August 2026 - Sutton Place Social

Sutton Place

Marsha Palanci is Still

Uncorking New Adventures

“D EAR NN MARIE ”

Question of the Month

DEAR ANN MARIE,

I am thinking of selling, but it’s August. Should I wait until the fall?

- WONDERING WHEN

DEAR WONDERING WHEN,

Not necessarily. Many people assume August is a slow time to sell, but serious buyers are still actively searching. In fact, with fewer homes on the market, your property may have a better chance to stand out.

August buyers are often highly motivated. They may be relocating for work, hoping to settle in before fall, or simply ready to make their next move. When a home is priced strategically and presented beautifully, it can generate strong interest regardless of the season.

If you’re thinking about selling this fall, August is actually the perfect time to start preparing. Decluttering, making a few updates, and creating a thoughtful pricing and marketing strategy now can help your home shine when the fall market begins.

The best time to sell isn’t simply about the calendar—it’s about your goals, your home’s unique appeal, and today’s market conditions. Planning ahead gives you the greatest advantage.

If you are wondering whether now or this fall is the right time to sell your Sutton Place home, I’d be happy to provide a confidential market analysis and help you create a strategy tailored to your needs.

Warmly, Ann Marie

Ann Marie Folan is a long-time Sutton Place resident and the top Sutton broker. After serving as a residential and commercial real estate attorney at Stroock, Stroock & Lavan LLP, she joined Douglas Elliman where she quickly established herself as a top producer, and earned the prestigious “Deal of the Year” award from the Real Estate Board of New York. She has closed hundreds of sales in NYC.

ASK ANN MARIE! Submit your questions to Ann Marie.

SOCIAL Sutton Place

PUBLICATION TEAM

Publisher Eleni Menoutis

Feature Writer Margaret Pfohl mpfohl@bestversionmedia.com

Designer Julie Hang

Photographer Anneliese Horowitz anneliesehorowitzphoto@gmail.com

ADVERTISING / CONTENT / MAILING LIST

Contact Eleni Menoutis

Phone 646.386.6270

Email emenoutis@bestversionmedia.com

IMPORTANT LOCAL CONTACTS

Sutton Area Community (SAC): 212.838.9770 info@suttonareacommunity.com

Sutton Place Parks Conservancy (SPPC): info@suttonplaceparks.org events@suttonplaceparks.org

Beekman Place Association (BPA): 415.533.5366 board@beekmanplacenyc.org

Turtle Bay Association (TBA): 212.751.5465 office@turtlebay-nyc.org

East Midtown Partnership (EMP): 212.813.0030 info@eastmidtown.org

NYPD 17th Precinct: 212.826.3211

FDNY Engine 8/Ladder 2: 718.999.2000

Dearest Readers,

As always, each August, I take this opportunity to wish my eldest son Léo a happy birthday — Super 7th, Léon mou! We hosted an early class birthday for our big Dinostar, with help from our go-tos CrumblyCafe&Bakery and Small Fry, at PLAYDAY on the Upper East Side — soon opening a location even closer to us all, on 64th & 1st! See more on pages 10 and 11.

Marsha, our most fabulous cover star, thank you for sharing your life story — from your early days in France and Belgium, to your extensive (and envious!) travels, to your impressive years in New York. Let us all be so lucky to live a life as full and vibrant —“carpe diem," as you religiously practice.

Check out our events calendar for fall happenings (September through November dates to save already!). Reach out with any ideas, and we'll make them happen.

Off to visit family abroad this month and next.

See you back in Sutton soon!

MOVING? FORMER TENANT'S NAME? DUPLICATES? GOING GREEN? KINDLY CALL/TEXT 646.386.6270

The Experts.

CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH

Dr. Robert Melillo

The Melillo Center for Developing Minds

646.971.8040

melillomethodnyc@gmail.com

www.drrobertmelillo.com

347 5th Ave, Rm 1010 (btw 33rd & 34th)

@DRROBERTMELILLO

COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTAL

Dr. Steven Chavez

Blue Line Dental

212.317.5959

hello@bluelinedentalnyc.com

www.bluelinedentalnyc.com

1037 2nd Ave (btw 54th & 55th)

@DRSTEVENCHAVEZ

ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY CARE

Clare P. Shanley, Executive Director

The 80th Street Residence

Enhanced Memory Care

212.717.8888

www.80thstreetresidence.com

430 E 80th (at York Ave)

INVESTIGATION & PHYSICAL SECURITY

Michael Gaeta

SI Global Partners

212.245.2918

info@siglobalpartners.com www.siglobalpartners.com

199 Water St, 16th Fl, NYC 10038

Contact Eleni Menoutis emenoutis@bestversionmedia.com | 646.386.6270

Sutton Place’s Beloved Owner of Jennings TV WOULD "CHANGE NOTHING"

BY SUTTON PLACE RESIDENT KIM SCHU

Beginningat the young age of 11, Marty Jennings knew the privilege of hard work.

His family business was established in 1950 when Jennings TV first opened its doors a few blocks up on 58th Street. Eventually, the current location on 1st Avenue between 54th and 55th gave the original spot a run for its money, with young Marty supporting both sides of his parents' friendly competition. This began the extraordinary career of the Sutton Place icon who has been devoted to his tiny but mighty electronics repair shop for well over half a century.

Jennings fondly remembers when life was centered around traditional radios, television sets, and house phones. Earlier business boomed from selling and fixing popular household items, with a heavy focus on television repair. Now, along with the rest of us, Jennings has embraced the era of modern-day electronics. While he pretty much operates as a one-man show, he does have a devoted repair man on staff who does home installments four days a week. They are able to support the region of Manhattan running from Sutton Place to Fifth Avenue.

Still to this day, Jennings shares that his favorite part is the challenge to repair heavy duty items and never saying no. “Everything is thrown away now,” he expresses. “But I never give up.”

There's a lot of foot traffic in the store, customers purchasing a wide array of appliances ranging from Cuisinart blenders and coffee makers to hairdryers, a variety of vacuums, lightbulbs, clocks, TV parts, and more. I was instantly drawn in by the small footprint with an impressive amount of inventory.

A very unique feature of the shop is that you'll see countless boxes of product stocked all the way from floor to ceiling thanks to Jennings’ ladder.

Despite being a long-time resident of Forest Hills, Queens, Jennings considers Sutton Place a second home. He enjoys breakfast near his store six mornings a week, arriving at 6 a.m. to soak in the surroundings and enjoy chatting with locals before his 12-hour workday.

“It ' s an enclave unto itself, Sutton Place. Everything you want and need, you get in the neighborhood. We are our own city within a big city.”

In fact, Jennings even credits this area to meeting the love of his life, who he first laid eyes on over 59 years ago just blocks away from his store, outside the first-ever TGI Fridays. While his friends went into Maxwell's Plum across the street, 19-year-old Marty stayed behind to meet the beautiful woman. This was in August, and by November of the same year, they were engaged. By February, they were married. Nearly six decades later, Jennings' face still lights up when he talks about his wife: “I would marry her all over again.” He is also a proud father and grandfather; you don't need to spend much time with him to figure out family is his world.

Jennings sums up many decades in his shop and at home, proudly beaming: “I consider myself lucky. I did something I really love, and it gave me the opportunity to have a wonderful life. I would change nothing. And I plan to never retire!”

JENNINGS TV IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M., LOCATED AT 999 1ST AVENUE.

Kim Schu has spent over a decade living in various neighborhoods of NYC (obviously Sutton is her favorite so far!). Kim graduated from NYU and prides herself on being a true New Yorker who can help any tourist or local curate their perfect weekend itinerary. kimpaigeschu@gmail.com

Half day, partial, all day

351 E 78th (at 1st)

CAMP 5+ is a fun-filled day of creative experiences, new friends, and masterful art work! Children begin with doodling, socializing, and free time to inspire their creative journey. Over the course of the day children participate in several art activities led by our accredited artists with snack time in between. No two days are the same, no two projects are alike! CAMP 5+ is offered EVERY DAY to accommodate all different school calendars and can be booked hourly, daily, or weekly.

STAY SOCIAL & Fall

FREE ESPLANADE YOGA ESPLANADEFRIENDS

YEAR-ROUND GREENMARKET

Dag Plaza, 47th Street at Second Avenue

Located just around the corner from the United Nations Plaza, the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Greenmarket brings local food to the Turtle Bay community and nearby neighbors. The wide variety on offer reflects the eclectic tastes of neighborhood residents and UN workers alike. www.grownyc.org | hammarskjoldplaza.org

| SPONSOR EVENT |

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME 2026

17TH PRECINCT X SUTTON AREA COMMUNITY

Tues, Aug 4, late afternoon/early evening

Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, E 47th St (btw 1st & 2nd)

Wed, Aug 12, 6:30–7:30pm (6pm check-in)

Andrew Haswell Green Park (E 60th St & York Ave up the ramp)

Join IronStrength NYC for an hour of yoga fitness with a spectacular view of the waterfront. Registration Required. EsplanadeFriends.org/events

Mark Your Calendars for More: September

Wed, 9/9: Yoga on the Waterfront with IronStrength (6–7:30pm) Sun, 9/13: Bird Walk with NYC Bird Alliance (10–11:30am) Sat, 9/26: Family-Friendly Live Music & Activities (1–4 pm) Mon, 9/28: Fishing Clinic (5:30–7:30pm) October

• Sat, 10/17: Bird Walk with NYC Bird Alliance (10–11:30am)

• Sat, 10/24: EsplanadeHALLOWEEN Spooktacular! (1–4 pm)

DECO AFTER DARK YACHT CLUB

ART DECO SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

Fri, Aug 14, 6–8:30pm

212 12th Ave

Join the 17th Precinct Community Council at this year's National Night Out Against Crime, an annual community event held across the country to strengthen relationships between neighborhoods, public safety agencies, local organizations such as Sutton Area Community (SAC), and residents. suttonareacommunity.com

DECO STROLL OF MIDTOWN EAST

ART DECO SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

Thurs, Aug 6, 6–8pm

RSVP for meeting point

Join us for an early evening stroll through East Midtown, where Art Deco still dazzles at every turn — from grand residences built for New York's elite to stylish middleclass apartment houses to a remarkable building created exclusively for sorority women. Discover how this often-overlooked neighborhood transformed from a gritty landscape of factories and tenements into one of Manhattan's most desirable districts, complete with an elegant yacht harbor where neighborhood kids once swam. We'll then head west into the heart of Midtown to cap the evening with two of New York's most celebrated Art Deco masterpieces. For more info & to register: https://artdecosocietyofnewyork.wildapricot.org/event-6720522 www.artdeco.org

MONTHLY OPEN HOUSE - PAUL RUDOLPH INSTITUTE

Fri, Aug 7, 6–9pm & Sat, Aug 22, 1–4pm 246 E 58th St

Experience the only Paul Rudolph-designed interior open to the public in New York City. Reservations can be made through the website as there are limits to the number of people in the building at a time. $30/ticket. RSVP: www.paulrudolph.institute/rudolph-open-house

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH US ON INSTAGRAM & VIA OUR MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR UPCOMING FALL BOOK CLUBS, HAPPY HOURS, WALKING TOURS, WELLNESS EVENTS, SPONSOR SOCIALS & MORE.

For more info & to register: https://artdecosocietyofnewyork.wildapricot.org/event-6709944 www.artdeco.org

| SPONSOR EVENT | ROOFTOP SCHMOOZE

SUTTON PLACE SYNAGOGUE

Tues, Aug 25, 6–7:30pm 225 E 51st St

Save The Date

SUTTON PLACE SOCIAL EVENTS

MOM'S HAPPY HOUR AT LES VAGABONDS Thur, 9/17, 4–7pm

SPONSOR SOCIAL AT NOSTOS Mon, 9/28, 5:30–8:30pm

BRUNCH BOOK CLUB AT NOSTOS Sun, 10/25, 11:30am–1:30pm

OUR PARKS STROLL Sun, 10/18, 1pm

The Art Deco Society of New York invites all lovers of Deco to join us for an evening of cocktails and mingling at The Yacht Club, a modern nod to 1920s to 30s maritime elegance perched on a tenth-floor rooftop in the Art Deco masterpiece Starrett-Lehigh building, with sweeping views of the Hudson River. Dress in your finest 1920s attire or simply come as you are — whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Deco After Dark is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts, make new friends, and immerse yourself in the spirit of the era.

Prospective members and those new to the SPS community, meet our clergy, staff, educators, and congregants, and learn about our offerings for the High Holidays. We hold traditional egalitarian services in our sanctuary, also services for Young Professionals, as well as Tot & Family services. Discover how our programming can inspire, educate, and engage, at every stage of life. Rabbi's Welcome at 6:30 pm. Nosh and drinks will be served. Kids welcome! RSVPs encouraged to ajohnson@spsnyc.org. www.spsnyc.org

Small Fry, Big Smiles

BY FEATURE WRITER MARGARET PFOHL

For parents, finding the perfect gift often falls somewhere between a thoughtful gesture and a last-minute scramble. That's where Small Fry Gifts comes in.

Founded by local mom Elizabeth Hofer, the business specializes in handcrafted personalized gifts and party favors designed to help families celebrate life's special moments with something unique.

Whether it 's a birthday party, a child heading off to sleepaway camp, or a forgotten gift needed by tomorrow, Hofer creates custom pieces that feel personal and memorable. Every item is handcrafted in Sutton Place and tailored to the child receiving it.

Small Fry Gifts officially launched in February 2025, but the idea began much earlier. Inspired by her two sons, Andrew and Corey, Hofer developed a love for personalized gifts after seeing the joy they had brought to her own family. What started as a creative outlet during maternity leave quickly evolved into something more — when friends and family began requesting custom gifts of their own.

“I realized I had accidentally created a second job,” Hofer laughs, “but thankfully one I genuinely love.”

At the heart of the business is a simple philosophy: every gift should feel personal. Hofer believes that small details, whether it ' s a child's name, favorite color, or special interest, can transform an everyday item into something treasured for years to come. She also understands that parents have enough on their plates, and she aims to make gift-giving easier while still creating something meaningful.

Her greatest inspiration continues to be her family. In fact, many of Small Fry Gifts’ products are first tested by Andrew and Corey, who serve as the company ' s unofficial product development team. New ideas often begin with a request from one of her sons or a project she creates just for them. “They're always the first to weigh in on new designs,” Hofer says. “Some of my most popular products started because I made something for them first.”

Of course, their contributions occasionally extend beyond product feedback. Hofer jokes that her sons also like to “help” by reorganizing her supplies, which usually means creating a bit of chaos in the process.

Her workdays are a mix of creating custom orders, answering customer messages, and hearing little voices ask, “Can you make one for me too?” Over time, she has also become what she describes as “the mom other moms text” when they need a birthday gift for next week.

One of the most rewarding aspects of building Small Fry Gifts has been discovering the strength of New York's parenting community. While the city can feel enormous, Hofer has found support through fellow parents who champion small businesses, recommend her services, and continue to return for future celebrations. She is quick to note that every order, recommendation, and even every social media “like” means more than people may realize. Behind every package is a real person who still gets excited each time a new order comes in.

Today, Small Fry Gifts has become a trusted resource for NYC families, helping to make childhood milestones even more memorable.

FOLLOW SMALL FRY GIFTS ON INSTAGRAM @SMALLFRYGIFTS AND DM TO ORDER.

Power of a

Since opening in 2017, PLAYDAY has been on a mission to give children something increasingly rare: a chance to unplug, get creative, and express themselves through handson art experiences.

INSPIRING CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE & COMMUNITY Through Art

BY MARGARET PFOHL

What began as an effort to provide original screen-free enrichment, offer art-focused after-school programming, host unforgettable birthday parties, and connect children with inspiring educators has grown into a thriving creative community. Today, PLAYDAY operates six locations throughout New York City and New Jersey, with additional nearby studios on the horizon, serving hundreds of children, ages 1 through 12, every day.

At the heart of PLAYDAY's philosophy is the belief that creativity helps children thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Through exploratory art activities, camps, classes, birthday parties, and special events, young artists are encouraged to embrace diversity, develop self-awareness, and gain confidence in their abilities.

Children participate in both indoor and outdoor projects designed to promote focus, patience, problem-solving, sharing, forgiveness, and collaboration. Along the way, they learn new artistic techniques while discovering their own unique voices.

"Our biggest inspiration is seeing the impact these experiences have on children," says Maddy Oldham, Director of School and Community Partnership Development and Sales. "Not only do their artistic skills grow, but we also watch their confidence flourish, their public speaking

improve, and friendships form in real time."

For PLAYDAY's youngest participants, those moments can be especially meaningful.

"With our toddlers, we often get to witness their very first art memories," she says.

"Seeing materials and the world through their eyes is incredibly rewarding."

Creating a welcoming environment is central to everything PLAYDAY does. Programs take place in clean, safe, positive, inclusive studio spaces where children are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and have fun. The organization's motto — "Have Fun. Be Awesome." — serves as a daily reminder of that mission.

Of course, when you spend your days working with children, there is never a shortage of laughter.

One recent Color Explosion project challenged young artists to design both the world's best and world's grossest ice cream sundaes. The class filled a giant whiteboard wall with topping ideas ranging from sprinkles and chocolate chips to eyeballs and other delightfully disgusting additions.

"The room erupted with laughter," Oldham recalls. "The finished creations were covered in feathers, googly eyes, stickers, and paint. They were completely ridiculous and absolutely wonderful."

Beyond its studio walls, PLAYDAY remains deeply connected to the communities it serves. The organization partners with schools, community groups, festivals, street fairs, and charitable auctions throughout the city.

Families can also bring PLAYDAY directly to them through customized off-site programming, including private lessons, pods, and group classes led by the company's professional art instructors. Oldham says the team prides itself on being responsive and supportive to the individual needs of families, offering flexible programming options designed to fit busy schedules.

"Our team brings together educators, artists, parents, and creative professionals from across the city," says Oldham. "Many of our team members are parents themselves, bringing a valuable family perspective that helps shape our programming."

As PLAYDAY continues to grow, its goal remains unchanged: helping children build confidence, creativity, and connection through the joy of making art.

GET YOUR FIRST ACTIVITY FREE ON PLAYDAY.COM AND FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @MYPLAYDAY.

Alakananda Mukerji

lakananda Mukerji is an internationally exhibited artist and scholar whose practice bridges painting, printmaking, and art historical inquiry. She is a professor of studio art in the division of arts and humanities at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, where she serves as chair of the studio art department and director/curator of the Berger Art Gallery and Brownson Art Gallery. She is represented by Blue Mountain Gallery in New York.

BY SUTTON PLACE RESIDENT ALAKANANDA MUKERJI

Mukerji received her M.A. in Painting from the State University of New York at New Paltz and pursued post-graduate study at Athens University (Polytechnic) as a recipient of a Greek Government Scholarship. She earned her Ph.D. in Art History, MFA, and BFA from Banaras Hindu University. Her scholarly background informs a practice deeply engaged with cultural memory, cross-cultural dialogue, and visual narrative.

Her work, held in over 500 public and private collections globally, has been presented in significant solo exhibitions across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including the European Cultural Centre during the Venice Biennale (Personal Structures, 2024), Gasometer Triesen Gallery/Museum in Liechtenstein (2019, 2025), and Galerie L33 in Switzerland, among others.

"MEANT FOR EACH OTHER," 2025, WATERCOLOR, 14 X 12 INCHES

"DOOR TO TRINITY," 2025, ACRYLIC ON

"ULTRA PINK OF FIFTH AVENUE," 2025, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 24 X 36 INCHES

"NEW YORK," 2025, WATERCOLOR, 12 X 12 INCHES

"59 STREET BRIDGE," 2024, LITHOGRAPHY 12 X 14 INCHES

MISSION STATEMENT: The BPA’s mission is to promote the health, safety and welfare of its residents located between the east side of First Avenue and the East River, and between Mitchell Place and East 51st Street.

"COFFEE SHOP AND AASH," 2025, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 24 X 36 INCHES

415.533.5366 @beekmanplacenyc

board@beekmanplace.org beekmanplacenyc.org

Join our pasta-making classes with Chef Ilke, featured on Netflix’s Next Gen Chef. Learn the art of homemade pastas and explore the world of truffles. Limited seats available, get yours now!

400 E 54TH STREET, NEW YORK 10022 Mon: 2 pm - 6 pm, Tue-Fri: 11 am - 6:30 pm, Sat: 11 am - 6pm (212) 920-4656 Come Visit Our

Friends of the East

ANOTHER YEAR OF PROGRESS ALONG THE WATERFRONT

BY FEATURE WRITER MARGARET PFOHL

Walk along the East River Esplanade on any given weekend and you'll likely find neighbors rolling out yoga mats, families listening to live music, children exploring nature, or volunteers working to make the waterfront even better. Behind it all is Friends of the East River Esplanade, the nonprofit dedicated to making this stretch of Manhattan's East Side a vibrant place to gather, explore, and connect. The organization is funded in large part through generous donations from community members.

This past year has been one of the organization's busiest yet, with expanded advocacy efforts, free community programming, environmental education, and public art initiatives that have produced tangible improvements along the waterfront.

Founder and Board Chair Jennifer Ratner says one of the group's biggest accomplishments has been helping accelerate long-awaited repairs and reopenings along the Esplanade. Through meetings with city agencies and elected officials, along with a sustained media advocacy campaign that brought attention to ongoing closures and safety concerns, EsplanadeFriends helped accelerate several long-awaited projects, including the reopening of the 71st Street footbridge and repairs to the growing sinkhole in the East 90s. Later this year, residents can also look forward to another section of the East 70s reopening, complete with new waterfront fitness equipment inspired by the group's advocacy; Ratner knows that's what residents are most eager to see. "We could have Taylor Swift perform on the Esplanade, and people would still ask, 'When's the East 70s opening?'" she laughs. "Believe me, no one wants it open more than we do."

While pushing for long-term improvements, EsplanadeFriends continued filling the waterfront with free experiences for neighbors of every age. Thousands of people attended concerts, cultural celebrations, children's activities, environmental programs, fishing clinics, seasonal events, history walks, and visits from the New York City Parks PuppetMobile. Yoga on the Waterfront remained one of its most popular offerings, routinely drawing more than 150 participants to practice with sweeping East River views.

Partnerships also continued to expand. EsplanadeFriends worked alongside organizations including the Billion Oyster Project, East Harlem Tutorial Program, Goodwill, NYC Bird Alliance, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to introduce residents to the river's ecosystem through hands-on environmental programming, including oyster education, bird walks, fishing clinics, and other educational experiences. The organization also continued beautifying the Esplanade through public art, showcasing local artist

Carmen Paulino's colorful crochet installations that brighten the waterfront while larger

River Esplanade

reconstruction projects continue. Looking ahead, EsplanadeFriends also hopes to create a self-guided audio tour highlighting the rich history of the East River waterfront.

For Ratner, the Esplanade is a place where advocacy and community come together. Every free concert, fitness class, educational program, and public art installation encourages neighbors to experience the waterfront while reinforcing why it deserves continued investment. As EsplanadeFriends looks ahead, their mission remains unchanged: creating a more connected, accessible, and welcoming waterfront for everyone.

Refer to page 8 in this issue for upcoming EsplandeFriends events.

Neighbors can also find an updated calendar of events, volunteer, and support EsplanadeFriends at EsplanadeFriends.org, and follow @EsplanadeFriend on Instagram for updates.

Book Talk with BINDU

AT LES VAGABONDS

Exactly one week prior to rising author Bindu Bansinath receiving a raving New York Times review of her debut novel "Men Like Ours," members of our community, brought together thanks to neighbor Trish Gilbert, gathered at Les Vagabonds for a literary afternoon. The setting: French jazz in the background, champagne continuously being poured, charcuterie boards overflowing, homemade macrons on fresh whipped cream, all courtesy of owner Motrya. Plus, diffusers in luscious scents Rose, Tuberose, Sandalwood and Jasmine, from owner Nisha of AyurLight Candles. Thank you, Bindu, for sharing stories both personal and from your work, and congratulations on your growing success — and on the upcoming Apple TV series, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, based on your 2025 New York Magazine article, “The Nanny Squatter.” We will all be watching!

By Eleni Menoutis

BLBANSINATH@GMAIL.COM | WWW.BINDUBANSINATH.COM/ABOUT @LESVAGABONDSNYC | LESVAGABONDSNYC.COM AYURLIGHTCANDLES | WWW.AYURLIGHTCANDLES.COM

Flavors of

Portugal

RECIPE & RETREAT

BY SUTTON PLACE RESIDENT SARA DAVIS

Introducing award-winning chef recipes from all over the globe to practice at home, highlighting our local small shops along the way.

Chef Olivier is one of the most recognized chefs in Portugal and the founder of a growing restaurant group that includes 36 restaurants globally. Among them is K.O.B. (Knowledge of Beef) in Lisbon, a specialist steak restaurant focused entirely on the craft of cooking beef.

Olivier believes that the difference between an average steak and a great one often comes down to a few small details, such as allowing the meat to come to room temperature before cooking, and slicing it properly after it comes off the pan. Our recommendation for where to purchase your meat locally — Simchick Meats, 988 1st Ave — and his recommendations for cooking Portuguese steak at home:

1. Remove the meat from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before seasoning and cooking.

2. Season the steak with coarse salt, pepper, herbs, then brush lightly with olive oil.

3. Preheat a grill pan until very hot to create a proper sear.

4. Grill the steak to your preference. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes per side for rare, adding about one additional minute per side for more doneness.

5. Slice the steak into thin pieces about 3 to 5 millimeters thick to release the juices.

6. Arrange the slices together so they resemble the original shape of the steak.

7. If needed, return the sliced meat briefly to the pan to warm it before serving. Finish with whole peppercorns.

The result is a simple, flavorful dish that brings restaurant quality comfort to a holiday table or an easy weeknight dinner.

For our Sutton Place neighbors, a special discount is being offered to Renew, Relax & Retreat with bi-country Sutton Place resident Eve Fleishman in Southern Portugal, this October. Check her website www.evefleishman.com/retreat for 2026 dates (October 10–17), or bring your own small group and pick your own date.

Eve is a singer, songwriter, artist and yogi who, along with her husband Mark, was featured on "House Hunters International" in 2019. Read all about their adventures at www.evefleishman.com/blog/revisitng-househunters-international.

ONE VINTAGE & RECIPE AT A TIME

Some people measure a life in years. Marsha Palanci prefers vintages.

Ask her ag e, and she is likely to respond with a smile and a wine reference, noting that she was born in one of Bordeaux’s greatest vintage years. It is exactly the kind of answer you would expect from someone who spent more than four decades in the wine industry, built a nationally respected marketing agency, ran seven marathons, studied cooking in Europe, maintains two flourishing terrace gardens, and still approaches each day with the curiosity of someone half her age.

“Age is merely a state of mind,” she says. “People tell me that I am eternally young.”

Raised in France and Belgium, Marsha earned a master’s degree in Medieval French Literature from Kent State University before putting her fluency in French to work in the wine industry after moving to New York City.

Her first role was with Sopexa before joining the prestigious importer Schieffelin & Company. During her 13 years there, she worked with brands including Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon, Hennessy Cognac, and Ruffino wines.

In 1990, she founded Cornerstone Communications, a boutique wine marketing agency that became highly regarded throughout the industry. Over the next 25 years, her all-female team represented clients ranging from Napa Valley Vintners and Washington State Wines to producers from Austria, Chile, Israel, and beyond.

The wine business also led her to the love of her life.

Marsha met her husband, Ed Lauber, through work after making a cold call requesting a wine donation for an event. Ed, then a wine executive, agreed to donate half the wine if she purchased the rest.

“Astute businessman, that Ed,” she recalls.

When he later asked her out, she initially declined. But persistence and charm eventually won her over. The couple married in 1978 at the United Nations Chapel and spent more than 40 years together. Ed passed away in 2019 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia, but his influence remains woven throughout the life they built together.

Ed built one of America’s most respected wine distribution companies, Lauber Imports, while Marsha established her own successful agency. For years, many people in the industry did not even realize they were married.

“We were so discreet that for years many people did not know we were a couple, especially since I kept my name,” Marsha shares. “Turns out subterfuge was quite exhilarating for us as newlyweds.”

Today, Marsha divides her time between Manhattan and Paris. Her apartment in the Marais allows her to toggle between two of the world's great cultural and culinary capitals.

A self-described “card-carrying hodophile,” she and Ed spent decades exploring the world, often by bicycle. They pedaled through the Italian Alps, Vietnam’s rice fields, and the French countryside, combining adventure with their shared love of food and wine.

“What better way to explore the world and eat as much as you want and not gain weight?” she jokes.

That appreciation for food extends well beyond travel. Marsha and Ed were passionate home cooks who regularly hosted gatherings for friends, clients, chefs, restaurateurs, and wine producers.

They studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and attended multiple culinary courses throughout Italy. Most recently, Marsha even trained at ICIF, a professional chefs' school in Piedmont.

When she closed Cornerstone Communications to care for Ed, Marsha found another creative outlet by launching her travel and food blog, "Tarte Tatin Tales," named after her favorite French dessert and the signature dish of Sologne's famed Hotel Tatin. Through the blog, she shares recipes, travel stories, words of wisdom, and her love of la bonne vie She later expanded the project into a book of the same name.

“I have no desire to ever open a restaurant,” she says, “but entertaining at home and now knowing how to make Agnolotti del Plin takes care of the needs of my inner chef.”

Her love of food extends to family as well. Marsha is a proud grandmother to six grandchildren, all of whom know that a visit to Noni’s apartment often comes with a cooking lesson. Whether she is teaching family members how to prepare favorite recipes or inviting the children of friends into her kitchen, sharing knowledge has become just as rewarding as cooking itself.

Service has become equally important throughout Marsha’s life. She has dedicated significant time to organizations including Les Dames d'Escoffier New York, Food Bank for New York City, CancerCare, and Green Park Gardeners NYC. Through those efforts, she has helped support women in food and hospitality, address

food insecurity, raise funds for cancer patients and their families, and beautify the East River Esplanade. CancerCare holds particular significance for Marsha and Ed, whose families were both affected by cancer. Most recently, she helped raise more than $1.1 million as co-chair of the annual gala.

Gardening remains one of her favorite pastimes. On the terraces surrounding her Sutton Place South penthouse, Marsha tends hydrangeas, roses, a pear tree, and more. She jokes that she sometimes feels like Marie Antoinette retreating to her countryside hamlet at Versailles.

In 1999, the couple purchased their penthouse from author and humorist Leo Rosten. They completely renovated the space, transforming it into what Marsha describes as “a French country house in the sky.” Twenty-five years later, it remains one of her favorite places in the city to relax or welcome friends for a glass of wine.

She appreciates Sutton Place’s international character, convenient location, and quiet charm. Having lived, studied, and worked throughout Europe, she was drawn to the neighborhood’s cosmopolitan atmosphere, shaped by its proximity to the United Nations and numerous foreign consulates.

She has also watched Sutton Place evolve. Once known for its older residents and quiet pace, the neighborhood has welcomed a growing number of young families in recent years.

“The wheelchair brigade, as my husband used to call it, is being replaced with baby carriages,” she says. “This welcome increase in young families has added new vitality, excitement, and joy to our formerly slightly sleepy neighborhood.”

Friends jokingly refer to the Trader Joe’s beneath the 59th Street Bridge as “Marsha’s happy place,” a title she has earned through years of loyal visits. She is equally enthusiastic about supporting neighborhood staples like Ideal Cheese, Ambassador Wine & Spirits, and Elia’s Casa Bianca.

Ask Marsha what motto guides her life and she answers without hesitation: “Carpe Diem.” Seize the day.

That philosophy has guided every chapter of her story, from entrepreneur and traveler to volunteer, mentor, and neighbor.

At an age she still prefers to describe as a particularly good vintage, Marsha Palanci is proving that the best years are not necessarily behind us. Sometimes they are yet to be uncorked.

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook @marshapalanci , and keep up with Marsha on her blog tartetatintales.com.

BY OUR PUB CRAWL DUO LIAM DOUGHERTY & LUKE ROBINSON

Chances are you have walked past The Stag's Head more than once, pausing to admire the beautiful sign out front — a majestic stag rendered with the kind of quiet confidence that hints at what lies within. The bar sits at the corner of 51st and 2nd, understated enough that without the striking sign outside, you may pass it entirely. For those who live nearby, it is simply part of the streetscape, a familiar fixture on your walks around the neighborhood. This is precisely why it deserves a closer look, because once you step inside, you will wonder why it took you this long.

Open since 2008, The Stag's Head has been a quiet staple of the neighborhood for nearly two decades, serving the kind of dependable hospitality that locals tend to appreciate. The interior is warm and intimate: wood-lined walls, low lighting, the easy murmur of familiar faces catching up over a pint. It is the sort of place that feels less like a bar you discovered and more like one you have always known. And while the space is compact in the way that neighborhood bars around here often are, it spans two floors, meaning there is almost always room for one more — whether you want to be in the middle of the action downstairs or tuck yourself away more quietly upstairs.

The beer list reflects a genuine respect for the craft, catering to those who are as thoughtful about what they order as the bar is about what it pours. Sixteen rotating draughts, with a strong

emphasis on New York City and State craft breweries, keep things interesting visit after visit. The staff are as much a draw as the menu — genuinely warm, happy to make a recommendation, and familiar enough with their regulars to make you feel at home.

For those who work nearby or simply need a reliable place to decompress after a long day, the after-work hours here are hard to beat. With happy hour running Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 pm., The Stag's Head offers one of the more accommodating windows in the neighborhood. The kitchen turns out solid bar food that pairs well with the drink menu, and the room fills up in the best possible way as the evening progresses — enough energy to feel like something is happening, but never so loud that you lose the thread of a conversation.

Next door, sharing the building, is Cornerstone Tavern, its sister bar. If the game is on, or you are in the mood for trivia night or a karaoke session with friends, Cornerstone is right there. Together, the two establishments make this corner of 51st and 2nd one of the more complete evening destinations the neighborhood has to offer.

For a community that takes its local establishments seriously, The Stag's Head is a bar that has truly earned its place. Nearly two decades on the same corner is a statement in itself — and every visit makes clear that it has been time well spent.

THE STAG'S HEAD

252 E 51ST ST (AT 2ND AVE) @THESTAGSHEADNYC

LA BELLE TASSE, 836 2ND AVE

Celebratory Stroll Tudor City

By Eleni Menoutis

Centennial

In celebration of Tudor City's very first two buildings opening 100 years ago (first Prospect Towers, No. 45, then The Manor, No. 333), we strolled the once private streets of Tudor City with Manhattan historian Joyce Gold, appreciating its Tudor Style, Old English names, original stained glass still in tact, its Bishop's Crook lampposts (look up and take note of them!). Everyone's favorites, the two Tudor City Greens parks, and the Tudor City Overpass (prime spot for Manhattanhenge) looking to the Chrysler Building to the west and the United Nations to the east. Did you know? In 1930, the Chrysler was the tallest building in the world, beat out by the Empire State building the next year. And, the UN was the first in New York to be built in the International Style. Fun facts, Anna Nicole Smith lived at The Manor at the height of her career; 5 Tudor City Place has been the backdrop of many famous films such as "Spider-Man," "Scarface," "Splash," and "The Godfather; and Katharine Hepburn played tennis at the open-air courts where 2 Tudor City Place now stands.

On our way home (we had attendees from the Tudor City, Beekman and Sutton Place areas on this particular tour), owner Pia of Café La Belle Tasse welcomed us in for a treat, where I had the pleasure of

gifting everyone a signed copy of local author Larry Samuel's book "Tudor City: Manhattan’s Historic Residential Enclave" (The History Press, 2019) on his behalf.

What a special celebration this walking tour turned out to be.

NEXT WALK

"OUR PARKS" STROLL WITH MERRILL PERLMAN WWW.SUTTONPLACE.MEDIA SUN, 10/18, 1PM

BY TURTLE BAY RESIDENT FLORENCE LI

T ouch Grass?

Not for Hysan, the City Pup

Meet Hysan — a 7-month-old Havanese named after Hysan Place in Hong Kong, where his parents had their first date. A true city dog, Hysan loves subway rides and concrete, but won't be touching dirt and grass — and will happily request to be carried instead. He's also mastered the art of pretending he's never been fed, despite clear evidence to the contrary, and is always ready to negotiate for a treat.

JUNE 29TH TO AUGUST 28TH

Registration for 2 or more weeks 10% off contact: classprogram@cervantes.es

A proud puppy school graduate, Hysan is above his mom's questionable outfit choices but puts up with it in exchange for chicken treats. You'll often find him checking his pee-mail at Peter Detmold Park Dog Run, where he lives for belly rubs and catching up with his favorite dog friends.

@GOODBOYHYSAN

Ever Green — DEAR PRUDENCE FERRY

BY LOCAL RESIDENT HELLEN HELLO

Moldering in Long Island City, Prudence, the ferry, is stripped down to her metal frame. Glass, wiring, machinery, upholstery, and every bit of paint is painstakingly removed by volunteers. Dear Prudence, why is this happening to you?

Prudence arrived in Anable Basin in 2012, her owner having high hopes for her as a floating beer garden — a convivial, relaxing vessel bobbing on the East River tides. Alas, the plan came to naught, and abandoned Prudence was out to sea. Over the years, she aged into a rusty hulk, an eyesore to the residents of the neighborhood.

One resident reached out to Bill Cadden, founder of the Long Island Artificial Reef Society, who then bought Prudence with the intent of giving her a new life as an artificial reef. The all-steel, still floating, and towable Prudence will be reborn as an underwater home for sea life. Her new address will be the 16th Fathom Reef, near Fire Island.

Sinking artificial reefs around New York harbor is nothing new. Fishermen began sinking cement-filled butter tubs on the ocean floor to encourage sea life. In NYS, the official artificial reef building program began in 1962, and until the program ended in 2010, the MTA stripped and sunk 2,500 outmoded rail and subway cars into the Atlantic.

According to the Department of Conservation that strictly runs and enforces the artificial reef program, only items made of concrete, rock, and plain steel are acceptable for artificial reef building. These materials must be clean of any and all chemicals and substances that can harm the environment and our waters.

Next is obtaining permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and approvals from the EPA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) and others, to sink the vessel. As Peter Malinowsky of the Billion Oyster Project told me, “It 's far easier to take things out of the water than to put them in.”

Once sunk, it takes fish and underwater life one day to find the vessel and make it home. Soon the steel frame is coated with barnacles, sponges, hydroids, mussels, and anemones. The fish return, and eventually, dolphins and whales. A great new chapter in the sea life of Prudence Ferry.

Check out the websites of the Department of Conservation, Long Island Artificial Reef Society, and of course, the Billion Oyster Project for more information and volunteering opportunities for outside fun for the summer! I'll keep you posted.

The only licensed Assisted Living Residence in NYC entirely devoted to Enhanced Memory Care.

Bedford Barbers FOR MEN AND WOMEN

BY SUTTON PLACE RESIDENT MIRIAM SILVERBERG

THE ROOT CAUSE OF AUTISM

|INCLUDING NON-VERBAL AUTISM | FROM A TREATMENT & RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE

DR. ROBERT MELILLO and his team are NYC-based leaders in neurodevelopmental conditions such as NonVerbal Autism, ADHD, OCD, Tics, Dyslexia, Anxiety, and Depression in both children and adults. With extensive knowledge of brain function, Dr. Melillo has perfected a multi-modal method that significantly improves the most pervasive neurologic-based issues today. The Melillo Method has transformed the lives of thousands all over the globe, by addressing the root cause, improving brain-body function.

Dr. Melillo’s expertise in functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology is unparalleled, backed by 30 years as a clinician, professor, brain researcher, and bestselling author.

We invite you to visit The Melillo Center for Developing Minds located at 347 5th Avenue if you or your child is struggling with a neurodevelopmental condition.

646.971.8040 | melillomethodnyc@gmail.com | drrobertmelillo.com @drrobertmelillo | 347 5th Ave Rm 1010 (btw 33rd & 34th)

Ihave been told I am a very stylish woman. One of the reasons I've been told this is that I wear my hair like a man's. In fact, it is a man's haircut. I have it cut by a very fine gentleman named Mustafa at a very fine barbershop, Bedford Barbers, at the corner of 57th Street and 1st Avenue. Bedford Barbers is owned by the nicest gentleman, Steve, and has been in business for 16 years. I was looking for a hairdresser when a neighbor said, "You wear your hair so short, why not go to a barber?" Well, I went to Bedford across from my home, and it was love at first sight.

They do great work (a cut is $40) and everyone there is kind and helpful. It 's on the second floor, and I have trouble with my balance, and someone is always there to help me up and down the steps. Mustafa would not know how to do a bad job, and I never have to wait more than a few minutes for my appointment, even though they are always busy.

So many women are wearing their hair short now that it seems a barber is the best idea. I certainly am not the only woman customer. Their excellent reputation is richly deserved. There is no “sitting around” for this staff. Try them and I am sure you will become a steady customer.

The Albanian A Coastline That Welcomes

BY

KEEP SUTTON PLACE SHINING BECOME A MEMBER OF SAC

suttonareacommunity.com

@suttonareacommunity

sacsuttonarea@gmail.com 212.838.9770

Some places dazzle; others disarm you with quiet beauty. I arrived at the Albanian Riviera, curious — and left as though I’d been let in on the most well-kept secret.

Sarandë — Where the Sea Sets the Pace

Sarandë curves around the Ionian Sea in a way that slows you down without asking. The water shifts from deep blue to glassy silver, and the evenings carry that unmistakable Mediterranean blend of salt, citrus, and something floral you can’t quite name. Despite its growth, the town still feels sincere, grounded in its fishing -village past

Cuisine That Honors Simplicity

What surprised me most was the food. Albania doesn’t rely on flourish; it relies on freshness. Seafood tastes as though it traveled straight from the water to the plate — grilled fish with crisp skin, octopus touched by smoke, shrimp brightened with lemon and peppery local olive oil. Produce is vivid and sun -warme d, tomatoes bursting with sweetness, cucumbers cool and clean. Even the bread, dipped in golden olive oil, feels like a small celebration.

Meals here aren’t performances. They’re gestures of welcome.

Hospitality That Feels Personal

Albanians have a way of making you feel seen. Conversations unfold easily. People ask where you’re from with genuine interest, not routine politeness. There’s no curated charm — just warmth, curiosity, and a sense of pride that never tips into pretense. It reminded me of a kind of hospitality that has become rare: human, unhurried, and sincere.

Ksamil — Albania’s Whisper of Bora Bora

South of Sarandë, Ksamil reveals itself in a way that almost startles you. The water glows in shades of turquoise so vivid they feel borrowed from the South Pacific, and it’s no wonder travelers have begun comparing it to Bora Bora. I understood the comparison the moment I stepped onto the sand — the clarity of the water, the gentle gradient from pale aqua to deep blue, the small islands rising just offshore like quiet sentinels.

Albanian Riviera Welcomes You In

But unlike Bora Bora, Ksamil carries no pretense. It offers that same dreamlike beauty with a simplicity that feels even more precious. I spent an afternoon drifting between sea and shade, letting the coastline remind me that paradise doesn’t always need overwater bungalows; sometimes it’s enough for the water itself to do the talking.

What Stayed With Me

The Albanian Riviera is shaped by centuries of influence — Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Italian — yet it feels entirely itself. A coastline of clarity and confidence. A cuisine rooted in land and sea. A culture that welcomes without effort.

What I carried home wasn’t just the memory of turquoise water or sunlit afternoons. It was the feeling of being welcomed into a place that still holds its secrets close, offering them only to those who arrive with an open heart.

Spend Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur with Sutton Place Synagogue

Traditional Egalitarian Services, 20s & 30s Services, Tot & Family Services & More

To learn more contact us at sps@spsnyc.org, 212-593-3300, or go to spsnyc.org

The Art of Unplugging

BY SUTTON PLACE RESIDENT AMANDA MACTAS

In a city that rarely slows down, finding an hour to truly unplug can feel almost impossible That's exactly what inspired the idea behind Grata Wellness , a New Yorkbased wellness practice founded by health and wellness coach Marianna Cuomo Maier, whose own experience with professional burnout became the catalyst for helping others prioritize stress management before it takes a physical toll.

After years working in health tech, she found herself constantly putting work ahead of well-being — until chronic stress contributed to an autoimmune diagnosis and gut health issues. That realization led her to launch Grata Wellness in 2022, with a focus on empowering clients through coaching, me ditation, breathwork, and, eventually, sound baths, where her focus now lies.

Sound baths have become increasingly popular, but many people are still unsure what to expect — and take away — from one. The practice involves simply lying down while crystal singing bowls produce resonant tones designed to promote relaxation. Unlike meditation or yoga, there's no technique to master or barrier to entry. "Sound baths require nothing from you except showing up," Marianna explains. "You don't have to think about your breathing or whether you're doing it right. You simply receive the experience."

As Marianna elaborates, the vibrations created by the crystal bowls help encourage the body to shift into a calmer parasympathetic state — the "rest and digest" mode that's often difficult to access in everyday life. The experience can also help quiet racing thoughts, allowing the brain to enter more relaxed, creative states.

we are exposed to different vibrations and frequencies, from fire trucks going by to the noise of crowded sidewalks, all of which unknowingly affect us. The crystal bowls emit frequencies associated with nature, creating a common grounding energy.

While even a few minutes of calming sound can be beneficial, Marianna recommends sessions lasting at least 25 to 30 minutes, with 45 to 60 minutes offering the strongest restorative effects. As for frequency, consistency is key — but perfection isn't ne cessar y. A weekly practice can be ideal for those managing high stress, while attending a sound bath every few weeks or even once a month can still provide meaningful benefits. Listening to sound meditations at home between sessions is another accessible way to incorporate the practice into daily life.

Like many wellness modalities, sound baths may not resonate with everyone immediately. But for those seeking a restorative practice that asks very little and offers the rare chance to simply be still, they may be one of the most approachable forms of self-care available. After all, in a culture focused on constant productivity, spending an hour doing nothing at all might be exactly what the nervous system needs.

Marianna offers private 1:1 sessions as well as bespoke group experiences for birthdays, girls' nights, bachelorettes, and corporate gatherings. Email marianna@gratawellness.com to book.

WWW.GRATAWELLNESS.COM @GRATAWELLNESS

The frequencies the bowls put off are of utmost importance: “They’re actually showing and signaling to our body that we’re safe; they're regulating our nervous system,” Marianna emphasizes. All day long,