SUMMER 2014
THE HEART OF EVERY CITY
OUT OF THE ULTIMATE SAFARI
PIER 17 REBORN
HOWARD HUGHES RESTORES SEAPORT
SHORE THING
OUTDOOR DINING IN THE HAMPTONS
WORLD
DOWNTOWN
Issue 13
Summer 2014
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Publisher’s Letter
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Editor’s Letter
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Contributors
NEWS
11 STYLE 13 CULTURE 14 FOOD
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15 TECH
INSIGHTS
16 REWIND The Birth of Chinatown 18 VISIONARY Woman in Charge: Jessica Lappin 20 DEVELOPMENT The Rebirth of a Landmark 22 INNOVATION Southern Hospitality
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CULTURE CODE
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TALENT A Fast Moving Turtle: Jerry Ferrara
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I’M TAWKIN’ Music Man: Brandon Victor Dixon
COVER STORY
30 IMAN’S WORLD Supermodel, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur and Downtown Devotee, This Somalian Born Superstar Has Done a Beautiful Job in Making the Planet a Better Place to Live
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STYLE VAULT
36 FASHION Swim Team 42
POWER PLAYERS Motorcycle Kings
46 PROFILE Rouge: Downtown’s Hottest New Color 48 BEAUTY Your Endless Summer Glow 50 BEAUTY Your Full Body Restoration 52 GROOMING Tame Your Mane 54 FITNESS Swimming
PASSPORT
56 TRAVEL Africa: Call of The Wild 60
DOWNTOWN ON Flatiron: A Go-To Destination
LITTLE APPLE
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FAMILY FOCUS Summer Fun in the City
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KID’S FASHION Summer Beach Essentials
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69 PARENTING Dishing With Downtown Moms: Wendy Moniz Grillo 70
ANIMAL HOUSE Barclay’s Spot
CITY BITES
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CHEF PROFILE Refined Elegance: Stone Creek Inn
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DINING OUT Shore Thing
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DINING OUT Raw Excellence: Dylan Prime
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Downtown Diaries
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Rearview Mirror
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Hidden Gem
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
Relax & Recharge
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PHOTOGRAPHER: PHILIPPE REYNAUD; PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT: EDDY GARAY; STYLIST: MARSHA WRIGHT, TYLER JENKINS AND BROOKE SAMEYAH; MAKE UP: SONIA KARMILY; HAIR: ALLI PERRY; LOCATION: MANHATTAN YACHT CLUB
ummertime is upon us, and I, for one, can’t wait. Like most New Yorkers, we tend to overwork, over think and do everything in excess. Well, this summer, I encourage you to make some special memories. Summertime should be the time to relax, recharge and re-energize. I made a promise to myself last year, when winter moved into spring, that this summer I would enjoy the lazy, hazy days and live by my motto: relax and recharge. During this time of year, I see people getting outside to do just that! The esplanade becomes a highway for runners, bikers, and rollerbladers. Lower Manhattan is the perfect place to indulge in summertime fun, outdoor concerts, recreational sports, and sailing. One of my fondest memories of lazy summer days is yachting on the “Queen of the Riviera,” watching the famous Promenade des Anglais walkway, beach, tourists, locals, rollerbladers, skateboarders, and joggers fade away, as we sailed out onto the luxurious waters of France. This is my memory, go make yours. Come to Lower Manhattan to see what we already know, love and enjoy!
Grace A. Capobianco PUBLISHER
A special thank you to the Manhattan Yacht Club in Battery Park for allowing our incredible team to shoot my summer publisher’s photo.
Dress: Zac Posen Shoes: Carolina Espinosa Jewelry: Barbara Novack Diamonds
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EDITOR’S LETTER
DOWNTOWN CEO & PUBLISHER GRACE A. CAPOBIANCO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MIKE HAMMER EDITOR MAYA PREJBISZ
Summer Loving!
T
o me, summer has always been a time of endless possibility. Maybe it’s the weather and the opportunities it provides to engage with the outdoors and all of the indulgent joys unavailable in the dark, cold months of winter. But this season always seems to offer experiences that not only provide enjoyment, but possibilities for growth and accomplishment. The possibilities that the Howard Hughes Corporation will provide at the all-new Pier 17 will bring about that kind of change. Its community-focused renovation plans will feature innovative and engaging opportunities for people to engage with a historic waterfront site in exciting new ways never dreamed of in the past. Iman, supermodel, entrepreneur and fixture in the Downtown community has found new possibilities in virtually everything she has ever done. She revolutionized the fashion industry by blazing trails for models of color and then opened up her beauty secrets to women of all ethnic backgrounds, establishing her position as a visionary across many industries. Then there are the possibilities for fun and entertainment that exist all around us. You can sample fabulous outdoor entertainment at beautiful locations all over Lower Manhattan and beyond. If you prefer more active recreation, just take a short boat ride over to the amazing new facilities on Governor’s Island—a place that comes with the most beautiful backdrop in all the world—Downtown Manhattan. You can also hop a train, or rent a car to get to a myriad of outdoor dining opportunities that await on the East End of Long Island. Your summer is waiting for you. The possibilities are endless. Let us offer you our insights on some of the best available.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR SUZIN KOEHLER EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR XAVI OCAÑA FASHION & BEAUTY DIRECTOR CHARLOTTE ROSE COLEMAN LIFESTYLE & FAMILY EDITOR DENISE COURTER FOOD EDITOR KARINE BAKHOUM PHOTO EDITOR JOSEPH AMELLA, JR. ONLINE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT LUIS CUEVAS HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR KIRK MYERS COPY EDITOR JACQUELINE GRUPE FASHION ASSISTANT TYLER JENKINS SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER TONY SHI MULTIMEDIA INTERNS FAYZAL AALLOUCH, EDDY GARAY, BLAIR KWON TECHNOLOGY BRADLEY KIRKLAND, NICU LORDACHESCU COLUMNISTS SUZANNE CORSO, SAMUEL A. SOUTHWORTH CONTRIBUTORS JOHN “CAP” CAPOBIANCO, TERRY GOLWAY, KATIE MCELVEEN, BRIAN OWENS, LUIS VAZQUEZ INTERNS PARIS AMARO, MARINE BIGAND, MARIAH BROWN, CAESAR CABERTO, JAMES “ALEX” FALLS, KELLY FLEMING, ANGELICA GIANNI, GAELLE GILLES, YUNA JEONG, BEINI LI, SAMANTHA PHAGU, GABRIELLE REJOUIS, BROOKE SAMEYAH, ASHLYN SANABRIA, HECTOR SANTOS, SARAH SANTOS, DOUGLAS SMALLWOOD, KAMIL SOKOLOWSKI, RACHAEL SPRAGUE, ELIZABETH SUTHERLAND, LINDA TELL, JORDAN TIDWELL SALES/MARKETING INTERNS CHRISTINA CAPUCCI & MARIANN GUADAGNINO ADVISOR TO THE PUBLISHER ANDY WHEATCROFT LEGAL COUNCIL THOMAS FARLEY TAX CONSULTANTS MATTHEW COHEN, VINCENT CUNZIO FINANCE MANAGER XUEJIAO “LIV” HAN
Mike Hammer EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FINANCE MANAGER ASSISTANTS JIMMY CHAN, MADJALIA SEYNOU, DAVID THWAITES, OUSMANE TORRES, JOY QIGUAN CIRCULATION DIRECTOR FRANK ROSNER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER PATRICIA RASHIDI DOWNTOWN MAGAZINE, INC. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 64 FULTON STREET, STE 501, NEW YORK, NY 10038 PHONE (212) 962-1916 / (212) 962-1522 DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM COPYRIGHT 2014 BY DOWNTOWN MAGAZINE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DOWNTOWN (ISSN2164-6198) is published four times per year for $23.96 per subscription by DOWNTOWN Magazine NYC, Inc., 64 Fulton Street, Ste 501, New York, NY 10038. Application to mail at periodical postage is pending at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to DOWNTOWN Magazine NYC, Inc., 64 Fulton Street, Ste 501, New York, NY 10038. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editor are not responsible for unsolicited material. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings.
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ADVISORY BOARD
CATHERINE MCVAY HUGHES CHAIR, MANHATTAN COMMUNITY BOARD 1 Catherine McVay Hughes was unanimously elected Chair, Manhattan Community Board 1 in June 2012. She previously served six years as the Vice Chair and seven years as the Chair of the CB1 World Trade Center Redevelopment Committee. Following Superstorm Sandy, Hughes worked with officials and agencies at the city, state and federal levels. She made recommendations for both the public and private sectors in a report called “Emergency Preparedness: Lessons Learned from Superstorm Sandy,” that was released in January 2013.
LAURA FORESE, M.D. GROUP SENIOR VP, COO & CMO FOR NEW YORKPRESBYTERIAN/WEILL CORNELL MEDICAL CENTER At New York Presbyterian, Dr. Forese has responsibility for programs, operations and strategic direction for 1,100 medical, surgical and psychiatric beds on two campuses. Dr. Forese was graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University and Alpha Omega Alpha from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. She is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and holds a degree in health services management from Columbia University School of Public Health. She is a Trustee of Princeton University and active in community and charitable organizations.
JEFF SIMMONS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ANAT GERSTEIN, INC. Every time relatives and friends visit New York City, Lower Manhattan is one of the key places I recommend. Within one square mile, it has everything from history to ingenuity. What’s amazing is how each street—and, in fact, each building—has a new identity, speaking of the past, present and future. I’ve lived in New York City for nearly two decades, worked with the Downtown Alliance, and now The Rink at Brookfield Place. I’ve discovered that it’s only a short brisk walk to find a cozy eatery, exquisite gift items, or a watering hole to celebrate with friends.
DREW NIEPORENT
FOUNDER AND CHAIRPERSON, MYRIAD RESTAURANT GROUP One of New York’s most accomplished and renowned restaurateurs, “The Mayor of White Street” opened his first Downtown restaurant in the ’80s. He has devoted his efforts to growing his brand, the Myriad Restaurant Group, which includes the TriBeCa Grill and Nobu, while maintaining his connection to the community, which he supported through 9/11, and in his efforts in launching the TriBeCa Film Festival.
DREW ALEXANDER HEAD OF SCHOOL, LÉMAN MANHATTAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Alexander came to Léman after heading international schools in Moscow and Cairo and has guided the school to a new level of community service. An Arkansas native, he has not only become part of the fabric of Lower Manhattan, but one of its influential voices. Alexander is married to a speech language pathologist and they have three children and four grandchildren.
ERIC BONNETAIN GENERAL MANAGER, CIPRIANI WALL STREET RESIDENCES CLUB There is no more friendly or vital personality in the Downtown community than Eric Bonnetain. Bursting with life and passion for food and conversation and providing an unparalleled experience for anyone who walks through the doors of this iconic Wall Street institution. Bonnetain is as valued as a friend and neighbor as he is as the best GM in his industry. When not hosting Manhattan’s elite, Bonnetain can be found tearing up the Thruway on his motorcycle or drinking in cultural experiences at such far away locales as Vietnam.
BENOIT LAGARDE CO-FOUNDER, SPLASHLIGHT Benoit Lagarde is the founder of Splashlight, a visual content studio based in New York City, Miami and Montreal. Splashlight offers creative development, production, digital and studio services for top fashion brands and retailers. Benoit’s creative vision has been integral to Splashlight’s growth into a multi-million dollar corporation over a period of 10 years. Trained as a professional photographer, Benoit studied at the International Center for Photography in New York, where he is now a member of the President’s Council.
PHILLIP ST. PIERRE
SENIOR GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTH STREET SEAPORT, THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION Phillip is a seasoned professional with a great vision and hopes for the future of Pier 17. He has over 15 years of experience managing shopping centers through major renovations and previously held several roles with Westfield, including Senior General Manager, Development Director and Regional Vice President overseeing all the company properties in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mr. St. Pierre also served as part of the management team overseeing Westfield operations in the UK.
NEAL MARSHAD
FOUNDER, MARSHAD TECHNOLOGY GROUP Emmy Award winner Neal Marshad is the founder of Marshad Technology Group, a Google Partner digital agency that develops next generation marketing services for its clients worldwide. Prior to starting his agency, Neal is credited with producing and shooting films for NBC’s Saturday Night Live over a 30 year period. Neal is a resident of TriBeCa and lives and works in the neighborhood with his family and their Borzoi hounds since 1974.
MICHAEL C. BRUCK, MD, FACS PLASTIC SURGEON Dr. Bruck is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been featured on Good Morning America, The Learning Channel, CBS and ABC News. He is a senior attending in the Department of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York. DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM
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CONTRIBUTORS
ERIC J. GERTLER Prior to his role at NYCEDC, Eric served in leadership roles at a number of technology companies including Altruik, PrimeAxis Media and Privista. Prior to these initiatives, Eric worked in the magazine and newspaper industries, where he last served as the president of U.S. News & World Report, Fast Company and The Atlantic Monthly. He is also the author of the Random House book Prying Eyes: Protect Your Privacy From People Who Sell to You, Snoop on You, or Steal From You. He is a graduate of Brown University and obtained his juris doctor from American University, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review.
SHEIKA DALEY Through an ingenious approach to artistry unparalleled by most, Sheika Daley is one of the most sought-after make-up artists in the entertainment community. A true lover of beauty and art, she has passionately and creatively shaped the images of many celebrities we see today. With a steadily growing clientele, including Serena Williams, Kelly Rowland, LaLa Anthony, Brandy, Monica, Kim Kardashian and Keri Hilson, this Jamaica native has had her work grace the cover of publications such as Vogue, Latina, Essence, Ebony, Vibe and now DOWNTOWN.
JOE ALEXANDER A renowned columnist focusing on food, travel, culture and movies, Joe was born in New York City and educated at Bergen College, where he studied writing. His stories have been featured in numerous magazines in New York and the Hamptons. Joe lives in Manhattan and Southampton with his two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Webster and Cornelia.
PATRICK MCMULLAN A native New Yorker, Patrick (Downtown Diaries) attended NYU, where he majored in business and “minored in Studio 54.” Now the city’s premiere nightlife photographer’s work appears in a variety of publications. Patrick’s newest book, Glamour Girls, boasts one of the largest collections of photographs of the world’s most celebrated women. He also has a photography studio and agency in NYC. Visit patrickmcmullan.com to get a glimpse into the world’s most exclusive events.
ITAYSHA JORDAN A native of Boston, MA,“Photography chose Itaysha Jordan” her sophomore year of high school. Birthed to creative parents, she was exposed to the improvisational skills of musicianship and fine art. Her father, a professional musician, and her mother, an attendee of Boston University (painting), each contributed to Itaysha’s love affair with creative work. By inserting elements of art history and (popular) culture, she is inspired by the strengths of her subjects and successfully captures moments that stretch beyond the expected. Both a collaborator and a visionary, Itaysha Jordan is committed to the growing movement of multiculturalism in the commercial art realm.
BILL GARELICK Bill Garelick specializes in coaching proper biomechanics to both single and multi-sport athletes as well as general clients looking to improve their fitness. He holds multiple licences and training certifications, which include the National Academy of Sports Medicine (PES, CES and CPT), USA triathlon coach, total immersion swim coach and IKSFA kettlebell competition coach. He has competed in a variety of sports including triathlon, bicycle racing, swimming and competitive lifting.
DERICK MONROE With over 15 years in the hair business, Derick Monroe has been fortunate enough to work with supermodels such as Iman and Helena Christianson, as well as celebrities Rosie Perez and Stacy Keebler. His work has been seen on numerous magazine covers and on the runway. He has worked on television shows such as the Wendy Williams show, Project Runway, and E!’s new hit series, The Fabulist. He is always in the know of the hottest hair trends and looks ahead to give his clients the hottest hairstyles.
SUZANNE CORSO This hardcore “New Yawker” is a screenwriter, producer and author of novels, including Brooklyn Story and its sequel, Brooklyn Story; The Suite Life. She is currently working on the final installment to the trilogy, Brooklyn Story; Hello Hollywood. Suzanne lives in Downtown Manhattan.
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NEWS
STYLE | CULTURE | FOOD | TECH
GILDED NEW YORK
The Museum of the City of New York celebrates the opening of its Tiffany & Co. Foundation Gallery with this lavish display of roughly 100 works, including costumes, jewelry, portraits and decorative objects, all created between the mid-1870s and the early 20th century. The exhibition focuses on the opulence of an era in which members of the new American aristocracy often displayed their wealth at storied balls in Fifth Avenue mansions and hotels. It was a time when New York became the nation’s corporate headquarters, and a popular “Ladies’ Mile” of luxury retail establishments and cultural institutions helped launch the city to global prominence. The museum is located on 103rd and Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side.
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NEWS | STYLE
MULTIPLE EXPOSURES: JEWELRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
The Museum of Arts and Design in Columbus Circle hosts this unique photography exhibition exploring how contemporary jewelry artists transform and add new meaning to the images of the digital age. More than 80 renowned artists—including Andy Warhol, New York photographer Jordan Doner and the renowned Japanese jewelry artist Jiro Kamata—represent no fewer than 20 countries. The exhibition is complemented by a full range of educational programs, including lectures and panels, in-house jewelry creation demonstrations, tours and a variety of screenings and workshops for kids and families. The exhibition runs through September 14.
EXPOSED: A HISTORY OF LINGERIE AT FIT
This stylish exhibition will be on view through November 15 and traces developments in intimate apparel from the 18th century to the present. “Exposed” features more than 70 of the most delicate, luxurious and immaculately crafted objects from the museum’s permanent collection—many of which have never before been seen by the public. Each piece illustrates key developments in fashion, such as changes in silhouettes, shifting ideals in propriety, and advancements in technology. Some of the designers to be featured are Claire McCardell, Christian Dior, Collaboration with Gwen Stefani and L.A.M.B., and couture lingerie designer Juel Park.
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GEORGIA MAY JAGGER IS THE NEW FACE FOR THIERRY MUGLER
Already a star model for Hudson Jeans, Chanel and Versace, Georgia May Jagger has now added a new summer campaign for Thierry Mugler’s Angel fragrance to her impressive list of credits. The beautiful daughter of rock legend Mick Jagger and former model Jerry Hall will star in a new print campaign this summer and a TV commercial this fall. Jerry was the French fashion designer’s lead model on the Paris runways, and the face of his Angel perfume line in the ’90s. “It’s very exciting to become the new face of the Angel woman, 19 years after my mother was the Angel muse!”
NAILING A TOP COLLABORATION
NARS Cosmetics is teaming with Phillip Lim to produce nine new nail lacquers that will be available in August. The collaboration is Lim’s first venture into the mainstream beauty category, though the designer previously launched a high-end fashion collection at an affordable price point for Target last fall. The 3.1 Phillip Lim for Nars Nail Collection includes nine limited-edition nail shades created in conjunction with the designer. Lim has been showcasing Nars products in his shows since Fall 2007. Models in the designer’s Fall/Winter 2014 show wore “Crossroads”—a deep purple-gray shade— that is offered in the new range.
CULTURE | NEWS
BRIGITTE LACOMBE
THIS IS OUR YOUTH
Michael Cera and Kieran Culkin, former child stars with box office muscle, make the big move to Broadway for a very adult drama. Set in New York in 1982, it covers 48 hours in the lives of three tormented souls—Warren (Cera), a dejected youth who has stolen $15,000 from his abusive father; Dennis (Culkin), his larger-than-life drug-dealing buddy; and Jessica (Tavi Gavinson), the smart and beautiful girl Warren believes can be his savior. Cera and Culkin drew rave reviews in a Sydney, Australia, production of the play (a London version featured Matt Damon and Jake Gyllenhaal). Previews begin on August 18 at the Cort Theatre.
LOWDOWN HUDSON BLUES FESTIVAL
JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY
Transport back in time to the Great Gatsby era on Governor’s Island. Participants dress in the sartorial splendor of the Roaring ’20s to revel in two days of dancing, events and the period playlist of Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra. Take a spin on the ample dance floor, get a Charleston lesson, see the vintage motor-car exhibition, or amble along the green expanses of the renovated harbor oasis that hosts the festivities. Hosted and conceived by Michael Arenella, The New York Times called this one of the summer’s most memorable events. Tickets for the festivities on August 16 and 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. are $30, but kids under 12 are free!
KING LEAR REIGNS IN CENTRAL PARK
Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow, who last appeared at Shakespeare in the Park’s Delacorte Theater in Hamlet in 1975, returns in July to play the title character in “The Scottish Play,” or King Lear for those not versed in theater superstitions. The king ascends to his beautiful outdoor throne with performances from July 22 through August 17. Since 1962, more than five million people have attended free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the theater, featuring top names such as Kevin Kline, Al Pacino, Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep.
Blues legends will converge on the Lower Manhattan waterfront for the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival. Superstars Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, The Robert Cray Band, and John Hiatt will kick out old-school jams at the all-new Brookfield Place Waterfront Plaza. The concert is the city’s only free summer blues festival! This will mark the fourth year of the festival, which is presented by the Arts Brookfield Organization that specializes in producing free arts programming at the revitalized former World Financial Center site. The festival rocks the riverfront July 16 and 17.
EVERYBODY’S GOT SOMETHING
Robin Roberts’ inspiring battle against cancer is only the small part of the story in her new memoir that recounts her rise to her prominent position as co-anchor of Good Morning America. The former college basketball star and ESPN anchor talks about her loving relationship with another woman, overcoming breast cancer only to be faced with a rare blood disorder, as well as the difficult loss of her mother. On the other side of the coin, she also talks about the happiness she experienced when she returned to GMA after her medical leave to the support of her friends, colleagues and the mass viewing public. This is a fascinating account of the bravery of a talented and multi-faceted journalist. DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM
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NEWS | FOOD
FRUITFUL: FOUR SEASONS OF FRESH RECIPES
For more than 50 years, Geneva, New York’s Red Jacket Orchards has mastered the art of producing premium fruits and juices. Now, third-generation owner Brian Nicholson and food writer Sarah Huck have collaborated to serve up the first farm-oriented cookbook fully dedicated to “all things fruit.” From ripe-fruit recipes to preserves, jams and chutneys, readers can sample specialties from Strawberry Black Pepper Granita, Scallop and Blueberry Cevichand Spicy Roast Chicken with Rhubarb Chutney. Beyond the recipes, this beautiful book also offers expert advice on growing, preparing and pairing fruit. Fruitful also features a provocative forward by Chef Daniel Humm and 25 recipes from such fruit-focused super chefs as Melissa Clark, Dan Barber and Karen Demasco. WWW.AMAZON.COM
GrillHampton Elizabeth Falkner, Geoffrey Zakarian
DAN’S TASTE OF SUMMER
The second annual Grillhampton (July 11), presented by Café Bustelo, and the Taste of Two Forks (July 12), presented by Farrell Building Company, are the leading foodie festivals in the Hamptons. Grillhampton pits eight New York City chefs—including Elizabeth Karmel (Hill Country BBQ), Harold Moore (Commerce) and Gabe Thompson (Epicurean Group); against Hamptons-based counterparts Peter Ambrose, Billy Oliva (Delmonico’s) and David Hersh (Cowfish & Rumba) in a grill-off hosted by Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible star Robert Irvine. The Kitchen’s Katie Lee and Geoffrey Zakarian will host Two Forks, featuring food from Gurney’s Inn, Nick & Toni’s and North Fork Table; along with such additions as Navy Beach, Topping Rose House and East End newcomers, Harlow and Bay Kitchen Bar. Tickets are $120 for Grillhampton, and $160 for Taste of Two Forks. VIP upgrades and packages are also available.
OLD SCHOOL FAVORITES
These new, delicious, all-natural treats (the Szauce gourmet chocolate sauce and the maple-coated Nutsz California Walnuts) are made in small batches in Southampton, NY. The family recipes feature natural ingredients, including locally sourced North Fork sea salt, Hudson Valley fresh cream and New York organic maple syrup, along with organic stone-ground taza chocolate from Massachusetts. They are preservative-free alternatives with clean, fresh flavors and smooth textures that are nothing short of sinful. Szauce (4 oz. $5, 8 oz. $10) comes in mason-style jars and can be heated to a sauce or spooned out at room temperature for fondue, s’mores, hot cocoa and more. Nutsz (7 oz. for $10) are a salty-sweet, crunchy treat that’s perfect on its own, sprinkled on salads, served with cheeses, on waffles, in baking recipes or homemade granola bars. The two can be combined for a double dose of decadence in sundaes or frozen chocolate-covered walnut bananas. WWW.OLDSCHOOLFAVORITES.COM
WWW.DANSTASTEOFSUMMER.COM
GRAND BANKS
Four years after he left the city after founding Brooklyn culinary favorites, Diner and Marlow & Sons with Andrew Tarlow, restaurant entrepreneur Mark Firth has returned to the New York restaurant scene to open an innovative oyster bar on the historic Sherman Zwicker—a beautiful wooden boat anchored on the Hudson at TriBeCa’s Pier 25 off of North Moore Street. The pop-up seafood paradise called Grand Banks, will feature 20 to 26 tables, as well as 20 seats at a bar. A sample menu includes seven types of oysters with various sauces, plus olive oil-poached cod on toast, a kale salad, fries, and hush puppies. There’s no better way to celebrate summer than with cocktails and seafood on beautiful Hudson River!
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FRIED & TRUE
Finally... a book about a food we’ve been afraid to admit we love. Whether it’s brined, battered, bathed in buttermilk or smothered in secret sauce, it would be hard to find anybody who isn’t a big fan of fried chicken. Lee Brian Schrager and Adeena Sussman have combed the country to find the finest fried chicken recipes to share with the lucky and hungry reader of this tasty new cookbook. Schrager, the founder and director of the New York City and South Beach Wine & Food Festivals, has come up with the 50 greatest delicious and inventive fried chicken recipes in the United States. As a nice side dish, photographer Evan Sung has contributed tremendous images of the many chefs who have participated in the book. The range of recipes is as broad as the country itself. This is a delicious destination for fans of everything from down-home delicacies to high-end entrees. WWW.AMAZON.COM
TECH | NEWS
PANORAMIC BALL CAMERA SONY SMARTWATCH 2
Sony takes another leap forward to the time when we can host the whole world on our wrists with the new SmartWatch 2. Utilizing Bluetooth technology, the watch will sync up with your smartphone or any tablet running a 4.0 system or newer. With a simple vibration, you’ll be informed of everything from text messages, incoming calls and emails, to tweets, Facebook notifications, and important dates on your calendar. It’s not just smart, it’s also tough and adaptable. The SmartWatch 2’s water-resistant steel will keep it safe during rain, and its top-notch readable display won’t let it be affected by the blazing sunlight. Even better? It’s available for only $150. WWW.SONYMOBILE.COM
Panono tosses the world a curveball in photography with its unique spherical panoramic camera. The Ball Camera actually features a series of 36 small cameras placed all around its surface, with the purpose of taking 360° of 180 megapixel images. How does it work? You throw it up in the air like a regular ball. Once it reaches its highest altitude, all 36 cameras respond and capture the moment to make a full panorama of the area. Now no one can be excluded from a shot! Meanwhile, the Panono app will enable you to see your pictures in their entirety by pointing your mobile tablet in any desired direction. The latest version of the Panono is on the market for $600. WWW.PANONO.COM
PLASMA PREMIUM BIKE
This bike works hard, so you don’t have to! Swiss company SCOTT Sports has created the bicycle that is meant to better your record when you are up against the clock and need to cross the finish line first at triathlons. The Plasma Premium Bike 2014 features an HMX Carbon Fiber Plasma frame and a Plasma 3, carbon/ integrated fork which have been wind-tunnel-tested to ensure maximum endurance quality. The inner design of the Plasma Premium helps the rider minimize aerodynamic drag. At $11,050, these bicycles are available in sizes ranging from small to large. Downtown’s go-to bike shop, Echelon Cycles, boasts the Plasma Premium Bike among its inventory. HTTP://TINY.CC/UOC1HX
THE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH
The company that made James Bond a big wheel kicks off its second century in the automobile business by introducing what they call their best Aston Martin ever. The Vanquish “Super Grand Tourer” features a V12 engine with 565 BHP and reaches speeds of 62 mph in 4.1 seconds. Every body-panel is constructed from advanced carbon, producing a staggering strength-to-weight ratio and ensuring Vanquish is the pinnacle of a century of engineering expertise. There is also a state-of-the-art infotainment system that will keep you connected to the world without ever leaving the cockpit. A steal at just $280,000. WWW.ASTONMARTIN.COM
THE EMPEROR LX CHAIR RECON JET
Say hello to the first-ever optical head gear that projects visual data to athletes about their training as they work out, without the need to look anywhere but to the road ahead. Weighing in at just over two ounces, the Recon monitor sits slightly below the wearer’s line of sight, on an attractive pair of polarized sunglasses, in order to not distract the athlete. The system interfaces with your iPhone or Android handset so that you can access apps and phone functions like calls, texts, navigation and social media. You can also link the device to fitness monitors to track progress and heart rate, etc. The Jet also features a built-in camera, and everything is controlled via a touch-pad on the right side of the glasses, which can be manipulated even if you’re wearing gloves. It’s priced at $600. WWW.RECONINSTRUMENTS.COM
You’ll feel like a spaceship commander when you settle into the state-of-the-art MWE Lab’s Emperor LX chair. This scorpion-shaped workstation offers functionality that enables the user to experience unprecedented comfort and almost total immersion in a multi-media experience. Its strategically positioned monitors, audio system and accessories are all touch-screen controlled. The result is a complete computer office that’s ergonomically optimized with a minimal footprint, and improves overall performance and productivity. Sit up and take notice, people! It’s all yours for $21,500. WWW.MWELAB.COM DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM
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REWIND | VISIONARY | DEVELOPMENT | INNOVATION
A 1899 view of Poll Street in Chinatown.
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REWIND | INSIGHTS
The birth of
CHINATOWN R ACISM AND OPPORTUNITY GIVE RISE TO A NEW NATION I N A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD BY SAMUEL A. SOUTHWORTH
Confucius. The Statue of
COURTESY THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY’S MID-MANHATTAN PICTURE COLLECTION
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here is no more amazing area to behold than New York City’s Chinatown. The veritable nation-within-a-nation features the largest Chinese population on the planet, outside of the Asian continent, and has been a New York City fixture since its birth in the 1880s. Established on the notorious geography that was Five Points, and the home of the tenement slums that produced The Gangs of New York, Chinatown is roughly bounded by Broome Street on the north, Chambers Street to the south, East Broadway to the east, and Broadway to the west, depending on the era you’re talking about or the people you’re talking to. With a current population approaching 100,000, the area had its beginning in the tail end of the gold rush and the completion of the railroads in the Old West. When jobs in both industries began to dry up, the floods of Chinese immigrants who came to the United States to seek their fortunes needed a new alternative. Because the Chinese were so desperate to work, they were more than willing to take on undesirable jobs at lower wages and as a result, faced anger, discrimination and violence from whites around the country. The intensity of this racism peaked with the onerous Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which was intended to stop the immigration of these people altogether. As a result, many Chinese people came to New York seeking asylum and opportunity, along with the support of their own people. An early settler named Ah Ken, who lived on Mott Street and ran a cigar rolling business, is often credited with providing some of the first jobs and accommodations to other Chinese immigrants around this time. When they arrived, new Chinese immigrants were provided contacts with whom they could board until they were on their feet. This sometimes placed 5-15 people into
two-bedroom apartments, and the population boomed. Soon, new Chinese businesses began sprouting up all over the former Five Points area, and people flooded here by the thousands to escape oppression and find work. Uniquely, and to protect themselves from further violent attacks and discrimination, the Chinese people established internal associations of government, community, business and recreation to make the area self-sustaining, minimizing the need for contact with the outside world. Sometimes this development took a dark turn when some of these associations turned out to be criminal and violent. They were known as “Tongs” and preyed upon local businesses and people. Because they were often from different backgrounds and regions of China, they would stage bloody, raging battles in the streets of the expanding neighborhood, further isolating it from other people who were afraid to venture inside. But by and large, the local organizations protected and served the community, allowing it to flourish and grow like no other area in Manhattan… or anywhere else. When the Exclusion Act was finally lifted in the 1940s, the population grew even faster, and by the late 1960s, Chinatown had expanded into parts of Little Italy, which is now dwarfed in size and population by its still growing neighbor. And while newer Chinatowns are sprouting up in East Harlem, Brooklyn and Queens, Downtown’s original is bigger in both size and population, remaining as culturally distinct and rich as ever. Chinatown is teaming with landmarks like the Lieutenant Benjamin Ralph Kimlay Memorial Archway at Chatham Square and the Statue of Confucius at Confucious Llaza and offers restaurants and schools that cater to the community. It is a massive tourist destination and, in 2010, was listed as a Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places. n
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W OMAN I N CHARGE JESSICA LAPPIN PROVES SHE’S A WORTHY SUCCESSOR
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hen former Downtown Alliance President Elizabeth Berger tragically passed away last summer, there was concern that no one could replace the tireless advocate for Lower Manhattan. But the energy, efforts and results produced by former Councilwoman Jessica Lappin since her February appointment have provided ample evidence that Downtown remains in good hands. “Liz was a lion,” says the similarly driven, lifelong New Yorker, who has a long history and connection with our community. “She will be missed, but we will carry on her work and do everything we can to make a positive difference moving forward to do her proud.”
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Lappin, a hard-working mother of two was in the first graduating class in the new Stuyvesant High School and built a distinguished record working at City Hall over seven years. Because of that, she has a unique awareness of the issues in the area and is committed to build on the groundwork that Berger and the Alliance have laid in promoting business growth and the quality of life in the community. “We want to make sure we are continuing the momentum Liz provided and shaping new growth in a positive way,” she says. “The Alliance has been involved in providing incentives to grow the tech community in Lower Manhattan. We will also continue to put our
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focus on working with the businesses on Water Street to make significant improvements along that corridor. We’ll also continue to work with Mayor DiBlasaio to keep expanding the availability of free WiFi in Lower Manhattan.” Lappin encouraged “a great collaboration” that the Alliance enjoys with city agencies and the new mayoral administration, which she says has already yielded positive results. “We’ve worked with them on improving the pedestrian flow around the Stock Exchange,” she says. “We’ve brought the Fourth of July fireworks back to the East River. We have had, and continue to have, a great working relationship on behalf of our shared constituents.”
And because of her long relationship with Lower Manhattan, she’s experienced its evolution from a nine-to-five commuter destination to a complete, diverse community and pledges to focus on doing everything to create the conditions to make it even better. “This is a unique place, and the Alliance has had a role in helping achieve that,” she says. “We work with the Parks Department and the Department of Transportation, and now we’re seeing unparalleled access to the waterfront, the biggest transportation hub in the city and the growing hotbed of technology industries in our community. That’s a good start, and now the job is to build on that.” n
PHOTOGRAPH: JENNIFER MAY
BY MIKE HAMMER
The rebirth of a
LANDMARK
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anhattan’s South Street Seaport has a long and storied history in the annals of New York City. The harbor was the genesis of New York’s commerce and in many ways is the birthplace of The Big Apple. However, stories of triumph are incomplete without pitfalls that give cause for a continued rise in prominence. Nearly two centuries of wear and tear, not to mention the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, left much of the area damaged and in serious need of a jump-start to regain its eminence.
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Then along came the Howard Hughes Corporation, which has initiated a redevelopment plan to bring South Street Seaport Pier 17’s once thriving harbor back to its former glory, as well as to integrate the benefits it will bring to the surrounding community. Phillip St. Pierre, Howard Hughes’ senior general manager of the Seaport, said this project is both a necessity to the Lower Manhattan community and a gratifying experience for his company. “We’re really proud of what we’re doing here,” St. Pierre said. “We think it’s important, and we’re committed to it.
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We’re going to continue to do this until our Seaport can stand on its own feet again.” The South Street Seaport’s origins go back to the 1600s, when the Dutch and the British used the waterways to establish trade lines for some of the country’s first-ever settlers. By 1815, what was then known as the Port of New York became one of the most important commercial centers in the world. As the 20th century unfolded, the port lost its reputation as a center for international commerce in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, and by the late
1950s, the docks of the former commercial haven were mostly empty. The South Street Seaport was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 12, 1978, but in the ’80s the port was transformed into a tourist destination characterized by a shopping mall and festival marketplace. Despite its status as an historic landmark, South Street Seaport’s new focus on tourism alienated area residents and ignited debates of commercialism versus historical preservation that have been raging ever since.
LEFT PAGE: HOWARD HUGHES; RIGHT PAGE: JOSEPH AMELLA, JR.
HOWARD HUGHES CONSTRUCTS A NEW PIER 17 FOR THE FUTURE, WHILE EMBRACING ITS PAST
DEVELOPMENT | INSIGHTS
F “It’s about keeping these wonderful cobblestones and these bricks— keeping this area vibrant, alive and active.”
lash forward to today, as Howard Hughes Corp. is looking to bridge the gap between progress and community connection with its redevelopment plan for Pier 17. Lincoln Palsgrove IV, director of marketing for Howard Hughes, says the corporation’s plans began in 2012 before Sandy hit, but the storm only motivated them even more to move forward. “We wanted to engage people back here,” Palsgrove said, “and let people know the Seaport suffered damage from the storm but was not by any means down for the count, just to get the word out that we were coming back here.” In order to convince the community of the Hughes’ commitment to being a good neighbor, the See/Change marketing program was launched last year to engage visitors and locals with events and programs on the site, even though the reconstruction won’t be complete until 2016. “We are always going to be running a lot of vibrant, free outdoor programs, even when the new Pier 17 opens,” Palsgrove said. The campaign brings to the port free public events that feature entertainment of all forms. Front Row Outdoor Cinema runs every Wednesday and Saturday nights during summer; modern and classic films are screened, with the weekday screening themed as family night and the weekend as date night. So far, the average turnout for each night is around 700 people, according to Palsgrove. In addition to free movie screenings, See/Change features daily musical performances by musicians and DJs, face painters and food trucks. Even though the new Pier 17 is a long way off, Palsgrove said they’re using Fulton Street as an incubator for creating these programs they expect to run when the pier is finally open. Construction has posed challenges to the company’s efforts to foster immediate community involvement. Their solution was to build living and active barricades around the developments currently underway by converting a stack of shipping containers into temporary store fronts and illustrating the history of New York City on the fences blocking off the old water platform. The results offer opportunities to invite neighborhood people in during the transition, rather than block them off. St. Pierre said these activities are a central part of Howard Hughes’ efforts to affirm the importance of South Street Seaport. “Post-Sandy, there was no activity here, because there was no reason for people to be down here,” St. Pierre said. “So we had to solve that problem. We
couldn’t get the shops back open again that quickly, but we could certainly try to create some energy and give visitors something to do while they were here.” The plans laid out by Howard Hughes Corp. have been met with hesitation by some members of the community. The main point of contention is the proposed plan for the former New Market Building, which will be completely demolished so a new 50-story condo/hotel tower can be built in its place. In order to address these concerns, Howard Hughes supported the formation of the Seaport Working Group: a group of local officials and community members who gathered to form guidelines and recommendations for redevelopment in the Seaport District. St. Pierre said the concerns raised by SWG are almost entirely in line with the proposal as it stands, with the exception of the New Market Building issue. “The New Market Building is not listed as part of this historic district,” St. Pierre said. “It was done that way for a reason: when they were establishing this historic district, they looked at that section and said it’s not historic in character, and it has no architectural significance. And it’s the only place where you can do something different where it wouldn’t interrupt the fabric of the neighborhood.” The platform the New Market Building sits on is falling into the water, according
ing out of the flood plain as well as remove obstructed views caused by FDR Drive. The New York City Economic Development Corp. did their own internal survey of the structural stability of the two platforms and determined the infrastructure repairs needed are close to $10 million in order to prevent further deterioration. Moreover, the mall that once stood at the water’s edge is nearly demolished, and in its place will go a new glass structure that St. Pierre said will be more like an enclosed neighborhood than a new mall. A brand new marina will also be part of Pier 17’s rebirth, along with an eight-screen movie theater in place of the former Fulton Market. Howard Hughes Corp. doesn’t plan on stopping at the announced developments either. St. Pierre said the community has expressed desire for a new community center as well as a potential solution to the area’s school overcrowding problem. “Those are things that are not done yet, but they’re things we’re looking to do, because not only is it good for our project, but it’s also good for the health of the overall economy and creates a stronger environment in which we can operate five to ten years from now,” St. Pierre said. “It’s good neighborhood policy, and it’s good business sense.” The birthplace of New York City has stood up to the trials of time. Although
to St. Pierre, who adds that the infrastructure cost just to keep the former market standing is something no one wants to address. He went on to say that The Howard Hughes Corp. has addressed the issue by developing a plan in their proposal to replace the platform completely before building the tower. Other items on the construction schedule include overhauling the platform the historic Tin Building sits on while also moving the structure up five feet and roughly 30 feet closer to the water. According to Palsgrove, this will move the build-
Howard Hughes Corp. is bringing a new flare to the historic district, St. Pierre said South Street Seaport’s position as a cultural destination is the top priority for the company. “It’s about keeping these wonderful cobblestones and these bricks—keeping this area vibrant, alive and active,” St. Pierre said. “We’re working really hard to keep up our end of the bargain, which is to keep a promise to the community that this is a place where you can come to spend time, enjoy a sandwich, and simply enjoy one of the best neighborhoods in all of New York.” n
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HOSPITALITY INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND INCENTIVES HAVE CREATED A MORE DIVERSIFIED DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
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his past decade, Lower Manhattan has evolved from being known almost exclusively as the heart of finance to its present incarnation as home to a diverse suite of industries,
all thriving alongside New York’s financial center. Today, thousands of companies have set up shop Downtown, drawn to the unique spaces and opportunities in the neighborhood and alleviating the significant losses of capital, personnel and real estate investment the area experienced in the aftermath of 9/11, and the economic downturn of 2008. In the media and tech industries alone, more than 600 compa-
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, NEW YORK CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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nies are bustling south of Chambers Street. The diversity of these companies includes the likes of Booker, which provides cloudbased service management platforms; Control Group, which partners with innovative companies to optimize their products,
PHOTOGRAPHS: TONY SHI
BY ERIC GERTLER
INNOVATION | INSIGHTS
Control Group was just honored with the “Downtown Vanguard” award by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
spaces and technology for the digital age; and even Delivery.com, which you may have used recently to order food online. And that’s only part of the momentum. In addition to the rebuilding and highly-anticipated opening of the World Trade Center, more than $30 billion in public and private investment has revitalized the area, helping to transform the waterfront and creating the essential infrastructure and capacity to support new legions of workers and residents. The City’s investments in infrastructure include the ongoing work on the East River Waterfront Esplanade, which has created new active recreation opportunities for New Yorkers, while connecting them to the waterfront. In addition, the East River Ferry service has created a sustainable and convenient transportation option that connects Lower Manhattan with neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens, attracting more than three million passengers since its launch. Programs such as ConnectNYC Fiber Access and WiredNYC have bolstered the region’s development by helping businesses and New Yorkers access more affordable broadband opportunities.
To capitalize on this progress and further encourage the neighborhood’s economic diversification and resurgence, the City launched a competition called Take the HELM (Hire and Expand in Lower Manhattan). This initiative, which has completed two rounds so far, offers innovative companies $250,000 for moving to, or expanding in, the neighborhood, garnering more than 600 applications
between two rounds. As a result, several companies such as Paperless Post, SiSense and the Flatiron School have also made the move to Lower Manhattan. And the move south has had positive results for those who have made it. Booker has quadrupled in size in Lower Manhattan. Grapeshot, which analyzes web pages to create keyword profiles, moved to Lower Manhattan from
Cambridge, England. The global appeal of the neighborhood is clearly unparalleled. From EDC’s offices near City Hall, we have been fortunate to witness much of Lower Manhattan’s rebirth up close. In true New York fashion, the area has remained resilient in the face of adversity, rebounding from September 11th, the 2008 financial crisis and, most recently, Hurricane Sandy. The remarkable growth we’ve seen in recent years will only continue to flourish. As Lower Manhattanites have watched One World Trade Center, the area’s own symbol of revival, grow floor by floor over the last few years, it is clear that this special building is not the only part of Lower Manhattan that is on the rise. n New York City’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is a nonprofit organization designed to promote and implement economic development, drive growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. The EDC develops new programs to protect, promote and address challenges facing the City’s legacy and emerging industries and has had a major positive impact in Lower Manhattan’s corporate diversity. Here is encouraging and concrete evidence of that work.
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CULTURE CODE
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TALENT | I’M TAWKIN’
TALENT | CULTURE CODE
A fast moving
TURTLE
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nown for his infectious portrayal of every dude from the old neighborhood, Salvatore “Turtle” Vacara in HBO’s Entourage, Jerry Ferrara has certainly emerged from his shell. It is safe to say that his fast-paced success and fast-food ventures have propelled him towards the victory line. Ferrara radiates with charming modesty, and in light of his success, it’s hard to believe he has kept his ego in check. With his impending film releases and courageous business ventures, it is safe to say that this Brooklyn-born actor is well and truly at large. Jerry recalls his youth in New York, when Downtown was a favorite getaway from his Brooklyn ’hood. “I always liked the vibe,” he told us. Today, Jerry’s affinity for Lower Manhattan has evolved into a profound appreciation. “I feel like people live [Downtown], as opposed to Midtown where people work there and then leave.” Jerry says, stressing the word live, as if to draw home the idea that downtown is a community, a place to work, and a place worthy to escape from after the slog. All New Yorkers possess a certain aura, and Jerry’s is reflected through the eyes of each and every one of his deeply authentic characters. “It’s something that’s in you. If you’re born and raised here, you can’t just turn it off. It has influenced everything, every character for sure.” Ferrara plays a funny-man role in Entourage, but don’t be fooled into thinking that if you know Turtle, you know Jerry. Turtle, quite obviously, goes everywhere Jerry goes, and there are glimmers of the character in Ferrara’s warm candidness and humorous persona.
During our interview, Ferrara selfconsciously admits that people might be disappointed when meeting him. He worries that fans expect to cross paths with a zealous, extroverted Turtle, and instead are greeted by a reserved Jerry. But both combine to make up the real Jerry, the Jerry who exudes an air of gracious confidence that plays a vital role in his magnetic personality. Jerry made it in Hollywood, the way most blue collar folks from Brooklyn do—by working hard. Like the character he plays, Jerry’s success stems from motivation, and a drive to make it big in Tinseltown. Ferrara has never been under the illusion that his career can shift into cruise control, despite the momentum he’s built. Actually, it has always been quite the opposite. From the very start, Jerry’s drive was motivated by fear. It took five seasons of a hit show for his lens of achievement to come into focus. “It wasn’t because I didn’t think [Entourage] was any good,” he says. “But you know, it was out of superstition, I didn’t want to think it would be any good so it wouldn’t get taken away,” he told us fervently. “It wasn’t until season five I was able to say, ‘Okay, we’re going to be here for a while.’” Over the course of the show, the selfmotivating Ferrara and director Doug Ellin developed a close enough relationship for Jerry to jump on an opportunity of a lifetime. “I’d always considered myself a writer,” he said. “I hit up Doug, and said, ‘I’d like to write some episodes.’ He jokingly replied, ‘Yeah, yeah for season eight’.” Five seasons later, Ellin stuck to his word. Still, despite his status as one of the show’s breakout stars, Jerry wasn’t
granted any special treatment. “Doug said, ‘I’m not just going to give it to you; you’ve got to work for it. ‘ I went into the writers’ room in October, four or five months in advance.” As if eight successful seasons and the opportunity to write two episodes wasn’t enough for the Italian-American dynamo, then the upcoming film had to be the pinnacle to his tentative journey with Entourage. “It’s flattering. There’s a product here that people want to see.” The series may have ended and filming for the movie has wrapped, but Ferrara and the guys are still in touch. “We’re bonded forever, [and that’s] never going to change,” he said. “When [production] ended it felt like a high school graduation… I mean they’re my family.” If Jerry considers the Entourage crew his family, then he counts the cast of the Think Like a Man franchise as his second. The sequel to the first film, based on the dating advice book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by comedian Steve Harvey, features Ferrara alongside other well-known actors such as superstar stand-up comedian Kevin Hart and crowd favorite Adam Brody. As for his own take on relationships, Ferrara stresses the importance of understanding the point of view of your better half. “When a woman is seeking advice on a relationship, she shouldn’t go to other women, she should go to men. And men should do the same—don’t ask your buddy, go ask a girl, ’cause your buddy’s going to give you dumb advice. You can take it from me.” We will, Jerry, because let’s face it, you’ve done New York proud. n
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MIRANDA PENN TURIN
ENTOURAGE AND JERRY FERRARA ARE BACK AND HE AND HIS CAREER ARE LOOKING BETTER THAN EVER BY RACHAEL SPRAGUE & ELIZABETH SUTHERLAND
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MUSIC MAN MEET BRANDON VICTOR DIXON, THE MAN BEHIND MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL BY SUZANNE CORSO
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ith his current starring role as the legendary Berry Gordy, Jr. in the hit Broadway show Motown: The Musical, Brandon Victor Dixon continues a string of performances that are both moving and significant to the black cultural experience in America. You may recognize him for his role as Harpo from The Color Purple, the stirring story of the African-American experience during the Depression-era in the Deep South, for which he received a Tony nomination. He also originated the role of Simba in the national tour of The Lion King before hitting the bright lights of Broadway. To immerse himself in Motown on the Great White Way, Dixon enjoyed the benefit of working with Berry Gordy, the man who helped define decades of pop culture and music. Berry Gordy founded Motown Records and launched the careers of everyone from Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and Michael Jackson and made himself completely available to Dixon. This past November, Dixon formed Walk Run Fly Productions with his longtime friend and colleague, Warren Adams, co-producing two of the most anticipated shows this theater season: Hedwig & the Angry Inch, starring Neil Patrick Harris and Of Mice & Men, starring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd. Dixon’s list of hits continues to grow. He took some time to bring us backstage to see how he has been able to channel the masters of the past to become one of the most promising stars of today.
PHOTOGRAPHS: DARIO CALMESE
What originally attracted you to acting? I think my mom knew when I was three years old, I had it in me. I had a vivid imagination. I loved the Legos, loved the games that challenged me, but most of all I loved the ability to perform, dance, sing, act out scenes. It was my passion. How did you first find your way to New York and eventually to Broadway? My first real exposure to New York City was through my parents. I remember going to the Double Tree hotel and seeing the lights on Broadway. That infectious energy captivated me on the spot. I grew
up in Long Island and Queens. In high school, I performed in plays. I also sang in churches. That gave me the foundation for this remarkable gift of entertaining, which is in my blood. But how did Broadway break into your act? Along came Rent. It was the first show I ever auditioned for. I was only 15, and it changed the way I looked at theatre. I auditioned six times but never broke in. So imagine my reward in finally getting to play Colin, who I wanted to play all of my life! I attended Columbia University to learn acting. When The Lion King opportunity came up, I auditioned and eventually joined the first class of master dancers. Boy did I prepare for that role! For six months I ran three miles, did yoga, did all I could to be limber for the demanding schedule I was grateful to get. How important was The Color Purple to you and your career? It was a combination of a good audition and good fortune. I mean, you rarely leave a show and fall into another one so quickly. And the same thing happened with Ray Charles Live! Now, that was a special experience; the kind of role you must immerse yourself into. This was my first main lead, and I was also involved in helping to develop it. So, it was a bit challenging but beyond rewarding. I love taking on roles that have great cultural qualities to them. How do you prepare to play such iconic personalities in the black experience? History is the ultimate way to relive these characters. I’ve done many African American roles. I always say instead of Black history, it should be American history. We are all equal, no divide. What was it like to work with someone who represents living history—Berry Gordy? Working with Berry Gordy for the last three years has been a pure joy. I would have loved to have met Michael Jackson, but it wasn’t meant to be. His music remains in my soul. He is gone too soon from us and was, for me, one of the most influential musicians of all time.
Working on Motown: The Musical is truly a full circle moment. When I receive calls from Berry, I pinch myself. It’s amazing
Who influenced you musically? Michael Jackson. I come from Jamaica, so, for me, Bob Marley was also a big deal. And
to be part of the creative process of the songs; when you think of the history of the company of Motown, and now to be blessed to be a part of that, I am truly living the dream.
I love Luther Vandross. I was exposed to a lot of different music. My dad loved to listen to Vince Gill and Patsy Kline. All of these eclectic sounds were in my home.
How is your life, both personally and professionally, these days? My personal and professional lives go hand in hand. My creative goal is to do more TV and film projects, definitely recording more music this year. Now that my thirties have begun, I’m stepping out and doing what I want. It’s a true whirlwind. A real dream.
Does your family love what you do? Yes, they do. They have been beyond supportive ever since I was a child. My brother is my attorney, so it has become a family affair. What makes you smile? Possibility. Opportunity. The Future. It’s a domino effect; when life is good, prospects are even better! n
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WORLD
THIS SOMALIAN SUPERMODEL IS BLAZING NEW TRAILS AROUND THE GLOBE here is no question that Iman has changed the face of beauty in the world.
When she arrived in New York in the creative and crazy days of the “Me Decade” in 1975, she was a highly educated daughter of Somalian aristocracy who not only immediately assimilated into the rich culture and art scene, she helped define it. “When I arrived in America, this was an amazing period in New York,” said the stunning supermodel who has made NoLiTa her home with her husband, cultural icon David Bowie, for 15 years. “I was provided some amazing opportunities, took advantage of them and was able to make some significant changes myself.” Possibly the most important model of color in history, the statuesque African beauty BY MIKE HAMMER PHOTOGRAPHS BY ITAYSHA JORDAN STYLING BY CHARLOTTE ROSE COLEMAN
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had been a political science major in her home country—where her father was a diplomat and ambassador to Saudi Arabia—when she was discovered by legendary American fashion photographer, Peter Beard. “I had never seen a fashion magazine when he approached me,” she said. “I didn’t even know there was such a business as fashion.”
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Zac Posen dress, $1,390 Edmundo Castillo heels, $1,550 Megan Obadash cuff, $813 Suzanna Dai earrings, $213
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something that was created for the need of one and now addresses the needs of many. It means so much to me when women of color approach me and tell me how much this brand means to them. What’s really great are the women who tell me that their daughters wear it, as well. That means the world to me.” As if her impact wasn’t profound enough, she has also branched out into other successful business ventures that bring real benefit to women. In 2007, she brought the world Global Chic, a collection of classically inspired designs for women who don’t fit into the classic sizes. “The clothing line is performing beyond my expectations. I started it six years ago, and now it’s the second best seller on HSN [Home Shopping Network],” she said with pride, explaining that she was approached by the network’s CEO, Mindy Grossman, to launch the designs for larger women inspired by her cultural and classical sensibilities. “By no means am I a fashion designer,” she said of her role in addressing the under-served needs of the plus-sized woman seeking classic options in clothing. “It’s more like I’m a great stylist. I recognize classic quality, because my perception of fashion is classic. I don’t look at barriers of race or economy. I embrace designs with staying power. I don’t follow trends.” Iman’s real motivation was to provide elegant options for bigger women, who are actually considered the norm rather than the exception. “Designers do not make clothing for plus-size women,” she said. “But let’s face it, a regular American girl is a 14. I wanted to create something which I like to call a ‘fashion democracy,’ which means clothing that looks stylish and good on you whether you’re a size 4 or 20.” The results have been huge. Today, the Global Chic collection is one of four best-selling brands on HSN. “Women love it,” she said. “That’s because they can’t find this kind of classic styling in their sizes anywhere else. They’re truly grateful to have this kind of quality and elegance available to them and at reasonable pricing. All of that means a great deal to me.” Something that also means a great deal to Iman is the Downtown area that has become her American hometown. “I never felt like a true American until I moved here with my husband,” she said. “We used to live on Central Park West, and it was very nice, but my husband wanted to be here where there is such a strong connection to the arts. There is a sense of neighborhood here that you can’t find anywhere else in the city.”
MAKEUP: SHEIKA DALEY FOR IMAN COSMETICS; HAIR: DERICK MONROE FOR DERICKMONROE.COM; MANICURE: MAYUMI ABUKU AT RONA REPRESENTS; LOCATION: TRUMP SOHO NEW YORK; TECH: SPLASHLIGHT STUDIOS
However, all of that would change faster than she could imagine. Her first modeling assignment would come just a year later for a fashion publication no less vaunted than Vogue itself. “Suddenly I was in the middle of the industry, and they weren’t ready for me.” The experience on her first shoot would help define both her modeling career and the many personal and professional accomplishments she’s had since. “I went to the job, and the makeup artist asked me if I had brought my own foundation, and that was very perplexing to me,” she said. “I had no idea what he was talking about. He didn’t say anything like that to the other model who was white, so I knew there was something different about me.” The photographer had the makeup artist mix up some foundation for Iman from an array of makeup that he had on the shoot. “He put it on me, and I looked absolutely gray!” she said with the same horror she experienced nearly 40 years ago. “And so the next day, I went and found anything I could find in the store that would match my tone, and I started mixing and matching. And I did it right.” The result was she created a masterpiece of beauty that launched her modeling career and her awareness that she could make a difference. “From that point on, I was getting big jobs and really found a niche for myself,” she said. “But I knew that I was still being treated differently because of my color. I found out that I was making less than white models, and I wasn’t going to stand for that.” Iman demanded to be paid equally and then some… and she got what she wanted, as she normally is able to do. “My approach was totally different from all the other girls,” she said. “That was because modeling wasn’t my everything. I didn’t live for it like the other girls. I always knew that I could walk away from it, so I wasn’t afraid to speak my mind. And it wasn’t until then that I realized how much of an influence that I could have.”
Today, women of all backgrounds are paid on an equal scale, and they can thank her for blazing a trail. From then on, Iman made it a point not only to ensure that she took care of herself, but that she was a representative for all models of color. “I needed to use my successes to pave the way for other women of color, and obviously, it is a different world today,” she said. The impact was even more profound, because her successes were so abundant. Iman became the muse for many of the top fashion photographers in the world, including Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz. Along the way, Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, the unknown girl from a continent far away, became Iman, one of the most famous and iconic names in the fashion industry and beyond. “It was a very heady time for me,” she said. “Suddenly I was thrust into the limelight and partying with Andy Warhol and Miles Davis, and just months before, I didn’t even know who they were. I soaked up everything the limelight had to offer.” Iman soared to the forefront of consciousness in the pop culture scene. She was seen at Studio 54, meeting other celebrities and making tons of money—a fact that allowed her to help her family escape the political turbulence of her home country at the time. “It did two things: one, it empowered me with the belief that I could do anything,” she said. “Let’s not forget that my parents became overnight refugees. My brothers and sisters could not afford to finish school, and immediately I could pay for all of that. That meant a lot to me, much more than modeling itself.” Now 58, she said she was intoxicated by fame but never lost sight that it could be fleeting. “You feel great about yourself; you think, ‘Yes, I am the hottest thing going on!’ And then Cindy Crawford walks in the door. We all learn that. There is always a better looking girl around the corner.” Despite her humility, Iman went on to build a career that rivaled or surpassed any supermodel of her era or any other. When she hung up her pumps in 1989, she knew that her successes were far from over. Based on her own experiences and the makeup creations she created for herself, she launched Iman Cosmetics in 1994, creating formulas that addressed the wide spectrum of shades for women of different ethnic origins. Twenty years later, the brand earns approximately $25 million each year. “I’m hoping that my beauty line will become my legacy,” she said. “This is
Badgley Mischka gown, $990 Kenneth Jay Lane cuff, $365 Bounkit earrings $495
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Halston Heritage dress, $345 Megan Obadash cuff, $736 Bounkit ring, $395 Bounkit earrings, $695
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That community feeling was deeply reinforced when the couple and their child went through the terrifying, but ultimately triumphant, horror of the attacks on the World Trade Center. “There was a fire station near our apartment, and every day they would stop us and say hello and ask about the baby,” she recalled. “I always thought they would be there to watch her grow up. And then 9/11 happened, and almost all of them were killed. We felt that as a family we were robbed of these men. I felt like I lost a part of me.” Iman described the sense of trauma her family felt for and with her neighbors, but also the bonding that occurred as a result. “I don’t know how long all of us were in a daze after that, and while the impact was severe, I felt a real sense of common purpose develop, along with a commitment to each other that I had never felt before… anywhere,” she said. “I had lived in the United States for a long time before that, but that was when I first felt like an American.” She talked about the importance of that commitment to others and how it has motivated her to support two charities that give her yet another opportunity to give back in a significant way that is meaningful to her. “The two charities I’m most involved in involve women, and both are based in Africa,” she said. “The first is the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation for the work that Somalian woman are doing for the children of the country. She is like Mother Teresa and Rambo rolled into one. Since the country has no real government, the kids have been without education and proper healthcare since 1994. [Dr. Hawa Abdi] has built a hospital and a school complex, and we help get the equipment and supplies she needs to do the job.” Iman’s other charity is also intended to bring relief to other oppressed people in another troubled African nation. “It is called Raise Hope for Congo, and it is an effort to get major corporations and countries to stop dealing with the corrupt, violent and oppressive government to obtain essential minerals and to trade with conflict-free alternatives in other countries.” So whether it’s halfway around the world or across the beauty and fashion industries, Iman has made a difference because she’s made a connection with all of the people she has come in contact with. She may have changed the face of beauty with her brains, but she has also had a hand in making many other things a great deal better with her heart. n
Naeem Khan dress, $11,890
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STYLE VAULT
ON CANDICE: Echo Design butterfly jacket, $68 Eres one piece, $595 Sigerson Morrison heels, $425 Megan Obadash cuff, $738 Kenneth Jay Lane earrrings, $75 ON OLIVIA: ViX Paula Hermanny one piece, $188 Schutz heels, $220 Kenneth Jay Lane cuff, $125 Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, $75 ON ROBIN: CM Beachwear bikini, $170 Echo Design hat, $42 Chelsea Paris shoes, $645 Kenneth Jay Lane cuff, $150 Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, $75
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FASHION | BEAUTY | GROOMING | FITNESS
FASHION | STYLE VAULT
S WIM T EAM
With graphic prints and bold colors, make this summer sizzle in the most glamorous swimwear of the season. Seen poolside at the Dream Hotel Downtown, these suits are bound to make heads turn.
HAIR: DAVID COTTEBLANCHE FOR RED MARKET SALON; MAKEUP: GABRIEL CRUZ FOR NARS COSMETICS; LOCATION: THE BEACH AT THE DREAM HOTEL DOWNTOWN
PHOTOGRAPHS: PHILIPPE REYNAUD CREATIVE DIRECTION: MARINA BARLAGE STYLIST: CHARLOTTE ROSE COLEMAN
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ON CANDICE: Peixoto one piece, $115 Rene Escobar earrings, $1,238 Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet, $180 Bounkit ring, $395
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ON ROBIN: Araks top, $240 Araks bottom, $140 Gianvito Rossi heels, $645 Bounkit earrings, $595 Valentina Kova ring, $462
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STYLE VAULT | SLUG
ON OLIVIA: Luxe by Lisa Vogel one piece, $135 RenĂŠ Caovilla heels, $1,040 Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, $75 Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet, $875 Vint and York sunglasses, $129 ON CANDICE: Lilibon one piece, $300 Sergio Rossi heels, $1,595 Bounkit ring, $330 Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet, $213 Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, $550 Carlo Pazolini clutch, $375
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STYLE VAULT | SLUG
MOTOR CYCLE KINGS SEE HOW SOME OF NEW YORK’S POWER PLAYERS RIDE AROUND THE CITY IN STYLE PHOTOGRAPHS BY ADRIANNA FAVERO INTERVIEW & STYLING BY CHARLOTTE ROSE COLEMAN
Some of the most successful businessmen in New York City, from Google to Ciprianis, are ditching their suits on the weekend and trading them in for leather gear. Exchanging the boardroom for open roads, these successful men are turning to motorcycles to free themselves from the grind of city life. Not only are motorcycles classically cool, but they provide those who ride a feeling of freedom, adventure and challenge. See why men are loving being a part of the bike fraternity.
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POWER PLAYERS | STYLE VAULT
ERIC BONNETAIN What do you do professionally? I’ve been working as the general manager of Cipriani’s for a few years, but I previously had the opportunity to work on Wall Street. I’ve been Downtown for over seven years now. How did you get interested in motorcycles? It started in my 20s. I stopped riding when I had my kids. I was riding fast motorcycles before, but I’m not that young anymore, so I decided to ride a Harley. It’s more a cruiser. What advice do you have for people interested in riding in New York City? You can have a motorcycle in New York, but don’t ride in New York City. It’s too dangerous. If you have the opportunity, you should just cross the bridge and get out. How do you describe your biker style? I like to look like a bad ass. It’s all leather. It’s a vest with patches, my tattoos out. I’m just a different person. People don’t recognize me on the weekend. If you could ride your bike anywhere, where would it be? Thailand.
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STYLE VAULT | SLUG
JAMES MANSFIELD What do you do professionally? I am the CEO of West Village GC, a construction company. I just unveiled my first design under my name, JGMansfield. I started it 12 years ago. We do high-end, luxurious interior build-outs. How did you get interested in motorcycles? My interest in motorcycles started about 15 minutes before my parents said I could never have one. I’ve been racing motorcycles for the past 25 years. I was married to a yoga teacher for 10 years, and I found that motorcycle racing was very similar. It’s a deep mediation. To do 180 miles per hour down 16 feet of asphalt coming into a right angle corner, you have to be deeply focused on what is happening. This meditation lasts for 20 minutes
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of absolute uninterrupted concentration where nothing comes into your world. What advice do you have for people interested in riding in New York City? I would tell them to go to the track. The track is designed for you to go as fast as you want or dare. It is a safe environment, and you will be around riders that have amazing ability. Riding in New York City requires a certain skill level and awareness around you. You have to keep in mind that everyone is not looking for you. They’re looking for someone who is going to hurt them, like taxis or trucks. They’re not expecting you, because you’re not a threat. How do you describe your biker style? I wear a lot of leather. There’s an old
saying, “Use your skin; use our skin.” Using their skin is generally a lot less painful, and there is a lot of risk riding in Manhattan traffic. I wear full Dainese leather from head to toe with body armor every time I get on the bike. There is a certain style that goes into it. It’s not 1975, and I’m not wearing flared leather. It’s 2014, and I’m wearing $250,000 worth of leather gear. Where is your favorite place to ride? The Isle of Man. It’s an amazing place with like-minded bike lovers. It’s like an England I never knew. I can ride as fast as I’d like, and I keep my favorite bike (a very rare Yamaha YZR500 replica) there full time. I go there very infrequently, and it’s 3,500 miles from where I live!
GROOMING BY ANANDA KHAN
POWER PLAYERS | STYLE VAULT
CHRIS PENNINGTON What do you do professionally? I am the director of the east coast for Google Enterprise. I have a sales team that sells Google’s enterprise products to enterprise customers. My clients range from as far east as Boston and as far down to Miami. I spend my time flying out of LaGuardia. How did you get interested in motorcycles? I’ve been riding for 30 years. My father rode a motorcycle, and my mother rode a scooter. My grandfather rode only motorcycles, and when my grandmother got sick of riding on the back, he bolted a sidecar to his motorcycle. It’s always been in my family. It’s a passion and a love. What advice do you have for people interested in riding in New York City? The obvious answer is always to assume someone is going to do something
really silly. You have to ride defensively and drive very consciously. Because of this, I spend a lot of time getting out of the city—to go upstate to Bear Mountain or to Connecticut to get a change of scenery. How do you describe your biker style? It’s basically safety, but I have to admit, I’m a bit of a tart. I like to go for the Italian brands like Dainese. They’re a bit more stylish, but you have to make sure you’re getting the protection. If you can throw in some nice touches or afford the nicer brands, it just makes the experience a little more fun and luxurious. What’s your favorite part about riding? The great thing about motorcycles is getting to ride with a group of friends. It becomes very social. New York is a tough city, but the motorcycle fraternity is classless. n
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STYLE VAULT | PROFILE
ACTRESS STEPHANIE MARCH AND MAKEUP ARTIST REBECCA PERKINS OPEN SOHO’S NEWEST BEAUTY DESTINATION BY MIKE HAMMER
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A
s most women know, unless you’ve got a makeup artist at your beck and call, you can never look as beautiful and meticulous as all those women you admire on TV. But thanks to Law & Order Special Victims Unit star, Stephanie March, and Rebecca Perkins— the makeup artist who helped her achieve that reputation—that resource is available to any woman who makes her way into Rouge New York, the revolutionary and affordable makeup salon in SoHo. “Actors and actresses shouldn’t be the only people who get special and personal attention,” says March. “We want to offer that same kind of access to beauty to anyone on the go. [We also want] to make it easy and affordable.” That’s why they opened the salon with six hand-picked
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makeup artists who offer special attention and modestly priced services, ranging from $15 for individual lash application to $75 for a “total polish” makeup application. The dynamic duo has been together for more than a decade, and their complementary talents made going into the business of beauty easy. “She’s the chef, and I’m the building manager,” says the actress, who is married to New York restaurant icon Bobby Flay. “I’m the artist, and she’s the prototype client,” Perkins agrees. “I just have a deep trust for Stephanie’s judgment and opinion. She makes everything better. It’s always helpful that we can bring ideas to each other and give responses from the client or artist perspective.” Knowing how much their shared sensibilities could benefit other women, the pair
decided to open an innovative, boutique salon that would be the makeup world’s answer to a blowout bar. Here a woman can stop in for a quick fix on the way from work to an evening date, some professional polish for a job interview or just a glam makeover for a special occasion. The studio is cozy and elegant, but far from over the top. “We want it to feel calm and comfortable, but not intimidating. It’s a hectic city, and we want [our clients] to have a nurturing environment. It’s glamorous, but not overly girly, so that our male clients can feel just as welcome.” Even before they opened, they never doubted that Downtown would be their destination. “We always wanted to come Downtown. It’s cool, different and new… just like Rouge.” n
PHOTOGRAPH: NICK STOKES
R OUGE
DOWNTOWN’S HOTTEST NEW COLOR
SUMMER MAKEUP ESSENTIALS ROUGE’S MAKEUP ARTIST REBECCA PERKINS SHARES HER TIPS FOR GETTING THAT SUN-KISSED LOOK
SUNSCREEN Start with a sunscreen like L’Oréal’s silky smooth face lotion SPF 30. Then mist your face gently with Roxanne Rizzo Bronze Glow. It’s sort of a no commitment tan to bring up the base level of color in your face without doing any damage to your skin.
BRONZER Use a bronzer with a rosy undertone like the Roxanne Rizzo Mulberry Street bronzing powder. You don’t
want something too orange or brown because it could get muddy quickly. The rose undertone mimics the skin’s natural flush and accentuates a fresh tan. Sweep the bronzer along your cheekbones, the temples, bridge of the nose and chin.
REFRESH Throughout the day, mist your skin with a hydrating glycine mist (like the Rouge Refreshing Lavender Mist) to wake up the makeup and freshen your skin, and you will have glowing, sun-kissed, hydrated and protected skin!
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BEAUTY | STYLE VAULT t BOBBI BROWN Shimmer Brick, $42
t URBAN DECAY Naked Flushed, $30
t YON-KA LAIT Auto-Bronzant, $45
Your endless
SUMMER GLOW PRODUCTS YOU’LL NEED TO CREATE THAT PERFECT FAUX TAN
t RITUALS Good Luck Scrub, $25 p
t STILA Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Illuminating Beauty Balm, $38
p SHISEIDO Ultimate Sun Protection Spray, $36
t ST. TROPEZ Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, $32
PHOTOGRAPH: NICK STOKES; MAKEUP: ALYSSA LORRAINE FOR URBAN DECAY COSMETICS
t MAKE UP FOR EVER Uplight Face Luminizer Gel, $29
t ISOLA Sea Salt Scrub, $36 p
t FAKE BAKE Lipo Bronze, $30
u HAMPTON CARE Airbrush Bronzing Mist, $42
MUST T RY
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Your full body
R EJUVENATION uick fixes will have you looking your best for the summer when
LOOKING JOWLY
you have no time for downtime. Keep in mind that treatments
QUICK FIX:
are individualized, so a fix that’s great in one instance may
With a social engagement just around the corner and no time for bruising to heal, the quick fix is a Hyaluronic Acid filler such as Juvederm or Perlane. Alternatives such as Radiesse, calciumbased filler which is more likely to cause bruising, or Sculptra, an injectable that requires two to three treatments, would not be appropriate “quick fixes.”
BY DR. MICHAEL C. BRUCK
Q
not be appropriate for someone with a similar—though not identical—problem. All treatments should be performed by a well-trained, experienced, board-certified physician—plastic surgeon, dermatologist, facial plastic surgeon or occuloplastic
HYALURONIC ACID
surgeon—with a refined aesthetic eye and an evolved skill set to produce a natural appearance artistically.
LOOKING ANGRY OR SAD QUICKEST FIX:
DYSPORT Sagging brows can make you look sad or angry and hide the beauty of the upper eyelid. Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are all forms of botulinum toxin and are referred to as neuromodulators. Injected in a similar manner as you would to soften the frown lines and crows’ feet, you can elevate and reshape the brows, eliminating the sad or tired appearance. While not yet household names, Dysport and Xeomin are FDA approved, and they have the same core structure as Botox. Dysport has the most rapid onset of action, often within 48 hours.
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DARK CIRCLES THE FIX:
RESTYLANE OR PERLANE A hallmark of youth is a blending of the lower lid and cheek. As we age, the cheek descends, and the lid-cheek junction becomes distinct, often with a depression or deep semicircle—a “tear trough.” Filling the tear trough with either Restylane or Perlane minimizes the prominence of the lid-cheek junction and gives the illusion that the cheek has been elevated, which effects shadows and makes dark circles appear less prominent. There may be noticeable bruising after the treatment that may be difficult to camouflage and can last up to a week—so the fix is not so quick.
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ROSACEA QUICK FIX:
MIRVASO Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the cheeks, chin and forehead. In warm weather, the tiny blood vessels that make the skin red dilate, making the redness more prominent. Spicy foods and alcohol are also triggers that make the redness worse. While there are laser treatments that can help diminish the redness, there has never been a truly effective treatment until now—Mirvaso (brimonidine) topical gel. The gel is applied once a day to the affected areas and begins to take its effect minimizing redness in as little as 30 minutes. It has a maximum effect of six to twelve hours.
NECK BANDS QUICK FIX:
BOTOX OR XEOMIN Now that you’ve shed your turtlenecks, you might be surprised to notice vertical neck bands and horizontal neck folds. The bands or chords are caused by prominence of the underlying platysma muscle. Injecting Botox directly into the bands can significantly soften them, giving the neck a more youthful appearance.
BEAUTY | STYLE VAULT
EXCESSIVE SWEATING THE FIX:
BOTOX If you happen to be one of the estimated 5.8 million Americans who suffer from hyperhidrosis—excessive sweating—the summer heat makes things worse. While the underarms are the most commonly affected area, the palms, face, scalp, soles and groin may also be affected. Botox is the only agent currently FDA approved to treat underarm hyperhidrosis. It takes about a week for the treatment to become effective, and the effect can last up to six months.
DULL SKIN THE FIX:
SUN PROTECTION, A CLEANSER, EXFOLIATION, HYDRATION, A RETINOL, AN ANTIOXIDANT, A MOISTURIZER Use a cleanser specific for your skin type—oily, normal, dry. Do not use soap to cleanse your face, because it tends to dry the skin. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, helps prevent clogging of pores and works synergistically with a moisturizer. A Retinol (Retin-A, Retina-like product) is a form of Vitamin A that facilitates cell turnover, improves fine lines and wrinkles, evens out pigmentation, and diminishes pore size. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals (destructive compounds that cause skin aging), provide sun protection and have anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants include vitamin C, Ferulic acid and Vitamin E. Moisturizers introduce moisture, and some “seal” the moisture into the skin. Finally, make sure to use a sun block that is waterproof and broad spectrum with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the active ingredients blocking UVA and UVB. Reapply frequently.
KEEPING YOUR SKIN SAFE FOR SUMMMER
A
fter the long, harsh winter, we are all celebrating beautiful summer weather with mild temperatures, plenty of sun and the opportunity to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities. But as wonderful as summer is, we have to guard ourselves against the hazards that we may encounter. Sobering though it may be, sun lovers have to remember that overexposure can not only cause cancer but also contributes to premature aging. As a dermatologist, a lot of my time and effort is devoted to reversing the harmful effects of overex-
posure to the sun. By all means enjoy the outdoors, but remember to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and it is best to apply at least one ounce every two hours when in strong sunlight. Heliocare has also recently gained acceptance as a pill you can take once or twice a day to supplement the effects of sunscreen. Limit your skin’s exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when its rays are strongest. Remember, it is much easier to prevent aging that sun rays cause than to have to reverse it.
Summer also means potentially harmful insect bites, which could bring Lyme disease and other tickborne problems, such as babesiosis and ehrlichosis. Use an insect repellent like DEET or OFF! Sometimes taking thiamine, which is Vitamin B1, will help alter body odor that insects perceive, making us a less inviting target for insects. If you protect yourself from all of these dangers, you are sure to have a happy and healthy summer. —Albert M. Lefkovits, M.D. Associate Professor of Dermatology, Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine
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PHOTOGRAPH: DYLAN PEREZ; STYLIST: CHARLOTTE ROSE COLEMAN; HAIR & MAKE-UP: KATHLEEN BROWN; MODEL: YULIA PANINA @ Q MODELS; GAFFER: PETER VERTEFEUILLE
Fredrick’s of Hollywood bra, $32.50; Fredrick’s of Hollywood panty, $8; Alexis Bittar necklace, $595; Alexis Bittar ring, $175; Alexis Bittar cuff, $395
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SUMMER MANE ESSENTIALS CELEBRITY HAIR STYLIST DERRICK MONROE COMBED HIS FILES FOR THE BEST MEN’S HAIR CARE TIPS FOR SUMMER
USE MOUSSE To achieve superior style, ditch the gels and pomades and invest in a great mousse (try Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse, $37, www.oribe.com). Gels will make the look wet, and pomades will make it look greasy.
BLOW DRY Apply mousse to the roots, then use your blow dryer and a round brush at the crown for lift purposes only. On the sides use a small-tooth comb.
SOFT HOLD Use a soft hold spray (try Serge Normant Meta Luxe Hair Spray, $25, amazon. com) that’s touchable. You want to be able to comb through your hair, because nobody wants a guy who looks like a Ken doll.
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GROOMING | STYLE VAULT t PAUL MITCHELL MEN Mitch Reformer Strong Hold/Matte Finish Texturizer, $20 u MASON PEARSON Tortoise Pocket Comb, $21
Tame
YOUR MANE
t HAIR CARE: Sachajuan Hair Repair, $30
PRODUCTS TO KEEP YOUR HAIR PERFECTLY COIFFED Many men are finding inspiration in the classic hair styling seen in the film The Wolf of Wall Street. The slicked back style is sophisticated and clean, while maintaining a masculine and modern edge. By keeping your locks slicked back and sleek this summer, your look will be instantly upgraded and polished.
t KIEHLS Clean Hold Styling Gel, $16
t KERASTASE Homme K Capital Force Amplifying Sculpting Gum, $35
u DENMAN Be-Bop Massage Brush, $20 u BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA Daily Protein Shampoo, $33
t AMERICAN CREW Grooming Spray, $16
MUST TRY
u CHARLES WORTHINGTON Style Setter Max Hold Hairspray, $10
COURTESY PHILIPPE REYNAULD
t FUDGE Urban Matte Wax, $11
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STYLE VAULT | FITNESS
Summer fitness
S WIMMING I
t’s summer, so why not make your fitness regimen a fun-in-the-sun kind of activity? Swimming is considered by many to be the ultimate full-body physical workout. It utilizes the arms and the legs and continually engages the muscles of the torso. Other physical benefits include stress reduction of the joints due to the buoyancy of water, an increase in blood circulation and aerobic capacity, a decrease in blood pressure and enhanced therapeutic effects to alleviate muscle soreness due to injury or overuse. But physical benefits are only one health aspect of swimming—it can also
BY BILL GARELICK
enhance the health of the brain and nervous system. Swimming, unlike land activities, is counterintuitive to humans. For instance, trying to suspend the body horizontally in water is not human instinct. The natural inclination that we experience can cause us to panic, hold our breath, hyperventilate, stroke too fast, kick too much, exert too much energy and eventually sink. In order to be comfortable and buoyant, swimming needs to be learned systematically through proper coaching. Learning to swim for an adult with no prior formal coaching can be a very
humbling experience. Learning to swim properly is neither simple nor quick. Other activities with similar learning processes include playing a musical instrument and dancing. Basic concepts must be mastered before attempting more complex ones. The learner must develop precise physical movements through repetition and practice technique refinement through self analysis. Although challenging, if the process is broken down into tiny and mentally digestible pieces, mastery is achievable, regardless of age. As the swimmer becomes more proficient, what initially felt unnatural
will start to become second nature. The speed with which the brain is able to process what the body is doing in the water increases through practice and allows the nervous system to effectuate the correct sequence of muscular firing patterns and movements. Over time, learning to swim becomes more of a logical problem solving activity and less of an emotional drain, eventually transforming from an anxiety producing activity to a very meditative and beneficial one—both physically and psychologically. n
POOLS IN AND AROUND DOWNTOWN NYC THE GANSEVOORT MEATPACKING HOTEL POOL—If you’re looking for luxury, you’ve found it at the Meatpacking District’s hottest spot for sun-worshipping celebs and Wall Street fitness buffs. The hotel offers a $250-a-day spa package— which includes gym and pool access— through September 16. With spectacular views of the Hudson and beautiful bodies to admire, this 9th Avenue (just South of 14th Street) rooftop gem is as healthy for your eyes as for your body. www.gansevoorthotelgroup.com THE JAMES HOTEL—This somewhat secret rooftop oasis on Grand Street in the heart of SoHo offers fabulous views of the city skyline and is open to the public after 5 p.m. for its rooftop parties that attract the young, hip and hot, who cool off in the pool after dancing to a rotating array of top NYC DJs. The pool closes at 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on the weekends. All you need is a towel! www.jameshotels.com
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two beautiful swimming pools where both kids and adults can swim, take learn-to-swim classes, attend or participate in competitive swimming events, obtain lifeguard training, participate in programs for adults and youths with disabilities, and much more. The pools have moveable bottoms to accommodate all swimming levels and therapeutic exercises. The pool is open to the public with prices that vary depending on the services that you seek. www.asphaltgreenbpc.org
THE HAMILTON FISH PARK—Right off FDR Drive on Pitt Street on the Lower East Side, this Olympic-sized pool is open to the public through Labor Day. Though there’s no deck furniture, there’s ample space to roll out a towel and watch the kids swim. www.nycgovparks.org ASPHALT GREEN, BATTERY PARK CITY—The 52,000-square-foot community center at 212 North End Avenue is home to
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POP-UP POOL AT BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK—This 50-foot-long floating wonder off of Pier 2 will be open daily through Labor Day. It features a sandy beach, deck concessions, showers and modern restrooms. It’s also got one of the best views of Lower Manhattan on the planet and is absolutely free to the public. The day is divided into 45-minute swim sessions that begin every hour, on the hour, with a maximum capacity of 60 people per session. www.nycgovparks.org
PHOTOGRAPH: POBY FOR ASPHALT GREEN
GETTING INTO THE SWIM OF THINGS
PASSPORT Call of the
WILD
DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCES THE RAW WONDER OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT BY JOE ALEXANDER; PHOTOGRAPHS BY PHIL WEST
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TRAVEL | DOWNTOWN ON
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here is no single adventure on earth that can change your relationship with the universe like a safari. Ben Affleck, Grace and Robert DeNiro, David and Lauren Bush, Natalie Portman, and Matt Damon are just a few of the Downtown residents who have followed
the call of the wild to experience the world’s most amazing wildlife habitat… Africa. We put our planning in the hands of Phil West of Royal African Safaris, which has organized expeditions for everyone from Microsoft’s Paul Allen to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. West guided us during our amazing trip, taking beautiful pictures that illustrate the magnanimous imagery of this great continent.
THE GORILLAS We fly into Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, on our quest to track some of the few remaining gorillas left in the world; only 800 still exist in the wild. From here, we begin the two-hour trek to the comfortable Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, with six cottages nestled in the foothills of the volcanic Virunga Mountains—a chain of majestic 15,000 foot volcanoes that stretch through Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are here to encounter the legendary Silverback Gorillas, which the country considers a national treasure and whose numbers shrink every day. There are now just 18 families of gorillas made up of 12 to 20 members remaining here. After a hearty breakfast, we are briefed on the dos and don’ts of meeting with our forebears in the forest. Although we will get within 20 feet of these incredible creatures, our hosts warn us not to touch the gorillas—even if they touch us. This is not because of the danger they present to us, but the danger we present to them. Gorillas are susceptible to human diseases. We are outfitted in gators and gloves to avoid the stinging nettles and thorn-covered bushes we will encounter on our trek through the thick African brush. We are told that the most desirable destination
will be the home of the Sabyinyo Family. It is the oldest gorilla family and possesses the largest Silverback, named Guhondo. He is a living, breathing King Kong. For the trek, we hire porters, who, for just $10 a piece, carry all our gear. If necessary, they will even carry us through the forest to the gorillas. We amble through picturesque farmlands planted with potatoes, wheat and fields of daisies, which are processed to create a natural insecticide. Once we tiptoe across a tightrope made of four slim, unlashed logs placed precariously over a rushing river, we are in the jungle. It is here that we stroll along one of the most beautiful paths on the planet, bordered by an enormous grove of bamboo trees, featuring sunlight streaming through the leaves. Once through this oasis, our tracker’s job is to locate the gorillas. They use their machetes to cut a narrow trail up steep terrain to where the constantly moving gorillas make a new nest every night. When we get close to the great apes, our escort takes us to visit the family—one at a time and without a weapon. When we encounter them, we find them surprisingly docile and hospitable, as long as we play by the rules. If a Silver-
back thinks you are getting too close to his offspring or harem, you must act submissive, avert your gaze and emit a slow grunt, which in gorilla language means, “I’m no threat.” Wise men don’t confront a gorilla, at least not the ones who want to stay alive. A dominant Silverback can usually be seen regally gnawing on branches while he is groomed by his harem of females who pick the bugs from his hair. But, it’s the four babies that supply most of the fun during our visit. They are jumping, wrestling, climbing trees and beating their chests. One baby actually approaches and pushes me! Needless to say—I don’t push back.
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EMAKOKO The next leg of our trip takes us to Kenya, where we elected to skip the traffic and noise of Nairobi to stay at Emakoko. This is a family-owned and run lodge built into the side of a valley on the Mbagathi River, a 45-minute transfer from both airports in Nairobi city. This perfectly appointed 10-room lodge—built by Emma and Anthony Childs—sits on the edge of the Nairobi National Park. The nearby metropolis is called “The Green City,” because the park is just 100 square kilometers from a teaming urban area of four million. The beautiful park is a safe haven for lions, leopards, cape buffalo, white rhino, zebras, giraffes and dozens of other species, most of which are viewable from an armchair on the balcony. Be sure to visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which is just 30 minutes from the lodge. This non-profit orphanage was founded 37 years ago by David and Dame Daphne Sheldrick for lost or abandoned elephants, who are raised by surrogate human “mothers,” who even sleep with their charges until they can be reintegrated into the wild.
Naibor Camp naibor.com
LION KING Leaving Nairobi, we rent a small plane to fly to the Maasai Mara. This is “Lion King” country so make sure your pilot points out the actual Pride Rock that inspired the Broadway set where Simba stands guard over his kingdom. We landed at Naibor, a boutique camp of comfortable en-suite tents erected along the beautiful Mara River. While sipping tea or champagne you can watch a pod of hippos frolicking in the mud just yards away. Afterward, you head into the wilderness in a land cruiser to view the Big Five Attractions: Lions, Leopards, Elephant, Rhino and Cape Buffalo. On our trip, we come upon a pregnant cheetah that has just killed an impala. Suddenly, a leopard springs from the bush and steals it away from the expectant mom. Scenes like this immediately thrust you into the reality of the wild. This is Africa at dusk, when everyone is hungry. In the sunshine you can spot a herd of elephants sharing a watering hole with a crash of rhinos and a gang of water buffalo, as a herd of zebras and giraffes look on peacefully. Eagles, hawks and heron soar by with vultures perching expectantly in dead trees. Everyone coexists in this Garden of Eden until somebody gets hungry.
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The Emakoko emakoko.com
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RHINO HOUSE
Kifaru House kifaruhouse.com
Our final stop is Kenya’s most glamorous address—Kifaru House. In Swahili, Kifaru means rhinoceros. At this place, the name couldn’t be more appropriate. This private residence is situated on top of a mountain overlooking the 55,000 acres of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The lodge’s core mission is to protect the 120 rhinos on their preserve, including 60 of the world’s last 660 East African black rhinos. Poachers kill these magnificent creatures to harvest their horns, which in powder form is considered an aphrodisiac. They are also used in traditional Chinese medicine, and in Vietnam they are erroneously thought to cure cancer. Sadly, these are the reasons the horns are worth up to $250,000 a piece in Asia. Here, every rhino has its own armed “babysitter,” who carries a bow and arrow and transistor radio that plays music so their charges know they are nearby and safe. To see three black rhinos strike a back-to-back defensive pose and point their horns at danger in three directions at once is a sight to behold. The Conservancy is also a haven for 70 other types of mammals, rare birds and exotic flowers. British princes William and Harry spent a month at Lewa building roads and helping the veterinarians care for the wildlife. Do not fail to visit the local Massai village to buy their intricate beaded jewelry and see how they live happily in their primitive huts and herd cattle, which sustains them. When Ricky and Ralph Lauren brought their family on safari, they stayed at Kifaru House, which has a staff of 18. This chic compound is made up of six cottages, but they accept only one family at a time. The tables are laid with fine linens, porcelains and sterling silver, and the chef is a wizard. While our African experience brought us face-to-face with the amazing creatures with whom we share this planet, and took us to its most primitive and beautiful environments, we were able to experience elements of luxury in the wonderful accommodations that hosted us on our journey. If you want to experience the best of both worlds, this is an adventure not to be missed. n
Phil West can be reached at Royal African Safaris, phil@royalafricansafaris.com DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM
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A go-to destination
F LATIRON BY JEFF SIMMONS
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t’s where the past meets the present—in the shadow of one of the most fabled buildings in New York City. Just 20 blocks south of the frenzy that characterizes Times Square
is the distinctive Flatiron Building, an architectural beacon that draws countless visitors each day destined to photograph its architectural ingenuity. While drawn to the neighborhood because of this 22-story icon, which was at one time one of the tallest buildings in New York City, visitors can easily be captivated by a dynamic landscape; the thriving Madison Square Park, cultural establishments including the National Museum of Mathematics, and culinary offerings that span the globe. “While this neighborhood was once primarily defined by the Flatiron Building, it has evolved into a premier 21st century live-work-visit community,” said Jennifer Brown, who leads the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership. “The transformation continues to draw a diverse array of popular restaurants, a dynamic retail environment, and family-friendly activities. Yet it’s a place where you still feel connected. When you step into Flatiron, you feel like you’ve found a new home.” The Flatiron Building, originally the Fuller Building, was considered to be a groundbreaking skyscraper. Upon completion in 1902, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city and one of only two skyscrapers north of 14th Street—the other being the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower one block east. As with numerous other wedgeshaped buildings, the name “Flatiron” derives from its resemblance to a cast-iron clothes iron.
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THE SCENE
The American bistro Almond.
At the heart of the Flatiron District is the bow-tie—the intersection of Fifth Avenue, 23rd Street and Broadway.
Whether you’re new to the neighborhood or a repeat “customer,” it’s not difficult to discover that Flatiron is more than ever a go-to destination. At the heart of the neighborhood is the bow-tie—the intersection of Fifth Avenue, 23rd Street and Broadway. A healthy dose of visitors and workers mix with an ever-growing population of residents. “Flatiron has everything: a central location, easy access to transportation, world-class homes with shopping and dining, exciting nightlife and a jewel of a park; all surrounded by historical beauty,” said Nicholas Athanail, local resident and licensed associate real estate broker with The Corcoran Group. “I love the Flatiron District for its exciting diversity. It really has something for everyone. Being here, for me, always feels like I’m in the center of ‘where it’s at.’” Christopher Heywood, Senior Vice President of Communications for NYC & Company, added, “Flatiron is one of the City’s most stylish and well-located neighborhoods with excellent dining, shopping and cultural opportunities.”
PHOTOGRAPHS: FAYÇAL AALLOUCH
FOODIES REJOICE With more than 185 food establishments, a culinary cornucopia unfolds at every corner. With eateries ranging from casual to upscale, it’s easy to take a trip around the world in less than one square mile. Frequented by visitors from across the globe—and many from Italy itself—is the anchor culinary destination, Eataly New York, positioned at the bustling crossroads of Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. Packed with shoppers and diners at nearly all hours, Eataly offers a panoply of fresh ingredients available to purchase or devour onsite at its seven sit-down restaurants. The marketplace allows one to indulge in fresh mozzarella, salumi and cheese, fish, pizza and pasta, and enjoy splendid views from a rooftop restaurant all year-round. In recent years, the district has welcomed an outcropping of new restaurants. One of the most consistent draws continues to be the world-renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack. The original burger-and-fries eatery is at the southeast corner of Madison Square Park. Don’t be discouraged by the line because the queue moves swiftly and in summer and fall you’ll enjoy the peaceful park setting.
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Meyer’s reach has extended beyond the district’s park boundaries and bolstered the neighborhood’s reputation as a barbecuelover’s home with mouthwatering real pit barbecue offerings at the nearby Blue Smoke, paired with world-class live jazz at his Jazz Standard. A brisk walk away, Hill Country Barbecue Market, Maysville, Hill Country Chicken, and Hog Pit NYC provide other chances for lip-smacking barbecue and southern food indulgence with delicacies such as brisket, baby back ribs, crispy pork shank, spicy chocolate bacon brownies and red velvet cake. (And mark your
of the Bridgehampton outpost of the same name, which combines French cuisine in a casual atmosphere (and a roster of New York State craft beers). Two gems not to miss while visiting the neighborhood are Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop and Birch Coffee. The charming Eisenberg’s—which touts that it has raised New York’s cholesterol since 1929—is a classic Jewish deli, known for its hot pastrami, tuna melts and classic egg creams. Birch Coffee just moved its store a few doors down near Madison Avenue on East 27th Street, but it hasn’t lost that down-
Haan, Club Monaco, and Eileen Fisher, to name a few. The district has evolved into a tech and creative hub, with an ever-expanding number of companies like Mashable, Tumblr and eBay. At street level, Best Buy offers a sizeable display of computer, camera and phone options, while Tekserve employees are the go-to Apple experts. And if you need to give your smartphone a boost, a new gem along 23rd Street is Time Warner Cable’s flagship store, featuring recharging stations. The corridor soon will have free Wi-Fi, an expansion of the free wireless service
round. Named for James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, the space formally opened as a public park in 1847. The park underwent a substantial overhaul in the late 1990s, restoring elements of its original 19th century design and making the park the center of neighborhood life. Now, the restored park features lush green lawns, World’s Fairstyle benches and a beautiful fountain. Overlooking the park at its northern point is the only math museum in the country, the National Museum of Mathematics, which opened its doors on East 26th Street in 2012. MoMath consists of a suite
calendars, because every spring, Madison Square Park and the surrounding blocks become home to the renowned Big Apple Barbecue Block Party.) Over the past few years, tremendous growth in restaurant openings was seen in the district’s northern NoMad section, including the NoMad Restaurant, Flatiron Hall, The Flatiron Room, Vin Sur Vingt, the Cambodian sandwich shop Num Pang and organic outpost Sweetgreen. Looking for breathtaking views while sipping martinis? Visit 230 Fifth’s rooftop bar and restaurant (which is heated in colder weather) and penthouse lounge, which rests in the shadow of the Empire State Building. Giant umbrellas provide cover from rain or sun, on those hot days. For a cozier atmosphere, there’s the nearby American bistro Almond, the sister
home appeal. The menus shift slightly with the seasons, and locally sourced brews continue to be the big draw. It’s the perfect pit stop to relax or refuel while you traverse the neighborhood.
provided in the pedestrian plazas. The retail landscape is extremely family-friendly. Children abound at Space Kiddets, which offers a broad selection of trendy designs and up-and-coming designers, vintage rock t-shirts for newborns, funky apparel, and accessories. Finally, Abracadabra NYC is a wonderland to behold, a New York City institution housing costumes, masks, wigs of every sort. It’s not just for Halloween anymore!
of newly created exhibits, providing novel ways to experience the reality of math. More than a dozen other cultural attractions entice visitors both young and old, with the Baruch Performing Arts Center providing theater, concerts and lectures year-round and housing the National Yiddish Theatre - Folksbiene, and the Alexander String Quartet. Each year, the Sidney Mishkin Gallery offers smaller shows. Other must-see stops incude the Swann Auction Galleries, a third-generation family business and now the largest specialist auctioneer of works on paper in the world; The Peoples Improv Theater, which presents original comedic shows seven nights a week; and the Museum of Sex, which presents the history and evolution of human sexuality. n
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SHOPPING HAVEN That range—from the upscale to the casual—is just as evident while shopping in the neighborhood. The district attracts a healthy dose of shoppers driven by both name-brand, big-box outlets and smallbusiness support. Abutting the vibrant pedestrian plazas is Finland’s gift to textile and apparel design, Marimekko. South of the Flatiron Building along Fifth Avenue is a fashionista’s dream, as dynamic window displays beckon customers into BCBG, Ann Taylor, Cole
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CULTURAL MECCA Culturally, the Flatiron district continues to flourish with a wide variety of attractions ranging from the academic to entertainment. A seven-acre urban oasis, Madison Square Park offers cultural programs year-
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FAMILY FOCUS | KIDS’ FASHION | PARENTING
Summer fun
I N THE C ITY BY DENISE COURTER
New York City may be known as “The City That Never Sleeps,” but there is more than enough fun under the sun and daylight hours to satisfy the needs of any family looking for a good time. Local attractions and recreational facilities are abundant and of the highest quality. Also, Downtown’s location and position as the transportation hub—with 12 subways, 30 bus lines and six different ferry options—gives any family easy opportunity to get out of town to nearby destinations for fun day trips. So while any vacation should be fun, a great vacation can always be found right in your own backyard.
Imagination Playground
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FAMILY FOCUS | LITTLE APPLE
GREAT DOWNTOWN FAMILY DESTINATIONS: IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND— Located at Burlington Slip at the foot of John Street on the East River and designed by celebrated architect David Rockwell, this multi-million-dollar interactive and transformable facility opened in the summer of 2010. It is famed for its unique blue foam blocks, mats, wagons, fabric and crates that allow children to build their own creations. The playground design subtly encourages kids to practice cooperation and teamwork for fun. Admission is free, and the park is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. (nycgovparks.org/ parks/imaginationplayground)
BATTERY PARK—Located on the southern tip of Manhattan, this park spans roughly 36 acres and is comprised of parks, gardens, playing fields, plazas, playgrounds and walkways. It’s a destination that is not to be missed, and a perfect spot to explore, set up a picnic, or relax on
the grass with the family. There are several events that have become local favorites, including the annual “Sunset Jam on the Hudson” series that occurs every Friday throughout the summer. It’s an interactive, improvisational drumming circle that takes place at Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
at Battery Place and West Street. Another favorite area is the beautifully designed, two-acre Teardrop Park, where kids can enjoy one of the best slides in the City, built into the rocks. A sand pit, water feature and hidden seats make this one of the best spots in NYC. (bpcparks.org)
PIER 15—Downtown’s newest green space—with 50,000 square feet of lawn— offers spectacular views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. On the north edge of the pier is a ramp leading up to an amphitheater-style seating area. It’s a great spot for a picnic, playing Frisbee and spending the day outside. An extra bonus for both kids and grown-ups is the Watermark Bar and Cones Café. With kid-friendly food and grown-up drinks, the entire family will love this stop along the East River. With plans for summer concerts and special events, this will become a hot spot for families. The Pier is generally open from 6 a.m. to midnight, depending on the season. Pier 15
PHOTOGRAPHS: FAYÇAL AALLOUCH
GOVERNOR’S ISLAND—After a $252 million renovation this past year, the park features mixed-use development with art installations, baseball fields, music festivals, cultural events and family-friendly activities, such as the Children’s Museum of Art outpost and mini-golf. In January, the Governors Island Trust announced the release of 30 new acres of park and public spaces called “The Hills.” In addition to the new public spaces, the Trust also announced a new, free bike program for the 2014 season, “Free Bike Mornings.” Essentially, visitors can borrow a free bike from Monday to Friday. The free bikes are available for one-hour sessions between 10 a.m. and noon on weekdays. The waterfront promenade that encircles the Island is 2.2 miles around, which is perfect for a casual ride with gorgeous views of Lower Manhattan. From May 24 through September 28, the island is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (to 7 p.m. on weekends). (govisland.com)
Teardrop Park
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DAY TRIPS FROM LOWER MANHATTAN:
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
DOWNTOWN defines a “day trip” as an entire day spent out of the city with the whole family. Check out these easy to get to destinations that guarantee family memories and experiences. Plus, as an added bonus, these indoor destinations are great for when the weather outside is not so ideal.
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22-month, $109 million, 100,000-foot expansion on five floors of activities. You can also take a ferry from the museum to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. LEGO DISCOVERY CENTER, YONKERS—This indoor wonderland is just a little more than a 30-minute drive from Lower Manhattan and offers 35,000 square feet of Lego creations—that resemble an amazing likeness to local
Liberty Science Center
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landmarks, villages and construction sites—and a 4-D movie theatre with tickets priced under $20 for adults and even less for kids. There are also birthday party plans and a sprawling cafeteria to keep the kids stuffed and satisfied.
PHOTOGRAPHS: THE BROOKLYN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM/ TATIANA GODOY; LEGO DISCOVERY CENTER WESTCHESTER; LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER
THE BROOKLYN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM—A subway or car trip from Lower Manhattan to Crown Heights, this essential destination was established way back in 1899 and is generally recognized as the first museum in the country to cater specifically to children. It’s also the city’s first green museum—after a massive 2008 renovation—integrating many of the latest environmentally responsible building materials, systems and management practices. The museum offers a wide range of activities for kids of all ages, including a water lab, science area, creative play spaces and an arts and crafts world.
THE LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER, NEW JERSEY—Just a quick Path train ride away in Jersey City, this amazing destination offers science exhibits, the largest IMAX Dome theater in the country, educational resources and has just completed a
KIDS’ FASHION | LITTLE APPLE
BEACHES IN AND AROUND NYC:
u ZOE B ORGANIC Beach Toys, Pink/Orange, $22
Summer’s here! Plan a beach outing with your family to one of New York City’s best seaside retreats. SANDY HOOK, NEW JERSEY—The pristine beach welcomes sun-seekers with its seven miles of beaches and dunes, plus hiking and biking trails. Hop on the Seastreak ferry, which operates daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, departing from East 35th St. and Pier 11 at Wall St. A variety of bus and train services also serve Sandy Hook. (sandyhookfoundationnj.org)
p MINI BODEN Reversible Hat, $24
Summer beach
E SSENTIALS LITTLE APPLE-ISTAS LOVE PLAYIN’ IN THE SAND
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN—The nostalgia of this nearly three-mile beach is its boardwalk, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and the amusement park thrill rides. Hop on the D, F, N or Q trains to the Stillwell Ave. station. A variety of buses also travel to Coney Island from Manhattan. (coneyisland.com) JACOB RIIS PARK BEACH, QUEENS— Forming part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, the beach has soft sand and lots of activities, including kite flying, volleyball courts and the Brooklyn Golf Center. Take the 2 train to Flatbush Ave., then the Q35 bus to Riis Beach, or take the NY Beach Ferry from Pier 11 at Wall Street. (nyharborparks.org/visit/jari.html)
p MINI BODEN Fishermans Hat, $28
t MUSTELA Sunscreen, $15 u SWIMZIP Sassy Surfer, Girls Pink, $30 p VILBREQUIN Boys Swimwear, Moorea Print, $140
t CREW CUTS Sunnies, Neon Rose Papaya, $25
ROCKAWAY BEACH, QUEENS—Rockaway Beach offers good sands, strong surf, plenty of snack shacks, outdoor sports and other amenities. Several surf camps and schools have opened over the last few years to accommodate the weekend boarder. Take the A train to Broad Channel, then transfer to the S train to Rockaway Park Beach 116th St. (nycgovparks.org/parks/rockawaybeach) p HAVIANAS Boys’ Pets Printed Flip Flops, $17
LONG BEACH, LONG ISLAND—Long Beach is one of the oldest communities on Long Island, featuring many great local restaurants and shops. The beach itself is well known for its 3.5 plus miles of warm sand and its iconic boardwalk. Take the LIRR from Penn Station to Long Beach Station and walk from there. (longbeachny.gov) LONG BRANCH, NEW JERSEY—This well-kept beach is wide and sandy, giving way to the cool waters of the Atlantic. For gourmet ice cream, waterfront dining and upscale boutiques, head to the nearby Pier Village. Take the NJ Transit from Penn Station to Long Branch, and walk from there. (visitlongbranch.com) n
p BURBERRY Check One-Piece Swimsuit Turquoise, $130
MUST T RY
u DR. FEDORENKO True Organic Bug Stick, $30
PREMIER KITES Butterfly Kite, $28
p MELISSA & DOUG Shark Toy, $25
u HANNA ANDERSSON SPEEDO Snorkel Set, pink or blue, $22
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PARENTING | LITTLE APPLE
Dishing with
D OWNTOWN M OMS TOUCHING BASE WITH ACTRESS WENDY MONIZ GRILLO BY DENISE COURTER
Wendy Moniz Grillo with sons Liam, 17, Remy, 9, and Rio, 6. Photo by Joseph Amellala, Jr.
PHOTOGRAPH: JOSEPH AMELLA, JR.
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ctress and alumna of the daytime soap opera Guiding Light, and most recently, star of Betrayal, Wendy Moniz Grillo, is a Downtown mom with three school-age boys and a real passion for the community in which she’s chosen to raise them. She is currently hard at work on the feature film, The Grief of Others, but found time to talk about her love of Lower Manhattan and share some of her favorite family spots in the area.
to TriBeCa. I love living close to the water and the fact that it is easy to get from the west side to the east side and be on the water in a short amount of time.
What do you like about living Downtown? When my husband and I moved back from Venice Beach, I wanted to be where I still felt like I was in the City but where I could walk a couple of blocks and be on the water. So, we stumbled upon Battery Park and recently made the move
What are the challenges of being a working mom in the City? When the kids were little and in a stroller, the subways were definitely a challenge. But that never phased me. I feel the experiences of raising kids in the City are unique, and I can’t imagine not living here.
What are your favorite things about being a City mom? I love experiencing the change of the seasons. The pull of Downtown, for me, is the openness compared to other parts of the City. The amount of playgrounds and open spaces are great.
What is your family’s favorite summer activity? Governor’s Island! When I discovered it, I couldn’t believe it. You feel like you are somewhere else entirely. We look forward to going there each summer. The kids love it because we take the bikes, and I love it because I’m a nervous Nelly with the kids on the bikes, and since cars are not allowed, I feel safe while the kids ride their bikes. What is the best parenting advice/phrase you were given or can share? Keeping a schedule is HUGE! From babies through grade school, you need to regulate them in almost every way and keep them feeling secure and happy. I always strive for a plan for the day that my children can rely on. It’s always helped them and me! n
WENDY’S FAVES DOWNTOWN PLAYGROUND: on I love Teardrop Park, as well as Nels t. stree the ss acro Rockefeller Park PLACE TO GET A COCKTAIL: Odeon. Let’s face it, they have the best Ginger Martinis! FAVORITE DOWNTOWN FAMILY or PLACE: Going to Shake Shack and/ er! dinn or h lunc , kfast Bubby’s for brea MODE OF TRANSPORTATION: rWe use Uber when we need it; othe ere. ywh ever wise, we just walk
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LITTLE APPLE | ANIMAL HOUSE
BARCLAY’S SPOT BUBBHA, JAPANESE MASTIFF, 20 MONTHS What is your perfect summer day? Playing with my best friend Stella, a beautiful Battery Park City French bulldog! Where do you catch some rays? Right here with my friends in Battery Park…or on the Longmeadow in Prospect Park. What is your favorite snack? A rare cheddar cheeseburger at TriBeCa Grand or Soho Grand Hotels. The Soho Grand also has a really great new dog run! Favorite sport? Hiking for a couple of hours along the Hudson or East Rivers.
KYLIE, MALTESE, 2 YEARS What is your perfect summer day? Hanging at our summerhouse on a raft in the pool! Where do you catch some rays? Battery Park City or Dumbo in Brooklyn are perfect places for summer rays. What is your favorite snack? BBQ anything, and I’ll eat it up! Favorite sport? I love watching baseball and crazy surfing competitions with my daddy.
PIKACHU, TOY PEKINGESE, 2 YEARS What is your perfect summer day? Being with my family and my doggie pals outside in our garden and by the pool. Where do you catch some rays? On the front patio between my mom’s lavender and basil pots where it smells so nice. What is your favorite snack? Grilled salmon on the cedar planks, and I also love to eat watermelon. Favorite sport? I like to watch the fish and frogs in our fishpond and to chase butterflies in the backyard.
What is your perfect summer day? Playtime with my friends at the North End Ave. dog park, and a long walk along the Hudson River. I like to end the day with a few licks from an ice cream cone. Where do you catch some rays? Since my skin is fair, I can’t catch too many rays outside. Instead, I find a spot in my apartment where the sun is streaming in and take a nap there. What is your favorite snack? Melons, especially watermelon and cantaloupe. Favorite sport? Running through the sprinklers at the Pier 26 dog park in TriBeCa.
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COOPER, SHIFFON, 3 YEARS What is your perfect summer day? Running around at my daddy’s house in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Where do you catch some rays? At the South Street Seaport dogwalk or Chelsea Piers. What is your favorite snack? Always CHICKEN! Favorite sport? Playing fetch with my two daddies.
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PHOTOGRAPHS: JOSEPH AMELLA, JR.
DUNCAN, W. HIGHLAND TERRIER, 2.5 YEARS
CITY BITES
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CHEF PROFILE | DINING OUT
CHEF PROFILE | CITY BITES
Refined
ELEGANCE CHRISTIAN AND ELAINE MIR HAVE BEEN SERVING HAUTE CUISINE FOR 18 YEARS AT STONE CREEK INN BY KARINE BAKHOUM PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOSEPH AMELLA, JR. The first time I met Christian and Elaine Mir 15 years ago, they told me they had a restaurant in the Hamptons and invited me to try it. I was relieved to learn that Christian was from the South of France and was optimistic that the food would be authentic, but I wasn’t prepared to discover this culinary treasure. “This is the Daniel of the Hamptons,” I declared with unbridled enthusiasm. We feasted on fragrant bouillabaisse, juicy racks of lamb, succulent lobsters in Thai broth, perfectly charred steaks and bountiful choices of fresh vegetables and seafood. We were in heaven, and I am happy to say that 18 years later Stone Creek Inn is still a crowned jewel of hospitality and delectable pleasures! What inspired you to get into cooking? I grew up in my father’s grocery store, where I was exposed to great produce, fish and meats daily. Everything was extremely fresh and would sell out quickly. Who did the cooking at home? My mom did the cooking during the week, and my father cooked on the weekends, and I helped out. As my parents went to the store very early, it was my job to prepare breakfast for my siblings. That’s how I got into cooking. When did you decide that you wanted to be a chef? Did you tell your parents, “You know what, I want to become a chef?” Yes, basically, at the age of 14, I knew I had to do something. I was in school, not doing extremely well academically, and I thought, “I can be a chef, I love being around food.” So, I went to culinary school for three years in Castel Sarrasin, a town about 45 minutes from where I grew up, and I studied all about cooking and running and managing a kitchen. It was the best three years of my life (at that time), and I made friends there I still have today.
Who were your primary culinary influences? My grandmother and my aunt were really unbelievable cooks. They were my primary influence, and then I started working in a restaurant in Villemur-sur-Tarn, north of Toulouse, where I learned all the basics and a strong work ethic. My father was a hardworking guy, and told me from the beginning, “You have to be on time, you have to do what you are told and work hard.” What motivated you to come to America? I came when I was 27 with the desire to experience something different. Being in France was great, but at the time, I felt like it’s time to reach out and discover the world. My best friend, Bérnard, was working in the U.S. at Tavern on the Green and told me there was a position available and to come to New York. What was your impression when you arrived at Tavern on the Green? I had never seen anything like it in my life. Arriving from my little town, I mean. I’d traveled a little bit through France, but nothing like that. It was an unbelievable place, enormous and opulent. I was very impressed and scared at the same time. I didn’t speak a word of English…. You met your wife Elaine there, yes? Yes, I met her in the kitchen. She started about three months after me. She was cute, so we all noticed her when she interviewed with Marc Poidevin, who was the executive chef. Two days later, she was working the pasta station, and all the chefs were like, “Oh wow, did you see the new girl?” I was shy and just said hello and goodbye. But then, during her first week, she had an accident and got a bad burn, and all the other chefs were like, “Oh, poor you.” But I said, “Here, let me take care of you. Step aside; I’ll finish your station for you.” Then we went out, and I proposed a couple of months later.
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When did you decide to open a restaurant together? That same year actually. It was Elaine’s idea. She said, why work for others when we were capable of doing it ourselves? So we first visited a bunch of places in Manhattan, but it was very difficult. We were young, and rents were very high.... [O]ne weekend, when we were visiting her parents in Westhampton, we came upon this beautiful location on our way fishing. It had been closed for many years, was completely overgrown, but we could see the potential. So we called the town to see who owned it; there wasn’t a sign or anything. The owner actually lived in the back, so we contacted her, and we made a deal. What year was that? That was in 1996. Actually, we opened May 23, 1996, on Elaine’s birthday, right before Memorial Day weekend. She took care of the front of the house, and I was in the kitchen.... [S]ometimes I would need her help in the kitchen when we got very busy, and she’d say, “Honey, I’ll come and help you, but don’t boss me around!” We worked very, very hard. To make it work you have to put your whole heart into it, and we did. We knew it was the right place for us, and 18 years later we are still here. What is your driving motivation when you’re seeking ingredients for your dishes? What drives me is the people behind the product. I work closely with Patty Gentry and her Early Girl Farm. She grows all sorts of heirloom baby vegetables and lettuces for me. When you meet people like that, so passionate, completely behind her product—she doesn’t use pesticides, it’s all just hard work and devotion—she loves what she does. And the same thing goes for the fishermen I work with around here. That’s what drives me.
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Why do you think Stone Creek Inn was such an immediate hit and still is today? I think that at the time we came in ’96, we brought something that simply wasn’t here before. Not just the style of food, which was definitely new for the area, but also a young married couple owning and operating it. People came in the restaurant and would ask, “Who is the owner?” Elaine would say, “It’s me,” and they’d say, “But you’re so young!” So they kind of adopted us in a way. How did they react to the food? People really embraced it right away—they loved the simplicity, the refinement and the consistency, I think, that was the thing. They came the first week, and it was very busy.... [T]hey could come during the week when it wasn’t as busy, but they always had the same experience, which, unfortunately, they didn’t find in some other places when they got very busy. And what about the way the food was presented? They were surprised by the way it was presented, how elegant it was. That’s true. You know, we use great glassware, flatware… we spent money on all those things from day one. People really enjoyed it and could see we put our hearts in this place. What dish was an opening standout that is still to this day? We have a few dishes that have become staples, but to pick one, I will say I get compliments from people who have traveled overseas to Marseille, for bouillabaisse, and they come back and say, “We had the bouillabaisse over there, and I think yours tastes just as
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good.” That’s a great compliment, especially as we don’t use the same fish as they do… here we use local fish. What are your favorite East End destinations? We enjoy the North Fork Table, Nick and Toni’s, Sen for sushi, and we like eating in the garden at Tuto il Giorno in Southampton. What do you like to do when you’re not working? I like to go fishing—I have a little boat and take my son. Who does the cooking at home? We share. Elaine loves to cook Thai and Asian food. Every New Year’s Day, we do a “polar plunge”—we get in the freezing cold water— and then make a Spicy Thai Coconut Soup with sticky rice. The flavor is unbelievable. That’s how I came up with the lobster dish that you just tasted, which has become a signature. And then we’ll have champagne! Why do you think the restaurant has been so successful for 18 years? That is rare in the Hamptons. 18 years… It doesn’t seem possible, but it’s true! I think the restaurant’s success is due to a combination of things: our guests come for the ambiance and the food, of course, but they also come to see us. Elaine in the front dining room, me in the kitchen… They feel like this is their home, and that’s how we want them to feel. Do you see yourself opening any other locations in the Hamptons? Yes, definitely. I’d like to open a casual, rustic bistro.
Do you have any aspirations to share your creations in a cookbook? Yes, I think that’s something I would love to do: The Stone Creek Inn Cookbook. What would you say your ultimate career goals as a chef are? Or have you achieved them? I was raised around the table, sharing wine and food with loved ones, sharing stories. There’s nothing better than that! So my ultimate goal is to provide a special and consistent dining experience every day and to leave behind something that people will remember. I want to leave a legacy of joy and camaraderie. If you could pick just one, what is the most memorable meal you have ever had? It was in a hunting lodge near Bordeaux about 10 years ago. I was with my family, there were about 20 of us. All the food we had was cooked in a giant fireplace, and we drank some of the best Bordeaux wines ever, like Petrus and Cheval Blanc—it was just amazing. It was all about birds: It started with the best goose foie gras I have ever tasted, then we had a bécasse—you call them woodcock here—and finally we had what we call the ortolan. Oh, that tiny, forbidden little bird traditionally imbued with Armagnac? Did you eat it under your napkin? Yes, it’s cooked in a little casserole after it has been submerged in Armagnac, and you cover your head with your napkin when you eat it. You put the whole bird in your mouth and grab all the bones and then pull the bones out, leaving the sweet intoxicating meat in your mouth. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! n
Christian and Elaine Mir opened the Stone Creek Inn 18 years ago.
STONE CREEK INN Celebrating 18 years of serving the finest authentic French farm-to-table cuisine in the Hamptons, East Quogue’s Stone Creek Inn is owned and operated by husband and wife team Christian Mir and Elaine DiGiacomo. They met while Central Park’s Tavern on the Green and chose to move from the hustle and bustle of the city to blaze new culinary trails on the East End in the mid-’90s. Built in a Victorian house, the property was renovated to restore its turn-of-the-century glory in 1996. The couple splits duties at the 160-seat restaurant, with Christian overseeing the kitchen and Elaine running the front of house. Long favored by critics, locals and Manhattanities, the Stone Creek Inn is a labor of love reminiscent of the rare culinary jewels one stumbles upon in the South of France. The Mirs are excited for yet another summer of pleasing palates with a focus on fresh, organic and local ingredients—including fresh herbs from their garden. WWW.STONECREEKINN.COM
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SHORE THINGS
BY KARINE BAKHOUM PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOSEPH AMELLA, JR.
When you’re out east, everyone loves dining in the open air. Here is a peek at some of the most delicious experiences you can encounter under the summer sun.
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DINING OUT | CITY BITES
LT BURGER IN THE HARBOR
HARLOW SAG HARBOR Celebrated New York City hot spot Harlow has just opened an East End outpost, taking along its chic, fun-loving atmosphere and fresh, seafood-focused fare. The restaurant is the second solo project from the Notar Hospitality Group, featuring partners Jim Pallotta, Jon Krasner and Michael Barrett, and a 30-year history of the world’s top tastemakers and brands, including the Morgan’s Hotel Group and Nobu. The new restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, utilizing regional farmers, fishermen and vineyards to produce the best local food and drink. The menu offers everything from coffee and croissants in the morning, to cocktails and crudo at night. Executive Chef Danny Ye has crafted a seafood-focused menu with globally inspired flavors. Highlights include an extensive raw bar and such menu favorites as Branzino, Salmon and Lamb Meatballs, as well as Tartines for lunch. Located at Long Wharf, the space has 200 indoor seats with an additional 180 seats on the dock, overlooking gorgeous Sag Harbor Bay. WWW.HARLOWNYC.COM
The brainchild of Manhattan Chef-Restaurateur Laurent Tourondel and Michael Cinque, owner of Amagansett Wines & Spirits, LT Burger is the family-friendly burger joint for which East End denizens have long waited. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Tourondel offers a classic and signature burger menu that utilizes local ingredients, including local heirloom tomatoes, Mecox Dairy cheese, fried Horman’s dill pickles, and an array of French fries, including skinny, waffle and sweet potato varieties, plus thick cut onion rings. Other highlights include inventive milkshakes, signature cocktails and locally sourced wines. Breakfast includes pastries, breakfast sandwiches, omelettes, Hampton Coffee Co. coffee and a standout creation dubbed the East End Pile-up. Whimsical desserts include Chipwich ice cream sandwiches with peanut brittle and peanut butter milk chocolate s’mores. WWW.LTBURGER.COM n
BAY KITCHEN BAR Overlooking East Hampton’s majestic Three Mile Harbor marina, this latest culinary masterpiece from Chef-Restaurateur Eric Miller in partnership with Richard Silver and Miller’s son, Adam, debuted this spring. Destined to be the Hamptons’ hottest spot, every night kicks off with Sunset Happy Hour, which features $1 oysters and $5 glasses of Muscadet. The waterside sunset views are free! The menu abounds with inventive libations and the best sea-to-table cuisine that East Coast suppliers can offer. Miller is best known for seafood classics, including locally sourced littleneck clams and oysters from Three Mile Harbor and Lake Montauk, black sea bass and fluke from Montauk, and dayboat sea scallops fished off the Long Island coast. Miller tapped Keith Rennie (Madison and Main) as Chef de Cuisine, adding seafood expertise to the kitchen. The modern space was co-designed by Adam Miller and Pratt Institute pal, Scott Rominger, and captures the maritime heritage of its surroundings. WWW.BAYKITCHENBAR.COM DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM
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CITY BITES | DINING OUT
Raw
EXCELLENCE DYLAN PRIME SERVES UP EXOTIC FRESH SEAFOOD STORY BY YUNA JEONG PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSEPH AMELLA, JR.
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ylan Prime has been TriBeCa’s culinary jewel for years and in recent months has been reborn with the same vitality as the TriBeCa neighborhood with which it is synonymous. In its latest incarnation, owner John Mautone has married sleek sophistication with industrial accents that harken back to the proud industrial origins of the area. Pairing TriBeCa’s blue collar history with its sophisticated present and
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future, Executive Chef Michael Berardino has cultivated a contemporary American menu with fine meats, seafood and farmto-table freshness unsurpassed in the city. This season, the restaurant offers a superlative raw bar, featuring lobster, crab, local clams, oysters and authentic American gulf shrimp from Louisiana. “Michael’s New England ties bring us a raw bar that allows us to provide legitimate feast dining,” says Mautone.
“His Mediterranean influence brings acid, citrus and tasteful heat to the mix. We have three generations of relationships that provide our customers the finest seafood possible. Our oysters come from the Blue Island Oyster Company from the Great South Bay via the Fire Island Inlet.” One need not take to the high seas to sample the finest fare the ocean has to offer. Just sail on over to beautiful, historic and delicious Dylan Prime. n
Kanye West, John Legend, and Consequence in NYC
O UT AND ABOUT YOUR VIP PASS TO THE FINEST CULTURE, PERSONALITIES AND EVENTS IN LOWER MANHATTAN AND BEYOND BY JOE ALEXANDER; PHOTOGRAPHS BY PATRICK MCMULLAN
Lady Gaga at 42West Event Space
Elaine Sargent and Mikhail Baryshnikov at Lincoln Center
Jason Boyarski, Joan Jett and David Fritz at the Tonight Show
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ady Gaga opened a pop up gallery at the Out NYC and commanded the stage at their nightclub BPM. She confided, “I don’t think I could live without hair, makeup and styling, let alone be the performer I am. Fashion is that thing that saved me from being sad.” Among those dancing were DJ Alex Ceil and Consequence, who has rapped and written with
Kanye West. He performed his new single “Bottle Girls” about the ladies at 1-Oak, Stilettos and Provocateur at the Montauk Music Festival after Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin sang her hit, “Here We Go.” Joan Jett: “I don’t care if the world thinks I’m smart or not.” Downtown Openings: Movie producer Michael Bregman created a 1920s Weimar Berlin theme for
Noel Ashman’s hot new club The Leonora on West 29th St. Nick Boccio designed a garden paradise dubbed La Isla Escondida for al fresco dining at the Mulberry Project at 149 Mulberry St. Interior designer John Rawlins transformed the legendary Canal Room into Haus, which will offer early evening cocktails, bites and late night revelry at 285 West Broadway.
Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Herb Karlitz, Pamela O’Connor and Morgan O’Connor at NYC Mission Society
Olivia Culpo and Michael Bregman in NYC
DOWNTOWN’s Grace A. Capobianco and Robert DeNiro at Mohonk Preserve Gala
Kate Walsh, Courtney Cox and Olivia Thirlby at Just Before I Go
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen at the TriBeCa Film Festival
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Gillian Jacobs and Leighton Meester at Life Partners at the TriBeCa Film Festival
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Jean Shafiroff and Erik Bottcher at NYC Mission Society
Heather Graham and Karolina Kurkova at the TriBeCa Film Festival
DOWNTOWN DIARIES
Hank Freid and Charlotte Ronson at the Sanctuary Hotel
Patrick McMullan and Michele Gerber Klein at 42West Event Space
Roberto Aguire and Emma Watson at Boulevard at the TriBeCa Film Festival
Kate Hudson and Katy Perry at the TriBeCa Film Festival
Hallie Steinfeld, Keira Knightley and Adam Levine at the Begin Again event
Emma Roberts, James Franco and Gia Coppola at Palo Alto at the TriBeCa Film Festival
Carter Coleman and Whitney Larkin at the Bowery Hotel
Nicola Fiore and Leesa Rowland at Slaughter Daughter
David Noto and Dandy Wellington at Altaneve Prosecco partito
Sofia Vergara at CHEF at the TriBeCa Film Festival
Keira Knightley: “If only I wasn’t an atheist, I could get away with anything.” Michael Douglas and food festival guru Herb Karlitz appeared in Mike Meyers’ doc Supermensch about Shep Gordon and the creation of celebrity chefs at the TriBeCa Film Festival. Douglas said, “Actresses have more fear of being disliked. I, on the other hand, revel in it.” Carter Coleman and Whitney Larkin hosted the African Rainforest Gala that honored their late board member James Gandolfini at the Bowery Hotel. Sofia Vergara confesses, “If I walk outside without lipstick, I feel naked.” Tenth generation vintner David Noto served his superior Altaneve Prosecco to the cognoscenti including celebrity dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Mark and Mercedes Benz Fragrance Ambassador Morgan O’Connor at his black tie ice skating party at The Rink at Brookfield Place. Scream Queen Leesa Rowland opened Slaughter Daughter and walked the red carpet at MoMA where they featured Rowland’s film Return to Nuke ’Em High during the Contenders Film Festival. Designer Lisa Jackson, whose fans include Tory Burch and Vera Wang, launched LJ Cross, her line of edgy crosses at Phoenix Roze in the West Village. n
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas at the TriBeCa Film Festival
Lisa Jackson and Vera Wang at Phoenix Rose
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Chinatown
REARVIEW MIRROR PHOTOGRAPH BY TONY SHI
Today’s Chinatown remains a magnet to Chinese immigrants, but it also attracts tourists, shoppers and even hipsters to its cutting-edge lounges and nightlife. The area boasts a mix of old and new architecture and is home to hundreds of stores, restaurants and markets for residents, tourists and New Yorkers looking for an authentic Asian experience. Downtown’s Chinatown is only one of six different Chinatowns that have sprung up throughout New York to accommodate the growing Chinese population outside of Asia but is still the one that enjoys the most romantic and widespread attention throughout the world.
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REARVIEW MIRROR
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HIDDEN GEM
AMERICAN MERCHANT
MARINER’S M EMORIAL BY CHARLOTTE BRYANT; PHOTOGRAPH BY FAYÇAL AALLOUCH
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argely unnoticed across the gleaming water of the Hudson River off the western edge of Battery Park is a moving memorial to the brave merchant seamen of World War II. The sculpture—based on an actual image of crewmen from the SS Muskogee taken by the commander of an attacking German U-boat—depicts three seamen on the remnants of their recently torpedoed vessel, one desperately reaching for a fourth in the water. The crew of the Muskogee all perished in the attack. Artist Marisol Escobar designed the work—an eerie and poetic snapshot of the last moments in these sailors’ lives—following an extensive competition to win the commission. The statue was dedicated on October 8, 1991. n
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