W42ST Magazine Issue 9 - Hell's Kitchen, You've Got Style

w42st

ISSUE 09 SEPTEMBER

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APPETIZERS

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COMMUNITY

Do you have something going on in Hell’s Kitchen?

Tell us all about it news@w42st.com

DID YOU KNOW …?

K

enneth Cole., the premium fashion company, didn’t set out with its prime real-estate at 603 W50th St or the multi-state franchise it has today.

In September of 1982, Cole was just starting out, and wanted to showcase a new line of shoes. Unlike some of his competitors, he couldn’t afford a hotel room at the Hilton New York Hotel during market week. Nor could he afford a showroom nearby as was convention.

Not only that, but Cole didn’t want to get lost in the sea of shoe companies that lacked originality and remained unidentifiable.

Instead, he came up with the idea of borrowing a 40-foot truck from a friend and parking it in Midtown Manhattan, showing his shoes from there. His friend was skeptical as to whether Cole would be able to get the city’s permission for such a bold venture. And, sure enough, the answer from Mayor Koch’s office was a resounding “no.” The only people who were allowed parking permits were production companies shooting full-length motion pictures or utility companies.

Undeterred, Cole simply changed his company’s name from Kenneth Cole Inc., to Kenneth Cole Productions Inc., and the following day applied for a permit to

Above: The luxe Kenneth Cole HQ on W50th St.

shoot a full-length film titled The Birth of a Shoe Company. Cole parked his freshly re-labeled truck at 1370 6th Ave, across from the Hilton. He stayed true to the illusion by having a director on “set” with a rolling camera, shoe models as actresses, and two NYPD officials (compliments of Mayor Koch) as the doormen.

Cole sold 40,000 pairs of shoes in the three and a half days his permit granted him. And the company is still named Kenneth Cole Productions Inc., as a reminder to the importance of creativity and never giving up. The original film can be viewed at www.kennethcole.com (click on Our Story).

Don’t click away your kidneys There’s an app for that!

Let’s have some real-talk here: how often have any of us actually read the entire terms and conditions agreement when downloading Dr. Dre’s new album or installing a new photo editing app that will provide the musthave filter for your umpteenth selfie? Odds are, never.

Not to fret, for New York-based and onetime W42ST cover artist Half Dutch (Shaheryar Malik) has created a T&C checker which promises to prevent the unintentional surrender of “breast milk, fingernails, and virginity.”

“Agreements are getting longer and more ridiculous every day,” he says. “We only have to look at our music, air travel, and credit card providers to see how complex the language is becoming.”

He created a list of words the plugin will search for, but the user can add their own to the list. It can be used by parents wanting to examine the content of websites, documents, and files their children might be perusing.

Terms & Conditions Checker is free via Google Chrome Web Store.

WORDS: CARLA DUVAL PHOTOGRAPHS: NACHO GUEVARA

DYER CIRUMSTANCES Anyone who has tried to cross Dyer Ave between W41st St and W42nd St during rush hour knows what it feels like to take their life in their hands.

Vincent D’Arata has worked over the years to collect photographs and footage that highlight the potential dangers to pedestrians.

His goal? To get this section of road closed off to commercial traffic. He says the move will not only improve

safety, but also create better traffic flow via the Lincoln Tunnel, save companies time and money , and reduce emissions in the city.

D’Arata claims to have visual proof and interviews to back all this up. “I am shooting a mini documentary on the traffic patterns around that one block,” he says. “My intent is to get that small dangerous section closed.”

He has made inquiries to the Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, Mayor de Blasio, and the Department of Transportation, who have promised to reevaluate the area and possible traffic routes once construction on W42nd St and 9th Ave is complete. If promises are not kept, D’Arata plans to circulate a petition in September, and hopes the local population will join him in his mission.

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MY HELL’S KITCHEN

“I got sober, I started a business, I got my first dog, I started a blog, I’ve been broke, I’ve been flush... It’s been an adventure.”

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MY HELL’S KITCHEN

Know someone cool who’d make a great subject for My Hell’s Kitchen? Put us in touch, we’ll do the rest.

Email news@w42st.com

THE EVOLUTION OF GEORGE HAHN Twenty years, four careers, seven apartments – and he still can’t resist the energy of his neighborhood Image by Dustin Cohen How long have you lived in HK? With the exception of an 18-month stint in Chelsea, I’ve lived here for 20 years. I came to New York to pursue an acting career. My first apartment was on the Upper West Side, where I lived for a year.

In 1995, I moved into the smallest studio apartment in Hell’s Kitchen in the Whitby on W45th St (John Leguizamo used to live in that apartment – I used to receive his junk mail). It was the nearness to the Broadway theaters and the energy of the neighborhood that attracted me.

What has your experience of Hell’s Kitchen been?

I’ve lived in seven different apartments, I’ve had four different careers, I’ve had countless adventures and misadventures, I’ve had innumerable blackouts that I can’t tell you about because I honestly don’t remember, I got sober, I started a business, I got my first dog, I started a blog, I’ve been broke, I’ve been flush... It’s been an adventure.

How has it changed?

Rent used to be cheap. My first little apartment was $595 a month in a doorman building. And when I moved here, there were still porn theaters and street hookers on 8th Ave. Giuliani’s hose-down hadn’t taken full effect yet, and there were remnants of the gritty New York that I saw on television and in movies as a kid. It was never my world, but I definitely got a charge knowing that world was literally in my backyard. It was a neighborhood with teeth and balls. I enjoyed the dark and twisted pageantry of it, and I did go to The Gaiety Theater on 46th and Broadway (now the location of American Eagle) more than once. It was the last all-nude male revue where the dancers came out fully nude and fully

erect. Could you imagine that kind of thing now? And it wasn’t all that long ago.

I’m glad there is less crime and things are relatively cleaner, but it’s all come at the sacrifice of a lot of local businesses that could no longer afford the rising rent. It’s been sanitized and Purelled into a family-friendly playground, stretching out its overvalued hand for the almighty tourist dollar. What used to be a rock and roll vibe is now very glossy, low-impact ultra-lounge.

What do you go to eat?

I do a lot of cooking at home, but when I go out, I like locally-owned places with good food, a tasteful atmosphere, a music volume conducive to conversation and a reasonable price point. I’m a vegetarian who eats fish (pescatarian?), so there’s that to consider. I like Pam’s Real Thai, Joe Allen (I used to work there), Blossom du Jour, 44&X, Five Napkin Burger, HK (for lunch), The Marshal, Schnipper’s, Market Diner and Gotham West Market. When I’m feeling fancy, I like Marseilles or Esca.

What bars do you hang out in?

I’m not a drinker, so bars aren’t my domain – although I hear the Pocket Bar on 48th is a cute scene. But cafés? I like sitting at the bar for lunch or brunch at Kava during the day (at night, the light dimmers are jacked up way too high). I also like the cafe upstairs at the Signature Theatre. And I’m a loyal and long-time customer of Amy’s Bread.

Where is your ‘happy place’?

Right now, my favorite place is FIKA. Great coffee, delicious sandwiches, and wonderful pastry. It’s a nice room with free wi-fi. I go there to get out of the apartment and do some work.

What’s the best thing about HK living?

Everything you could possibly need is in such close proximity. Restaurants, cafés, Broadway theaters, public transportation, grocery stores, pharmacies, dog parks, bodegas and even two multiplexes are all within a very close radius. I also love its proximity to the Hudson River and the bike path.

And the worst thing?

Tourists, baby strollers, SUVs with Jersey plates, and Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Every city’s bus terminal is its drain catch, and that place is a freak magnet.

Who do you admire in the neighborhood?

I admire the local business owners who bring something of real value with real character to the neighborhood. Scott and Bruce opened 10th Avenue Lounge in the late 1990s, which was the first gay-owned bar west of 9th Ave where you wouldn’t get robbed. (I was the first bartender they hired.) Then they opened 44&X, which was the first restaurant west of 9th Ave where you could bring a date. I admire and adore Matt and Enrique at Fine And Dandy, Boswell at Best Barber, Richie at Mr Biggs, and those two fabulous ladies who own Domus.

Do you have an HK secret? You can trust us ... we won’t tell a soul.

If it’s raining, you can get all the way from 9th Ave to the Times Square subway station at 7th Ave and 42nd Street without getting wet. Enter Port Authority on 9th Ave - 40th/41st St and walk toward 8th Ave to the A, C, E subway entrance on the lower level. Once you’re through the turnstile, take that tunnel that goes to the Times Square station for the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, R, Q and S trains… without ever seeing rain. How’s that for a geeky secret?

BIOGRAPHY George Hahn is a frugal men’s style observer, civilized cyclist, dog lover, self-made thousandaire and, by his own confession, prig.

Find his blog at www.georgehahn. com.

George’s HK Pam’s Real Thai W49th St - 9th Ave Joe Allen W46th St - 8th/9th Ave Blossom du Jour 9th Ave 43rd/44th St 44&X 10th Ave 44th St Five Napkin Burger 9th Ave 45th St The Marshal 10th Ave - 44th/45th St Gotham West Market 11th Ave 44th/45th St Marseille 9th Ave 44th St Esca W43rd St 9th Ave Kava W42nd St 9th/10th Ave FIKA 10th Ave 41st St Amy’s Bread 9th Ave - 46th/47th St

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MUSIC & THEATER

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MUSIC & THEATER

BROADWAY BROADS

Look out, men of Broadway, women’s voices are making a powerful impact, says Matt d’Silva

IMAGE: ILONA LIEBERMAN

W

hen you look at the history of successful Broadway producers, time and again you see names like Harold Prince, Florenz Ziegfeld, David Merrick, George Abbott, Joseph Papp and the Shubert brothers. The old guard of Broadway, a male-dominated profession.

But after meeting two relatively new and equally successful female Hell’s Kitchen-based Broadway producers, you realize things are starting to change. For the better.

Brisa Trinchero has two Tony Awards and 18 Broadway productions under her belt, including Beautiful: The Carole King Story. She was named one of the ’40 Leaders Under 40’ by Business Journal.

Roberta Perseira has been nominated for a Tony many times, developing such shows as Mothers and Sons with Tyne Daly, and Grace with the ever sexy Paul Rudd. Backstage placed her on its ‘Broadway Future Power List.’

Over a couple of cocktails – Cosmopolitans to be precise – at Sardi’s, the pair founded Dress Circle Publishing in 2011 with the aim of creating books that cater to theater fans.

“Our approach to publishing was like a theatre company,” says Brisa. “Our mission is to pull back the curtain and give Broadway fans an entertaining but authentic glimpse behind the scenes.

As producers ourselves, we know firsthand how little access aspiring young producers have to what it really takes to work on Broadway.”

Their current titles include Seth’s Broadway Diary by Seth Rudetsky, Jeremy Scott Blaustein’s The Home for Wayward Ladies, Jennifer Ashley Tepper’s The

Left: Be shocked and amazed at what REALLY goes on behind the scenes on Broadway, courtesy of hit producers Roberta Perseira (left) and Brisa Trinchero.

“There’s a whole crop of talented young producers arriving on Broadway and Ruby Preston is the first to tell their story.”

Untold Stories of Broadway, and Ruby Preston’s Showbiz and Staged.

Their newest title is the third in Preston’s trilogy: Starstruck, described as The Devil Wears Prada but, instead of fashion, its focus is the Great White Way. “Our goal was to create books about Broadway for Broadway,” says Brisa.

“There’s a whole crop of talented young producers arriving on Broadway and Ruby Preston is the first to tell their story.”

Their series follows the journey of Scarlett Savoy, an apprentice for the ‘King of Broadway’, who dreams of becoming a Broadway producer. By the time the second novel comes along, Scarlett is finally making a name for herself, and is about to open her first production. She has financial backing, a sexy director, and an equally thrilling Hollywood starlet. But one thing is missing from the equation: a venue. And you can’t have a musical without a theater.

In Starstruck, Scarlett is watching her baby slowly come to life in the rehearsal room, experiencing the drama that circles the creative process: the scandals, the red carpet … the expectation and excitement of opening night.

Preston is also a young Broadway producer, and her books portray the colorful characters that inhabit the American musical theatre industry and make it such a fascinating place so realistically that the series is now set to be developed into a TV series. Swedish actress Julia Sundstrom Sandstrom (appearing with Al Pacino and Anthony Hopkins in the 2016 feature Beyond Deceit) is slated as its star.

What is interesting about the Dress Circle story is that, apart from both co-founders’ success as producers of theater in a male-dominated industry, they have managed to branch out to develop a publishing company that tells the stories of what it’s like to work in that beloved industry.

“We create books for people who don’t have access to the theater,” says Roberta.

Both women come from very different backgrounds: Roberta is from Brazil, studied at Yale, then started out in not for profit organisations. Brisa has an MBA in finance and a love of theater.

“Broadway grew out of an era and has left behind a legacy of successful male producers,” says Brisa.

But what is nice to see happening in the 21st century is a new level of diversity in theater, multi-racial themes, alternative storylines, and the emergence of more female producers.

With the formation of Dress Circle Publishing, and its commitment to telling the stories of the Great White Way from the female perspective, it is a great outlook for a once male-heavy industry. www.dresscirclepublishing.com Follow Matt d’Silva on Twitter @ MattDSilva

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MUSIC & THEATER QUICK LOOK DURAN DURAN

Review RUTHLESS!

Review HAMILTON

ST LUKE’S THEATRE There’s something about campy, overthe-top musical theater that can only bring a smile to your face. The music, the lyrics, the flamboyant characters.

What’s not to love?

Ruthless! is best described as a cross between Mommie Dearest, Gypsy, All About Eve, and Serial Mom, set to music and song. Did I mentioned the lead is in drag?

It couldn’t be any more fabulous if it tried.

Directed and written by Joel Paley, it has to be one of the campest shows on Broadway. Sylvia St Croix is a fame-hungry talent manager who sees something special in child actor Tina Denmark (Tori Murray). But she has to convince Tina’s rather naive mother Judy (Kim Maresca).

The little precocious star will stop at nothing to get the lead role, even if it means murder (remember, she’s only eight and this is a musical!).

Peter Land as Sylvia is hysterical, camp, and over the top in a fabulous costume. Kim Maresca as Judy develops into her character and is a lot of fun to watch. Tori Murray as Tina Denmark is spot-on in her portrayal of a slightly psycho child.

Drama is never far away from even the best musical, and this off-Broadway production recently lost its lead to illness.

Peter Land has since been replaced by Paul Pecorino.

However, the show must go on, so if you are after a bit of fun, feel like a laugh, and want to see some amazing costumes, take yourself along to Ruthless!.

Its run has just been extended to the end of the year.

MATT D’SILVA @MATTDSILVA

THE RICHARD RODGERS THEATRE There’s nothing wrong with buzz on Broadway, unless it’s bogus.

Theatergoers who lay down big bucks for tix to a show that turns out to be a mindless tourist trap may decide to pass when they hear about the Next Big Thing. But Hamilton is every iota as thrilling as it’s cracked up to be.

Inspired by Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton, the founding father whose image graces our $10 bills, this phenomenal new musical is the creation of composer-lyricist-book writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also takes the title role.

Showcasing a gorgeously eclectic score that combines hip-hop with contemporary pop and other musical genres, Hamilton boasts a rainbow cast. All leading roles are played by actors of color, which is emblematic of the bracing concept – “immigrants; we get the job done” is one of the show’s most pointed phrases. In addition to Miranda and Javier Munoz as his alternate, the super-talented company includes Leslie Odom Jr., Christopher Jackson, Daveed Diggs, and Okierete Onaodowan. Representing the old-world, white-bread patriarchy of the era is Jonathan Groff in the brief but juicy role of England’s King George III, portrayed as a bitterly sarcastic lover spurned by the colonists’ achievement of independence.

Hamilton is not an all-boys club. Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Jasmine Cephas Jones are strong, vivid presences.

The expert storytelling is greatly enhanced by Thomas Kail’s razor-sharp direction and Andy Blankenbuehler’s electrifying choreography.

MICHAEL PORTANTIERE

Terminal 5 has just announced an exclusive concert by the 80s rockers on September 14. It’s exclusive in that tickets are only available to American Express card members. terminal5nyc. com

Birdland will open a new 100-seat theater in the lower level of the jazz club in the spring of next year. The aim is to open up the venue to different types of performers and music. birdlandjazz.com

Baryshnikov Arts Center plays host to “North America’s most daring puppeteer” Ronnie Burkett in the adults-only The Daisy Theatre, Sept 30 through Oct 10. It features a cast of 40 handmade marionettes including singer Rosemary Focaccia, ventriloquist Meyer Lemon, and beloved fairy child Schnitzel. bacnyc.org

Review QUEEN OF THE NIGHT PARAMOUNT HOTEL A thought occurs around the time I’m led away from my table at the Diamond Horseshoe club to a spot near the stage. As a member of the cast of Queen Of The Night – gender unknown – straddles me from behind, takes my hands in theirs, and strokes my fingers sensuously, I think: Damn! I really should have dressed up for this.

Work attire seems so inappropriate for this most decadent of immersive performances – a mix of dance, theater, circus, bacchanalian feast. So when you go see this (and go you should), dress up, would you? And leave any intimacy issues at the door.

From the moment you descend the staircase to the subterranean venue, cocktail in hand, you enter a steamy world of fire eaters, contortionists, trapeze artists, all encouraging you to explore, opening yourself up to the possibility of interaction with any one of them. The masked lady bathing in a room covered in wax? A whispered conversation in a corridor? A proffered shot of alcohol?

There’s a loose storyline that follows the initiation of an ingenue into the queen’s harem, but never mind that – it hardly matters. Instead, just enjoy the spectacle, while feasting on vast platters of roasted animal. Get stuck into the carafes of wine, then let a butler feed you decadent chocolate cake from a silver spoon.

Seriously, that’s the only way you’re getting dessert. And I never want to eat cake any other way.

RUTH WALKER

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ART PREVIEWS

GOOD GRIEF! An independent film on 42nd St? Who ever heard the like …?

Hillary Reeves is agog When was the last time you saw an independent film on 42nd St? The gigantic multiplexes that have replaced the scintillating movie houses of yesteryear rarely show much beyond the summer blockbusters and midnight premiere-types.

That’s just one of the reasons to look forward to The Grief Of Others, directed

by Patrick Wang. He’s one of the judges in our writing challenge, running in collaboration with Tentsquare. Actors and writers are invited to submit a 250-word West Side Story – an original monologue that takes place in, or is about, Hell’s Kitchen. The winners will not only win a cash prize; they’ll have their work published in the October issue of W42ST. The closing date has already passed for writers, (you snooze you lose!) but actors still have until September 12 to get involved.

Anyway, back to the film. Based on the beautiful novel by Leah Hager Cohen (a book that landed on all the big end-ofyear best-of lists), it tells the story of a family following the death of the baby son/brother. When a visitor arrives, emotions cannot be ignored and lessons are learned.

Hot off a run at SXSW and Cannes, catching The Grief Of Others on a Monday night throughout the month of September (and beyond, we hope) is as close to the film festival experience you can get in bustling Midtown. Wang knows this too. That’s why he’s found a weekly home for the film at the AMC Empire. Taking a cue from the theater, he aims to show his piece once a week for as long as audiences keep coming.

Support the effort in hopes that we can get more of this kind of quality independent artwork in our ‘hood! www.thegriefofothers.com; www.tentsquare.com

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IMAGE: ILONA LIEBERMAN

THE GRIEF OF OTHERS

Above: Patrick Wang takes a literary approach to film making. Right: A family comes to terms with death in The Grief Of Others.

ART PREVIEWS NICK JONAS

Terminal 5 Nick Jonas always identified himself as a brooding artist, even as the youngest member of the Disney-backed brothers that made him famous. In interviews, his big brothers touted their little bro’s artistic gene and serious demeanor when it came to the creative side of things. Since going solo he’s established himself not only as a pretty talented songwriter and singer but a serious sex symbol.

He heads to Terminal 5 this month with a roster of songs off his new album, which features hits like Chains. We loved his effort to explore different angles of his new tunes, as in the YouTube video where he’s backed by an entire gospel choir for Jealous. We’re hoping to see similar experiments when he visits the Hell’s Kitchen hot spot. And, if not, he’ll still be nice to look at. www.terminal5nyc.com

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM/THE CHAIRS

The Pearl Theatre We’ve all seen our fair share of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and we’ve also all probably seen interpretations that highlight different facets of the classic or place it in a new time and space to give it a different spark.

So why should you see this production at The Pearl? For starters, there’s a reason it’s a classic. If it’s been a few years since your last Midsummer, it’s probably time for your next dose. That said, the production is co-produced by the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company, aka folks who know what they’re doing when it comes to the Bard. Terry Teachout at the Wall Street Journal called the production “radically original” and “mysteriously poetic,” both descriptions which make us believe the show will be worth the time Midsummer will appear in repertory with The Chairs – this is where The Pearl comes in. The theater, known for uncovering lesser-known works that deserve a breath of life, finds a great candidate in The Chairs.

Written by Eugene Ionesco, it also has its absurdly comedic elements, like Midsummer, and promises moments of profound poignancy, as you’d find in any great Shakespeare work. See one after the other and delight in just how lovely it feels to have two distinct theatrical experiences inform each other so well. www.pearltheatre.org

“When a visitor arrives, emotions cannot be ignored and lessons are learned.”

INVISIBLE THREAD

Second Stage The group hasn’t shared much about this upcoming show, slated for “fall 2015,” and with the American Repertory Theater behind the production, it knows it doesn’t have to. The A.R.T. up at Harvard is a beacon of modern American theater.

Led by artistic director Diane Paulus, it churns out one commercially successful and artistically challenging piece after another. It was the force behind the recent Tony award-winning revivals of Pippin and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. So the fact that Invisible Thread will appear “in association” with the A.R.T. should be enough reason for you to keep an eye on the new work. (Plus, Second Stage is also reliably incredible, of course.)

The musical will explore the ideas of charity work in the modern age. What

Clockwise from left: Eye candy?

That’ll be the Jonas.

Midsummer Night’s Dream gets The Pearl treatment. Invisible Thread comes to Second Stage.

are the implications of a privileged white boy travelling to Uganda for a volunteer project, and how can we reconcile trying to do good in the age of social media activism? www.2st.com

FUTURITY

Ars Nova Keep an eye out for this new musical premiere at Ars Nova. The Lisps, led by Cèsar Alvarez, will compose a suite of new music for the show as part of Ars Nova’s partnership with Soho Rep. The program describes itself as presenting work whose “common thread is emerging artists creating fearless, surprising work showcasing their unique theatrical point of view.” The Lisps’ indie rock sound and vaudevillian performance style lend themselves to theatrical experimentation which we hope we’ll see in this show.

The story sounds a bit roundabout, with a “mathematical genius” and a “machine to end one of the darkest periods in our history.” But we look forward to seeing how this one plays out. If nothing else, it’ll be a fun time listening to the indie group’s new tunes. www.arsnovanyc.com

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what’s going on in

SEPTEMBER

Every day’s a playday with our calendar guide to one-off events and ongoing offers around Hell’s Kitchen

Ends September 6 John Pershing Square Signature Theatre The first play of Pulitzer Prizewinner Annie Baker’s Signature residency, set as a young couple struggle to stay together. www.signaturetheatre.org

September 1 to 30 Coca-Cola Generations in Jazz Festival Thursdays Timatha Kasten & Band

Saturdays Le Scandal

Row NYC

Laurie Beechman Theatre

www.timatha.com

www.westbankcafe.com

A seven-piece R&B band plays the hits of Stevie Wonder, Prince and more. No cover. No minimum purchase. Dancing compulsory!

NYC’s longest running burlesque show. Expect sword swallowers, belly dancers, contortionists, torch singers, all set to live music.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Every night, all month, the venue at Columbus Circle is celebrating everything from the genius of Ray Charles and Gil Scott-Heron to the artistry of legends Jimmy Cobb, Tootie Heath, Kenny Barron and Gary Bartz.

Pictured above: Carter Bryan. www.jazz.org/dizzys

Not Mondays Amazing Grace

COLLEGE AND NFL FOOTBALL ALL SEASON LONG!

Two Happy Hours Every Day

Nederlander Theatre

The famous story deserves retelling in this original musical, based on the story of John Newton and the slave trade. www.amazinggracemusical.com

September 10-27 Selfie Irish Arts Center

Comic actor Pat Shortt (from Father Ted, no less) plays singing undertaker Mossey Burke in a show about Irish funerals. www.irishartscenter.org

4pm-8pm, 12am-2am

Brunch from $11 IMAGES: NACHO GUEVARA; GREGORY CONSTANZO

Bottomless Brunch add $15 11am-4pm Saturday & Sunday

508 9th Ave, (Bet. 38th & 39th Street) (646) 490 4803 scallywagsnyc.com www.facebook.com/scallywagsnyc

From September 11 Idris Khan – Overture Sean Kelly Gallery

Twenty five new works examine global displacement through painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper and glass. www.skny.com

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Ends September 13 Informed Consent Ensemble Studio Theatre

A drama by Deborah Zoe Laufner, inspired by a court case between a university and a Native American tribe in the Grand Canyon. www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org

September 17 The Adicts Stage 48

UK indie grown-ups are supported

by The Reverend Horton Heat and Creepshow in a night merging punk, country and rock n roll. www.stage48.com

Not Tuesdays Avenue Q New World Stages

The long-running hit tells the story of a college grad who moves into a shabby New York apartment, through adult-friendly puppetry. www.avenueq.com

September 19 Getting to Know Your Mind, Body and Spirit Columbus Library

Practical tips on how to achieve a healthy balance in our day-to-day lives. www.nypl.org

All month Manhattan Kayak Pier 84

It’s still summer as long as you can still take a paddleboard or kayak out on the Hudson. The boathouse is locked up on October 18. www.manhattankayak.com

September 24/25 Jesus and Mary Chain Terminal 5

The Scottish alt-rockers celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album Psychocandy. OK, so now we feel REALLY old! www.terminal5nyc.com

Ends September 27 Love and Money

September 26 & 27 The Big Flea Market Pier 94

With over 600 stands, this is the largest flea market in Manhattan.

Pick up vintage clothing, jewelry, furniture, fine art, silver and more www.thebigfleamarket.com

Not Mondays Kinky Boots

Signature Theatre

Al Hirschfeld Theatre

www.signaturetheatre.org

www.kinkybootsthemusical.com

Ends October 25 Art of the Mannequin

Saturdays & Sundays Sistas The Musical

MAD Museum

St Luke’s Theatre

www.madmuseum.org

www.stlukestheatre.com

A wealthy widow wants to donate everything she owns, but her plan hits a snag when a young man arrives to claim his inheritance.

Ralph Pucci has worked with Anna Sui and Diane von Furstenberg, and is celebrated for his innovative approach to the mannequin.

What do you mean you haven’t seen it yet? Book by Harvey Fierstein, music by Cyndi Lauper.

What’s not to like?

A musical journey of AfricanAmerican women, using the lyrics from artists such as Billie Holiday, Lena Horn, Jill Scott and Beyoncé.

From September 26 New York Film Festival Film Society Lincoln Center OK, so it’s just outside the accepted HK boundaries, but who’s counting? And when you have movies like Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs biopic, and the world premieres of Don Cheadle’s Miles Ahead, and Robert Zemeckis’s The Walk, it’s worth shlepping those extra few blocks! Ends October 11. www.filmlinc.org

September 26-27 Writers’ workshop Javits

For wannabe and already are writers with advice from published authors Reid Tracy, Gabrielle Bernstein, Nick Ortner, and Nancy Levin. www.javitscenter.com

October Next W42ST out All around Hell’s Kitchen

Look out October, we’re coming for you. Next month we’re all about Hell’s Kitchen nights. If you’d like to be featured in any way, contact us on news@w42st.com.

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The definition of

STYLE Artists, bloggers, designers – the word style means different things to different people, but mostly it means having the confidence to be yourself Photographs Adrien Potier

Bobbi Van

Artist, TEDX curator/creator/facilitator of Courageous Conversations

A statement one makes about themselves in relationship to the world.

Their identity, their expression of how they want to be perceived.

I found this amazing dress that could be worn on two sides: black and white.

It reminded me of the artist within – free-spirited, multifaceted and engaging.

The most random, out-of-the-box conversations happen every time I wear this dress and I want to wear it every day and live in awe of these moments.

When I look in the mirror …

Something special

Style is …

I see how my energy intersects with my individuality. Quiet elegance, comfort, humor, and my willingness to engage in life. In my studio I am usually covered with paint and I love the colors and the messiness.

My style is ...

Elegant, witty, comfortable, plus something unexpected.

Love to love

In 2013 I was exhibiting at the Contemporary Art Fair in Hong Kong, and one morning I decided to go shopping before the show opened.

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A silver cuff by Robert Lee Morris was given to me by a very dear friend after his wife passed. He had bought it for her as an anniversary present to celebrate their 40-year marriage. He wished for me to know that kind of love and it feels like a safe haven every day.

Style icon

Donna Karan for her simple lines, elegance, and sexiness. She knows how women need to be themselves and inspires them to be ageless and artful women from within. www.bobbivanstudio.com

WHAT’S ON

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Raquel Martuscelli Style is …

A story we want the world to perceive about us; the paint on the canvas.

Something special

When I look in the mirror …

I see someone who is experimental, not afraid to be a risk taker.

I have an emotional attachment to a ring my grandma left behind. She raised me and was my angel and it’s just nice to have something that reminds me of her

My style is ...

Style icons

Diverse and ecclectic. One day I may wanna look chic and ladylike, another I may feel more playful and wanna look more artsy. I dabble in a few different themes.

Love to love

A black blazer. It can be worn over

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anything and instantly look cool. It’s just easy and chic

I admire my client Susanne Bartsch because she has the panache to break all the rules and does it well. I also love J Lo (she’s sexy but never trashy), Amal Clooney (just so chic), and Rihanna for her edgy cool vibe. www.raquelmartuscelli.com

IMAGE: NACHO GUEVARA

Editorial fashion hair stylist

Dalton Primeaux

Digital PR coordinator/fashion writer/ blogger

Style is …

Something that means different things to different people. But, to me, it’s the way a person chooses to express themselves – through fashion, and/or beauty. It’s as much of an art form as painting or singing. You are presenting your emotions, thoughts, ideas to the world.

When I look in the mirror …

I see a super weird, awkward, 24-year old guy who is just trying to survive the typical struggles of being a young transplant in Manhattan, making a career out of what he loves and having as much fun as possible doing so.

My style ...

The vibe I aim for changes daily with my mood. Some days I may feel like dressing up a bit more, other days I may be more casual. Some days I’m feeling rebellious and want to wear something a little more edgy, other days I may feel a bit more conservative. Overall I think my style is eclectic and creative.

Love to love

I really love a great, classic pair of blue jeans. That, and a really well-fitting Oxford button-down. They are both perfect staples to any guy’s wardrobe.

Something special

My first time visiting New York I purchased a pair of the Jeremy Scott Adidas winged sneakers. They remind me of the moment I fell in love with the city (and Jeremy Scott’s designs), so they have a special place in my heart.

There’s also this sweatshirt I found in a little vintage shop in a very small town in Louisiana. It’s black with super bright neon writing. It’s amazingly tacky, but reminds me of New Orleans, where I was raised, so I love it. Oh, and also my black cap that I’m always seen wearing (which I bought in HK).

Style icon

Walking around galleries or museums, or just people watching in the city will usually spark an outfit idea. The people and artists of the city are my true icons. www.thewearhousedistrict.com

Robert Solis Influencer/menswear blogger/stylist

Style is …

Something you either have or not. It’s the ability to curate ensembles effortlessly.

When I look in the mirror …

I see a man full of life and splendor.

My style ...

I would define myself as sartorial. I appreciate and have a fondness for men’s tailored clothing.

Love to love

I would probably say a pocket square is

my favorite item. There are different variations on how to wear one and it’s the focal point of your ensemble. It’s the first thing people see.

Something special

I wear a sterling silver feather bracelet. I got it while on holiday in Mykonos and, for me, it’s a symbol of peace and serenity.

Style icon

Valentino, hands down. He pays attention to detail and is always put together both formally and causally. www.therefinedgent.com

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Matt Fox and Enrique Crame III Shopkeepers, Fine And Dandy

Style is …

How one puts himself together and presents himself to the world.

My style is...

Matt: New school dandy. I have an appreciation for a classic sensibility, but presented in a modern way. Enrique: One rule I stick to is to have fun and enjoy dressing up.

Love to love

Enrique: Last year I bought my first custom suit. There is nothing like owning a piece of clothing that was made just for you. And also, the process was so much fun – picking out details like buttons and thread colors, lining

fabrics and even ticket pockets. It inspired us to explore custom shirting and suiting for Fine And Dandy. Stay tuned.

Something special

Matt: I inherited several hats from my grandfather – mostly fedoras. They’re terrific looking on their own but the fact that they belonged to my grandfather makes them extra special.

Style icon

Matt: I credit the men of the golden age of the cinema as my style icons – Fred Astaire, Rudolf Valentino, Gary Cooper.

I’ve never seen a photo when these guys weren’t dressed impeccably. www.fineanddandyshop.com

Jessica Kaczorowski Studio manager/accessories designer

Style is …

A very democratic vehicle for selfexpression. The way you compose your image is part of how you tell others who you are.

When I look in the mirror …

I see someone who has figured out how to dress for her shape and lifestyle.

My style ...

I like to incorporate trends into my

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wardrobe if they suit me, but my staples are updated versions of classics: jeans, tees, button-downs, cardigans, clogs, sneakers, boots.

Love to love

I have an old James Perse grey cashmere sweater that I wear the heck out of every fall and winter. It is incredibly cozy and it still looks amazing.

Something special

I used to have something I was emotionally connected to, but sadly the item gave up

the ghost. It was this crazy pair of pants, pale pink lightweight cotton with beige pizza-shape triangles all over. They had an elastic waist and buttons at the ankles so you could wear the legs wide or cinch them in. All my friends, including a guy, borrowed them.

Style icon

The Olsen sisters. I like how they use understated color palettes and play with proportion. www.johnstonbags.com

Mox Lee and Mohawk Lee Jewelry designers, Madly Made

Style is …

Being able to communicate to the world with your clothing. If you can convey a message with your look, whether it is serious or just fun, that is true style.

When we look in the mirror …

First there’s a blank canvas staring back, then we can turn that into anything.

Our style ...

Sometimes comes from a dark place, other times a happy place. Whatever we wear is a reflection of how we are feeling.

Love to love

We love leather jackets or pants with patches.

Something special

Jewelry and accessories hold a special place in our hearts because we can wear certain items with any outfit, like a spiked collar or a bullet belt (two staples in our wardrobes). This is why we make jewelry, because you can wear it in so many different ways.

Style icon

We admire anyone who is brave enough to express their individuality through their style. www.madlymade.com

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WHAT’S ON

CAMERA READY The story behind the lens …

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COMMUNITY

Y

ou’ve probably walked past it a hundred times. An anonymous door on 9th Ave, tucked between bodegas, a smoke shop and fruit stalls. But go behind that door, up a flight of stairs, and you’ll be in a place where magic happens.

This is the home of Famed Studio, a photographic space that can be transformed into whatever you want it to be: shop, gallery, or blank canvas for the stylist’s wildest imagination.

It’s the brainchild of photographer Audrey Froggat and Calvin Klein underwear model, lawyer, handyman, personal trainer, entertainment manager – heck, this guy is even a TV star! – Mike Keute. The pair are not only business partners – they’re also roomies (they live behind the studio, in a cool apartment complete with roof terrace).

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Audrey didn’t get the photography bug until she was in college. “I was more into writing and journalism,” she says. “I was in the theater and choir all through high school. And that, I think, all adds to my work as a photographer now: I like to tell a story through whatever I’m photographing.”

“I saw I could make fashion more of an art form, like it used to be.”

She was given a camera for graduation and, on a family holiday to Ireland – “we traveled from Dublin to the Connemara coast” – she took a ton of photos. “I realized I had an eye for it, but didn’t know if that was what I wanted to do yet. It was still just a hobby.”

It took a six-month stint in Hong Kong, while she was studying journalism at Memphis University, to convince her. “I fell in love with the colors and the architecture,” she says. “I was taking all my classes for journalism and thought, ‘I can’t do this any more.’ I contacted the head of the photography department and showed him my work to ask: is it any good? Is this something I should pursue? I had no idea about aperture or shutter speed or anything.

I just knew I had an eye.”

She promptly switched majors as soon

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COMMUNITY The Death Of The Paper Doll was shot on Famed Studio’s rooftop for Fashion Decode magazine.

Photographer/ creative director: Audrey Froggatt Model: Megan Mohr Stylist: Faustina Rose Set: Sarah Hein Make-up: Jessika Bekteshi Hair: Katelyn McGinn

it. She has since shot campaigns for Weight Watchers, Adel Amor Cosmetics, Colors Agency, and Skin Worldwide, and editorial for Gotham Magazine and Fashion Decode.

But a chance meeting with Mike, when she moved into his apartment in Hell’s Kitchen a year and a half ago, has given her the biggest adventure yet.

Mike, star of Style Network’s Built, lives in the apartment behind the studio, and when this space became available, he and Audrey saw its potential and snapped it up.

They called it FAMED Studio, for everything the pair stand for: fashion, art, music, events and design.

“I want to focus on this being a one-stop shop,” says Audrey. “We can do hair, we can do make-up, we can do styling, we can do props. We can do pop-up shops with designers, show artwork, fashion showcases, live hair and make-up, music performances, networking events …”

And she’s keen to support young creatives making their names in New York.

“It’s very hard. When I was a 23-year-old with a masters in fashion photography, lots of female editors wouldn’t hire me. The older I get, the better it is, but I don’t ever want to be that person. I want to help other artists, designers, to showcase their work.

I’ll support whoever is the best.” www.famedstudio.com

as she got back home and started taking film photography instead.

Her love of street fashion and selfexpression, however, came later, during another trip, this time to London. “I saw I could make fashion more of an art form, like it used to be,” she says. This led her to apply for a fashion photography masters in New York, though she really didn’t think she stood a chance.

“I got in,” she laughs. “One out of 12. I have no idea how that happened. I was so not ready. I was new to the city and didn’t know anyone: I had no stylist, no make-up artist, no hair stylist, no team. Not only that, but I was working five days a week. It was a very intense year. I was thinking: I’m horrible, I’m the worst photographer.”

Now, she realizes the value in that process. “It’s so important everyone goes through that period, when you’re so humble. There’s a quote that goes something like: if you’re the best one in the room, you’re in the wrong room. It took a long time, but I built up a network.

One of my strong suits is bringing people together.”

The hard work and heartache was worth

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DANCING IN THE

STREET

If there’s one thing dancers know how to do, it’s throwing together an outfit in a New York minute Styling Jessica Chen Photographs Vanessa Gonzalez-Bunster

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ow do you go from sweating all day in a rehearsal studio to being ready for a night on the town – with no time to go home and change in between? Studio to Street Style #S2SS is a photographic project that goes beyond the leotards and leg warmers to reveal dancers in their offduty wardrobes. A curated series, shot on location in Hell’s Kitchen, it’s a labor of love between longtime friends and collaborators Jessica Chen and Vanessa Gonzalez-Bunster. www.jchenproject.com; www.vgbphotography.com

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“I love to mix simple and elegant items with bright colors and patterns that flow.”

PHOTO

ESSAY

FANA TESFAGIORGIS

Tesfagiorgis is a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance, with a minor in journalism.

She says: “My style is always changing for the occasion and my mood. I love to mix simple and elegant items with bright colors and patterns that flow. I absolutely love dresses, day and night.”

continued over

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JESSICA CHEN

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Artistic director of J Chen Project, a modern dance company based in NYC. “I think your personal style should constantly evolve while you are evolving.

If I’m wearing sweatpants all the time, chances are I’m in a phase where I want to hide. If I am preparing for a show or speech or I’m just in a place where I want to be more seen, I will try to have my closet reflect that as well. In general, my style shifts with the seasons. During spring and summer I’m more bohemian chic and during fall and winter I’m more urban classy.”

PHOTO

ESSAY

KELLEN STANCIL

Stancil is dance captain/dancer swing for Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway and director/choreographer of Coco & The Vanity Vixens, starring Coco (IceT’s wife). He has also performed with Cirque Du Soleil and is professionally trained in modern, ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, Latin ballroom, Tahitian and hula!

“I consider my style to be urban chic.

I like the idea of mixing two different worlds, for example, army fatigues with a blazer, or leather pants with a crisp, collared shirt. I love clean lines and oversized T-shirts. My favorite colors to wear are white, black, blue and grey.

They also mix well with each other. I like to look posh and polished without being bougie.”

SHAY BLAND

Bland attended The Ailey School and Rutgers University. She recently finished her second season with Ailey II company. Her credits also include Francesca Harper Project, Fire Island Dance Festival, Earl Mosley, Christian Von Howard, Ray Mercer and Kevin Wynn “I find myself wearing a lot of black these days. For me it seems so chic but unassuming.”

continued over

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VANESSA GONZALEZ -BUNSTER

Photo retoucher at Tory Burch and photographer/founder of VGB Photo.

“My laundry separates into three loads: blacks, darks and reds. Add a few crazy patterns, some fabrics with movement and you have my wardrobe.

As long as it’s something different that I can wear to do anything in, I’m happy.”

SANDY SHELTON

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A native of New Jersey, Shelton is a life-long dancer and is on staff at Broadway Dance Center. He is in his third season as a member of J Chen Project.

His style? “Keep it simple with my signature ‘Sandy Pants’ high tops.”

PHOTO

ESSAY

HAYOUNG ROH

A second year undergrad dance major at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Roh is also a member of NYU hiphop team Synchronic.

She says: “I like to stick to neutral tones and basic patterns. I also fancy anything that is comfortable and that I can move in.”

RAFAEL SANCHEZ

Sanchez studied Dance Performance at Florida International University and is now starting his third year with J Chen Project.

He has danced with various recording artists including Mila Jam and Amusium.

“Set your own trends,” he says. “Wear what you love. Evolve, progress, throw back, be inspired … and LIVE!”

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COMMUNITY

SHARP DRESSED MAN It’s the style issue, and it’s about time our publisher smartened up his act ... but he’s going to need a little help in the shopping department

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xhibit A, your honor. A man who positively hates shopping. As in, properly hyperventilates at the mere suggestion of retail therapy.

Presenting, if you please, our publisher, Mr Phil O’Brien Esq. He’s comfortable in his own skin, and safe in his tried and tested uniform of checkered shirt, well-worn jeans, much-loved open-toe Merrells.

But place him in a new job; one where he’s meeting new people, representing a young, vibrant, creative start-up – this esteemed publication – and he’d like to update things a little, boast a closet that befits the position. Because, like it or not, people make judgments based on how we look. And it’s better to be remembered as the guy with the twinkly smile and the cool business opportunity than the one with badly cut toenails and smelly sandals.

But where to begin?

Enter Rachel Levin, professional stylist

IMAGES: ORTAL MIZRAHI

“No one loves shopping. It’s only enjoyable when it goes well. And I’m here to make sure it goes well!” and personal shopper. She must love shopping, right? Wrong.

“No one loves shopping,” she insists, “It’s only enjoyable when it goes well. And I’m here to make sure it goes well!”

So, to ensure things go well from the start, she begins with an initial conversation about Phil’s lifestyle, what he’s looking to achieve. He talks her through his closet and, before they even hit the stores, she has some suggestions about storage, items that could be altered for better fit, and styling tips to make better use of the things he already has.

Next stop: the shops (though, if you really, truly hate shopping, or simply don’t

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Closet TIPS Shoe rack Use standardized hangers (not the wire ones from the dry cleaner).

Shelf dividers Organize by end use (work versus weekend versus exercise); classification (jacket versus shirt versus suit); and color (light to dark).

Main: The new Phil, in Levi’s, $54.95, and Ben Sherman shirt, $49.99, and shoes, $107.50, all from Universal Gear (www.universalgear. com). Opposite: Runwell watch with brown strap, $550 (www.shinola. com); Vince lace-up boots, $74.50, Ben Sherman at Universal Gear; denim blazer, reduced from $432, Nepenthes (www. nepenthesny.com).

Before

COMMUNITY

Styling tips in shirts to define 1 Tuck shape.

Rule of three: match 2 belt, watchband, and shoes to finish look.

Formula one (business 3 casual): button-down tucked into denim or

dress pants and jacket or cardigan layered over the top. Worn with lace-up loafers, black chukkas or sneakers (only with jeans).

Finish with coordinating watch and belt.

have the time to do it, she can arrange for the whole process to happen in your home.

Neat.)

Rachel has already phoned the stores ahead, so the pieces she’s picked out are ready and waiting to be tried on. And, while she has connections in many stores, she receives no commission, so there’s no pressure to buy. The customer is her sole priority, she says. “If you don’t absolutely love something,” she says, “don’t get it, because you’ll never wear it.”

The end result is a subtle twist on the old Phil. We still have check shirts, but they’re cut for a better fit, to show off his slim physique. The jeans, too, are a better cut.

The shoes: a VAST improvement. He still looks like him; just an updated version.

But for those who will miss the sight of that checkered shirt and saggy jeans working their way up 9th Ave with a cartful of the latest issue of W42ST, don’t be too sad. he’s not quite ready to toss out some of those well-loved pieces yet. He still wears his smelly Merrells with pride and steadfastly refuses to get a brown watch strap.

Ah well, baby steps … www. rachellevinstyle.com

Shopping list Heavyweight blazer for both outerwear and as a jacket over separates.

Casual blazer in navy or grey.

Layering sweaters – cardigans and crew necks.

Suit in a dark grey and updated fit.

Formula two (business 4 casual): knit tee or long sleeve left untucked over jeans or dress pants, lace-up loafers or black chukkas or sneakers (only with denim). Finish with coordinating watch and belt.

Tip for rolling sleeves 5 (http://tgjerky.com/ blog/2013/7/24/rules-onrolling-shirt-sleeves).

Denim – dark blue straight leg and dark black straight leg.

Chinos in grey, stone, and black.

Lace-up loafers/chukkas in black and brown.

Fashion sneakers – custom New Balance.

Casual black and brown belt

Brown watchband Shirting updates with a slimmer body and polos/ knits (optional).

Hats – ball caps and bowlers (optional)

unwanted duds for free (www.greentreetextiles. org).

For the rest Green Tree Textiles will pick up all your

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FOOD & DRINK

OVEN LOVE

Sundays are a drag

Introducing Caroline Petersen, our cake correspondent

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he came to NYC to study graphic design, but her true love – and source of inspiration – is incredible, mouth-watering food. Meet Caroline Petersen, the master baker behind the blog time2bake, who will be bringing some of her favorite recipes to W42ST. “I love HK because of its location,” she says. “It’s near everything: the waterfront, amazing restaurants, Central Park, Midtown …”

Her love of food comes from growing up in Spain, where she says it is not just considered a necessity but also a lifestyle.

“My love for baking, however, was inspired by my mum. She would make the most delicious desserts, especially bakedcheesecake.”

All Caroline’s self-penned recipes are a result of trial and error. Sometimes a lot of errors! “When I’m in a hurry I sometimes don’t check that I have all the ingredients I need, then I find myself running out to the grocery store to get those eggs.

“Or when I started making home-made bread, the water would be too warm (which kills the yeast) and I’d wonder why the bread didn’t rise. Now I just use cold water, and during the summer I even add ice.”

But we know what you’re thinking. Who has the time to bake, right? And when you’re surrounded by so many wonderful bakeries, why would you even bother?

“Make time,” says Caroline, “and have fun.” And she has some simple tips to ensure even the most cack-handed cook can end up with Instagrammable results: “Check your oven is well calibrated (an oven thermometer will keep you right).

And read recipes carefully and follow them.

Those instructions are there for a reason.

But don’t feel too guilty when you buy shop-made instead. Even Caroline admits to buying in. “My favorite bakery is Amy’s Bread.You can also find me at Limon Jungle. I absolutely love their empanadas.” www.time2bake.com

Toblerone brownies

Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Total: 40 minutes Yield: One 20x20cm (8x8”) squared cake pan Ingredients 30g/1.1oz almonds, coarsely chopped 50g/1.8oz butter (plus more for roasting the almonds) 100g/3.5oz Toblerone (plus more for garnish) 100g/3.5oz dark chocolate 2 large free range eggs, room temperature 50g/1.8oz white sugar 50g/1.8oz light brown sugar 75g/2.6oz all-purpose flour Pinch of salt Instructions 1. Preheat the oven at 180ºC/160ºC fan/355ºF and line cake pan with silver foil.

2. In a small saucepan over medium heat add a little butter together with the chopped almonds and roast until aromatic (about five minutes).

Set aside.

3. Over a simmering water bath and stirring continuously with large spatula, melt the butter and chocolate. Leave to cool. Then mix the sugars, flour, and salt in medium bowl.

4. Add the eggs to the chocolate mixture until well combined then fold in the dry ingredients and almonds.

5. Pour batter into the cake pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes (until the surface is crunchy but the center is still moist). Once baked and still warm, cut brownie in the cake pan into small squares using a large sharp knife. Place on a wired rack to cool.

6. Garnish with pieces of Toblerone.

Extra! Extra!

Tools you’ll need: 20x20cm (8x8”) squared cake pan; silver foil; large bowl; large spatula; small saucepan; chef’s knife Tip: serve warm with vanilla icecream or frozen yogurt.

To store: keep in an airtight container for two to three days.

Ever woken up craving eggs over easy, with a side of drag queen?

If your Sunday hangover would benefit from unlimited mimosas and eggs, a pretty good coffee, and two fabulously funny ladies, Ktchn aims to deliver.

Gina Marie Ritalle and Anita Buffem are your hosts and they’ll make you laugh and sing. Their routine includes numerous references to Australian comedy duo Kath and Kim, as well as the much-adored RuPaul. Audience participation is mandatory.

There are two shows, one starting at 12:30pm and the second at 2:30pm. So depending on what sort of condition you wake in on Sunday mornings, perhaps the later option is preferred.

Two veterans of the drag stage, both Gina and Anita have a spark that bounce off each other, though the laughs can depend on the mood of the audience: it can be absolutely hysterical from the word go, or take a little time until the unlimited mimosas kick in.

The food isn’t bad either, and reasonably priced. The burger with spicy fries and my friend’s omelette made a great start to the day and cleared the one too many glasses of wine from the previous night.

Did I mention the unlimited mimosas, bloodies or sangria? As I said, it’s well worth the $35.

Haus of Mimosa is at Ktchn, The Out NYC, W42nd St - 10th/11th Ave, every Sunday from 12:30pm (www.hausofmimosa.com) @mattdsilva

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FOOD & DRINK

“Edible flowers and sensationally succulent summer fruit of every color decorate the top. And then – oof – the kalamansi sorbet on the side makes it just perfect.”

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FOOD & DRINK

LOVE AT FIRST BITE There’s romance in the air – could Hillary Reeves have found her perfect dessert?

IMAGES: ROBIN RILEY (WWW.ROBINRILEYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM)

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t’s 1996. I’m at my first slumber party.

Me and my squad of gal pals clutch pillows and Spice Girls sleeping bags while watching Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet on VHS. Leonardo DiCaprio (or Leo, as we called him) stalks past a fish tank and eyes Claire Danes in her angel wings. We all squeal and agree that this is the greatest possible way to meet your boyfriend and we make a pact to only date somebody if they throw down something this romantic.

I mention all of this because, walking through the big black doors at Hakkasan, held open by a guy in a suit who asks me if I have reservations, it is the closest I’ve ever felt to having that Romeo + Juliet moment. Black, geometric scrims crisscross throughout the space, hit at stark angles with aquatic blue and twinkly lighting. Sitting there, waiting to taste the restaurant’s new dessert menu, I half expect to see a brooding Montague lurking in a corner. Maybe a Montague dressed in a ninja costume.

The New York outpost of the Michelinstarred international eatery sits tucked away on W43rd St and serves upscale Cantonese cuisine. It’s tricky to create authentic East Asian desserts for western tastes; only relatively recently have French pastry styles infiltrated the region (think the beautiful chiffon Swiss rolls you can find in Chinatown). But Chef Rory McDonald throws away any hopes of recreating authentic Chinese sweets and instead lets his creative muscles flex, getting inspired by local products and farms, with a broadly Asian flourish as he includes ingredients like black sesame, kalamansi limes, or jasmine rice.

A high point is the frozen apricot bavarois, a beautiful orange ring of apricot frozen cream sat atop a perfectly portioned black sesame florentine. Edible flowers and sensationally succulent summer fruit of every color decorate the top. And then – oof – the kalamansi sorbet on the side makes it just perfect.

Honestly, I’d be happy just eating that sorbet and florentine all night long. The cold sorbet gives a sour punch that is balanced by the buttery caramel and purposely bitter florentine. With each bite, I like the dish more and more.

Another impressively gorgeous dessert is McDonald’s strawberries and champagne. The dish sounds as complex and flashy as you’d expect for the VIP space: vanilla panna cotta, lemon crumble, rhubarb sorbet, fresh summer strawberries, champagne foam and a lacey spun sugar topper. Yet, when the dish arrives it somehow feels understated. The sugar art on top casts shadows over the rest of the dessert.

Cracking through it gives me the same thrill as digging into a great crème brulée, but with way more surprises waiting beneath.

Finally, I love the chocolate, cherry, and

Above: The exquisite frozen apricot bavarois; Chef Rory McDonald puts th finishing touches to strawberries and champagne; chocolate, cherry, and pistachio parfait.

pistachio ‘parfait,’ even though it is way more like the Italian-American spumoni tartufos or bombas you find all over New York’s Little Italy – I guess they only missed Chinatown by a few blocks?

The chocolate is sourced from Brooklyn’s Cacao Prieto and is decadent, delicious. The jasmine rice puff flourishes feel mostly unnecessary, though the cool rice ice-cream tastes great alongside the rich cherries. By this hour, though, the music was thumping louder and I was ready to head out.

Alas, I left without encountering any Romeos, but perhaps it’s for the best.

What seemed devastatingly romantic for a young girl in 1996 feels quite naive today. Luckily, when it comes to Chef Rory McDonald’s desserts, there’s nothing contrived about ‘em. Parting with that sorbet was such sweet sorrow. www.hakkasan.com

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FOOD & DRINK

BACK TO THE FUTURE … OF WINE

Old-fashioned methods are all the rage, finds Jeremy Kaplan

I

n the 1980s, Marty McFly and Doc Brown went back and forth between the present and past and, in the process, changed the future. Similarly, modern wine makers are going back to the industry’s roots to create wines for the future that are pure and in keeping with traditions sometimes hundreds if not thousands of years old.

The trend for making wine organically, naturally or biodynamically is capturing the imagination of both winemaker and wine drinker. But before we get into it, let’s bring in some definitions: Natural wines are produced without adding or removing anything (although some growers add tiny quantities of sulfites at bottling). They go back millennia to the very origins of wine.

Often raw tasting and angular, they come as they are; pure but not polished. They are not intended to age for very long. I liken these to ‘caveman’ wine – the way our predecessors possibly made them thousands of years ago.

Organic wine is wine made from grapes grown in accordance with the principles of organic farming, which typically excludes the use of artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. All of this is good for the environment, and likely good for you too.

And, lastly, to biodynamic wines, possibly the most controversial of the lot. Conceived and developed by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, the process treats the vineyard as an organic whole, including the soil, its flora and fauna.

Practitioners link agricultural work to cosmic forces such as moon phases and planetary positions. The vineyard is nourished with a specific compost and sprayed with infusions brewed from plant materials.

This is all, unsurprisingly, costly and time consuming. Only 450 wineries around the world are certified biodynamic. Some steps to make a vineyard biodynamic include: burying yarrow flowers sheathed in a stag’s

Above: Uncork the past for a taste of what the future may bring.”

“Yarrow flowers are buried, sheathed in a stag’s bladder (yes, a stag!).” bladder (yes, a stag!). The bladder’s contents are then removed and placed in compost. Other techniques use animal bones, skulls and horns.

When these principals are followed, the wines produced can be of exceptional quality. In a blind tasting of ten pairs of biodynamic and conventionally made wines conducted

by Fortune Magazine, nine of the biodynamic wines were judged superior to their conventional counterparts.

Most of the wine in the world is commercially made in what amounts to factories, often using grapes from global resources. Yellow Tail of Australia makes 11,000,000 cases of wine annually. Gallo of California makes a whopping 60,000,000. By comparison, many of these organic,

biodynamic and natural winemakers will produce perhaps 10,000 cases annually and often much less. So they are more unique in character and are representations of the land from which they come, and the hands that made them. They are more singular in nature, presentation, and taste.

But are they better? Healthier? More delicious than conventionally made wines? It’s personal. But when you drink one of these wines, you pay closer attention to the details. They wake you up and provide new flavors and aromas.

And you can be certain that the farmers and winemakers have taken extra effort to make a product that represents something about themselves and, for that alone, they’re worth seeking out.

Look for importers such as Metropolis Wine Merchants, Louis/Dressner and Savio Soares, and see if the future of wine really does come from the past.

CORK TALK DOMAINE DELESVAUX ANJOU LE ROC, CABERNET FRANC, LOIRE Biodynamic and organic, these wines are pure but complex ($15) YORKVILLE CELLARS, MENDOCINO, CABERNET SAUVIGNON One of the few estate-bottled wines from California that are certified organic, thanks to 27 years of farming. ($25) KLINEC MEDANA, PIKOTNO Made with natural yeast and minimal sulfites, this is very raw and distinquished; just like Zinjanthropus used to drink. ($24)

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FOOD & DRINK

THREE WAYS TO GET GREAT SERVICE When your bartender likes you, all kinds of good things can happen.

Ciera Coyan delivers her top tips for getting on their good side

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IMAGE: ADRIEN POTIER

he relationship between bartender and patron can be many different things. Us bartenders can be confidants, therapists, entertainers, empathizers, or friends. Othertimes we’re simply someone that hands over the booze and isn’t thought of again.

While it’s fun going to work and never knowing exactly what role you’ll need to fill that day, one underlying rule remains: everyone has more fun when the bartender and customers like each other. As a customer, it leads to faster service, better recommendations, and maybe even a free drink or two. Since it’s our job to be friendly, it should be pretty easy to get along with us. There is, however, basic beer bar etiquette that, if not followed, can lead to bad service and bad vibes. Here are a few tips to help everybody enjoy themselves.

THE FIRST TIP Understand the pace. Bartenders in beer bars love to talk, and especially love to talk beer (at least, they should. If they don’t they probably need a different job). However, when the place is crowded and people are waiting to order, that’s not the time to discuss the line-up with the bartender.

I once had a customer come in on a busy Friday night. When I got to him he ordered one sample, then another, then another, then another. When he asked for his fifth sample I told him no, he had to order a beer or wait for me to help other people and then come back to him.

He got a beer, paid with a credit card,

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and under the line for tip on his receipt he wrote: “Don’t be rude to customers.”

Which made me laugh pretty hard.

When a bar’s busy, try not to monopolize a bartender’s time. We’re there to help everybody.

Right: More power to her elbow: Neighborhood celebrity Ciera is one of New York City’s top ten bartenders

“Everyone has more fun when the bartender and customers like each other.”

THE SECOND TIP Know what you like and, if you don’t, admit it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people say: “I’ll have whatever you like.” My palate’s been destroyed by too many sour beers, crazy hoppy IPAs and, I’ll admit it, I eat sour candy on a regular basis. Not everybody likes beers that taste like Lemon Heads. It’s fine to ask what your bartender likes if you’re up for rolling the dice, but it’s also fine to say: “I’m not sure what I want, but I’m in the mood for something dark and bitter,” or “I usually like (fill in the blank) beer but I want to try something new.”

THE THIRD TIP If you’re going to leave your number for the bartender, leave a decent tip. Recently I had a customer chat me up on a slow night. We talked beer and bars we liked in New York. When he signed his credit card receipt he left his number and a note saying we should go to a bar together.

He also left a $5 tip on a $60 tab.

Needless to say, he didn’t get a call.

The most important thing is to just be nice. Everyone goes to bars to have a good time. Don’t be the person with the bad attitude. And if the bartender is that person, go to a different bar. Life’s too short to not have fun.

STAFF SURVEY

Know anyone who works in Hell’s Kitchen who’d be great for the Staff Survey? Don’t keep them a secret, share the love with news@w42st.com

KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY Next time you’re on W52nd St, ask Tyler Richard about his grandfather How long have you worked at Ardesia?

About five years now. I live in Newark, so to get into the city I’ll take the train. Then I longboard to get up town.

includes everyone from FOH to BOH, management to the porters.

What’s the most fun part of work?

The spontaneity of an evening. You never really know what it’s going to bring you. The great thing about Ardesia is it’s a little off the beaten path so I like to think it’s the wanderers and explorers who end up finding us. There is always a good energy, and that has a lot to do with the guests we attract. Our regulars are the absolute best. I’ll go back to the idea of family; our Ardesia family extends even further than just the staff.

It has often been described to me by different regulars as feeling like the set of Cheers, or even their own living room.

To be able to look around the bar on a busy Friday night and recognize a large majority of our guests makes me feel incredibly lucky.

What is your favorite thing on the menu?

One of our staple items, the pulled pork sliders. They are incredible! Juicy, spicy, smokey, and a tad sweet. Our housemade little baby potato chips are served on the side, but I open the sandwich and throw them on top to add a little crunch.

Crack open one of our Nitro Milk Stouts and you’re good to go.

What is the question you’re most often asked by customers?

“Can I have another?” Yes. The answer is always yes. Unless, of course, you’ve had enough. In that case, why don’t I get you a cab?

If you could serve anyone ...?

My great grandfather. He was a bootlegger in the early 1920s, hidden distillery behind a fake wall and all! I would love to sit down with him and ask him questions about what it was like selling booze during Prohibition. In fact, he actually got caught and the only thing that saved him from being deported back to Poland was the fact that he was an inventor and an engineer for the Railroad Company. It’s a pretty amazing story.

Come in one night and I’ll tell you.

IMAGE: ORTAL MIZRAHI

What’s your drink of choice when you’re off duty?

Manhattan, all the way. Doesn’t matter if it’s summer, winter, if I’ve had a crazy day, or a relaxing day, I will always say yes to a Manhattan, even better when made with Carpano Antica. Shoot, I’d even take just that over a cube in a glass.

What’s the team atmosphere like?

When I started working at Ardesia, I always liked to describe our team as a family and it still rings true. We are such a small staff that we really have the opportunity to get to know each other beyond just being coworkers. That

“My grandfather was a bootlegger in the early 1920s, hidden distillery behind a fake wall and all!”

Are there any other places you eat and drink in Hell’s Kitchen?

Empanada Mama is the best. Get a spicy margarita, some empanadas, and a TON of green sauce. Plus, they are open until 4am so it’s the perfect spot for a latenight craving.

Above: Want to buy Tyler a drink? He rarely says no to a Manhattan.

Lots of bartenders in the area are also performers ... do you have an alternative career?

Yes, I’m an actor and a musician. I’ve always thought of being a bartender as being a bit of an entertainer. Just as you would go to see a movie or listen to a song and be given that escape into a different world, you come into a bar or restaurant and you give your evening over to us. It’s then our responsibility to make your evening an unforgettable one, give you that escape from your day-to-day for a couple our hours before we send you on your way home; full, a little tipsy, and a lot happier than when you walked in.

ARDESIA (212) 247-9191 www.ardesia-ny.com 510 W52ND ST - 10TH/11TH AVE

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PROPERTY

TO FEE OR NOT TO FEE

That is the question. Let Ian TD Smith help you negotiate the traffic

IMAGE: NACHO GUEVARA

S

ummertime in The Kitchen can be great, but it can also be another round of broker hell: a shabbily dressed twentysomething suffering through the heat to impersonally lead you on your search for the perfect new place.

As you struggle through his hackneyed jokes and poor attempts to assure you he understands what you’re looking for, he finally shows you The One. Replete with the big bedroom, the stainless steel appliances and, of course, that coveted second floor of a walk-up, you’re smitten. Naturally, like the savvy New Yorker you are, you ask the question all renters do: fee or no fee? His response: a stream of chuckles and bewilderment as to why you ask such a silly question.

Welcome to the late summer months in NYC real estate. Much like a mid-Sunday afternoon on Ninth Avenue, they are the most heavily trafficked months in terms of rentals in Manhattan. Not only are you battling the heat; you also have to steel yourself for the throngs of students, recent grads, transfers, and families who are looking for a lot of the same things you are.

So forgive the poorly trained real estate agent for his laughter. What he meant to say instead was, the summer in general, but August/September specifically, are the months in which you have little to no concessions offered by landlords to agents. This means you definitely ARE paying a fee unless you go direct.

Do yourself a huge favor and dismiss the gimmicks of NO FEE apartment rental listings and your aspirations to find something for nothing. Over 85% of all apartments in NYC are rented through agents and s/ he has to be paid by somebody.

If you have no choice but to rent this season, here are my tips:

1

Be specific – know what you want in an apartment.

2

Have ALL your paperwork ready before looking (read my June article if you need reminding).

3

Ask to only see open listings (not exclusive ones). This gives you more leverage when negotiating the fee.

4 5

Work with someone you trust and can rely on.

Take mid-afternoon showings.

Take a long lunch and beat the competition.

6

Be flexible with your move-in date.

If the right place comes up before your ideal one, don’t hesitate to take it.

“Welcome to the late summer months in NYC real estate.

Much like a midSunday afternoon on Ninth Avenue, they are the most heavily trafficked months in terms of rentals in Manhattan.”

Above: Don’t believe the gimmicks, says straight-talking Ian TD Smith.

The clear alternative to paying a broker’s fee in Manhattan is to go directly to a landlord. However, the likelihood of a management company working with renters is extremely low since this is also their busiest time of year and their staff are typically servicing existing tenants not soliciting new ones.

If you are determined to save on the fee, there are some that will work directly with you: 9300 Realty, City and Suburban and Jacobson Properties. If your budget can swing it, don’t forget you can go to one of the shiny new buildings on the far west side.

These beauties have amazingly friendly leasing agents who are more than happy to show you their glistening, richly appointed apartments. You won’t pay a broker’s fee at one of these buildings, but you’ll definitely be paying the equivalent.

Rents are highly escalated during the busy season in these buildings and if you go, plan on a weekend appointment, and book it on the Monday or Tuesday of that week.

Fee or no fee? Good luck finding the best place for you and yours.

Ian TD Smith is a licensed real estate broker. Contact him at ian@adomee.com

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PROPERTY

This picture was taken by Arthur Edler von Schwertfuehrer, who traveled the world with his trusty Hasselblad creating color photography.

It is from this New York City 1963/4 set of images. Estate Prints are available from the Frank Lava Archive, Munich, Germany via Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/franklavaarchiv) or direct at www.franklavaarchiv.de

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PROPERTY

CHINESE WHISPERS If the walls could speak, what secrets this distinctive Hell’s Kitchen building could tell …

Phil O’Brien investigates

W

hat do Miami Beach, a drugs bust, God Bless America and the the People’s Republic of China have in common? They all come together in the dazzling (sometimes checkered) history of the Chinese Consulate on the corner of the Westside Highway and W42nd St. The oddly shaped building began its life in 1962 as a Sheraton Motor Inn, designed by Morris Lapidus (who also was the lead architect for Miami Beach’s famous hotels, including the neo-Baroque Fontainebleau and Eden Roc). In total, Lapidus designed 1,200 buildings, including 250 hotels worldwide.

During his career, his work was characterized by the American architectural establishment as gaudy kitsch. Ada Louise Huxtable, writing in The New York Times, said of the Americana in Bal Harbor: “The effect on arrival was like being hit by an exploding gilded eggplant.”

Art in America deemed his work “pornography of architecture.”

Lapidus tried to ignore the critical panning (sometimes his work was criticized for its vulgarity, cheapness, and incompetence), but it had an effect on his career and reputation. He burned 50 years’ worth of his drawings when he retired in 1984 and remained bitter.

He told CNN before he died: “They couldn’t think of enough bad things to say about me.”

New York Magazine always seemed

Right: A postcard from the old Sheraton Motor Inn. Not sure they have the right location for the Statue of Liberty though ...

to lead the charge. In 1969, in its first Annual Cityscape Awards, it gave the Sheraton Motor Inn the Miami Beach Laurels for “combining within the volume of a modest hostelry every single design cliche produced by the so-called International Style during the past 50 years.”

In 1971, the same magazine said: “Room service at the Sheraton Motor Inn … wasn’t it conceived as a cheaters’ hideaway? Would any tourist in full possession of their sensitivities really choose to lodge overlooking the drudge of the West Side Highway and the venomous Hudson?”

continued over

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PROPERTY But Lapidus wasn’t without his supporters. In 1962, the editors of The New Yorker described the new Sheraton Motor Inn as ‘’a startlingly classy pioneer in a somewhat declasse neighborhood.’’

And by 2001, The New York Times’s architecture critic, Herbert Muschamp, was leading a change in attitude. “Any piece of architecture would look stupid if it were wearing staircases that went nowhere, ceilings with Swiss cheese holes in them and an allegorical statue salvaged from the first-class dining saloon of the S.S. Normandie,” he wrote. “But somehow Morris Lapidus pulled it off. At the Fontainebleau Hotel, scene of the Miami shots in Goldfinger, Lapidus made Swiss cheese holes look … swanky. Maybe not Elsa Maxwell, Duke of Windsor, or lunch at the Colony swanky, but swanky as in a Madison Avenue, early 1960s view of sophisticated city life.”

Back in the day, the Sheraton boasted the Crown Restaurant and a rooftop swimming pool – Surfside 20 – on the 20th floor. In 1973, season membership for the 23 feet by 43 feet pool and sundeck, from June 1 to Labor Day, cost $160 for a single and $295 for couples. If you were not a member or guest of the hotel – and there was space, you could swim for $6 a day. The swimming pool is still in the Chinese Consulate today (but with a year-round glass weather cover).

The gazebo-style structure that can still be seen on the roof was the Carousel Lounge. New York Magazine in 1969 reported that it had “an interior platform that revolves, haltingly, underneath a thunderous piano player and enthralled patrons. By day, the room is full of merry-go-round motifs, but at night it’s pitch dark, and since all the tables are turned towards the piano instead of the view (Circle Line, New Jersey, and the occasional ocean liner) the effect is a little queasy.”

Kate Smith, whose vibrant voice made God Bless America an unofficial national anthem, and who was one of the most popular singers of the century, for many years rented a three-bedroom suite at the top of the hotel. Occasionally, she would visit the patio roof, giving her breezy “Hellll-ooo” to the swimmers and watching the ocean liners parked at the pier below.

She said at the time: “I’ve never been to Europe and I have no desire to go, but

Above: The Chinese Consulate today. Top right: Kate Smith in her heyday. Bottom right: Agent Tummillo and his badge.

“At the Fontainebleau Hotel, scene of the Miami shots in Goldfinger,’ Lapidus made Swiss cheese holes look … swanky.”

I sure like watching those liners being pushed in and out.”

Not all was sweetness and light at the hotel, however. On October 12, 1972, Room 1005 gained notoriety during an undercover drugs operation.

Frank Tummillo and Jeff Hall from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs posed as cocaine dealers to buy drugs with a street value of $500,000 from Jose Nieves and Jose Matta.

Fifteen federal agents were in the Sheraton, stationed either side of the room and in the lobby. The ‘deal’ ended in a shoot-out, with Nieves and Matta shot dead. Agent Tummillo later died of his injuries. He was just 25 – the first agent to be killed in the four-year history of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

Architecture experts today do not consider the Consulate as a pure representation of Lapidus’s work.

Kathleen Randall from Docomomo (an organization committed to the conservation and documentation of buildings in the modern movement), speaking in 2005, said: “The Sheraton Motor Inn at 42nd Street and the Westside Highway was completely reclad and reworked three years ago for a consulate building and is no longer recognizable as Lapidus’s work beyond the structure’s massing.”

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PROPERTY

50

PROPERTY

TO BOLDLY GO

Be not afraid of pink walls or techni-stripe statement carpets – Karim Rashid’s HK home is a temple to color

A

Left: White walls and floors showcase Karim’s own designs.

Above: The designer isn’t afraid to mix patterns and prints.

Right: Even the garden has flashes of vibrant color.

IMAGES: ORTAL MIZRAHI

t the age of 12, Karim Rashid wasn’t begging his parents for a Batman bedspread, or Spongebob drapes. Not for him the Star Wars posters and Yankees pennants of his peers. He was already letting his full, colorful creativity fly, painting his bedroom in bold canary yellow, fire orange, hot pink, and white stripes.

“I can also remember the countless objects I had in my childhood bedroom that played a significant and formative role in my life,” says the designer now.

“They were all brightly colored plastic.

I treasured an orange oversized alarm clock radio by Howard Miller, a light blue plastic desk fan by Braun, a white Clairtone stereo, a Kartell yellow mushroom lamp, and a pink plastic chess table that disassembled for storage.”

His work over 35 years of design attests to that early love of color, with clients ranging across disciplines, from fashion to technology to interiors; in hospitality, retail, and residential; as diverse as Audi, Veuve Clicquot, Swarovski, Samsung, Citibank, Alessi, Coca Cola, Disney and Estee Lauder.

For 20 years he had worked and lived in Chelsea … until, two years ago, a search for the perfect loft space brought him to Hell’s Kitchen.

“I don’t drive a car and don’t believe in commuting, hence I lived above my office for 10 years, and then two blocks from my office. Honestly, I never thought I would leave Chelsea but I decided to just be open minded and look at lofts and townhouses anywhere in Manhattan (below 57th St).

“I was searching for a new development. I really dislike old buildings.

I looked for high ceilings, light from north and south, large, expansive windows and four bedrooms to have room for our new daughter. It also had to be preferably on the ground floor. All my life I lived on ground floors because I am a Virgo, an

continued over

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KARIM MAGE: BANDO E&C CO LTD

PROPERTY earth sign. I don’t like riding elevators, hallways, etc.

“Then we found The Dillon, a building designed by Smith Hawkins Miller on W53rd St - 9th Ave. It was perfect: a 2,800 square feet townhouse yet with all the amenities of a condominium. I love being on the same street as MOMA, and close to Columbus Circle, MAD Museum, the theater district, Central Park and Times Square.

“I then ended up buying my office in the same complex so my commute is once again about 20 seconds.”

He now openly admits to loving midtown – though that wasn’t always the case. “I never thought I would like being in the center of Manhattan but I love it here with all the skyscrapers – Seagram building, Mies van der Rohe​towers, and my favorite, the Hearst Tower. I love all the new developments like the Time Warner Center, Mercedes House, Lincoln Center, BIG’s tetrahedron, and many other new projects.”

Presented with a blank canvas, he set about making the space his own. This time, there were no vibrant stripes on the wall. “I changed the wood floors to white wood,” he says. “We added custom carpets to the stairway and second floor, added some white glass closet partitions, changed the kitchen, and painted one accent wall with Karim Pink. Otherwise, it is my designs that speak for themselves.

“The only major changes we made were to move the entrances to a few closets to increase the flow and ripped out one bathroom,” he says. “I think Americans are spoiled and luxury condos have one bathroom for every room plus a half bathroom. So we had five bathrooms in the townhouse. Absurd!”

He surrounds himself with his own designs. “Picasso surrounded himself with his work so he could immerse himself in finding his true meaning, to transpose that experience on to the world. My interiors reinforce my belief in well-designed spaces for everyday life.

Our domestic environments should feel free, spacious, communal, and personal at the same time. A home needs to create a lifestyle that incorporates both modern and traditional materials with minimal impact on the environment.”

Guests tell him the space has a positive, uplifting, inspiring vibe, yet it manages to be calm and relaxed at the same time. “The spirit is simple, colorful, soft, human, pleasurable, yet very

52

Above: The bedroom and baby’s room are soothing spaces.

Right: A pastel pink rocker, , abstract rug, or bold painting become are the focus. Center: Karim, dressed in his trademark white.

“I want the space to have a pulse, to sing and come alive around you, so that you feel inspired and revitalized.”

contemporary. I want the space to have a pulse, to sing and come alive around you, so that you feel inspired and revitalized.”

And his joy at having “the shortest commute of any New Yorker” is palpable.

“When we moved to Hell’s Kitchen it was important to find spaces close to one another to house my growing family and growing studio. I like to minimize the line between work and home but still each is their own sanctuary. I can be really focused at work, meeting and sketching with my team, then home for lunch with my daughter in two minutes.

“It is such a pleasure to go to work – I hope not only for me but also my staff and clients. I feel new every day when I

PROPERTY KARIM IN NUMBERS

20

3,000

2.5M

35 9

The number of permanent collections that feature his work.

Square feet built in 50 interiors projects, in 32 cities, on six continents.

300

The number of awards won.

The number of designs in production.

Years of designs … and counting.

Books published. The latest, XX (Design Media Publishing, 2015), features 400 pages of work selected from the last 20 years.

come to the office. Good design creates a mental state where one feels positive, relaxed, inspired, and rejuvenated.”

The studio is vast – 500 square meters with eight-meter high ceilings – with light flooding from all directions. There are even skylights, and glass floors to bring light into the basement, delivering constant inspiration to this design powerhouse.

“Everything inspires me,” he says. “The good, the bad, and the ugly. Inspiration comes from this ever vast yet shrinking world in which we live. There’s always a storm of ideas and influences that come into play.” www.karimrashid.com

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PROPERTY

Cool, calm collectibles

Design comes in all shapes and sizes

OTTOWA DINING CHAIR

Designed by Karim Rashid, the Ottowa chair is inspired by nature with its leaf shape and a forest of legs, and is available in fabric and leather. See it in situ, in Karim’s HK apartment, on pages 50-53.

From $699, www.boconcept.com

UNZIPPED GLASS BOWL

Ah, the familiar zipper bag, receptacle for packed lunches and leftover candies.

Make it in glass, however, and Liz Goulet Dubois turns it into a post-ironic thing of beauty. Now, where did we put those M&Ms ‌? $24.95, www.madmuseum.org

PHARRELL WILLIAMS TEE

Whether you love Pharrell or not, this tee from Eleven Paris will keep you looking cool, without the need for a large hat. Featuring a bright camouflage design and the name of the muso on the back. $39.99, www. universalgear.com

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PROPERTY CUSTOM-MADE SUIT Not just any suit. Oh no! Book a private appointment with these guys and they’ll take 23 separate measurements for suits and nine for shirts, ensuring you get the perfect fit. And they have a studio right here in HK! From $489, www.enzocustom.com

NYC HAT

Whether you’ve lived in Manhattan your whole life or are still just a NYC baby, this cap tells the world where you’re at. $44, www.taggnyc.com

ALESSI DIGITAL WATCH Another classic from Karim Rashid, this time for Italian design house Alessi, this unisex watch is made from soft, seamless urethane, and is the definition of simplicity and practicality. $130, www. watchismo.com

CARPE DIEM PRINT

A reminder, if you needed it, to seize the day and make the most of what you have.

This 12” x 16” board comes with the added attraction of glitter embellishment and a satin ribbon for hanging. SHINY! $22.95, www.delphiniumhome.com

WE’RE ALL FRIENDS BRACELET

Here in Hell’s Kitchen, we pride ourselves on being kind to one another. So let’s all hold hands and play nice. This bracelet

by HK-based Madly Made symbolizes friendship. See the designers behind the brand in our feature on pages 18-23. $60, www.madlymade.com

FELT SPATS

What’s that? Why, they’re spats, of course! No self-respecting dandy should be seen without a dapper pair covering their shoes. These ones come in two sizes, made from delicious blue wool felt, and are hand made in NYC. $79, www.fineanddandyshop.com

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GALLERY

#W42ST Hashtag your Instagram pics and they could star in the mag!

Style can be found everywhere, especially on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen. And these Instagrammers know where to spot the latest trends, whether cool, colorful, quirky, or lip-smacking good.

Remember, anyone can get involved -- just tag your pics #W42ST and they just might end up in the next issue of the magazine. Happy snapping!

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GALLERY

57

HEALTH & FITNESS

Bent into shape Brooke Blocker braves the Contorture Chamber – and lives to tell the tale!

I

t’s 7am on a Wednesday and I can’t quite figure out what’s wrong.

I’m mentally drained, and as I attempt to pull myself out of bed I suddenly realize my body is extremely sore. Thoughts of the previous day’s Contorture Chamber rush over me as my (evidently dormant) stabilizer muscles are now wide awake and screaming at me. I slowly make my way to the coffee maker; today will require an extra dose of caffeine.

It has been a while since I felt lingering soreness after a fitness class.

As someone who works out regularly, and with a variety of fitness methods, I had found myself at a plateau until Contorture came in and literally bent me upside down.

You may recall a prior W42ST feature on Jonathan Nosan, a professional contortionist living in Hell’s Kitchen. This time we didn’t just talk to him; we braved his fitness class. Far from your basic

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Above: Jonathan puts a class and, opposite, Brooke, through their paces Above: Michael Tosto lines up a well-aimed right hook.

HEALTH & FITNESS workout, Contorture is about extreme flexibility. The method gets students out of their comfort zones and pushes them to levels they didn’t think were possible, focusing on the process rather than a final position. Contorture is essentially training the body as well as the mind in flexibility and strength.

Rewind to the previous day. I have to admit I was a bit nervous, perhaps because the name conjured up scenes from American Horror Story. But my anxiety quelled as soon as I met jovial Jonathan.

Class started with every Instagram goddess’s most loved and hated exercise: squats. However, this was not your routine squat. The art of contortion that Jonathan teaches breaks down each posture to activate the entire musculature through verbally guided tweaks and adjustments.

While students tediously hold squats, Jonathan instructs to tuck the tailbone, which in turn contracts the core. Props resembling drum sticks are lined up against our lumbar spines with the goal of eliminating the natural curvature.

Sounds simple, right? Think again. So. Incredibly. Hard.

A few adjustments later, my muscles were quivering as I realized contortion was a lot more than just stretching.

Every micro-movement experienced a counterbalance that required unwavering attention, patience, and control. So, rather than doing 50 squats, the idea is that you get a better workout from slow, controlled, aligned movement. Contorture takes you back to fundamentals yet challenges you in a unique way.

The class shifted focus to the hips and Jonathan instructed a detailed lunge position.

Here, the stick prop was used to ensure the hips were aligned, a slight adjustment firing up the hip flexors using isometrics, the act of contracting muscles without joint movement. With isometrics, the muscles, ligaments, and tendons get a deeper stretch while strengthening.

The final leg consisted of back bending exercises. Jonathan demoed a few backbends, contorting his taffylike body into beautiful and inspiring shapes with ease. He then instructed us through a few moves that warmed up the spine and the supporting core muscles.

About JONATHAN Jonathan’s five-DVD workout series, Contorture: Extreme Flexibility Training, guides practitioners through basic, intermediate, and advanced moves. For the adventurous, he currently offers classes at Broadway Dance Center, Body & Pole, and Circus Warehouse.

Check out his website for more info at contorture.org.

“Soon enough, I was staring back at myself in the mirror. Upside down.

Just hanging there.

Fittingly, in a pose named hanging backbend.”

And, soon enough, I was staring back at myself in the mirror. Upside down.

Just hanging there. Fittingly, in a pose named “hanging backbend.”

I noticed my beet-red, upside-down reflection. Every single component of my musculoskeletal system felt engaged.

My toes curled and desperately gripped the mat below for support. My hips

resisted as I tilted deeper while trying to evenly distribute my weight. My ribs stretched and intercostal muscles strongly activated. I slowly stood back up, regained composure, and felt relieved and proud that I had survived the Contorture Chamber.

So, is contortion for anyone?

Absolutely. Believe it or not, Jonathan himself was not a natural contorter and actually couldn’t touch his toes when he first started. In my class there were students of all levels. Jonathan is attentive and accommodating to all abilities. No matter your exercise (or torture) of choice, every body can benefit from lengthening and strengthening.

And for those who enjoy other types of exercise, Contorture is a wonderful complement. Flexibility is responsible for a number of positive health benefits including injury prevention, performance advancement, proper posture, and enhanced range of motion.

59

HEALTH & FITNESS

THE FEEL GOOD PLAN

No calorie counting. No weigh-ins. Meet the diet that helps you get healthy and happy from the inside out

I

f each of us has a unique DNA, a biological make-up that marks us out as individuals, why do we imagine that any old off-the-shelf diet would work for us all? The 5:2 may be great for your roommate, but leaves you with nothing but a ravenous hunger and a foul temper; your partner may love paleo, but – ugh!

The latest diet trends all hail dramatic results, but it’s a lot more complex than that. “The way I see it – and in fact know it – we can’t treat a body as something isolated,” says Ameriangel Roman, a health and styling coach living and working in Hell’s Kitchen. “I support the theory that there is not a healthy body if there is not a healthy mind.”

She confesses to having two body types rolled into one. “From my waist up I am so thin and angular, but from my waist down it is a different story. During my college years I used to hide my bumps and wide hips with certain clothes, and I was always ashamed to wear a swimsuit.”

Her lack of confidence led her to start exercising, but she continued to have an unhealthy diet. Not helpful. “It didn’t matter how much exercise I did, the changes were minimal.”

A trained medical surgeon from Venezuela, nutrition became her passion. She retrained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and at the Fashion Institute of Technology when she moved to New York City in 2010. Her new-found knowledge led her to design a diet that focuses on emotions and spirituality as much as on the size of our thighs. It’s called The Agata Woman. And, yes, it is just for women. Sorry guys – you don’t get to play.

“Most of the time women, as emotional beings, end up mistreating their bodies with food as the solution to a situation,” she says. “My program tends to go deep into the emotional side of women. I don’t play the role of an authority figure; I don’t tell people what to eat and what not to eat. Instead, I recommend baby steps.

SUCCESS STORIES ORMARYS CASTELLANO

“I don’t tell people what to eat and what not to eat. Instead, I recommend baby steps.”

Our habits and beliefs are ingrained, and trying to change them overnight just causes us to fail.”

No food lists or calorie counting? And there’s even more good news.

“I don’t like to put my clients on scales,” she says. “First, because they are women and they develop a love-hate relationship with it. Plus, scales won’t tell you if you are getting healthier or not.

Muscles are smaller but heavier than fats so, if a woman is losing fat but gaining muscle, she would look amazing, but on the scales the numbers would probably go up. The little voice inside her head could ruin all the work that she’s done.” www.ameriangel-roman.healthcoach. integrativenutrition.com

Above: Ameriangel “two bodies in one” Roman.

“My top three goals upon starting the program with Ameriangel were having a healthier lifestyle, accepting myself and things that surround me the way they are, and making changes that make me happy.

She was able to help me work toward these goals by listening and asking the right questions as well as finding ways for me to improve myself in many areas.

The biggest tangible change I’ve noticed has been eating healthier foods and finding the right foods to consume.

In a few weeks after we started I noticed the changes.

The most significant overall change is that I’ve accepted myself the way I am, while continuing to improve many aspects of my life.”

PATRICIA RODRIGUEZ

“After having my second baby, it was hard for me to get back to my normal life and weight. I was 22lb overweight, was bad-tempered, and kind of depressed.

After my sessions with Ameriangel, I started to experience changes in a good way. I started to lose weight and feel better about myself. I was able to make changes from the inside out, so I was be able to start changing not just physically but spiritually and mentally.

The biggest change I noticed was how I felt about myself, so it was easier for me to start losing weight and get my life back on track. Ameriangel helped me approach my goal by teaching me about food choices and getting me to be more organized with my daily routine. She helped me realize what was bothering me about that time, which was stopping me from being happy with myself.”

61

HEALTH & BEAUTY Main: One of the team from Best Barber begins with a hot towel to prepare the skin and the beard for shaving.

Groom mate Seven simple steps to the perfect wet shave – Boswell Scot makes the cut Photographs Nacho Guevara

34

HEALTH & FITNESS 2

4

3

5

Step 1 THE HOT TOWEL Apply firm, steady pressure - resist the urge to rub – and leave on for one minute.

Be patient. The moist heat softens the beard and skin for an easier shave.

Above: Patience, gentlemen, patience.

The best shave takes a little time and effort.

Step 2 LUBRICATE AND PROTECT Yes, we’re still talking about shaving! Apply an oil for superior lubrication, followed by a layer of non-foaming shaving cream to protect (a foam lessens visibility of the terrain and air pockets leave gaps in protection). At Best Barber, we use Facial Cleansing Oil and Vitamin E Shaving Cream by Malin+Goetz. Apply both individually with a gentle upward motion to thoroughly coat the skin and lift the hair.

Smooth operators

9th Avenue Barbershop 9th Ave - 35th/36th St “What do we do? We exceed your expectations.”

(929) 321 3228; www.9thavenuebarbershop. com

Hell’s Kitchen Barbers W56 St - 9th/10th Ave Established 2015, with a vintage vibe. “I take what I do seriously and my clients appreciate it.”

(212) 470 5027; www.hellskitchenbarbers.com

Kiehl’s 9th Ave - 47th St “Our unique formulations are made with the finest naturallyderived ingredients to assure the highest quality of skin and hair

6

Step 3 THE HOT TOWEL #2 Apply softly, with no pressure so as not to disturb the protective layers. Leave on for 30 seconds then gently lift. Apply more shaving cream if necessary.

Step 4 SHAVE ALWAYS use a fresh blade for a clean, non-irritating shave. Shave with the grain using the thumb and pointer finger to apply tension, stretching the skin to expose hairs. If necessary, reapply shaving cream and shave across, not against, the grain.

Step 5 THE WARM TOWEL Gently dab the face clean to avoid irritating the freshly shaved skin.

care that our customers have come to know and expect.”

(212) 956 289; www.kiehls.com Erik’s Barbershop 10th Ave - 46th/47th St In business since 2001.

(212) 459 2884; www.erik’sbarbershop.com Gabriel’s Touch W50th St - 9th Ave “I personally enjoy getting my

7

Step 6 MOISTURIZE We’re still using Malin+Goetz, this time the Vitamin E Face Moisturizer, which is an aftershave and a moisturizer in one, to nourish and sooth the skin.

Massage in using a gentle downward motion.

Step 7 THE COLD TOWEL Apply softly and leave on for one minute to close the pores and seal in the moisture.

BEST BARBER (646) 791 0560 www.bestbarber.nyc 10TH AVE - 48TH/49TH ST

hair cut from Gabriel himself. I am able to just say do what you think is best and every time it’s a great haircut.”

Louie M, Yelp (212) 757 1107

Times One W 44th St - 9th Ave “First five-star rating I’ve given.

Haircut was really good and only $12.”

Carl B, Yelp

3 Aces 9th Ave - 46th/47th St “One of the best barber shops on the West Side. They’re quick, efficient, and give great haircuts.”

Mani S, Yelp (212) 664 9807

Grumd W46th St - 9th/10th Ave “Great service for a excellent price . We specialize in any style of haircuts, beard trim and hot towel shaves.”

(646) 881 6721

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY VINCENT SZE

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63

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HEALTH & FITNESS

The time is NOW! What are you waiting for? Start living, stop procrastinating

ILLUSTRATION: ALISA KRUTOVSKY

I

t’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There’s almost no such thing as ready. There’s only now. I’m not a crazed risk taker. But I do think that, generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.” Hugh Laurie Many of us have bucket lists for the future. However, sometimes when we see the future approaching, we toss that list several yards further on because we’re not quite prepared to take that first step.

We think we’ll be ready when we … what?

Get a better job? Earn more money? Or fall in love and find a partner? We become skilled about the illogical justifications as to why we can’t do something.

Thus begins the cycle of excuses: stars must be aligned, we’re not ready, we fear failure … or success, we’re waiting on that infamous ‘right time,’ or that perfect something or someone. These excuses become our reality and, as the song says, we find ourselves “waiting for tomorrow all of my life.”

There is nothing to be gained from remaining in the holding pattern of delaying, avoiding, procrastinating and all the other euphemisms for the act of not doing. Sometimes we just have to take a leap. Newton’s First Law: “An object that is at rest stays at rest … unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.”

Is there safety in waiting for the right time? Taking a chance involves stepping into the unknown. By definition, that means the unpredictable; events that can’t be foreseen or controlled. There is perceived danger and fear when we are not able to control the outcome.

Therefore, maintaining the holding pattern until life gives us the green light to proceed provides safety and control.

Chance and risk offer far less control.

In reality, however, this is not the case.

Not taking chances does not give us control. It confines and blocks us from living in the grey – not the definitive black or white, but the wonderful space

“Life in the grey empowers us to pursue the things we are curious about, tests the boundaries of comfort, and allows us to be excited and embrace the discomfort of the unexplored and unknown.” in between. Life in the grey empowers us to pursue the things we are curious about, tests the boundaries of comfort, and allows us to be excited and embrace the discomfort of the unexplored and unknown. It also provides a sense of who

we are now and who we could potentially become when we stretch and push past our self-imposed safety barriers.

By putting it off until tomorrow and holding our dreams at arm’s length, we are also robbing ourselves of living deliberately. This is living with intent, trying new things, experimenting, creating ‘now’ moments instead of kicking them into the future. To live deliberately also involves stepping into that grey, vulnerable space to acknowledge and accept our fears, to examine and look at every angle, work through, to take a chance, and imagine what we can do to embrace it thoroughly.

The right time will never exist. Taking a chance does not mean jumping blindly, but boldly. It means looking carefully, weighing possibilities and outcomes, being fully present in life instead of a future observer, and approaching each day with a sense of urgency. Perhaps this is not the meaning of life, but an extraordinary life filled with escalating aspirations and monumental moments.

Dr Tama Lane is a clinical psychologist who is a proud resident of W42ST. She has her private practice of the UWS (www.nypng. com) and is an activist for survivors of trauma and torture.

You can email her at drtamalane@ gmail.com, twitter @ DrTamaLane, Facebook Dr Tama Lane

65

PETS

Wagging Namath Blondie

Breed: Cockalier (cocker spaniel/ King Charles cavalier spaniel mix).

Age: Seven.

Human’s name: Maura Lynch.

What makes me bark: Skateboarders.

Three words that describe me best: Nosey, nervy, lovable.

My confession: I’ve been known to stop traffic – not by my good looks but to do my ‘business.’

66

Breed: Weimaraner.

Age: One year.

Human’s name: Cory.

What makes me bark: I like to refer to it as talking but 1) That annoying bell everyone rings before they come into the apartment. 2) Quiet people who are not trying to have a conversation with me. 3) The beautiful bitches at Pier 84 dog park.

Three words that describe me best: I consider myself quite handsome.

Some say I’m a little too smart for a dog. I’m also an outstanding athlete.

My confession: I close my eyes when I fart, so no one blames me.

Instadog @namath_the_weimaraner

Emma Breed: French bulldog.

Age: Nine months old.

Humans’ names: Idan and Yuval.

What makes me bark: When I want to get other dogs’ attention or when my humans ignore my presence.

Three words that describe me best: Happy, loving, licker.

My confession: Well, I really want a brother. From a shelter.

Instadog Follow me on Instagram @emmaprinces

tales

PETS These camera-happy canines took a time out from the morning stroll for a quick Q&A with W42ST

Take a

bow-wow

S Naeya Breed: Blue chihuahua.

Age: Almost two.

Human’s name: Claudia.

What makes me bark: When someone knocks on my door.

Three words that describe me best: Shy, loving and beautiful.

My confession: Mom lets me eat a little ice-cream with her and dad doesn’t know ... til he starts eating ice-cream and I try to help him out and he looks at Mom. “Do you give her ice cream?” Mom says: “Noooooo!”

Instadog @rustylinda

Harlee Breed: Comfort retriever (basically a mini-golden retriever).

Age: Five.

Human’s name: Rich.

What makes me bark: When the ball is stuck under the bed and when other dogs appear on TV and bark.

Three words that describe me best: Friendly, inquisitive and playful.

Confession: I jump in the bathtub and try to turn the water on. The bathroom door always stays closed now.

o many of you have contacted us, asking how your own happy hound can be included in Wagging Tales. Well, we’ve heard your pleas, duly considered them, and thought, hey, what the heck, why not? (We must have been barking mad not to have thought of it sooner!)

This all means, of course, that you can now send us the finest photograph you can find of your furry best friend, answer the questions below, then cross your paws you’ll be included in our monthly column of local canine celebrities.

Your name: Dog’s name: Breed: How old?

What makes your dog bark?

Three words that describe them best: Naughty confessions (dish the dirt – not literally, of course!): Got that? Send everything off to us at waggingtales@w42st.com and we’ll do the rest.

67

PETS

Creature comforts Treats for cats and dogs have moved on since the days of balls of wool and sticks- check out these presents for new ways to cosset your pets

I CAN SEE THE WORLD

THIS BACON ME HAPPY

Floating Cat Shelf, $179, www.etsy.com

Cat Tie, $6, www.sweetpicklesdesigns.com

CARDBOARD KITTY

IN THE DOG HOUSE

KittyPod Geo Dome, $60, www.pussyandpooch.com

Rhino Pet Cage, $219, www.muttropolis.com

This genius floating wavy cat perch was created by artistic woodworker Mac Kloberg. What carpet tiger wouldn’t love seeing their world from way up high? Just look out for those pictures on the way down, OK?

Your eco-friendly feline will thank you for this geometric recycled cardboard box, complete with not one but two points of entry, and the trademarked Scratchdeck for superior clawing action inside.

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Who doesn’t look fly in a bow-tie? This one will add some seriously smart options to your kitty cat’s wardrobe. And it’s simple to put on and off, saving you from unsightly scratch marks!

Finally! An indoor pet home you won`t want to hide. With this box, your pooch can feel like he/she have their own room within your home, like most memebers in the house. Dogs are a part of the family, right?

PETS

FRIENDS?

I’M SUCH A HIPSTER

DAZZLIN’

Dog Ball Toy, $12, us.mungoandmaud.com

Archibald Snuggle Suit, $50, www.funnyfur.com

Dazzle, $9.95, www.westpawdesign.com

TOO MUCH SWAG

MY OWN CRIB!

HUNTING SEASON

Dogs of Glamour Argyle Hoodie, $55, www.funnyfur.com

Cat Habitat, $29.95, www.caboodlecats.com

Martha Stewart Pets Rabbit Dog Toy, $6.99, www.petsmart.com

Your dog preferred chasing his tail… until this adorable critter rolled along. The squeaking ball from Mungo & Maud will keep your pooch entertained for hours. It’ll be his new favorite playmate.

Dogs of Glamour are in da house. Make sure your pooch looks as stylish as you do with this soft, velvety hoodie from the cool canine design house.

We humans know how to dress appropriately for every occasion (well, most of the time), so why not dress our dogs as well? With this outfit, your hound will be the smartest pooch in the park.

So, we may not be experienced in the mysterious ways of the feline, but we can see how this would be very appealing to a pet.

And it doesn’t look bad (unlike LOTS of cat condos out there).

This is one colorful bird your feline friend would love to attack. Stuffed with catnip called Dazzle, they won’t be able to resist the temptation to play. It’s so pretty. Too bad Kitty’s going to have his/her way with it.

Dogs have an instinctual need to gnaw, hunt and play – it’s how they explore and understand the world. Toss him a Martha Stewart Pets bunny wabbit and see that instinct go to work.

69

Directory Animal Care

Latitude Bar & Lounge

The Waylon

West Vibe Hair Salon

730 11th Ave - 51st/52nd St (212) 956-5822

www.latitudebarnyc.com

www.TheWaylon.com

www.westvibe.com

Coco and Toto

www.cocoandtoto.com

The Spot Experience

600 W42nd St - 11th/12th Ave (646) 767- 4199

www.thespotexperience.com

Westside Animal Hospital 453 W46th St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 247-8600

www.westsideanimalnyc.com

Auto Services

54th Street Auto Center 415 W54th St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 265-3120

www.54thstreetautocenter.com

783 8th Ave - 47th/48th St (212) 245-3034

Beauty & Well-being

Beer, Wine & Spirits

www.molloyspub.com

570 9th Ave - 41st/42nd St (212) 256-1065

460 W34th St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 564-6830

Mr. Biggs Bar & Grill

9th Avenue Barbershop

737 9th Ave - 49th/50th St (212) 247-3400

596 10th Ave - 43rd/44th St (212) 246-2030

www.mrbiggsnewyork.com

New York Beer Company 321 W44th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 245-2337

www.nybeercompany.com

Pacha New York

Cybert Tire and Car Care www.cyberttire.com

Scallywag’s Irish Pub

www.pachanyc.com

Bars & Clubs

508 9th Ave - 38th/39th St (646) 490-4803

506 9th Ave - 38th/39th St (646) 370-3578

Social Bar & Lounge

Alquimia Bistro Bar www.alquimianyc.com

House of Brews

302 W51st St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 541-7080

www.houseofbrewsny.com

Iron Bar

713 8th Ave - 45th/46th St (212) 961-7507 www.ironbarnyc.com

Ivy

944 8th Ave - 56th St (212) 459 9444

www.ivybarnyc.com

Juniper

237 W35th St - 8th Ave (212) 967-2511

www.juniperbarnyc.com

451 W46th St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 265-6794

Molloy’s Irish Pub

618 W46th St - 11th/12th Ave (212) 209-7500

726 11th Ave - 51st/52nd St (212) 265-1177

736 10th Ave - 50th/51st St (212) 265-0010

www.scallywagsnyc.com

795 8th Ave - 48th St (212) 459-1323

www.socialbarnyc.com

The Pony Bar

637 10th Ave - 45th/46th St (212) 586-2707 www.theponybar.com

The Jolly Monk

701 9th Ave - 48th St (646) 657-0080

www.jollymonknyc.com

Tir Na Nog

315 W39th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 760-0072 www.tirnanognyc.com

White Oak Oyster Bar

818 10th Ave - 54th/55th St (646) 692 9347 www.whiteoaknyc.com

42nd Nails & Spa

495 9th Ave - 37th/38th St

www.9thavenuebarbershop.com

Albano Salon

450 9th Ave - 35th/36th St (212) 967-4726

www.albanosalonnyc.com

Best Barber

34th Street Wine & Spirits

www.34thstreetwineandspirits.com

42nd Street Wine Loft

507 W42nd St - 10th/11th Ave (212) 736-1375

Grand Cru Wine & Spirits 570 11th Ave - 43rd/44th St (646) 682-9278 www.grandcruny.com

694 10th Ave - W48th/49th St (646) 791-0560

Ninth Avenue Vintner – Liquor Store

David Ryan Salon

www.ninthavenuevintner.com

www.bestbarber.nyc

429 W46th St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 956-1830 www.davidryansalon.com

Erik’s Barbershop

660 10th Ave - 46th/47th St (212) 459-2884

www.eriksbarbershop.com

Hell’s Kitchen Barbers

410 W56th St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 470-5027

www.hellskitchenbarbers.com

Luxe Den Salon & Spa 519 8th Ave - 35th/36th St (212) 9716100 www.luxe-den.com

Massage Envy

525 W42nd St - 10th/11th Ave (212) 473-3689 www.massagenvy.com

Pura Dermatology

446 W38th St - 9th/10th Ave (646) 706-7747

www.puradermatology.com

669 9th Ave - 46th/47th St (212) 664-9463

Veritas Studio Wines

527 W45th St - 10th/11th Ave (212) 581-3163

Cycle Shops

Al’s Cycle Solutions

693 10th Ave - 47th/48th St (212) 247-3300

www.alscyclesolutions.com

Enoch’s Bike Shop

480 10th Ave - 36th/37th St (212) 582-0620 www.enochsbikes.com

Liberty Bicycles

846 9th Ave - 55th/56th St (212) 757-2418 www.libertybikesny.com

Metro Bicycles – Hell’s Kitchen 653 10th Ave - 46th/47th St (212) 581-4500 www.metrobicycles.com

NYC Velo

600 11th Ave - 45th St (212) 582-7949 www.nycvelo.com

Delis, Food & Drink Bis.Co.Latte

www.biscotlatte.com

Bread & Honey

941 8th Ave - 56th/57th St (212) 245-0007

www.breadandhoneynyc.com

Empire Coffee & Tea Company 568 9th Ave - 41st/42nd St (212) 268-1220

www.empirecoffeetea.com

Garden City Deli

607 9th Ave - 43rd/44th St (212) 974-0573

International Grocery 543 9th Ave - 43rd/44th St (212) 279-1000

www.internationalgrocerynyc.com

Ninth Avenue Vintner – Beer & Cheese 671 9th Ave - 46th/47th St (212) 957-7500

www.vintnerwinemarketny.com

Port Deli

681 8th Ave - 43rd/44th St (212) 245-2362

Poseidon Greek Bakery 362 W45th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 757-6173

Westerly Natural Market

Jadite Picture Framing

Better Being 940

www.westerlynaturalmarket.com

www.jaditeart.com

www.betterbeing.net

911 8th Ave - 54th/55th St (212) 586-5262

Florists

Keep Your Home Clean

444 W43rd St - 10th/11th Ave (646) 473-0274

www.keepyourhomeclean.com

Fresh Cut Flowers, Inc. www.freshcut444.com

Health & Fitness

CrossFit Hell’s Kitchen NYC 315 W36th St - 8th/9th Ave (646) 234-8425

Lanyon36

365 W36th St - 8th/9th Ave www.lanyon36.com

M2 Organic Cleaners

346 W46th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 245 2030 www.bourbonny.com

www.bricconyc.com

www.mphc.com

MedRite

330 W42nd St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 695-4444

www.medriteurgentcare.com

Mid-City Gym

345 W42nd St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 757-0850 www.midcitygym.com

347 W36th St - 8th/9th Ave

www.prudencedesignsnyc.com

The ReGallery

362 W36th St - 8th/9th Ave

www.facebook.com/theregallerynyc

Restaurants, Diners & Cafes 42nd Street Pizza

647 W42nd St - 11th/12th Ave (212) 594-4312 www.42ndstrestaurant.com

Rolates Pilates

Adella

www.rolates.com

www.adellanyc.com

939 8th Ave - 55th/56th St (212) 247-9603

Epstein’s Paint Center www.epsteinpaint.com

410 W43rd St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 273-0737

Afghan Kebab House 764 9th Ave - 37th/38th St (212) 303-1612

785 9th Ave - 52nd/53rd St (212) 767-0077 www.brickyardnyc.com

The Cafe Grind

477 10th Ave - 36th/37th St (212) 279-4100 www.thecafegrind.com

Chimichurri Grill

609 9th Ave - 43rd/44th St (212) 586-8655 www.chimichurrigrill.com

Cupcake Cafe

545 9th Ave - 40th/41st St (212) 465-1530

www.cupcakecafe-nyc.com

Dafni Greek Taverna

www.ardesia-ny.com

Frisson Espresso

Tehuitzingo Deli & Grocery

www.gothamministorage.com

Azuri

Hartley House

465 W51st St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 262-2920

www.hartleyhouse.org

Baluchi’s Indian Food

413 W46th St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 246-9885

Brickyard Gastropub

325 W42nd St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 315-1010

510 W52nd St - 10th/11th Ave (212) 247-9191

501 10th Ave - 38th/39th St (212) 931-5731

304 W56th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 245-7160

Ardesia

Gotham Mini Storage

578 9th Ave - 41st/42nd St (646) 707-3916

Bourbon Street Bar & Grille

Prudence Design & Events

482 W43rd St - 9th/10th Ave (212) 563-7001

352 W52nd St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 582-3088

Taqueria Tehuitzingo

www.bluebottlecoffee.com

Manhattan Plaza Health Club

562 W52nd St - 10th/11th Ave 212-265-3960

www.tehuitzingo.net

600 11th Ave - 45th St

Bricco Ristorante

www.seabreezefishmarkets.com

695 10th Ave - 47th/48th St (212) 397-5956

Blue Bottle Coffee

826 9th Ave - 54th/55th St (212) 954-7417

Professional Services

Stiles Farmers’ Market

353 W48th St - 9th/10th Ave (646) 238-5924

537 9th Ave - 40th/41st St (212) 353-1986

www.crossfithellskitchen.com

Sea Breeze Fish Market 541 9th Ave - 40th St (212) 563-7537

662 10th Ave - 46th/47th St (212) 977-6190

www.azuricafe.com

493 9th Ave - 37th/38th Ave (212) 695 2222 www.baluchis.com

www.dafnitaverna.com

326 W47th St - 8th/9th Ave (646) 850-3928

Genuine Roadside 600 11th Ave - 44th St (212) 582-7941

www.genuineroadside.com

continued over

nachoguevara.com nachoguevara73

facebook.com/nachoguevaraphotography

Restaurants, Diners & Cafes (cont.)

Gotham West Market

600 11th Ave - 44th/45th St (212) 582-7940

www.gothamwestmarket.com

Green Nature Coffee House 555 W42nd St - 10th/11th Ave (917) 916-9408 www.ohmygoshcoffee.com

Hell’s Chicken

641 10th Ave - 45th/46th St (212) 757-1120

www.hellschickennyc.com

Il Forno

713 8th Ave - 45th/46th St (212) 247-1978 www.ilfornonyc.com

The Jolly Goat

517 W47th St - 10th/11th Ave (646) 509-8957 www.thejollygoat.com

Jonny’s Panini

439 9th Ave - 9th/10th Ave (646) 484-5733 www.jonnypanini.com

Kava Cafe

470 W42nd St - 10th/11th Ave (212) 239-4442 www.kavanyc.com

Kahve

774 9th Ave - 51st/52nd St (212) 256-0207 www.kahvenyc.com

Landmark Tavern

626 11th Ave - 46th/47th St (212) 247-2562

www.thelandmarktavern.org

Lucky’s Famous Burgers 370 W52nd St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 247-6717

www.luckysfamousburgers.com

Market Diner

572 11th Ave - 43rd/44th St (212) 244-2888

Nano Ecuadorian Kitchen 691 10th Ave - 47th/48th St www.nanobarnyc.com

Noodies

830 9th Ave - 54th/55th St (646) 669-7828 www.noodiesnyc.com

Oovah

496 9th Ave - 37th/38th St (212) 967-3892 www.oovahnyc.com

Pio Pio

604 10th Ave - 43rd/44th St (212) 459-2929 www.piopio.com

Pom Pom Diner

Directory

315 W36th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 239-4390

Tartina

653 9th Ave - 45th/46th St (646) 590-0577 www.tartinanyc.com

852 9th Ave - 55th/56th St (212) 265-2425

539 9th Ave - 40th St (212) 465-0888

www.columbushardwareinc.com

www.troyturkishgrill.com

Crystal Art & Craft Design

Tulcingo Del Valle

665 10th Ave - 46th/47th St (212) 262-5510

www.tulcingorestaurant.com

315 W54th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 262-0542

Quinn’s NYC Bar and Grill

West End Bar & Grill

www.quinnsnyc.com

www.westendnyc.com

www.route66nyc.com

American Home Hardware & More

Columbus Hardware Inc.

Troy Turkish Grill

www.pompomdiner.com

858 9th Ave - 55th/56th St (212) 977-7600

760 10th Ave - 51st/52nd St

590 9th Ave - 42nd/43rd St (212) 765-7356

Uncle Vanya Cafe

Route 66 Cafe

Adam 99 Cents Plus

www.staghornsteakhouse.com

610 11th Ave - 45th/46th St (212) 397-8395

356 W44th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 445-0131

Retailers

Staghorn Steakhouse

493 9th Ave - 37th/38th St

www.crystalartandcraftdesign.com

F & D Pawnbrokers

359 W54th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 586-3707

Morning Star News

412 W43rd St - 9th/10th Ave

813 8th Ave - 49th St (212) 707-8986

Popular Carpet Distributors

Zoob Zib

Thrift & New Shop

432 W38th St - 9th/10th Ave www.popularcarpet.com

462 9th Ave - 35th/36th St (212) 971-8530

602 9th Ave - 43rd/44th St (212) 265-3087

Sangria 46

338 W46th St - 8th/9th Ave (212) 581-8482 www.sangria46nyc.com

Schmackary’s Cookies 362 W45th St - 8th/9th Ave www.schmackarys.com

Sergimmo Salumeria 456 9th Ave - 35th/36th St (212) 967-4212 www.sergimmo.com

SIRI Thai

641 10th Ave - 45th/46th St (212) 245-4601 www.sirithainyc.com

Columbus Hardware

Locksmith Hardware Paints Plumbing Hardware

Mon-Fri: 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.

Sat: 9.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.

We offer Merchant and Contractor Discounts

852 9th ave - W55/W56 Call 212-265-2425 Fax 212-265-7588 www.columbushardwareinc.com

www.marketdinernyc.com

Join at www.climbingfish.com

LAST WORD

PHOTO FINISH Gay Bob doll (circa 1977)

C

omplete with plaid shirt, cowboy boots, gold chain necklace, murse, and a single blue earring, Gay Bob was considered the ‘world’s first gay doll’.

Anatomically correct – we have SEEN THE PROOF – and, to modern eyes, a tad cliched, he was created by inventor Harvey Rosenberg, who described his plastic brainchild as looking like “a cross between Paul Newman and Robert Redford”.

Bob’s box doubled as a cardboard closet full of illustrated clothing and accessories should he tire of this particular Village People vibe. It also meant he could come out – literally – as many times as he wanted.

His manifesto read something like

this: “Hi boys, girls, and grownups.

I bet you are wondering why I come packed in a closet. ‘Coming out of the closet’ is an expression which means that you admit the truth about yourself, and are no longer ashamed of what you are.”

He continued: “Gay people are no different than straight people. If everyone came ‘out of their closets’ there wouldn’t be so many angry, frustrated, frightened people.

Remember, if Gay Bob has the courage to come out his closet, so can you.”

Although he was enormously controversial at the time, he soon had a new breed of queer playthings muscling in on his territory. But we’d dearly love to see the original and best in the flesh, as it were. If anyone in Hell’s Kitchen is the proud owner of a Gay Bob, please email news@w42st.com.

74

COPYRIGHT: HARVEY ROSENBERG INC THANKS TO THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

“Harvey Rosenberg described his plastic brainchild as looking like ‘a cross between Paul Newman and Robert Redford.’”