NYJL 72nd Annual Winter Ball
The New York Junior League (NYJL) hosted its 72nd Annual Winter Ball, a black-tie event and the organization's greatest fundraiser, on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Cipriani South Street, one of Manhattan's most spectacular event locations
The New York Junior League (NYJL) hosted its 72nd Annual Winter Ball, a black-tie event and the organization's greatest fundraiser, on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Cipriani South Street, one of Manhattan's most spectacular event locations. This year's sold-out Winter Ball shattered attendance records and collected more over $700,000, due to generous donors who purchased tickets, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and participated in a silent and live auction.
This year's Winter Ball celebrated recipients of the NYJL's highest accolades, the Outstanding Sustainer and Outstanding Volunteer Awards, as well as Humanitarian Award recipient Sarah Flint for her philanthropic efforts. Since 1952, the Winter Ball has helped collect critical funding for the NYJL's training and community activities while also bringing together volunteers, family, friends, and supporters for award giving ceremonies.
The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a delicious three-course dinner, during which attendees watched the awards presentation and live auction. After dinner, guests indulged in sweets before dancing the night away to the strains of Elegant Music Group's The Midnight Project in the gorgeous waterfront backdrop of Cipriani South Street. This year's Winter Ball drew nearly 1,000 guests, including a record number of VIP Harriman Circle clients, to commemorate the NYJL's 123-year history of serving the New York City community.
The NYJL honored recipients of the Outstanding Sustainer and Outstanding Volunteer awards—reserved for women who represent a superior standard of excellence in volunteerism—at Winter Ball. These awards are the organization's highest distinctions. A. Gale Kroeger and Elizabeth Ann Timberman are the 2024 Outstanding Sustainers, and Mona Kelly Lopez, Moriah K. Lutz-Tveite, Susan Timmons Marks, Elizabeth Ann Beller Staryak, and Megan Zuckerman are the 2024 Outstanding Volunteers. These remarkable women are committed to leading by example, helping the communities of New York City and NYJL, and exhibiting the organization's basic principles.
In addition, the NYJL presented a Humanitarian Award to shoe designer Sarah Flint, the creator of her namesake line, in appreciation of her charitable work promoting inclusivity and uplifting women. The Sarah Flint brand will return a portion of its sales proceeds to the NYJL as a way of celebrating this accomplishment.
The dinner reached its climax with renowned auctioneer Sebastian Clarke from Heritage Auctions leading the live auction. Attendees eagerly bid on exclusive experiences and memorabilia, such as "Glamour in Gotham" (a unique Tiffany's flagship experience followed by an evening at The Metropolitan Opera Club), "Toi là! Je t'aime!" (a luxurious week-long stay in St. Barth with WIMCO Villas, Nocturne Luxury Villas Collection), "Luxury Meets the Links" (a stay at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach with a chance to play at The Breakers Palm Beach and The Maidstone Club in East Hampton), and "Paradise Found" (a three-night stay at the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort in the Bahamas for a family of four). The dinner ended with a captivating performance by violinist Shiann Rose, leading into the Dessert & Dancing segment of the evening.
“The NYJL has made an impact on the New York City community for over 123 years, with our Outstanding Sustainers and Outstanding Volunteers serving as key examples of our organization’s steadfast commitment to training and volunteerism. We are extremely grateful to our generous sponsors, donors, and attendees for supporting Winter Ball and the NYJL,” said NYJL President Serra Eken.
Corporate sponsors included Bloomberg Philanthropies, DíaGen AI, Hellman & Friedman, Merrill, Morgan Stanley, Polestar, Sheffield Haworth, and Solidea Capital. In-kind sponsors included ASD Gems, Beck Bags, Bow Bridge Blooms, Elegant Music Group, Hampton Water, Moët & Chandon, The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, and WIMCO Villas.
Proceeds from Winter Ball support the NYJL's community and advocacy work and leadership development.
Photos by Andrew Werner
Gray Hawk Grill
If there’s one thing to thank Gossip Girl for, it’s bringing the Upper East Side back into the limelight. What was previously a haven for wealthy trust fund families is now a trendy new hotspot for young professionals looking to live large à la their favorite Upper East Siders. Our pick if you’re looking to spend time above 60th? The Gray Hawk Grill, a New American restaurant located at 1556 Second Ave that’s the ultimate food stop for anyone looking to eat authentically UES.
Owned by UES resident and native New Yorker Steve Millan, Gray Hawk Grill is the pinnacle of the classic New York food scene. You won’t find trendy doughnut burgers or copious amounts of cheese here—taste takes precedence over flashy social media food anyday. Instead, get ready to bite into one the best burgers I’ve had in a while: a Double Truffle Burger loaded with delicious truffle aioli and crunchy fried onions. If you’re a truffle lover, this burger is a must-have—along with being slathered in truffle sauce, it comes with a ramekin of even more truffle aioli for dipping your hand cut fries. Not a truffle fan? No worries, there’s plenty more perfectly seasoned dishes to pick from, including a very hollainsidey Eggs Benedict and a first rate Steak & Eggs.
In addition to being a truffle haven, Gray Hawk Grill is the perfect place for eating through half of the city in a single meal. From Master Purveyors for beef to Orwashers for bread and The Little Pie Company for desserts, all of the ingredients you see are sourced from top-rated New York businesses. The result? A memorable dining experience that’s the finishing touch to a day on the UES.
So if you find yourself around the Met one day, feel free to walk a few avenues over and try out the Gray Hawk Grill. From cocktails to brunch to dessert, it’s the ultimate place to satisfying all your city cravings—and maybe even find some new things to be a fan of.
Make a reservation for Gray HawK Grill at https://www.grayhawkgrill.com or follow them on Instagram: @Gray_Hawk_Grill Facebook: @GrayHawkGrill Twitter: @GrayHawkGrill.
Make My Cake Upper West Side Opening
Make My Cake, Aliyyah Baylor’s café and sweet treats shop, has opened up a new location on the Upper West Side. Inspired by the baking traditions of Alabama and Mississippi, Make My Cake is home to traditional southern sweet treats with a Harlem twist. Aliyyah launched Make My Cake after gathering a collection of family recipes that have been around for nearly 40 years. Now, Make My Cake is home to numerous sweets, including custom cakes and homemade pies, and its fan base includes Jay-Z and Tina Fey, as well as Fortune 500 Executives.
Aliyyah’s mother formed roots of the business in a family kitchen in the Bronx when Aliyyah was only five years old. The family moved to Harlem, where Aliyyah became her mother’s apprentice. However, shortly after Aliyyah attended college, her mother took on a corporate job and passed the business down to Aliyyah.
The business grew rapidly due to its unique recipes. Aliyyah’s grandmother, Ma Smith, grew up in Mississippi on a family farm, where she grasped the details and history of Southern cooking. The rest of the business was inspired by Harlem, since it has become a home to Make My Cake for more than 20 years.
What makes Make My Cake special is that every sweet treat is taken care of differently, strictly following the family recipe guidelines. There are no “mystery” ingredients involved, but there are specific baking methods required. “Our pound cake is truly a pound of everything, made the max 4 at a time,” said Aliyyah. “Our sweet potato pie and cheesecake only use fresh baked not boiled sweet potatoes, [while] our ice cream is made from a custard base my grandmother created when I was young.”
Make My Cake is not a regular dessert spot; it is a place to which you come to savour every flavor of homemade sweets. Whether it is in its original spot in Harlem, or at the new location on the Upper West Side, Make My Cake allows you to travel through various southern flavors. And if you’re not in Manhattan, no need to worry as Make My Cake, is aiming to expand. “We will start to ship nationwide by the end of the year as well as open two other locations, one of them will be in Brooklyn,” said Aliyyah. “Our goal is to open boutique bakeries that can be franchised to the home bakery looking to leap into entrepreneurship.”
Make My Cake
Photos courtesy of Make my Cake
Sushi by Bou Preview Party
On Tuesday, May 8th, a brand new dining experience in Chelsea opened its doors for an exclusive preview of its food and drinks menu.: Sushi by Bou. A Limelight patio located at the foot of Jue Lan Club, Sushi by Bou is the perfect spot for the ever-rushing New Yorkers as it offers a 30-minute speakeasy experience from sushi chefs David Bouhadana, Michael Sinensky, and Erika London.
Sushi by Bou invites New Yorkers and guests from around the world to embrace the Japanese practice of “Omakase,” which allows the meals to be selected by the chefs rather than the visitors. The outdoor dining experience serves 8 to 10 guests and offers drinks like sake, Japanese whisky, rose, and champagne. In addition, with summer approaching, Sushi by Bou also presents a new addition of slushie cocktails, including a refreshing mixture of rose sangria and sake.
The food menu certainly does not disappoint. With choices such as Hamachi, Albacore Tuna, Botan Shrimp, and Wagyuni (Wagyu with Uni on top), Sushi by Bou is bound to make one feel happy and full in less than an hour.
If you are looking for an unique dining experience for the summer, Sushi by Bou will open its doors for lunch and dinner on Monday, May 14. The reservations can be made via text at 917-870-1587, and the address is 49 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011.
The Springs Preview
If you are on the lookout for a new summer cocktail bar, The Springs is the place to go. Located on the border of Brooklyn and Queens in the Greenpoint neighborhood, The Springs offers a 1950s Southern California vibe without having to leave New York.
Sarah Boisjoli Photography
Sarah Boisjoli Photography
Sarah Boisjoli, who is a mixologist, photographer, and the owner of the new “it” spot, introduces a wide variety of perfect summer cocktails. The cocktails include classics, such as the Old-Fashioned, but also cocktail slushies that come in surprising flavors and with unique names, such as Sunburn (Tequila, Aloe Vera, Blue Curacao, and Lime), Desert Springs (Milagro Silver Tequila, Dolin Blanc, cucumber, mint and Thai chile), Riverside Revival (Hendricks gin, grapefruit cordial, lemon, and Absinthe). If you are feeling a bit more on the traditional side, you are welcome to grab a refreshing Pina-Colada or a classic Coca-Cola float from the bar.
Sarah Boisjoli Photography
Sarah Boisjoli Photography
To complement the delicious assortment of summer cocktails, you are welcome to grab a juicy beef burger, mac’n’cheese, or a martini-flavored grilled cheese. Want something a bit more on the healthier side? Try the eggplant rollatini sticks that come with their own special dip.
Sarah Boisjoli Photography
Sarah Boisjoli Photography
Sarah Boisjoli Photography
The Springs has everything and more to offer. With summer temperatures in town, it is the perfect time to pay a visit to Southern California without breaking the bank by taking the train to 224 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222.
Photos courtesy of Springs
Rock'n'Roll at SUSHI ROXX
If you’re looking for a restaurant experience unlike any other, turn to Sushi Roxx. Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, this Japanese restaurant offers both delicious food and a live dance show, performed by none other than the waiters and waitresses, who are also talented singers and dancers. But this isn't the Stardust Diner. Sushi Roxx is a little more selective with their musical choices: their show “We Will Roxx You” only features music from world famous rock artists such as Aerosmith, AC/DC, Lenny Kravitz, and Journey.
Although the restaurant has been open for a few years, it has recently launched a series of new menu items in order to go along with the musical dining experience. The venue, which exudes romantic Asiatic influences, offers delicious specialty cocktails named after Marvel and DC superheroes, such as the Green Lantern (Jameson, blue curacao, peach, lemon), the Skywalker (Avion Silver, honeydew, agave, lime, jalapeno, basil), and the Black Panther (Aviation, Creme De Cassis, blackberry, lime), as well as additional food items, such as sushi pizzas and rolls with combinations varying from spicy tuna to lobster. There is something for everyone to enjoy while singing along to some of the most popular throwback songs of the 20th Century.
For those craving something sweet to finish off the night, fun desserts, such as Nutella S’mores (nutella, marshmallow, graham cracker), Berries and Creme (seasonal berries, lemon, schlag), and Death by Birthday Cake (chocolate cake, whipped cream, chocolate fudge, vanilla cream) are just a few choices of sweets available for anyone interested in getting a sugar rush after a gleeful night.
If you’re up for some old school music with a fun twist and delicious food, or would like to spice things up by visiting a new restaurant in the midst of New York City, make sure to reserve a table at Sushi Roxx by visiting http://sushiroxxnyc.com/, and check out the menu by clicking here.
Photos courtesy of SUSHI ROXX
Sneak Preview of Sugar Momma
On a chilly Tuesday night, a cafe “Hole in the Wall” turned into a mysterious bar and restaurant dubbed, “Sugar Momma.” Located in the heart of the Financial District, the location serves as a bright and cozy coffee spot during the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, but turns into a playful and cheeky relaxation zone from the hours of 6:00 pm until midnight.
The dining and cocktail location provides a large variety of delicious food on its menu designed by the Executive Chef Brent Hudson (@hashtaghudson). The menu items range from hot and cold appetizers such as Crispy Pork (soy caramel, sour apple, picked herbs & cashews), Shrimp and Crab Crackers (remoulade and avocado puree), and East Coast Oysters and Burrata with shaved melon and prosciutto. After a spread of starters, Sugar Momma serves up a feast of equally mouthwatering entree items, such as their signature Truffle Beef and ‘Shroom’ Burger (crispy bacon, caramelized onions, house pickles and special sauce), Grass-Fed Wagyu Rib Eye (XO mushroom butter, broccolini and garlic chives), Satay Curry Chicken and the ability to Roll Your Own Brisket Tacos.
To accompany the mind-blowing food journey, Sugar Momma offers 11 signature cocktails, all created by lead mixologist, Ryan Byrnes. Some of the cocktails include sweet and bitter combinations, such as The Gatsby (gin, pama, lemon, prosecco), Back in Fashion (bourban, honey, bitters & orange), and Momma’s Martini (vanilla vodka, passoa, passion fruit puree & prosecco), along with some spicier choices, such as Spicy Time Margarita (tequila, combier orange, lime, simple syrup & jalapeno). However, if you would like to withhold the cocktails and enjoy the meal with a glass of chilled-rose or some quality beer, Sugar Momma presents wines by the glass and bottle in addition to Brooklyn Lager and an Oyster Bay IPA.
Sugar Momma is sure worth a visit. With tracks straight from 90s hip hop to candles and neon signs, Sugar Momma has it all. Relaxing ambiance with scrumptious food, rich drinks, and great company is all you really need to unwind after a stressful day at work and jump straight into a commitment-free weekend.
Pay a visit to Sugar Momma to jump start your weekend: 15 Cliff Street, New York, NY 10038
Photos courtesy of Sugar Momma
NYSPCC Food & Wine Gala
The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (The NYSPCC), the world’s first child protective agency, is hosted its fifth annual Food & Wine Gala on Tuesday, November 7th, 2017, at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan. This annual event brings together prominent business leaders, public officials, and philanthropists to help raise vital funding for the organization.