PARK with Colinici

COLINCI’S AISTHETIKOS

Light, Perception, and the Alchemy of Vision

Internationally recognized pediatric surgeons in Greenwich, Connecticut

Dominique M. Jan, MD

Chief, Pediatric Surgery; Director, Pediatric Transplantation Surgery, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein and Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Specialty Surgeons of Connecticut provides residents of Connecticut access to highly esteemed pediatric surgery experts.

Dominique M. Jan, MD, is an accomplished, internationally trained pediatric surgeon with specialization in the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary disease and biliary atresia, tumors in children, and management of organ failure, providing expert care with excellent outcomes. A pioneer in intestinal transplant, Dr. Jan has published and presented more than 100 articles in the areas of pediatric transplantation of the small bowel, liver and kidney.

Steven H. Borenstein, MD

Pediatric Surgeon, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein and Associate Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Steven H. Borenstein, MD, provides world-class care for all pediatric general surgery conditions, performing the full spectrum of open and minimally invasive procedures ranging from laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair to complex operative approaches required in the management of pediatric solid tumors.

In addition to seeing patients in Greenwich at Specialty Surgeons of Connecticut, Dr. Jan and Dr. Borenstein perform surgery at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein, nationally recognized for pediatric excellence by U.S. News & World Report, and regionally ranked White Plains Hospital.

1455 East Putnam Ave. | Greenwich, CT 203-SURGEON (203-787-4366) specialtysurgeons.com

PARK VE 114 Contents

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CO-FOUNDER

Julie Sagoskin

George Wayne SENIOR EDITOR Christine Montanti

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Michael Gross

ARTS EDITOR

Janis Gardner Cecil

Lisa Stiehl National Sales Manager 914.760.6875 lisa@parkmagazineny.com

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER

Christopher A. Pape

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER R. Couri Hay

ART DIRECTOR

Phuong Truong

FEATURES EDITOR Bennett Marcus

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Lynn Kane

EDITOR Patrick McMullan

COPY EDITOR

Julie Eakin julieeakin@yahoo.com

TRAVEL EDITOR Joe Alexander

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Lauren Bens, & Lexi Wolf

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jeremy Murphy, Lydia Graves, Christine A, Geed, Grace Katich, Rene Freid, Lisa Loverro

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Udo Spreitzenbarth, Shiro Seike, Stewart Shining, Mark Elzey, Oren Siddo SALES TEAM

Maria Coyne Director of Florida & Caribbean Sales 305.975.9234 mecoyne@mecoyneinc.com

Scott Pauker Advertising Sales Manager 917.859.1343 scott@parkmagazineny.com

Siobhan Shea Rossi National Sales Manager 914.374.0710 siobhan@parkmagazineny.com

ASSISTANT EDITORS

W.A. Muller & Ryann Reynolds

INTERIORS EDITOR Cara Gibbs

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Oliver Li

MCaseMedia, Inc. Publisher’s Representative 914.953.3202 info@mcasemedia.com

Combining the unexpected with the respected. Traditional techniques, gold and gemstones meet vintage Bakelite and other remarkable materials.

Editor-inChief’s Letter

With summer in full swing, there’s only one person to call to make sure your lawn stays colorful and healthy all season long – Frederico Alvarez of Unlimited Earth Care. From creating unique landscaping designs to fit your lifestyle to offering full maintenance services, Alvarez specializes in bringing your lawn to life. Describing color as his signature as a designer, he knows just how to pair the perfect palette of complementary hues. With over three decades of experience, Frederico is able to ensure that no two Unlimited Earth Care gardens are ever the same. You can also find a wide range of planters, outdoor furniture, garden accessories, as well as a unique selection of plants, herbs, and vegetables at the Unlimited Earth Care headquarters’ Garden Concept Store located in Bridgehampton.

We had so much fun highlighting the friendship between star-chitect Peter Marino and one of our past favorite cover stars, socialite, actress, author and animal rights advocate, Cornelia Guest. The two met in the 70s, when Marino was hired to renovate Andy Warhol’s Factory, and the rest has been star-studded history. Guest, who has appeared in the Twin Peaks reboot Twin Peaks: The Return, as well as last year’s Oh, Canada, where she plays Jacob Elordi’s mother, and Marino, who can usually be spotted in his black leather ensemble, have many things in common, especially their love of animals and the arts. Peter Marino’s Art Foundation is in fact his true passion project, and he has already saved Southampton’s historic Rogers Memorial Library which had been turned into a Bed, Bath & Beyond. The world-renowned architect wound up purchasing the space to house his growing collection, and that is just the beginning.

I was especially thrilled to sit down with the art world’s biggest superstar, Semadar, who has made big moves by creating her own movement. This Italian-born artist, who is the founder of her very own neo-pointillism style, is perhaps one of the only living artists whose work is being studied today. She is even the only woman artist to be featured in an art encyclopedia in honor of her Leonardo Da Vinci Honorary Award in 2018. Speaking with this social media star about her spirituality and her controversial views on what some people consider art in today’s world is most refreshing for the fact that she doesn’t hold back, in her life, or in her works. If you’re in Manhattan this summer, make sure to check out her upcoming exhibition at Carlton Fine Arts on Madison Avenue, where she will be the only female painter to be featured in the famed gallery since they opened in 1969 –something she is proud of but hopes to change soon.

After practicing plastic surgery at his successful New Jersey practice for the past few decades, Dr. Anthony Berlet is now ready to beautify the Big Apple with his surgical skills. Not just any surgeon, Dr. Berlet, who is also an artist and architect, is opening his Fifth Avenue practice, and he wanted to share the news first with PARK. Read all about his journey and even more importantly, listen to his wife Kerry’s podcast, Once Upon a Surgery, focused on life changing stories from his patients.

Check out our latest travel recommendations, new dining destinations, and an enchanting fashion shoot in nature to capture the spirit of spring.

Thank you as always for taking a walk in the park with PARK!

Julie Sagoskin Editor-in-Chief

Editor’s Letter

Ican’t believe it’s already August, this summer has flown by! The response to the Park Magazine Spring issue was incredible. Thank you for all your thoughtful comments and messages. I’m thrilled to continue showcasing exceptional luxury content through this platform.

It’s been a true pleasure partnering with Park and engaging in exciting collaborations across the luxury lifestyle space.

As we embrace the height of summer, many women and men are seeking ways to look and feel their best. In this issue, we are proud to feature Dr. Robert Schwarcz, one of the nation’s foremost experts in cosmetic oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. As a dual board-certified surgeon, Dr. Schwarcz brings unparalleled expertise and innovation to the field. To learn more about today’s most popular cosmetic procedures, be sure to read his article in the Health & Beauty section.

With so many people looking to buy or sell homes before the end of summer, it’s the perfect time to spotlight Tara Fox, a leading Associate Real Estate Broker with

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. In the world of luxury real estate, Tara stands out for her rare combination of deep local knowledge and a refined global perspective. Her distinctive approach rooted in style, strategy, and integrity continues to set a new standard in the industry.

In the midst of ongoing national tragedies, many are seeking comfort and peace. Also featured in this issue is world-renowned psychic medium Jeffrey Wands, widely recognized as one of the most respected figures in his field. Celebrated for his extraordinary ability to communicate with those who have passed, Jeffrey has spent decades providing comfort, clarity, and meaningful connections to thousands searching for insight from the other side.

Unbelievably, fall is nearly upon us - making now the seamless time to enjoy the remaining days of summer. Be sure to take a moment to pause, enjoy meaningful time with friends and family, and fully embrace the beauty and outdoor activities this vibrant season has to offer. I look forward to continuing our connection within the pages of Park!

Warm wishes,

Christine Montanti Senior Editor

A Fine & Dandy MET GALA

BY R.COURI HAY

Dear Reader, I’ve been going to the Met Gala for several decades, and I’m often asked, “Is it better?” or “Do you miss the old days?” Without hesitation, I say, “What worked in the ’70s, ’90s, and beyond wouldn’t work today.” The Party of the Year has evolved and kept up with the times. It’s relevant, it’s au courant, and it’s still avant-garde. So the answer is unequivocally, “It’s better than ever.” And let’s not forget that this benefit raised a record-breaking – and very cool – 31 million dollars. Ultimately, that’s what allows the Costume Institute to present groundbreaking shows like Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. Bravo, Anna & Andrew! Who else would tell you these things?

Superfine: Tailoring Black Style

The Costume Institute’s 2025 exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, is a historical examination of the Black Dandy, displaying the figure’s emergence in the 18th century to 21st-century incarnations in the cosmopolitan cities of London, New York, and Paris. Dandyism, originally imposed on Black men in the 18th-century as a response to an increasingly consumerist society, evolved into an opportunity to employ not only clothing but also gesture, irony, and wit to transform their given identities and embody new social possibilities. N’est-ce pas?

Monica L. Miller’s Slaves to Fashion

Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity”, the exhibition tells the often neglected stories of stylish Black individuals across art, literature, music, and society. The show is organized around a series of characteristics, such as ownership, presence, ease, and cosmopolitanism, and is exemplified through a range of media, such as garments and accessories, drawings and prints, and paintings, photographs, and film excerpts. Taken together, these narratives offer a history and description of Black dandyism as a discrete phenomenon that reflects broader issues of power and race relations in the Black diaspora.

Andrew Bolton – Curator in Charge

Fashion becomes a story of resistance, identity, and imagination in the Met’s latest exhibition. Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute, described how the show explores Black dandyism not just as an aesthetic, but as a political phenomenon. “Black dandyism is a concept that’s just as much an idea as an identity. ‘Superfine’ is a visualization and extension of Monica Miller’s groundbreaking book, exploring the origins and multiple meanings of Black dandyism in the Atlantic diaspora. Although several of our recent shows have addressed issues of race and identity, such as “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”, this is our first show that is directly addressing the impact of race on sartorial style. For this reason, it was important that the

A young Andre Leon Talley

exhibition be authentic to the department by reflecting the scope of our collection.”

André Leon Talley

Bolton also reflected on the monumental figures whose legacies helped shape the groundbreaking exhibition – namely, André Leon Talley. “As befitting such a respected and much-loved figure in fashion, André’s death was widely covered in the press, with many of his obituaries calling attention to his theatrical self-presentation; his penchant for wearing capes, kaftans, and what the New York Times called ‘his regal headpieces’. But the obituary published in The Guardian went one step further, describing Andre as “a true dandy, like those in the novels of Balzac and Baudelaire.” The Guardian’s comment prompted me to think about what happens to the figure of the dandy when he’s racialized.”

Anna Wintour, the undisputed leader of the yearly event, also touched upon Talley and his impact on the exhibition and the world of fashion. “I think Andre would be having the time of his life, sitting at the top of the stairs, welcoming everybody, talking to everybody,” Wintour said. “The pieces in the exhibition that belonged to Andre represent who he was, and how his personality is con-

nected to how we present ourselves to the world. That is what this exhibition is about. It’s about self-presentation, self-respect, confidence, and joy. I’m very proud of this exhibition. I found it very emotional to collaborate with my amazing colleagues at the museum and Vouge to bring it out into the world. I’m happy people are going to see it.”

Max Hollein – Director of The Met

At the preview of the show Max Hollein drew attention to the true mission of the mythologized event: exposing all people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas. “The Met Gala is many things. It’s an outstanding event, it’s a great celebration, it’s a moment for our community to come together. It is also an outstanding fundraiser for the museum, which enables the Costume Institute to take care of all it should do, to take care of its collection of more than 30,000 items. To publish scholarly catalogs. To acquire new work. To diversify its collection so that it can help expand the stories that we tell and that we should tell. And of course, it is for producing innovative, compelling, groundbreaking exhibitions, like, I hope you will agree, ‘Superfine’ is. The significance of this exhibition is undoubtedly amplified in today’s world. And our hope is that Superfine will inspire thoughtful dialogue

and deep understandings of the powerful histories told throughout the galleries and the accompanying catalog. And recognize extraordinary, powerful voices, designers, artists, with their many important contributions. I’m excited to announce to you all that this evening’s Gala has raised a record-breaking $31 million.”

Monica L. Miller, Guest Curator

Monica Miller’s book, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandies and the Styling of Diasporic Identity,” sparked the idea for this year’s exhibition. She outlines the historical background of Dandyism. “Dandies designed their ways of being in the world. Beginning in the 18th century and as a result of the slave trade, colonialism and imperialism, African and Western traditions of dress and distinction met. Just as soon as enslaved Africans were dandified as servants and transformed into objects of conspicuous consumption, they similarly employed the power of clothing, dress, fashion, and accessories to challenge its representation and reimagine themselves. Their dandyism manifested a necessary and pointed understanding of the relationship between clothing, race, and power. Dandies are historically men and increasingly people who practice precision and intentionality in their dress, whether that dress is sober or

spectacular. A well-tailored suit with all of the attendant accessories is a touchstone of the dandy’s closet and is the focus around where Superfine is designed.”

The Party

After climbing the iconic steps, guests were greeted by thousands of narcissus flowers and the Co-Chairs of the evening, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, and Anna Wintour, who has helmed the gala since 1999. The Gala’s honorary chair was LeBron James. The decor was guided by Cy Gavin, who served as the Creative Director for the night’s blue carpet. Gavin’s painting, “Untitled Sky” was also the inspiration for this year’s centerpieces and was also projected onto the ceiling of the Temple of Dendur during the dinner portion of the evening. Chef Kwame Onwuachi curated the menu for the evening, featuring dishes such as creole roasted chicken, mini chopped cheeses, cornbread topped with caviar, and curry chicken patties. Usher and Stevie Wonder took to the stage for this year’s special performance, dazzling the crowd with hits such as “U Don’t Have to Call,” “OMG,” and “Yeah!”. It’s the only way really! The exhibition runs through October 26, 2025. metmuseum.org P

IN CONVERSATION Colman Domingo WITH

My Fashion Influences

Domingo talked to me about who his main fashion influences in his life were.

“Clarence Bowles, number one, my stepfather, my natural father, and Derrick Domingo, my older brother. All of these people had great sense of style, but their jobs told one story, and the way they put themselves together outside of their work truly told another. My stepfather sanded hardwood floors for a living. He wore his work clothes, and they told a story of this man’s occupation. But he came alive on Fridays when he came home with a paycheck and a six-pack of beer.

My stepfather, Clarence would always say he does backbreaking work, but there was beauty to it. The brilliant shine of the new floors, the fact that one can take something from being old and worn to being shiny, new and varnished.

I would work with him during the summers and he would teach me many valuable lessons, and the thing that I loved to watch is that Friday night, when Clarence would go

out with my mother, and I would watch him put on something completely new to redefine himself. Those nights he wore beautiful sharkskin suits, good shoes, usually a florsheim shoe, and a long black wool trench coat, and he wore something that my mother gifted me right after his passing, and I finally grew into it after many years, and it’s a sapphire pinky ring that shone on his wellmanicured fingers. When he was out of his work clothes, he dazzled.

A White Suit, Hat & A Canary Yellow Cadillac

The second man I take inspiration from is my Belizean father, Colman, who was separated from my mother by the time I was nine years old, but he would show up randomly, very flashy and grand, to my mother’s chagrin. One of my favorite outfits, which I have a photo of, is him wearing all white while driving a canary yellow Cadillac with a white roof. You see where I get my inspiration from? What a vision. By the way, cocked to the side of his head was a white hat. I loved that outfit and I loved that image. I was like, “Look at my dad. He’s kind of cool.”

My Brother: Derrick Domingo

And then there was my brother, Derrick

Domingo. He was fascinated with GQ magazine when we were growing up. We shared a bedroom in Philadelphia, and I always remember him coming home with the latest GQ, very excited. We’d sit and read through and he’d tell me about style. He would turn the pages, show me all the latest styles of the guys wearing gabardine trousers. He would say, “Oh yeah, I want to save up for these clothes some day, but you know what? I know how to make them though, so I’m going to get some fabric like Mom and Aunt Jeanette does. I’m going to make my clothes.” See, we didn’t have a lot of money, but with some yards of fabric and some skill, you can create what you want.

My mother and my aunt would both be in the dining room, and fabric would be laid out on the table. They were making dresses, listening to music and gossiping, and I remember them saying to us, “You can always have style, baby. Style doesn’t have to cost too much.” What a marvelous idea, right? With a little nip and a little tuck, you can create what you wanted yourself and how you wanted to be perceived.

I’m so very grateful that I learned from all these people. These days the only one that’s

PRODUCED BY BY R.COURI HAY

still around is my brother, Rick, and these days he doesn’t really pay too much attention to the clothes like he used to, but every so often, like recently, I reminded him of the person that he used to be, especially when he saw me on the cover of Vogue magazine. He’s one of the throngs of Black men that tell me

routinely that I put that shit on, which is such a great colloquial way of saying that I have tremendous style and they appreciate it.

Dapper Dan, Sidney Poitier & Harry Belafonte

I stand here representing so many generations of men who have liberated themselves in style. I stand here representing my fellow Met Gala co-chairs, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, LeBron James, and Anna. Dear Anna, I thank you.I stand here on the shoulders of André Leon Talley, of Bayard Rustin, of Dapper Dan, of Ozwald Boateng, of Sidney Poitier, Prince, Harry Belafonte, James Baldwin, and so many others.

There is a quote from the great George C. Wolfe that I love to share. It is a statement about the influence and impact of Black culture in individuals on fashion and style. The quote is often used to highlight the creative and innovative spirit of Black people in shaping trends and fashion, and here it is. George C. Wolfe said, “God created Black people, and Black people created style.” You will see that and so much more with this great exhibit curated by my new friend, Monica L. Miller. I thank you, Andrew Bolton, for having me. There is so much talent on display, and I hope that you will enjoy, interrogate and share this year’s Costume Institute exhibit. And I thank you, Ozwald Boateng, for this morning’s suit. What a beautiful morning. P

“GOD CREATED BLACK PEOPLE, AND BLACK PEOPLE CREATED STYLE”

What the said Stars

THE MET GALA

Lewis Hamilton

“This year’s theme speaks to royalty, spirituality, and the sacred power of adornment.”

PRODUCED BY

R.COURI HAY

“Self‑expression, identity, power of dress; have been a theme of self‑exploration my entire life.”

Kylie Jenner

“Maximillian Davis of Ferragamo told me to tape my feet into the shoe – and now my feet are stuck in the shoes!”

Laura Harrier

Megan Thee Stallion

“Anna Wintour loves me.”

Gabrielle Union

“The more

diamonds, the better.”

Babyface

“I loved supporting such an amazing theme this year!”

Diana Ross

“Inside the train, it has the names of all my children and my grandchildren.”

Max & Nina Hollein

“Our hope is that Superfine will inspire thoughtful dialogue and deep understandings of the powerful histories told throughout the galleries.”

Gigi Hadid

“My look has tailoring and glamour. They did a beautiful job. Shout out to Miu Miu.”

Sabrina Carpenter

“Pharell Willimas was like, ‘You’re quite short, so no pants for you.’ So here we are! Here we are!”

Deborah Roberts

“I’m nervous about the rain. I’m excited, but once I get inside, I’ll be much more excited.”

Madonna

“Clothes Make The Man at the Met Gala! Thanks to Tom Ford and Haider Ackermann.”

BJ Gray

“Life is more than black & white!”

Andre 3000

“I rarely do red carpets; so I’m going through the kitchen. It was kind of like a spy stealth mission to actually get to the Met.”

Nick Jonas

“This is a big night out as mom and dad”.

“The theme for us… is just about collaborating with excellent people who have a real sense – a 360‑degree view – of this theme and what it means.”

Anna Wintour

“I think fashion is a language, like music is a language and it’s a global language. There will be many people here that you recognize, and I think trying to reach everybody with the important message of this exhibition is important.”

Nicole Scherzinger

“Norma Desmond has arrived at her Met Gala.”

“We worked on this look for a couple of months. I hope people think that I’m looking good.”

Bad Bunny

Tom Francis

“Are you allowed to talk about the Met Gala in any way, shape or form? Is it like the first rule of Fight Club – you can’t talk about Fight Club.”

Kwame Onwuachi

“When Anna [Wintour] reached out, I was shocked. It was a huge honor. Taking Louis Vuitton and turning it urban. That’s kind of what I do with fine dining.”

Tyla

“I’m the dandy queen.”

Jeremy O Harris

“To be a Black dandy is to dress as though you know you’re loved and therefore have no use for shame.”

Kerry Washington

“Sometimes there’s tension between a designer’s vision and the willingness to let others into that process but Jonathan Simkhai approaches it with so much generosity and openness.”

“Can’t

Marc Jacobs

“It takes a village, and, as always, I’m grateful not hateful.”

Janelle Monae

“I want to deconstruct respectability politics around suiting and around how Black people can show up in the world. I wanted to show that we get to decide who we are”.

Hamish Bowles

“I was simply blown away by the show.”

ROCKY

“I saw the other guys’ outfits and I was glad my outfit was the best.”

Demi Moore

KENI

ON HER NEW BOOK DIVORCE AS AN OPPORTUNITY, AND ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT FOLLOWED

BY BENNETT MARCUS

SILVA

Divorce as an Opportunity

aying that Keni Silva is a multi-hyphenate is an understatement. The author, divorce coach and expert, media personality, philanthropist, model and entrepreneur is also a licensed real estate broker in California, has a master’s degree in design from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, and a bachelor’s in business from Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Moscow. Silva has worked in all of these fields – she doesn’t merely dabble – and she’s also a mother of two children, one of whom was diagnosed with a possibly deadly tumor. And she’s only 42.

So, when we sat down for this article, she laughed when we asked her how she defines herself at this point in her life. “Well, it’s actually a very interesting question because sometimes I can’t define myself,” Silva said. “I’m truly enjoying my life and just experiencing and finding myself, especially since before my divorce, I had lost myself.”

Her divorce, after 15 years of marriage, was of course a significant shift in the course of her life in many ways. For one thing, she learned from the experience and wrote a book about it, “Divorce as an Opportunity” BookBaby, 2025.

Her Book

“Divorce was a pivotal point for me,” said Silva. “Just realizing that everything I spent the last 15 years of my life building didn’t really bring me any happiness because I lost myself in the process of chasing those things on the manifestation list.” Admitting to herself that she wasn’t happy in her marriage was very scary. She was 38 years old and trying to figure out what she wanted and had always loved journaling and writing.

“I didn’t want to remember divorce as being something sad because it’s also a rebirth,” she added. “And I learned so many things and wanted to teach other women that with every closed door another door can open.”

Also, Silva wanted to prove to herself that she could write a book. “And I did it.” Most books about divorce, she says, are written by attorneys that have never been

divorced, so the theories are excellent, but once you go through a divorce there’s a huge emotional impact that you don’t know how to deal with. So, her book offers advice on practical things, like how to calculate your monthly budget, gain a handle on your financial position and how to talk to your kids about the divorce, but the most important message she’s imparting is to change your mindset to look at it as starting anew, whatever your age. “That it’s basically; I tell everybody to look at divorce as a college year, when you’re finding yourself. So instead of wasting your time crying about why it didn’t work out, start thinking about the future.”

If you want to change your career or start something new, use that time wisely, concentrating on getting a new degree or pursuing job interviews; setting your mind on positives rather than negatives, is her advice.

“Yes, divorce is very scary, and it goes from zero to 160 very fast when you don’t know what to do. And that’s why my book is practical guidance, what to do, how to do it, how to shift your mindset from sadness to thinking about the future and just finding yourself and

“I CAN’T DEFINE MYSELF.”

giving yourself and allowing yourself to grieve through the process,” she explained.

After divorce, she advises giving yourself six months of not doing too much, just being basically in survival mode. “It’s fine to have all these feelings. It’s absolutely normal. And not knowing where you’re going and slowly finding things you like; maybe you just start painting or something that brings you happiness.” With time you will figure it out. In her case, besides writing the book, Silva considered her options in the realm of her current skill set. She could do real estate, and as an entrepreneur, she loves investing and pursuing business opportunities.

Philanthropy: Children’s Oncology Support Fund

Keni sits on the board of the Children’s Oncology Support Fund (COSF), where she got involved after her daughter’s diagnosis. The organization’s founder, Thomas Pierce, forges partnerships between brands and filmmakers who embrace social consciousness. Pierce began teaching her how he works, and Silva immediately stepped up. “He started helping me to invest in movies and I absolutely love it!” She was headed to London immediately after we spoke for this article, in her role as an executive producer for The Queen of Fashion, the movie about the late British fashion icon Isabella Blow. Silva plans to do a cameo in the film. “I want to try that,” she said. “I’m not saying I’m an actress, but I want to be a part of it.”

Film production is just one example of her many interests. “I’m constantly trying things because I believe people, they’re not just one thing.” She tells her kids that if they decide to change a career or a path, they can do it at any time. “We’re not set to be one person and do one thing for the rest of our lives.” She’s living proof of that. Her ultimate goal is to be an inspiration for women and speak on their behalf and inspire them to be better versions of themselves.

Awards & Visionary Women

In addition to COSF, Silva is also active with Visionary Women, an organization that drives change for issues facing women and girls; it’s women helping women. “We

do different charities and community involvements, but sometimes we just have organized lunches where women meet, and they introduce themselves. If somebody needs help or guidance, it’s really nice to have that support.”

When working in commercial real estate, Silva often faced such issues, where men doubted her. “They always think they’re better, that they can get a better deal. And I’m like, listen, I’m the best negotiator you can ever get.”

And that’s not because she’s so confident, it’s because she knows herself.

Silva’s work with women’s empowerment has been recognized both locally, in California, where she lives, as well as internationally. She received the County of Orange Certificate of Recognition for her outstanding contributions to the women of the county. In addition, she was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Treasurer, Girls Power Network & #HelpLA, for her commitment to advancing causes that address the challenges facing women and children in the community. In Cannes, last May, she was honored at the Better World Gala for her work with COSF. Kevin Spacey was also at the gala where he received an award for his work in film.

Other charitable causes she supports include Second Harvest Food Bank, Baby2Baby, Angel Foundation and Women’s Cancer Research Fund.

Real Housewives of OC Appearance

Ironically, Silva made a guest appearance on a few episodes of the Real Housewives of Ocean County reality show at the behest of a friend who was a regular in the cast. “It was at the time I was going through divorce, and it sounded exciting to put on my makeup and a pretty dress and basically escape from my reality.” The experience was fun, in part because unlike the main cast, Silva’s life was not being dissected by the public. “Other than that, I don’t think it’s something for me, especially because I believe in women supporting one another, and unfortunately, I feel like the women on this show compete and put each other down purposely just to get a little more airtime. So, the whole concept is not my thing.”

Fashion Sense & Isabella Blow Biopic

Working on the Isabella Blow biopic is especially meaningful because Silva loves fashion. “When that opportunity came, I’m like, of course I’m going to do it. Not just invest money, but I want to be part of it.” After visiting the set in London, she was off to Paris Fashion Week.

She always looks chic in red carpet photos, and Jackie O is her fashion inspiration. “When I go to events, I use clothing almost like acting. I’m somebody else for a night and escape from reality and life. And it changes my mood when I dress up. Even when I have interviews over the phone, I dress up because it just elevates something.” She seems to have taken to heart that “oops, the camera is on” lesson we’ve all learned in the Zoom era.

Dressing well was part of the culture in Moscow, where she grew up. “It’s a different mentality; people dress up even going to a coffee shop.” When she came to the U.S., she wondered why everyone was so casual whereas in Moscow you wear heels all day. “So, I think it’s something that was born in me and that’s how I grew up, seeing this. My grandma put on lipstick until she was 95, going to put the trash out.”

“DIVORCE

Daughter’s Cancer Scare

In March 2023, Silva’s 13-year-old daughter, Alexis, was found to have a large tumor on her adrenal gland that doctors believed to be a rare and deadly form of cancer. “Before, I used to say that I went through divorce, nothing scares me anymore. And boy was I wrong,” Silva said of that terrifying experience. She had actually sensed that something wasn’t right and took her daughter to be examined. Silva’s ex-husband, Alexis’s father, Izzy Silva, is a doctor, and rattled off statistics, which were scary. “At first I told her she had a cyst, because how do you tell your child she might have stage two cancer?”

Later, after being admitted to the hospital, Alexis realized she was on a cancer ward and asked her father to tell her the truth because not knowing was much scarier. She asked, “Am I going to die?” “And that moment, that whole situation, made me realize the past is gone. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. All we have is today. And that’s why as much as I can, I try to utilize every day as a new beginning.” She learned not to put things aside waiting for the “right time,” the right time may not even come. “So, it gave me such a different perspective on life.”

Luckily, her daughter Alexis’s tumor was benign. But the teenager, now 16, has taken the experience and turned to activism, starting a club at her school and doing other work to help fight the disease. “She cherishes her life not because of what she has, but because she has another day to live,” said the proud mom. “She’s my hero now for going through all these things and changing her life and having such a kind heart.” Please read Alexis’ story following this.

Two New books in the Works

For her next act, Silva is putting on her author cap again with two more books in the works, one on relationships, and the other a collaboration with her daughter. “I want to show from a kid’s perspective what it is to go through divorce and through the pain of her being sick, and as a parent, what to do. It’s both sides.” P

kenisilva.com

SILVA Alexis

TEENAGER SINGER/SONGWRITER

BY BENNETT MARCUS

On How A Cancer Scare Changed Her Life

Alexis Silva is a singer/songwriter who suffered a cancer scare from a large tumor when she was 13. Both music and her illness have defined much of her life so far.

Music has been Alexis’s obsession since childhood. She’s been singing since age four, and by age eight had taken on musical theater, and later joined a local choir. All along her love for music grew, and she decided she needed to work on singing solo. “My parents did an amazing thing, and they signed me up for singing lessons,” Alexis said. She attended classes at an academy founded by Grammy-nominated producer, composer and musician Damon Elliot, and he took her under his wing and is now Alexis’s manager. They’ve been working on an EP and releasing songs one at a time. She is also being mentored by two-time Grammy winner Billy Ray Cyrus, who she may go on tour with in the future.

She started songwriting to express her emotions. “In elementary school I was very lonely, and I used songwriting to help express things that I was going through.” She took that with her when she was diagnosed with the tumor. “Songwriting has always been a

form of therapy and expression for me. And music has always been something that’s helped me in life.”

Diagnosis & Treatment

Alexis was fortunate, the large tumor on her adrenal gland turned out to be benign. But the experience of diagnosis, treatment and recovery was arduous and harrowing. Upon examination, she was admitted as an emergency patient to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and then underwent three days of testing – CAT scans, MRIs, PET scans and many others, and had over 50 vials of blood extracted. Her doctors thought it likely that she had a rare and deadly type of cancer that affects only 30 children per year in the U.S.

Surgery was called for but was delayed while a team of specialists including an endocrinologist, oncologist, pediatric general surgeon, pediatric vascular surgeon and pediatric nephrologist was assembled. Alexis was told she might lose one of her kidneys in removing the 10cm tumor. The tumor was wrapping around the vena cava, and there was a possibility that that vessel could be damaged during the procedure, which could prove fatal. There were no other options: if it wasn’t removed, as the tumor grew it could

“I KNEW NO MATTER WHAT THE ODDS WERE, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE VERY MUCH AGAINST ME, THAT I WASN’T GOING TO STOP FIGHTING.”

Alexis Silva

eventually burst the vena cava, which would end her life. “My parents kept the diagnosis a secret from me for about two weeks, and I was just kind of kept in the dark and not told what was going on,” Alexis said.

Music Helped Her Cope

“I wasn’t even sure if I was going to survive my surgery. I really thought I wouldn’t make it until I was 15 years old.” When she asked her father, who is a doctor, if she was going to die, he said no, despite the fact that he really did not know what the outcome would be. Alexis replied, “Then why are we so worried?”

“I knew no matter what the odds were, even though they were very much against me, that I wasn’t going to stop fighting.” While in the hospital, she wrote her song called “The Fight’s Not Over Yet.” She wanted it to inspire other kids on the oncology ward, many of whom did not get the miracle outcome that she did, to keep fighting.

After the operation Alexis was unable to walk, and spent months in recovery, with physical therapy. It wasn’t until this year that she was cleared by her doctors to participate in sports again; she joined the school tennis team. “When I went into surgery, I thought I would spend the rest of my life in the hospital. It changed how I look at everything. Every day is a privilege and a blessing.”

Anti-Cancer Activism

She turned this unfortunate experience into positive action, starting a nonprofit organization called The Fight’s Not Over Yet Foundation, which gives money she makes singing at places like local malls to CHOC’s Children’s Hyundai Cancer Institute, where

she was treated. Funds are also raised through t-shirt sales and sales of her EP. She started a club at her school, where she and her friends write cards for patients, and bake cookies to raise funds. They’ve raised a total of $11,000 in the past three years.

The Children’s Oncology Support Fund

Alexis has also been named teen ambassador of the Children’s Oncology Support Fund, to help spread awareness. “I think it’s so special to know that there are kids fighting for other kids. You don’t have to know the pain, but you can still support it and fight against it.”

“SONGWRITING

At summer camp the year after her surgery, Alexis was at a water slide ride, and her 10-inch scar was visible in her two-piece swimsuit. A younger girl noticed it, and showed Alexis her own, much more faded scar. “I remember that moment of bonding, that feeling of another person understanding what it was like and her seeing me wearing my scar. And I had completely forgotten that I had it at that moment. And I felt for the first time it was just a part of me. I wasn’t afraid of it anymore.” P

alexissilva.com

CHILDREN’S ONCOLOGY SUPPORT FUND

The Board of Directors Speak Up

1. “I’m deeply inspired by the commitment, compassion, and vision of our Board Members. Their unwavering support and shared belief in the mission of COSF fuels my drive every day to ensure that children battling cancer receive the care, hope, and opportunities they deserve. I am looking forward to the Aspen Snow Ball Week, which kicks off on March 19th with our host Chelsea Handler.” -Thomas Pierce, Founder & Chairman, Children’s Oncology Support Fund (COSF)

2. Our mission is simple: to help children and their families through transformative research and wellness programs”. -

Savanna Mothner

3. “The Aspen Snow Ball is the Met Gala in the snow, an unforgettable celebration that seamlessly blends fashion, art, entertainment, and philanthropy.” - Ashley Wyndham

4. “Aspen Snow Ball is the most anticipated event during the Aspen Winter season. It attracts local philanthropists and donors from all over the US and abroad”. -Scott & Carly Weber

The Story

The Event

Dr. Bob Casey

Monica Elias

Photo BFA

Carly Weber and Scott Weber

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Savanna Mothner and Renèe Blythewood

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5. “At COSF, we have built such a meaningful community to stand beside every child fighting cancer; not just with support, but with unwavering hope. Healing isn’t just about medicine, it’s about knowing you’re not alone.” - Lacy Nicole

6. “Serving as a Board Member is both a privilege and a calling, as I have seen first hand the extraordinary courage of children and families facing a cancer diagnosis, and I believe no one should have to walk that journey alone.“ - Monica Elias

7. “We all have been hit by cancer and it feels great to give back to such a worthy cause, one met with transparency and relevancy”.

-Julian Polak

8. “COSF has been like winning the lottery for us, without COSF funding we wouldn’t be able to support extended family members, siblings, and their parents with the resources they need for their healing journey”. -Dr. Bob Casey, Children’s Hospital Colorado cosffoundation.org

Christie Brinkley, Thomas Pierce, Brooke Burke

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Julian Polak

Lacy Nicole, Keni Silva

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Ashley Wyndham

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Light, Perception, and the Alchemy of Vision

BY W.A. MULLER

PHOTOS BY KIP LOTT

1. We previously talked about your background, but tell us, why did you go to art school? What drew you to art?

I’ve always looked at the world through the lens of the universe. My father left a little astronomy book by his bedside when I was five, and that was it – I was hooked. Astronomy gave me a sense that we’re all made of the same matter, coming in and going out as the same element. Everything is temporary, everything’s on the move. Art became my way of trying to capture that constant transition.

I went to the Cambridge School of Art, now known as Ruskin University, because I wanted to explore perception and how I could push the boundaries to communicate my view of the world. I wasn’t the most obedient student – I didn’t like being told what to do – but I loved experimenting. While my peers were sketching still life, I was already fascinated by layers, texture, and how light changes everything.

2. How does art allow you to express yourself?

Art is the language I use when words don’t cut it. For me, it’s about showing that impermanence – the flux of matter, the way things are never fixed. That’s why graffiti appeals to me: it transforms a space. Something rigid like the concrete railway

underpass in Toulouse, suddenly becomes alive, organic, layered with human traces.

I’m drawn to that same transformation in my own work. What begins as one thing metamorphosis into something else shaped by process, time, perception, and, above all, light. Art lets me share that restless energy, that sense that beneath the surface, there’s always more.

3. What’s the difference between being a creative director and working in fine art?

As a creative director in advertising, everything was about clarity, deadlines, and delivering the message for a client. I learned a huge amount working on campaigns for companies like Perkins Engines, Sony Playstation, even Formula 1 – but it was outcome-driven.

In fine art, I embrace ambiguity. I’m not trying to deliver a slogan; I’m trying to open a conversation. In advertising, the client wanted certainty. In Aisthetikos, I want the opposite: to keep things shifting, unresolved, and left open to interpretation.

4. What do you seek to express in your work? What is your favorite medium? What genre would you say your work falls into?

I’m obsessed with transformation – how light reshapes what we see and feel. Aisthetikos comes from the Greek philosophers, who said

perception is always partial, never absolute. That connects with me deeply.

My favorite medium is the lightbox, though it took years of trial and error to get there. I remember one morning, sitting in bed with Mel – my wife and partner in everything – with our ritual cups of tea. The sun came through the window and hit one of my paintings, and for a second it transformed. I thought: that’s it. That’s the missing piece. From that moment, I knew I had to build the work into light itself.

As for genre – labels are tricky. There are echoes of realism, surrealism, even street art.

“Beyond the Visible”

My Italian friends jokingly called it “Colinci Realism”: and now the name Colinci has stuck.

5. You love motifs and symbolism in your work. Can you talk more about that? Yes, they run all the way through. The chair is a constant motif. It’s something temporary, transitional – people sit, they move, the chair breaks. It speaks to impermanence.

Then there are mosaics I create, inspired by the Paris street artist Invader. I make my own tiles and place them back in the locations I paint, almost as a breadcrumb trail. My mosaic has become my signature.

Cadaques Catalonia 43” x 43”

There are eyes, too – the Eye of Horus for harmony and health. The Tree of Life, drawn from my travels in India. Sometimes more mischievous symbols: phallic shapes, inspired by H. R. Giger, exploring power and fragility. All of it connects to cycles, memory, the layers beneath what we normally see.

6. What is the process of making a piece of art?

It starts with an idea: sketching, photographing, absorbing a place. Then I use acrylic, ink, spray paint, oils – onto plexiglass. Plexiglass is a nightmare to work with; it resists you, warps, cracks. I’ve ruined entire pieces. I even scrawled “Plan, Plan, Plan” on one after it collapsed – a reminder that art, like life, has its own will.

The real transformation comes when the work is mounted on the lightbox. Unlit, the work feels fractured, hidden. Switch it on, and suddenly the layers converge, colours deepen, reflections appear. The piece isn’t complete until that moment of illumination – and even then, it finds its completion in the eyes of the viewer.

7. Tell us more about the Lightbox series. What are your plans for it?

The Lightbox series is the heart of Aisthetikos. The narrative shifts with illumination. Switch it off, and you’re left with fragments and shadows. Switch it on, and the full story emerges – yet even then, each viewer perceives it differently. It’s a subjective experience, a form of storytelling through art. Think of early cave paintings: by firelight, the flicker of flames animated the images, transforming them into living narratives. In the same way, light breathes

movement and meaning into my work.

So far, I’ve completed seven pieces, with a series of fifteen planned. One has already been sold, and like all works in the series, it carries a TAG Smart certificate of authentication – a digital record that ensures the collector’s ownership is securely registered and verifiable. The works have been exhibited in the South of France, and I’m now working with curators to bring them to London, Paris, New York and LA. Long term, I hope to expand the scale – creating immersive environments, corridors of shifting light, even public installations where people can walk through and feel fully immersed in the work. All Colin’s work is currently available to buy on-line through his website www.colinhollidge. com/astetikos - prices range from $20,00025,000, all purchases include a handcrafted Colinci, signature mosaic.

8. Where do you see your art in 5–10 years?

France

70” x 31”

In five years, I hope Aisthetikos is travelling widely–exhibited in major galleries and presented at Frieze 2027. I imagine people

Toulouse,

encountering my work unexpectedly, in a station or a plaza, their perception briefly jolted, their reality shifted, slowing down, if only for a moment.

In ten years, I wish to be recognised as an artist who has influenced the way we perceive existence itself–not just humanity, but the cosmos, turning attention away from our own species and toward matter in its purest form.

Closing note

For Colinci, art is never fixed. It is light, flux, impermanence – but also joy. After years in advertising and rebuilding a life in France, he feels, as he says, “born again.” Each lightbox takes around 100 hours to make, but he insists it doesn’t feel like work: “I’ll be doing it until the day I die.”

“Art is the language I use when words don’t cut it. For me, it’s about showing that impermanence – the flux of matter, the way things are never fixed”

ART IN A NEW LIGHT

INDIVIDUALITY MEETS PERFECTION

Luminatore brings Colin’s vision into reality. Each artwork is housed in a bespoke Germanmade lightbox, crafted with precision yet designed to dissolve into the architecture, so that the work itself becomes the source of radiance.

High-performance LEDs ensure colours remain true, while optional RGBW technology allows the atmosphere to shift with infinite subtlety. With a touch, light can move from calm clarity to dramatic intensity, immersing the viewer in an experience that feels both intimate and expansive.

Produced sustainably in Hamburg and built to endure, the lightboxes combine refinement with flexibility, allowing works

to be interchanged and rediscovered –echoing Colin’s belief in impermanence and transformation.

What defines Luminatore is the care behind every project: from design to installation, a discreet partnership that ensures art is seen exactly as intended.

More than a frame, Luminatore is the stage where Colin’s exploration of light takes form – a union of technology, design, and atmosphere, illuminating art in its purest sense.

Artist: www.colinhollidge.com @colinciart Lightboxes: www.luminatore.com

Photography by Kip Lott

Burgos, Spain 31”x 70”

Art in a New Light – Individuality Meets Perfection

Stay at the Artist’s House in Aragon, Occitanie – A Luxury Villa with Exclusive Summer Availability

If you would like the opportunity to stay at the artist’s second home, nestled on an exclusive hilltop in one of the prettiest villages in France, this extraordinary villa is available to rent for four months of the year, from June to October. To find out more, visit: www.luxuryvillafrance.co.uk.

The Artist’s House, located in the historic village of Aragon near Carcassonne, redefines luxury living in southern France. Sleeping up to 10 guests, the villa has been beautifully restored to combine its artistic heritage with contemporary elegance. Its standout features include an infinity-edge pool with breathtaking vineyard and mountain views, a private hot tub for ultimate relaxation, and

expansive terraces designed for al fresco living.

Inside, the house offers spacious, lightfilled interiors and elegantly appointed bedrooms, making it ideal for families, groups of friends, or celebratory gatherings. Guests can choose complete privacy or enhance their stay with bespoke catering services – perfect for everything from intimate dinners to festive occasions.

With its blend of art, sophistication, and

indulgence, the Artist’s House promises an unforgettable French escape – celebrating both luxury and the timeless beauty of Occitanie. P

DR. ROBERT SCHWARCZ

Summer Cosmetic Trends Shift Toward Lasting Results

BY CHRISTINE MONTANTI

With summer in full swing, many men and women are looking for ways to look and feel their best. This season, the trend is shifting from temporary, non-invasive facial treatments like Botox and dermal fillers to more permanent surgical solutions such as blepharoplasty and brow lifts. These procedures are ideal for addressing under-eye puffiness, excess eyelid fat, sagging brows, and deep forehead lines. To learn more about the most popular cosmetic procedures during the summer months, we spoke with Dr. Robert Schwarcz, one of the nation’s leading experts in cosmetic oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Renowned for his ability to deliver naturallooking results with exceptional skill and precision, Dr. Schwarcz is widely regarded as a luminary in his field. A dual board-certified surgeon, Dr. Schwarcz is one of only 650 surgeons nationwide admitted to the prestigious American Society of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS). He is frequently sought after for cosmetic procedures that offer subtle rejuvenation enhancing appearance without the telltale signs of surgical intervention and he recently shared the top cosmetic procedure of 2025 along with the reasons behind its popularity.

What are the most requested cosmetic procedures this summer?

“Upper and lower blepharoplasty is becoming one of the most sought-after procedures, often serving as an entryway into cosmetic surgery. More patients are experiencing what is known as “filler fatigue” a growing dissatisfaction with temporary, injectable treatments and are now opting for longer-lasting surgical

results. Natural results have always been my trademark, and that’s exactly what patients are demanding now especially with eyelid surgery.”

Are surgical cosmetic procedures becoming increasingly accepted among patients?

“Surgery is definitely becoming more accepted and sought after as a primary option. The shift is clear people are doing less filler. Social media has contributed to the backlash against overfilled faces, and in response, surgery is becoming not only more accepted, but preferred. People are, in a way, jumping the turnstile often bypassing fillers altogether. In the past, patients would get filler and Botox for years, and eventually their dermatologist would say, “Okay, that’s enough, it’s time to get your eyes done,” and then they’d refer them to me. Now, I’m seeing patients come in right from the start, opting for surgery as their first step. They are coming straight in for surgery without years of injectables behind them.”

Why are more people, especially younger patients and men, turning to blepharoplasty?

“The eyes are typically the first area to show signs of aging and the first feature people notice. That’s why younger patients, particularly in their 40s, are increasingly seeking blepharoplasty to address under-eye bags, drooping lids, and a tired appearance. My fastest-growing demographic for

“THE

EYES ARE TYPICALLY THE FIRST AREA TO SHOW SIGNS OF AGING AND THE FIRST FEATURE PEOPLE NOTICE.”

blepharoplasty is actually men, “I have seen a 10% increase in my male patient base just in the past year.”

Are there medical benefits to blepharoplasty beyond cosmetic improvement?

“While blepharoplasty is often pursued for aesthetic reasons, it’s not just about looking refreshed. In more severe cases, drooping upper eyelids can begin to crowd the visual field and impact eyesight making surgery both a cosmetic and functional solution. It’s not just for people in their 40s, when it starts affecting vision or making someone look perpetually tired, surgery becomes not just a choice but a necessity.”

As individuals continuously seek the best options to maintain and enhance their natural beauty, Dr. Schwarcz has been a trusted source of rejuvenation for both men and women and his positive patient testimonials reveal that he has not only met but exceeded these expectations. In addition to being double board-certified, Dr. Schwarcz is sought after not only for his specialty in eyelid surgery including brows, eyelids, and midface, but also for many other surgical and non-invasive procedures including facelifting, neck lifting and lasers.

To schedule a consultation and an appointment with Dr. Robert Schwarcz please call 212.396.4400

Louise Altese-Isidori

Speak Up & Speak Loud

BY JEREMY MURPHY

Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper Turning Personal Battle into a Mission of Hope

When Louise AlteseIsidori was diagnosed with Stage 4B ovarian cancer on Christmas Eve last year, her life changed in an instant. Just weeks earlier, the 50-year-old wife and mother had been planning holiday meals, managing her family’s busy calendar, and supporting the launch of her husband Joe’s new restaurant, Arthur & Sons. There were no warning signs – no reason to suspect that cancer had silently overtaken much of her body. “I didn’t look sick. I didn’t feel sick,” Altese-Isidori says. “We had a big party in November for the restaurant opening. I was all over the place. Nobody saw this coming. I certainly didn’t.”

Today, less than eight months after a grueling 10-hour surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy, Altese-Isidori is in remission. Recently, she was the guest of honor at Speak Up and Speak Loud, a benefit luncheon she is hosting with the nonprofit Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper (H.O.W.) at Arthur & Sons in Bridgehampton. The event aims to raise funds for research and patient support, while spreading awareness of a disease often called “the silent killer.”

“I needed this event as much as it needed me,” she says. “It’s something positive to focus on, and it gives me purpose – to speak out about what happened to me and help make sure it doesn’t happen to someone else.”

A Silent Disease, a Loud Message

The diagnosis came through a transvaginal ultrasound she requested, a test not commonly part of routine women’s health screenings. “It’s shocking how many women have never heard of it,” she says. “It’s not part of the usual

checklist, but in my case, it saved my life. It found what other tests missed.”

Doctors discovered cancer throughout her chest, colon, liver, stomach lining, and reproductive organs. She underwent surgery to remove her spleen, appendix, gallbladder, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the entirety of her stomach lining. “I had a miracle-worker surgeon,” she says. “And I fought like hell. The Brooklyn girl in me came out swinging.”

After the surgery and chemotherapy, she began taking PARP inhibitors, a promising class of medication designed to reduce recurrence. Though the prognosis for ovarian cancer is often grim – over 75% of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and more than 13,000 women in the U.S. are expected to die from it this year – Altese-Isidori is determined to be the exception.

“I want to redefine what Stage 4 cancer looks like,” she says. “I’m living, I’m active, and I want people to see there’s a chance. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

From Patient to Advocate

Until recently, public speaking was not part of Altese-Isidori life. “Six months ago, I was a totally different person,” she says. “My husband and my sister used to do all the talking for me. But now I feel like my voice has to be heard. I didn’t have symptoms. And that’s what makes ovarian cancer so deadly.”

She credits H.O.W. with helping her not only survive but find strength. The organization offers financial and emotional support,

funds cutting-edge research through its Jacquie Liggett Fellowship, and helps underserved women access genetic screening.

“I’m grateful for their support, but in truth, I probably needed them more than they needed me,” she says.

A Festive Fundraiser with a Purpose Thursday’s luncheon will unfold on the Amalfi Terrace at Arthur & Sons, the newly opened Italian restaurant owned by Altese-Isidori’s husband. Guests will enjoy coastal-inspired cuisine, Pallini Limoncello cocktails, and a luxury trunk show from Italian fashion house PESERICO. A silent auction includes a dream trip to the Amalfi Coast, a stay at

Gurney’s Montauk, and a round of golf in West Palm Beach.

Swag bags, a “forever jewelry” bar by Therapy Life & Style, and powerful survivor testimonials round out the day. Guests are encouraged to wear festive attire – and teal, the official color of ovarian cancer awareness.

“I want people to leave feeling uplifted and educated,” Altese-Isidori says. “We’re creating a beautiful afternoon, but it’s about more than that. It’s about saving lives.”

A Mission That Continues

Altese-Isidori knows the odds. But she also knows the power of community, optimism, and early detection. “The CA-125 blood test, the transvaginal ultrasound – these things can help. We just need to speak up and speak loud about them,” she says, echoing the event’s name.

She’s still learning, still healing – but already leading. “I didn’t miss a beat during chemo,” she recalls. “I got up every day with my son, never missed a party, a birthday, or a school day. I dressed up for the doctor like it was a night out. This is my life, and I’m living it.”

And now she’s giving that life a new purpose. “I want women to listen to their bodies – and to each other,” she says. “If even one person gets tested early because of this luncheon, then it’s all worth it.” P

ovariancancerpbc.org

All My Children

From her debut alongside Cornelia Guest, the daughter of C.Z and Winston Frederick Churchill Guest, at the Infirmary Ball in NYC to landing a recurring role on All My Children, alongside Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, and working for celebrity photographer Steven Meisel, Kimberly Paige Bluhm has lived a storied life before becoming a devoted philanthropist and wife. Kimberly describes this current era as the best chapter of her life. She is married to the love of her life, real estate and casino tycoon, billionaire Neil Bluhm, who shares Kimberly’s passion of giving back to the community – founding the Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern Law School and the Bluhm Heart Hospital at Northwestern Hospital.

After spreading much of her adult life abroad, Kimberly now splits her time between Chicago, Aspen, Palm Beach and Miami, becoming a pillar in each community. Each city offers its own philanthropic ecosystem, but her guiding rule is universal: if she can’t show up in person, she doesn’t sign on as a board member.

Rolling Up Her Sleeves

Kimberly’s philanthropic efforts are a streamlined endeavor, with three core causes – the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, the Palm Beach Police & Fire Rescue Foundation, and the Miami-Dade Impact Collective – receiving virtually all of her energy, creativity, and time. “I don’t like to spread myself too thin,” she said. “It’s not about putting your name on something just to have it there.” Because while money

PaigeKimberlyBluhm

Philanthropy with Intention

BY LEXI WOLF

funds programs, time well spent fuels long lasting change.

Although she happily buys a luncheon ticket when friends ask, the real thrill is rolling up her sleeves alongside the people she wants to help. “You make a bigger impact when you have the time and space to devote to select organizations,” she explained. Her most vivid example comes from a February morning at the Dreyfoos School, where she volunteered to run mock scholarship interviews for graduating seniors. One by one, the students performed a three-minute excerpt,

whether it was an aria, a trumpet solo, or a slam-poetry set, before fielding Kimberly’s questions about ambition and adversity. “They were so appreciative that we were there, giving them our time.”

Seeing that mix of talent and vulnerability, she said, was “the most rewarding feeling in the world.”

Drawn to Culture The Dreyfoos School of The Arts

In West Palm Beach, Kimberly is devoted to the previously mentioned Dreyfoos School of the Arts, a public high school that centers on student’s creative pursuits. “They’re singers, they’re musicians, they write poetry, they’re actors. They all have a talent,” she explained. “Some of the children are financially challenged and have difficult home situations. I’ve met with the students and they’re passion and talent blew me away.”

The school recently recognized Kimberly’s commitment to their mission at The Derby of Dreams, where she was the honoree alongside J. Michael Prince, the president and CEO of the U.S. Polo Association.

Her commitment to arts education is also a response to dwindling public resources. Federal and state budgets have chipped away at music, theater, and visualarts programs for more than a decade; in rural Colorado, where Kimberly once served on the board of Jazz Aspen, school districts couldn’t even afford basic instruments. “Now

“NOW MORE THAN EVER, PRIVATE DONATIONS HAVE TO FILL THE GAP.”

more than ever, private donations have to fill the gap,” she said. awdsoa.com

Building Up Communities The Palm Beach Police & Fire Rescue Foundation

For Kimberly, a safe and well-served place to call home is of the utmost importance, which is what drew her to the Miami Dade Impact Collective and The Palm Beach Police & Fire Rescue Foundation. The Miami Dade Impact Collective is a group composed of dynamic and compassionate women dedicated to addressing the needs of the underserved populations in the community. “Our mission is to expand and initiate crucial programs and services to those in need in the Miami community,” Kimberly stated.

The Palm Beach Police & Fire Rescue Foundation offers constant reassurance to the once “quiet, sleepy secret,” which is now a global hotspot brimming with high-profile residents and events. The foundation not only funds equipment but also subsidizes housing so officers and firefighters can actually afford to live near the island they protect. The work is essential if Palm Beach hopes to recruit “the best and the brightest,” as she explained. palmbeachpoliceandfirefoundation.org

Practicing Kindness

Kimberly’s through-line is kindness, practiced daily in something as simple as a smile. “I smile a lot because I want to disarm people and bring a sense of warmth to every room,” she said. This emphasis on warmth is also a strategy for impact. A welcoming grin during a scholarship interview calms nervous students. A friendly nod at a fire-station fundraiser makes first-responders feel seen, not simply sponsored. A genuine thank-you text to a fellow donor turns a transactional gala into the start of a collaboration. In Kimberly’s world, philanthropy is relational, not performative. P

dsoa.palmbeachschools.org

When philanthropist Amy Green set sail off the coast of Ibiza on June 26, she wasn’t chasing a sunset – she was launching a movement. Alongside her husband and co-founder Gary Green, Amy hosted The Floating Footprint, a private event blending art, music, and purpose aboard a luxury yacht, with proceeds benefiting The Green Vision Foundation.

The exclusive 65-person gathering was more than just another elegant soirée. It was, in Green’s words, “a living, breathing symbol of what’s possible when we come together for the planet.” With performances from globally recognized DJs and a theatrical homage to the sea, the event served as both a celebration and a call to action for environmental stewardship.

“I’ve been doing philanthropic work for the planet for as long as I can remember – since I was a teenager,” Green said. “But what I found missing in a lot of these beautiful foundations was real collaboration. So we built Green Vision to bring together people and organizations who want to pool their strengths. Together, we can do so much more.”

Safeguarding the Environment: Footprints of Life

Founded three years ago by Amy and Gary Green, The Green Vision Foundation aims to safeguard the environment through initiatives including ocean restoration, anti-poaching programs, biodiversity protection, and education for youth. Their flagship event, Footprints of Life, has become a platform for high-impact partnerships and global

AMY GREEN

Brings Ocean Advocacy to Ibiza with ‘The Floating Footprint’

BY JEREMY MURPHY

awareness, previously held in the Hamptons with plans to return next summer.

But with two young children, Green says she’s also shifted to organizing more intimate satellite events like The Floating Footprint. “I still want to make a difference, but I also want to be a present mother,” she said. “Ibiza is close to our family’s heart, and when a friend offered his boat, it felt like the right opportunity to bring our vision here.”

The evening’s theme – Sea Siren – was a tribute to the Balearic Sea’s beauty and fragility. Guests dressed in dewy, oceaninspired fashion as dancers emerged from the waves performing acrobatics across nets strung from the yacht. “The sea siren represents beauty and mystery – just like our oceans,” Green said. “We wanted to create something unforgettable that also reminded everyone why we must protect what’s sacred.”

Music took center stage, with DJ sets from Canadian producer BLOND:ISH (Vivie-Ann Bakos), whose nonprofit Bye Bye Plastic aims to eliminate plastic waste from the music

industry, and British duo CamelPhat, known for their powerful presence on the global electronic scene. “There’s something deeply inspiring about working with artists who are lit from within and driven to make a difference,” Green said. “BLOND:ISH and CamelPhat are true forces for good.”

The event was meticulously sustainable –plastic-free with aluminum cans and bamboo plates provided by partners like Soul Water and We Love the Planet. Mezcalum Organic Mezcal and Clase Azul added flavor, while jewelry by Jason of Beverly Hills and skincare from Sol de Ibiza rounded out the guest experience. “Everything was curated to reflect our values,” said Green. “We wanted to show that luxury and sustainability can absolutely go hand-in-hand.”

Notable attendees included filmmaker Michael Bay, Real Housewives couple Abe and Erin Lichy, musician Jan Blomqvist, and entrepreneurs Bob Zangrillo and Warren Lichtenstein. David Glickman, a close ally of the foundation, co-hosted the evening alongside Green.

Raising Consciousness

For Green, the mission isn’t only about fundraising – it’s about raising consciousness. “Yes, we want to raise money,” she said. “But more than that, I want people to feel passion for making a difference. Even small steps matter. United, we can have a huge impact on the world.”

One of the Foundation’s signature initiatives is its work with anti-poaching efforts through partnerships with organizations like Tusk, Prince William’s charity. “They take former poachers and give them an education and a new purpose – turning them into protectors of the animals they once hunted,” Green explained. “It’s the kind of solution that changes lives.”

Ripples of Change

Green is also focused on youth engagement, emphasizing music as a bridge. “Young people today really care about the environment, and they respond to music and culture,” she said. “That’s why I always bring in DJs. It makes the message resonate.”

With The Floating Footprint, Amy Green succeeded in doing just that – casting ripples of change across the Mediterranean and setting the stage for future global gatherings. London may be next, but her mission remains the same.

“Everything I do comes from a place of love for my children and a desire to preserve this beautiful Earth for them,” she said. “If we don’t act now, the consequences will be irreversible. But I believe in the power of coming together. That’s what Green Vision is all about.” P

thegreenvision.org

Tara Fox

Leading Luxury Real Estate Broker at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

BY CHRISTINE MONTANTI

tTo say that Tara Fox is a top-producing Associate Real Estate Broker with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty would be an understatement. Renowned for her exceptional work along Long Island’s prestigious North Shore Gold Coast from Great Neck to Old Westbury, Tara has not only cultivated deep roots in the community, but she also brings a rare blend of local expertise and a refined, global perspective to the luxury real estate market. Her unique approach to buying and selling combines style, strategy,

and integrity, setting a new standard in the industry.

What also sets Tara apart is a rare combination of aesthetic vision, market expertise, and a client-first philosophy. With a background in high-end fashion, she brings a trained eye for staging and branding that transforms listings into aspirational lifestyles, each one tailored to showcase a home’s unique character. Her in-depth knowledge of the North Shore spanning elite

communities such as Roslyn, Brookville, and East Hills allows her to adapt her strategy to reflect each neighborhood’s distinctive personality and buyer profile.

Tara leverages the global power of Sotheby’s International Realty to provide her clients with unparalleled international exposure, while maintaining a hands-on, boutique experience defined by transpar-

ency. Her track record of success has earned her Gold Circle honors and consistent recognition for her standout sales performance.

In addition to her accomplishments in real estate, Tara is a respected voice and prominent expert in the industry. She is featured in leading publications, appears regularly on New York TV News Networks and on-line platforms where she shares insights on luxury

market trends, buyer and seller strategies, and regional dynamics. These media appearances reinforce her status as a real estate expert and enhance the visibility of her listings giving her clients a diverse marketing advantage.

It’s not surprising that the Long Island–born top-producing real estate agent is deeply committed to the North Shore community where she was raised. She is actively

involved in philanthropic and civic initiatives, reflecting her dedication to the people and neighborhoods she serves. Whether advising first-time buyers or marketing multi-million-dollar estates, Tara delivers unmatched professionalism, creativity, and results in every transaction. P

tarafox@danielgale.com

Steve Stanulis

From Cop to Chippendales to True Crime Star: Launches “Bulletproof”

BY JEREMY MURPHY

Before launching one of the most gripping new entries in the true crime podcast world, Steve Stanulis was already a man of many lives. A former NYPD officer turned celebrity bodyguard, Chippendales dancer, and film producer, Stanulis is now blending decades of frontline experience into his latest endeavor: “Bulletproof,” a weekly podcast that fuses raw true crime storytelling with Hollywood’s darkest secrets and the streetwise instincts of someone who’s lived it all.

“I’ve worn a badge, I’ve worn a bulletproof vest, and I’ve stood face-to-face with danger,” Stanulis says. “But the real threat has always been the truth people try to bury.”

“Bulletproof” Podcast

Launching this summer on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, “Bulletproof” is anything but your average armchair true crime show. Each episode features reenactments of reallife private investigation cases Stanulis has personally handled – some involving seduction, betrayal, or blackmail, and others spiraling into violence and murder. What sets the show apart is Stanulis himself: his résumé includes patrolling Brooklyn in the ’90s, protecting A-list celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kanye West, and navigating Hollywood’s underbelly as a self-described “fixer.”

“I wasn’t just reading about crime or studying it,” he says. “I was in the middle of it. From the NYPD to Hollywood to Chippendales, everything I did somehow came back to human behavior, secrets, and danger. That’s what “Bulletproof” is really about.”

Celebrity Security

Stanulis first got his break in celebrity security in 1999 when he was introduced to Leonardo DiCaprio’s money manager – and, despite showing up late after working a bachelorette party, struck an unexpected connection with the actor over shared ACL injuries. “We had nothing in common – he just came off Titanic, and I was a stripper,” Stanulis recalls. “But I pulled down my pants to show him the scar, and I happened to be in a G-string. That broke the ice.”

Soon, Stanulis was running with DiCaprio’s infamous “Pussy Posse” and had a front-row seat to Hollywood nightlife. He eventually worked with stars across the spectrum, including a headline-grabbing stint with Kanye West that ended in a $30 million lawsuit. (“He sued me for hitting on Kim,” Stanulis says, laughing. “It was ridiculous – but it went global.”)

But it wasn’t all glitz. When Stanulis lost access to high-profile gigs after a manager he worked with was indicted, he pivoted. “I got the bug for film and producing, but checks were few and far between. Someone said, ‘Why don’t you become a PI?’ and it just clicked.” Shows like Ray Donovan had made the term “fixer” mainstream – and Stanulis was already living it.

That unique mix of cop grit, performer charm, and Hollywood savvy gave him a foothold in private investigation. “I’ve dealt with cheating spouses, blackmail, everything,” he says. “And let’s be honest – who would know more about cheating spouses than someone who worked at Chippendales?”

Coming Full Circle

With “Bulletproof,” Stanulis brings those experiences full circle. The podcast’s first season features an array of jaw-dropping guests: Shere Hayes, one of the first to testify against Sean “Diddy” Combs; Michael Dowd, widely considered the most corrupt cop in NYPD history; and Kent McGowan, a former Texas Ranger who spent 20 years behind bars for a controversial shooting and is now seeking a pardon. There’s also Lou Essa, a towering ex-boxer and football player turned mob fixer whose life intersected with Muhammad Ali.

“Every time you think you’ve heard or seen it all, the next day something crazier happens,” says Stanulis. “That’s what makes this genre so addictive. People love the romanticism of true crime – especially when celebrities are involved. Cold cases, corruption, scandals – they all pull people in.”

He’s also unapologetic about calling out dirty cops. “I come from a family of cops – my dad, my brother, my uncles,” he says. “So when someone abuses that trust, they’re lower than a street thug in my book. You’re preying on people when they’re vulnerable. There’s no excuse for that.”

Joe Rogan of True Crime

The podcast doesn’t just rely on interviews and narrative – it also includes reenactments, filmed biopic-style, based on Stanulis’ wildest investigations. “We picked ten of our craziest fixer jobs and PI cases and walked the audience through how it all happened – how we got the job, what happened to the victim, and how we caught the perp,” he says. “The male escort case isn’t even the wildest one.”

With episodes dropping weekly and a growing list of high-profile cases and guests, “Bulletproof” is already positioning itself as a standout in the crowded true crime market. Stanulis hopes it becomes “the Joe Rogan of true crime,” and believes his lived experience – still active as an investigator – gives it a level of credibility and intensity most shows can’t match.

“We’re not just giving opinions. We were there. We’re still there,” he says. “And we’re not afraid to go deep.” P @bulletprooftruecrimepodcast @stevestanulis stanulisfims.com

Joseph Hernandez

University of Florida, Yale, & Oxford

Joseph Hernandez is not your typical politician. The son of Cuban immigrants who fled Castro’s regime, he grew up watching his father scrub dishes and his mother clean houses to give their children a better life. From those modest beginnings, Hernandez went on to

Independent Candidate for Mayor of NYC

BY JEREMY MURPHY

earn advanced degrees from the University of Florida, Yale, and Oxford, build a career as a scientist and entrepreneur, and take five companies public. Now, he’s aiming for his boldest challenge yet: running for mayor of New York City.

Hernandez’s life story begins in Camagüey, Cuba, where his father ran a small

business until the communist government seized it. When Hernandez was just seven, his father was imprisoned and spent months in a coma from encephalitis. The family risked everything to leave Cuba, arriving in America with little more than hope. In Chicago, they started over but they never let hardship define them. They taught Joseph that hard work, faith, and education could open doors. “My parents taught us to work hard, to have faith, to get educated, and to love our adopted country,” he says. “That, they said, would change the course of my life. And they were right.” That lesson fueled Hernandez’s drive to achieve. The first in his

family to attend college, he earned a degree in neuroscience, followed by a master’s in molecular genetics and microbiology and an MBA from the University of Florida.

Giving Back

Professionally, Hernandez made his mark in the biotech and healthcare industries. Over two decades, he built and led more than a dozen companies focused on improving public health, five of which went public. He developed a reputation for solving complex problems, from advancing drug research to managing large teams under pressure. That success is now the foundation for his leap into politics. “I’m really trained as a scientist and I built businesses. I’ve built, bought 12 different companies and we bought five of them public,” he says. “My background is really in business and so the political world is a new one to me. But I feel this is my opportunity to pay back to a society and the city that gave me so much.”

Public Safety, Housing & Technology

Public safety tops his agenda. “It is ridiculous. New York City has become an unsafe place,” Hernandez says. His plan calls for hiring 10,000 new police officers by reallocating overtime funds, reviving grid patrols, and partnering with federal agencies when local prosecutors fail to act. “If we don’t control crime, the city will continue to spiral out of control.”

Housing affordability is another focus. With the city’s vacancy rate at just 1.4 percent compared to a national average of 6.8, Hernandez argues the crisis is rooted in limited supply. He pledges to convert millions of square feet of unused office space into apartments, unlock 40,000 rent-controlled units

“NOTHING WORKS LIKE THE FREE MARKET. YOU HAVE TO LET THE FREE MARKETS WORK – AND THAT MEANS INCREASING SUPPLY.”

sitting idle, and ease regulations to accelerate construction. “Nothing works like the free market. You have to let the free markets work – and that means increasing supply.”

Technology is the third pillar of Hernandez’s campaign. His business experience shapes his vision for City Hall. He sees New York as a vast corporation – one that needs better management and innovation. “If you look at the budget for New York City, it’s astronomical. It’s a $120 billion budget, 300,000 employees. This is a large corporation,” he says. “We have to create processes and hire the right leadership to execute.” He plans to use artificial intelligence to improve efficiency across city services, from traffic control to budgeting. “Teams make a big difference,” he says. “Processes, efficiency, and technology are key to any successful business operation.”

Unity & Diversity

At the heart of his campaign is a belief in unity. Hernandez often recalls how New York thrives because of its diversity. “We need to unify New York City,” he says. “We’ve become so accustomed to separating people because of religion, faith, race, or ideology. Our commonality is the greatness of NYC and the people that make it so special.” Despite running against big political names, Hernandez is carving out his own lane. Collecting nearly 15,000 petition signatures – four times the requirement – he has already shown he can build momentum without party backing.

For Hernandez, this campaign is personal. It’s the culmination of a life shaped by sacrifice, ambition, and gratitude for the opportunities his family found in America. “There are other cities competing to be the best city in the world, and we have to compete,” he says. “That’s the bottom line. I think I’m the best person to do that for the city.” For more information about Joseph Hernandez and his campaign visit. P

hernandezfornyc.com

JEFFREY WANDS

World-Renowned Psychic Medium Uniting Realms

BY CHRISTINE MONTANTI

Jeffrey Wands is one of the most recognized and respected psychic mediums in the world today. Known for his extraordinary ability to communicate with those who have passed on, Jeffrey has spent decades offering comfort, clarity, and connection to thousands seeking answers from the other side. With a reputation built on integrity, accuracy, and compassion, he has become a trusted name not only among the general public but also among celebrities, entrepreneurs, and even law enforcement agencies.

Jeffrey Wands discovered his psychic abilities at an early age and has since devoted his life to developing and refining his gift. What sets him apart from others is not just his ability to connect with the deceased, but his commitment to helping people heal. His readings often bring closure to grieving families and validation to those in search of deeper meaning.

For two decades, Wands shared his insights as the host of Psychic Sundays on WALK 97.5 FM. The show combined spir-

itual messages with real-time interactions, allowing listeners to call in and receive intuitive guidance often including deeply moving messages from loved ones who had passed. Over the years, it built a devoted following, as many found the celebrated medium’s calm demeanor and remarkable accuracy both soothing and empowering.

Beyond personal readings, Wands’ talents have also been utilized by law enforcement agencies across the country. He is frequently consulted on high-profile murder investigations and missing persons cases, offering insights that traditional methods often overlook. For over 15 years Wands has been repeatedly asked to appear on the Maury Show to help provide clues to families and law enforcement agencies for missing person cases. Wands’ track record has made him a confidential and instrumental resource for many in the justice system.

The New York-born medium’s reputation has attracted a wide-ranging and high-profile clientele. From A-list celebrities to global business moguls, many wait as long as a year to schedule a private session with him. These high-demand readings are known for their

discretion, depth, and ability to provide not just answers but also spiritual realignment for those navigating life’s most complex challenges.

In addition to his media work, Wands is a bestselling author, having penned several influential books that delve into the psychic experience, the afterlife, and personal growth through spiritual understanding. Titles such as, Knock and the Door Will Open and The Psychic in You have resonated with readers around the globe, offering guidance and validation to those beginning their own spiritual journeys.

The renowned psychic medium is also a frequent speaker at events and spiritual gatherings across the United States. His live appearances often include open forums where he delivers spontaneous, personalized messages from the spirit world to attendees. These events are known for their emotional impact, as guests frequently receive messages from loved ones who have passed on that bring tears, laughter, and closure.

Despite his international acclaim, Wands remains grounded in his mission: to bring peace, hope, and connection to as many people as possible. Whether he’s speaking at a packed theater, consulting with detectives, or comforting a family through a private reading, Jeffrey Wands continues to be a powerful bridge between the seen and the unseen. For many, a session with Wands’ is not just a reading it’s a life-changing experience. P

To book a reading with Jeffrey Wands or inquire about hosting an event, please call 516-883-5959

OF A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE

Aaron Judge is at it again in 2025, and fans have the chance to get closer to history than anyone outside of the Yankees dugout.

On what seems like a daily basis, the 33-year-old keeps finding ways to further etch his name into baseball lore. The Yankees’ seven-time All-Star outfielder really is that special; his accomplishments are truly that rare.

As of mid-July, Judge had blasted 34 home runs, while also establishing a lead in virtually every offensive category, including, hits and on-base percentage. Perhaps his most impressive statistic was his .360 batting average: The next closest player was 25 points below the Yankees captain, and he

BY ALFRED SANTASIERE III

was 115 points higher than the major league average of .245.

This rarified air is nothing new for Judge or for the fan base that has had a front-row seat to history at Yankee Stadium. After taking home American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2017 with a 52–home run season, Judge put together a season for the ages in 2022. On his way to winning the AL MVP that year, the slugger broke the American League home run record with 62 longballs.

In eclipsing the storied 60–home run mark, Judge joined legendary Yankees Babe Ruth and Roger Maris as the only players in AL history to accomplish the feat. Also, like his pinstriped predecessors, Judge etched his name into baseball immortality during

an era that was untainted by any controversy.

While it seemed as if Judge’s monster 2022 season might have been a peak in his career, he put together an even more complete campaign in 2024. In winning his second AL MVP Award in three years, Judge batted .322 – 79 points higher than the major league average and 11 points higher than his previous personal best in 2022 – while also smashing 58 home runs and collecting a career-high 144 RBI and 133 walks.

Judge’s overall offensive performance provides an even greater perspective to how unique he is. According to ESPN Research, Judge’s 223 adjusted on-base percentage plus slugging total (a statistic that measures a player’s ability to get on base and their ability to hit with power) was the highest among right-handed hitters since 1900, and he

became the third player to post an adjusted on-base percentage plus slugging total of 200 or more with at least 50 home runs. Ruth and major league home run leader Barry Bonds are the other two players on that list.

When reflecting on Judge’s incredible career thus far, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman broke it down with candor.

“His offensive profile is arguably second to none,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said earlier this season from his

office at Yankee Stadium. “His power numbers stand out, and he’s got a baked-in higher average than you would think for a big power/slug guy. Aaron Judge is arguably the best player on the planet at providing offense and not giving up those precious outs.”

Although the postseason is nearly here, it’s not too late for fans to secure a ticket to watch a baseball immortal in his prime. In addition to general seating locations throughout Yankee Stadium, the organization also has various premium seating options available.

As part of the premium offerings, guests can purchase luxury suites and party suites on a single-game basis as well as seats in the exclusive Legends Suite Club and Champions seating area, both of which include high-end dining experiences and seats that are right on top of the action.

Other premium options such as the Delta Sky360º Suite, the Ford Field MVP Club and the Jim Beam Club Lounge offer fans an impressive behind-the-plate vantage point as well as special food and drink offerings.

As the defending American League champions seek a return to the World Series and, ultimately, a 28th championship, come out to Yankee Stadium and watch a player who is as magical as any who have come before him. Taking it all in from one of the Stadium’s premium seating locations will make your visit even more special.

“Essentially, what Aaron Judge is doing is superhuman,” Cashman said. “Babe Ruth has become almost folklore, even though it really happened. Aaron Judge is now a walking, talking, living and breathing Babe Ruth.” P

New York Yankees

National FOUNDATION

FOOTBALL

FOUNDATION

BY W.A. MULLER

PHOTOS BY OREN SIDDO

About the National Football Foundation: he national organization was founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice. The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing academic excellence, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. At the national level, the NFF oversees the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, a state-of-the-art and highly visible facility in the heart of Atlanta that brings the game to life for fans of all ages while paying tribute to the game’s greatest legends. The NFF oversees the nominations, voting, election and induction of the annual College Football Hall of Fame Class. In addition, the national oversees the William V. Campbell Trophy and National Scholar Athlete Program, awarding more than $1.3 million annually and distributing nearly $41 million since its inception in 1959. The program is highlighted by the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments and The William V. Campbell Trophy, commonly referred to as the academic Heisman.

What truly makes the organization unique, however, is the NFF Chapter Network. It provides those who love the game an opportunity to stay involved and give back to future generations by replicating the national efforts at the grassroots level. There are currently 120 chapters in 47 states, with over 14,000 members, all of whom are volunteers and participate because they love the game and believe in the positive role it plays in the development of our youth. The chapter in Suffolk County has been in existence since 1995 and during that time has recognized over 1,000 student-athletes for their academic and athletic excellence.

The mission of the chapter is to promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and academic excellence in the Suffolk County football community. This mission is fulfilled in the following ways:

1. By inspiring high school football players to achieve athletic and academic excellence by promoting their achievements and recog-

nizing their accomplishments.

2. By motivating young people, and those who influence them, about the game.

3. By promoting football programs and youth initiatives, which further strengthen the educational and character-building qualities of the game.

4. By organizing and running camps, clinics and other special events that promote football and highlight the individual athletes that play football on Long Island.

The Genesis of the Suffolk Chapter

Chapter President Len Genova is a two-time All-Ivy (Honorable Mention as a junior and First Team as a senior) and AP All-American (Honorable Mention) football player who captained the 1984 Columbia University team. Further, Genova coached at his alma mater, coaching the defensive line on the freshman team in 1989. Given Genova’s interest in working in the sports field, Columbia Head Coach Ray Tellier, introduced Genova to Bob Casciola, the President of the NFF’s national office. Casciola was a former Long Island native (Mineola High School) who played collegiately at Princeton University before embarking on a very successful coaching and business career. Casciola encouraged Genova to start a chapter on Long Island and after repeated attempts to register the necessary members to secure a charter, Genova was fortuitously approached at a clinic he was hosting by Nick Schroeder, the Section XI Football Chairman and then Athletic Director for the Smithtown Central School District. “Nick approached me at a coach’s clinic I was hosting. Our national president, Bob Casciola, gave an overview of the organization hoping to spur interest in the chapter, and Nick asked if we could get together for lunch,” Genova said. Shortly after that, Genova met with Schroeder and Pete Blieberg, the President of the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association and Athletic Director at Kings Park at the time. “I’ve referenced that meeting many times through the years, as a matter of fact, I bring it up each year at our scholar athlete brunch when I talk about how the whole thing started and talk about meeting Nick and Pete at a Friendly’s restaurant in Commack. By the end of the meeting, both committed the full support of the coach’s association and agreed to sponsor membership for all the coaches in the county, which gave us enough members to officially receive our

charter from the national and become a functional chapter,” Genova said. According to Genova, “without the support of the coach’s association, the chapter never becomes a reality.” That support and relationship continues today. The chapter works very closely with current coaches’ association president Steve Fasciani on several initiatives throughout the year and has fostered a terrific working relationship with all the coaches in the county. “The coaches are our constituency, and we’re here to support them and help promote the sport at the grass roots level. I’ve gotten to know so many of them and I can’t say enough about their commitment to their athletes. The young men and women who play in the county are blessed to have such dedicated coaches in their corner,” according to Genova.

Leadership Style

The success of any organization is tied to the people who have a seat at the table. After speaking with Genova about the board of directors, he made it very clear that he touts a leadership style that is all about bringing people together to work toward a common goal. “I believe the mission of the organization must come before any personal agenda, and I try to lead in a way that keeps that at the center of every decision. For me, leadership is less about authority and more about connection – it’s about seeing the unique strengths each person brings and creating the space where those talents can shine. I value the commitment of the people around me, and I see my role as helping align their energy, ideas, and efforts so that together we can achieve something greater than any of us could accomplish alone,” Genova said. While the chapter has been operating since 1995, it has grown exponentially over the past six years according to Genova. “We now host a series of events throughout the year and have only been able to do that due to the exceptional group of people on our board,” according to Genova. “I’ve learned that the true strength of our board lies in the individuality of its members. Each person brings a unique talent, perspective, or expertise, and when those strengths are harnessed together, the result is a collective success that none of us could have achieved alone. It’s been one of my greatest privileges as a leader to see how those diverse contributions have shaped the path forward for our organization,” Genova said.

Meet the Board

The National Football Foundation’s Suffolk Chapter is guided by a uniquely talented board that blends coaches, athletic directors, administrators, officials, and prominent business leaders, all united by a shared passion for amateur football. The chapter is fortunate to have leading athletic administrators such as Pete Blieberg, Assistant Executive Director of Section XI, and Tim Horan, Section XX Football Chairman and West Islip AD, along with founding members Lou Bonnanzio and Paul Mastronardi, whose energy and institutional knowledge provide invaluable leadership. The board also includes Suffolk County Officials Association President Marc Negrin, who, alongside Carl Superina, coordinates officials for numerous NFF events. Prominent business leader Ray Nelson, Director of Sports Medicine Development (Orlin & Cohen), has been a cornerstone since 1997, offering exemplary leadership in fundraising and sponsor engagement. The advisory board was strengthened in 2025 with the addition of David Gardi (Sr. VP, Washington Commanders) and Dave Howard (former New York Mets VP and Madison Square Garden President), both bringing deep sports business expertise. Smithtown West Head Coach Craig Perrino, who joined in 2023, has been instrumental in spearheading the Lineman Challenge. At the operational core is Director of Operations Alexandra Rosenberg, whose leadership has transformed the chapter since joining in 2021. Rosenberg has elevated event execution, expanded the chapter’s social media presence, and infused youthful energy and professional skill into every initiative, earning high praise from Chapter President Len Genova. Collectively, this diverse and dynamic board has built one of the nation’s most active and impactful NFF chapters, setting the standard for excellence by prioritizing the mission of the organization above individual goals.

The James C. Metzger Connection Genova reached out to current Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney in 2019 to get an introduction with Metzger. “Jim’s athletic and business success is well documented and his philanthropic work on Long Island, especially in the youth and high school sports areas, is unparalleled. I coached Seth’s son, Ryan Tierney, in youth football and got to

“JIM NEVER WANTS THE CREDIT – EVERYTHING HE DOES IS FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME." Genova

know coach over the course of several years. I asked if he could make the introduction to Jim and Seth immediately reached out and scheduled the meeting for me,” Genova said. “From my first meeting with Jim, it was readily apparent how much his high school football career meant to him. He recalled with vivid detail so many memorable moments and games, it seemed like they happened last week,” according to Genova. “Jim Metzger’s unwavering commitment to youth and high school sports, combined with his lifelong love for the game, made it clear to our board that dedicating this chapter in his honor was both fitting and deserved,” Genova said. Each year the top scholar athlete for the public and catholic schools in Suffolk County receives the James C. Metzger Top Scholar Athlete award. In addition, in 2024 the chapter became the first in the country to host a scholar athlete brunch exclusively for girls’ flag football. The Top Scholar Award for girls’ flag football is also named after Metzger.

Metzger is a former star athlete at Half Hollow Hills East high school and Hofstra University and a unique benefactor who scored an unusual double play by being inducted into the athletic hall of fame for both Nassau and Suffolk county. Metzger is the founder of Whitmore Group, but sold the company to Acrisure, a multi-billion dollar insurance technology company. Metzger has been inducted in the Half Hollow Hills Hall of Fame for his football and lacrosse records and at Hofstra University for his All-Ameri-

can career in lacrosse and his ongoing contributions to the sport.

Jim Metzger’s impact on youth and high school sports has never been about personal recognition – it has always been about what his support makes possible for others. Time and again, he has stepped forward to ensure that young athletes and their families can experience the joy, pride, and lasting memories that come with being part of the game. As Genova explained, “Jim never wants the credit – everything he does is for the good of the game and to create lasting memories for the athletes and their parents. It’s that selfless commitment, rooted in both his love for the sport and his belief in its ability to shape lives, that has left such a powerful legacy in our community.”

Calendar of Annual NFF Events

1. Annual Boys and Girls Scholar Athlete Brunch. Each year, the chapter hosts its signature Scholar-Athlete Brunches, honoring one outstanding scholar-athlete from every high school in the county for their academic and athletic excellence. From this group, select students are honored as members of the NFF Golden Eleven Team (boys) and NFF Golden Seven Team (girls), with one ultimately chosen as the Top Scholar Athlete. The boys’ event also features the Orlin & Cohen Player of the Week Team, the NFF Offensive Line Award (by division), and the prestigious Gregg Sarra Trophy for the top offensive and defensive players on Long Island. Beginning

in 2025, the chapter introduced the John Paci Iron Grit Award, celebrating athletes whose perseverance, toughness, and determination epitomize the spirit of the game.

2. NFF Leadership Symposium. Each year, the NFF hosts its Leadership Symposium at NFL headquarters in Manhattan, offering chapter honorees a unique opportunity to learn from distinguished professionals in law, medicine, finance, and sports. Panelists share how athletics shaped their careers before engaging in open Q&A with honorees and their parents. The program provides invaluable career guidance and meaningful connections that extend the impact of the scholar-athlete experience.

3. Long Island QB Challenge. The Long Island QB Challenge, presented by Orlin & Cohen, is a premier skills competition for the region’s top returning quarterbacks, with separate events for boys and girls. It has quickly become a marquee event, one that underclassmen across Long Island know and strive to be selected for.

4. Lineman Challenge. The Lineman Challenge is a team-based competition that allows linemen to showcase their strength, endurance, and skill. Squads compete head-tohead in a series of events designed to test both individual toughness and collective teamwork.

5. Media Day. Media Day brings together all 52 public schools ahead of the season, giving the local media a chance to spotlight the top returning players and teams while fostering meaningful interaction with coaches and athletes. The event also features a high school football preview show, produced by T&D Sports and presented by Orlin & Cohen, which showcases standout players and programs through interviews and highlights.

6. Kickoff Classic. The Kickoff Classic launches the high school football season with a premier Week One matchup selected by the NFF. The game is live streamed to reach a wider audience, and outstanding offensive and defensive players are recognized with postgame awards.

The Gregg Sarra Trophy

Arguably the most prestigious high school award given out each year, the Gregg Sarra Trophy was created by the Suffolk chapter in 2022. The board decided to name an award after longtime Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra. The Gregg Sarra Trophy is awarded annually to the top offensive and defensive high school football players on Long Island. Sarra has overseen the growth of the Newsday high school sports department and its multiplatform high school football coverage. Under his stewardship, Newsday produces an annual preseason list recognizing the top 100 football players on Long Island, a 28-page preview section, weekly game coverages and features, weekly “Gridiron Greats” highlighting the top individual performances of the week and a weekly highlight show produced in Newsday’s television studio. “There is no person more deserving to name this award for,” Genova said. “Gregg has done more to promote high school sports on Long Island, especially for the girls, than anyone and it was fitting to name the award after him,” according to Genova. The inaugural honorees were Dante Torres of St. Anthony’s, recognized for his excellence on offense, and Trevor Gayron

of Farmingdale, honored for his defensive prowess. In 2023, the awards were bestowed upon K.J. Duff of St. Anthony’s (offense) and Sebastian Regis of East Islip (defense). Most recently, in 2024, the distinction was earned by Joseph Filardi of Hills West for offense and Michael Sands of Sayville for defense.

Goals of the Chapter over the next Five Years

Looking ahead, the Suffolk Chapter of the National Football Foundation has several ambitious initiatives designed to expand its impact and strengthen its legacy:

• Hall of Fame Creation – Establish a countywide Hall of Fame to permanently recognize great players, officials, administrators, and contributors. While certain individuals have been honored in the past, no permanent structure exists, and the chapter is actively exploring partnerships to house this important project.

• Girls’ Flag Football Expansion – Develop a major presence in the rapidly growing area of girls’ flag football. Plans include:

• Launching a summer league for high school players, led by local high school coaches serving as geographic directors.

• Hosting a skills showcase for the top returning underclasswomen.

• Creating a regional all-star game, featuring elite talent from Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, and beyond.

Chapter President Len Genova has already opened preliminary discussions with the NFL to explore collaboration on these showcase and all-star initiatives.

Genova Personally

Len Genova has dedicated his life to the intersection of athletics, academics, and leadership. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Sport Management & Policy at the University of Georgia, where for the past four years he has also served as an instructor in the Department of Kinesiology. Genova was an accomplished athlete at Columbia University

where he was recognized as both an All-Ivy and All-America football player. Athletics has always been central to Genova’s journey, from his time on the field and sidelines as a coach at both the high school and college level, to his remarkable three decades leading the Suffolk County Chapter of the National Football Foundation. His passion for mentoring young athletes was evident early on when he founded Academics and Athletics Equal Success (AAES) in the mid-1990s, a nonprofit dedicated to helping New York City high school football players navigate the college recruiting and admissions process. Nationally, Genova has played a formative role in advancing NFF initiatives. He was instrumental in the launch of the Play-It-Smart Program, which placed academic coaches in four New York City high schools to support athletes’ academic performance and life skills development before expanding across the country. He also worked with the NFL and the NFF’s national offices to spearhead the NFL Coaching Academy, organizing clinics with NFL franchises nationwide in the early 2000s. Today, while continuing his doctoral studies, Genova remains deeply committed to the growth and success of the Suffolk Chapter. He and his wife, Gemma, are the proud parents of a blended family of five children, and he continues to balance his academic, professional, and family life with the same dedication that has defined his career. “I am truly blessed to have a partner and wife like Gemma, whose unwavering support has made my work with the NFF possible. I often share the story at our annual brunch that the very day after I proposed, Gemma was out on the field with me helping run the Long Island QB Challenge. We were there for twelve hours, and from that moment on, her encouragement has never wavered. I am equally blessed that all my stepchildren are deeply involved with the chapter, regularly attending events and volunteering their time. To share something I am so passionate about with my family means the world to me, and their involvement makes this journey even more meaningful,” Genova said. P

THE ORLIN & COHEN IMPACT

“The NFF has certainly been blessed to have the involvement of an array of sponsors and financial support over the past several years, but none bigger than the role of Orlin & Cohen,” Genova said. Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group delivers elite, fellowship-trained sports medicine care across Long Island through a uniquely comprehensive approach. Their specialists, among the most Castle Connolly-recognized orthopedic surgeons in New York, treat ACL tears, rotator cuff injuries, and cartilage damage with advanced arthroscopic techniques—including MACI knee cartilage transplantation. Their Walk-in Sunday Sports Medicine Clinics, designed for high school and collegiate athletes, offer immediate, no-appointment care during the season with on-site MRI and digital X-ray so treatment can begin the same day. Beyond urgent care, they provide free Recovery and Injury Screening Services for student-athletes across Nassau and Suffolk county, focusing on injury prevention and rapid recovery. Their specialized high school athlete program combines diagnostics, therapy, and expert care to ensure safe, confident returns to play. They’re also deeply embedded in the community—serving as official sports medicine partners for organizations like the New York Riptide and LIU Athletics, and consistently providing athletic training coverage for youth events like the first-of-its-kind Girls Flag Football Tournament on Long Island.

While the partnership with Orlin & Cohen and the NFF dates to 2019, Genova explained the foundation of the partnership extends back to 1997 and is between him and Director of Sports Medicine Development Ray Nelson. According to Genova, “Ray Nelson has been the heart and soul of our chapter’s operations. His steady counsel

The Event

The Story

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Nelson with Ava+Reade

Nelson

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Ray & Len

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Genova & Wife

and unwavering support have not only guided our work but have also inspired those around him to give their very best. Ray’s vision and determination were instrumental in securing the vital support of Orlin & Cohen, a partnership that has strengthened our ability to fulfill our mission. His unparalleled dedication to amateur football and his tireless efforts to promote the sport in our county have brought our chapter to new heights. On both a personal and professional level, I have relied on Ray’s friendship, wisdom, and expertise, and it is no exaggeration to say that his contributions have shaped the very success of our organization.”

Orlin & Cohen has been the presenting sponsor for the NFF Player of the Week team since 2019 recognizing one football player county wide each week during the regular season and playoffs. Each of those athletes are recognized at the annual Scholar Athlete Brunch. Orlin & Cohen has also been the presenting sponsor for the Long Island QB Challenge since 2022, a skills competition for the top returning boys and girls’ quarterbacks on Long Island. Since its inception, the Long Island QB Challenge has grown into one of the region’s premier showcases of young football talent. What began as a local competition has transformed into a marquee event, drawing top athletes, and fans while highlighting the skill, dedication, and passion that fuel the game on Long Island. Today, every aspiring quarterback across the Island knows the Challenge, and being selected to participate has become a benchmark of recognition and achievement that they strive toward each season. “None of that would have been possible without Orlin & Cohen, and we are eternally grateful for their support and belief in our mission,” Genova said.

Genova

Metzger

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Nelson, Anthony, Mike

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Metzger & Sarra with Filardi & Sands Cipp

Dr. James Paci

L’Oiseau Blanc

SKY-HIGH ELEGANCE: L’OISEAU BLANC SOARS ABOVE PARISIAN FINE DINING

BY LISA LOVERRO

Suspended above the rooftops of Paris with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré Cœur, L’Oiseau Blanc is more than a restaurant – it’s an elevated experience in every sense. Located on the top floor of The Peninsula Paris, this two-Michelin-starred destination is a must-visit. With Chef David Bizet at the helm, he invites diners on a sensory voyage that blends the romance of aviation history with the very best of French terroir.

Named after the legendary aircraft L’Oiseau Blanc (The White Bird) –the plane in which French aviators Charles Nungesser and François Coli made their historic, but ultimately tragic, attempt at the first nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927 – the restaurant pays hommage to their adventurous spirit. A striking replica of the original plane is suspended as if mid-flight above the hotel’s rooftop, forever reaching for the Eiffel Tower. This dramatic visual sets the tone for the experience that awaits.

From the moment you enter, the ambiance evokes flight. Floor-to-ceiling glass wraps the dining room in light and panoramic views, giving the impression that the restaurant itself is gliding over the Parisian skyline. The interiors are sleek and elegant, providing a quiet backdrop that allows

the food and views to take center stage.

And the food is extraordinary. Chef David Bizet has crafted a menu that is a modern homage to the land and sea of France, showcasing ingredients at their seasonal peak with technical precision and heartfelt creativity. Whether it’s a perfectly cooked piece of turbot elevated by a delicate shellfish jus, or a tender lamb served with a vivid garden puree, every plate is a

SAVOR A CULINARY JOURNEY HIGH ABOVE THE PARISIAN ROOFTOPS, WITH SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE EIFFEL TOWER.

testament to the chef’s vision of vibrant, sustainable cuisine.

Equally dazzling is the work of pastry chef Anne Coruble, whose desserts offer a final crescendo to the experience. Her creations are artful, and layered with flavor – the kind of desserts that stay with you long after the last bite. Paired with exceptional wines and the attentive yet unintrusive service of a highly trained staff, each course becomes part of an unforgettable composition.

For those seeking a truly exclusive experience, the restaurant also offers the Secret Table, an intimate terrace setting designed for two. Accessed via a private elevator, it comes complete with dedicated butler service and uninterrupted views of the Eiffel Tower. Whether for a romantic dinner,

an indulgent afternoon tea, or champagne at sunset, this is one of the city’s most exquisite ways to dine in privacy and style.

In every detail – from its aviation-inspired design to its exquisitely executed cuisine –L’Oiseau Blanc delivers on the promise of a first-class culinary journey. It is a restaurant that not only honors the boldness of its namesakes but continues their spirit of innovation and elegance high above the streets of Paris. Whether you are a passionate gastronome or simply celebrating a special occasion, dining at L’Oiseau Blanc is nothing short of transcendent – a sky-high symphony of flavor, finesse, and Parisian magic. P

peninsula.com/en/paris/hotel-fine-dining/ french-rooftop-loiseau-blanc

La Table de Franck Putelat

CARCASSONNE’S CULINARY CROWN JEWEL

BY LISA LOVERRO

Medieval Carcassonne, the birthplace of cassoulet and the bold Languedoc reds that complement it, is a destination for serious food lovers. It’s no surprise, then, that some of its best hotels are anchored by exceptional restaurants. Nowhere is this truer than at Hôtel Le Parc, a boutique hideaway created as an elegant extension of La Table de Franck

Putelat, the city’s most celebrated fine dining experience. Much of the produce comes from Putelat’s own vegetable garden, and every plate reflects a precise, inspired sensibility. Pastry chef Alexis Pocinho adds a final flourish with desserts as refined as they are indulgent.

The experience is seamless from start to finish: a lavish breakfast of fresh breads and seasonal fruits can be enjoyed al fresco or

in-room; the service is impeccable yet warm; and the wine pairings are pitchperfect. If you’re especially fortunate, your stay might end with a casual, gracious conversation with the chef himself – a memorable close to an unforgettable gastronomic adventure.

For those lucky enough to secure a room, Hôtel Le Parc offers just seven ultra-chic suites – each quiet, spacious, and thoughtfully designed with a modern yet earthy aesthetic. Expect sculptural wooden chairs, nature-inspired art, and soft touches like carved wood, bear rugs, and moody lighting. Large private terraces overlook the leafy surroundings, while expansive bathrooms offer walk-in showers, housemade amenities, and – depending on the suite – a private Jacuzzi indoors or out.

Growing up in the quiet Jura village of Mignovillard, Putelat had no culinary ambitions. Then one day, as a teenager, he followed a friend to the apprentice training center in Gevingey. That casual decision became a turning point – inside the kitchen, he found not just work, but a calling.Each morning, he traveled to internships at local restaurants such as Hôtel de France in Crotenay and Le Château d’Eau in Champagnole, and after these early apprenticeships, Putelat moved to Paris,

IN CARCASSONNE, TWO-MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF FRANCK PUTELAT TRANSFORMS TRADITION INTO ART, OFFERING GUESTS AN IMMERSIVE CULINARY AND LUXURY HOTEL EXPERIENCE.

training at the prestigious Taillevent. By the age of 23, he was cooking under legendary chef Georges Blanc in Vonnas. There, he learned the art of sauces, the discipline of precision, and the elegance of simplicity. Recognizing his talent, Blanc promoted him to head chef and sent him to helm L’Olivier at the Bastide de Saint-Tropez. The glitzy Riviera didn’t feel like home to the Jura native, but the move proved serendipitous –it was there he met the future director of the Hôtel de la Cité in Carcassonne.

In 1998, Putelat arrived in the medieval walled city, tasked with opening a restaurant inside its storied walls. Four years later, his efforts were rewarded with a Michelin star. In 2003, he entered the prestigious Bocuse d’Or, taking home the silver. In 2006, he opened La Table de Franck Putelat just outside Carcassonne’s city walls. Here, he found his stride and coined his style “fictional cuisine,” reinventing classics with

creativity while respecting their roots. Signature dishes include Tarbouriech oysters paired with beef fillet and soufflé potatoes, or a delicate bouillabaisse crafted from duck foie gras. Even cassoulet, the region’s most sacred dish, is boldly reinterpreted with pigeon – earning the respect of local traditionalists.

His relentless refinement paid off. In 2012, La Table de Franck Putelat earned a second Michelin star, becoming Carcassonne’s only two-star restaurant. He constantly adjusts presentations, experiments with techniques, and seeks new inspiration. Beyond his flagship, he’s opened a modern brasserie, A 4 Temps; created luxurious guest rooms above the restaurant; and added gardens and a chicken coop, deepening his connection to the land that shapes his cuisine.

Franck Putelat’s story is one of fierce determination, continual evolution, and an unwavering quest for perfection. Whether reinventing a centuries-old cassoulet or plating an oyster with surgical precision, his goal is the same: to create food that surprises, delights, and lingers in memory. For him, the true reward isn’t the stars – it’s the thrill of discovery, the beauty of the plate, and the joy of sharing something exceptional. P

latable.franckputelat.com

Gaia Restaurant

The Mediterranean Experience

In the heart of Manhattan’s bustling Herald Square, where fast-casual chains and bigbox stores dominate the landscape, a quiet revolution is taking place. Enter Gaia, the new Mediterranean restaurant transforming the area’s culinary scene with elevated cuisine, heartfelt hospitality, and a deeply rooted sense of cultural pride at 42 West 35th Street. Now, with the arrival of Executive Chef Evangelos

Ktistakis and a transformative new menu, Gaia is more than just a place to eat – it’s a destination that invites guests to taste, feel, and live the Mediterranean experience at a reasonable price point.

Chef Ktistakis, whose culinary résumé includes stints at David Burke’s Townhouse, Elea, and Okeanos, brings over two decades of experience to Gaia. He describes his cooking philosophy in simple, honest terms:

A HEALTHIER, CLEANER WAY OF COOKING

BY JEREMY MURPHY

“Quality and consistency,” he says. “We don’t use butter or flour. We rely on olive oil, fresh vegetables, and seasonal herbs. It’s a healthier, cleaner way of cooking that lets the ingredients shine.”

The menu at Gaia is a masterclass in Mediterranean restraint and balance. For lunch, guests can enjoy small plates like Sesame-Crusted Feta with honey-infused fig, or a refreshing Watermelon Salad dressed with spiced lime vinaigrette. Entrées include Lamb Chops with Greek fries, and Lavraki Filet, a grilled Mediterranean sea bass served with wild greens and capers. There’s even a $32 prix fixe menu for those seeking a lighter, curated mid-day escape.

Robust Menu: Land & Sea Dinner expands into a robust menu of both land and sea. Signature dishes include

Bakaliaros – pan-seared wild cod with fennel purée and thyme emulsion – and Short Rib Youvetsi, a rich, slow-braised masterpiece layered with baked orzo and kefalograviera cheese. Chef Ktistakis is especially proud of the lamb chops and short rib, which are dryaged, marinated overnight, and cooked at low temperatures to achieve peak tenderness.

But for Chef Ktistakis and General Manager Gianni Tarko, it’s not just about flavor. “We want guests to feel like they’ve stepped into Santorini or Mykonos,” Tarko explains. “We want them to have that full Mediterranean experience – from the food to the wine to the service.”

The wine list reflects that mission.

Carefully curated by Tarko and Ktistakis, it features selections from Greece, Italy, Napa, and Latin America, with thoughtful pairings to match each dish. “It’s about balance,” the chef explains. “We’ll pair rich entrées with more acidic wines or bring in a full-bodied Greek cab for something heartier.”

Cocktail Program: Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

Even the cocktails tell a story. Gaia’s beverage program includes highlights like the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini – made with Stoli Vanilla, espresso, and dark Skinos – and the Midtown Martini, a bold mix of Grey Goose, fig jam, and lime. The drinks are as intentional as the dishes, blending familiar ingredients with Mediterranean flair.

The space itself is a love letter to old New York. Housed in a 1903 building, Gaia preserves original features like century-old glass windows and marble floors. The duallevel layout is accented with extravagant custom-made chandeliers, green leather chairs, and a central bar that ties the whole room together. “We wanted to create something timeless,” says Tarko. “A place where history and modern energy can coexist.”

Gaia’s story goes even deeper. The restaurant was founded by a group of Albanian partners who came to New York with ambition and a dream. Their mission was to build something meaningful –something that honored their roots and shared the soul of the Mediterranean with every plate and every guest. That origin story isn’t just a footnote; it’s the heart of Gaia. “We want people to feel the warmth and the strength of our culture,” says Tarko. “We want them to feel like family.”

Chef Ktistakis

Dessert is no afterthought. Guests can end their meals with hand-rolled pistachio baklava served with vanilla or pistachio gelato, a rich

“WE WANT GUESTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IN MYKONOS,”

Gianni Tarko

chocolate mousse layered with preserved sour cherries, or a cheesecake topped with homemade strawberry coulis.

The restaurant plans to expand with a brunch menu later this year, and seasonal updates are already in the works. “For fall and winter, we’ll bring in more chestnuts, squash, and truffles,” Ktistakis teases. “It’s about keeping it fresh and giving people something to look forward to.”

At a time when fast food and formulaic dining still dominate Midtown, Gaia stands out for its sincerity, vision, and undeniable flavor. It’s more than a restaurant – it’s a heartfelt invitation to slow down, savor, and be transported.

As Chef Ktistakis puts it, “We are trying to be as authentic as possible. Simple ingredients, simple techniques, but with a lot of heart.” P

gaiarestaurant.com

Foursome Restaurant

TURKISH SOUL & MEDITERRANEAN

IN GREENWICH VILLAGE

BY JEREMY MURPHY

Turkish Breakfast & Brunch : Try Rainbow Panckes

New York’s West Village just got a little more flavorful. Foursome, the newly opened Mediterranean restaurant and lounge on Jones Street, is a vibrant addition to the neighborhood, blending Turkish heritage with a cosmopolitan flair. The name nods to its four founders – Haldun Kilit, Kaan Sekban, Tuba Demircioglu, and Oya Mungan – each of whom brings a unique sensibility to the space: design, hospitality, food, and art.

“The name Foursome actually came about on a boat in Turkey,” Mungan recalls with a

laugh. “We wanted something that represented the four of us. And when Americans ask about the name, I tell them: ‘Threesome is too old. Plus one is better now.’” That cheeky humor runs through much of what makes the restaurant tick.

Foursome officially opened in June with a mission: to introduce New Yorkers to the full glory of Turkish breakfast and the broader palette of Mediterranean cuisine – served in a space designed to feel like home. “If you come to my house, this is the same brunch I would serve you,” says Mungan. “We want to tell people: make yourself at home.”

All-Day Menu: Michelin-Starred Restaurants

The all-day menu is ambitious but deeply personal. At the heart of it is the “Aegean Dream,” a traditional Turkish breakfast that includes menemen, simit (Turkish sesame bagel), sucuk sausage, feta and halloumi cheeses, fresh olives, tomatoes, jams, acuka, and Turkish tea served in tulip-shaped glasses. “Breakfast in Turkey is a festival,” says Mungan. “We believe happiness starts with breakfast.”

Executive Chef Kenan Atmaca, along with Chefs Melih Turgay Yılmaz and Ferhat Kanca, bring pedigree and passion to the kitchen. With experience serving royals and helming Michelin-starred restaurants, their combined talents shape a menu that is both rustic and refined. For brunch, the “Foursome Rainbow Pancake” – made with matcha, beets, and spirulina – is a colorful standout. For lunch and dinner, expect hearty mezes, pishi tacos made with fried Turkish dough, and mains like sumaccrusted salmon or braised short ribs with eggplant orzo and chili blueberry sauce.

But don’t expect Foursome to follow the traditional cadence of a New York restaurant. “In America, brunch is a weekend thing,” Mungan says. “We serve brunch six days a week. For us, every day is brunch day. Why wait?”

A Mediterranean Postcard & Bob Dylan Tribute

That slower, more mindful pace is intentional. “We want people to slow down and enjoy their food. Savor it. We are not good for rush people,” she jokes. “We are trying to change habits. Fast food is not healthy. Slower countries live longer.” That philosophy extends beyond the plate. Foursome’s interior feels like a Mediterranean postcard – white chairs, wooden tables, and walls adorned with vibrant, ingredient-themed art imported from Turkey. A special corner pays tribute to Bob Dylan, who once lived nearby. “We even named a cocktail after him,” says Mungan.

An Exciting & Exotic Beverage Program

And speaking of cocktails – bartender Jorge Ramirez, known for his time at Blind Barber, leads the beverage program with layered drinks that channel Turkish ingredients. His “Espresso Fortuni” features Turkish espresso and cardamom; the “Turkish Delight” offers a rose gin base topped with elderflower cold

“WE WANT TO TELL PEOPLE: MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME.”

foam and dusted with cardamom and rose petals. For Pride Month, Ramirez appears as his drag alter ego, Gigi Martini, “shaking up cocktails with a side of glam, sass, and sparkle.”

Rotating Art Exhibitions

Foursome also plans to support local artists through rotating exhibitions and talks, a reflection of co-founder Demircioglu’s background curating public art spaces in Dubai. “We want to showcase both emerging and established artists,” Mungan says. “It’s food, drink, and culture all in one space.” At its core, Foursome isn’t just a restaurant – it’s an expression of hospitality, identity, and joy. It’s a space where a leisurely breakfast might stretch into cocktails, and strangers might leave as friends.

“We built this place to share what we love,” Mungan says. “The food, the culture, the hospitality. And hopefully, to bring a little bit of happiness to people’s lives – one Turkish bagel at a time.” P

Instagram: @foursome.nyc

Chito Gvrito

Tucked into a quiet stretch of Gramercy, Chito Gvrito is a celebration of Georgia – yes, the country – delivered with polished charm and culinary flair. Equal parts modern restaurant and convivial wine bar, this standout eatery introduces New Yorkers to the warm, spice-laced world of Georgian cuisine, tailored for a cosmopolitan audience without sacrificing authenticity.

The menu reads like a love letter to Georgia’s culinary heritage. Some of their standouts include Adjaruli Khachapuri, a molten masterpiece of canoe-shaped bread bubbling with tangy melted cheese, crowned tableside with a golden egg yolk. Equally irresistible are the Khinkali, plump, pleated dumplings filled with a juicy mix of grass-fed

beef and lamb scented delicately with tarragon – a nod to the old-country recipes but with a cleaner, more refined execution.

Vegetarians are not forgotten, thanks to dishes like Nigvziani Badrijani – silky eggplant roulades stuffed with a bold walnutgarlic paste and dusted with ruby-red pomegranate seeds. Then there’s the Mtsvadi: skewers of char-grilled marinated pork, kissed by smoke and paired with a vibrant red satsebeli sauce that punches up the flavor without overwhelming it.

Chito Gvrito’s interiors are both contemporary and intimate, with earth-toned textures and modern lighting that provide a chic yet comfortable canvas for the menu to

WHERE GEORGIAN TRADITION MEETS MANHATTAN STYLE

BY LISA LOVERRO

shine. The bar, often buzzing with locals and destination diners alike, showcases a curated selection of Georgian wines – many from small producers – alongside regional spirits like chacha, the fiery grape-based brandy often enjoyed as a post-dinner ritual.

Beyond the dishes and drinks, what truly sets Chito Gvrito apart is its deep-rooted sense of hospitality. Service here is warm, knowledgeable, and unpretentious. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Georgian fare or simply looking for a meal that surprises and satisfies, Chito Gvrito delivers. In a single bite, it whisks you to Tbilisi – no passport required. P

chito-gvritonyc.com

MEILI

A HAVEN FOR FINE CHINESE

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

Brooklyn caught feelings fast for MEILI. Housed in the beloved CODA Hotel in Williamsburg, this spot opened with serious buzz and somehow managed to exceed the hype. Guests were lining up early just to score a seat and experience the bold, flavor-loaded dishes that Michelin-starred chef Peter He is known for. Upon arrival, the aesthetically pleasing atmosphere sets the tone. High ceilings, warm lighting, smooth textures, and a layout that feels both elevated and effortless. It’s cool without the ego.

The menu draws from Sichuan and Guangdong influences, but this is far from your neighborhood takeout spot. Chef He brings precision and creativity to every dish. The spicy cumin lamb arrives sizzling and fragrant, exciting the taste buds with balanced flavor. Lobster mapo tofu is rich and luxe in the best way. There are dan dan noodles, tripe salad, tea-smoked duck, and other

standouts that feel rooted in tradition but still innovative and unexpected.

Cocktails are just as considered. Infused with oolong, lychee, and baijiu, they’re built to play off the spices in the food without overpowering them. Balanced perfectly with playful twists.

Service at MEILI is quiet but sharp. The staff moves with purpose, tailoring the experience to your personal pace. You never feel rushed or pressured to speed things up. The energy shifts naturally from early evening to late night, with a crowd that mixes locals, creatives, and hotel guests.

Weekends here are for dim sum and daytime bubbles. Every Saturday and Sunday from noon to six, MEILI rolls out a bottomless mimosa brunch for twenty-five bucks that has zero business being that good. Weekday happy hour runs the same hours,

with enough cocktails and small plates to pull you in before the dinner crowd.

On Thursdays, the whole vibe shifts again with live jazz from six thirty to nine thirty. No cover. Just smooth sounds, strong pours, and that low key magic that makes a night memorable.

Prices reflect the quality, but nothing feels inflated. Portions are generous. Ingredients matter. MEILI isn’t out here chasing trends. It just stands solid in what it does. In a neighborhood full of openings that burn bright and fizzle fast, MEILI feels built to last. Grounded, confident, and quietly iconic. A place that brings you back without needing to be convinced.

Come hungry and let your palate be impressed. This BK spot is the perfect reason to get dressed for a memorable meal. P

meiliwilliamsburg.com

PARLEMO

There’s a certain energy you can’t fake. The kind that catches your eye from the street, pulls you in with the vibe, and keeps you with the flavor. Palermo Argentinian Bistro brings that exact magic to Gramercy Park.

After building a loyal following in Hell’s Kitchen, Chef Carlos Barroz, owner Orhan Cakir, and managing partner Victor Medina have opened a second outpost on Irving Place. It already feels like a natural part of the neighborhood. Elevated but never stiff. Transportive yet grounded. This spot understands the power of a well-executed experience.

The design walks a beautiful line. A crisp marble bar trimmed in Argentina’s signature blue and gold anchors the room. Soft navy velvet, exposed brick, and sculptural accents nod to both heritage and style. The energy is cozy, confident, and quietly dialed in.

The heart of the menu is fire. Open flame grilled meats, deeply seasoned and made to share. The Parrillada for Two is the move. Skirt steak, short ribs, chicken, sweetbreads, chorizo, and blood sausage arrive with house made chimichurri, salsa criolla, and your choice of sides. Flavors are bold, portions are generous, and the presentation is built to turn heads.

There’s finesse woven through it all. Trout crudo with smoky aguachile. Octopus with aji amarillo and Russian potato salad. Empanadas with flaky pastry and rich, savory fillings. Even the burger makes a statement with dry aged ribeye, sharp cheddar, and a hint of truffle chimi aioli.

Cocktails are bright and balanced with thoughtful nods to Argentina. The Chimichurri Martini leans savory with blue cheese olives. The Tinto de Verano is fresh and fizzy

A NEW ARGENTINIAN DESTINATION

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

with a splash of malbec. The wine list is entirely Argentinian, focused on organic and biodynamic producers that let the country’s terroir shine. For the sober curious and beyond, The Pope cocktail is Palermo’s holy grail of non-alcoholic cocktails. Cantaloupe, Ghia Aperitivo, raw honey, lemon, and sparkling rosé come together in a drink that’s light, complex, and as proudly Argentinian as the late pontiff himself.

Dinner here feels like you’ve departed to Buenos Aires, yet no passport needed. Whether you’re posted up inside or sipping red out on the patio, Palermo Gramercy delivers warmth, flavor, and that rare sense of place. Like the best corners of Palermo back in Argentina, it is not chasing the spotlight. It simply knows it belongs in it.

¡Buen provecho! P

palermoargentinianbistro.com

Blu on the Hudson

Blu on the Hudson makes a strong case that the best views of Manhattan are actually from New Jersey. Set along the Weehawken waterfront, this spot delivers instant atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the skyline like a living work of art. It’s polished. It’s bougie. But never in a way that feels off-putting.

Inside, everything lands. Velvet booths. Soaring ceilings. An oversized bar that feels like its own scene. Whether it’s golden hour or well into the night, the energy always meets the moment. The food impresses. The drinks go down a little too easy. And time has a way of slipping away in the best possible way.

The concept was brought to life by Blu Hospitality Group, led by Kosta Gianopoulos, who teamed up with designer Peggy Leung, known for her work on Tokyo DisneySea and as a lead designer of TAO Las Vegas. Together, they transformed this thirty-thousandsquare-foot space into something that feels like it belongs in the heart of Manhattan.

The cocktail program, led by California native Narek Khachatryan, pushes the boundaries of what a drink can be. With strong Armenian roots and a deep passion for flavor, his creations feel personal and

precise. The Don’t Be Shy tastes like an Aperol spritz had a love affair with a bottle of rosé. And the glassware? Stunning. Every detail is thoughtful. Mezcal fans are covered. The wine list runs deep.

On the food side, Executive Chef Juan Carlos “JC” Ortega keeps things interesting. With experience at Blue Fin, Blue Water Grill, and Catch Steak, he brings a refined, Mediterranean-influenced approach to Blu’s New American menu. Originally from Ecuador, he began as a line cook in New York City in 1995 and worked his way up to Executive Chef, launching Blu’s kitchen in 2023.

Crudos taste fresher than the ocean. Pastas live in your head rent-free. Dry-aged steaks barely need a knife. The uni toast is rich, briny, and unforgettable. The tuna tartare brings just enough citrus to keep things lifted. There’s also a full sushi bar with signature rolls like the Weehawken and the Blu Roll that absolutely deliver.

Do not sleep on the entrées. The Faroe Islands salmon arrives over creamy polenta with asparagus, artichoke, peas, and basil. It’s light, bright, and quietly perfect. The branzino is another standout. Every dish feels elevated without being flashy.

A SPECTACULAR ADVENTURE ACROSS THE RIVER

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

Comfort and creativity in balance.

But the real win at Blu is the service. Present without hovering. Friendly without faking it. You feel taken care of the moment you sit down. Pros like Muriel Barletta, a seasoned hospitality artist, set the tone. She recently joined Blu’s team, bringing years of experience from Battello in Jersey City, Tavern on the Green in Central Park, and Mastro’s in Southern California. Her natural ease and effortless polish reflect the kind of refined, high-touch hospitality Blu is known for.

Blu is confident. It’s not trying to impress you. It just does. The vibe is grown. Elevated but relaxed. Luxe without the attitude. The food holds its own. The space pulls you in. The view speaks for itself.

Come before sunset. Stay awhile. You’ll leave full, happy, and already planning your return. P

bluonthehudson.com

Ishq

AUTHENTIC INDIAN AT ITS BEST

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

ISHQ means “love” in Hindi, and this place leads with exactly that. From the moment you arrive, this hotspot makes its impression. A glowing quartz bar stretches through the front, drawing you into a moodier dining space filled with soft light, floral wallpaper, and just the right amount of warmth. It is romantic without being overdone. Tables are well spaced, the energy is relaxed, and the vibe works just as well for a date night as it does for a small group dinner.

Chef Vamshi Adi runs the show with quiet confidence. Raised in culturally diverse city of Hyderabad and trained at top kitchens across New York and California, he has built a menu that feels both grounded and playful. Regional Indian flavors take the spotlight here, but with a clean, modern hand. Dishes are meant for sharing, and nothing feels like an afterthought. The vegetarian options in particular go beyond what you expect. From the creamy Dudhiya Paneer to the beautifully layered Raj Kachori and smoky Malai Soya Chaap, these dishes hold their own and then some.

At ISHQ, dishes like the chili gobi and jalebi chaat arrive with striking flavors. Crisp textures, layered spice, and bold seasoning reflect the kitchen’s confidence and precision. The paneer laung latta and lamb karahi offer slow-building flavor, showcasing a style that feels both grounded in tradition and quietly elevated. Spice plays a central role across the menu, matched thoughtfully to the regions each dish draws from. Rather than softening flavors for broader appeal, the kitchen leans into authenticity while offering gentle adjustments for those with more sensitive palates.

The cocktails are crafted to compliment the dishes. The Dona Paula’s Kiss and Mumtaz Meri Jaan are both smartly balanced, while the Jubilee Affair comes topped with nostalgic Little Hearts cookies for a cheeky finish. Even the mango lassi gets dressed up with saffron, though quantities can run low, so order it early.

Service is polished and present without being intrusive. Staff move with ease and intention, guiding the meal with a sense of care that complements the experience.

Everything from pacing to plate presentation feels composed, creating a dining rhythm that is both relaxed and refined.

ISHQ earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a month of opening, and once you have been, it is easy to see why. The space feels fresh. The menu tells a story. The service holds it all together. This is not a watered-down love letter to India. It is written in full color, sealed with ghee, and meant to be felt. P

ishq.nyc

Grand Brasserie

A GEM IN THE HEART OF GRAND CENTRAL

BY BETH WINTER

Stepping into Grand Brasserie at Grand Central Terminal feels like stepping into a hidden oasis in the heart of New York City. Who would have thought such a beautiful, sophisticated dining experience could exist amidst the bustling corridors of one of the world’s busiest transit hubs? Designed by the acclaimed Rockwell Group, the space is as much a visual feast as the food itself. Vanderbilt Hall’s historical grandeur merges seamlessly with modern touches, creating a brasserie that is both timeless and welcoming. The leather banquettes, marble bar, and custom lighting infuse the space with a sense of understated luxury, offering a serene escape from the busy city outside.

From the moment we were seated, it was clear that Grand Brasserie had set itself apart. Our evening began with a round of cocktails – a masterfully crafted selection that included – Ever Since New York – a Vanilla Old Fashion as well as a spicy pineapple tequila margarita named Devotion. The cocktail menu, created by the

talented Vito Centrone, elevates the classics with a refined twist, perfectly complementing the French brasserie fare on offer. Alongside, the wine list, curated with care, boasts over 400 labels, with an extensive by-the-glass selection, ensuring that there’s a perfect pairing for every dish.

Our meal began with two exquisite starters: the Tuna Tartare, fresh and flavorful, and Leeks Vinaigrette topped with cured egg yolk and sherry vinaigrette. Both dishes were light and bright, offering a delightful introduction to what would follow. Unable to resist, we also ordered the fried artichokes, which were crispy and satisfying – a simple pleasure done right.

But the true highlight of the meal was the Côte de Boeuf. This exceptional cut of steak, perfectly cooked to our specifications, was enough for two and paired beautifully with a robust red wine recommended by our sommelier. It’s the kind of dish that makes you pause in appreciation after every bite.

The steak was tender, flavorful, and a shining example of how French brasserie classics can reach new heights when executed with precision and care.

The menu at Grand Brasserie is both extensive and exciting, with a diverse array of dishes that include seafood, charcuterie, and other brasserie staples like Moules Frites and Steak Frites. We’re already planning our return to explore more of their offerings. The restaurant’s beverage program is just as impressive, with signature cocktails that reflect Centrone’s expertise and a wine list that strikes the perfect balance between approachable and rare vintages.

In a city filled with exceptional dining options, Grand Brasserie is a revelation –bringing the timeless charm of a Parisian brasserie to one of New York’s most iconic spaces. Whether you’re a local seeking a refined meal or a visitor passing through Grand Central, it’s an experience not to be missed. We’ll certainly be returning, not just for the impeccable food and drinks, but for the ambiance and charm that make Grand Brasserie a true New York gem. P

grandbrasserie.com

Shangri-La A Palace of Serenity PARIS

BY LISA LOVERRO

Tucked away in Paris’s elegant 16th arrondissement, just across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, Shangri-La Paris is a hotel that combines imperial history with timeless luxury. Housed in the former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte –Napoleon’s grand-nephew – this landmark property is more than a place to stay; it’s an experience steeped in elegance and history.

Shangri-La Paris sets a gold standard in the City of Light. Every corner of the hotel reflects its aristocratic origins, from the sweeping staircases and gilded moldings to the breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower that seem almost cinematic in their perfection.

The hotel’s 100 rooms and suites are individually styled in a French-meets-Asian aesthetic, a design signature that nods to

Shangri-La’s Eastern heritage while remaining rooted in Parisian sophistication. Soft Rococo tones lend a sense of serenity, while ornate furnishings and silk-paneled walls provide just the right amount of opulence. Many accommodations offer postcard-perfect views of the Eiffel Tower or the Avenue d’Iéna, and several suites can be connected, making the hotel an excellent choice for families or private groups traveling together.

One of the hotel’s crown jewels is Chi, The Spa – a tranquil sanctuary that embodies the Shangri-La brand’s East-meets-West philosophy. Inspired by the principles of Qi (or “Chi”), the spa is dedicated to restoring balance between body and mind through holistic, highly personalized treatments. Of note is the hotel’s partnership with Innerskin, a cutting-edge skincare brand that brings next-generation beauty technology into the spa. Guests can book daily wellness

packages that include pool and spa access, even without an overnight stay – though once inside, you may find it hard to leave.

When it comes to dining, Shangri-La Paris offers an equally impressive array of culinary experiences.

Shang Palace is more of a destination than a restaurant. Helmed by a team of Hong Kong-trained chefs, it serves refined

Cantonese cuisine in a richly appointed dining room that feels worlds away from Paris. For French gastronomy, La Bauhinia delivers a beautiful fusion of European and Asian influences beneath a stunning glass dome. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s a more relaxed but equally refined option with a menu that celebrates seasonal ingredients and creative cross-cultural pairings.

Le Bar Botaniste, meanwhile, is a

speakeasy-style bar with a curated selection of rare botanical spirits and original cocktails inspired by Bonaparte’s passion for botany. It’s the perfect spot for a quiet nightcap or a pre-dinner aperitif, complete with Eiffel Tower glimpses if you can snag a window seat.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic Parisian escape, a family-friendly suite or a wellness retreat with Asian-inspired calm,

Shangri-La Paris delivers on every level. It’s not just a hotel – it’s a legacy of luxury, reimagined for the modern traveler, with all≈the quiet grandeur of a palace and the warmth of a personal welcome.

In a city that has no shortage of luxury, Shangri-La Paris still manages to stand apart: serene, stately, and unforgettable. P

shangri-la.com/paris/shangrila

ONCE THE HOME OF PRINCE ROLAND BONAPARTE, THIS GRAND RETREAT BLENDS IMPERIAL FRENCH ELEGANCE WITH ASIAN HOSPITALITY.

Hôtel Balzac

BY LISA LOVERRO

A Parisian Classic: Inside the Romantic Revival of

Steps from the Champs-Élysées, the newly renovated Hôtel Balzac blends timeless elegance with modern intimacy.

Just off the grand sweep of the Champs-Élysées, tucked away from the bustle but briming with timeless allure, Hôtel Balzac has emerged from a meticulous renovation with renewed grace. Once home to novelist Honoré de Balzac, the hotel has long welcomed writers, poets, and artists. Its storied elegance has been beautifully reimagined through a thoughtful redesign by Charlotte de Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay, the visionary duo behind the architecture and design studio, Festen. This 19th-century mansion-turned-boutique-hotel invites guests into an atmosphere that is at once hushed and electric, opulent and intimately Parisian.

From the moment you step through its understated entrance, Hôtel Balzac feels like a well-kept secret – a place where the noise of the outside world softens, and a slower rhythm takes over. Designed not just for overnight stays but for living, this five-star retreat offers something rare: an invitation to create your own memories in the city of lights.

Hôtel Balzac features 58 rooms and suites across eight categories, some with Eiffel Tower views, private terraces, or connecting options. Top-floor suites boast rooftop terraces overlooking the Champs-Élysées, offering an exclusive vantage point of Paris’s iconic skyline.

At the heart of the hotel lies its most striking feature – a lounge crowned by a soaring glass roof. Open to both guests and locals, the space is a sanctuary in the city: a place to sip coffee after a morning on the Avenue Montaigne, to catch up with friends over lunch, or to unwind between meetings.

But perhaps the most transporting part of Hôtel Balzac is the Ikoi Spa, a serene haven inspired by Japanese wellness traditions. The word ikoi means “a place where one feels good,” and in these minimalist treatment cabins – designed for solo or shared rituals – that promise is deeply fulfilled. In partnership with Omnisens, the spa offers therapeutic journeys that honor ancient Japanese techniques: Kobido facials for lifting and glow, deep-tissue and Shiatsu

massages for physical and emotional release, and the lesser-known Take massage, using bamboo tools for energy alignment and circulation. Each treatment is a quiet ode to balance and renewal.

While many luxury hotels in Paris rely on grandeur, Hôtel Balzac offers something subtler – and perhaps more memorable. It is a hotel that celebrates intimacy: in design, in service, and in its unwavering dedication to the Parisian art of living. The staff seem to know what you need before you do. The

setting, steeped in history, feels timeless rather than antique. The experience is not just a stay but a mood, a mindset, an invitation to pause.

In the golden hours of a Paris evening there are few better places to find yourself than in the warm glow of Hôtel Balzac. Here, you’re not just a guest, you’re part of a story that’s still unfolding, one that is beautifully, and always, effortlessly, Parisian. P

hotelbalzac.paris

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

Imagine heading to one of Vietnam’s most loved paradises. You step off a sleek speedboat and into another world. The sand is warm underfoot, soft and quiet. The sea stretches endlessly around you, calm and clear like glass. Tucked between jungle-covered hillocks and giant boulders, villas begin to appear. They do not announce themselves. They are carved into the land with intention. Some have private lagoons. Others sit just above the shoreline, still and open to the breeze.

A GEM butler greets you without fanfare. No rehearsed welcome. Just a calm presence that somehow knows exactly what kind of day you want to have.

Lunch is whatever the sea offered up that morning. Lightly grilled. Touched with herbs still damp from the garden. By late afternoon, you are gliding across the bay on a hand-carved boat, champagne sweating in your hand, the sky turning molten. When night settles in, it is all stillness. No sound but the water. You fall asleep in a villa that feels more like a cocoon than a room. Mornings open slowly. Yoga by the sea. Nowhere to be.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay feels like the blueprint for paradise. But it is not trying to be paradise. It just is. The beauty is real. The service is quiet. The energy is soft and grounded.

You arrive by boat, and it all just makes sense. The cliffs. The silence. The way the light hits the water. It feels ancient and untouched, like this place has always been here waiting.

The villas are built with natural stone and warm wood, and somehow they disappear into the surroundings. Each has its own path, its own rhythm. Private pools, outdoor showers, wide decks with just the right amount of sun. You could walk right by and miss them entirely. That is how gently they sit in the landscape.

Meals are thoughtful without trying too hard. Lobster caught just offshore. Cold-

pressed juice at breakfast while your skin still holds the warmth of sleep. Wine served in a cave carved into the side of the mountain. Menus shift with the seasons and always celebrate what is fresh, vibrant, and local.

The spa is tucked into the trees, with open-air rooms that let in filtered light and birdsong. You breathe deeper here. Stretch slower. Even time moves differently. There is a yoga pavilion, a gym, and a stillness that lingers long after your treatment ends.

If you want to move, you can. Kayak across still water. Snorkel above coral gardens. Hike through the hills or visit a local village. Or you can stay horizontal. Let the day come to

you. Sip something cold. Let the world soften around the edges.

People come here to fall in love. With each other. With life. With themselves. The setting does not need to be explained. Ocean in front. Mountains behind. Something sacred in the air.

There are a few things to note. The sand is not perfectly soft. The bay is more serene than swimmable. And the transfers from Cam Ranh airport are not included in the room rate. But once you arrive, those details tend to fall away.

This is not a place for performance. It is a place to return to your senses. To rest without guilt. To move without rush. Phones stay quiet. Time stretches. You remember what it feels like to feel good in your own body.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is more than a luxury resort. It is a feeling. A rhythm. A retreat into something real. The kind of place that stays with you long after you leave. Quietly. Deeply. Completely. P

sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/asia-the-pacific/ vietnam/ninh-van-bay

Six Senses

Six Senses launched its first Caribbean retreat just over a year ago, and it has already made a name for itself as a sanctuary of sustainability and wellness. Nestled on a quiet stretch of Grenada’s southern coast, Six Senses La Sagesse sits in the parish of St. David, a place known for its rugged coastline, unspoiled beaches, and rum distilleries. The resort is woven into 38 acres of lush terrain, centered around a natural lagoon and edged by the sea. In just three nights, I found something rare: a place where you can fully unwind, reset, and reconnect with both nature and yourself.

To set the tone for my stay, I began with two of Six Senses’ signature wellness offer-

Grenada Reimagined: An Eco-Wellness Journey

BY LYNN KANE

ings: biohacking and the Sleep with Six Senses program.

The biohacking session introduced me to PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) and infrared treatments, designed to improve circulation and support cellular

recovery. The room itself was serene and minimal, where high-tech tools met the stillness of the island in perfect balance.

The sleep program was equally insightful. I was given a sleek, comfortable ring to wear overnight that tracked my rest. The next morning, a wellness expert walked me through the results and offered tailored suggestions from breathwork to lighting rituals – that helped improve my sleep both during the stay and beyond. I still use many of those tips at home.

My villa was built into the hillside, surrounded by tropical greenery with views stretching from the lagoon to the ocean. A private plunge pool overlooked the entire resort, offering a peaceful perch to start and

end each day. I’d float in the water each morning, listening to birdsong, tea in hand, watching the island wake up around me. The villa’s design felt intentional and respectful – crafted with local materials, filled with light, and entirely in harmony with its surroundings.

The resort’s environmental ethos is more than a design concept – it’s a way of life. Six Senses La Sagesse is proudly 100% plasticfree. Everything on the property is approached with that same philosophy. From biodegradable in-room amenities to locally made spa products and seasonal produce on your plate, nearly every element is sourced locally and designed to tread lightly.

The island’s fruits, herbs, and botanicals show up everywhere – from spa rituals and hands-on workshops to the resort’s wellness spaces. Locally grown ingredients are used in treatments, culinary offerings, and even in the Earth Lab’s Alchemy Bar, where guests can craft their own body scrubs, masks, and tinctures with freshly picked lemongrass, nutmeg, aloe, and coconut oil.

One of the most rewarding parts of my stay was taking part in the hotel’s sustainability workshops. I repurposed resort waste to create beeswax wraps and candles – tactile reminders that sustainability can be crea-

tive, not just practical. Other guests were learning to make face masks and body scrubs from those same island ingredients. These experiences felt rooted in the land and gave me a deeper connection to the rhythms of Grenada.

The spa itself felt like a sanctuary. Inspired by a Caribbean fishing village, it’s nestled between the lagoon and forest, with open-air treatment rooms and soft, natural light. I had a 60-minute holistic massage using local botanicals that felt both grounding and deeply restorative. Other offerings include sound healing, energy therapy, and personalized yoga, all meant to restore your own internal rhythm.

One of the most surprising and delightful experiences came in the form of a private raw tasting with Chef Rudy. Held in his fermentation lab – where he spends an hour each day experimenting with local ingredients – the meal was both intimate and imaginative. We tasted raw kubacha, tropical fruit, garden greens, and lightly aged meats. None of it was cooked, yet each dish was full of life and complexity. Rudy’s approach is both scientific and soulful, and every bite told a story about the island’s biodiversity and his evolving craft.

The rest of the resort’s culinary experiences

followed suit. Lunch at Panquai was light and vibrant, filled with seasonal produce and Caribbean spices. Dinner at Seafare showcased elegant seafood dishes served with a sense of purpose and place. On my final night, I dined at The Greens, an intimate eight-seat sushi counter where each piece was assembled right in front of me, using local catch and foraged garnishes. It was understated, immersive, and quietly unforgettable.

Of course, no trip to Grenada would be complete without exploring beyond the property. Six Senses can arrange a private snorkeling excursion to the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, where coral-covered figures rise from the sea floor like mythic relics. Drifting above them, you feel a kind of reverence – for both the ocean and the artist’s vision. The sculptures double as artificial reefs, nurturing marine life and reminding us how restoration can be as beautiful as it is vital.

Guests can also explore Grenada’s vibrant culture and natural landscapes through curated off-property excursions. Options include a guided walking tour of historic St. George’s, where you can stroll past spice markets, colonial-era forts, and color-washed buildings clinging to the hillside. Waterfall hikes through the island’s lush interior offer a refreshing immersion into Grenada’s rainforest, while visits to local rum distilleries provide a glimpse into the island’s sugarcane legacy – complete with tastings rich in history and flavor.

For a traditional beach day, the resort provides a daily shuttle to Grand Anse Beach, recently named one of the top 50 beaches in the world. It’s as beautiful as you’d expect – calm, clear water, soft white sand –but it’s the local vibe that gives it soul. Families gather, kids play in the surf, and time slows down in the best way.

I took a JetBlue flight direct from JFK to Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport. Six Senses arranged a private transfer, and the scenic drive to the resort took about 45 minutes – just long enough to watch the island unfold and begin to slow down. P

sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/ the-americas/grenada/la-sagesse

ATLANTIS DUBAI

The American Dream Vacation, Redefined

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

There was a time when the American dream vacation meant road-tripping to the Grand Canyon or lining up for Space Mountain. These days, we are catching flights and curating experiences.

For the sophisticated traveler craving ultra-luxury, or families looking to create once-in-a-lifetime memories without needing a European visa, Atlantis Dubai is the new pinnacle. And yes, it is absolutely worth the passport stamp.

Recently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, the UAE is calling to stylish American jetsetters with its futuristic architecture, extravagant hospitality, and a level of opulence that can only be described as pure Dubai.

There is nothing hotter than Dubai right now, and no, we are not talking about the weather. The city is trending as a sought-out destination for U.S. travelers, and the Atlantis resorts are the crown jewels of a luxury Emirati escape. If you are craving palace-worthy comfort, both Atlantis The

Royal and Atlantis, The Palm deliver.

These two iconic properties sit on the edge of the Arabian Gulf, and they are more than just resorts. They are full-on fantasy worlds. Picture underwater suites, Michelin-starred dining, ninety-foot waterslides through shark tanks, and rooftop infinity pools that flirt with the clouds.

Whether you are honeymooning, celebrating a milestone, or ready to splurge like your best self would, Atlantis makes indulgence feel effortless. Sip champagne at

Nobu by the Beach, float down a lazy river with views of the Dubai skyline or lose track of time in the largest waterpark in the world.

With nonstop service from JFK and EWR, you are only one flight away from poolside cocktails and sun-soaked skin under the desert sky. It feels less like a getaway and more like stepping into a movie scene.

Both resorts welcome families, but Atlantis, The Palm leans playful. It is a wonderland for kids and for adults who refuse to grow up. With the world-famous

Aquaventure waterpark just steps from your room, it is easy to drop into an unforgettable adventure. Another standout is the Ambassador Lagoon, where more than sixty-five thousand marine creatures glide past massive floor-to-ceiling windows woven throughout the resort. If you are scubacertified, you can dive in. If not, try the Aquatrek. This beginner-friendly dive uses a high-tech oxygen helmet so you can walk thirty feet below the surface, alongside vibrant fish, gentle rays, and friendly sharks. Best part is that your family can wave to you from the other side of the glass.

In the mood to splurge? Book one of the surreal three-story suites, where the bedroom and soaking tub sit on the bottom floor, surrounded by sweeping lagoon views that make it feel like you are sleeping inside an aquarium. You can even arrange for divers to swim by with a special message. Maybe a “Happy Birthday,” a “Will you marry me,” or just a simple “Hi, I love you.”

While playful at heart, Atlantis, The Palm does not skimp on opulence. Be sure to reserve a seat at its most ambitious culinary experience, FZN. This twenty-seven seat

restaurant earned Dubai’s first-ever threestar Michelin rating in May 2025, thanks to celebrated chef Björn Frantzén.

Dinner here is a journey. Guests are guided through immersive moments tied to the evening’s menu, starting with pre-dinner bites in a cozy lounge, then a tour of the wine room and prep stations, and finally a seat at the open-air kitchen. Expect modern European cuisine with Japanese influences, served with warmth and precision.

What truly sets FZN apart is the vibe. Chef Frantzén encourages his team to bring

their full personalities to the table, making the space feel approachable, full of life, and anything but stiff. It is a nod to his Swedish roots, where hospitality is rooted in warmth, inclusivity, and understated elegance. It is not flashy, it is thoughtful. You will feel it the moment his personal Spotify playlist kicks in and yes, his dining room playlist is public. The whole experience feels less like a formal tasting menu and more like you scored a seat at a friend’s dinner party who just happens to serve insanely sophisticated food.

Together, Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis

The Royal house forty world-class restaurants, making the destination one of the most exciting culinary hubs in the world. Highlights include the underwater magic of Michelin-starred Ossiano, Hakkasan’s modern Chinese mastery, and the bold Peruvian flavors of La Mar.

The lavish dining continues at Atlantis

The Royal’s day club scene. Opened in late 2023, this architectural stunner is a playground for design lovers. The grand entrance soars skyward, while Cloud 22’s infinity rooftop pool brings guests even closer to the horizon. This exclusive day

club delivers panoramic views of the Palm and is draped in Dolce & Gabbana décor. You will also spot a DJ setting the perfect mood. It is glamorous without trying too hard.

Prefer to stay closer to sea level? Head to White Beach at Atlantis, The Palm. Picture poolside cabanas tucked into the sand, the Arabian Sea just beyond, and a beach party vibe with just the right amount of polish. The caramelized Scottish salmon at White Beach restaurant is a must. If you prefer to remain at Atlantis The Royal, Nobu by the Beach delivers a similar scene and it is the only

Nobu in the world with a day club. Honestly, it is brag-worthy for the Wagyu steak sandwich alone.

There is really no reason to leave the Atlantis resorts, but if you are craving just a little more Dubai, a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Hero Balloon Flights is unforgettable. You will be picked up before dawn for a journey over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, complete with a drone show, an in-flight falcon demonstration, and immersive storytelling. After landing, you will take a peaceful camel ride through the sand before sitting down to

a breakfast prepared by a Michelin-starred chef at a desert retreat that feels part Joshua Tree, part Arabian dream.

Atlantis Dubai redefines the American dream vacation. No road trips, no roller coasters, just world-famous waterslides and rooftop pools made for golden hour. Once you are gliding through The Lost Chambers aquarium or sipping cocktails above the Gulf, you will wonder why you ever settled for anything less. P

atlantis.com/dubai

A Dream Realized: My Four Days Amangiri

BY LYNN KANE

Iwas incredibly lucky to be invited on a four-day press trip to Amangiri, a place I had only dreamed of visiting. I had saved photos, read glowing reviews, and imagined what it might feel like to be wrapped in silence, surrounded by red rock, under a blanket of stars. Still, nothing could have prepared me for what I actually experienced.

From the moment I landed at Page Municipal Airport, the landscape already had me in awe. The drive to the resort felt like moving through a dream: flat desert unfolding into massive canyons, stone rising from sand like it had always been waiting. And then Amangiri appeared –quiet, grounded, and completely in

harmony with its surroundings.

A Resort Carved Into the Desert

Amangiri is not just placed on the land; it is part of it. Nestled into 600 acres of protected desert in southern Utah, the resort is a masterclass in how design can disappear into nature. The minimalist architecture doesn’t compete with the landscape. Instead, it reflects it. Every line mirrors the cliffs. Every color matches the dust.

Even at full occupancy, I rarely saw another guest. The layout and landscape create a deep sense of privacy, making it feel like the entire desert belongs to you alone.

The crown jewel of the property is the pool,

built around a 165-million-year-old Entrada sandstone formation that rises straight from the deck. Swimming there felt less like leisure and more like ritual. Ancient rock at your back. Sky above.

My suite faced the open desert, with floorto-ceiling views and its own private fire pit. At night, I wrapped myself up in a blanket and sat outside, watching the sky change from purple to black to alive with stars. I never slept better.

Culture That Lives and Breathes

Amangiri does not simply occupy Navajo land – it honors it. One of the most meaningful moments of my stay was a dreamcatcher workshop led by a local Navajo craftsperson.

She taught us how to make authentic dream catchers using traditional materials – willow hoops, sinew, feathers, and beads – and explained the symbolism behind every step.

As we wove, she shared stories about her culture, her land, and her family. It was quiet, hands-on, and deeply moving. That dreamcatcher now hangs above my bed. It brings me back to that moment of calm, connection, and care every time I see it.

Lake Powell by Axopar: Power, Rock, and Total Calm

I honestly didn’t expect Lake Powell to affect me the way it did. We set out on a 28-foot Axopar boat, captained by someone who knew every cliff, canyon, and secret turn like the back of his

hand. The wind had picked up, and the lake was rough – whitecaps breaking across the surface and waves slapping the hull. But the Axopar cut through it effortlessly. The ride was so smooth it felt like we were gliding over glass.

We threaded through towering red rock formations, some of which you might recognize from iconic films like Planet of the Apes, which was shot right here. These surreal canyon walls were used as stand-ins for another world. Being there in person, surrounded by silence and scale, made it easy to see why.

We pulled into quiet alcoves. The wind still pushed, but never once did the boat feel unstable. The captain shared stories of the

lake’s history, the geological layers in the cliffs, and even pointed out ancient markings barely visible unless you knew where to look.

Via Ferrata: Fearless at the Edge

As an experienced hiker, I have spent plenty of time on mountain trails and canyon paths, but I had never done anything like this. The Via Ferrata at Amangiri is not your typical hike. It is part climb, part adrenaline rush, and part mental reset.

I couldn’t wait to try it. The idea of traversing steel rungs drilled into the side of a cliff, ascending exposed rock faces, and crossing a narrow suspension bridge strung hundreds of feet above the desert floor sounded like the kind of challenge I live for.

Guided by a calm, knowledgeable team, I clipped into the safety cables and began the V climb. The route winds up a massive sandstone wall, with sweeping views opening behind you as you ascend. The air gets thinner. The silence deepens. The terrain grows more vertical. I never felt out of control – only completely alive.

Crossing the suspension bridge felt like floating between earth and sky. Below me stretched endless rock and shadow. Ahead of me lay more canyon and more climb. It was equal parts surreal and exhilarating.

Hiking Into Deep Time

There are hiking trails right from the property

that take you through slot canyons, along ridgelines, and across quiet plateaus. You can hike solo or with a guide, choosing either short scenic routes or longer, rugged journeys. One morning, just after sunrise, I went out alone and didn’t see another person. It was just me, ancient stone, and the soft sound of wind through rock.

That’s the magic of Amangiri. It gives you space – not just physically but spiritually. Out there, you feel like the first and only person to ever walk those trails.

Other experiences offered include hot air balloon rides, horseback adventures, helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon, private

yoga and meditation, and guided tours of nearby slot canyons and sacred Navajo sites.

Hands Down, the Best Massage of My Life

Let’s talk about the spa. Rooted in Navajo healing traditions, it’s more than just beautiful. It is intentional. I booked a massage just before sunset, and it ended up being the best I have ever had. My therapist worked with a calm, intuitive rhythm that felt less like technique and more like understanding. She didn’t just release tension – she reset my nervous system.

When I stepped outside afterward, the stars were starting to come out. Amangiri is located in a zero light pollution zone, with minimal ambient light for miles, which

means the night sky is pure. You don’t just look up – you get pulled in. The sky feels endless, like standing inside a planetarium carved by nature.

That night, I sat by my private fire pit, completely alone with the stars.

It was, without question, one of the best stargazing experiences I have ever had in my life.

Dining and Evenings by the Fire

The dining at Amangiri was just as refined and grounded as everything else. Each meal was thoughtful and seasonal, made with local ingredients like Navajo blue corn and regional meats and produce. The flavors were clean and vibrant, and the presentation was effortless.

And the pancakes? They’re considered some of the best in the world – and I can confirm, they absolutely are. I had them every single morning and never once got tired of them.

Each night, I sat in front of a roaring fireplace for dinner. It was an unforgettable setting that made every meal feel like a private ritual under the desert sky.

Leaving Was the Hardest Part

On my last morning, I drank my tea by the fire and watched the sun climb over the mesa one final time. I didn’t want to leave. Not just because it was beautiful, but because something in me had shifted.

Amangiri gave me space. It gave me quiet. It gave me the chance to feel small in the most expansive way – not diminished, but reset.

Getting There: From City to Canyon

I flew out of New York, connected through Scottsdale, Arizona, and then continued on to Page Municipal Airport (PGA), which is the closest airport to the resort. From there, it’s about a 25-minute scenic drive through Utah’s otherworldly desert landscape.

Amangiri provided a private transfer from the airport. P

sixsenses.com

Bungalows Key Largo

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

If you’re craving a tropical escape but don’t feel like hauling your passport through TSA, Bungalows Key Largo is exactly where you want to be. It’s adults only, all inclusive, and somehow manages to feel both totally relaxed and quietly luxurious. Think a total reset to the nervous system, sunset views, and zero stress.

Set on twelve serene acres in the northern Florida Keys, this resort gives luxury without the show. It is quiet, intentional, and surrounded by a beautiful stretch of beach that feels a little too perfect to be real. You are about an hour from Miami, but once you are through the gate, city noise feels like a distant memory.

The setup is simple. Every guest gets their own private bungalow. No towers. No shared hallways. No upstairs neighbors stomping around. Just your own little island-inspired hideaway with high ceilings, soft lighting, a deep soaking tub, both indoor and outdoor showers, and a front porch that was basically made for slow mornings with coffee and zero plans. Some bungalows face the bay with panoramic views. Others are tucked into lush tropical gardens if you are craving extra privacy. Either way, it is all about calm.

Mornings here begin slowly. You might wander to the open-air yoga pavilion, where daily classes take place under swaying palms and filtered sunlight. There is no pressure to perform or even fully participate. You can stretch, breathe, or simply lie there and let

the birds do the talking. It sets the tone for a day that is fully yours.

After that, everything unfolds naturally. Maybe you grab a bike and explore the property or paddle around the bay on a kayak. Maybe you book a massage at the spa and lose track of time in the salt therapy room. Or maybe you do none of that and spend the day rotating between your lounger, the pool, and the bar. It all works.

Now let’s talk about the food, because this is where Bungalows Key Largo really shines. A lot of all inclusive resorts overpromise and underdeliver. This one does the opposite. Everything tastes fresh and intentional. Fish Tales is the casual poolside spot you will probably end up at more than once. It serves

things like ceviche, grilled fish, tacos, and surprisingly solid cocktails. There is no rush. Just order what you want and stay as long as you like.

Sea Señor brings in Latin flavors and some very well-balanced margaritas. The grilled octopus and shrimp aguachile are standouts. The setting is breezy and unfussy, but still feels special.

Then there is Bogie and Bacall’s, which is where the resort goes full grown-up. Think dim lighting, crisp white napkins, and a menu that changes regularly but always delivers. Steak, lobster, scallops, risotto, and a wine list that makes sense. The service is dialed in without being stiff. It is the kind of place where you want to linger over dessert

and maybe order one more glass of wine just because.

If you are gluten free, this place will be a breath of fresh air. The staff is knowledgeable, the menus are clearly marked, and the kitchen actually cares. You are not stuck cobbling together a side salad while your table eats real meals. They have plenty of options and they are not boring. You can eat confidently here, without the usual stress or double checking.

Drinks are included and thoughtfully done. Frozen cocktails by the pool, espresso martinis after dinner, and strong margaritas served with a smile. There is even a roaming cocktail cart that shows up when you least expect it, which is a nice little surprise every time.

This is not a resort built for wild parties o group games. There is no one yelling on a microphone or forcing you to join in anything. It is quiet in the best way. You are here to relax. To reconnect. To remember what it feels like to not be needed by anyone.

Service is warm and intuitive. The staff seems to know exactly when to check in and when to disappear. You are not going to wait long for a drink or wonder who to ask if you need something. They make it easy.

The only thing worth knowing ahead of time is that the beach is not a long, natural stretch like what you might find in the Caribbean. It is smaller and more curated, but still absolutely beautiful. You will not miss anything. Between the bay views, the pool, and the endless places to lounge, it is more than enough.

Bungalows Key Largo is for people who want to feel taken care of without needing to dress up for it. It is ideal for couples, solo travelers, or anyone overdue for real rest. You can spend your time on the water, at the spa, or doing absolutely nothing at all.

You are not here to impress anyone. You are here to exhale. And once you do, you are going to wonder why it took you so long to get here. P

bungalowskeylargo.com

The Boca has long been a beacon of refined luxury on Florida’s Gold Coast. Now, following a stunning renovation, it has reemerged as a destination that seamlessly blends historic charm with modern elegance. Set against the sparkling waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, the reimagined resort offers an elevated experience tailored to discerning travelers seeking the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and world-class hospitality.

A Legacy Reimagined

Originally opened in 1926 by famed architect Addison Mizner, The Boca has undergone a meticulous transformation, ensuring its storied past remains intact while embracing a fresh, contemporary vision. The grand Mediterranean Revival-style architecture continues to define its iconic presence, but inside, guests will discover a modernized aesthetic that enhances the resort’s timeless appeal.

The renovation introduced upgraded accommodations across the property, with redesigned guest rooms and suites that exude comfort and sophistication. Each space is outfitted with plush furnishings, state-of-the-art technology, and breathtaking views – whether of the Atlantic Ocean, lush gardens, or the resort’s pristine golf course.

Culinary Delights

Food lovers will revel in the resort’s diverse and newly revamped dining options. Michelinstarred chefs and world-class mixologists have curated an array of culinary experiences, from fresh seafood at The Flamingo Grill to the elevated Italian flavors at Principessa Ristorante. The Beach Club, a guest favorite, now offers a chic, open-air dining concept where coastal flavors meet sophisticated flair. Whether indulging in handcrafted cocktails at the rooftop bar or savoring house-made pasta, every bite is a testament to the resort’s commitment to excellence.

The Boca Raton

Inside The Boca Raton’s Newly Renovated Resort & 1st Annual

BY LYNN KANE

The 1st Annual Artisans of Wine & Food I was fortunate to attend the grand opening weekend of the new Boca Beach Resort, which coincided with the first annual Artisans of Wine & Food at The Boca Raton. This exclusive event brought together renowned chefs, sommeliers, and artisanal producers from around the world, creating an unparalleled epicurean experience. Guests indulged in expertly curated wine pairings, innovative small plates, and immersive tastings that highlighted both local and international flavors.

The event featured interactive cooking

demonstrations, master classes led by top winemakers, and intimate dining experiences that showcased the finest in culinary craftsmanship. Highlights included a truffle pairing session, an exclusive caviar and champagne tasting, and a guided journey through rare vintage wines led by industry experts. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with celebrated chefs who shared insights into their creative processes and techniques.

Adding to the grandeur of the weekend, the resort hosted a spectacular gala that raised

about 600k for the Boys & Girls Club. The elegant affair featured live entertainment, exclusive auctions, and a carefully curated dining experience that brought together philanthropists and industry leaders to support a meaningful cause. Guests were treated to a multi-course meal prepared by Michelin-starred chefs, accompanied by expertly paired wines and decadent desserts. The generosity and spirit of giving on display made the evening truly unforgettable.

A Sanctuary of Wellness and Recreation

The newly redesigned Spa Palmera is an oasis within the resort, drawing inspiration from global wellness traditions. This 50,000-square-foot sanctuary offers a range of indulgent treatments, from hydrotherapy sessions to signature massages that blend Eastern and Western techniques. Guests can also participate in daily yoga sessions overlooking the water or unwind in one of the many serene relaxation lounges.

Beyond the spa, the resort offers an array of recreational activities, including championship golf, private yacht excursions, and pristine beaches perfect for sun-soaked relaxation. For those seeking adventure, the resort’s watersports program offers everything from paddleboarding to deep-sea fishing, ensuring that every guest finds their ideal escape.

Private Beach Club & Coastal Elegance

The Boca Raton is not just a luxury resort – it’s also a private beach club that offers guests an exclusive oceanfront experience. With a halfmile of private beach, three oceanfront pools, and luxury cabanas complete with personal service, the club creates an elevated coastal retreat. Guests can relax in plush loungers, enjoy beachside dining, or arrive in style via private valet or the resort’s water taxi. The Beach Club blends laid-back beach vibes with refined service, making it a true gem along the Gold Coast. P

thebocaraton.com

SOCIAL SAFARI

Summer’s End

Maureen Dowd, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Hilaria & Alec Baldwin, Wilbur Ross, George Hamilton, Neil Patrick Harris, Steven Spielberg, Anne Hathaway & Cuba

Gooding Jr.

ouri

BY R.COURI HAY

East Hampton Library

Author’s Night

CHilaria Baldwin autographed her revealing memoir “Manual Not Included” at the 21st Annual Authors Night, hosted by the East Hampton Library. Also on hand were authors Kelly Bishop, Bobbi Brown, Jessica Seinfeld, the NYT’s Maureen Dowd with her tome “Notorious,” and President Trump’s former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, who talked about his critically acclaimed memoir, “Risk and Returns.” Over one hundred authors gathered under the big top to sign their books and engage in meaningful conversations with their fans. “The funds raised at Authors Night allow us to continue offering essential programs and services at the library – completely free of charge – to our diverse community all year long,” said Dennis Fabiszak, Director of the East Hampton Library. This event is one of the nation’s leading literary celebrations, attracting bibliophiles, the curious, and VIPs, includ ing actors Alec Baldwin and George Hamilton, Janna Bullock, Dr. Bianca Molina, architect TC Chou, and writer Devorah Rose, who is one of the event’s top supporters. Over the years, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katie Couric, and Geraldo Rivera have all brought their books here to support this East End institution. authorsnight.org

Hilton, Luann de Lesseps, Neil and Marika Bender, Candace Bushnell, Dave Rogal and Ron Carlivati, Bijou Phillips, Sophie Sumner, Tinx, Jayne Baron Sherman, Vicente Wolf and Matthew Yee were among the welldressed attendees. Founded in 1985 as a response to the AIDS pandemic, God’s Love cooks and home-delivers medically tailored meals for individuals living with illness, as well as their children and caregivers. They have delivered more than 4.3 million medically tailored meals to nearly 16,000 individuals just this year. Presenting sponsors, alice + olivia and Ford Bronco, donated a one-of-a-kind, customwrapped Ford Bronco inspired by alice + olivia designs for the live auction. The event raised more than $500,000. Who else would tell you these things? glwd.org

Southampton Hospital Party

Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka God’s Love We Deliver

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka opened their far-flung Funhouse Farm in the Hamptons for God’s Love We Deliver’s 24th Annual Midsummer Night Drinks Benefit. The property features whimsical touches, including a vintage Ferris wheel that sadly no longer works but perfectly fits the farm’s circus vibe. Stacey Bendet, Nicky

Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw John Paulson, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Audrey and Martin Gruss, Julie and Billy Macklowe, Peter Thomas Roth, Margo and John Catsimatidis, Laura Lofaro Freeman, Veronica Atkins, Jean and Martin Shaifiroff and Melanie and John Wambold were among the 400 supporters at the Southampton Hospital Foundation’s 67th Annual Summer Party. Themed “A Night in Marrakesh,” the event honored Kate and Andrew Davis for their com mitment to expanding access to healthcare on the East End. The theme was brought to life by DeJuan Stroud’s breathtaking design. Dinner was curated by Elegant Affairs and paired with wines from Wölffer Estate Vineyard. The night concluded with dancing to Overdrive. “The Summer Party is always a special night, but

Andrea Grover

Photo: PMC

Anne Hathaway

Photo: PMC

Peter Thomas Roth, Jean Shafiroff & Captain Kerry Titheradge

(Photo: Mark Sagliocco)

Gil Walsh Photo: Courtesy of Gil Walsh Interiors

Mariano Rivera & Dr. Ramon Tallaj

Photo: SOMOS

Janna Bullock & R. Couri Hay

Photo: Rob RichSocietyAllure.com

this year felt especially meaningful,” said Sarah Wetenhall, who served as the Summer Party Chair and owns The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach and The Hedges in East Hampton.The evening raised over $1.6 million in support of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and the newly opened Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department. southampton. stonybrookmedicine.edu

Cuba Gooding Jr. @ Southampton Arts Center

Cuba Gooding Jr., who won an Oscar for his role in Jerry Maguire with Tom Cruise, and his girlfriend of six years, Claudia De Niro – the daughter of Robert De Niro – led a conga line of nearly one hundred guests around the Southampton Arts Center to the tune of “Love Train.” The song was performed live by the group That Motown Band during the lively 5th annual “Whimsy: Motown Magic” benefit at the museum. Among those joining in the fun were board members Jamee and Peter Gregory, Sylvia Hemingway, Kara Ross, Elyn Kronemeyer, and Nicole Salmasi, the institution’s executive director Christina Strassfield, as well as Lucia Hwong Gordon, Dr. Anthony Berlet and Kerry Berlet, and Jean Shafiroff, who were among the fans of the gregarious actor who posed for pictures with everyone who asked. southamptonartscenter.org

Guild Hall Summer Gala

Guild Hall’s inspirational gala at Mulford Farm, one of America’s most important English Colonial farmsteads, was a home run in a season of seemingly endless galas. The night honored Trustees Louise and Howie Phanstiel for their extraordinary commitment to philanthropic causes and devoted support of Guild Hall. The

event started with

a viewing of “Mary Heilmann: Water Way” and “Joel Mesler: Miles of Smiles,” both of which are on view through October 26th. Guests enjoyed activations in all areas of the renovated building, including the museum, theater, and gardens. Leading the perfumed pack into the tent were guests of honor Mary Heilmann and Joel Mesler, Stewart Lane, Florence Fabricant, Kim Heirston, Fern Mallis, Board Chair Marty Cohen and Michele Cohen, and 350 others more or less just like them. “Artists led us,” said the organization’s popular Executive Director Andrea Grover. Artists in attendance included Ross Bleckner, Billy Sul- livan, Sheree Hovsepian, Almond Zigmund, Arcmanoro Niles, Steve Miller, Jason Yarmosky, Bastienne Schmidt, Philippe Cheng, Mago, Toni Ross, and Sherrill Roland. The evening raised 1 million dollars in support of the institution’s 200 year-round interdisciplinary programs. guildhall. org

Sammy Sosa and Orlando “El Duque” Hernández hit the links at the Annual Dr. Ramón Tallaj Foundation Golf Invitational at the Brookville Country Club on Long Island. Dr. Tallaj, who founded SOMOS Community Care, brought together sports stars, healthcare leaders, and physicians to raise scholarship funds for students from underserved communities pursuing careers in medicine, nursing, and public health. SOMOS is a network of over 2,500 providers in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn who have come together to ensure better health care for low-income communities. Their mission is to break down barriers, ensuring that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to comprehensive and compassionate healthcare services. drramontallajfoundation.org

Kravis Center by Interior Designer Gil Walsh

Steve Martin, Martin Short, David Foster, and Katharine McPhee have all performed at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The stars will now have three new Art Deco-inspired spaces to use, by top Palm Beach interior designer Gil Walsh. The first of the trio of glamorous rooms features green tones and cheetah prints and is being used for VIP receptions. The luxe and intimate space is open and will be tapped this fall during performances by Rick Springfield and comedian Tom Segura. The renova tion of the main theater lobbies will be finished by October and will have moody plush red velvet seating and custom decorative light fixtures, adding drama to the elegant spaces. gwifl.com

Mediterranean Restaurant Gaia

Mariano Rivera @ Dr. Ramón Tallaj Foundation Golf Invitational

Baseball Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and MLB legends

Anne Hathaway, Michael J. Fox, and Madonna’s ex-husband, Mobland director Guy Ritchie have all enjoyed the cuisine of Chef Evangelos Ktistakis, who has taken over the kitchen at Gaia, located in the heart of Herald Square. The critically acclaimed hot spot, which features Mediterranean fare, is in a landmarked building built in 1903 at 42 West 35th Street and features a double-height main dining room with three dramatic custom-made chandeliers, the room’s original stainedglass windows, and marble floors. The elegant bar and restaurant, which is open for both lunch and dinner has become a mecca for models, fashionistas and those looking for a fun spot with good food, including gallerist Isabelle Bscher, lighting artist Bentley Meeker, top divorce attorneys Martha Cohen Stine and Harriet Newman Cohen. gaiarestaurant.com

Join me on the following pages for a look back at the season’s best parties.

Bentley Meeker & Isabelle Bscher

Photo: PMC

Bijou Phillips, Stacey Bendet & Nicky Hilton

Photo: PMC

Cuba Gooding Jr. Photo: Rob RichSocietyAllure.com

Wilbur Ross & Hilary Gaery Ross

Photo: Rob RichSocietyAllure.com

Martha Cohen Stine & Harriet Newman Cohen

Photo: PMC

Dr. Kenneth Mark & Alexandra Mark

Photo: Rob RichSocietyAllure.com

DERBY OF DREAMS:

Racing for Arts and Academics

The Story

Philanthropist and art collector Kimberly Paige Bluhm was the guest of honor at the Derby of Dreams to benefit the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation in Palm Beach. Guests arrived in their finest race-day attire to enjoy the live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, compete in the fan-favorite Derby Hat and Bowtie Contest, and experience an evening filled with gourmet dining, handcrafted cocktails, and signature mint juleps. The entertainment lineup included unforgettable performances by Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist John Lloyd Young; Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Charlie Porter, a 1996 graduate of the Palm Beach County School of the Arts; Tara Simon, a 2002 graduate of Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Broadway veteran, X Factor finalist, and celebrity vocal coach; and Govanny Brown, a 2021 Dreyfoos music graduate currently studying at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. All proceeds from the Derby of Dreams benefit the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation, which supports the school’s award-winning programs and resources, including testing and college prep, classroom enhancements, private lessons, musical instruments, and scholarships for students in grades 9 through 12. soafi.org

The Event

Kimberly Paige Bluhm & Martin Stein

Alix Troast, Francine Walker, Karen Swanson, and Nancy Hart

Dr. Chris Snyder & Danielle Snyder

Kyle Lucks & Sally Kimble

Paul Gervais, Rosalind Clarke & Gil Cohen

Jeff Fisher & Frances Fisher

Karen & Dan Swanson

J. Michael Prince & Amanda Prince

WRITERS LEIGH BARDUGO & DEVORAH ROSE

Host Black Party in the Hamptons

The Story

Goodbye White Parties. Under a glass pavilion hung with crystal chandeliers, guests stepped into a shadow drenched garden fantasy. Hosted by #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo and writer Devorah Rose the evening celebrated Bardugo’s decade of genre-defining storytelling. Set on Rose’s private estate in Water Mill, the evening introduced the Hamptons’ first ever all black dress code. “This wasn’t about rebellion for rebellion’s sake. It was about rewriting the visual language of summer, just as great authors rewrite the rules of storytelling,” said Rose. The result was a fashion and design moment that felt both cinematic and exacting–unexpected, and entirely intentional. Guests arrived dressed in their own interpretations of “all black everything,” setting a chic, mysterious tone for a night that blended performance, reflection, and storytelling under the stars. A single serpentine table curved through the tent, draped in deep navy linen and lit by hundreds of taper candles in onyx, crimson, and pale blush. Roses bloomed from antique candelabras–coral, apricot, and oxblood–tucked between vintage trunks, hand-tied books, and iron candlesticks pooling wax. Bardugo delivered an inspiring reflection on the creative process, speaking to the tension between control and discomfort, and the way unease often becomes the birthplace of art. Each guest left with two novels written by Bardugo, her NYT Best Seller “Six of Crows” and “Hell Bent,” a symbolic parting gift honoring the enduring power of storytelling. Guests included “White Lotus” star Alexandra Daddario, Kathryn Gallagher, Zibby Owens, Janna Bullock, Elena Matei, and Alexander Hankin. leighbardugo.com

Alexander Hankin, Daniel Eric Golds

Devorah Rose & Leigh Bardugo

Elena Matei

Kathryn Gallagher

Mara Siegler, Lauren Hotz

Zibby Owens

Alexandra Daddario

Chelsea Baetz, Alie Mitchell

YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX

Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow

The Story

Chelsea Clinton, Misty Copeland, Zac Posen, Candace Bushnell, Leah and Judith Pisar, the organization’s founders Larissa Saveliev and her husband, and ballet stars from around the globe flocked to Lincoln Center to celebrate Youth America Grand Prix’s (YAGP) “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala. Hamrick, the girlfriend of Mick Jagger, served as the co-host alongside Bravo’s Andy Cohen, who greeted the crowd saying, “Hello New York City! Hello ballet fans! I was called the Baryshnikov of Bravo tonight. I’m going to keep that! I’m changing my Instagram bio immediately.” The night honored author Sarah Hoover for her lifelong devotion to ballet. Hoover fundraises for multiple dance organizations and has co-founded ABT’s Accelerator Committee, which encourages cross-pollination between art, fashion, film, and choreography. Among those leading the applause were dinner chair and the event’s creative director Marcella Guarino Hymowitz, Julia Arnhold, Daniela Tisch, Lesley Thompson Vecsler, Rebecca Hessel Cohen, Colby Mugrabi, Kamie Lightburn, Courtney Davis, Aly Gradone, Lilli Hymowitz, Lindsay Kraus, Grace Pomeranc, Lilah Ramzi, Emily Reifel, Priya Shukla, Barbara Tober, Virginia Tomenson, and Lina Wallach. The world’s largest ballet scholarship organization, YAGP has awarded $5 million to young dancers since its founding in 1999. Over 300,000 young dancers – ages 9 to 19 – of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds have participated in YAGP’s international workshops, audition classes, and dance awareness events. yagp.org

The Event

Candace Bushnell

Lucas Jagger & Elisa Annenberg Paglia

Melanie Hamrick & Larissa Saveliev

Zac Posen

Kerin Rose Gold

Libby Klein & Monica Elias

Marcella Hymowitz

Sarah Hoover

CONSERVATORY BALL

The New York Botanical Garden

The Story

I never miss the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Conservancy Gala because of the unmatched beauty of the gardens and festive art installations. This summer’s stunning exhibition, titled “Van Gogh: Painting with Flowers,” is a stunning magical, garden-wide exhibition experience that runs through October 26th and features breathtaking displays of real and sculptural sunflowers. In the mix, admiring the last of the peonies and the gorgeous florals that made up the season’s most imaginative step & repeat, was this year’s Honoree, NYBG Trustee Edward Bass, the evening’s chairs Maureen and Richard Chilton, Jr. Other’s taking in the vibrant sunflowers filling the Enid A. Haupt greenhouse were Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Alex Newell, Christopher Griffin, Emma Myles, Gracie Cashman, Jean Shafiroff, Jenna Leigh Green, Monica Elias AND her husband Alexander Salerno, Janna Bullock and Lynda Lopez. Other support came from Elie Saab, The Bancorp, Bartlett Tree Experts, Hearst, and Perrier-Jouët Champagne. The celebration raised more than $2.25 million in support of NYBG’s preeminent botanical research, children’s education, and horticulture programs.

The Event

Barclay Collins II, Jennifer

Audrey McDermott, Ashley McDermott and Serena McDermott

Holly Lowen

Janna Bullock & R. Couri Hay

Gracie Cashman

Jean Shafiroff & Victor D’Souza

Gillian Miniter, Sylvester Miniter & Serena Miniter

THE HAT LUNCH

Central Park Conservancy

The Story

Tracey Huff, the President of the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy, and its CEO Betsy Smith welcomed over 1,350 guests to this annual extravaganza in Central Park. In the mix were Scarlett Johansson, Michael Bloomberg, Martha Stewart, Gillian Hearst, Deborah Norville, Sarah Wetenhall, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Muffie Potter Aston, Fe Fendi, Christine Schwarzman, and others of that ilk and stripe. Event Co-Chairs were Julia Power Weld, Bonnie Comley, Jenna Segal, and Ranika Cohen. Almost everyone wore impressive and mostly chic chapeaux and fascinators to the elegantly appointed pavilion perched next to the Conservatory Garden. This iconic and perennial event raised over $4.3 million to preserve and enhance Central Park for all New Yorkers and millions of visitors. During the cocktail hour, guests admired the Park’s tulips, lilac bushes, and blooming wisteria while taking private tours of the recently restored English and French Gardens. With generous support from Harry Winston, JPMorgan, and Oscar de la Renta, this year’s luncheon was a reminder of why the Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon is always a highlight of the season. Brava ladies! The Hat Lunch sells out quickly and early, so if you’re dying to wear your new chapeau and support Central Park, reserve your table now for May 6th, 2026 at centralparknyc.org

The Event

Betsy Smith

Fe Fendi, Alessia Fendi

Jenny Price, Anne Harrison

Muffie Potter Aston, Emily Chen, Gillian Miniter, Sharon Jacob

Sarah Wetenhall, Emily Hikade

Martha Stewart, Michael Bloomberg

Kate Lauprete, Scarlett Johansson, Kathleen Barnea Spink, Katherine Birch