WINTER FUN! - Crain`s 5 boros

boros
CRAIN’S
TM
5boros.com
Winter 2014 $4.99
WINTER FUN!
Coolest sledding spots,
new skating rinks,
serious hot chocolate,
super spas
Best
burgers:
The
5boro
tour
Harlem’s
Jazz Age
revisited
Q&A
NY1’s
Pat
Kiernan
+
Williamsburg
penthouse,
Carroll Gardens
townhouse:
Three generations
living in Brooklyn
FROM $1,499* R/T
NEW YORK - PARIS IN BUSINESS CLASS
Book your ticket now on www.lacompagnie.com or call their toll-free line 1 800 218 8187.
*Book from September 1st through December 15th, 2014 for travel until December 18th, 2014.
Complete access. Complete control. Complete Banking.
Complete Banking gives you
even more freedom and time to
do the things you love. Plus, get
up to $150 when you open a new
Complete Checking Plus account.1
earn
interest
ATM fee
rebates
Complete
Checking
Plus.
mobile
check
deposit
For more information, visit your local
Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889
or visit www.FlushingBank.com.
1
New
ew
w Comp
Complete
Com
lete Che
Checkin
cking
g Plus
Plus a
accou
ount with new money only.
ly. Exis
Existing
ting
g che
c ckin
ng accoun
ac
a coun
cou
oun
ou
unt custom
custom
stomers
sto
tome are
e no
ot elig
ot
eligiible. An existing checking customer is defined as anyone who
currentl
tly
y has
has or
o has had a Flushing Bank checking accountt within
within
hin
n the
th
he las
astt 24 mon
m ths.
h Th
hiss offer
off is limit
imited
ed to
to one
on Complete Checking Plus account per household. Minimum
deposit
sit requ
required
i
to open a new
new Compl
Compl
omplete
ete Che
Checki
Chec
king Pl
Pluss accoun
Plu
ac ountt is $10
$100.
0 No minimum balance re
requir
quired
ed to
to be eligible for the Bonus. Debit Card Purchases – You will receive
$75 for th
$7
the comp
omplleti
letion
tion o
off 5 debit
debit card
d purch
rchas
ases. Each debit card purchase must be $25 or more. Onli
O ne Banking Bill-payments OR Direct Deposit – You will receive $75 for
completing 5 online banking bill-payment
mentss via
v Flushing Bank’s Online Banking portal OR signing up for and receiving a recurring direct deposit of $250 or more. Each online
bill-pay must be $25 or more. Tax re
efund ch
checks do not qualify as direct deposit. Online Bill-payments, Debit Card Purchases and Direct Deposits must be completed prior to
60 days after the account is opened.
ned. THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ANY CUSTOMER CAN RECEIVE IS $150. The compensation will be credited to the checking account on or about
75 days afte
terr the
the ac
acco
count is opened. A 1099 will be issued in the amount credited to your account. Other fees and restrictions may apply. All offers are subject to change and
termination without prior notice at any time.
term
Flushing Bank is a registered trademark
Contents
P. 7
Sweet spot in Red Hook
P. 10
P. 18
SheLikestoShop: Tiny You
Winter fun for everyone
P. 24
Harlem’s high notes
P. 14
Family affair, Brooklyn style
ON THE COVER: Sledding at Crotona Park in the Bronx
photographed by Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks
P. 8
P. 32
The best burgers
Q&A: Pat Kiernan
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 1
boros
Chill out
CRAIN’S
Editor in chief Rance Crain
Publisher, VP Jill Kaplan
or me, winter is no time to stay
indoors. I continue to travel by Citi
Bike, except on snow days, and enjoy
walks in the park, especially on snow
days (I’m the one you see making the
angels).
But to keep my bones from creaking, I also love spa days. A
couple of years ago, I made a pilgrimage to Spa Castle in
College Point, Queens.
What a spread! The Korean-style spa features five floors of
amenities, including Olympic-size outdoor hot pools and a
“Sauna Valley” with eight rooms of varying temperatures, salts
or minerals. You can book a deep-tissue massage (I did) or
body scrubs and other treatments, and spend the entire day. Its
restaurants serve frozen yogurt, smoothies, Korean soups, pizzas and more.
Not one to miss anything, I tried just about every pool,
some with massaging jets and waterfalls, and fully explored
the saunas. The place can get pretty crowded on the
weekends, when a day pass is $50, so try a weekday (just $40)
if you can swing it.
I was pretty excited to learn from reading Miriam Kreinin
Souccar’s cover story (Page 18) that Spa Castle has expanded
to East 57th Street in Manhattan. I can’t wait to get there.
Of course, there are many fun things to do around town
in winter. Ms. Souccar’s story gives you the scoop not only on
destination spas, but also on the best hot chocolates, the
newest skating rinks, the coolest hills for sledding, and where
to cozy up by a fireplace with a cocktail. Try them all. Tell us
your favorites at 5boros.com.
— VALERIE BLOCK
F
DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR
Contributors
Theresa
Agovino is
Crain’s senior
arts and culture
reporter,
covering museums, theater,
nonprofits and more. Earlier,
the native New Yorker was a
freelancer in Budapest.
Buck Ennis
has been
taking awardwinning
pictures for
Crain’s since 1994. Before
Crain’s, Buck worked with
several storied
photographers specializing
in portraiture, still life and
food.
Jessica
Kramer is a
researcher at
Crain’s. The
Park Slope,
Brooklyn, resident
previously wrote event
listings for The Village Voice
and Flavorpill, and seeks out
culture throughout the city.
Steve
Krupinski,
Crain’s
longtime art
director, has
overseen several redesigns
of the newspaper and
designed 5boros. He lives in
Somerset, N.J., with his wife
and three sons.
2 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
Thornton
McEnery, a
native
Brooklynite,
covers technology
for Crain’s. He is a graduate
of Middlebury College and
New York University’s
Business and Economic
Reporting program. He
resides in Cobble Hill with
his wife and son.
Adrianne
Pasquarelli,
senior retail
reporter for
Crain’s and a
Greenpoint, Brooklyn,
resident,
writes the SheLikestoShop
column for 5boros.
Editorial
Editor Glenn Coleman
Deputy managing editor Valerie Block
Art director Steve Krupinski
Staff photographer Buck Ennis
Copy chief Steve Noveck
Copy editor Thaddeus Rutkowski
Writers Theresa Agovino, Lisa Fickenscher, Jessica
Kramer, Thornton McEnery, Adrianne Pasquarelli
Contributors Caroline Peck, Miriam Kreinin Souccar,
Alix Strauss, Andrew Zimmer
5Boros.com
Senior producer Amanda Fung
GM, Digital Rosemary Maggiore
Bloggers Justin Ambrosino, Nathan Bernardo, Devin
Cutugno, Monica DiNatale, Harry Kendall, Rob Mackay,
Marty Markowitz, Meryl Perlstein, Irasema Rivera,
Jordan Roth, Brian Rothschild, Olga Tirado
Advertising
Advertising director Joanna Harp
Sales manager Irene Bar-Am
Senior account managers
Jill Bottomley Kunkes, Courtney McCombs, Rob Pierce
Account managers Zita Doktor, Stuart Smilowitz
Sales coordinator LeAnn Richardson
To advertise in 5boros:
Contact Joanna Harp at [email protected]
or call (212) 210-0278
To subscribe to 5boros:
www.5boros.com/subscribe
For customer service:
Contact [email protected]
or call (877) 824-9379
For reprints:
Contact Alicia Samuel at [email protected]
or call (212) 210-0750
To reach our newsroom:
Contact Valerie Block at [email protected]
or call (212) 210-0274. Address: Crain’s New York
Business, 685 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017.
Entire contents ©copyright 2014
Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
Caroline
Peck is a
senior
communications
manager at NYC &
Company. She lives in
Manhattan and enjoys
exploring the city’s hidden
gems.
Miriam
Kreinin
Souccar, a
freelance writer
and editor, has
written for Worth magazine
and CNBC.com. Previously,
she spent 12 years as a
Crain’s reporter, covering
arts and culture,
philanthropy, higher
education and lifestyle
trends.
Alix Strauss,
an author and
journalist,
writes stories
on food, beauty
and travel for such
publications as The New
York Times, Departures and
Condé Nast Traveler. She
has been featured on the
Today show. among others.
She lives on Manhattan’s
Upper East Side.
Andrew
Zimmer is
Thrillist’s NYC
editor and
spends 90% of
his time going to new and
cool places around the city
and figuring out which are
worth your time.
{trending}
by Valerie Block
What’s hot for winter?
Find it on Etsy.com
tsy, the nine-year-old online crafts marketplace based in Dumbo, Brooklyn, boasts more than 1 million small
e-commerce shops on its site that create handmade goods in a seemingly infinite variety of categories. Sure,
one can find scarves, sweaters, baby blankets and other typical winter-gift standbys. But this season, some
unexpected items are catching fire.
E
BOOT CUFFS, knitted or crocheted, slip on like
a footless stocking and bring extra warmth and
style to a pair of winter boots.
DaintyBump’s initial ring
METALLIC TEMPORARY TATTOOS in
geometric shapes are safe and fun for kids and
adults. Starting at $5, they are “really affordable,”
Ms. Bidwell said.
Price: $10
Tattify’s Dart Set temporary tattoo (set of 2)
Price: $22
INITIAL JEWELRY is “really hot right now,”
said Emily Bidwell, Etsy’s merchandising
manager.
SalemWolfDesigns’ boot cuffs
Price: $5
PERSONALIZED PILLOWS, featuring
photographs that shoppers send in, turn a
furnishing accessory into a miniature portrait.
KIDS’ COSTUMES aren’t just for Halloween
anymore. Handmade superhero capes and
caps are piquing imaginations all year.
AGATE, a naturally formed semiprecious
gemstone, is trending on Etsy. Agate coasters
offer a special touch when entertaining.
LINEandBLOOM’s custom couple portrait
personalized pillows (18- by 18-inch square
pillow cover)
Lovelane’s winged hat and cape set
RockRibbon’s pink agate set of coasters
Price: $68
Price: $132
Price: $56
4 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
{trending}
New in Town
BRONX
JOE’S CRAB SHACK
200 Baychester Ave.
The seafood chain in Co-op City
features crab steam pots, as
well as steak and fish.
BROOKLYN
MATCHABAR
93 Wythe Ave.
The first matcha tea shop in
town opened in Williamsburg,
serving the highly caffeinated
green tea. The café becomes a
speakeasy at night.
SINCERELY, TOMMY
343 Tompkins Ave.
This boutique in Bed-Stuy offers
designer womenswear and a
coffee counter serving Irving
Farm coffee and Balthazar
pastries.
MANHATTAN
BARCADE
6 St. Marks Place
The bar’s fifth location, in the
East Village, features ’80s- and
’90s-era video games, 24
American beers on tap, a few
wines and pub fare.
QUEENS
BRASS OWL
36-14 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria’s new boutique sells gift
items, as well as shoes,
handbags and accessories from
Steve Madden, Dolce Vita and
Chinese Laundry.
SEKEND SUN
32-11 Broadway
Williamsburg’s trendy Ba’sik
cocktail bar has a new sister in
Astoria, serving seasonal
cocktails, local beers, burgers,
pork rillettes and salads.
STATEN ISLAND
TROY RESTAURANT
2271 Hylan Blvd.
A medieval-themed restaurant
in Grant City offers raw-bar
appetizers, shrimp-and-coconut
soup, Greek salad and a
seafood-combo entrée.
6 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
Stringing them along
Tiny Retrofret attracts music legends
It’s hard to quantify the number of guitars Steve Uhrik has in his shop at any given moment, but
a visitor to his Brooklyn showroom might be tempted to guess he has every guitar ever made.
The 59-year-old Mr. Uhrik has owned and operated Retrofret Vintage Guitars in Gowanus
since 1983. A Brooklyn native and a graduate of Brooklyn Tech High School, he grew up as a selfproclaimed “total technogeek who took apart radios, TVs, everything, just to see how it worked.”
But it turned out to be guitars that most fascinated Mr. Uhrik, and by the late ’70s he had
started a repair business. In 1982, he found available space on a nondescript Gowanus block
and set up shop in a gallery accessible only by climbing a long flight of internal stairs and
walking out across the rear roof of an old animal shelter. Once
inside, visitors are confronted by guitars of every shape and size in
Retrofret
a showroom not much larger than a studio apartment.
21233 Butler St.
“It’s a pretty unique space, definitely,” Mr. Uhrik said with a
Gowanus, Brooklyn
(718) 237-6092
chuckle. “But we were never really planning on people dropping by.”
www.retrofret.com
Even so, Retrofret evolved into a small guitar retailer. That trend
caught fire, and Mr. Uhrik estimates that walk-in customers
account for one-third of his business. Today’s visitors to Retrofret are a mix of the curious,
guitar pilgrims from around the world and music legends.
“A few years ago, [former] Saturday Night Live bandleader G.E. Smith came in,” recounted
Mr. Uhrik. “He came up the stairs, across the roof, looked around and said, ‘Dude! This is like a
speakeasy for guitar freaks!’ ”
– THORNTON
MCENERY
BUCK ENNIS
KING BEE
424 E. Ninth St.
An East Village “Acadianinspired” restaurant offers pork
cracklings, hominy grits with
lobster confit, caraway
pancakes and poutine.
{trending}
Cocktail culture
makes the rounds
Sweet spot
BUCK ENNIS
Red Hook just got its second chocolatier.
Raaka Chocolate, which offers tours and
classes, took factory space near the more
established Cacao Prieto. Co-founders
Nate Hodge and Ryan Cheney (pictured)
aren’t worried about competition. “Getting
more people down to Red Hook will benefit
both of us,” Mr. Hodge said. “There’s a real
hole in the marketplace for chocolate that
can claim it’s allergy-free,” he added,
noting that Raaka’s “virgin” chocolate is
vegan and nut-free, and incorporates
coconut, pumpkin seed, sesame and olive
oils. The bars, made with unprocessed
cocoa beans, are sold nationwide.
“Chocolate is this magical food that’s
been treated as a commodity,” Mr. Hodge
said.
—JESSICA KRAMER
Raising the Barre
Fitness brand Pure Barre incorporates a
ballet barre into its workouts, and class
participants urge one another to reach
shared goals. Becca McCarthy (pictured)
opened a Pure Barre franchise in
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, earlier this year.
It’s one of a handful in New York City.
The shop is building a community
outside the studio as well. It collaborates
with nearby businesses such as J.Crew
and Dépanneur café to offer discounts and
partner on events. “The neighborhood is
craving more options for efficient workouts,” said Ms. McCarthy. “We’re starting
to create a microcommunity of health and
wellness.”
—ADRIANNE PASQUARELLI
CLASSIC DRINKS
GET NEW TWISTS:
In Manhattan, I really love the Wall
Flower in the West Village. Xavier
Herit, former head bartender at
Daniel, opened this charming
cocktail bar and restaurant less
than a year ago. He puts his own
spin on classic drinks. Try his New
Fashioned (right), made with
maple syrup, Pechaud bitters,
vermouth and rye whiskey.
The Shanty is attached to Brooklyn’s New York Distilling Co., where
customers can try locally made gins—Perry’s Tot, Dorothy Parker
(left) and Chief Gowanus—and the newly released Mr. Katz’s Rockin’
Rye. Go on the weekend, take a tour and then sit at the bar and order
the Hello Trouble, made with Dorothy Parker gin, grapefruit, amaro,
Bitterman’s Burlesque bitters and an absinthe rinse.
At Dutch Kills in Long Island City, not only do the bartenders really
know what they’re doing, but the place also has a way with ice. Threehundred-pound blocks are hacked into shapes like spears and
spheres. The concept is so cool that Dutch Kills sells the ice, and
consulting services, to other bars around the city. I go for the Bear
Trap, a hot cocktail made with bourbon, honey syrup, fresh apple
cider and house-spiced butter. It really hits the spot in the colder
months.
Charlie’s Bar
and Kitchen
(right), just
over the Willis
Avenue
Bridge in the
Bronx,
changes its
cocktail menu seasonally, like
the food. For something
modern, get the Bronx Pale,
made with gin, lemongrassinfused agave, fresh lemon juice
and ginger. For a classic, try the
Dark and Stormy: rum, lime
juice and ginger beer.
For a real classic, head to
Liedy’s Shore Inn, on Staten
Island. Owned by Larry Liedy,
the bar, the oldest on the island,
has been open since 1905 and
is full of all kinds of characters.
They do have a good cranberry
martini, but I would go for a
beer and shot of Bulleit
bourbon.
BENJAMIN BRIU
MIKE GRIPPI
Sam Dangremond writes about cars, cocktails and fashion for Town & Country magazine.
He’s also the official office bartender. During the winter months, he transitions from gin
cocktails to whiskey. Here, he tells 5boros his favorite watering holes of the moment.
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 7
{5boro tour}
by Andrew Zimmer
Great burgers
are rare indeed
And juicy, charred, cheesy and delicious
ew York is home to at least 5 billion burgers, and that being the case, it’s probably not healthy to eat them all.
Still, they’re all different: a city’s worth of unique, cheese-covered, very heavy snowflakes. Thrillist.com
rounded up five of its favorites—one from each borough—to get you started. So what are you waiting for? Go
get started!
N
BROOKLYN
Fritzl’s Lunch Box
BRONX
Mott Haven Bar & Grill
This relative newcomer is
inspired by In-N-Out’s
famed off-menu “Animal
Style” burger, but employs
top-notch ingredients
including New York
cheddar; two perfectly
sized strips of free-range,
alder-wood-smoked
bacon; a 15-day-aged
blend of sirloin, chuck and
short rib; plus a “Super
Sauce”: a mix of chopped
pickles, Calabrian peppers,
ketchup, aioli and many,
many secrets.
Settle into the middleschool-cafeteria-style
chairs at this beloved
Bushwick joint and
prepare for the main
attraction: beef. Six juicy
ounces of it are topped
with extra-sharp cheddar,
a charred miso aioli
special sauce, tangy
homemade relish and a
sesame-seed bun.
After being roughed up by
Superstorm Sandy, this
tavern is back with a fresh
name (it used to be the
Bruckner Bar & Grill),
some new eats and its
killer burgers, which
include turkey, beef and
our go-to lamb burger,
served on an English
muffin with your choice of
cheese and fries (go with
sweet potato). Wash it all
down with a pale ale from
the borough’s own Bronx
Brewery.
25 Cleveland Place
(212) 274-0900
theclevelandnyc.com
/ DAVE B
173 Irving Ave.
(929) 210-9531
fritzlslunchbox.com
YELP
FOURSQUARE
/ JESUS D
MANHATTAN
The Cleveland
QUEENS
Donovan’s Pub
STATEN ISLAND
Duffy’s Tavern
This old-school Woodside
Irish pub is a must for
anyone in need of a good,
classic bar burger with
excellent, juicy meatiness
and a topping of fried
onions that offer just
enough sweetness.
Served on a toasted
English muffin, this burger
from the island better
known for pizza than
patties stands out thanks
to tender beef blanketed
with mountains of cheese.
Just ask, and the
unpretentious hole-in-thewall will do the same with
your waffle fries.
57-24 Roosevelt Ave.
(718) 429-9339
donovansny.com
1 Bruckner Blvd.
(718) 665-2001
motthavenbar.com
Still hungry? Find more great neighborhood spots at Thrillist.com, a special contributor to 5boros.
8 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
/ PODGE N
FOURSQUARE
/ BRENDAN T.
YELP
THRILLIST
/ ANDREW ZIMMER
650 Forest Ave.
(718) 447-9276
{bike & bites}
by Valerie Block
Cold comfort
Sure, it’s chilly. But you can still pedal to Astoria
inter is no
reason to
pack away
the bike
and
hibernate
until
spring. A
random 60-degree day can pop up
anytime. So, when the mercury spikes,
my husband, Mitch, and I hit the road.
With daylight at a premium, we try
to limit our miles to about 15 roundtrip. On a recent Sunday, we rode over
the Queensboro Bridge to Astoria
for lunch at Taverna Kyclades. It’s the
best Greek seafood restaurant in a
neighborhood filled with them,
according to Yelp—and the masses
who line up outside waiting for tables.
It’s just 14 miles round-trip from
our Kips Bay apartment in Manhattan,
so we had plenty of time to get there,
chow down and head home before
sunset. It’s an easy ride from
Greenpoint or Williamsburg,
Brooklyn, too.
In Queens, we followed bike lanes,
weaving through quiet residential
neighborhoods with brick row houses,
past the Kaufman Astoria film studios
and finally to our destination at 3307
Ditmars Blvd.
The key is getting to the restaurant
by noon, just as it opens, to be sure to
find a seat. The joint is tiny, especially
in the winter, when most of its
outdoor seating is closed.
On our first visit in the spring, we
tried the spinach pie and the Greek
salad, which came with what must
have been a pound of feta. Both were
fresh and good, but fish is the main
attraction.
This trip, we ordered the grilled
octopus, tender and drizzled with a
simple vinaigrette dressing; red
snapper, served whole and grilled
with lemon and olive oil; and lemon
potatoes that melt in your mouth.
Everything was simply cooked, fresh
and delicious. Since we shared, our bill
was a reasonable $67 with tip.
W
Take the Queensboro Bridge
bike path over the East River.
We cross the East River to start our
journey to Astoria.
PHOTOS: MITCH OPPENHEIM
Destination: Taverna Kyclades,
3307 Ditmars Blvd.
Grilled octopus, tender and drizzled
with vinaigrette, is a signature dish.
View from Shore Boulevard.
The Triborough is just one landmark as
we cycle along the waterfront on our
way back to Manhattan.
Owner Ardian Skenderi purchased
Kyclades 15 years ago when he was
working there as a chef. He spruced it
up, and it quickly became a
neighborhood favorite. Soon folks
from around the city and beyond
started coming. A woman waiting for
a table on a spring Sunday had driven
in from Rockland County.
“When you deal with fish, people
give you one shot. The fish has to be
fresh,” Mr. Skenderi said. “If it’s good,
they will come back and come back.”
With his lease expiring in two
years, the restaurateur said he plans to
move to a new location in the
neighborhood. He said he has already
bought a place that he is preparing to
renovate. He would not reveal the
address but said it would be “bigger,
more comfortable.”
Last year, he opened a spot in
Manhattan’s East
Village. We haven’t
Find
been there yet. It’s
the
route:
so close to our
apartment,
Go to Google
there’s no
Maps
and click
adventure in
the bike icon
getting there.
Leaving
to get
Astoria, we took
directions
Shore Boulevard
south along the East
River past Astoria Park, with its views
of both the Triborough and Hell Gate
bridges, and Long Island City’s
Socrates Sculpture Park, a waterfront
patch of green featuring rotating
installations and free admission.
Since we were making good time,
we added a quick detour to Roosevelt
Island. It’s worth cycling the perimeter
for great views of the Upper East Side.
We didn’t, but you can hop on the
tram—yes, bikes are allowed—if it’s
getting late. We headed back to
Queens and over the bridge to finish
the ride.
Trust me, it’s a great way to spend
a warm winter’s day.
Follow @ValerieBlock on Twitter.
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 9
{SheLikestoShop}
by Adrianne Pasquarelli
Kids’ shop follows
families to LIC
Tiny You stocks cute clothes from local labels
run more than $60—hefty for shoes that the child will most
ong Island City, Queens, might be teeming
likely outgrow within a year. On average, Tiny You prices
with children—the new parks and familyhover near $50. But Ms. Callan assured me of the versatility
friendly high-rises are enough to make this
of a handmade, reversible cotton pinafore priced at $48:
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, mother envious—
“Wearable at 3 months as a dress, or at 3 years as a shirt.”
but children’s clothing shops are few and
Being part of the Queens community is a role Tiny You
far between. Enter Tiny You, the second
takes seriously. Near her cash register, Ms. Callan keeps a
outpost of a kids’ apparel and toy boutique
board chock-full of ads for kids’ music and art classes, and
started by local mom Jill Callan in
baby-sitting services. She’ll often refer moms
Sunnyside, Queens, four years ago.
who are also shopping for themselves to
Having worked design stints at tiny-tot
Tiny You
neighboring boutique LIC Living. And if Tiny
brands Little Me and Buster Brown, Ms. Callan
10-50 Jackson Ave.
You doesn’t have an item, Ms. Callan will
has an eye for adorable, and she’s brought it into
Long Island City,
special-order, say, a floral hair clip that matches
the colorful confines of her 800-square-foot shop,
Queens
a baby’s christening gown.
which opened last year on Jackson Avenue. But
(718) 839-4133
The shop also serves as a much-needed kids’
don’t expect to find the same tired assortment of
tiny-you.com
venue, hosting about a dozen events throughout
brands that are sold at the local mall. Tiny You
the year, including photo sessions with Santa
stocks wares from about 50 local and
and book readings by New York authors. A nearby
independent labels, many of which Ms. Callan discovers on
preschool even drops by for fire-drill practices, which the
Etsy or at craft fairs, and first test-markets within her stores.
mom in me can only applaud.
“I have to curate a bit,” she said, explaining that she
“I really like the face-to-face interaction with the people
receives quite a few offers from designers whose aesthetics
and getting to know what they want and what they need,”
don’t match Tiny You’s distinctive style. “It’s all about the
said Ms. Callan, who admitted that while she’d like to
customer, and if they won’t buy it, then it doesn’t matter.”
expand her store fleet to three, she’s busy enough with two,
Of course, such unique, mostly handmade items don’t
and her two young children.
come cheap. A leather-bow hair barrette for girls created by
Long Island City resident Lacey Obry costs $14, for example,
while jeweled ballet flats from a brand called Joyfolie can
Follow @SheLikestoShop on Twitter.
Pinafores
Hats and booties
Leather hair bows
Joyfolie shoes
Bow ties
$48
Reversible, these frocks
are wearable as dresses or
tops to last as your child
grows.
$36
These hand-knit coldweather accessories are
from Brooklyn brand Baby
Degen.
$6 to $14
Pitchoun hair barrettes are
crafted by Lacey Obry, a
local LIC resident and
mom.
$62 to $68
Joyfolie shoes come in an
array of bright colors and
styles.
$28.95
Urban Sunday and
Tadpole & Lily bow ties
offer plenty of colors and
patterns.
10 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
BUCK ENNIS
L
KID STUFF:
Jill Callan (with
children Olivia, 5,
and Declan, 2)
runs the two-store
chain Tiny You.
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 11
Star chefs
Michelin Guide gives their eateries high marks
by Lisa Fickenscher
T
he Big Apple features a long list of celebrity chefs, but increasingly the burgeoning neighborhoods outside
Manhattan are attracting some of the most inventive toques and sophisticated diners eager to try their delights.
Scores of borough restaurants received coveted stars or nods for good value—referred to as Bib Gourmand—
in the most recent NYC edition of the Michelin Guide. Meet a few of their chefs.
Patti Jackson
Michelle Vido
Danny Brown
Ramon Perez
Chef, co-owner
ROBERTA’S
BLANCA (2 stars)
261 Moore St.
Bushwick, Brooklyn
robertaspizza.com
blancanyc.com
Chef, owner
DELAWARE
AND HUDSON (1 star)
135 N. Fifth St.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
delawareandhudson.com
Chef, co-owner
VENTURO OSTERIA
& WINE BAR
(Bib Gourmand)
44-07 Queens Blvd.,
Sunnyside
venturovino.com
Chef, owner
DANNY BROWN WINE
BAR & KITCHEN (1 star)
104-02 Metropolitan Ave.
Forest Hills, Queens
dannybrownwbk.com
Chef
HAVANA CAFE
(Bib Gourmand)
3151 E. Tremont Ave.
Schuylerville, Bronx
bronxhavanacafe.com
For Danny Brown, 44, a
veteran of SoHo’s Cub
Room, opening a
restaurant in Forest Hills
was coming full circle to
the neighborhood where
he grew up. His eightyear-old wine bar on
Metropolitan Avenue has
earned a Michelin star for
the past five years for his
inspired French cuisine.
The eatery is a family
affair: Mr. Brown’s
mother is the wine
director, and his wife is the
general manager. An
organic roasted chicken
pressed under a brick and
finished in a skillet with
rosemary has been a
popular item on the menu
since day one. The winter
menu highlights venison,
quail, squab and other
game meats. “We try to
keep local,” he said, but
his one indulgence is
importing truffles from
Europe.
CABO
3764 E. Tremont Ave.
Throggs Neck, Bronx
cabobxnyc.com
Carlo Mirarchi, 33, has
been working in
restaurants since he was
16. In 2008, the Long
Island native opened
Roberta’s pizzeria in
Bushwick, complete with
its own vegetable garden.
“It was obvious that the
neighborhood was
destined for growth, but
the first two years were
rough,” he said. Today,
the eatery attracts patrons
from around the world
who want a slice of hipster
action and don’t mind
waiting hours to get a
seat. In 2012, Mr. Mirarchi
and his partners opened
Blanca, a 12-seat temple
of gastronomy adjacent to
the garden. Blanca earned
two Michelin stars in the
latest guide. Diners shell
out $195 for a 21-course
tasting menu with unusual
combinations, such as
seaweed and honeycomb,
or aged fluke with white
gazpacho.
After helming some of the
city’s most revered Italian
eateries, including i Trulli,
Patti Jackson opened her
own place earlier this year
to critical acclaim. The 38seat restaurant, serving
regional American fare,
earned one Michelin star
and fawning praise for Ms.
Jackson’s $48 prix fixe
menu. “People love the
green-tomato pie,
crabcakes and funnel
cakes,” Ms. Jackson said.
The winter menu, she
added, will be more
substantial, featuring
goose, cured meats and
dishes with chestnuts.
Ms. Jackson, 51, who
hails from Pennsylvania,
said the eatery’s success
has only whetted her
appetite to open another
restaurant in her adopted
borough. “This space is
limiting,” she said. “There
are other ideas that I
have.”
12 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
VESTA TRATTORIA
& WINE BAR
21-02 30th Ave.,
Astoria, Queens
vestavino.com
PACHANGA PATTERSON
33-17 31st Ave., Astoria
pachangapatterson.com
Three is the charm for
Michelle Vido, whose third
restaurant, Venturo
Osteria & Wine Bar,
earned a Bib Gourmand in
the latest Michelin Guide.
The two-year-old eatery
serves homemade pastas,
pizzas and focaccias. “The
driving factor is sticking
with local, seasonal
ingredients,” said Ms.
Vido, whose résumé
includes a degree from the
Culinary Institute of
America. The chef, 37, has
developed a following for
her signature dessert:
Baby Jesus cake,
smothered in cream,
butter and sugar and
served warm.
GAETANO SALVADORE
Carlo Mirarchi
Raised in Spanish
Harlem by Dominican
parents, Ramon Perez
worked for hotels and
fine-dining restaurants in
Manhattan before landing
at Havana Café when it
opened in 2012. It is one
of just four eateries in the
Bronx listed in the latest
Michelin Guide, and it
draws customers from
well beyond its locale. The
Cuban restaurant serves
classics such as paella
cubana and churrasco, but
Mr. Perez, 47, said his
short ribs with mango
barbecue sauce are not to
be missed. “I like slow
cooking,” he said.
This year, he opened
Cabo, a modern Mexican
eatery in the Throggs Neck
section of the Bronx.
T:8.125"
S:7"
REGISTERED NURSES
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
SOCIAL WORKERS
CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AIDES
You love being Mom’s
daughter and friend.
But lately you’ve also become her
nurse, physical therapist and aide.
Now what?
1-855-VNSNY-NOW • www.vnsny.org
Our services are usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurers.
S:10"
CALL NOW TO LEARN HOW WE CAN DELIVER THE RIGHT HOME HEALTH CARE
FOR YOUR LOVED ONE’S NEEDS.
T:10.875"
Taking care of an elderly loved one can feel like a full-time job. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York
(VNSNY) can help. We have skilled staff trained in managing specific conditions such as heart disease,
diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Many of our staff also live in the communities they serve, so they
can deliver care quickly and are familiar with local pharmacies and medical centers. When you realize it’s
time to get help taking care of Mom or Dad, remember, there's only one Visiting Nurse Service of New York.
All in the
family:
Brooklyn
style
Three generations
come together
by Alix Strauss
hen Carl and Louise Kane moved
three years ago from a spacious
TriBeCa apartment, where they
had resided happily for 10 years,
to a duplex in Williamsburg,
Brooklyn, they didn’t exemplify
the typical residents flocking to
the area. The couple are in their
mid-60s, and he worked at BlackRock and Ernst & Young.
For Ms. Kane, the transition to hipster central has not been an
easy one. “I love my apartment and my building,” she said.
“I don’t like the area, but my husband does.”
Living amid a sea of youth can make an aging adult feel a
bit out of place. “We are definitely on the older side of the
‘new’ Williamsburg,” she said. “There are some older people
in our building, but when we walk around, most of the older
people are from out of town and are visiting their kids.”
On the positive side, the apartment is stunning and has
amazing river views. And Ms. Kane is now in the same
borough as her daughter, Rachel, who lives in Carroll
Gardens, with her husband and their two children, Nick, 3,
and Jojo, 7. The young family recently bought and renovated
a four-story townhome in a new development there.
“It’s great to have my mother so close by,” Rachel said. “It
creates an old-Brooklyn feel with generations living under
one roof. We’re not [living] that close, but that’s the feeling
you get.”
W
14 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
WALK-IN: The kind of closet space usually found in homes in the suburbs.
YOUNGER
GENERATION
Who: Rachel Kane, Tommy
Strohmerger and their kids,
Nick and Jojo
Location: Sackett Street,
between Court and Clinton
streets in Carroll Gardens
How long they’ve lived
there: Seven months
Time spent looking:
Three years
Square feet: 4,300,
including the basement
Purchase price: $3.55
million (in early 2014)
About the street: “We are
part of a development
called the Sackett Union,”
Rachel said. It includes a
32-unit apartment building
and 11 townhomes.
Description: Four floors,
plus a basement, a terrace
and a roof deck. “The
architecture of the space is
very modern, so we tried to
balance that,” Ms. Kane
said. “We used wallpaper,
wood and lighting to create
a warm feel. We also added
a barn door to the master
suite and wallpaper on the
ceiling in the kids’ rooms.”
Selling points: “We wanted
a home that we could
imagine ourselves in for the
next 15 years,” Ms. Kane
said. “That meant indoor
and outdoor space. The
neighborhood is a huge
factor as well. The people
are fantastic, everything
you need is within a one- to
two-block radius, and the
restaurant scene is great.”
GETTING CLOSE:
The family,
including English
bulldog Murphy,
hang out in their
Carroll Gardens
townhome.
Construction: “We framed
and finished our
basement,” Ms. Kane said.
“We also took out the
master closet and turned it
into an entryway while
simultaneously moving the
entrance to the master
bedroom.”
BUCK ENNIS
Favorite restaurants:
Nightingale 9, Frankie’s,
Lucali’s, Battersby, La
Slowteria and, for a family
dinner that the children
love, Marco Polo.
TREE-LINED: View of Sackett Street
BRIGHT SPOT: Sunlight pours into the master suite with adjacent terrace.
Favorite shops: Italian
markets Monteleone’s,
Esposito’s and Paisano’s;
Shen Beauty
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 15
MEET THE
GRANDPARENTS
Who: Carl and Louise Kane,
married 41 years
Location: 2 Northside Piers, at
164 Kent Ave. in Williamsburg
How long they’ve lived there:
Three years
Time spent looking:
Six months
Square feet: More than 1,900
Purchase price: $1.8 million
(in 2011)
Description: Duplex penthouse
loft; open and spare
Selling points: “We chose this
location because of the view, the
floor-to-ceiling windows, the high
ceilings, the terrace, the water
access and the tax abatement,”
said Louise. “Plus, there’s a full
river view facing downtown.”
Construction: “Prior to moving
in, we ripped out the opaque
staircase, which blocked the
view, and replaced it with glass
and steel,” Ms. Kane said. “We
redid the kitchen counters and
replaced the island, which was
too small. We also added a
pantry. We redid the master
bath and created more storage
all around the apartment.”
Building amenities: Indoor
pool, full gym, children’s
playroom, lounge with pool
table, doorman/concierge,
storage areas and bike room
Location positives: Next to the
North Williamsburg stop on the
East River Ferry, which takes 14
minutes to get to East 34th
Street.
Favorite restaurants: St.
Anselm, Cafe Mogador, Aurora
and Walter’s
Favorite shops: Smoochie Baby,
Cadet, Brooklyn Denim and the
new J.Crew
16 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
BUCK ENNIS
PENTHOUSE VIEW:
The Kanes moved
to a Williamsburg
duplex in 2011.
RESCUED FROM A
SUPERMARKET IN SOHO
NEEDED BY A
SUPER DAD IN ASTORIA
Hey New York, more than 1.4 million people in our
city face hunger. Help City Harvest rescue excess
food for hungry New Yorkers. Donate today.
Visit cityharvest.org or call 1 800 77-HARVEST.
© 2014 City Harvest
Winter
fun
Sledding, skating,
sipping and dipping
by Miriam Kreinin Souccar
he polar
vortex is
expected to
make a
comeback this
winter, but
there’s no
need to jet off to warmer
climes. With ice skating
rinks popping up in nearly
every borough, sledding
hills where park workers
serve free hot chocolate,
restaurants with cozy
fireplaces and spa roof decks
with hot tubs à la Aspen,
why leave town? Here’s a
guide to the best that winter
in New York has to offer.
18 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
SARA CEDAR MILLER
T
WONDERLAND:
Central Park’s
popular Cedar Hill
HIT THE ICE
P. 20
SNOW DAY
P. 20
HOT CHOCOLATE
P. 22
COZY COCKTAILS
P. 22
DESTINATION SPAS
P. 23
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 19
MARTIN SECK
SLIP AND SLIDE:
Skaters at the
LeFrak Center in
Prospect Park.
HIT THE ICE
The rink at Rockefeller Center may be legendary, but you can leave the
tourists behind at these special spots.
Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside in
Prospect Park, Brooklyn: For the center’s second season,
skaters can enjoy two stunning 16,000-square-foot rinks—
one covered by a midnight-blue canopy and one open-air—
that are connected by an ice bridge. The center’s hours are
Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 11
a.m. to 8 p.m.; and weekends, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is
$6 on weekdays and $8 on weekends and holidays. Skate
rentals are $6. 171 East Drive in Prospect Park near the
Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance. (718) 462-0060;
prospectpark.org/lakeside
are $9. Clove Lakes Park, Victory Boulevard west of Clove
Road. (718) 720-1010; nycgovparks.org/facilities/iceskating/6
SNOW DAY
There are sledding hills in parks across the city that are crowded with children
when the snow comes. Here are a couple of standouts.
Crotona Park, Bronx: As the Bronx’s most popular
sledding spot, the historic park’s hills are jam-packed on
snowy days. It’s worth navigating the crowds, however,
because on snow days Parks Department employees pass
out free sleds to ride and hot chocolate. Fulton Avenue
between Crotona Park North and West 172nd Street.
nycgovparks.org/parks/crotona-park
WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink, Staten
Island: As the only outdoor rink on Staten Island, Veterans
is popular with local families. But its spot in gorgeous Clove
Lakes Park, which has some of New York’s few remaining
wetlands and untouched plant life, makes it worth the trek
from other boroughs. Operating hours are Friday, 4 a.m. to
10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10:30
p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 7 p.m. The rink is also open on
public-school holidays. Admission is $9, and skate rentals
20 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
GOING DOWN:
Sledding at Crotona
Park in the Bronx.
MALCOLM PINCKNEY / NYC PARKS
South Street Seaport Rink, Manhattan: South Street’s
skating haven is also in its second year. The 110- by 45-foot
rink can accommodate about 200 skaters at a time. It offers a
number of special treats, such as carolers on certain nights
during the holiday season, DJ nights and drop-in skating
lessons. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9
p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday,
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $10, but residents living in
ZIP codes 10038 and 10005 get 50% off, and season passes
are available. Skate rentals are $6. 19 Fulton St. (212) 7328257; southstreetseaport.com/ice-rink
Scouting
and
Exploring
An Investment in Character.
An Investment in New York.
45,614
Members Served
Eagle
131Scouts
800
Adult
4,451Leaders
75,380
Community
Partners
Scouts & Leaders
Use NY Camps
There has never been a better time to get involved in Scouting.
To find out how you can help, contact Steven Benini, [email protected].
Visit us at www.bsa-gnyc.org.
BSANYadREV.indd 1
11/14/14 12:35 PM
Pilgrim Hill, Central Park, Manhattan: Perhaps the most
famous peak for sledding in the city, Pilgrim Hill is known
for having just the right height and steepness, topped off
with a long flat finishing area at the end. The hill is just
north of the East 72nd Street entrance to the park, at Fifth
Avenue. If it gets too crowded—and it usually does—
sledders can try their luck at nearby Cedar Hill (between
East 76th and 79th streets in the park). centralparknyc.org/
things-to-see-and-do/attractions/pilgrim-hill.html
began his chocolate empire with an outpost in Dumbo in
2000. There are now eight shops around the city, with the
flagship on Hudson Street in Manhattan. Amid
mouthwatering chocolate-chip cookies and boxed treats
almost too beautiful to eat are Mr. Torres’ hot chocolates—
including the traditional cup, made with milk, and a spicy
one with ancho and chipotle peppers. Locations include 66
Water St., Dumbo, (718) 875-1269, and 350 Hudson St. (212)
414-2462; mrchocolate.com
GATHER
’ROUND
THE FIRE
Because most apartments in the city don’t have fireplaces, restaurants that
do are in high demand come winter.
CREAMY: Hot
chocolate float at
the Chocolate
Room in Cobble Hill
Black Mountain Winehouse, Brooklyn: You can easily
forget you’re just one block from bustling Smith Street in
this rustic wine bar. A crackling fire and comfy chairs turn
Black Mountain into the perfect place to escape the chill. A
small but hearty menu full of comfort food—think fondue
or mac-and-cheese with truffle oil—complement the
extensive wine list. 415 Union St., Gowanus. (718) 522-4340;
blackmountainwinehouse.com
WINTER
ELIXIR
Empire Hotel Rooftop and Bar, Manhattan: The
summer scene at this swanky rooftop bar and restaurant
transforms into a winter destination once the temperature
drops below 50 degrees. The space has a retractable roof,
glass walls and a crackling fire on its west side. Dine on
American fare and drink warm cocktails while enjoying
views of Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle from the 12th
floor. 44 W. 63rd St. (212) 265-7400; empirehotelnyc.com
Starbucks may do in a pinch, but for those in search of chocolate heaven, it’s
worth venturing to these establishments.
Masso, Queens: This trendy, family-friendly Italian eatery
The Chocolate Room, Brooklyn: On cold days, expect
lines out the door at this decadent dessert café. Every
concoction is made in-house, including the marshmallows
and whipped cream that top off the numerous choices of
hot chocolate. The lineup includes the classic cocoa made
with milk chocolate, sugar and whole milk; a dark, thick
sipping chocolate; and a hot chocolate float with a scoop of
homemade ice cream. Hot chocolates cost $4.75; the float is
$6.50. The 10-year-old Cobble Hill destination recently
opened a second branch in Park Slope. 269 Court St., Cobble
Hill, (718) 246-2600, and 51 Fifth Ave., Park Slope, (718) 7832900; thechocolateroombrooklyn.com
Il Bambino, Queens: How about a cup of melted Nutella
to chase the winter blues away? That’s just one specialty at
this Astoria hideaway. Known initially for its panini and
popular weekend brunch, the eight-year-old café is now just
as famous for its hot chocolates. Try its regular version, or
spruce it up with two heaping tablespoons of Nutella or
Skippy peanut butter, steamed with an espresso wand for a
smooth finish. A 16-ounce mug, plain or with flavors, costs
$4.50. 34-08 31st Ave. between 34th and 35th streets. (718)
626-0087; ilbambinonyc.com
Jacques Torres, Brooklyn and Manhattan: Now a
household name among New York foodies, Jacques Torres
22 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
TOASTY:
The fireplace at
Black Mountain
Winehouse in
Gowanus, Brooklyn.
in Hunters Point attracts extra crowds in the winter months
because of its cozy fireplace. Revelers come on Sundays for
the restaurant’s well-known brunch, and throughout the
week for its well-priced comfort food. One popular dish in
the winter months, lasagna, is $14. 47-25 Vernon Blvd.,
Long Island City. (718) 482-8151; massolic.com
LUXURIOUS:
The Spa at the
Mandarin Oriental
HOT WATER
When winter starts to drag on, and the “wonderland” effect is long gone,
recharge by dipping into one of the city’s many spa oases.
Aire Ancient Baths, Manhattan: You can leave the slush
of the city streets behind and transport yourself to a distant
and exotic locale at this two-year-old TriBeCa spa. With
breathtakingly designed rooms that make you feel you’re in
the Middle East, replete with baths and candlelight,
relaxation is treated as religion at Aire. Many stressed-out
New Yorkers request a massage (which starts at $75) to go
along with their $75 bathing pass. The bathing experience
includes a circuit through several water pools working up
from an ice pool to a hot pool, and including a salt pool as
dense as the Dead Sea. 88 Franklin St. (212) 274-3777;
ancientbathsny.com
Mandarin Oriental, Manhattan: Perched 35 floors above
Columbus Circle with expansive views of Central Park, the
spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel is perhaps the most
exclusive place to unwind in the city. Such relaxation
doesn’t come cheap, however. An hour-and-20-minute
massage starts at $305, and a VIP couples suite—one of the
spa’s most popular offerings—costs more than $1,000 for a
three-hour stay. But once you’re in, you can linger the day
away munching on healthy snacks in the relaxation room or
enjoying the luxurious Jacuzzi, sauna and steam shower. 80
Columbus Circle at West 60th Street. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
daily. (212) 805-8880; mandarinoriental.com/newyork
Spa Castle, Queens and Manhattan: Welcome to the
Disneyland of spas. The 60,000-square-foot Korean
playground in College Point has outdoor pools and Jacuzzis
open year-round. When the air gets too frosty outside, come
in for a Korean body scrub and a trip through eight saunas.
Now Manhattanites don’t have to cross the bridge to have
fun: A three-story outpost has opened on East 57th Street.
131-10 11th Ave., College Point, (718) 939-6300, and 115 E.
57th St., Manhattan, (212) 750–8800; spacastleusa.com/ny
FOR THOSE
WITH A GIFT
FOR GIVING
GRAND
CENTRAL
HOLIDAY
FAIR
VANDERBILT HALL
GRAND CENTRAL
NOV 17 — DEC 24
MONDAY — SATURDAY
10 AM — 8 PM
SUNDAY 11 AM — 7 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE 10 AM — 6 PM
CLOSED THANKSGIVING
www queenscourier com
CONNECT WITH US
grandcentralterminal.com
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 23
EVAN SUNG
THROWBACK:
Minton’s, a historic
jazz club, reopened
in 2013.
Jazzed about Harlem
A neighborhood arts exec’s favorite spots
by Theresa Agovino
hen Yvette
Campbell
(right)
wants to
hear good
music
while
enjoying
an expertly mixed cosmo, she heads to
Showmans Jazz Club, where the
cocktails are served in cut-crystal
martini glasses housed in a china
cabinet behind the bar.
“It’s got a real old-school vibe,”
said Ms. Campbell, who runs the
Harlem School of the Arts, which
provides after-school programming
for local youths.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Ms.
Campbell heard about Harlem’s glitz
and glamour from her grandfather
Lincoln Perry. Known as Stepin
Fetchit, he was the first black actor to
earn a featured screen credit in film.
Some maintain that he was the first
black movie star.
However, Harlem had become a
dangerous place by the time she
arrived in New York in the early
1990s to join the Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theater. She went
there only when she had to perform at
Ginny’s
Supper Club
Marcus
Garvey Park
310 Malcolm X Blvd. 18 Mount Morris
(212) 421-3821
Park West
ginnyssupperclub.com (212) 860-1394
nycgovparks.org/parks
/marcus-garvey-park
24 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
BUCK ENNIS
W
Minton’s
206 W. 118th St.
(212) 243-2222
mintonsharlem.com
Schomburg
Center for
Research on
Black Culture
Showmans
Jazz Club
375 W. 125th St.
Studio Museum
of Harlem
144 W. 125th St.,
New York, NY 10027
(212) 864-8941
515 Malcolm X Blvd. showmansjazzclub.com (212) 864-4500
(212) 491-2200
studiomuseum.org
nypl.org/locations/
schomburg
ADAM REICH
Aaron Davis Hall.
But just as Ms. Campbell revived
HSA, Harlem in the past decade has
been reborn as a cultural center,
breathing new life into 70-year-old
Showmans and bringing a new
generation of jazz clubs to the fore.
One of Ms. Campbell’s favorites
among the newcomers is Ginny’s
Supper Club, an intimate hideaway
that was opened in 2012 by celebrity
chef Marcus Samuelsson, beneath his
trendy Red Rooster restaurant. The
joint is reminiscent of Harlem’s Jazz
Age because it feels like a place where
artists of all stripes come to celebrate
each other, Ms. Campbell said.
Recently, she heard esteemed writer
Hilton Als read from his favorite
books. “You never know who Marcus
will invite to Ginny’s,” she added.
She’s also thrilled that Minton’s, a
legendary jazz establishment where
Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and
Billie Holiday all performed, reopened
in late 2013. The
spot, now owned
by Dick
Parsons,
‘You never
features
know who
popular
Marcus
artists like
will invite to Hugh
Masekela
Ginny’s’
along with
Southern Low
Country food with
a modern twist by executive chef
Alexander Smalls. Ms. Campbell’s
students will perform at some of its
brunches this winter and spring.
“They want to look at young acts, and
I think that is really cool, really
important,” she said.
More than music keeps her in
Harlem after school. She is a regular
at new exhibitions at the Studio
Museum in Harlem. “They are all
from living artists, and I think that is
very compelling,” she said.
Likewise, she frequents the
Schomburg Center for Research in
Black Culture whenever there is a
program that catches her fancy. And
in the summer, she enjoys watching
performances at the Marcus Garvey
Park amphitheater, which opened in
2011.
“That is a great addition to the
neighborhood,” she said. “It’s like
Harlem’s answer to Shakespeare in
the Park.”
SOCIALIZING at the Studio Museum in Harlem.
Carver Bank. Serving Our
Community and Your Business.
Carver provides greater access to managing your money through
2QOLQH%DQNLQJDQG&DVK0DQDJHPHQW6HUYLFHV
Apply online or visit a local branch to open a new Business Checking
account and your first set of checks are on us!*
55,000 surcharge-free
$70VDYDLODEOH
www.carverbank.com
718.230.2900
%(')25'678<9(6$17v&52:1+(,*+76v)/$7%86+v)257*5((1(v+$5/(0v($67+$5/(0v-$0$,&$v67$/%$16
*Offer is valid from November 1, 2014 – January 31, 2015: (1) Open a new Carver Cash Access Business account or
Carver Smart Business account, which are subject to approval; (2) Deposit the applicable minimum opening balance, refer
to fee schedule for details; and (3) Complimentary #150 Value Pack Three-to-a-page Business Checks, not redeemable
for cash or any other monetary item with Carver Federal Savings Bank. Other terms and conditions may apply.
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 25
{a day in . . . }
by Caroline Peck
Flushing
S
ettled in the 17th century by the English, host of two World’s Fairs (1939 and 1964) and home to one of New
York City’s largest Chinatowns, Flushing is a must-see destination in Queens, “the world’s borough.” Easily
accessible by the 7 train, Flushing is a perfect place to sample Asian cuisine, learn about the city’s history and
appreciate cultural institutions and attractions. For an even more multicultural experience, have Latin food for
dinner in nearby Corona.
10:30 A.M.
Breakfast
After taking the 7 train to Flushing Main Street, start your day at Tai Pan Bakery,
located on the neighborhood’s bustling thoroughfare at 37-25 Main St. The popular
Chinese mega-bakery offers a wide selection of sweet and savory pastries and bread
at affordable prices. Don’t forget to try the fashionable bubble tea, named for the
tapioca balls found at the bottom of the drink.
11 A.M.
History lesson
Learn about Flushing’s past by following the self-guided Green Trail walking tour.
Start at the sign on 37th Avenue between Bowne Street and Parsons Boulevard. Visit
the Bowne House, a 17th-century home that served as the meeting house for the
Quakers of Flushing, and Kingsland Homestead (left), an 18th-century “Long Island
half-house” and home of the Queens Historical Society. Next stop is the Lewis Latimer
House, a museum highlighting the achievements of the African-American inventor.
Follow the trail past Flushing Town Hall, which serves as the home of the Flushing
Council on Culture and the Arts, and look out for the State Armory, a castle-like
building now used by the New York Police Department.
12:30 P.M.
A Taste of Flushing
After working up an appetite, head back to Main Street to sample the Asian cuisine
that so many New Yorkers come here for. To make the most of your day, try the
dumplings at Nan Xian Dumpling House at 38-12 Prince St. before heading to the
Queens Crossing Mall for Japanese fare at Ajisen Ramen (left), 38-10 138th St., and
dessert at Korean-owned French bakery Paris Baguette, 136-17 39th Ave. Or indulge
in another bubble tea at Kung Fu Tea at 4111 Kissena Blvd.
2 P.M.
JULIENNE SCHAER
Art, animals and plants
Take in the attractions of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Queens Botanical
Garden, at the eastern end, is a favorite for its 39 acres of woodlands, wetlands,
meadows and gardens. Across the park, visit the recently renovated Queens Museum
(left) for its diverse collection of art, plus Robert Moses’ Panorama of the City of New
York, a scale model of the five boroughs. Or visit the 75 species of animals, including
bald eagles and pumas, inhabiting the Queens Zoo. While walking through the park,
take the time to marvel at one of Queens’ iconic symbols, the 12-story Unisphere,
which was constructed for the 1964 World’s Fair.
26 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
{a day in . . . }
6 P.M.
Latin cuisine
A short distance from the park, Corona offers a plethora of Latin American food
choices. For dinner, head to Tortilleria Nixtamal, 104-05 47th Ave., and savor tacos—
ranging from chicken to cactus to carnitas—homemade tortillas, flavorful tamales
and larger platters like enchiladas and quesadillas.
7:30 P.M.
Showtime!
Although you may recognize the building from Men in Black, the Queens Theatre, also
in the park, offers more than 200 performances a year—from theater, dance and
concerts to family and cultural programming. This December, programs include an
adaptation of A Christmas Carol and performances of Broadway classics in Neil Berg’s
103 Years of Broadway.
Check out the Neighborhood x Neighborhood
campaign by 5boros special contributor NYC
& Company at nycgo.com/nxn.
28 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
{calendar}
by Jessica Kramer
ART
Now through Tuesday, September 1
Samara Golden: The Flat Side of the Knife.
Immersive installations of physical spaces
with illusory ones that appear only in mirrors
play with visitors’ sense of perception.
Thursday-Monday, noon to 6 p.m., MoMA
PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City,
Queens, $10 for adults. momaps1.org
Wednesday, February 11,
through Saturday, June 13
Under the Mexican Sky: Gabriel Figueroa—
Art and Film. The Mexican
cinematographer’s work is celebrated with
film clips as well as photographs, prints,
posters, documents and paintings by Diego
Rivera, among others. Tuesday-Sunday, 11
a.m. to 6 p.m., El Museo del Barrio, 1230
Fifth Ave., $9 suggested admission for
adults. elmuseo.org
Thursday, February 12,
through Sunday, May 31
Jeffrey Hargrave. The African-American
artist’s racially charged work is on display.
Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (open until
8 p.m. Friday), Bronx Museum, 1040 Grand
Concourse, free. bronxmuseum.org
Friday, January 9
Risk! Comedy podcast festival NYC PodFest
kicks off with this show featuring Kevin
Allison of comedy group the State
showcasing wild but true stories. 8 p.m., the
Bell House, 149 Seventh St., Brooklyn, $12$15. thebellhouseny.com
Wednesday, January 28
Miranda July in conversation with host
Lena Dunham. Quirky filmmaker and author
Ms. July (Me and You and Everyone We
Know) is joined by the Girls creator for a
chat. 8 p.m., BAM Howard Gilman Opera
House, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, $35-$50.
bam.org
Saturday, February 28
Last Podcast on the Left. This monthly
series explores “the dark recesses of
JASON WYCHE
COMEDY & TALKS
Thursday, December 18
Tom Shillue’s Funny Story. Comedian
Shillue hosts a night of expert storytellers. 8
p.m., Brooklyn Brewery, 79 N. 11th St., $10
(includes one beer). brooklynbrewery.com
Friday, February 20, through Sunday, May 24
Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic. An exhibition of 60 paintings and sculptures
from the artist’s 14-year career explores race, gender and the politics of
representation through the contemporary African-American men and women
depicted within the conventions of traditional European portraiture. WednesdaySunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (open until 10 p.m. Thursday), Brooklyn Museum,
200 Eastern Parkway, $16 suggested admission for adults.
brooklynmuseum.org
humanity, both real and imagined.” 10 p.m.,
the Creek and the Cave, 10-93 Jackson Ave.,
Long Island City, Queens, free. creeklic.com
favorites. 4 p.m., Actors Fund Arts Center,
160 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, free.
brooklynballet.org
DANCE
Sunday, December 7
Brooklyn Ballet’s Holiday Performance. The
ballet’s youth ensemble performs excerpts
from The Nutcracker and other holiday
Saturday, February 14,
and Sunday, February 15
Ballet Hispanico. A showcase of the
company’s work, fusing Latin dance with
classical and contemporary techniques.
5BOROS.COM BLOGGER: Classic dog run: Jemmy’s Run in Madison Square Park.
It’s never too packed, and you can always find plenty of sitting room. There is a spot
just for small dogs, but most everyone trusts their pups to romp together.Visiting this
dog run is also a great excuse for us humans to see one of Manhattan’s best parks.
Grab a hot chocolate and check out the latest outdoor art installations.
—Nathan Bernardo, Dog Walks Now blogger
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 29
{calendar}
2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday,
Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave.
South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park,
$25-$42. queenstheatre.org
Friday, February 27
Tango Buenos Aires. The Argentine dance
troupe is known worldwide for its dynamic
interpretations. 4 p.m., Lehman Center for
the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Blvd.
West, Bronx, $25-$45. lehmancenter.org
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Monday, December 15
Sixth Annual Latke Festival. The night
before Hanukkah, the beloved potato pancake
takes center stage with top NYC chefs
competing to make the best latke, chosen by
judges and the public. 7:30 p.m., Metropolitan
Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., $60 for general
admission. greatperformances.com
Saturday, December 27
Kwanzaa Celebration. New York-based
troupe Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature
Dance Theatre marks the annual holiday. 2
p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Apollo Theater, 253 W.
125th St., $20-$35. apollotheater.org
Wednesday, December 31
New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Ring in the New
Year with a magnificent view of fireworks by
the Grand Army Plaza arch, accompanied by
hot chocolate and holiday entertainment. 11
p.m., Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, free.
prospectpark.org
Thursday, January 1
Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s
Day Swim. Kick off the New Year with a
shock to the system: a freezing dip in the
Atlantic Ocean. 1 p.m., the Boardwalk at
Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn,
free. polarbearclub.org
Monday, January 19
Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin
IVO M. VERMEULEN
Saturday, December 13
Historic Richmond Town Candlelight Tours.
The history of the holiday season is explored
in the candlelit village, capped with holiday
sweets and a wassail-bowl reception. 5 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m., Historic Richmond Town, 441
Clarke Ave., Staten Island, $22 for adults, $10
for children under 12 (reservations required).
historicrichmondtown.org
Now through Monday, January 19
Holiday Train Show. Walk in a winter wonderland at the New York Botanical
Garden. More than a dozen large-scale model trains cover a quarter-mile of track
around replicas of 150 New York landmarks. There are also 250 acres of winter
landscapes to explore amid the NYBG’s 50 gardens and plant collections.
Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern
Blvd., Bronx, $20 for adults and $10 for kids 2-12. nybg.org
Luther King Jr. Celebrate the legacy of the
civil-rights leader with artists, activists, civic
leaders and community members. 10:30
a.m., BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30
Lafayette Ave., free. bam.org
Monday, February 2
Groundhog Day at the Staten Island Zoo.
Will the rodent see its shadow? Just
don’t drop him (or her). 7:30 a.m., Staten
Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, free.
statenislandzoo.org
Sunday, February 22
16th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year
Parade & Festival. Ring in the Year of the
Goat at this jovial jaunt through lower
Manhattan. 1 p.m., Sara Roosevelt Park at
Canal and Forsyth streets, free.
betterchinatown.com
FILM
Now through Saturday, December 20
O Brazil: Contemporary Brazilian Cinema.
The museum presents a showcase of
innovative works from modern filmmakers. 7
p.m., Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01
35th Ave., Astoria, Queens, $12 for adults.
movingimage.us
Saturday, December 6
The Seeds: Pushin’ Too Hard. The 1960s
psychedelic and garage-rock band is featured
in this documentary with vintage footage and
fresh interviews. 7:30 p.m., the Bell House,
149 Seventh St., Brooklyn, $12.
thebellhouseny.com
Saturday, January 24,
and Sunday, January 25
Blow-Up. Michelangelo Antonioni’s classic
5BOROS.COM BLOGGER: New York City is passionate about its football teams,
the Giants and the Jets. The energy during football games is electric, and everywhere
you look, bars and restaurants are offering food-and-drink specials begging to be
exploited. Try Croxley Ales, Dalton’s, Rattle N Hum or Village Pourhouse for cheap
eats on game days.
—Monica DiNatale, television host and author of 365 Guide New York City
30 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
{calendar}
murder mystery is presented in 35mm.
Noon, Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Metropolitan
Ave., Brooklyn, $11. nitehawkcinema.com
MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
Saturday, December 6
Dick Fox’s Doo-Wop Extravaganza. Travel
back in time to the 1950s with this survey of
the era’s best doo-wop, with Bobby Rydell
and Charlie Thomas’ Drifters. 8 p.m., St.
George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island,
$25-$65. stgeorgetheatre.com
Friday, December 26,
and Saturday, December 27
Psychic TV. The experimental band that
defies categorization (are they punk,
psychedelic or electronic?) bring their
fabulous live act, replete with video art, back
to hipster indoor market Brooklyn Night
Bazaar. 7 p.m., 165 Banker St., free.
bkbazaar.com
SPORTS & RECREATION
Saturday, December 20
Annual Winter Wonderland Show. Watch
an array of winter- and holiday-themed
programs from figure skaters who train at
the World Ice Arena. Afterward, break out
your inner Michelle Kwan in a public
skating session. 6:30 p.m., World Ice
Arena, 131-35 Avery Ave., Flushing,
Queens, free to watch, $9 to skate, $5 skate
rental. worldice.com
Sunday, December 21
The Science Behind the Solstice. Take a
hike—literally. Trek through Staten Island to
learn about the myths and legends, as well as
the science, of the winter solstice. Warm up
afterward with hot cocoa by the fireplace. 2
p.m., Greenbelt Conservancy, 200 Nevada
Ave., Staten Island, $6 (registration
required). sigreenbelt.org
Tuesday, January 13
Islanders at Rangers. It’s a midseason clash
at Madison Square Garden for the two
CUPID’S UNDIE RUN
Sunday, December 21
Woodlawn Presents: The Bronx Opera
Company. Members of the troupe entertain
with everything from arias to Broadway show
tunes. 2 p.m., Woolworth Chapel, Jerome
and Bainbridge avenues, Woodlawn
Cemetery, Bronx, free. woodlawn
conservancy.org
Saturday, February 7
Cupid’s Undie Run. “Put the hilarity in charity” with this near-nude run for the
Children’s Tumor Foundation. The one-mile dash along the Hudson River
Greenway and around Pier 84 is preceded by an (indoor) awards ceremony.
Participants can party before and after the run. Noon, Stage 48, 605 W. 48th St.,
$40-$60. cupidsundierun.com
longtime hockey rivals. 7 p.m., 4 Pennsylvania
Plaza, $132 and up. rangers.nhl.com
Friday, February 6
Knicks at Nets. Another local matchup, this
time between basketball teams at the home
of the Nets. 7 p.m., Barclays Center, 620
Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, $75 and up.
barclayscenter.com
THEATER
Friday, December 5,
through Saturday, December 20
Los Nutcrackers: A Christmas Carajo. The
Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol are
combined in this Latino play about a gay
couple who go on a psychedelic trip
through their lives one Christmas Eve. 8
p.m., Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance,
2474 Westchester Ave., $12-$15.
baadbronx.org
Wednesday, January 7,
through Sunday, January 18
Under the Radar Festival. The emergingtheater event returns for its 10th edition with
work from innovative playwrights. Times
vary, Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., $20 or
five for $15 each. undertheradarfestival.com
Thursday, February 5,
through Sunday, March 15
The Iceman Cometh. Nathan Lane and Brian
Dennehy bring the Eugene O’Neill drama to
life. Times vary, BAM Harvey Theater, 651
Fulton St., Brooklyn, $35-$150. bam.org
Sunday, February 8
Charlotte’s Web. The E.B. White children’s
classic is adapted for the stage. 1 p.m. and 3
p.m., Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave.
South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, $14.
queenstheatre.org
5BOROS.COM BLOGGER: Every Thing Goes Book Café has a bit of something for
everyone. This hybrid café/bookstore/record store/performance space (minutes
away from the Staten Island Ferry in St. George) is a real gem. From the creaky stairs
to the overflowing shelves of obscure books, this store has an atmosphere you just
don’t get at the big chains.
—Devin Cutugno, writer, born and raised on Staten Island
5boros.com | Winter 2014 | 5boros | 31
{talking points}
Q&A by Valerie Block
Morning glory:
NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan
New Yorkers have been
waking up with Pat
Kiernan, NY1’s morning
anchor, for 17 years. The
baby-faced 46-year-old
native of Calgary, Canada,
is known for “In the
Papers,” a roundup of the
day’s news.
You’ve been in New York
since 1996. When did you
really start to feel like a
New Yorker? The moment
when I felt that no one
could revoke that status was
when I lived through Sept.
11. That’s when you’re
indisputably part of the
community.
Who’s your role model?
My guy was always Peter
Jennings. He was the
Canadian who had come to
New York and done it right.
Did you ever think your
‘Cafe Colette
gig at NY1 would last
is a nice
is a nice go-out-forso long? It’s very easy
dinner-and-don’tto think that the grass is
go-out-toleave-$200-behind
greener somewhere
dinner-and-don’t- kind
of place.
else. It’s harder to
leave-$200recognize when you’ve
Do you have any
got a good thing. When
behind kind
tattoos? No.
people tell you they have
of place’
woken up with you for 17
Facial hair in the plan?
years, it would be foolish to
When I moved to Williamsburg
turn away from that.
[from the Upper West Side], one of the
blogs created an artist’s rendering of
“In the Papers” is a popular
what I would look like as a hipster,
segment. What happens if print
and they put facial hair on me. You’ll
goes away? We can easily evolve the
have to rely on that because I won’t be
segment to be screen captures of a
growing my own.
tablet. My challenge will be: Do you
include original reporting from
Favorite pizza? Roberta’s of
BuzzFeed? Do you include Gothamist?
Bushwick. It’s not an easy table to get,
Then I’ll never get to sleep!
but the reputation is well deserved.
For classic Italian, there’s Dominick’s
You’ve lived in Williamsburg for
on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.
three years. What do you like to do
there? Brooklyn Bowl is fun. I go to
Where do you go with the kids? We
Café Mogador a lot. And Cafe Colette
32 | 5boros | Winter 2014 | 5boros.com
went to the New York Hall of Science
in Queens for the Maker Fair. On my
to-do list is to get to Richmond Town
on Staten Island for their special
events.
Your addiction? The 7-Eleven
Slurpee. New Yorkers may mourn the
arrival of 7-Eleven, but for me it means
I don’t have to drive to Long Island to
get one.
Mental break? Getting some
distance from this thing [iPhone]. It’s
refreshing to be off Facebook and see
that the world went on without you.
Watch Pat
Kiernan on NY1
Monday through
Friday from 5
a.m. to noon. Visit
ny1.com for more
information.