19 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.

Well today one of my favorite gifts to give and get is coupons of thoughtful acts. Say your best friend loves hot chocolate and you are sugar free…a trip for a cup whip cream filled creamy delight can show you care. Massages, drawing baths, laundry, dinner for 2, a night of Hallmark or Lifetime Christmas movies could be just the thing to show you listen, care and hear what the other person loves. Time is much more precious. Gifts don’t have to cost much, they just have to have thought behind the intent.

If you don’t have time to shop or are limited in funds, this could be just the ticket!

The newly redeveloped Asian and Mediterranean-inspired seafood hot spot Sagaponack is back at the Flatiron District. Inspired by the namesake town in the Hamptons, this culinary gem is a celebration of seafood paired with an array of expertly crafted cocktails (including non-alcoholic) that elevate every dining moment.

In October 2020, Sagaponack welcomed a fresh perspective with the addition of Kyung-il Lee, a seasoned managing partner renowned for his successful stint overseeing operations at the Michelin-Starred JeJu Noodle Bar. His arrival became a major shift for the brand, aiming not only to reopen its doors but to infuse it with renewed vision.

Which is why it was important to onboard a top-tier team. One of his strategic moves was bringing on the expertise of Executive Chef Phil Choy, an alumnus of the esteemed Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts. The chef’s trajectory took him to the heart of New York City, where he honed his skills in the Michelin-starred kitchen of Dovetail, working under the tutelage of Chef John Fraser. Following that, Choy’s talent was further recognized as he ascended to the role of sous chef at Boulud Sud, Daniel Boulud’s celebrated Lincoln Square establishment.

Together, Lee and Choy have since brought new life into Sagaponack’s culinary offering, from a tantalizing array of fresh oysters, a Sagaponack specialty, to the latest editions of Surf & Turf (Dry Aged Ribeye & Whole Lobster) added last month. This consists of a 40 oz dry aged ribeye cold smoked and seasoned with 5 spice rub. It’s served with a Cantonese-inspired Lobster sauce made with ginger, espelette, lemon; with a whole lobster that’s cooked in their court bouillon. Of the oysters, the Dressed Trio of cucumber, chili, and caviar, is an absolute must-try and a highlight to include in your expedition; an exquisite burst of flavors that dance harmoniously on your palate.

A standout was the Fluke Tartare, which was equally visually striking as delicious for the taste buds. Nutty and savory, this dish boasts a delicate balance of flavors, featuring coconut, Marcona almonds, and tobiko perched atop the fluke tartare. Its allure includes a tableside drizzle of a meticulously crafted sauce—a blend of cucumber, cilantro oil, chili oil, and lime—creating a sensory spectacle where smell meets taste – an intentional journey curated by the new team with all the sagavibes, no pun intended.

Meanwhile, the Cinnamon Fizz is the best alternative for a refreshing mocktail for all you non-alcoholic drinkers have been waiting for. Made of ginger lemon, cinnamon, and soda, the drink puts together a refreshing burst of flavors that works well with any dish on the menu. But for those who enjoy a craft cocktail and feeling adventurous, you could go for a Bateau Banane, a concoction of banana mezcal and curacao, or The Seaside Sunset, a blend of vodka, Chambord, lime, lychee, and orange in each sip – all made by mixologist Alex Parker. Did I mention they have happy hour on the daily, except for Sundays?

If you’re looking for comforting food, the Fried Artichokes, including pecorino, za’atar, mint, yogurt, is your go-to, alongside the Butternut Squash Soup served with ginger coconut cream, pumpkin seeds, and Aleppo, and certainly the star of the season. The new Lobster Mac and Cheese includes five kinds of cheese, which similarly they use for grilled cheese served during their events exclusively; after all, the restaurant does consider itself an event space, and rightfully so. Other highlights include the Asian-inspired twist on calamari, which adds an exciting dimension to the starters, seasoned with guindilla, parsley, and complemented by a zesty Calabrian chili aioli. If you’re out with a group, you can share a Seafood Paella featuring a multitude of seafood, from lobster stock, to chorizo and mussels, shrimp, and scallions.

All in all, Sagaponack blends both land and sea into a perfect pairing. The desert menu exceeds all expectations, with the Thai Milk Cake, as an impeccable choice to conclude your dining experience. The cake is composed of cinnamon, pecan, and mango perfection. The potent Crème Brûlée includes diced strawberries on top of its hard caramel layer; which was potentially made by Lee himself who’s been learning how to bake during his time managing the kitchen too.

Kyung-il Lee tells us,  “Working in the kitchen gave me insights from the chef’s and kitchen’s perspective. Embracing various viewpoints in hospitality, understanding kitchen operations enhances my knowledge of processes and the people involved. Being hospitable extends to employees, and working with the kitchen staff helps me serve them better as an owner.”

This reflects the sentiment on the site saying, “our goal for the restaurant was simple – bring in a talented chef with a passion for food. Someone who could whip up top-notch dishes while making it approachable.”

LOCATION: 4 W 22ndSt., New York, NY 10010

WEBSITE: https://www.saganewyork.com/

PHONE: 212-229-2226

INSTAGRAM: @sagavibes

HOURS: Monday–Wednesday: 11:30 am -3 pm; 5 pm -10 pm Thursday: 11:30 am -3 pm; 5 pm -10:30 pm; Friday & Saturday: 11:30 am -3 pm; 5 pm -11 pm; Sunday: Closed

Reporting by Alison Andrea Lopez 

Skate underneath the historic Brooklyn Bridge while taking in the iconic views of the Manhattan skyline. Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park is a premier winter experience in a setting that will take your breath away.

Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park is located at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, found at the base of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Our location is accessible via foot, subway, and NYC Ferry. Glide is a stone’s throw from familiar points within the park, Jane’s Carousel and Empire Fulton Ferry, and near popular dining destinations such as the River Café, Luke’s Lobster, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn, NY 11201

For tickets please visit HERE.

2o days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.

Chita & Patrick Pacheco at Drama Book Shop event May 15, 2023 Photo by Merle Frimark

There are a lot of books out there this year but we highly recommend Chita: A Memoir , the critically-acclaimed book is written by the legendary Broadway icon Chita Rivera with arts journalist Patrick Pacheco. Chita takes fans behind-the-scenes of all her shows and cabaret acts, she shares candid stories of her many colleagues, friends, and lovers. She speaks with empathy and hindsight of her deep associations with complicated geniuses like Fosse and Robbins, as well as with the mega-talent Liza Minnelli, with whom she co-starred in The Rink. She openly discusses her affair with Sammy Davis, Jr. as well as her marriage to Tony Mordente and her subsequent off-the-radar relationships. Chita revisits the terrible car accident that threatened to end her career as a dancer forever. Center stage to Chita’s story are John Kander and Fred Ebb, the songwriters and dear friends indelibly tied to her career through some of her most enduring work: Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Visit.

Chita’s love of performing began as a child in Washington, D.C., when her mother enrolled her in a local ballet school to channel her boundless energy. Still a teenager, she moved to New York to attend the School of American Ballet after an audition for George Balanchine himself and winning a scholarship. But Broadway beckoned, and by twenty she was appearing in the choruses of Golden Age shows like Guys and Dolls and Can-Can. In the latter, she received special encouragement from its star Gwen Verdon, forging a personal and professional friendship that would help shape her career. The groundbreaking West Side Story brought her into the orbit of Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Hal Prince, and Stephen Sondheim.  After Bye Bye Birdie further burnished her rising star, she reunited with Verdon and her then-husband Bob Fosse to work on the film version of Sweet Charity and the celebrated original Broadway production of Chicago.

Chita: A Memoir was published in English and Spanish and the English audio version of the Memoir was recorded by Chita.  A Spanish audio version is also available. 

“Chita Rivera blazed a trail where none existed so the rest of us could see a path forward. She has been part of some of the greatest musicals in the history of the form, from Anita in the trailblazing West Side Story through Claire Zachanassian in the underrated masterpiece The Visit, over 60 years later. She is a Puerto Rican Broadway icon and the original ‘triple threat.’ We’re so lucky to be alive in the same timeline as Chita Rivera.” — Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“A frank and fascinating memoir from one of the truly great artists of the American Theater. Lots of stories … Lots of insight … and quite a few caustic statements from Chita’s alter ego, Dolores. An illuminating history and a guaranteed pleasure!” — John Kander

Broadway legend and national treasure Chita Rivera, multi-Tony Award winner, Kennedy Center honoree, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – has taken no prisoners on stage or screen for seven decades. From her trailblazing performance as the original Anita in West Side Story—for which she tapped her own Puerto Rican roots—to her haunting 2015 star turn in The Visit. Chita has proven to be much more than just a captivating dancer, singer, and actress beloved by audiences and casts alike. In her equally captivating and one-of-a-kind memoir, Written with Patrick Pacheco, the woman born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero shares an incomparable life, both on stage and behind the curtain.

By the way this Memoir has won a Gold Medal for “Best Autobiography – English” at the 2023 International Latino Book Awards. https://www.latinobookawards.org/

Click here to buy your copy.

21 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.

I am constantly forgetting to charge my phone or I have calls for my business that keep me on longer than I wanted and I am left with a dead phone battery. Without a charger or an outlet I am left extremely frustrated and I know I am not the only one. Now there’s a product that you can always count on. It’s called the PWRCard ($49.99 however buying 3 is $111.99) Sleek and slender the PWRCard is as small as a few stacked credit cards. It stores easily in any wallet or purse, and its LED indicators tell you how much charge it has. Plus, with its built-in cable, you’ll never lose your charging cable. It also works on Apple and Android devices, so whatever phone you have you’re good to go! It’s so light you won’t even know you’re carrying it. But it’ll be there when you need it, ready to charge you back up!