Promenade - Summer 2011

PROMENADE

PROMENADE

About New York since 1934

NYLUXURY.COM

SUMMER 2011

■ Shopping Madison Avenue ■ Summer Arts ■ Rooftop Elegance ■ Fine Dining ■

It’s T. Tahari, and it’s $148 too!

SUMMER 2011

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lordandtaylor.com

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Ah! Alfresco

shopping Mad About Madison Fun In the Sun

luxury properties Rooftop Elegance

summer in new york the arts Her Master Class His Star Turn Fifteen Dollars

OH MY LORD & TAYLOR

FIFTH AVENUE AT 39TH STREET Stop by our Executive office on the 7th floor to get a savings pass to use all day.

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BLOOMINGDALES.COM

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LIKE NO OTHER STORE IN THE WORLD

PR

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top l to r: the wine bar, brick oven pizza, the oce an Grill & oYSter bar, the pl a za hotel, the Grill & brick oven pizza, dumplinGS, SiGnature burGer, and todd enGliSh behind the the oce an Grill & oYSter bar.

The Original New York Food Hall at New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-loved hotel, The Plaza.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only one place in New York City where you can get flatbread pizzas, fresh pasta, sushi and sashimi, dumplings, burgers, sandwiches, salads, rotisserie chicken, seafood dishes, specialty desserts, along with an extensive wine menu.

The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English

* Mention Promenade to receive a complimentary memento. d i n i n G i m a r k e t i ta k e - o u t i

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Wilson Santiago

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Jewelry

Works by British sculptor Anthony Caro on the Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

summer in

Shopping

S

PROMENADE

ummer in the city is simply paradise for chic shoppers, culture lovers and fine diners – from near or far. So let the pages of Promenade take you to the mercantile Mecca that is Madison Avenue, described as “the platform for the most innovative retailers” and well represented by distinctive jewelers like Reinstein Ross, Frey Wille, Aaron Basha and Yael Sonia; the legendary Steuben glass, and for fine luggage, Tumi. For more luxury shopping, see our “fun in the sun” choices, including the colorful outdoor furniture at McKenzie-Childs. Meet Fiona Druckenmiller and see her Upper East Side gallery-boutique featuring vintage jewelry and rare art collections.

If it’s summer it must be Shakespeare. The Bard’s works are being presented outdoors at the Delacorte Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company is appearing at the Park Avenue Armory as part of the Lincoln Center Festival. Which, by the way, should not be missed: It’s a treasure trove of international music. The American Ballet Theatre is at the Met; and at the Whitney, the founding collection of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, which gave birth to the museum, is on display. On stage, Rent returns, Hair is back, Master Class is revived and Spider-Man….well, it is scheduled to reopen. And read what Brooke Shields, now playing Morticia in The Addams Family, has to say.

We talk to restaurateur Marc Murphy, whose Landmarc at the Time Warner Center is one of his four city venues. See what’s new at The Four Seasons and at David Burke’s establishments.

Pick from varied cuisines at Molyvos (Greek), Abboccato and Remi (Italian) and Oceana (seafood).

Charlie Palmer’s Aureole is a must, and if it’s great steak you long for….stop in at Ben Benson’s.

Travel with Promenade to two iconic southern destinations: Lexington, Kentucky and Williamsburg, Virginia. And use our up-to-date guides for shopping, dining, theatre, museums, galleries, performing arts and sightseeing.

Visit nyluxury.com, where you’ll find the most current listings, news from on and off Broadway, exclusive shopping tips, dining specials and designer sample sales. And have a wonderful summer!

Theatre

Dining

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About New York since 1934

PROMENADE

nyluxury.com Summer 2011

all things British

Shopping New York Simply Mad About Madison 20 The mercantile Mecca that is a paradise for luxury shoppers, from near and very far.

Breaking All the Fashion Rules 26 “That’s what I’m here for,” said Alexander McQueen. In this brilliant exhibit at the Met Costume Institute, the late designer’s irreverent genius lives on.

Summer Fun 30 Colorful clothes, rainbow-bright accessories and one-of-a-kind outdoor furniture.

shades of summer

Editor’s Picks: Time Travelers 16 Keeping track in two zones.

The Virtual Voyager 18 Topflight tips for the discerning traveler.

The Best Places 34 Great suggestions for successful shopping.

Courtesy of FD

Photograph © Sølve Sundsbø / Art + Commerce courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Style Interview 32 Fiona Druckenmiller: The collector on the rare, vintage and coveted items she displays at F.D, her Upper East Side gallery-boutique.

McQueen at the Met

vintage Fiona outdoor originals

on the cover Clockwise from top left: From the Michael Kors spring/summer2011 collection; the patio at Pampano; The Sheffield’s private roof deck; The American Ballet Theatre’s Cory Stearns; Tyne Daly in Master Class.

Photo credits: The Sheffield, courtesy of The Sheffield; Cory Stearns, Gene Schiavone

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About New York since 1934

PROMENADE

nyluxury.com Summer 2011

On the Town Theatre

Talking With: Brooke Shields 44 The Addams Family’s new Morticia talks about returning to Broadway and mastering the tango in the world’s tightest dress.

Joseph Moran

Zounds and Forsooth: A Stunning Shakespearean Summer

bard under the stars

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The Theatregoer’s Guide: Summer Edition 47 Rent and Hair return, Tyne Daly plays Maria Callas in Master Class, and Spider-Man flies.

MUSIC

Classical Is a Contender 56 At the Lincoln Center Festival, classical music–often in the background during the annual summer event–has a front-row seat.

whitney firsts

Courtesy of Whitney Museum of American Art

a mini flute

Photos on this page: © Pascal Victor/ArtComArt

DANCE

His Star Turn 58 Cory Stearns, dancer and model, will perform for the first time in New York as a principal during ABT’s Metropolitan Opera House season. His ringlets, virtuosity and elegance will be on display in a new work and the classics.

Museums

How the Whitney Was Born 64 With her purchase of four paintings from non-traditional American artists, heiress Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney paved the way for the founding of the museum, where her collection is featured in a new show.

REAL ESTATE

The Ultimate in Summer Living 74 In a city with limited outdoor space, an alfresco lifestyle demands the right amenities. These properties are well equipped for luxury in the sun.

33 Vestry Street photo by The Seventh Art Group

Travel

history lessons

poolside pleasures

Southern Comfort 76 Two stunning, picturesque towns below the Mason-Dixon Line serve up pastoral scenery, fascinating history, diverse culture and the perfect mint julep.

Dining

Promenade Picks 82 The Four Seasons Restaurant and David Burke.

Ah! Alfresco 83 Stay in town, dine outdoors.

The Restaurant Interview: Marc Murphy 98 With four restaurants on his plate, he proves that nice guys finish first.

terrace time

The Most Up-to-Date Guides:

Theatre Performing Arts Museums Galleries Sights in the City Dining

48 60 68 72 78 86

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About New York since 1934

PROMENADE Summer 2011

PUBLISHER CO-PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

David L. Miller Eli Marcus Lisa Ben-Isvy

SALES & MARKETING

VP Sales & Marketing VP Community Relations Director of Marketing Senior Account Manager Marketing Development Manager Sales and Marketing Associate

Vincent Timpone Janet Z. Barbash Susan Fine Fred Moskowitz Deborah B. Daniels Enrico Yee

EDITORIAL

Editor Listings Editor Style Editor Theatre Editor Assistant Editor

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

Contributing Editors Kaitlin Ahern Martin Bernheimer Marian Betancourt Kristopher Carpenter Sylviane Gold Karin Lipson Art Director Jiyon Son PUBLISHING OPERATIONS

General Manager Thomas K. Hanlon Director of Distribution Linda Seto Moi Administrative Frank Kirsner Denise Marcovitch Traffic Heather Gambaro Dana Golia Events Manager Rebecca Stolcz FINANCE

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

Chief Executive Officer: David L. Miller Quarterly circulation is audited by BPA Worldwide NO PORTION OF THIS MAGAZINE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ARTICLES, LISTINGS, MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISION OF THE PUBLISHERS. Copyright: 2011 by Davler Media Group LLC. 212.315.0800.

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www.frey-wille.com vienna, austria

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NEW YORK: 727 Madison Avenue | 646 682 9030 | SANTA MONICA: 219 Arizona Avenue | 310 260 2639

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EDITOR’S PICKS

time travelers

In faraway destinations, keep track of the minutes with elegant dual-zone watches

Summer is upon us, and that means it is the season for adventurous getaways to “far” geographic end points—faraway places, farflung destinations, or simply the Far East. So before you lose track of time—gaining hours, losing an afternoon, fast-forwarding through a day, or being cheated out of a night’s sleep— gear up with a dual-time-zone watch, to keep on top of all those speeded-up or misplaced minutes. Here are a few timepieces that can help you watch time fly. By Ruth J. Katz

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A scene-stealer for the women: The “Caresse D’Eole” Secret Duo from Van Cleef & Arpels features a blue lacquer-and-diamond case, set in 18-kt. white gold. $88,000.

Van Cleef & Arpels, 744 Fifth Avenue (57th Street); 212-644-9500, 877-826-2533; vancleef.com

Elysee’s men’s rose-gold-toned stainless steel, water-resistant watch, on a black leather strap with a deployment buckle. $850.

William Barthman Jewelers, 176 Broadway (Maiden Lane/John Street); 212-732-0890; williambarthman.com, elyseeusa.com

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A Lange & Söhne’s elegant “Saxonia Dual Time” watch in 18-kt. white gold with a crocodile strap. $26,600.

Wempe, 700 Fifth Avenue (55th Street); 212-397-9000, 800-513-1131; wempe.com, alange-soehne.com

The Audemars Piguet “Jules Audemars Dual Time” watch is available in three styles: 18-kt. white gold with a silver dial and 18-kt. pink gold with either a silver or black dial. $29,100 (rose, shown); $31,900 (white).

Audemars Piguet, 40 East 57th Street (Madison/Park Avenues); 212-688-6644; audemarspiguet.com

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Promenade - Summer 2011: Aaron Basha advertisement (Right Hand Read)

Aaron Basha Boutique • 680 Madison Avenue • New York • 212.935.1960 • w w w. a a ro n b a s h a . co m Athens

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editor’s picks

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

virtual voyager

the

By Griffin Miller

Orient-Express Hotels (UK) Ltd. Photo by Eddie Buay

Apps Under Wraps

On the Vast Track The Eastern & Oriental Express pulls into the station with a historic patina that conjures up images of the ultimate in opulent travel. Like all Orient Express offerings, E&O rail “voyages” continue to reinvent themselves to cater to contemporary travelers – without sacrificing an iota of the grand mystique portrayed on the silver screen for decades.

The latest collection of new rail excursions – Chronicles of South-East Asia – features ultra-exclusive accommodations in their State and Presidential cabins and are limited to a maximum of 60 guests. The four itineraries – Epic Thailand; Legends of the Peninsula; Fables of Hills, and Tales of Laos – are beyond unique, each catering to individuals with a passion for adventure and a taste for the exotic. orient-express.com Above It All Down Under

The Hawk of the Town It’s something you might find on a class schedule at Hogwarts: “Falconry 101.” Only this course, for all ages and abilities, is essentially a one-hour private Hawk Walk at Ireland’s School of Falconry. Here guests, along with their chosen hawk and personal falconer, head to the surrounding woodlands where the bird soars free. “No one ever forgets the moment when their hawk first swoops down from the tree to land back on their gloved fist,” note longtime school directors James and Deborah Knight.

And like the grounds of Hogwarts, where Harry, Hermione and Ron learned the “Care of Magical Creatures” from Hagrid, the Hawk Walk is affiliated with a castle campus: the 783-year-old Ashford Castle (now a distinguished five-star hotel) in Cong, County Mayo, where John Ford filmed The Quiet Man in 1951. falconry.ie; ashford.ie

Courtesy of Treetops Lodge & Estate

When you least expect it, the impulse strikes: to abandon the rut of routine and responsibility and connect with the extraordinary – preferably against a “far from the madding crowd” backdrop.

I give you Treetops Lodge & Estate in Rotorua, New Zealand: a world-class retreat sequestered somewhere between heaven and earth in the half-moon valley of Treetops at the edge of the Mamaku Plateau. With its Maori legacy, the area is known for its healing thermal springs, towering bluffs and giant, eight-century-old trees. Blending seamlessly into this idyllic setting, the lodge etches a fine line between the rustic and the luxurious. The resort spans 2,500 acres of native forest and game reserve (seven trout streams, myriad lakes, and all the hiking, horseback riding and exploring imaginable) to emerge a nature-rich sanctuary, continents away from the beaten path. treetops.co.nz/index.html

Hardcore electronic geeks and geek-ettes may view the Apple iPad/iPad 2 as an upper echelon communication tool/information hotline for the transient techie, but the majority of us revere them for putting the “fun” in functional.

After all, the iPad serves its jet-setting masters with such portable pleasures as movies, games, novels and music. Shouldn’t we return the favor by providing them with safe and fashionable homes?

And who says fashionable better than Burberry?

The Burberry London Leather iPad Case, imported from Italy, bears the company’s insignia in front and features a wrap-around zipper. Its sleek dimensions are 10.5”H x 8.25”W x 1”D and its price is $455. Your iPad will be very happy. Bloomingdales.com

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SHOPPINGNEW YORK

t u o b a d a m y simpl

Madison Avenue

It’s paradise for both discerning neighborhood shoppers and cosmopolitan city visitors -- hailing from Argentina to Zanzibar

By Ruth J. Katz

M

arvelous Madison Avenue, a mercantile Mecca, a boulevard for strolling, and a chic destination for the casual browser and the intrepid shopper. Lavish, tempting goods pop out at you at every turn: buttery-soft sweaters from Italian cashmere czar Brunello Cucinelli; sophisticated yet feminine über-luxe ensembles from that stalwart champion and queen of the “smart” white shirt, Carolina Herrera; sumptuous Lanvin evening clutches; masterpieces of the mechanical movement, from Vacheron Constantin; and everywhere, opulent merchandise to slaver for. According to Faith Hope Consolo, the Chairman of the Retail Leasing, Marketing, and Sales Division of Prudential Douglas Elliman (and the go-to guru for all things relating to commercial real estate), “Madison Avenue continually reinvents itself, but it is always the platform for the most innovative retailers. It has been and will continue to be a true designer’s thoroughfare.”

Matthew Bauer, the President of the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District, underscores that thought: “You find brands here that have been on the Avenue for years, having invested in new flagships. And you’ll also find many recent openings of luxury brands that are creating their first boutiques in the U.S.” Regardless of the merchandise category—little girls’ frocks, or big girls’ over-the-top timepieces—the shoppers stay loyal to the boutiques on this burnished thoroughfare, and the emporia remain faithful to this exceptional, world-renowned gilded avenue. ■ Chopard

Steuben

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The royal wedding is a memory now, but all things British are still quite popular, including Aaron Basha’s “charm”-ing 18-kt. yellow-gold, enamel, and diamond necklace with a Queen’s Guard and bright stars. Price upon request.

Aaron Basha, 680 Madison Avenue (61st/62nd Streets); 212-935-1960; aaronbasha.com

Aaron Basha Hermès

Coated with 12 layers of lacquer (using an ancient Vietnamese technique), these bold Hermès “Colombo” wooden bracelets are available with two or five bands of snow-white and ebony tones. $235 each.

Hermès, 691 Madison Avenue (62nd Street); 212-751-3181, 800-441-4488; hermes.com

The newest heavenly fragrance from Frederic Malle is the heady, floral-y “Portrait of a Lady,” available in 50 ml. and 100 ml. sizes. $210, $300.

Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, 898 Madison Avenue (72nd/73rd Streets); 212-249-7941; editionsdeparfums.com

A petite, ladylike evening purse from Chopard, in black patent leather, with the company’s coveted logo. $1,060.

Chopard, 709 Madison Avenue (63rd Street); 212-223-2304; chopard.com

Designed by Ted Muehling for Steuben, the “Tortoise” crystal pitcher (11.25” high), with its faceted base, is a slender, graceful accessory, perfect for the bar or table. $900.

Steuben, 667 Madison Avenue (61st Street); 800-783-8236; steuben.com

Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle

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SHOPPINGNEW YORK

Sexy and stunning. That is what this woven-leather, rainbow-bright Prada shoe is, whether worn with a sassy mini or classic linen trousers. $950.

Prada, 841 Madison Avenue (69th/70th Streets); 212-327-4200; 724 Fifth Avenue (56th/57th Streets); 212-664-0010; 575 Broadway (Prince Street); 212-334-8888, 888-977-1900; prada.com

Prada

Missoni

Like gleaming headlights, these glitz-and-glam rhinestone-encrusted Missoni sunglasses are fab beacons on the face. Price upon request.

Missoni, 1009 Madison Avenue (78th Street); 212-517-9339; missoni.com

Christofle Pavillon

Jardin d’Eden flatware from Christofle, designed by the renowned Marcel Wanders, features the most intricately incised, sumptuous floral and scroll motifs in the company’s proprietary silverplate; five-piece place setting, $565; with gold accents, or all gold-tone, $1,371.

Christofle Pavillon, 680 Madison Avenue (62nd Street); 212-308-9390; christofle.com

Real guys do wear pink – especially the sorbet-rose-tone here, in a striking cottonand-linen, mandarin-collared jacket from Shanghai Tang. $735.

Shanghai Tang, 600 Madison Avenue (57th/58th Streets); 212-888-0111; shanghaitang.com

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simply mad about

Madison Avenue

The handmade “Divine” earrings from Reinstein Ross, in 22-kt. yellow gold, with cascades of smooth spinel stones, add a rosy, sparkling glow to the face. $1,450.

Reinstein Ross, 29 East 73rd Street (Fifth/Madison Avenues); 212-772-1901; 122 Prince Street (Greene/Wooster Streets); 212-226-4513; reinsteinross.com

Soigne K

Reinstein Ross

From the elegant, new Soigne K boutique (clockwise from right): “Batwa” pouch bag in antique gold and turquoise by Kennyma, $345; green moonstone-and-crystal clutch in antique silver metal, by Clara Kasavima, $2,500; “Palm” clutch with Swarovski crystals and faceted gemstones by Clara Kasavima, $1,800.

Soigne K, 717 Madison Avenue (63rd/64th Streets); 212-486-2890; soignek.com

Frey Wille The Art Deco-inspired “Piccadilly” silk tie from Frey Wille is a stylish and smart addition to a sartorial suit. $350.

Frey Wille, 727 Madison Avenue (63rd/64th Streets); 646-682-9030; frey-wille.com

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SHOPPINGNEW YORK

A striking hunting scene embellishes this outstanding Qianlong Period bowl, “Famille Rose Punch Bowl,” from Imperial Oriental Art. $32,000.

Imperial Oriental Art, 790 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor (66th/67th Streets); 212-717-5383; imperialorientalart.com The daring, saturated-emerald-green “Languedoc” vase is a stunning, contemporary interpretation of René Lalique’s 1929 original, inspired by the vegetation of Southern France, and echoing the deeply incised cuts of cacti in accentuated relief. $7,500.

Lalique, 609 Madison Avenue (57th/58th Streets); 212-355-6550; lalique.com

Lalique

Imperial Oriental Art

DeLaneau

From DeLaneau’s “Atame Colibri” Pairs Collection, exquisite watches (symmetrically matched), ideal for sisters, mothers and daughters, and BFFs. Enamel and diamonds highlight the graceful designs, set in 18-kt. white gold.

Price upon request.

DeLaneau, 681 Madison Avenue (61st/62nd Streets); 212-355-3142; delaneau.com

La Maison du Chocolat

One of the most flavorful, ethereal treats to be whisked from France’s La Maison du Chocolat to our shores: Les macarons, delicate in texture and flavor, available in a plethora of flavors, including caramel and pistachio. Boxes of 6 and 12: $16.50, $33.

La Maison du Chocolat, 1018 Madison Avenue (78th/79th Streets); 212-744-7117, 800-988-5632; lamaisonduchocolat.us

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simply mad about

Madison Avenue

You’ll be ready for your close-up in this Brooks Brothers feather- and flower-embellished, “Bow Dot Derby” chapeau, in scarlet and white, with a four-inch-wide brim. Made in Italy. $148.

Brooks Brothers, 346 Madison Avenue (44th Street); 212-682-8800; 1180 Madison Avenue (86th Street); 212-289-5027; brooksbrothers.com Brooks Brothers

Yael Sonia

The “Circle C” necklace from Yael Sonia is handcrafted in 18-kt. yellow gold and features a total of 1,125 carats of rough aquamarines; it is accented with a diamond-and-gold clasp. $10,200.

Yael Sonia, 922 Madison Avenue (73rd/74th Streets); 212-472-6488; yaelsonia.com

Tumi

Cool as a cucumber is how you’ll look in this Luca Luca “Arctic” dress in icy cerulean, in 100% lightweight wool. $950.

Luca Luca, 1011 Madison Avenue (78th Street); 212-288-9285; lucaluca.com

The ultimate in travel: Tumi’s ultra-lightweight, yet extremely durable “Floral Etch” carry-on is constructed from the company’s newest material, called “Vapor.” $395.

Tumi, 520 Madison Ave (54th/55th Streets); 212-813-0545, 800-299-8864; tumi.com

Luca Luca

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FASHIONNEW YORK

breaking all the fashion rules ‘That’s what I’m here for,’ said Alexander McQueen. ‘To demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.’ In this brilliant exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute, the late designer’s irreverent genius lives on.

By Ruth J. Katz

M

ud, razor-clam shells, glass medical slides, balsa wood, contoured leather, resin antlers. These are all materials used in garments— yes, clothing, and couture fashions, at that—designed by the late Lee Alexander McQueen. On view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the show that lauds him, Alexander McQueen: Savage

Beauty, chronicles and deconstructs—much as he, the maestro, did, with a needle, a pair of shears, and a bolt of cloth—his far-too-short-lived career; McQueen died at 40. Featuring over 100 garments and 70 accessories, and accented by carefully selected quotes and anecdotes from the designer’s 19 years in the field, the exhibition is a window into the soul, mind,

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[ Two autumn/winter collections: left: 2010; above: 2010–11 ]

and dazzling genius of this British-born craftsman and fashion visionary.

The youngest of six children, McQueen left school in his teens and apprenticed in London’s legendary Savile Row, home to arguably the world’s most gifted in the haberdashery arts. This experience taught him the finer points of exquisite tailoring; he was later to note when he created bizarrely and intricately deconstructed garments, “I spent a long time learning how to construct clothes, which is important to do before you can deconstruct them.” McQueen moved on to work for a theatrical costumer, and it was here that he developed an even keener knowledge of how to “build” clothes, embellish them opulently, and create startling garments that are head-turners—no opera glasses would be needed to appreciate the theatricality of his larger-than-life apparel. This led to a year as an assistant to Milanese fashion designer Romeo Gigli, himself a majordomo of the grand, the glorious, the glamorous. It was at this point the die (or should one say dye) was cast, and McQueen returned to London, entering

the venerated Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design (among whose esteemed alumni are boldface names like Bruce Oldfield, Zac Posen, and Alice Temperley), ultimately leaving with a masters degree in fashion design.

And design he did. McQueen’s genius is apparent in the very first room of the Met’s exhibit. The lights are dim, the mood is somber, and the designs are seemingly sober until, upon closer inspection, the viewer realizes that this is a grouping of highly deconstructed garments—traditional clothing, but realized with a twist on a conventional pattern. “You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition,” the designer said, and it’s clear in this chamber that he is quite familiar with the means to fracture those guidelines. The gunmetal-gray, steely, smoky, and black jackets, coats, and dresses are all a tribute to the accomplished hand that knows how to produce detailed, punctilious tailoring. But look at the asymmetric collars and lapels, akimbo coat tails, and oddly placed buttons; there is the celebrated, three-point origami frockcoat and those legendary “bumster” trousers that ride so low, as to expose, well, a bit of the bum. Here is an agglomeration of not only McQueen’s graduation thesis collection, but also many of his earliest efforts, all striking in their iconoclastic deconstruction, and some quite startling, from the enigmatically named Nihilism, Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims, and the Highland Rape collections. The music accompanying this 27

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[L eft: Dress, Sarabande, spring/summer 2007; opposite page at top: ensemble, The Girl Who Lived in the Tree, autumn/winter 2008–9; bottom: ensemble, Widows of Culloden, autumn/winter 2006–7 ]

presentation, Tony Hymas’ Ascent of Intrigue, is a brooding, classical piece with a pulsating, portentous heartbeat, hinting of things to come, perhaps.

The second and third rooms fulfill this promise, and they are aptly dubbed Romantic Gothic and the Cabinet of Curiosities. Here McQueen draws on the Victorian Gothic, which combines elements of horror and romance. These collections often reflect paradoxical elements, such as life and death, lightness and darkness. “I oscillate between life and death, happiness and sadness, good and evil,” he said. The second chamber presents a masterful display, with the walls lined in oversize, patinaed mirrors, embellished with murky, marbled gilding.

The shadowy lighting and the background music, Mekon Disco Bloodbath, both contribute to the eerie and ominous ambience. The mostly ebony clothing is exciting and shocking at once. Constructed from leather, fleece, cashmere, parachute silk, silk faille, chiffon, organza, taffeta, tulle, and mesh, almost every garment is somehow emblazoned or embroidered with some other texture— fox, horsehair, pheasant and duck feathers, metals, and the most luminous jet beading. “People find my things sometimes aggressive. But I don’t see it as aggressive. I see it as romantic, dealing with a dark side of personality.”

Playful elements of McQueen’s personality are abundantly apparent in the third installation, where the walls are lined with dozens of fantabulous accessories, each housed in a jet-black cubbyhole, part of an imposing architectural grid. There is an assault on the senses—with video above, below, all around, a tape of techno-speak in the background, and a plethora of merchandise to drink in. Here one can view McQueen’s collaborations with accessory design-

ers like the famed milliner Philip Treacy (who designed hats and fascinators for 100 guests at the recent Royal Wedding) and the jeweler Shaun Leane. There are “body bracelets,” and marvelous shoes (not meant for walking, clearly), restrictive but elegant corsets, astonishing hats; the “Butterfly” chapeau appears to be a swarm of poppy and black wings, but in reality, each is carved from a turkey feather. There is an oversize egg pocketbook (created like a Fabergé jewel), an aluminum corset, an etched-glass headpiece, and a dress of black duck feathers. The multimedia video installation shows McQueen’s spring/ summer 2005 runway show entitled “It’s Only a Game,” featuring a life-size chess board, with models hopping around it. Although McQueen had established his own brand, he was also, from 1996 until 2001, the chief designer of the couture house of Givenchy, succeeding John Galliano, and in this room there are many designs that are the result of his collaborations with other designers during those years.

By this time, the viewer is probably on overkill, soaking up the striking, the outlandish, the dramatic. But there is much more in this show. Perhaps the two most “important” themes that are explored throughout are McQueen’s sense of nationalism—both exotic and romantic—that is evident in many of his collections—among them, the Widows of Culloden, Highland Rape, and The Girl Who Lived in a Tree. His deep interest in English history is perhaps most apparent in the latter (autumn/winter 2008-9). It explores a dreamy, quixotic fairy tale inspired by an elm tree in the garden of his country home in East Sussex; it is one of McQueen’s most romantically nationalistic collections, awash in regal scarlet and snowy-white, with heavy satins and other luxe fabrics, lavish ornamentation, and masses of tulle and laces. The former two collections explore Scotland’s turbulent political history, and it is Highland Rape that introduces his use of tartan, a noteworthy element of the designer’s Scottish ancestry. Presented originally on semi-naked, blood-spattered models who staggered down a runway strewn with heather and bracken, the clothes were intended to counter romantic images of Scotland. And yet it was that very idealistic feeling he put forth in the latter collection.

He was, if nothing else, a brilliant designer, and a man of extremes, perhaps a tortured soul, who ultimately ended his own life in February, 2010, but not before garnering countless awards and accolades: He was a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE); he was named—four times!—the British Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers; and was the CFDA’s International Designer of the year in 2003...and on and on.

“Alexander McQueen was best known for his astonishing and extravagant runway presentations, which were given dramatic scenarios and narrative structures that suggested avant-garde installation and performance art,” observed Andrew Bolton, the curator of the Costume Institute. “His fashions were an outlet for his emotions, an expression of the deepest, often darkest, aspects of his imagination. He was a true romantic in the Byronic sense of the word—he channeled the sublime.” n

[ the details ] For more information: 212-535-7710; metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen; through July 31. Throughout the run, there are gallery talks and special events scheduled. The exhibit’s catalogue, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty ($45) by Andrew Bolton, is available at the museum’s bookshop.

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When the Designer Is Gone: the Design House Dilemma When Alexander McQueen tragically took his own life in February, 2010, fashion insiders were personally devastated and shocked. But soon after the initial sadness, the inevitable question would arise: Who would assume the mantle?

Who could carry the heavy burden of shouldering the title of creative director, while still being true to the brand’s creative ethic, loyal to the departed designer’s vision, and then move the line forward? It’s an impossible situation.

No matter what the fresh talent creates, there are the inescapable comparisons to what was and what might have been.

This is always a touchy—and terrible—question to start asking. Fashionistas buzzed when Perry Ellis died in 1986, so young, and with such a promising career ahead. Today the label is part of a large conglomerate with no “star” designer, but assuredly thriving. When Gianni Versace was tragically gunned down in 1997, it did not take long for the logical succession to be put into place, with his sister Donatella assuming his slot. Of course, not every designer’s departure from a well-known brand is the result of a death; a firing can be just as swift and unexpected. To wit, consider the house of Dior and the John Galliano mess. This past April, the house of Balmain summarily fired Christophe Decarnin after six years, not the result of a scandale, but simply a parting of the ways, as was the dismissal of Patrick Robinson, the design head at the Gap.

All photos: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph © Sølve Sundsbø / Art + Commerce

And look at the snarled ‘Sarah Burton, McQueen’s assistant, disarray at the revered slipped into the post, and had a house of Ungaro—a personal favorite, and thereresounding success with Kate Middleton’s fore, to me, one of the bridal ensembles.’ most tragic—that has yet to find its footing. (So noteworthy is the maestro’s loss that The New York Times’ Cathy Horyn wrote a magazine piece in August, 2010, on the house and its “issues.”) When the illustrious Hubert de Givenchy retired in 1995, he was followed by a chosen successor, Dominique Sirop, but that appointment did not last long; soon John Galliano took the position, but ever so briefly, until McQueen assumed the role. Today, the head is Riccardo Tisci. And at Valentino, another house whose clothes make me swoon, there was no heir apparent; the label fired one designer after a two-year trial and now is forging ahead with a new team. At Thierry Mugler, Nicola Formichetti, who, like Mugler, had no formal training, was just the darling of Paris, after his runway debut this spring.

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“It’s quite hard to put myself in the shoes of an Alexander McQueen or John Galliano,” commented Amy Smilovic, the designer of Tibi. “Their exits were so heartbreaking and dramatic, respectively. If I could be a fly on the wall the day after I ‘hypothetically’ left Tibi, I think that the people I’ve hired and who have worked alongside me for years now would be able to determine direction and branding that would be as cohesive and seamless as possible.”

Smilovic’s comments are certainly on-target for what has happened at McQueen. Sarah Burton, his assistant for some 15 years, slipped into the post, and as the world witnessed, had resounding success with Kate Middleton’s bridal ensembles. Continues Smilovic: “The inspiring story of Sarah Burton attests to that. Inevitable hiccups and stress invariably accompany these changes, but [are] hopefully short-lived.”

Christian Siriano, the year-four winner of Project Runway, a former design intern with McQueen (in 2007) and now a rising star in his own right, summed it up best: “It is very important to honor the vision and DNA of the brand as the original designer set forth. That said, it is also important for any new designer entering into the ‘house’ to move the collections forward to reflect the modern consumer. It is a delicate balance between respecting the heritage of a brand and adding modernity that you have to achieve in order to keep the brand relevant without alienating loyal customers.” – RJK

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SHOPPINGNEW YORK

’ a n n a w t s u j we ve ha

fun

It’s time for colorful clothes, rainbow-bright accessories, and one-of-a-kind outdoor furniture Yes, now is when we think about jewel-toned jellies for our feet, sorbetbright T-shirts, funky jewelry, vibrant-hued frocks—or even a pink linen sports coat, if you will—and fun, fun, and more fun. Whether it’s a swell picnic set from Hammacher Schlemmer (for those Philharmonic concerts in the park), or neon-bold plastic beach and pool toys for a weekend in the Hamptons, or radiant garlands of faux fleurs for your up-do, color and novelty take center stage—and New York City stores and boutiques are where you can find it all. By Ruth J. Katz

“Cabochon” sunglasses by Bulgari, in chocolate brown with glass stones, in cabochon-cut topaz, blue sapphire, and emerald tones. $475.

Bulgari, 730 Fifth Avenue (57th Street); 212-315-9000, 800-285-4274; 783 Madison Avenue (66th/67th Streets); 212-717-2300; bulgari.com A 1960s retro-chic look, with Lisa Perry’s “Swirl” dress in 100% lightweight wool knit ($895), perfectly paired with the kitschy “Love” clutch ($75).

Lisa Perry, 976 Madison Avenue (76th/77th Streets); 212-334-1956; lisaperrystyle.com So nice, you gotta’ wrap it twice: Sasha Rhett’s cute, 18-kt. gold-plated, water-resistant watch, with an ostrich band in sorbet pink. $229.

Verve, 282 Columbus Avenue (73rd/74th Streets); 212-580-7150; 353 Bleecker Street (Charles/West 10th Streets); 212-691-6516; vervenyc.com

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Travel in bold style with Bric’s “Campari Munari” limited edition luggage in poppy red, accented with fun logos. Shown here, the carry-on wheeled trolley ($525) and the weekend traveler ($409).

Bric’s Madison, 535 Madison Avenue (54th/55th Streets); 212-688-4490; brics.it

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From the MacKenzie-Childs’ “Flower Market” outdoor furniture collection: Replete with a 21”-square pillow, the all-weather wing chair is a colorful addition to an outdoor seating area ($1,850); a reversible cushion also comes with the matching ottoman ($590).

MacKenzie-Childs, 14 West 57th Street (Fifth/Sixth Avenues); 212-570-6050; mackenzie-childs.com A wonderful two-tone suede belt, in pistachio and lilac, with pinked edges from Missoni. $350.

Missoni, 1009 Madison Avenue (78th Street); 212-517-9339; missoni.com

Known for its brightly toned and highly patterned bathing suits, Vilebrequin’s newest pattern is “Baobab,” shown here in the Moorea length for men ($230) and in matching kids’ trunks ($120 to $140).

Vilebrequin, 1070 Madison Avenue (81st Street); (Note: As of July 15th, the shop is moving to 1007 Madison Avenue [77th/78th Streets]); 212-650-0353; vilebrequin.com

e c a f r e m m u s s u

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o e g r o g a

“Facing” Summer: It is definitely the time to lather on the sunblock, step up your skin treatment plan, and get a new palette of gaily hued make-up for a warm-weather glow. Fortunately, you can do all this at the Plaza Hotel’s galleria of shops, where miracles are cultivated with a little help (or hope) in a jar. Goldfaden’s skincare line is infused with the elixirs of rooibos tea; you’ll swoon for the Daily Scrub with ruby crystals, and the Pure Power Antioxidant Complex is a godsend for summer (from $45 to $125). Get summer glam—think of your face as Michelango’s canvas—with fabulous color from Milan’s primo make-up man, Diego dalla Palma, and his stunning rainbows of glamour for cheeks, eyes, and lips—and the indispensable bronzer/tanning cake. (from $28 to $65).

The Shops at the Plaza, 1 West 58th Street (Fifth/Sixth Avenues); 212-223-4694; theplaza.com, goldfaden.com, diegodallapalma.com/store/it

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STYLENEW YORK

talking with

Fiona Druckenmiller

The collector discusses her passion for the rare, vintage, and coveted items she displays in F.D, her gallery-boutique that’s adding a whole new element to the Upper East Side.

By Kaitlin Ahern

S

tep into F.D, collector Fiona Druckenmiller’s new luxury boutique off Madison Avenue, and it’s clear what the theme is here: “I’ve always been drawn to beautiful things,” says Druckenmiller, whose love of beauty spurred a passion for collecting fine items more than 20 years ago. The Manhattan native opened F.D in October to share her collection with fellow seekers of the exquisite and exceptional, and there’s no denying that everything here fits the bill—from items that radiate beauty in the traditional sense (vintage jewelry from Cartier, Van Cleef, and Verdura, to name a few) to others that are simply stunning in their rarity (limitededition manuscripts, signed furniture, and one-of-a-kind works of art by both bygone and modern masters).

All this you’ll find among an intimate, gallery-style setting—a bit more reminiscent of Chelsea than the Upper East Side—that invites visitors to look (preferably with a treat from the espresso bar at hand), to learn (ask a staff member or take advantage of touch-screen technology throughout the store), and to linger over the items here (because you probably won’t find them anywhere else). “A lot of highend jewelry stores can be intimidating, with their marble floors, heavy doors, and high ceilings,” Druckemiller says. “We want the experience inside the gallery to be intimate, welcoming and always changing, so that it’s a fun experience to come in, whether you purchase something or not.”

If you are looking to make a purchase, though, you’ll almost certainly find something within your budget—prices range from $25 to about $7 million.

Where do you find the objects in your store?

FD: It’s very multi-pronged. They’re sourced from estates. We also follow the auctions. That’s not a big source, but we’re always looking. Then there are things that come in and find us. We’ll have people call us up and ask if we’ll look at a piece that’s been privately owned for decades and has never been on the market—in the industry, that’s called a “fresh piece.” Like an incredible pair of JAR earrings that just came in.

How would you describe the type of person who is drawn to your boutique?

FD: It tends to be a customer who’s traveled a lot, has seen a lot of things and is looking for something different. They tend to be a relatively educated consumer.

The more our customer knows, the better it is for us—the more they understand the pieces that we have, then the pieces sell themselves because they are unique, priced correctly, and have compelling histories.

There’s literally something for everybody and every interest. Someone will come in and say, “You won’t have anything for my husband because he just loves old cars,” and we’ll have a first edition of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

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Joshua McHugh

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Photos by courtesy of FD

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[ [1] Cartier Art Deco oval carved ruby, emerald, and diamond ring; [2] Van Cleef and Arpels ivory and chalcedony necklace; [3] Verdura cabochon emerald and diamond necklace. 18k yellow gold and platinum mount set with 69 cabochon emeralds (approximately 265.68cts) and 23 round diamonds (approximately 1.85cts); [4] Signed Webb 18k gold and white enamel flexible link bracelet, designed as a series of scaled links; [5] James Nares: A Second of Love, 2010. Oil on linen. 80 x 55 inches; [6] Eloise in Paris by Kay Thompson, 1957; [7] F.D’s inviting décor encourages visitors to look and linger ]

You carry a lot of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels items. What do you like about those brands?

FD: We carry vintage Van Cleef and Cartier because many of the pieces made in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s were one-of-a-kind or one of just five or six made.

And many of the materials they used—coral or jade or Burmese rubies—can’t be imported into the U.S. anymore.

Why are you so drawn to vintage jewelry items in general?

FD: At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the jewelry industry worked on an apprentice system, where a master trained you for five to 10 years on how to make these pieces by hand. But that way has died out, and the beautiful handwork that was done is now done by machines. We’re selling pieces that could not be built now for what we’re selling them. They couldn’t be made with the same quality, and the actual materials themselves are no longer available. You have to comb auction houses or antique stores for old jade, and that’s part of what we do. We’re basically doing the legwork of finding old pieces and making sure they’re authentic, then editing the collection to present things people want.

In addition to collecting, you and your husband are also the philanthropists behind the Druckenmiller Foundation, to which you donated $705 million in 2009. What causes are you involved in?

FD: We make grants to organizations that we have a lot of faith in, so it’s

across many different sectors, like education, medicine and human rights. We recently contributed to The New York Stem Cell Foundation, the neuroscience initiative at NYU Medical Center and the Harlem Children’s Fund.

You’ve also been ordained as an interfaith Reverend, is that correct? Does your faith influence your style at all?

FD: Yes, I worked as a counselor in an MD office for 10 years, and [the ordination] was part of my training as a counselor.

We don’t carry any religious pieces. The interfaith approach is about accepting everybody and also seeing something sacred in everything, so I guess jewelry in a way is a perfect foil, because it’s everything and nothing at the same time. It’s nothing in the sense that it’s just rocks and metal; it’s inanimate. But it’s everything if it becomes an engagement ring, or your daughter’s graduation earrings, or the 15th anniversary watch for your husband. We vest [our accomplishments] with things. And so, they start to take on a history, and sentiments.

I think every single thing that we F.D deal with every day, whether it’s fur212-772-2440; fionasescape.com niture, jewelry, or food, is at the very same time sacred and profane, because it’s part of your present and it’s part of your connection with other people. It’s also at the same time, dust.

I think that’s part of the whole experience here. Those ideas influence everything we do. ■ 33

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Over the last 30 years manolo blahnik has become one of the most influential shoe designers in the world and his spring/summer collection is as innovative as ever. Pictured here (clockwise from top left): Colle, $785; Zburga, $895; Netochka, $885; Scioll, $645. 31 West 54th St., 212-582-3007; manoloblahnik.com

neW YorK

SHOPPING

art anD antiQues Center44 – A unique and dramatic shopping experience with 70 extraordinary international antiques dealers featured in a blocklong showroom of open-room settings, with aisles of antiquities (from ancient to the 19th century), 20th-century design—including Deco, Modernism, and Futurism—and unique contemporary art and objects. On-site skilled artisans provide furniture and art restoration, as well as traditional upholstery. 222 E. 44th St. (SecondThird Aves.), 212-450-7988; center44.com

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Imperial Oriental Art – A distinguished name in the field of Chinese ceramics and works of art specializing in fine quality work over a range of various dynasties, including Ming and Qing.

Also offered is an extensive selection of Blue and White, Famille Rose, Famille Verte and the finest quality of Qing monochromes in America.

790 Madison Ave. (66th-67th Sts.), Third Floor, 212-717-5383; imperialorientalart.com

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Showplace Antique + Design Center – Over 250 galleries located on 4 spacious floors featuring Art Deco, Art Nouveau, mid-century Modern, bronze, silver, jewelry, vintage clothing & accessories, ceramics, art glass, antiquities, period furniture & lighting. Don’t miss the 3rd-floor designer room settings and over 50 showcases filled with an eclectic range of decoratives and collectibles.

Mon.-Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat.-Sun., 8:30am-5:30pm.

Silversmith, Espresso Bar & Café on the premises.

40 W. 25th St., 212-633-6063; nyshowplace.com

china, Glass, silVer anD porcelain Baccarat, New York – Illustrious French high-end crystal stemware, giftware, and decorative items, from heart pendants to major works of contemporary sculpture and glorious chandeliers. Home to the finest in French tabletop. 625 Madison Ave. (59th St.), 212-826-4100; baccarat.com

Bernardaud – Fine dinnerware, crystal, flatware, barware, and giftware, in styles ranging from classic to contemporary, renowned for its excellent craftsmanship and elegance. Family-owned and -operated since 1863, Bernardaud is the leading manufacturer of Limoges porcelain, and also carries Baccarat, Puiforcat, and Christofle.

499 Park Ave. (59th St.), 212-371-4300; bernardaud.com Daum – For over 130 years, Daum has been recognized for its creativity, innovative styling, and masterful craftsmanship, and has been a leader in art glass. They offer decorative objects and tableware, special gifts and collectibles, handcrafted furniture, lighting, and objets d’art in Pâte de Verre—an ancient technique performed only by the company’s master craftsmen that uses crystal as the base material, giving the products both a sculptural dimension and a distinctive brilliance and translucency. 694 Madison Ave. (62nd-63rd Sts.), 212-355-2060; daum.fr

5/17/11 5:55 PM

SHOPPING SPOTLIGHT

art and antiques p.34

HOME FURNISHINGS ABC Carpet & Home – A NYC treasure in two landmark buildings in the Flatiron District, this home-goods bazaar offers a spectacular selection of unique furniture, elegant linens, unusual lighting, thousands of rugs, and more. 881 Broadway (18th-19th Sts.), 212-473-3000; abchome.com Crabtree & Evelyn – Beautiful gifts and everyday luxuries that capture the essence of an English lifestyle, including chic comforts for the home, fragrances, and pampering spa treats for the bath, as well as gourmet jam, cookies, and tea. 620 Fifth Ave. (50th St.), 212-581-5022; The Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-823-9584; 30 Rockefeller Center (50th St.), 212-582-0190; crabtree-evelyn.com Steuben – “The world’s purest crystal,” renowned for exquisite craftsmanship, unmatched quality standards, and peerless material. Many new products are added each year to an extensive collection that includes bowls, vases, and candlesticks, desk and office accessories, their signature animals, and major copper-wheel engraved sculptural works.

667 Madison Ave. (61st St.), 646-497-3753; steuben.com

shopS The Shops at the Plaza – Throughout the legendary Plaza Hotel, there is now a collection of world’s finest purveyors of art, jewelry, haute couture and specialty foods as well as premiere health and beauty services. Highlights not to be missed are the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, Celebrity Stylists Warren-Tricomi Salon, MCM, and Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie. One location.

Countlesss indulgences. The Plaza Hotel, Fifth Ave. at 59th St., 212-546-5499; theplaza.com

Department and Specialty Stores Barneys New York – Long identified with New York chic and sophistication, Barneys features international men’s and women’s fashion designers ranging from the classically understated to the flamboyantly avant garde. Accessories, formal wear, cosmetics, and shoes are also offered in a variety of styles. Their restaurant, Fred’s at Madison Avenue, is open for brunch, lunch and dinner. 660 Madison Ave. (61st St.), 212-826-8900; barneys.com

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department stores p.35

Bergdorf Goodman – Among the nation’s most prestigious shops, featuring women’s fashion designs from Armani, Chanel, Versace and Ferre, to Tyler, Galliano, and Westwood. 754 Fifth Ave. (57th-58th Sts.), 212-753-7300; the men’s store is located at 745 Fifth Ave. (58th St.), 212-339-3310; bergdorfgoodman.com Bloomingdale’s – One of the world’s most famous landmark department stores. The best international fashions and home furnishings are brought together under a single Art Deco roof, in a store that encompasses a full city block and more than 500 departments. 1000 Third Ave. (59th-60th Sts.), 212-705-2000; The SoHo branch is located at 504 Broadway (Spring-Broome Sts.), 212-729-5900; bloomingdales.com Hammacher Schlemmer – The landmark store for America’s longest-running catalog, offering unique products that solve problems, further your lifestyle, or represent the only one of their kind.

147 E. 57th St., 212-421-9002; hammacher.com Henri Bendel – This ultra-chic, elegant Fifth Avenue retailer features Lalique windows, in-store Lalique history and displays, and multiple dramatic spiral staircases. It makes for a wonderful backdrop for the high-end goods. 712 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-247-1100; henribendel.com Lord & Taylor – Generations have shopped yearround at this, their flagship store, established in 1914, attracted by their focus on the American look and American designers, offering a vast selection of reasonably priced sportswear in all sizes, and particularly fine high-quality shoes and accessories.

424 Fifth Ave. (39th St.), 212-391-3344; lordandtaylor.com MacKenzie-Childs - The flagship store featuring the full collection of whimsical and unique handcrafted home and garden accessories and gifts, including hand-painted ceramics, dinnerware, tableware, glassware and home furniture.

14 W. 57th St. (Fifth-Sixth Aves.), 212-570-6050; 31 Main St. Southampton, 631-283-1880; mackenzie-childs.com Macy’s – “The world’s largest store,” and one of NYC’s most visited landmark attractions. The world’s first department store maintains a huge stock of everything from sofas to caviar, clothing, and everything in between. Broadway & 34th St., 212-695-4400; macys.com

spas p.43

Saks Fifth Avenue – This venerated symbol of class and elegance began in 1924 as the brainchild of Horace Saks and Bernard Gimbel. Their flagship “dream store,” a New York City landmark since 1985, features nine floors of grand luxury, stocked with exclusive items for men and women.

611 Fifth Ave. (49th-50th Sts.), 212-753-4000; saksfifthavenue.com

Fashion AND Accessories Aéropostale – High-quality, active-oriented casual apparel and accessories for 14- to 17-year-old young women. Broadway & 45th St., 212-3024172; Manhattan Mall, Sixth Ave. & 34th St., 212-239-5201; 15 W. 34th St., 212-239-4968; aeropostale.com Aritzia – Born out of an upscale Vancouver’s department store, the new SoHo store boasts nine in-house lines to satisfy every fashion sense.

Dresses in varied lengths and prints are sure to please this summer. 524 Broadway (Spring St.), 212-334-3255. aritzia.com Balenciaga – A futuristic, luxurious environment, with fashions that meld the avant-garde with classically wearable designs. Stores boast houndstooth patterns, mismatched neon lace, and faux leather this season. 542 W. 22nd St., 212-206-0872; balenciaga.com BCBG Max Azria – Modern and chic suits, separates, jeans, coats, dresses, handbags, and accessories for fashion-forward women. It’s all about feminine simplicity this season, with light silk dresses, embroidery, and lace. 770 Madison Ave. (66th St.), 212-717-4225; 120 Wooster St. (Prince St.), 212-625-2723; bcbg.com Brooks Brothers – Classically modern business and casual clothing for fashionable men and women, including dress shirts, ties, pants, sweaters, and polos. 1 Liberty Plaza (Broadway), 212-267-2400; 346 Madison Ave. (44th St.), 212-682-8800; brooksbrothers.com Burberry – This luxury brand, synonymous with its signature house check–the camel, black, red, and white pattern–offers men’s, women’s, children’s, and babywear lines, fragrances, golf, eyewear, and home collections. Their made-toorder coat service has customized style and color options. 160 Columbus Ave. (67th St.),

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212-595-0934; 444 Madison Ave. (49th St.), 212-707-6700; 9 E. 57th St., 212-371-5010; 131 Spring St. (Greene St.), 212-925-9300; burberry.com Calvin Klein Collection – This monument to elegant modernity showcases its selection of women and men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, and the home collection, including china, flatware, glassware, and linens, plus exclusive gift items. Minimalism and simplicity defines women’s and men’s apparel this summer. 654 Madison Ave. (60th St.), 212-292-9000; calvinklein.com The Carlisle Collection – Stylish women make appointments for an exclusive and personalized shopping experience with couture-quality clothing that can’t be found in stores, including everything from power suits for the executive office to elegant dresses for the evening. 16 E. 52nd St. (Madison-Fifth Aves.), 16th Floor, 212-751-6490; showroom@carlisleny.com; carlislecollection.com Carolina Herrera – Elegant, ultra-feminine, up-to-the-minute women’s dresses and fragrances. CH Carolina Herrera (802 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 212-7442076) has clothing for men, women, and kids, as well as travel accessories. This season was inspired by two things: traditional clothes of Korea and botanical patterns. 954 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 212-249-6552; carolinaherrera.com

[ The Palm Court ]

the plaza hotel : an urban resort The idea that you can experience everything the world has to offer without ever leaving the island of Manhattan is a common one, but how about never having to leave a single building on the island of Manhattan? This dream becomes something of a reality as you experience the renowned Plaza Hotel, an urban resort containing everything you could possibly imagine: shops, restaurants and bars, a spa, salon, hotel, and even a new gym that’s scheduled to open in the fall—all within its legendary walls.

Located on Central Park & Fifth Avenue, The Plaza remains a timeless landmarked New York hotel that has provided memories for its visitors since 1907. But a recent $450 million transformation reflects a new modern spirit, and while certain traditions remain—the opulent grandeur of the Beaux Arts décor and the inspired ambience of the famed Palm Court —new offerings include the elegant Champagne Bar and stylish Rose Club. But that’s simply the beginning.

If you’re looking for high-end luxury shopping, The Shops at The Plaza are home to first-class clothing stores such as Douglas Hannant, Emanuel Ungaro, and Helen Yarmak, Franceso Fino, The Plaza Boutique, Qiviuk, and Seize Sur Vingt, jewelry at Anna Hu and Maurice Fine Jewelry, as well as Ghurka, MCM, and many others. For dining, there is The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English, a European-inspired specialty food hall offering fine prepared and gourmet foods set in a stylish and convenient atmosphere. For those seeking relaxation, pampering, and perhaps a little self-indulgence, premier health and well-being services such as Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa and Warren-Tricomi Salon await.

Bear in mind, this is just the tip of the iceberg: you’ll also find one-of-a-kind gift shops, Eloise at the Plaza (perfect for tea time with younger ladies!), and special events. Thank goodness you can book a hotel room—because you might never want to leave! The Plaza Hotel, Fifth Ave. at 59th St., 212-546-5499; theplaza.com/shops

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Catherine Malandrino – High-end couture fashions that blend the energy of Manhattan and the romance of Paris, and are a favorite among celebrities.

These hot months are filled with romantic “handcrafted” fashion offering macrame, patchwork, beading, and embroidery. SoHo: 468 Broome St. (Greene St.), 212-925-6765; Meatpacking District: 652 Hudson St. (13th St.), 212-929-8710; catherinemalandrino.com Creatures of Comfort – An unrivaled Nolita boutique with an expertly selected mix of independent and A-list labels. Defining the store this summer are loose knits, wild prints, and exotic and funky accessories. 205 Mulberry St. 212-925-1005. www.creaturesofcomfort.us.

Chanel Boutique – Featuring the classic elements of Coco Chanel’s renowned style, showcasing handbags, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, and ready-to-wear by Karl Lagerfeld. Distressed fabrics, unfinished details, and feathered trims can be found this season. 15 E. 57th St., 212-355-5050; 139 Spring St. (Wooster St.), 212-334-0055; chanel.com Derek Lam – Classic American fashion for women: elegant, modern, and ready-to-wear, plus limited-edition pieces, custom-made furniture, and more.

12 Crosby St. (Grand St.), 212-929-1338; dereklam.com Diane Von Furstenberg – Signature wrap dresses to flirty sportswear, swimwear, accessories, and more from the fashion icon. Find draped dresses, easy sportswear, tapered pants, and accessories galore in brazen patterns of brown, lime green, yellow, and sky blue this season. 874 Washington St. (14th St.), 646-486-4800; dvf.com DKNY – Lifestyle clothing, accessories, and more embracing the fun styles of New York from Donna Karan. Patterned scarves, and flirty ruffles and tiers give this practical, tailored collection some feminine sophistication. And men will have their pick of comfy, easygoing trousers and tees to stay cool in this summer. 420 West Broadway (Spring St.), 646-613-1100; 655 Madison Ave. (60th St.), 212-223-3569; dkny.com Dolce & Gabbana – Ultra-modern Italian fashions, including men’s formalwear and more adventurous women’s fashions. Stores will be filled with white lace for the ladies, and light, white suits for guys. 825 Madison Ave. (69th St.), 212-249-4100; dolcegabbana.com Donna Karan – This three-story home to the famed designer’s timeless collection is where simplicity meets glamour. The spring/summer collection embraces nature with delicate, weightless dresses and skirts in soft neutrals.

819 Madison Ave. (68th St.), 866-240-4700; donnakaran.com Dooney & Bourke – Designer handbags and small leather goods featuring trendy animal prints, soft suede, and their trademark logo. 20 E. 60th St. (Madison-Park Aves.), 212-223-7444; dooney.com

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Eileen Fisher – Classic women’s fashions promoting simplicity, versatility, beauty, and creativity. Known for her outstanding fabrics and comfort, Eileen Fisher supplies her stores with breezy and gauzy looks in subdued grays and off-whites this summer. 395 West Broadway, 212-431-4567; 521 Madison Ave. (53rd-54th Sts.), 212-759-9888; 341 Columbus Ave. (76th St.), 212-362-3000; 314 E. 9th St., 212-529-5715; 1039 Madison Ave. (79th-80th Sts.), 212-879-7799; 166 Fifth Ave. (21st-22nd Sts.), 212-924-4777; eileenfisher.com Elie Tahari – Women’s ready-to-wear fashions and accessories, including suits, cutting-edge sportswear and dresses. This season features safari-themed apparel for women, while the men’s collection offers soft tonal suiting. 417 West Broadway (Spring St.), 212-334-4441; elietahari.com Emilio Pucci – Women’s clothing, hats, and shoes featuring brightly colored, often psychedelic, ultramod prints. 24 E. 64th St., 212-752-4777; 701 Fifth Ave. (54th St.), 212-230-1135; emiliopucci.com ESCADA – The German-based company offers high-end, modern, and elegant women’s apparel

and accessories. ESCADA SPORT represents understated city chic. The company brand also encompasses licenses for eyewear and fragrances.

715 Fifth Ave. (56th St), 212-755-2200; escada.com.

Façonnable – Designed in France, Façonnable offers classic men’s and women’s clothing and accessories made with exclusive fabrications and impeccable craftsmanship. 636 Fifth Ave. (51st St.), 212-319-0111; faconnable.com Giorgio Armani – The Italian designer’s fourlevel flagship features understated suits, elegant sportswear, outerwear, and exquisite evening wear for men and women. Shades of midnight and navy define the summer collection for women, while men can find lightweight suits and casual wear in neutral tones. 760 Madison Ave. (65th St.), 212-988-9191; giorgioarmani.com Gucci – A name synonymous with haute couture and classic sophistication, the Italian luxury-goods company’s flagship store features five floors of cowhide sling-back chairs, up-to-the-minute handbags, signature jewelry, and men’s and women’s shoes and apparel. With a nod to the ’70s, this glamorous collection includes bold colors, embellishments, and funky patterns. 725 Fifth Ave.

(56th St.), 212-826-2600; 840 Madison Ave. (70th St.), 212-717-2619; gucci.com Hugo Boss – With its brands BOSS and HUGO, Hugo Boss covers all the main fashion areas for women and men. Shoes and accessories, fragrances, glasses, watches and more. Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-485-1900; 401 W. 14th St., 646-336-8170; hugoboss.com Lisa Perry – The retail location for Perry’s dresses, jackets, pants, coats, shoes, and accessories, inspired by the vintage couture fashions from the late ’60s and early ’70s. 976 Madison Ave. (77th St.), 212-334-1956; lisaperrystyle.com Krizia – Superbly tailored Italian clothing for men and women, including suits, knitwear, ties, shirts, gowns, handbags, shoes, pants, skirts for day and for evening, as well as fragrances. This season’s collection features dramatic ruffles, pleats, and folds in glistening Italian fabrics. 769 Madison Ave. (66th St.), 212-879-1211; krizia.net Louis Vuitton – A showcase for the timeless elegance of the famed line of classic men’s and women’s fashions, handbags, watches and jewelry, and shoes. The “overly stylized” summer collection

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packs a punch with bold color, embellishments, fringes, Lurex, and pure glam.

1 E. 57th St., 212-758-8877; 116 Greene St. (Prince St.), 212-274-9090; louisvuitton.com

blue, and violet bring an instant pop this summer. 841 Madison Ave. (70th St.), 212-327-4200; 45 E. 57th St., 212-308-2332; 724 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-664-0010; 575 Broadway (Prince St.), 212-334-8888; prada.com

Marc Jacobs – Casual-chic fashions for men and women including simple dresses, classic tailored suits, and formal wear. The ’70s are in the air for women, with fun silk prints, bold colors, and fabulous glitter platforms, while the guys can go a little casual-preppy. 163 Mercer St. (Houston-Prince Sts.), 212-343-1490; 385 Bleecker St. (Perry St.), 212-924-6126; marcjacobs.com

Roberto Cavalli – A boutique with “funky, sexy stuff” from the Italian designer that is always fresh, dramatic, and innovative. The more economical Just Cavalli is located at 665 Fifth Ave. (53rd St.). 711 Madison Ave. (63rd St.), 212-755-7722; robertocavalli.com

Michael Kors – Polished, classic-chic sportswear and accessories for men and women. Life’s a beach in this light and easy warm-weather collection.

790 Madison Ave. (67th St.), 212-452-4685; 101 Prince St. (Greene St.), 212-965-0401; michaelkors.com Moschino – This flagship store offers an array of notions, shoes, and accessories from their Moschino, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Love Moschino, and Moschino Uomo lines. 401 W. 14th St. (Ninth Ave.), 212-243-8600; moschino.com Mulberry – British luxury bags, womenswear, menswear, and interior design.

605 Madison Ave. (58th St.); 387 Bleecker St. (Perry St.), 212-835-4700; mulberry.com Paul Stuart – Men’s and women’s clothing exclusively designed with a distinctly American viewpoint, as well as outerwear, furnishings, shoes, and made-tomeasure apparel. Madison Ave. & 45th St., 212-682-0320; paulstuart.com Peter Elliot – High-end tailored men’s clothing from formalwear to cashmere sweaters geared toward power-lunching businessmen. The cuff-link department is a must-stop. Peter Elliot Women is located at 1071 Madison Ave., 212-570-1551; 1070 Madison Ave. (81st St.), 212-570-2300 Polo/Ralph Lauren, Madison Avenue – The jewel in the crown of the more than 145 stores worldwide, with authentic antique furniture, women’s wear, accessories, leather goods, home furnishings, and antiques. Cowgirl couture has taken over, with leather, fringes, and bull’s-head belt buckles. Ralph Lauren’s first men’s-only store is located across the street at 867 Madison Ave. (72nd St.), 212-606-2100. 888 Madison Ave. (72nd St.), 212-434-8000; ralphlauren.com Prada – This specialist in minimalist fashion offers a range of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, leather goods, and furnishings, as well as other exclusive products. Shop suits, dresses—even stoles—in electric orange, green,

Searle – Best known for shearlings, classic coats and luxurious leathers, Searle offers their own collection and many designer labels appealing to fashion-forward women, from the latest in accessories, handbags, and apparel to swimwear and beauty. 1051 Third Ave (62nd St.), 212-838-5990; 635 Madison Ave. (60th St.), 212-750-5153; 1296 Third Ave. (74th St.), 212-717-5200; searlenyc.com Stella McCartney – The trendy boutique featuring au courant, animal-friendly fashions for women in the heart of the fashionable Meatpacking District. The summer collection gives a nod to the ’70s, offering high waist pants, oversized caftans, slit-paneled skirts, and light pantsuits. 429 W. 14th St., 212-255-1556; stellamccartney.com St. John Boutique – High-end knitwear, using their signature blend of wool and rayon. For special service, please ask for James Palazza. 665 Fifth Ave. (53rd St.), 212-755-5252; sjk.com Theory – Hip, classic work-friendly attire for men and women. 40 Gansevoort St. (Greenwich-Hudson Sts.), 212-524-6790; 151 Spring St. (W. B’way-Wooster St.), 212-226-3691; 230 Columbus Ave. (70th-71st Sts.), 212-362-3676; theory.com tibi – The renowned contemporary dress line, plus a complete shoe line, swimwear, and home accessories. Longer hemlines, flats, and head-to-toe matching pieces in cream silk and herringbone linen make this an easy summer collection. 120 Wooster St. (Prince St.), 212-226-5852; tibi.com Tommy Hilfiger – Featuring the American fashion icon’s collections for men, women and children, including accessories and shoes. 681 Fifth Ave. (54th St.), 212-223-1824; 372 West Broadway (Broome St.), 917-237-0983; tommyhilfiger.com TSE – All things cashmere, for men and women—usually. But, after experimenting with silk, linen, cotton and technical yarn, this collection offers shoppers much more. 120 Wooster St. (Prince St.), 212-925-2520; tsecashmere.com

If you long for that Courtly Check for your vacation home or are just traveling out in the Hamptons and need a hostess gift, MacKenzie-Childs has opened its newest retail store in Southampton, New York. This charming shop showcases the designer’s newest collections of garden furniture and other outdoor items such as the iconic garden gates, upholstered furniture including the new Underpinnings collection with Courtly Check fabric, a full assortment of home décor and gifts and of course, the complete ceramic and enamel tabletop collections.

“The last several years we’ve had great fun expanding our garden collection, as well as breaking new ground in textiles, upholstered furniture and holiday. With all of its fabulous gardens and focus on outdoor life, we think [Southampton] is an ideal place for our new home away from home,” says Rebecca Proctor, MacKenzie-Childs’ Creative Director.

Open year-round Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm and Sunday, 12-5pm; extended hours during peak season and holidays; 31 Main Street, Southampton; 631-2831880. The company operates three other retail stores: 57th Street, New York City; Worth Avenue, Palm Beach; and Aurora, New York. Its products are also sold through its catalog and online at MacKenzie-Childs.com and at over 60 luxury home furnishings retailers in the U.S. including Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, and internationally at Harrods in London.

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Vera Wang – Featuring some of the finest bridal gowns in the world.

991 Madison Ave. (77th St.), 212-628-3400; 158 Mercer St. (Prince St.), 212-382-2184; verawang.com Yves St. Laurent – Refined, modern, elegant, and upscale men’s and women’s apparel, from tailored suits to refined knits. T3 E. 57th St., 212-980-2970; ysl.com

FURS Maximilian at Bloomingdale’s – Offering an extensive collection of premier designer furs of the highest quality and design. 1000 Third Ave. (60th St.), 212-705-3335; maximilian.com

Jewelry and Watches Aaron Basha - A family-owned and -run Madison Avenue staple, Aaron Basha has made its name with high-fashion jewelry pieces, most notably their distinctive jeweled baby shoes and assortment of baby charms (including frogs, ladybugs, flowers, teddy bears, you name it). They feature heirloom-quality jewelry as well, including bracelets, clasps, cuff links, chains, and much more. 680 Madison Ave. (61st St.), 212-935-1960; aaronbasha.com Cartier - A name synonymous with jewelry since 1847. Peruse the coveted classic gold jewelry, innovative new boutique pieces and the complete range of watches, clocks, leather goods, china, and crystal. 828 Madison Ave. (69th St.), 212-472-6400; 653 Fifth Ave. (52nd St.), 212-753-0111; cartier.com Cellini - Rare, one-of-a-kind jewelry and legendary collection of the world’s finest watches. Its reputation goes far and wide with watch connoisseurs, who also know it as a resource for limited edition timepieces. The window displays inside the Waldorf=Astoria flagship have long been one of NYC’s most beautiful fixtures. 301 Park Ave. (49th St.), 212-751-9824; 509 Madison Ave. (53rd St.), 212-888-0505; cellinijewelers.com Chanel Fine Jewelry - The international luxury-goods company’s stand-alone shop for jewelry, which carries the core line of the collection. Take a peek at a modern interpretation of the screens in Coco Chanel’s Parisian apartment.

733 Madison Ave. (64th St.), 212-535-5828; chanel.com David Webb - This high-end jewelry collection is noted for its artlike, one-ofa-kind animal-inspired pieces and uses of bold color, featuring an assorted collection of precious stones, diamonds, and crystals. 789 Madison Avenue.

212.421.3030. davidwebb.com.

F.D - With a luxurious, salon-like space that features a fireplace and a library, jewelry collector/art enthusiast/philanthropist Fiona Druckenmiller’s F.D offers a unique environment for seeking out jewelry, fine art, glass and sculpture from acclaimed designers and craftsmen, including Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, René Boivin, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and more. 21 E. 65th St., 212-772-2440; fionasescape.com Frey Wille USA - Since the 1950s, Frey Wille has produced artistic jewelry of precious enamel, utilizing its unique design concept. An exceptional design philosophy, innovative artistic creations, and brilliant color from the creative team of artists, goldsmiths and experts of fine enameling make for exquisite exclusive jewelry for enthusiasts across the world. 727 Madison Ave. (63rd-64th Sts.), 646-682-9030; frey-wille.com Georg Jensen - Trendsetting, luxury jewelry and watches, faithful to the unique Danish design language and committed to high quality and craftsmanship. The collection focuses on gold and sterling silver jewelry. 687 Madison Ave. (62nd St.), 212-759-6457; 125 Wooster St. (Prince St.), 212-343-9000; georgjensen.com Girard-Perregaux - With a history of watchmaking dating back to 1791, Girard-Perregaux just opened its first U.S. store, a Madison Avenue luxury boutique on the Upper East Side. It’s a beautiful showcase for their authentic Swiss watches for men and women, including the Vintage 1945, ww.tc, Haute

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Horlogerie, and Girard-Perregaux 1966 collections. 701 Madison Ave. (62nd-63rd Sts.), 646-495-9915; girard-perregaux.com Harry Winston - America’s premier jeweler and one of the world’s largest and most prestigious jewelry empires, famous for their huge diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires of the highest quality in hand-made platinum settings.

718 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-245-2000; harrywinston.com Maurice Jewelers - A family-owned business offering custom designed, one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from diamonds and sapphires to rubies and emerald, as well as rare stones such as pink and blue diamonds. Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Cir. (59th St.), 212-823-9393; mauricejewelersny.com

Generations have shopped at Lord & Taylor’s flagship store, established in 1914, attracted by their focus on the quintessential American look and talented American designers, offering a vast selection of sportswear in all sizes, reasonably priced, and particularly fine high-quality, moderately priced shoes and accessories.

From Aug. 10-22, donate new school supplies to kids in need and Lord & Taylor will also donate 1% of kids’ net sales to benefit Kids in Distressed Situations. K.I.D.S. is a global charity of leading retailers, manufacturers, and licensors of children’s and youth products, in partnership with major foundations, committed to helping improve the lives of children and their families who are ill, living in poverty, or are victims of natural disasters. Sponsored by DKNY, Guess Kids, Nina Kids, Quiksilver, Roxy, and Sperry Shoes.

424 Fifth Ave. at 39th St., 212-391-3344; lordandtaylor.com

Davidoff of Geneva is one of the most popular cigar and accessories shop in America, with two warm and welcoming top-of-the-line shops in Manhattan, and the most comfortable smokers’ lounges in the city.

(Speaking of smoking lounges, Davidoff has upgarded their flagship by re-locating just a few blocks from the original location to 515 Madison Ave. at 53rd St., which accommodates an even bigger walk-in humidor and a 300-square-foot smoking lounge.)

Davidoff products—which include lighters, cigar cutters, ashtrays, humidors, cigar cases, pipes, and much more—unite craftsmanship, dedication, and understanding culminating in elegant, innovative, and functional pieces. Davidoff’s glass-walled walk-in humidor also features the best cigars and cigarillos available anywhere— over 1,000 to choose from more than 50 different brands including Davidoff, Winston Churchill, Zino Platinum, AVO, The Griffin’s, Super Selection, Zino, Private Stock, Alec Bradley, Ashton, and many others. 515 Madison Ave. (53rd St.), 212-751-9060; The Shops at Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Cir. (59th St.), 212-823-6383; davidoffnewyork.com

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Reinstein/Ross - Pairing vibrant precious stones and classical goldsmithing techniques, Reinstein/Ross jewelry is designed and hand-fabricated in New York City, in their Madison Avenue shop. Reinstein/Ross jewelry is distinctly contemporary, but reminiscent of Etruscan, Indian and Egyptian jewelry and art, and has a timeless quality. Often featured in magazines, movies and fashion events, the work of Reinstein/Ross has influenced an entire generation of jewelry designers. Custom orders are welcome, including setting your stones in their signature style. 122 Prince St. (Wooster St.), 212-226-4513; 29 E. 73rd St. (Madison Ave.), 212-772-1901; reinsteinross.com Sobral - Energetic and playful, Sobral’s collections of jewelry and home accessories feature bold geometric shapes and lines and vibrant colors, and utilize environmentally friendly techniques. 412 West Broadway (Prince-Spring Sts.), 212-226-2710; sobralusa.com Stephen Russell - Offering one of the most important and carefully chosen vintage jewelry collections available today, complemented with a collection of original contemporary designs. 970 Madison Ave. (76th St.), 212-570-6900; stephenrussell.com Tiffany & Co. - Luxurious merchandise with the tradition of quality, showcasing a wide variety of stones including diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, and the gold and silver signature collections. Other items include china, crystal, silver, watches and clocks, and fragrances. 727 Fifth Ave. (56th St.), 212-755-8000; tiffany.com Tourneau - The luxury-watch store features over 8,000 styles from more than 100 world-famous brands. The TimeMachine on 57th St. is a state-of-the-art watch emporium. The Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-823-9425; 12 E. 57th St., 212-758-7300; 500 Madison Ave. (52nd St.), 212-758-6098; tourneau.com Wempe - With over 125 years of tradition and experience, Wempe offers an impressive selection of fine timepieces and clocks, exquisite 18-karat gold and diamond jewelry, cufflinks, and watch straps. Among the brands in its European-style salon with an elegant and inviting atmosphere, are Patek Philippe, A. Lange and Söhne, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Cartier and JaegerLeCoultre. Wempe has earned its strong reputation for exceptional customer service with its state-of-the-art service center with three full-time watchmakers.700 Fifth Ave. (55th St.), 212-397-9000; wempe.com Yael Sonia - Known for cutting-edge designs and taking a modern approach to jewelry making, Yael Sonia has become synonymous with innovation and sophistication. All pieces are handmade at Sonia’s studio/showroom in Sao Paulo, Brazil and available at the first Yael Sonia art boutique (and the only one in America), located on Madison Avenue. 922 Madison Ave. (73rd-74th Sts.), 212-472-6488; yaelsonia.com

LUGGAGE & LEATHER GOODS Bric’s Madison - The company’s first freestanding store in the U.S., carrying a selection of Bric’s merchandise including luggage, handbags and small accessories, which are currently sold at Barney’s New York, specialty luggage stores, and other luxury department stores. 535 Madison Ave. (54th St.), 212-688-4490; www.brics.it

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Tumi - The premium lifestyle, accessories and travel brand. 53 W. 49th St., 212-245-7460; Grand Central Terminal, 212-973-0015; 1100 Madison Ave., 212-288-8802; Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 212-823-9390; 67 Wall St., 212-742-8020; 102 Prince St., 646-613-9101; 520 Madison Ave., 212-813-0545; tumi.com

Shoes Bally – Leather products featuring old-world artistry blended with modern design, including footwear, handbags, executive cases, luggage, and small leather goods. 628 Madison Ave. (59th St.), 212-751-9082; bally.com Cole Haan –Designer shoes, bags and fine leather accessories, renowned for their timeless luxury.

667 Madison Ave. (61st St.), 212-421-8440; 620 Fifth Ave. (50th St.), 212-765-9747; Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Cir. (59th St.), 212-823-9420; 128 Prince St. (Wooster St.), 212-219-8240; colehaan.com Jimmy Choo – Favored by princesses, celebrities, and elegant women in the know, the Jimmy Choo shoe lines include house, evening, bridal, sandals, as well as matching handbags in equally sumptuous leathers and unique stylings. 716 Madison Ave. (63rd-64th Sts.), 212-759-7078; 645 Fifth Ave. (51st St.), 212-593-0800; jimmychoo.com Manolo Blahnik – One of the world’s most influential international footwear designers.

31 W. 54th St., 212-582-3007; manoloblahnik.com Musette – The Romanian-based footwear brand’s first U.S. flagship store, featuring one-of-a-kind luxury shoes and bags. 438 West Broadway (Prince St.), 917-691-0012; musettegroup.ro Salvatore Ferragamo – Men’s and women’s shoes crafted from superb leathers, from classic business and formal footwear to casual styles with a European flair. 655 Fifth Ave. (52nd-53rd Sts.), 212-759-3822

distinguishes itself with cutting-edge designs, and collections that feature elegant hand-finished details, embellishments, and adornments. Ultra-chic and ultra-feminine, the premier Italian brand brings its sophisticated style to NYC’s glamour girls from size newborn through size 18. 1088 Madison Ave. (81st-82nd Sts.), 212-249-9040; monnalisashopny.com Spring Flowers - The premier shopping destination for the finest European brands of clothing and shoes for girls and boys ages newborn to 12 years.

907 Madison Ave. (72nd-73rd Sts.), 212-717-8182; 538 Madison Ave. (54th-55th Sts.), 212-207-4606; springflowerschildren.com

doctors and Dentists Jan Linhart, D.D.S., P.C. - Cosmetic dentist Dr. Jan Linhart has been listed as one of America’s top dentists by Castle Connolly Consumer Guide and by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.

Dr. Linhart has mastered the various modern, painfree cosmetic dental techniques and procedures that can transform your smile, giving you a renewed sense of self-confidence and well-being. 230 Park Ave. (46th St.), 212-682-5180; drlinhart.com NY Hotel Urgent Medical Services - New York City’s premier 24-hour urgent care center, full-service travel medicine center and house call service. Medical care is provided in the comfort and safety of your hotel room. Dr. Ronald Primas has over 20 years of experience as one of NY’s finest internists. 952 Fifth Ave. (76th St.), Suite 1D, 212-737-1212; travelmd.com

SPAS & SALONS Deva Spa - Deva Spa’s complete spa menu— including a variety of massage styles, facials, body treatments, and mani’s/pedi’s—are given by skilled therapists, using only natural and organic ingredients. 425 Broome St. (Crosby St.), 212-274-8686; devachansalon.com

Stuart Weitzman – Elegant, high-fashion shoes and handbags for women. Also a wide selection of bridal and casual footwear. Shops at Columbus Circle, 212-823-9560; 625 Madison Ave. (59th St.), 212-750-2555; 2151 Broadway (76th St.), 212-873-0983; stuartweitzman.com

Phyto Universe - Unlike traditional spas, Phyto Universe does not offer a menu of wraps and massages; rather, it specializes almost exclusively in hair, scalp and facial treatments based on founder Patrick Ales’ lines of botanical hair products.

715 Lexington Ave. (enter on 58th St. btw. Lexington & Third Aves.), 212-308-0270; phytouniverse.com

CHILDREN

Electronics/PHOTO

LOL Kids - A fun, friendly shop in the fashionable Flatiron District catering to NYC’s hippest girls and boys, size 1 month-size 18. The finest European designer brands such as Sonia Rykiel Enfant, Miss Grant, Magil, Monnalisa, and ZaZieZen. 22 W. 21st St. (Fifth-Sixth Aves.), 212-929-6521; lol-kids.com

The Apple Store - All things Apple. For technical support, head straight to the Genius Bar. The Fifth Avenue location is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 767 Fifth Ave. (59th St.), 212-336-1440; 103 Prince St. (Greene St.), 212-226-3126; 1981 Broadway (67th St.), 212-209-3400; 401 W. 14th St., 212-444-3400; apple.com

Monnalisa - Since its inception in 1968 in Italy, Monnalisa has become the world leader in the high-fashion children’s wear market. The company

DataVision - NYC’s largest computer and video retailer with 3 levels and 30,000 square feet of savings. They feature a full selection of computers,

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5/17/11 5:55 PM

SHOPPINGNEWYORK

Center44, a unique shopping experience in 25,000 square feet is located in the heart of Midtown. It brings together 75 extraordinary international antiques dealers in a block-long showroom of open-room settings. The aisles include 20th century, Deco, Modernism, Futurism and more.

Pictured here is a Italian Rococo style gilt wood mirror, in the 18th century manner, from Urban Eight at Center44 and center44.com. Open to the public from Mon.-Sat., 10am-5pm. 222 E. 44th St., 212-450-7988; center44.com

The “one-stop dental perfection” approach of Jan Linhart D.D.S., P.C. combines two elements: exceptional, cutting-edge dental treatment in a state-of-the-art facility, and the total patient experience. With multiple specialists, you can get on-the-spot evaluations, diagnoses, and proposed treatments with their areas of expertise including implants, orthodontics, periodontal surgery, and endodontics (root canal). Dr. Linhart can take care of all of your general and cosmetic dental needs as well. 230 Park Ave. (46th St.), 212-682-5180; drlinhart.com

With a silversmith and an espresso bar and café on the premises—not to mention over 250 galleries on four floors—Showplace Antique Center is one of the city’s premier destinations for antiques and decorative and fine art. The possibilities within are endless, with Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and mid-century Modern pieces to complement bronze, silver, jewelry, vintage clothing and accessories, ceramics, art glass, antiquities, period furniture, lighting, and much more.

Be sure to save time for the 3rd floor, which features designer room settings and over 50 showcases filled with an eclectic range of decoratives and collectibles. 40 W. 25th St., 212-633-6063; nyshowplace.com

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software, peripherals, digital cameras, camcorders, MP3 players, DVDs, and more. 445 Fifth Ave. (39th St.), 212-689-1111; datavis.com Sony Style - High-tech meets high-touch in this flagship store for sophisticated electronics. In the Home Entertainment Lounge, relax in individual seating areas while sales counselors wheel customized entertainment systems to you. The Showcase area displays smaller electronics, as well as the latest in interactive technology.

550 Madison Ave. (55th-56th Sts.), 212-833-8800; sonystyle.com

CIGARS and ACCESSORIES Davidoff of Geneva - One of the most popular cigar and accessories shop in America, with two warm and welcoming top-of-the-line shops in Manhattan, and the most comfortable smokers lounges in the city. Davidoff products—which include lighters, cigar cutters, ashtrays, humidors, cigar cases, and pipes—unite craftsmanship, dedication, and understanding culminating in elegant, innovative, and functional pieces. 515 Madison Ave. (53rd St.), 212-751-9060; The Shops at Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Cir. (59th St.), 212-823-6383; davidoffnewyork.com

SPORTING GOODS New York Golf Center - Manhattan’s premier golf shop, providing golf enthusiasts with everything they need, on and off the course. With over 13,000 square feet of space, carrying the most comprehensive selection of golf equipment, accessories, clothing and shoes for men, women and children. 131 W. 35th St., 212-564-2255; nygolfcenter.com

Bookstores Imperial Fine Books – This store welcomes collectors, decorators, architects and browsers to view their selection of fine and decorative leather-bound sets, fine bindings, children’s, illustrated, first editions and rare books.

Imperial also does custom bookbinding and appraisals, and offers a color catalogue. 790 Madison Ave. (66th-67th Sts.), 2nd Floor, 212-861-6620; imperialfinebooks.com

TOYS FAO Schwarz - Their famed NY flagship is just steps away from Central Park, and is the ultimate destination for children and their families. The toys are amazing and FAO Schwarz has their own ice cream parlor with sundaes that you can design yourself. Guests can also see and play on the giant piano that was featured in the Tom Hanks movie, Big. 767 Fifth Ave. (58th St.), 212-644-9400; fao.com Toys“R”Us Times Square - The giant toy store features a 60-foot indoor Ferris Wheel, a 4,000-square-foot Barbie dollhouse, a 20-foot animatronic T-Rex dinosaur & more. 1514 Broadway (44th St.), 800-869-7787; toysrustimessquare.com

5/17/11 5:55 PM

day

spas

go for the glow...

By Griffin Miller Spa Editor

Two of New York’ savviest spas and their stellar aestheticians speak to your body-beautiful needs during the height of the heat with pampering élan.

On the Upper East Side: Carpé Indulgence At the Kimara Ahnert Spa, an elegant French townhouse ambience strikes a chord the second you cross the threshold: Louis XVI furniture, Aubusson rugs and pillows and a tasteful arrangement of posh must-haves (exclusive spa and makeup lines, select clothing items, candles, lingerie bags, etc.). At the back of the ground floor, a multi-mirrored haven in which some of the city’s most celebrated makeup experts wield their magic on an ever-growing guest book of discriminating clients.

Certainly celebrities and supermodels are among those drawn to Ahnert’s customized makeup services—from Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tinsley Mortimer, Amanda Peet, Vendela and Brooke Shields to Alexandra von Furstenberg, Christie Brinkley, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Isabella Rossellini. And should fame ever knock at my door, you can add my name to the list, since I too was privy to a cosmetic makeover that included instructions on how to recreate my polished new look at home. FYI: Makeup instruction is one of Kimara’s trademark services. You can pick up tips on concealing double chins, making a full-face appear thinner, and optimizing favorite facial features.

And while Ms. Ahnert may have initially designed her business around her passion for cosmetic products and palettes, over the years she’s expanded her expertise to include a signature collection of facial and body treatments.

Brush Strokes: A small winding staircase connects the intimate upstairs treatment rooms to the makeup salon and reception area below. Here, spa devotees will recognize a typically European-style environment with the emphasis placed directly on the aesthetician and the service at hand. An intriguing menu of facials, peels and masques has pretty much taken the neighborhood (and insiders) by storm, but it’s Ahnert’s 90-minute Parafango Wrap Therapy that will leave you weak in the knees—sans cellulite (or at the very least its most obvious and odious signs).

The treatment involves exfoliation, light massage, and a savory period of downtime swaddled in multiple layers of warmth, but the really amazing aspect is the process: using the softest of brushes, the aesthetician paints your entire body with a thermal mixture of special sea mud and paraffin, leaving you wrapped in a velvety second skin—until the end, when all is peeled off and, as it says in the description, “you are brought to a new level of well-being and relaxation.” 1113 Madison Avenue (at 83rd St.), 212-452-4252, kimara.com

In SoHo: Shimmering Serendipity Not being an expert on feng shui, I hesitate to overthink its relationship to Deva*Spa, the serene downtown subterranean refuge from all things stressful. Still—consciously or not—both design and service-wise, Deva has embraced feng shui’s tenants of harmonious color (neutral and earth tones), nature (organic plants and products), and water (the tranquility lounge is home to a hypnotic fountain encased in glass, plus steam and sauna rooms are among the standard amenities). Candlelight, soothing music and sheer draped curtains deftly add not only to the treatments themselves, but to something akin to post-treatment euphoria.

Starting with the massage (recommended to precede all things facial): knots and strains are addressed according to your personal pressure preferences using a soothing combination of customized techniques, oils and stretches, and Deva’s extensive menu of massages, which includes Bee-u-tiful Signature, My Kneads, Shiatsu, Thai, Hot Stone, Reflexology and Energy Balancing, with a special Mommy Dearest massage experience for mothers-to-be and those who have recently given birth.

Complexion Perfection: The spa’s expansive collection of facial treatments begin with the time-conscious Deva Express (30 minutes dedicated to smoothing and brightening the skin) and escalate to Deva Delux (a 90-minute, anti-aging metamorphosis utilizing two distinct serums, customized masques and a hand massage.) And should 60 minutes be your cut-off point, I recommend the Deva Signature Plus facial, a masterful combination of hydration and skin revitalization targeting “the first signs of aging” that includes a detoxifying back compress and customized cleansing and exfoliation that comes close to duplicating the effects of more intensive microdermabrasion resurfacing.

And just to diffuse any confusion regarding Deva*Spa, it is indeed the offspring of Lorraine Massey, whose initial foray into the beauty cosmos was prompted by her curly hair (“corkscrew curls that stuck out all over her head” from childhood.) Her first ventures involved the founding of the first SoHo Devachan Salon and her subsequent partnering with professional soul-mate Denis Da Silva in 1996. Fast forward to the inevitable: the publication of Curly Girl The Handbook: A Celebration of Curls: How to cut them, care for them, love them, and set them free in 2001 (updated and revised this year); a series of visionary services and products for the curly-haired, from curl-specific highlighting techniques to the DevaFuser for drying curl-endowed tresses to a line of sulfate-free hair products.

By 2007 Massey and Da Silva opened a second SoHo salon, which added Deva*Spa in 2009. And, enhancing its rapidly growing reputation, a year later the spa received a prestigious Best of New York Spas Concierge Choice Award nomination. 425 Broome St. (between Crosby and Lafayette Sts.), 212-274-8686, devachansalon.com.

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5/17/11 5:55 PM

CELEBRITY PROFILE:

Brooke Shields The flawless beauty, who has gone from teenage supermodel to acting superstar, is the new Morticia in Broadway’s hit musical The Addams Family.

By Griffin Miller

Craig Schwartz

I

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t’s all about the dress – stylistically speaking. Not in the reality show or princess bride context, but in the Goth fashionista Addams Family sense.

To wit, the frock in question is a raven-hued, floor-length, skin-tight affair custom-made to transform Brooke Shields’ statuesque frame into grimglam matriarch Morticia Addams. Naturally, the essential Morticia-esque coif – long, dark and straight –completes the look, inspired (along with all the sartorial statements strutting Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne stage) by Charles Addams’ iconic New Yorker cartoons.

When I spoke with Shields prior to the start of rehearsals, she had not yet been fitted for her costumes, but she had seen her Morticia predecessor, Bebe Neuwirth, slither effortlessly to and fro in almost sadistically snug (how fittingly Addams!) gowns. As a result, Shields was mildly apprehensive about how she would deal with the challenge of replacing an actress whose deft movements, deadpan delivery and translucent skin personify all things Morticia.

“Forget filling Bebe’s shoes, what about filling the costume?,” says Shields, whose broad shoulders and six-foot stature (she has at least six inches on the petite Neuwirth) – make a powerfully different visual statement.

Also of concern was the prospect of pulling off the show’s elaborate tango – not only a key showstopping number, but the dance known for physically articulating the passion between Gomez and his beloved “Cara Mia.” As Shields points out, despite her solid musical comedy background in four major Broadway revivals – beginning in 1994 when she replaced Rosie O’Donnell as Betty Rizzo in Grease – the sultry moves associated with the tango had never popped up on her past choreographic radar.

“It’s such an intricate a dance, and you have to be quite adept to carry it

[C ounterclockwise from top: The Charles Addams portrait of Morticia; Shields and Raul Esparza in Leap of Faith in L.A.; as Roxie Hart in Chicago; ]

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5/17/11 7:34 PM

A Most Selective Brooke Shields Timeline 5/31/65

Brooke Christa Shields is born in New York City

1966

Begins her career as an Ivory soap baby at 11 months

1976 Becomes the youngest star to appear on The Muppet Show 1980 Becomes Cosmopolitan’s youngest cover model at age 15 1980-1985 Appears on over 300 magazine covers throughout the world

off,” observes Shields who, shortly after committing to the Broadway production, began studying the tango’s complexly dramatic moves in earnest.

“And besides just executing the dance,” she continues, “I have to take into account the length and weight of the dress as well as the height difference between me and Gomez [Roger Rees].” Shields estimates Rees is somewhere between 5’7” and 5’9” tall. And, of course, Morticia’s wardrobe ante is upped at least an inch or two by wearing heels.

Dress and tango aside, Shields makes it clear that she relishes being a part of the macabre family unit she spent her childhood with. “My mom and I would watch the TV show [with John Astin and Carolyn Jones] together,” she says, adding “It’s so much fun to be involved in something I grew up watching when I was five and six years old.”

Shields’ love of the characters grew even more pronounced after seeing the two film versions that came out in the early 1990s. “That’s when I became totally enamored of the relationship between Gomez and Morticia,” she recalls.

“The coupling of Raul [Julia] and Angelica [Huston] was absolutely amazing.”

In 1996, Shields began to redefine her own career – which had pretty much been defined by the fashion modeling, commercials and film projects that dominated her professional landscape during her teens and 20s – by taking on the pivotal leading role in the workplace sitcom Suddenly Susan at the age of 31. Playing a columnist for a hip San Francisco magazine whose journalistic turf was the singles scene (and her personal experiences navigating its myriad pitfalls), she netted a solid four-season run (ending June 2000) and received two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy.

A year after she bid adieu to Susan, Shields headed back to Broadway to star as Sally Bowles in the revival of Cabaret – which just happened to be the same year she married television writer/producer Chris Henchy; in 2003, she became a first-time mom (with daughter Rowan).

And then life in the Shields lane was pretty much pedal to metal, a blur of motherhood and musicals: her second daughter, Grier, was born in 2006 and in the interim she starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago in London and on Broadway, while making waves as a critically acclaimed replacement for Tony winner Donna Murphy in Wonderful Town.

Now, joining the cast of The Addams Family is a full-circle moment in time for Shields, one she views as both fortuitous and unexpected. “The timing worked out perfectly,” she says, citing an open-ended delay in moving the new musical she was working on last fall in L.A. – Leap of Faith, with four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza – to Broadway.

“After seeing Addams Family – with all the beautiful sets and makeup, and watching the audience love and go nuts over it – I started looking forward to the whole experience – the whole package: the singing, dancing, comedy, pathos – all of it. And, for myself, being back and part of the Broadway community in such a positive way.” n

1983

Begins undergraduate studies at Princeton University

1985

Publishes the autobiographical On Your Own

1987

Graduates Princeton

1996 Debuts sitcom Suddenly Susan, that lasted four successful seasons 4/19/1997 Marries Andre Agassi 4/9/1999

Marriage to Agassi annulled

4/4/2001

Marries Chris Henchy

5/15/2003 Birth of first daughter: Rowan Francis Henchy (NYC) 2005 Publishes Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression (it reached #6 on the New York Times Best Seller list) 4/18/2006 Birth of second daughter, Grier Hammond Henchy (LA) 2008 Publishes children’s book, Welcome to Your World, Baby, with Cori Doerrfeld 2009 Publishes second children’s book with Cori Doerrfeld: It’s the Best Day Ever, Dad! 2/2011 Appears in her own show, In My Life, at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency in NYC, singing and sharing stories from her life and career

The Official “Bet-You-Didn’t Know” Guide To Brooke  Her great-grandmother was the sister of Glenn Close’s grandfather

 H er lineage is filled with royal connections, with direct links to King Henry IV and Louis XIV; and in more recent generations, her grandmother was the Italian princess Donna Marina Torlonia. She went to her high school prom with a guy seven years her senior: actor Ted McGinley (Married with Children)  Her college sweetheart at Princeton was Dean Cain (Lois & Clark)  M ichael Bolton, Liam Neeson, and John Kennedy, Jr. top the list of the high-profile guys she dated over the years  W hile cinematically Brooke’s best known for the films Pretty Baby and Blue Lagoon, from 1983 to 1992 she turned down the following:

o Diane Lane’s role in Frances Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders (’83)

o Ally Sheedy’s role in The Breakfast Club (’85)

o Kelly McGillis’s role in The Accused (’88)

o Melanie Griffith’s role in Working Girl (’88)

o Andie MacDowell’s role in sex, lies and videotape (’89)

o Geena Davis’s role in A League of Their Own (’92)

o Michelle Pfeiffer’s role (Catwoman) in Batman Returns (’92)

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5/18/11 1:30 PM

Joseph Moran

THEATRENEW YORK

the Park at [ Shakespeare in

the Delacorte ]

zounds and forsooth!

a stunning shakespearean summer

By Griffin Miller

During New York’s customary summerscape of productions, one can expect a smattering of Off – and Off-Off – Broadway Shakespeare, often in park settings (BYOB: Bring Your Own Blanket), with the big Bard guns coming out at the Delacorte Theater, where real open-air seating, real stars and free admission provide irresistible allure. But this year, thanks to Lincoln Center’s Summer Festival and the Royal Shakespeare Company, the stakes are raised to the celestial rafters, ensuring that “… thy eternal summer will not fade” (Sonnet 18).

Shakespeare in the Park

Lincoln Center Festival - Royal Shakespeare Company

This year at the Delacorte – where the whims of weather and the sounds of the outside world are badges of this theatre’s urban al fresco mystique – it’s Shakespeare wrapped in repertory for the second year in a row. Measure for Measure and All’s Well That Ends Well are the two plays alternating performances, buoyed by a stellar company of Public Theater veterans and Shakespearean heavyweights. Featured in the mix are Tony winners John Culllum (Shenandoah; Northern Exposure) and Tonya Pinkins (Jelly’s Last Jam; Caroline, or Change), as well as actors Annie Parisse (Alexandra Borgia on Law & Order) and Andre Holland, fresh from his critically acclaimed performance in OffBroadway’s The Whipping Man. “Last year’s experiment in rep was a brilliant success, allowing us to create an acting company of unparalleled depth and ability, and giving us two wonderful productions, The Merchant of Venice and The Winter’s Tale. This year, we are tackling two of the lesser-known jewels of the canon,” notes Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis, adding, “Once again we are creating a repertory company, building on last summer’s success and on our conviction that long-term artistic collaborations create the richest theatrical productions.”

Directing Measure for Measure is former Seattle Repertory and Classic Stage Company artistic director, David Esbjornson, while acclaimed Public Theater direc- June 6 - July 30; shakespeareinthepark.org tor, Daniel Sullivan – who put his stamp on The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino last summer at the Delacorte and on Broadway – is helming All’s Well That Ends Well.

While Shakespeare in the Park is a long-revered tradition in the City That Never Sleeps, this year’s unprecedented competition from the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company transpires in early July when the RSC takes up residence – make that replicates residence – within Manhattan’s Park Avenue Armory. For the record, the 900-seat web-like theatre has been rebuilt from a flat-pack transported to the fortress-sized Armory. (Suffice it to say, serious welding was involved.)

A co-presentation by Lincoln Center Festival and the Park Avenue Armory, in association with The Ohio State University, RSC will present five plays by the Bard of Avon – As You Like It, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet andThe Winter’s Tale – for a total of 44 performances.

As for the playing area, expect to July 6 – August 14; be awed (or as the Brits would say, lincolncenterfesitval.org/rsc “gob-struck”) by the imported reproduction of the new thrust Courtyard “Scarlet & Gray Stage” Theatre designed for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Observes RSC artistic director, Michael Boyd: “We are looking forward to bringing to New York work developed over two and a half years with a single company of actors on a specially built thrust stage, which can only be realized in Park Avenue Armory’s soaring space. I want American audiences to have the opportunity of seeing the very best of our work.”

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5/17/11 7:34 PM

the theatregoer’s

guide

2011 Summer Edition

Suddenly This Summer: A Little Bit Classy; a Little Bit Loopy; a Little Bit Rock and Roll

By Griffin Miller

broadway

* Tony Award Winner

the shows

the stars

the scoop

Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Darius Nichols Kacie Sheik Caren Lyn Tackett

A rare and welcome happenstance has brought the 2008/2009 revival of the 1960s musical back to Broadway for a few months of awesome “Starshine.” Hair’s return follows a nine-month national tour that packed theatres in 20 cities. This “revival revival” features several cast members from the 2008 Delacorte production, including three actors in the roles they originated: Nichols (Hud), Sheik (Jeanie) and Tackett (Sheila). FYI: Patina Miller, who belted “Aquarius” at the Delacorte, is now the lead in Sister Act on Broadway, while Will Swenson, who shared the stage with her in Central Park as Berger (and remained with the show when it transferred to Broadway in 2009) is currently starring in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

(Previews 7/5; opens 7/13 thru 9/10)

Master Class

(Previews 6/14; opens 7/7 thru 8/14)

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (Opens 6/14)

*Tyne Daly Sierra Boggess

Reeve Carney Jennifer Damiano Patrick Page Bono & The Edge (music)

For me, Tyne Daly as diva deluxe Maria Callas – who arrives on Broadway swathed in kudos for her Kennedy Center debut last spring in the revival of Terrence McNally’s brilliant portrait of the operatic icon – is something of enigma, albeit a brilliant one. Daly, unlike her predecessors in the role [Zoe Caldwell (Tony Award), Patti LuPone and Dixie Carter], comes to the character with a resume dominated by earthy women such as blue-collar cop, Mary Beth Lacey on Cagney and Lacey, Maxine Gray on Judging Amy and Nat in the Pulitizer-winning drama Rabbit Hole [OK, LuPone, who morphs earthy at the drop of a hat, is a bit of an overlap – the parallel rising to the top with Gypsy: Both actresses picked up Tonys for embodying the single-minded stage mother.]

On Daly’s take on the role, as Peter Marks in his Washington Post review of the Kennedy Center production, points out: “Where Caldwell made for a dizzyingly ravenous Callas… Daly’s portrayal is less tightly wound, a bit more turned inward,” and “Daly’s Callas is that she’s a little less the monster, a little more fragile – her bluster more easily challenged.” FYI: Boggess, who originated the role of Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid on Broadway, will play Sharon Graham, the aspiring opera star portrayed by Audra McDonald in the original 1995 Broadway production.

The most mondo-budget/headline-grabbing musical of the 21st century will finally open this June (after scores of false starts and jump-the-gun reviews) with a revamped storyline, new director (Phillip William McKinley) and much upbeat buzz. Fans who caught the first version (under Julie Taymor’s direction) and held their breath during the three-week-tweak hiatus that ended 5/12, should book their seats for the new incarnation ASAP. FYI: Christopher Tierney, the ensemble member who made news after a fall during a performance last December, has returned to the show, as has T.V. Carpio (the villainess, Arachne), who was injured onstage mid March.

off-broadway 4000 Miles LCT3 (Previews 6/6; opens 6/20 thru 7/6) Amy

Rent New World Stages (Previews 7/14; opens 8/11) Jonathan

All New People Second Stage Theatre (Previews 6/28; opens

The Shoemaker Acorn Theatre (Previews 7/14; opens 7/24 thru

Death Takes a Holiday Roundabout Theatre Company (Previews 6/10; opens 7/14 thru 9/4) New musical helmed by Tony winners Thomas Meehan and Peter Stone (book), Maurie Yeston (music & lyrics) and Doug Hughes (director).

Sleep No More Punchdrunk Theatre Company (Ongoing) Set in the

Olive and the Bitter Herbs Primary Stages (Previews 7/26;

Through a Glass Darkly Atlantic Theatre Company (In previews;

Herzog’s new play stars Tony winner Mary Louise Wilson (Grey Gardens).

mid-July) Actor/writer Zach Braff (Scrubs; Garden State) penned this new comedy.

opens 8/9; thru 9/3) Tony nominee Charles Busch’s comedy has his Divine Sister costar Julie Halston playing alongside well-known actors Dan Butler and Richard Masur.

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Larson’s Tony-winning Broadway musical returns to NYC in an openended Off-Broadway run.

8/14) Oscar nominee Danny Aiello recreates his film character (from 2007’s critically acclaimed A Broken Sole) in this drama.

McKittrick Hotel, Shakespeare’s Macbeth becomes a site-specific, movable feast in which voyeuristic theatergoers move from one macabre vignette to another.

opens 6/6 thru 7/3) This stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s 1961 film classic features Oscar nominees Carey Mulligan (An Education) and Chris Sarandon (Dog Day Afternoon).

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5/17/11 7:34 PM

ON THE TOWN

THEATRE

Joan Marcus

New York

LATTER DAY SAINTS

48

Trey Parker and Matt Stone—masterminds behind the long-running Comedy Central series South Park—garnered 14 Tony nominations for their Broadway writing debut The Book of Mormon, a new original musical comedy following a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. And if you can’t get tickets, the next best thing might be to grab the original Broadway cast recording, released by Ghostlight Records on Tuesday, June 7 (available digitally now). For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit bookofmormonbroadway.com.

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5/17/11 6:09 PM

ON THE TOWN SPOTLIGHT

PERFORMING ARTS p.60

Please call the box offices for showtimes.

All listings subject to change BROADWAY The Addams Family - (Musical) A new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. Starring Brooke Shields from June 28.

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St., 212-3074100; theaddamsfamilymusical.com Anything Goes - (Musical) All aboard for this new production of Cole Porter’s musical romp across the Atlantic starring Tony Award winners Joel Grey and Sutton Foster, featuring songs like “You’re the Top,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “Anything Goes.” Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124 W. 43rd St., 212-239-6200; roundabouttheatre.org Arcadia - (Drama) Billy Crudup, Raúl Esparza, and Margaret Colin star in Tom Stoppard’s critically acclaimed, dazzling, witty work of misunderstanding and quest for knowledge, resonating across centuries. Directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux. Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St., 212-239-6200; arcadiabroadway.com (Through 6/19) Baby It’s You - (Musical) This new musical tells the inspiring story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who changed the recording world forever when she discovered The Shirelles and created Scepter Records, becoming the music industry’s first female powerhouse.

Starring Tony Award winner Beth Leavel, and written by Tony-nominated book writers Mutrux and Colin Escott (Million Dollar Quartet).

Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200 Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo - (Play) Robin Williams makes his Broadway debut in Rajiv Joseph’s darkly comic tale narrated by a tiger held captive in the Baghdad Zoo. The play follows the intertwined lives of two American marines and one Iraqi gardener as they search through the rubble of war for friendship, redemption and a toilet seat made of gold.

Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., 800-745-3000; bengaltigeronbroadway.com

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MUSEUMS p.68

Billy Elliot: The Musical - (Musical) Set against the backdrop of a struggling English coal-mining town, the show—a celebration of a young boy’s dream to follow his passion for dance despite all odds—is a study in inspirational and entertaining musical theatre. Peter Darling choreographs, Sir Elton John wrote the score, and three young talents alternate in the title role. Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; billyelliotbroadway.com The Book of Mormon - (Musical) South Park’s Matt Stone and Trey Parker join forces with Avenue Q’s Tony-winning co-creator Robert Lopez to make their musical-writing debut, about a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th St., 212-239-6200; bookofmormononbroadway.com Born Yesterday - (Comedy) Jim Belushi and Nina Arianda head the cast of Garson Kanin’s award-winning comedy about sex and politics.

A timeless and timely story of a not-so-honest businessman and a not-so-dumb blonde out to “capitalize” on everything Washington has to offer. Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48th St., 212-239-6200; bornyesterdayonbroadway.com Catch Me If You Can - (Musical) The astonishing true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., a worldclass con artist who passed himself off as a doctor, a lawyer, and a jet pilot—all before the age of 21.

With straight-arrow FBI agent Carl Hanratty on Frank’s trail, we’re off on a jet-setting, cat-andmouse chase, as a jazzy, swinging-’60s score keeps this adventure in constant motion. Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St., 877-250-2929 Chicago - (Musical Revival) Kander and Ebb’s long-running “musical vaudeville” follows murderous vixen Roxie Hart, who gains notoriety from prison and locks horns with prison diva Velma Kelly when they both vie for the attentions of the hottest lawyer in town: Billy Flynn.

Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St., 212-239-6200; chicagothemusical.com Ghetto Klown - (Comedy) This new solo show is the next chapter in John Leguizamo’s hugely popular personal and professional story. It follows in the unabashed, uncensored, and uninhibited tradition of his Mambo Mouth, Spic-O-Rama, Freak, and Sexaholix...a Love Story. In Ghetto

SIGHTSEEING p.78

Klown, Leguizamo takes audiences from his adolescent memories in Queens to the early days of his acting career during the ’80s avant-garde theatre scene, and on to the sets of major motion pictures with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Lyceum Theatre, 149 W. 45th St., 800-432-7250; ghettoklown.com Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical - (Musical) Hair’s triumphant return to Broadway follows on the heels of its successful first national tour of 20 cities in 9 months during the 2010-2011 season and features original revival cast members. St. James Theater, 246 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; hairbroadway.com (Previews begin 7/5 for a 7/13 opening; through 9/10) The House of Blue Leaves - (Play) Ben Stiller and Edie Falco return to Broadway in John Guare’s comic masterpiece. Stiller is a zookeeper and wannabe songwriter who is trying to cope with a schizophrenic wife, an impatient girlfriend and a visit from the Pope, all while sustaining his dream of hitting it big. Jennifer Jason Leigh also stars in this satirical take on celebrity, religion, and the frequent merging of the two. Walter Kerr Theater, 219 W. 48th St., 212-239-6200; houseofblueleaves.com (Through 7/23) How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - (Musical) Following the advice of a book, a young window-cleaner (Daniel Radcliffe) begins a meteoric rise from the mail-room to Vice President of Advertising at the World-Wide Wicket Company. Featuring Frank Loesser’s famous score and an array of hit standards.

Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., 212-239-6200; howtosucceedbroadway.com The Importance of Being Earnest - (Play) The fabulous Brian Bedford directs and stars as the formidable Lady Bracknell in this Stratford Shakespeare Festival import of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy of mistaken identity skewering Victorian codes of propriety and etiquette. The plot centers around two dashing young friends, John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, and their convoluted courtships of Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St., 212-719-1300; roundabouttheatre.org (Through 7/3) Jersey Boys - (Musical) Based on the life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, this musical chronicles the rise to superstardom of a group

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of blue-collar kids from the wrong side of the tracks during the 1960s. Filled with just about every major Four Seasons hit, from “Sherry” and “Rag Doll” to “You’re Just Too Good to Be True.” August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 52nd St., 212-239-6200; jerseyboysbroadway.com

BLUE VALENTINE Ben Stiller plays a zookeeper/wannabe songwriter and Edie Falco is his schizophrenic wife in John Guare’s The House of Blue Leaves, a satirical take on celebrity, religion, and the frequent merging of the two. The revival also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit houseofblueleaves.com.

Jerusalem - (Play) Tony and Olivier Awardwinning star Mark Rylance recreates his wildly acclaimed, multi award-winning performance as Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron in the Royal Court Theatre production of Jez Butterworth’s new play. In the woods of South West England, Byron, former daredevil motorcyclist and modern-day Pied Piper, is a wanted man. The council officials want to serve him an eviction notice, his son wants to be taken to the country fair, a stepfather wants to give him a serious kicking and friends want his ample supply of drugs and alcohol. Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; jerusalembroadway.com The Lion King - (Musical) The Tony- and Olivier Award-winning stage version of Disney’s celebrated animated feature follows the lion cub Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role of king of the jungle. Filled with colorful characters and Grammy-winning numbers by Elton John and Tim Rice. Directed by Julie Taymor.

The Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., 866-870-2717; disneyonbroadway.com Mamma Mia! - (Musical) Set on a Greek isle, this clever hit musical romance incorporates 22 ABBA songs (“Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You”) into a story about a single mother and her daughter on the eve of the daughter’s wedding—and three men who could be the bride’s father. Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway (50th St.), 212-563-5544; mamma-mia.com Mary Poppins - (Musical) Based on the P.L. Travers stories and the Oscar-winning film, this fast-paced, heartwarming musical about the world’s most famous nanny boasts numbers from both the original film as well as new songs

by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd St., 866-870-2717; disneyonbroadway.com

ALL YOU NEED IS LIVE Chronologically, RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles begins in February 1964, tracking the Fab Four from their first U.S. appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show to their legendary Shea Stadium concert and beyond: the Sgt. Pepper era, as well as songs from The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be—performed in the studio only, never on the concert circuit. For tickets, call 877-250-2929 or visit raintribute.com.

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Master Class - (Play) Terrence McNally’s awardwinning play about Maria Callas (Tyne Daly) takes us to one of her famous master classes where, late in her own career, she challenges the next generation to make the same sacrifices she did, making her the most celebrated—and the most controversial—singer of her time. Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St., 212-239-6200; mtc-nyc.org (Previews begin 6/14 for a 7/7 opening; through 8/14) Memphis - (Musical) From the dance halls of Memphis, Tennessee comes this “hot and

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bothered” Tony-winning musical set in the turbulent south of the 1950s. It tells the story of Huey Calhoun, a white radio DJ whose love of good music transcends race lines and airwaves.

Shubert Theatre, 225 W. 44th St., 212-2396200; memphisthemusical.com Million Dollar Quartet - (Musical) A musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together four of the most legendary figures in the history of rock n’ roll—Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley. Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St., 212-307-4100; milliondollarquartetlive.com The Mother With the Hat - (Play) A new highoctane, verbal cage match about love, fidelity, and misplaced haberdashery from playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis. Jackie and Veronica have been in love since the 8th grade. But now, Jackie is on parole and living clean and sober under the guidance of his sponsor, Ralph D, while still living and loving with his volatile soul mate Veronica who is fiercely loving, but far from sober. Nothing can come between them—except a hat. Starring Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Annabella Sciorra and Yul Vázquez. Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; themfwiththehat.com (Through 7/17) The Normal Heart - (Play) Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking play focuses on the early years of the AIDS plague in New York and the criminal silence of America’s political and media powers in addressing the issue. Joel Grey directs this new production starring Joe Mantello, as Ned Weeks and Ellen Barkin, as Dr. Emma Brookner.

John Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; thenormalheartbroadway.com (Through 7/10) The People in the Picture - (Musical) Once the darling of the Yiddish Theatre in pre-war Poland, now a grandmother in New York City, Bubbie (Donna Murphy) has had quite a life.

But what will it all mean if she can’t pass on her stories to the next generation? Though her tales enchant her granddaughter, her daughter will do anything to keep from looking back. Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St., 212-719-9393; roundabouttheatre.org (Through 6/19) The Phantom of the Opera - (Musical) Gaston Leroux’s famous period thriller now reigns as Broadway’s most legendary grand dame, having broken countless records as it continues to thrill new generations of theatregoers. Majestic Theatre, 247 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; thephantomoftheopera.com Priscilla Queen of the Desert - (Musical) Olivier Award nominee Tony Sheldon, Tony Award nominee Will Swenson and Nick Adams star as the trio of friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the

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middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed.

With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, Priscilla is a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous.

Palace Theatre, 1554 Broadway (47th St.), 877-250-2929; priscillaonbroadway.com Rain - A Tribute to The Beatles on Broadway - (Musical) This multimedia concert recaptures the era through all phases of The Beatles’ musical career including Shea Stadium, the psychedelic late ’60s, and their long-haired, hard-rocking rooftop days. Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th St., 212-307-4100; raintribute.com Rock of Ages - (Musical) This show is a true crowd-pleaser with its high-energy retro score made up of 1980s hits by Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia and Whitesnake. Set at a Hollywood rock club, the show tracks an aspiring young rocker and a small-town girl chasing her dreams. Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; rockofagesmusical.com Sister Act - (Musical) Based on the feature film, Sister Act features an original Alan Menken/ Glenn Slater score with a vast inspiration of musical styles from Motown, soul and funk to great big disco anthems and Barry White-inspired musical comedy. Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway (53rd St.), 212-239-6200; sisteractbroadway.com Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark - (Musical) A new take on the mythic tale of Peter Parker, who’s bitten by a radioactive spider and wakes up with supernatural powers. With music and lyrics by Bono and the Edge of U2. Foxwoods Theatre, 213 W. 42nd St., 800-745-3000; spidermanonbroadway.com (In previews for a 6/14 opening) War Horse - (Play) At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a mission to find him and bring him home. Vivian Beaumont Theatre, 150 W. 65th St., 212-239-6200; warhorseonbroadway.com Wicked - (Musical) Set in Oz before the arrival of Dorothy, this knock-out production follows the friendship between two girls—one smart, misunderstood, with green skin; the other beautiful, popular, and ambitious—who grow up to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Gershwin Theatre, 222 W. 51st St., 212-307-4100; wickedthemusical.com

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OFF-BROADWAY 4000 Miles - (Play) After losing his best friend while they were on a cross-country bike trip, 21-year-old Leo (Gabriel Ebert) seeks solace from his feisty 91-year-old grandmother (Mary Louise Wilson) in her West Village apartment. The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 W. 42nd St., 646-223-3010; lct.org (Previews begin 6/6 for a 6/20 opening; through 7/6) All New People - (Play) In this world premiere written by Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State), it’s the dead of winter and the summer vacation getaway of Long Beach Island, New Jersey is desolate and blanketed in snow. Charlie is 35, heartbroken and just wants some time away from the rest of the world. The island ghost town seems to be the perfect escape until his solitude is interrupted by a motley parade of misfits who show up and change his plans. Second Stage Theatre, 305 W. 43rd St., 212-246-4422; 2st.com (Opening 6/28)

SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS

Avenue Q - (Musical) Singing puppets and their human neighbors make up the residents of Avenue Q, a fictional New York City street where a collection of twenty-somethings struggle to find their way in the world. New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., 212-239-6200; avenueq.com

Joan Marcus

Daniel Radcliffe is a charismatic J. Pierpont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying—complete with an American accent and irresistible songand-dance-man allure. When he teams up with John Larroquette, it’s sheer musical comedy heaven. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit howtosucceedbroadway.com.

Black Angels Over Tuskegee - (Play) Layon Gray’s historical drama based on true events. Six men explore their struggle with Jim Crow, their intelligence, patriotism, dreams of an inclusive fair society, and brotherhood as they become the first African-American fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Forces. St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., 212-239-6200 Blue Man Group - (Spectacle) Best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows, the trio of post-modern clowns known as Blue Man Group combines music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment.

Astor Place Theatre, 434 Lafayette St. (so. of Astor Pl.), 212-254-4370; blueman.com

RAINBOW COALITION Like the 1994 film it’s based on, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, an effervescent jukebox musical orchestrated by Simon Phillips, follows Bernadette, Tick, and Adam as they journey from Sydney to Alice Springs to perform at a casino owned by Tick’s estranged wife. For tickets, call 877-250-2929 or visit priscillaonbroadway.com.

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Death Takes a Holiday - (Musical) It’s just after the first World War and the loneliest of souls arrives at an Italian villa disguised as a handsome young Prince, and for the first time experiences the joys and heartbreaks of life. But when he unexpectedly falls in love with a newly engaged young woman, the mysterious stranger discovers that love may in fact be stronger than death. Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, 111 W. 46th St., 212-719-1300; roundabouttheatre.org The Fantasticks - (Musical) A romantic classic centered on the simple love story of a boy, a girl, two fathers, and a wall. Snapple Theater Center, 1627 Broadway, 212-307-4100; thefantasticks.com Fuerza Bruta: Look Up - (Spectacle) Breaking free from the confines of spoken language and theatrical

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convention, this new show from the creators of De La Guarda immerses performers and audience in an environment that floods the senses and makes the imagination soar. Daryl Roth Theatre, 20 Union Square E. (15th St.), 212-239-6200; fuerzabruta.net ImaginOcean - (Musical) John Tartaglia’s amazing musical for families takes audiences on an underwater journey full of surprises and special effects.

New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., 212-239-6200; newworldstages.com The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures - (Play) The New York premiere of Tony Kushner’s play about a retired longshoreman who summons his children to the family’s Brooklyn brownstone for a series of shocking announcements.

The play explores revolution, radicalism, marriage, sex, prostitution, politics, real estate, unions of all kinds and debts both repaid and unpayable. The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., 212-967-7555; pulictheater.org (Through 6/12) La Barbería - (Play) This new Spanglish comedic drama by David Maldonado and Ari Maniel Cruz is a funny, yet emotional journey of hope, identity, and assimilation. Performed mostly in Spanish.

New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., 212-239-6200; newworldstages.com Line - (Play) Israel Horovitz’s classic comedy about five people standing in line has been playing Off-Off Broadway for many years—in fact, it’s inching up on the 40-year mark and has become the longestrunning play in Off-Off Broadway history. 13th Street Repertory, 50 W. 13th St., 212-352-0255; 13thstreetrep.org Love, Loss and What I Wore - (Play) Written by Nora and Delia Ephron, this collection of vignettes and monologues based on the best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman, as well as on the recollections of the Ephrons’ friends, features rotating celebrity cast of five lending their talents to this female-centric show. Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St., 212-239-6200; lovelossonstage.com A Minister’s Wife - (Musical) Conceived and directed by Michael Halberstam, with music by Joshua Schmidt and lyrics by Jan Tranen, the show is based on the 1898 version of Shaw’s play, and explores the fires burning beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary marriage. Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, 150 W. 65th St., 212-239-6200; lct.org Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating, & Marriage - (Play) Based on Abigail Grotke’s popular book that promises “classic advice for contemporary dilemmas.” Miss Abigail (played by Joyce DeWitt of Three’s Company) takes you back to a simpler time, before booty calls and speed-dating, back when the divorce rate wasn’t 50 percent and “Fidelity” was more than an investment firm. Sofia’s Restaurant Downstairs Theater, 221 W. 46th St., 877-964-7722; missabigailsguide.com

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SUPERSHOW PICKS

Murdered by the Mob - (Interactive) Join a private audience with the Don, mingle with mobsters and molls, and meet the new “Boss of Bosses.” It’s the party of the year celebrating the induction of the newest crime boss and everyone’s invited. Amo Dinner Theatre, 141 W. 38th St., 800-MURDER-INC; murdermysteryinc.com

FROM THE 2010-2011 TONY AWARDS Yes, the Tony Awards are history, but many of the top-tier shows and stars will be welcoming Broadway theatergoers over the next few months. So here are my summer suggestions—categorized for your personal maximum viewing satisfaction!

My Big Gay Italian Wedding - (Comedy) Two handsome grooms, one overbearing Italian mother, a jealous ex-boyfriend, the wedding planner from Hell, and an assortment of kooky family and friends all gather for this new comedy St. Luke’s Theater, 308 W. 46th St., 212-239-6200; biggayitalianwedding.com

For the adventurously irreverent: Musicals: The Book of Mormon (explicit); Sister Act (adorable). Plays: Jerusalem (funny & mesmerizing); The Mother With the Hat (funny & heartbreaking)

[S ister Act ]

Joan Marcus

Naked Boys Singing - (Musical) Hunky guys in the altogether perform 16 musical numbers. New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., 212-239-6200; newworldstages.com

[ The Mother With the Hat ]

For lovers of vintage comedy: Musicals: Anything Goes (classic); How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (’60s retro). Plays: Born Yesterday (a revival revelation)

Perfect Crime - (Mystery) The long-running hit cat-and-mouse thriller about a wealthy female psychiatrist who has returned to America and a bizarre murder. Snapple Theater Center, 210 W. 50th St., 212-307-4100; perfect-crime.com

Joan Marcus

[A nything Goes ]

For drama buffs: Plays: The Normal Heart (three hanky-minimum); War Horse (animal lovers: an entire box of Kleenex) — Griffin Miller

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Olive and the Bitter Herbs - (Comedy) In playwright Charles Busch’s latest comedy, actress Olive Fisher sees a ghost in her mirror, but that’s the least of her problems. Her radiator’s broken, the couple next door stinks up her apartment with exotic cheeses, and the highlight of her long career was a sausage commercial in the ’80s.

While she’s not the most popular tenant, her neighbors invite themselves over and she finds herself hosting a Passover Seder. But are Olive’s guests there to see her or the mysterious man in her mirror? Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters, 59 E. 59th St., 212-279-4200; primarystages.org (Previews begin 7/26 for an 8/9 opening; through 9/3)

Rent - (Musical) Rent returns to NYC in a new production directed by Michael Greif, who directed the show’s original off-Broadway and Broadway productions. Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about being young and learning to survive in NYC. It’s about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize, Rent has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that really resonates. New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., 212-947-8844; siteforrent.com (Previews begin 7/14 for an 8/11 opening) The Shoemaker - (Drama) Oscar nominee Danny Aiello stars in the world premiere of Susan Charlotte’s drama, presented by Cause Celebrè. Set in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, the drama focuses on a shoemaker, an Italian Jew, on a devastating day that has become a turning point in American history. As each hour passes he confronts yet another part of his past, present and an uncertain future. Acorn Theater, 410 W. 42nd St.,

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212-239-6200; causecelebre.info (Previews begin 7/14 for a 7/24 opening; through 8/14) Sleep No More - (Interactive) A legendary hotel.

Shakespeare’s fallen hero. A film noir shadow of suspense. Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More is an awardwinning theatrical experience that tells Shakespeare’s classic tragedy through the lens of a film noir movie.

Audiences move freely through the epic world of the story at their own pace, choosing where to go and what to see, and everyone’s journey is different and unique. The McKittrick Hotel, 530 W. 27th St., 212-352-3101; sleepnomorenyc.com (Through 6/25) Stomp - (Musical) Springing from Brit clubs and an urban aesthetic, this eight-member theatre of percussion has caused sensation after sensation at each of its international appearances—and what can only be called a big bang in the Big Apple.

Orpheum Theatre, 126 Second Ave. (7th St.St. Marks Pl.), 212-307-4100; stomponline.com Through a Glass Darkly - (Play) Academy Awardand Golden Globe Award-nominated film star Carey Mulligan (An Education) stars in the U.S. premiere of a play based on the Academy Awardwinning Ingmar Bergman film. New York Theatre Workshop, 79 E. 4th St., 212-279-4200; atlantictheater.org (In previews for 6/6 opening; through 7/3) SUMMER THEATRE FESTIVALS 33rd Marathon of One-Act Plays Series A, through June 18; Series B, June 4-25: ensemblestudiotheatre.org The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity June 1-26: planetconnections.org The 14th Annual Black Box New Play Festival June 2-26: galleryplayers.com TeatroStageFest 2011 June 4-18: teatrostagefest.org Clubbed Thumb Summerworks 2011 June 5-25: clubbedthumb.org Lincoln Center Festival July 5-August 24: lincolncenterfestival.org Midtown International Theatre Festival July 11-31: midtownfestival.org 2011 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival July 19-24: samuelfrench.com/oobfestival The New York International Fringe Festival Aug 12-28: fringenyc.org

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MUSICNEW YORK

classical is a contender

At the Lincoln Center Festival, classical music – often in the background during the annual summer event – has a front row seat.

By Martin Bernheimer

Miklos Szabo

T

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[ The Royal Danish Opera in Selma Ježková: from left to right: Carl Philip Levin (foreground), Ylva Kihlberg, Gert Henning-Jensen, Ulla Kudsk Jensen, and Guido Paevatalu ]

he Lincoln Center Festival has always brought unusual, sometimes positively esoteric, adventures to quiet New York in the summertime, with a primary focus on theatre, dance and the visual arts. For some reason, socalled classical music has tended to play second fiddle, however, to ethno-pop and folk exploration. Not this year.

The schedule for 2011, which spans July 5 and August 15, offers an exceptionally generous sampling of orchestral and operatic efforts – some big, some small, some relatively conventional, some experimental and all intriguing.

The mighty Cleveland Orchestra and its controversial Austrian music director, Franz Welser-Möst, champion the grandiosity of Anton Bruckner in a quartet of concerts at Avery Fisher Hall (normally home of the New York Philharmonic). This virtually unprecedented series, July 13, 14, 16 and 17, concentrates on four of the sprawling late symphonies of the ultra-romantic pioneer Welser-Möst piquantly calls “a great neglected master and the grandfather of minimalism.” To bolster the perceived stylistic connection between past and present, the maestro adds three relatively easy, emphatically modern pieces

by John Adams: the Guide to Strange Places, the Violin Concerto (a vehicle for the brilliant Leila Josefowicz) and the Doctor Atomic Symphony. Strange but, we hope, stimulating billfellows.

The Royal Danish Orchestra of Copenhagen, led by its resident chieftain, Michael Schønwandt, comes up with mostly Scandinavian treats on July 28 at Alice Tully Hall and July 30 at the intimate Kaplan Penthouse. The first concert contrasts Carl Nielsen’s calm, seldom-heard Pan and Syrinx and his Clarinet Concerto with Stravinsky’s bright and sassy Pulcinella. The second concert concentrates on chamber-music rarities of Nielsen and Johan Svendsen. Incidental intelligence: In a fit of fury during a domestic quarrel in 1883, Svendsen’s wife burned the only copy of his Third Symphony. The calamitous episode was immortalized by Henrik Ibsen in Hedda Gabler.

Symphonic splendor aside, the big news of the summer in and near our great cultural-shopping mall involves a pair of dissimilar operatic novelties.

On July 5, the Festival presents the U.S. premiere of Peter Brook’s strippeddown adaptation of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, titled A Magic Flute. Significantly, the master director imposes the article a in place of the original the.

Performances, continuing through July 17, take place at the lovely Gerald W. Lynch Theater in the incongruous John Jay College of Criminal Justice. On July 29 at the Rose Theater (hidden in the upper reaches of the Time Warner Center, Broadway and 60th St.), the Royal Danish Opera offers the first U.S. performance of Poul Ruders’ Selma Ježková. Based on Lars von Trier’s awardwinning 2000 film, Dancer in the Dark, and previously called that, it created

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Photos on this page: © Pascal Victor/ArtComArt

[ From the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord production of A Magic Flute ]

a considerable stir when first performed in Copenhagen last September.

Brook’s version of Mozart’s beloved fairy-tale opera represents an affectionate reduction of the hardy original. It lasts 90 minutes and enlists only a pianist, two actors and seven young singers. Now 86, Brook created it last year for his Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris, the ancient music-hall ruin lurking behind the unfashionable Gare du Nord. Before turning his attention to Mozartean magic, he performed similarly drastic surgery on Bizet (La Tragedie de Carmen, 1983) and Debussy (Impressions de Pelléas, 1992).

For his Flute, Brook uses French for the dialogue passages, accompanied in melodramatic fashion by recycled piano music, and German for the arias and ensembles. Lincoln Center provides English supertitles. The scenery consists primarily of bamboo poles, and the cast – simply clad in western garb with Asian accents – is of course barefoot. The aim, according to the auteur, is a “light effervescent Flute, where an intimacy with the performers will allow the tenderness and the depth of the score to appear.” Banished in this idealistic quest are the three ladies who serve the Queen of the Night, the three boys who guide the hero on his path to enlightenment and all traces of Masonic imagery. Added, on the other hand, is a Mozart song for little Papagena, the central comedian’s formerly incidental girlfriend.

The complexities of The Magic Flute have always attracted directors who may lack operatic credentials. Ingmar Bergman created a magnificent film version in 1975 (Trollflöjten), and Julie Taymor, she of Spider-Man infamy, had her beguiling way with the challenge at the Met in 2004. Brook wants to keep expectations for his interpretation modest. “If you come to this produc-

tion looking for something that will slam you in the eyes,” he says, “you’ve come to the wrong address.”

Selma Ježková is even more compact than Brooks’ Flute. Lasting only 70 minutes, the opera is half as long as the film that inspired it. Ruders, born in 1949, has illustrated the turbulent plot with music that, we are told, is partly sentimental, partly expressionistic, sometimes brutal, often tender and essentially theatrical.

The plot concerns the plight of Selma – a tour de force in the movie for the Icelandic singing actress known as Björk – who sacrifices her own life in order to assure vital eye surgery for her son. Ruders and his terse librettist, Henrik Engelbrecht, use Selma’s saga to explore ethics of crime and punishment as related to dilemmas of conscience. The stage director is Kasper Holten, manager of the Royal Danish Opera, and the set, reportedly “epic gothic,” has been deLincoln Center signed by Christian July 5 - August 15; lincolncenterfestival.org Lemmerz. Surprisingly, perhaps, the opera is sung in English, with English supertitles projected atop the proscenium lest anyone miss a distressing word. In this intellectually and emotionally demanding opera, nothing, it would seem, can be redundant. n Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Martin Bernheimer covers music in New York for the Financial Times and Opera magazine. His last piece in Promenade was on the Met Opera’s, Le Comte Ory.

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Gene Schiavone

Samuel Zakuto

DANCENEW YORK

[ The American Ballet Theatre’s Cory Stearns in Swan Lake ]

his star turn

Cory Stearns, dancer and model, will perform for the first time in New York as a principal during the ABT’s Metropolitan Opera House season. His ringlets, virtuosity and elegance will be on display in a new work and the classics.

By Sylviane Gold

S

trong, technically secure, and piercingly handsome, Cory Stearns has risen steadily through the ranks since arriving at American Ballet Theatre in 2005. In January, he attained the top rank of principal dancer, so now, at 25, he’s officially a star.

This summer’s Metropolitan Opera House season is the first time the home crowd will see Stearns dance as a principal. His ringlets, virtuosity, and unforced elegance will be on display through July 9 in a new ballet by Christopher Wheeldon as well as in classic works like The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. And in Alexei Ratmansky’s popular Bright Stream, audiences will get a glimpse of his comedic skills as he dons toe shoes and a tutu.

His new salary comes with new visibility and major roles to learn. But Stearns is keeping his cool. In fact, he says, he first had trouble believing that he had really become a principal. “Any goal you have had since childhood

that you actually accomplish – it just feels very strange,” he says. “It’s hard to understand that you’ve accomplished it.”

As it began to sink in, it brought on feelings of anxiety rather than elation. “I have very high standards for ABT principals,” Stearns says. “So I felt a lot of weight, a lot of pressure.” Right after his promotion, one of the ABT ballet masters noticed that he was hunching his shoulders more than usual. “We couldn’t figure out why I was doing that,” he says. “And then I did figure it out. It was because I was feeling kind of self-conscious about the fact that I had just been promoted.”

Now that he’s had a few months to get used to the idea, he’s found his equilibrium. “Even though I’m a principal,” he says, “there are still good days and bad days. It’s still a process. And if ABT trusts me, then I should trust me. So I feel much more comfortable. And I have worked so hard.”

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Sylviane Gold has written about the arts for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsday and Dance Magazine. Her last piece for Promenade was on Martha Graham’s legacy among today’s modern dance companies.

Natasha Razina

That pattern was set early in his childhood, in the beach town of Mattituck, a hamlet at the far end of New York City’s eastern neighbor, Long Island. Having an athletic older brother turned him into a tough competitor.

Whether it was soccer or baseball or tennis, his approach was the same: “I try to do everything the best I can,” he says. In dance class, he recalls, “I would compete with the girls.”

But ballet was just one activity among many until he was 11, when he enrolled in a summer dance program offered by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

The experience opened his eyes to possibilities he had not yet dreamt of. Also, he says, “it made me realize how far I had to go to become a good dancer.”

From then on, dance became his focus. And when he was 15, his ballet world expanded still further: he won a scholarship to London’s elite Royal Ballet School, refining his technique and performing with the company on tour.

He followed his girlfriend home to the States three years later, and soon began his conquest of ABT. And although he’s gotten to the top of the ladder, he knows he’s not done yet. “I have a long journey ahead of me,” he says. “Most young dancers’ perspective is to go onstage and perform lots of pirouettes, remain on balance, do high jumps, all that kind of stuff. But I’m at a point now where I don’t have to worry about proving myself. I can just develop myself into an artist – that’s what makes a real ABT principal.”

In the unlikely event that he changes his mind, he has a fallback. While picking up a sandwich at a deli in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, which is home to photo studios and model agencies as well as ABT, Stearns was approached by an agent, and he soon found himself with a lucrative sideline.

“It’s very difficult,” he says of the modeling life. “You go to this place and there’s a line of 100 people. You wait there for 30 minutes and they talk to you for like 30 seconds, and most of the time you don’t get the job.” When he does, he says, he sees it as “a cherry on top” of his day job, which is and will remain ballet.

Although he’s modeled for both photo American Ballet Theatre Metropolitan Opera House shoots and fashion shows, he’s far from a 212-477-3030; abt.org. fashion plate. The fancy tuxes he wears to ABT galas are borrowed from designer Zang Toi, who’s become a friend.

Stearns appreciates the perfect fit, the fine fabrics, and the exquisite tailoring, but for now he won’t pay for them. “One day,” he says, “if I am financially comfortable, I will invest in a more prestigious wardrobe.”

He has the same take-it-slow attitude about another aspect of his life.

When he was promoted, his father suggested that it might be time to find, well, a more prestigious apartment. But Stearns isn’t looking to move from his 5th-floor walkup in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan. “It’s a great deal,” he says. “I don’t want to get rid of it.” n

[ The Mariinsky Ballet’s Anna Karenina ]

ah... the Russians are here It’s been known as the Imperial Russian Ballet, the Soviet Ballet, the Kirov Ballet, and the Mariinsky. But under all its names, St. Petersburg’s principal ballet company has been considered the pinnacle of European dance – a Russian luxury, like caviar, ermine, and Fabergé eggs. Think nonpareil Russian ballet – Nijinsky, Pavlova, Nureyev, Makarova, Baryshnikov – and you’re thinking Mariinsky. And for one week this summer, from July 11-16, this elite company will be ensconced at the Metropolitan Opera House, as part of the annual Lincoln Center Festival.

Visiting New York for the first time in nearly 10 years, the Mariinsky arrives with two American premieres by choreographer-of-the-hour Alexei Ratmansky and something of a Rodion Shchedrin festival. The engagement opens with Ratmansky’s new version of the two-act ballet Anna Karenina, which Shchedrin composed in 1973 for his wife, the great Soviet ballerina Maya Plisetskaya. On opening night, Dostoevsky’s doomed heroine will be danced by Diana Vishneva, returning to her home company after four Met performances with ABT. (Additional performances with different casts will take place July 13 and 14.)

The second offering is another Shchedrin-Plisetskaya project, The Little Humpbacked Horse. Originally presented in 1960 at Russia’s other great dance institution, the Bolshoi, the work is based on a Russian fairy tale about a princess, a firebird, a fool, a czar, and of course, a little humpbacked horse. The 2009 Ratmansky version bows here on July 12 (repeated July 13 and 16).

Lincoln Center

Shchedrin’s name appears in a lesser role in the lincolncenter.org final program, as adapter rather than composer in a double bill of two old favorites. On July 15 and 16, the Mariinsky closes its visit with Carmen Suite, Alberto Alonso’s one-act distillation of Bizet’s opera (Shchedrin adapted the score), and Symphony in C, George Balanchine’s glittering response to Bizet’s music. Valery Gergiev, the Mariinsky’s artistic director, will be on hand to conduct some of the troupe’s performances, adding even more cachet to the glittering array of performers. –SG 59

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&

New York

PERFORMING ARTS CULTURAL CENTERS

BEAUTIFUL DAYS

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Nothing says summer quite like a great rock concert in an open-air venue on a breezy evening. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no shortage of star power this year, from stadium shows and Jones Beach offerings to free concerts in Central Park and more intimate performances at halls like the Beacon Theatre. U2 (pictured above), who had to cancel shows last year, rock the Meadowlands on July 20 behind 2009â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No Line on the Horizon, their 12th studio album. Other performers arriving in the New York area include Kings of Leon, the Flaming Lips, Cee Lo Green, Matthew Morrison, Journey, Aretha Franklin, and many more. Turn the page to see our list of concert listings.

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ONTHETOWN

Please call the box offices for showtimes.

All listings subject to change.

American Ballet Theatre – Giselle (6/1-2); Lady of the Camellias (6/3-4, 6-8); The Bright Stream (6/9-11, 13-15); Coppelia (6/16-20); Cinderella (6/21-25); Swan Lake (6/27-7/2); Swan Lake Jose Manuel Carreño Farewell (6/30); The Sleeping Beauty (7/5-9). Metropolitan Opera House, Amsterdam Ave. & 64th St., 212-362-6000; abt.org Apollo Theater – Amateur Night at the Apollo (every Wed.); Art After Dark@Apollo Music Cafe (6/3-4); Tamar-kali@Apollo Music Cafe (6/6); Amateur Night: Nothin’ But Soul! (6/8); Apollo Spring Gala 2011 (6/13); Amateur Night: Show Off! (6/15); 100 Years of Mario Bauza (6/18); Amateur Night: Show Off! (7/20); Brian McKnight: Just Me (7/23); Amateur Night: Show Off! (8/24); Amateur Night: Top Dog! (8/31).

253 W. 125th St., 212-531-5305; apollotheater.org Brooklyn Academy of Music – Dance: La Magia de la Danza (6/8-11). Music: The Creole Choir of Cuba (6/4). 30 Lafayette Ave., 718-636-4100; bam.org Carnegie Hall – Neighborhood Concert: Juan-Carlos Formell & Son Radical @ the Brooklyn Museum (6/4); Neighborhood Concert: Moët Trio - Music at Our Saviour Atonement (6/10); Ensemble ACJW @ Le Poisson Rouge (6/12); Neighborhood Concert: ETHEL @ Abrons Arts Center (6/21). 57th St. & Seventh Ave., 212-247-7800; carnegiehall.org Dance Theater Workshop – Ellen Robbins Annual Student Concerts (6/11-12); Ben Munisteri Dance Projects - Catalog, Binary 2.0, and Robot vs Mermaid (6/16-18); Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre - Five Minutes (6/23-25); Overground Physical Theatre Company - Urban Tao (6/297/2); Dance Brigade - The Great Liberation Upon Hearing (7/7-9); ANIKAI Dance/Wendy Jehlen - He Who Burns (7/13-16); Von Howard Project Triptych (7/21-23). 219 W. 19th St., 212-924-0077; dancetheaterworkshop.org Joyce SoHo – The A.W.A.R.D. Show! All-Stars (through 6/5); The Seldoms (6/10-11); Sally Gross and Company (6/16-19). 155 Mercer St. (Houston-Prince Sts.), 212-242-0800; joyce.org The Joyce Theater – Gotham Dance Festival: Brian Brooks Moving Company (6/1-5); Gotham Dance Festival: Monica Bill Barnes & Company (6/2-4); Gotham Dance Festival: Abraham, Driscoll, Dolbashian (6/4-5); Gotham Dance Festival: Kate Weare Company (6/7-11); Gotham Dance Festival: CorbinDances (6/8-12); Gotham Dance Festival: Barnett, Leite, Skybetter (6/1112); RIOULT (6/14-19); Savion Glover (6/217/9); Pilobolus (7/11-8/6); ODC/Dance (8/9-13);

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Cisne Negro (8/15-20). 175 Eighth Ave. (19th St.), 212-242-0800; joyce.org Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts – Midsummer Night Swing (6/27-7/16): Jonathan Stout Orchestra featuring Hilary Alexander (6/27); Soul Train: Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley; Extended DJ set by Biz Markie (6/28); Swingtime Big Band (6/29); Hector del Curto’s Eternal Tango Orchestra (6/30); Diogo Nogueira (7/1); Aurora y Zon del Barrio, special guests Yomo Toro, Larry Harlow (7/2); Gilberto Santa Rosa (7/5); Hot Club of Cowtown (7/6); Loser’s Lounge Does the 80s: No Parking on the Dance Floor (7/7); Tribute to Ralph Mercado, featuring MioSotis, Tito Puente Jr., Ray Sepulveda, Dave Valentin and Tony Vega (7/8); Ray Collins’ Hot Club (7/9); Palmetto Bug Stompers (7/12); Charlie Harris, Maeve Donnelly, Geraldine Cotter and Eamonn Cotter (7/13); Caravan Palace (7/14); Lisandro Meza and Juan José Meza (7/15); Kids’ Dance (7/16); Harlem Renaissance Orchestra with special guest Billy Harper, “A Tribute to Illinois Jacquet” (7/16). Lincoln Center Festival (7/5-8/14): A Magic Flute (7/5-17); Portraits in Dramatic Time (outdoor video installation) (7/5-31); Royal Shakespeare Company (7/6-8/14); The Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet (7/11-16); The Cleveland Orchestra - Bruckner: (R)evolution (7/13-17); Merce Cunningham Dance Company - MERCE FAIR (7/16); Tom Zé (7/19); The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (7/21-23); The Silver Tassie (7/24-31); Royal Danish Opera and Orchestra (7/28-30).

Mostly Mozart (8/2-27): Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Louis Langrée, conductor (8/2-3); Don Giovanni - Budapest Festival Orchestra - Iván Fischer, conductor and director (8/4, 6); Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor; Joshua Bell, violin (8/5-6); Stravinsky on Film Program 1: Composer and Conductor (8/6); Stravinsky on Film Program 2: Oedipus Rex and The Rite of Spring (8/6); A Little Night Music - Takács Quartet (8/6); Takács Quartet; Andreas Haefliger, piano (8/7); International Contemporary Ensemble; Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor; Peter Serkin, piano (8/8); A Little Night Music - International Contemporary Ensemble; Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor (8/8); Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Iván Fischer, conductor; Lucy Crowe, soprano (8/9-10); International Contemporary Ensemble; Matthias Pintscher, conductor (8/11); A Little Night Music - International Contemporary Ensemble; Matthias Pintscher, conductor (8/11); Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Louis Langrée, conductor; Jeremy Denk, piano; Christine Brewer, soprano (8/12-13); Handel’s Orlando - Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (8/14); Emerson String Quartet (8/15); Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Jonathan Nott, conductor; Juho Pohjonen, piano (8/16-17); Mark Morris Dance Group (8/18-20); Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Louis Langrée, conductor; Nelson Freire, piano (8/19-20); A Little Night Music - Juho Pohjonen, piano (8/19); A Little Night Music - Jenny Lin, piano

(8/20); Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Jérémie Rhorer, conductor; Bertrand Chamayou, piano (8/23-24); A Little Night Music - Jennifer Koh, violin; Shai Wosner, piano (8/24); Grand Finale Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Louis Langrée, conductor (8/26-27). Lincoln Center Out of Doors (7/27-8/14; lcoutofdoors.org): Billy Bragg: The Big Busk open rehearsal led by Billy Bragg followed by public busks (7/27); Billy Bragg: The Big Busk; The Black Earth Boys featuring Juldeh Camara (7/27); Eiko & Koma: Water (2011) (world premiere site-specific work) (7/27-31); 3 Pianos / Taylor Made: A Jazzmobile Tribute to Dr. Billy Taylor (7/28); Don Byron New Gospel Quintet; Burnt Sugar / Danz: Conduction #6: The Trojan Rumba Suite (7/29); The Ponderosa Stomp: Girl Talk (symposium) (7/30); Double Dutch Divas (7/30); The Ponderosa Stomp: She’s Got the Power! - A Girl Group Extravaganza including a Tribute to Ellie Greenwich (7/30); Family Day - Rhythm & Roots 360, Stax Music Academy, Vy Higginsen’s Gospel for Teens (7/31); Mavis Staples; The Relatives (7/31); Asphalt Orchestra (8/3); Trey McIntyre Project (TMP) & Preservation Hall Jazz Band (8/3); Raya Brass Band (8/4); Malkit Singh, Dengue Fever (8/4); Mujeres de Agua by JAVIER LIMON featuring: BUIKA, La Shica, Sandra Carrasco; Bassam Saba & the New York Arabic Orchestra (8/5); La Casita (music and spoken-word performances) (8/6); Natural Expression Rhythm Band (8/6); Grupo Folklorico y Experimental Nuevayorquiño; François Ladrezo & Alka Omeka (8/6); Heritage Sunday (8/7); Spike’s Side Show (8/10); Laurie Anderson and Friends (8/10); MarchFourth Marching Band (8/11); David Dorfman Dance featuring The Family Stone: Prophets of Funk – Concert Edition; Debo Band with special guests Fendika (8/11); Tan Dun conducting the Metropolis Ensemble: The Martial Arts Trilogy (8/12); 28th Annual Roots of American Music Festival (8/13-14). David Rubenstein Atrium Target® Free Thursdays (Broadway bet. 62nd & 63rd Sts.; lincolncenter.org/ atrium): SYBARITE5 (6/2); The Mighty Third Rail (6/23). Columbus Ave. btw. 62nd & 65th Sts., 212-875-5000; lincolncenter.org Merkin Concert Hall – Da Capo Players 40th Anniversary! (6/2); New York Philharmonic Very Young People’s Concerts: Forte and Piano (6/5-6); Ensemble 212 3rd Annual Gala Concert (6/9); New York Philharmonic Ensembles (6/12); Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale Spring Concert (6/12); Soprano, Pamela Jones with Elaine Rinaldi, Pianist (6/16); Prima Artists Int’l Competition (6/19); New York Youth Musicians (6/26); Hallucinating Liszt (6/30). 129 W. 67th St., 212-501-3303; kaufman-center.org The Metropolitan Museum of Art – African Children’s Choir (6/4); Shen Wei Dance Arts (6/6, 13); Someone Talked! (6/10); Music of Glass & Schubert (6/11); Jazz Guitar with Steve Miller (6/30). Fifth Ave. & 82nd St., 212-570-3949; metmuseum.org

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performing artsNEWYORK

The Morgan Library’s Gilder Lehrman Hall – The Cunning Little Vixen at the Philharmonic (6/14); Double Take: Beethoven and Liszt (6/17).

225 Madison Ave. (36th St.), 212-685-0008; themorgan.org New York Philharmonic – Mutter, Beethoven, Bruckner, and a Sebastian Currier Premiere (6/2-4); Anne-Sophie Mutter Chamber Recital (6/5); Rush Hour: Rachmaninoff & Shostakovich (6/8); Deborah Voigt, Shostakovich and Schoenberg (6/9-11); Gil Shaham and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (6/16-18); Saturday Matinee: Mozart, Ravel, and Mussorgsky (6/18); The Cunning Little Vixen (6/2225); Tchaikovsky and Other Romantics (6/28-30); Star-Spangled Celebration (7/2, 4-5). Avery Fisher Hall, Broadway & W. 65th St., 212-875-5656; nyphil.org

lincoln center out of doors The 41st season for this NYC summer favorite—running July 27 through Aug. 14— offers more than 100 free performances across the plazas of Lincoln Center.

More than ten premieres and debuts highlight the three weeks, which have a strong streak of soul, funk and R&B running through them, with generous helpings of jazz, gospel, and star turns by giants of their genres—Mavis Staples, Malkit Singh, Laurie Anderson, Tan Dun—and great contemporary dance. See listings for specific events.

mostly mozart FESTIVAL From Aug. 2-20, the 45th season of the Mostly Mozart Festival offers more than 34 events, including opera, concerts, dance, pre-concert recitals, late-night performances, and lectures, and features music ranging from Baroque and Classical to Neoclassical and contemporary. In addition to Mozart, the music of Igor Stravinsky will be a special focus of this summer’s festival while Louis Langrée, in his ninth season, conducts the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra in eight concerts, performing Mozart’s beloved Requiem, an expanded exploration of Beethoven’s music, and two distinctly different Stravinsky works. Plus, New York’s acclaimed contemporary ensemble ICE (International Contemporary Ensemble) begins its three-year Festival residency and is the centerpiece of the festival’s Stravinsky focus. See listings for more information.

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92nd Street Y – Music: Leon Fleisher, piano & Jaime Laredo, violin (6/2); A Conversation with Jimmy Heath (6/19). Social Dance Parties and Events: Summer Ballroom (6/18); Vintage Ragtime Ball (6/25); Millennium Hustle (7/23); Argentine Tango Party (8/6); Summer Marathon (8/14). Lexington Ave. & 92nd St., 212-415-5500; 92y.org Radio City Music Hall – Zarkana from Cirque du Soleil (6/9-9/4). 1260 Sixth Ave. (50th St.), 212-307-7171; radiocity.com Symphony Space – Opera in Eden (6/2); New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra (6/2); Eia Ka Hula (Behold the Hula) (6/3); PRISM Quartet: World Premieres (6/3); NYCC Multimedia Celebrations & World Premieres (6/4); Love, Loss, Laughter: Favorite Yiddish Folksongs (6/5); The Geneva Conservatory of Music Spring Concert (6/6); Siberian Virtuosi-Tomsk Chamber Orchestra (6/7); Premiere of “Downtown Express” (6/7); Lisle Atkinson & Neo Bass: Music of Duke Ellington (6/10); NY Lyric Opera Theatre’s Don Giovanni, Carmen, Hansel & Gretel (6/11); The Young Choreographer’s Festival (6/11); Taikoza Live 2011 Concert: Japanese Taiko Drumming (6/12); Little Stars Peforming Arts 2011 Annual Recital (6/12); ACA Composers Festival 2011 (6/13, 15-17); Celebrations: Music of Andrew Rudin (6/14); An Acoustic Evening with Matisyahu (6/15); Tap City Youth Concert 2011 (6/18); An Evening of Original Music by Doug Silver (6/23); Bello Music Institute 2011 Annual Concert (6/24); Cultured and Beautiful 2011 (6/25); Tap City 2011 Award Ceremony (7/7); Tap Future (All Student Showcase) (7/8); Salute to the Copasetics, The Masters of Swing! (7/9). 2537 Broadway (95th St.), 212-864-5400; symphonyspace.org The Town Hall – A Stormy Night (6/2); An Evening With Kelli O’Hara (6/3); Sima Bina & Lian Ensemble (6/4); Tribute to the Musical Heritage of Greece, featuring TRIFONO and special guest appearance

by Lina Orfanos (6/5); Sandra Bernhard: I Love Being Me Don’t You? Tour (6/8); Easy to Love: Andrea Marcovicci & Jeff Harnar Sing Cole Porter (6/9); Broadway Musicals of 1997 (6/20); Dee Dee Bridgewater - “To Billie With Love” (6/24); Sylvie Vartan (7/27). 123 W. 43rd St. (Broadway-Sixth Ave.), 212-997-1003; the-townhall-nyc.org

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ONTHETOWN

A POP, ROCK & JAZZ SUMMER Summertime in New York City means big music in beautiful settings—and often for free. If the Metropolitan Opera or the New York Philharmonic in the park doesn’t do it for you, something here surely will. Here are some of the highlights as of press time; more acts will be announced throughout the summer at the festivals’ respective websites. Check ahead; all subject to change. from Africa (7/31); Lykke Li (8/1); SHELEBRATION! A tribute to the works of Shel Silverstein, produced by Hal Willner (8/6); Friendly Fires / The Naked and Famous / Cults (8/7); Guster and Jack’s Mannequin (8/8).

Central Park SummerStage (Rumsey Playfield, 212-360-2777; summerstage.org): “Night at the Caravanserai: Tales of Wonder” featuring Yo-Yo Ma / The Silk Road Ensemble / The Silk Road Connect Students and Friends (6/7); Blue Note Jazz Festival: Medeski Martin & Wood / Josh Roseman & The King Froopy Allstars / Jim Black’s AlasNoAxis (6/11); ISTANBULIVE III: Sounds of Civilizations” Zulfu Livaneli / maNga and special guests (6/17); Reggie Watts with special guest Natasha Leggero (6/22); Florence and the Machine / Twin Shadow / Bubbles (6/24); Lee Fields & The Expressions / Fitz & The Tantrums / Andreya Triana / Rich Medina (6/25); Hugh Masekela / Freshlyground / Somi (6/26); “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” Roy Ayers and The Jazz Mafia Symphony plus special guests (7/2); RAM / Group Doueh / Baloji / GlobeSonic Sound System (7/3); Jarabe de Palo, Ely Guerra, Novalima and Mr. Pauer (7/6); ChocQuibTown, Rita Indiana, Ursula 1000 and Que Bajo?! (7/9); Pink Martini (7/17); Levon Helm Band and Emmylou Harris with Special Guest Hayes Carll (7/18); Marcelo D2 / Pitty / DJ Nuts (7/24); Wiz Khalifa with Special Guests Big Sean and Chevy Woods (7/25); Wanda Jackson / Imelda May (7/27); Yemen Blues / Watcha Clan / Shabate / Awesome Tapes

Hudson River Park’s River Rocks (riverrocksnyc.com) ): Tune Yards (7/14); Metronomy (7/28); Deer Tick (8/11) Beacon Theatre (2124 Broadway btw. 74th & 75th Sts., 212-465-6225; beacontheatrenyc. com): Deep Purple (6/14-15); The Monkees (6/16); Peter Frampton (6/17); The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show (6/18); Kenny G/Michael Bolton (6/19); k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang (6/20); Eddie Vedder (6/21-22); Chris Botti: Blue Note Jazz Festival (6/23); Charlie Wilson (6/24); Earth, Wind & Fire (6/28-29); Alicia Keys (6/30); Matthew Morrison (7/1); Jennifer Hudson (7/6); A Perfect Circle (7/15); Lucinda Williams & Amos Lee (7/21); Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas (8/2); Chicago (8/21).

Jones Beach (jonesbeach.com: Hall & Oates / Chris Isaak (6/11); Soundgarden (7/9); YES / Styx (7/11); Def Leppard (7/12); Furthur with Bob Weir & Phil Lesh (7/17); 311 (7/22); Goo Goo Dolls / Michelle Branch / Parachute (7/24); Aretha Franklin (7/28); Weezer / The Flaming Lips / Yeasayer (7/29); Kings of Leon / Band of Horses (8/10); Maroon 5 / TRAIN / Gavin DeGraw (8/12); NY Pops / Michael Cavanaugh (8/13); Journey / Foreigner / Night Ranger (8/17); Lynyrd Skynrd / Doobie Brothers (8/18); Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band (8/19); Ke$ha / LMFAO / Spank Rock (8/20); Whitesnake / Tesla / Lita Ford / Sebastian Bach / FireHouse (8/24).

Also this summer: U2 (7/20) and Kenny Chesney (8/13) at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Getty Images

Toyota Concert Series on TODAY (7-10am, unless otherwise noted; Rockefeller Plaza, 49th St. btw. 5th & 6th Aves., concerts.today.com): American Idol winner

and runner-up (6/2); New Kids on the Block / Backstreet Boys (6/3); The Script (6/10); Kenny Chesney (6/17); Bruno Mars (6/24); Pitbull featuring T-Pain and Ne-Yo (7/1); Blake Shelton (7/8); Chris Brown (7/15); Cee Lo Green (7/22); Journey (7/29); Maroon 5 (8/5); Zac Brown Band (8/12); Enrique Igelsias (8/19); Train (8/26); Lenny Kravitz (9/2).

[ the Flaming Lips; Florence and the Machine; Matthew Morrison ]

[ kd lang; Cee Lo Green; Friendly Fires ]

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ARTNEW YORK 64 [ Oscar Bluemner; Last Evening of the Year, c. 1929 ]

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how the Whitney was born With her purchase of four paintings from the group known as “The Eight,” heiress and sculptor Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney paved the way for the founding of the museum.

A new show features works she acquired between 1908 and 1933.

By Karin Lipson

O

Given “The Eight’s” dubious status in 1908, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney’s purchase was “very gutsy,” said Sasha Nicholas, the co-curator of Breaking Ground: The Whitney’s Founding Collection, a show of about 100 works on display at the museum through Sept. 18.

Organized by Whitney curator Barbara Haskell and Nicholas, a senior curatorial assistant, Breaking Ground includes paintings (including some by “The Eight”), sculptures, drawings and prints; all were selected from the 1,000 examples of modern American art acquired by the museum’s founding benefactor between 1908 and 1933.

Sparking the show, as well as a series of upcoming exhibitions that will examine the Whitney’s collection in chronological order, is the museum’s new building, to open in downtown Manhattan by 2015. Located in the Meatpacking District, it will vastly increase the space for the permanent collection of some 18,000 works.

[ John Steuart Curry; Baptism in Kansas, 1928 ]

[ Edward Laning; Fourteenth Street, 1931 ]

All photos: Courtesy of Whitney Museum of American Art

ne February day in 1908, the heiress Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney walked into the Macbeth Gallery on Fifth Avenue to view a new exhibition of work by a tradition-breaking group of American artists known as “The Eight”—or, as they were later sometimes less flatteringly called, the Ashcan School.

With their unprettified views of urban life, “The Eight” were a rebellious lot whose “vulgar” subject matter was lambasted in the conservative art circles of the day.

Possessed of a rebellious streak herself (she was a sculptor, with a soft spot for struggling artists), Whitney walked out of the gallery owning four paintings, by George Luks, Everett Shinn, Ernest Lawson and Robert Henri, the group’s leader. It was an act that marked the beginning of her formal collecting and paved the way, ultimately, for the creation of the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1931.

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ARTNEW YORK [ Max Weber; Chinese Restaurant, 1915 ]

The museum has long outgrown its current Marcel Breuer-designed building on Madison Avenue. “We don’t have a lot of space here for our collection, and we have a lot of fabulous things,” Nicholas said. Given the space limitations, some of those things —pieces that are “perhaps less canonical,” she said—“tend to remain in storage.”

Breaking Ground dusts off some of those stored works but isn’t a literal preview of how things will be arranged in the new building, Nicholas said.

Rather, she said, it’s part of an ongoing re-evaluation process intended to ignite “new thinking about the collection.”

In one sense, Breaking Ground follows the path of many recessionstrained museums that are taking a second, and then a third, look at their own holdings as sources for new exhibitions, while cutting back on costly loan shows. “Every museum right now has the financial reasons for

wanting to look at [its own] collection,” Nicholas agreed. But “for us, it’s equally part of thinking about the fact that we’re going to have a lot more space for our collection in three-and-a-half years.”

Visitors to Breaking Ground can expect to find some stars of the collection, along with pieces its co-curator calls “quirkier, or by a well-known artist but not necessarily the most iconic.” Still others are by artists considered important in their time, but “quite obscure in the present day. Some of it is a study of how taste changes.”

Among those definitely in the “iconic” column: Edward Hopper’s stark 1930 Early Sunday Morning, with its deserted street of red brick buildings and stores; the Precisionist Charles Demuth’s 1927 My Egypt, a view of (despite its exotic title) grain elevators; George Bellow’s 1924 Dempsey and Firpo, a late example of his raw, action-packed boxing pic-

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how the Whitney was born

[H oward G. Cushing; Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney, (Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney) 1902 ]

[ Preston Dickinson; Industry, c. 1923 ]

tures. Charles Sheeler, Demuth’s fellow Precisionist, is also in the show.

Despite her upper-crust origins, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney had rather democratic collecting tastes. Her collecting was guided by Juliana Force, who became the museum’s first director: Whitney might buy a Regionalist painting like John Steuart Curry’s Baptism in Kansas, but she also bought work by the modernists Stuart Davis, Max Weber and Oscar Bluemner.

She also supported artists financially. When Curry “came to New York and hadn’t quite found himself yet, she gave him a stipend, and he was able to travel back to Kansas, and develop as a Regionalist,” Nicholas said. Curry’s 1928 Baptism in Kansas, she said, is “one of the earliest icons” of a style often associated with the Great Depression.

Another Regionalist, and one of Nicholas’ favorites in the show, is Clarence Carter. An Ohio painter especially active in the ’30s, “he’s not somebody

who’s well known,” Nicholas Whitney Museum of American Art said. But he “often adds a kind 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street; of surreal or magical realist qual212-570-3600; whitney.org ity to his paintings that makes them quite surprising.

“We only have one canvas, Immortal Water, the scene of a decaying house along the Ohio River where he was born,” Nicholas said. “It’s kind of an allegory about change and what’s impermanent.”

Which, come to think of it, may be especially apt for a show that is, at least partly, about changing artistic tastes. n Karin Lipson, a former arts writer and editor for Newsday, is a frequent contributor to The New York Times. Her last article in Promenade was on “Treasures from the Forbidden City” at the Met.

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New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Wilson Santiago

museums

ANTHONY Caro on the Roof

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Works by British sculptor Anthony Caro (b. 1924)—considered the most influential and prolific British sculptor of his generation and a key figure in the development of modernist sculpture over the last 60 years—populate the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden this summer, which marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first exhibition of steel sculpture by the artist. Pictured here: After Summer (1968), collection of Audrey and David Mirvish, Toronto (front); and partial views of Midday (1960), Odalisque (1984), and Blazon (1987-90) (rear, left to right).

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ONTHETOWN

All exhibits are subject to change American Folk Art Museum – Perspectives: Forming the Figure (through 8/21); Eugene Von Bruenchenhein: ‘Freelance Artist-Poet and SculptorInnovator-Arrow maker and Plant man-Bone artifacts constructor-Photographer and ArchitectPhilosopher (through 10/9); Quilts: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (through 10/16). Closed Mon. $12; students/seniors, $8; 12 & under, free. 45 W. 53rd St., 212-265-1040; folkartmuseum.org American Museum of Natural History – Body and Spirit: Tibetan Medical Paintings (through 7/17); Brain: The Inside Story (through 8/14); The World’s Largest Dinosaurs (through 1/2); Frogs: A Chorus of Colors (through 1/8). Open daily. $16; seniors/students, $12; children 2-12, $9. Central Park West at 79th St., 212-769-5100; amnh.org Asia Society and Museum – A Longing for Luxury (through 9/11). Closed Mon. $10; seniors, $7; students, $5; under 16, free. 725 Park Ave. (70th St.), 212-288-6400; asiasociety.org Brooklyn Museum – Lorna Simpson: Gathered (through 8/12); Sam Taylor-Wood: “Ghosts” (through 8/14); Four Bathers by Degas and Bonnard (through 8/14); Vishnu: Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior (6/22-10/2); Body Parts: Ancient Egyptian Fragments and Amulets (through 11/27); Split Second: Indian Paintings (7/13-1/1); reOrder: An Architectural Environment by Situ Studio (through 1/15). Closed Mon. & Tues. $10; seniors/students, $6; under 12, free. 200 Eastern Parkway (Washington Ave.), 718-638-5000; brooklynmuseum.org Center for Architecture – AIANY Design Awards 2011s (through 6/25); GLIMPSES of New York and Amsterdam in 2040 (6/8-9/10). Closed Sun. Free. 536 LaGuardia Pl. (Bleecker-W. 3rd Sts.), 212-683-0023; aiany.org Chelsea Art Museum – Closed Sun. & Mon. $8; students/seniors, $4; under 16, free. 556 W. 22nd St., 212-255-0719; chelseaartmuseum.org China Institute – Along the Yangzi River: Regional Cultures of the Bronze Age (through 6/12); Blossoming Seeds of Vision - A Bi-Annual Showcase of Artwork by China Institute’s Students and Teachers (summer). Open daily. $7; students/ seniors, $4; under 12, free. Free admission Tues. & Thurs., 6-8pm. 125 E. 65th St., 212-744-8181; chinainstitute.org Cooper-Hewitt, National De­sign Museum – Color Moves: Art and Fashion by Sonia Delaunay (through 6/19); Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels (through 7/4). Open daily. $15; seniors/students, $10; under 12, free. 2 E. 91st St., 212-849-8400; cooperhewitt.org

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The Drawing Center – Drawing and Its Double Selections from the Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica (through 6/24); Paolo Canevari - Decalogo (through 6/24). Closed Mon. & Tues. 35 Wooster St. (GrandBroome Sts.), 212-219-2166; drawingcenter.org El Museo del Barrio – El Museo’s Bienal - The (S) Files 2011 (6/14-1/8). Closed Mon. $9; seniors/ students, $5; under 12, free. Free admission the third Saturday of every month & every Wed., 6-9pm. 1230 Fifth Ave. (104th St.), 212-831-7272; elmuseo.org Fraunces Tavern Museum – Revolution and the City: New York’s Place in America’s Fight for Independence (through 6/30). Closed Sun. $10; seniors/children, $5; under 5, free. 54 Pearl St. (Broad St.), 212-425-1778; frauncestavernmuseum.org The Frick Collection – In a New Light: Bellini’s St. Francis in the Desert (through 8/28); Turkish Taste at the Court of Marie-Antoinette (6/8-9/11).

Closed Mon. $18; seniors, $12; students, $5; pay-what-you-wish Sun., 11am-1pm. 1 E. 70th St., 212-288-0700; frick.org Grey Art Gallery at NYU – Art/Memory/Place (through 7/9); John Storrs: Machine-Age Modernist (through 7/9). Closed Sun. & Mon. $3.

100 Washington Square East, 212-998-6780; nyu.edu/greyart The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – A Year With Children 2011 (through 6/15); A Chronology: The Guggenheim Collection, 1909–1979 (through 9/11); Lee Ufan: Marking Infinity (6/24-9/28); The HUGO BOSS Prize 2010 - Hans-Peter Feldmann (through 11/2). Closed Thurs. $18; seniors/ students, $15; under 12, free. 1071 Fifth Ave. (89th St.), 212-423-3500; guggenheim.org International Center of Photography – Elliott Erwitt: Personal Best (through 8/28); Hiroshima: Ground Zero 1945 (through 8/28); Ruth Gruber/ Photojournalist (through 8/28). Closed Mon. $12; students/seniors, $8; under 12, free. 1133 Sixth Ave. (43rd St.), 212-857-0000; icp.org Japan Society – Bye Bye Kitty!!! Between Heaven and Hell in Contemporary Japanese Art (through 6/12). Closed Mon. $15; students/seniors, $10; under 16, free; free Fri., 6-9pm. 333 E. 47th St., 212-832-1155; japansociety.org The Jewish Museum – The Art of Matrimony: Thirty Splendid Marriage Contracts from The Jewish Theological Seminary Library (through 6/26); Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World) (through 7/31); The Line and the Circle: Video by Sharone Lifschitz (through 8/21); Collecting Matisse and Modern Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore (through 9/25); Maya Zack: Living Room (7/3110/23). Closed Wed. $12; seniors, $10; students, $7.50; under 12, free; free Sat., 11am-5:45pm.

1109 Fifth Ave. (92nd St.), 212-423-3200; thejewishmuseum.org

The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Rugs and Ritual in Tibetan Buddhism (through 6/26); The Washington Haggadah: Medieval Jewish Art in Context (through 6/26); Guitar Heroes: Legendary Craftsmen from Italy to New York (through 7/4); Haremhab, The General Who Became King (through 7/4); Rooms With a View: The Open Window in the 19th Century (through 7/4); Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (through 7/31); Pastel Portraits: Images of 18th-Century Europe (through 8/14); Poetry in Clay: Korean Buncheong Ceramics from the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art (through 8/14); Reconfiguring an African Icon: Odes to the Mask by Modern and Contemporary Artists from Three Continents (through 8/21); Richard Serra Drawing: A Retrospective (through 8/28); Night Vision: Photography After Dark (through 9/18); The Andean Tunic, 400 B.C.E.-1800 C.E. (through 9/18); Frans Hals in the Metropolitan Museum (7/26-10/10); Anthony Caro on the Roof (through 10/30); Historic Images of the Greek Bronze Age: The Reproductions of E. Gilliéron & Son (through 11/13); Mother India: The Goddess in Indian Painting (6/29-11/27); 9/11 Peace Story Quilt (8/30-1/22). Closed Mon. $20; seniors, $15; students, $10; under 12, free. Fifth Ave. & 82nd St., 212-535-7710; metmuseum.org The Morgan Library & Museum – The Age of Elegance: The Joan Taub Ades Collection (through 8/28); Illuminating Fashion: Dress in the Art of Medieval France and the Netherlands (through 9/4); Jim Dine: The Glyptotek Drawings (through 9/4); Lists: To-dos, Illustrated Inventories, Collected Thoughts, and Other Artists’ Enumerations from the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art (6/3-10/2).

Closed Mon. $15; seniors/students/children under 16, $10; 12 & under, free; free Fri., 7-9pm.

225 Madison Ave. (36th St.), 212-685-0008; themorgan.org Museum of American Finance – Alexander Hamilton: Lineage and Legacy (through 7/12).

Closed Sun. & Mon. $8; students/seniors, $5; under 6, free. 48 Wall St. (William St.), 212-908-4110; moaf.org Museum of Arts & Design – Judy Chicago Tapestries (through 6/19); A Bit of Clay on the Skin - New Ceramic Jewelry (through 9/4); Otherworldly - Optical Delusions and Small Realities (6/7-9/18); Stephen Burks | Are You a Hybrid? (through 10/2). Closed Mon. $15; students/seniors, $12; high school students and under 12, free; Thurs., 6–9pm, pay-what-you-wish. 2 Columbus Cir. (near Eighth Ave. & W. 58th St.), 212-299-7777; madmuseum.org The Museum of Biblical Art – Passion in Venice: Crivelli to Tintoretto and Veronese (through 6/12); Let Your Light Shine - Bible Printing in Venice During the High Renaissance (through 6/12); On Eagles’ Wings - The King James Bible Turns 400 (7/8-10/16). Closed Mon. $7; seniors/students, $4; under 12, free. 1865 Broadway (61st St.), 212-408-1500; mobia.org

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© Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos

Elliott Erwitt: Personal Best The man behind some of the most memorable photographs of the 20th century—including portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, and Che Guevara, as well as astonishing scenes of everyday life—photographer and filmmaker Elliott Erwitt is the subject of the International Center of Photography’s latest major retrospective and recipient of this year’s ICP Infinity Award for Lifetime Achievement. Pictured here: Marilyn Monroe, New York City, 1956. On view through Aug. 28; see listings for more information.

Museum of the City of New York – Moveable Feast: Fresh Produce and the NYC Green Cart Program (through 7/10); Joel Grey/A New York Life (through 8/7); The American Style: Colonial Revival and the Modern Metropolis (6/1411/6). Closed Mon. $10; seniors/students, $6; under 12, free. Fifth Ave. & 103rd St., 212-534-1672; mcny.org Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art – Will Eisner’s New York: From The Spirit to the Modern Graphic Novel (through 6/30). Closed Mon. $5; 12 & under, free.

594 Broadway (Prince-Houston Sts.), Ste. 401, 212-254-3511; moccany.org Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust – Fire in My Heart: The Story of Hannah Senesh (through 8/7); The Morgenthaus: A Legacy of Service (through 9/5); Last Folio: Remnants of Jewish Life in Slovakia (through late summer). Closed Sat. $12; seniors, $10; students, $7; 12 & under, free; free Wed., 4-8pm. 36 Battery Pl., 646-437-4200; mjhnyc.org

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Museum of Modern Art – Picasso: Guitars 1912-1914 (through 6/6); German Expressionism: The Graphic Impulse (through 7/11); Access to Tools: Publications from the Whole Earth Catalog, 1968–1974 (through 7/26); Francis Alÿs: A Story of Deception (through 8/1); Seeing Red: Hungarian Revolutionary Posters, 1919 (through 8/1); Impressions from South Africa, 1965 to Now (through 8/14); Boris Mikhailov: Case History (through 9/5); I Am Still Alive: Politics and Everyday Life in Contemporary Drawing (through 9/19); Contemporary Art from the Collection (through 9/19); Talk to Me (7/24-11/7); Carlito Carvalhosa: Sum of Days (8/2411/11); Standard Deviations: Prototypes, Archetypes, and Families in Contemporary

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Design (through 1/30). Closed Tues. $20; seniors, $16; students, $12; 16 & under, free. 11 W. 53rd St., 212-708-9400; moma.org Museum of the Moving Image – Pays homage to the art, history, and technology of film and television, educating the public on its influence in our culture and society. Tues.-Sat., 10am-3pm. $7. 35th Ave. & 37th St., Astoria, Queens, 718-784-0077; movingimage.us Museum of Sex – Comics Stripped! (ongoing); Sex Lives of Robots (ongoing); Action: Sex and the Moving Image (ongoing); The Nudie Artist: Burlesque Revived (ongoing). Open daily. $16.75; students/seniors, $15.25. 233 Fifth Ave. (27th St.), 212-689-6337; museumofsex.com National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution – A Song for the Horse Nation (through 7/7); Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fire, and Shadows (through 9/5); GRAB (through 7/31); Small Spirits: Dolls from the National Museum of the American Indian (through 2/19). Open daily. Free. U.S. Custom House, 1 Bowling Green (Broadway), 212-514-3700; americanindian.si.edu Neue Galerie – Birth of the Modern: Style and Identity in Vienna 1900 (through 6/27). Closed Tues. & Wed. $15; students/seniors, $10. 1048 Fifth Ave. (86th St.), 212-628-6200; neuegalerie.org New Museum of Contemporary Art – Shirana Shahbazi (through 6/19); Lynda Benglis (through 6/19); After Hours: Murals on the Bowery (through 7/2); Gustav

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Courtesy The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Photograph: Jason Mandella

ONTHETOWN

CONTEMPORARY ART FROM THE COLLECTION This summer, the Museum of Modern Art is doing a complete reinstallation of their galleries for contemporary art, and this exhibition— which runs June 30 through Sept. 19—offers a focused examination of artists’ influences, ideas, materials, and tools utilized since the late 1960s, and how events over the last 40 years have shaped their work. The exhibition presents approximately 130 works by over 60 artists, including Lynda Benglis, Daniel Buren, Paul Chan, General Idea, the Guerrilla Girls, David Hammons, Yoko Ono, and Kara Walker. Pictured above: Paul Chan’s Waiting for Godot installation view at MoMA, 2007. See listings for more information.

Metzger: Historic Photographs (through 7/3); Ostalgia (7/14-9/25); Isa Genzken: Rose II (through 11/13). Closed Mon. & Tues. $12; seniors, $10; students, $8; 18 & under, free. 235 Bowery (Prince St.), 212-219-1222; newmuseum.org New York Public Library (Humanities and Social Sciences Library) – Call 212-869-8089 for a recording of all current exhibitions. Open daily. 42nd St. & Fifth Ave., 212-340-0830; nypl.org New York Transit Museum – Inspiring Spaces: 25 Years of MTA Arts for Transit (through 10/31). Closed Mon. $6; seniors/children 3-17, $4. The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex in Grand Central Terminal presents changing exhibitions. Boerum Pl. & Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, 718-694-1600; mta.info/museum The Noguchi Museum – Tracks: Animal Drawings from Noguchi’s Travels (through 9/18). Closed Mon. & Tues. $10 (pay-what-you-wish first Fri. of the month); students/seniors, $5; under 12, free. 9-01 33rd Rd. (Vernon Blvd.), Long Island City, Queens, 718-204-7088; noguchi.org The Paley Center for Media – A center for the cultural, creative, and social significance of television and radio. Closed Mon. & Tues. $10; seniors/students, $8; under 14, $5. 25 W. 52nd St., 212-621-6600; paleycenter.org The Rubin Museum of Art – Body Language (through 7/4); Patterns of Life (through 8/22); Quentin Roosevelt’s China (through 9/19); Pilgrimage and

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Faith (7/1-10/24); Human Currents (7/22-11/13); Gateway to Himalayan Art (through 1/1); Masterworks (through 12/31/12). Closed Tues. $10 (free Fri., 6-10pm); seniors/students/artists with ID, $7; under 12, free. 150 W. 17th St., 212-620-5000; rmanyc.org Scandinavia House – North by New York: New Nordic Art (through 8/19).

Closed Sun. & Mon. Free. 58 Park Ave. (37th-38th Sts.), 212-779-3587; scandinaviahouse.org The Studio Museum in Harlem – Stephen Burks - Man Made (through 6/26); Benjamin Patterson - Born in the State of FLUX/us: Scores (through 6/26); Sculpted, Etched and Cut: - Metal Works from the Permanent Collection (through 6/26); Collected. Vignettes (through 6/26); VideoStudio - Playback (through 6/26); StudioSound - OJO (through 6/26); Harlem Postcards Spring 2011 (through 6/26). Closed Mon.-Wed. $7 (free on Sun.); seniors/students, $3; under 12, free. 144 W. 125th St. (Lenox Ave.-Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.), 212-864-4500; studiomuseum.org Whitney Museum of American Art – Glenn Ligon: AMERICA (through 6/5); Dianna Molzan: Bologna Meissen (through 6/19); Cory Arcangel: Pro Tools (through 9/11); More Than That: Films by Kevin Jerome Everson (through 9/18); Breaking Ground: The Whitney’s Founding Collection (through 9/18); Lyonel Feininger: At the Edge of the World (6/30-10/16). Closed Mon. & Tues. $18 (pay-what-you-wish Fri., 6-9pm); seniors/students, $12; 18 & under, free.

945 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 212-570-3600; whitney.org

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Š 1982 Paul McCartney Photographer: Linda McCartney/Courtesy, Bonni Benrubi Gallery, NYC

A DAY IN THE LIFE Running June 2 through July 29 at Bonni Benrubi Gallery, Linda McCartney: Life in Photographs features works by the famed rock photograpgher that were selected from over 200,000 images and negatives, in close collaboration with Paul McCartney and their four children. Included are shots of rock nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll stars, the McCartney family (above), travels, celebrities, animals, and still lives. The exhibition was planned in conjunction with the release of a retrospective book of the same name published by Taschen in May. Please see listings for gallery information.

New York

art galleries All exhibits subject to change

Artists Space - One of the first alternative spaces in New York, founded in 1972 to support contemporary artists working in the visual arts.

Hilary Lloyd (through 8/21). Tues.-Sat., noon-6pm. 38 Greene St., 3rd Floor, 212-226-3970; artistsspace.org

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Bonni Benrubi - 20th-century and contemporary photography. Linda McCartney (6/2-7/29). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm; July: Mon.-Fri., 10am-6pm.

41 E. 57th St., 13th Floor, 212-888-6007; bonnibenrubi.com

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Campton Gallery - Contemporary international and American art. Melissa Chandon (6/11-30); Manel Anoro (7/2-31). 451 West Broadway, 212-387-0208; camptongallery.com CRG Gallery - Well-established and emerging contemporary American/ European artists. Ori Gersht - Falling Petals (through 6/25). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 548 W. 22nd St., 212-229-2766; crggallery.com CUE Art Foundation - Exhibitions featuring under-recognized artists. Joan Mitchell Foundation 2010 MFA Grant Recipients (6/9-7/30). Tues.-Fri., 10am5pm; Sat., 11am-5pm. 511 W. 25th St., 212-206-3583; cueartfoundation.org

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ONTHETOWN

D’Amelio Terras - Contemporary art featuring international emerging and mid-career artists. Matt Keegan (through 6/18); Robert Moskowitz (through 6/18); Affinities: Painting in Abstraction (6/30-9/19). Tues.-Fri., 10am-6pm.

525 W. 22nd St., 212-352-9460; damelioterras.com

Marlborough Gallery - Important contemporary masters. 25th St.: Living in Havana (through 6/18). Mon.-Fri., 10am-5:30pm. 40 W. 57th St., 212-541-4900; 545 W. 25th St., 212-463-8634; marlboroughgallery.com

Foley Gallery - Contemporary photography, painting, sculpture. Edward Mapplethorpe (through 6/18). Tues.-Sat., 11am-6pm. 548 W. 28th St., 2nd Floor, 212-244-9081; foleygallery.com

Barbara Mathes Gallery - 20th-century, and contemporary American and Euro­pean masters. Sol Lewitt: Structures and Drawings (through 6/30).

Tues.-Fri., 9:30am-6pm.; Sat. 10am-5pm. 22 E. 80th St., 212-570-4190; barbaramathesgallery.com

Forum Gallery - Modern and contemporary figurative art. Megan Rye: I Will Follow You Into The Dark (6/6-7/15). Tues.- Sun., 10am-5:30pm.

730 Fifth Ave. (56th-57th Sts.), 2nd Floor, 212-355-4545; forumgallery.com James Graham & Sons - 19th- & 20th-century American paintings, American & European sculpture. Kimber Smith - ‘Paintings and Works on Paper’ (through 6/30). 32 E. 67th St., 212-535-5767; jamesgrahamandsons.com Greenberg Van Doren - Contemporary fine art. Alan Shields - Something Goin’ On & On (through 6/24); Damnatio Memoriae (or) Creating Memory - goldiechiari, Sissi, Cesare Pietroiusti, Giacinto Occhionero (6/30-8/26).

Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 730 Fifth Ave. (57th St.), 212-445-0444; gvdgallery.com Stephen Haller Gallery - Contemporary paintings. Lloyd Martin - Interstices (through 6/25). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 542 W. 26th St., 212-741-7777; stephenhallergallery.com Hasted Kraeutler - Contemporary photography from emerging and established artists. Great Photographs of the 20th Century: From the Street (through 7/1); Don’t Quit Your Day Job (7/7-8/19). Tues.-Sat., 11am-6pm.

537 W. 24th St., 212-627-0006; hastedkraeutler.com Paul Kasmin Gallery - Contemporary and modern art. Nir Hod - Genius (through 6/18); Jan Frank - Seven Months (through 6/18). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 293 Tenth Ave. (27th St.); 511 27th St., 212-563-4474; paulkasmingallery.com Alan Klotz Gallery- Fine-art vintage, modern, and contemporary photography.

Carolyn Marks Blackwood - The Wind Blows Through My Heart (through 6/25).

Wed.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 511 W. 25th St., 212-741-4764; klotzgallery.com Knoedler & Company - Contemporary and sculpture works. Conrad Marca-relli - city to town (through 7/29). Tues.-Fri., 9:30am-5:30pm., Sat., 10am-5:30pm. 19 E. 70th St., 212-794-0550; knoedlergallery.com Kouros Gallery - Modern and contemporary sculpture, painting, photography, and works on paper. Emanuele de Reggi - Recent Sculpture (6/8-7/8); Helga Natz --Selected Sculpture (6/8-7/8); Brian Dickerson - Constructed Paintings (7/13-8/5). Mon.-Fri., 11am-6pm. 23 E. 73rd St., 212-288-5888; kourosgallery.com L & M Arts - Paintings, drawings, and sculptures by first-generation Abstract Expressionists. Andy Warhol, Colored Campbell’s Soup Cans (through 6/11).

Tues.-Sat., 10am-5:30pm. 45 E. 78th St., 212-861-0020; lmgallery.com Lehmann Maupin Gallery - International contemporary painting, sculpture and photography. Chrystie St.: Kara Walker - Fall from Grace, Miss Pipi’s Blue Tale (through 6/25). 26th Street: Ashley Bickerton - Nocturnes (through 6/25).

Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 540 W. 26th St., 212-255-2923; 201 Chrystie St., 212-254-0054; lehmannmaupin.com Luhring Augustine - Late-19th century to contemporary American and European paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and video works.

Martin Kippenberger - “I Had a Vision” (through 6/18); Luisa Lambri Certain Variables (6/30-8/11). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 531 W. 24th St., 212-206-9100; luhringaugustine.com

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McKenzie Fine Art - Contemporary art. Sound and Vision (group exhibition) (opening 6/23). Tues.-Fri., 10am-6pm.; Sat. 11am-6pm.

511 W. 25th St., 212-989-5467; mckenziefineart.com Yossi Milo Gallery- Contemporary photography. Alejandro Chaskielberg (6/2-7/29). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 525 W. 25th St., 212-414-0370; yossimilo.com Mitchell-Innes & Nash - Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary art

by American and European artists. 26th St.: Leon Kossoff (through 6/18).

Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 534 W. 26th St., 212-744-7400; miandn.com The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology - Sporting Life (through 11/5). Tues.-Fri., noon-8pm; Sat., 10am-5pm. Seventh Ave. at 27th St., 212-217-4558; fitnyc.edu The Pace Gallery - 20th-century art, including works by Calder, LeWitt, Nevelson, Noguchi, Picasso, Rauschenberg, Rothko, and many others. 534 W. 25th St.: Li Songsong (through 8/5). 510 W. 25th St.: Richard Tuttle: What’s the Wind (through 7/22). 545 W. 22nd St.: John Chamberlain (through 7/1). 32 E. 57th St.: Willem de Kooning: The Figure: Movement and Gesture (through 7/29). 32 E. 57th St., 212-421-3292; 534 W. 25th St., 212-929-7000; 545 W. 22nd St., 212-989-4258; 510 W. 25th St. 212-255-4044; thepacegallery.com Yancy Richardson Gallery - 20th century and contemporary photographs.

Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 535 W. 22nd St., 646-230-9610; yanceyrichardson.com Perry Rubenstein Gallery - Solo exhibitions by international artists. Robin Rhode (through 7/31). Mon.-Fri., 10am-6pm. 527 W. 23rd St., 212-627-8000; perryrubenstein.com Sonnabend Gallery - Contemporary painting, sculpture and photography

by American & European artists. Clifford Ross (through 7/29). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 536 W. 22nd St., 212-627-1018; sonnabendgallery.com Spanierman Modern - Modern and contemporary paintings, watercolors, works on paper, drawings, and sculpture. Jack Roth - Color Line Equations (through 6/11); Demtrio Alfonso (6/16-7/16); Lisa Nankivil (7/21-9/2).

Mon.-Sat., 9:30am-5:30pm. 53 E. 58th St., 212-832-1400; spaniermanmodern.com 303 Gallery - Contemporary photography, film, paintings, and sculpture. Florian Maier-Aichen (through 6/25); The Art of Climbing Mountains (opening 6/29). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 547 W. 21st St., 212-255-1121; 303gallery.com Viridian Artists - Works in the abstract mode, including oils, pastels on paper, prints, and sculptures. Alan Gaynor (6/7-25); 22nd Annual Juried Show (6/28-7/16). Tues.-Sat., 10:30am-6pm. 530 W. 25th St., 4th Floor, 212-414-4040; viridianartists.com Mike Weiss Gallery - Contemporary art. Yigal Ozeri: Garden of the Gods (through 6/11). Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. 520 W. 24th St., 212-691-6899; mikeweissgallery.com

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REAL ESTATENEW YORK

the Ultimate in

Summer Living

In a city with limited outdoor space, an alfresco lifestyle demands the right amenities. These properties are more than well equipped for luxury in the sun.

By Kaitlin Ahern

T

Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium photos by Phillip Ennis

here’s nothing like New York in summer—strolling the streets and parks, window shopping, and dining outdoors combine to make the landscape almost unrecognizable to those who weathered the previous six months of winter internment or opted not to travel to the city during the big freeze.

The only problem: The rest of the world has (gasp!) caught on to the city’s seasonal splendors, causing crowds upon crowds at your coveted spots (we’re looking at you, High Line).

The solution: a residence with luxurious amenities designed specifically for the sunny season, with emphasis on basking and relaxing (and we’re not talking a few square feet of balcony space). Read on for the ultimate in summer living.

[T op: Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium’s seventh floor pool deck provides an urban oasis that features an outdoor heated lounge pool Bottom: Bar d’Eau, a seasonal indoor-outdoor bar along the 6,000 square-foot outdoor pool deck at the Trump property ]

The Ultimate Convenience The name alone—Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium—lets you know that this property is serious about providing a luxury lifestyle. First, the amenities: In addition to a 12,000-square-foot spa, the property offers a full roster of gastronomic offerings, including most notably for summer living, Bar d’Eau, a seasonal indoor-outdoor bar/restaurant that supplements the outdoor pool and sundeck. Open May through early October (weather permitting), the bar offers a host of warm-weather fare (think small plates) and an extensive list of summery drinks to sip by the pool’s edge. The cocktail lounge Kastel and the main restaurant, Quattro Gastronomia, round out the mix. Residents and guests may also order in-room dining 24 hours a day.

The Trump legacy is of course apparent, but the 46-story, silver-glass building at 246 Spring Street— whose interior design was directed by daughter Ivanka and the younger Trump clan—offers a contemporary interpretation of luxury that feels much more “downtown,” says Amy Williamson, vice president of sales for Prodigy Network, the Trump SoHo’s exclusive sales team. Combine that with all the wellappointed decadence of a Manhattan hotel (more on that later) and the well-established chic (Chanel!

Prada! Louis Vuitton!) of the SoHo neighborhood, and you’ve got a pearl of a property.

Taken together, the words “hotel condominium” may at first be puzzling, but here’s the short and sweet: The building’s 391 residences, which include everything from studios to two-bedroom penthouses, are available both for hotel stay and for purchase. Prices range from $1 million to $8.7 million, and topping out the list is the building’s lone duplex on the 43rd and 44th floors, which boasts 2,331 square feet of indoor space (two bedrooms, two and a half baths), a 378-square-foot terrace, and doubleheight floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views. All rooms come fully furnished with rich custom details and owners are privy to all the perks of a hotel stay, including housekeeping services. The catch: Residents are allowed to spend a maximum of only 120 nights per year in their condos. During the other two-thirds of the year, the hotel rents out your residence as it does its other rooms and hands you a check for the profits at the end of each month. “It fits well with the lifestyle of those who jet set or travel extensively,” Williams says. The idea, she adds, is to offset your ownership costs, which she says each of the property’s buyers so far have done (the building is about 15 percent sold).

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Courtesy of The Sheffield 33 Vestry Street photos by The Seventh Art Group

[ The Sheffield’s private rooftop swimming pool offers a stunning view of the city skyline; the property’s private roof deck, located on the building’s 58th floor (interior pictured), includes outdoor seating and barbecue grills for social summer soirees ]

[ An interior rendering of the penthouse at 33 Vestry Street, which includes ceiling heights of up to 13 feet; the penthouse includes a private rooftop complete with heated pool ]

The Ultimate View While some may posit that downtown is the new uptown in terms of luxury living, the benefits of calling Columbus Circle home are near endless (Central Park, Lincoln Center, etc.). The Sheffield, a 57-story, 597-unit building at 322 West 57th Street, matches its coveted location, in a nexus of fine dining and culture, with life-enhancing amenities to offer a total lifestyle package.

The jewel in the resort-style crown is the enclosed rooftop swimming pool, winged by three sundecks that offer sprawling views of the city from their 58th-floor perch. Next up is the landscaped roof deck, a second and separate outdoor area for casual entertaining or relaxation, complete with barbecue grills. The building also houses a health club and spa with a state-of-the-art fitness center. And, to top it off, The Sheffield maintains an exclusive partnership with Saks 5th Avenue (the first partnership of its kind in Manhattan), which offers residents a personal styling consultant, invitations to private collection openings and fashion previews, and more exclusive perks.

In terms of residences, you’ll find studios (starting at $775,000 to fourbedrooms (starting at $7.495 million). The Penthouse Collection, which comprises the top two floors of the building, was introduced to the market in May. These two residences, which feature 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, range in size from 1,355 to 2,089 square feet and in price from $2.5 to $5.25 million. The property is currently about 60 percent sold, says Jackie Urgo, president of The Marketing Directors, The Sheffield’s exclusive sales and marketing team. “The best testament to this property is that, in a 12-month period, we’ve sold over 100 homes. That’s not very common. We’re the best-selling condominium in Manhattan.”

The Ultimate in Privacy For those who covet privacy above all, a boutique building is often the best option. While residents of these properties may forfeit features like concierge service and in-building dining, unique amenities make up the difference.

A prime example is Tribeca’s 33 Vestry Street, where the 4,500-squarefoot duplex penthouse that claims the nine-story building’s top two floors boasts an additional 3,487 square feet of outdoor rooftop space, including a paved terrace, Ipe-wood deck, outdoor kitchen, exterior shower, automated irrigation system, and to top it all off, a private 16-by-eight-ft. heated pool.

And when you’re not enjoying your outdoor space, it’s easily viewable from the unit’s 10- to 13-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. “The integration of interior and exterior living is fluid and seamless. It’s very elegant,” says Sophie Ravet, vice president and director at Brown Harris Stevens.

Located on a charming cobblestone corridor of landmark architecture and mostly 19th-century buildings, 33 Vestry allows residents further privacy via an electronically secured garage (a parking space comes with each unit) that includes an elevator directly to the penthouse.

Listed at $14.95 million, the penthouse is still a work in progress, with construction set to finish in September. A buyer who procures the property before then, says Ravet, would be able to customize the space to their specifications, including even the number of rooms. “For example, if it was a couple using it as pied-a-terre, they could make the entire second level of the duplex a master floor with a bedroom, gym, office, etc.,” Ravet says.

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TRAVELsouth

Paul Atkinson. Courtesy Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau

Southern comfort

cky u t n e K , n o t g Lexin

I

n his 1989 book, On the Road with Charles Kuralt, CBS veteran journalist Kuralt chronicled his visits to well over a 100 not-so-well-known American hamlets; as a result of his peripatetic road career, he knew a bit about airports, and it was he who is reported to have said that no aerial approach to a city is as spectacular as that to Lexington, Kentucky.

As a veteran of sojourns to about 50 countries and myriad cities, I would agree. The aerial descent to this sophisticated “town” (population around 300,000) is breathtaking, as if Gaia had draped a verdant, mohair-velvet tapestry over the terrain and sprinkled it with magic dust. The undulating knolls gently waltz, one into the next, dotted by pristine-white, post-andrail perimeter and paddock fences; the occasional graceful, majestic sycamore or oak pops up, adding texture to the terrain. If Turner were alive today, how would he paint this bucolic revelation?

Fortunately you don’t need Turner to create your own impression of Lexington, arguably the equine capital of the world. With some 450 horse farms (most are breeding facilities) in the Bluegrass area (its moniker does not belie its mineral-rich soil content, once the underpinning to herds of bison on the ancient, former savannahs), it’s easy to bone up on equine trivia, since there are numerous behind-the-scenes farm tours (I visited Darley and Three Chimneys). I never knew that horses were not buried in toto, but rather, cremated, with just the head, heart, and often the hooves, interred. Secretariat, however, is buried in his entirety, resting peacefully at Claiborne Farm. Who knew that a purse-winning, bankable stallion could stand for a mare (meaning, he “performs” or “covers” a dam, and with luck, impregnates her), perhaps fetching as much as $150,000 a pop? And that he does this a few times a day, for the entire breeding season (February to June)? You will learn a lot here, particularly if you venture to the majestic Kentucky Horse Park, the epicenter for most things horse-y, with galleries, theatres, and exhibits, all dedicated to—what else?—the noble equine.

[A typical site–verdant grass and a regal stallion; Calumet Farm; the Mary Todd Lincoln House ]

And no visit is complete without a stop at Keeneland Race Course, one of the nation’s most handsome tracks. A National Historic Landmark, it hosts serious heats in April and in October, with the grounds open all year long. A historic manse, the eight-pillared “plantation-style” Keene Place has been restored, and I was fortunate enough to dine there. Do not pass up Keeneland’s gift shop, where you can snap up a limited edition Hermès scarf or tie, emblazoned with gloriously appropriate snaffles and bits. Calories be damned, pick up the local bourbon balls—the odds-on favorites are from Maker’s Mark and Woodford Reserve; and above all else, don’t leave Kentucky without a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle’s 23-year-old bourbon, which was voted the 2010 Spirit of the Year by Wine and Spirits magazine. (Another shopping must: the tastefully “curated” L. V. Harkness emporium.)

You will also want to take a horse-and-buggy ride around historic Gratz Park, with its stately, 19th-century homes. For jewelry lovers, the Headley-Whitney Museum is a must, as it features bijoux to make you bug-eyed. Jeweler to Hollywood royalty, George Headley married Barbara Whitney Henry Peck (sister of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney and daughter of the sculptor Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney), and the rest is diamondand-sapphire history. There is also the Mary Todd Lincoln House and Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate. And did I mention the fabulous food?

Ladies Who Lunch favor the charming Greentree Tea Room, and do start the day with donuts from Spalding’s Bakery, where folks line up early for the indescribably delicious spuds.

There is so much to do and to love here, you’ll wonder why Kuralt didn’t just stick around...because you’ll want to. n Information: visitlex.com, kyhorsepark.com, keeneland.com, headley-whitney.org; hotels: gratzparkinn.com, thecastlepost.com, marriott.com

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Two stunning, picturesque towns below the Mason-Dixon Line serve up pastoral scenery, fascinating history, diverse culture, and the perfect mint julep

By Ruth J. Katz

Colonial Williamsb urg

[T he Governor’s Palace; replicas of the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery, the ships which brought the original settlers to Jamestown; the wigmaker’s shop ]

T

he descent into the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport also delivers a visually rich panorama—stately waterfront homes “secretly” tucked into unexpected clearings carved from dense forest-like growth. The James, York, and Elizabeth Rivers, as well as the Chesapeake Bay, provide a busy network of winding waterways and spindly tributaries all around a peninsula, with hundreds of miles of waterfront to study from your bird’s-eye seat. This Hampton Roads area, which comprises one of the world’s largest natural harbors, is a riveting visual treat. As if that were not enough, once on the ground, even better vistas await.

Colonial Williamsburg is no hokey re-enactment presentation; it’s about as real as it can be, given that we are in the 21st century, and the historic village represents the 18th-century Colonial capital that it was—Britain’s grandest and most populous, not to mention most flush, outpost in the New World. It is a living history museum, with over 300 acres in the Historic District alone, restored lovingly and assiduously.

The main thoroughfare is Duke of Gloucester Street, and I walked it many times, on each occasion discovering new and surprising shops, museums, homes, and exhibits. I found the emporia to be particularly absorbing; there are over 20 “stores” or workshops to visit, housing everything from basket maker, joiner, weaver/dyer, cabinetmaker, gunsmith/foundry, to the blacksmith and silversmith. These Colonial tradespeople (referred to as interpreters) vividly bring to life the daily struggles of the 18th-century population—black, white, Native American, slave, indentured, and free.

While their jobs are to teach visitors and to enliven history—as well as to weave cloth or build furniture—these interpreters may be actors, educators, or actual cobblers, as one shoemaker was, and he was a font of information. Yes, he makes period shoes all day long—shodding other interpreters and creating made-to-order footwear for other historic properties around the globe—but he also educates. He has studied his craft for years and is a journeyman on the way to master, toiling in his cozy shop, just as our forebears would have. He explained to me that in wintertime, he and his fellow craftsmen finish their day early, since they do not use electricity for light (remember, historic accuracy); in the summertime, he said, they toil late into the evening. At the tailor/mil-

liner’s shop, I learned that these tradespeople do not merely sell hats—they stock buttons, tobacco, and all manner of oddities, since the term “millinery” really was used as we employ the noun “notions” in common parlance today.

Also along the main drag are several Colonial taverns and it is a must to dine at one of them. I chose the Shields Tavern, which began life as Marot’s Ordinary, catering to the lesser gentry and upper-middling ranks. Lunch was a typical hearty soup and roast beef. For dinner, I went for broke at the “fancy” Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, a specialty seafood restaurant, and one of George Washington’s favorites. Mrs. Campbell holds court, and recommended the Maryland crab cakes, a savory, succulent choice.

The local museums (the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum share a building) are de rigueur to take in, as are the Capital building and the Governor’s Palace. History’s pages crackle in these corridors. Spend the half-hour it takes to go to historic Jamestown, the footprint of “our” civilization—where 104 intrepid English men and boys settled in 1607, 12 years before Pilgrims ever espied New England. There are replicas of the three ships that ferried them across the Atlantic; you’ll be gobsmacked at how diminutive the vessels are. There is a painstakingly built model of a Powhatan Indian village, as well as excellent museum exhibits, and of course, the ongoing excavation of the original fort.

If you are in need of a 21st-century Starbucks-style fix, cross Williamsburg’s North Henry Street to Merchants Square, where there are cute shops, like the Scotland House, and two marvelous restaurants, the Blue Talon Bistro and the Trellis Restaurant and Café. But you may not ever feel the urge to rejoin the 21st century when you are here, as the Historic Triangle—Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown—all offer stimulating exhibits, programs, and events all year long, completely absorbing and enriching you during your visit. n Information: visitwilliamsburg.com, colonialwilliamsburg.com, williamsburgweekends.com, historyisfun.org, nps.gov/jame; hotels and restaurants: wedmoreplace.com, bluetalonbistro.com, thetrellis.com 77

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LIFE AMONG THE RUINS Pompeii The Exhibit: Life and Death in the Shadow of Vesuvius, a new exhibit featuring the largest collection of the victims’ body casts and skeletons ever displayed—as well as more than 250 artifacts, some never-before-seen—is making its world premiere at Discovery Times Square (226 W. 44th St.) now through September 5. The exhibit examines the life and death of the doomed residents of Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum, frozen in time by the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. See listings for more information.

New York

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Sightseeing

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ONTHETOWN

9/11 Memorial Preview Site – Learn about the plans for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum currently under construction at the World Trade Center site, scheduled to open on 9/11/11. Share your 9/11 story with the Museum and help make history. 20 Vesey St. (Church St.), 212-312-8800; national911memorial.org Apollo Theater – Harlem’s world-famous showplace offers tours seven days a week, as well as the Apollo Amateur Night every Wednesday at 7:30pm. 253 W. 125th St. btw. Seventh & Eighth Aves., 212-531-5337; apollotheater.org Bike and Roll NYC – Bike the Hudson River Greenway—it’s car-free, fun, and easy. A huge variety of bikes and accessories are available, as are guided tours including the Central Park Bike Tour, Brooklyn Bridge & the Hudson River, and many others. For more info, email nyc@bike androll.com. Pier 84, Hudson River Park, W. 44th St. & the Hudson River, 212-260-0400; bike androll.com/newyork BODIES...The Exhibition – This striking exhibit showcases real human bodies, giving visitors the opportunity to see themselves in a fascinating way like never before. Both captivating and edifying, it unveils the many complex systems of organs and tissues that drive every aspect of our daily lives and unite us all as humans. Exhibition Centre at the South Street Seaport, 11 Fulton St., 888-9BODIES; bodiestheexhibition.com Central Park (centralparknyc.org) – Belvedere Castle (79th St. south of the Great Lawn, 212-7720210) - This famed, whimsical landmark is within sight of the Delacorte Theatre (summer home of the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival.) The Henry Luce Nature Observatory at Belvedere Castle is a permanent interactive exhibit focusing on how to observe, record, and identify the plants and wildlife that exist in Central Park’s rich and diverse natural habitats. Bethesda Terrace (mid-Park at 72nd St.) - Reconstruction has restored the Victorian stonework and steps

to the acre-sized esplanade. Carousel (mid-Park at 64th St., 212-879-0244) - Nostalgic turn-ofthe-century merry-go-round open daily, weather permitting. Central Park Zoo (Fifth Ave. btw.

63rd & 66th Sts., 212-439-6500; centralparkzoo. com) - From a steamy rain forest to an icy Antarctic penguin habitat, the zoo features natural tropical, temperate, and polar environments with dozens of fascinating animals, from leafcutter ants to polar bears, plus monkeys, sea lions, and cute penguins.

Open daily; call for hours. The Conservatory Garden (Fifth Ave. near 105th St.) - A lush and dazzling six-acre garden. The Dairy (mid-Park at 65th St., 212-794-6564) - The main visitor information center, set in a vintage Victorian Chalet.

Horse-and-Carriage Rides (212-736-0680) wait on the Central Park So./59th St. side of the Park.

Sheep Meadow (66th to 69th Sts. on the west side of the park) is a lush, 15-acre quiet zone open for passive play and skyline admiring. Strawberry Fields (71st to 74th St. near Central Park West) A 2.5-acre Interna­tional Garden of Peace dedicated to the memory of John Lennon. Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (enter at Central Park West & 81st St., 212-988-9093) - Shows for the general public. Call for current schedule. Tisch Children’s Zoo (Fifth Ave. btw. 64th & 65th Sts., 212-4396500) - This wildlife center echoes and reinforces the pastoral landscape of Central Park by creating a rustic Enchanted Forest with soft paths and native plantings. Youngsters will love the bewitching area, which suddenly unfolds into a magical place filled with birds flying freely overhead, contained in a virtually invisible net suspended in the trees, and a petting zoo.

Circle Line Downtown – Enjoy a narrated harbor tour including views of the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and more on board the luxurious ZEPHYR, departing daily beginning in April at 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm & 5pm. Hidden Harbor Tours (6/15, 28, 7/12, 26, 8/9, 23); Happy Hour on the Harbor (every Thurs. & Fri.); Tropical Oasis Cruise (every Sat.); 4th of July Cruise (7/4). 877-979-2542; circleline downtown.com

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises – Take in the grandeur of New York and see spectacular views of Manhattan as knowledgeable guides point out the famous landmarks. There are many cruises to choose from, for every type of traveler: the classic 3-hour Full-Island Cruise; the 2-hour Semi-Circle Cruise; the 75-minute Liberty Cruise (May-Oct.); the romantic 2-hour Harbor Lights Cruise. 4th of July Fireworks Cruise (7/4). Pier 83, W. 42nd St. & 12th Ave., 212-563-3200; circleline42.com CitySights NY – See New York from top-seatingonly double-decker buses with unobstructed views of NYC attractions, neighborhoods, and places of interest. Buses are furnished with state-of-the-art sound systems and entertaining urban-storytellers who offer interesting facts and tales about all of the city’s famous faces and places. They also feature combination tickets, day trips, and more.

They offer tours in four languages (Italian, French, German, and Spanish) by way of an audio headset that plugs into a player at each seat.

212-812-2700; citysightsny.com Empire State Building – From the Observatory on the 86th floor, reached by express elevator in less than a minute, Manhattan is an unforgettable spectacle day or night. You’ll enjoy the panoramic view, which, on a clear day, reaches 80 miles in each direction. Visitors may also enjoy the free changing exhibits in the lobby. Tickets to the 102nd floor observatory sold only upon arrival.

Daily, 8am-2am; last elevator at 1:15. $20; $18 (seniors, 12-17); $14 (6-11). 350 Fifth Ave. (34th St.), 212-736-3100; esbnyc.com Grand Central Terminal – This international landmark masterpiece boasts a vast, and dramatic sunken central room, lit by huge windows and ornamented by a whimsically designed ceiling depicting the constellations of the zodiac and a nostalgic in­formation kiosk topped by an old clock set in the center of the main floor. Join the one-hour walking tours, Wed. at 12:30pm, sponsored by the Municipal Art Society; call

If you’d like to see the city from the water, hop aboard New York Water Taxi. Their tours include: the 1-hour Statue of Liberty Express ($25); the Statue by Night Tour (daily at 7:45pm; $25), which goes past the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and more with a complimentary champagne toast and cash bar; and private charter options. They also operate the Delta Baseball Water Taxi, which offers free transportation to Yankees and Mets games and, with Bike and Roll NYC, the Bike the Brooklyn Bridge/Water Taxi Back tour, a one-of-a-kind day out that’s one part instant adventure and one part jaw-dropping views. 877-979-2542; nywatertaxi.com With Circle Line Downtown, you can enjoy a narrated harbor tour including views of the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and more on board the luxurious ZEPHYR. The SHARK Speedboat Thrill Ride operates daily throughout the summer. See our listing for info on the Hidden Harbor Tour, Happy Hour on the Harbor, and more special summer cruises. 877-979-2542; circlelinedowntown.com

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SIGHTSEEINGNEWYORK

212-935-3960. 42nd St & Park Ave., 212-532-4900; grandcentralterminal.com Gray Line Sightseeing Tours – Daily tours by open-top deluxe double-decker buses and luxury coaches including the ALL LOOPS TOUR, a 2-day ticket hop-on and off w/ 50+ stops from Times Square and Broadway to Harlem to Brooklyn. 777 Eighth Ave. btw. 47th & 48th Sts.;

PABT, 42nd St. & Eighth Ave.; Times Square, Broadway btw. 46th & 47th Sts., 800-669-0051; newyorksightseeing.com Harlem Spirituals/New York Visions – Explore Harlem with Gospel tours on Sun. and Wed. and the evening soul food and jazz tours Mon., Thurs., and Sat.; New York Visions uncovers the hidden treasures of Manhattan, the Bronx,

and Brooklyn. 690 Eighth Ave. (43rd-44th Sts.), 212-391-0900; harlemspirituals.com Harry Potter - The Exhibition – Experience the amazing craftsmanship of more than 200 authentic costumes and props from the films displayed in settings inspired by the films sets. 226 W. 44th St., 866-987-9692; harrypotterexhibition.com Helicopter Flight Services Tours – See NYC from above the turmoil of its streets. They offer 2 long helicopter tours that include the Statue of Liberty, N.Y. Harbor, the Chrysler Building, Central Park, Columbia University, the George Washington Bridge, Yankee Stadium and the Financial Center. They also offer customized tours and hourly rates. Downtown Heliport (Pier 6 & the East River), 212-355-0801; heliny.com Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum – The renovated museum complex includes the 900-footlong aircraft carrier with seven full decks and four theme halls; the guided missile submarine Growler; and an extensive aircraft collection including the A-12 Blackbird and the British Airways Concorde.

Upcoming events: Inspiration and Industry: American Women on the Home Front (through 9/18); FREE Intrepid Summer Movie Series (through 8/19); Antique Police Car Show (6/12); Meet the Pilots Day (6/25); Firefighters Appreciation Weekend (7/16-17); Coast Guard Appreciation Day (8/7); Police Appreciation Weekend (8/20-21). Pier 86, W. 46th St. & 12th Ave., 212-245-0072; intrepidmuseum.org Liberty Helicopter Tours – Six different tours in modern jet helicopters. Reservations required for 6 or more passengers. Downtown Heliport (Pier 6 & the East River), 212-967-6464; libertyhelicopters.com Madame Tussauds New York – A chance for an up-close-and-personal look at nearly 200 famous faces, from the Dalai Lama to Madonna, Albert Einstein to Joe DiMaggio. The famed Madame Tussauds wax museum in London has a spectacular NYC version in Times Square that’s become one of the city’s must-see sights. New York and world notables from film, television, music, politics, history and sports are represented in themed displays. Open 365 days a year from 10am. $35.50; $32.50 (seniors); $28.50 (4-12). 234 W. 42nd St. (Seventh-Eighth Aves.), 800-246-8872; madametussauds.com/newyork NBC Universal Store / Studio Tour – Stroll through the halls of NBC, the NBC History Theatre, and the studios of some of NBC’s most popular shows, including “SNL,” “The Today Show,” and others. Tours run every 15 to 30 minutes, seven days a week. Reservations recommended. The NBC Universal Store is open Mon.-Sat., 8am-7pm; Sun., 9am-6pm.

30 Rockefeller Plaza, 49th St. btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves., 212-664-3700; nbcuniversalstore.com

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The New York Botanical Garden – Offering a variety of gardens and collections and events, courses and exhibitions, year-round. Events

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ONTHETOWN

include: Spanish Paradise: Gardens of the Alhambra (through 8/21); Waterlily Concert Series (8/4, 11, 18). Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W at Fordham Rd.), The Bronx, or by Metro-North Railroad to Botanical Garden Station, 718-817-8700; nybg.org New York Pass – The all-in-one pass that lets you see NYC for less. Admission to more than 40 top attractions and museums with a comprehensive, 140-page guidebook, maps and discounts for 25+ top restaurants and retailers. Pass includes Empire State Building, Circle Line Sightseeing, Madame Tussauds, NBC Studio Tour and much more.

1-,2-,3- & 7-day passes, from $80. Available online at newyorkpass.com, by calling 877-714-1999

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square – Ripley’s showcases the oddities in life and delivers the ultimate in shockingly strange, true stories.

Open daily, 9am-1am. 234 W. 42nd St. (SeventhEighth Aves.), 212-398-3133; ripleysnewyork.com Top of the Rock – 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s dazzling, 360-degree indoor and outdoor views are not exactly new –– in fact, it was open from 1933 to

1986. The brainchild of John D. Rockefeller, the original deck was designed to evoke the upper decks of a 1930s grand ocean liner. They’ve preserved the historic integrity of Rockefeller’s creation while incorporating innovative features, with three decks featuring outdoor terraces and indoor space. Open daily, 8am-midnight. Reserved-time tickets available. 30 Rockefeller Center (W. 50th St. btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves.), 877-692-7625; topoftherocknyc.com

New York Water Taxi – Tours include the 1-hour Statue of Liberty Express and the Statue

By Night Tour nightly at 7:45pm. 877-979-2542; nywatertaxi.com NYC Freedom Tour – A unique land-andwater tour experience, and an economical way to see downtown Manhattan. Focusing on the Statue of Liberty and the soon-to-open World Trade Center Memorial, the tour begins on a bus in Times Square and includes a boat cruise downtown to see the World Trade Center Memorial, a bus tour of lower Manhattan with a drive across to Brooklyn’s Fulton Ferry Landing, and finishing with another boat cruise to see the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty. Tours depart at 9am, 10:30am & noon. 212-852-4821; nycfreedomtour.com NY SKYRIDE – A combination of moviemotion and sights rolled up into New York’s only aerial virtual tour simulator. Guide Kevin Bacon takes you on an adventure above, through, and underneath New York. An IMAX®-style digital presentation combining HD technology, customdesigned seats, and a 6-meter/18-foot screen.

Open daily at 8am. Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Ave. (33rd St.), 2nd floor, 212-279-9777; skyride.com OnBoard Tours – NYC’s most comprehensive 5-1/2-hour tour combines driving and short walks with a ferry cruise past the Statue of Liberty. Stops include the World Trade Center site, Rockefeller Center, and the Empire State Building.

212-277-8019; onboardnewyorktours.com Pompeii The Exhibit – Experience Pompeii before and after the epic eruption 2,000 years ago with over 250 artifacts, including some neverbefore-seen objects and the largest collection of body casts ever on display, including a dramatic skeleton collection. 226 W. 44th St., 866-987-9692; discoverytsx.com/pompeii Radio City Music Hall – Get an exclusive look at the legendary hall. Daily, 11am-3pm. $19.25; seniors, $15; under 12, $12.50. Tickets sold at the Radio City Avenue Store on the day of the tour. Advance tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster and the box office. 1260 Sixth Ave. (50th St.), 212-307-7171; radiocity.com

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Promenade PICKS

The Four Seasons Restaurant

Bill Milne

There are a select few restaurants that reach a certain iconic status.

They ooze New York style, are fixtures of American success, and are the types of places where Presidents dine when they’re in town. The Four Seasons Restaurant may well be the most iconic of this small band of brethren, and over the last 50-plus years, in the same location on East 52nd Street, it has flourished as a dining destination and one of the city’s premier power lunch venues.

Offering award-winning seasonal American cuisine created from locally grown ingredients, the Four Seasons offers two dining rooms: The Pool Room is airy and romantic, with a bubbling marble pool and canopy of trees; while the Grill Room has soaring two-story windows, French walnut-paneled walls, and the restaurant’s legendary wooden bar.

Last year, they welcomed two new faces—Pecko Zantilaveevan and Larry Finn—to the Executive Chef position that was held for more than 30 years by Christian Albin. Zantilaveevan trained with Christian Delouvrier at Maurice in the Parker Meridien, as well as with Daniel Boulud, and is a 16-year veteran under Albin; Finn is the former Executive Chef of Café Gray.

“Changing the menu every season has been a tradition here for decades,” says Zantilaveevan. “The purpose has always been to serve simple cuisine using the best produce available.

Location 99 East 52nd Street • 212-754-9494 • fourseasonsrestaurant.com

Jonathan Hökklo

The glass-enclosed Treehouse Bar has handcrafted cocktails and a selection of pizzas, flatbreads, spreads and pâtés, plus homemade sweets and snacks. Downstairs, the 130-seat, loft-like space is divided into a bar and dining room with a barn roof and a blackened steel bar top. It features an open kitchen and glass-enclosed wine cave and a carving station, where a variety of meats are carved and whole-roasted fish, lobster and casseroles are plated. David Burke Kitchen’s unparalleled outdoor space has its own bar and seating for 130. The space , along with the hotel’s urban garden, is landscaped with herb beds and flowers by horticulturalist Rebecca Cole and decorated with sculptures made of recycled materials that reflect the rustic, whimsical vibe. Begin your meal with a tomato, ricotta and eggplant trifle, tuna tartar tacos with whipped avocado or tomato gazpacho with watermelon and rock shrimp. Sandwiches such as the soft-shell crab with salted mango puree pickled vegetables and Old Bay mayo, and the bacon-cheddar Kitchen burger with jalapeno fries complement the airy space, which also features a 14-seat open-air chef’s table and private cabanas. Open weekdays from noon to 10pm and from 11am to10pm on weekends.

Lunch is offered Monday through Friday, noon-2:30pm; dinner on Monday through Saturday from 5-9:30pm. Reservations are recommended. – Kris Carpenter

Jonathan Hökklo

Celebrity chef David Burke and The James Hotel have partnered (David Burke’s Primehouse is at The James in Chicago) and opened David Burke Kitchen at The James New York. The restaurant offers three different ways to enjoy the locally sourced, creative fare that is Burke’s signature style.

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David Burke Kitchen

“We have an amazing customer base comprised of a lot of regulars and people who are very knowledgeable about food, so we trust them as well. A lot of the people who come in just ask for the specials and order one. So if we hear that one of the specials was a big hit, we usually try it again the next time those ingredients are available; and if it continues to please, we think about incorporating it into the menu.”

[ Larry Finn, left and Pecko Zantilaveevan ]

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The other parts of David Burke’s tasty NYC empire: David Burke Townhouse (133 E. 61st St., 212-813-2121; davidburketownhouse. com); David Burke @ Bloomingdale’s (150 E. 59th St., 212-705-3800; burkeinthebox.com) and Fishtail (135 E. 62nd St., 212-754-1300; fishtaildb.com).

Location 23 Grand Street • 212-201-9119 • davidburkekitchen.com

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DININGah! alfresco

New York

By Marian Betancourt

Pampano

One flight up, off the intersection of 49th Street and Third Avenue, is an elegant townhouse terrace where you can dine outdoors on some of the city’s finest Mexican cuisine. Colorful fish sculptures float in the breeze much like a Calder mobile to shield diners from the traffic below. Fish rule on the menu as well. Pampano, one of Richard Sandoval’s two highly rated New York restaurants, has a hip but subdued sophistication that makes diners of any age feel at home.

Latin music is calibrated softly so that you can enjoy its sounds as well as your conversation.

Under the direction of Chef de Cuisine Lucero Martinez, the menu opens with house starters like the brightly flavored smoked swordfish mix of tomato, onion, cilantro, and pickled jalepenos. Of the ceviche selections, the corvina stands out with a sweet heat and crunchiness and the mahi mahi with citrus, tomato, and chile Serrano has the delayed kick of a Bloody Mary. The grilled octopus appetizer, pulpo a la parilla, is tender and smoky, served on black olive caramel syrup, adorned with cactus, tomato and queso fresco. The plump sweetness of the bacalao negro—black cod—entrée is perfectly balanced by the heat of the chipotle-miso marinade. If you prefer a tender steak, the grilled churrasco – beef tenderloin – comes with a very tangy wild mushroom escabeche.

For dessert the pastel de elote is a warm corn cake with coconut ice cream on a pool of hibiscus sauce. Muy elegante!

There’s no need to leave town for a summer clambake; there’s one on Park Avenue in the heart of midtown on the porch of a cathedral.

Seashore Saturdays on the terrace of Inside Park at St. Bart’s, are all-day affairs that provide city dwellers and visitors with New England lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, linguica sausage, corn, and potatoes, with a touch of white wine, covered in a bed of seaweed and roasted in a wood-fired oven with fresh herbs. Oh, and some potato rolls and lemon wedges on the side.

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Inside Park at St. Bart’s

Entrees are $24 to $33 and a five-course chef’s tasting menu is $50.

Lunch weekdays from 11:30 am; dinner daily from 5 pm.

Location 209 East 49th Street • 212-751-4545 • richardsandovalrestaurants.com

On a sunny day, “we serve around 45 or so,” says Executive Chef Matthew Weingarten. The clambake is really designed as a communal affair but if you are hungry and ambitious, order the smallest size for a fantastic feast. Most everyone eats outside, but you can dine inside this elegant restaurant, formerly the great hall of the church with its 30-foot beamed ceiling and stained glass windows. Year round you can dine on Chef Weingarten’s sumptuous entrees such as wood-roasted duck, heritage pork, and grass fed beef while the wood oven turns out “some mean pizzettes,” adds the chef.

Also available this summer on the terrace is live music on Wednesday evenings and a Sunday brunch. After extensive renovations the terrace and kitchen will reopen the first week in June. Clambakes, at $36 per person, are available evey Saturday until Labor Day weekend. The clambake is also available on weekdays at lunch, but order in advance.

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Lunch: Monday to Friday 11:30am to 3pm (Saturdays in summer); dinner Monday to Saturday, 5 to 10pm. Check for Sunday brunch hours. Lunch entree range from $14 to $22 and dinner entrees range from $26 to $32.

Location Park Avenue and 50th Street • 212-593-3333 • insideparknyc.com

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DININGNEWYORK

Blue Water Grill The Blue Water Grill terrace can accommodate 50 to 60 diners, most of whom want to sit up front to watch the action at the Union Square green market. Executive Chef Matt Hughes, like most New York chefs, is inspired by the market’s bounty. “We have more fun with the menu in summer,” he says. “Perhaps a fresh fruit sauce with fish.” The accompaniments often come from just across the street each day.

You can order any fish grilled simply with extra virgin olive oil, lemon, garlic and capers, with your choice of side veggie and sauce. Or, try the succulent ginger-soy lacquered Chilean sea bass with sticky rice, Chinese broccoli, sliced ginger, and wasabi, which is always on the menu. A recent outstanding special was Arctic char with pea shoots ravioli, wild mushrooms, and a lemony sauce. The pea shoots also inspired the sushi chef to include it in a salmon hand roll with pineapple and threads of raw parsnip for an intriguing flavor combination.

The banana ice cream tower will cause heads to turn as it is delivered to your table. A tall, hollow hazelnut log filled with sliced bananas and ice cream stands upright in a pool of toasted marshmallow sauce. Don’t be intimidated, for as one waiter said, “Most people just knock it over to get inside.”

iTrulli is a warm and hospitable Italian family restaurant, where in summer you can dine in the garden and watch the tomatoes grow while a waterfall provides background “music.”

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iTrulli

The Blue Water Grill has a happy vibe whether at the bar, the dining room, the lower level jazz room, or outside on the terrace.

Lunch Monday to Saturday 11:30am to 4pm; dinner 5 to 10pm and to 11pm Friday and Saturday; Sunday brunch 10:30am to 4pm. Entrees from $22 to $34.

Location 31 Union Square West • 212-675-9500 • bluewatergrillnyc.com

The owner and always present host, Nicola Marzovilla, is from Puglia in the heel of Italy. Executive Chef Patti Jackson is from Pennsylvania, but is by inclination a true Italian cook famous for her duck prosciutto. Originally a pastry chef, Jackson makes addictive bread sticks and panzerotti—baby calzones filled with tomato and mozzarella. Nicola’s mother, Dora Marzovilla, comes in daily to make the pasta, and her handmade cavatelli (flour dumplings) with broccoli rabe and roasted almonds is a house favorite.

“We do the classics,” says Marzovilla, who does not want to reinvent anything. “If there are more than three things in a dish, you’ve done too much.” Pulpo, a grilled baby octopus, is paired with a few tender yet crisp fennel strips, olives, and lemon confit. Another must-have is burrata – Apulian creamy-centered cheese served with wild chicory.

A secondi, like Chatham cod, is paired with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers. Another favorite is fried rabbit with carrot and escarole. Don’t leave without trying the famous side dish of fave e cicoria, or fava bean puree with dandelion.

Every Sunday, the extended Marzovilla family gathers at Dora’s house to share a meal, but your family can have a similar Sunday experience at iTrulli, where a four-course dinner ($45) includes antipasti and pastas for the table, choice of entrée, and profiteroles for dessert.

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Lunch 12 to 3pm daily; dinner 5:30 to 10:30pm Monday to Thursday and to 11pm on Friday and Saturday, Sunday 3 to 10pm; brunch Saturday and Sunday 12 to 3pm. Entrees from $26 to $36; Apulian tasting menu, $48.

Location 122 East 27th Street • 212-481-7372 • itrulli.com

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Oceana

ah! alfresco

The food at Michelin-starred Oceana is exceptional, whether you dine inside this spacious restaurant on the ground floor of the McGraw Hill building or out on the summer dining patio. According to Executive Chef Ben Pollinger, people eat more raw fish in summer and there is plenty to tempt you here. A superb sashimi selection is the buttery escalar (also called white tuna), a rare fish from Hawaii.

A “fan” of slices is accented with a line of peach chutney and bits of macadamia nuts.

The lobster cobb salad is a popular lunch selection, with avocado, bleu cheese, bacon, tomato, tender lobster chunks, and a rich but subtle buttermilk lobster dressing, flavored with the oil from boileddown lobster shells. A summer entrée like the chilled poached skate with a salad of zucchini ribbons with pine nuts and pickled onions may be flavored with herbs from the chef’s own organic home garden. Another summer treat is sautéed Alaska king salmon with cherry sauce.

Pollinger’s piece de resistance is the taro-wrapped Dorade with baby bok choy and long beans. A gorgeous emerald green coconut cilantro curry sauce is poured along the center of your plate. You will never forget the sensational new flavor created by those three ingredients.

Save room for dessert such as the chocolate custard brownie with roasted cinnamon cream and espresso granite created by Executive Pastry Chef Jansen Chan.

There are 80 seats on the patio and 200 inside. (Let’s hope the rumor that Chef Pollinger is working on a cookbook is true.)

In summer, the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink disappears and a terrace for the Sea Grill is set up with shade umbrellas, potted plants and trees to create an outdoor dining room. Lunch is the only time sushi, sashimi and ceviche are available at this year’s winner of the Wine Spectator restaurant award. Chef Jawn Chasteen’s fondness for Asian flavors comes through in his sublime lime-marinated white fish ceviche with bits of mango, papaya and Serrano chili, dressed with passion fruit vinaigrette. Maine lobster salad with haricot vert, pear, fennel, and slow roasted tomato is a popular lunch entrée.

Sea Grill is known for its extravagant shellfish platters from $45 to $110, depending on size. Their signature lump crab cake is lightly dusted with ground cornflake crumbs baked rather than fried, and served in stone ground mustard sauce made with cream and wine.

Depending on the daily catch, you may find line-caught Long Island fluke, grilled and served with wilted spinach and Arbois wine sauce.

Lunch daily 11:30am to 3pm; dinner 5 to 11pm Monday to Saturday, 4 to 9pm Sunday. Entrees from $29 to $50.

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The Sea Grill

Location 120 West 49th Street • 212-759-5941 • oceanarestaurant.com

[ Executive Chef Ben Pollinger and Executive Pastry Chef Jansen Chan ]

Summer desserts depend on what the chef finds at the greenmarket, such as strawberries for a shortcake or peaches for sorbet.

The famous sweet-tart key lime pie with Angostura bitters glaze and fresh cream is always available.

When the weather is warm, up to 130 dinners a day are served on the terrace, but come December, when the legendary Christmas tree is up, as many as 300 diners can sit inside, behind the tall restaurant windows for a special view of an iconic New York holiday scene.

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Lunch weekdays 11:30am to 2:30pm; dinner Monday to Saturday 5 to 10pm. Entrees $28 to $42; four-course prix fixe dinner, $72.

Location 119 West 49th Street • 212-332-7610 • theseagrillnyc.com

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American ABC Kitchen - Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s contemporary American restaurant inside ABC Carpet & Home features a locally sourced, globally artistic changing menu “passionately committed to offering the freshest organic and local ingredients possible.” Open for dinner 7 days at 5:30.

Named Esquire’s “Restaurant of the Year,” 2010. ABC Carpet & Home, 35 E. 18th St., 212-475-5829; abckitchennyc.com Arabelle - A stunning backdrop for modern American cuisine. This elegant gold-domed room with Murano glass and brass chandeliers combines touches of Europe and Asia, as the chiffon-colored walls with murals of pagodas and faux conservatory windows create a serene and soothing mood. Sunday brunch is an event not to be missed: enjoy a buffet of steamed lobster, chilled shrimp, salads and sliced meats; then, order off of the entrée menu before attending the dessert buffet. Hotel Plaza Athénée, New York, 37 E. 64th St., 212-606-4647; arabellerestaurant.com Aureole - This American eatery—located in the most environmentally advanced skyscraper in the world—offers the best of famed chef Charlie Palmer’s unabashed, energetic signature Progressive American cuisine. The sharply focused flavors of Chef Christophe Bellanca’s elegant menu continue to draw rave reviews, showcasing the best of the season. One Bryant Park, 135 W. 42nd St., 212-319-1660; charliepalmer.com/Properties/Aureole/NY B. Smith’s - Fine American cuisine with Southern influences, located on Restaurant Row in the Theatre District/Times Square area, courtesy of the popular television host. The Albert Rivera Organ Trio performs every Friday and Saturday night, 8:30-11:30pm and during a live jazz brunch on Sundays from 11:30am to 3pm, featuring weekly jazz duos and many of New York City’s finest musicians. 320 W. 46th St., 212-315-1100; bsmith.com Beacon - Feasting on cuisine cooked over a wood fire is an incomparably delicious experience, and at Beacon, it’s all about the flame. Waldy Malouf, chef and co-owner, wields flame as a culinary tool to enhance the bold flavors of his ingredients, employing a wood-burning oven, a rotisserie, and a grill to perfect his earthy, flavorful and inventive American fare. 25 W. 56th St., 212-332-0500; beaconnyc.com Blue Smoke - This bustling restaurant puts the “soul” back into soul food.

They’ve got spareribs cooked Kansas City-style (saucy) and St. Louis-style (marbled), as well as pulled-pork and Texas beef-brisket sandwiches. Make a night of it—lick the sauce off your fingers and head downstairs for live music at the Jazz Standard. 116 E. 27th St., 212-447-7733; bluesmoke.com

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[ Todd English ]

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The Breslin Bar and Dining Room - The latest gastropub venture from the team behind the Spotted Pig and chef de cuisine Peter Cho, featuring full English breakfasts, decadent three-cheese-and-ham sandwiches, and some of the best fries in the city. For dinner, expect exquisite cuts of meat, sausages, and a variety of terrines. Ace Hotel, 20 W. 29th St., 212-679-2222; thebreslin.com CrossBar - Four-time James Beard Award-winning chef Todd English’s latest culinary concept, CrossBar, is his modern interpretation of “Head to Tail” pork cooking featuring retro snacks, composed entrées, plates to share and even whole roasted suckling pig dinners. An extensive list of premium bourbon, Scotch, and whiskeys (as well as craft beers and international and domestic wines) pairs well with the meat-centric menu. 47 W. 20th St. at Sixth Ave., 212-359-3550; crossbarny.com David Burke at Bloomingdale’s - The ultimate in culinary cafes, David Burke brings his signature creations to this upscale but casual setting. Nothing satisfies the shop-till-you-drop appetite like the highly touted asiago truffle fries, and for the dinner guest, every night of the week you’ll find a $24.07 three-course prixfixe dinner. 150 E. 59th St., 212-705-3800; burkeinthebox.com David Burke Kitchen - The latest addition to the famed restaurateur’s New York City empire, located in SoHo. Focusing on wholesome, unique and modern American food presented in the creative and whimsical style that is Burke’s trademark, the Thomas Schlesser-designed restaurant blends the cool, industrial simplicity of an airy loft with the rustic warmth of a country barn. The James New York, 23 Grand St. (Thompson St.), 212-201-9119; davidburkekitchen.com David Burke Townhouse - The flagship of the Burke-ian fleet, this provocative and elegant Upper East Side resident has been turning heads and delighting patrons since 2003. As dishes—like the culinary marvel, the crisp & angry lobster “cocktail”—make their way through the dining room you’ll see that Burke’s flair for presentation is matched only by the food’s outstanding taste.

133 E. 61st St., 212-813-2121; davidburketownhouse.com Doral Arrowwood - Westchester County’s Doral Arrowwood hotel features three dining options. Dine al fresco at Mulligan’s Outdoor Cafe, which overlooks the ninth green and features salads, light dishes, and grilled specialties.

The PUB has a wrap-around bar and fireplace as well as 14 high-definition flatscreen TVs, pool tables, dartboards, and a dance floor. The light, airy Atrium serves buffet-style lunches and à la carte dinners. 975 Anderson Hill Road, Rye Brook, NY, 914-939-5500; doralarrowwood.com Eleven Madison Park - Relive the glamorous era of Cole Porter and New York’s café society in the sleek, high-ceilinged elegance of what was once the

In late May, four-time James Beard Award-winning chef Todd English debuted his latest culinary concept, CrossBar, at Limelight Marketplace, Manhattan’s new shopping and dining destination. It’s English’s modern interpretation of “Head to Tail” pork cooking featuring retro snacks, composed entrées, plates to share and even whole roasted suckling pig dinners. An extensive list of premium bourbon, Scotch, and whiskeys (as well as craft beers and international and domestic wines) pairs well with the meat-centric menu.

Executive Chef Robert Rubba, an alum of English’s Tuscany as well as L2O and Guy Savoy, heads up the kitchen and conceived the menu alongside English. CrossBar’s prominent menu features are those pork plates, such as: Puffed Pigs’ Ears (black lime, smoked paprika); Crispy Pork Tongue (breakfast radish kimchi, watercress); Pork Belly & Octopus (Thai flavors, squid ink vinaigrette); Pigs’ Tail Pazole (hominy, avocado, and gaujillo broth) and Ham ‘n Eggs (warm egg spuma, mangalitsa ham, pickled okra). With 48 hours advance reservation, six to eight hungry diners can indulge in the Suckling Pig Dinner, a whole roasted suckling pig complete with starters, sides, and bacon pecan pie with bourbon caramel ice cream for dessert. The menu also offers tempting non-pork dishes, including: Sloppy Foie Sliders (duck, albefera, onion jam, brioche); Lamb Belly Pastrami (spring cabbage, rye croutons); The Burger (prime beef, Taylor ham, fried egg, spiked ketchup) and “Loaded” Gnocchi (broccoli, aged cheddar, pancetta). 47 W. 20th St. at Sixth Ave., 212-359-3550; crossbarny.com

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cavernous Art Deco assembly hall of the old Met Life Building. The restaurant has that wonderful jazzy, streamlined look of the Roaring ’20s and the menu features American fare with an emphasis on sophisticated French classics. 11 Madison Ave. (24th St.), 212-889-0905; elevenmadisonpark.com

Terminal’s Main Concourse features an open kitchen where Chef de Cuisine Stefan Bahr adds a Mediterranean touch to Palmer’s signature style.

Grand Central Terminal, East Balcony, 42nd St. & Park Ave., 212-687-4600; charliepalmer.com/ Properties/Metrazur/

The Four Seasons - A spectacularly beautiful restaurant serving excellent American seasonal specialties. As seasons change, so do the menu and decor. The restaurant has two dining rooms: the Pool Room with its trees and marble pool, and the wood-paneled Grill Room. And one of America’s most complete wine lists. We strongly recommend that you make your reservation at least 5 to 7 days in advance. 99 E. 52nd St., 212-754-9494; fourseasonsrestaurant.com

Northern Spy Food Co. - A small and inviting East Village restaurant with a menu built around seasonality, accessibility, and quality, using locallygrown or -produced ingredients whenever possible.

The beers come entirely from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions, while the well-curated wine list includes many New York State-based selections meant for pairing with the food. 511 E. 12th St., 212-228-5100; northernspyfoodco.com The Park Room - Exceptional nouveau American cuisine—courtesy of executive chef Anthony Marra—and stunning views of Central Park are the order of the day at Helmsley Park Lane’s The Park Room, making for a quintessential New York

Gilt - Executive chef Justin Bogle helms the New York Palace’s elegant and refined yet striking and futuristic Gilt, where contemporary, honey-colored leather accented with man-made white materials provide harmonious contrast to the 19th-century details. The New American menu offers transcendent twists on the classics. 455 Madison Ave. (50th St.), 212-891-8100; giltnewyork.com Gotham Bar and Grill - The highly acclaimed haute cuisine of this trendy downtown restaurant reflects the Post-Modernist, converted warehouse setting. Executive chef/co-owner Alfred Portale creates dazzling visual and provocative culinary effects with his superb, contemporary meals, piled whimsically skyscraper-like onto plates, including one of the city’s best seafood salads. 12 E. 12th St., 212-620-4020; gothambarandgrill.com Gramercy Tavern - This classic American tavern offers extraordinary cuisine and hospitality in a historic landmark, featuring contemporary American fare with French and Italian overtones in a dining room that recalls a country estate.

42 E. 20th St., 212-477-0777; gramercytavern.com The Harrison - This Tribeca favorite—with a menu by chef Amanda Freitag—exudes the aura of a long-time neighborhood haunt, serving comfort food with a downtown twist. 355 Greenwich St. (Harrison St.), 212-274-9310; theharrison.com Inside Park at St. Bart’s - A space built across the famous Terrace at St. Bartholomew’s Church, with intricate, Byzantine-like decorative stenciling, true to the immense room’s original colors, motifs, and craftsmanship, painstakingly replicated on the 30-foot ceiling, as well as on the walls and overhanging balcony. Executive Chef Matthew Weingarten oversees the ever-changing contemporary American menu. 109 E. 50th St., 212-593-3333; insideparknyc.com The Lion - Founding chef and partner of the Waverly Inn, John DeLuci’s new restaurant offers his unique, Italian-American take on classic cuisine, which has attracted both celebrities and serious food fans. 62 W. 9th St., 212-353-8400; thelionnyc.com Métrazur - Charlie Palmer’s gorgeous seasonal American restaurant overlooking Grand Central

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DININGNEWYORK

Charlie Palmer has opened 13 restaurants across the country in 20 years, and when asked how the journey has been, he answers simply, “It’s been invigorating; I don’t get tired.” In 1988, Palmer opened Aureole —his first restaurant as a chef/owner. He would hone his craft there for nearly a decade, garnering a three-star New York Times review and a James Beard Award. Aureole New York is “his soul,” as Palmer himself puts it, and although he’s usually in the kitchen, he can often be found at the far corner of the bar, smiling and cracking jokes about the speed at which other restaurateurs move. 135 W. 42nd St., 212-319-1660; charliepalmer.com/ Properties/Aureole/NY

Ouzo flows freely and the baklava is piled high at Molyvos, an authentic Greek spot located in midtown Manhattan. A tavern-like atmosphere (including the boisterous crowds) doesn’t prepare you for the food to come: The menu is built upon the home-style cooking of Greece, with dishes elevated through the talents of executive chef James Botsacos. He prepares each of the authentic recipes using classical cooking techniques, and the ingredients available in New York, such as prime meats, greenmarket vegetables, and day boat fish.

871 Seventh Ave. (55th-56th Sts.), 212-582-7500; molyvos.com

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Westchester County’s Doral Arrowwood hotel not only features 114 acres of rolling hills, open meadows, ponds, and a nine-hole, Robert von Hagge-designed golf course, but also three excellent dining options. You can dine al fresco at Mulligan’s Outdoor Cafe, which overlooks the ninth green and features salads, light dishes, and grilled specialties. The quintessential pub experience is offered at The PUB (above) with a wrap-around bar and fireplace as well as 14 high-definition flat-screen TVs, pool tables, dartboards, and a dance floor. The light, airy Atrium serves buffetstyle lunches and à la carte dinners amid spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling windows, an award-winning brunch, and the Saturday Night Buffet Dinner Dance.

975 Anderson Hill Road, Rye Brook, NY, 914-939-5500; doralarrowwood.com

experience. The dinner menu currently features entrées such as baked black sea bass, a five-spice duck breast, roast bone-in pork loin, and organic pork chops. Helmsley Park Lane, 36 Central Park So. (Fifth-Sixth Aves.), 212-521-6655; helmsleyparklane.com Per Se - Luxurious in its stunning views of Central Park from each table, its décor of dark woods and glittering metal surfaces and its incomparable menu featuring caviar, lobster, foie gras, and Kobe beef. Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle (60th St.), 4th Floor, 212-823-9335; perseny.com The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English - A European-inspired specialty food hall offering the finest fresh, prepared and gourmet foods set in a stylish and convenient atmosphere. Fresh flowers, international specialty foods, cookware, and home goods are available for purchase. The Plaza, 1 W. 59th St., 212-986-9260; theplazafoodhall.com The Red Cat - This popular neighborhood bistro—the creation of chef/owner Jimmy Bradley—features executive chef/partner Bill McDaniel’s straightforward presentations and intense flavors such as roasted cod with savory, shiitake, sugar snaps, and Champagne tomato butter. The spot lives up to its sassy name with sporty red banquettes to match the innovative American plates. 227 Tenth Ave. (23rd St.), 212-242-1122; theredcat.com Red Rooster - Renowned chef/restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson tries his hand at comfort food celebrating the roots of American cuisine and the diverse culinary traditions of its Harlem location.

Named in honor of the legendary Harlem speakeasy. 310 Lenox Ave. (125th St.), 212-792-9001; redroosterharlem.com The River Cafe - One of the world’s most famous views combined with one of the most glamorous and romantic restaurants creates a premier dining destination for discriminating New Yorkers as well as heads of state and celebrities. The cuisine, desserts, and outstanding wine list more than live up to the spectacular waterfront ambiance.

1 Water St. at the East River, Brooklyn, 718-522-5200; rivercafe.com Rosie O’Grady’s - In the tradition of the great New York style saloon, this Theatre District fixture offers excellent steak and seafood for pre- or posttheater. Begin with a beer on tap at one of the two traditional wood bars, followed by selections from the extensive menu. 149 W. 46th St., 212-869-0600; rosieogradystimessquare.com Rouge Tomate - This striking space of rich natural wood, plush booths and a cranberry pool complete with a sexy bar and lounge offers a refuge for the urban set. The Modern American cuisine touts dishes that utilize local purveyors and sustainable ingredients. 10 E. 60th St., 646-237-8977; rougetomatenyc.com ‘21’ Club - One of the most iconic and elegant dining destinations in NYC. Executive Chef John

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Greeley balances classic ‘21’ dishes such as Dover sole and New York’s best crab cakes with his own cutting-edge creations such as Vermont farm-raised lamb with creamed nettles, roasted eggplant and fingerling potatoes; and roasted halibut with shrimp, bay scallops, razor clams, bok choy, chanterelle and corn kernels. Dine in either the famous Bar Room or the romantic Upstairs at ‘21’; or host an event in one of their 10 private banquet rooms. Jacket required.

21 W. 52nd St., 212-582-7200; 21club.com

mildly) flavored. 149 E. 57th St., 212-752-0808; lecolonialnyc.com

2 West - A spacious, elegant, French-American eatery with park views, on the waterfront. Chef Michael Grau accents his menu of prime steaks and Atlantic seafood with regional ingredients, and classic French sauces. Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park, 2 West St., 212-344-0800; ritzcarlton.com

Kin Shop - Chef Harold Dieterle and Alicia

Lychee House - “Modern Chinese” inspired by contemporary culinary practices and ranging from comfort food like sesame chicken, to more exotic culinary experiences such as dishes flavored with real Malaysian curry. Dim Sum available on evenings & weekends. 141 E. 55th St. (Lexington-Third Aves.), 212-753-3900; lycheehouse.com

Nosenzo offer both contemporary reinterpretations of traditional Thai dishes and new items inspired

by Thai ingredients (meant to be shared), as well as Thai-influenced specialty cocktails. 469 Sixth Ave. (11th St.), 212-675-4295; kinshopnyc.com Tse Yang Restaurant - The serenely elegant Tse Yang lives up to its name, an exclusive epicurean “Center of the Sun” boasting authentic, Northern Chinese seasonal dishes created from fresh local and imported ingredients and served European-style.

34 E. 51st St., 212-688-5447; tseyangnyc.com

Union Square Cafe - By day, this is one of the most red-hot business-lunch spots in town; by night, it’s a popular bistro. Owner Danny Meyer, chef Michael Romano, and executive chef Carmen Quagliata oversee this hit, serving American cuisine with Italian soul. 21 E. 16th St. (Union Sq. West-Fifth Ave.), 212-243-4020; unionsquarecafe.com The Waverly Inn - Graydon Carter’s tough-to-getinto, low-lit celebrity favorite featuring traditional American fare, such as salmon tartare, Dover sole, and the popular “Waverly Burger.” 16 Bank St. (Waverly Pl.), 212-243-7900

ARGENTINEAN Buenos Aires - Known for their uncompromising choice of the finest cuts of beef and the freshest vegetables—quality food at reasonable prices in a charming, warm, cozy atmosphere. Go for the grilled meats, to-die-for empanadas, fresh pastas and more. 513 E. 6th St. (Ave. A-Ave. B), 212-228-2775; buenosairesnyc.com

Asian Bann - Young Choi, owner of Woo Lae Oak, got even more creative with Bann, the city’s highestrated Korean restaurant according to Zagat. While the décor evokes Korea—the elegant, cool ambiance is characterized by the hand-crafted copper bar and marble tables, with the flickering flames of smokeless barbecue grills in the center of each table—the fare is very eclectic. 350 W. 50th St., 212-582-4446; bannrestaurant.com Chin Chin - One of the city’s premier destinations for haute Chinese cuisine, using ingredients from around the world, prepared with Asian techniques and spices. Specialties include the Grand Marnier prawns and minced squab in lettuce wraps.

216 E. 49th St., 212-888-4555; chinchinny.com Le Colonial - Authentic French-Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that is reminiscent of Southeast Asia in the early 20th century. The menu emphasizes vegetables, fresh seafood, meats, and an artful use of herbs and spices, and the dishes are inventively light, low in fat, visually arresting and vividly (yet mostly

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Woo Lae Oak - Featuring upscale, radically innovative Korean fare in a sleek, cool interior in the heart of SoHo. The dishes, which fuse traditional elements with a modern flair, have garnered praise and popularity in equal measure.

148 Mercer St. (Prince St.), 212-925-8200; woolaeoaksoho.com

Continental Delmonico’s - Founded in 1837, Delmonico’s was the country’s first finedining establishment, introducing haute cuisine, wine lists, and menus written in French to the United States. It has been returned to its former glory in its stately landmark premises in the Financial District, with dark mahogany and period murals that evoke the restaurant’s legendary days as the favorite haunt of the city’s power brokers. Private dining rooms available. 56 Beaver St. (William St.), 212-509-1144; delmonicosny.com One If By Land, Two If By Sea - Consistently rated one of the most romantic restaurants in New York. Located in a converted carriage house, with two fireplaces and a pianist playing in the background, it’s like dining in an aristocrat’s extravagant living room. 17 Barrow St. (Seventh Ave.-W. 4th St.), 212-228-0822; oneifbyland.com Opia - This plush and popular Midtown oasis offers a total New York experience with creative food and wines from around the world. The menu includes American, French and international specialties such as a full sushi bar serving the freshest sashimi, maki rolls, and cones. 130 E. 57th St., 212-688-3939; opiarestaurant.com

CUBAN Victor’s Cafe - Since 1963, this family-run New York treasure has served fine authentic Cuban cuisine, including zesty black beans, roast suckling pig, paella, and tropical sangrias. Perfect for pre- or post- theater, business lunches, private parties or for trying one of the best mojitos in town in the Cuba Lounge.

236 W. 52nd St., 212-586-7714; victorscafe.com

DELIS Carnegie Deli - For the truly robust appetite in search of the quintessential New York eating experience, the Carnegie has been offering delicious gigantic sandwiches in the hotel and Theatre District since 1937. One of the world’s most famous and busiest delis, and a required culinary stop on any visit, they specialize in over-sized portions of the whole range of scrumptious deli food—from Jewish-

style meats to smoked white fish and cheese blintzes. 854 Seventh Ave. (55th St.), 212-757-2245; carnegiedeli.com Katz’s Delicatessen - Sometimes it’s best to leave a classic alone, as in the case of the famous Katz’s Deli. This near-mythic legendary restaurant has been serving half-pound sandwiches of hot pastrami and corned beef, plump grilled franks, knishes, matzoh ball soup, and other favorite deli fare since 1888. Open 24 hours. 205 E. Houston St. (Ludlow St.), 212-254-2246; katzdeli.com 2nd Ave Deli - After more than 50 years in the East Village, the famed deli has relocated to the east side of Midtown, and returned with all its famous certifiedkosher delights intact. Traditional favorites include corned beef, pastrami, and the world-famous chicken matzoh ball soup. Open 24 hours. 162 E. 33rd St., 212-689-9000; 2ndavedeli.com

French/French Bistro Balthazar - A magnetic dining scene, filled to the brim with luminaries from the art, movie, theatre, and fashion worlds and stalwart nightlifers in a transplanted Parisian-brasserie-like atmosphere. Traditional bistro fare is served from breakfast through late-night dinner, with an extensive wine list, a raw seafood bar, and breads and pastries from Balthazar bakery. 80 Spring St. (Broadway-Crosby St.), 212-965-1414; balthazarny.com Bistro Bagatelle - A southern French bistro in the Meatpacking District.

“Sophisticated comfort foods” include bouillabaisse, boeuf Bourguignon, and classics like steak au poivre with pomme frites. 409 W. 13th St., 212-675-2400; bistrotbagatelle.com Brasserie 8 1/2 - A delicate fusion of creativity and comfort, featuring a worldclass art collection, haute French cuisine, and a plush atmosphere, complemented

by Latin- and Asian-influenced dishes, a raw bar, and desserts. 9 W. 57th St., 212-829-0812; rapatina.com/brasserie8/ Corton - Legendary chef Drew Nieporent has reinvented and re-imagined his long-adored Tribeca mainstay Montrechet with new decor, name, and chef, Paul Liebrandt, who brings his revolutionary molecular-gastronomy skills to reinvent French classics. 239 West Broadway (White St.), 212-219-2777; cortonnyc.com Daniel - One of the rare restaurants with a four-star rating by The New York Times, Daniel marries neighborhood hominess with a contemporary French menu inspired by the seasons and the market, in a Renaissance-inspired dining room. 60 E. 65th St., 212-288-0033; danielnyc.com

Summer’s Best Sweets

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Gotham’s creative pastry chefs are offering a great way to enjoy summer: Think silky-smooth ice creams, melt-in-your-mouth gelati, and thirst-quenching sorbetti, all served up in tempting, “curated” flavors. Two eateries with brand-new ice cream menus for the spring/summer season are Payard and A Voce. At the former, François Payard Bakery (and at the maestro’s Chocolate Bar), frosty ice cream sandwiches in dee-lish flavors await: strawberry cheesecake, brownie with vanilla-bean ice cream, and raspberry apricot sorbet ($5). The cookie “bread” is moist and flavorful and the ice cream “fillings” are ambrosial. At A Voce, pastry chef Erin Burns (a veteran of The River Café, The Modern, and Picholine) has whipped up a roster of seductive gelato and sorbet flavors ($3 per scoop) far removed from the mundane vanilla (although her vanilla-bean gelato is pretty darn scrumptious), including ricotta, ginger, caramel, cider, grapefruit, and the usual suspects like coffee and mint, which is refreshingly perfumed with the scent and zest of real mint leaves, plucked right from the garden.

François Chocolate Bar, The Plaza Hotel, Concourse Level, 1 W. 58th St. (Fifth-Sixth Aves.), 212-986-9241; FPB, 116 W. Houston St., 212-995-0888; payard.com; A Voce, 41 Madison Ave. (26th St.); 212-545-8555; 10 Columbus Circle (Time-Warner Building), Third Floor, 212-823-2523; avocerestaurant.com — Ruth J. Katz

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Gascogne - Reflecting the hospitality, joie de vivre, and hearty regional fare of Gascony is this Gallic jewel. The décor is a blend of rustic French and candlelit romance. It is almost de rigueur to end the evening with a glass of fine Armagnac, the region’s most famous spirit. 158 Eighth Ave. (17th-18th Sts.), 212-675-6564; gascognenyc.com Jean Georges - Contemporary French works of art created by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. There is both a formal dining room and the more casual Nougatine Room. Reservations are generally taken one month in advance. Jacket and tie required.

Trump International Hotel, 1 Central Park West (60th-61st Sts.), 212-299-3900; jean-georges.com

Raoul’s - The innovative SoHo bistro is still going strong after 30+ years, with terrific steak and fish dishes among other French classics.

180 Prince St. (Sullivan St.), 212-966-3518; raouls.com Triomphe - Two dining rooms, with only 20 tables between them, offer a warm and comfortable atmosphere, both stylish and subtle, and a diverse menu of French American cuisine with an international flair. Iroquois Hotel, 49 W. 44th St., 212-453-4233; triomphe-newyork.com

GREEK Molyvos - Ouzo flows freely and the baklava is piled high at this authentic Greek spot. A tavernlike atmosphere (including the boisterous crowds) doesn’t prepare you for the food to come: don’t leave without trying the grilled baby octopus or cabbage doulmades, and moussaka. There’s a meze menu for those who just want small bites and a comprehensive Greek wine list.

871 Seventh Ave. (55-56 Sts.), 212-582-7500; molyvos.com

La Silhouette - One of the top French-American restaurants in Theatre District. Rave reviews. Select from a world-class 5-course tasting menu or dine a la carte, with dishes such as poached white asparagus with soft egg dressing, crispy brioche, toasted almond & herb salad, and the signature risotto of wild snails and hen of the woods. 362 W. 53rd St., 212-581-2400; la-silhouettenyc.com Le Périgord - Long regarded as one of New York’s superb old-school French dining rooms, this refined, luxurious gem is one of the longestrunning four-star operations under the same management. The menu blends classical French technique with a lighter contemporary touch.

Jacket and tie required. 405 E. 52nd St., 212-755-6244; leperigord.com Minetta Tavern - This Greenwich Village landmark—opened in 1937 and frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O’Neill, e. e. cummings, and Dylan Thomas—was renovated in 2008 and has become known as one of the city’s finest restaurants, a Parisian steakhouse meets New York City tavern.

113 MacDougal St. (Bleecker St.), 212-475-3850; minettatavernny.com The Modern at MoMA - As sleek, elegant, and contemporary as the MoMA that houses it, The Modern features original French-American cuisine by chef Gabriel Kreuther. Enjoy fine dining in the main room—overlooking the sculpture garden and visible from the street through a long glass wall—or a more casual menu at the curved marble bar in the Bar Room. Operated by Danny Meyer. 11 W. 53rd St., 212-333-1220; themodernnyc.com Nice Matin - With warm colors, chic light fixtures, and plush chairs, this gorgeous space is lively, yet still conducive to easy conversation. The wine list and the cocktails are imaginative.

201 W. 79th St., 212-873-6423; nicematinnyc.com Pastis - An unassuming restaurant enjoyed by everyday people and movers and shakers. The mood of bohemian chic is carried out in the décor, and Executive Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson and Chef de Cuisine Pascal Le Seac’h prepare a menu that combines hearty Provençal dishes with moderately priced bistro fare. 9 Ninth Ave. (Little W. 12th St.), 212-929-4844; pastisny.com

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Indian Darbar Grill - Fine Indian dining in an elegant setting. For lunch and dinner they offer a selection of seafood, chicken, goat and vegetarian entrees. Their popular lunch buffet is available seven days week a from 11:30am to 4pm. 157 E. 55th St., 212-751-4600; darbargrillny.com

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

Dévi - Dévi brings together the talents of chefs Suvir Saran and Hemant Mathur, sharing the authentic flavors and spirit of Indian home cooking. Swathed in rich textiles, brightly colored lanterns, and wooden temple accents, Dévi is an experience that stimulates and delights. 8 E. 18th St., 212-691-1300; devinyc.com Tamarind - Authentic Indian cuisine, with a menu that includes excellent vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, incredible spices, assorted handmade Indian breads, tandoori delights from their clay oven, and lamb, goat, beef, shrimp, and chicken entrées.

41 E. 22nd St., 212-674-7400; tamarindnyc.com Utsav Festive Indian Cuisine - With an elegant décor, this upscale Indian restaurant in the heart of Times Square provides relaxed dining in a spacious and serene setting. Their extensive lunch buffet and pre and post theatre prix fixe dinner will please carnivores and vegetarians alike. 1185 Sixth Ave. (enter at 46th St. btw.

Sixth & Seventh Aves.), 212-575-2525; utsavny.com

INTERNATIONAL and ECLECTIC

Chef/partner Jim Botsacos, along with chef David Arias, has worked diligently to create an authentic menu that includes the spectrum of Italian cuisine at Abboccato.

Abboccato, meaning “pleasing to the mouth” in Italian, features all the classic and recognizable meals and appetizers native to Italy, including Casunzie, a half-moon ravioli filled with beets, gorgonzola and tossed with Italian butter and poppy seeds.

They also offer a traditional Chicchetti menu, comprised of small, sharable plates, and includes dishes such as wild mushroom flatbread, served with truffle cheese and Robiola ricotta. 136 W. 55th St., 212-265-4000; livanosrestaurantgroup.com

Alcala - The bold tastes of the Basque area of Spain are typified by dishes like a stew of tuna fish and potatoes and desalted codfish in a sauce of dry red pepper and onion. The cozy dining room, made rustic by its beamed ceiling and brick walls, is able to accommodate smokers by virtue of its size, and expands to include a beautiful open-air patio for requisite warm-weather visits.

342 E. 46th St., 212-370-1866; alcalarestaurant.com Asia de Cuba - Asia de Cuba’s centerpiece is a marble communal table for 36, enhanced by an enormous photo light box with an image of a waterfall above.

Against a stunning, theatrical backdrop—designed by the famed Philippe Starck—diners indulge in the unique flavors of a culinary fusion between Asian and Latin cuisine. The Morgan Hotel, 237 Madison Ave. (37th38th Sts.), 212-726-7755; chinagrillmanagement.com Blaue Gans - Renowned for its traditional AustroGerman fare, including traditional Wiener Schnitzel, Kavelierspitz, and a selection of different sausages.

Eight Bavarian beers on tap, and dessert specialties such as Apple Strudel, Salzburger Nockerl, and assorted cheeses. 139 Duane St. (West Broadway), 212-571-8880; kg-ny.com

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One of the original men of meat, Ben Benson has been in the restaurant game since the late 1960s and running his eponymous Steak House since 1982. At Ben Benson’s, the steaks are expertly prepared, using only the freshest market ingredients, but what really sets the restaurant apart is the menu: “We’ve got five different veal dishes, four different chicken dishes, and six seafood dishes,” says Benson. It’s a sentiment that Esquire echoed: “Ben Benson’s menu has range,” like wild game, pork chops with homemade applesauce, and triple lamb chops that round out the meat spectrum, and a bevy of salads, sides and seafood—a menu that’s perfect for firsttimers and regulars alike. 123 W. 52nd St., 212-581-8888; benbensons.com

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Markt - This Brussels brasserie showcases the country’s cuisine and beer, in a cozy Flemish-inspired dining room, relying on simplicity, freshness, and subtle combinations rather than three-alarm seasonings.

676 Sixth Ave. (21 St.), 212- 727-3314; marktrestaurant.com The Spotted Pig - Chef and co-owner April Bloomfield presides over this West Village favorite’s

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eclectic menu of seasonal British and Italian fare, which uses local ingredients whenever possible.

Kitchen open until 2am nightly. 314 W. 11th St., 212-620-0393; thespottedpig.com

Roman menu with a New York balance. The very extensive wine menu includes over 400 selections.

170 Houston St. (Houston St.), 212-982-5089; luparestaurant.com

Wallsé - Austrian cuisine and wild game are the order of the day here, at chef Kurt Gutenbrunner’s elegant restaurant that has quickly become a favorite among NYC foodies and West Villagers. Menu favorites include the veal goulash, and other Austrian favorites such as tafelspitz and Wiener schnitzel.

344 W. 11th St., 212-352-2300; wallserestaurant.com

Maialino - A Roman-style trattoria from Danny Meyer’s award-winning Union Square Hospitality Group (their first new restaurant since 2005), serving Roman-style cooking from Executive Chef Nick Anderer. Gramercy Park Hotel, 2 Lexington Ave. (21st St.), 212-777-2410; gramercyparkhotel.com

Marea - Chef Michael White and restaurateur Chris Cannon’s third venture offers a fresh interpretation of Italian coastal cuisine, with dishes such as Santa Barbara sea urchin with lardo, lobster with burrata, eggplant funghetto and seaweed-marinated east coast halibut and sea scallops with endive and bagna cauda.

240 Central Park S. (Broadway), 212-582-5100; marea-nyc.com OTTO Enoteca and Pizzeria - Otto offers a world of pizza, cooked on a griddle instead of in an oven,

ITALIAN Abboccato - “True Italian cuisine in the heart of Manhattan,” with time-honored Italian recipes elevated through the talent and techniques of their chefs. Featuring plentiful first- and second/pastacourse options, and a secondi platti list that includes Fresh Arctic Char, Lamb Chops, Whole Branzino, and Veal Sweetbreads. 136 W. 55th St., 212-265-4000; abboccato.com ’Cesca - ’Cesca joins the ranks of its older sibling, Ouest, serving hearty, rustic Italian cuisine with an open kitchen. After imbibing a cocktail at the generously appointed bar, head to the charming, country dining room in the back, outfitted with oak tables and painted in warm yellow tones. 164 W. 75th St., 212-787-6300; cescanyc.com Esca - Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich have created yet another successful venture with this popular West Side seafood trattoria. Culinary delights include “crudo,” raw fish seasoned with a touch of olive oil and lemon, and served with sea beans and radish. A sensational wine list rounds out the experience. 402 W. 43rd St., 212-564-7272; esca-nyc.com Insieme - This Italian restaurant from Marco Canora, the man behind Hearth, has earned its Michelin star with perfectly prepared, uncomplicated dishes and sincere hospitality. The old and new worlds meet here in all areas, from the menu and wine, to the service and design. The Michelangelo Hotel, 777 Seventh Ave. (51st St.), 212-582-1310; restaurantinsieme.com La Masseria - “A farmhouse in the middle of Manhattan,” offering classic dishes from the Puglia region of Italy, utilizing the freshest natural ingredients for simple, authentic pastas, risottos, and meat and fish dishes. The warm, inviting decor blends rural Italian style, nostalgia and charm, complementing the cuisine and extensive wine list.

235 W. 48th St., 212-582-2111; lamasserianyc.com Locanda Verde - A casual, energetic, Tribeca restaurant featuring celebrated chef Andrew Carmellini’s takes on Italian cooking. Also serving an extensive breakfast menu 7 days a week. 379 Greenwich St. (N. Moore St.), 212-925-3797; locandaverdenyc.com Lupa Osteria Romana - Mario Batali, Joseph Bastianich, Mark Ladner and Jason Denton’s brainchild offers traditional Roman dishes while using local, fresh ingredients. The result is a uniquely

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that ranges from traditional margheritas to more creative interpretations, like pizza topped with cured salt pork and fresh rosemary. Sample one of the bruschettas, antipasti, cheeses or delectable appetizers that include eggplant caponata or chickpea fritters. Selecting a wine shouldn’t be a problem with the list of nearly 500 Italian labels. 1 Fifth Ave. (8th St.), 212-995-9559; ottopizzeria.com Patsy’s - Considered one of the greatest attractions in the Theatre District, renowned for its celebrity clientele (it was Frank Sinatra’s favorite), this landmark has been family-run since 1944. The Neapolitan cuisine is heavenly, including succulent veal chops Siciliano, spicy lobster fra diavolo, savory calamari stuffed with seafood, and much more. A “must go” New York favorite. 236 W. 56th St., 212-247-3491; patsys.com Remi - Remi, created by renowned designer Adam D. Tihany, combines the rich traditions of Venetian cuisine with the romance and elegance of Venetian design and architecture in an updated and innovative style. Often rated among the top Italian restaurants in NYC, if not the entire U.S. 145 W. 53rd St., 212-581-4242; remi-ny.com Offering a unique, dark, gothic, and sexy atmosphere in the Night Hotel, Night Life Lounge provides bar and lounge seating made for comfort and social gatherings. Indulge in retreating to the smoking veranda, only steps from your table, where you’ll peruse a specialty cocktail menu fused with a contemporary tapas menu. With a professional and friendly bartending and cocktail staff, Night Life Lounge features Wi-Fi, coat check, nightly entertainment and specials, reserved seating, and private catering functions with customized menus for your needs. Utilize the state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen sound system for live performances, disc jockey services, ceremonies, or cutting a rug with designated music from your own personal iPod library. 132 W. 45th St., 212-835-9669; nighthotelny.com

SD26 Restaurant & WineBar - Tony May of San Domenico and Rainbow Room fame, has returned to the contemporary Italian scene with this theatrical Flatiron District space and a modern, American spin on Mediterranean food and wine. Named one of Esquire magazine’s “Best New Restaurants in New York, 2010.” 19 E. 26th St., 212-265-5959; sd26ny.com Sfoglia - Famous for their location on Nantucket, Sfoglia has an outpost on the Upper East Side. The Renaissance-influenced menu features samplings of antipasto, plates of their renowned pasta, naturally raised meats, and a contorno made with ingredients from area farms. 1402 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-831-1402; sfogliarestaurant.com

Japanese and Sushi BondSt Sushi - This high-end Japanese restaurant focuses on the finest and freshest delicacies of the sea. They boast one of the most extensive sake menus in the city, along with their own saketinis, available in the cozy, candle-lit lounge downstairs, or more formal dining areas upstairs. 6 Bond St. (Broadway-Lafayette St.), 212-777-2500; bondstrestaurant.com Cho Cho San - The opera-inspired Cho Cho San (the misspelling of Cio Cio San, Puccini’s heroine of Madama Butterfly, was purposeful) is a cozy neighborhood restaurant with a modern twist on traditional Japanese fare.

There are also daily pastas and curries, and classic sushi. 15 W. 8th St., 212-473-3333; chochosanrestaurant.com

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Café Carlyle has made an indelible mark on the entertainment and social landscape of New York City since its opening in 1955.

The landmark has played host to such legendary talents as Bobby Short, Woody Allen, Elaine Stritch, Eartha Kitt and Judy Collins. Design firm Scott Salvator Inc. created a fresh version of classic New York, infusing modern elements without sacrificing the history that is a hallmark of The Carlyle. Featuring restored Marcel Vertès murals, the Café maintains the integrity of an historic Manhattan destination with modern refinement and style.

From June 7-25, award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga—who won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards while originating the role of Kim in Broadway’s Miss Saigon—performs with musical director Larry Yurman. Show times are Tues.-Fri. at 8:45pm; Sat. at 8:45 & 10:45pm. 981 Madison Ave. at 76th St., 212-744-1600; thecarlyle.com

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Hakubai - The only branch of Japan’s renowned ancient Nadaman restaurant, and one of the very few in the U.S. serving Kaiseki, which has its roots in Zen Buddhism and the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Both the dishes and food change with the seasons. The elegant, comfortable Tatami rooms feature perfect presentation and flawless service. Kitano Hotel, 66 Park Ave. (38th St.), 212-885-7111; kitano.com/hakubai.html Inakaya - The first New York City outpost of the renowned 39-year-old eatery in Roppongi, Tokyo. A traditional robatayaki restaurant, Inakaya features Japanese barbecue cooked right in front of you by chefs that shuttle the dishes at you via long wooden paddles. Everything is larger than life and theatrical, from the shouts that greet you when you enter to the enormous dining bar to the elaborate costumes worn by the waiters. 231 W. 40th St., 212-354-2195; inakayany.com Masa - This four-star restaurant is making waves among sushi aficionados.

Evoking the quiet aura of a rare temple, the décor is every bit as simple and elegant as the fish, prepared with painstaking care by the staff. Sit at the 27-foot-long sushi bar, where you can watch owner Masa Takayama at work. Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle (60th St.), 4th Floor, 212-823-9800; masanyc.com

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Next Door Nobu - Superstar chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s famous fusion menu of Asian and South American delicacies is now available at this spin-off restaurant.

Featuring a simpler menu than its famed neighbor Nobu and David Rockwell designed décor, Nobu Next Door is also a joint venture of Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, and Tribeca Grill restaurateur Drew Nieporent. 105 Hudson St. (Franklin St.), 212-334-4445; myriadrestaurantgroup.com Ninja New York - A one-of-a-kind, very entertaining dining experience featuring a recreated 18th-century Japanese ninja village and high-end contemporary Japanese cuisine. 25 Hudson St. (Reade-Duane Sts.), 212-274-8500; ninjanewyork.com Nobu - Celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa dazzles with his daring cuisine that fuses influences from Tokyo to Peru in partnership with restaurateur Drew Nieporent and actor Robert De Niro. David Rockwell’s lovely Japanese countryside setting showcases yellowtail tuna tartare, monkfish liver pate, both served with caviar, squid “pasta” with asparagus, butter and garlic or New Style Sashimi, seared in garlic, ginger, sesame seeds and scallions.

105 Hudson St. (Franklin St.), 212-334-4445; myriadrestaurantgroup.com Riingo - Marcus Samuelsson’s perfect balance of American comfort and Japanese minimalism is achieved at this contemporary fusion restaurant.

A stark white sushi bar complements the gray marble liquor bar and dark woodwork throughout the room, bathed in warm lighting and accented with tall, lavish plants. The Alex Hotel, 205 E. 45th St., 212-867-4200; riingo.com

Mediterranean Picholine - Acclaimed chef/restaurateur Terrance Brennan takes a modern approach to Mediterranean cooking, expertly layered with French, Italian, and

Spanish influences. Enjoy the casually elegant succession of dining rooms, with soaring boysenberry velvet curtains, purple leather and grey mohair banquettes, contemporary artwork, and the restaurant’s customary fine linen, crystal, silver, and china. 35 W. 64th St., 212-724-8585; picholinenyc.com Veranda - A modern Mediterranean dining experience with exposed brick walls, candlelit atmosphere and outdoor tables. Every evening, it transforms into one of the hottest lounge parties in Greenwich Village with DJs spinning contemporary house, hip-hop and international beats. 130 Seventh Ave. So. (10th St.), 212-255-3331; verandanyc.com.

Mexican/Tex-Mex El Parador Café - The oldest—and one of the most authentic—Mexican restaurants in New York City. Recommended dishes include the mole poblano, Mexico’s national dish with a half-chicken stewed in a complex, multi-layered sauce with over 24 ingredients. Lauded for having the best margaritas by New York Press, the best ceviche by The New York Times, and named the city’s number one Mexican restaurant in New York City by Open Table diners.

325 E. 34th St., 212-679-6812; elparadorcafe.com Maya ­- Mexico City-born chef/owner Richard Sandoval serves up his family’s Acapulco heritage with style; Mexican food and ambiance are elevated to a high level in a festive yet sophisticated atmosphere. 1191 First Ave. (64th-65th Sts.), 212-585-1818; modernmexican.com/mayany

SCANDINAVIAN Aquavit - Marcus Samuelsson’s modern Scandinavian establishment reflects the

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best of minimalist mid-century Scandinavian design with its pale wood tones, soft indirect lighting, and unique tableware. A large selection of aquavits— potato vodka infused with fruits or spices—is available, along with cocktails inspired by the region. 65 E. 55th St., 212-307-7311; aquavit.org Vandaag - Inspired by the culture and cuisine of Northern Europe—especially Denmark and Holland—this farm-to-table restaurant utilizes ingredients from the Hudson River Valley for their inventive dishes, courtesy of Executive Chef, Phillip Kirschen-Clark. 103 Second Ave. (6th St.), 212-253-0470; vandaagnyc.com

Seafood BLT Fish - French chef Laurent Tourondel’s nod to America’s love affair with the clam shacks of New England. The straightforward menu features such classic coastal fare as stone crab claw, Manhattan and New England clam chowders, periwinkles, and lobster rolls; for non-fish eaters, there are hearty hamburgers, tuna sandwiches and more. 21 W. 17th St., 212-691-8888; bltfish.com Blue Water Grill - This majestic bank redux is just the thing for those seeking fresh raw-bar delicacies and entrées. 31 Union Square West (16th St.), 212-675-9500; brguestrestaurants.com Fishtail - David Burke’s Fishtail has diners lining up for his signature spin on upscale seafood. Shortly after its opening, Burke was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America.

135 E. 62nd St., 212-754-1300; fishtaildb.com Le Bernardin - Exquisite, ultra-fresh seafood served with impeccable service in an elegant venue has earned Le Bernardin a four-star rating since it opened in 1986. Veteran chef Eric Ripert surprises diners with Asian accents throughout his menus, featuring fish that is “almost raw” or “lightly cooked.” The Equitable Building, 155 W. 51st St., 212-554-1515; le-bernardin.com Lure Fishbar - This innovative seafood enterprise in the heart of SoHo, designed to evoke the teak-paneled cabin of a luxury yacht, offers the freshest raw and cooked seafood. Select from the wide array of raw or barely cooked fish, or the half dozen types of succulent oysters to start, followed by grilled mahi mahi accented with a soy-ginger marinade, or the surf and turf.

142 Mercer St. (Prince St.), 212-431-7676; lurefishbar.com Oceana - Complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, chef’s table, and outdoor dining, Oceana features a raw bar and the innovative seafood cuisine of executive chef Ben Pollinger, with fresh, whole fish, prime meats, naturally raised fowl, and artful desserts. 120 W. 49th St. (Sixth-Seventh Aves.), 212-759-5941; oceanarestaurant.com

Southwestern Mesa Grill - Chef Bobby Flay serves Southwestern cuisine in a whimsical setting accented in shades of Sutter’s gold, adobe terra cotta, and sage green, and boasting a view of the kitchen. Dining room people-watching is just as much fun, and the mood is relaxed and friendly. 102 Fifth Ave. (15th-16th Sts.), 212-807-7400; mesagrill.com

Steakhouses Ben Benson’s Steak House - This classic American steakhouse is a true, one-ofa-kind New York City cultural descendant of its authentic 19th-century ancestors, independently owned by the hands-on Ben Benson. It serves only USDA prime dry-aged meats, beef, veal and lamb, seasonal game and premium-grade seafood and poultry, prepared simply and perfectly and offered in substantial servings. Reservations recommended. Rockefeller Center, 123 W. 52nd St., 212-581-8888; benbensons.com

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Ben & Jack’s Steak House - Ben & Jack’s serves generous portions of steakhouse favorites to a very satisfied clientele. Enjoy the restaurant’s signature

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Porterhouse for one, two, three or four, fresh seafood, mouthwatering side dishes and exquisite desserts. 255 Fifth Ave. (28th-29th Sts.), 212-532-7600; 219 E. 44th St., 212-682-5678; benandjackssteakhouse.com Benjamin Steakhouse - Peter Luger alumni Benjamin Prelvukaj and chef Arturo McLeod join forces to create an opulent steakhouse in the century-old Chemist Club building. Six cuts of dry-aged beef are available, from 36-ounce porterhouses to top sirloins to rib eyes to succulent filet mignon.

52 E. 41st St., 212-297-9177; benjaminsteakhouse.com Bobby Van’s - Serving only the finest USDA dry-aged prime beef, selected seafood & lobsters, with private dining for corporate or special events. Fine food, service & attention to detail are what sets them apart. 135 W. 50th St., 212-957-5050; 230 Park Ave. (46th St.); 13 E. 54th St.; 120 W. 45th St.; 25 Broad St.; bobbyvans.com Bull & Bear - A swank Regency-style club, the Bull & Bear serves hearty fare in the form of succulent steaks (the only certified Angus Beef Prime in the city), and seafood. The elaborate and celebrated mahogany bar is one of the city’s most popular watering holes. The Waldorf=Astoria, 570 Lexington Ave. (50th St.), 212-355-3000; bullandbearsteakhouse.com The Capital Grille - The capital of theatre, music, literature, and adventure boasts yet another gem: The Capital Grille. Known for delicious dry-aged steaks, chops, fresh seafood, and an award-winning wine list in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. 3 locations, including the Trylon Towers of the exquisite Chrysler Center. 120 W. 51st St., 212-246-0154; 120 Broadway (Wall St.), 212-374-1811; 155 E. 42nd St., 212-953-2000; thecapitalgrille.com Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House - This expansive steak house’s soaring, two-story-high windows offer a spectacular view of Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center and Broadway’s theatres are just a block or two away. The menu features fresh USDA aged prime beef shipped from the Midwest twice a week. Lobster, fish, lamb, osso buco, and veal chops receive equal billing. 49th St. & Sixth Ave., 212-575-5129; delfriscos.com Quality Meats - Chef Craig Koketsu creates modern interpretations of familiar dishes and flavor combinations, resulting in unique tastes, innovative presentations, and a distinctive style. 57 W. 58th St., 212-371-7777; qualitymeatsnyc.com Rothmann’s Steakhouse & Grill - Near the Theatre District, Rothmann’s Steakhouse & Grill has been serving New Yorkers, celebrities, and visitors the finest quality prime dry aged beef, delicious chicken, and mouthwatering seafood for over 100 years. The beautiful space and attentive staff make it ideal, whether it’s for a business lunch, a romantic dinner for two, or celebrating a special occasion. 3 E. 54th St., 212-319-5500; rothmannssteakhouse.com Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse - Pleasing the most discerning of steak lovers, the USDA prime steaks here—all aged for at least 21 days—include New York strip, filet mignon and a special Kobe beef, hand-massaged with sake.

For the seafood lover, there are crab cakes, Australian lobster tails, a seafood platter, and more. 440 Ninth Ave. (34th-35th Sts.), 212-244-0005; 44 W. 56th St., 212-245-1550; 39-40 Bell Blvd., Bayside, Queens, 718-229-1100; unclejacks.com

VEGETARIAN Pure Food and Wine - New York’s premier raw-foods restaurant, utilizing organic and seasonal fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to create a unique, awardwinning culinary experience. Open daily at 5:30pm. 54 Irving Pl. (17th St.), 212-477-1010; purefoodandwine.com Quintessence - Rare and exotic ingredients combine to form the elegant, innovative dishes at this East Village outpost where everything is 100% organic, vegan and raw. The diverse menu includes Mexican and Indian platters, pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and more. 263 E. 10th St., 646-654-1823; raw-q.com

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THEINTERVIEW [ Landmarc’s salmon with ratatuouille and olive tapenade ]

Marc Murphy

[L andmarc at the Time Warner Center ]

With four restaurants on his plate, he proves that nice guys finish first.

By Kristopher Carpenter

A

t 19, Marc Murphy came to New York and quickly realized he “didn’t have the funds to become a professional race car driver.” It was the early 1990s, and harboring a keen interest in food, he enrolled in a three-month cooking school at Peter Kump’s, the former moniker of what is now the Institute of Culinary Education. Murphy dove straight into the chef game as soon as he finished the course. “I worked my way through some of New York’s best kitchens, learning everything I could. Usually, after about a year and half, I’d pack up my knives and move on to the next one. That’s pretty much how you do it,” said a smiling Murphy across the wooden table of his newest restaurant, Ditch Plains on the Upper West Side, the second of two Ditch Plains locations, which see Murphy channeling his inner surfer into a faux-fish shack and comfort-food-ery. Murphy opened his first restaurant, Landmarc, in Tribeca, back in 2004 - a concept that he would also duplicate in 2007 for the largest of his four restaurants, the 280-seat Landmarc at The Time Warner Center. Brought up primarily in France and Italy, Murphy’s menus at the Landmarc outposts are a hearty mix of both cultures. In fact, the current appetizer menu at Time Warner offers a foie gras terrine with pickled red onion, sandwiched between fried calamari and a vegetable fritto misto. When he’s not cooking, Murphy appears regularly as a judge on the Food Network show Chopped.

Q. What was your mission when you opened your first restaurant?

The first restaurant was Landmarc in Tribeca and my basic idea was: it’s a neighborhood restaurant. I want people to come to my restaurants all the time and I want them to feel comfortable while they eat great food. One day, I said hello to a couple eating at Landmarc in the Time Warner Center; they told me they were visiting New York and that they’d eaten there every night of their trip. To me, that’s a huge compliment. I want to see people in my restaurants having a good time, which is one of the big reasons we run our wine program so much differently than most places.

Q. What exactly do you mean by “differently”?

First of all, we don’t do wines by the glass at all; we only do full bottles and half bottles. I think a bottle should be opened for you, and when a wine is getting poured by the glass – honestly who knows how long it’s been sitting there? Some people who come in get upset and say they only wanted a glass of wine, but come on – nobody really wants one glass of wine. Second, we mark-up our wines more like a liquor store than a restaurant. Most restaurants mark-up their wines by about 200-300%; we mark them up by more like 125% of the wholesale price. We’ve been doing it for eight years at Landmarc and we do the same thing at Ditch Plains.

I always say you can’t take a percentage to the bank, you can only take dollars – so if I have a great bottle that other restaurants are selling for $200 and I’m selling it for $125, they’ll probably get two bottles at my place. So maybe I’m only making $30 on the bottle while the other guys make $100, but I’ll probably sell three before they sell one. The only two things I need to do if I sell more wine at less profit, is buy it and store it.

Landmarc at the Time Warner Center

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10 Columbus Circle • 212-823-6123

Q. How do you feel that the dining world has changed since you first started cooking?

Well, one of the biggest things I wanted to change in my restaurants is the civility of the business we work in. I worked in a lot of kitchens where there was a lot of screaming and yelling going on and it just doesn’t have to be like that. One of the things I preach to my staff is that if you’re not having a good time doing what you do, how do you expect to help other people have a good time? I tell my managers: Can we just hire nice people and teach them how to wait tables, and work, and cook? I’d rather have a nice person that knows nothing than a mean person who’s been waiting tables for 10 years. I can teach someone how to wait tables; I can’t teach them how to be nice. I also tell people on my staff: Don’t scream at a guy because he’s doing something wrong – he doesn’t want to do it wrong on purpose – maybe you didn’t teach him well enough.

Q. Has there been a specific customer in your restaurants that you’ve been excited to have there?

A t Landmarc in Time Warner, we get a lot of famous people, but I think the one that people got the most excited about was that pilot, Sully, who landed the plane in the Hudson. When famous people come in, everyone is usually pretty mellow about it, you know – look, honey an actor; hey bro, it’s a baseball player. The dude that landed the plane – people were flipping out, asking if they could take their picture with him, and getting his autograph. I thought it was really heartwarming to see that type of reaction. Here’s a guy who actually did something really amazing. He’s not just on TV you know, he saved people’s lives.

Landmarc Tribeca

29 Bedford Street • 212-633-0202 Ditch Plains Upper West Side

179 West Broadway • 212-343-3883 • landmarc-restaurant.com

100 West 82nd Street • 212-362-4815 • ditch-plains.com

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