Hit the slopes
Park Slope brownstones, Rao's, Turks & Caicos, Cabo, Oscar party, Easter reservations, DC restaurants, MORE
THE ASK • FOUND MIAMI
Here’s a scoop: FOUND is launching in Miami later this year. It’s never too early to get on the list. We’re also looking for Miami-based contributors. If that’s you, hit reply or email found@foundny.com with FOUND MIAMI in the subject line and we’ll chat.
REAL ESTATE • In Contract
Step into my parlor
A pair of stately brownstones were the top contracts in Brooklyn last week, per Compass’s luxury report ($2M and up) for the borough. It was a long journey for 21 Prospect Park West, whose asking price dropped almost $5 million in its nearly two years on the market. As quirky as it is grand, the 25-foot-wide property even comes with a retro ice cream parlor on the ground floor (scroll down).
A few blocks north, 136 Park Place took a shorter path to contract, getting there just 23 days after listing for $3.995M. The two-unit Italianate (triplex over garden) is also full of original detail, but with a little less complicating flavor than 21 PPW. Also, a big, airy kitchen.
The week’s third-most-expensive listing — 189 Prospect Place in Prospect Heights — was also in a townhouse, this one converted into a pair of modernized condos. Unit #2 was asking $3.5M, and features three bedrooms above an open layout living-kitchen-dining space. Unit #1, which includes the garden, is still active at $4.25M.
→ 21 Prospect Park West (Park Slope, above) • 6BR/3.3BA, 7500 SF townhouse • Closing ask: $7.75M (initial ask: $12.2M) • Double-height gallery with balcony, 6 fireplaces, small kitchen • Days on market: 487 (plus earlier) • Monthly taxes: $2,867 • Agent: Michelle Griffith, Elliman.
→ 136 Park Place (Park Slope) • 8BR/3.1BA, 3780 SF townhouse • Closing ask: $3.995M • 1869 classic landmarked on 100’ lot with garden-floor rental • Days on market: 23 • Monthly taxes: $1408 • Agent: Teri Cavanaugh, Corcoran.
→ 189 Prospect Place #2 (Prospect Heights) • 3BR/2.1BA, 1896 SF condo • Closing ask: $3.5M • Converted and renovated with chef’s kitchen, primary suite, and terrace • Days on market: 88 • Monthly common charges: $514; Monthly taxes: $540 • Agent: Daniel Chun, Compass.
NYC REAL ESTATE LINKS: Buyers at 685 Fifth sue Michael Shvo, alleging too-large closets • Twin towers of One Domino Square nearing completion on Williamsburg waterfront, as is adjacent Domino Square Park • In praise of Brooklyn’s tallest, darkest tower: ‘totem of demonic spirits, but what’s not to like?’
CULTURE & LEISURE • Friday Routine
My FedEx Cup runneth over
ARTHUR BACKAL • CEO • Backal Hospitality Group
Neighborhood you live in: Upper East Side
It’s Friday afternoon, how are you rolling into the weekend?
This happens to be a particularly busy weekend of travel and entertainment. I enjoyed dinner at Rao’s in East Harlem last night. My friends have a table. I love to get the meatballs, the seafood salad, and the baked clams. Follow that with pastas and chicken, and it’s a good night.
Where are you dining this weekend?
This weekend I’ll be traveling and enjoying the Toronto culinary scene, including Hy’s Steakhouse, which has terrific food and cocktails, including a pitch-perfect old-fashioned. When I’m in the city, I crave casual Italian, and really love Mezzaluna. And of course: Le Bernardin, always great for a special occasion. Closer to my office in the Village, I love to grab a drink at The Spaniard and a bite at Little Ruby’s, an Australian style café with an amazing burger that’s a great recent addition to the neighborhood.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’ll be going to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and a Sports Illustrated party. When I return on Sunday, my wife Liana and I are going to a new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. On weekends that I’m not traveling, I enjoy a night at The Jazz Club in Midtown (one of my company’s venues). If you ever have the chance to see Brian Newman perform, you won’t be disappointed! And then, I’m lucky enough to be sitting courtside for the Nets/Warriors on Monday, and dining at the Crown Club at Barclays, with food by Major Food Group.
Any weekend getaways?
I was recently in Anguilla. We stayed at the Four Seasons, and everything was outstanding. We mostly ate onsite, but went off-property to Blanchard’s Restaurant and Beach Shack for a delicious meal. It’s a lovely family-run establishment, and you can’t beat their local fish entrees.
What was your last great vacation?
Last year I went to Turks and Caicos and Cabo, both easy trips from NYC. In Turks and Caicos, we stayed at the new Ritz Carlton. Great for families — they have the best beaches. While there, we did a day trip to the Aman, which was first class. We ate at Hemingway’s and the Grill at Grace Bay.
In Cabo, we stayed at The Cape, a modern hotel with great staff. On a previous visit, we stayed at The Esperanza, which has more of a classic vibe. Highly recommend both. Flora Farms is a great seasonal restaurant sourcing ingredients from its own farm. Another great new farm-to-table restaurant, El Huerto, is closer to the resorts.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Red Carpet
Oscar Night • The Metrograph (Lower East Side) • Sun @ 630p • balcony box seating with open bar + hors d’oeuvres, $200 per (membership required)
Marc Maron: ‘All In’ • Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown, NY) • Sun @ 7p • orchestra, $158 per
Keyshia Cole • Barclays Center (Flatbush) • Sun @ 8p • section 8, $233 per
CULTURE LINKS: Williamsburg's Outlaw Wrestling is 'Broadway with body slams' • Art exhibits NYC: the best shows to see now • The Outsider Art Fair is back in Chelsea • Duke asks its basketball fans to heckle responsibly • Banish me, daddy. How Alan Cumming is reshaping the idea of reality show host.
GETAWAYS • Washington, DC
Mr. Pitofsky goes to Washington
Recent drinking and dining highlights from our nation’s capital:
A CLASSY JOINT: After five visits in the last year, I feel secure calling Jônt, from chef Ryan Ratino, one of the best restaurants in the country. Fourteen counter seats offer guests a front row view of the action, which includes live-fire cooking. At $375 per for the multi-hour Japanese-influenced tasting menu, it’s not cheap. But you get exactly what you pay for: multiple types of caviar, truffles, and the highest quality fish, direct from Japan.
→ Jônt (Logan Circle) • 1904 14th St NW • Reserve.
BASQUE GLORY: The most recent concept from chef Johnny Spero, Bar Spero, is a seafood-forward restaurant incorporating live-fire cooking (again!) in a seasonal à la carte menu. I’m not sure I’ve had a better preparation of cooked oysters than the grilled Island Creeks with sidra blanc sauce, pickled garlic, and brown butter. Also, don’t miss the whole roasted turbot with a stunning herbed cod dashi emulsion — it’ll deposit you directly on the coast of Spain. Bonus: The burger is one of the best in town.
→ Bar Spero (East End) • 250 Massachusetts Ave NW • Reserve.
WE HAVE IGNITION: If inventive cocktails are of interest, there’s no better place in town than José Andrés’ Barmini. A longtime DC staple, its popularity is unwavering, thanks to elaborate presentations (above) and excellent service in a cozy, modernist space. It doesn’t hurt that the food comes from two-Michelin-Star neighbor and sister restaurant, Minibar. Don’t miss the grilled cheese. It has no equal. –Lee Pitofsky
→ Barmini (Penn Quarter) • 501 9th St NW • Reserve.
GETAWAYS LINKS: Town crafting plan to rebuild Ditch Plains beach in Montauk • A very good guide to Asheville, NC • Delta scrapping Westchester-to-Florida routes — and delaying universal free wifi rollout into 2025 • Epic Ski Passes for ‘24-’25 season now on sale, Mountain Collective too • Damien Hirst takes over Château La Coste in Provence.
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Easter Sunday, ticketed
Daniel (Upper East Side), three-course feast, $225 per (wine pairing: $115 per), reserve