Sinanation

Wall Street Journal gave a disappointing portrait of the current global art market in today’s issue. The review revolves around Christie’s deteriorating sales for 2009, which is down 49% from the same period last year. The result could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the auction house’s sale of Yves Saint Laurent’s collection at the start of the year. There are some obvious points made in the article that  should be touched on. Art is certainly one of the highly-regarded means to luxury in today’s word and will obviously be the most prone to any economic recession. Given today’s somber outlook, the art auction industry is under pressure from almost every corner. The sellers decide to hold onto their collections (unless they are under a liquidity pressure) believing that they will sell for much less at this time.  So the houses are required to hunt any available piece. The buyers want to save as much as possible instead of splurging on decorative luxury/investment. So they only put money on highly discounted or well known masterpieces. In summary even the richest of us all (aka Russia and Dubai) started to think somewhat reasonably, pushing auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s in despair for being let down after a fabolous 2008 of record sales and expansions.

One of my friends is going to be so happy I write about this… If you are ever in Lower East Side in Manhattan, stop by Bianca (located on 5 bleeker between bowery and elizabeth) to have one of the best Panna Cottas in the city. Keep in mind that although the prices are a bargain for such good food, the restaurant accepts only cash. I would also recommend the spaghetti bologneze.

I will never let go of my favorite deserts: the Turkish Irmik Helvasi and the Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding. Yet, during the hot summer months I have my eyes set on something else. It consists of a shot of espresso and a large scoop of vanilla ice-cream. The vanilla takes away the sharp edge of the hot coffee while the other one helps to get rid of the heavy meal taste. Italians have a version of this called Affogato where they pour the espresso over the vanilla ice-cream. I still prefer the seperate version. And if you have some sliced strawberries to go with them, bring it on!

The Italian Apreamare brand has been famous for giving the traditional “gozzo sorrentino” (pictured above) fishing boats a modern look. Formed as a family business by the grand grandfather Giovanni Aprea, it opened up its own boatyard in 1983 and intorduced its first motorized “gozzo” Smeraldo 7 in 1987. The company is now valued at USD 60m and owned by somewhat troubled luxury yacht brand Ferretti. Its smaller boats sell for approx. EUR 500K and are perfect for short sea getaways and fast sea travel.  I believe Apreamare does a spectacular job in producing some of the most convenient, comfortable, fast and sleek boats around the world.

The group’s recently launched Maestro division is yet another proof of how well it designs the private luxurious boats.  The Maestro 82 (25m) (pictured below) priced at USD 6.2m is one of my favorites. It can cruise at 26 knots with 4 guest bedrooms below deck.

White socks and shiny black loafers…Can’t it be that simple?

So much has been written about Michael Jackson. Like many others I have read and watched every single detail about his life, legacy and vision. Back and forth between CNN, CNBC, Time and numerous other media houses I tried to take a pause and ask myself what I have thought of this extraordinary and somewhat controversial person. All I can say that comparable to only a few other people Michael Jackson has done an extraordinary job in making  people accept and like the unexpected and nontraditional.

Beyond fame and money MJ has become a phenomena known and adored by almost everyone around the world. As spectators we liked him for being completely out of the ordinary. We did not blink an eye when he took the stage with his short pants, white socks and shiny loafers to perform the moonwalk. We wanted him to be thinner than ever to better see what miracles he could do with his bones and muscles. We were yet again amazed when he was able to turn our fright of zombies into a dance beat that we continue to sweat to.  The military outfits that are a sign of unconditional power, weapons, wars and treaties were now hidden under semiprecious sparkling stones on a singer who was shouting out “So tonight gotto leave that nine to five upon the shelf and just enjoy yourself”.

And when it came to MJ’s private life none of us can or could expect him to be ordinary beyond the stage. With all the hard work, success, money and praise comes the desire to take a step back and attempt to have all the things you have missed along the way to fame: the peaceful childhood you never had, the power to disappear whenever and however you want and the yearning of a traditional family. I believe his creation of the Neverland, the monkeys, the elephants, his marriage to Presley and unconventional veiled appearances in public were all signs to the construction of a part of life he never had.

Like many others, my ideas on the life and behaviour of this extraordinary man are nothing more than Utopian assumptions that I really want to hold onto after his death.  I believe he deserves all this credit in a world that continues to see the kinds of stars who achieve a fraction of his fame and completely lose control.  For me he has been one of the greatest singers, dancers, creators and activists. In my book, he will always be the only man who can get away with wearing white socks and black loafers.

If you are looking to eat one of the best ducks in Manhattan make your way to the Peking Duck House in Chinatown or Midtown.  A word of caution: Start with a soup and resist anything other than the duck although everything on the menu is delicious. No matter how hungry you are you will not be able to have the duck and other entrees without a glass of Alka Seltzer at the end of the dinner.

Usually hotel restaurants are unappealing to full-time residents of a city. They are meant to be an easy (most of the time kind of fancy) access to food for the guests of the hotel. Gemma of the Bowery Hotel is certainly an exception. This New Yorker, Lower East Side Italian spot proves to be a server of exceptional appetizers and entrees decorated with a really good mix of a crowd consisting of the regulars, the famous and the bohemians. The mountains of melted candles , floor-to-ceiling large windows, dim lightning, the rustic mirrors and the old wooden interior create the best blend for a happy brunch or a cozy dinner. Try it out if you haven’t done so yet.

Sundays are meant to be quiet, good quality times. They stand right between the mostly fun but tiring Saturdays and the unavoidable and depressing work Mondays. Although good quality is usually easy to find in Manhattan, quiet seems to be that needle lost in the haystack. This summer we were lucky to find the Sunday quiet we have been looking for in the lower east side. Cooper Square Hotel is the perfect spot for a cozy Sunday gathering. With its all-white, comfortable outside seating hidden in the backyard terrace found on the second floor, the hotel gives visitors a chance to relax and reenergize. Mojitos and seedless green olives are recommended from the bar.