The Musings of Ron Kapon

Welcome to 2022

Due to the covid restrictions I have not traveled nor posted anything for quite a while

UP UP AND AWAY

I have been homebound for over a year with just Renoir, my 16-year-old rescue cat, keeping me company. Recently, I was asked by a neighbor to have a 4th-year medical student use the back part of the apartment (I have 7 rooms) while he finishes school. He studies all the time & Renoir adores him. I leave my apartment to visit doctors and for an occasional meal outside with part of my family. Most of my shopping is online and they all deliver. So much for mixing with people. I have had my 2 vaccines & have tested negative. I have watched so much TV that my eyeballs are in lockdown mode. I sit on a bench across the street from my building entrance when the weather is nice. I have been doing yoga with Adrienne for over 15 years & once again we are outdoors weather permitting.

When I received an e-mail from Tom Tauchert from Virgo PR asking if I would like to have a flight on a private jet aircraft that was on a short stay at Westchester County Airport it took me about 5 seconds to say absolutely. A car picked me up & in 45 minutes we were at a private hangar at the airport (Signature East). I met Allison O. Kane, the wife of Richard Kane, the CEO of VeriJet. He is the founder of Coastal Technology Group out of Boca Raton Florida (where they live). While waiting for her husband to land with another journalist who is also writing a story about her experience, she gave me the background of the company. VeriJet uses the single-engine Cirrus SF 50 that can accommodate 4 adults & 2 children (plus pets). Cirrus is manufactured in Duluth Minnesota, with Williams making the engines.  The first plane was ordered in July 2019 (they now have 9). There are 5400 non-crowded smaller airports in the US that VeriJet can use. All you need is 3,000 feet for the runway. No large, congested airports in major cities with long lines for check-in & waiting for luggage that one hopes makes it to their destination. I have had several unfortunate experiences with luggage, including my bag never leaving the airport & my having to buy all my clothes for a 10-day cruise. I did not get my bag back until I returned home 2 weeks later!

 

Striving to lessen Carbon footprints, VeriJet saves over a ton of CO2 compared to other light jets and features reduced carbon & noise levels for quiet operations at local airports. All their planes are professionally cleaned before and after every flight and the air is purified throughout flights. Richard asked me if I wanted to fly the plane which I declined out of safety for us both. I learned as we started our flight out to Montauk & back, that there is a safe return button that can autoland the plane without a pilot. I also demurred from his invitation to use that feature. There is a parachute system that can be used in case of an emergency to assist in landing the plane. The plane utilizes UV sterilization equipment that is used in ambulances. The aircraft features all carbon fiber & there is no metal fatigue. The engine is on top of the aircraft. Why is this important? Birds have been known to fly into airplane engines. Remember Sully Sullenberger & the "Miracle on the Hudson?" It also recently happened to the Utah Jazz NBA team private charter and caused the plane to make an emergency landing. At this planes angle, it will not happen. Garmin radar is also a feature of the aircraft. There is no membership fee to use VeriJet. The total cost is $3,000 an hour.

https://www.verijet.com/home

833-VERIJET

 

 

GROOMING MY CAT AT HOME

Renoir is a rescue cat that I have raised since he was a kitten. He is now plus 13 years young. The only time he leaves my apartment is to go across the street to his vet. They even send someone to pick him up & drop him off. At the prices they charge he should have a limo ride. I received a press release from Anna Zege the co-founder of Groomit.me. The name says it all- At home pet grooming services.

Groomit launched in 2017 and operates in the 5 boroughs of New York City as well as Westchester County, Connecticut, Long Island, and Northern New Jersey. The app and website focus on pet grooming. The client can speak directly to a groomer with specific requests and sets the day and time. My groomer was Christopher Perkins. He called several times to confirm the time he would be at my apartment and the availability of metered on-street parking.

I did question having a stranger in my apartment during the COVID 19 pandemic. I was told by Anna that her business was up over 30% since COVID began. I was assured her groomers had been tested regularly and wore a mask and gloves. Most pet salons have been closed during the quarantine & when I thought about it would I feel safer in an outside setting where lots of people had been there before me or in the privacy of my home where Renoir feels safe and secure. I immediately booked Renoir’s grooming with Anna. He received the gold groom which would have been $169 and $139 if it was booked 7 days in advance. The package included a haircut, dry brush out, dry bath, conditioner, ear cleaning, nail trim, blow dry, sanitary trim, and cologne.

Editor’s Note- My grooming was comped by the firm since I was a journalist writing a story about the firm. I did tip the groomer.

Here is an interesting fact- There are over one million pet owners in Manhattan. The company has groomed over 15,000 pets in New Yorkers’ private homes using safe social distancing and hygienic standards since stay at home began this past March. In-home groomers that work thru the app are their own boss under the Groomit umbrella. They pick the time and the days they want to work. Their average take-home per hour is 110 dollars for each appointment. My bill would have been $139 for Renoir, plus my tip. I give the firm an A for their work.

www.groomit.me

(888) 396-7170

A VIEW FROM THE BENCH- PART 2

Phase 2 reopening in NYC. Outdoor dining allowed. Barbershops & hair salons have opened. Can’t wait until nail salon reopens. Good to see crowds entering DSW across the street from my bench. I will take a walk locally to see what else has reopened.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that NYC is on track to open on June 22, exactly two weeks from when we entered Phase 1. He noted that as many as 300,000 people will be returning to work during this next phase. While Phase 1 didn't affect most New Yorkers—only curbside pick-up at stores was allowed and manufacturing and construction jobs are back online—Phase 2 marks the return of many things New Yorkers love: outdoor dining, in-store shopping, getting our hair done, etc. Malls, indoor dining at restaurants, bars, large gatherings, gyms, movie theaters and places of public amusement (amusement parks, carnivals, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, family and children’s attractions) will still be off-limits until Phase 3.

Each business has guidance by the state that it must follow, including keeping occupancy in office buildings at 50 percent, doing daily health screenings of its employees, requiring everyone to wear masks or provide barriers if six feet cannot be maintained between people, putting up signs and distance markers, limiting in-person meetings and refraining from the communal sharing of food and drinks in larger areas.

The subway will remain closed overnight between the hours of 1 am and 5 am for cleaning. Crews will "remove the trash, clean spills and biohazards, spot-clean seats, floors, and other surfaces, and disinfect common touchpoints." Trains will be cleaned overnight at subway yards. I have not taken the subway since Phase 1 began. I have used the M104 bus to get to my medical appointments. Masks, gloves & social distancing seem to be in order on the buses.

It was just announced that NYC beaches will reopen for swimming on July 1^st. The weather has been great- 80-90 degrees with lots of sun and mainly low humidity. The city has come alive. I will not be going to any large gatherings inside for the next 6 months.

The 20^th Precinct of the NYPD (59-86 Street Hudson River to Central Park West) will hold its first meeting in 3 months of the civilian coordinators for community policing tonight at the old Boat Basin Café at 79^th St & the Hudson River. It is not being used anymore but outdoors with lots of social distancing. I am one of 2 volunteer coordinators for Sector C- (79^th- 86^th Streets).

Phase 3 just started. I finally was able to get a manicure after 3 months. Looking good. I am not ready to eat in a restaurant just yet. Maybe in the fall. 79^th Street repaved. Weather in the high 80’s- low 90s and very little rain. As I sit on the bench more people and cars are on the street. Still doing yoga once a week with Adrienne (15^th year). In the last 2 months, we have gone to Riverside Park and used benches around 80^th Street.

July 4^th weekend and my routine visit to my dentist (across the street from my house) for a cleaning reveals another cavity. Just what I wanted- a $4,000 bill and more implants. Happy almost 85^th birthday. The Wine Media Guild organization that I co-founded almost 20 years ago will help me celebrate 2 days before my actual birthday via Zoom.

I will be reporting on Sunday from the Hamptons at my family home where my brother & sister-in-law plus 2 of my 3 nephews and their 5 children will celebrate the big day. My oldest nephew John who runs the family retail and auction business lives in Puerto Rico and could not get a flight to NYC until next week.

THE VIEW FROM THE BENCH- PART 1

When COVID 19 first hit the New York, New Jersey area it was mid-March. I was halfway through my 15-week class at the International School of Tourism & Hospitality Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hackensack, New Jersey. The university closed and the teachers were instructed to finish their classes online. I learned about Zoom and was able to finish my class in the 8 weeks remaining. But it was not the same. There were no tastings. I only used the textbook- The Wine Bible- 2nd edition and the online wine course I had co-authored for the New York Times Knowledge Network (which no longer exists) and FDU that now owns the course. I told my students I would contact them when FDU opens up for in-person classes and invite them to lunch and to sample many of the wines left over.

The first month of isolation was not bad. Hamza Zaman and his wife Chelsea and their newborn Cyrus had moved to their home in lower Sullivan county. They had lived in the back part of my large (4 bedrooms) Upper West Side apartment. They had their own small bathroom as well as a large bedroom. She was on maternity leave and his company had him working from home as they temporarily closed their New York office. My only companion was Renoir, my 13-year-old rescue cat. I have been in bed most nights by 9 PM.  He often sleeps next to me and licks my face around 6 AM. Time to get up and feed me, Daddy.

I have my local pharmacist across the street. Ditto, my vet, and physical therapy studio. Twice a month (thank you Medicare) I did PT with Alyssa. Once a week I did yoga with Adrienne (15th year). As the weather improved, we moved outdoors. First to the Natural History Museum at Central Park West & 77th Street and recently to Riverside Park & 80th Street.

The first month indoors I watched CBS All Access (free trial) that included Mrs. Maisel, Bosch, etc. Then every Netflix adventure and crime movie. This was after taping HBO & Showtime shows I liked. I have spoken to most of my friends and relatives just to say hello. Sunday early afternoon is my time to shop at my local CVS drug store. I am told I am the #2 customer in the amount of money spent at that location. CVS keeps sending me coupons for 30% off and free this and that.  I have been getting deliveries from the Whole Foods located at Columbus Circle & a few local restaurants (most are closed, maybe forever).

I would sit on the bench at 79th Street and Broadway that was a few feet from my building entrance and read. As the weather warmed up, I spent 2 hours a day on that bench. I was dubbed The King of 79th Street. For the first 2 months of lockdown, I watched the 79th Street crosstown and uptown and downtown M104 buses. Maybe 2 or 3 people per bus. I have not ventured into the subway with both uptown and downtown #1 trains on my corners. Don’t tell me I live on the perfect street. I already know that. Did I mention the uptown & downtown West Side Highway are both 2 blocks away? With the Black Lives Matter protests a few blocks away I stay away from the Columbus Circle area.

It was the Saturday before New York City reopened when I started this blog. DSW shoe warehouse is getting ready to reopen. Work has resumed on a new restaurant across from my place. Zabar’s has always remained open (it did close its café). God bless Sol Zabar who is 94 and still working. He & my Dad were friends. I will not eat at the reopened restaurants probably until the fall. I don’t want to take any chances with my health. I take my temperature at least 3 times a day & it has remained normal. I have received a face shield in addition to my masks. I can at least breathe using the face shield.

 

 

WINE GIRL

When I saw the ad for Wine Girl I immediately ordered a copy through a seller on Amazon. I had briefly met Victoria James when she worked at Marea. My nephew John Kapon held several of his Acker wine auctions there. I would come by for a few hours and sit at the Kapon table near the bar and the collection of special wines that Acker poured for its loyal customers. On page 230 of her book she referred to many of Ackers's best clients as "cowboys hoping that the bottles they brought to taste would top everyone else's."

The book is divided by her age- 7-14, 14-19, 19-20, 21-23, 23-24, 24-26 and 26-28. Victoria was selected for the annual Forbes and Zagat "30 under 30 lists." At 21 she became the youngest sommelier at a Michelin-starred restaurant. She is presently a partner and beverage director at Cote- 16 West 22nd Street in New York.

Her rise in the wine world is the best part of the book and takes up most of the second half. The inner workings of her family life, the abuse and humiliation were not why I bought the book. I assume it was added to make it salable as a TV series or motion picture. Her sister Sarah Robinson disputes many of her accusations. Sarah agreed that their parents had flaws but also Victoria fell in with a bad group in high school and married an abusive, controlling man.

On a 100 point scale, I would give Wine Girl an 85- B

Published by ECCO- An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers- $26.99

NYC TV & Movie Tour

I was bored. The coronavirus has closed the university where I have taught my wine course for the past 25 years. All Broadway shows are temporarily shuttered. Wine tastings, political meetings, senior classes are on hiatus. Dining out with friends became iffy. What was I to do? What am I to do?  No NCAA or NBA games to watch. I suffered through several terrible Netflix movies. I did get out of the house when the weather warmed up to read a book on the local park bench. But then the gentlemen next to me began coughing and back home I went. I may be close to 85 years young, but I am a very active guy. Wait, there was an invitation from On Location Tours, the world’s largest TV & movie tour company for a comped ticket to one of their tours. Perfect- I booked Mrs. Maisel’s Marvelous Tour of NYC for Saturday at Noon. I had never watched the show but knew they filmed all over NYC. 

The day before the tour date I received an e-mail- “Your reservation for Mrs. Maisel's Marvelous Tour of New York City on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 12:00 PM, has been moved to NYC TV & Movie Tour at 10 AM on the same day.” I showed up at the opposite corner from the famed Ellen's Stardust Diner at 51 Street & Broadway & boarded the bus.

Benji Sills was our guide & Tony was our driver. Both get 5 Stars. The short videos showing the various movies whose shooting locations we were about to view or visit also were 5 Stars. Perhaps if I had been an out of towner (as were all the other 19 participants) I would have enjoyed the views & descriptions of the buildings better. I asked several of the other participants and they were having a ball.

Let the tour begin! We passed by the Gershwin Theater (1972), which seats over 1,900 people & has been hosting Wicked since 2003. It is the 2^nd highest-grossing show to The Lion King. We also learned that the Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show celebrating its 30^thyear. Next came the Hearst Building, home to the movie Spider-Man. We were soon in Columbus Circle with its world-famous statue. Smurf 2 was filmed there. Trump Tower (Tower Heist), The Time Warner Center (The Other Guy and Clover film where the towers collapse), Hotel Empire (Gossip Girl), Museum of Art & Design (Ghostbusters). We drove along 59^thstreet & Central Park where over 300 films have been shot. It is the #1 film location with Venice Beach, California as #2. The Plaza Hotel is the most filmed interior (Home Alone 2- Eloise lived there). Around the corner on Fifth Ave are the Pulitzer Fountains (Friends) and opposite the fountains is The Apple Store & what was the toy store- F.A.O Schwartz. Down 5^th Avenue, we passed Tiffany & Company (Breakfast at Tiffany). The Trump Tower had a major role in The Wolf of Wall Street.  There are over 70 TV & motion pictures filmed in NYC. Blue Bloods & Law & Order SUV are my personal favorites.

There was St. Patrick Cathedral, welcoming anyone who wished to enter. Spider-Man was filmed on the roof garden opposite the Cathedral. Saks 5^th Avenue had a role in 30 Rock and then came Rockefeller Center with the ice-skating rink, Christmas tree, NBC headquarters and also the home of Saturday Night Live. Right past 42^nd Street & 5^th Avenue sits the NY Public Library & it’s world-famous lions. Spider-Man & Sex & The City used the library steps as a set. At 34^th Street we saw the Empire State Building, now the 3^rd the tallest building in the world. Think King Kong original movie & gossip girl. At Madison Square Park we saw the Flatiron Building that is 6 feet wide & was used for I Am Legend. 

There was a 15-minute stop at Washington Square Park and its famous arch that was featured in Girls. The Mindy Project, Glee and Where Harry Met Sally. Our other stop was in Tribeca (Triangle Below Canal) and the 2^nd most expensive area in NYC. We took photos at Hook & Ladder Company 8 that was used as the firehouse in Ghostbusters. We then walked to Bedford & Grove Street and the building used as the home of Friends.

Driving north we passed Bryant Park at 42^nd Street & 6^th Ave that was featured in Sex & the City Movie, Divorce and White Collar as well as the Diamond District (47^th Street & 6^th Avenue) and world-famous Radio City Music Hall (Annie, The Godfather, Glee). We ended our 3-hour journey at 55^th between 7^th & 8^th Avenues at McGee’s Pub. All participants received a 15% discount for food & drink. I took advantage and had lunch there before catching the bus back home. 

http://www.onlocationtours.com

https://onlocationtours.com/new-york-tours/new-york-tv-movie/

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIDEWAYS THE EXPERIENCE

The stage play version of Rex Pickett's novel and film Sideways is off-Broadway at the Theater at St. Clement's on West 46th St just west of 9th Ave. Performances run February 20-Just extended to May 24. I attended opening night on Sunday, February 23rd thanks to singer, songwriter Susan Palmer Marshall who is married to Alexander "Sandy" Marshall one of the show's producers. I knew Susan many years ago when she worked for my friend Sally Jessy Raphael.

Sideways The Experience pairs Pickett's theatrical adaptation of his novel with premium wine and gourmet food event before the show, curated and presented by online wine retailer Wine Access and caterer Mary Giuliani. The work follows an eventful trip to the Santa Ynez Valley (Santa Barbara) wine country by Miles (Brian Ray Norris), a struggling writer and wine enthusiast, and his engaged friend Jack (Gil Brady) in search of great Pinot Noir. They made their way from tasting room to tasting room. The romantic side story for both was an added attraction. Kimberly Doreen Burns (Maya) and Jenny Strassburg (Terra) add sizzle to the steak. The "Sideways Effect" resulted in the downward trend of the sales of Merlot in favor of the then almost unknown California Pinot Noir.

Sideways was published in June 2004, with Alexander Payne's film adaptation, starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Hayden Church, premiering later that year.

The “Experience” begins with a pre-show event, where guests are invited on stage for a wine tasting by Wine Access as it had been depicted in the film. The task of creating a menu to pair with the wines is in the hands of New York City caterer Mary Guiliani. That experience is for premium ticket holders who pay- $175. If it is only wine samples(2) the price is- $75. Or one can attend the show without the side benefits for $55.

Wine Access chose wines that wine enthusiasts would enjoy.     

Piece of Work – Rosé – California

Kinfolk - Sauvignon Blanc – Napa Valley

Editorial – Chardonnay – Russian River Valley

Color & Sound – Pinot Noir – Sonoma County

Grawlix – Merlot – Napa Valley

The food menu had all the great flavors of California cuisine including “Prosciutto & Brie S’mores with Rosemary Honey Drizzle, Tuna Tartare Black Tacos, Avocado and Chipotle Crème” (with Rosé); “Squid Ink Pasta Donuts with Rock Shrimp and Pancetta” (Sauvignon Blanc); “Vegetable Pot Pies with Rosemary Aioli, Fontina & Black Truffle Honey Grilled Cheese” (Chardonnay); “Duck Confit Pot Pie with Fig Sauce” (Pinot Noir).

The set (David Arsenault) and costume designers (Nicole Wee) get an A-Plus from me. Everything has the look of a first-class Broadway show at Off-Broadway prices. Bravo to director Dan Wackerman. My only criticism is the play runs too long. Maybe cut 10 minutes. I will drink to that.

OTTO ENOTECA PIZZERIA

What a pleasant surprise to receive an e-mail from one of my former wine students at ISHTM (Class of 2015) located at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck/Hackensack, New Jersey: Israel (Izzy) Fernandez inviting me to join one of the Saturday afternoon wine tastings at Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria located at 1 Fifth Avenue (8th Street) next to Washington Square Park and its famous arch (as well as next to New York University).

The address brought back fond memories. During my college days at Columbia (mid-1950's), I often hung out at the 1 Fifth Avenue hotel that was built in 1927. The ground floor ballroom, bar, and restaurant originally served hotel guests and residents. In 1976 the building went co-op and a restaurant opened that served residents and guests.

From 1989 to 1991 it operated as a steakhouse. The curse of 1 Fifth Ave continued when a sequel to Gotham opened in the space in 1992 followed by One-Fifth Ave in 1994. Clementine occupied the space from 1997 to 2000.  The curse was removed when Joe Bastianich and his then partner Mario Batali (that is another story) opened an Italian Enoteca Pizzeria modeled after an Italian train station. Otto (meaning 8 in Italian) began in January 2003 and has been rocking ever since.

The Saturday afternoon wine tastings (4:00-5:30 PM) are located at the standing high-top tables in the front enoteca, or private dining room. Each class includes tastes of five wines (normally there are three reds and two whites). To complement the wines, classes include the chef’s selection of artisanal cheeses and house-cured meats. All classes are led by a Sommelier from Otto’s staff.

Sicilia, You’re Breakin’ My Heart- $75 – Saturday, February 15th, 2020. Kris Tracy joined Otto in the fall of 2019 and conducted the tasting.  "The tiny island has so many fabulous wines to offer. Drink wines from Mount Etna in the East to Vittoria in the South." The wine list had about 280 ALL Italian wines listed, as well as a separate page of 55 wines, priced $50 and under (great idea). The room was sold out with 20 people. The capacity for the restaurant is 283.

Wine 1- Rosato- 2018 Faro DOC, Rosato, Bonavita- 80% nerello mascalese, 20% nocera- $50 on the wine list- Herbal, balanced acidity, soft fruity, fills the mouth.

Wine 2- Bianco- 2017 Terre Siciliane IGT, E.T. Acosta, Versante Nord- minella bianco- $65 on the wine list- Strawberries, honey, crisp acidity.

Wine 3- Bianco- 2016 Sicilia DOC, Eruzione 1614- carricante, riesling- $70 on the wine list- Soft, light, flinty, metallic, small amount of Riesling.

Wine 4- Rossi- 2014 Etna DOC, Alice Bonaccorsi, Val Cerasa- 80% nerello mascalese, 20% nerello cappuccio- $65 on the wine list- minerality, needs food. 

Wine 5- Rossi- 2017 Terre Siciliane IGT, E.T. Acosta, "Versante Nord"- 80% nerello mascalese, 20% indigenous grapes including carricante- $65 on the wine list- black pepper, light color, tannins. My favorite.

The audience seemed to know wine and was involved with the discussion. I asked for a spitoon and perhaps the participants should be given an extra plastic cup for spitting. Also, maybe refill the cheese plate or at least add bread? But thoroughly educational and well done.

 

Can’t make one of the public sessions? Looking for a special event? Private wine classes are available for groups of 6+guests. For more information, contact [email protected]. Or call 212- 995-9559. Restaurant open 7 days a week- Noon-10PM- 11 PM on Friday & Saturday. 

https://ny.ottopizzeria.com/

 

 

 

ANTON'S

I first met Nick Anderer when he was in high school. His older brother Erich was a student at Columbia and a member of my fraternity. Dr. Eric is now a renowned brain surgeon. Youngest brother Peter is a partner in Legacy Records restaurant near the Hudson Yards in NYC. He started coming to the Columbia gym when he was about 12 years old & played basketball during my Sunday basketball program for neighbor young men. Dad was the head of the East Asian Department at Columbia (just retired) and mom Mia taught at St. Aloysius in Harlem. New Years Day they have a party at their apartment near Columbia for faculty members and friends. I have attended at least a dozen of those. I came to many of Nick’s high school basketball games at Regis. I often felt like I was related to the Anderer family. 

Nick credits a year studying abroad in Italy while a junior at Columbia as the experience that drove him to pursue a career in culinary arts. He spent time cooking in New York kitchens, including Larry Forgione’s An American Place, Buzzy O’Keefe’s The Water Club, and Babbo. He then returned to Italy working in kitchens in Rome and Milan. Nick joined the kitchen team of Gramercy Tavern where he served as Sous Chef to Tom Colicchio, and later Executive Sous Chef to Mike Anthony. He went on to open two flagship Italian restaurants - Maialino (2009) and Marta (2014) - with Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, serving as Executive Chef and Managing Partner for both. It has always been his ambition to own his own restaurant. The name Anton’s pays tribute to Anderer’s great, great grandfather, who immigrated to New York City in the late 1800s.
Nick has partnered with General Manager/Beverage Director Natalie Johnson to open (November 11, 2019) a West Village neighborhood place celebrating the food, drink, and spirit of old New York. There is room for 70 inside and when the weather cooperates, 30 in their outdoor seating area. The Saturday I ate lunch there the place was packed and it was pouring rain. Nick classifies his food as comforting, eclectic American cuisine with deep European influences. The menu spotlights local farmers through a selection of salads, vegetables, and NY-harvested shellfish. Nick’s Italian leanings come through in a variety of house-made pasta dishes. Desserts often come from family recipes extending back four generations.

Natalie has put together a 550+ bottle wine list with upwards of 20 wines by the glass. I asked her for her best value wines and she mentioned Sicily, Corsica, and Spain. There are many bottles on the list in the $50-$70 price range. Even in Champagne and Burgundy, there are wines under $100. At the other end of the price range is a Domaine Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet 2014 in magnums and priced at $2,850. A Bruno Giacosa Santa Stefano Riserva 1988 priced at $1,350. The space features rich mahogany woodwork, beautiful wrought-iron windows, vintage tableware hand-selected by the team, dramatic florals by Fox Fodder Farm, and a series of still-life paintings the duo commissioned from Georgian artist Vitali Dvali. Anton’s marks Anderer’s first foray as an independent Chef-Owner-Operator, following a successful run with Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, most notably as Executive Chef/Managing Partner for the critically-acclaimed Maialino and Marta. Anderer’s formative years were spent cooking at iconic NYC kitchens, including Larry Forgione’s An American Place, Buzzy O’Keefe’s The Water Club, and Babbo. Most recently, Johnson served as the Beverage Director of Loring Place, a celebrated West Village restaurant from renowned Chef Dan Kluger. She served as a sommelier at Marta where she and Nick first collaborated. 

Anton’s was previously the restaurant Frankie’s 570 from NYC restaurateurs Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli. The two remain connected to the address as silent partners in the new restaurant. Anton’s sits on a block of landmarked 1850s Greek-revival style buildings.

While there, I had a poached salmon salad, an 8-minute egg, radishes, lemon vinaigrette and dill and the Hanger Steak Lorenz with melted onions (named after Nick’s great grandfather (son of Anton). Dessert included a Kiss Me Pudding and a Dark Chocolate Tart, Sour Cream and Olive Oil. 

As of now Anton’s is open for lunch Friday-Sunday & for dinner 7 days/week, (212) 924-0818- http://www.antonsnyc.com