new york city

Chocolatier Michel Cluizel Debuts Latest Creations in New York

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

With two generations of haute French chocolate making in the house (founder Michel Cluizel and son/CEO Marc), Chocolat Michel Cluizel unveiled its latest confections in New York. An animated Marc Cluizel welcomed the rain-soaked group to the family's Fifth Avenue shop, the only other Chocolat Michel Cluizel retail location other than the Parisian original.

Tags: chocolate, france, michel cluizel, new york city, park avenue

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Ahron Weiner on the Verge: Bringing "The Flood" to Brooklyn

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

There were breaks in the rain, but the day ended with small rivers flowing through the gutters in Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood. It was the last day of Armory week in New York City, an event consisting of art fairs all over the city, ranging from colossal reputations and incredible valuations to emerging artists eager for their first tastes of success and notoriety. I was on my way to the Verge show, itself spread out over several locations.

If you want to find something unique or unusual, Verge is the place to go. You'll have to sift through a lot of good efforts (as opposed to successful results), but the one piece that blows your mind is worth it. I found it at 20 Jay Street: "The Flood," by Ahron Weiner.

There is nothing conventional about Weiner's photography, except, perhaps, for the fact that he uses a camera. After that, he's truly exploring new territory. "The Flood" is part of a larger effort that tells the stories of the Old Testament through rehabilitated advertising images.
Okay, that's a lot to digest. So, let's step through the concept.

If you ever see a tall (by my standards, at least) man with long blond hair chipping through the advertising posters on Manhattan scaffolds, there's a good chance it's Weiner. These posters are slapped up all over the city, with the new simply covering up the old ... and so on. It's endless. Weiner goes in the opposite direction. He peels away at the layers, looking for a story to emerge. Starting with what strikes him as an interesting advertisement, he pulls to see what lies beneath.

Gallery: "Cycle of Violence" at the DUMBO Arts Festival

Tags: Art Exhibition, art fair, art fairs, Art Gallery, art show, artist, Artists, brooklyn, new york, new york city

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A Well-Designed Penthouse at Manhattan House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is a designer aerie at Manhattan House on New York's Upper East Side. The one-bedroom, 1.5 bath corner penthouse residence was given the glam treatment by the ever-stylish Rita Konig who created a cozy home with luxury touches. The 1,151-square-foot residence located at the Upper East Side iconic, landmarked condominium has a formal entry gallery, wood-burning fireplace and a 368-square-foot landscaped wraparound terrace with northern and eastern views of the Manhattan skyline. The same lovely views also add interest in the dining and sitting rooms.

The windowed kitchen is outfitted with Viking Professional Series stainless steel appliances with wine cooler, terrazzo floor tiles, Caesarstone Lagos Blue countertops, Ann Sacks glass tile backsplash, and custom wood cabinetry. The master bathroom has Waterworks glass tiles, polished chrome fixtures and radiant floor heating. The home also features a powder room with mosaic tile.

The Manhattan House offers a variety of amenities including the residents-only rooftop level with Manhattan Club and exhale® spa, a Roto Studio-designed children's playroom, exhale fitness center, full-time doormen, five-star concierge services, private porte-cochère entrances, and on-site parking with available valet services. This home is listed at $2.1 million with Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group.

Gallery: A Well-Designed Penthouse at the Manhattan House

Tags: estate of the day, manhattan house, new york city, new york city real estate, new york real estate, penthouse

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Life at the Pierre, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Imagine life inside this high floor corner apartment in the tower of the legendary newly restored five star Pierre Hotel. By day, light fills the rooms as you gaze out on city and Central Park views. At night, the city sparkles below. Welcome your guests in to a foyer which leads to a gallery with elegantly sleek lacquer finish walls. The long corner living room offers views over the entire Park in two directions: north all the way up through the Park past the Metropolitan Museum to the George Washington Bridge and west across the Park to the Hudson River, seen through the shimmering Time Warner Towers and also encompassing all of Central Park South and Central Park West. In the living room walls of textured finish with aluminum leaf and patina are anchored with important moldings.

Restrained luxury takes over in the master bedroom which is upholstered in pale silk and has a large dressing closet and a flannel grey and white zebrino marble bath with an oversized glass stall shower. The second bedroom is currently in use as a library and has hidden pocket doors with floor to ceiling custom bookcases on either side, walls of pale cerused oak, a dressing area and a soft brown toned afromosia marble bath ensuite.

The home has a high-tech sound system and lighting which is activated by a one touch control system. Custom designed hardware, beautiful hardwood floors in all rooms and custom shutters which disappear into the window casements in both bedrooms are all part of the charm.

Your apartment also comes with a lifestyle. Apartment owners in the hotel have full access to all hotel services, 24 hour concierge service, twice daily maid service, once monthly heavy cleaning service, valet parking and 24 hour room service. The world famous Le Caprice restaurant from London is located in the hotel and there is also a fitness center and a hair salon. Pets are allowed and corporate ownership permitted. This home is listed at $12.5 million with Martha Kramer of Brown Harris Stevens.

Gallery: Life at the Pierre

Tags: estate of the day, new york city, new york real estate, pierre hotel

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New York City Mozzarella Bar Introduces Missing Link

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Nothing beats sitting down with the fresh mozzarella and pasta fare available at Obika, the midtown Manhattan mozzarella bar. Rather than disrupt your perfect city Saturday by scarfing down the heavily tourist fare available within striking distance of the shop's location on E. 56th Street and Madison Avenue, you can amble into the public atrium at the IBM Building and enjoy bufala at its finest.

The only thing missing has been a great glass of wine to accompany it. Well, the good news is that it won't be a problem anymore.

Anthony Fauci, managing partner of Obika's New York location, told me over the weekend that the restaurant has just received its liquor license, and that the libations are flowing. The offering is so new that the wine menu hasn't even been published on the Obika website yet, though Fauci tells me to expect options from Campagnia, Veneto,Tuscany and Puglia, not to mention "a few surprises." For now, the only way to find out is to head over and order a glass with your dish. I'm hoping to get there within the next few days.

Gallery: Obika: Mozzarella Bar in Manhattan

Fresh bufala is flown in three times a week

Even without a chef, the creations are delicious

Tags: food, manhattan, mozzarella, MozzarellaCheese, new york city

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The Chatwal's $18,000 Ultimate Academy Awards Party Package

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Celebrity Shopping

What better place to celebrate the 83rd annual Academy Awards than at New York City's luxury hotel The Chatwal? (Well, aside from being on the red carpet in Los Angeles, of course.)

Help recreate the glittering sophistication and glamour of yesteryear with their newest over-the-top offering, a weekend long experience and Oscar-night party for up to ten guests.

The Oscar Party Package starts at $18,000 per couple and includes:

Tags: academy awards, lambs club, new york city, oscars, the chatwal

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Alexander West Custom Cashmere Blend Shirts

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

Alexander West Custom Cashmere Blend Shirts

Alexander West, a Manhattan-based clothier specializing in the finest custom-tailored shirts, ties and cufflinks for stylish swells, has debuted an ultra-luxurious new cashmere blend collection. With an extremely soft hand, the weight of the luxe fabric transitions perfectly from winter to spring. The bespoke shirts, available in three colors – stone (above), granite, and solid eggshell – feature a button-down collar and flap pocket, and retail for $295 apiece. Other West designs, available online and by appointment in New York City, are woven from premium cottons and feature luxe mother of pearl buttons, personal monogramming, and precise, detail-conscious craftsmanship. The company also offers a "Send Your Shirt" program, in which they will replicate the fit of a favorite worn-out shirt in the fabric of your choice.

Tags: Alexander West, apparel, bespoke, cashmere, clothing, custom, mens style, New York City, shirts

Alexis Stewart Drops The Price Of Her TriBeCa Duplex

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Radio host and Martha Stewart's daughter Alexis Stewart is another celebrity slow seller. She's been trying to sell her duplex loft at 27 North Moore Street on and off since 2007 and we've seen prices as high as $12.95 million. Curbed NY reports that the home is now down below the $10 million mark. It is listed at $9.5 million.

There's a lot to love about this home. It has almost 4,000 square feet of interior space and also has an outdoor terrace. The large bright and white living room has a solarium celing. The kitchen includes two SubZero refrigerators and two dishwashers for Martha-Stewart-style entertaining. The three-bedroom home also has grey terrazzo floors, custom-designed wood shelving and integrated built-ins.

Gallery: Alexis Stewart in TriBeCa

Tags: alexis stewart, celebrity real estate, martha stewart, new york city, new york real estate, tribeca

Brokers Stiffed on Sale of Duke-Semans Mansion to World's Richest Man

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Wealth

It seems there was something a bit dodgy about the record $44 million sale of the famed Duke-Semans mansion (above) in New York City to Carlos Slim, the world's richest man, which we wrote about back in July. According to a lawsuit filed by the real estate brokers who had the listing on the palatial residence, former owner Tamir Sapir stiffed them out of nearly $1 million in commission by reneging on a prior agreement to sell the place to a different buyer for $37 million. Since Sapir, a cab driver-turned-fertilizer king, did the deal with Slim directly he ended up paying no brokerage fee, the New York Times reports, noting that the parties have just reached a settlement in the dispute for an undisclosed amount. Sapir bought the historic seven-story Beaux Arts mansion located across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art from relatives of Doris Duke for $40 million in 2006. When Slim took possession the 20,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1901, it had a doctor's office in the basement, a five-story main residence, a penthouse duplex on top, 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and 11 wood-burning fireplaces.

Tags: Carlos Slim, Duke-Semans mansion, estates, mansion, New York City, real estate, Tamir Sapir, wealth

The St. Regis New York Launches E-Butler App

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services

The St. Regis New York has just launched an innovative new E-Butler application, allowing guests to interact with the famed luxury hotel's butlers and concierge as never before, and featuring exclusive content including an Insider's Guide to New York City curated by some of NYC's most celebrated personalities. The St. Regis New York E-Butler app is a modern twist on traditional butler service, providing guests with the world renowned St. Regis service at the touch of a button. The app will offer guests the ability to "chat" directly with The St. Regis E-Butler in real-time via their iPhone or iPad, arranging all of the important details of their visit to the city instantly. In true St. Regis style, the hotel has tapped some of New York's most celebrated personalities including Andre Leon Talley, Jason Wu, Alain Ducasse, Danny Meyer, Michel Musto and Peter Som to share their insider info. on favorite shops, restaurants and city landmarks. Through St. Regis E-Butler, guests will have the ability to book these favorite spots directly, and the app will also feature a curated calendar of events for the season's most interesting and anticipated happenings around the Big Apple.

Tags: Alain Ducasse, Andre Leon Talley, app, apps, butler, Danny Meyer, iPad, iPhone, Jason Wu, luxury hotel, New York City, Peter Som, restaurants, St. Regis, St. Regis New York

Five Ways to Protect Yourself From a Poor Luxury Experience

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

I'm sure you'd love to believe that your concerns are being heard. At an airport, restaurant, hotel or any other place where you're parting with your hard-earned cash, you expect a certain level of service. When you don't get it, you expect management to give a damn. Shocking, I know, but sometimes even this second part doesn't happen.

Gone are the days when even the risk of a customer complaint struck horror in the eyes of a hospitality manager. Close to a decade ago, I emailed a gripe to Kelly's Roast Beef in Massachusetts. Within 24 hours, I had a call from the manager who as horrified, embarrassed and eager to make things right. I didn't care about the free meal offer – in fact, I turned it down twice before giving in – it was the attitude that made the difference. He was genuinely upset that he was losing a single customer, and the prospect of that didn't sit well with him. Now, so many years later, this remains my go-to story about customer service perfection.

Today, that seems to be gone – or at least scarcer. For some restaurants and other hospitality companies, even in the luxury space, it's the belief that a certain amount customer churn is to be expected. Or that brand is irrelevant. Or that intermediaries (such as online booking sites) have made price the motivator, obviating the need for a commitment to customer service excellence. In a recent case for me, at The Mercer Kitchen, in the Mercer Hotel, it was clear that brand was the problem – namely that a cool, upscale spot didn't need to worry about customer satisfaction.

Using this experience, let's take a look at five things you should be wary of when expressing your concerns to a hospitality manager; they indicate that your complaint isn't being handled properly:

Tags: customer satisfaction, customer service, hotel, hotels, manhattan, mercer hotel, new york, new york city, restaurants, service, soho

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A Taste of New York at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Going out to eat in New York City can be an incredible experience, except for one thing - you're smack in the middle of a great, stinking, crowded, dirty, noisy city full of obnoxious, neurotic people. Not to mention that this time of year it's freezing cold to boot. That can detract from the enjoyment if not outright ruin it on certain occasions. However at the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan, Puerto Rico you can now get an authentic NYC dining experience in an incredible beachfront setting. The luxe hotel has created a tantalizing Taste of New York Package around its two great restaurants imported directly from the Big Apple, BLT Steak and Il Mulino New York – minus the Manhattan melodrama.

BLT Steak from famed chef Laurent Tourondel mixes modern, urbane décor with an infusion of classic French bistro techniques. In the elegant, old-world atmosphere of Il Mulino New York you can linger over the vibrant flavors inspired by the cuisine of Italy's Abruzzi region. The package, with rates starting at $569 per night, includes deluxe accommodations for two in a Pool View room; a gourmet welcome amenity; daily breakfast at Mares, the casual poolside café; and daily dinner for two at BLT Steak or Il Mulino, including a complimentary sommelier's selection bottle of wine. Of course the restaurants are open to all guests of the idyllic resort, which also features the Ritz-Carlton's signature Club Level accommodation, a must for travelers who require the best of everything with convenience to match.

Gallery: Taste of New York at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

Tags: beach, BLT Steak, chef, dining, Il Mulino, Laurent Tourondel, luxury hotels, New York, New York City, Puerto Rico, Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

La Sirena Cigar Launch Party in New York City

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The world just got a new cigar! I've been waiting for this launch for months, having first heard about it last winter. And, if ever there was an open secret in the cigar industry, this was it. The La Sirena line of cigars, manufactured at Don Pepin Garcia's My Father Cigars factory and distributed by Miami Cigar & Company, is the latest bold and powerful Nicaraguan stick to take a place on tobacconists' shelves. It is unmistakably a Pepin creation, with rich flavors and the sort of kick that inveterate cigar smokers are bound to appreciate.

La Sirena was launched at a dinner in its honor held last week at De La Concha in Manhattan. "Full house" was redefined, as customers packed themselves into the Sixth Avenue retail establishment ... while more than a dozen others made it no further than the waiting list. Even with Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke going on at the same time, the presence of Nestor Miranda, Janny Garcia and Arielle Ditkowich demonstrates the excitement that had built around this product. And, Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars stopped by to offer his regards (and announce with De La Concha General Manager Ron Melendi that the store would begin carrying Johnson's Tatuaje cigars).

Gallery: La Sirena Cigar Launch, De La Concha

Gallery: The Guests at the La Sirena Cigar Launch at De La Concha

[photos by Steve Zak Photography]

Tags: big smoke, cigar, cigar aficionado, cigar dinner, cigar lounge, cigars, nestor miranda, new york, new york city, nicaragua, NicaraguanCigars, pepin garcia, tatuaje, tatuajes, tobacco

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Harrison Ford Lists His NYC Apartment

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

It looks like Harrison Ford is moving on. Curbed NY reports that Ford's 5,500-square-foot penthouse loft at 206 West 17th Street has hit the market for $16 million. The building was converted by developer Cary Tamarkin into 11 raw full-floor lofts. Ford bought this home near the start of 2002 for around $5.3 million. Ford and his wife Calista Flockhart own residences in Los Angeles and Wyoming.

The listing says that the penthouse has a keyed elevator that brings you into a vestibule. The apartment has anigre wood and poured concrete radiant heated floors and four exposures offer beautiful views. The living room/dining room has a wood burning fire place and a kitchen with stainless steel, custom anigre wood cabinetry and soapstone countertops. There is a dining area and a den flowing off of the kitchen. The master bedroom suite has a dressing room and bath. There is also a library/bedroom, three additional bedrooms, a home office, a home gym, 4.5 baths and laundry room complete this level. Up above there is a private roof terrace which is approximately 2,330 square feet and offers amazing views of Manhattan, the Hudson River and beyond.

Gallery: Harrison Ford's NYC Apartment

Tags: celebrity real estate, harrison ford, new york city, new york real estate

NYC Street Vendor Hawks $900 Christmas Trees

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Holiday Guides

NYC Street Vendor Hawks $900 Christmas Trees

The Daily News reported that a lot in the heart of SoHo is selling jumbo-sized Christmas trees at prices to match. Scott Lechner, 53, charges as much as $900 for trees he ships from the Blue Mountains in North Carolina to his temporary business on Sixth Avenue and Spring Street. "A regular tree is beautiful, but one of our jumbos is majestic," Lechner says in the News. "It's not just a tree, it's an experience. And it's worth every penny."

Not all the trees are as much as $900. A 12-foot Fraser fir retails for about $400; it's a 17-footer that goes for $900. Lechner claims his clients have been celebrities, a Facebook executive, and SoHo residents. He notes that his prices are high because the trees come to his lot within 96 hours of being cut. But the News reports -- fueling the fire in the battle of the boroughs -- that the same types of trees can be found at a fraction of the price in Brooklyn.

The question that still nags at me is this: Who in New York has space for a 17-foot tree? I mean, obviously not counting the celebs, execs, and SoHo folks. I guess they all own two-floor apartments where the lower-level apartment ceiling has been removed, or the elusive brownstone.

Tags: Christmas, Christmas tree, Christmas trees, holiday, holidays, New York, New York City, SoHo