Tag: Family

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An Interview With The Chin Twins!

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All photos by Nigel Barker.

Downtown had the opportunity to talk with Cristen and Kimberly Chin about their new show: The Chin Twins! The show follows Cristen and Kimberly as they show us how to cook some of their favorite family recipes while they teach us how to love life and stay balanced in such a crazy world! From visiting local shops and restaurants to learning natural beauty hacks, The Chin Twins has something for everyone! Read on to see what they have to say about their new show, the importance of food and family, and much more!

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You both practice yoga. How did you start? How has it helped you during the pandemic? Do you have any tips or advice for beginners?

Kimmy: We grew up dancing. We’ve always used our bodies as an art form. We did ballet, tap, jazz, point. And we were pretty athletic. We were swimmers. We tried to do diving; it didn’t quite work out. 

It began with a Bikram studio. And that’s the very hot, pretty regimented type of yoga. We started out being drawn to the physical practice of yoga. It deepened after we became parents, when we became pregnant. We did prenatal yoga, Mommy and Me yoga, with our babies. Yoga has evolved with us as we’ve aged. 

And then we both did our teacher training. We wanted to share it with other people, so we both teach, we both practice. 

Crissy: The pandemic was a huge shift. I for one love to go into studios; I feed off the energy of all the other yogis in the room, and I love breathing together or flowing together. Everything just came to a halt. 

It was a forced change to our practice, but it did deepen it in a different way. That is one time I needed yoga the most just because of the anxiety and the unknown, having two kids at home trying to do homeschooling. Yoga shifted, and it was amazing the way you can find what you need from your practice under different circumstances. You find ways to carve out a space in your home. It was a struggle, but I think it deepened my relationship with yoga. My practice is definitely more restorative, more calming; I go to it for that. 

Kimmy: There’s just so many types of yoga, and yoga can meet you wherever you are. The best advice is don’t try to compare yourself to anybody else, even when you start in a classroom because yoga looks different to everybody. Yoga can be doing things mindfully, it can be meditation. There are so many different classes and styles. Just keep searching and find where you fit. 

Crissy: Try as many different styles as you can until you find one that suits you, and that might change. Just keep an open mind. And that suits all points of your life like being a student, being a mother. That’s a healthy way to approach all things in life. 

And I think that’s also why Kimmy and I created this show, The Chin Twins, to introduce some of the more lofty, complicated yoga philosophies in a more day to day way. Ways to use everyday activities in your home to kind of emulate these larger yogic principles. That’s really what the show’s about. 

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How do you use food to stay connected with your family?

Crissy: It’s a human, primal desire to be able to care for people, and food, for us as mothers, definitely plays a role in that, for caring and nourishing. And connecting, to gather, to commune. 

Kimmy: When you’re cooking, when you’re nourishing, you’re putting a little bit of heart into your food and sharing it with your family. In the show–we filmed it all in Woodstock where Crissy lives–we went out and embraced the community like little local shops, and that also strengthened the community. 

Crissy: I love to explore different cultures through food. So my friends and my family will have a themed night, like it’s Moroccan Night and we’ll have the tajin out and the couscous, so I love using food to broaden and teach. 

Kimmy: Like when we’re having Italian Night, I put on Italian bistro music. You bring Italy to you, especially during the pandemic. Everybody got so experimental. I think it was Christmas Eve and I said, “Let’s go get snow crab legs.” We’ve never had that! We were just trying to bring the world to our kitchens because we couldn’t get out and travel. 

 

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In the episodes that have aired so far, you visit quite a few local shops in Woodstock, NY like Harana Market and Three Turtle Doves. What do you love about shopping local, and why is it important for you and for us to support local stores in our communities? 

Crissy: Small businesses got hit so hard during the pandemic, and they struggled to stay open and keep the foot traffic going, and, as Kimmy mentioned we haven’t been traveling as much, so I really feel like I’ve reconnected with my small town. And not that I didn’t appreciate them before, but every little community…there’s so many treasures in our own backyard. It’s amazing to be able to visit them and to really sit and hear their stories. I go in and out of shops everyday, and it’s nice just to connect with the owners. It’s really special to be able to share that with our audience. It’s a real gift that we can go and help share that with the world. 

We visited Tinker Taco, which I go to all the time, and I love their tacos. But I had never watched him make them by hand. And he really starts with the kernels of corn and soaks it and grinds it and presses it. 

Kimmy: It’s nice to appreciate what’s in your own backyard. And when we support our local businesses, they really look out for us too. The community, if we need something, they’d be the first ones to bring food to your house. And you know where your food is coming from. 

Crissy: It’s important to know where that tortilla came from! And now it makes me want to go and make my own at home. 

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The first episode talked about staying grounded and having a solid foundation, and we saw that one of the ways you do this is by cooking. What are some other ways you have found to stay grounded? 

Crissy: Outside of the physical practice of yoga, it’s just taking a break. Stopping. Sometimes we get very caught up in the to-do list or the kids or whatever is happening. Just take time for yourself. It’s very helpful in staying grounded. And surround yourself with grounded people.

Kimmy: Something easy no matter where you are is your breath. It’s probably the easiest tool anybody can use to ground themselves. You can be in an airplane, in the grocery store waiting in line, driving…just taking a long, deep breath…there’s so many simple breathing techniques. Your breath is the quickest, easiest way to ground yourself. 

Crissy: Or taking a walk in nature. Just taking a walk connects you with the solid foundation, the ground.

Kimmy: Or music. And what ground me might not work for you. You kind of find that, what does it for you. 

Crissy: There is such a thing as being too grounded. Like if your root chakra is overly active, then you’re sluggish. You’re not motivated; you feel stuck. There’s being in tune with your energy centers, and your mood just helps you know that you’re too grounded, that you need to elevate. Finding tools in your tool kit that help you find that balance. It’s a journey. 

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What helped you most during the pandemic, and what advice do you have for people who are struggling to build a solid foundation in their lives?

Crissy: Sometimes you have to tune it out. Turn off the news. Be aware but don’t leave it on in the background. You have to carve out time where you’re safe in your environment with your family. Or doing things that you enjoy, and that bring you creativity. Don’t let the outside world bog you down to a point where you can’t hear yourself anymore. 

Kimmy: I think a big thing that can bring peace to people is surrendering. As humans, we feel safe when we’re in control, or when we think we’re in control. But really we’re not in control of anything at all, especially the big things happening all over the world. So being okay with not being in control, which is just surrendering. Trusting the universe. And that’s a practice. 

Crissy: Anxiety is with us all the time. We have to surrender or find ways to assert control over how we deal with things, how we process it. Pick out something small. What can I do on a small scale that is going to help? There are little things we can do.

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Do you have any funny twin stories for us?

Crissy: When we were little–this is an example of how Kimmy and I, to this day, will tag team and get the job done and use our strengths to enhance the others weaknesses–we went to a Catholic school and wore uniforms. And our teachers were nuns, older nuns, that didn’t have great eyesight. So on days where there were two tests, I would study for math and Kimmy would study for history, and then she would take both history tests and I would take both math tests. And we never got caught!

 

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The Chin Twins airs Wednesday nights at 9/8c on The Design Network. To watch the episodes that have aired so far, check out The Design Network’s YouTube Channel!

 

 

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Categories
Featured Living NYC

Downtown’s Ultimate Gift Guide 2021

Downtown's Ultimate Gift Guide 2021
Photographer Noel Y. Calingasan

Photo Credit: https://instagram.com/nyclovesnyc?utm_medium=copy_link

Each year, Downtown readers come to us asking what might be the best gifts to give this season. We took a look at this year’s greatest products from cooking to dining, fashion to beauty, and tech to culture to give our recommendations for the ultimate gift guide of 2021. Browse on for ideas on what to give each special person in your life this holiday season, from our hearts to yours.

7-Piece Espresso Works All-in-One Set Stainless Steel

Become a barista in your own kitchen with the all-in-one EspressoWorks 15-bar Espresso Machine, offering an electric grinder, portafilter, ceramic cups, and milk frothing pitcher. Craft professional-quality café drinks in less than a minute at home and never spend a dime on take-out coffee again!

Heimat Elderflower Liqueur Heimat New York

A New-York based maker of seasonal, award-winning craft liqueurs, has expanded its portfolio. This small batch is crafted using hand-picked flowers from Greiner Brothers farm. The liqueur is a more fragrant, less sweet alternative to traditional Elderflower liqueur.

Hudson Grace’s Bar Basics: Old Fashioned Kit

This set will have your bar ready to go to prepare an old-fashioned for dad, or that special holiday guest. Includes 13.5 oz bourbon cherries, 8 oz demerara syrup, 1 oz aromatic bitters, and a graduated jigger.

5-Piece Bourbon Street Whiskey Decanter Set

We are in love with this perfect holiday gift, made of diamond wheel cut glass with a beautiful crisscross pattern, this New Orleans-inspired set is engineered to enhance your whiskey drinking experience. Set includes one decanter and four glasses.

LAFCO Reed Diffuser

A lovely mouth-blown glass vessel, large hand-cut reeds fill your home with a steady release of expertly crafted fragrance. Each essential oil-based fragrance is specially blended and highly concentrated to provide a true, natural scent for up to a year.

LAFCO Signature Candle

Fragrant, soy-based candles have been hand-poured into colorful mouth-blown art glass vessels that can be reused in your home décor. Each naturally luxurious essential oil-based fragrance has been specially designed and concentrated to provide a true and natural scent.

Give the Gift of Cruising

CLASSIC HARBOR LINE’S Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise is a great way to get into the holiday spirit with coworkers or loved ones and the perfect gift. The 1.5-hour cruise sets sail evenings from Chelsea Piers and will include live musical performances, complimentary house-made cocoa, and cookies, and a selection of beer, wine, and soda will also be available for purchase, plus spectacular views of New York City. Choose one of many city cruises on Classic Harbor line, give the gift of New York City, with some of the best crew and captains in all of NYC.sail-nyc.com

Give New York’s Skyline – Premium Metal Chess Set

These stunning chess sets take distinguished line-ups of notable architecture and transform them into game pieces to create a truly unique statement piece. Each set includes double-weighted pieces featuring soft felt bases, a hand screen-printed wooden hatch board, and a presentation box. Of course, our favorite is the New York Skyline.

Bring France to your table this year with Château de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Vin 2017

We are thrilled to add to our gift guide this year, the Guigal family’s dream of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with three extraordinary vineyards coming together in an intensely expressive, utterly complete wine. The Grand Vin defines the estate style with a precision of fruit, spice, and minerality and notably, a beautifully composed structure that unfolds and builds (and builds). This wine is deep and dark, with an intense nose of red and blackberries and spice. A beautiful composition, with silky tannins, power, and elegance. Pair with red meats either grilled or cooked in sauces, game birds, or aged cheeses.

Honest Nighttime Self-Care Kit

Refresh from long, hard days out on the town with the Honest Nighttime Self-Care Kit. Complete with a cleanser, mud mask, facial cream, and resurfacing serum, this collection takes away the years this city might wear on you overnight. 

Obagi

Obagi skincare products are designed to help minimize the appearance of premature skin aging, skin damage, hyperpigmentation, acne, and sun damage.

Polish + Mask contain an unparalleled level of 30% L-ascorbic acid for brighter more youthful-looking skin and ultra-fine silica-alumina crystals that help shed the most superficial layers of the epidermis, removing built-up surface debris and prepping skin for infusion of Vitamin C. Even better? The infusion of botanical oils minimizes dryness while maximizing glow.

The concentrated Obagi Professional-C Serums offer vitamin C in a rich formula in three concentration levels, perfect for all skin types. Suncare from Obagi contains vitamins B, C, and E to help brighten the skin and promote a healthy, youthful-looking glow. While vitamin C provides added sun protection, it does not take the place of sunblock. Thankfully, this dual-function sunscreen combines broad-spectrum SPF 30 in a 10% L-ascorbic acid formulation—the perfect multitasker to address the appearance of skin aging.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Universe

Glow up with this limited-edition five-pan palette, featuring four new ambient lighting power shades.

Denali Green Sabah’s

Sabah’s in Denali Green is the perfect leather shoe to complement your fall outfit this season.

Give the gift of beauty and grooming this year with Dr. Amy B. Lewis

Dr. Amy B. Lewis is a nationally renowned medical expert and consultant in the field of cosmetic dermatology, and one of Downtown’s newest board members. From Cosmetic anti-aging procedures to specialized products, she is our go-to expert. Choose a gift certificate, make gift-giving simpler by giving the recipient the choice. Stocking stuffers are our favorite, choose from Colorscience Mineral Correction Palette, Crystal Peel Lavender Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Soap, Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar, Emepelle Eye Cream, Colorscience Lip Shine, Clinicians ComplexLIP Enhancer Clear & Red, Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face shield, ISDIN Si-Nails, Photozyme Vitamin C+E, and ISDIB K-Ox Eyes.

For Her give full-size beauty products,  Alastin Procedure Enhancement system with TriHex Technology, Emepelle Night Cream, DefenAge Clinical Power Trio, ISDIN Uradin Lotion, and Hylastra®Gold.

For Him get him started out on the right foot with anti-aging products, DefenAge Men’s Kit, Photozyme Omega 36 DNA Complex, ISDIN Isdinceutics Malatonik™, Neocutis Bio-Gel, Photozyme Ultra-Rich Cream, and Alchime Skin Repair Gel.

To purchase products in time for the holidays call her office 212-288-6133 or email scheduling@lewisdermatology.com

Click to follow Dr. Amy B. Lewis on IG

Exquisite Holiday Wine Gifts from E. Guigal & Juve & Camps

Since it was first made in 1972, Gran Juvé has always been an emblematic Cava, representing the best of Juvé & Camps. Categorized as “Brut” with just 5g/l of dosage, it is only produced in exceptional vintages and is made using the best quality grapes from select vineyard plots. Aged in the bottle for about 42 months, it showcases the intensity and complexity that Cava can achieve. Hints of white flowers and stone fruit are followed by notes of a long-aged cava: brioche, toasted flavors, spices, and honey. Chardonnay contributes to the creamy mouthfeel and the Xarel.lo to the elegance and long finish. Exquisitely balanced, this dry cava is expressive, intense, complex, and fresh, a harmony of endless sensations.

Juvé & Camps Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva 2017

A winegrowing family for over 200 years, Juvé first started producing sparkling wines under their name in 1921. This family-owned, 100% estate-based producer is revered in Spain for its painstaking focus on quality and sustainability.“Reserva de la Familia” (translating to ‘Reserve of the Family’) is the leading Gran Reserva in the world, always vintage-dated, and all the more notable because of the quality needed to produce it without dosage (‘Brut Nature’ designation). Deep, intense and elegant, initially evokes notes of ripe white fruits followed by hints of fennel, toast, and citrus to complete its distinguished aroma. Its creamy mousse is perfectly integrated in the palate, making its texture in the mouth simultaneously fresh, rounded, and evocative.

Tea Forte’s Warming Joy Collection

Tea is our office staple. Some love their coffee, for Downtown we prefer tea. A much more relaxing way to wake up or unwind. It’s more of an experience, a ritual, far more than just brewing. Many prepare just the perfect cup of tea individually, for some it’s the rich cream and the perfect amount of raw sugar first then the pour-in Tea Forte’s steeped tea. While others go all-natural, with lemon, and honey, regardless of your process, be sure to ask for Tea Forte this holiday season, or this could be added to your very own list!

This holiday season, be sure to open the lid to reveal a tea menu and a collection of 20 pyramid infusers in five blends, including Raspberry Ganache, Harvest Apple Spice, Winter Chai, Rum Raisin Biscotti, Spiced Ginger Plum, or our Publisher’s favorite the classics, like English Breakfast, Earl Gray, or Estate Darjeeling.

The Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow

Every person is unique, we each sleep in different positions. Are you a side or back sleeper? Have you heard that traditional rectangular pillows aren’t designed to support our neck and shoulders perfectly no matter what position we happen to sleep in? We’ve heard this from both our physical therapist and medical doctors, there is more and more research about having the best pillow to match your body. This unique curve from the side sleeper pillow by Honeydew does just that, it supports your neck and shoulders whether you are on your side or your back and offers proper neck alignment and support. Give yourself the gift of healthy sleep, or if you are feeling generous, get one for the entire family!

All Body by Honeydew Pillow

Are you like most people, rolling up a towel, or placing an extra pillow between your knees? Sleeping with a pillow between your knees dramatically improves spinal alignment and promotes sleeping on your side, which helps to lessen tossing and turning throughout the night and significantly improves breathing. This can greatly reduce or even eliminate snoring, and also provides tremendous relief for those who suffer from sleep apnea. Also, hugging has been found to release oxytocin and serotonin in your body. Simply put, snuggling up with a body pillow at night can lower your heart rate and reduce stress levels. This promotes a sense of comfort and peace that will improve the quality of sleep.

Have you ever wanted to remove some stuffing from your pillow? Honeydew’s fill is the most important part of your new pillow. It literally took years of prototypes and testing before they found that oh-so-perfect blend of materials, in just the right ratio, allowing for the perfect combination of support and softness. All Honeydew pillows have a discreetly hidden zipper that lets you add or remove fill to make sure your new pillow is the perfect height for your body.

Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar

This no-shock system uses sound and vibration instead, to redirect your dog, and also provides daily health insights. Knows your dog’s location using real-time GPS tracking. Use the collar together with the Wagz app.

BodyBoss 2.0 System

This is New York City, so space is a premium. Grab this all-in-one home gym and maximize space while you max out your routine. 

Hydrating hair care essentials are all bundled up in a neoprene pouch, perfect for anyone on your list.

Now, don’t think that this scrumptious Bali Body tanning oil is for eating because it smells just like watermelon. But you can achieve a deep natural tan with this hydrating, natural oil. It’s one of the best we have ever tried. ​Enriched with watermelon seed extract to naturally enhance melanin while leaving you smelling fruity fresh. Say hello to the ultimate summer essential!

Simply one of Downtown’s favorite brands. Try this lovely Bali Body self-tanning kit. This brand never uses drying and damaging sulfates, phthalates or parabens, (unlike 98.9% of beauty products!). They love all furry friends, which makes Bali Body 100% vegan and cruelty-free. These are just some of our editor’s favorites.

Old Fashioned 6 Quart Vintage Wood Bucket Electric Maker Machine

Take summer into the school year (or anywhere) with this premium ice cream maker from Elite Gourmet.

Brio Ultra HD Pro Business Webcam

If we’ve learned anything about our jobs this last year and a half, it’s the importance of a reliable webcam. The Brio Ultra has what you need for a simple, clear look.

Philips NeoPix Easy 2+, True HD Projector with Built-in Media Player

With streaming services taking the movies to your home, the Philips NeoPix takes your home to the movies. Sit back and relax with hi-def visuals and enjoy your homemade popcorn.

iON Wireless Duo Fast Charging Stand + Pad

Bedside cords be gone! Clean up your tables, counters, and desks with a wireless charging stand for family and friend devices.   

Wawona P6

The insulated, spacious built-in vestibule makes it feel more like a home than a tent, perfect for family adventures.

An American Renaissance

Celebrate the beauty of New York City with a book full of big apple architecture associated with the Gilded Age.

Royalty Candles

Tom Dixon’s Eclectic family of scents make for a stunning impression in Brass, Copper, and Stainless Steel hand-spun vessels.

19 Crimes Snoop Cali Red

19 Crimes Snoop Cali Red

Bring Snoop Dog home for the holidays with this delicious red or rose. These delicious wines are bold and strong in character, full body. Cali Rose is ever so ripe with strawberry notes along with delicate floral and rose petal aromas. Fruit-forward notes of fresh raspberry, strawberry, and red cherry.

Their Chardonnay is filled with stone fruit aromas and a sweet textured palate. On the nose, notes of peaches & cream and spicy oak are carried onto the palate and supported by a creamy and criminally intense backbone. This full-bodied, powerful wine finishes with rich notes of butterscotch and spice.

It would be a crime not to add to one’s holiday list!

Grey Goose Lunar Eclipse Cocktail Kit

Bring some extra cheer to the holidays with the ultimate in elegant cocktail kits created in partnership with Italian design factory Alessi.

EVOLVh Smartcurl

Pick up on one of the fastest-growing hair-care brands with EVOLVh, a pioneer in clean haircare products for that perfect look, free from guilt and chemical additives.

Sensate 2

Find relaxation at the speed of sound with specially composed sessions and soundscapes to fit your daily need.

Smart Home Diffuser

The cutting edge in sensory experience is brought to life through the collaboration of two high-profile Italian luxury companies.

Looking for something new and different this year? Try this one-of-a-kind, portable, and unbreakable barrel that keeps NEFT cold for up to 6 hours in any season.

While the barrel may be the hook, it’s the extremely smooth taste that sets NEFT apart from any other vodka. Perfect for holiday gifting or anyone who wants to up their spirits game, NEFT will make an unexpected and luxurious gift to nearly everyone on your list.

NEFT’s exceptionally pure taste is created using the cleanest, all-natural ingredients: oxygen rich-spring water that has been filtered for 50 years far beneath the Rhaetian Alps of Austria, and four non-GMO rye grains farmed in Lower Saxony, Amato, Askari, Pollino, and Rasant. Inherently low in dissolved salts and ions, the naturally filtered water and ancient rye grains were carefully selected to develop a vodka where the ingredients are meant to be tasted.

The LARQ Bottle

The LARQ Bottle is the world’s first self-cleaning water bottle and water purification system. It uses UV-C LED light to eliminate up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants from your water and bottle.

Cadanz by Kerbedanz 41mm

Combining a high level of detail, geometry, and unexpected aesthetics, this line is the perfect accessory for setting the pace of your everyday life.

Dewar’s

Dewar’s Discovery Pack shines a light on their signature double aging process, resulting in an extra smooth taste.

The pack is comprised of Dewar’s 12, 15, and 18-year bottles, perfect for intimate tastings or getting creative with cocktails.

Santa Teresa 1796

From the oldest Venezuelan rum brand, Santa Teresa 1796 is one of the first super-premium rums to employ the Solera Method, an artisanal processing method featuring a blend of light, heavy, and pot still rums aged 4 to 35 years. Santa Teresa 1796 features a palate that hearkens back to scotch and whisky, with notes of tobacco, leather, molasses, and dark chocolate. Packaged in a stylish value pack accompanied by the limited-edition Cantinero Coffee Bitters created by renowned bartender Julio Cabrera.

Holiday Dreams Candle & Diffuser Combo

Holiday Dreams’ a perfect gift for someone special on your list. The scent evokes your fondest holiday memories, a lovely balance of freshly cut evergreen and sweet spiced cider simmering on the stove. The beautiful gold jars for both the candle and the diffuser are a Limited Edition treat that adds a kiss of luxury to your holiday décor.  

This year it’s all about Sicily for wines. Sicily is the perfect region for growing grapes with high-quality potential. Through ancestral rituals, refined from generation to generation, Sicilian winemakers have increasingly developed a culture of excellence through the enhancement of the island’s indigenous varieties. To date, more than 60 varieties are grown in Sicily, of which about 20 are indigenous. Assovini Sicilia is an association of Sicilian winemakers that brings together over 91 wine companies to promote the quality of Sicilian wine around the world.

The Scent of ORVEDA 

This Holiday season, infuse your home with The Scent of ORVEDA. The leader in Biotec is a brand that is kind to the skin, kind to society, and kind to the environment. The candle trio is sweet, yet tart, woody notes derived from petitgrain bigarade add an initial crisp feel, with middle notes of green cardamom erupting before a fresh and earthy base. Hand-crafted and hand-poured in Italy by the finest artisans, this candle set is vegan and 100% compostable.

Maison Ladurée

Maison Ladurée presents its new advent calendar containing a selection of irresistible treats for everyone to enjoy counting the days to Christmas with something sweet.

Keebos

Made for those who love to combine style with functionality.  Ever misplaced, lost, or dropped your phone? Just place your iPhone into the sleek crossbody phone case and start wearing your phone crossbody or as a necklace.

Ben Ryé 2019 offers an extraordinary rich bouquet with outstanding aromas obtained from dried grapes: apricots and candied orange peel. On the palate, it offers countless sensations that sweep from fruity scents to delicate hints of scrub Mediterranean offering an extraordinary freshness that balances the sweetness. Its complexity is enriched by a savory and very persistent finish.

https://www.instagram.com/assovinisicilia/

Pantelleria has been inscribed with UNESCO.

Cerasuolo Di Vittoria D.O.C.G Classico

Aroma: ripe hints of red fruits, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries, hints of spices including vanilla, licorice, and cocoa. Flavor: soft, full, velvety tannins, persistent and aromatic. Best paired with: aged DOP Ragusano cheese, complicated and spiced dishes like chicken curry, game pâté, lamb, and rabbit.

https://www.instagram.com/assovinisicilia/

Categories
Featured NYC

Downtown Highlights: Classic Harbor Line

Classic Harbor Line's Full Moon

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.

Bon Voyage!

For more Downtown Highlights, click here

Categories
Bars Dining Featured NYC Restaurants

Downtown Highlights: BiCE Cucina – Here, You’re Family

BiCE Cucina Opens a New Location in Soho

In this episode of Downtown Highlights, we visited BiCE Cucina, an authentic Italian restaurant that brings together hospitality and Northern Italian flavors. BiCE has two locations in New York City, Midtown and Soho. In this episode, we visited BiCE Cucina in Soho, their newest location.

BiCE Cucina Soho

The Story Behind BiCE

BiCE’s story starts about 90 years ago. It all started with Beatrice Ruggeri, also know as Bice. She shared her talent and love for food with her family and friends while growing up in Northern Italy. Impressed by Bice’s food, her friends and family encouraged her to open a restaurant, or “cucina”. She decided to listen to her loved ones and in 1926, she opened her own Trattoria in Milan with her husband, Gino.

Bice and Gino’s sons, Remo and Roberto, took over the business in 1970. They opened the first location in the United States in 1987. This restaurant is in Midtown, between 5th and Madison Avenue. BiCE quickly gained popularity around the world, opening locations in Palm Beach, Tokyo, LA, Paris, and Chicago over the span of three years. BiCE has even gained the attention of some major clientele such as the Kennedys. The legacy of BiCE continues on through Raffaele Ruggeri, Bice’s grandson.

Here, You’re Family

Raffaele’s goal for BiCE Cucina is clear: to make every guest feel welcome like they’re family. When you visit our restaurant “you’re coming into our home…and when you come into someone’s home, our home, you do everything you can to make sure you take care of your guests,” Raffaele Ruggeri explains to us. This goal is definitely being met, as we felt like we were home while eating here. As soon as we walked in the door, we felt welcome here by Ruggeri and the friendly staff.

Authentic and Light Cuisine

The Tuna Tartare

BiCE Cucina works hard to not only serve delicious food but food that is healthy and light. “We hope to create a beautiful restaurant where the food is really impeccable,” Ruggeri explains. BiCE Cucina has a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options so everyone can find a dish that they love.

Everything that we tried at this restaurant was absolutely delectable. The food, including the pasta dishes, was incredibly light. In this episode, we tried three appetizers, the Tuna Tartare, Octopus Carpaccio, and Baked Eggplant Parmigiana, and two pasta dishes, the Tortellini and a gluten-free version of Tagliolini Aragosta. BiCE Cucina is not only a restaurant that serves delicious, healthy food, it is an experience. BiCE truly has something for everyone to enjoy. We will definitely be paying BiCE a visit again soon.

For more Downtown Highlights episodes, click here.

Categories
Culture Entertainment Featured Movies

You Should Be Watching: CODA

CODA Film

Communication between teens and parents is notoriously tough. It has been fodder for hundreds of coming-of-age stories. CODA (2021), whose title is an acronym for “Child of Deaf Adult,” tells the story of a teenager whose parents and older brother are all deaf and her struggle to find her voice and be seen through her love of singing. This simple premise alone breathes new life into a coming-of-age story and infuses every moment with detail and love.

 

Ruby Rossi grows up in Gloucester, MA, the only hearing member of her family. All her life, she has acted as the ears and as translator for her mother, father, and brother. When her senior year comes around, she picks choir, mostly to impress a boy. There, she finds her voice through song, a talent she had never been able to share or express with her family. As Ruby starts to move toward her dream of attending a university of the arts, her family moves toward their dream, one that relies heavily on Ruby as their translator. The plot follows the tension between the two as life forces Ruby to choose between expressing her family’s voice or her own. 

 

CODA is a remake of a 2014 French film, La Famille Bélier, which it sometimes mirrors shot for shot. It is one of those examples of what I consider to be a justified remake. They took a look at the movie and said to themselves, “No, we can do better.” The original was a comedy, played much more for laughs, with most Deaf characters played by hearing actors. Much of the humor is at the expense of the Deaf characters. The emphasis on comedy takes the impact away from some of the strongest scenes in the story. 

 

The core story is a simple one: a family trying to get by and a girl expressing herself and getting the boy. What sets it apart, what forms its soul, is outside of language. There are two moments in this movie that, I believe, describe the experience of music better than anything else I’ve seen. The first is when Ruby’s choir teacher, Bernardo Villalobos, asks her what it feels like to sing. Unable to describe it aloud (before joining choir, nobody outside of her family had been around while she sang, so no one had ever heard it), she expresses herself through ASL. It is a moving moment, something that cannot be said out loud. The second example, equally if not more moving, is much deeper into the story, but I think you will know it when you get there. 

 

There is something in CODA, a certain je ne sais quoi (if we want to, like CODA, borrow from the French) that transcends language. Like music, it is something that you have to feel to understand. It demonstrates a deep understanding of its subject matter, displays stunning performances throughout, complete with great chemistry in the cast, especially the Rossi family. But that doesn’t entirely cover it. 

 

There is only one real way to understand the heart of CODA and those making it: watch it. Please. Go to a theater if it’s showing there. Hop on Apple TV, or head to your friend’s house if they have it. Watch this movie. 

Categories
Culture Entertainment NYC

Downtown Q&A: Illusionist and Mentalist Matias Letelier

In 2011, magician and illusionist Matias Letelier followed the love of his life and now wife, Marlana to the United States.

Her “souvenir from Chile”, as he calls himself, Matias became a proponent of the American dream. Since then, he has been practicing magic for 23 years, professionally since 2005.

Today, Matias is known as one of the most elite magicians in the country, and you can be a part of the magic, right here in NYC.

 

Matias Performing at one of his “Pick Pocket” events

Magical Beginnings

Matias Letelier’s story of getting involved in magic is a divine one. It began with an inherited magic library and has manifested into his career. Matias enlightens us with the fact that the practice of magic by showing it has meaning and spirituality, with deep roots and religious ties.

He now shares his talents with New York City, as the city’s resident magician, brimming with Infectious charisma, charm, and friendliness. As a dedicated man to his craft, Matias did not stop amid the pandemic. He put smiles back on faces and put the awe back into people’s hearts with his Zoom magic sessions.

Our very own Grace A. Capobianco recently paid a visit to Matias’s show, “Speakeasy Magick” at the McKittrick Hotel, and decided his story – and his talents – shan’t go unshared.

Downtown: What inspired you to become an illusionist & mentalist?

Matias Letelier: I never, ever, ever, thought about pursuing magic as a career. But while I was studying business, there were 4 elements that inspired me to become an illusionist & mentalist:

1) I inherited a magic library from my uncle who suffered an accident and passed away in 2004. He was a businessman but also an extremely talented magician (he did it as a hobby). Imagine myself getting so many magic books!

2) After his accident, every time I performed for his daughter (who was 3 by then) she would “see” her dad and invited him to join the show. It was crazy, and my grandmother and mom (who are fervent Christians) told me it was almost like a miracle! So I started doing a trick in his memory in every show… and thought about continuing his legacy.

3)  Along with my friends at the Business school, spending 2 weeks each summer and winter in lower-income areas of our country helping them fix their houses, and then in the afternoon, we would teach them about marketing, finance, accountability, and other business skills. Then in the late afternoon, we would have some fun activities and I was in charge of the entertainment for being a magician. The shows were very simple but with so much heart that people were super excited. This is where I learned that I had a way to connect with people which made them feel happy.

4) Finally, at the business school one of my teachers told me “you should mix your passion/hobby with marketing… then you’ll have a unique business”. I thought to myself “I have the passion, the magic skills, and marketing knowledge, and most importantly, I have the story of my uncle… maybe I should do magic for a living”… 16 years after, here I am. I’m so happy and thankful for all the many blessings I’ve received so far.

 

DT: What is the difference between magic, and illusionism?

ML: For me, there are magicians and illusionists. Magicians were the real deal in ancient times. But they have nothing to do with the modern illusionist. While magicians were pursuing the enlightenment or spiritual connection with the divinity (God, samadhi, Heaven, etc), the illusionist tried to create the “illusion” that they were able to do the same as these magicians. For example, an ancient magician would have the ability to “read” someone’s mind and body and know exactly what was happening with them. Then they will recommend a course of action. On the other side, mentalists (which is an area in illusionism), do a few tricks to pretend they can read someone’s mind, just to reveal the number you were thinking of or the name of a loved one. In other words, magic was meant to achieve a higher state of consciousness associated with your spiritual life, while illusionists just try to entertain you.

 

DT: Can you tell us a bit about your performance styles and what kind of events you cover?

ML: My performance style includes strolling close-up magic and stage performances with big illusions. Although in recent years I’ve started incorporating many elements from mentalism. And I’ve done it all: private yachts in the Caribbean, cruise ships, big theaters, small theaters, clubs, hotels, private events, and corporate events all over the world.

 

DT: What do your performances entail? Which “trick” is the biggest crowd-pleaser?

ML: I focus on high energy and interactions. For me, the most important part is to connect with the audience. I usually become friends with my audience (even in a 10 min routine), and then it feels like I’m a friend showing them some secret skills. I have a  very warm approach to the audience, more so than other magicians, this is a great benefit.

 

DT: It appears that you can speak four languages: native Spanish, fluent English, medium Portuguese, and basic French. Does that ever come in handy when practicing magic?

ML: Not so much when practicing, but definitely when performing. Many times I have international audiences, clients will book me because they know that I can speak different languages. People feel much more comfortable when I speak their language. Besides, it’s fun for me and they enjoy the extra effort, when I pronounce the words correctly. Even though I might not be able to do a full show in French, the fact that I can do a few tricks and communicate with them, shows them I care. People care about you when you show them that you truly care about them and make the effort.

 

DT: What gets you the most excited about performing?

ML: I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs, I don’t drink. Seriously. But when I’m out performing I get a “magicians’ high”. My wife says it is because I perform with passion. I’m not focusing on the clock. I’m just out there enjoying myself, getting to know new people, learning from their stories, and sharing some magic. It makes me so happy, and I feel my audience feed off of that energy the same way I feed on their reactions and energy. To experience that is one of my favorite and exciting things during my preformance.

 

DT: You base your work mostly out of New York City. Where is your favorite spot to perform?

ML: Even though I’ve been lucky to bring my magic all over the world, my favorite spot in NY is Speakeasy Magick at the famous McKittrick Hotel. Todd Robbins invited me to be part of this along with the best magicians in NYC – and I’m not telling you this because I’m part of the show – but this is without a doubt, the best magic show in NYC. Why? Because we created a unique experience that happens right in front of you, in the club car at the McKittrick Hotel, a place that is so cool that you have to experience it to see what everyone is talking about. This show always puts a smile on my face, plus everyone behind the show, including all the amazing performers, and staff, are simply the best.

 

DT: What do you love most about NYC?

ML: Do we have time? (laugh). So many things. The diversity of cultures, all the entertainment options, the great restaurants, the social life, the fact that the different social classes mix in every block, all the activities happening in every corner no matter where you are, Speakeasy Magick, and, of course, from here you can travel anywhere in the world. I mean, how can you not love this city?

 

For more on entertainment from Downtown, click here.

 

To read our Downtown Q&A with musician Seth Kessel, click here.