Hot Stuff: Champs, Art, Horses, and...Bananas
Happenings Ed. 4
New York is amid a heat wave. So naturally, I ended up at a lot of alfresco events.
How did I stay cool? Bubbles.
Veuve Clicquot is entering the art scene. Following the footsteps of their fellow LVMH Champagne brands, like Ruinart and Krug, Veuve has decided their angle is photography, and they launched it with quite the shindig on Monday night.
Walking around with a glass of bubbly while ruminating over art and culture is nothing new. Ruinart sponsors several art fairs, including TEFAF, Art Basel, and Frieze. Krug is all about music, commissioning original works by a range of composers and musicians for each launch of their vintage Champagne. At the last launch, Babyface was in the audience. I wrote a business piece about this trend a while back, because Pommery is in the game too (they sponsor a contemporary art prize at The Armory Show) as are a number of non-Champagne brands. And that’s not counting how many wineries house stellar art collections from their millionaire—and billionaire—owners.
Back to Veuve. Veuve partnered with Magnum Photos, a photo co-op, to commission eight artists to take pictures of “emotions of the sun.” It’s a rather broad prompt, and dare I say a tad pedestrian, but the pieces were light-hearted, the atmosphere was bright, and the entire gallery on Lafayette Street was painted a festive and fun-loving Veuve Clicquot yellow. Honestly, I think they should keep this gallery space going because I’m into it. And the works were quite commercial, so I could absolutely see them selling. Let’s support talented photographers.
The works are on display through Sunday (too short of an exhibition!) so if you are local to New York, swing by for a perusal. It’s worth it.
As for Veuve’s ongoing POV? They aren't going full-force art snob. The polo matches are here to stay—brand manager confirmed.
Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels has opened their long-awaited second location in Flatiron. I have shockingly not been in yet. Their original NYC location in Soho/Chinatown has been my go-to spot for probably a decade, and they have branches in Paris and London too.
What I know about this new location is that the bar area looks triple the size, and it’s very much made to be a drop-in and grab an aperitif location with friends, compared to downtown, which functions as more of a destination wine bar. I’m excited to see Compagnie bring their perspective on “supernatural” wines to another area of town, especially Flatiron. Plus, I’m overjoyed the wine bar will also be home to the reincarnation of ECC (IYKYK). Stay tuned for updates!
Casa Cruz on the UES has a new dining concept on the rooftop. That doesn’t sound like news, except that the UES lacks cool rooftops, so I’m glad to get some chic rooftop vibes in the ‘hood.
The space is a lighter-hued millennial pink, with ceiling fans, tabletop lamps, and monkey-print wallpaper in the powder room. Part expected, part glam, and all-around festive, the space was designed by Johanna Ortiz, the Colombian fashion designer known for her vibrant prints.
The menu is all from John Fraser, who simply makes delightful food. I don't think he gets nearly enough praise for his take on Californian cuisine. When I first moved to New York, I went to his restaurant, Dovetail, on the Upper West Wide, which was impressive as a newbie and fellow California transplant to NYC. Nix was a mecca for vegetarian food. He has a few Michelin stars. Critics love him but he isn’t a household name like he should be.
The food at Frances at Casa Cruz was everything you wanted for a beautiful rooftop: light, refreshing, seafood-driven, and bubbly, including Schramsberg. It’s pricey, but so is the neighborhood, so that’s par for the course.
Casa Cruz, though, does anyone know what’s going on there? It was designed as a members club, but a click on the homepage results a giant Resy button, front and center. Not sure how exclusive they are anymore for the members, but hey, better for the rest of us. The place is absolutely stunning. I have a feeling the members club angle is not working out so well for them, but I will not complain. We can enjoy the stunning beaux arts architecture of the UES townhouse, the glam interiors, and feeling of superiority only reserved for the folks who dropped six figures on a membership. Joke’s on them? (Airmail’s history of members clubs is pretty witty.)
I will be back for more of Fraser’s scallop ceviche and the avocado ranch dip for the fries.
Brazilian artist Tadáskía colored on the walls (my toddler’s dream!) of the MoMA, but what was more fun is that I did a coloring class inspired by it—in the middle of the gallery. The session included various prompts about feelings and emotions that were inspired by her works. I highly recommend popping in to the exhibition. It’ll only make you happy, and the MoMA has a scavenger hunt game as part of it for kids of all ages. (And like I, swing by a MoMA cafe for, yes, wine.)
I’ll throw in one more since this is all leaning very Manhattan: The season has kicked off at Greenwich Polo Club in case you find yourself in Connecticut for a Sunday afternoon match. They have Taittinger for bottle service in the cabanas at a shockingly reasonable price, and my friends at Marcia Selden Catering will serve you lobster rolls, fresh potato chips, and other very summertime coastal treats. Book an umbrella and it’s BYOB. Just be forewarned: if you roll up in a frilly fascinator and high heels, we all know you know nothing about polo.
PS. It seems yellow was the color of the week. In wedding news, I was pitched about BANANAS at weddings, which may be a nightmare for people who have an utter disdain for the fruit. You can download banana-themed wedding menu templates from the Dole website, as well as #DoleBananaVersary recipes, a Be Bananas party kit, and even a Banana fortune teller game (remember those from elementary school?) that I absolutely must play with my kids.
PPS. These happenings, admittedly, landed very New York-centric, but don’t worry if you are located elsewhere. More will come for you! I need to, uh, get out of town.
Enjoy the weekend. Go bananas. 🥂