Latest news with #TamaraBeckwith
New York Post
26-05-2025
- New York Post
JFK survival guide: 4 secret finds at NYC's busiest airport
Roughly 63 million poor souls traveled through John F. Kennedy International Airport last year, data shows — and at least 62 million probably vowed to never make the same mistake again, if they could help it. Face facts — NYC's most notorious airport doesn't exactly put its best foot forward, no matter how many billions of dollars are spent trying to make the confusing sprawl make sense. Tucked into the tangle of twisted roadways, crowded concourses and endless construction projects, however, you'll find a surprising number of secret finds — and some of them might even make your next date with airside agita the tiniest bit enjoyable. Advertisement And, hey, worst case — you can always take a deep breath and thank the sky gods you're not flying out of Newark this summer. Read on for a few particularly likeable finds — in one of the Big Apple's most unpleasant places. No humans allowed 14 The ARK Pet Oasis offers a space for your furry friends to get fresh air at the airport. Tamara Beckwith/ Advertisement 14 Horses are frequent visitors to The ARK. The Ark at JFK, ; Anthony Collins JFK's most exclusive lounge has every comfort a globetrotter could hope for — but no amount of miles accrued can get you into this serene sanctuary. Unless, of course, you're a dog. Or any other type of animal. In that case, you're welcomed with open arms at The ARK, a privately-owned, 24/7 hang for a veritable menagerie of well-traveled creatures — from cats and dogs to horses, elephants, birds and even spiders. Advertisement 14 An owner is reunited her with her pup after he arrived from the Dominican Republic and had to clear customs and health inspections. Tamara Beckwith/ That's because the company provides space for zoo animals being moved around the world as well as dogs and cats being shipped sans owners. 'We see goats, sheep, pigs, cows, horses — as a matter of fact, we have Icelandair coming in with a very large shipment of small Icelandic ponies,' Elizabeth Schuette, president and CEO, told The Post. And there's a reason why it's so swanky, too: Air travel is even more stressful and anxiety-ridden for animals than humans, Schuette explained. Advertisement 14 Many domestic pets find their way to the ARK at JFK. Tamara Beckwith/ 14 There is a vet at the ARK who makes sure animals are cared for. Tamara Beckwith/ 'We should not just assume that animals are like people and can travel with us or without any kind of thought to it,' Schuette explained. Many people traveling with pets don't understand just how complicated it is, Schuette said, especially the cargo and public health aspect. 'A lot of what we do is actually educational because you don't think about it,' she said. 14 Air travel is even more stressful and anxiety-ridden for animals than humans. The Ark at JFK, ; Anthony Collins Because of the many rules surrounding animal travel, The ARK runs a tighter ship than Noah's — they have direct airside access — a necessity when loading and unloading bigger beasts — and work hand-in-hand with multiple government agencies for safety, like protecting the public from diseases during animal transport. The ARK also runs a pet boarding program when jittery jetsetters need a safe and convenient place to keep their pet while they fly around the world. Advertisement For an overnight stay, pet parents can expect to pay $150 for the first night and $125 for each additional night — and the limited kennel space is often booked up solid. 'Your pets are your family, and you want to make sure that they're being handled properly,' Schuette said. Not your average airport bar 14 The 1850 Speakeasy Bar is located in the Centurion Lounge at JFK's Terminal 4. American Express Tucked behind a copper-paneled wall in the Centurion Lounge at JFK in Terminal 4, thirsty travelers will find the 1850 Speakeasy Bar, which looks nothing like a typical airport lounge. Advertisement 'The design of the intimate space — the lighting, dark wood, cozy booths, and truly phenomenal cocktails — makes you forget you are even at an airport,' Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, told The Post. And airport beer be damned — expert bartenders at 1850 conjure up 'sophisticated' versions of classic New York cocktails, including the espresso martini and boulevardier. 14 The drink menu was curated by award-winning mixologist Jim Meehan. American Express 14 Expert bartenders at 1850 conjure up 'sophisticated' versions of classic New York cocktails. American Express Advertisement The drink menu was curated by award-winning mixologist Jim Meehan, famous for his work with PDT (Please Don't Tell) in New York's East Village. There's also a rotating experiential menu with a theme of 'travel meets New York.' During the day, 1850 also serves as a café, but only a select few — Eligible American Express Platinum Card Members, American Express Centurion Members, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members who have access to the Centurion Lounge — can enter. Up on the roof 14 JFK's Terminal 5 features a hidden rooftop garden. JetBlue This garden takes things to new heights. Advertisement Tucked away in JFK's Terminal 5 is a secret rooftop garden, accessible to all passengers post-security. With stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, the T5 Rooftop & Wooftop Lounge spans across 4,046 square feet and is complete with charging stations, free Wi-Fi, a dog walk and New York-centric food and beverage carts/kiosks. 14 The T5 Rooftop & Wooftop Lounge is located across from Gate 528. JetBlue There's also landscaped greenery featuring shrubs and plants, including oak-leaved hydrangeas, lilyturf and sweetspire. While the T5 rooftop initially opened in 2015, many travelers don't know about this hidden gem or that they can be outside while waiting for their flight. The entrance to the space is a slim glass door that almost looks like the entrance to a closet, though it does say 'T5 Rooftop' in white lettering. 'As New York's Hometown Airline, T5 was designed to show off the pride we have for our city,' Jamie Perry, current president of JetBlue Travel Products, said. The outdoor space is located across from Gate 528 and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. You need a staycation from your vacation 14 The Paris Café by Jean-Georges is in its original location up the curving staircase on the mezzanine level. Annie Wermiel/NY Post JFK's acclaimed TWA Hotel is a destination unto itself — but travelers on the move can have plenty of fun while they're waiting for their flights elsewhere. The repurposed Eero Saarinen-designed TWA terminal has a raft of amenities — like the Paris Café by Jean-Georges, which is located in its original location up the curving staircase on the mezzanine level. The world-renowned chef partnered with Tastes on the Fly, a leading boutique airport restaurateur, to offer breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts with a view. 14 The Paris Café offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Annie Wermiel/NY Post The menu offers both timeless recipes and dishes the modern traveler will love, transporting guests to the Jet Age. While walk-ins are recommended, reservations are highly encouraged at the coveted dining spot. The Lisbon Lounge within the Paris Café also serves meals and offers a full bar. Seating here is available on a first come, first served basis and reservations are not available. Food is served until 10 p.m. and cocktails are served until 11 p.m. nightly. 14 The TWA Hotel also has an infinity pool, open year-round and heated during the winter. Getty Images Also on premises is a rooftop infinity pool and observation deck, offering fantastic views of planes taking off and landing. Anyone can snag a day pass, whether or not they're staying at the hotel. Reservations for the pool, which is open year-round and heated in the winter, can be made through the hotel's website or via Resortpass, where they are being sold for $50. Non-guests can also reserve a day pass to the on-site, 24/7 fitness center — which claims to be the world's biggest hotel gym, at 10,000 square feet — for $25.
New York Post
24-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
This grocery store chain ranked No. 1 in recent brand reputation survey
It's not your average Joe. The eclectic grocery store chain Trader Joe's is top banana — ranking No. 1 in brand reputation in a recent Axios Harris Poll. The California-based grocer, which launched in 1967 and now boasts close to 600 locations in the US, including 35 in New York alone, beat out 99 other big name companies in industries from food to tech and automobiles in order to take home the title. Trader Joe's won the competition by a hair — earning an average score of 82.1 over outdoor clothing company Patagonia's 82.0. Microsoft landed in third place, followed by Toyota and Costco. Trader Joe's ranked No. 1 in a nationwide brand reputation survey. Robert Miller Rounding out the Top 10 were Samsung, Arizona Beverage Company, Nvidia, UPS and Apple. Besides Costco, the only other grocers that made the list of the top 100 were Aldi and Kroger. The names were generated from a survey that polled more than 6,200 Americans on the most visible brands, asking them to list two companies that have the best reputations and two that have the worst. The only other grocers that made the list of 100 were Costco, Aldi and Kroger. Tamara Beckwith Following that, just over 16,500 Americans took another survey, which asked which of those 100 most visible brands they were familiar with. And out of those, respondents were then asked to rate two of the companies selected on nine different aspects. The survey also questioned more than 4,000 people 'on topics related to brands and politics.'
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Memorial Sloan Kettering prom gives kids with cancer a chance to celebrate: ‘I feel like a queen'
After being diagnosed with an aggressive and rare carcinoma tumor during her sophomore year in March, 16-year-old Jazzy missed her prom. Advertisement But, on Thursday afternoon, the Catskill teen got to walk a red carpet in a pink-beaded ball gown, pose for pics with new bestie and fellow patient Samantha,15, and boogie to 'Shout' and 'Dancing Queen' with her high school boyfriend Liam. 'We get to have our own little prom here,' said Jazzy, who is facing hearing loss from her chemotherapy. 'We have a new family here.' 8 Jazzy (left) and Samantha were thrilled to attend prom at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Tamara Beckwith Advertisement She was one of about 200 people —glammed up patients, families and staffers – in attendance at Memorial Sloan Kettering's Pediatric Prom, which was held in the transformed West Dining Room inside the renowned hospital. It was the 35th Pediatric Prom, which started as a small dance party in the hospital unit and has grown to an elaborate ball with fancy dresses, a photo booth, DJs, limos, a milk-and-cookies bar, face paint and lots of dancing. 'Our entire team is committed to making it a special and memorable day for everyone involved,' Rachel Corke, the director of hospital administration for MSK Kids, told The Post. 8 Staffers dress up and attend the prom alongside patients. Tamara Beckwith Advertisement Against the backdrop of glittery 'Starry Night' themed decorations, guests sipped ginger ale and juice and enjoyed mac and cheese and burgers that even the doctors OK'ed just this once. 'I don't feel like a princess — I feel like a queen,' exulted 7-year-old Maya in between bites of freshly popped popcorn from a festive cart. The tiara-clad tot has been battling neuroblastoma since she was 3 and underwent surgery two years ago to remove a tumor. Hospital staff danced alongside their brave young charges. 8 Patient Gini Beltran attended the event with fiance Juan Guillermo. Tamara Beckwith Advertisement 'This is everyone's favorite day of the year,' said Melissa Seidner, a 31-year-old administrative supervisor in the pediatric division at MSK. 'It's so fun to see all the patients enjoy themselves. It's a nice break from dealing with what we deal with.' She wore a jewel green gown that she'd selected from racks of donated dresses in a repurposed hospital rec room turned into 'Promingdale's' by the Society of MSK's Children's Committee. Maggie Kraus, a 17-year-old from Westchester who was diagnosed with leukemia this past November, rocked a soft purple frock with matching head scarf as she partied the afternoon away. 'I love princess dresses,' she said, vowing to wear it for her upcoming 18th birthday in July. 'I was really nervous I wouldn't be able to experience senior prom. But they pulled through.' 8 The Society of MSK's Children's Committee creates a 'Promingdale's' shop in a repurposed hospital rec room. Doree Lewak for NY Post 8 Patients and staffers get to choose from racks of donated clothing. Doree Lewak for NY Post Kraus was set to start her next round of chemo a few hours after prom, but she didn't let it — and the nausea it would likely bring about — take away from her enjoyment of the event. 'Let me have fun,' she said. Advertisement As the song 'I Will Survive' played poignantly in the background, the competitive equestrian relayed how her 'whole world got turned upside down' by her recent diagnosis. Doctors told her she wouldn't be able to ride horses for two years. 'I proved them wrong and I'm riding,' said the fearless teen, who volunteers to work with younger kids on the spectrum. 'I'm super-scared of needles, but I have to get used to it.' 8 Maggie Kraus was thrilled to find a violet gown. Tamara Beckwith Advertisement She shaved off her flowing brown hair — which she loved to dye bright colors — rather than waiting for the side effects of chemo to cause it to fall out. 'I wanted it to be my doing and not the cancer,' she said. Pediatric oncologist Dr. Andrew Kung told The Post that the prom exemplifies the philosophy at MSK, whose pediatric cancer center is ranked the best in the country and treats people up to age 40. 'This is one of the most special events for us,' he said. '[We're] not just about curing disease but caring for the patient and family.' Advertisement 8 The Rodriguez family — 6-year-old Alessia (second from left), mom Maite, dad Diego and little sister Vida — had a great time at the event. Tamara Beckwith 8 Jon Lyrick hopes to one day volunteer at the event. Tamara Beckwith Jon Lyrick was decked out in a show-stopping silver and black suit from Portabella. The 25-year-old from Crown Heights partied with friends as he told The Post that someday he'd 'love to come back to prom as a volunteer.' Advertisement Lyrick, who has undergone two bone marrow transplants, is feeling stronger every day. 'I love to have fun,' he told The Post between songs on the dance floor, where he happily spun around friends and IV poles. 'Today is a good day.'
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Hamptons gears up for another summer of vacation and regulation
Memorial Day kicks off summer — and the influx of seasonal residents to the Hamptons. But it's not all sunshine and revelry. Prompted by a vocal group of year-round residents, several towns on Long Island's East End are imposing ever stricter laws and regulations, casting a shadow over the region's vibrant summer scene. Perhaps the most visible example to residents and tourists alike is Duryea's, which was only allowed to open this summer because the New York state supreme court stepped in, sources told me. As I've previously reported, the beloved Montauk restaurant, which is owned by Marc Rowan, has faced years of legal action. First the Town of East Hampton demanded it upgrade the septic system and then prohibited it from getting the permits needed to do so. Earlier this month, it looked like Duryea's might be closed for the whole summer. 3 The New York State Supreme Court had to step in to ensure Duryea's in Montauk could open. But, I'm told, the State Supreme Court has intervened and allowed the installation of a state-of-the art septic system, enabling the restaurant to open for the upcoming holiday weekend, though litigation with the town is still pending. The Duryea's drama is just the latest in a string of sagas. Town boards in the Hamptons are infamous for trying to micromanage everything from leaf blower usage and landscape lighting wattage to whether people can spontaneously dance at a tavern. 3 Pickleball has become another sore spot for residents as towns clamp down on new and existing courts. Tamara Beckwith Over the past year, pickleball courts, house size and who can fly into the public airport have been primary targets. The regulations have frustrated businesses and restaurants, pushing some to flee to summer locales with less red tape. Last fall, East Hampton and Southampton cracked down on residential pickleball courts and their noise. A new law demands that 'Pickleball courts must be surrounded on three sides by an eight-foot sound-attenuation wall, placed no further than 10 feet from the edge of the court, constructed of a minimum of ¾-inch planking.' Such soundproofing can cost homeowners upwards of $100,000. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). This comes after towns like North Haven enacted a six-month moratorium on any residential pickleball courts being built — or tennis courts being transformed to pickleball courts. In December, the town of East Hampton passed a law that will not only prevent anyone from building a home larger than 10,000-square-foot, in an effort to preserve the town's 'rural character,' but also limit any new homes (or expansion) to just 10% of a lot's square footage. For instance, a quarter-acre lot would now only allow a 2,000-square-foot home, while a half-acre would only permit a 3,600 square foot home, making it impossible for residents to work towards building a sun room or remodel a smaller home. The new law goes into effect July 1. 3 East Hampton has been embroiled with the local airport about noise complaints and the number of flights. Dennis A. Clark The Town of East Hampton is also still embroiled in a legal dispute over its airport — the Hampton's primary airport. Over the past three years, the town has spent more than $5 million on lawyers as it tries to limit flights and noise. It is just the latest move in the decade-old legal battle. Of course, the town putting the squeeze on business owners is not new. Business owners tell me they still keep the flame alive for iconic advertising executive Jerry Delefemaina. In 1997, he was arrested and handcuffed for placing Thanksgiving decorations — hay bales, corn stalks and pumpkins — outside his Redhorse Food Market in East Hampton. The town said it violated a rule that prohibits stores from advertising on the property outside their storefront. While it's still a rallying cry, it's also a sign that over the decades not much seems to have changed. Send NYNext a tip: nynextlydia@
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
French department store Printemps brings surprisingly thrilling food to Wall Street
The loudest cheers on Wall Street aren't for the New York Stock Exchange's closing bell, but for the opening of the five most dynamic restaurants FiDi has ever seen under a single roof. They're at Printemps, the new Paris-based fashion store that's the glam showpiece of One Wall Street — the landmarked former Irving Trust office building recently converted to luxury condos. The neighborhood, once starved for quality cuisine, is now a lively residential district as well as a business hub. 7 Printemps opened in the Financial District in March, bringing French fashions —and five restaurants — to the neighborhood. Brian Zak/NY Post It's enjoying a dining renaissance with the revived Delmonico's on Beaver Street, SAGA and Crown Shy at 70 Pine Street and lively indoor-outdoor cafes on Stone Street. But it never had anything like Printemps' nexus of high style and kitchen magic, which are surprising and delighting food-lovers, scene-makers and night owls. Last Friday at 10 p.m. — two hours after the Printemps store closed — its flagship restaurant, Maison Passerelle, buzzed like a Wall Street Balthazar with couples dressed to kill. 7 The crisp-skinned ocean trout at Maison Passerelle is almost too pretty to eat. Tamara Beckwith The next afternoon, Salon Vert — a sexy, green-accented, second-floor raw bar/cafe — was so full, I had to wait for a seat at the bar. Was this really happening at Broadway and Wall Street, a corner where the favorite dish historically was a street-cart hot dog? Olivia Gracey, 31, a West Village publicist who's not involved with Printemps, was as surprised as me by Printemps culinary pleasures. 7 Gregory Gourdet, a finalist on seasons 12 and 17 of Bravo's 'Top Chef,' is overseeing all five restaurants at Printemps. Tamara Beckwith 'We stumbled into Salon Vert as a reprieve from prowling the sunglasses and bags. I'm now obsessed,' she told me. 'I'd drink the sweet potato soup with a straw if they'd let me.' Wealth advisor/consultant Marina Warner, 41, favors Cafe Jalu, a casual cafe next to Maison Passerelle. 'The people-watching is wild and hilarious. I didn't know so many fancy people were in FiDi with HUGE dogs,' she said, adding, 'The pain au chocolat is pretty insane when I need to eat my feelings in a good way.' 7 The beautiful Maison Passerelle has a vaguely tropical vibe. Tamara Beckwith All five eateries are run by Haitian-born chef Gregory Gourdet of Kent Hospitality Group — named for its beloved founder, the late chef James Kent. Rather than offer a predictable department-store lineup of familiar standards, Gourdet, a finalist on Bravo's 'Top Chef,' bravely intertwines French cuisine with flavors of the French diaspora — the former colonies from Canada to the West Indies to Vietnam. There's no political statement behind it; the dishes are just meant to taste wonderful, which almost all did. Maison Passerelle's 85 seats are the place to catch Gourdet's best work. The airy space designed by Laura Gonzalez (who did all the restaurants) has a vaguely tropical mood, with a marble mosaic floor, walnut walls, red jasper-topped tables, and plush, green-and-white fabric banquettes. 7 The standout dish is duck breast and confit glazed in cane syrup and bathed in tamarind jus. Tamara Beckwith Except for a misbegotten amuse bouche of mushroom broth with nuclear-hot Thai chilis that made three of us gag, just about everything was delicious. A starter of warm, richly herbed plantain bread and butter ($14) was sinfully filling. The best dish was heritage duck breast and confit glazed in cane syrup and bathed in tamarind jus — a powerful, West African-inspired interplay of game-y, sweet and sweet-and-sour flavors. I almost didn't mind the $72 price, as it could be enough to serve two. Spaghetti with Maine lobster ($60) arrived perfectly al dente. The tomato sauce was rich and plentiful, but the lobster was too chewy. I'd have gladly had half as much of the general shellfish portion if it were twice as tender. 7 Salon Vert, a raw bar and cafe, has been quite popular. Tamara Beckwith At Salon Verte, I enjoyed herbed, round focaccia with a crackling crust ($14) and shrimp Creole ($32) sparked with habanero, black pepper and horseradish. Then there's the Red Room Bar, an appendage of the landmarked Red Room on the building's Wall Street side. The magnificent space was once open only to BNY Mellon executives until the bank moved out in 2015. It now serves as the store's shoe department with Italian-made Manolo Blahniks going for $1,375. Sam Freeman, 33, an executive of Global Hotel Partnerships at American Express Travel & Lifestyle, likes the Red Bar's 'vibrant energy and unique ambiance, perfect for a meet-up or a drink after work and dinner.' 7 The light, fresh fare includes peekytoe crab remoulade. Tamara Beckwith He favors the Kafe Negroni ($21) spiked with Haitian coffee. For me, a crispy-crackling chicken sandwich ($24) on a potato bun heaped with pickled cabbage slaw and remoulade was all I needed to watch fashionistas smoothly descend a circular staircase to the ground floor with their pooches, huge and tiny, close at hand. The stock market's wobbly, but I'm bullish on Wall Street's new eats.
