Kevin Johnn Resort 2019 Presentation
On a chilly Tuesday evening, crowds gathered on the rooftop of The Dominick Hotel to celebrate to a fashion spectacle: Kevin Johnn Resort 2019 Collection presentation. The collection, which was appropriately titled, “Urban Resort,” merged the worlds of soft touches of resort collections with the dark color palette inspired by New York City.
From pastel colors such as shades of baby blue, to sheer fabrics, some of which included chiffon and silk, the collection certainly pleased the crowd with its summer feel. Yet, since the designer is based in New York, there wouldn’t be a collection without including dark-colored fabrics and more structured fits.
The Kevin Johnn Resort 2019 collection offered a few black gowns with intricate cut-outs, striped and solid black flared trousers, a mesh top with chains layered atop for an embellished look, and dark floral motifs that would pop-up within the collection.
The collection intrigued and inspired. The views of Manhattan from the roof of the hotel set an appealing backdrop for the show. The summer skies allowed the audience to imagine their ideal vacation and the wardrobe to match it. The presentation ended with cheers from the satisfied crowd, certainly setting the mood for the rest of the perfect summer evening.
Photography by Evan Angelastro.
Bagatelle Summer Dinner
Bagatelle, it's not just for brunch anymore! The place that is the staple for upscale, club like brunch parties is also expanding their new dinner menu!
I was lucky enough to be invited to try their swanky new summer dinner menu last friday, and was blown away. This is where you want to bring someone you're trying to impress. Come dressed in your best -- there are some beautiful people in this place, ready to turn all the way up! Also, try sit close by to the tables next to you so that everyone can talk and get engaged!
The décor is elegant and romantic yet, it has a quirky vibe with interesting artwork adorning each wall. I especially enjoyed the Keith Haring inspired statues and the gorgeous chandeliers. However, everything became a bit of a blur once we had our 4th drink.
I must note that the service and attention to detail at Bagatelle is exceptional from the moment you walk in. While Bagatelle has always been well known for their fantastic service, the reality went beyond my expectation. That's before I even had a bite to eat.
Our server was very attentive and super pleasant. He answered all my oddball questions and made accommodation for my friend who couldn’t have any vinegar in any of her dishes.
As for the food, every single thing that came onto our plate was nothing short of excellent. We had quite an array of options that night, starting off with a refreshing appetizer called Salade de Pastque, which was watermelon salad, cucumber, candied pine nuts, ricotta salata, and basil vinaigrette (no vinegar for my friend’s dish – of course). I can honestly say it was the first time I ever had cheese with my watermelon. It would have never have occurred to me to even combine those two things but it was so good and I loved it! The dish really cleansed our palate, and got us ready for the rest of the plates.
The second course was Couteaux de Mer, which was a razor clam ceviche with piquillo pepper relish, and green garlic aioli. Every bite of this, was crunchy deliciousness. The third course was burrata filled with nanyuks vinaigrette and puffed barley.
For the main entrée we had two options. It was either the Cotelettes d’Agneau, which was a spiced marinated lamb chop with fava beans and harissa, or St Jacques Snackees, which was seared Maine diver scallops with bacon and green pea espum. With both choices sounding so delicious, we naturally got one of each to satisfy our curiosity.
And of course it’s impossible to forget the dessert we were served: A champagne mango flavored Pavlova, which capped off what I'd consider a perfect meal.
When I say I've never been fuller in my entire life, I mean it. Every component of my dining experience was delightful. The quality of the food, the stellar service, the club-like ambiance and the phenomenal company. My compliments to the staff and chef Andrew Riccatelli. It's truly a meal I'll never forget.
Would I go back to for more? Absolutely!
Barano: An Argument for Brunch
In his 1999 article, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” Anthony Bourdain breaks down the emotional mechanics of being a restaurant chef. Butter is a cook’s best friend, he reveals, while brunch is a word “dreaded by all dedicated cooks.” Bourdain claims that chefs “despise hollandaise,” along with “home fries, those pathetic fruit garnishes, and all the other cliché accompaniments designed to induce a credulous public into paying $12.95 for two eggs.”
But in the years since Bourdain’s dismissal of brunch as a bastard breakfast, the meal has had a resurgence in popularity. The word ‘brunch’ is now a verb used by both poor college students wishing for an adulthood in which brunch is a regular occurrence, and well paid hipsters reminiscing about their days of student poverty. And while it’s true that it is far too easy to brunch at a place that charges an absurd amount of money for an omelette you could make on a two burner stove, in recent times, there seems to be an increasing amount of innovation within the brunch market -- a suspicion proven true by my recent visit to the nuovo Italian restaurant run by Chef Al Di Meglio: Barano.
Barano is -- there’s no other word for it -- classy. I’ve been to brunches where the sole purpose is to be boozed up by the meal’s end. This is not the case at Barano, where the cocktails serve as a complement to the food. Who knew that homemade, rhubarb pop-tarts would pair so well with mimosas? Eating this dish, I fell into a natural routine: bite of pastry, swig of mimosa, enjoy, repeat.
Other options for Piattini, or small plates, included a house made coconut and cherry granola with sheep’s milk yogurt and honey, Pizza Bianca, and the “Little Gem Lettuce” salad, composed of roasted and raw peaches, Sicilian pistachios, smoked pecorino, and a red wine vinaigrette.
After having our expectations blown away by our first couple of dishes, my friend and I went all out and gobbled up a total of four more entrees from the new brunch menu: an Italian pork sandwich topped with crispy onions, semolina pancakes drizzled in lemon curd, the Benedetto, or poached eggs served in a rosemary biscuit with prosciutto, radicchio, and honey, and an avocado and salmon pizza.
Now, all of these dishes were well crafted, flavorful, and beautiful to look at. But if I had to pick a must try, a top of the pack, a dish above the rest (if only by a few hairs), it would be the Avocado and Salmon Pizza. I don’t like bagel and lox -- there’s something thick, doughy bagels in conjunction with paper thin, slippery salmon that puts me off. But I LOVED this pizza, and so did my friend, who’s normally opposed to fish of any kind. I don’t know what it was -- the toasted sesame seeds? The avocado mascarpone mix? Whatever it was, this pizza beats your standard bagel and lox any day. As an added bonus, the huge pie clocks in at only $18 and can feed two people, which means this dish can officially be added to food under ten dollars that is worth one hundred. An unbelievable bargain.
Barano’s new outdoor patio and extended Brunch service (Friday-Sunday, 11:30-4 p.m), has officially kicked off for the summer season, so be sure to get down there and gorge on all the delicious new dishes they have to offer. For more information (and pictures of Barano’s excellent food), check out their website, http://www.baranobk.com/, and their instagram, @baranobk.
Photos courtesy of BaranoBK
Wildlife Conservation Society Gala
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher and Megan Maher @TheWCS and BFA
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) held its annual gala at Central Park Zoo on June 14 where 500 guests celebrated the leadership of women in wildlife conservation and WCS’s impact on saving wildlife and wild places across the globe.
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher and Megan Maher @TheWCS and BFA
Gala 2018, themed We Stand for Wildlife, celebrated the leadership of women in conservation. Speakers Dr. Jessica Moody, Assistant Curator of Mammals at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and Dr. Natalia Rossi, Cuba Country Manager for the Wildlife Conservation Society represented women in conservation.
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher and Megan Maher @TheWCS and BFA
Jessica Moody, Assistant Curator of Mammals at the Bronx Zoo, and Natalia Rossi, Manager of the WCS Cuba Program spoke of the importance of mentoring and nurturing a new generation of women in conservation and the critical impact women have made in saving wildlife.
Jessica Moody said: “As I look at the next generation of young women entering this field with a passion for animals and conservation—and there are many!—I am excited to provide the mentorship I was so fortunate to receive and use the experiences and opportunities I have had here at WCS to empower more women in conservation.”
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher and Megan Maher @TheWCS and BFA
Cristian Samper, President and CEO said: “As women across the professional world have pushed open doors to seize opportunities for leadership, women at WCS have led the world in wildlife conservation—whether in muddy boots, sandy flippers, or veterinary scrubs.
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher and Megan Maher @TheWCS and BFA
During one of New York City’s premiere social events of the season, gala guests enjoyed a cocktail reception around the sea lion pool featuring décor by Lewis Miller Design, followed by a seated dinner prepared by Peter Callahan Catering. Dancing continued under the stars with music by DJ Jane.
About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, headquartered at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. For more information, visit: www.wcs.org, newsroom.wcs.org. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter @WCSNewsroom, and YouTube.com/user/WCSMedia. For more information: 347-840-1242.
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher and Megan Maher @TheWCS and BFA
Dream Machine
If you’re looking for an escape from reality, look no further than Dream Machine.
A nine-room immersive art installation in Williamsburg, Dream Machine is designed to walk you through different common dreams.
You start by walking through a room of clouds, a room of bubbles filled with smoke, and the dream begins. Each room is a simulation of a different themed dream. There is a black and white room for those who only dream in black and white, and an ocean-blue ball pit for those who dream of being underwater.
My favorite part of the Dream Machine experience happened after I stopped to take a few pictures in the trippy laundromat, where you are given cotton candy. Before my group and I left, one of the workers suddenly stopped us and said “Hey, let me show you something cool.”
She opened a secret door that led to what they call the “Infinity Room”. The Infinity room is a mirrored room with tons of hanging lights designed to make you feel like you transported to outer space. It was incredible.
The rainbow hall is the perfect spot to take photos for Instagram. The entire exhibit is an Instagram jackpot, but this hallway had everyone stopped and posing. The hall changes colors, offering tons of opportunities for the best lighting possible.
After exploring the jungle room, you walk through a hall of shiny, metallic strings and the dream ends. The experience is designed to take about 45 minutes, but with all the stopping for pictures, plan on spending some more time. With a ticket price of $38, you get your money's worth.
Visit Dream Machine by clicking here. Dream Machine closes July 29th.
Taste of Bushwick
On the evening of Tuesday, June 12th, crowds of people gathered at the concert venue Brooklyn Steel for a showcase of Bushwick’s vibrant culinary scene. The event celebrated the 5th annual Taste of Bushwick, which provided relief for those struggling to keep up with the new bars and restaurants opening everyday in Bushwick. The highly anticipated tasting festival has become one of Brooklyn's premier culinary events.
This year’s tasting has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 2014, which featured 12 vendors and 200 people in attendance. The 5th annual Taste of Bushwick is the biggest yet and has nearly tripled in size since the first, with an attendance of over 1,000 people.
The event prides itself on celebrating the diverse flavors of the neighborhood, with more than four dozen Bushwick restaurants, bars, and shops, all featuring food and people of different backgrounds. Some of Bushwick’s most renowned culinary institutions convened at the outdoor space to rejoice the neighborhood’s active gastronomic life while offering tastes of their food and drink. All proceeds from the event benefit the upcoming 2017-18 season of theater, dance, puppetry, and performance at the neighborhood’s Obie Award-winning, non-profit theater The Bushwick Starr, located at 207 Starr Street.
Participants included: Archie's Bar + Pizza, Blue Bottle Coffee, Boar's Head, Braven Brewing Company, Brooklyn Cider House, Brooklyn Whiskers Bakery, Bruce Cost Ginger Ale, Bushwick Food Cooperative, Bushwick Grind, Cape House, City Bear BK, Elisa's Love Bites Dessert Atelier, Faro, FINE & RAW chocolate factory, Forrest Point, Foster Sundry, Guadalupe Inn Brooklyn, Brooklyn's House of Kava, House of YES, Interboro NYC, Irving Bottle Wine Shop, Kings County Brewers Collective, L'imprimerie, Lucy's Vietnamese Kitchen, Maite Bushwick, Mominette Bistro, OddFellows Ice Cream Co., Owney's NYC Rum by Owney's Rum, Precious Metal, Queen of Falafel, Sally Roots, The Sampler, Sea Wolf Brooklyn, Sey Coffee, Tito's Handmade Vodka, The Wandering Barman, Tony's Pizzeria & Restaurant, Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos, and The Wheelhouse
With spectacular fare, live music, and strong drinks, it is safe to say that everyone had an extraordinary time. It was the perfect summer night out.
Photos by Francisco Bravo
Tabasco’s Best on the Block BBQ
On Thursday, June 7, 2018, foodies gathered at Blue Smoke, for Tabasco’s Best on the Block BBQ preview event. The event featured bites from Big Apple BBQ Pitmasters Amy Mills and Jean-Paul Bourgeois, as well as Tabasco’s own selection of sauces.
Tabasco brought the taste of Southern barbecue to New York City. Upon arrival, guests were offered cornbread with a sweet and tangy sauce, which transformed cornbread into a groundbreaking appetizer. Another starter was a twist on an American classic: macaroni and cheese with spicy breadcrumb accompanied by Tabasco Green Sauce. But, if you were aiming for a light appetizer and with a crunchier kick, homemade potato chips with sour cream sauce with chives and bacon would make your night.
After appetizers, guests were invited to a mouthwatering selection of barbecue dishes. Jean-Paul Bourgeois introduced the public to the fried-smoked chicken with Tabasco-spiked honey, broccoli and black eyed pea salad. Amy Mills, on the other hand, brought baby back ribs with tangy pit beans to the table.
To complement each meal and savour the BBQ flavors, Tabasco’s Best on the Block BBQ offered a refreshing and spicy Peperita (tequila lime juice, gentiane liqueur, agave celery bitters, and Tabasco sauce) to all of its guests. Other drink options were also available, ranging from craft beer to wine.
To finish off the delightful evening, guests were invited to dip chicken BBQ drumsticks into a chocolate barbecue sauce fountain provided by Tabasco. Chocolate barbecue sauce is the happy marriage between savory and sweet; at first, the smooth dark chocolate glides through your tastebuds, but then the kicks of Tabasco find their way through. If you fell in love with the sauce, Tabasco provided its bottled version on the way out.
The night certainly had a southern barbecue feel with a Tabasco bite to it. It was a finger-licking barbecue experience that would often require leaving New York. Yet, Tabasco brought it all and more to the Big Apple, allowing more New Yorkers to experience the real tastes of southern barbecue.
Photos courtesy of Hunter PR
The Official Arrival of Clinton Hall to Williamsburg
Clinton Hall, a place for burgers, games, and beer, has finally arrived in Williamsburg! The new location can be found at the POD BK Hotel, and it includes good music, fun games, delicious food, and a large selection of draft beers.
The unique bar and dining experience features 20 beer drafts on rotation, which range from keg-conditioned lagers from the US, Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia, and more. But, if you’re in the mood for something other than beer, Clinton Hall offers a few different wines and cocktails worth trying, including the Spicy Margarita (tanteo jalapeno tequila, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice) and the Frozé (Frozen Rosé).
To accompany the wide selection of drinks, Clinton Hall provides an array of “sliders,” “pass arounds,” and “on table.” The “sliders” are finger-licking good, varying from Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich (served with pickled red slaw on a crispy chicken breast, cayenne pepper and secret spice blend) to The Shipwreck (beer battered cornet fish, old bay fries, tomato, lettuce, and tartar sauce). As for the pass arounds, Clinton Hall does not disappoint. Surprising combinations such as Buffalo Cauliflower (crispy florets with Clinton Hall buffalo sauce and crumbled bleu cheese) and Kimchi Hot Dogs (all beef hot dog, kimchi, crispy onion and chili aioli) are mouthwatering.The “on table” selection includes Waffle Fries (with cheddar cheese, jalapeno, and scallions) and Vietnamese Style Crispy Brussels (with mint, crispy shallot, and chili lime vinaigrette).
Photo by The Skinny Pig
After the food and drinks, guests are invited to participate in games such as giant Jenga and connect 4. What better way to finish off the night than to play some fun games in great company? After all, Clinton Hall has it all. With craft beer, great food, and fun, Clinton Hall is the perfect place to go to for a memorable experience. Check out the new location for more: 247 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211.
Photos courtesy of Clinton Hall
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
The Brooklyn Film Festival - Are You Glad I'm Here
Wednesday, May 30th. I meet with director Noor Fay at Amber, a sushi restaurant on West 70th street, to discuss her first feature film: Are You Glad I’m Here, recent winner of Best Original Score and Best Feature Narrative at the Brooklyn Film Festival. Having watched the film myself the night before, I’m excited for the chance to pick her brain: where did the idea for the film come from? What was the production process like? Noor answers my questions with ease. She tells me of her Lebanese heritage, and her screenwriter, Sam Anderson’s, studies in Arabic. We discuss the difficulties of filming on a low budget, of finding the perfect cast, and the skill required to bring the soft, specific beauty of the Lebanese countryside to the screen. I tell Noor that I expected the movie to end with her two female leads intertwined in a sexual relationship, and she laughs.
“Yeah, I guess I can see why you’d think that.”
Are You Glad I’m Here is in no way a sexual movie -- it’s refreshing, I realize, to have a drama about a female friendship where there’s no sexual undertone. There is, however, plenty of violence -- at first easy to ignore, like static background music, but then sharp and spiked -- gasps of forte after an entire composition in piano.
The movie opens on Kirsten (Tess Harrison), a young American teaching abroad in Lebanon. She’s at once identifiable as that liberal arts educated expat -- someone with a sense of higher morality who has adopted their own standards of right and wrong: stealing is acceptable, but domestic abuse? Not at all. Her character in is direct contrast to Nadine, played by Marwa Khalil. Unlike Kirsten, Nadine lives by the standards set by her society. She despises her husband, his wandering eye and his violent outbursts, but her fear of shame is greater than her desire for freedom.
Nevertheless, the two women find themselves slipping into an easy friendship. There are several scenes dedicated to the pair laughing, bonding over shared senses of humor and shared bottles of wine, seemingly ignoring the deeper troubles that plague them. This all comes to a head, however, when Nadine, in an act of self defense, strikes and kills her husband in front of a shell-shocked Kirsten.
From then on, there is a drastic shift in the tone and styling of the movie -- so much so that the second half of the film reads like a sequel to the first. Kirsten is on the verge of irrelevance -- the focus is instead on Nadine, dealing with the physical aftermath of her actions, hiding her secret from her family, and navigating how to break the death of her husband to her son.
But the lack of Kirsten is made up for with Nadine’s family. Their dynamic with her is full and beautiful -- the words Nadine exchanges with her brother are near poetic, benefiting from the pleasing sound of Arabic. It’s a relief when they are not revealed to be the tyrants we fear -- we are reassured that Nadine is now in good hands, capable of facing the future with them by her side.
It’s true that Are You Glad I’m Here has flaws -- ones that can’t be compensated for with stylish cinematography or interesting shots. Nonetheless, its ability to blend two cultures and languages into a cohesive, compelling movie, not to mention the clear passion and hard work behind it, makes the film worth a watch. But feel free to decide for yourself: check out the trailer below, or visit the film’s instagram page: @areyougladimhere.
Absolut Truth "One Night Only"
On May 31st, dozens of socialites clad in smoky eyes, lacey attire, and bold statement pieces lined up for a chance to enter The Box, one of the hottest French nightclubs in the Lower East Side. Absolut Vodka hosted the exclusive event experience in New York in celebration of its Absolut Truth campaign. Absolut Truth’s “One Night Only” event used burlesque and mixed drinks to bring back the “golden era” of New York’s nightlife
New Yorkers know to expect jaw-dropping performances when it comes to The Box, and the night was no exception. Lingerie dancers strutted across the bar and lifted onto twirling hoops, mesmerizing onlookers. As guests sipped on Absolut and enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres, whispers ensued of who the “surprise guest” set to appear would be. A special performance by one and only celebutante Amanda Le Pore, who serenaded the cheering crowd with a one-of-a-kind performance.
Whether attendees enjoyed the show from the midst of the dance floor or seated behind velvet drapes along the balcony, they left with buzzing energy and photos worthy of writing home about.
Caliente Cab
We’re not quite California or Texas, but New York’s got it’s own share of amazing Mexican food, ranging from street fare to high end. Today’s foray into the New York food scene took us to Caliente Cab, a West Village eatery featuring a diverse selection of Mexican cuisine.
I always judge any place offering hispanic food by its salsa. There needs to be options, of course -- mild, spicy, scorching -- but definitely no fruit/salsa mashups, and nothing with a flavor verging on sweet. Caliente Cab did not disappoint. The spicy salsa I ordered was just that - hot, but not so much so that you couldn’t taste the underlying ingredients. I almost filled myself up on just the salsa and complimentary tortilla chips, but was deterred by the arrival of our appetizer, the tasting platter for two.
Be forewarned: this tasting platter is huge, and everything on it is packed with cheese, meat, and salsa. I particularly enjoyed the “El Dorado chicken quesadilla,” which can also be enjoyed as a full sized dish. My friend, on the other hand, preferred the Mexican sliders, noting that he hadn’t even known it was a thing. Also featured on this dish were flautitas and al pastor tacos, both tasty and great compliments to the heavier sliders and quesadillas.
For our main course, at the advice of our server, my friend and I ordered the Taco Tower special -- layer upon layer of tortillas, cheese, salsa, beef, guacamole, and sour cream. It’s a dish more to marvel at than munch -- to eat it, we ended up cutting into the side like a cake, pulling the “slices” onto our plates. The end result was a little messy, but delicious nonetheless. Our advice? If you get this dish, take pictures before it’s inevitable destruction.
The giant portions made it difficult to eat anymore than we did, but looking around, it’s clear that Caliente Cab, with it’s festive decor and monster sized margaritas, is designed for large groups looking for a chill, casual place to unwind.
So, whether you’re searching for authentic, inspired, and instagram worthy Mexican food, or just a great place for a group dinner, Caliente Cab is your best bet. For more information, check out their menu listed below!
The Ucross Foundation Gala
The Ucross Foundation hosted its inaugural New York Gala & Awards Dinner last night at The Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The night was filled with performances and readings by notable award-winning artists, all Ucross alumni, including Ricky Ian Gordon (Grapes of Wrath, opera), Steven Lutvak (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), bestselling author Tayari Jones, author and Vanity Fair contributor Elissa Schappell, composer/pianist Dylan Mattingly, trumpeter Frank London, and singer-songwriter Kate Schutt. Special guests included Broadway stars Laura Benanti and Nancy Anderson. A collection of artwork from Ucross visual artist alumni was on display and available for purchase. The emcee was former journalist and current film and television screenwriter William "Bill" Broyles.
At the heart of the evening was the presentation of the Ucross Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Arts, which was presented to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx by the editor of The New Yorker, David Remnick. Proulx is widely recognized for many of her literary works, notably Brokeback Mountain, which was first published in The New Yorker in 1997. Remnick noted The New Yorker’s long history with Proulx stating, “It’s always been a privilege to publish Annie’s work in The New Yorker and it’s a privilege to take part in this ceremony tonight.”
In the early stages of her writing career, Ucross granted Proulx the solitude and inspiration to become a literary legend. She acknowledged the impact and continuing growth of the Ucross residency stating, “I have watched Ucross grow from a remote place that offered a few writers and artists shelter and solitude become a highly regarded and important resource for creative people: writers, painters, filmmakers, sculptures, all the rest. Ucross has developed real clout in the intellectual ethos of this country and beyond. What happens in this little corner of Wyoming matters to the way we all think, see and interpret the world and ultimately how we solve our problems.”
The evening began with a cocktail hour featuring a visual arts exhibit and sale by Ucross alumni. One of the paintings, by artist Pamela Talese, was presented as a gift to philanthropists Jesse and Cathy Marion, who received the Outstanding Patron of the Arts Award. All the works in the exhibit may be viewed here.
Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of the Sundance Institute Theatre Program was also honored last night with the Outstanding Creative Partnership Award for his years of collaboration with Ucross.
About Ucross Foundation
Located in northeast Wyoming in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, Ucross Foundation fosters the creative spirit of deeply committed artists and groups by providing uninterrupted time, studio space, living accommodations, and the experience of the majestic High Plains, while serving as a good steward of its 20,000-acre ranch. Residencies are awarded to nearly one hundred artists each year. Ten artists are in residence at one time, typically a mix of four visual artists, four writers and two composers.
Since its establishment in 1981, Ucross has provided over 2,000 residencies to writers, visual artists, and composers, including such distinguished fellows as Annie Proulx, Terry Tempest Williams, Colson Whitehead, Elizabeth Gilbert, Ann Patchett, Ricky Ian Gordon, Bill Morrison, Theaster Gates, Anthony Hernandez, and recent Academy Award and Tony winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Other Ucross national partners include the Sundance Institute Theatre Program, the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts, the Pew Fellowships in the Arts, the Alliance of Artist Communities, and the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Fiction. The Ucross Foundation Art Gallery is a significant cultural resource for surrounding communities and beyond. For further information, visit
Photo credit: Jared Siskin/PMC via Getty Images.
The Shake and Burger Bar
Is there anything more American than the classic shake and burger? Yes, actually: souped up shakes, binge-worthy burgers, and Back to the Future playing on a hi-res tv -- all things that can be found at The Shake and Burger Bar, a new sports bar and grill in Kips Bay, Manhattan.
I admit, walking into The Shake and Burger Bar, I wasn’t sure what to expect -- hipsters wanting pics for their socials? An older, mostly male crowd catching up on the game? Who I got as dining companions, however, were a different, unexpected group: families with young children, no doubt drawn to the abundance kid friendly items featured on the menu: mozzarella sticks, sliders, and of course, milkshakes.
But the food at The Shake and Burger Bar is much more than your nostalgic childhood fare. Take the mac and cheese -- slightly soupy, and customized with either truffle oil or bacon bits, this appetizer stole the show as soon as it was placed at our table. Served in a generously sized cast iron pan and finished with a layer of bubbling cheese, I burned my tongue rushing to get a second bite after being overwhelmed by the first, and spent the rest of the course glopping forkfuls of the dish onto my own plate.
The truffle Mac & Cheese, which I cannot recommend enough, is also featured on the burger menu, as part of the Truffle Mac & Cheese Burger. I, however, went for the Left Coast Turkey Burger, served on an activated charcoal bun, while my friend gorged on the giant, cheese covered Surf N Turf. While both burgers were well made, and definitely filling, they were outshone by the sweet potato fries, which came dusted with brown sugar and served with a marshmallow dipping sauce. I am now a firm believer that this is the way all sweet potato fries should be enjoyed. Yes, the fries are sweet, but hey, if marshmallow topped sweet potato casserole can fly at Thanksgiving, marshmallow dipped sweet potato fries can work for lunch.
Nevertheless, The Shake and Burger Bar does offer regular fries and onion rings as sides to their burgers, especially if you’re saving your sweet tooth for the eatery’s biggest draw: their milkshakes, divided into either Drunk Shakes or Insane Shakes.
Be forewarned: You will not be able to finish your milkshake, particularly if you’ve been munching away at all the other goodies The Shake and Burger Bar has to offer. The Juniors Cheesecake Raspberry shake I ordered came topped with a slice of Juniors Cheesecake, whipped cream, donut holes, and graham crackers. I ended up having to take the toppings and shake to go, and it held up well on the train ride back home, where I spent the next two days alternating between gulps of the milkshake and the bites of the cheesecake.
So, who is The Shake and Burger Bar for? The answer may not be too clear from the atmosphere, but I think I’ve derived an answer from the menu: anyone that is fond of fun, flavorful food.
David Wells and The Perfect Game: 20 Year Anniversary
On May 17, 1998, David Wells, a pitcher for the Yankees, reached the climax of his 21-year major league career by defeating all 27 Minnesota Twins. The pitch, which led to a Yankees win, became a significant point in baseball history as the 15th perfect game in major league history.
20 years later, on the same day in 2018, Wells and his fellow Yankee teammates reunited at a charity event for Wells’ Perfect 33 foundation. Celebrities, who were also present at the game, gathered at Sony Hall to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the “Perfect Game.” Although the game and the pitch turned iconic and seamlessly entered baseball history, the story behind the pitch is even more fascinating.
In his 2003 autobiography titled, Perfect, I’m Not, Wells revealed to his fans that when he threw his shot, he was “half-drunk, with bloodshot eyes, monster breath, and a raging, skull-rattling hangover.” In addition, according to a recent Seth Meyer interview with Jimmy Fallon, the night before the big game, Wells and Fallon went out to an SNL after-party. The occasion led to Wells sleeping only for an hour, ending up in bed at 5:30am.
Yet, this did not stop the Yankee pitcher from practicing his throw all morning before and performing his best during the game. “I think I overdid it,” said Wells during the event. “Thank God for coffee and water. You would never think in a million years that you’re going out, hungover and throw a perfect game.” Especially because that day, the Yankee stadium gathered 49,820 spectators, hundreds of whom were children, since the main sponsor of the game was Beanie Baby.
Despite the fact that a monumental day in baseball history started off with a rough night, when asked if he would change anything about that day, Wells responded with a good-humored “nothing.” Instead, he emphasized the importance of doing your own thing, while having his fellow teammates’ support.
“I beat to my own drum sometimes,” said Wells. “I had my teammates and they had my back at all times. That’s what you have to do. You have to have each other’s backs at all times.”
About Perfect 33
This foundation stems from David's vision to have an outlet for his friends and family to help his alma mater high school, Point Loma High School in San Diego. The foundation help kids develop as athletes and help military personnel who serve us all. Your donations are tax deductible.
ReThink Food Gala
Every year, NYC sends million tons of waste to landfills, almost a third of which is solely food. When food waste degrades in landfills, it produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. NYC restaurants, in total, account for the largest single stream of food waste on the commercial side. They generate close to more than 650,000 tons of food waste annually. As such, the restaurant segment represents the greatest commercial opportunity to reduce the volume of New York City’s landfilled food waste. If just five percent of New York City’s largest restaurants deterred from landfill half of the food waste they generate – by reducing it at source, donating what’s edible, and composting what’s not, the city as a whole would reduce landfilled commercial food waste 14 percent.
ReThink Food NYC Inc, is trying to fix this extensive problem. With donations from some of NYC’s top restaurants and product suppliers such as Eleven Madison Park, Fleishers, Square Roots, and many more. The company takes excess food from food distributors, restaurants, and other services institutions and transform it into delicious, safe, ready-to-eat meals for the NYC food bank and other social service agencies. The donators get the benefit of a potential tax write-off, so it’s a win-win for everyone. Over the last year the ReThink has worked extremely hard with their team of lawyers and industry professionals to help create a cohesive system that allows them to redistribute all the wonderful excess food in New York City.
Last Monday, May 14th, ReThink held a celebratory gala at the iconic NoMad Hotel. An evening of delicious food, cocktails, and fun ensued. Board members, gave a heartwarming speech stating that, “This is only the beginning, we are going to help a lot more people.” Live entertainment and music was provided by Purr, while delectable food and drink specialties, curated by The NoMad, roamed around all night. A coveted silent auction also took place, with guests bidding on generous gifts and items donated by top restaurant and hospitality groups from all over NYC.
In attendance were a lot of people from the restaurant industry, and after speaking with a few of them, it was apparent that these people truly believe in the organization and the charitable aspect of feeding the 1 in 4 Americans that still go hungry every day. Pietro Collina, the social equity director for the ReThink passionately said that, “We are not about making money, we are all coming with backgrounds in the food and hospitality industry so we know the business, and we just want to help people, that’s why we are a non-profit.”
It was a wonderful night filled with amazing people for an essential cause. All proceeds from the evening are charitable donations and will go toward the continued success and growth of ReThink.
About ReThink Food
Rethink Food NYC Inc is a non-profit organization working to recover nutritious excess food to provide low or no-cost meals to New York City families in need.
We transform unused food from grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers’ markets into meals that are delivered to local agencies in New York City; serving those in need. With the initiative to run a community kitchen, our top chefs can both serve their community while developing entrepreneurial and leadership skills to help students establish an education that they will carry with them into future careers. Rethink Food NYC Inc goes beyond meals by using food as the tool to promote poverty solutions, implement garden initiatives, participate in nutrition education, and convene food policy events.
Photos courtesy of ReThink
Taco Takeover in Brooklyn
On Saturday, May 12th, Cannonball Productions brought Taco Takeover back to New York City for its second annual celebration of tacos, tequila, empanadas, and beer. The event took place at the Brooklyn Expo Center, where it gathered several local chefs who brought their best Mexican-inspired dishes to the table. With tacos from Queens Bully, Dos Caminos, Mid|Nights, and Zen Taco to empanadas from Empanada Mama, there was something for everyone to indulge in.
Organized a week after Cinco de Mayo, the Taco Takeover included options for traditional taco fans, as well as for those willing to experiment. There was a “Hot Chicken Taco” from the Queens Bully, which was a twist on the concept of a traditional taco since white bread was used instead of the taco shell. The spicy “taco” was accompanied by a cool coconut “margarita,” which was a mixture of Don Julio tequila, coconut milk, cane sugar, and coconut flakes. There were also fun vegetarian options, such as the “Shroom Taco” from Dos Caminos, and “Masala Jackfruit” taco from Baar Baar, which included spices and ingredients from the South-Asian cuisine.
Besides the finger-licking food and fun alterations on classic drinks, the Taco Takeover also transported its visitors to a summer getaway. The event included beer pong and inflatable pool floats as props for photobooth photos provided by Deadpool and Lyft while songs from Celia Cruz to J Balvin were playing. It was difficult not to think of the approaching summer days.
Missed out on the Taco Takeover in NYC? No worries, since Taco Takeover will also be coming to Dallas, TX and San Diego, CA. The organizers of the event are also invested in working with local non-profit organizations and food recovery programs in order to donate leftover food to those in need. If you’re interested in finding out more information about the festival, visit https://thetacotakeover.com
Taste of the Upper West Side 2018
With new bars and restaurants opening everyday on the Upper West Side (UWS), it’s difficult to stay on top of them! However, every year, there is one event that gives the people from the neighborhood and all over NYC to experience the eclectic culinary scene of the UWS in just one place
Taste of the Upper West Side 2018 took place on May 18th and 19th under the Grand Tent at O’Shea Complex Schoolyard, located on Columbus Avenue between 76th and 77th Streets. New Upper West Side restaurants were introduced to the public, as old-time favorites also made appearances. Adding to the fun of this annual food fest was live music, wine tastings and professional mixologists.
The event was broken down into two days with different themes. On Friday, May 18th, “Summer in the City” introduces highly-anticipated new restaurants and bars, along with longtime local favorites. This year’s honoree was Jacob Hadjigeorgis. Jacob is the owner of neighborhood favorites Jacob’s Pickles and Maison Pickle. As always, there was unlimited wine, spirits and music by DJ Phresh – all centered around innovative seasonal food prepared by 40 of the most popular restaurants on the Upper West Side. The restaurant that were yet to open but wanted to give the guests a taste was the savory Lucky Pickle Dumpling Co! Some of the new additions to the UWS present included Zen Taco, Twin Palms, Amelie, Make My Cake, Elea, Recolte, and Vai. Neighborhood favorites like Playa Betty’s, Jing Fong, Bodrum, AG Kitchen, and FishTag all brought their most delicious dishes to show out.
On Saturday, May 19th, “Best of the West” was presented by Park West Village Apartments. On this night, a lucky few had the chance to mingle with celebrity chefs at a limited attendance reception! The honoree is John Fraser, known for Dovetail, The Nix, Narcissa and The Loyal. VIP guests had a special seating area and early entree to the evening’s food, spirit, wine, and beer presentations, and direct access to the chefs before the main event. An hour later, general admission opened the doors to everyone else.
The event highlighted signature bars and mixologists, all prepared unique and delicious cocktails. Participants included Manhattan Cricket Club, Da Capo, Amelie, Guyer’s, Maison Pickle and Prohibition. Best of the West Honoree John Fraser served tastings from Dovetail, along with 40 other Upper West Side restaurants, including The LEOPARD at des Artistes, The Milling Room, Red Farm, Rosa Mexicano, and Crave Fishbar. Live music and entertainment was provided by Joe Battaglia & The New York Big Band further enhancing the ambiance of the Upper West Side’s most anticipated event of the year.
Upon entry guests were given a wine glass necklace – a plastic wine glass on a rubber necklace allowing patrons to double-fistfull bottles of beer and small plates. Almost everyone took these cups home noting how useful they will be at their next event. Everyone also received a bottle cap to deposit at your favorite restaurant in order to announce the overall most popular booth.
Getting to taste all the different cuisines in the neighborhood is only part of the fun. There was a nice couch area set up for those who wanted to step away and relax but I was too into the action to ever really take a seat.
At the end of the night, I have to say, you will hate yourself for many reasons. You will be completely stuffed with overly decedent and rich foods, and more than a few different types of alcohol. This event is absolutely on the list of NYC annual must attend.
Photos courtesy of TUWS
NYSPCC Junior Benefit Spring Soiree
Last Thursday, May 10th The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (The NYSPCC) held its annual Junior Benefit Committee Spring Soiree, this year titled "Bubbly & Bowling." Held at FISHBOWL at Dream Midtown; roughly 100 guests came out to raise money for The NYSPCC. Guests enjoyed music, drinks and a signature cocktail as they capture the night’s moments at the photo-booth. FISHBOWL gave its guests the chance to indulge in past-time - to play on the vintage arcade games and bowling lanes.
NYSPCC’s young philanthropists gather every year to assume social responsibility to raise awareness and essential funds for the efforts of the agency which includes helping children heal from abuse and neglect, and helping families grow stronger.
Guests bid on silent auction filled with highly coveted items such as designer items, amazing vacations, and sports jerseys. The spring benefit raised a large amount, which will be donated to help fund the NYSPCC’s programs.
Proceeds from the evening ensure New York City’s most vulnerable youth and families receive our life-changing and life-saving therapeutic services, free of charge, seven days-a-week.
From the fun atmosphere to the charitable cause, the NYSPCC’s annual spring benefit was not one to miss. Though fear not, the NYSPCC is sure to have another spring benefit next year! Be sure to come again around April-May to buy your ticket to support this wonderful organization.
The mission of The NYSPCC is to respond to the complex needs of abused and neglected children, and those involved in their care, by providing best practice counseling, legal, and educational services. Through research, communications and training initiatives, we work to expand these programs to prevent abuse and help more children heal.
The vision of The NYSPCC is for all children to be safe from abuse and neglect. The NYSPCC intends to accomplish this by establishing best practice primary, secondary, and tertiary child abuse and neglect prevention programs that serve the most complex and challenging cases. We can impact the child protection field by establishing a national presence through publication of our work and by teaching and training on local, state, and national levels. By achieving a national presence we will positively impact the lives of countless children and their families.
Photos courtesy of High10media
Bond No.9 "Bond Fire"
Bond No. 9 New York Perfumerie hosted a Bond Fire at a spectacular event on Tuesday, May 8th to promote international peace and celebrate the brand's partnership with the UN Women for Peace Association. Notable guests included: Laurice Rahmé, Muna Rihani Al-Nassar, Barbara Winston, Michal Grayevsky, Valbona Neritani, Avideh Ghaffari, Susan Gutfreund, Charlene Haroche, Alice Sun, May Zhao, Callie Leone, Leesa Rowland, Victor Roquette, Rachel Alonso-Mendoza, and Laura Day Webb who gathered to #BONDFORPEACE.
Held in the private restaurant at 432 Park Avenue, overseen by Michelin-Starred Chef Shaun Hergatt, Laurice Rahmé, Bond No. 9 Founder and CEO, Dame Muna Rihani Al-Nasser, Chairman and members of the Board of the UN Women for Peace Association and UN Ambassadors and Dignitaries lit 100 Bond No. 9 Scent of Peace Candles on the venue’s 5000 square foot terrace overlooking 57th Street to promote tolerance, respect and the creation of a peaceful world.
Guests were treated to performances by violinists Frédérique Gnaman, Rebecca Telford-Marx, and Meghan Todt, young alumnae of the Music Performance program at NYU Steinhardt.
Intended for men and women alike, The Scent of Peace (arguably the most beautifully civic-minded fragrance ever devised) starts off with sparkling, energizing grapefruit and black current notes, that soon are balanced by the sheer loveliness of lily of the valley, and by those mellowing base notes, cedarwood and musk. The flacon displays a dove in graceful flight. We see this emissary of peace soaring through our city, across the country, across the seas, bringing its message to the world.
Bond No. 9 is proud to partner with The UN Women For Peace Association. For every Scent of Peace candle sold leading up to Mother’s Day, Bond No. 9 will donate 1% of sales to further the organization’s mission and promote international peace for women, girls and for all. “As a brand our mission is not just to make new products, but do something bigger,” Laurice Rahmé, Founder and CEO, Bond No. 9 said.
The Scent of Peace is sold at Bond No. 9’s five retail boutiques in New York City, Saks Fifth Avenue, Select Bloomingdale’s and www.bondno9.com. Suggested Retail Price: $330 for 100ml eau de parfum; $230 for 50ml eau de parfum; Body Silk, $125; Scented Candle, $105
Photos courtesy of Marder + Company