Gotham Magazine

The Ultimate Bronzer

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:31:00 -0400

Due to the popularity of its Terracotta light bronzing compact, Guerlain has released a new line of double-pressed bronzers ($70) called "Sun in the City.” All Guerlain bronzers are made according to hair color—meaning even the fairest of the fair can get away with bronzer and not look orange. Sephora citywide; sephora.com

Market Fare at Foragers City Table

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:15:00 -0400

A few weeks ago, Chelsea welcomed Foragers City Table, a full service restaurant inside Foragers City Market. Chef Douglas Monsalud, who hails from San Francisco and has worked at Kitchenette, Fog City Diner, and Betelnut, serves Asian-influenced brunch and dinner menus, as well as prepared food you can grab to go.

Try the wok-tossed Berkshire pork short ribs with fresh basil and black pepper, or the mushrooms baked in packets with shiro miso butter. The pork short rips are braised with ginger and star anise and tossed with a tangy glaze, while the mushroom packet includes a delightful assortment of erynii, nameko, and matsutake.

Dishes are made with ingredients from the market, including produce from a micro-farm in Canaan, New York and meats from the butchery and dry-house curing room on premises. The restaurant also offers specialty cocktails, local beers, and eco-friendly wines. 300 West 22nd St., 212-243-8888

'February House’ Packs Humor and Heart

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:13:00 -0400

A scene from February House

February House, a new musical now playing at The Public Theater, tells the true story of one George Davis, a struggling writer and bon vivant, who invited poet W.H. Auden, writer Carson McCullers, composer Benjamin Britten and his partner, singer Peter Pears, and burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee to live under one roof in an "artists' menagerie" in Brooklyn Heights.

The group lived together at 7 Middagh Street (in a house that has sadly since been destroyed) at the brink of America's entry into World War II. With music and lyrics by Gabriel Kahane, who has performed with Sufjan Stevens, the musical is a beautiful blend of a lively script and contemporary melodies.

The ensemble cast, under the direction of Davis McCallum, does a wonderful job of portraying the intense friendships and hardships of the now iconic artists. Actress Kristen Sieh, who plays McCullers, studied her unusual Georgian accent to get into character, and as a result really captures McCullers’ childlike nature and allure. Actors Stanley Bahorek and Ken Barnett, who respectively play Britten and Pears, are a great pair; their song "Bed Bugs!" is ridiculously funny. One of the overall highlights of the show is Lee's appearance in a striptease during a fundraising party for the house. Actress Kacie Sheik fully commits to Lee’s routine. Sitting in the audience it was easy to imagine what a treat it must have been to see an actual performance by Lee, whose burlesque was, in actuality, a combination of sexuality and stand-up comedy. More serious issues, like the artist's responsibilities during wartime, are approached with passion and accuracy.

Overall, February House is a well-written musical with lovely songs and sensitive acting. It's a remarkable true story that explores the meaning of friendship and the shenanigans that occur when you get a hoard of gigantic egos living under one roof. In other words, it’s a show with a lot of heart. Through June 10.425 Lafayette St., 212-539-8500

Dispatch: Cannes, a Salute to Betty White, and TV Upfronts

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:36:00 -0400

FROM LEFT: Astrid Munoz and Lara Stone; Jessica Chastain, Naomi Watts, and Ludivine Sagnier at the IFP Euphoria Calvin Klein party

Cannes, France
Thursday, Calvin Klein invited Dispatches to the sumptuous Villa St. Georges for the IFP Euphoria Calvin Klein fête, celebrating Women in Film at the Cannes Film Festival. Ten minutes from the Croisette, the dreamy Belle Epoque mansion on Avenue Roi Albert features a curved stone staircase with balustrades that sweeps up to the property. The pool has one serpentine edge and craggy olive trees at the far end; verdant gardens with palms overlook the bay.

The famous beauties in attendance, dressed by Klein, looked like color-coordinated art pastels. Shailene Woodley wore peach; Jessica Chastain had on a shorter pink number; Naomi Watts’ tan dress pooled an inch or two on the carpet; and Diane Kruger had her girls pushed way up in a sparkling, ankle-length pink gown.

And the buttons on Joshua Jackson’s shirt looked as if they might pop. “I don’t want to bust out," he quipped as Kruger pulled his jacket shut.

“It’s the most beautiful place,” said Naomi Watts of Cannes. “We just arrived and had a Bellini on the terrace,” she continued. “I met my darling Liev while wearing Calvin Klein.”

“I play a jaguar in Madagascar 3,” mentioned Jessica Chastain, her red hair pulled back tight, "and I’m also in Lawless. You hear about this festival your whole life.”

By the pool, tall, thin gas-burning pyramids warmed the air, and fuchsia flower petals floated on the water. Dispatches also spotted Ben Stiller and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Just in from Portofino was Euphoria model Lara Stone, with her husband, David Williams, the tall Swiss dude with bright blue eyes from Dinner with Schmucks.

Saturday, a hirsute Shia LaBeouf took his mom to the Lawless party, hosted by Harvey Weinstein and Johnnie Walker Blue Label at Cannes’ Baoli Beach. Chastain had her hair down and wore a gold sequined chiffon number.

FROM LEFT: Jennifer Connelly and Dustin Lance Black at a screening of Virginia; Betty White and Uggie the dog at the White's Friars Club roast

Virginia Screening, TV Upfronts, and the Friars Club Roast of Betty White
Back in New York, at the Cinema Society fête for Virginia, starring Jennifer Connelly, Jane Lynch said she was in town for the Fox Upfronts. Travie McCoy of Gym Class Heroes was holding hands with Juliette Lewis. She said that he was on tour and that they were thrilled that he got to take a break. “I enjoyed being brain-fucked for an hour and a half,” McCoy said of Virginia. “And I mean that in the best way possible.”

On Tuesday, The Gersh agency celebrated the TV Upfronts at Lilium, a dimly lit bar off Park Avenue South. I must have arrived early, because Kyle MacLachlan and I both said we were the only ones we knew at the whole party. Nice guy. My friend Liz Durand Streisand from UsWeekly was with her husband, who is apparently related to Barbara, but both MacLachlan and I thought he looked exactly like Matt Damon.

At the Friars Club roast for Betty White on Wednesday at the Sheridan, White told Dispatches: “I’m just going to listen and try to be a lady . . . I said try!” Gilbert Gottfried turned up the heat on the red carpet, saying that he and White do it, "she’s in an orthopedic bed with an IV attached . . . if she were 50 years younger, she’d be 1,000!”

At the USA Network Upfronts on Thursday, WWE wrestler CM Punk claimed that he doesn’t know how to tie a tie. I had recently caught Ellen Burstyn (Political Animals) in Same Time, Next Year, and then there she was walking the carpet. She said she had her dog with her in the car. Love that. And Carla Gugino (Political Animals) claimed that she punked her publicist by saying that she had her dog and that he needed a bone and water.

Shop Watch: Ultimate Spectacle Opens

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:34:00 -0400

New to Lexington Avenue, Ultimate Spectacle specializes in luxury eyeglasses and sunglasses from designer brands including Oliver Peoples, Tom Ford, Linda Farrow, Dior, Miu Miu, and more.

“Instead of creating our own private label frames, we worked to curate our product lines from exclusive private designers,” said owner Jaclyn Edelstein. “This way, we remain on trend with the latest in eyewear fashion.”

If you can't wait for the glasses to hit the shelves, there's an extra perk. Ultimate Spectacle offers a concierge optical program where consultants will make house calls for private viewings of new collections. In addition to the incredible selection, customers can receive a comprehensive eye and vision exam. 789 Lexington Ave., 212-792-8123

New York's Best Modern Chinese Restaurants

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Marco Polo’s travels inspire the cuisine at China Grill

Chin Chin
For more than 25 years, Chin Chin has been crafting its signature Grand Marnier shrimp with a special creamy citrus glaze that “everybody has copied, but no one has duplicated,” says owner Jimmy Chin. “You go to New York to see the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building; you go to Chin Chin for the Grand Marnier shrimp.” 216 E. 49th St., 212-888-4555

China Grill
China Grill serves world cuisine inspired by Marco Polo’s travels, with much of its fare influenced by traditional Chinese cooking. Plates such as the grilled Szechuan beef, Peking duck salad, and five-vegetable fried rice satisfy cravings for a taste of the Far East. 60 W. 53rd St., 212-333-7788

Lair
“It is uncommon to find 28-day dry-aged beef in a dumpling,” says co-owner Larry Parmit of Lair’s savory Black Angus beef dumpling. At the trendsetting establishment, Asian food is prepared with modern French techniques and served amid a lounge-like atmosphere. 201 Lafayette St., 212-334-5247

Legend
Chelsea’s premier spot for traditional Sichuan cuisine, Legend specializes in authentic home-style fare and, with two floors, can cater to large groups. Cheng Du fish and pickled vegetables, as well as the dry spicy diced chicken with ginger and peanut, are standouts on the lengthy menu. 88 Seventh Ave., 212-929-1778

Mr. Chow
Not only are Mr. Chow’s Beijinginspired and original dishes—such as chicken satay and Ma Mignon—award-winning and created by some of China’s most celebrated chefs, but the elegant atmosphere of both the Tribeca and Midtown locations place Mr. Chow in a league of its own. 121 Hudson St., 212-965-9500; 324 E. 57th St., 212-751-9030

Mr. K’s
Seafood reigns supreme at Mr. K’s, where the Chilean sea bass is outdone only by the exceedingly large prawns used in the shrimp dishes. The cozy Midtown eatery takes pride in pampering customers with oversize chairs, hot-towel service, and an orchid offering for women to begin each meal. 570 Lexington Ave., 212-583-1668

Philippe
Chef Philippe Chow expertly prepares Beijing-style fare, including his award-winning Peking duck, carved tableside with crispy skin and delectable glaze. Another highlight is the nightly presentation of the special hand-pulled Mr. Cheng’s noodles. 33 E. 60th St., 212-644-8885; philippechow.com

RedFarm
“Chef Joe Ng is able to take some of his personality and inject it into his cooking,” says owner Ed Schoenfeld. This manifests in the humor and whimsy in RedFarm’s contemporary, farm-to-table dishes, such as crispy duck and crab dumplings shaped like fish and shrimp, or snow pea leaf dumplings that have faces. 529 Hudson St., 212-792-9700

Shanghai Pavilion
This Upper East Side secret boasts brilliant soup dumplings and a simple but lovely atmosphere. 1378 Third Ave., 212-585-3388

Shun Lee West
This Lincoln Center mainstay, the newer of the city’s two Shun Lee eateries, has served multiregional Chinese cuisine for over 30 years. The restaurant now cooks around 45 Beijing ducks daily, so diners no longer have to call ahead for this specialty that takes 24 hours to prepare. 43 W. 65th St., 212-595-8895; shunleewest.com

Dinner Plans: Omakase at Atera

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:01:00 -0400

Atera

For adventurous New York foodies, Atera is the summer reservation to get. The 22-course omakase tasting menu has been on the to-do lists of restaurant critics and gastronomes alike. And since the restaurant opened in March, the reviews have been highly complimentary. What can you expect to eat? Wild greens, lichen, fish cheeks, root beer foam, freeze-dried cake, bone marrow, and other unusual treats.

The brainchild of chef Matthew Lightner, formerly of Portland's Castagna, Atera focuses on foraged ingredients and avant-garde, El Bulli-esque techniques: the sleight of hand chef has been known to serve pleasantly deceptive creations like "razor clams" made of dry bread painted in squid ink. But although Lightner’s philosophy may be experimental and unconventional, the result is delicious. With just seventeen seats, you’ll want to book your reservation far in advance. The omakase menu is available at $150 per person, with an optional $90 beverage pairing. 77 Worth St., 212- 226-1444

Champagne by Sotheby’s

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Now, after a big sale, auctioneers and patrons at Sotheby's will no longer have to go in search of Champagne. The auction house debuted a Champagne label of its own, which will be served in its auction houses in New York, London, and Hong Kong, this week. Made from 100 percent Chardonnay grapes grown in the Grand Cru vineyards of Chouilly, the new Sotheby’s Champagne is bottled by sixth-generation Champagne family R&L Legras, who supply bubbly to Michelin-starred restaurants all over the world. You don't have to be in the auction house to enjoy this champagne, either. It's available online and at the Sotheby's retail store ($29.95). 1334 York Avenue, 212-606-7000

Morgan Spurlock on Mansome

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:43:00 -0400

Spurlock in a scene from Mansome

It’s no longer enough our looks be judged by family, friends, and coworkers; in an age of online social networks and instant uploads, we now open ourselves up to be critiqued by millions of followers, friends of friends, and virtual avatars we may never meet in real life. It’s no wonder that more modern men are doing a double take when they pass a mirror.

Oscar-nominee Morgan Spurlock’s latest documentary Mansome takes a good, hard look at what is commonly referred to as “manscaping,” as well as the people, places, and egos that make the process possible. Spurlock joined forces with executive producers Jason Bateman and Will Arnett to ask men of all ages, hair lengths, and vanity levels the heavily-loaded question: What does it mean to be a man? Through interviews with the likes of Zach Galifianakis, Judd Apatow, Paul Rudd, and musician, author, and world beard champion Jack Passion, Mansome is a hilarious and surprisingly thought-provoking film that will make you think twice about the metrosexuals in your life.

When you first started working on Mansome, did you have a bucket list of people with whom you knew you wanted to speak?
MORGAN SPURLOCK: We definitely wanted ZZ Top, which we got, but there were other people we wanted that we didn’t get, like Tom Selleck. Tom Selleck! I wanted him to talk about the mustache and how it feels to be handsome Tom Selleck. Or Burt Reynolds, we tried like crazy but we couldn’t get him, either.

How did you find someone like Jack Passion?
MS: I knew there were beard contests and when we started moving forward with the film, I knew we had to get a guy who grows a crazy beard. And suddenly you start learning about beard competitions and you find Jack Passion, who is the face of every beard competition there is. There is no pretense with Jack Passion. You’re seeing Jack Passion in all his Passion glory.

How much footage was left on the cutting room floor?
MS: Editing is always the most difficult part of this process. Each interview went on for another 20 to 30 minutes than what you see in the film, and there are things we shot that just didn’t make sense in the end. We filmed someone who had a full-on hair transplant, which is a bloody process and it’s neither attractive nor funny. Ultimately, we wanted to ask the question, What does ‘masculine’ mean?

There aren’t many stigma-free outlets for men to talk about grooming. Were guys excited to open up about this?
MS: It’s amazing because a lot of men didn’t want to talk about it and I think that’s because they don’t want you to know they do it. We want to believe that men don’t do this, that they don’t take any time.

According to Cosmopolitan editor in chief Kate White, women do want men to take time to groom, but just not that much time. In matters of manscaping, how far is too far?
MS: It’s like plastic surgery, once you start, you think, well, I can do one more thing here and one more thing there. Once you start down the plastic surgery road, the next thing you know, you’re looking like the Bride of Wildenstein or The Cat Guy. Remember the Cat Guy? You gotta find one person in your life to give it to you straight and say, ‘This is a terrible idea.’

Spurlock’s New York Favorites:

Neighborhood: I know people love to give names for all the areas of NYC, so I like to call our office area “Shitly,” which is the border of SoHo and Little Italy. In Shitly, there’s a great pub around the corner I like to go to called Puck Fair. We’re also across the street from Brinkley’s, which is a great bar. Despaña is my favorite place to go, especially now that they’ve opened that wine shop next door. And I eat at Balthazar at least once a week when I’m in town.

Giants or Jets? I’m more Jets than Giants; more Yankees than Mets.

LaGuardia or JFK? When I fly home to West Virginia, I fly out of La Guardia 90 percent of the time. La Guardia is still kind of sad. You pull in and suddenly you’re in Cairo. Like, what is this terminal I’m coming into? I expect people to be pulled up on rickshaws. I want vendors outside with ducks hanging on strings. I don’t even know if they deliver food there, I think they just cook whatever dies.

Weekend Recommender: May 17-20

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:34:00 -0400

Bonjour Tristesse

The Paris Review Interview Series: James Fenton
Thursday, May 16, 7 PM
The Paris Review revives original editor and founder George Plimpton's practice of interviewing writers in front of a live audience this Thursday at The New York Public Library. Poetry editor Robyn Creswell will interview poet James Fenton, the result of which will become part of TheParis Review's Art of Poetry series. Following the interview there will be a Q&A session with the audience. The Stephen W. Schwartzman Building, South Court Auditorium, Fifth Avenue at 42nd St; nypl.org

Bonjour Tristesse at Film Forum
Friday, May 17, 4:35 PM or 6:30 PM
Otto Preminger's classic 1958 film, Bonjour Tristesse, has been digitally restored and re-released by Sony Pictures. The movie tells the story of Cécile (Jean Seberg), whose relationship with her father (David Niven) is threatened when he brings a new girlfriend (Deborah Kerr) to their summer villa on the Riviera. Lucky New Yorkers can catch this classic film on the big screen at Film Forum, which has extended its run until May 24. 209 West Houston St., 212-727-8110; filmforum.org

The Great GoogaMooga
Saturday, May 19 and Sunday May 20, all day
The first-ever GoogaMooga is a gigantic food and drink festival taking place in Prospect Park this Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the many food and drink vendors (75 food vendors, 35 brewers, 30 wine makers), there will be music by Hall & Oates, The Roots, and 20 other live acts. General admission is free, but there are special VIP tickets, Extra Moogas, available for $249.50. Nethermead Meadow, Propect Park, Brooklyn; googamooga.com

Orpheus, Remixed
Sunday, May 20, 1:30 PM
Catch the last show of The New York City Opera's racy version of the 1726 Baroque opera Orpheus. The opera was only recently rediscovered, and focuses on Orasia, the Queen of Thrace, who conspires to bring Eurydice to the underworld. This opera is performed in three languages, with texts drawn from Handel and Lully. Tickets from $60 to $150. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave., 212-831-7272; nycopera.org

Sweet and Spicy Spring Cocktails

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:01:00 -0400

Hotel Chantelle

Mixologists Regan Moloney (Hotel Chantelle) and Jim Ciacci (Ravel Hotel's Penthouse808) have introduced new cocktail menus for spring at their respective bars. At Penthouse808, Ciacci's Creamsicle is an ode to the summery treat it’s named after. The sweet and frothy drink is a blend of Svedka Orange Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, vanilla sorbet, and fresh oranges.

Moloney's South of Delancey at Hotel Chantelle goes in a different direction, with a Southern-inspired mixture of Ketel Citroen, Firefly sweet tea vodka, crème de pêche, and fresh lime. If you're in the mood for something with a kick, try the spicy Ludlow, a fiery blend of Hendrick’s Gin, muddled cucumber, lime, and peppercorn. These drinks are offered in addition to the bars' signature cocktails, which you can take advantage of any time of year. Hotel Chantelle, 92 Ludlow Street, 212-254-9100; Penthouse 808, 8-08 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City, 718-289-6118

The Ultimate Tennis Outfit

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:18:00 -0400

"Eleven is better than ten," and tennis superstar Venus Williams is all about being better than the best, even when it comes to fashion. One of the most talented and beloved tennis players in the game, Williams is also among the world’s most recognizable female athletes. However, in recent years she has struggled with Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder—but she hasn't let it slow her down. Case in point: Williams’ transition into the fashion world. Her new EleVen collection was inspired by "a spirit of triumph over adversity" and features secrete, inspirational messages like "You got it!" and "Let 'em Have It!" sewn into the clothes to give her fans a competitive push. New Yorkers can get a first look at the collection at the EleVen showroom, located at 141 West 36th Street.

10 Unique Summer Workouts

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400

DavidBartonGym, known for its cutting-edge design and killer workouts

Chaise23
This new studio is home to The Reinvention Method, a revolutionary workout that features a chair suspended from the ceiling on bungees that provide powerful resistance. “The Method is a Pilates-inspired workout that is core based and focuses on proper alignment of the body to create and define muscles,” says Lauren Piskin, owner and founder. 40 E. 23rd St., 212-432-6100; chaise23.com

Club H
Barrelates, the fusion of a traditional Pilates mat class with classical ballet barre movements, strengthens core muscles for a lean dancer’s physique. Invented by choreographer and Pilates instructor Kara Tatelbaum, Barrelates focuses on movement discipline and precision to sculpt and define muscles. 222 E. 34th St., 212-779-1056; clubhfitness.com

CrossFit
Efficiency is the hallmark of CrossFit, which maximizes every minute of the hour-long class for a heart-pumping workout. Movements include pushups, pull-ups, rowing, and squats, to engage several muscles simultaneously for a total body workout. 25 W. 26th St., 212-684-2018

DavidBartonGym
“It’s all about change,” says David Barton, owner of the eponymous gym. Offering approximately 30 classes across categories including yoga, weight training, and strength and flexibility training, Barton encourages an ever-changing workout schedule to eliminate boredom and weight-loss plateaus. Three locations citywide; davidbartongym.com

Equinox
With nearly 20 locations in Manhattan, Equinox offers classes in yoga, cardio, conditioning, martial arts, studio cycling, and conscious movement. One of the toughest is VIPR—Vitality, Performance & Reconditioning— which features whole-body integration for a high-intensity conditioning program. Locations citywide

Fitist
The online wellness community incorporates classes and gyms across Manhattan, including Flywheel, Yogamaya, and Velocity. “Our Slim plan includes cycle, core/ Pilates, performance, and yoga classes for a proper mix of highintensity, calorie-burning workouts to shed pounds and stay toned,” say co-founders Neda Talebian-Funk and Caroline Limpert. fitist.com

Focus Integrated Fitness
The newly launched Fit 6 marries the customization of personal training with the energy of a small class. Powering through six stations, with iPads streaming workout videos, members “can review a movement as many times as they like to ensure they know exactly how an exercise should be performed,” says trainer Joe Masiello. 115 W. 27 St., 212-319-3816; focusnyc.com

Krav Maga Institute NYC
Krav Maga, a form of combative self-defense used by the Israeli army, instills confidence while developing increased strength, stamina, and coordination, says instructor Patrick Lokton. Tribeca Health & Fitness, 107 Chambers St., 212-732-9466; kravmagainstitutenyc.com

NYLean25
Designed by Fat Chef trainer Robert Brace, the 25-minute workout hits all major muscle groups while incorporating intense cardio. “You’re constantly changing activities for complete muscle exhaustion,” says Brace, who recently introduced the even more concentrated 28 Day Challenge. “Being only a six-week program, there’s not time for boredom.” Tribeca Health & Fitness, 107 Chambers St.; 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette St.; nylean25.com

Refine Method
The Refine class is a marriage of fitness and fun, featuring calorieblasting circuits of lunges, squats, and planks, interspersed with bursts of cardio, to engage all of the body’s major muscle groups. 340 E. 71st St., 646-820-3463; refinemethod.com

James Beard Awards

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:44:00 -0400

Stephen Fried talks to New York's best chefs on the red-carpet of the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards.

Graffiti Artists Tag Restoration Hardware

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:45:00 -0400

Restoration Hardware is exhibiting two colossal pieces of graffiti art in The Gallery at Flatiron, located in the brand’s 22nd Street store, this month. The two 12- by 24-foot pieces, specially commissioned by Restoration Hardware chairman and CEO Gary Friedman, are a collaboration between graffiti artists CMENTONE (Matt Boal) and GE-OLOGY. Works are emblazoned with Japanese Sumi-inked tags of inspirational quotes written by Friedman to reflect the Restoration Hardware brand. “When we are open and giving of our light, we create an endless reflection that outlives our human existence,” reads one the two quotes, titled Endless Reflection. Edge and inspiration, isn’t that what all New York City abodes need more of? 935 Broadway, 212-260-9479

Dispatch: The Week in Parties

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:56:00 -0400

FROM LEFT: Tablescape and guestbook at Sir Mark Lyall Grand dinner party in the Queen's apartment

A Dinner Party at the Queen’s Apartment
On Saturday of last week, Sir Mark and Lady Sheila Lyall Grant held an intimate dinner party in an apartment fit for a queen. Sir Mark is the permanent British ambassador to the UN and the chichi dinner party on Beekman Place benefited Great Dixter House.

Actually, the party location was the Manhattan residence of Queen Elizabeth II. The Warhol portrait of her should have been the giveaway. Sir Mark and Lady Sheila have the dreamy pad with views of the East River on loan from Her Majesty.

Also at the dinner and perched on petite ballroom chairs were Nicole and Matthew Mellon, Hugo Guinness, Timo Weiland, and Aaron Bertelsen, house manager of Great Dixter, the family home of late, great English gardener Christopher Lloyd.

The soirée raised funds to conserve Great Dixter House & Gardens, and to assist a scholarship for gardeners. Cuisine ran the gamut from ginger-crusted Arctic char to mini pot au chocolate and raspberries in a brandied basket. Yum.

FROM LEFT: Beyoncé; Amy Adams and Giambatista Valli at the Met Gala

The Met Gala
On Monday, it wasn’t exactly back down to earth for Dispatches at the Met Costume Institute gala. I was close enough to Billy Norwich that when he asked Rihanna to turn for his live-streaming camera, I heard her snap back at him, “Why? Is that your good side?” I like her sass.

I clipped one of my wife's Schiaparelli earrings onto my tie. And, wouldn’t you know it, three quarters of the way up the stairs, I heard Janelle Monáe say, “Did anyone lose an earring?"

Designer Giambatista Valli, who wears the biggest pearls and jewelry you’ve ever seen, kindly brought Amy Adams over to chat. “I know her style very well,” said Valli, who dressed Adams.

And Jimmy Fallon had me in stitches. “There is Velcro on the pants, and this tux is really a T-shirt,” he kidded. “It’s my spring break outfit.”

When every last swell, including Mick Jagger and Scarlett Johansson, had gone into dinner, 20 minutes passed before former Gotham cover girl Beyoncé arrived. The dress was Givenchy and sheer enough that the bottom half of her derriere was showing. Schiaparelli would have loved it.

What to Expect When You're Expecting
The next night, Dispatches covered a screening of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. The event was a fundraiser for Jessica Seinfeld’s great charity, Baby Buggy.

Chris Rock was hilarious on the red carpet. Reporters were asking him if his wife in the film, Jennifer Lopez, still wanted kids. He shot back, “I might get her pregnant . . . you never know. I put some sperm in a tube and gave it to her—chilled!”

Chace Crawford said he might eventually want kids, noting that while they were filming he learned “that the umbilical cord stays on; you have to cut it.”

FROM LEFT: Jay-Z; Solange Knowles at Bacardi D'USSE launch

Bacardi D’USSE Launch
On Wednesday, Dispatches hit the Top of the Standard for the Bacardi D’USSE luxury cognac launch. All the little mirrored tables had big snifters and bottles of D’USSE (produced in Chateau de Cognac), including Jay-Z’s.

Solange and mama (Tina) Knowles stopped by to pay homage, as did Jake Gyllenhaal. And in the back, they had these machines that printed out Instagrams tagged to #D’USSE. Photo booths are now obsolete.

Kitchit Brings Top Chefs to Your Kitchen

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:37:00 -0400

Kitchit NYC dinner party launch

New Yorkers can now sign up for Kitchit, a luxury service that provides access to some of the best chefs in the nation. Instead of hiring a catering service, imagine if you could have Dan Kluger (ABC Kitchen), Floyd Cardoz (North End Grill), or Harold Dieterle (Perilla and Kin Shop) cook a "bespoke" meal for your next dinner party or special event.

Cofounders Brendan Marshall, Ian Ferguson, and George Tang have already launched the business successfully in San Francisco and Los Angeles. "We are very excited to bring Kitchit to New York, one of the world's leading food capitals," said Marshall. "We have an incredible group of chefs who are ready to take your dinner party to the next level." All you have to do is sign up for a membership, and Kitchit will take it from there.

Culture Watch: An NYC-Shot Instagram Exhibit

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:04:00 -0400

Instagram NYC, in partnership with W Times Square, is currently showing an Instagram exhibit featuring the artwork of six New York users: @astrodub, @bridif, @cxcart, @johndeguzman, @newyorkcity, and @uptowneastnyc. The show marks the first-ever Instagram exhibit.

The exhibit is the first of its kind, bringing photographers whose work is usually hidden in the social app into the spotlight. Appropriately, all of the photographs depict New York scenes, both classic and modern. The show can be seen in the Living Room bar at the W Times Square and will remain on exhibit until June 30. Take in some contemporary artwork while sipping the hotel’s signature Midnight Manhattan. 1567 Broadway, 212-930-7444

Maison Kitsuné Settles Into NoMad Hotel

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:34:00 -0400

Maison Kitsuné, a collaboration between musician Gildas Loaëc (who's toured with Daft Punk) and the architect Masaya Kuroki, has opened a new boutique in the bottom of the buzzy new NoMad Hotel. The shop has thrived in Paris, and throughout Europe, for more than ten years, but this is its first store in North America. With its simple white walls and Parisian artwork, stepping inside Maison Kitsuné is like being transported to France. As for the clothes, the style is French elegance meets American prep. Look for very clean, simple lines and fine fitting sweaters and pants. (Also, make sure to get a whiff of the brand’s line of candles.) After you’ve stocked up on breezy Parisian essentials, head to the hotel’s Library bar for a cocktail or two. NoMad Hotel, 1170 Broadway

Alex Kramer Designs City-Chic Essentials

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400

Alex Kramer prepares for her fall collection in her Manhattan atelier

Like any designer origin myth worth its salt, Alex Kramer’s began with a quest—in this case, the hunt for the perfect tank top to wear with a pair of YSL pants. “I was always looking for a basic, beautiful, quality tank I could wear with nice tailored pants, and I just couldn’t find it,” Kramer laments. So the intrepid New Yorker did what any city girl would do: She decided to make one herself. She found a silk rib knit “that felt like butter,” whipped up a prototype, and the seeds for her future fashion brand were sown.

Then Amanda Brooks, vice president and women’s fashion director at Barneys New York, admired an outfit Kramer designed and wore to a party, and snapped up the first collection, spring 2012, on an exclusive basis. Some of the first pieces Kramer sold were to Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey. “Her stylist saw the collection and wanted me to make something for her,” says Kramer. “I thought, I’m starting with Oprah—that’s cool!”

Kramer, a fixture on the Manhattan social scene, grew up dividing her time between her native New York and Europe (her mother is Yugoslavian), all while being surrounded by fashion legends like Diane von Furstenberg and Bianca Jagger, whose daughters, Tatiana von Furstenberg and Jade Jagger, were her schoolmates and good friends. She would have sleepovers with Jade, who lived at the Halstons’ residence for a while with her mother.

Her good fortune aside, Kramer’s ethos is more about old-fashioned hard work than working connections. She laid low during the fall New York readyto- wear shows, eschewing both the front row and any kind of presentation of the collection, which she created with codesigner and partner Brian Stanziale, a former fashion editor and fellow vintage fanatic who met Kramer at his former Soho boutique, Sloane. Instead, she introduced the newly minted label with little fanfare to a handful of editors. “I’m trying to distance myself from the socialite designer moniker,” says Kramer, a willowy blonde with a coolly patrician poise. “I really believe you should earn your way to a runway. I knew I loved designing and wanted to do it for myself, and in that regard it was an easy choice to make. But believe me, none of the rest of it is easy.”

For a fledgling fashion designer with no formal training apart from heading up a secondary collection for Brazilian designer Carlos Miele and working on his main line several years ago, Alex Kramer’s namesake collection is remarkably assured. The pieces—soigné cigarette pants with leather yokes, reversible floor-length two-tone silk jersey dresses, and of course, that perfect tank top in rich, complementary shades of ivory, onyx, mustard, indigo, and brick—have all the sexiness of Azzedine Alaïa meshed with the pared-down sophistication of Narciso Rodriguez. A sneak peak at the fall collection, which Kramer describes variously as “back to the future” and “urban warrior,” reveals showstopping fur-trimmed coats and divine details like a crocodile-skin print on a silk charmeuse T-shirt.

The pieces are all constructed with luxurious fabrics such as Italian ponte, 100 percent silk jersey, and lashings of butter-soft leather. “When I design I’m always thinking about how women actually wear clothes,” she says. “I try to think about how they will feel on. There are clothes for women in their early 20s and also for women in their 50s. Not everyone is 17 with a flat chest and perfect body.” (Kramer mentions that a buyer at that first Barneys meeting described the collection as containing “sexy workwear,” a phrase that slots perfectly into the category of “wonderful things you didn’t even realize you needed.”)

When asked whose style she finds inspiring, Kramer praises Nan Kempner, Audrey Hepburn, and Katharine Hepburn. “These fashion icons appeared timeless, effortless, and chic. They favored classic silhouettes, didn’t fall prey to trend-driven clothing, and most of all, they epitomized luxury,” she says. “I like that European mix. Style versus being a good dresser—they are two different things.” She would also love to dress actresses Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow someday. “Women who like clean lines and have their own style that shines through.”

Kramer’s primary goal, however, is a humbler one: “To have a collection that I can wear from morning to night and not have to think about. I love the concept of a uniform.” Urban warrior women, take note. Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave., 212-826-8900

Cocktail Hour at Jacques 1534

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:25:00 -0400

Golddust cocktail at Jacques 1534

In honor of its new spring menu, Jacques 1534 is offering a special happy hour that includes one cocktail and one appetizer for the namesake price of $15.34—perfect for an after-work drink.

Of the new cocktails, inspired by the flavors of the French colonies, the Golddust, made of Rittenhouse Rye, lemon juice, and ginger agave, can’t be beat. Frequenters of the bar may prefer to stick with the signature Way of the Dragon, which is made with bison grass-infused vodka, Thai basil leaves, lime juice, Calamansi syrup, and cayenne salt.

Both cocktails pair nicely with happy hour appetizers, such as Moroccan spiced chicken cigars and vegetarian spring rolls with mango sauce. If those drinks aren't to your taste, the bartenders can mix up anything your heart desires. Monday through Saturday; 5–9 PM. Jacques 1534, 20 Prince St. 212-966-8886

Bobby Flay Talks Food Network Star

Fri, 11 May 2012 01:31:00 -0400

Bobby Flay

This week, in advance of the season eight premiere of Food Network Star (Sunday, 9 PM), we spoke with super chef Bobby Flay about his new role as mentor and coach to the show's celebrity chef hopefuls. “I’d rather mentor than judge,” said Flay on stepping out from behind the judging table that he’s sat at for the past seven seasons of the hit show, which turns average Joes with a knack for sautéing and seasoning into bona fide celebrity chefs. (Case in point: Guy Fieri, the season one winner of Food Network Star.) Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, along with various guest judges like Scott Conant and Geoffrey Zakarian, will send one contestant packing each week. And Flay isn’t the only coach. Fellow Food Network Star judges-turned-coaches Giada De Laurentiis and Alton Brown will also groom finalists in the hopes of having someone from their roster claim the ultimate title. But, after hearing Flay’s coaching strategy, we predict that one of his protégés will walk away with the big prize—their own show on the Food Network.

How did you choose the five finalists on your team?
BOBBY FLAY: We all watched the audition tapes, and then there were 20 or 25 people that I auditioned. Then I cut it down to five. Basically, I just handed them an egg and said, ‘Cook me something.’

Any New Yorkers in your group?
BF: I have somebody from Brooklyn. She actually cooks, or cooked, at a restaurant in Brooklyn. She’s originally from New England. I don’t know if she’s a true Brooklynite [laughs].

What was your strategy for having the last cook left standing?
BF: I wanted people that could cook. I picked the best cooks that I could find in the auditions, but they might not necessarily have the best camera presence. If they can cook, I can teach them how to be good in front of the camera.

Did any of the methods you used to hone your on-camera skills prove helpful in coaching your team?
BF: Probably not, because I would have been out of there. There’s no way I would have won. I had years to get better in front of the camera, and there’s no substitute for experience. They’re a lot more savvy than any of us who started at Food Network years ago.

Do you think your coaching style is tougher than Giada and Alton’s?
BF: I don’t think I’m more strict. I think of myself like a basketball coach. I try to inspire them in the very best way. I try to show them things instead of just telling them. I’m not really harsh on them. I definitely am not a screamer.

What was the most difficult challenge that the finalists faced this season?
BF: They had to open a restaurant as a team in a matter of a few hours. It’s really sort of early on in the season and they really didn’t know each other very well. So there were lots of challenges with that. Although, I would have loved that challenge.

Were there any dishes from this season that you were particularly impressed by?
BF: Somebody did a checkerboard of beets and vegetables this season. It was not one of my team, but I thought it was incredibly innovative and they didn’t have a lot to work with. I thought it was really beautiful to look at—and it actually tasted great, too.

The Ultimate Picnic Basket

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:01:00 -0400

The sandwich basket at Andaz Fifth Avenue

Headed to Bryant Park and feeling peckish? Stop by Andaz 5th Avenue and order a luxe picnic basket. The hotel offers three different basket choices, all filled with delicious goodies. The sandwich basket ($35 per person) includes a prosciutto, chicken schnitzel, or grilled vegetable sandwich served with iced tea, water, or lemonade, as well as chips and fruit. A romantic wine basket ($45 per person) includes cheese, bread, jam, and seasonal fruit with your choice of a variety of wines priced from $28 to $120 per bottle. For special occasions (proposals!), choose the stately Champagne basket ($75 per person) stocked with Osetra caviar, blinis, and strawberries, along with a bottle of Champagne ($95 to $220). For the ultimate luxury experience, a picnic butler is available for $300. The butler will prepare the basket, choose a prime park spot, and set out a blanket before guests arrive. What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful spring day in New York. 485 Fifth Ave., 212-601-1234

Tried & Tested: Angelo David Full-Service Salon

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Tucked just one block behind the bustle of Grand Central/42nd St. is Angelo David Salon’s treasure trove of indulgent beauty treatments. Everything from eyebrow shaping and manicures, to couture extensions and to-dye-for color is on the menu here.

The 12-year-old, unisex salon puts customer care at its forefront. Angelo David, eponymous salon owner and creative director, handles everything from cuts and color to providing a friendly chat with his many regulars and celebrity clientele. The sleek, neutral-hued space radiates a peaceful vibe; ditto for the wonderfully attentive staff who are happy to provide anything from a glass of complimentary wine or tea to pleasant conversation.

Personalization translates into AD’s signature treatment—couture hair. When it comes to couture color, the end result is always glossy, vibrant hues that last, whether you’re seeking an of-the-moment red or conservative gray coverage. Cuts are similarly well tailored.

But attention to detail is most prominent with the salon’s couture extensions and additions. After a personal consultation, extensions are designed, then custom-fitted and blended to the client’s natural strands. Each extension is comprised of 100-percent human hair and crafted on site. Private extension styling rooms are another testament to keeping client needs paramount.

Once strands have been styled to your liking, it’s time to focus on your face itself. Celebrity brow and makeup expert Julie Tussey colors, shapes, and plucks with the precision of a true artist. The carefully crafted eyebrows are complemented by Tussey’s application of makeup from brands like Laura Mercier, MAC, and more. And although her clientele includes celebrities like Katie Lee, Keira Knightley, and Whitney Fairchild, Tussey explains as she works, making it easy to take her techniques home and execute for your everyday look.

To round out your experience at Angelo David, choose from manicures/pedicures crafted with Essie or wear-for-weeks Shellac. The salon also boasts a bevy of hair products from boar bristle brushes to detanglers. 48 E. 43rd St., 2nd Fl., 212-883-6620

Weekend Recommender: May 11-13

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:52:00 -0400

Bateaux New York Mother's Day brunch cruise

In the Company of Animals
Friday, May 11, 10:30 AM to 9 PM
See The Morgan Library's new exhibit "In the Company of Animals: Art, Literature, and Music," which explores the ways in which animals have influenced great works of art. Inside you'll find artwork by Audubon and William Blake, and manuscripts by Virginia Woolf and T.S. Eliot, amongst others. Through May 20. 225 Madison Ave. 212-590-0300; themorgan.org

Billy Budd
Saturday, May 12, 9 PM
Catch the closing show of Benjamin Britten's opera adaptation of Herman Melville's novella Billy Budd, which recounts the evil and jealous nature of the tyrannical Claggart against a young and angelic Billy Budd on the high seas. The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, 212-362-6000; metoperafamily.org

Mother's Day Champagne Brunch Cruise
Sunday, May 13, 11:30 AM–2 PM
Celebrate mom with a Champagne brunch at Bateaux New York at Chelsea Piers this Sunday. All moms will receive a complimentary mimosa or glass of Champagne. The cruise includes a juice bar, a full brunch menu, and live music. West Side Highway near 23rd St. 866-817-3463; pyireservations.com

Zosia Mamet: One of the Girls

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:34:00 -0400

You may recognize Zosia Mamet from her brief but hilarious role as Mia Wasikowska's inappropriate pal in 2010's The Kids are Alright or as Peggy's cool cat lesbian friend, Joyce, on AMC's Mad Men. Now you can see her as Shoshanna on HBO's new hit show Girls, the anti-Sex and the City that's taking a very honest look at young women trying to make it in New York City. Produced by Judd Apatow and created by lead actress Lena Dunham, whose indie film Tiny Furniture was a critical success, Girls has received both positive and negative attention for its frank discussion of entitlement, sex, and friendship. We spoke to Zosia about the press surrounding the show, her famous last name, and her favorite places in New York.

How were you approached for Girls?
ZOSIA MAMET: I hadn't met Lena, and I hadn't even seen Tiny Furniture yet. I was working on a movie [The Last Keepers, not yet released] in upstate New York and I was super sick. I had pneumonia! We had been shooting outdoors in the freezing cold. I taped my audition video in a barn and I never thought I'd get the part in a million years.

Were you considered for any role other than Shoshanna?
ZM: No, that was the part they sent to me to read. It was supposed to be a guest spot originally, but it turned into a cast role.

The show has gotten a lot of press and critics have received it with mixed emotions—mostly positive, some strongly negative. What do you think is so provocative about the show and its approach to young women's lives in New York?
ZM: It was nerve-wracking for us. It's scary to have so many people talking about something that they haven't seen yet. Will they actually like it when the show comes out? I think a lot has been made about people in their twenties, but I don't think its ever been done in this honest way before. And I think that's why it's so provocative and illuminating for people, because it's honest. We're not skipping over the gritty parts.

Do you read reviews or do you ignore them?
ZM: I don't read reviews. My dad always told me: don't read them, because you'll just focus on the negative ones. It's a rabbit hole, really. I hear from people who are involved with the show and my friends, people whose opinions I care about, and I trust them to tell me what they really think.

Speaking of your dad (playwright and director David Mamet), you come from a big acting family. Has that helped or hindered your career?
ZM: It's definitely a mixed bag. It was harder when I was first starting out, to remove the comma from after my name. You know, everyone wants to be recognized for who they are, not their parents, but I'm also very lucky. It's very magical to grow up on a film set, and it's what I love. It's great to have a family that understands what you want to do.

You also star in Mad Men as Peggy's friend Joyce. What has it been like working on one very established television show in its fifth season versus working on Girls, which is just getting its start?
ZM: It's like comparing apples and oranges. It's totally different. Going on a show like Mad Men, where I'm a guest star, it's more like doing a job. Not to say I don't absolutely love it, because it's an incredible experience. But you're a visitor. There's something particular about working on Girls, where we've all done work but no one really knows who we are yet. We're creating something together, like birthing a child.

Do you live in Los Angeles?
ZM: Yes, I do, I have a house. When people ask me where I'm from I say L.A. I grew up here, so it's my home. I love New York, though. I'm moving to New York next week and I'll be staying in Brooklyn this summer. I'm really excited about it.

Do you have a favorite restaurant or bar you like to frequent when you're in New York?
ZM: There's this place on the Lower East Side, called Brown—whenever I stay with people in New York I always go there. So yummy. When my father's in town we always go to Nello.

What's next for you?
ZM: We start shooting the second season of Girlsnext week. That's why I'm coming out to New York. I'm staying in Carroll Gardens, actually!

You have to go to Frankies.
ZM: I've been there! My co-star, Jemima [Kirke], that's her favorite place. I love that place. I'm just so excited to get to hang out in Brooklyn. I’d love to do a play in the fall… We shall see.

Décor Pop-Up: Liz O’Brien at 1st Dibs

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:26:00 -0400

Sofa by Liz O'Brien

Twentieth century design expert Liz O'Brien will celebrate the debut of her new furniture collection tonight from 6 to 8 PM at 1stdibs in the New York Design Center.

In her twenty years of experience as a gallery owner, O'Brien has worked with New York's best architects, interior designers, museum curators, and personal collectors. Her new collection, called Editions, marks her first foray into upholstered pieces, case goods, mirrors, and lamps. The theme is modern with deep jewel-tones of purple and blue, curved lines, and luxurious lacquered surfaces.

About 80 percent of the collection is new, but there are vintage pieces as well. Suggested retail prices range from $5950 to $8285 for sofas, $2800 to $4250 for chairs, $2975 to $7071 for tables, $3000 for lamps, and $3550 for mirrors. O'Brien classified the collection by saying, “These are the keepers. At the end of the day these are the pieces I want to have in my own home.” Open through June 4. 200 Lexington Ave., 10th floor