

DINING

Brunch 8 great places for that special Sunday experience. Page 88

brooch art

The Restaurant Interview Ben Benson: His namesake steakhouse has range…and the classics. Page 98 THE MOST UP-TO-DATE GUIDES:

Theatre....................... Page 50 Performing Arts.......... Page 62 Museums.................... Page 70 Galleries...................... Page 74 Sights in the City ....... Page 84 Dining........................ Page 92

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Advertiser:

bochic

ISSUE:

HOLIDAY 2008

Contact Information:

jill malek 718.207.9587 jill@jillmalek.com

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About New York since 1934

PROMENADE Fall 2009

PUBLISHER David L. Miller CO-PUBLISHER Eli Marcus DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Lisa Ben-Isvy SALES & MARKETING

VP Sales & Marketing Vincent Timpone VP Community Relations Janet Z. Barbash Senior Account Manager Fred Moskowitz

Salome Rings

EDITORIAL

Editor Listings Editor Style Editor Theatre Editor Assistant Editor

Phyllis Singer Colin Carlson Ruth J. Katz Griffin Miller Christine Tarulli

Contributing Editors Kaitlin Ahern Martin Bernheimer Kristopher Carpenter Sylviane Gold Karin Lipson Diane Mehta Marla J. Wasserman Research Assistants Alissa Kombert Kaela Mahon Art Director Jiyon Son PUBLISHING OPERATIONS

General Manager Thomas K. Hanlon Administrative Frank Kirsner Denise Marcovitch Traffic Heather Gambaro Dana Golia Rebecca Stolcz FINANCE

Credit Manager Elizabeth Teagarden Shaquon Cates Curtis Chaffin Diedra Smith Bookkeeper Fran Giovinco Assistant Bookkeeper Socehira David PROMENADE | DEDICATED TO THE AFFLUENT NEW YORK CITY VISITOR

Published by Davler Media Group LLC 1440 Broadway, 5th Floor New York, NY 10018 P: 212.315.0800 F: 212.271.2239 www.nyluxury.com www.davlermedia.com

Chief Executive Officer: David L. Miller Quarterly circulation is audited by BPA Worldwide NO PORTION OF THIS MAGAZINE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ARTICLES, LISTINGS, MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISION OF THE PUBLISHERS. Copyright: 2009 by Davler Media Group LLC. 212.315.0800.

Subscriptions are $60 in US and $80 overseas For circulation inquiries, call Thomas K. Hanlon, 646.736.3604

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Advertiser:

bochic

ISSUE:

HOLIDAY 2008

Contact Information:

jill malek 718.207.9587 jill@jillmalek.com

EDITOR’S PICKS

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Topflight Tips for the Discerning Traveler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the

virtualvoyager

By Griffin Miller

▼ Willkommen Tranquility

Lufthansa, an airline with a reputation for bucking the global economic wave of first-class downgrades, recently added a new service to its First Class Lounge (Terminal 2) at the Munich Airport: private quiet zones offering comfortable day beds in a relaxing setting. In addition, the lounge has exclusive integrated customs and immigration access – in short, no long lines or unexpected hassles. For info on all of Lufthansa’s Premium Services, visit Lufthansa.com. Passport Impasse: Crisis Averted

▼

For the ultimate in personal assistance should you suddenly be confronted with a lost, expired or stolen passport – or any other last-minute passport or visa-related emergency – the solution is It’s Easy Passport & Visa Services. Adept at handling the needs of high-profile executives and other VIP travelers (does the name Tom Cruise ring a bell?), this Manhattan-based company is on-call 24/7 and can – in specific locations, including New York City – personally deliver applications to you and take photos of you in your home, hotel or office. itseasy.com

Preparing for a Grand Entrance

▼

Magellan’s, the gold standard in travel amenities, recently added a totally cool, remarkably compact Lighted Travel Mirror to its collection. At less than one inch thick, this ingenious perk offers 10X magnification while the cover folds back 3 x 7 ¼ x 9 ¼ folded; into a stand. (¼ $39.95) magellans.com

Climbing the Wall

You’ve got to love a legendary, five-star London hotel with the blithe tenacity to hang a photo of Margaret Thatcher next to one of Amy Winehouse. The fact that it boasts a gasp-worthy list of superstar guests and a rooftop suite with a view of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace is but a bonus. And as of this past summer, The Athenaeum has revealed its latest attraction: its spectacular Vertical Garden: a living tapestry up the side of its exterior, just across the road from Green Park. Designed by award-winning artist/research scientist Patrick Blanc, this unique verdant visual offers the ultimate cachet to a London stay. athenaeumhotel.com

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EDITOR’S PICKS

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watches... the autumn hours As clock-watchers know all too well, fall is the time we look forward to, for that cherished night when we gain those extra 60 minutes as we turn time back. Here are a few special timepieces to help keep track of that annually appreciated hour. Or any hour. By Ruth J. Katz

The “Lange 1 Moonphase” watch, from A. Lange & Söhne, with a black crocodile strap, is crafted in 18-kt. rose gold; it features a graceful face, with the moon phases and the date in windows. $32,600 Cellini, Hotel Waldorf-Astoria (East Lobby), 301 Park Avenue (49th/50th Streets); 212-751-9824; 509 Madison Avenue (52nd/53rd Streets); 212-888-0505; cellinijewelers.com

Skagen Denmark’s 20th Anniversary limited edition watches for him and for her. Both feature the company’s signature mesh bracelets, platinumplated cases, and signed casebacks, individually numbered. $125 each Bloomingdale’s, 1000 Third Avenue (59th/60th Streets); 212-705-2000; bloomingdales.com

Wempe’s “Zeitmeister” chronograph in stainless steel with a black dial and a sapphire crystal, on a stylish black band with white contrast stitching. $2,765 Wempe, 700 Fifth Avenue (55th/56th Streets); 212-397-9000; 800-513-1131; wempe.com

The “Grande Seconde Blue Enamel” from Jacquet Droz features luscious midnight-blue enamel and correlated strap, bathing this rare collector’s item (only eight numbered pieces were produced worldwide), in an elegant, unusual hue. $22,000 Tourbillon Boutique New York, 45 Wall Street (William/Broad Streets); 212-797-2503; jaquetdroz.com

Glashütte-Original’s “Sport Evolution Impact Chronograph” has four cushioning elements that absorb as much as 60 percent of the impact force arising from external jolts and shocks—ideal for the heavy-duty sports enthusiast. $12,500 Tourbillon Boutique New York, 45 Wall Street (William/Broad Streets); 212-797 2503; glashuette-original.com

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aybe it has to do with the economy, but shades of gray— whether charcoal, gunmetal, battleship, or deep-toned near-ebony—held sway on the runways this past February, heralding the fall season’s finery. Never has gray looked so spectacular, erupting with the kind of razzledazzle you wouldn’t expect from a color that has always been associated with (yawn, yawn) men’s suiting. There were shiny silver hues, too, with gray overtones, at nearly all the runway shows from Giorgio Armani to Stella McCartney to 3.1 Phillip Lim. Fabulous, tailored suits from Burberry Prorsum and Jason Wu looked nothing like your father’s. And Tudor-inspired gala ball-gown ensembles from Chanel featured layers of white, black, gray, the overall effect being one of chiaroscuro. But if the light and playful way that gray was employed was not sufficient enough to elevate your spirits, all the bold—and oftentimes neon—colors from Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Iceberg, Versace, and Thakoon, among the many, would certainly catapult your emotional barometer into the stratosphere. There were smatterings of vivid prints, too, especially with animal motifs emblazoned on the clothing canvases, at Dolce & Gabbana, Blumarine, Oscar de la Renta, and Dries Van Noten, also among the many. As we’ve seen the past few seasons, glittery metallics were muscular and omnipresent—in everything from dresses, pants, vests, shrugs, jackets, and coats, which by the way, made quite a sensational statement themselves; more often than not, they were oversize, cocoon-style wraps. But there were also coats in unusual cuts with interesting lines—for example, fitted to the body, but with huge sleeves, or some other element that startled. Regardless of the silhouettes, they all auger a toasty winter. And if they do not keep you warm enough, body-enveloping fur will, and it was assuredly flying everywhere at the shows—in adorable bracelet-like cuffs of real fur at Tibi, to faux-fur half-sleeves (like arm warmers) at Donna Karan. There were collars galore, like those at Prada, and hem, neck, waist, and wrist trims at Dior. Fur was used to adorn everything, from hats to boots. This coming season, you may well need fur to keep you warm, because your shoulders—or at least one shoulder—are likely to be bare. Asymmetric sleeves and wacky necklines were everywhere—but shown in their most sedate expression, the motif was played out with a simple one-shoulder effect, in almost every line, from Jil Sander to Derek Lam to Isaac Mizrahi. Here’s a a broad selection of the season’s most interesting looks.

By Ruth J. Katz

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fall runway report

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Chanel

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Shades of Gray...

Vera Wang

J. Mendel

Carolina Herrera

Preen

Luca Luca

Christian Dior

amazing grays, dazzling metallics, and sexy single shoulders

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Sexy Shoulder...

Bottega Veneta

Carolina Herrera

Gucci

Erin Fetherston

ChloĂŠ

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fall runway report

Calvin Klein

Issey Miyake

Preen

Barbara Tfank

Christian Dior

Hot Colors! Catherine Malandrino

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Issey Miyake

Preen

Coats

Hervé Léger by Max Azria

BCBGMAXAZRIA Runway

Cocoons

Alice Temperley

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fall runway report

Hervé Léger by Max Azria

BCBGMAXAZRIA Runway

Diane von Furstenburg

Ralph Lauren

Carolina Herrera

GlitteryMetallics

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▼ Designer Cynthia Gregg’s orange sapphire and diamond ring, set in 18-kt. gold. $4,800. Peipers and Kojen, 1023 Lexington Avenue (73rd/74th Streets); 212-744-1047; cynthiagreggjewels.com

▼ Vintage-style garnet ring, set with diamonds, in 24-kt. gold. Price upon request. Helen Yarmak Boutique, The Shops at The Plaza; One West 58th Street (Fifth Avenue), 212-245-0777; helenyarmak.com

▼ Designer Todd Reed’s 18-kt. yellow gold, hand-forged ring, with rubelite and raw diamond cubes. $25,000. Takashimaya, 693 Fifth Avenue (53rd/54th Streets); 212-350-0100; takashimaya-ny.com, toddreed.com

▼

Tear drop-shaped citrines edged with white diamonds in 18-kt. yellow gold. $3,500. Cellini, Hotel Waldorf-Astoria (East Lobby), 301 Park Avenue (49th/50th Streets); 212-751-9824; 509 Madison Avenue (52nd/53rd Streets); 212-888-0505; cellinijewelers.com

Amber, spinel, and rose-cut diamond earrings, with 5.48 ct. diamonds, set in 18-kt. gold. $26,000. Bochic, 12 West 57th Street (Fifth/Sixth Avenues); Eighth Floor; 212-873-0707; bochic.com

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Amber and diamond cuff, with 11.35 ct. diamonds, set in 14-kt. gold and sterling silver. Bochic, 12 West 57th Street (Fifth/Sixth Avenues); Eighth Floor; 212-873-0707; bochic.com

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Sizzle in the Colors of Autumn...and Winter

Seasonal Splendor

As autumn starts to transform the landscape, Mother Nature responds by painting her foliage with resplendent tones—burnished ginger, pomegranate, burnt sienna, vermillion, raw umber, soft rose, sunburned bronzes. And after fall’s festival of colors fades, the leaves tumble earthward, leaving behind naked branches just waiting to be cloaked with winter’s fantasy icicles and blanketed with twinkling snowflakes. Here are the seasonal hues as seen in beautiful bijoux. By Ruth J. Katz

▼

"Stiletto" earrings by Gumuchian, in 18-kt. white gold with two fluted, carved coral drops, accented with 24 diamonds (.97 ct.) $6,000. Peter de Natale Jewelers, 170 Broadway (Maiden Lane), Suite 205; 212-349-2355; denatale.com, gumuchian.com

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18-kt. gold and silver bees accented with diamonds (3.5 ct.), on 18-kt. gold honeycombs, set with custom-cut Madeira citrines. Price upon request. ARK Restoration and Design, Ltd., by appointment only; 212-244-1028; arkjewelry.com

“Gingko Leaf” cuff by designer Anna Ruth Henriques, fashioned in 18-kt. gold, with reconstituted coral and diamond accents. $8,500. Barneys New York, 660 Madison Avenue (61st Street); 212-826-8900, 888-822-7639; barneys.com, annaruthhenriques.com

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Orange tourmaline and diamond medallion pendant set in platinum. $40,000. Tiffany & Co., 727 Fifth Avenue (57th Street); 212-755-8000, 800-526-0649; 37 Wall Street (Nassau/William Streets); 212-514-8015; tiffany.com

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Magnetic brooch by designer Barbara Silverstein, in 14-kt. gold wire with Swarovski crystals. $1,175. Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle (59th Street); 212-299-7777; madmuseum.org, barbarasilverstein.com

18-kt. yellow gold and platinum, multi-colored cabochon (26 stones) and diamond (3.82 ct.) bracelet by Oscar Heyman.$90,000. Macklowe Gallery, 667 Madison Avenue (60th/61st Streets); 212-644-6400; macklowegallery.com, oscarheyman.com

“Fantasia” bangle bracelet by Roberto Coin, in 18-kt. white gold, set with cognac diamonds. $36,000. Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue (49th/50th Streets); 877-551-7257; 212-753-4000; saksfifthavenue.com, robertocoin.com

20-kt. peach gold belt-buckle set with nine oval cabochon sapphires and one ruby. $24,800. Reinstein Ross, 29 East 73rd Street (Fifth/Madison Avenues); 212-772-1901; 122 Prince Street (Greene/Wooster Streets); 212-226-4513; reinsteinross.com

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Seasonal Splendor

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▼ Baroque fresh water pearls and mother-of-pearl beads with diamond snakes and dragonflies in 18-kt. white gold by Sazingg. $7,850. Vivre catalogue; vivre.com, sazingg.com

Designer Erica Courtney’s platinum, moonstone (72.14 ct.), and diamond (2.95 ct) necklace. $60,420. Michael C. Fina, 545 Fifth Avenue (45th Street); 212-557-2500; michaelcfina.com, ericacourtney.com

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▼ Platinum-and-diamond, teardropstyle dangle earrings, featuring nearly 17 ct. of diamonds, in close to 300 round, baguette, and pear-shaped stones by Oscar Heyman.$90,000. Macklowe Gallery, 667 Madison Avenue (60th/61st Streets); 212-644-6400; macklowegallery.com, oscarheyman.com

“Pools of Light,” a 60”-long moonstone necklace set in 18-kt. gold, accented with diamond-shaped and oval handmade links. Price upon request. ARK Restoration and Design, Ltd., by appointment only; 212-244-1028; arkjewelry.com

KC Designs’s fexible cuff bracelet, in an openwork lattice style, in 14-kt. white gold with 17.08 ct. diamonds. $36,625. Michael C. Fina, 545 Fifth Avenue (45th Street); 212-557-2500; michaelcfina.com, kcdesignsnyc.com

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FRESH FACES on the retail landscape Yes, the recession has taken something of a retail toll, but in certain Manhattan neighborhoods, you’d never suspect there is any problem renting stores and boutiques. Along Columbus Avenue, for example, according to the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (which promotes the stretch between West 67th and West 82nd Streets), five new businesses opened in recent months— three fashion boutiques and two gourmet shops Retail-rental diva Faith Hope Consolo, Chairman, Retail Leasing, Marketing, and Sales Division of Prudential Douglas Elliman, notes, “Since the beginning of the summer, there has been more than a renewed interest in the New York retail landscape, particularly among international retailers. Most recognize that now is their shopportunity to position themselves in the best commercial corridors, and with an advantageous deal.” But, it’s not only foreign-bred brands that are sealing and signing Gotham leases—in the next few months, also look for boutiques from premier designers like Devi Kroell and the redoubtable Isaac Mizrahi. A few other special shops new to the city are profiled here. By Ruth J. Katz

VINCE

Fashion with a Downtown Flair The edgy brand Vince made a splash earlier this year when it opened its first Gotham boutique in the Meatpacking District. It was such a hit, a second store just opened last month in SoHo. A fave of Hollywood heavy-hitters, the line is epitomized by casual style with a twist. Madonna chose a Vince satin bomber jacket to wear in her cover shot for her American Life album, and Kate Hudson, Renée Zellweger, and Cate Blanchett are all fans. Classic, luxe items, like parkas, hoodies, sweats, T-shirts, tanks, and sweaters (for reasonable prices) are produced in fine, rich fabrics (lots of cashmere), and are all designed with intricate details—something that gives a classic that certain je ne sais quoi that sets it apart from ho-hum separates and casual wear. The backgrounds of the troika team behind the label boast of credentials that read like retail-royalty: Rea Laccone helped establish the highly regarded Laundry by Shelli Segal, among other accomplishments; Christopher LaPolice spent years as a store manager for Lord & Taylor, and worked in very senior positions at Bloomingdale’s, Max Studio, and Elie Tahari; head designer Micheline Ip plied her talent at Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein before becoming the director of the women’s design department at Banana Republic. VINCE 16 Prince Street (Elizabeth/Mott Streets); 212-343-1945; vince.com

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F. P. JOURNE

Timing is Everything

F. P. JOURNE 721 Madison Avenue (63rd/64th Streets);

fpjourne.com Watch collectors are very serious about their timekeeping mechanisms; they are committed aficionados who always want the “next thing.” Well, the next prestige watch is about to land in Midtown: Collectors are all going to be tick-tockingly thrilled to know that F. P. Journe will be opening its newest boutique in November.

Francois-Paul Journe has been a watchmaker for most of his 50-some years; his eponymous label’s output—unlike more established, ultra-prestige brands in the world of haute horlogerie, like say, the esteemed Patek Philippe, which produces some 38,000 timepieces a year (a number which is considered very small in watch production)—is, in comparison, infinitesimal, maybe a thousand pieces annually. The company’s motto, visible on its watches, is invenit et fecit, “invented and made.” Journe’s watches are stylish and purposeful, and over the scant ten years the firm has been in business, it has garnered many prizes, not the least of which was recognition this past summer by the Robb Report in its “Best of the Best” issue, in which Journe’s “Répétion Souveraine” ($165,000) was singled out. The company has opened six boutiques since 2003—in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Boca Raton, Geneva, Paris, and Beijing (opening as we speak)…and now, New York.

ZILLI

Men’s Wear Worth the Wait Although Zilli is sold in over 30 countries and has 36 boutiques around the world (even in, we are not joshing, Yekateringburg, Russia and Astana, Kazakhstan), and even though it’s been around since the early 1980s, it has not had a boutique here in the States! (In fact, the brand’s first boutique opened in London in 1982.) So, the Big Apple is finally getting its due, as Zilli opens its 37th store, slated to unlock the door later this month. A world-wide leader in hand-sewn ties, and also in the fine art of fashioning garments from unusual and tricky skins (like crocodile and peccary), Zilli creates luxury sportswear, formal wear, and accessories (cufflinks, sunglasses, shoes, small leather goods). When the brand was created, most men’s wear was highly tailored, so Zilli offered and continues to produce a refreshingly casual-looking alternative, yet one that was (and is) still elegant and exquisitely fashioned. ZILLI The Four Seasons Hotel, 57 East 57th Street (Madison/Park Avenues); 212-207-4028; zilli.fr

The shop will have an Art Deco feel, with the company’s signature deep-toned mahogany wood, glimmering gold-veined marble, and creamy leather accents. Expect real hands-on service and style. 27

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talking with Amy Smilovic With her “Southern girl” design philosophy, the founder of Tibi believes clothes should put you in a good mood By Marla J. Wasserman

my Smilovic, the brainchild behind the Tibi clothing line, cannot imagine wearing a little black dress to a party. “I wouldn’t understand the point,” she declares. For this fashion designer, clothes are meant to be fun and conversational. “Color is super important,” Smilovic says. “I don’t like things that look like a candy shop or are too garish but I do want clothes to be bright enough that you feel good yet sophisticated enough that you’re still chic.” Given the success of the Tibi line – which can be found everywhere from Saks to Bloomingdales and specialty shops in between – Smilovic must not be the only one who favors a palette broader than the one she chides Jennifer Aniston for wearing. We recently sat down with this busy mother of two to find out the secret behind Tibi’s success and which celebrities she thinks could use some help with their wardrobe. Q: Why is the line called Tibi? Are the letters an acronym for something? A: I wish I could tell you something exciting, but I started the line with a friend in Hong Kong (back in 1997) and it was her grandmother’s name and it just stuck once we started. Q: Your background is in business – how did you end up as a fashion designer? A: When I was growing up in Georgia, I didn’t know I would be a fashion designer but I did love clothes. I was very interested in art and business and starting a clothing line was more about having my own company than anything else. When I graduated college, I fell into the business world more than I had in-

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[ From the Fall 2009 Collection ]

tended and worked in advertising on the account management side. Having learned so much about running a business, I felt passionate about owning my own company. When my husband got transferred to Hong Kong in 1997, I started Tibi. I don’t think I would have been brave enough to start a fashion company in New York without a fashion background. Q: Looking back on those early days when you started Tibi, did you ever envision a clothing line that literally spans the globe? A: I actually totally envisioned it but now in hindsight I’m like “why did I ever think I could do this?” You operate in a delusional state when you’re starting out but I think it would be hard to get somewhere if you’re not a certain amount delusional about your capabilities. I’m so glad I didn’t know then what I know now because I would have been overwhelmed. I had this crazy optimism. Q: For those not familiar with Tibi, how would you describe the brand? A: I’m a Southern girl, and not to stereotype, but Southern girls ultimately want to look pretty and they’re not driven by trends. When I design, that is my philosophy. It is amazing how many designers do things just for the sake of design or shock but I know my consumers really want their friends and husband to compliment them and say they look good. Tibi is about clothes that make you feel good or put you in a good mood. Q: Is it true you run the business with your husband and does he have any say in the designs? A: My husband, Frank, runs the business. He was at American Express for 27 years and then went to work for Gateway Computers while we were in Hong Kong. I think once he made the leap of leaving Amex after so many years, and I had just started Tibi, he decided we should try to make this work to-

gether. Every now and then he gives me opinions on the fashion end but I usually ignore him! He has a European sensibility and can’t understand why women need so many clothes. Luckily, we don’t all think like him. Q: Tons of celebrities have donned your clothes. Who wears your line and who do you wish you could dress? A: Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore all wear Tibi. I would love to see other girls have more fun with the way they dress. Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow are two that I think should have fun with color and print. And, Jennifer Aniston is truly the most boring. She has five million choices and really the jeans, the belt, the Vince sweater – do we need to always wear that? Q: Tell us about the Fall 2009 line. A: Fall is based on Russian fairytales, specifically one about the firebird. When you go through the book, you can see how so many of the prints were derived from the ideas and the visuals in the story. My favorite piece for Fall is a dress that has a literal interpretation of the firebird; it is a one-shouldered dress. Q: What are your future plans for Tibi? A: I may open more free-standing stores in places such as Los Angeles, the Hamptons, Palm Beach or Boston but I feel no sense of urgency right now. My real goal is to do something in the home arena because I love interior design. I love using the prints that way and I think there is a gap in contemporary design for the home. ■ Marla J. Wasserman has written for many magazines in New York. Her last interview for Promenade was with J.Crew Collection’s Jenna Lyons.

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A leader in the world of style, Hugo Boss covers all the main fashion areas for sophisticated women and men with an extensive selection of shoes and accessories, fragrances, glasses, watches, and much more. Pictured here are items from the Hugo Boss Orange collection, including a leather/nylon weekend bag ($430), a leather satchel with drawstring closure ($750), suede boots ($395), and leather boots with fur lining ($575). Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Cir. (59th St.), 212-485-1900. Call 800-HUGO-BOSS or visit hugoboss.com for additional store locations.

NEW YORK

SHOPPING

ART AND ANTIQUES Antiquarium Fine Ancient Arts Gallery, Ltd. – This gallery specializes in authentic, museumquality Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Egyptian, Sumerian, Mesopotamian and other Near Eastern antiquities, including ancient glass, jewelry, marble and stone sculpture, bronzes, pottery, coins and seals and wearable ancient jewelry. Special appointments arranged. 948 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 212-734-9776

Center44 – A unique and dramatic shopping experience with 70 extraordinary international antiques dealers featured in a block-long showroom of open-room settings, with aisles of antiquities (from ancient to the 19th century),

20th-century design—including Deco, Modernism, and Futurism—and unique contemporary art and objects. On-site skilled artisans provide furniture and art restoration, as well as traditional upholstery. 222 E. 44th St. (Second-Third Aves.), 212-450-7988; center44.com Fanelli Antique Timepieces – Antique timepieces, watches, mantle clocks, skeleton clocks, grandfather clocks, three-piece clock sets, and wall clocks drawing both the likes of Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Tiffany, as well as novice and sophisticated decorators. 790 Madison Ave. (66th St.), Ste. 202, 212-517-2300 James Robinson Inc. – Top-quality antique jewelry, silver, porcelain, and glass, along with

handmade sterling silver flatware, coffee sets, trays, and candlesticks. Gentlemen will appreciate such treasures as cuff links, glass decanters, tankards, mugs, and other silver-crafted items. 480 Park Ave. (58th St.), 212-752-6166 Manhattan Art & Antiques Center – The country’s oldest and largest indoor antiques collective features 104 dealers offering 18th- to 20th-century American, English, Continental, and Oriental furniture, porcelain, silver, decorations, and clocks. Also available are Tiffany glass, Oriental rugs and tapestries, Japanese ivory and lacquer objects, enamel jewelry, marble statuary, and folk art. 1050 Second Ave. (55th-56th Sts.), 212-355-4400; the-maac.com

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SHOPPING SPOTLIGHT

JEWELRY p.38

ANTIQUES p.30

Showplace Antique Center – Over 250 galleries located on 4 spacious floors featuring Art Deco, Art Nouveau, mid-century Modern, bronze, silver, jewelry, vintage clothing & accessories, ceramics, art glass, antiquities, period furniture & lighting. Don’t miss the 3rd floor featuring designer room settings and over 50 showcases filled with an eclectic range of decoratives and collectibles. Mon.Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat.-Sun., 8:30am-5:30pm. Silversmith, Espresso Bar & Café on the premises. Monthly live online auctions. 40 W. 25th St., 212-633-6063; nyshowplace.com

CHINA, GLASS, SILVER AND PORCELAIN Baccarat, New York – Illustrious French high-end crystal stemware, giftware, and decorative items, from heart pendants to major works of contemporary sculpture and glorious chandeliers. Home to the finest in French tabletop. 625 Madison Ave. (59th St.), 212-826-4100; baccarat.com Bernardaud – Fine dinnerware, crystal, flatware, barware, and giftware, in styles ranging from classic to contemporary, renowned for its excellent craftsmanship and elegance. Family-owned andoperated since 1863,the leading manufacturer of Limoges porcelain, also carrying Baccarat, Puiforcat, and Christofle. 499 Park Ave. (59th St.), 212-371-4300; bernardaud.com Daum – For over 130 years, Daum has been recognized for its creativity, innovative styling, and masterful craftsmanship, and has been a leader in art glass. They offer decorative objects and tableware, special gifts and collectibles, handcrafted furniture, lighting, and objets d’art in Pâte de Verre—an ancient technique performed only by the company’s master craftsmen that uses crystal as the base material, giving the products both a sculptural dimension and a distinctive brilliance and translucency. Daum is the only crystal maker in the world that manufactures this exceptional substance with a quality of production and a capacity that can satisfy international demand. Featuring designs specially created by such avant-garde artists as Dan Dailey, Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dali, Hilton McConnico, Christophe Pillet, Aman, Sosno, Philippe Starck, Andre Dubreuil, and Franck Evennou. 694 Madison Ave. (62nd-63rd Sts.), 212-355-2060

Simon Pearce – This shop features everything you need to set the table and entertain—dinnerware, hand-blown glassware, flatware, linens, vases, and more—showcased in simple wooden cupboards and actual table settings. Wedding/gift registry, personalized engraving, hand painting. 500 Park Ave. (59th St.), 212-421-8801; simonpearce.com Steuben – “The world’s purest crystal,” renowned for exquisite craftsmanship, unmatched quality standards, and peerless material. Many new products are added each year to an extensive collection that includes bowls, vases, and candlesticks, desk and office accessories, their signature animals, and major copper-wheel engraved sculptural works. 667 Madison Ave. (61st St.), 800-424-4240; steuben.com

CHILDREN p.40

INDEX 30

Art and Antiques

China, Glass, Silver and Porcelain

Linens

Home Furnishings

Department and Specialty Stores

Fashion and Accessories (Men and Women)

Jewelry and Watches

Shoes (Men and Women)

Maternity Wear

Children

Kidstuff

Luggage and Leather Goods

Electronics and Photo

Art Supplies

Musical Instruments

Sporting Attire and Equipment

Stationers and Writing Instruments

Bookstores

Cigars & Accessories

Dentistry

Opticians and Eyewear

Services

Spas

LINENS Frette – Since 1860, this Italian manufacturer of household linens has been offering some of the world’s most luxurious classic and contemporary bed-and-bath fashions. 799 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 212-988-5221; ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway (19th St.), 212-473-3000 x723 Pratesi – Indulge in the finest in silk, cotton, and linen from a line-up of luxurious linens for the home and body. Snuggle up in the men’s and women’s line of robes, in several prints, with matching slippers for him and decorative scalloping and embroidery for her. 829 Madison Ave. (69th St.), 212-288-2315

HOME FURNISHINGS ABC Carpet & Home – A NYC treasure in two landmark buildings in the Flatiron district, this home-goods bazaar offers a spectacular selection of unique furniture, elegant linens, unusual lighting, thousands of rugs, and miles of broadloom. 881 Broadway (18th-19th Sts.), 212-473-3000 Asprey – Exclusive British luxury products for women, men, and the home. Known for fine jewelry, stones, watches, and clocks, the inventory also includes handbags, leather goods, accessories, scarves, a cashmere bar, shoes, cuff links, fragrances, luggage, rare and fine books, and silver gift items. 853 Madison Ave. (70th St.), 212-688-1811; asprey.com

(Unless otherwise indicated, the area code is (212), and should be dialed before the number.)

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SHOPPINGNEWYORK

Design Within Reach – Modern design classics for the home including kitchen, living room, bedroom, and workspace furniture, an impressive array of lighting options, kitchen and bath accessories, and much more. Their Tools for Living store (142 Wooster St., 212-471-0280) is their first cash-and-carry location. 903 Broadway (20th St.), 212-477-1155; 341 Columbus Ave. (76th St.), 212-799-5900; 27 E. 62nd St., 212-888-4539; 124 Hudson St. (Moore St.), 212-219-2217; 408 W. 14th St., 212-242-9449

DEPARTMENT AND SPECIALTY STORES Barneys New York – Long identified with NY chic and sophistication, Barneys features international men’s and women’s fashion designers ranging from the classically understated to the flamboyantly avant garde. Accessories, formal wear, cosmetics, and shoes are also offered in a variety of styles. 660 Madison Ave. (61st St.), 212-826-8900; barneys.com Bergdorf Goodman – Among the nation’s most prestigious shops, featuring women’s fashion designs from Armani, Chanel, Versace and Ferre, to Tyler, Galliano, and Westwood. 754 Fifth Ave. (57th-58th Sts.), 212-753-7300; The men’s store is located at 745 Fifth Ave. (58th St.), 212-339-3310; bergdorfgoodman.com BEAUTIFUL BULGARI Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made splashy tabloid headlines regularly—what with a steamy affair during the filming of Cleopatra and with two marriages and two divorces—but perhaps some of the more unforgettable comments Burton made about La Taylor involved, not surprisingly, jewelry. Specifically Bulgari (bulgari.com) jewelry. Burton once quipped, “I introduced Liz to beer, she introduced me to Bulgari.” And even more memorable than that remark was Burton’s observation that the only Italian Taylor knew was “Bulgari.” Not a bad word to know if you fancy sparkly things. Bulgari’s jewelry has been mesmerizing generations of loyal, international devotées—deep-pocketed big spenders, the demimonde, celebs, and debs—for a “mere” 125 years. To mark this momentous anniversary, the company has mounted an astonishing exhibition in Italy (that with luck, will travel around the world) highlighting the art, splendor, and workmanship that are synonymous with the design firm’s treasures. Over 500 pieces are on display, many of which have never been on view previously, but have been tucked away in the company’s vaults, part of its historical archive. When patriarch Sotirios Boulgaris (Sotirio Bulgari in Italian), a Greek silversmith, emigrated to Italy, he was looking for opportunity; well, he certainly found it and his heirs have carried on the tradition. If you cannot get to Italy in the next few weeks to view the show (it ends September 13th, at the Palazzo delle Espozioni, via Nazionale, 194), then the next best thing is to buy the wondrous catalogue—a substantial coffee-table tome— which you can also use to perform biceps curls, given its heft. Between Eternity and History, Bulgari 1884-2009, 125 Years of Italian Jewels is a ravishing volume, and will be available at Rizzoli (rizzoliusa.com, 31 W. 57th St., 212-387-3400) starting in a few weeks. It is well worth the $80, for the hundreds of pages of pictures and riveting history…because it’s not just about bijoux: As Andy Warhol was reported to have said— claiming he visited the Bulgari salon whenever he was in Italy— “it’s like visiting the best exhibition of contemporary art.” — RJK

Bloomingdale’s – One of the world’s most famous landmark department stores. The best international fashions and home furnishings are brought together under a single Art Deco roof, in a store that encompasses a full city block and more than 500 departments. 1000 Third Ave. (59th-60th Sts.), 212-705-2000; The SoHo branch is located at 504 Broadway (Spring-Broome Sts.), 212-729-5900; bloomingdales.com Century 21 Department Store – “New York’s Best-Kept Secret” with highquality European and American designer merchandise at 40-70% off retail prices. 22 Cortlandt St. (Church St.-Broadway), 212-227-9092; c21stores.com Hammacher Schlemmer – The landmark store for America’s longest-running catalog, offering unique products that solve problems, further your lifestyle, or represent the only one of their kind. 147 E. 57th St., 212-421-9002; hammacher.com Henri Bendel – This ultra-chic, elegant Fifth Avenue retailer features Lalique windows, in-store Lalique history and displays, and multiple dramatic spiral staircases. It makes for a wonderful backdrop for the high-end goods, including top women’s labels. 712 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-247-1100; henribendel.com Lord & Taylor – Generations have shopped year-round at this, their flagship store, established in 1914, attracted by their focus on the American look and American designers, offering a vast selection of reasonably priced sportswear in all sizes, and particularly fine high-quality, shoes and accessories. 424 Fifth Ave. (39th St.), 212-391-3344; lordandtaylor.com Macy’s – “The world’s largest store,” and one of NYC’s most visited landmark attractions. The world’s first department store maintains a huge stock of everything from sofas to caviar, clothing, and everything in between. Broadway & 34th St., 212-695-4400; macys.com Saks Fifth Avenue – This venerated symbol of class and elegance began in 1924 as the brainchild of Horace Saks and Bernard Gimbel. Their flagship “dream store,” a New York City landmark since 1985, features nine floors of grand luxury, stocked with exclusive items for men and women. 611 Fifth Ave. (49th-50th Sts.), 212-753-4000; saksfifthavenue.com Takashimaya – The New York department store is modernized, with a Japanese spin. Products include time and travel accoutrements, men’s and women’s fashions, jewelry, scarves and accessories, home accents, bedding, skin care, cosmetics, and specialty items for babies. 693 Fifth Ave. (54th St.), 212-350-0100; takashimaya-ny.com

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FASHION AND ACCESSORIES ADAM – Fashion designer Adam Lippes’ outpost, featuring luxurious fashion apparel for men and women, including runway designs and daytime basics. Bold patterns, easy fabric and subtle pleating are the trend this season for women; for men, lightweight cardigans. 678 Hudson St. (14th St.), 212-229-2838; shopadam.com BCBG Max Azria – Modern and chic suits, separates, jeans, coats, dresses, handbags, and accessories for fashion-forward women. Summer brights are heading straight into fall, with tiers, ruffles, pleats and embellishments. 770 Madison Ave. (66th St.), 212-717-4225; 120 Wooster St. (Prince St.), 212-625-2723; bcbg.com Brooks Brothers – Classically modern business and casual clothing for fashionable men and women, including dress shirts, ties, pants, sweaters, and polos. 1 Liberty Plaza (Broadway), 212-267-2400; 346 Madison Ave. (44th St.), 212-682-8800; 666 Fifth Ave. (53rd St.), 212-261-9440. brooksbrothers.com Burberry – This luxury brand, synonymous with its signature house check–the camel, black, red, and white pattern–offers men’s, women’s, children’s, and babywear lines, fragrances, golf, eyewear, and home collections. Their made-toorder coat service has customized style and color options. 9 E. 57th St., 212-371-5010; 131 Spring St. (Greene St.), 212-925-9300; burberry.com Calvin Klein Collection – This monument to elegant modernity showcases its selection of women and men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, and the home collection, including china, flatware, glassware, and linens, plus exclusive gift items. The line is “making a smooth transition into fall” with easy, loose fabrics and cuts. 654 Madison Ave. (60th St.), 212-292-9000; calvinklein.com Calypso – Feminine, flowing dresses, ultrasoft sweaters, swimwear, and other brightly colored fashions that mix “urban vintage” with “tropical exoticism.” 815 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 212-585-0310; 935 Madison Ave. (74th St.), 212-535-4100; 280 Mott St. (Houston St.), 212-965-0990; 654 Hudson St. (Gansevoort St.), 646-638-3000; 191 Lafayette St. (Broome St.), 212-941-6512; 424 Broome St. (Lafayette St.), 212-274-0449; calypso-celle.com The Carlisle Collection – Stylish women make appointments for an exclusive and personalized shopping experience with couture-quality clothing that can’t be found in stores, including everything from power suits for the executive office to elegant dresses for the evening. 16 E. 52nd St. (Madison-Fifth Aves.), 16th Floor, 212-751-6490; showroom@carlisleny.com; carlislecollection.com Carolina Herrera – Elegant, ultra-feminine, up-to-the-minute women’s dresses and fragrances. “All that shimmers...” is the trend this season, with copper, forest green, and smoke

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SHOPPINGNEWYORK

organza and jacquard. 954 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 212-249-6552; carolinaherrera.com Catherine Malandrino – High-end couture fashions that blend the energy of Manhattan and the romance of Paris, and are a favorite among celebrities. “Chic with a touch of roughness” is the fall trend — zippers and chains accent feminine sheath dresses. SoHo: 468 Broome St. (Greene St.), 212-925-6765; Meatpacking District: 652 Hudson St. (13th St.), 212-929-8710; catherinemalandrino.com Celine – Luxury women’s fashions including timeless ready-to-wear, leather bags and handbags, shoes, and sunglasses. This season is showing chunky plaids, biker jackets and leather pants. 667 Madison Ave. (61st St.), 212-486-9700; celine.com Chanel Boutique – Featuring the classic décor elements of Coco Chanel’s renowned style, showcasing luxurious handbags, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, fragrances, and ready-to-wear by Karl Lagerfeld. 15 E. 57th St., 212-355-5050; 139 Spring St. (Wooster St.), 212-334-0055; chanel.com

with unmistakable flair. The men’s collection features impeccably detailed, comfortable Italianmade suits, sport coats, pants, shirts, and accessories. 801 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 212-628-5910; davidecenci.com Diane Von Furstenberg – Signature wrap dresses to flirty sportswear, swimwear, accessories, and more from the fashion icon. Bold mod and animal prints are layered and mismatched to create this funky fall line. 874 Washington St. (14th St.), 646-486-4800; dvf.com DKNY – Lifestyle clothing, accessories, and more embracing the fun and “real” styles of New York from Donna Karan. Modern tailored suits and dresses define fall sophistication. 420 West Broadway (Spring St.), 646-613-1100; 655 Madison Ave. (60th St.), 212-223-3569; dkny.com

Eileen Fisher – Classic women’s fashions promoting simplicity, versatility, beauty, and creativity. 395 West Broadway, 212-431-4567; 521 Madison Ave. (53rd-54th Sts.), 212-759-9888; 341 Columbus Ave. (76th St.), 212-362-3000; 314 E. 9th St., 212-529-5715; 1039 Madison Ave. (79th-80th Sts.), 212-879-7799; 166 Fifth Ave. (21-22 Sts.), 212-924-4777; eileenfisher.com Elie Tahari – Women’s ready-to-wear fashions and accessories, including suits, cutting-edge sportswear and dresses. 417 West Broadway (Spring St.), 212-334-4441; elietahari.com Emilio Pucci – Women’s clothing, hats, and shoes featuring brightly colored, often psychedelic, ultra-mod prints. 24 E. 64th St., 212-752-4777; 701 Fifth Ave. (54th St.), 212-230-1135; emiliopucci.com

Dolce & Gabbana – Ultra-modern Italian fashions, including men’s formalwear and more adventurous women’s fashions. 825 Madison Ave. (69th St.), 212-249-4100; dolcegabbana.com

Eryn brinié – Inspired by “French chic and urban spirit,” this collection of clothing, shoes, and handbags for women merges refined, sophisticated silhouettes with modern sensibility. 501 Broadway (Broome St.,), 212-308-6134; erynbrinie.com

Claudine – Casual and formal women’s clothing from up-and-coming designers, featuring many one-of-a-kind pieces. 19 Christopher St. (Gay St.), 212-414-4234

Donna Karan – This three-story home to the famed designer’s timeless collection is where simplicity meets glamour. The fall trend emphasizes versatile two-piece dressing for day-to-night wear. 819 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 866-240-4700; donnakaran.com

Etro – Offbeat, intricate and bold Italian fashions, accessories, and shoes. Patterns have been mixed and matched from past seasons to create unique pieces embellished in different metals and chains. 720 Madison Ave. (64th St.), 212-317-9096; etro.com

Davide Cenci – The women’s collection features luxurious Italian-made cashmere sweaters, shirts, dress suits, and slacks in various styles and colors, an assortment of outerwear and accessories tailored

Dooney & Bourke – Designer handbags and small leathergoods featuring trendy animal prints, soft suede, and their trademark logo. 20 E. 60th St. (Madison-Park Aves.), 212-223-7444; dooney.com

Façonnable – Creating timeless fashions since 1950. Designed in France and influenced by its roots in the French Riviera, Façonnable offers classic men’s and women’s clothing and accessories

Hello, Dysport! Bye-bye Botox! It was bound to happen: Competition! Finally, there is a challenger to Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum toxin type A), which received FDA approval in 2002 and since that time has been evening out the frown lines of many a forehead. Following its FDA approval, the new kid on the block, Dysport, has just been released to the marketplace, and we have to believe that its availability has created a new stampede to the doctor’s office as we write. Anyone wanting an almostinstant result will probably opt for Dysport, as it starts to kick in within 24 hours and can deliver its full wallop in 48 hours. Like Botox, it’s a simple and effective method that relaxes the facial muscles, most successfully, on the forehead. In so doing, Dysport helps frown lines (particularly those nasty parallel, vertical crevices right above the nose, known as the glabellar lines) relax and unwind. In other words, it can pull a Houdini and make them disappear—or at least, if they do not completely vanish, then they become so smooth that you just don’t see them easily. It’s like a day at the spa for the glabella, only this trip to the spa lasts four or five (and you can pray, maybe even six, seven!) months. One plastic surgeon we consulted felt that having a competitor on the market might help corral costs. A typical application of Dysport of about 50 units (that is how it is dispensed) for a moderately wrinkled forehead—the lion’s share on the forehead, an itty tad on the “scrunchy” part of the sides of the nose, and a little for the crow’s feet around the eyes—would cost anywhere from $1,000 to about $1,350, depending on the geographic area and the physician. — RJK

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made with exclusive fabrications and impeccable craftsmanship. 636 Fifth Ave. (51st St.), 212-319-0111; faconnable.com Fogal of Switzerland – 150 styles of hosiery available in 80 colors ranging from Lycras to luxurious cashmere tights and bodysuits. 515 Madison Ave. (53rd St.), 212-355-3254; fogal.com Giorgio Armani – The Italian designer’s four-level flagship features understated suits, elegant sportswear, outerwear, and exquisite evening wear for men and women. Fall brings a renewed vision of the classic with dark velvets and tapestry-styled mixed patterns. 760 Madison Ave. (65th St.), 212-988-9191; giorgioarmani.com

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bags, belts, cologne, and more. Sharp suits in grey and charcoal tweed are in stores this season. 315 Bowery (Bleecker St.), 212-358-0315; 122 Spring St. (Greene St.), 212-965-0700; johnvarvatos.com Joseph – British variations on women’s pants. 816 Madison Ave. (68th-69th Sts.), 212-570-0077; 106 Greene St. (Prince-Spring Sts.), 212-343-7071 Krizia – Superbly tailored Italian clothing for men and women, including suits, knitwear, ties, shirts, gowns, handbags, shoes, pants, skirts for day and

evening, and fragrances. Bold patterns, metallic knits and a crushed velvet series of suits and slinky dresses are hot this season. 769 Madison Ave. (66th St.), 212-879-1211; krizia.net Lambertson Truex – The luxury-accessory brand known for its modern vision of classic opulence offers Madison Avenue shoppers a full retail experience. 692 Madison Ave. (62nd St.), 212-750-4895; lambertsontruex.com Loro Piana – For over a century, this luxuryclothing manufacturer has produced the finest

Gucci – A name synonymous with haute couture and classic sophistication, the Italian luxury-goods company’s flagship store features five floors of cowhide sling-back chairs, up-to-the-minute handbags, signature jewelry, and men’s and women’s shoes and apparel. 725 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-826-2600; 840 Madison Ave. (70th St.), 212-717-2619; gucci.com Hickey Freeman – Tailored clothing for men, including formalwear, men’s dress furnishings, and sportswear, and the hickey line for the younger set. Top-of-the-line fabrics, superior craftsmanship, and total uniqueness. 666 Fifth Ave. (53rd St.), 212-586-6481; 111 Broadway (Pine St.), 212-233-2363; hickeyfreeman.com Hugo Boss – With its brands BOSS and HUGO, Hugo Boss covers all the main fashion areas for women and men. Shoes and accessories, fragrances, glasses, watches and more. This season, jackets, coats and long vests in furs and embossed crocodile pair with shimmering silk and with fine wool. Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-485-1900; 401 W. 14th St., 646-336-8170; 555 Broadway, 212-334-9001; hugoboss.com Huminska – A charming East Village boutique and home to the Huminska line of classic "flirty little dresses" inspired by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Greta Garbo. 315 E. 9th St., 212-677-3458; huminska.com inca – Year-round resortwear, including “boho sophisticate” bags, sexy and fun swimwear, beach towels, home accessories, and more. 976 Lexington Ave. (71st St.), 212-327-3007 Intermix – Cutting-edge American and European women’s styles and accessories, from big labels to up-and-coming designers. 125 Fifth Ave. (20th St.), 212-533-9720; 1003 Madison Ave. (77th St.), 212-249-7858; 210 Columbus Ave. (69th St.), 212-769-9116; 365 Bleecker St. (Charles St.), 212-929-7180; 98 Prince St. (Mercer St.), 212-966-5303; intermixonline.com Jack Olive – Italian-made preppy menswear inspired by the sport of cricket. 87 Mercer St. (Spring St.), 212-966-9692; jackolive.com John Varvatos – Home to the Varvatos lifestyle collection, including men’s designer suits, shoes,

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fabrics and sportswear/leisurewear—exquisite vicuna, cashmere, ready-towear, and custom-made apparel for men, women, and children. 821 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 212-980-7961; loropiana.com Louis Vuitton – A showcase for the timeless elegance of the famed line of classic men’s and women’s fashions, handbags, watches and jewelry, and shoes. Puffy jackets, bubble skirts, leather and sparkly embellishments define the ready-to-wear fall collection. 1 E. 57th St., 212-758-8877; 116 Greene St. (Prince St.), 212-274-9090; louisvuitton.com Malo – Italian sportswear for men and women, with an emphasis on cashmere. 814 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 212-396-4721; malo.it Marc Jacobs – Casual-chic must-have fashions for men and women including simple dresses, classic tailored suits, and formal wear. This fall, men can find plaid and animal-printed cardigans and jackets, while women can shop bubbled dresses and skirts in ditsy prints, and shoulder padded jackets. 163 Mercer St. (Houston-Prince Sts.), 212-343-1490; 385 Bleecker St. (Perry St.), 212-924-6126; marcjacobs.com Michael Kors – Polished, classic-chic sportswear and accessories for men and women. Find just-below-the-knee sheath dresses in prints and colorblock in stores this season. 974 Madison Ave. (76th St.), 212-452-4685; 101 Prince St. (Greene St.), 212-965-0401; michaelkors.com

TUMI’S NEW TRAVELER As of April 2009, the legendary luggage giant, Tumi, has a new captain at the helm. It may be his rookie year, but newlyappointed CEO Jerome Griffith brings a well-rounded resume, including 10 years at Lord & Taylor, 10 at the Gap (eight of which were spent overseas), four years at Tommy Hilfiger, and seven at Esprit. “I’ve been travelling as part of my job since the mid-’80s,” said Griffith. What type of luggage did he carry on his myriad business trips around the world? Well… he has been a Tumi user for over 20 years. “I’ve always been impressed with their products and how well they held up.” Griffith’s favorite leisure trip:. “I rode a Harley across Australia – that was a blast! I go on business trips to Paris, London and Hong Kong all the time – but I’m working 90% of the time. I was recently in Tokyo learning about our business there and I was very impressed with the technology and cleanliness.” There are five central tenants to the Tumi philosophy: technical innovation, functional superiority, excellence in design, unparalleled quality, and world-class service. Moving from those core values, the initiatives that Griffith is focusing on are decreasing luggage size and weight without sacrificing utility and durability – as well as putting forth an increasingly female-friendly image. “About 40% of Tumi customers are women.” said Griffith. He feels they can do better to appeal to that demographic and hopes to add pieces to the line that are more feminine. “I also want to expand our international business. Right now 55% of our business is domestic and the other 45% split between Europe and Asia.” Griffith has also got his eye on the ever-expanding field of technology and electronics, especially travel-related electronics. Tumi is already ramping up with a speaker that can be plugged into your laptop for a portable, high quality communications link for Skype and other video telecommunications via the web. Visit Tumi’s New York City flagship at 520 Madison Ave., 212-813-0545; tumi.com –– Kristopher Carpenter

Moschino – This recently opened flagship store offers an array of notions, shoes, and accessories from their Moschino, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Love Moschino, and Moschino Uomo lines. 401 W. 14th St. (Ninth Ave.), 212-243-8600; moschino.com Mulberry – British luxury bags, womenswear, menswear, and interior design. 605 Madison Ave. (58th St.); 387 Bleecker St. (Perry St.), 212-835-4700; mulberry.com Nicole Miller – Unique in style, color, print, and fabric, these women’s fashions, including dresses, evening wear, and classic cuts, are often inspired by film imagery and exotic cultures. Dark-hued cocktail dresses with a touch of “Goth aesthetic” hit stores this fall. 780 Madison Ave. (67th St.), 212-288-9779; 77 Greene St. (Broome-Spring Sts.), 212-219-1825; nicolemiller.com Opening Ceremony – Men’s and women’s clothing and shoes from both emerging American talent, and young and established designers and artists from abroad. 35 Howard St. (Broadway), 212-219-2688; openingceremony.us Paul Stuart – Men’s and women’s clothing exclusively designed with superior quality, style, and a distinctly American viewpoint, as well as outerwear, furnishings, shoes, and made-to-measure apparel. Madison Ave. & 45th St., 212-682-0320; paulstuart.com Peter Elliot – High-end tailored men’s clothing from formalwear to cashmere sweaters geared toward power-lunching businessmen. The cuff-link department is a must-stop. 1070 Madison Ave. (81st St.), 212-570-2300 Polo/Ralph Lauren, Madison Avenue – This dramatic showcase for Ralph Lauren styles is the jewel in the crown of the more than 145 stores worldwide, with authentic antique furniture, men’s and women’s wear, accessories, footwear, leather goods, home furnishings, and antiques. 888 Madison Ave. (72nd St.), 212-434-8000; ralphlauren.com Prada – This specialist in minimalist fashion offers a complete range of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, small leather goods, and furnishings, as well as other exclusive products. 841 Madison Ave. (70th St.), 212-327-4200; 45 E. 57th St., 212-308-2332; 724 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-664-0010; 575 Broadway (Prince St.), 212-334-8888; prada.com Roberto Cavalli – A boutique with “funky, sexy stuff ” from the Italian designer that is always fresh, dramatic, and innovative. The more economical Just Cavalli is located at 665 Fifth Ave. (53rd St.). 711 Madison Ave. (63rd St.), 212-755-7722; robertocavalli.com

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Scoop –The “ultimate closet,” featuring designer shoes, clothing, and accessories from Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, and others. 473 Broadway (Grand St.), 212-925-3539; 1275 Third Ave. (73rd St.), 212-535-5577; 430 W. 14th St. (Washington St.), 212-929-1244; scoopnyc.com Searle –Best known for shearlings, classic coats and luxurious leathers, Searle offers their own collection and many designer labels appealing to fashion-forward women, from the latest in accessories, handbags, and apparel to swimwear and beauty. 1051 Third Ave (62nd St.), 212-838-5990; 1142 Third Ave (67th St.), 212-988-8361; 635 Madison Ave. (60th St.), 212-750-5153; 156 Fifth Ave. (20th-21st Sts.), 212-924-4330; 805 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 212-668-6665; 1296 Third Ave. (74th St.), 212-717-5200; 1124 Madison Ave. (84th St.), 212-988-7318; searlenyc.com Stella McCartney – The trendy boutique featuring au courant, animalfriendly fashions for women in the heart of the fashionable Meatpacking District. Classic maxi dresses in crepe, flirty dresses in silk and charmeuse, and puffy jackets will be in stores this fall. 429 W. 14th St., 212-255-1556; stellamccartney.com Stuart Weitzman – Elegant, high-fashion shoes and handbags for women. Also a wide selection of bridal and casual footwear. Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-823-9560; 625 Madison Ave. (59th St.), 212-750-2555; stuartweitzman.com Theory – Hip—but classic—work-friendly attire for men and women. This season shows off menswear-inspired suits and dresses with various textures. 40 Gansevoort St. (Greenwich-Hudson Sts.), 212-524-6790; 151 Spring St. (W. B’way-Wooster St.), 212-226-3691; 230 Columbus Ave. (70th-71st Sts.), 212-362-3676; theory.com Thomas Pink – This premium UK shirt company’s core product is a hand-made Jermyn Street shirt for both gentlemen and ladies, made of the finest two-fold 100-percent Egyptian cotton. 520 Madison Ave. (53rd St.), 212-838-1928; 1155 Sixth Ave. (44th St.), 212-840-9663; Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-823-9650; thomaspink.com tibi – The SoHo boutique for the renowned contemporary dress line, plus a complete shoe line, swimwear, and home accessories. This season shows off ultra-feminine satin dresses in all lengths and prints, paired with black leggings. 120 Wooster St. (Prince St.), 212-226-5852; tibi.com TSE – All things cashmere, for men and women. Sleek and sophisticated, the collection has an urban flair. 120 Wooster St. (Prince St.), 212-925-2520; tsecashmere.com Vera Wang – A matrimonial must, featuring some of the finest bridal gowns in the world. 991 Madison Ave. (77th St.), 212-628-3400; 158 Mercer St. (Prince St.), 212-382-2184; verawang.com Victoria’s Secret – Sexy, reasonably priced lingerie and sleepwear. 722 Lexington Ave. (58th St.), 212-230-1647; 901 Sixth Ave. (33rd St.), 646-473-0950; 1240 Third Ave. (71st St.), 212-717-7035; 165 E. 86th St., 646-672-9183; 2333 Broadway (85th St.), 212-595-7861; 34 E. 57th St., 212-758-5592; South Street Seaport, 19 Fulton St., 212-962-8122; 565 Broadway (Prince St.), 212-274-9519; 115 Fifth Ave. (19th St.), 212-477-4118; 1328 Broadway, (34th St.), 212-356-8380; victoriassecret.com Yves St. Laurent – Refined, modern, elegant, and upscale men’s and women’s apparel, from tailored suits to refined knits. 3 E. 57th St., 212-980-2970; ysl.com Zero + Maria Cornejo – The NYC-based Chilean designer features elegant, minimalist designs for women. Jackets, flowing capes and shiny dresses in black, plaid and other patterns graced the runway this season. 225 Mott St. (Spring St.), 212-925-3849; 807 Greenwich St. (Jane St.), 212-620-0460; zeromariacornejo.com

Mimi So New York is renowned for producing fashionforward, exquisite fine jewelry, designed and handcrafted in Mimi So’s personal NYC workshop. Their sleek and modern penthouse atelier perched above Fifth Avenue features handrubbed bone lacquer, solid zebra wood floors, and soaring steel-and-glass walls. Pictured here are pieces from their Elements Collection. 550 Fifth Ave. (46th St.), Penthouse Salon, 212-300-8655; mimiso.com

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JEWELRY AND WATCHES Aaron Basha - A family-owned and -run Madison Avenue staple, Aaron Basha has made its name with high-fashion jewelry pieces, most notably their distinctive jeweled baby shoes and assortment of baby charms (including frogs, ladybugs, flowers, teddy bears, you name it). They feature heirloom-quality jewelry as well, including bracelets, clasps, cuff links, chains, and much more. 680 Madison Ave. (61st St.), 212-935-1960; aaronbasha.com bochìc - Faraway cultures meet modern luxury with bochìc’s irresistible fine jewelry collection, a staple on the streets of downtown NYC and the red carpets of LA. Working with the bochìc woman in mind—someone “confident, adventurous...possessing a keen sense of style”—designers Miriam Salat and David Joseph create fine pieces that are sensual, distinctive, and enduring—a perfect match for the women who wear them. 12 W. 57th St., Suite 806, 212-659-7743; bochic.com

Summer saw the premiere of Davidoff of Geneva’s first flavored cigarillos: the exquisite Davidoff Aromatic Mini Cigarillos, which deliver a memorable new experience with their unique tobacco blend consisting of 100% natural tobaccos with an exclusive aroma enhancement process. The blend, rolled in a Java binder leaf, is naturally enhanced and finished with a premium Sumatra wrapper leaf. The unique composition gives the aromatic mini cigarillos a silkysmooth, light and slightly sweet flavor. Hints of berries and honey round out the discreet vanilla and liquorice aroma. And for the first time, Davidoff is departing from its distinctive white packaging with an elegant new design that features a silverbronze case with reddish foil stamping. The new Davidoff Aromatic Mini Cigarillos are now available from tobacconists for $16.90. 535 Madison Ave. (54th St.), 212-751-9060; The Shops at Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Cir. (59th St.), 212-823-6383; davidoffnewyork.com

Cartier - A name synonymous with jewelry since 1847. Peruse the coveted classic gold jewelry, innovative new boutique pieces and the complete range of watches, clocks, leather goods, china, and crystal. 828 Madison Ave. (69th St.), 212-472-6400; 653 Fifth Ave. (52nd St.), 212-753-0111; cartier.com Cellini - Rare, one-of-a-kind jewelry and legendary collection of the world’s finest watches. Its reputation goes far and wide with watch connoisseurs, who also know it as a resource for limited edition timepieces. The window displays inside the Waldorf=Astoria flagship have long been one of NYC’s most beautiful fixtures. 301 Park Ave. (49th St.), 212-751-9824; 509 Madison Ave. (53rd St.), 212-888-0505 Chanel Fine Jewelry - The international luxury-goods company’s stand-alone shop for jewelry, which carries the core line of the collection. Take a peek at a modern interpretation of the screens in Coco Chanel’s Parisian apartment. 733 Madison Ave. (64th St.), 212-535-5828; chanel.com David Yurman Boutique - Classic, contemporary, and beautifully crafted, David Yurman’s designs, with their distinctive trademark cable motif, have made him one of the preeminent American names in the world of fine jewelry. The store also offers belts, accessories, men’s jewelry and custom-designed home décor items. 729 Madison Ave. (64th St.), 212-752-4255; davidyurman.com De Beers - One of the world’s most famous diamond companies, with experts steeped in a diamond tradition unparalleled anywhere in the world. De Beers diamonds are cut for beauty, and crafted by artisans into stunning pieces of diamond jewelry. 703 Fifth Ave. (55th St.), 212-906-0001; debeers.com Georg Jensen - Trendsetting, luxury jewelry and watches, faithful to the unique Danish design language and committed to high quality and craftsmanship. The collection focuses on gold and sterling silver jewelry. The new store redefines the retail shopping experience. 685 Madison Ave. (62nd St.), 212-759-6457; 125 Wooster St. (Prince St.), 212-343-9000; georgjensen.com Gevril - Gevril pours years of effort and ingenuity into the design and manufacturing of its rare and enduring timepiece collections. Their limitededitions bear the signatory markings of a rich history, technical innovation, and timeless beauty. Call 845-425-9882 or visit gevril.com for retail locations Harry Winston - America’s premier jeweler and one of the world’s largest and most prestigious jewelry empires, famous for their huge diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires of the highest quality in hand-made platinum settings. 718 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-245-2000; harrywinston.com

Established in New York City in 1848, Hammacher Schlemmer is America’s longest-running catalog, offering unique products that solve problems, further their customers’ lifestyle, or represent the only one of their kind. Their landmark store in the heart of Midtown’s shopping district features many of the items sold in their catalog. Pictured here is the high-speed, 9 megapixel pocket paparazzi camera. 147 E. 57th St., 212-421-9002; hammacher.com

Jeri Cohen Fine Jewelry - Jeri Cohen presides over her upscale boutique (formerly Cipriani), greeting her clientele with a warmth and friendliness to match the shop’s charming distinction and relaxed, yet luxurious atmosphere. Her upscale boutique imports exquisite, reasonably priced Italian designs, from traditional to trendy. Diamond earrings, necklaces, pendants, and rings that utilize the finest stones and unique settings, as well as Cohen’s own signature collection. 1036 Third Ave. (61st-62nd Sts.), 212-750-3172; jericohenjewelry.com

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Judith Ripka - The award-winning jeweler makes pieces of uncompromising quality and design. Serving understated elegant women with impeccable taste, Ripka uses the finest diamonds, colored precious gemstones, pearls, and unique one-of-a-kind stones, often set in 18-karat gold. 777 Madison Ave. (66th St.), 212-517-8200; 673 Madison Ave. (61 St.), 212-355-8300; judithripka.com Kwiat - With 100 years of history, Kwiat is renowned for their stunning selection of engagement rings, wedding rings, and diamond jewelry. Their Tiara Diamonds earn the GIA’s Excellent Cut Grade. 725 Madison Ave. (64th St.), 212-725-7777; kwiat.com Marisa Perry Atelier - Each individual piece in this exceptional collection of elegant fine jewelry is unique and complete—boldly designed, exquisitely detailed, and finely worked. Fashioned in gold, silver, and platinum, and set with precious and semi-precious stones, the jewelry for women and men— including rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, engagement rings, cuff links and belt buckles— evokes strength, beauty, and sensuality. 154 Prince St. (West Broadway), 212-566-8977; marisaperry.com Mikimoto - This Japanese company, renowned as the originator of cultured pearls for over a century, maintains high standards of quality, craftsmanship, and design. Along with its signature Japanese Akoya pearls, the store houses an important collection of the larger South Sea pearls. 730 Fifth Ave. (57th St.), 212-457-4600; mikimotoamerica.com Mimi So New York - Recognized today in both the fine jewelry and fashion worlds, Mimi So is the go-to name for luxury jewelry that is both modern and feminine. A third-generation jeweler and an alumni of the Parson’s School of Design, Mimi So’s collections are created for what global women want today and tomorrow—wearability from day into evening, and styling for vintage and couture casuals. Mimi So is worn by countless celebrities including Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, Courtney Cox, and Drew Barrymore. 550 Fifth Ave. (46th St.), Penthouse Salon, 212-300-8655; mimiso.com Reinstein/Ross - Pairing vibrant precious stones and classical goldsmithing techniques, Reinstein/Ross jewelry is designed and handfabricated in New York City, in their Madison Avenue shop. Reinstein/Ross jewelry is distinctly contemporary, but reminiscent of Etruscan, Indian and Egyptian jewelry and art, and has a timeless quality. Often featured in magazines, movies and fashion events, the work of Reinstein/Ross has influenced an entire generation of jewelry designers. Custom orders are welcome, including setting your stones in their signature style. Visit them in Soho or on Madison Avenue. 122 Prince St. (Wooster St.), 212-226-4513; 29 E. 73rd St. (Madison Ave.), 212-772-1901; reinsteinross.com

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Stephen Russell - Offering one of the most important and carefully chosen vintage jewelry collections available today, complemented with a collection of original contemporary designs. A love of fine art and exquisite detail shapes the collection, from selecting striking examples of Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro jewels to new works in which tradition and innovation merge. 970 Madison Ave. (76th St.), 212-570-6900; stephenrussell.com Tiffany & Co. - The renowned jewelry store offers luxurious merchandise with the tradition of quality, showcasing a wide variety of jewelry including diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, and the gold and silver signature collections. Other items include china, crystal, silver, watches and clocks, and fragrances. 727 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-755-8000; tiffany.com Tourneau - America’s leading luxury-watch store features over 8,000 styles from more than 100 world-famous brands. You can even trade in your old watch for a new one. The TimeMachine on 57th St. is a state-of-the-art watch emporium. The Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-823-9425; 12 E. 57th St., 212-758-7300; 200 W. 34th St., 212-563-6880; 500 Madison Ave. (52nd St.), 212-758-6098; tourneau.com Van Cleef & Arpels - The venerable Van Cleef & Arpels atelier was founded in the early 20th century, an outgrowth of the love story and marriage between Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef. Today, the esteemed maison is sought out by sophisticated and fashionable women the world over. Renowned for its glorious style and master craftsmanship, the house produces stunning bijoux—both modern and classic—that utilize the finest quality gems and semiprecious stones, set meticulously in precious metals by talented artisans. 744 Fifth Ave. (57th St.), 212-644-9500; vancleef-arpels.com Verdura - This illustrious line has been a favorite of Hollywood royalty, and New York high society, designing such specialty items as Night and Day cuff links for Cole Porter, and Maltese Cross cuffs for Coco Chanel. The collection includes luxury cuff links, ear clips, bracelets, necklaces, rings, and brooches. 745 Fifth Ave. (57th St.), Suite 1205, 212-758-3388; verdura.com Wempe Jewelers - An impressive selection of fine timepieces and clocks, exquisite 18-karat gold and diamond jewelry, cuff links, and watch straps. Among the brands in its European-style salon are Patek Philippe, A. Lange and Söhne, Cartier, and Jaeger-LeCoultre. 700 Fifth Ave. (55th St.), 212-397-9000; wempe.com Wendy Mink - High-quality, innovative designs inspired by the jewelry and textiles of Nepal and Tibet. Materials used include sterling, 22K gold, and semi-precious stones. 72 Orchard St. (Grand St.), 212-260-8758; wendyminkjewelry.com

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SHOES Bally - Leather products featuring old-world artistry blended with modern design, including footwear, handbags, executive cases, luggage, and small leather goods. 628 Madison Ave. (59th St.), 212-751-9082; bally.com Christian Louboutin - High-end Parisian shoes for women, including an extensive bridal selection. 965 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 212-396-1884; 59 Horatio St. (Greenwich St.), 212-255-1910; christianlouboutin.com Church’s English Shoes - Quality and craftsmanship are this British company’s distinguishing hallmarks. Each pair is handmade with the time-honored Goodyear Welted process, using the finest leathers and hand-finishes. Well-dressed gents will find the complete lines of shoes, dress, casual, and leather accessories. 689 Madison Ave. (62nd St.), 212-758-5200 Giuseppe Zanotti - A company of international renown offering sleek Italian shoes for men and women, including an extensive bridal selection. 806 Madison Ave. (67th St.), 212-650-0455 Hogan - High-quality footwear and bags, from sporty to glamorous. 134 Spring St. (Wooster St.), 212-343-3039; hoganworld.com At Manhattan Saddlery, old-world craftsmanship meets modern design in handmade custom, semi-custom, or stock boots that fulfill the needs of the well-dressed equestrian. Pictured at left are Der Dau Contour Field and Dress Boots. Field or dress styles are offered with fulllength zipper for comfort in any discipline and contoured at the ankle for a sleek look. Available in ladies’ and mens’ foot sizes ranging from 5 to 12 and calf sizes 13” to 17”. Contact Manhattan Saddlery for recommendations and measurements at 212-673-1400 or info@manhattansaddlery.com.

Jimmy Choo - Favored by movie stars, celebrities, and elegant women in the know, the Jimmy Choo shoe lines include house, evening, bridal, sandals, and more, as well as matching handbags in equally sumptuous leathers and unique stylings. 716 Madison Ave. (63rd-64th Sts.), 212-759-7078; 645 Fifth Ave. (51st St.), 212-593-0800; jimmychoo.com J.M. Weston - Devotees of this 150-year-old French cobbler head straight for the handcrafted quality and comfort of its elegant men’s and women’s footwear—from tame, high-grade cowhide to more exotic alligator, ostrich, and sharkskin. 812 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 212-535-2100; jmweston.com Manolo Blahnik – One of the world’s most influential international footwear designers. 31 W. 54th St., 212-582-3007; manoloblahnik.com

In the fashionable Flatiron District, nestled among luxury bathroom fixture and tile stores, is a little gem of a shop for chic fashionistas: L.O.L. Kids. The bright, fun and friendly atmosphere of the boutique is refreshing, while the selection of high fashion children’s wear is truly impressive, featuring European designers such as Sonia Rykiel Enfant, Monnalisa, Miss Grant and Magil, to name a few. The boutique’s owner, Joseph Schoenfelder, has been at the forefront of the children’s apparel market for over 30 years and has lived in Europe and New York. “Today’s children are just as fashion-savvy and fashion-forward as their parents,” he says, “seeking quality items that are unique and fresh, helping to customize their own personal style.” The boutique is the go-to shopping spot for the little ones. When you visit, you might even “Laugh Out Loud” and say there’s “Lots of Love” at L.O.L. Kids. 22 W. 21st St. (Fifth-Sixth Aves.), 212-929-6521; lol-kids.com.

Roger Vivier - From timeless and classic to trendy and innovative, luxury shoes, bags, and accessories from the inventor of the stiletto heel. 750 Madison Ave. (65th St.), 212-861-5371; rogervivier.com Salvatore Ferragamo - A fine mix of men’s and women’s shoes crafted from superb leathers, from classic business and formal footwear to casual styles with a European flair. 655 Fifth Ave. (52nd-53rd Sts.), 212-759-3822 Yorke Fashion Comfort Centre - Featuring a collection of fashion shoes, sandals, and boots handcrafted in Europe, designed with comfort in mind and orthopedic support features. “Proven Classics for Problem Feet” leather-lined and handcrafted in Italy, France, and Germany. Women’s sizes from 3-13 N-WW; men’s 5-16, available in all widths. Shoes designed to accommodate orthotics. Custom orthotic lab on premises; custom shoe department also. Open seven days. 140 E. 55th St., 212-753-5151; comfortableshoes-etc.com

MATERNITY WEAR Destination Maternity - Upscale maternity wear from Mimi Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, Motherhood Plus, and others. 28 E. 57th St., 212-588-0220; destinationmaternity.com Veronique - All the collections—imported from Paris and Milan—are exclusive, from functional pieces to comfortable sportswear and elegant evening wear. 1321 Madison Ave. (93rd St.), 212-831-7800; veroniquematernity.com

CHILDREN LOL Kids - Fun, friendly shop in the fashionable Flatiron district, catering to NYC's hippest girls and boys, size 1 month-size 18. The finest European designer brands such as Sonia Rykiel Enfant, Miss Grant, Magil, Monnalisa, and

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ZaZieZen. 22 W. 21st St. (Fifth-Sixth Aves.), 212-929-6521; lol-kids.com Monnalisa - Ultra-chic and ultra-feminine, the premier Italian brand brings its sophisticated style to NYC's glamour girls size 3 months - size 18. 1050 Third Ave. (62nd St.), 212-758-2269 Petit Bateau - The concept store from the French designer of clothing for babies and children, including daywear, underwear, the famous tees, bibs, footies, bonnets, and more. They also have a women’s collection that features sweaters, wraps, coats, and underwear. 1094 Madison Ave. (82nd St.), 212-988-8884; petit-bateau.com Spring Flowers - Since 1983, Spring Flowers has been the premier shopping destination for the finest European brands of clothing and shoes for girls and boys ages newborn to 12 years. 907 Madison Ave. (72nd-73rd Sts.), 212-717-8182; 538 Madison Ave. (54th-55th Sts.), 212-207-4606; Americana Manhasset, 2042 Northern Blvd., 516-365-7200; 320 Worth Ave., Palm Beach, FL, 561-832-0131; springflowerschildren.com

KIDSTUFF Build-A-Bear Workshop - The biggest Build-A-Bear Workshop store in the world. Have furry fun making your own stuffed animal friends and personalizing them with hundreds of fashions and accessories. 565 Fifth Ave. (46th St.), 877-789-BEAR; buildabear.com FAO Schwarz - Their famed NY flagship is just steps away from Central Park, and is the ultimate destination for children and their families. The toys are amazing and FAO Schwarz has their own ice cream parlor with sundaes that you can design yourself. Guests can also see and play on the giant piano that was featured in the Tom Hanks movie, Big. 767 Fifth Ave. (58th St.), 212-644-9400; fao.com M&Ms World New York - Visit this Times Square retail-entertainment destination dedicated to the colorful fun of M&M’S Brand Chocolate Candies. This 25,000-square-foot, three-story sensory immersion into the world of M&M'S comes equipped with an interactive kids area, full-size #38 Ford Fusion NASCAR, and the largest display of M&M’S in the world. 48th St. & Broadway, 212-295-3850; mmsworld.com

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industrial-strength cotton duck trimmed in cowhide—since 1946. High-end items include alligator attaché cases, briefcases, wallets, and desk sets. 445 Park Ave. (56th St.), 212-750-9797; tanthony.com Bally - Leather products featuring old-world artistry blended with modern design, including footwear, handbags, executive cases, luggage, and small leather goods. 628 Madison Ave. (59th St.), 212-751-9082; bally.com Bottega Veneta – The gold standard in leather bags, with their signature woven leather products and top-of-the-line handbags in an array of textures, styles and colors. 697 Fifth Ave. (54th-55th Sts.), 212-371-5511; bottegaveneta.com Coach - Fine-quality leather goods and accessories for men and women, including handbags, briefcases, attaches, luggage, and small leather goods, diaries, and planners. Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-581-4115; 342 Madison Ave. (44th St.), 212-599-4777; 595 Madison Ave. (57th St.), 212-754-0041; 79 Fifth Ave. (16th St.), 212-675-6403; 2321 Broadway (84th St.), 212-799-1624; 35 E. 85th St., 212-879-9391; 620 Fifth Ave. (50th St.), 212-245-4148; 445 West Broadway (Prince St.), 212-473-6925; South Street Seaport, 193 Front St. (Fulton St.), 212-425-4350; coach.com Ghurka - Premium leather products of enduring quality and timeless style, including handbags, alligator gifts, travel bags for the entire family, and custom-made furniture. 683 Madison Ave. (61st-62nd Sts.), 212-826-8300; Plaza Hotel, 1 W. 58th St., 212-826-8300; ghurka.com

ELECTRONICS/PHOTO Adorama - Adorama is a world leader in photography and video equipment, and the perfect place for both amateur and professional photographers, for new or additional equipment and supplies, because they service photographers, both well known and well intentioned, who create works both famous and anonymous. Founded in 1978, Adorama has grown into one of the world’s largest photography and video equipment dealers, and the secret to their success, and die-hard customer base, has always been dedication, hard work and proven customer satisfaction. 42 W. 18th St., 212-741-0052; adorama.com

LUGGAGE AND LEATHER GOODS

The Apple Store - Your home to all things Apple, from the latest iMacs, iPhones, iPods and other hardware to printers, software, and lots more. And if you need advice, insight, or hands-on technical support, head straight to the accomodating Genius Bar. The Fifth Avenue location is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 767 Fifth Ave. (59th St.), 212-336-1440; 103 Prince St. (Greene St.), 212-226-3126; apple.com

T. Anthony, Ltd. - This family business has been supplying heads of state and celebrities with its understated, elegant luggage—made from

Bang & Olufsen New York - Since 1925, B&O has remained committed to a balance of technology and design, specializing in unique

Toys“R”Us Times Square - The giant toy store features a 60-foot indoor Ferris Wheel, a 4,000square-foot Barbie dollhouse, a 20-foot animatronic T-Rex dinosaur & more. 1514 Broadway (44th St.), 800-869-7787; toysrustimessquare.com

With a silversmith and an espresso bar and café on the premises— not to mention over 250 galleries on four floors—Showplace Antique Center is one of the city’s premier destinations for antiques and decorative and fine art. The possibilties within are endless, with Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and midcentury Modern pieces to complement bronze, silver, jewelry, vintage clothing and accessories, ceramics, art glass, antiquities, period furniture, lighting, and much more. Be sure to save time for the 3rd floor, which features designer room settings and over 50 showcases filled with an eclectic range of decoratives and collectibles. 40 W. 25th St., 212-633-6063; nyshowplace.com

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Since its inception in 1968 in Italy, Monnalisa has become the world leader in the high-fashion children’s wear market. The company distinguishes itself with cutting-edge design. With distribution to high-end children’s boutiques in more than 50 countries, and its own flagship boutiques in Arezzo, Milan and Florence, Italy, Monnalisa has recently launched its ultraglamorous New York flagship store on 3rd Avenue. The collections feature a wealth of elegant hand-finished details. Each piece is truly a work-of-art. The autumn-winter palette is done in bold hues, with bright bursts of color against neutral backdrops, rich in embroidered adornment. The collection has a sophisticated mood, featuring heaps of Scottish tartan taffeta, elegant ruffles with cameos and pearls, tulle dresses with crystals and bows, and flocked velvet macramé lace prints. Down-filled jackets and tailored coats are trimmed with beautiful details. Matching shoes and accessories, and even fine furs complete the collection. 1050 3rd Ave. (62nd St.), 212-758-2669

Center44, a 25,000-square-foot showroom located in the heart of Midtown, brings together 75 extraordinary international antiques dealers in a block-long showroom of open-room settings. Pictured here is a rare set of four enameled-top tables by renowned American designer Harvey Probber (c. 1950, 21 3/4” h x 10 1/4” diam.), presented by Dual Modern at Center44. Catering to the design trade, Center44 is also open to the public from Mon.-Sat., 10am-5pm. 222 E. 44th St., 212-450-7988; center44.com

entertainment systems designed to simplify, but with uncompromised performance. The focus is on music and home-theater systems, custom installation, and pre-wiring. 952 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 212-879-6161; 927 Broadway (21st St.), 212-388-9792; 330 Columbus Ave. (76th St.), 212-501-0926; bang-olufsen.com B&H - The camera and video super store, servicing professionals and everyday consumers for three decades. With an expert staff and a full line of still, digital, video, home and portable entertainment, pro audio equipment, computers and accessories, it’s the professional’s source. They have unique interactive multimedia displays and instore demo rooms. There are over 130,000 items in the store, and this enormous inventory contains every brand and product imaginable. Worldwide shipping; professional and multilingual staff. 420 Ninth Ave. (34th St.), 212-444-6615; bhphotovideo.com DataVision - NYC’s largest computer and video retailer with 3 levels and 30,000 square feet of savings. They feature a full selection of computers, software, peripherals, digital cameras, camcorders, MP3 players, DVDs, and more. 445 Fifth Ave. (39th St.), 212-689-1111; datavis.com J&R Music and Computer World - One of the city’s largest selections and low prices on audio, video, digital, SLR & professional cameras, computers & software, PDAs, iPods & MP3 players, kitchen essentials, housewares, CDs, DVDS, and more. Park Row (across from City Hall), 212-238-9000; jr.com Sony Style - High-tech meets high-touch in this flagship store for sophisticated electronics. In the Home Entertainment Lounge, relax in individual seating areas while sales counselors wheel customized entertainment systems to you. The Showcase area displays smaller electronics, as well as the latest in interactive technology. 550 Madison Ave. (55th-56th Sts.), 212-833-8800; sonystyle.com

ART SUPPLIES The classic collection of Huminska’s “flirty little dresses” is inspired by “grand dames, found fabrics and whimsical dream states…an ode to several muses,” including Marilyn Monroe and Greta Garbo. Pictured here is the “Juliet,” made from a fine italian wool with lycra ($495). 315 E. 9th St. (First-Second Aves.), 212-677-3458; huminska.com

Lee’s Art Shop - “The Department Store for the Artist,” with 40,000 square feet of space over four stories offering Midtown’s largest selection of supplies for arts and crafts, graphic arts, and fine arts, as well as an unmatched selection of frames—with expert picture framing performed on premises—and a stationery department that provides experienced, courteous printing and engraving assistance for wedding invitations, party and birthday invitations, and brand name stationery. 220 W. 57th St. (BroadwaySeventh Ave.), 212-247-0110; leesartshop.com

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Matt Umanov Guitars - One of NY’s oldest (more than 35 years), most respected guitar stores, it remains the favorite choice of collectors, professionals, and discerning shoppers.

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Choose from hundreds of new and vintage guitars, including Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, & Paul Reed Smith. Amps and effects pedals are also wellrepresented. The store also features NYC’s most complete service center. Worldwide shipping. 273 Bleecker St. (Sixth-Seventh Aves.), 212-675-2157; umanovguitars.com

SPORTING ATTIRE AND EQUIPMENT Manhattan Saddlery - The only tack shop in New York City. Everything for the horse and rider, with only the finest and most diverse equestrian products—keeping up with the latest fashions but still maintaining a long tradition of riding excellence—and a very knowledgeable staff. 117 E. 24th St., 212-673-1400; manhattansaddlery.com New York Golf Center - Manhattan’s premier golf shop, committed to providing golf enthusiasts with everything they need, on and off the course. With over 13,000 square feet of space, carrying the most comprehensive selection of golf equipment, accessories, clothing and shoes for men, women and children. 131 W. 35th St., 212-564-2255; nygolfcenter.com The Orvis Company - A shop for urban enthusiasts, featuring an enormous selection of fly-fishing tools. Choose from rods, reels, flies, and accessories for outfitting the ace fisherman to outdoor fashions for men and women. 522 Fifth Ave. (44th St.), 212-697-3133; orvis.com Paragon Sports - From basketballs and climbing equipment to lacrosse sticks and swimming goggles, this emporium will sort out all your sporting-goods needs. 867 Broadway (18th-19th Sts.), 212-255-8036; paragonsports.com

STATIONERS AND WRITING INSTRUMENTS Art Brown International Pen Shop - Experience one of the largest selections of fine writing instruments in the world. They have been in business since 1924 with a staff that will help you find the right pen for your need. Whether for yourself, a gift or for corporate giving, they can meet your needs. They also carry a full line of stationery and greeting cards which can be personalized. 2 W. 45 St., 800-772-PENS; artbrown.com Kate’s Paperie - The top resource for exotic papers and paper accoutrements, featuring an assortment of gifts, over 4,000 papers from more than 40 countries, and more than 1,500 couture-quality ribbons from around the world. 72 Spring St. (Crosby St.), 212-941-9816; 8 W. 13th St., 212-633-0570; 1282 Third Ave. (74th St.), 212-396-3670; 140 W. 57th St., 212-459-0700; katespaperie.com Wren Press - An established family business offering a comprehensive range of ready-to-write and bespoke stationery. A leading specialist in the field, they provide exceptional invitations for weddings, parties, christenings. and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, personal correspondence cards and headed writing paper, business and visiting cards. or any other print-based stationery.575 Madison Ave. (56th-57th Sts.), 212-832-7011; wrenpress.co.uk

BOOKSTORES Argosy Book Store – The city’s oldest purveyor of antiquarian books, autographs, maps, posters, and prints, focusing on the areas of Americana, history of science and medicine, and art. Highlights include a 1685 edition of Shakespeare, Babe Ruth’s signature on a $2 bill, the editorial copy of Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, and a first edition of Twain’s Innocents Abroad, inscribed by the author. 116 E. 59th St. (Park-Lexington Aves.), 212-753-4455; argosybooks.com/ Barnes and Noble – New York’s favorite bookstore has multiple Manhattan locations. Their store at Broadway and 82nd is multi-leveled and features a café as well as a children’s area. 2289 Broadway (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 396 Sixth Ave. (8th St.); 555 Fifth Ave. (46th St.); bn.com

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Midtown Comics – Come visit their spacious, friendly NY locations, where everything related to comics can be found. From mainstream titles to alternative press, all the latest titles as well as a huge selection of back issues await you. They also carry a comprehensive selection of books, action figures, statues, movies and so much more. The courteous, knowledgeable staff is always on hand to help. 459 Lexington Ave. (45th St.), 212-302-8192; 200 W. 40th St.; midtowncomics.com

WILLIAM RONDINA: THE GENIUS BEHIND THE CARLISLE COLLECTION

The Carlisle collection is an ultra-luxe purveyor of women’s wear with classic style, but behind the label is something quite unique. “With our processes, quality level, and attention to detail, we really run like a couture house,” said founder and CEO William Rondina. The stage for Rondina’s empire is set the moment the elevator doors open on offices and showrooms that are comprised of green silk walls and gold accents amidst gilded wood columns and interior trim. Antique furniture abounds, matched by museumquality paintings. A round room has a library adorning its walls, and wait – is that a leopard skin rug? It is indeed, just another accoutrement of the stunning interior crafted by Robert Denning of the legendary design firm Denning and Forcade. The ever-charming Rondina is a student of the world, apparent far beyond his taste in interior decorators. His philanthropic nature led him to found Fabric of Hope, a charitable partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and through this program The Carlisle Collection has donated over $1.7 million to the fight against breast cancer. He is also a patron of the arts, who is just as comfortable talking about Monsieur Gauguin as the next trends in women’s wear. And he is pretty sharp when it comes to cloth. An idea to produce design samples in-house rather than sending a drawing and fabric to the manufacturer, made him an innovator in the fashion industry. “We send a completed garment to our factory in Hong Kong where I’ve had the same technical inspector, Kathy Cze, since I first began the company. They then reproduce the garment before I green-light full scale production.” His direct-selling model was another innovation that worked like a charm (think of it as a really upscale Avon without the door-todoor sales). Founded in 1978, The Carlisle Collection was doing brisk business by the early 80’s –to keep growing, it needed a bigger sales force. Rondina began networking with the Junior League in an attempt to gather well-bred young ladies to the fold. “It was a different time and there weren’t as many options for women in the business world...I saw a chance to give intelligent, driven women the opportunity to be entrepreneurs and it worked out pretty well.” Rondina expanded from 97 consultants to a nationwide network that is now comprised of over 3000 Carlisle Collection representatives. “Every season we send everyone a trunk show with the new collection. Most of them sell right out of their homes and they call, fax, or email us the orders. We have the inventory custom-tailored on premises to their specifications and voila; a woman in Austin, Texas has a package on the way!” Ever the entrepreneur, Rondina’s newest line, Per Se, was launched in 2005 as a complement to The Carlisle Collection, designed to appeal to younger and broader audiences. It is also available at Carlisle showrooms. 16 E. 52nd St. 16th Floor, (Madison/Fifth Aves.), 212-751-6490; showroom@carlisleny.com; carlislecollection.com–– Kristopher Carpenter

Shakespeare & Company – One of the city’s most popular independent bookstores specializing in literature, lit criticism, poetry, drama, philosophy, and travel. 716 Broadway (Washington Pl.), 212-529-1330; 939 Lexington Ave. (69th St.), 212-570-0201; 137 E. 23rd St., 212-505-2021; shakeandco.com The Strand – With 8 miles of shelves and some two-million books, the biggest used-book store in the world. All items are discounted and include bestsellers, review copies, coffee-table books, used hardcovers, remaindered books, and paperbacks. 828 Broadway (12th St.), 212-473-1452; strandbooks.com

CIGARS & ACCESSORIES Davidoff of Geneva - One of the most popular cigar and accessories shop in America, with two warm and welcoming top-of-the-line shops in Manhattan, and the most comfortable smokers lounges in the city. Davidoff products—which include lighters, cigar cutters, ashtrays, humidors, cigar cases, and pipes—unite craftsmanship, dedication, and understanding culminating in elegant, innovative, and functional pieces. 535 Madison Ave. (54th St.), 212-751-9060; The Shops at Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Cir. (59th St.), 212-823-6383; davidoffnewyork.com

DENTISTRY Jan Linhart, D.D.S., P.C. - Cosmetic dentist Dr. Jan Linhart has been listed as one of America’s top dentists by Castle Connolly Consumer Guide and by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. Dr. Linhart has mastered the various modern, pain-free cosmetic dental techniques and procedures that can transform your smile, giving you a renewed sense of self-confidence and well-being. 230 Park Ave. (46th St.), 212-682-5180; drlinhart.com

OPTICIANS AND EYEWEAR Oliver Peoples - The luxury eyewear and sunglasses house, founded in 1987, features retro-inspired looks and innovative designs favored by trendsetting celebrities and power players. They are the exclusive global licensee for Paul Smith Eyewear, which combines whimsical yet classic designs and attention to detail. Their flagship store is located at 755 Madison Ave. (65th St.), 212-585-3433; 366 West Broadway (Broome St.), 212-925-5400; oliverpeoples.com Solstice - A wide array of luxury eyewear for women and men by such designers as Gucci, Dior, Dior Homme, Kate Spade, Valentino, Giorgio and Emporio Armani, Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Maui Jim and Ray Ban. The Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-823-9590; 500 Fifth Ave. (42nd St.), 212-730-2500; 107 Spring St. (Mercer St.), 212-219-3940; solsticestores.com

SERVICES Madame Paulette - A dry cleaner that can help you around the clock. In business over 50 years and with third-generation cleaning specialist John Mahdessian at the controls, they’ve been lauded in the press and by myriad customers, from major department and specialty stores to designers such as Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Christian Dior, and Roberto Cavalli. 1255 Second Ave. (65th-66th Sts.), 347-689-7010; madamepaulette.com

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...Intimate Settings/Maximum Pampering By Griffin Miller

Autumn: when the desire to reinvent oneself turns to obsession –albeit an attractive obsession wrapped in colorful foliage, new fall fashions and apple martinis. Still, attention must be paid to that underlying, unrelenting need to de-stress and renew. Salvation: Manhattan’s voluptuous collection of high-end day spas, each striving to bring something unique to the massage table – something “signature” to provide a massive dose of physical wellbeing laced with euphoria. [ The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel New York ] Here are a few:

Just Breathe... The first thing you notice when stepping into The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel New York is the inviting citruslaced blend that sets a lush aromatic tone for this cozy, full-service sanctuary in the heart of the city. Here, the facilities are not expansive, but so beautifully laid out as to carry the luxury aura one expects from the Four Seasons. The relaxation lounge, like the reception area, is dominated by soothing colors and fluid Asian accents; the changing area, with its endless array of high-end grooming products, leads to showers, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms staffed by accomplished therapists, most of whom have been with the spa a decade or longer. For Fall: Spa director Kerry Williams recommends the Thai Ceremony, designed to soothe strained, over-worked muscles. The three-part treatment begins with traditional Thai stretches, moves to the application of heated herbal packs, and concludes with a warm coconut oil massage. 57 East 57th Street (Park and Madison Avenues); 212-350-6420; fourseasons.com/newyorkfs/spa.html

As You Like It... At Silk Day Spa they make it a point to get personal with their clients – in a good way. While all spas have menus of treatments to choose from, Silk takes it a step further with a menu of preferences: type and volume of music; aromatherapy: yes? no?; chit-chat boundaries: minimal conversation… convivial interaction… nada, please, while I zone out completely. Meanwhile, Silk’s wonderfully indulgent treatments come with irresistible names like Lavender Luminescence Massage, Divine 8 Flower Lifting Facial and Heaven On Earth, employing a trio of signature massage and facial techniques with Darphin complexes and aromatic oils. And, starting in October, this Zen-inspired oasis will be adding customized acupuncture treatments to its menu (available by appointment; check website for specific services as they become available.) 47 West 13th Street (Fifth and Sixth Avenues); 212 255-6457; silkdayspa.com.

Singular Sensations… For newcomers to New York, the East Village can seem a labyrinth of contradictions: tattoo emporiums, experimental theatre, exclusive boutiques, vintage shops, legendary clubs… but not all that many spas, and certainly not high-profile spas with reputations to match. With one notable exception: Body Beautiful Spa & Laser Center, tucked just below street level on 7th Street off First Avenue. But don’t let the modest address fool you: Body Beautiful may well be the city’s premiere spa for hair removal, with bonus accolades going to owner/esthetician Richard Cacace for creating a warm, welcoming environment. (The rave reviews on newyork.citysearch.com pretty much say it all.) The spa itself, a study in discreet intimacy, belies the state-of-the-art services available, including the Catiolift – an exclusive non-surgical facelift producing noticeable anti-aging results after a single treatment. The key is the Catiolift machine – imported from Paris and only one of two in the city – which uses electrodes to contract facial muscles for a treatment that is more fascinating than painful (cutting-edge without any cutting—works for me!) 96 East 7th Street, 212-979-5515; bodybeautiful.com.

THE FINER POINTS: Expert Advice Former financial guru Craig Fossella is not part of the Manhattan spa scene – in fact, he’s based on “the other coast,” where his innovative take on day spas (“There are a lot of day spas designed around the premise that people go for an all-day pampering session, but that’s just not realistic”), led him to create Tru Spa, one of San Francisco’s hottest pampering zones. His pragmatic approach to skincare, however, has no geographic limits and is reflected in a number of New York spas, including Eden Day Spa and Exhale. For the notoriously dry fall and winter months, Fossella offers the following après-summer skin preservation techniques. 1) Exfoliate. Use a loofah at least twice a week while bathing to remove dead surface skin cells, open pores, absorb moisture, increase blood circulation, and aid in the elimination of toxins. For a more intense exfoliation, use the loofah with a sugar or salt scrub.

2) Moisturize. Regular use of hydrating creams helps prevent water loss and aids in restoring moisture balance and elasticity to the outer layer of the skin. 3) Sunscreen. Fall doesn’t necessarily signal a break from sun exposure/UV rays, especially for those who exercise outdoors. Bottom line: use sunscreen year-round.

4) Sleep. If you don’t get enough zzzz’s, oxygen levels drop and skin cells don’t renew as quickly as they normally would. Recommended: a minimum of seven hours sleep each night.

THEATRENEW YORK

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Gina Gershon: renaissance girl She’s one of the stars of Broadway’s new Bye Bye Birdie, and she does it all: movies, TV, musicals, plays, a one-woman nightclub act, a CD, and even a children’s book.

[ Above: Gina Gershon and John Stamos at Henry Miller's Theatre. Right: Bye Bye Birdie! All eyes are on this inaugural production of Broadway’s newest venue: Henry Miller’s Theatre on Broadway – a 1,055-seat theatre inside the new 55-story Bank of America Tower. The only new Broadway house built in over a decade, this striking new structure sits behind the preserved and restored neo-Georgian façade of the original 1918 theatre.

A. Salzberg

Bruce Glikas / Getty Images

By Griffin Miller n an incredibly soggy Thursday afternoon in late July, I dry off inside SoHo’s City Hall restaurant awaiting the arrival of Gina Gershon. Thanks to the heavy rain, retro light fixtures, ceiling fans and ferns, the place has a vaguely Key Largo feel to it – sans the melodrama, Bogie, Bacall and Edward G. Filling their void is a couple lost in conversation and a yuppie or two. It’s still too early for the after-work crowd. Gershon arrives, umbrella in tow and, except for mine, no heads swivel as she slides into our booth. She’s wearing a dark blue jumpsuit, long scarf and fedora. As expected, she looks amazing even though she is without makeup and claims to have been racing around all day. “I might have to get a snack,” she says. Born in Los Angeles – the San Fernando Valley, to be exact – Gershon is in New York to star as Rose Alvarez in the first Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie, the hit 1960 musical comedy about a rock ‘n’ roll icon who gets caught up in a coast-to-coast publicity scheme after being drafted into the Army. “It’s definitely a time capsule piece,” says Gershon who played the same role once before in junior high school. “It was the very first musical I was ever cast in, and I wanted to play Conrad Birdie. But they gave me Rosie,” she adds, a wisp of regret in her voice. Chances are, she would have made a memorable Conrad Birdie (an Elvis knock-off with an out-of-control teeny-bopper following), particularly at a point in her life when she describes herself as “a little bit of a juvenile delinquent.” “I guess you’d say I was a product of my environment. ‘The Valley’ at that time was not a great place to be.” So her parents opted to move to Beverly Hills. “It was either going to be an all-girls school or Beverly High – but not to 90210 – that was a little too upscale,” she says. “I sort of lived in the slums of Beverly Hills,” she says After graduating high school, Gershon headed

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east, first to Boston and eventually to New York, where she attended NYU (studying both drama and, to keep things interesting, the psychology of dreams). During this early period in Manhattan, she became one of the founding members of the intensely star-infused theatre group Naked Angels (other original founders from 1986 include current artistic director Geoffrey Nauffts, Nancy Travis, Rob Morrow and Mary Stuart Masterson; the list of celebrated names who have added their creative voices to the mix include Kenneth Lonergan, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Fisher Stevens, and Marisa Tomei). According to her website (ginagershon.com), where she stresses her dislike for “unofficial” sites and bios that are known for turning fiction into fact, “Those were the innocent days. Playing baseball, doing plays, and drinking all night. Eventually I had to start doing films to support my theatre habit, so, I went on some auditions, began landing jobs, and started paying my rent.” Among her first films were Cocktail (with Tom Cruise) and Red Heat (with Arnold Schwarzenegger). “They both came out around the same time and I was doing this interview for Red Heat, during which the interviewer actually said, ‘ You-know, there’s a girl in this movie Cocktail who looks a lot like you – but you’re a much better actress.’ And I loved that he didn’t know it was me,” she laughs. Interestingly, that brief blip on the journalistic faux pas-o-meter served as kind of a foreshadowing of her chameleonic career, which includes every sort of role imaginable, from teenaged (Pretty In Pink);

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camp (Showgirls); poignant (Sinatra); quirky and lovable (P.S. I Love You); to off-the-wall (Curb Your Enthusiasm, where she played an Orthodox Jewish dry cleaner considering an adulterous fling with Larry David). And this doesn’t even begin to mine the depths of her film and TV career. As for her previous Broadway outings – that of nightclub chanteuse Sally Bowles in the Sam Mendes’ revival of Cabaret and last year’s disarmingly funny turn as an Italian sex goddess stewardess in the hit farce Boeing-Boeing – well, let’s just say Bye Bye Birdie marks a serious change of pace for Gershon who had no intention of returning to the Great White Way so soon after Boeing-Boeing. “I just imagined I’d be doing something different for awhile. But when Birdie came along it seemed like a really nice opportunity…I thought this should be fun.” One thing that attracted her to the role of Rosie was from things she’d done in the past. And she liked the era as well – that ‘60s ideal of mom and apple pie and teenage innocence. “This is sort of the first ‘Americana’ musical I’ve ever done,” she recalls, “except for when I did it in the 9th grade, that is.” Since she started work on the Broadway production she’s come to realize just how much fun the production is turning out to be, from the music and orchestrations (“amazing”) to her costars, including her leading man John Stamos, Jane Houdyshell and Tony-winner Bill Irwin. Still as much as she’s enjoying working with the grown-ups, her aunt/godmother gene (two nieces, two nephews, two godchildren) is working over-

[ Gina Gershon and Larry David on the set of Curb Your Enthusiasm ]

time when it comes to the teenagers who make up a good portion on the Birdie cast. “The kids kill me they look so great. They’re really 15- and 16- year olds, but they look like they’re 12 – all cute and innocent looking, which is really nice to see.” We are winding down now, Gina having finished as much of her lump crab cocktail and tea as she is likely to, and me scanning my notes for any last questions. And then, in a sudden and bizarre flash it hits me: Gina Gershon, Renaissance Woman, Can Do It All: film, TV, musicals, straight plays – plus, a one-woman nightclub show based on her CD “In Search of Cleo.” She’s written a children’s book – Camp Creepytime – with her brother Dann and she’ll be releasing an album for kids, The Good, The Bad, and The Hungry, early this fall. Did I mention she also illustrated her CD, is bi-coastal and blogs on her website (okay, not on a regular basis… but still)? Oh, and before the year is out you’ll be able to see her play a sociopath who thinks she’s Scarlett O’Hara in the Lifetime mini-series Everything She Ever Wanted with Victor Garber. “I think I like mixing it up,” she says, simply, preparing to exit. And this time as she walks through the restaurant – which has become rather crowded – every head turns.

A FEW INTERESTING GINA FACTS The Jew’s-harp: A distinctly twangy musical instrument she has been known to play on more than one occasion. Always a surprise. Lenny Kravitz: She appeared on Kravitz’s Again video, but their friendship dates back to their high school days at Beverly Hills High. Flamenco lessons: For fun, in her spare time. Jellyfish: Her all-time favorite Halloween costume. It involved a bubble umbrella. Tom Waits. “I have so much respect for him as an artist – he’s so innovative. He’s such a great musician and actor. I’d work with him on a project in a heartbeat.” Comedy: Her favorite outlet.

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[ Anna Deavere Smith ]

[ Ana Gasteyer ]

[ Lynn Redgrave ]

[ Daniel Craig ]

[ Hugh Jackman ]

[ Carrie Fisher ]

[ Bill Pullman ]

[ David Alan Grier ]

[ Willem Dafoe ]

[ ParkerPosey ]

Annabel Clark

[ Julia Stiles ]

Kevin Berne

Mary Ellen Mark

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Craig Schwartz

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Craig Schwartz

THEATRENEW YORK

046-49 TheatreFeature.qxd:PROM NEW

[ Philip Seymour Hoffman ]

a theatregoer’s guide to a (fearsome!) celebrity-driven fall broadway the shows

the stars

the scoop

After Miss Julie

Sienna Miller Jonny Lee Miller

Strindberg, relocated to England, 1945. [FYI: Sienna may have a romantic backstory with Hamlet’s Jude Law (via Alfie) but Jonny Lee and Law met as kids at London’s National Youth Music Theatre. Another common denominator is Daniel Craig (A Steady Rain): Sienna costarred with him in Layer Cake; Jonny Lee was a key competitor for the role of James Bond.]

Laurie Metcalf Dennis Boutsikaris

From the Neil Simon nostalgia collection, two works making Broadway history in a repertory run. [FYI: Metcalf and Boutsikaris each had starring roles in past episodes of the USA series Monk.]

Award-Winning Dancers From Around the World

Latin and ballroom dance extravaganza created by Jason Gilkison, So You Think You Can Dance guest choreographer. [FYI: The show was first performed for Elton John's 50th birthday celebration in 1997.]

Gina Gershon Dee Hoty Jane Houdyshell Bill Irwin John Stamos

This remounting of 1961’s Tony-winning musical packs serious star power including up and comer Nolan Funk as retro-rock idol Conrad Birdie. [FYI: Gershon played Sally Bowles and Stamos the Emcee in the Sam Mendes revival of Cabaret; Irwin followed Bill Pullman as the male lead in Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?]

Sahr Ngaujah Lillias White

Based on the life of composer/performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Broadway production boasts Ngaujah who channeled the title role in the Off-Broadway sell-out. [FYI: Tony-winner White costarred with John Stamos when he made his Broadway debut in How To Succeed In Business… in 1995.]

(Previews 10/8; opens 10/29)

Cheyenne Jackson Jim Norton

First Broadway revival of this musical fantasy in 50 years. With Tony-winner Jim Norton (The Seafarer) as the title character and Cheyenne Jackson reprising his acclaimed 2009 Encores! performance. [FYI: Jackson was one of Off-Broadway’s original Altar Boyz.]

Hamlet

Jude Law

Direct from London and rave reviews this ticket is solid Broadway gold. [FYI: Law is the unofficial lynchpin for many of this season’s Broadway celebs, having appeared in films with Sienna Miller, Jonny Lee Miller, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Daniel Craig, Willem Dafoe, Julia Stiles, and more.]

(Previews 9/18; opens 10/22)

Brighton Beach Memoirs (Previews 10/2; opens 10/25)

Broadway Bound (Previews 11/8; opens 12/10)

Burn the Floor (Thru 10/18)

Bye Bye Birdie (Previews 9/10; opens 10/15)

Fela (Previews 10/19; opens 11/23)

Finian’s Rainbow

(Previews 9/12; opens 10/6))

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In The Next Room, or The Vibrator Play

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Laura Benanti Michael Cerveris

Visionary playwright Sarah Ruhl’s Broadway debut: the title tells half the story, the fact that the play is set in the 19th-century hints at the rest. [FYI: The two stars form a nexus to Patti LuPone’s most recent stage triumphs: Gypsy (Benanti) and Sweeney Todd (Cerveris).]

Montego Glover Chad Kimball

This musical about a 1950s rock ‘n’ roll DJ dazzled in its West Coast debut. With music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect…). [FYI: Leading man Kimball played a dancing cow in the Broadway revival of Into the Woods.]

Bill Pullman Julia Stiles

Multiple Mamets reign, including this L.A. import of his sexually incendiary two-person drama. [FYI: Stiles (Oleanna in London in 2004) shared the screen with Philip Seymour Hoffman (Othello) in the Mamet film State and Main; Pullman and Gina Gershon are close friends who once started up a theatre company in L.A.]

David Alan Grier James Spader Richard Thomas Kerry Washington

Mamet directs his latest, keeping the plot under wraps til opening. Still, title, cast and prior works indicate sparks will fly. [FYI: Voiceover rivalry (luxury car division): Spader for Acura; Thomas, Mercedes-Benz. On Dancing with the Stars Grier teamed with Kym Johnson, who danced in Elton John’s Burn the Floor birthday bash.]

Original Spring, 2009 Kennedy Center Cast

This revival of the 1998 hit musical (four Tony Awards) was called “Nothing short of heavenly,” by the Washington Post when it debuted in D.C. [FYI: Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie and Brian Stokes Mitchell starred in the Broadway original.]

Stephen Collins Ana Gasteyer John Glover Rosemary Harris Jan Maxwell Tony Roberts

Nice overlap of Broadway nobility in this vintage Kaufman & Ferber play. [FYI: Roberts and Cheyenne Jackson were recent castmates in Xanadu, as were Glover and Irwin in Waiting for Godot; cinema-wise, Harris and Willem Dafoe (Idiot Savant) shared Spiderman billing.]

(Previews 9/10; opens 9/29)

Daniel Craig Hugh Jackman

Superstar Brit and superstar Aussie in Keith Huff’s drama about two Chicago cops. [FYI: Tony-winner Jackman was chosen People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2008; Craig was first runner-up.]

Superior Donuts

Michael McKean

A sell-out at Steppenwolf, this new work by Pulitzer/Tony winner Tracy Letts arrives with McKean reprising the role he originated in Chicago. [FYI: McKean and Parker Posey (This) are part of Christopher Guest’s film troupe (Best In Show; A Mighty Wind.)]

Carrie Fisher

Outspoken and sharp-edged, Fisher wrote the book (a New York Times bestseller) and now lives it on stage. [FYI: Fisher and Tony Roberts (The Royal Family) appeared together in Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters.]

(Previews 10/22; opens 11/19)

Memphis (Previews 9/23; opens 10/19)

Oleanna (Previews 9/29; opens 10/11)

Race (Previews 11/17; opens 12/6)

Ragtime (Previews 10/23; opens 11/15)

The Royal Family (Previews 9/15; opens 10/8)

A Steady Rain

(Previews 9/16; opens 10/1)

Wishful Drinking (Previews 9/22; opens 10/4 thru 1/3/10)

off broadway Idiot Savant

Willem Dafoe

Dafoe in "a philosophical comedy, in the great tradition of Ionesco and Preston Sturges.”

Judith Ivey

A tour de force take on advice columnist Ann Landers.

Anna Deavere Smith

Eight years in the making, Smith’s new one-woman/multi-character work probing medicine and healthcare.

Lynn Redgrave

A solo work exploring and dramatizing the actress/playwright’s memories of a grandmother she barely knew.

Philip Seymour Hoffman John Ortiz

Hoffman as Iago baiting Ortiz’s Othello: Shakespeare scholars rejoice.

No previews; opens 9/12 thru 10/4)

This

Parker Posey

The darling of independent films in a comedy about a single mother and her circle of friends.

(No previews; opens 10/27 thru 12/13)

The Lady With All the Answers (No previews; opens 10/7 thru 11/29)

Let Me Down Easy (No previews; opens 9/15)

Nightingale (Previews 9/15; opens 10/15)

Othello

(No previews; opens 11/6 thru 12/13)

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ON THE TOWN

THEATRE

NEW YORK

Jude Law returns to Broadway for the first time in nearly 15 years in the title role of Donmar Warehouse’s production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, directed by Tony nominee Michael Grandage (Frost/Nixon). The show runs for 12 weeks only; previews beging Sept. 12th for an Oct. 6th opening. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit hamletbroadway.com.

Johan Persson

THE BARD’S TALE

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Marianne Rosenstiehl

ON THE TOWN SPOTLIGHT

PERFORMING ARTS p.62

Please call the box offices for showtimes. All listings subject to change BROADWAY After Miss Julie - (Play) Sienna Miller stars in Patrick Marber’s play, which transposes August Strindberg’s 1888 work about sex and class to an English country house on the eve of Labour’s historic landslide in 1945. American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St., 212-719-1300; roundabouttheatre.org (Previews begin 9/18 for a 10/22 opening; through 12/6) Avenue Q - (Musical) In 2004’s Tony-winning musical, which began life Off-Broadway, singing puppets and their human neighbors are the residents of a fictional NYC street where a collection of twenty-somethings struggle to find their way in the world. John Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; avenueq.com (Through 9/13) Billy Elliot: The Musical - (Musical) Based on the film about a working-class British boy with dreams that run contrary to family expectations, the London smash-hit is now a Broadway blockbuster as well. Set against the backdrop of a struggling English coal-mining town, the show— a celebration of a young boy’s dream to follow his passion for dance despite all odds—is a study in inspirational and entertaining musical theatre. Peter Darling choreographs, Sir Elton John wrote the score, and three young talents alternate in the title role. Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; billyelliotbroadway.com Brighton Beach Memoirs - (Comedy) Neil Simon’s play centers on young Jewish teen Eugene Morris Jerome and his extended family living in a crowded home in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn in 1937: his overworked father, Jack; overbearing mother, Kate; his older brother Stanley; Kate’s widowed sister Blanche and her daughters, Nora and Laurie. As Eugene spends his time daydreaming about a baseball career, he must also cope with his family’s troubles, his awkward discovery of the opposite sex and his developing identity as a writer. Performed in repertory with Broadway Bound. Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St., 212-307-4100; theneilsimonplays.com (Previews begin 10/2 for a 10/25 opening) Broadway Bound - (Comedy) In Neil Simon’s classic, it’s the late 1940s and while Eugene Morris Jerome and his older brother Stanley have

MUSEUMS p.70

started their careers as professional comedy writers, at home their parents’ marriage is falling apart. When the brothers use these troubles as inspiration for a radio comedy skit, the Jerome family may never be the same. Performed in repertory with Brighton Beach Memoirs. Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St., 212-307-4100; theneilsimonplays.com (Previews begin 11/18 for a 12/10 opening) Bye Bye Birdie - (Musical) In the exuberant rock n’ roll musical comedy, it’s 1960 and hipswingin’ teen idol superstar Conrad Birdie has been drafted into the army. Birdie’s manager, Albert (John Stamos), and his secretary, Rosie (Gina Gershon), have cooked up a plan to send him off with a new song and one last kiss from a lucky teenage fan...on The Ed Sullivan Show. Henry Miller’s Theatre, 124 W. 43rd St., 212-719-1300; byebyebirdieonbroadway.com (Previews begin 9/10 for a 10/15 opening) Chicago - (Musical) Kander and Ebb’s longrunning “musical vaudeville” follows murderous vixen Roxie Hart, who gains notoriety from prison and locks horns with prison diva Velma Kelly when they both vie for the attentions of the hottest lawyer in town: Billy Flynn. Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St., 212-239-6200; chicagothemusical.com Fela! - (Musical) The critically acclaimed and award-winning musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti arrives on Broadway. Sahr Ngaujah returns in the title role for which he received universal acclaim, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community perform Kuti’s rousing music live onstage. Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th St., 212-239-6200; felaonbroadway.com (Previews begin 10/19 for an 11/23 opening)

SIGHTSEEING p.84

Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical - (Musical) The revival of the groundbreaking musical—a stunning success during last summer’s run at Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre—has made the move to Broadway with Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie) in the role of Claude. Looks like it’s the “Dawning of the Age of Aquarius” again. Peace, man! Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; hairbroadway.com Hamlet - (Play) In Shakespeare’s definitive tragedy, the King of Denmark is dead. Consumed with grief, Prince Hamlet, played by Jude Law, determines to avenge his father’s death with devastating consequences for his family and the kingdom. Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; hamletbroadway.com (Previews begin 9/12 for a 10/6 opening) In the Heights - (Musical) 2007’s Tony-winning Best Musical about two days in the life of Manhattan’s vibrant and tight-knit neighborhood of Washington Heights. The story follows the hopes and dreams of three generations as they struggle to forge an identity in a neighborhood on the brink of transition. The production is the brainchild of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music and lyrics and plays the lead role of Usnavi. Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., 212-221-1211; intheheightsthemusical.com In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play (Play) Sarah Ruhl’s comedy about marriage, intimacy and electricity. The play marks the Broadway debut for Ruhl, who has won numerous honors, including a MacArthur “Genius” grant. Lyceum Theatre, 149 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; lct.org (Previews begin 10/22 for an 11/19 opening)

Finian’s Rainbow - (Musical) The New York City Center Encores! smash hit comes to Broadway with a lush score of beloved standards and a whimsical story that dances between romance, satire and fairy tale. St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200 (Previews begin 10/8 for an 10/29 opening)

Jersey Boys - (Musical) Based on the life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, this musical chronicles the rise to superstardom of a group of blue-collar kids from the wrong side of the tracks during the 1960s. Filled with just about every major Four Seasons hit from “Sherry” and “Rag Doll” to “You’re Just Too Good To Be True.” August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 52nd St., 212-239-6200; jerseyboysbroadway.com

God of Carnage - (Play) Jeff Daniels, James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden, and Hope Davis star in this “comedy without manners” by Tonywinning playwright Yasmina Reza centering on the parental aftermath of a playground altercation. Bernard Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; godofcarnage.com (Through 11/15)

The Lion King - (Musical) The Tony- and Olivier Award-winning stage version of Disney’s celebrated animated feature follows the lion cub Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role of king of the jungle. Filled with colorful characters and Grammy-winning numbers by Elton John and

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Tim Rice. Directed by Julie Taymor. The Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., 212-307-4100; disneyonbroadway.com Mamma Mia! - (Musical) Set on a Greek isle, this clever hit musical romance incorporates 22 ABBA songs (“Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You”) into a story about a single mother and her daughter on the eve of the daughter’s wedding—and three men who could be the bride’s father. Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway (50th St.), 212-563-5544; mamma-mia.com Mary Poppins - (Musical) Based on the P.L. Travers stories and the Oscar-winning film, this fast-paced, heartwarming musical about the world’s most famous nanny boasts numbers from both the original film (“Chim Chim Cheree,” “The Perfect Nanny”) as well as new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd St., 212-307-4747; disneyonbroadway.com Memphis: A New Musical - (Musical) From the dance halls of Memphis, Tennessee comes this “hot and bothered” new musical set in the turbulent south in the 1950s. It tells the story of Huey Calhoun, a white radio DJ whose love of good music transcends race lines and airwaves. Shubert Theatre, 222 W. 28th St., 212-239-6200; memphisthemusical.com (Previews begin 9/23 for a 10/19 opening) Next to Normal - (Musical) This intimate sixperson production explores how a suburban household copes with crisis. Featuring a contemporary rock score of more than 30 songs. Longacre Theatre, 222 W. 28th St., 212-239-6200; nexttonormal.com Oleanna - (Play) Starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles and directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes, Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet’s provocative new play is a gripping account of a power struggle between a male university professor and one of his female students. Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; oleannaonbroadway.com (Previews begin 9/29 for a 10/11 opening) The Phantom of the Opera - (Musical) After myriad film versions, Gaston Leroux’s famous period thriller now reigns as Broadway’s most legendary grand dame, having broken countless records as it continues to thrill new generations of theatregoers. Featuring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Phantom has achieved the kind of reputation and following most shows only dream of. Majestic Theatre, 247 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; thephantomoftheopera.com Race - (Play) David Mamet directs the world premiere of his new Broadway play, starring James Spader, Richard Thomas, David Alan Grier, and Kerry Washington. Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St., 212-239-6200 (Previews begin 11/17 for a 12/6 opening)

Ragtime - (Musical) Based on E.L. Doctorow’s acclaimed epic novel, Ragtime turns back the clock

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ONTHETOWN

to the dawn of the 20th century—a time when anything was possible and ragtime music filled the air. Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St., 212-307-4100 (Previews begin 10/23 for an 11/15 opening)

their differing accounts of a few harrowing days that changed their lives forever. Schoenfeld Theater, 236 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; asteadyrain.com (Previews begin 9/10 for a 9/29 opening; through 12/6)

Rock of Ages - (Musical) Following a successful Off-Broadway run, this retro musical arrives on Broadway with a score made up of 1980s hits by Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia and Whitesnake. Set at a Hollywood rock club, the show tracks an aspiring young rocker and a smalltown girl chasing her dreams. Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th St., 212-307-4100; rockofagesmusical.com

The 39 Steps - (Play) Patrick Barlow’s comic adaptation of John Buchan’s classic spy thriller has been adapted into a hilarious spoof of the book and the Hitchcock film. The “unstageable” thriller set in the 1930s is staged with four cast members playing a minimum of 150 roles.

Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; love39steps.com West Side Story - (Musical) The landmark musical by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents transports Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the turbulent streets of the Upper West Side in 1950s New York City. The star-crossed lovers find themselves caught between the rival street gangs: watch for new bilingual elements. Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway (47th St.), 212-307-4100; broadwaywestsidestory.com

The Royal Family - (Play) The classic comedy of theatrical manners, written by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, follows the Cavendishes, the famous family of stage stars, as they go about the drama of the day: choosing scripts, dashing off to a performance, and stealing kisses with handsome beaus. Samuel J. Friedman Theater, 261 W. 47th St., 212-239-6200; mtc-nyc.org (Previews begin 9/15 for a 10/8 opening) Shrek the Musical - (Musical) The animated ogre with a heart of, well, green, has stepped off the big screen and onto the Broadway stage. Starring Brian d’Arcy James (Sweet Smell of Success) alongside Sutton Foster (Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Princess Fiona and Christopher Sieber as Lord Farquaad. A fairy-tale combination plate of both sophisticated and sophomoric humor with appeal for all ages. Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway (53rd St.), 212-239-6200; shrekthemusical.com South Pacific - (Musical) Bartlett Sher directs this critically acclaimed revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, starring three-time Tony nominee Kelli O’Hara. One of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most celebrated musicals (based on James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific), South Pacific centers on two love stories that unfold against the backdrop of WWII and the military serving in the Pacific. Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. 65th St., 212-239-6200; lct.org Superior Donuts - (Play) Tina Landau directs the Broadway premiere of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company production of Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts’ (August Osage County) latest. In it, Arthur Przybyszewski owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago while Franco Wicks, a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. This provocative comedy, set in the heart of one of Chicago’s most diverse communities, explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship. Music Box Theater, 239 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; steppenwolf.org (Previews begin 9/16 for a 10/1 opening) A Steady Rain - (Play) Starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, this critically acclaimed new American play by Keith Huff tells the story of two Chicago cops who are lifelong friends and

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Wicked - (Musical) Set in Oz before the arrival of Dorothy, this knock-out production follows the friendship between two girls—one smart, misunderstood, with green skin; the other beautiful, popular, and ambitious—who grow up to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Gershwin Theatre, 222 W. 51st St., 212-307-4100; wickedthemusical.com Wishful Drinking - (One-Woman Show) Carrie Fisher recounts the true and intoxicating tale of her life as a Hollywood legend, told with the same wry wit she poured into bestsellers like Postcards from the Edge. Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St., 212-719-1300; roundabouttheatre.org (Previews begin 9/22 for a 10/4 opening)

OFF-BROADWAY ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY - Two Unrelated Plays by David Mamet: Keep Your Pantheon and School (9/9-11/1); Oohrah!, written by Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Evan Cabnet (9/1-9/27). 336 W. 20th St., 212- 691-5919; atlantictheater.org The Awesome 80s Prom - This interactive comedy invites theatregoers to rediscover their favorite characters from the 1980s as everyone from the Captain of the Football team to the Asian Exchange Student compete for the titles of Prom King and Queen. ’80s fashions strongly encouraged. Village Nightclub, Webster Hall, 125 E. 11th St., 877-RAD-PROM; awesome80sprom.com; websterhall.com Blue Man Group - Best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows, the trio of post-modern clowns known as Blue Man Group combines music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. Astor Place Theatre, 434 Lafayette St. (so. of Astor Pl.), 212-254-4370; blueman.com BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC - Ex Machina / Théâtre Sans Frontières presents Lipsynch, written and directed by Robert Lepage (10/3-11); Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe presents Quartett, sonceived and directed by Robert Wilson (11/4-14); A Streetcar Named Desire, written by Tennesee Williams and directed by Liv Ullman, starring Cate Blanchett (11/27-12/20). BAM Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton St., 718-636-4100; bam.org Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words - Created by Eugene Pack, this brilliant and hilarious concept show features a line-up of revolving performers who will interpret the actual words and stories written by the famous and the infamous, in both solo and ensemble pieces. Some of the “authors” recently featured include Ivana Trump, Vanna White, Sylvester Stallone, Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson. Triad Theatre, 158 W. 72nd St., 212-868-4444; celebrityautobiography.com

Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert: Girl Crazy - Music & lyrics by George

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Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, book by Guy Bolton and Jack McGowan (11/19-22). New York City Center, W. 55th St., 212-581-1212; nycitycenter.org The Fantasticks - A romantic musical classic centered around the simple love story of a boy, a girl, two fathers, and a wall. The score includes “Try to Remember” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain.” With book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt. Snapple Theater Center, 1627 Broadway, 212-307-4100; thefantasticks.com 59E59 THEATRES - The Pride of Parnell Street, written by Sebastian Berry, directed by Jim Culleton (9/1-10/4); Spinning the Times, written by Geraldine Aron, Lucy Caldwell, Rosalind Haslett, Rosemary Jenkinson & Belinda McKeon, directed by M. Burke Walker (9/2-20); Making Strange’s Luck, starring Megan Riordan (9/23-10/11); The Night Watcher, written and performed by Charlayne Woodard and directed by Daniel Sullivan (9/22-10/31); Good Bobby, written by Brian Lee Frankling and directed by Pierson Blaetz (10/8-11/8); Ghost Light, written by Desi Moreno-Penson and directed by Jose Zayas (10/14-31); Brits Off Broadway (11/4-1/3). 59 E. 59th St., 212-279-4200; 59e59.org FLEA THEATER - Ascendance: Above and Beyond Dance (9/10-13); Albert Camus’ The Misunderstanding directed by Alex Lippard (10/29-11/22). 41 White St. (Broadway-Church St.), 212-226-2407; theflea.org Fuerza Bruta: Look Up - Breaking free from the confines of spoken language and theatrical convention, this new show from the creators of De La Guarda immerses performers and audience in an environment that floods the senses and makes the imagination soar. Daryl Roth Theatre, 20 Union Square E. (15th St.), 212-239-6200; fuerzabruta.net LINCOLN CENTER THEATRE Broke-ology, a new play by Nathan Louis Jackson, directed by Thomas Kall (9/10-11/22); What Once We Felt, written by Ann Marie Healy and directed by Ken Rus Schmoll (10/26-11/21). 150 W. 65th St., 212-239-6200; lct.org Line - Israel Horovitz’s classic comedy about five people standing in line has been playing Off-Off Broadway for many years—in fact, it’s inching up on the 35-year mark and has become the longest-running play in Off-Off Broadway history. 13th Street Repertory, 50 W. 13th St., 212-352-0255; 13thstreetrep.org LUCILLE LORTEL THEATRE (MCC Theatre Company) - Coraline, adapted from the truly terrifying children’s book by Neil Gaiman, this tale of menace and mayhem has been set to music by rock icon Stephin Merritt and features a book by David Greenspan (through 6/20). 121 Christopher St., 212-279-4200; www.mcctheater.org

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Joan Marcus

THEATRENEWYORK

MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB - Still Life, written by Alexander Dinelaris, directed by Will Frears (9/16-11/1). 131 W. 55th St., 212-581-1212; mtc-nyc.org The Marvelous Wonderettes - An engaging new jukebox musical revue featuring such retro classics as “Stupid Cupid,” “Dream Lover,” and “It’s My Party.” The story follows singing sensation wannabes The Wonderettes as they take the stage at the 1958 Springfield High School prom. Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St., 212-239-6200; marvelouswonderettes.com

FROM THE BARRIO TO BROADWAY Broadway’s In the Heights is an inspired melting pot of hip-hop, salsa, ballads and showstoppers. Composed and conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda—who originated the role of bodega owner/narrator, Usnavi—the score is matched by Andy Blankenbuehler’s explosive choreography and a multi-talented company. The show picked up four 2008 Tony Awards—including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations. For tickets, call 212-307-4100 or visit intheheightsthemusical.com.

Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh Spanning 20 years during the dramatically charged build to the French Revolution, Joel Gross’s play is a fictionalized triangle between Queen Marie Antoinette, her portraitist, the renowned beauty Elisabeth Louise Vigee-Le Brun, and Count Alexis de Ligne, an aristocrat and political radical. St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., 212-239-6200; stlukestheatre.com Murdered by the Mob - Interactive Theater. Join a private audience with the Don, mingle with mobsters and molls, and meet the new “Boss of Bosses.” It’s the party of the year celebrating the induction of the newest crime boss and everyone’s invited. Amo Dinner Theatre, 141 W. 38th St., 800-MURDER-INC; murdermysteryinc.com THE NEW GROUP - The Starry Messenger, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, featuring Matthew Broderick (opening Oct.). 410 W. 42nd St., 212-279-4200, thenewgroup.org NEW WORLD STAGES - Just west of Broadway, this cutting-edge theatre complex is home to several of Off-Broadway’s most popular productions: Altar Boyz – A musical comedy about a struggling Christian boy band riding the wave of America’s fascination with religion (altarboyz.com); The Gazillion Bubble Show – Fan Yang’s irresistible and totally fabulous bubble show (gazillionbubbleshow.com); My First Time – True stories of first sexual encounters (myfirsttimetheplay.com); Naked Boys Singing – Hunky guys performing 90 minutes of musical numbers in the altogether (nakedboyssinging.com); The Toxic Avenger, a new musical based on the 1985 cult film classic (Urinetown); and For Lovers Only (Love Songs Nothing But Love Songs), a new musical revue featuring nearly 100 of the 20th century’s most beloved songs interspersed through a fast-paced evening. 340 W. 50th St., 212-239-6200; newworldstages.com Our Town - Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prizewinning play following the lives of the residents of the New England town of Grover’s Corners. In this new staging, the action takes place in, among and around the audience. Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow St., 212-868-4444; ourtownoffbroadway.com (Through 1/31)

Perfect Crime - This long-running hit psychological cat-and-mouse thriller is about a wealthy female psychiatrist who has returned to America

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where a bizarre murder has occurred. Enter the inspector who becomes obsessed with her, her patients and her home. Snapple Theater Center, 210 W. 50th St., 212-307-4100 PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS - The Retributionists, written by Daniel Goldfarb and directed by Leigh Silverman (through 9/27); Circle Mirror Transformation, written by Annie Baker, directed by Sam Gold (9/24-11/1); This, written by Melissa James Gibson, directed by Daniel Aukin (11/6-12/13). 416 W. 42nd St., 212-279-4200; playwrightshorizons.org PUBLIC THEATER - Othello directed by Peter Sellars and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman (9/12-10/4); The Brother/Sister Plays Part 1 & Part 2 by Tarell Alvin McCraney (10/21-12/13); Idiot Savant, written and directed by Richard Foreman and starring Willem Dafoe (10/27-12/6). 425 Lafayette St., 212-260-2400; publictheater.org The Quantum Eye - In the tradition of Harry Houdini, Sam Eaton demonstrates a remarkable evening of old-world parlor mentalism brought into the 21st-century as he performs a succession of impossibilities: predicting behavior, reading minds, and revealing the unknowable. Snapple Theater Center, 210 W. 50th St., 212-321-7862; thequantumeye.com ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY The Understudy, written by Theresa Rebeck and starring Julie White (opening 10/9). Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for the Theatre, 111 W. 46th St., 212-719-1300; roundabouttheatre.org SECOND STAGE THEATRE - Let Me Down Easy, conceived, written and performed by Anna Deavere Smith (9/15-11/9). 307 W. 43rd St., 212-246-4422; 2st.com SIGNATURE THEATRE COMPANY - The Orphans’ Home Cycle Part I (“The Story of a Childhood”), written by Horton Foote (11/5-3/6). 555 W. 42nd St., 212-244-7529; signaturetheatre.org Simon Lovell’s Strange and Unusual Hobbies World-famous magician Simon Lovell doing what he does best. SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St., 212-691-1555; sohoplayhouse.com Stomp - Springing from Brit clubs and an urban aesthetic, this eight-member theatre of percussion has caused sensation after sensation at each of its international appearances—and what can only be called a big bang in the Big Apple. Orpheum Theatre, 126 Second Ave. (7th St.-St. Marks Pl.), 212-307-4100; stomponline.com Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding - Interactive Theatre. Tony has been marrying Tina since 1988 and will do so as long as there are family and friends ready to celebrate the occasion with live music, champagne, Italian food and cake. Vinnie Black’s Colliseum at the Edison Hotel, 221 W. 46th St., 212-352-3101; tonyandtinanewyork.com

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Brigitte Lacombe / Metropolitan Opera

OPERANEW YORK

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a Met season... with fresh perspectives and bold innovation By Martin Bernheimer

[ Karita Mattila in Puccini‘s Tosca, Swiss director Luc Bondy’s own vision of this popular opera ]

ike all arts institutions – ok, all institutions, period – the Metropolitan Opera is reeling from unaccustomed financial pressures. The 2009-10 season isn’t quite as adventurous as originally planned, and the repertory reflects nips and tucks predicated on fiscal caution. But Peter Gelb, impresario in excelsis, has still come up with some provocative new perspectives on some familiar pieces as well as a number of daring innovations. Puccini’s Tosca, the season opener [Sept. 21], remains one of the most popular attractions in any opera house anywhere. The Met first contemplated this blood-and-gutsy slice of life in 1901, and, up to this year, performed it 891 times. Until now, the productions have featured theatrical realism, the Roman locales reproduced with reasonable degrees of historical and/or pictorial authenticity.

That will no doubt change when the Swiss director Luc Bondy introduces his own vision of what the musicologist Joseph Kerman called “a shabby little shocker.” Bondy has long been celebrated in Europe, and occasionally derided, for his desire to refocus familiar masterpieces with surreal images and heightened emotional stresses. Even if his Tosca, a staging to be shared with the Munich Opera and La Scala in Milan, turns out to be controversial, it is unlikely to be boring. In any case, it will provide a useful antidote to the extravaganza splashed across the stage by Franco Zeffirelli in 1985, an ultra-detailed affair in which the sets overpowered the singers. Tosca, the tempestuous protagonist, is sung by the daring Swedish soprano Karita Mattila, best known for her bare-all (in all senses) portrayal of Richard Strauss’ Salome. Though not exactly typecast, she joins a long line of disparate divas magnetized by this quintessentially Italianate heroine. “Tosca,” she says, “is like an action movie, and the drama just happens.” The opera will be conducted by the ubiquitous and tireless

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James Levine, who first undertook the challenge here in 1971. “From the very first bar,” he declares, “the opera seizes you and keeps you on the edge of your seat.” For once, the cliché rings true. Leoš Janáček's From the House of the Dead, which receives its Met premiere on Nov. 12, is anything but a popular potboiler. It is extraordinarily stark and grim, moody yet poetic, an atmosphere piece that doesn’t even have, or need, a linear narrative. Many authorities regard it is the composer’s finest achievement. Completed in 1928 and first performed in 1930, two years after Janáček's death, it represents an inspired reinterpretation of Dostoevsky’s autobiographical novel about survival in a Russian prison. Apart from two tiny roles for women, the cast is all male – dark voices dominating the vocal textures. Essentially, this is a “collective” opera, the isolated soloists emerging momentarily from the ensemble, then returning to it. The production at the Met has been created by Patrice Chéreau, an innovative genius from France best known for his staging – re-imagining, actually – of Wagner’s Ring at the Bayreuth Festival of 1976. Celebrating the centennial of its creation, he turned the Germanic myth into a socio-political treatise on the Industrial Revolution, and he managed to do so without altering, much less distorting the musical pulse. Chéreau’s interpretation of Janáček via Dostoevsky was voted Europe’s best opera staging in 2007 by the illustrious Académie Charles-Cros. The production has been documented on a DVD from Aix en Provence, and the Met shares it additionally with Vienna, Amsterdam and Milan. “The penal camp is a different society, parallel to ours,” says Chéreau, “but there are many similarities….power relationships, humiliation, passion – all those things exist in both worlds.”

Ros Ribas / Metropolitan Opera

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[ A scene from Janácek's From the House of the Dead, a reinterpretation of survival in a Russian prison ]

Esa-Pekka Salonen, who has just completed his creative tenure as head of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, makes his Met debut in the pit. The large cast includes such discerning singing-actors as Stefan Margita, Kurt Streit, Peter Mattei and Willard White. This is opera for the thinking person. ■ Pulitzer-prize winning critic Martin Bernheimer covers music in New York for the Financial Times and Opera magazine. His last piece for Promenade was on Riccardo Muti. The Metropolitan Opera Lincoln Center, West 62nd Street; 212-799-3100; metopera.org

Alan Gilbert takes the New York Philharmonic’s reins Traditionally, the New York Philharmonic has been led by distinguished bigname maestros at the peak of their powers – conductors with world-wide reputations, prize-studded biographies, vast experience, record-company backing and a massive fan base. Think Bruno Walter, Arturo Toscanini, Leopold Stokowski, Arthur Rodzinski, Kurt Masur….

Chris Lee

Alan Gilbert, who this season takes over the podium from an elder statesman, Lorin Maazel, isn’t quite like his predecessors. Many observers of the scene regard that as an advantage. Breath of fresh air, and all that.

Only 40, Gilbert is decisively open to novelty, refreshingly eager to make a mark on his own probing terms and professionally unencumbered. He also happens to be the first native New Yorker to serve as music director of our sometimes great orchestra. His prime credentials for the post, certainly respectable but hardly earth-shattering, involve extended stints in Stockholm and Hamburg. Isolated guest-appearances here have found him successful with audiences and, yes, with critics (the same critics who were often frustrated with Maazel’s leadership). In addition, Gilbert enjoys unusual popularity with the local players, a fact that may have something to do with his parentage. His mother, Yoko Takebe, is a violinist in New York Philharmonic the orchestra, and his father, Michael Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall; Gilbert, served in the same capacity 212-875-5656; nyphil.org until he retired in 2001. The new kid on the symphonic block promises to explore uncharted repertory territory in addition to hum-along staples that please subscribers. Unorthodox options appeal to him. He also wants to take his charges to surprising locales. As we go to press an unprecedented tour to Castro’s Cuba is in negotiation. The brave new era beckons. –MB 59

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DANCENEW YORK

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Morphoses in New York Taking a bold chance in tough times, Christopher Wheeldon – with his brash new dance company – is hoping to move ballet “out of the box” By Sylviane Gold

Rosalie O Connor

o maybe 2007 wasn't the ideal moment to leave a steady job and strike out on your own. So maybe busy ballet choreographers generally let others run dance troupes. And maybe brand-new, from-scratch ballet companies are as rare as tutus on tappers. Christopher Wheeldon has never been one to go by the book, and neither does his recently hatched baby, Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company. He started defying expectations as a boy, going out for ballet in a provincial English town still so buttoned-down it has banned skateboards and Rollerblades. As a 19-year-old dancer, he jumped the Pond, leaving the circumspect elegance of London's Royal Ballet for the brasher, modernist aesthetic of New York City Ballet. While still a lowly member of the ensemble, he was choreographing for the company - and astonishing critics and audiences alike with the variety, sophistication and sheer theatricality of his work. By 29, he had quit dancing and was choreographing full-time. And then he surprised everyone again, leaving his berth as resident choreographer at City Ballet to make a stab at reshaping ballet for the 21st century with his own company. As for Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company - brand-new, from-scratch, and founded just in time for the global economic meltdown - this autumn New York audiences will have several opportunities to judge for themselves whether his big gamble is paying off. On Sept. 24 and 25, the company is presenting hipster ballet couple Drew Jacoby (from Idaho) and Rubinald Pronk (from Holland) in a duet, “Softly as I Leave You,” by the hipster choreography couple Lightfoot León (Paul Lightfoot, from England, and Sol León, from Spain). The performance is part of Fall for Dance, City Center's annual bargain sampler of all points on the dance compass, running this year from Sept. 22 through Oct. 3. The same $10 ticket for the Morphoses performances also gets dance fans a Balanchine ballet by Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, a tango troupe, and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.

Bill Cooper

[ Christopher Wheeldon, above, and at right in rehearsal with Aesha Ash and Gonzalo Garcia ]

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Erin Baiano

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[ From Commedia, an homage to Italian burlesque and Ballets Russes ]

A fuller picture of Wheeldon's take on the future of ballet will emerge in October, when the company arrives at City Center for a four-day stay. For this, its third season, running Oct. 29 through Nov. 1, Morphoses will offer two programs of cutting-edge choreography by Wheeldon and others, with music performed live, homey little introductions to the ballets, and behind-the-scenes videos of rehearsal. The idea, Wheeldon says, is to demystify this most courtly and traditionbound of the arts - “to make the ballet-watching experience a little bit more personal and a little more at hand - so you can kind of reach out and touch it.” Of course, he had no idea, when he began Morphoses, that the 21st-century economy was about to reach out and shred his plans. Ballet, like opera and orchestral music, is too expensive to be anything but a not-for-profit endeavor. And Wheeldon, now 36, was counting on philanthropic money from big donors to realize his dream of a standing company with a growing roster of dancers, a home base in New York, and a steadily increasing number of tour dates. At the start, he had commitments from the City Center in New York, Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, and the Vail Arts Festival in Colorado. And dancers he'd worked with in New York and other cities were happy to provide their services on an ad hoc basis. But Wheeldon expected that by now he'd have a core group of performers earning steady paychecks over most of the year. He expected a reliable schedule of bookings around the country and around the world. Instead, Morphoses employs a grand total of three - including Wheeldon - and its dancers are all borrowed. But people who launch big, risky projects are necessarily optimists. Wheeldon sees the upside of his situation. “We've gone from three venues to eight this

year,” he points out. Money arrives in small contributions from lots of ordinary people - “just like the Obama campaign.” And marquee dancers, like City Ballet's incandescent ballerina Wendy Whelan, turn Morphoses concerts into must-see events. Wheeldon is also proud of the outsiders he's drawn into ballet. He cites the innovative Cuban installation artists Los Carpinteros, and the Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra and her recently created Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, who will both be working with Morphoses this season. Los Carpinteros will City Center Theater improvise the stage set 130 W 56th St # 4; 212-581-1212; citycenter.org for Wheeldon's newest ballet, set to Rachmaninoff's “Suites for Two Pianos,” from items they find in the theatre. “You'll be able to come back and see their creation change from night to night,” Wheeldon says. He's bringing back last year's “Commedia,” a ravishing homage to traditional Italian burlesque and Ballets Russes, and “Continuum,” his 2002 ballet to a spiky score by one of his favorite composers, György Ligeti. But Wheeldon doesn't want Morphoses to dance all Wheeldon all the time. In addition to the Lightfoot León “Softly,” there will be a new commission from the emerging Australian choreographer Tim Harbour, and “Bolero,” by the blazingly talented Alexei Ratmansky. What these choreographers share is the Morphoses spirit, as defined by Wheeldon: “I want to move ballet a little bit out of the box.” ■ Sylviane Gold is has written about the arts for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsday and Dance Magazine. Her last piece for Promenade was on ABT’s Veronika Part.

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NEW YORK

Falsini

PERFORMING ARTS CULTURAL CENTERS

STEPPING UP NY City Center’s Fall for Dance Festival (Sept. 22nd-Oct. 3rd), features companies such as the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Ballet Company presenting Ballets Russes classics. Call 877-581-1212 for tickets.

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ONTHETOWN

Please call the box offices for showtimes. All listings subject to change. American Ballet Theatre – ABT at Avery Fisher Hall (10/7-10). Amsterdam Ave. & 64th St., 212-362-6000; abt.org BB King Blues Club & Grill – Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes (9/11, 10/24); The Jambalaya Brass Band (9/11); Chuck Berry (9/12); Johnny Winter (9/17); Robin Trower (9/18-19); Streetlight Manifesto (9/21); The Whispers (9/26); Marcy Playground (9/28); Maxi Priest (10/1); Davy Jones (10/2); Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (10/6); The Bacon Brothers (10/15); Al Green (10/16-17); Leon Russel (10/21); Bobby Brown (10/23); Guy Clark (10/27); Chad & Jeremy (10/28); The Hooters (10/29); The Misfits (10/31); Jesse Cook (11/6); Ghostface Killah (11/11); Joan Osborne (11/12); Slick Rick (11/13); The Outlaws (11/14); Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (11/15); Kinky Friedman (11/16); Pavlo (11/20); Jeffrey Osborne (11/21); Coco Montoya & Tommy Castro Band (11/23). 237 W. 42 St., 212-997-4144; bbkingblues.com Beacon Theatre – The Fab Faux featuring the Hogshead Horns & The Creme Tangerine Strings (9/12); Boz Scaggs & Michael McDonald (9/19); Snow Patrol (9/22-23); Cedric the Entertainer (9/26); Jose Luis Perales (10/2); Brandi Carlile (10/3); Thich Nhat Hanh (10/910); Ian Anderson (10/13); JD Lawrence Presents The Clean Up Woman (10/14-18); Bob Weir & Ratdog (10/22-24); Video Games Live (10/25); Lyle Lovett and His Large Band (11/4); Monsters of Folk (11/8); Ray LaMontagne (11/9); Rob Thomas (11/12-14); Guster (11/27-28). 2124 Broadway (74th-75th Sts.), 212-465-6225; beacontheatrenyc.com Brooklyn Academy of Music – Dance: In-I (9/15-26); Decreation (10/7-10); Songs of Ascension (10/21-25); Itutu (11/4-7); Really Real (11/17-21). Music: Imaginary City (10/14-17); The Long Count (10/28-31). Nouveau Cirque: Inside Out (11/12-15). Opera: Kepler (11/18-21). 30 Lafayette Ave., 718-636-4100; bam.org Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts – Irving Berlin’s I Love a Piano (9/13); John Patrick Shanley’s Savage in Limbo (10/1-3, 9-11); Harold and the Purple Crayon (10/11); Theresa Rebeck’s Mauritius (10/22-25); Luna Negra Dance Theater with the Turtle Island Quartet and Paquito D’Rivera (10/25); Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company (11/8); Lars Frandsen, Guitar (11/8); Top Girls (11/12-14, 20-22); Of Mice and Men (11/22). Brooklyn College, Campus Road & Hillel Pl., Brooklyn, 718-951-4500; brooklyncenter.com Carnegie Hall – New York Philharmonic and Andrea Bocelli, Tenor (9/8-9, 11); An Evening with Trey Anastasio and the New York Philharmonic (9/12); Concert Presentation of

Kristina (9/23-24); Seven Muses: Music for Marimba, Piano, and Violin (9/25); Darragh O’Neill, Guitarist/Composer (9/26); Boston Symphony Orchestra - Opening Night Gala (10/1); Aaron Caruso, Tenor - A Tribute to Mario Lanza (10/2); Standard Time with Michael Feinstein (10/7); The New York Pops (10/9); Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar (10/10); Dan Wilson, Cory Chisel (10/10); The Philadelphia Orchestra (10/13); Mitsuko Uchida (10/14); Christine Brewer, Craig Rutenberg (10/14); Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, The Monteverdi Choir (10/15, 17); Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile (10/16); Andreas Staier (10/16); Takács Quartet (10/17); Dame Emma Kirkby, Jakob Lindberg (10/20); Quanzhou Marionette Theater (10/21); Murray Perahia (10/23); Ancient Spirits (10/24); Lang Lang and Friends (10/27); Juilliard Orchestra (10/28); Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (10/30); Yundi Li (11/1); Boston Symphony Orchestra (11/2); Kronos Quartet, Wu Man (11/3); Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (11/4); Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (11/7); Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (11/10); Berliner Philharmoniker (11/11-13); Esperanza Spalding (11/11); Sara Tavares (11/13); Luca Pisaroni, Vlad Iftinca (11/13); Milton Nascimento (11/18); The Philadelphia Orchestra (11/19); The New York Pops (11/20); Bang on a Can All-Stars, Trio Mediaeval (11/21); Kazakhstan National Conservatory Orchestra (11/23); The Guthrie Family Rides Again: Annual Thanksgiving Concert (11/28); American Composers Orchestra (11/30). 57th St. & Seventh Ave., 212-247-7800; carnegiehall.org Lincoln Center’s ongoing $1.2 billion dollar renovation revitalized and created versatile venues perfectly suited for a wide variety of events. From Avery Fisher Hall and its dramatic Grand Promenade, with soaring ceilings, magnificent views and outdoor Portico, to the glassed-in and terraced Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, to the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall featuring a prestigious concert hall with exceptional acoustics, flexible seating, and exciting ancillary spaces, Lincoln Center offers a variety of ‘one of a kind’ venues to make your own. The iconic outdoor areas, which include Damrosch Park, North Plaza, Josie Robertson Plaza, and a 21,000+ square foot seasonal tent, have hosted many events and film shoots. Concert halls and outdoor spaces offer an unparalleled experience, the perfect backdrop for corporate meetings, graduations, film screenings, fashion shows, orchestral, pop and jazz concerts, lectures, birthday parties, luncheons, and gala dinners. bookingdepartment@lincolncenter.org; 212-875-5037; lincolncenter.org

Dance Theater Workshop – The DanceNOW [NYC] Festival - 15th Anniversary Celebration (9/8-12); Miguel Gutierrez and the Powerful People - Last Meadow (9/15-19); Raimund Hoghe - Boléro Variations (9/23-25); Lucy Guerin Inc - Structure and Sadness (10/1-3); Ori Flomin, Ursula Eagly, Mina Nishimura (10/8-10); Neal Medlyn Dance Gang (10/22-24); SITI Company - Antigone (10/28-11/1); Studio Series - Joyce S. Lim (10/29-30); Studio Series - Will Rawls (11/5-6); Tere O’Connor Dance (11/10-14); Anna Halprin, Anne Collod & guests (11/18-21). 219 W. 19th St., 212-924-0077; dancetheaterworkshop.org Dicapo Opera Theatre – Emmeline (9/10-13); Rigoletto (10/8, 10, 16, 18). 184 E. 76th St., 212-288-9438; dicapo.com The Joyce Theater – GROOVALOO (9/15-27); Emio Greco|PC (9/29-10/4); Lucinda Childs’ Dance (10/6-11); Balletto Teatro di Torino (10/13-18); Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet (10/20-25); Garth Fagan Dance (10/27-11/1); Han Tang Yuefu Music and Dance Ensemble (11/3-8); Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company (11/10-15); Complexions Contemporary Ballet (11/17-29). 175 Eighth Ave. (19th St.), 212-242-0800; joyce.org Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts – Great Performers: American Symphony Orchestra (10/14); London Symphony Orchestra (10/21, 23, 25); Sunday Morning Coffee Concerts - Hugo Wolf Quartett (10/25); What Makes It Great? with Rob Kapilow - Orion Weiss, piano (10/26); Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg (11/1); Pictures Reframed - Leif Ove Andsnes, piano, Robin Rhode, video artist (11/13-14); Sunday Morning Coffee Concerts Jason Vieaux, guitar (11/15); American Symphony Orchestra (11/15); Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano (11/15); Angelika Kirchschlager, mezzo-soprano, Warren Jones, piano (11/29). Columbus Ave. btw. 62nd & 65th Sts., 212-875-5000; lincolncenter.org Madison Square Garden – Marco Antonio Solis and Pepe Aguilar (9/5); Aerosmith (9/14); Wisin y Yandel (10/2); Pink (10/5); Keith Urban (10/8); Leonard Cohen (10/23); 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Benefit Concerts (10/29-30); Dane Cook (11/5); Metallica (11/14-15). 4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Seventh Ave. & 32nd St.), 212-465-5800; thegarden.com Merkin Concert Hall – Musicians for Harmony Presents 8th Annual Concert for Peace (9/10); John McGlinn Tribute (9/18); The Orchestra Celebrate! Premieries Arriaga (9/27); Evening of Classical Song for KAFSC (10/1); Girls Like Us (10/5); Tuesday Matinees: Daria Rabotkina, piano (10/6); New York Festival of Song: Where We Come From (10/13); Concert Operetta Theater Presents Sari (10/18); ENESCU re-IMAGINED (10/20); Spencer Myer, Piano (10/21); In Deep (10/22); Mareda Gaither-Graves, soprano

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(10/24); Zico NYC Regional Yoga Asana Championships (10/25); Broadway Close Up: John Kander (10/26); Da Capo Chamber Players (10/27): Heartbeats of the World: An Evening with Steve Ross (10/28); Korean Chamber Orchestra of New York (10/31); Jeanine De Bique, soprano (11/3); Contemporary Contexts: Carol Wincenc Ruby Anniversary (11/9); Tuesday Matinees: Jennifer Stumm, viola (11/10); Sara Davis Buechner Piano Recital (11/11); New York Philharmonic Ensembles (11/15); Broadway Close Up: Bound for Broadway with Liz Callaway (11/16); New York Festival of Song: Great American Songwriting Teams (11/17, 19); World Music Institute presents Tori Ensemble (11/22). 129 W. 67th St., 212-501-3303; kaufman-center.org The Metropolitan Museum of Art – MMArtists in Concert (10/16); Patti Smith (10/17); Pacifica Quartet (10/24); Till Fellner, piano (10/30); Steve Ross (11/14); Lesley Gore (11/20); Haydn Trio Eisenstadt (11/21); Chanticleer: Christmas (11/30). Fifth Ave. & 82nd St., 212-570-3949; www.metmuseum.org Metropolitan Opera Company – Tosca (9/21, 24, 28, 10/3, 6, 10, 14, 17); Le Nozze di Figaro (9/22, 26, 10/1, 5, 9, 11/23, 27, 30); Die Zauberflöte (9/23, 26, 30); Aida (10/2, 7, 12, 17, 21, 24, 29, 11/2, 6); Il Barbiere di Siviglia (10/3, 8, 10, 15, 24, 27, 31, 11/4, 7); Der Rosenkavalier (10/13, 16, 19, 22); La Damnation de Faust (10/23, 26, 30, 11/5, 9, 14, 17); Turandot (10/28, 31, 11/3, 7, 10, 14, 18, 21); From the House of the Dead (11/12, 16, 21, 24, 28); Il Trittico (11/20, 25, 28). 212-362-6000; metoperafamily.org Miller Theater at Columbia University – Wordless Music Meets Miller Festival (9/9-12); The Blue Rider In Performance (9/23, 25); J.S. Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin (9/28-30); Cyrus Chestnut Trio (10/9); Iannis Xenakis (10/17); Marty Ehrlich Rites Quartet (10/24); J.S. Bach Keyboard Partitas (10/26-28); J.S. Bach - Cello Suites (11/10-12); Bach and the Bohemian Gypies (11/14); Ralph Shapey (11/17); Kaija Saariaho (11/22). 2960 Broadway (116th St.), 212-854-1633; millertheatre.com

Chris Lee

The Morgan Library’s Gilder Lehrman Hall – Irregular Pearls: Baroque Music from European Courts and Chambers (10/20); Divine Spark: Young Schubert (10/21, 23); The George London Foundation Recital (10/25); Louis Schwizgebel-Wang (11/13); Blake in Poetry and Song: An Evening with Patti Smith (11/19). 225 Madison Ave. (36th St.), 212-685-0008; themorgan.org NY City Center – Fall for Dance Festival (9/22-10/3); Tanguera - The Tango Musical (10/7-18); Petrobras presents Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker (10/22-25); Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company (10/29-11/1); Rolex presents Career Transition for Dancers 24th Anniversary Jubilee - AMERICA DANCES! Celebrating our Sparkling Heritage—Broadway, TV & Film (11/2). 130 W. 56th St., 877-581-1212; nycitycenter.org New York City Opera – American Voices (11/5); Esther (11/7-19); Don Giovanni (11/8-22). David H. Koch Theater, Columbus Ave. & 63rd St., 212-870-5570; nycopera.com

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

China’s diverse and vibrant culture will be on full display Oct. 21st through Nov. 10th when Carnegie Hall hosts Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture. Performers—many of whom are traveling outside China for the first time—include pianist Lang Lang (pictured here), who appears three times, including a festival-closing performance on Nov. 10th with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and conductor Long Yu; pipa player Wu Man; composer and conductor Tan Dun; Yo-Yo Ma; the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra; and many others. For more information, visit carnegiehall.org/chinafestival.

New York Philharmonic – Opening Night Gala: Gilbert & Fleming (9/16); Gilbert Conducts Mahler’s Third Symphony (9/17-18, 22); Brahms’s Violin Concerto (9/24-26); Emanuel Ax Plays Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto (9/30-10/1, 3); Bill Cosby (10/17); Thomas Hampson & Mozart’s Prague Symphony (11/5-7, 10); Young People’s Concert: Benjamin Britten (11/7); Garrick Ohlsson, Haydn & Sibelius (11/12-14, 17); Muti Conducts Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet (11/19, 24); Muti Conducts Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony (11/27-28). Avery Fisher Hall, Broadway & W. 65th St., 212-875-5656; nyphil.org 92nd Street Y – Music: Chick Corea, piano (10/6); Dénes Várjon, piano (10/17); Tokyo String Quartet & Inon Barnatan, piano (10/24); Christian Tetzlaff, violin (10/25); The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio (10/27-28); Keller Quartet (11/8); Don Quixote with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Actor Phil Proctor (11/11); Zukerman ChamberPlayers & Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano (11/15); I Remember You: A Lyrics & Lyricists Centennial Tribute to Johnny Mercer (11/18); Dance: Fridays at Noon: Fridays Retro (10/2); NYC Picks (10/16); Legacy Performance: Cunningham RUGs (10/30); David Parker Presents (11/20). Sundays at Three:

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Marathon 75 (10/10); The de Mille Legacy with New York Theatre Ballet (11/8). Lexington Ave. & 92nd St., 212-415-5500; 92y.org Radio City Music Hall – Aretha Franklin (9/1718); Ron White (10/3); The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring (10/9-10); Regina Spektor (10/14); Radio City Christmas Spectacular (11/13-12/30). 1260 Sixth Ave. (50th St.), 212-307-7171; radiocity.com Regina Opera Company – Don Giovanni (11/21-22, 28-29). 12th Ave. & 65th St., Brooklyn, 718-232-3555; reginaopera.org St. Bartholomew’s Church – Franz Joseph Haydn - Missa in D Minor (9/13); St. Bartholomew’s Boy and Girl Choristers, Malcolm Archer – Christchurch Mass (9/20); Midtown Concert Series (every Wed. at 1:15pm). Park Ave. & 51st St., 212-378-0248; www.stbarts.org Symphony Space – Flying Forms (9/12); Principal Brass Quintet: NY Philharmonic Musicians (9/13); Turtle Island Quartet (9/14); Rachel Barton Pine, Violin, Matthew Hagle, Piano (9/15); Chamber Concert with Metropolitan Opera Musicians (9/16); Elmira Darvarova, Samuel Magill, Scott Dunn (9/17); China Underground – Sounds from the Grasslands (9/18); Antonio Lysy, Cello and Pascal Roge, Piano (9/20); Joss Whedon (9/21); Desert Caravan: Rhythm of Rajasthan (9/26); Jay.R.P Proudly Presents Welcome to Tymes Skware (9/26); Del Sol Quartet (10/1); Pasión Flamenca’s “Por Callejeras” (10/2-3); Songs of Hope: Kayhan Kalhor (10/3); Broadway in South Africa: A Benefit Concert (10/5); Old World Sounds from Greece & Turkey (10/9); Clarinetist Marcus Forss In Recital (10/13); Throat Songs & Drums: Khoomei-Taiko Ensemble (10/16); Classics Declassified: The Beethoven Symphonies (10/18, 20); Bassam Saba & The New York Arabic Orchestra (10/23); Resonance: The Music of George Walker (10/24); Vince Giordano’s Band Remembers Stuyvesant Casino (10/27); Tarantelle e Canti d’Amore (10/30); A Different Take (11/5-6); Sephardic Soul: Yasmin Levy (11/7); New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra (11/13). 2537 Broadway (95th St.), 212-864-5400; symphonyspace.org The Town Hall – Karel Gott (9/13); An Evening with Marianne Faithfull (9/24); Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company (10/2); An Evening Without Monty Python (10/6-10); 5th Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival - A Tribute to David Merrick (10/16); 5th Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival - Linda Eder “All of Me” (10/17); 5th Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival - Broadway Originals! (10/18); Nanci Griffith (10/23); Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snider, Bruce Robison (10/29); Ani DiFranco (11/21). 123 W. 43rd St. (Broadway-Sixth Ave.), 212-997-1003; the-townhall-nyc.org WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden – David Gray (10/24); Wintuk from Cirque du Soleil (11/11-1/3). 4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Seventh Ave. & 32nd St.), 212-465-5800; thegarden.com

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ARTNEW YORK

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[ Vasily Kandinsky, Black Lines (Schwarze Linien), December 1913 ]

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Vasily Kandinsky at the Guggenheim A retrospective of the man whose work inspired the museum

[ Irene Guggenheim, Vasily Kandinsky, Hilla Rebay, and Solomon R. Guggenheim, Dessau, July 1930 ]

Courtesy of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

[ Vasily Kandinsky, Dominant Curve (Courbe dominante), April 1936 ]

Courtesy of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

do not need to tell you how interested I am in the plans for the museum,” an enthusiastic Vasily Kandinsky, the pioneer abstractionist, wrote to an American supporter in 1936. “Do you and Mr. G. intend to show the collection….as it looks today, or do you wish to wait until the museum is a reality?” “Mr. G.” was Solomon R. Guggenheim, the art collector who did, indeed, launch a museum three years later. It wasn’t until 1959, though, that the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building that bears Guggenheim’s name opened to the public. The KandinskyGuggenheim link, forged as early as 1929, has remained over the decades: The museum is one of the three largest repositories in the world of paintings by the artist. So, what better 50th-anniversary celebration for the Guggenheim than a full-scale Kandinsky retrospective—the first in this country in almost a quarter century? Opening Sept. 18, the exhibition brings together nearly 100 paintings not only from the Guggenheim’s holdings but from the Centre Pompidou, in Paris, and the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, in Munich, as well as other public and private collections. “It’s fitting for [the Guggenheim] to be filled with Kandinsky’s paintings,” said Tracey Bashkoff, who curated the New York show. (It has two co-curators, in Paris and Munich.) “One can say Kandinsky’s work was the work that inspired the collection and the building.” Highlights start with the 1907 “Das Bunte Leben”—“A Colorful Life”—from Munich. “It’s one of the very few entirely representational works” in the show, said Ms. Bashkoff, the Guggenheim’s associate curator for collections and exhibitions. With its dark background and closely-packed figures, it was “inspired by his interest in Russian icons and fairy tales and folk stories,” she said. (Born in Russia in 1866, Kandinsky moved between there and Germany, eventually settling in France, where he died in 1944.) Just a few years later, Kandinsky was producing the first of his “non-objective” paintings: “He preferred the term ‘non-objective’ to ‘abstract’,” Bashkoff said. “I think for him, something could be ‘abstracted’ from the observable world. And a ‘non-objective’ painting has no ties whatsoever to the observable.” Included from this period are a 1911 “Painting with Circle,” from the Republic of Georgia, and the Guggenheim’s own “Light Picture” of 1913. “It’s that moment where he’s working out the real separation from observable imagery to the expression of the artist’s inner life,” Bashkoff said. Though the show is installed chronologically, “there are certainly recurring themes and imagery,” the curator said: Horse-and-rider depictions (with the rider “a stand-in for the artist moving forward”); paintings that explore the relationship of music to art; the dancing lines, triangles and circles of Kandinsky’s geometric paintings; and the biomorphic—embryonic?—forms in his later work. With its circular layout, “one of The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum the beauties of the Frank Lloyd 1071 Fifth Avenue; 212-423-3840; Wright building is that you can step guggenheim.org back and see two periods at once— between ramps,” Bashkoff said. “You can see where you’re going and where you’ve come from. So there are associations across time.” ■

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives, New York. Photograph by Nina Kandinsky

By Karin Lipson

[ Vasily Kandinsky, Blue Mountain (Der blaue Berg), 1908–09 ]

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[ Titled "Liberty, 1997," this brooch was designed by Gijs Bakker especially for Madeleine Albright, who was the highest ranking woman in U.S. government history at that time ]

n 1994, the Iraqi government described Madeleine Albright as a “serpent” because of her vocal opinion on Baghdad’s behavior after the Gulf War. Albright, then the U.S. representative to the United Nations, responded to the accusation a bit untraditionally—in a subsequent interview with CNN, reporters hastened to point out the gold serpent brooch pinned to her lapel. Albright was appointed U.S. Secretary of State in 1997 by then-President Bill Clinton and became the first woman to hold the position. She was famous first for her tough negotiating skills, but was soon also recognized for her ability to turn feminine fashion into bold communication—an attribute that will be on display in the Museum of Arts & Design’s upcoming exhibit “Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection.” Besides pleasing the eye, Albright’s collection of brooches became a part of her diplomatic persona—symbols used to convey some sort of message, whether to the public or her political peers. “Jewelry, because it’s something you wear in a public setting, is a form of communication,” says David McFadden, chief curator of the museum. “As Secretary of State, communication was her most valuable diplomatic tool. She loves that idea, and she loves these brooches.” McFadden says the brooches—all 200 of them—are not impressive for their monetary value, but rather for their social and political meaning. The collection of pins ranges in type from the mass-produced knick knack to the novel creation. A highlight in the latter category includes a pin made specifically for Albright called “Liberty,” a silver outline of Lady Liberty’s head with two clock faces for eyes, one of which is upside down. The pin allowed both Albright and her company to keep track of the time, ensuring they both knew when their appointThe Museum of Art and Design ment was at its end. 2 Columbus Circle; 212-299-7777; Another headliner of the exmadmuseum.org hibit will be the dove pin Albright frequently wore as a sign of peace. The brooch was given to Albright by Leah Rabin, wife of former Israeli Prime Minister and peace advocate Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995. Albright pens similar brooch tales in her newest book “Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box,” which will accompany the exhibit. The exhibit will be presented from Sept. 30 through Jan. 31, 2010, in the Museum's Tiffany & Co. Gallery, which is dedicated to the study and presentation of contemporary jewelry from around the world. “It’s very personal,” McFadden says of the exhibit. “It’s really about how these pins reflect her moods, sentiments, and wishes. Those who see it will have a really good insight into Mrs. Albright’s sense of character and also her sense of humor.” ■

I Madeleine Albright at the Museum of Arts & Design The Secretary of State’s brooches reveal how she turned fashion into a diplomatic message By Kaitlin Ahern

[ Madeleine Albright wearing one of her signature pins in a 2006 portrait by Timothy GreenfieldSanders ]

Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

[ A memorable piece of the exhibit is the snake pin Albright wore after the Iraqi government called her a "serpent." When Saddam Hussein fell from power, Mrs. Albright sported a similar pin - a serpent pierced by a dagger ]

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Courtesy of The Morgan Library and Museum , New York

FALL AT THE MUSEUMS

[Top: Autographed letter signed Bath, to Austen’s sister Cassandra; dated 1799 June 2; Right: From the manuscript “Lady Susan”]

Jane Austen at the Morgan With the world’s largest collection of the writer’s manuscripts and letters, the museum shows its pride By Karin Lipson he Jane Austen revival just seems to keep going—think of all those film and TV adaptations, not to mention “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” this year’s bestseller literary “mash-up.” Now enter the Morgan Library and Museum, with an exhibition examining the life, work and legacy of the English novelist, who died way too long ago (1817) to benefit personally from all this interest. Don’t call the Morgan a Jane-come-lately, though. Its collection of Austen manuscripts and letters is the largest of any institution in the world, and includes the only surviving complete manuscript of an Austen novel. Still, the Janeite bandwagon was “certainly a motivating factor in doing the exhibit,” said Declan Kiely, who heads the library’s department of literary and historical manuscripts and co-curated the show. After all, he noted, the current affinity for Austen goes well beyond “our usual demographic, people in their 50s and older,” to encompass youthful Janeites, as well.

The exhibit, which runs Nov. 6 through March 14, 2010, features some 100 works, including early editions, manuscript fragments, and letters, mostly from Jane to her sister, Cassandra. (Sorry, no romantic revelations; Mr. Kiely describes the letters as “very domestic.”) The greatest rarity is a complete manuscript of “Lady Susan,” probably written in 1794 or 1795, when Austen was around 20. The Morgan has a later draft, around 1805. “It hasn’t been adapted for television or film,” Kiely said, though the ruthless title character is “such a piece of work, it’s a great role for somebody.” Any takers? ■ The Morgan Library and Museum 225 Madison Avenue; 212-685-0008; themorgan.org Karin Lipson, a former arts writer and editor for Newsday, is a frequent contributor to The New York Times. Her last article in Promenade was on the new American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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MUSEUMS

THE RULES OF ABSTRACTION

Georgia O’Keeffe’s key role in the development of abstract art is the focus of the Whitney’s Georgia O’Keeffe: Abstraction, featuring more than 130 paintings, drawings, watercolors, and sculptures. On view through Jan. 15th.

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All exhibits are subject to change American Folk Art Museum – Up Close: Henry Darger (through 9/6); The Treasure of Ulysses Davis (through 9/6); Kaleidoscope Quilts: The Art of Paula Nadelstern (through 9/13); Perspectives: Setting the Scene in American Folk Art (ongoing); Thomas Chambers (1808-1869): American Marine and Landscape Painter (9/29-3/7); Approaching Abstraction (10/6-9/6/10);Up Close: Henry Darger and the Coloring Book (10/6-9/13/10). Closed Mon. $9; students/seniors, $7; 12 & under, free. 45 W. 53rd St., 212-265-1040; folkartmuseum.org American Museum of Natural History – Extreme Mammals: The Biggest, Smallest, and Most Amazing Mammals of All Time (through 1/3); Frogs: A Chorus of Colors (through 1/3). Open daily. $16; seniors/students, $12; children 2-12, $9. Central Park West at 79th St., 212-769-5100; amnh.org Asia Society and Museum – Sight Unseen: Video from Afghanistan and Iran (through 9/13); Yang Fudong: Seven Intellectuals in a Bamboo Forest (through 9/13). Closed Mon. $10; seniors, $7; students, $5. 725 Park Ave. (70th St.), 212-288-6400; asiasociety.org Bronx Museum of the Arts – Living & Dreaming (through 9/13). Closed Mon.-Wed. $5; students/ seniors, $3; 12 & under, free; free on Fri. 1040 Grand Concourse (165th St.), 718-681-6000; bronxmuseum.org Brooklyn Museum – Yinka Shonibare MBE (through 9/20); Magic in Ancient Egypt (through 10/18); Reflections on the Electric Mirror: New Feminist Video (through 1/10); James Tissot: “The Life of Christ” (10/23-1/17); Patricia Cronin: “Harriet Hosmer, Lost and Found” (through 1/24); Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present (10/30-1/31); From the Village to Vogue: The Modernist Jewelry of Art Smith (through 2/21); Body Parts: Ancient Egyptian Fragments and Amulets (11/19-10/2/11). Closed Mon. & Tues. $10; seniors/students, $6; under 12, free. 200 Eastern Parkway (Washington Ave.), 718-638-5000; brooklynmuseum.org Center for Architecture – New Practices San Francisco (through 9/19); Context/Contrast: New Architecture in Historic Districts, 1967-2009 (10/61/23); Arch Schools: Visions of the Future (9/1712/12); Building Connections 2009 (9/17-1/9). Closed Sun. 536 LaGuardia Pl. (Bleecker-W. 3rd Sts.), 212-683-0023; aiany.org Chelsea Art Museum – Closed Sun. & Mon. $8; students/seniors, $4; under 16, free. 556 W. 22nd St., 212-255-0719; chelseaartmuseum.org China Institute – Humanism in China: A Contemporary Record of Photography (9/24-12/13). Open daily. $7; students/seniors, $4; under 12, free. 125 E. 65th St., 212-744-8181; chinainstitute.org

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum – Fashioning Felt (through 9/7); Shahzia Sikander Selects: Works from the Permanent Collection (through 9/7); Design for a Living World (through 1/4); Design USA: Contemporary Innovation (10/16-4/4). $15; seniors/students, $10; under 12, free. 2 E. 91st St., 212-849-8400; cooperhewitt.org The Drawing Center – Ree Morton: At the Still Point of the Turning World (9/18-12/18). Closed Sun. & Mon. 35 Wooster St. (Grand-Broome Sts.), 212-219-2166; drawingcenter.org Fraunces Tavern Museum – The 1215 Magna Carta (9/15-12/15). Closed Sun. $4; seniors/ children, $3; under 6, free. 54 Pearl St. (Broad St.), 212-425-1778; frauncestavernmuseum.org The Frick Collection – Exuberant Grotesques: Renaissance Maiolica from the Fontana Workshop (9/15-1/17); Watteau to Degas: French Drawings from the Frits Lugt Collection (10/6-1/10). Closed Mon. $18; seniors, $12; students, $5; pay-whatyou-wish Sun., 11am-1pm. 1 E. 70th St., 212-288-0700; frick.org Grey Art Gallery at NYU – The Poetics of Cloth: African Textiles/Recent Art (9/16-12/6). Closed Sun. & Mon. $3. 100 Washington Square East, 212-998-6780; nyu.edu/greyart The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – The Sweeney Decade: Acquisitions at the 1959 Inaugural (through 9/2); Kandinsky (9/18-1/13); Anish Kapoor: Memory (10/21-3/28). Closed Thurs. $18; seniors/students, $15; under 12, free. 1071 Fifth Ave. (89th St.), 212-423-3500; guggenheim.org Hispanic Society of America – Arts and cultures of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Closed Mon. Free. Audubon Terrace (Broadway btw. 155th & 156th Sts.), 212-926-2234; hispanicsociety.org International Center of Photography – Avedon Fashion: Photographs, 1944–2000 (through 9/6); David Seidner: Paris Fashion, 1945 (through 9/6); John Wood: Quiet Protest (through 9/6); Dress Codes: The Third ICP Triennial of Photography and Video (10/2-1/17). Closed Mon. $12; students/ seniors, $8; under 12, free. 1133 Sixth Ave. (43rd St.), 212-857-0000; icp.org Japan Society – Serizawa: Master of Japanese Textile Design (10/9-1/17). Closed Mon. $10; students/seniors, $8; under 16, free. 333 E. 47th St., 212-832-1155; japansociety.org The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Napoleon III and Paris (through 9/7); Arts of the Ming Dynasty: China’s Age of Brilliance (through 9/13); Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul (through 9/20); African and Oceanic Art from the Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva: A Legacy of Collecting (through 9/27); Roxy Paine on the Roof: Maelstrom (through 10/25); Augustus Saint-Gaudens in The Metropolitan

Museum of Art (through 11/15); Japanese Mandalas (through 11/29); Vermeer’s Masterpiece The Milkmaid (9/10-11/29); Watteau, Music, and Theater (9/22-11/29); Looking In: Robert Frank’s The Americans (9/22-12/27); Annual Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crëche (11/24-1/6); Eccentric Visions: The Worlds of Luo Ping (17331799) (10/6-1/10); Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868 (10/21-1/10); American Stories: Paintings of Everyday Life, 17651915 (10/12-1/24); Silk and Bamboo: Music and Art of China (9/5-2/7); Cinnabar: The Chinese Art of Carved Lacquer (through 2/21); Pablo Bronstein at the Met (10/6-2/21); Peaceful Conquerors: Jain Manuscript Painting (9/10-3/21); Imperial Privilege: Vienna Porcelain of Du Paquier, 1718-44 (9/22-3/21); Raphael to Renoir: Drawings from the Collection of Jean Bonna (through 4/26); The Young Archer Attributed to Michelangelo (opening 11/3); Sounding the Pacific: Musical Instruments of Oceania (11/17-9/6). Closed Mon. $20; seniors, $15; students, $10; under 12, free. Fifth Ave. & 82nd St., 212-535-7710; metmuseum.org The Morgan Library & Museum – Pages of Gold: Medieval Illuminations from the Morgan (through 9/23); New at the Morgan: Acquisitions Since 2004 (through 10/18); William Blake’s World: “A New Heaven Is Begun” (9/11-1/3); Celebrating Puccini (9/15-1/10); Rococo and Revolution: EighteenthCentury French Drawings (10/2-1/3); A Woman’s Wit: Jane Austen’s Life and Legacy (11/6-3/14). Closed Mon. $12; seniors/students/children 13-15, $8; 12 and under, free. 225 Madison Ave. (36th St.), 212-685-0008; themorgan.org Museum of American Finance – Four permanent galleries and special-focus temporary exhibitions help visitors understand the potential rewards of low-risk and high-risk investments and explore the history and future of Wall Street. Closed Sun. & Mon. 48 Wall St. (William St.), 212-908-4110; moaf.org Museum of Arts & Design – Object Factory, The Art of Industrial Ceramics (through 9/13); Klaus Moje: Painting With Glass (through 9/20); GlassWear (through 9/20); Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection (9/30-1/31); Slash: Paper Under the Knife (10/7-4/4). Open daily. $15; students/seniors, $12; under 12, free; Thurs., 6–9pm, pay-what-you-wish. 2 Columbus Cir. (near Eighth Ave. & W. 58th St.), 212-956-3535; madmuseum.org The Museum of Biblical Art – Scripture for the Eyes: Bible Illustration in Netherlandish Prints of the Sixteenth Century (through 9/27); RE...Re-Cycle, Re-Create, Re-Imagine - An Exhibition by Vickie Fremont (through 9/27); Altered Religious Texts (through 9/27); Tobi Kahn - Sacred Spaces for the 21st Century (10/16-1/24). Closed Mon. $7; seniors/students, $4; under 12, free. 1865 Broadway (61st St.), 212-408-1500; mobia.org Museum of the City of New York – Dutch Seen (through 9/13); Amsterdam/New Amsterdam

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free. 235 Bowery (Prince St.), 212-219-1222; newmuseum.org

REMAKING THE HORIZON

(through 9/27); Mannahatta/Manhattan (through 10/12); The Edge of New York: Waterfront Photographs (9/5-11/29); Legacy: The Preservation of Wilderness in New York (10/9-3/7); Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future (11/10-1/31). Closed Mon. $10; seniors/students, $6; under 12, free. Fifth Ave. & 103rd St., 212-534-1672; mcny.org Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art – This museum shows a whole array of comic and cartoon art. The works here show the artistic, cultural, and historical impact of what is the world’s most popular art form. Tues-Sun., noon-5pm. $5; 12 & under, free. 594 Broadway (Prince-Houston Sts.), Ste. 401, 212-254-3511; moccany.org Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust – Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges (through 1/4). Closed Sat. $12 (free Wed. 4-8pm); seniors, $10; students, $7; 12 & under, free. 36 Battery Pl., 646-437-4200; mjhnyc.org Museum of Modern Art – In & Out of Amsterdam: Travels in Conceptual Art, 1960–1976 (through 10/5); Ron Arad: No Discipline (through 10/19); What Was Good Design? MoMA’s Message 1944-56 (through 11/30); Polish Posters 19451989 (through 11/30); The Erotic Object: Surrealist Sculpture from the Collection (through 1/4); Projects 91: Artur Zmijewski (10/14-1/4); Walead Beshty New Photography 2009 (9/30-1/11); Bauhaus 1919–1933: Workshops for Modernity (11/8-1/25); Paul Sietsema (9/30-2/15); Monet’s Water Lilies (9/13-4/12); Tim Burton (11/22-4/26). Closed Tues. $20; seniors, $16; students, $12; 16 & under, free. 11 W. 53rd St., 212-708-9400; moma.org

Museum of the Moving Image – Pays homage to the art, history, and technology of film and

One of the most prolific, unorthodox, and controversial figures of post-war, 20th-century architecture, Eero Saarinen, gets his first retrospective with the Museum of the City of New York’s Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future. Running Nov. 10th through Jan. 31st, the exhibition includes never-before-seen sketches, drawings, models, furnishings, films, and photographs from a career highlighted by remarkable designs such as the TWA Terminal at JFK (pictured here), the St. Louis Gateway Arch, the CBS corporate headquarters, and Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport.

television, educating the public on its influence in our culture and society. Tues.-Sat., 10am-3pm. $7. 35th Ave. & 36th St., Astoria, Queens, 718-784-0077; movingimage.us Museum of Sex – Sex Life of Robots (ongoing); Action: Sex and the Moving Image (ongoing). Open daily. $14.50; students/seniors, $13.50. 233 Fifth Ave. (27th St.), 212-689-6337; museumofsex.com National Academy of Design Museum and School of Fine Arts – Reconfiguring the Body in American Art, 1820–2009 (through 11/15). Closed Mon. & Tues. $10; seniors/students, $5. 1083 Fifth Ave. (89th St.), 212-369-4880; nationalacademy.org National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution – Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women’s Dresses (through 9/13); Andrea Carlson (through 1/10); Annie Pootoogook (through 1/10); A Song for the Horse Nation (11/14-3/7); Beauty Surrounds Us (through 3/31). Open daily. Free. U.S. Custom House, 1 Bowling Green (Broadway), 212-514-3700; americanindian.si.edu Neue Galerie – Selections from the Permanent Collection: Focus: Oskar Kokoschka (through 10/5); From Klimt to Klee: Masterworks from the Serge Sabarsky Collection (10/15-2/15). Closed Tues. & Wed. $15; students/seniors, $10. 1048 Fifth Ave. (86th St.), 212-628-6200; neuegalerie.org New Museum of Contemporary Art – Intersections Intersected: The Photography of David Goldblatt (through 10/11); Emory Douglas: Black Panther (through 10/18); Dorothy Iannone: Lioness (through 10/18); Rigo 23 - The Deeper They Bury Me, The Louder My Voice Becomes (through 10/11); Urs Fischer (10/28-1/24). Closed Mon. & Tues. $12; seniors, $10; students, $8; 18 & under,

New York City Fire Museum – One of the nation’s most important collections of fire-related art and artifacts from the late 18th century to the present. Closed Mon. $5; seniors/students, $2; under 12, $1. 278 Spring St. (Varick-Hudson Sts.), 212-691-1303; nycfiremuseum.org New York City Police Museum – Dedicated to preserving the history of the world’s largest and most famous police force. Closed Sun. $7; seniors/students, $5; under 6, free. 100 Old Slip (Water-South Sts.), 212-480-3100; nycpolicemuseum.org The New-York Historical Society – Hudson River Birds: In Celebration of the Quadricentennial of Henry Hudson’s Voyage (through 10/11); Luman Reed’s European Paintings (through 11/1); A Portrait of the City (through 1/1); Ariadne: The Great American Nude (through 3/1); FDR’s Brain Trust and the Beginning of the New Deal (11/63/1); John Brown: The Abolitionist and His Legacy (9/15-3/25); New York Painting Begins: EighteenthCentury Portraits (9/15-3/25); Lincoln and New York (10/9-3/25). Closed Mon. $10 (free Fri. 68pm); seniors, $7; students, $6; under 12, free. 170 Central Park West (77th St.), 212-873-3400; nyhistory.org New York Public Library (Humanities and Social Sciences Library) – Call 212-869-8089 for a recorded announcement of all current exhibitions. Open daily. 42nd St. & Fifth Ave., 212-340-0830; nypl.org New York Public Library for the Performing Arts – Diaghilev’s Theater of Marvels: The Ballets Russes and Its Aftermath (through 9/12); New York Choral Society: The First 50 Years (through 9/26); Katharine Hepburn: In Her Own Files (through 10/10); Lincoln Center: Celebrating 50 Years (10/15-1/6); Performing Revolution in Central and Eastern Europe in the 1980s (11/17-3/20). 40 Lincoln Center Plaza (Columbus Ave. btw. 63rd & 64th Sts.), 212-870-1630; nypl.org/research/lpa/lpa.html New York Transit Museum – The Route of the Dashing Commuter: The Long Island Railroad at 175 (through 9/13); The Triborough Bridge: Robert Moses and the Automobile Age (through 2009). Closed Mon. $5; seniors/children 3-17, $3. The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex in Grand Central Terminal presents changing exhibitions. Boerum Pl. & Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, 718-694-1600; mta.info/museum The Noguchi Museum – Noguchi ReINstalled (through 10/24). Closed Mon. & Tues. $10 (paywhat-you-wish first Fri. of the month); students/seniors, $5; under 12, free. A shuttle operates Sat.-Sun. from the Asia Society (70th St. & Park Ave.). 9-01 33rd Rd. (Vernon Blvd.), Long Island City, Queens, 718-204-7088; noguchi.org The Paley Center for Media – A center for the cultural, creative, and social significance of televi-

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sion, radio, and emerging platforms. Closed Mon. & Tues. $10; seniors/students, $8; under 14, $5. 25 W. 52nd St., 212-621-6600; paleycenter.org The Queens Museum of Art – Tarjama/ Translation (through 9/27); Launch Pad Artist Project: Johanna Unzueta (through 9/27); Red Lines Housing Crisis Learning Center (through 9/27). Closed Mon. & Tues. $5; seniors/children, $2.50; under five, free. NYC Bldg. in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, 718-592-9700; queensmuseum.org Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex - NYC – Galleries featuring personal mementos, New York Rocks, special exhibitions. Closed Mon. $24.50; seniors/military, $22.50; students, $19.50; 4-12, $16.50. 76 Mercer St. (Spring-Broome Sts.), 866-976-2569; rockannex.com The Rubin Museum of Art – Nagas: Hidden Hill People of India, Photographs by Pablo Bartholomew (through 9/21); A Collector’s Passion (through 11/9); Mandala (through 1/11); The Red Book of C.G. Jung (10/7-1/25); Victorious Ones (9/182/15). Closed Tues. $10; seniors/students/artists with ID, $7; under 12, free. 150 W. 17th St., 212-620-5000; rmanyc.org Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America – Headquarters of The AmericanScandinavian Foundation. Closed Sun. & Mon. Free. 58 Park Ave. (37th-38th Sts.), 212-879-9779; scandinaviahouse.org The Skyscraper Museum – China Prophecy: Shanghai (through 3/31). Closed Mon. & Tues. $5; seniors/students, $2.50. 39 Battery Pl., 212-968-1961; skyscraper.org

Michael Jackson, Albert Watson. Private Collection. Lender: Albert Watson

The Studio Museum in Harlem – Hurvin Anderson (through 10/25); Expanding the Walls 2009 (through 10/25); Harlem Postcards - Derrick Adams, Marley Gonzalez, Jeremy Kost, and Ray A. Llanos (through 10/25); StudioSound: Dreaming in Sound - Ramon Silva (through 10/25); Collection Imagined: Collected (Flamingo Georger) - Adam Pendelton (through 10/25); Artists-in-Residence (through 10/29); 30 Seconds Off an Inch (11/123/13); Wardell Milan: Drawings of Harlem (11/123/13). Closed Mon. & Tues. $7; seniors/students, $3; under 12, free. 144 W. 125th St. (Lenox Ave.Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.), 212-864-4500; studiomuseum.org The Ukrainian Museum – Fine Art / Folk Art: A Dialogue (through 9/27); In Full Bloom: The Pysanky of Folk Artist Iryna Bilianska (through 11/29). Closed Mon. & Tues. $8; seniors/ students, $6; under 12, free. 222 E. 6th St., 212-228-0110; ukrainianmuseum.org Whitney Museum of American Art – Sadie Benning: Play Pause (through 9/20); Dan Graham: Beyond (through 10/11); Steve Wolfe on Paper (9/30-11/29); Georgia O’Keeffe: Abstraction (9/161/17); Roni Horn aka Roni Horn (11/6-1/24). Closed Mon. & Tues. $15 (pay-what-you-wish Fri., 6-9pm); seniors/students, $10. 945 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 800-WHITNEY; whitney.org

ROCK N’ ROLL IMMORTALITY / MICHAEL JACKSON AND MORE From the very beginning, image has been an integral part of rock n’ roll, creating indelible identities for the people behind the music. From Oct. 30th through Jan. 31st, the Brooklyn Museum will be honoring the contributions of rock photographers such as Albert Watson, Henry Diltz, and Barry Feinstein with Who Shot Rock & Roll, A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present, which includes iconic images of Michael Jackson (above), Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, RUN DMC, the Rolling Stones, and many others.

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ART GALLERIES All exhibits subject to change

Acquavella Galleries, Inc. - 19th-, 20th- & 21st-century master paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Mon.-Thurs., 10am-5pm; Fri. 10am-noon. 18 E. 79th St., 212-734-6300; acquavellagalleries.com Allen Projects New York - Emerging and midcareer artists. Laura Duggan: Faces & Figures (9/3-26). 526 W. 26th St., Ste. 403, 917-202-3206; allengallerychelsea.com Amsterdam Whitney Gallery - A “vanguard gallery” featuring cutting-edge contemporary artists. Tues.-Sat., 11am-5:30pm. 511 W. 25th St., 212-255-9050; amsterdamwhitneygallery.com Artists Space - One of the first alternative spaces in New York, founded in 1972 to support contemporary artists working in the visual arts. Tues.-Sat., noon-6pm. 38 Greene St., 3rd Floor, 212-226-3970; artistsspace.org

Alvin Langdon Coburn, The Aeroplane (gum-platinum print (1914). Courtesy Hans P. Kraus, Jr., Inc.

Bonni Benrubi - 20th-century and contemporary photography. Globetrotting (9/17-11/28). Tues.Fri., 10am-6pm; Sat., 11am-6pm. 41 E. 57th St., 13th Floor, 212-888-6007; bonnibenrubi.com

PICTURE THIS

The history of photography—from its birth in the mid 1830s to the early 20th century—is on display as Hans P. Kraus, Jr. Fine Photographs celebrates its 25th anniversary with Silver Anniversary: 25 Photographs, 1835 to 1914, a survey of iconic works by the preeminent photographers of the time who defined photography both technically and aesthetically. The exhibition features works by Alvin Langdon Coburn, The Aeroplane (pictured above) and William Henry Fox Talbot, Anna Atkins, Hippolyte Bayard, plus many others.

Bespoke Gallery - Solo exhibitions from emerging artists. Tues.-Sat., 11am-6pm. 547 W. 27th St., 6th Floor, 212-695-8201; bespokegallery.net Peter Blum Gallery - Contemporary American and European artists. SoHo: Alex Katz: Drawings (9/8-10/24). 99 Wooster St., 212-343-0441; 526 W. 29th St., 212-244-6055; peterblumgallery.com Mary Boone Gallery - Prominent contemporary artists. 745 Fifth Ave. (58th St.); 541 W. 24th St., 212-752-2929; maryboonegallery.com Campton Gallery - Contemporary international and American art. Gary Bukovnik: Recent Watercolors (Sept.); Greg Miller: Recent Works (Oct.). 451 West Broadway, 212-387-0208; camptongallery.com Leo Castelli Gallery - Pop art, conceptual art, and more in the gallery started by the man who first sold Warhol’s soup-can paintings. Other gallery artists have included Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Richard Serra, and many others. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 18 E. 77th St., 212-249-4470; castelligallery.com

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Khaled Al Saai, Dialogue (2008)

CFM Gallery - Figurative fine art paintings, sculptures and original graphics. Liaisons: The Fine Art of Love, Lust & Romance (1870-1970) (10/9-11/7). Mon.-Sat., 11am-6pm; Sun., noon-6pm. 112 Greene St. (Spring-Prince Sts.), 212-966-3864; cfmgallery.com Cheim & Read - International contemporary artists. The Female Gaze: Women Look at Women (through 9/19); Jack Pierson: Abstracts (10/8-11/13); Lynda Benglis (11/19-12/19). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 547 W. 25th St., 212-242-7727; cheimread.com James Cohan Gallery - Contemporary art. Xu Zhen - Lonely Miracle: Middle East Contemporary Art (9/10-10/10); Bill Viola - Bodies of Light (10/23-11/28). Mon.-Fri., 10am-6pm. 533 W. 26th St., 212-714-9500; jamescohan.com Charles Cowles Gallery - Contemporary art. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 537 W. 24th St., 212-741-8999; cowlesgallery.com Heidi Cho Gallery - Contemporary fine art from mid-career and emerging artists. Tues.-Fri., 11am-6pm; Sat., 11am-5pm. 522 W. 23rd St., 212-255-6783; heidichogallery.com CRG Gallery - Well-established and emerging contemporary American and European artists. Ori Gersht - Evaders (9/17-10/31); Tomory Dodge - Works on Paper (11/7-12/19). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 535 W. 22nd St., 212-229-2766; crggallery.com Aaron Faber Gallery - Jewel and watch design of the 20th & 21st centuries. Mon.-Fri., 10am-6pm; Sat., 11am-6pm. 666 Fifth Ave. (53rd St.), 212-586-8411; aaronfaber.com David Findlay Jr. Inc. - American 19th- and 20th-century paintings and sculpture. Mon.-Sat., 10am-5:30pm. 41 E. 57th St., 212-486-7660; davidfindlayjr.com

SIGNS OF LIFE Sundaram Tagore Gallery offers a glimpse into the world of modern Middle Eastern art with Signs: Contemporary Arab Art, on display Oct. 14th-Nov. 14th. The groundbreaking exhibition features works in different media by artists throughout the region, including Ahmad Moualla (Syria); Ayman El Semary (Egypt); Hassan Massoudy (Iraq); Khaled Al-Saa'i (Syria); Ali Hassan (Qatar); Georges Fikry Ibrahim (Egypt); and Yousef Ahmad (Qatar).

Foley Gallery - Contemporary photography, painting, sculpture, and works on paper. Thomas Allen - Backspace (9/10-10/10); Andrea Mastrovito New Works in Paper (10/15-12/5).Tues.- Sat., 11am-6pm. 547 W. 27th St., 5th Floor, 212-244-9081; foleygallery.com Forum Gallery - Modern and contemporary figurative art. Tues.- Sat., 10am-5:30pm. 745 Fifth Ave. (57th St.), 5th Floor, 212-355-4545; forumgallery.com Gagosian Gallery - Modern and contemporary art, including works by de Kooning, Hirst, Picasso, Ruscha, Serra, Twombly, and Warhol. Madison Ave.: Sally Mann - Proud Flesh (9/15-10/31); Cy Twombly - Eight Sculptures (9/15-10/31). Tues.- Sat., 10am-6pm. 980 Madison Ave. (76th-77th Sts.), 212-744-2313; 555 W. 24th St., 212-741-1111; 522 W. 21st St., 212-741-1717; gagosian.com GINA (Gallery of International Na誰ve Art) Gallery - Exclusive US location dedicated to the exhibition and sale of international Na誰ve Art. The 2,000-square-foot gallery is the authority and definitive resource of Na誰ve art and aims to introduce the public to this approachable and accessible genre. The gallery represents more than 275 artists in 25-plus countries from Portugal to Russia. Wed.-Sun., noon-9pm. 454 Columbus Ave. (82nd St.), 212-877-0097; ginagallerynyc.com Gladstone Gallery - Contemporary art. 24th St.: Magnus Plessen (9/10-10/24). 21st St.: Dami叩n Ortega: CAPITAL Less (9/17-10/31). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 515 W. 24th St., 212-206-9300; 530 W. 21st St.; gladstonegallery.com James Graham & Sons - 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, American and European sculpture, contemporary art, and British ceramics. Mary McDonnell (9/25-11/7). 32 E. 67th St., 212-535-5767; jamesgrahamandsons.com Howard Greenberg Gallery - Fine art photography. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. The Fuller Building, 41 E. 57th St., 212-334-0010; howardgreenberg.com

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Greenberg Van Doren - Contemporary fine art. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 730 Fifth Ave. (57th St.), 212-445-0444; gvdgallery.com Stephen Haller Gallery - Contemporary paintings. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 542 W. 26th St., 212-741-7777; stephenhallergallery.com Hammer Galleries - 19th- and 20th-century European and American paintings. Mon.-Fri., 9:30am-5:30pm; Sat., 10am-5pm. 33 W. 57th St., 212-644-4400; hammergalleries.com Hauser & Wirth - Emerging and established contemporary artists. Alan Kaprow - Yard (9/2310/31). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 32 E. 69th St., 212-794-4970; hauserwirth.com Hirschl & Adler Galleries - 18th-, 19th- & 20thcentury American and European paintings, drawings, watercolors, and sculpture. Tues.-Fri., 9:30am-5:15pm.; Sat., 9:30am-4:45pm. 21 E. 70th St., 212-535-8810; hirschlandadler.com Susan Inglett Gallery - Emerging artists and historical exhibitions. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 522 W. 24th St., 212-647-9111; inglettgallery.com Jacobson Howard Gallery - Post-war American and British painting and sculpture. Circa 1959: Transitions in the Work of Nine Abstract Painters (9/10-10/24). Mon.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 33 E. 68th St., 212-570-2362; jacobsonhoward.com Paul Kasmin Gallery - Contemporary and modern art. Les Lalanne on Park Avenue (9/1311/20); Frank Stella (10/1-11/7). Tues.-Sat., 10am6pm. 293 Tenth Ave. (27th St.); 511 27th St., 212-563-4474; paulkasmingallery.com

Kouros Gallery - Modern and contemporary sculpture, painting, photography, and works on paper. Yingxue Zuo - Recent Paintings from China (9/10-10/3); Katerina Kaloudi - Photographs (9/10-10/3); Bruce Beasley - Sculptures (10/8-11/7). Mon.-Fri., 11am-6pm. 23 E. 73rd St., 212-288-5888; kourosgallery.com Hans P. Kraus, Jr. Fine Photographs - Silver Anniversary - 25 Photographs, 1835-1914 (10/1411/20). Tues.-Fri., 9:30am-5:30pm., Sat., 10am5:30pm. 962 Park Ave. (82nd St.), 212-794-2064; sunpictures.com L & M Arts - Paintings, drawings, and sculptures by first-generation Abstract Expressionists. Tues.Sat., 10am-5:30pm. 45 E. 78th St., 212-861-0020; lmgallery.com Lehmann Maupin Gallery - International contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, video, and new media. 26th St.: Teresita Fernandez (10/22-12/19). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 540 W. 26th St., 212-255-2923; 201 Chrystie St., 212-254-0054; lehmannmaupin.com Littlejohn Contemporary - Contemporary modern art and emerging artists. Wed.-Sat., 11am-6pm. 249 E. 32nd St., 212-988-4890; littlejohncontemporary.com

Alan Klotz Gallery- Fine-art vintage, modern, and contemporary photography. By appointment. 511 W. 25th St., 212-741-4764; klotzgallery.com

Barbara Mathes Gallery - 20th-century, and contemporary American and European masters. Gallery Selections (9/8-25). Tues.-Fri., 9:30am-

Anne Strasberg (France), Cheese (2008), oil on canvas

Jim Kempner Fine Art - Contemporary and modern master works on paper. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 501 W. 23rd St., 212-206-6872; jimkempnerfineart.com

Marlborough Gallery - Important contemporary masters. 57th St.: Grisha Bruskin: Twilight of the Gods (9/16-10/17). 25th St.: Will Ryman: A New Beginning (9/10-10/10); Israel Hershberg: From Afar (9/10-10/10). Mon.-Fri., 10am-5:30pm. 40 W. 57th St., 212-541-4900; 545 W. 25th St., 212-463-8634; marlboroughgallery.com

Castro (Portugal), Collecting the Pumpkins (2005), acrylic on canvas

Knoedler & Company - Accomplished contemporary and sculpture works. Conrad Marca-Relli: The New York Years, 1945-1967 (9/12-11/14). Tues.-Fri., 9:30am-5:30pm., Sat., 10am-5:30pm. 19 E. 70th St., 212-794-0550; knoedlergallery.com

6pm.; Sat. 10am-5pm. 22 E. 80th St., 212-570-4190; barbaramathesgallery.com McKenzie Fine Art - Contemporary art. Reed Danziger (9/10-10/10). Tues.-Fri., 10am-6pm.; Sat. 11am-6pm. 511 W. 25th St., 212-989-5467; mckenziefineart.com Robert Miller Gallery - Contemporary art. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 524 W. 26th St., 212-366-4774; robertmillergallery.com Yossi Milo Gallery- Contemporary photography. Simen Johan, Until the Kingdom Comes (9/1010/31); Robert Bergman, A Kind of Rapture (11/5-1/9). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 525 W. 25th St., 212-414-0370; yossimilo.com Onassis Cultural Center - Ancient, Byzantine and modern art. Origins of El Greco: Icon Painting in Venetian Crete (11/17-2/27). 645 Fifth Ave., Suite 304, 212-486-4448; onassisusa.org Pace/MacGill Gallery - 19th-, 20th-century, and contemporary photography. Nicholas Nixon (9/10-10/24); Robert Frank (10/29-12/5). Tues.Fri., 9:30am-5:30pm; Sat., 10am-6pm. 32 E. 57th St., 9th Floor, 212-759-7999; pacemacgill.com PaceWildenstein - 20th-century art, including works by Calder, Close, LeWitt, Nevelson, Noguchi, Picasso, Rauschenberg, Rothko, Tuttle, and many others. 22nd St.: Maya Lin: Three Ways of Looking at the Earth (9/10-10/24); Tim Eitel (11/6-12/5). 25th St.: James Turrell: Large Holograms (9/10-10/17); David Hockney: Recent Paintings (10/29-12/24). 57th St.: Sol LeWitt: Forms Derived from a Cube (9/8-10/17); David Hockney: Recent Paintings (10/23-12/24). 32 E. 57th St., 212-421-3292; 534 W. 25th St., 212-929-7000; 545 W. 22nd St., 212-989-4258; pacewildenstein.com Palitz Gallery - Winslow Homer’s Empire State: Houghton Farm and Beyond (11/9-12/6). Mon.Thurs., 9am-9pm; Fri., 9am-5pm. 11 E. 61st St., 212-826-0320; lubinhouse.syr.edu

The GINA (Gallery of International Naïve Art) Gallery is the exclusive exhibitor and seller of the highest-quality naïve art in the U.S. Their permanent collection features many naïve artists in several countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Nicaragua, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Spain. Artists include Maria Laura Bratoz, Manuel Castro (Collecting the Pumpkins, 2005, pictured far left), Ottoniel Chavajay, Malu Delibo, Evaristo Navarrette, Abraham Navichoc Batzin, Ernani Pavaneli, Marie-Jo Radenac, Anne Strasberg (Cheese, 2008, pictured left), Eduardo Ungar, and Cristina Verda, and many others. GINA is open Wed.-Sat., 10am-8pm and Sun., noon-6pm. 454 Columbus Ave. (82nd St.), 212-877-0097; ginagallerynyc.com

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YARD WORK A pioneer in the world of performance art, Allan Kaprow staged “happenings” in the late ’50s and early ’60s—seemingly random but carefully choreographed activities. To celebrate the opening of their first American gallery, Hauser & Wirth is recreating his seminal “environment” Yard, a mountain of black rubber auto tires forms through which visitors jumped and crawled. On view Sept. 23rd-Oct. 31st.

Ross Art Group - Over 3000 original vintage posters. Mon.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 532 Madison Ave. (54th St.), 4th Floor, 212-223-1525; rossvintageposters.com Perry Rubenstein Gallery - Solo exhibitions by international artists. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 527 W. 23rd St., 212-627-8000; perryrubenstein.com Spanierman Modern - Modern and contemporary paintings, watercolors, works on paper, drawings, and sculpture. Gary Komarin (9/1010/10); Dan Christensen (10/13-11/14); Jasmina Danowski (11/17-12/19). Mon.-Sat., 9:30am-5:30pm. 53 E. 58th St., 212-832-1400; spaniermanmodern.com Alan Stone Gallery - Contemporary, mid-career, and emerging artists, plus an expertise in the New York School of Abstract Expressionism (Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, Arshile Gorky, John

Graham). Martha Russo - nomos (9/17-10/17). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 113 E. 90th St., 212-987-4997; allanstonegallery.com

Tibor de Nagy Gallery - Contemporary painting, sculpture and photography. Mon.-Fri., 10am-5:30pm. 724 Fifth Ave. (56th-57th Sts.), 212-261-5050; tibordenagy.com

Sundaram Tagore - Featuring works examining the exchange of ideas between Western and non-Western cultures. Signs: Contemporary Arab Art (10/14-11/14). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 547 W. 27th St., 212-677-4520; sundaramtagore.com

UBS Art Gallery - Contemporary art. Jack Tworkov Against Extremes: Five Decades of Painting (through 11/13); New York City’s Waterfront (11/26-1/29). Mon.-Fri., 8am-6pm. 1285 Sixth Ave. (52nd St.), 212-713-2885; ubs.com

Frederieke Taylor Gallery - Highly contemporary, conceptual art. Federico Diaz: Adhesion (9/1510/17). Tues.-Sat., 11am-6pm. 535 W. 22nd St., 646-230-0992; frederieketaylorgallery.com

Viridian Artists - Works in the abstract mode, including oils, pastels on paper, prints, and sculptures. Tues.-Sat., 10:30am-6pm. 530 W. 25th St., 4th Floor, 212-414-4040; viridianartists.com

303 Gallery - Contemporary photography, video projections, film, paintings, and sculpture. 21st St.: Hans-Peter Feldmann (9/12-10/17); Nick Mauss (10/22-12/5). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 547 W. 21st St.; 525 W. 22nd St., 212-255-1121; 303gallery.com

Zabriskie Gallery - Group and solo exhibitions with an emphasis on American Modernism, Surrealism and Dada, and French and American photography. Tues.-Sat.,10am-5:30pm. The Fuller Building, 41 E. 57th St., 4th Floor, 212-752-1223; zabriskiegallery.com

REAL ESTATENEW YORK

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the Flatiron District: grand loft living in a dynamic neighborhood By Diane Mehta

he Flatiron district gets its name from the triangular Beaux Arts building that marks the intersection of 23rd Street, Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Built in 1902, the steel-frame building is the organizing landmark for one of Manhattan's most continually dynamic and colorful neighborhoods. "Architecturally you have these fantastic cast iron buildings," says Prudential Douglas Elliman broker Michael Kafka, "which here tend to be a little taller than they would be in Soho or Tribeca." Artists and photographers,” he says, “colonized the area for its tall ceilings and great light.” Fueled by a wave of startups and media and advertising companies in the 1980s, the neighborhood has largely left its more industrial, artsy past behind. The area is now a hub for fashionistas and design mavens, and dot com and ad agency types. Bounded by Union Square to the south and Madison Square Park to the north, the Flatiron district rubs against the West Village at Seventh Avenue and ends at Park Avenue to the east. Its patchwork of industrial lofts and condos blend loft-like living with top-notch amenities.

One Madison Park, a new 60-story tower on the corner of Madison Avenue and 23rd Street, recalls the pre-recession heydey of upmarket development in New York. It's flush with 12,000 square feet of amenities, including a spa, an indoor pool, and a fitness center with a lounge and terrace. There's not only a 24-hour doorman but also a concierge, and valet parking if you need it. Charlie Trotter's new restaurant occupies the ground floor, which also has a Rem Koolhaas-designed lobby and the East Coast screening room of Creative Artists Agency. The 7500-square-foot penthouse—at $45 million—is the sole apartment left, with a 580-square-foot wraparound terrace and 360-degree views of Manhattan. For that price you get stellar views of the Manhattan skyline, along with 11-foot ceilings and white oak plank floors, a Chestron home automation system, and automatic shades—for the floor-to-ceiling windows that surround the apartment. It comes with Bosch and Gaggenau appliances and custom cabinets. The bath features Italian travertine and a custom double-vanity, Zuma bathtubs, and Duravit wallmounted toilets.

A fraction of that amount will buy you a second-floor pre-war loft at 139 West 19th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. For $3.995 million, says Corcoran broker David Strah, you get a fully renovated 3-bedroom and 2.5-bath coop with central AC, spanning 2800 square feet. In the south-facing great room, four large windows stretch up to 14-foot-high barrel-vaulted ceilings. From there, glass pocket doors open up to a library and den with built-in bookshelves. The large chef's kitchen is stocked with a wine cooler, a Sub Zero refrigerator, and a 6-burner Garland stove. One bedroom has a loft accessible by a shelf-style metal ladder, and the master bedroom has four walk-in closets, traversed by a ladder that slides across the wall. In the master bath are Waterworks fixtures and a huge soaking tub and walk-in steam shower. But for most, the 600-square-foot architect-designed deck of African Ipe wood will be the dealmaker. Focused on design is The Jade, steps from Fifth Avenue at 16 West 19th Street. There are four units left in this 14-story building. Two are 1138-squarefoot 1-bedroom 2-bath units for $1.25 and $1.35

78 [ The architect-designed terrace at 139 West 19th Street ]

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[ Stunning views at One Madison Park ]

million on the eighth and tenth floors. The converted pre-war building, is, says Elliman broker Kafka, very design-forward, with an award-winning "pod" concept connecting the kitchen and one bathroom together. The "pod" divides the space in a way that makes it easy to use part of the room as an office. French doors open to the south in both apartments, which have 10.5-foot ceilings, wood floors, and appliances by Miele, SubZero, Fisher Paykel and Ariston. Another draw is an indoor pool, a sauna and exercise and steam rooms on the roof, and terraces on the roof deck, complete with lounge chairs, a reflecting pool, and a lounge with a flat-screen TV and wet bar. When you're not indoors, there’s lots to do in the district.The Joyce Theater, the avant-garde dance venue, lies a few blocks west. The Victorianera Hotel Chelsea on 23rd Street, for years the home of artists like Jasper Johns, Bob Dylan, and Allen Ginsberg, still entices people with temporary digs and drinks in the bar below. The Greenmarket enlivens Union Square nearby, where hungry cooks and restaurant chefs descend for top-notch ingredients.

Much of the area's daily bustle is around shopping. ABC Carpet emporium hawks chandeliers and furniture. Fifth Avenue has trendy chains like J. Crew and upscale boutiques like Paul Smith and Searle. Art supply and furniture stores pepper the side streets. Dining is a treat at Manhattan's top nouveau American restaurants including Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, and Union Square Café. The bar scenes are as lively as the dining rooms, with a more casual vibe. Floyd Cardoz's Tabla, on the park, serves haute fusion cuisine that combines Indian flavors with Western techniques. And City Bakery is one of Manhattan's top sweet shacks, with chocolate cookies, delicate tarts, and bright salads. In Madison Square Park, one green space in this lively area, is restaurateur Danny Meyers' much-loved Shake Shack, a local staple for burgers and dogs when all you want to do is sit on a bench and people-watch. ■

[ The great room at 139 West 19th Street ]

Diane Mehta writes about real estate, travel, and other topics for The New York Times, Worth, Fast Company, Elle Décor and other national publications. Her last piece in Promenade was on living near Lincoln Center.

79 [ A contemporary kitchen at The Jade, 16 West 19th Street ]

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peacefulpatagonia eco adventures, lush forests, exotic marine life, and luxurious villas in Chileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outback By Ruth J. Katz 80

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pon entering the city limits of the Irish town of Tipperary, there are welcoming signs that proclaim, “You’ve come a long way…” referencing the marching tune “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” popular among the British military during World War I. You might well be tempted to make a similar declaration when you finally arrive at The Cliffs Preserve in the Lake District of coastal Patagonia, in southern Chile: The flight from Gotham is just over 12 hours, the connecting flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt is another hour-and-a-half, and then the fillip is a 45-mile drive, the last third of which is slow-going, over a somewhat primitive dirt and gravel road, sliced through the wilderness. Yes, it is a long way there, but when you alight from your four-wheel-drive chariot, you will have to catch your breath, lost not from exhaustion, but stolen by the awe-inspiring vistas splashed across a geographic canvas of 8,000 acres of temperate rain forest, a mere 6% of which is developed; the rest is still an arguably matchless eco-system with astonishing biodiversity. The powerful Pacific flanks one side, accented by rocky outcroppings; on the other side, a verdant swath extends to the horizon, dotted with majestic snow-tipped mountain ranges. It is easy to understand why Patagonia, a vast 300,000-square mile area in the southern half of South America, consistently garners kudos among outdoor enthusiasts, eco-travelers, and anyone who simply wants to escape from it all. Instantly, you’ll see you are truly in for a rare treat at The Preserve. Open for less than two years, it is the brainchild (and cherished “offspring”) of president and CEO Jim Anthony, who is also the founder of The Cliffs Communities in the Carolina Preserve, located between Asheville, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina. The stateside Cliffs is devoted to the prudent development of private, residential communities, with golf as the jewel in the crown of most of the company’s eight mountain-lake developments. (The latest, The Cliffs at High Carolina, will fea-

[ Top: Horseback riding on the beach is a favorite activity ] [ Insets: Wildlife abounds, with dozens of bird species and two types of penguins ]

ture the first-ever Tiger Woods golf course in America.) Anthony wanted to create a getaway resort, and avid fly fisherman that he is, he hunted for the just-right property in a pristine environment, a place where his commitment to ecology could reign. Et voilà, he lit upon Chilean Patagonia, where, not parenthetically, some of the finest fly fishing exists. Fine, too, are the six miles of inviting coastline that form part of the perimeter of the property. Not surprisingly, there is rich marine life and world-class, deep-sea fishing. This is one of the most reliable places on earth to see Blue whales, and Humpbacks are also frequently encountered, as both mammals migrate from the equator to chillier seas. Fragile penguin species—Magellanic and Humboldt—can also be sighted on the craggy islets off the shoreline, when they establish their nesting colonies from November through May. Dolphins and sea lions and otters may cavort in the water near your boat; flamingoes and black-neck swan colonies might grace your outing, too. The area is home to over 50 types of birds, including the Black-browed Albatross and the Red-legged Cormorant, both classified as near-threatened. The property has 20-plus miles of a skillfully built trail system that weaves through old-growth forests, open fields, pristine beaches, and natural ridges; inland excursions might include meandering jaunts or serious animal-tracking treks through the Valdivian temperate, coastal rainforest. Keep on the lookout for the 18” pudú, the world’s smallest deer and for mountain monkeys, barely larger than a mouse. Also for the nature lover, there are countless other activities, including bird-watching; guided coastal and river eco-system tours; Patagonian heritage and cultural tours. Especially popular are organic farm tours (perhaps followed by cooking lessons in the kitchen). The organic garden is well worth your attention for a half-day, what with its six acres of hand-planted, -tilled, and -farmed flowers, fruits, and vegetables, including five types 81

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[ The six villas, perched along the coastline ]

[ A close-up view of a villa ]

[ A bedroom and sitting area in a typical villa ]

[ Plenty of fishing opportunities exist at The Preserve ]

of potatoes, five varieties of beans, and six kinds of lettuce. There are also dozens of local, medicinal herbs, and their mysteries are all explained by executive chef John Pinilla, who will share culinary uses, as well as medicinal applications, as practiced traditionally by the Mapuche Indians, the earliest settlers of the area. There are also more adventure-oriented activities, like horseback riding in the outback or along the beach; mountain-biking; kayaking or white-water rafting on the grade 3-4 rapids of the Petrohue River; flying down the thrilling zip line (in nearby Puerto Varas); Osorno volcano tours (there are also two other volcanoes, the Puntiagudo and Calbuco); Maullin River sport fishing and heli-fishing. And if you feel like doing simply nothing, you’ll find your comfy villa and the 20,000-square-foot clubhouse (with its welcoming, massive, open fire pit) particularly hospitable. Of course, the resort has a small, but decently equipped and staffed spa/wellness center and gym, ideal for chilling out in Chile. You can also chill out with a Chilean wine-tasting (pisco sour-tasting is also a good sport here). All the furniture in the villas is crafted on the premises by master woodworkers, led by the capable Esteban Quevedo. Floors are laurel, beams Douglas fir, and walls constructed from a combination of Brazilian sisal and the wood of a local conifer. In fact, everything, with the exception of the refrigerators, is from Chile, including fabrics woven in Santiago and crafts (even the flatware) created by local artisans. While great respect has been paid to nature, using indigenous building materials, no amenity has been sacrificed, including a music system, international phone, satellite TV, and wireless Internet.

Villas all have a cozy living room-cum-fireplace, patios, a loft, a complete kitchen (there’s even a washer/dryer), and an outdoor, wood-fired hot tub overlooking a magnificent panorama. The fare at the clubhouse will satisfy anyone looking for wholesome and toothsome food. Gracing your table most nights is fresh produce from the garden, as well as seafood, like Pacific King crab, abalone, mussels, clams, and local fish; other nights, expect highly touted Argentine beef. You might just catch and harvest your own dinner, which could be a succulent sea bass wrapped in bacon with caramelized endive, tapenade, and spicy shrimp juice. While more than 85 different Chilean wines are exported, here you’ll find local treasures, wines that never leave the country’s borders. By the time you’ve experienced a few days at The Preserve, you, too, may be of a mind not to leave Chile’s borders. Simply put, The Preserve is not merely a vacation destination, but rather a retreat with soul. ■

[ the details ] Villas range from about 3,500 to 4,000 square feet; prices are variable, depending on the size villa and the number of people, but in general, the least costly stay is four nights/five days for a Junior Suite, at $4,200 per person, in the low season,* which ends November 30 of this year; the most pricey is a four-bedroom Grand Villa, for seven nights/eight days during high season— December 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010—and costs $47,000 per villa. Prices include meals and many activities. *Remember, the seasons are reversed south of the equator.

Cliffs Preserve at Patagonia 888-750-4839; cliffspreserve.com

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everything’s Bueno in Buenos Aires Given the distance and time it takes to reach southern Chile, consider extending your trip with a few days in Santiago, or as we did, with what is known as the lake crossing (cruceandino.com), heading eastward through the bucolic mountains and across sundry lakes to the picture-postcard setting of the Llao Llao Hotel & Resort (llaollao.com) in panoramic Bar Iloche. From this idyllic, scenic respite, we continued by plane (South America’s airline, LAN, is an ideal way to get around and business class to and from the States is gracious and restful) to Buenos Aires, the oft-dubbed Paris of South America, a lively city with 13 million residents. We chose the hospitable Intercontinental Hotel (located in the heart of the gaslight district of the Old Town), where you’ll enjoy a filling, sumptuous breakfast each morning (don’t skip South America’s gift to sugar addicts, dulce de leche), in the dining room overlooking the garden and the Terraza del Virrey restaurant. This indoor-outdoor café is an ideal spot for a bracing afternoon caipirinha or an alfresco dinner. A mere three blocks from the hotel is the city’s main boulevard, the Avenida de Mayo, with an eclectic mix of striking architecture—including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the elegant Casa Rosada (The Pink House), the presidential palace. During your stroll, stop for a café cortado at the renowned Café Tortoni. Bisecting the Avenida is another great boulevard, perhaps the largest on the planet, the Avenida 9 de Julio, more than 16 lanes at some points, and home to the world-renowned Teatro Colón, one of the world’s grandest opera houses, scheduled to reopen in 2010.

[ At the Alvear Palace Hotel, the Jardin d’Hiver ]

Neighborhood-hopping is fun in BA, and for a lively evening hit Palermo, popping with restaurants, shops, and clubs, or the San Telmo barrio, with its cobblestone streets, where you can dine at the charming I Miei Amici. The Puerto Madero area was the site of the downtrodden docks, but has been reclaimed, with lots of nightlife and shopping. Calle Florida (popularly known by its English name, Florida Street) is a long pedestrian mall with hundreds of shops with souvenirs, leather goods, silver, and so on; it’s the perfect place for sleuthing out bargains. Luxury brand-name shopping is clustered in the fancy Recoleta neighborhood, where the best chocolates can be found at Vasalissa Chocolatier (vasalissa.com) and upscale “gaucho” sportswear (think Ralph Lauren’s “cowboys”) at Cardon (cardon.com.ar). The city’s chic mall Patio Bullrich, a former livestock auction house, is here, as is the celebrated La Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Perón is entombed. Take dinner in Recoleta at La Cabaña, a steak house dating from 1935 (diners have included, among a roster of bold-face names, Louis Armstrong, Fidel Castro, Charles de Gaulle, and Sophia Loren), and now, since 1996, under the auspices of Orient-Express. The menu boasts steak, steak, and more steak…but remember, the chlorophyll and water on the pampas and on the estancias (farms) are not the same as those ingested in North America, so expect beef that tastes a little different. Don’t miss the restaurant’s papas soufflé—airy pillow-puffs of lightly fried potato—guaranteed to melt in your mouth. Tea at the magnificent Alvear Palace Hotel is a lovely treat – in the delightful salon, Jardin d’Hiver, you’ll be blown away by the pastry carts laden with delices. Go first, however, to the hotel’s spa, for a thoroughly indulgent afternoon, and end your spa visit with a bracing walk in the hot and cold pools that center your chi, as you walk on stones in each. Touristy tango shows abound, and some are very kitsch, but when in Rome…so take in one, perhaps Señor Tango (senortango.com.ar) or La Esquina de Carlos Gardel (esquinacarlosgardel.com.ar). (One last note: Your concierge will probably advise that you take radio taxis, not street cabs, to ensure regulated fares.) –– RJK More information: ohbuenosaires.com; buenos-aires.intercontinental.com; alvearpalace.com; lan.com

83 [ The lobby of the Hotel Intercontinental Buenos Aires ]

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BACK ON THE HIGH LINE AGAIN Ground-level parks are a thing of the past. New York City’s newest public park, the High Line, was built 30 feet off the ground on a mile-and-a-half stretch of abandoned freight railway line on the lower west side of Manhattan. These railway tracks, built in the 1930s to remove dangerous freight traffic from the streets, are now home to a winding greenway promenade that overlooks the Hudson River. Designed by James Corner Field Operations with Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the High Line hosts sundecks, artificial waterways, plazas, and a huge variety of floral delights. You can roam through grasslands, woodlands, and thickets to experience more than 200 different species of plants that come and go as the seasons change. The most unique architectural feature of the High Line is the 10th Avenue Square, which has rows of amphitheater-like seating where visitors can gaze north on 10th Avenue through large windows. The park’s first phase—which runs north from Gansevoort Street to West 20th Street—opened to the public on June 9th. Friends of the High Line has numerous free or low-cost programs and tours, including programs on art, gardening, design, and history. The second section, expected to open in the fall of 2010, is under construction and will stretch up to 30th Street. The third section, planned to extend up to 34th Street, is still in the planning stages. The park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Entrance points to the park are located at Gansevoort Street, 14th Street, 16th Street (elevator access), 18th Street and 20th Street. Pets and alcohol are prohibited. For more information, visit thehighline.org. — Elizabeth Defee

SIGHTSEEING Apollo Theater – Harlem’s world-famous showplace offers tours seven days a week, as well as the Apollo Amateur Night every Wednesday at 7:30pm. 253 W. 125th St. btw. Seventh & Eighth Aves., 212-531-5337; apollotheater.org Bike and Roll NYC – Bike the Hudson River Greenway and return by ferry; see the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport and more. Huge variety of bikes and accessories; guided tours. Pier 84, Hudson River Park, W. 44th St. & the Hudson River, 866-736-8224, 212-260-0400; bikeandroll.com

BODIES...The Exhibition – Housed in the recently refurbished Exhibition Centre at the

South Street Seaport, this striking exhibit showcases real human bodies, giving visitors the opportunity to see themselves in a fascinating way like never before. Both captivating and edifying, it unveils the many complex systems of organs and tissues that drive every aspect of our daily lives and unite us all as humans. Exhibition Centre at the South Street Seaport, 11 Fulton St., 888-9BODIES; bodiestheexhibition.com

Physic Garden Florilegium Society (9/12-11/8); Chile Pepper Fiesta (10/3); Ghouls and Gourds (10/25). Tues.-Fri., 8am-6pm; Sat.-Sun., 10am6pm. (From 11/1: Tues.-Fri., 8am-4:30pm; Sat.Sun., 10am-4:30pm.) $8 (free all day Tues. & Sat. 10am-noon, weekdays 11/20-2/27); $4 (seniors/students); free (under 12). 1000 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, 718-623-7200; bbg.org

Brooklyn Botanic Garden – 52 carefully tended, intensively planted acres of flora and exotica, including a carefully reproduced Japanese garden and one of the largest public rose collections in America. Upcoming events include: Inner Beauty - Paintings of Medicinal Plants by Chelsea

Carnegie Hall – Learn about the story of Andrew and Louise Carnegie, hear how the Hall was saved from demolition in 1960, and experience a century-long performance tradition that has showcased the world’s finest artists from

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ONTHETOWN

Tchaikovsky to Mahler, from Horowitz to Callas to Bernstein—even Judy Garland and the Beatles. Tours are offered seven days a week, as schedule permits; call ahead for details. 881 Seventh Ave. at 57th St., 212-903-9765; carnegiehall.org Central Park (centralparknyc.org) – Belvedere Castle (79th St. south of the Great Lawn, 212-772-0210) - This famed, whimsical landmark is within sight of the Delacorte Theatre (summer home of the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival.) The Henry Luce Nature Observatory at Belvedere Castle is a permanent interactive exhibit focusing on how to observe, record, and identify the plants and wildlife that exist in Central Park’s rich and diverse natural habitats. Bethesda Terrace (mid-Park at 72nd St.) - Reconstruction has restored the Victorian stonework and steps to the acre-sized esplanade. Carousel (mid-Park at 64th St., 212-879-0244) - Nostalgic turn-of-the-century merry-go-round open daily, weather permitting. Central Park Walks and Talks (212-794-6564) Subjects ranging from geology to bird-watching to astronomy, ecology, and park history make for lively free weekend walking tours of the Park. Central Park Conservancy staff and volunteers, as well as Urban Park Rangers of the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation lead the tours. Central Park Zoo (Fifth Ave. btw. 63rd & 66th Sts., 212-439-6500; centralparkzoo.com) From a steamy rain forest to an icy Antarctic penguin habitat, the zoo features natural tropical, temperate, and polar environments with dozens of fascinating animals, from leafcutter ants to polar bears, plus monkeys, sea lions, and cute penguins. Open daily; call for hours. The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in Central Park (110th St. & Lenox Ave., 212-860-1370) provides year-round environmental education and visitors’ programs. Free workshops, performances, and events highlight the beauty of Central Park and the vitality of its surrounding neighborhoods. Birdwatching, fishing, ecology, and horticulture explorations are just a few of the family and youth activities available. The Conservatory Garden (Fifth Ave. near 105th St.) - A lush and dazzling six-acre garden. The Dairy (mid-Park at 65th St., 212794-6564) - The main visitor information center, set in a vintage Victorian Chalet. Pick up a map or a calendar, and enjoy the gift shop. Horse-andCarriage Rides (212-736-0680) wait on the Central Park So./59th St. side of the Park. Sheep Meadow (66th to 69th Sts. on the west side of the park) is a lush, 15-acre quiet zone open for passive play and skyline admiring. Strawberry Fields (71st to 74th St. near Central Park West) - A 2.5-acre International Garden of Peace dedicated to the memory of John Lennon. Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (enter at Central Park West & 81st St., 212-988-9093) - Shows for the general public. Call for current schedule. Tisch Children’s Zoo (Fifth Ave. btw. 64th & 65th Sts., 212-4396500) - This wildlife center echoes and reinforces the pastoral landscape of Central Park by creating a rustic Enchanted Forest with soft paths and native plantings. Youngsters will love the bewitching area, which suddenly unfolds into a magical place filled with birds flying freely overhead, contained in a virtually invisible net suspended in the trees, and a petting zoo.

Central Park Bike Tours and Rentals – Discover Central Park by bike on the original Central Park Bike Tour. This 2-hour leisurely tour is a sure fire way to see all the sights and secrets. A nice combination of exercise and sightseeing. SBR Multisports Shop, 203 W. 58th St., 212-541-8759; centralparkbiketours.com Chrysler Building – Architect William Van Alen’s magnificent Art Deco skyscraper (1930), lavished with stainless steel frills, ornate stonework, and figures and thematic motifs, topped by the distinctive illumination of 480 lights that can be seen from all over the city and are an integral part of the city’s famous skyline. While not open to the public, the Chrysler Building remains one of the world’s finest examples of 1930s Art Deco architecture and the second-tallest building in the city. 405 Lexington Ave. at 42nd St. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises – Take in the grandeur of New York and see spectacular views of Manhattan as knowledgeable guides point out the famous landmarks. There are many cruises to choose from, for every type of traveler: the classic 3-hour Full-Island Cruise; the 2-hour SemiCircle Cruise; the 75-minute Liberty Cruise (May-Oct.); the romantic 2-hour Harbor Lights Cruise; plus special holiday cruises. Bear Mountain Cruises offer views of the fall foliage along the Hudson River (10/3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, 11/1). The Beast’s 30-minute thrill ride runs through 9/30. Pier 83, W. 42nd St. & 12th Ave., 212-563-3200; circleline42.com CityPass – With CityPass you have access to landmarks such as the Empire State Building Observatory; the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); the American Museum of Natural History; Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise for views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, bridges; and much more. All at one low price. Tips, location and transportation information, as well as discount offers at restaurants. 888-330-5008; citypass.com/city/ny CitySights NY – See New York from top-seatingonly double-decker buses with unobstructed views of NYC attractions, neighborhoods, and places of interest. Buses are furnished with state-of-the-art sound systems and entertaining urban-storytellers who offer interesting facts and tales about all of the city’s famous faces and places. They also feature combination tickets, day trips, and more. They offer tours in four languages (Italian, French, German, and Spanish) by way of an audio headset that plugs into a player at each seat. 212-812-2700; citysightsny.com Empire State Building – From the Observatory on the 86th floor, reached by express elevator in less than a minute, Manhattan is an unforgettable spectacle day or night. You’ll enjoy the panoramic view, which, on a clear day, reaches 80 miles in each direction. Visitors may also enjoy the free changing exhibits in the lobby. Tickets to the 102nd floor observatory sold only upon arrival. Daily, 8am-2am; last elevator at 1:15. $20; $18 (seniors, 12-17); $14 (6-11). 350 Fifth Ave. (34th St.), 212-736-3100; esbnyc.com

Grand Central Terminal – This international landmark masterpiece boasts a huge, dramatic sunken central room, lit by huge windows and ornamented by a whimsically designed ceiling depicting the constellations of the zodiac and a nostalgic information kiosk topped by an old clock set in the center of the main floor. Join the onehour walking tours, Wed. at 12:30pm, sponsored by the Municipal Art Society; call 212-935-3960. 42nd St & Park Ave., 212-532-4900; grand centralterminal.com Gray Line Sightseeing Tours – Daily tours by open-top deluxe double-decker buses & luxury coaches. Classic New York Tour includes a roundtrip ferry ticket to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, a ticket to the South Street Seaport Museum, a ticket to the Empire State Building Observatory & the ALL LOOPS TOUR, a 2-day ticket hop-on & off w/ 50+ stops from Times Square & Broadway to Harlem to Brooklyn, & Night Tours. $25-$112. 777 Eighth Ave. btw. 47th & 48th Sts.; PABT, 42nd St. & Eighth Ave.; Times Square, Broadway btw. 46th & 47th Sts., 800-669-0051; newyorksightseeing.com Harlem Spirituals/New York Visions – Explore Harlem with Gospel tours on Sun. and Wed. & the evening soul food & jazz tours Mon., Thurs., and Sat.; New York Visions uncovers the hidden treasures of Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. 690 Eighth Ave. (43rd-44th Sts.), 212-391-0900; harlemspirituals.com Helicopter Flight Services Tours – See NYC from above the turmoil of its streets. They offer 2 long helicopter tours that include the Statue of Liberty, NY Harbor, the Chrysler Building, Central Park, Columbia University, the George Washington Bridge, Yankee Stadium & the Financial Center. They also offer customized tours of the city & hourly rates. Weekdays: Downtown Heliport (Pier 6 & the East River); Sundays: VIP Heliport (W. 30th St. & Twelfth Ave.)., 212-355-0801; heliny.com Hudson Valley Explorer – A deluxe dining-car train journey operating weekends from NYC through the Hudson River Valley. Enjoy a daily five-course dinner, wines from local vineyards, and live entertainment. Destinations served are Saratoga Springs, Lake George and Southern Vermont. All-inclusive round-trip fares from $399 include transportation, meals, lodging and sightseeing. 800-292-7245; hudsonvalleyexplorer.com Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum – The renovated museum complex includes the 900-footlong aircraft carrier with seven full decks and four theme halls; the guided missile submarine Growler; and an extensive aircraft collection including the A-12 Blackbird, the fastest plane in the world, and the British Airways Concorde, the fastest commercial aircraft in the world. Experience newly opened areas of the ship, new multimedia presentations and exhibit collections, interactive educational stations, recently restored historic aircraft collection and a brand new state-of-the-art public pier. Pier 86, W. 46th St. & 12th Ave., 212-245-0072; intrepidmuseum.org

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Liberty Helicopter Tours – Six different tours in modern jet helicopters. Reservations required for 6 or more passengers. Downtown Manhattan Heliport (Mon.-Sat.), Pier 6 & the East River; VIP Heliport (open daily), W. 30th St. & Twelfth Ave., 212-967-6464; libertyhelicopters.com Madame Tussauds New York – A chance for an up-close-and-personal look at nearly 200 famous faces, from the Dalai Lama to Madonna, Albert Einstein to Joe DiMaggio. The famed Madame Tussauds wax museum of London has a spectacular NYC version in Times Square that’s become one of the city’s mustsee sights. New York and world notables from film, television, music, politics, history and sports are represented in themed displays. Open 365 days a year from 10am. $35; $32 (seniors); $28 (4-12). 234 W. 42nd St. (Seventh-Eighth Aves.), 800-246-8872; nycwax.com Madison Square Garden All-Access Tour – The one-hour guided tour features backstage and onstage at the Garden, the locker rooms, dressing rooms, and more. Group discounts are available. Tours operate daily, approximately every half-hour: Mon.-Sat., 10am-3pm; Sun., 11am-3pm. $17; under 12, $12. Group and student rates also available. 4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Seventh Ave. & 32nd St.), info: 212-465-5800; groups: 212-465-6080; thegarden.com/about/all-access-tour.html Manhattan by Sail – Hop aboard the Clipper City, NYC’s largest tall ship, as it unfurls its massive sails for a tour through NY Harbor. The best and closest views you can get of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island and the NYC skyline. Daily departures at 10am, 12:30, 3 & 7pm. $39/adult; $17/child. Pier 17, South Street Seaport, 212-619-0907; 800-544-1224; manhattanbysail.com Manhattan Helicopter Sightseeing Tours – A one-of-a-kind sightseeing tour experience. The 15-minute sightseeing tour flies along the Hudson and East Rivers as well as directly over Manhattan. Tours feature aerial views of the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and more. Reservations required. Wall Street/Downtown Manhattan Heliport, Pier 6 at the East River, 212-845-9822; flymh.com My Kind of Town New York – Private and personalized tours of New York City in Mercedes Benz SUVs (1 to 6 guests). Larger groups accommodated. 866-NY1-TOUR; 212-754-4500; mykindoftown.com NBC Universal Store / Studio Tour – Stroll through the halls of NBC, the NBC History Theatre, and the studios of some of NBC’s most popular shows, including “SNL,” “The Today Show,” and others. Tours run every 15-30 minutes, seven days a week. Reservations recommended. The NBC Universal Store is open Mon.-Sat., 8am-7pm; Sun., 9am-6pm. 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 49th St. btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves., 212-664-3700; nbcuniversalstore.com

The New York Botanical Garden – Offering a variety of gardens and collections and events, courses and exhibitions, year-round. Current events include: The Edible Garden (through 9/13); Farmers Market (through 11/14). Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W at Fordham Rd.), The Bronx, or by Metro-North Railroad to Botanical Garden Station, 718-817-8700; nybg.org OnBoard Tours – NYC’s most comprehensive 5-1/2-hour tour combines driving and short walks with a ferry cruise past the Statue of Liberty. Stops include the World Trade Center site, Rockefeller Center, and the Empire State Building. The three-hour Discover Uptown: Harlem and More tour visits 125th Street, Harlem’s commercial center and home to the Apollo Theater and Bill Clinton’s office. 212-277-8019; onboardnewyorktours.com NYC Ducks – NYC’s first land-and-water visitor experience. Splash Tours’ AquaBus fleet, designed to evoke the memory of Henry Hudson’s famous ship, are helmed by the captain and first mate, who dress in period costumes. The 1-hour route starts in Times Square with a multimedia experience; then the AquaBus splashes into the Hudson for an explorer’s-eye view of the New York skyline. Reservations required. 877-527-4691 newyorksplashtours.com NY SKYRIDE – A combination of movie-motion and sights rolled up into NY’s only aerial virtual tour simulator. Guide Kevin Bacon takes you on an adventure above, through, and underneath New York. An IMAX®-style digital presentation combining HD technology, custom-designed seats, and a 6meter/18-foot screen. Open daily at 8am. Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Ave. (33rd St.), 2nd floor, 212-279-9777; skyride.com On Location Tours – Visit the sites of your favorite movies and TV shows on several bus tours: New York TV and Movie sites (more than 60 locations from Friends, Seinfeld, Ugly Betty, Manhattan, and many others), Sex and the City Hotspots, Sopranos Sites, or take a walk through Central Park on the walking tour of Central Park Movie Sites (When Harry Met Sally, Ghostbusters, and more). Advance purchase required. 212-209-3370; screentours.com Radio City Music Hall – Get an exclusive look at the legendary hall. And as a bonus, you’ll meet one of the world-famous Rockettes. Daily, 11am-3pm. $17; seniors, $14; under 12, $10. Tickets sold at the Radio City Avenue Store on the day of the tour. Advance tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster and the Box Office only. Group rates also available. 1260 Sixth Ave. (50 St.), 212-307-7171; radiocity.com Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square – Ripley’s showcases the oddities in life and delivers the ultimate in shockingly strange, true stories. Discover the embodiment of one man’s belief that fact is stranger than fiction. Open daily, 9am-1am. 234 W. 42nd St. (Seventh-Eighth Aves.), 212-398-3133; ripleysnewyork.com

AN EXHIBITION TO REMEMBER

One of the most exciting new exhibitions to open in New York City in some time, Titanic The Artifact Exhibition, features actual artifacts, recovered from two-and-a-half miles below the surface of the North Atlantic, that tell the story behind the legendary ship’s short journey from construction and destruction to eventual recovery. They’ve assembled the largest-ever collection of Titanic artifacts, many of which are on display for the first time, including jewels, china, documents, clothing, and much more. They’ve also included a stunning recreation of the ship’s illustrious grand staircase. Open every day, 10am-10pm. 226 W. 44th St. btw. Seventh & Eighth Aves., 866-9-TSXNYC; discoverytsx.com.

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Rockefeller Center - Considered one of the outstanding architectural achievements in the world, the internationally famous landmark is renowned for its exquisitely maintained Art Deco ornamentation. The 70–story masterpiece is the GE Building (“30 Rock”), decorated inside and out with murals and reliefs celebrating Wisdom and the advances in electronic communication. NBC Studio Tours are offered from here, and Top of the Rock, the observation deck on the 70th floor, boasts unparalleled views of New York. The Lower Plaza offers summer dining in a garden setting, below street level in the shadow of one of New York’s great landmarks. Overlooking it all is Paul Manship’s famous 18-foot, eight-ton gilded bronze statue of Prometheus, who brought the secret of fire to the world. Fifth to Sixth Ave. btw. 48th & 51th Sts., 212-632-3975; rockefellercenter.com Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex - A 25,000-square-foot space aimed toward everyone from the casual music fan to the seasoned rock enthusiast. This experiential, technologically advanced exhibition space focuses on the greatest moments in rock history with exciting permanent and rotating exhibits. 76 Mercer St. (Spring-Broome Sts.), 866-9-ROCKNY; rockannex.com South Street Seaport – Located in lower Manhattan, along the East River and adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge, the refurbished, 200-plus-year-old designated historic landmark is a thriving waterfront community encompassing 12 cobblestone blocks of restored 19th-century buildings, shops, and restaurants. Pier 17 (Water-Fulton Sts.), 212-SEA-PORT; southstreetseaport.com Staten Island Ferry - Free for pedestrians, leaving from South Ferry at the Battery, any day, any time. siferry.com Statue Cruises – The only provider of ferry transportation to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park, as well as from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Tickets: $12 adults/$10 seniors/$5 kids (with Audio Tour: $18/$16/$11). 877-523-9849; statuecruises.com Statue of Liberty – Experience a special insider’s view of the engineering marvel that is the Statue of Liberty. Visitors have a choice of two tours: the Observatory Tour and the Promenade Tour. Both include a guided tour through the Statue of Liberty Museum, which features the original torch. Liberty Island, 212-363-3200; nps.gov/stli Titanic - The Artifact Exhibition – Relive Titanic’s fateful 1912 maiden voyage and take on the identity of a Titanic passenger as you explore magnificent reconstructions of the ship’s interior. Discover how the “unsinkable” ship met its fate and connect with the passengers and crew as you view haunting personal artifacts recovered from the wreck. Open 7 days, 10am-10pm. 226 W. 44th St., 866-9-TSXNYC; discoverytsx.com Top of the Rock – 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s dazzling, 360-degree indoor and outdoor views are not exactly new –– in fact, it was open from 1933 to 1986. The brainchild of John D. Rockefeller, the original deck was designed to evoke the upper decks of a 1930s grand ocean liner. They’ve preserved the historic integrity of Rockefeller’s creation while incorporating innovative features, and three decks featuring outdoor terraces and indoor space. Daily, 8am-midnight. $18; $13 (under 12). Reserved-time tickets available. 30 Rockefeller Center (W. 50th St. btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves.), 877-692-7625; topoftherocknyc.com Uncle Sam’s New York – Historical walking tours, pub crawls, nightlife tours, and custom New York City nightlife limousine tours. 917-655-0906; unclesamsnewyork.com United Nations – Multilingual guided tours normally leave every half hour Mon.-Fri., 9:30am-4:45pm. Call 212-963-7539 for a schedule of tours in other languages. $12.50; seniors & students, $8; children 5-14, $6.50. Children under five not admitted. First Ave. & 46th St., 212-963-8687; un.org/tours Yankee Stadium Classic Tour – Experience the legend of Yankees baseball by taking the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour of Yankee Stadium. The Classic Tour includes visits to the Yankees Museum, Monument Park, the dugout, batting cages and clubhouse. Every 20 minutes from noon-1:40pm and run daily except when the Yankees play at home on weekends or are scheduled to play a day game. $20. Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, 877-469-9849; yankees.com

TRANSCENDENTAL TRAVEL: REMOTE LANDS’ LUXURY TRIPS TO ASIA Remote Lands bills itself as the world’s foremost luxury, custom-travel planner, with a specialty in Asian adventure— “adventure” and “custom” being the operative words. In business since 2007, the Remote Lands team (seasoned explorers themselves) has arranged countless exotic journeys for clients seeking dream itineraries all over the Far East, from Bhutan to Japan, India to Indonesia. Trips are custom-crafted for individuals’ need (read: whims or fantasies) and to better service travelers on their far-flung voyages, the firm maintains not only its central headquarters in New York, but also a satellite office in Bangkok to handle on-the-scene logistics and details. Most trips highlight extraordinary experiences with insider access to remarkable people and exclusive events—and while almost all the organization’s itineraries are unique, Remote Lands is offering four suggestions for the coming New Year’s Eve, so hurry and book! For party animals, a lively “Bollywood Bash” with a lavish Indian banquet, dancers, and fortune tellers hosted by Prince Shivaji Rao Holkar, the son of the last maharajah of Indore, at the 18th-century Ahilya Fort Hotel; at the other end of the levity spectrum, the company suggests a private-yacht charter to lollygag along the secluded beaches of Indonesia, catching the full “blue” moon rising for the new year; for the spiritual, trips to a monastery can be arranged in Bhutan’s Bumthang District, where the Amankora Resort serenely awaits visitors; for the active traveler, schuss down the slopes of Hokkaido in Japan at midnight, and then follow the bracing run with a raucous bonenaki (“forget the year”) party with sparkling sake, after which you can ring the 108 bells at a Shinto shrine to celebrate. Prices usually start at about $1,000 a day per person, but can easily soar way above that, once you start adding in transportation on private jets and über-luxurious yacht charters. For further information, contact Remote Lands: 646-415-8092; remotelands.com. — Ruth J. Katz

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NEW YORK

By Kristopher Carpenter

“Brunch is one of my favorite activities and it’s always how I start my Sunday. It’s a relaxed and fun way to kick off the day and there always seems to be great energy in restaurants during brunch.” – Missy Robbins, Executive Chef

A Voce Columbus The cadre of illustrious restaurants in residence at Columbus Circle’s keynote building, the Time Warner Center, just got a new neighbor. A Voce Columbus, the second to bear its eponym has opened across the hall from Marc Murphy’s restaurant, Landmarc and downstairs from Thomas Keller’s infamous eatery, Per Se. A welcomed addition to A Voce’s repertoire, A Voce Columbus will serve Saturday and Sunday brunch fashioned by the skilled mind and hands of Executive Chef Missy Robbins.

Norma’s Since opening at the world-class Le Parker Meridien hotel a little over a decade ago, Norma’s philosophy has been to stick with one meal and do it right. Renowned for the lavish presentations and decadent dishes masterminded by Executive Chef Emile Castillo, a Spanish-born chef who received his culinary education in France, the menu at Norma’s has driven brunch in New York City to “unheard-of heights,” according to the Zagat Survey. Chef Castillo views brunch as a staple meal that can cover a late breakfast, early lunch, or even an early dinner, which is why it’s available all day at Norma’s. This attitude might also account for the monstrous portion sizes served here. Most of the dishes are over-the-top, while some are simply outrageous – specifically, the super-size zillion dollar lobster frittata with 10 oz. sevruga caviar, which will cost you $1000 (Norma dares you to expense this, the menu challenges). From the chocolate decadence French toast to the breakfast quesadilla, Norma’s puts its own creative spin on traditional breakfast items while still delivering comfort food – something that may account for its broad appeal. The always-busy Norma’s attracts hotel guests, power-brunchers, and families alike, all of whom blend in with the contemporary yet casual dining atmosphere, which is complemented by an overlooking view of Central Park. Another patron of the restaurant is Norma herself, a 91-yearold resident of the hotel and wife of its original owner, Jack Parker. Despite the bustling business the restaurant receives (reservations are highly suggested) Castillo says he views brunch, especially at Norma’s, as a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Brunch at A Voce Columbus echoes the Italian inspiration of its progenitor and offers an opportunity for diners to experience a fusion of classical brunch foods with hearty Italian fare; including pastas, salumi, and antipasti. The menu is very well planned bringing the myriad options together in harmony for a brunch that can satisfy in several ways. Whether taking a distinctly breakfast route with a combination like farro, ouvo and pancetta or tending toward lunch with a selection of meats and vegetables followed by chitarra pasta; there are various paths to gastronomic bliss. Of course, there’s nothing like a beautiful view of Central Park and A Voce Columbus offers a 180 degree spectrum of this New York City delight, which pairs well with any meal. Chef’s Recommendations: Cassoncini con Prosciutto di Parma (pictured) Swiss chard, cresenza cheese, prosciutto di parma Ouvo fritto Fried egg, lamb sausage, arugula, pilacca Spaghetti carbonara Guanciale, egg, pecorino

NYC

“Brunch is a very social meal; and in a city like New York that’s all hustle and bustle, it’s a great meal to linger over.” – Emile Castillo, Executive Chef

LOCATION 10 Columbus Circle (At the Time Warner Center, 3rd Floor) • 212-823-2523 avocerestaurant.com

Chef’s Recommendations: Chocolate Decadence French Toast (pictured) Strawberries, pistachios, valhrona chocolate sauce Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata (small size)

NYC

Red Berry Risotto Norma’s take on oatmeal, with berries in a “crispity” wafer bowl

LOCATION 118 West 57th Street (At the Le Parker Meridien Hotel) • 212-708-7460 • normasnyc.com

Artist’s rendering

Egg frittata, chives, lobster, and 1 oz. sevruga caviar

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Sunday Brunch “Opia is like a perched Oasis where one can enjoy a great brunch in a room filled with natural light, or on balconies overlooking the madness of midtown Manhattan.” – Frederick Lesort, Owner

Opia

Pigalle Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Theatre District, this brasserie derives its name from the Pigalle neighborhood in Paris, a tourist hotspot best known for its red-light reputation and home to the famous Moulin Rouge. Pigalle’s ambiance reflects the festive nightlife of its namesake, with 1950s Parisian-chic accents, tin ceilings, and French doors opening to the street. The restaurant has a strong local following but is also popular with visitors, ensuring a different mix of diners at each meal. The midday meal during the week is dominated by quick business lunches, while dinner is a louder and livelier affair. Come the weekend, though, the pace changes perceptibly to a leisurely, unhurried gait that invites patrons in for lengthy conversations and cocktails du matin – one of the most popular is Pigalle’s take on the bellini, a champagne, peach nectar, and maraschino concoction that has been praised by celebrity chef Rachel Ray. Pigalle’s brunch menu features the tastes of Southwest France, where the cuisine is saturated with wood-smoked, savory flavors and complements like wild mushrooms, truffles, duck, foie gras, walnuts, hams, and gourmet cheeses. Pigalle’s specialty lies in traditional French dishes like eggs cocotte with chicken livers and cream, but brunch here is not limited to breakfast food. Options range from the ever-popular eggs Benedict, to the rich escargots bourguignonne, and a more neutral, grilled fresh tuna burger. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.

The brunch menu at Opia is very versatile, going far beyond eggs Benedict (although it is an option) to a real fusion of breakfast and lunch. It offers appetizers, sandwiches, and pizzas, entrees, and a utilitarian choice not often seen on brunch menus, a brunch prix fixe. This two course, $20 option includes one complimentary bloody Mary, mimosa, or bellini. If you’re doing brunch sans alcohol, of course there’s juice or coffee. The first course is either soup of the day or a fruit, granola and yogurt parfait, the selections of entrées are omelet, French toast, or chicken paillard with a creamy mustard BBQ sauce and fries if you’re tending toward lunch. Be absolutely sure to order the side of smoked bacon. This crispy fried tangle of pork goodness is so tasty that you might want another order (don’t worry they’re only $5). Oh, and try to share the second time around. Chef’s Recommendations: Brioche French Toast (pictured) Sauteed apples, apple butter and apple compote Poached Atlantic Salmon Grilled Jersey asparagus, new potatoes and virgin vinaigrette Grilled Hanger Steak Bordelaise sauce and French fries NYC

“When you work in the City, [brunch] is a special time when you can slow down and catch up with friends. Good friends and a great atmosphere let you unwind and take it easy.” – Lucille Thomas, General Manager

Opia is the mezzanine level restaurant and lounge inside the beautiful Renaissance Hotel on East 57th Street. The new age design by Jordan Mozer is sleek and sophisticated but also intimate and welcoming; embodying the spirit of a boutique hotel perfectly. Opia’s dark tones of burgundy and navy underscore the dark brown wood and leather that comprise the lounge. For brunch, on a sunny Sunday afternoon, if you’re lucky (or don’t mind waiting) you’ll be seated on one of the miniature balconies along the east wall projecting out over the sidewalk, for a beautiful, unencumbered view of 57th Street.

LOCATIONS 130 East 57th Street (At The Renaissance Hotel) • 212-688-3939 • opiarestaurant.com

Chef’s Recommendations: Croque Madame (pictured) Baked ham sandwich on sourdough bread coated with white cheddar, gruyere and Swiss cheeses; topped with two sunny-side-up eggs Eggs Benedict Poached eggs atop sourdough bread and grilled ham, covered in hollandaise sauce

NYC

Beef Bourguignon Sautéed pieces of sirloin steak stewed with carrots and pappardelle

LOCATION 790 8th Avenue • 212-489-2233 • pigallenyc.com

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"Our restaurant is great for a morning, or afternoon, when you just want to enjoy some gentle sunlight and good food." – Scott Hart, Owner

“There’s nothing I enjoy more than reinventing a classic dish. With The Oak Room’s brunch, I’ve taken a familiar weekend experience and modified the cuisine with a level of gourmet sophistication that looks and tastes different.” – Eric Hara, Executive Chef

The Oak Room Established in 1907, The Oak Room began as a gentleman’s only drinking establishment. Following a hiatus from the scene due to prohibition, it re-opened as a restaurant in 1934 and has since been indisputably adopted into the New York cityscape as one of its most lavish and well-loved landmarks. Boasting appearances in films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Scent of a Woman, The Oak Room made its silver screen debut in 1959 as the location of Cary Grant’s kidnapping in the infamous abduction sequence of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest. It has always exuded opulence, symbolized grandeur, and been the gold standard of the good life. After a massive renovation, completed in late 2008, The Oak Room has returned to its adoring public and to awards including the Time Out New York’s 2009 Eat Out Award for “Best Return of a New York Institution.” The Oak Room may have the most unique and fulfilling brunch experience in New York City. Not only is the gourmet, yet playful, cuisine of Executive Chef Eric Hara in a world of its own when it comes to brunch eats – reinventing classics like the Monte Cristo sandwich into a sushi-like roll with redeye gravy and endive – it is stylistically enjoyable as well. A tableside cart packed with a bevy of goodies, including Hara’s signature mini-tacos, is accompanied by a raw bar, dessert/bread table and choice of entrée. The multiple ways in which to attack Sunday hunger are fresh and keep the lively weekend spirit intact. All of this comes at one fixed price, ready and waiting for return visits. Chef’s Recommendations: Monte Cristo Croque Roll (pictured)

Poached egg, redeye gravy, endive Lobster Eggs Benedict Lobster hollandaise, chorizo sausage, home fries

NYC

Soft Shell “Benny” Tempura soft shell crab, miso hollandaise, home fries

LOCATION 10 Central Park South (At The Plaza Hotel) • 212-758-7777 • oakroomny.com

Some folks thought that Scott Hart was crazy to open a gorgeous upscale restaurant on 10th Avenue diagonally aligned with a gas station, in the Manhattan neighborhood formerly known as Hell’s Kitchen. (The neighborhood’s new and more politically correct nickname is Clinton Township, but the name hasn’t gained much popularity.) “A little bit of heaven in hell’s kitchen” is their slogan and a variance of it is printed on the t-shirts of the wait-staff, bartenders and hosts. The front reads “heaven” and the back “in hell” which at the very least draws the attention of passersby. It’s also a fairly accurate depiction of the 44 & X pedigree; it really is a little slice of heaven in the heart of a rejuvenated and quaint neighborhood. A series of modern luxury condominiums was just constructed on the opposite corner, and the new-blood locals are primarily friendly young professionals. Whether seated indoors or in the beautiful awning- covered front area, the noise level is surprisingly low for being on a main thoroughfare, especially at mealtimes and on weekends, when traffic is at its lightest. Add the fact that it’s just a block from most theatres and you’ve got the formula for a pretty full restaurant, which 44 & X usually is. Another oxymoron is that despite the brisk business at 44 & X it is very relaxing – especially for brunch, offered Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am-3:00pm. You’ll see classics done well and in large portions for the low prices, as well as a great cocktail list which includes hilariously Broadway themed cocktails such as the Patti Lu Pomegranate and the Bloody Mary Martin. Perhaps an imperative order, the rich and gooey mac-and-cheese will undoubtedly be lauded by all ages, appetites and palates. Take a Sunday stroll through Hell’s Kitchen before your matinee and enjoy the lasting breathe-easy effect of 44 & X. Chef’s Recommendations: Stacks of Silver-dollar Pancakes (pictured) Blueberry butter, breakfast sausage, Vermont maple syrup Maryland Crab Cake Poached eggs, tomato and hollandaise Hazelnut Brioche French Toast Raspberry compote and smoked Irish bacon

NYC

Travis Rathbone

44 & X

LOCATION 622 10th Avenue (at 44th Street) • 212-977-1170 • 44andx.com

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Sunday Brunch "The party atmosphere at Elmo is very much a trademark of the restaurant. The staff and live DJ on Sunday set a backdrop for some of the best table hopping in town." – Bob Pontarelli, Manager

Elmo Restaurant Upon entering this chic Chelsea restaurant, one finds a bit of the Miami Beach night life right here in New York. Serving comfort cuisine in a trendy, bustling environment; this restaurant was named as a tribute to El Morocco, a 1940s New York hotspot. Upgraded with 1960s Miami décor, this sleek eatery’s trendy art sets a hip, fashionable scene. Elmo boasts a large amount of space including an upstairs dining area, as well as a downstairs lounge featuring a full bar, catering, and DJ equipment. Popular club music can be enjoyed throughout the restaurant with eclectic performances held in the lounge and including everything from indie rock to musical cabaret.

Petrossian With innovation, passion and unparalleled taste buds, the Petrossian brothers had a vision in the roaring ’20s. With help from Cesár Ritz, a central name in the European hotel trade, Melkhoum and Mouchegh Petrossian strived to introduce the newest appeal to France: Russian caviar. Just like Russian dance and music, the French literally ate it up, crowning the Petrossian brothers as the pioneers of the caviar industry. Today, Petrossian is the leading buyer and importer of Russian caviar worldwide, and it’s no wonder the name has become nearly synonymous with the delicacy. Besides caviar, Petrossian also offers a range of other specialties, including smoked fish, foie gras and pâté, rich chocolates, and specialty teas and coffee. Experience the legacy firsthand at their Manhattan restaurant, founded in 1984 and located in the historic Alwyn Court building. The restaurant is one block from Carnegie Hall and four blocks from Lincoln Center, adding a French continental flavor to the West Side. In contrast to its contemporary menu is its vintage ambiance, featuring art deco glass mirrors from the 1920s, bronze sculptures from the 1930s, and crystal wall sconces by Lalique. Savor the weekend with Petrossian’s $31 prix fixe brunch offered Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am-3:00pm. This unique, three course brunch features appetizers such as the specialty smoked fish and bagel platter and the cassis poached pear and la peral cheese salad with a toasted walnut vinaigrette. Try the vanilla orange French toast entrée for a tasty twist on a classic, or stick to something heartier with the grilled hanger steak prepared with a fried egg, crushed herbed potatoes and topped with a port wine reduction. Perhaps their trick of the trade, the Petrossian family has kept an unusually close relationship with the Russian fisheries, allowing them to personally choose the best caviar produced from each catch.

The brunch menu is reminiscent of a home-cooked Sunday meal with an upscale touch. Serving classic omelets, pancakes, and French toast, you can also choose fresh fruits, vegetables, and cheeses to pair with your dish. Roasted tomato soup with mini grilled cheese, and eggs Benedict bring you back to your childhood, but the lavish presentation will keep you far from Sesame Street. The burgers are nearly assured to tickle your fancy featuring beef, bison, turkey, veggie, and chicken varieties. And of course, in true Miami fashion, a morning cocktail is a staple. Try their spicy bloody Mary, mimosa, or pear bellini. The lunch menu includes breakfast all day as well, making this spot perfect for brunch any day of the week. Chef’s Recommendations: Buttermilk Pancakes (pictured)

Fresh bananas, blueberries and pecans Truffle French Fries Served with grated parmesan cheese Tex Mex Farm Fresh Eggs Crisp corn tortillas, queso anejo and picante ranchero sauce NYC

“It used to be called the champagne brunch and we’re well known for it. Whether sitting at the mirrored bar, or in the dining room, this restaurant is unmistakably a place of fine dining.” – Michael Chamberlain, Operations Manager

LOCATION 156 7th Avenue • 212-337-8000 • elmorestaurant.com

Chef’s Recommendations: Grilled Hanger Steak (pictured) Fried egg and crushed herbed potatoes, port wine reduction Duck Confit Risotto Wild mushrooms, black truffles and fine herbs

NYC

Blueberry & Red Wine Compote Almond crumbs and cream cheese ice cream LOCATION 182 West 58th Street (At 7th Ave.) • 212-245-2214 • petrossian.com

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AMERICAN Arabelle - A stunning backdrop for modern American cuisine. This elegant gold-domed room with Murano glass and brass chandeliers combines touches of Europe and Asia, as the chiffon-colored walls with murals of pagodas and faux conservatory windows create a serene and soothing mood. Sunday brunch is an event not to be missed: enjoy a buffet of steamed lobster, chilled shrimp, salads and sliced meats; then, order off of the entrée menu before attending the dessert buffet. Hotel Plaza Athénée, New York, 37 E. 64th St., 212-606-4647; arabellerestaurant.com Bar Americain - Bobby Flay, known for his popular Boy Meets Grill cookbooks and Food Network shows, goes big-city slick, giving regional American cuisine a bold, urban spin and reinventing a few French classics. 152 W. 52nd St., 212-265-9700; baramericain.com

The romance and elegance of Venetian design meets the rich tradition of Northern Italian cuisine at Remi. Dining here is a bit like embarking on a luxury cruise through Venice, with a stunning mural of a grand canal, flying buttress archways, Brazilian cherry-striped floors, and glass chandeliers. The endless menu features a wide variety of antipasti and salads, homemade pastas, and classic signature dishes like the Spaghetti Remi, prepared al dente with oven-dried tomatoes, garlic and hot pepper and Venetian-style calf liver sauteed with onions and served on polenta. 145 W. 53rd St., 212-581-4242 (212-757-7610 for private parties); www.remi-ny.com

Char No. 4 - This new addition to Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood offers Southern comfort food complemented by a 300+ bourbon menu put together by former Primehouse sommelier Sean Josephs and whiskey enthusiast Michael Tsoumpas. Matt Greco oversees a menu that includes cornflake-crusted fried oysters with bacon remoulade and Dr. Pepper-glazed short rib. 196 Smith St. (Baltic St.), Brooklyn, 718-643-2106 City Hall Restaurant - City Hall Restaurant has been a crowd pleaser since opening in 1998. Just a few blocks from “the other City Hall,” this sophisticated Tribeca mainstay blends 21st-century elegance with rustic New York charm. Chef/owner Henry Meer brings almost 30 years of experience to the table in the form of surf, turf, and his claim to “the best burger in town.” 131 Duane St. (West Broadway-Church St.), 212-227-7777; cityhallnewyork.com David Burke at Bloomingdale’s - The ultimate in culinary cafes, David Burke brings his signature creations to this upscale but casual setting. Nothing satisfies the shop-till-you-drop appetite like the highly touted asiago truffle fries, and for the dinner guest, every night of the week you’ll find a $24.07 three-course prix-fixe dinner. 150 E. 59th St., 212-705-3800; burkeinthebox.com David Burke Townhouse - The flagship of the Burke-ian fleet, this provocative and elegant Upper East Side resident has been turning heads and delighting patrons since 2003. As dishes—like the culinary marvel, the crisp & angry lobster “cocktail”—make their way through the dining room you’ll see that David’s flair for presentation is matched only by the food’s outstanding taste. 133 E. 61st St., 212-813-2121; davidburketownhouse.com Ferro’s Restaurant - A classic American menu, featuring free-range poultry, USDA prime beef, homemade pastas, and fresh seafood. A very popular spot for happy-hour networking (Mon.-Fri., 4:30-7pm) with an extensive wine list, signature cocktail menu, and open appetizer buffet. The Kimberly Hotel, 145 E. 50th St., 212-888-1220; ferrosrestaurant.com

There’s a nice buzz and a modern, big-city milieu in the gorgeous bi-level dining room at Rouge Tomate, which also includes a hopping lounge and cocktail juice bar. It’s a spectacular, flamboyant and fashionable restaurant that features dishes that are both creative and healthful, using local, seasonal ingredients that are central to Chef Jeremy Bearman’s creative cooking. His modern American menu artfully combines innovative preparation techniques and nutritional considerations shared by Rouge’s own Culinary Nutritionist. Both portions and prices ensure that diners will depart neither stuffed nor broke. 10 E. 60th St. (Fifth & Madison Aves.), 646-237-8977; rougetomatenyc.com

Gramercy Tavern - This classic American tavern offers extraordinary cuisine and hospitality in a historic landmark, featuring contemporary American fare with French and Italian overtones in a dining room that recalls a country estate. 42 E. 20th St., 212-477-0777; gramercytavern.com Hill Country - Brisket, sausage, ribs, and other meats smoked in the distinctive Central Texas dry-rub style, served with updated versions of classic Southern sides and sweets. The wine list is “all-Texas,” and the marketplace is full of Lone Star State favorites, like Kreuz Market sausage, Big Red soda, and Blue Bell ice cream. 30 W. 26th St., 212-255-4544; hillcountryny.com Hundred Acres - Fresh and seasonal cuisine in a fun atmosphere that pairs rustic warmth with a lively downtown vibe. The menu balances classic favorites—like one of the city’s best burgers—with simple preparations of fresh fish and vegetables. With a table decorated with fresh fruits and wines, the middle room evokes a farm kitchen, and garden dining is also available. 38 MacDougal St. (Prince-Houston Sts.), 212-475-7500; hundredacresnyc.com

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Inside Park at St. Bart’s - A new space has been built across the famous Terrace at St. Bartholomew’s Church, with intricate, Byzantine-like decorative stenciling, true to the immense room’s original colors, motifs, and craftsmanship, painstakingly replicated on the 30-foot ceiling, as well as on the walls and balcony. Executive Chef Matthew Weingarten oversees the contemporary American menu. 109 E. 50th St., 212-593-3333; insideparknyc.com Istana - Inventive, creatively presented bistro-style cuisine, including an array of á la carte appetizers, entrées, and desserts complemented by seasonal specialties, in a relaxed atmosphere. New York Palace Hotel, 455 Madison Ave. (51st St.), 212-303-6032; newyorkpalace.com

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began as a sheepfold in 1870. Evocative of a European country lodge, its baroque rustic charm has made it the spot for celebrations and a magnificent garden in season. Central Park West at 67th St., 212-873-3200; tavernonthegreen.com

ambiance is characterized by the hand-crafted copper bar and marble tables, with the flickering flames of smokeless barbecue grills in the center of each table—the fare is very eclectic. 350 W. 50th St., 212-582-4446; bannrestaurant.com

ASIAN

Mr. K’s - Scrumptious Chinese fare in a spectacular Art Deco food palace. Fresh from Washington D.C., where he wowed the culinary tastes of the Capitol set for 15 years, proprietor Johnny Kao has transformed an old bank into a splendid serene oasis with a bar that dazzles with

Bann - Young Choi, owner of Woo Lae Oak, got even more creative with Bann, the city’s highestrated Korean restaurant according to Zagat. While the décor evokes Korea—the elegant, cool

Marc Forgione - Chef Marc Forgione presents laid-back, high-style New American cuisine in an energetic atmosphere. The frequently changing menu showcases fresh ingredients and new twists on seasonal American favorites. 134 Reade St. (Greenwich-Hudson Sts.), 212-941-9401; forgenyc.com Métrazur - A progressive American brasserie with Mediterranean flavors, located in Grand Central Terminal, with views of the sky ceiling. The menu features the famous Caesar salad, a bounty of fresh seafood, and a popular oyster tasting. Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. & Lexington Ave., 212-687-4600; charliepalmer.com/metrazur The Oak Room - This legendary landmark, which reopened in November 2008 after major renovations, now features the work of chef Eric Hara, who brings his special touch to the classic American menu. 10 Central Park So. (Fifth Ave.), 212-758-7777; oakroomny.com The River Cafe - One of the world’s most famous views combined with one of the most glamorous and romantic restaurants creates a premier dining destination for discriminating New Yorkers as well as heads of state and celebrities. The cuisine, desserts, and outstanding wine list more than live up to the spectacular waterfront ambiance. 1 Water St. at the East River, Brooklyn, 718-522-5200; rivercafe.com Rosie O’Grady’s - In the tradition of the great New York style saloon, this Theatre District fixture offers excellent steak and seafood for preor post-theatre. Begin with a beer on tap at one of the two traditional wood bars, followed by selections from the extensive menu. 800 Seventh Ave. (52nd St.), 212-582-2975; rosieogradys.com Rouge Tomate - This striking space of rich natural wood, plush booths and a cranberry pool complete with a sexy bar and lounge offers a refuge for the urban set. Chef Bearman’s Modern American cuisine touts impeccably created dishes that utilize local purveyors and sustainable ingredients. 10 E. 60th St., 646-237-8977; rougetomate.com Tavern on the Green - Overlooking Central Park, one of the city’s most popular landmarks

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green Avonite tops and etched glass panels, complementing the rich, mauve interior, two-tone wood décor and quietly elegant ambiance. 570 Lexington Ave. (51st St.), 212-583-1668; mrksny.com Pranna - Chef Chai Trivedi adds his own special touch to the flavors of modern Southeast Asian cuisine in a wide-open, opulent space. The satays are especially popular, while the menu also includes dishes from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and India. 79 Madison Ave. (28th St.), 212-696-5700; prannarestaurant.com Tse Yang Restaurant - Like the original in Paris, the serenely elegant Tse Yang lives up to its name, an exclusive epicurean “Center of the Sun” boasting authentic, Northern Chinese seasonal dishes created from fresh local and imported ingredients and served European-style. 34 E. 51st St., 212-688-5447 Woo Lae Oak - Featuring upscale, radically innovative Korean fare in a sleek, cool interior in the heart of SoHo. The dishes, which fuse traditional elements with a modern flair, have garnered praise and popularity in equal measure. 148 Mercer St. (Prince St.), 212-925-8200; woolaeoaksoho.com

CONTINENTAL Café des Artistes - One of the city’s loveliest restaurants, delighting its clientele since 1917. Its elegant interior, private booths, pastel murals, floral arrangements, and soft lighting offer a classic Old New York experience. 1 W. 67th St., 212-877-3500; cafenyc.com Delmonico’s - Founded in 1837, Delmonico’s was the country’s first finedining establishment, introducing haute cuisine, wine lists, and menus written in French to the United States. It has been returned to its former glory in its stately landmark premises in the Financial District, with dark mahogany and period murals that evoke the restaurant’s legendary days as the favorite haunt of the city’s power brokers. Private dining rooms available. 56 Beaver St. (William St.), 212-509-1144; delmonicosny.com The Four Seasons - A spectacularly beautiful restaurant serving excellent international cuisine. As seasons change, so do the menu and decor. One of America’s most complete wine lists. We strongly recommend that you make your reservation at least 5 to 7 days in advance. 99 E. 52nd St., 212-754-9494; fourseasonsrestaurant.com One If By Land, Two If By Sea - Consistently rated one of the most romantic restaurants in New York. Located in a converted carriage house, with two fireplaces and a pianist playing in the background, it’s like dining in an aristocrat’s extravagant living room. 17 Barrow St. (Seventh Ave.-W. 4th St.), 212-228-0822; oneifbyland.com

Opia - This plush and popular Midtown oasis offers a total New York experience with creative food and wines from around the world. The menu includes American, French and international specialties such as a full sushi bar serving the freshest sashimi, maki rolls, and cones. 130 E. 57th St., 212-688-3939; opiarestaurant.com

FRENCH/FRENCH BISTRO Balthazar - A magnetic dining scene, filled to the brim with luminaries from the art, movie, theatre, and fashion worlds and stalwart nightlifers in a transplanted Parisian-brasserie-like atmosphere. Traditional bistro fare is served from breakfast through late-night supper, with an extensive wine list, a raw seafood bar, and breads and pastries from Balthazar bakery. 80 Spring St. (Broadway-Crosby St.), 212-965-1414; balthazarny.com Capsouto Frères - A nearly 30-year-old Tribeca favorite helmed by Chef Jerome Charpentier, a native of the Champagne region of France, and a champion of mixing traditional and contemporary French cuisine. The menu is familiar to any connoisseur of French bistro dining, with extreme innovation sacrificed for the simplicity of perfectly cooked and time-honored dishes. 451 Washington St. (Watts St.), 212-966-4900; capsoutofreres.com Corton - Legendary chef Drew Nieporent has reinvented and re-imagined his long-adored Tribeca mainstay Montrechet with new decor, a new name, and a new chef, Paul Liebrandt, who brings his revolutionary molecular-gastronomy skills to reinvent French classics. 239 West Broadway (White St.), 212-219-2777 Daniel - One of the rare restaurants with a four-star rating by The New York Times, Daniel marries neighborhood hominess with a contemporary French menu inspired by the seasons and the market, in a Renaissance-inspired dining room. 60 E. 65th St., 212-288-0033; danielnyc.com Jean Georges - Contemporary French works of art created by chef JeanGeorges Vongerichten. There is both a formal dining room and the more casual Nougatine Room. Reservations are generally taken one month in advance. Jacket and tie required. Trump International Hotel, 1 Central Park West (60th-61st Sts.), 212-299-3900; jean-georges.com

GREEK Estiatorio Milos - This New York cousin to Montreal’s famed Milos eatery specializes in Greek seafood and seasonal vegetables in a minimalist, serene setting. From a display of fresh fish on ice flown in daily from all over the world, and top-quality vegetables and fruits, diners pick out a meal, which is weighed and then charcoal-grilled and brought to the table. 125 W. 55th St., 212-245-7400; milos.ca

The James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef and restaurateur David Burke has just finished renovating the Upper East Side eatery that made him famous. David’s playfully dapper dining destination on East 61st Street was re-christened Townhouse last December and the redesign, completed in late August, has brought changes, including a striking, backlit salt wall and a playful “dungeon door,” which resembles a classic castle door with skeleton keys next to it, as well as new fabrics, carpet and wall coverings, and a stunning mahogany wine display that can hold 304 bottles. Burke has expanded the menu to include signature dishes from his career—like homemade pastrami salmon and the lobster steak—but he continues to offer the inventive dishes that have made the restaurant a neighborhood fixture since 2003. The addition of a new meat-carving station provides Burke-ian theatrics as whole chicken, rack of lamb and porterhouse steak are carved and presented tableside. Burke and executive chef Sylvain Delpique worked closely to create the new menu, including dishes like Asian chicken consommé with chicken dumplings, and roasted and glazed peanut brittle duck, among others. There’s also a new four-course prix fixe menu for $55, which will change daily. 133 E. 61st St., 212-813-2121; davidburketownhouse.com. For more of Chef Burke’s tasty empire try: David Burke @ Bloomingdales (150 E. 59th St., 212-705-3800; burkeinthebox.com) and Fishtail (135 E. 62nd St., 212-754-1300; fishtaildb.com).

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Kellari Taverna - A warm, rollicking, woody milieu with high-beamed ceilings, an open kitchen, hardwood floors, wine racks, mirrors, and soft lighting. The seafood is as fresh as it comes, and the wine list is quite extensive. There’s also an array of dips and spread, a saganaki bar with several kinds of melted cheese preparations. 19 W. 44th St., 212-221-0144; kellari.us

elegant restaurant that has quickly become a favorite among NYC foodies and West Villagers. Menu favorites include the veal goulash, and other Austrian favorites such as tafelspitz and Wiener schnitzel. 344 W. 11th St., 212-352-2300; wallserestaurant.com

INDIAN

Bice Ristorante - Combining traditional and new trends in Northern Italian cuisine in an elegantcasual atmosphere, Bice Ristorante caters to a

Dévi - Dévi brings together the talents of chefs Suvir Saran and Hemant Mathur, sharing the authentic flavors and spirit of Indian home cooking. Swathed in rich textiles, brightly colored lanterns, and wooden temple accents, Dévi is an experience that stimulates and delights. 8 E. 18th St., 212-691-1300; devinyc.com

ITALIAN

knowledgeable clientele seeking out superior versions of beloved Italian fare utilizing top-of-theline ingredients, refined dishes, light-touch cooking, seamless service, and, most of all, consistency. Top dishes include tagliolini lobster, ravioli massala, osso buco, and papardelle al telefono, just to name a few. And don’t miss out on dessert—the tiramisu della Bice is one of the best in the city. 7 E. 54th St. (Madison-Fifth Aves.), 212-688-1999; bicenewyork.com ’Cesca - ’Cesca joins the ranks of its older sibling, Ouest, serving hearty, rustic Italian

Tamarind - Authentic Indian cuisine, with a menu that include excellent vegetarian and nonvegetarian options, incredible spices, assorted handmade Indian breads, tandoori delights from their clay oven, and lamb, goat, beef, shrimp, and chicken entrées. 41 E. 22nd St., 212-674-7400; tamarindnyc.com Utsav Festive Indian Cuisine - With an elegant décor and excellent prices, this upscale Indian restaurant in the heart of Times Square provides relaxed dining in a spacious and serene setting. Their extensive lunch buffet and pre and post theatre prix fixe dinner will please carnivores and vegetarians alike. 1185 Sixth Ave. (enter at 46th St. btw. Sixth & Seventh Aves.), 212-575-2525; utsavny.com

INTERNATIONAL & ECLECTIC Asia de Cuba - Asia de Cuba’s centerpiece is a marble communal table for 36, enhanced by an enormous photo light box with an image of a waterfall above. Against a stunning, theatrical backdrop—designed by the famed Philippe Starck—diners indulge in the unique flavors of a culinary fusion between Asian and Latin cuisine. The Morgans Hotel, 237 Madison Ave. (37th-38th Sts.), 212-726-7755; chinagrillmanagement.com Blue Ribbon - A cozy and casual SoHo establishment filled with wood, mirrors, comfortable banquettes, candlelight, and music. It boasts an eclectic menu featuring some of the best sushi and sake in town. 97 Sullivan St. (Spring-Prince Sts.), 212-274-0404; blueribbonrestaurants.com The Spotted Pig - Chef and co-owner April Bloomfield presides over this West Village favorite’s eclectic menu of seasonal British and Italian fare, which uses local ingredients whenever possible. Entreés as of press time include grilled beef tongue, marinated octopus and celery salad, and lamb crepinette with sautéed kidney. 314 W. 11th St., 212-620-0393; thespottedpig.com Wallsé - Austrian cuisine and wild game is the order of the day here, at chef Kurt Gutenbrunner’s

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cuisine with an open kitchen. After imbibing a cocktail at the generously appointed bar, head to the charming, country dining room in the back, outfitted with oak tables and painted in warm yellow tones. 164 W. 75th St., 212-787-6300; cescanyc.com Esca - Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich have created yet another successful venture with this popular West Side seafood trattoria. Culinary delights include “crudo,” raw fish seasoned with a touch of olive oil and lemon, and served with sea beans and radish. A sensational wine list rounds out the experience. 402 W. 43rd St., 212-564-7272; esca-nyc.com Montenapo - This 5,200-square-feet, glass-enclosed space offers a modern take on classic Italian fare, using organic vegetables, organic rice, and whole grains, as well as grass fed beef, free range poultry and wild caught fish. The New York Times Building, 250 W. 41st St., 212-764-7663; montenaporestaurant.com An evening at The Grand Tier Restaurant at the Metropolitan Opera House is truly an experience to treasure forever for precurtain or intermission dining. Executive Chef Jeff Raider serves an inspired menu with dishes that balance sophisticated Italian cuisine with age-old, traditional techniques inspired by worldrenowned Chef Umberto Montano of Florence’s Alle Murate restaurant. Pre-curtain and Intermission Bars (including the Revlon Bar) serving snacks, beverages and cocktails are available. The Grand Tier Restaurant and Revlon Bar are open two hours prior to curtain to all Lincoln Center ticket-holders for pre-curtain and intermission dining. For reservations, call 212-799-3400 or opentable.com if you purchase your tickets through metopera.org.

Patsy’s - Considered one of the greatest attractions in the Theatre District, renowned for its celebrity clientele (it was Frank Sinatra’s favorite), this landmark has been family-run since 1944. The Neapolitan cuisine is heavenly, including succulent veal chops Siciliano, spicy lobster fra diavolo, savory calamari stuffed with seafood, and much more. A “must go” New York favorite. 236 W. 56th St., 212-247-3491; patsys.com Remi - Remi restaurant, created by designer Adam D. Tihany, combines the rich traditions of Venetian cuisine with the romance and elegance of Venetian design and architecture in an updated and innovative style. Often rated among the top Italian restaurants in NYC, if not the entire U.S. 145 W. 53rd St., 212-581-4242; remi-ny.com

JAPANESE & SUSHI Blue Ribbon Sushi - Featuring some of the freshest fish this side of Tokyo, served in a lovely wood-and-mural setting. For those who don’t relish the sushi and sashimi or raw bar, a wide variety of cooked entrées are also available. No reservations. 97 Sullivan St. (Spring-Prince Sts.), 212-343-0404; blueribbonrestaurants.com BondSt Sushi - This high-end Japanese restaurant focuses on the finest and freshest delicacies of the sea. They boast one of the most extensive sake menus in the city, along with their own saketinis, available in the cozy, candle-lit lounge downstairs, or more formal dining areas upstairs. 6 Bond St. (Broadway-Lafayette St.), 212-777-2500; bondstrestaurant.com Riingo - The perfect balance of American comfort and Japanese minimalism is achieved at this contemporary fusion restaurant. A stark white sushi bar complements the gray marble liquor bar and dark woodwork throughout the room, bathed in warm lighting and accented with tall, lavish plants. The Alex Hotel, 205 E. 45th St., 212-867-4200; riingo.com

MEXICAN/TEX-MEX Pampano - Richard Sandoval and Placido Domingo’s unique Mexican eatery showcasing the freshest bounty of the Mexican seas, including fresh fish in modern interpretations of traditional, home-style recipes. 209 E. 49th St., 212-751-4545; modernmexican.com/pampano Rosa Mexicano - Upscale Mexican cuisine in a stylish and festive atmosphere. The David Rockwell-designed Lincoln Center space features a 30-foot cascading waterwall that spans both levels, complete with 200 miniature cliff divers. Three locations: 61 Columbus Ave. (62nd St.), 212-977-7700; 1063 First Ave. (58th St.), 212-753-7407; 9 E. 18th St., 212-533-3350; rosamexicano.com

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Fishtail - Burke’s newest NYC addition, Fishtail, opened in December 2008 and has diners lining up for his signature spin on upscale seafood. Shortly

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after its opening, Burke was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America. 135 E. 62nd St., 212-754-1300; fishtaildb.com Le Bernardin - Exquisite, ultra-fresh seafood served with impeccable service in an elegant venue has earned Le Bernardin a four-star rating since it opened in 1986. Veteran chef Eric Ripert surprises diners with Asian accents throughout his menus, featuring fish that is “almost raw” or “lightly cooked.” The Equitable Building, 155 W. 51st St., 212-554-1515; le-bernardin.com The John Dory - April Bloomfield, who made her name with the gastropub delights of the Spotted Pig, turns her attentions to seafood, offering fresh perspectives in a space decorated with seafood-shack kitsch and trophy fishes. 85 Tenth Ave. (15th-16th Sts.), 212-929-4948; thejohndory.com

STEAKHOUSES Ben Benson’s Steak House - This classic American steakhouse is a true, one-of-a-kind New York City cultural descendant of its authentic 19thcentury ancestors, independently owned by the hands-on Ben Benson. It serves only USDA prime dry-aged meats, beef, veal and lamb, seasonal game and premium-grade seafood and poultry, prepared simply and perfectly and offered in substantial servings. Reservations recommended. Rockefeller Center, 123 W. 52nd St., 212-581-8888; benbensons.com Ben & Jack’s Steak House - Ben & Jack’s serves generous portions of steakhouse favorites to a very satisfied clientele. Enjoy the restaurant’s signature Porterhouse for one, two, three or four, fresh seafood, mouthwatering side dishes and exquisite desserts. Two locations: 255 Fifth Ave. (28th-29th Sts.), 212-532-7600; 219 E. 44th St., 212-682-5678; benandjackssteakhouse.com Benjamin Steakhouse - Peter Luger alumni Benjamin Prelvukaj and chef Arturo McLeod join forces to create an opulent steakhouse near Grand Central Terminal in the century-old Chemist Club building. Six cuts of dry-aged beef are available, from 36-ounce porterhouses to top sirloins to rib eyes to succulent filet mignon. 52 E. 41st St., 212-297-9177; benjaminsteakhouse.com Craftsteak - The steakhouse redefined, with a menu focused beef from the world’s top ranchers and artisanal producers and their very own dry-aging room. The 11-seat raw bar features fresh oysters, crudo, and marinated and chilled seafood. 85 Tenth Ave., 212-400-6699; craftrestaurant.com Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House - This expansive steak house’s soaring, two-story-high windows offer a spectacular view of Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center and Broadway’s theatres are just a block or two away. The menu features fresh USDA aged prime beef shipped from the Midwest twice a week. Lobster, fish, lamb, osso buco, and veal chops receive equal billing with steaks that are boldly seasoned with salt and pepper and sport a perfectly charred, crusty surface. 49th St. & Sixth Ave., 212-575-5129; delfriscos.com Rothmann’s Steakhouse & Grill - Located near New York City’s famous Theatre District, Rothmann’s Steakhouse & Grill has been serving New Yorkers, celebrities, and visitors the finest quality prime dry aged beef, delicious chicken, and mouthwatering seafood for more than 100 years. The beautiful space and attentive, unpretentious staff make it ideal, whether you’re there for a business lunch, a romantic dinner for two, or celebrating a special occasion. 3 E. 54th St., 212-319-5500; rothmannssteakhouse.com Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse - Pleasing the most discerning of steak lovers, the USDA prime steaks here—all aged for at least 21 days—include New York strip, filet mignon and a special Kobe beef, hand-massaged with sake. For the seafood lover, there are crab cakes, Australian lobster tails, a seafood platter, and more. 440 Ninth Ave. (34th-35th Sts.), 212-244-0005; 44 W. 56th St., 212-245-1550; 39-40 Bell Blvd., Bayside, Queens, 718-229-1100; unclejacks.com

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Ben Benson’s: 123 West 52nd Street • 212-581-8888 • benbensons.com

Ben Benson: Running a classic steakhouse…with range

By Kristopher Carpenter

ne of New York’s most original men of meat, Ben Benson has had his own selfnamed steakhouse since 1982. “I tell people – I’m the guy in the sweater,” said a smiling sweater-wearing Benson. Benson gained his restaurant savvy as one of the men at the helm of the “days of the week bars.” The original, Friday’s, was opened by Alan Stillman in 1965. He later brought Benson in as his partner, and the duo went on to open Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s. What is now known as TGI Friday’s is the only surviving vestige – but was sold to a corporate entity many years ago. Benson and Stillman opened Smith & Wollensky in 1977 and soon after Benson opened his own temple du steak. At Ben Benson’s, the steaks are expertly prepared, using only the freshest market ingredients. But what sets them apart is their menu: “We’ve got five different veal dishes, four different chicken dishes, six seafood dishes, it’s a tremendous menu” said Benson. A sentiment that Esquire echoed: “Ben Benson’s menu has range,” like wild game, pork chops with homemade applesauce, and triple lamb chops that round out the meat spectrum, and a bevy of salads, sides and seafood –– a menu that’s perfect for first timers and regulars alike. And does Benson have regulars – plaques line the walls, something Benson does for his returning diners. There is one customer who comes in so often, Benson had a neon sign made to put over his table reading “Mike Levy” in electric-red cursive.

Q:You bring a lot of experience to the table, 27 years running Ben Benson’s alone. What are some of your most fulfilling moments? The unsolicited comments I get when I stand in the door from people on their way out. They’ll say, “I’ve never been here before, but this is now my favorite restaurant.” A woman came over to me one evening and said, “I hear your radio commercials, and you don’t have the best steak in New York.” I said, “Ma’am I’m sorry, was there something wrong with your meal?” She responded “Oh no, not at all, you have the best steak anywhere!” I happened to be sitting with a food critic at the time, so it sounded like it was planned. I honestly think that this is the best steakhouse in the city, which is supposed to house the best steakhouses in the world, which is a pretty nice feeling to have. My waiters are so proud of the product that we serve and I think my personality rubs off on them. I’ve always said I think I have 18 Ben Bensons running around, taking care of customers. My bartender and several of the waiters have been with me since 1970. Customers can feel that warmth, that relationship. I’ve also been legally blind since I was in college, so every June we invite the people from Guiding Eyes for the Blind in for a great

outdoor brunch. We have 50 people, with their dogs and the feeling that I get from that is really special. In the past, on Easter Sundays we partnered with the single occupancy hotels that put up the needy, for a great meal – ham and turkey with all the trimmings. We even brought in celebrities to greet and sing to them. It’s the little things, giving back to the community, that have made me so proud of Ben Benson’s. I also do our radio spots and on all of them I say “…and when you’re in, come over and say hello to me” and that’s been the tagline for the last 15 years. Q: What’s the secret to your consistency? Do you pick everything out yourself? I’ve always said I have good [taste] buds. I have enough hubris to say “No, no I want it the way I like it.” Even going back to the days of the discotheque, when Fridays and Tuesdays were essentially hamburger places like a Houlihan’s, even then, I had a sense of what people liked to taste and I stubbornly stuck to that. Q: What are your favorite seafood dishes? My favorite is our crusted monkfish, but we do a different fish every day. We have filet of sole every day, but we do daily specials on fish ad-

ditionally plus the lobster, and the crab cakes. We also do one of the best Southern fried chickens you can get. The people from NBC come here a lot, so when they are doing a flight to the West Coast they take six orders to go so they have something to eat on the plane. Q: The value Prix Fixe is obviously a huge trend right now given our current economic situation. Do you offer any value dinners? I’ve never believed in discounts or free drinks, but in light of the times, we have a $90 dinner for two and they get quite a meal for $90. Lobster tails and filet mignon or chateaubriand, soup and salad, creamed spinach and hash brown potatoes; the things that make a classic steakhouse meal. Q: Cocktails? We’ve been known for having the biggest martini in town. We’ve got a very masculine bar, but we get a lot of women as well. In fact, Joan Hamburg on the radio always tells women, “If you’re looking to meet somebody go to Ben Benson’s; you’ll find stockbrokers, bankers and athletes.” In fact, Patrick Ewing got signed here by Dave Debusschere right over at table 41.

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