Brookfield Place is one of downtown’s go-to locations since its redesign after 9/11. The 14-acre, 5-building complex on the Hudson River is home to some of the world’s most innovative companies and one of New York’s most celebrated experiential, culinary, cultural, and shopping. DOWNTOWN’s Founder, Grace A. Capobianco, recently had the pleasure of visiting the newly redesigned Parm Brookfield Place, created by renowned chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, and restauranteur Jeff Zalaznick.
Parm’s original location opened in New York City’s Little Italy in 2011, offering classic Italian dishes. They are renowned for everything from their prized Chicken Parm, and homemade meatballs, to Rigatoni Carbone-dishes that the Michelin-starred chefs Mario Carbone, and Rich Torrisi ate growing up. Their goal has always been to make the best versions of recognizable dishes we’ve all come to know while remaining faithful to their history.
The newly redesigned space in Brookfield Place offers a light modern design, with an expanded bar with counter seating and tables. The menu has had some updates, but don’t worry, your favorites are still offered, and much more.
“My guest and I enjoyed experiencing everything on the menu during our visit,” says Capobianco.
Dishes from Parm
“Some of our fave starters, the Pizza Knots, are a must, perfectly cooked with pizza spices, garlic, and butter, served with a side of tomato sauce. Also loved the Fried Calamari with Italian green peppers, with a little kick, and Momma Maria’s meatballs. These delicious meatballs will have you wanting more; you can’t eat just one, no fillers, just fresh pork, veal, beef with their secret ingredients.”
Parm’s Mamma Maria’s MeatballsParm’s Pizza Knots
“We’re not done yet, on to the pasta dishes. We sampled the Penne Carbone, in a spicy pink vodka sauce, and Rotini Genovese, with basil pesto, and creamy burrata. This was a nice twist on pesto.”
Penne Carbone, with Spicy Pink Vodka Sauce.
On to the main course, a Skirt Steak Pizzaiola-grilled skirt steak, covered with roasted tomatoes and peppers. Their Lemon Garlic Chicken is served as a half organic chicken, cooked in a cast-iron pan covered in lemon, garlic, and parsley.
Parm’s Lemon and Garlic ChickenSkirt Steak Pizzaiola
“Desserts. A bit of advice, remember when ordering to save room for dessert. We did not!”
“We savored the Gelato Sundae with pistachio, mascarpone, & cherry gelato topped with whipped cream & a pizzelle cookie, and Mario’s Cannolis, comes with 3 to an order, and the Nutella Brownie served warm with mascarpone gelato & Nutella caramel.
We were rolled out of Parm, with bags of leftovers to savor for the next few days. To be honest, it did not make it past our staff’s eyes.
Parm is not only a great go-to neighborhood restaurant but also for global visitors. You have the option of dining in and or ordering delivery or pop in for a takeaway.” For more information, visit parmitalian.com
Somewhere, beyond the sea, Classic Harbor Line waits for thee.
Welcome back to Downtown Highlights, the series in which we take the opportunity to “highlight” businesses in NYC, like Classic Harbor Line – your one-stop (shop? or should we say port?) for seeing the city you love from the water.
After a tumultuous year and a half or so, it is important for us at Downtown to make sure that we’re serving the places that are serving us.
Classic Harbor Line owns a fleet of nine stunning vessels, designed by Scarano Boat Building of Albany, New York. These floating pieces of history call the east coast home. Hop on a Classic Harbor Line yacht in Boston, Massachusetts; Manhattan, New York; Newport, Rhode Island, and Key West, Florida.
Tours specialize in ticketed cruises and private charters, fit for guests and locals alike. Experience a sail as you’ve never experienced before on the luxuriously comfortable yachts that feature teak decks, mahogany trim, and carbon fiber rigging.
We at Downtown magazine had the pleasure of joining Captain Greg Freitas of Full Moon and Captain Sarah Pennington of America 2.0 on the two yachts for our Downtown Highlights series.
The first yacht we had the pleasure of visiting was Full Moon at Brookfield Place’s North Cove Marina in Manhattan. She’s a 65 foot fully restored 1950 classic yacht complete with full bar services, a full-service galley, and catering. We sat down with Captain Greg in her saloon to chat about Classic Harbor Line and his career as a yachtsman. “OLD SALT” fittingly read his cap as he gave anecdotal details of his experienced life on the water.
Over at The Chelsea Piers Marina, we paid a visit to America 2.0. She’s a 105 Feet LOA and a tribute to the first Schooner America — the winner of the very first America’s Cup in 1851. She’s a class act, complete with comfortable seating and bar service, and an open salon below featuring a full-service galley and two heads. Captain Sarah’s invitingly sat with us and gave us America 2.0’s history and her own.
Set sail yourself with Classic Harbor Line or take a walk along the esplanade to watch their stunning ships.
Families across the city are wondering how best to celebrate Halloween in a safe and enjoyable way.
Mom, Dad, and Children Brookfield Place is providing several different activities and events for the public, including a spooky installation, giveaways and virtual celebrations.
Mark your calendar!
Children and families come over to BFPL to view an installation by New York-based artists Tin&Ed. Witness the newly imagined inflatable sculpture whose hybrid flower bloom comes to life in the Winter Garden on October 24-31. Spanning 20-feet tall by 25-feet wide, Monster will be safely suspended amongst the palms, keeping all who pass by safely out of its grasp.
BFPL Halloween Offerings
Digital Halloween bash. Dress in your spookiest costume and join us online for a family-friendly digital Halloween celebration on Saturday, October 31! Digital programming features performances by Sonia De Los Santos, Mario the Maker Magician, String Theory Theater and a Kids Food Festival cooking class.
Redeem your BFPL Halloween goodie bag! Snap a selfie with a specially designed AR filter and become a part of the Monster installation! Tag @BFPLNY to redeem a goodie bag full of tricks and treats from the concierge desk that you and your little ones can enjoy! The BFPL gift bag includes a Halloween coloring book, sweets, offers from BFPL’s shops, a $10 Hudson Eats gift card, and more.
The BFPL gift bag includes a Halloween coloring book, sweets, offers from BFPL’s shops, a $10 Hudson Eats gift card, healthy treats from Kids Food Festival and their partners, and more!
We know that many of us are feeling uncertainty with the ongoing COVID pandemic, working remotely, worrying about the financial impact, the unrest in our political system, working hard to keep our loved ones safe, managing strain and stress from almost every angle, and some days not knowing where to turn for a reprieve.
Just maybe there is a silver lining or at least a place where we can give to ourselves the self-care we desperately need and it’s right here in Lower Manhattan.
Brookfield Place a shopping, dining, and cultural destination located on the Hudson River in Battery Park is now offering a health and wellness destination, Clean Market just opened its first location in Lower Manhattan.
Clean Market’s modern wellness store and innovative services to the Lower Manhattan neighborhood was the natural next step for the concept store as workers and locals looking for a place to restore and unwind.
Guests can explore Clean Market’s wellness shop and experience IV Nutrient Therapy in their NutriDrip IV Drip Lounge. Infrared sauna and cryotherapy services will be opened this winter.
Clean Market
“We are thrilled to open Clean Market at Brookfield Place.
In an area with many businesses and locals, the store is the perfect destination to restore and recharge throughout the day to feel your best during these unprecedented times. We will be welcoming visitors to our wellness shop and IV drip lounge, and soon expanding services to include our infrared sauna and cryotherapy treatments,” said Clean Market Co-Founder Lily Kunin.
“The opening of Clean Market at Brookfield Place will allow visitors to enjoy a full suite of curated wellness services – an amenity offering that has quickly become highly sought-after during this time,” said Callie Haines, Executive Vice President, Brookfield Properties. “We’re proud to bring Clean Market to Brookfield Place, and confident New Yorkers and visitors alike will enjoy this experience during a time where we all need some self-care and a wellness reprieve
Clean Market
Clean Market’s Brookfield Place treatments and amenities include
IV drips | increases energy, strengthens the immune system, improves detox, boosts metabolism, reduces stress, and more.
Modern apothecary & wellness shop| stocked with Lily Kunin-approved clean body & beauty products, medical-grade supplements, healthy snacks, and more.
Whole-body cryotherapy | speeds up healing & muscle recovery, boosts metabolism and energy, burns up to 400 calories in 3 minutes, and more. (Coming Soon)
Infrared saunas | enhance detox, boosts metabolism and immune system, support weight loss (burn up to 600 calories a session), and more. (Coming Soon)
Organic Café with grab-and-go options | (Coming Soon)
Stay tuned as we sample first hand our new modern Clean Market!
Our neighbors, shoppers, visitors, and workers, but I love it all the same. Just like everywhere else in the country, many of my favorite cafes, restaurants, and shops have struggled to reopen, and their staffs are furloughed or unemployed, which is heartbreaking.
One of the things that makes downtown such a unique place is its many small businesses. They are a central part of the culture of lower Manhattan and have been from the time this island was first settled. They are the lifeblood for the tens of thousands of families living here, and for the hundreds of thousands of people who have grown accustomed to working here.
A few months ago, Silverstein Properties partnered with Brookfield, the Howard Hughes Corporation, and the Downtown Alliance to create a “Small Business Rental Assistance Grant” program, which offers immediate assistance to the local small businesses that continue to provide vital services to residents and essential workers in Lower Manhattan during the pandemic.
The program gives downtown’s small businesses, restaurants, bars, and cafes immediate access to $800,000 in grants, which we hope will help them weather this painful time. Grace and Downtown magazine have done a terrific job spotlighting essential workers and small businesses that are making a difference in our neighborhood.
Downtown’s businesses have been through a lot over the past two decades, but we are resilient, and I have no doubt that we will once again come back better and stronger than ever. Until that time, we need to stand together.
Like many of you, I was staggered and outraged when I saw the video of George Floyd being murdered by police officers in Minneapolis in May. This taking of an innocent man’s life was so horrible to witness, but I hope and pray it will lead to real and lasting change. What has happened in one form or another to members of the black community around this country is outrageous, and we can’t allow it to continue.
America must come to grips with the racial injustices that have existed here for over 400 years. It’s time to right the wrongs, heal the wounds, and come together as a nation. I believe we can and will change in ways that reflect the attitudes that many Americans have embraced and are now coming out in strength to express.
We must stand together and speak out on behalf of our families, friends, colleagues, and all those who have been the victims of murder, racism, and repression because of their skin color. We need to be supportive of each other and bring Americans together again because we’re a great nation that can accomplish incredible things when we commit to working together. It is time to unite as a country.
The opening photo of Dara McQuillan stands in front of “The Roots,” a 52-foot mural by Black-Latinx artist Cristina Martinez, located on the 79th floor of 3 World Trade Center. The mural is a tribute to the empowerment of Black and Brown women.
We wanted to take the time to share some of the many who have displayed generosity and kindness during this pandemic. From celebrity hairstylists Patrick Kyle, Iron Chef Marc Forgione, Elisabeth Holder of Laudrèe USA, Harry’s Italian, and Da Claudio Restaurant, to Howard Hughes Seaport. You will read their words and see their photos as we salute their selfless acts.
Last Thursday was a day Patrick Kyle will never forget.
My buddy, Jordan @jordanehni (Infectious Disease Director @mountsinai_bethisrael ) was looking for barbers and hairstylists to volunteer to give health care workers much-needed haircuts. After discussing protective measures, I agreed to participate. Over 400 people entered a raffle for the cuts. Six were chosen to meet me in the “Wellness Room” for haircuts. I had full PPE (scrubs, mask, gloves and face shield). Clients were given a fresh mask and robe as they walked into the room. I felt completely safe. The love and appreciation I received will stay with me forever. Little did they know I felt normal for the first time in weeks getting to do something I love — servicing my clients
Celebrity hairstylist Patrick Kyle @patrickkyle_ generously donated six haircuts to front line employees at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Patrick is a freelance hairstylist whose credits include Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and New York Fashion Week.
Employees entered a raffle, and six lucky winners received a haircut and styling, snacks, music, and aromatherapy treatment as a part of a larger wellness plan to help keep COVID-19 frontline workers rejuvenated for the long journey ahead. We are all missing access to basic services, and we are grateful to Patrick for volunteering his time and truly connecting with our healthcare heroes.
Winners: Millie Rosario, emergency department tech; Dr. Arielle Sasson, first-year resident; Marco Makkar, emergency department registrar; Dr. Anthoney Lim, medical director of the pediatrics ER. #selfcare#frontlines#COVID19#msbibettertogether#wellnesswednesday
Patrick Kyle at Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Mount Sinai Beth Israel
So grateful for the true heroes that work tirelessly behind the front lines!
“After delivering 100 more dinners (thanks to YOUR generosity) it was so heartwarming to hear the #clapforourcarers for all essential workers risking their lives to keep us safe! THANK YOU! We are especially proud of our small but mighty team that is currently working together to ensure we bring our entire team back when this is over! It is a reminder that we are collectively #strongertogether#spiritofsolidarity is alive and well!” #DaClaudioNYChttps://www.instagram.com/nyphospital/
Da Claudio delivering to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
One of our favorite sweet spots in New York, was right there front and center, taking the time to give. “We keep sharing the love with all the health workers who are doing an amazing job taking care of our families, friends, and communities.”
When New York City shut down, brothers Frank and Salvatore Buglione decided with their co-owners at the restaurant group HPH NYC –
‘WE JUST PULL UP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND DROP OFF FOOD’: WHY HARRY’S ITALIAN DECIDED TO STAY OPEN
to keep both their Harry’s Italian locations open. “You always hate to see any restaurant go completely dark,” HPH partner Paul Lamas told the Downtown Alliance. “We wanted to try and keep some of our key employees, key staff working. Everybody wanted to work. We really wanted to do something to help the community.”
Beyond their neighborhood regulars, HPH and the Bugliones identified plenty of other mouths to feed in Manhattan. They tapped a number of their food purveyors and liquor vendors to see who’d be willing to chip in — the restaurant would match any donation — to serve first responders (e.g. NYPD’s 1st Precinct, Engine 4 and Ladder 15 on South Street, NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital). “We’re not here looking to make money or make this any publicity stunt,” Salvatore told the Alliance. “We do our best work when people are not looking. We just keep dropping off food — we don’t even ask any questions. We just pull up to the emergency room and drop off food.
“I always feel we do the easy part,” Salvatore added. “Okay, we’re dropping off some food. It’s more about what these hospital workers are going through. They’re dealing with patients every day.”
The Bugliones work 18- and 19-hour days to do what they’re doing. At around 7 or 8 each morning, they turn on the ovens and wait for the orders to come in. Before they know it, Salvatore said, “we turn around and it’s 11 o’clock at night.” They’re not even tired, he said. “It’s unbelievable: You don’t realize 15 hours went by and you’re still strong.”
Harry’s Italian by Downtown Alliance
Lower Manhattan property owners came together on the evening of March 19, 2020, to offer a symbol of hope and strength in the midst of the global health and financial crisis.
“This is a moment to band together, show pride in a tough time, and light up the Lower Manhattan skyline with hope,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “Whether it’s red, white and blue or with a single white beacon, buildings across Lower Manhattan will light themselves in honor of our determination to endure and recover.”
“In this time of need, we as New Yorkers and Americans are looking for symbols of hope—both in our communities and across the country,” said Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We wanted to unite our community and light up the buildings of Lower Manhattan together to show our solidarity, our resiliency, and our persistent hope for the future.”
Stay tuned for more generosity from New Yorkers taking the time to give back during this unprecedented time.
