Another episode in the soap opera known as Nic Cage and the revolving real estate deals has begun. The New York Observer reports that Nicolas Cage has once again put his 3,550-square-foot apartment in the Museum Tower back on the market. It was briefly on the market last year for a day or so last year but now the apartment is for sale again for the same price of $9.75 million. The listing calls it "LA glamor in the heart of NYC." The home consists of two adjacent apartments, with internal access to each other on the 48th floor. The home has gorgeous views especially from the corner living room with a shag rug which shows views to the Empire State Building and down to The Statue of Liberty as well as west to the Hudson River. The master suite opens out on the city and has a huge master bath with a separate tub and steam shower. The other apartment offer space for guests and also includes a fully equipped gourmet kitchen. This home is listed at $9.75 million the same price it was at last year.

Nicolas Cage has pulled his Bel Air home off the market but still has several other homes on the market including a home in Las Vegas, two homes in New Orleans and a home in Rhode Island.

Hopefully you aren't at your desk right now but if you are and are n New York City over the Fourth of July weekend Spice Market would like to suggest their outdoor patio in the Meatpacking district of NYC as a place to grab a bit of weekend enjoyment. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has added new dishes including Peeky Toe Crab Dumplings and Steamed Red Snapper with Shiitake Mushrooms exude the types of bold spices and flavors he is famous for. For dessert the Thai Jewels with Crushed Coconut Ice offer that a refreshing and sweet treat for a hot summer night. This weekend Spice Market NYC is debuting carafes of the signature Ginger Margarita or Sangria cocktails. They also serve non-alcoholic drinks including the new Ginger-Lime Soda, Jasmine Lemonade and Cherry Yuzu Soda. Spice Market's Tasting Menu is $48 per person and includes samplings of 10 flavors in five courses.

Comedic actress Kristin Johnston was recently signed to a stage production at the Lucille Lortel Theater this fall so she's not leaving New York City but she may be leaving the West Village. Cityfile found the listing for Johnston's condo. Her colorful duplex measures 1,541 square feet and has two bedrooms. As the listing puts it, the best part is the solarium which enjoys a south-facing view of the planted terrace and has built-in seating and glass walls. In the main space a dining upholstered banquette seats 10 and the kitchen has an open counter to the living room. The style is a bit eclectic and busy with a hodgepodge of wallpapers and clusters of vibrantly-colored accent pillows. It is listed at $1.795 million.

Cigar Aficionado readers know that there are some great lounges in Manhattan, though I hope they didn't suffer through that absurd video shot to accompany the article. The article did hit the major attractions, but there are some other hidden gems that only the devout locals know about. If you're looking to sit down and enjoy a cigar in the city, you have plenty of choices – take advantage of them!

Even with the smoking ban, there are more cigar shops and lounges than even most New Yorkers realize. In addition to the major stores like De La Concha and Davidoff Madison Avenue, boutique hand-rollers dot the city, and they are worth a visit from time to time.

So, the next time you set out for the quintessential Manhattan smoke, mix it up. Hit the major shops, but also stop by the places that are off the beaten path. You'll enjoy the experience.

Metro, the free daily paper, reported in its June 25 edition that a bunch of NYC people you may never have heard of are making more than most of us can dream of. No. 1 on the list of New York's highest-paid CEOs in 2008, according to Crain's New York Business, is Alliance Bernstein's Peter Kraus, pocketing $52.538 million; No. 2 is Gamco Investors's Mario Gabelli, pocketing $45.927 million; and No. 3 is Philip Morris's Louis Camilleri, pocketing $43.229 million.

I couldn't access the full list (you need a subscription to Crain's, or you can buy the report here), but the Metro article did note that there are only four women in the top 100: No. 26, Avon Products's Andrea Jung, $12.9 million; No. 37, PepsiCo's Indra Nooyi, $9.9 million; No. 72, Ann Taylor Stores's Kay Krill, $5.7 million, and No. 79, The New York Times Co.'s Janet Robinson, $5.3 million.

And I was happy to get a few thousand back on my taxes this year.

On June 23, a new exhibit opened at the Met: Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul. My friend and I were able to go a few days before the opening, thanks to a members-only preview, courtesy of my mother.

History and fascinating story of the treasures' discovery aside (read here if you'd like even more background), I was wowed by the gold. Much of what's on display was discovered either in archeological digs or in a vault in the presidential palace, where citizens with foresight hid the treasures to protect them from war: jewelry, a belt, an amazing crown (shown here; it breaks down into six pieces for easy transport), a dagger sheath, clasps, anklets, rings, pendants, bowls ... the list goes on.

My favorite item, just for the sheer excess of it all -- and proving that showing your status via footwear is not a new thing -- was the pair of gold shoe soles designed to be placed with a body when buried. I guess mere sandals wouldn't do in the afterlife.

My friend and I really enjoyed the exhibit, which features many more items, gold and non-gold, such as glass, ivory and gemstones. But the gold alone is worth seeing if you are in NYC or planning a visit this summer. The exhibit will be at the Met until September 20 and is included in the price of admission to the museum.

(BTW, I also saw the Francis Bacon exhibit while there. He scared me a little, but viewing his work, you can see it's from the mind of a tortured genius.)

The Manhattan triplex penthouse of the late movie producer Charles Evans, brother of Bob, has been in and out of our Sunday real estate round-up a bunch of times and none of them ending with the magic word "sold." The NY Observer's Max Abelson reports that the 14-room, four-bedroom unit at 895 Park Avenue is back on the market once again after the building's co-op board turned down a buyer who had signed a contract for at least $14 million. This is the third time that a deal for the penthouse has fallen through and the price of the apartment has been steadily tumbling since 2007 when it was first listed for $29.5 million. Now you can get this impressive spread for a far more modest $15.5 million.

The apartment offers terraces on the 16th and 18th floors with views of Central Park and the West Side skyline. It's a big, beautiful, glamourous New York City pad with large formal rooms for entertaining and an entire floor given over to bedrooms. It also includes an eat-in kitchen and there are two wood burning fireplaces in the library and living room. The co-op board is said to be looking for "settled" types with solid income.

Here comes another huge New York price cut, a full $15 million. As the New York Observer's Max Abeslon reports, former WorldCom director has been trying for nearly five years to sell his home in the River House co-op on East 52nd Street in New York City. Galesi's 16-room duplex first hit the market for an astounding $50 million. The listing says that the duplex "gives the impression of a castle in Italy" but with amazing city views. The home has a large corner living room and a corner dining room which offer total frontage of 66 feet over the East River. There are eight bedrooms with two servant rooms. The Observer has the floorplan which shows that the master dressing room is bigger than both of the duplex's maid's rooms. The library has its own study but there is also a separate study upstairs and a sitting room. The home's 50 windows give it plenty of light. It is listed at $35 million. Now all the potential buyer has to do is pass muster with River House's notoriously strict co-op board.

This isn't the only River House apartment you can get for a discount. Another duplex in the building, the one belonging to producer Marty Richards, which was listed at $29 million in 2006 now sits at $18.9 million. It was nearly bought in 2008 by Elyse Kroll when it was for sale for $22.7 million but the board reportedly nixed the deal.

Last fall we checked out Aby Rosen's $75 million townhouse in New York City but this isn't the only prime piece of real estate belonging to the art collector and investor. The Wall Street Journal's Private Properties reports that he has dropped the price on another of his properties. He bought a 25-foot-wide townhouse on East 94th Street for $8.8 million and set to renovating it. The home is over 11,700 square feet on six floors that include five bedrooms, a wine cellar, elevator and a 50-foot indoor pool. There are five woodburning fireplaces and the home makes great use of skylights to add light to the home. Rosen first listed the home for $29.5 million but it is now listed at $23.75 million. Check out more images at the property website.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

The High Line park in New York City opened its first section this week. The unique park was created from an old elevated rail line. On Monday, Diane von Furstenberg was among the notables in attendance for the ribbon cutting and press conference and her fashion line has created a limited-edition plush beach towel inspired by the railroad tracks. The towel sells for $75 and a percentage of the proceeds go towards Friends of the High Line, the organization charged with raising funds for the park and overseeing its maintenance.

[via Cityfile]

The most expensive real estate in the country has taken some pretty major price cuts over the past year or two. In the past, mega-mansions with huge pricetags would often sit on the market a year or two without a price cut with owners secure in the knowledge that the right buyers would eventually come along. These are uncertain times and there are some very motivated sellers testing their luck in the real estate waters. Our list of top ten reductions of U.S. properties we've covered in the past starts at a $10 million cut and it only gets higher from there.

10)The Sloane Mansion, was $64 million, now $54 million
Price Cut=$10 million
The Henry T. Sloane mansion on East 68th Street in New York City is located just steps away from Fifth Avenue on the East Side. The building has 18,500 square feet total spread out over five stories and there are 15 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms, seven fireplaces, a ballroom and a rooftop garden. The mansion was designed by architect Charles Pierrepont H. Gilbert for Sloane, the heir to a furniture empire, in 1905. The home is classic Beaux-Arts style and five of the rooms have all their original details intact including wood-paneled ballroom with original oil-painted murals. It has been on the market for over a year but may need to go lower than $54 million in this economy.

In early May I crossed the East River from midtown Manhattan to Roosevelt Island, home to a number of new, luxury real estate developments. After just a few minutes on the F subway line (or you can take the famous tram), I met with two representatives from Related Companies, one of the country's premier real estate development groups, and had a personal tour of Riverwalk Court, the newest condo offering on the island.

About 10 years ago, Related, along with The Hudson Companies, Inc., won the NYC contract to develop Roosevelt Island. And they have a done a spectacular job with Riverwalk Court. The 18-story condominium building was designed by award-winning architectural firm Costas Kondylis and Partners, and every unit features huge, insulated windows; light, neutral colors; stainless steel appliances and black granite countertops; a washer/dryer; and the best part -- city or bridge views from every apartment. The building's amenities include an entertainment lounge for relaxing with other residents; a fitness center for cardio and yoga; a rooftop terrace; and a children's playroom. As I felt about another Related property I visited, the Caledonia, suddenly my pretty nice apartment and building seemed like a shack, and I wanted to pack up that night and move right into Riverwalk.

Residents of Riverwalk get more than a nice apartment, however. Related is known for its personalized service and concierge amenities (e.g., 24-hour concierge/doorman), and these 123 condominium residences, which range from 1BR - 3 BR with an equal number of baths in each home, offer all of that plus price tags lower than Manhattan for the same, if not better, quality. Plus, Roosevelt Island residents get more -- green space, river breezes, quiet days and nights, minimal traffic, no garbage trucks clanging and squealing in the middle of the night (the island has a Walt Disney World-like underground trash system) and even a 25-cent local bus to take you around the two-mile, 47-acre island if you don't want to walk in the rain or have groceries to carry.

For those who prefer to rent, there's Riverwalk Crossing, Roosevelt Island's only new luxury rental property. Also designed by Kondylis and part of the Related/Hudson portfolio, amenities include an entertainment lounge, bike room, fitness center, and lushly landscaped gardens with an outdoor sun deck, dining terrace, and barbeque grills. As part of the Related Rentals portfolio, Riverwalk Crossing offers its residents RelatedStyle Services, a suite of rewards and services that include the Related Personal Assistant, Move-In Coordination, Resident Service Specialist, as well as exclusive Equinox Fitness membership opportunities. Residents also will have the option to pay rent with a rewards-eligible credit cards.

After my sojourn to Roosevelt Island, I just may make it my next home. Or at least head back there this summer to enjoy all the activities and river air.

Take a look at the gallery for photos of these two communities.

Last week we brought you the yacht and vacation homes of money-laundering lawyer Marc S. Dreier. Now Bloomberg reports that he will also lose his luxury condo at Manhattan's One Beacon Court. Dreier is currently confined under armed guard at the residence. He is being sentenced for charges of money laundering, conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud on July 13 and the auction will be held by David R. Maltz & Co. on July 21. Drier paid $10.4 million in 2007 for the four-bedroom unit. Drier's schemes cost his victims $400 million and he could face a life sentence. Cityfile has a tour of the apartment from before Drier moved in.

One Beacon Court, also known as the Bloomberg Tower because it is the headquarters of Bloomberg LP, was designed by architect Cesar Pelli. It nicludes a fitness center, business center, children's playroom and more for which you'll spend over $4,000 in monthly common charges. There are many units for sale in the building including the one belonging to Formula 1 boss Flavio Briatore listed for $25 million.

Maybe, society has had enough. In Spokane, Washington, even non-smokers came to the defense of the cigar community when public golf courses tried to implement a ban. Other places are relying on creativity, such as tobacconist De La Concha's cigar dinners. In New Hampshire, the legislature is getting involved – a bill may legalize the sale of liquor in cigar bars.

In most places, it's tough to find a social setting where you can enjoy a cocktail and a cigar at the same time. The "live free or die" folks are looking to change that. If tobacconists are able to receive liquor licenses, the resulting store traffic could offset much of the damage being done by the financial crisis.

For Two Guys Smoke Shop in Salem, New Hampshire – where I used to go when I lived in northern Massachusetts – sales have fallen since the state banned smoking in restaurants two years ago, with particular effect in the winter. The ability to sell drinks would make the venue more enticing to customers, keep them in seats longer and likely result in an increase in sales.

There aren't many cigar venues left in New England or elsewhere in the country where you can smoke and drink at the same time. In Manhattan, we have a few spots, and Boston has Cigar Masters. Many cities have their hidden gems, but you have to find them. For the cigar smokers of New Hampshire, however, this could change. And, if you believe that Dixville Notch chooses the president every four years, expect to see similar laws pop up in other states.

A couple of weeks ago we looked at Charles Osgood's apartment at the historic Osborne building in New York City, now there is another beautiful apartment up for sale in the same building. The Real Deal reports that composer Leonard Bernstein and singer Bobby Short were both once residents in Apartment 4B at the Osborne. The eight-room apartment is up for sale for the first time in two decades. The four-bedroom apartment has Victorian touches including call buttons to summon servants and a secret passageway that leads from the front hall to the kitchen. The tiger oak floors and the stained glass in the parlor windows shown above are also original. This apartment has 14-foot ceilings and five fireplaces with magnificent mantles. It is listed at $3.495 million.