The Nines are FOUND’s distilled lists of the best in NY and surrounds. Paid subscribers access the complete Nines archive.

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ALLIE HOFFMAN • founder • The Feels
Neighborhood you work and live in: Lower East Side

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I run a business that aims to remake modern dating, so my work life is a mix of selling tickets to live events, matchmaking, coaching, research, reading, writing, and recording videos.

I’m far more focused in the morning, so I’m usually at my computer by 730 or 8a. I work until I get hungry, which is typically around 10. From then until noon or 1p, it’s usually calls — with the team and with potential matches for my matchmaking clients.

On Tuesdays I often leave the house between 10-1045a, walk down Ludlow Street, and meet our director of communications, Alexis, to co-work at Ludlow House. I got a membership back in 2016 because I happened to be living next door at the time and the construction noise was unbearable. Perhaps tired of our complaints, they offered memberships to me and my roommates. Well worth it.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Today is quite full: two team calls, one prep call for an event I’m hosting tomorrow, and eight matchmaking calls for clients. Then a break, followed by dance class.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, or this weekend?
I deliberately keep calls off my schedule on Thursdays, and take myself out to lunch in my hood. My faves are: Shopsin’s, Dimes, Russ & Daughters, and Golden Diner.

How about a little leisure or culture this week?
This week, I have a Monday dance class I love hosted by Nico; I’ll host a Q&A on compatibility with a matchmaker named Amy on Tuesday; and I’ll see the Met’s Costume Art exhibit with Michelle on Thursday. Then (and this is gonna sound more loaded than it is) I go to Middle Church every Sunday. To me, it’s a really pure expression of community.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
Dimes Deli for the best homemade almond milk lattes and Formaggio Essex for the best hand-sliced prosciutto. Sky Ting Yoga in Noho is my favorite studio; Ally Bogard’s classes will change your life. I love popping in for a hand-poured matcha at Setugekka on Sundays. The Tompkins Square Park Farmers Market on Sundays is also a vibe.

Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m involved with a family foundation, and through it, donate yearly to: the Culinary Careers Program, THREAD, the Yellowhammer Fund, Central American Legal Fund, and Books Beyond Bars.

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I usually look for a combination of elegance and utilitarianism in my watches, which I’ve recently found in the Vintage Caravelle Sea Hunter from Bulova. At 39mm, it’s a Goldilocks size (i.e., fits most wrists) and as light as any automatic watch I’ve worn. I forget it’s there until I look at its elegant arrowhead and sword hands and clean numbers.

As the name suggests, the Sea Hunter is a dive watch, with a unidirectional bezel, large screw-down crown, subtly lumed indices and hands, and 200m water resistance. However, its low profile and understated features make it dressy enough for nearly any occasion.

There are a few color options, all with the same features and date window. I’ve been wearing a gold-tone version with blue face and bezel and have loved its versatility, pairing it with jeans and a T-shirt by day, and in something dressier for evening events, too. The Japanese movement keeps excellent time, and while the Sea Hunter variations tend to be listed for as much as $375, they’re currently on sale for less than $300 on the Bulova site. If you need a daily-wear watch whose price won’t make you sweat every scratch, consider a sturdy piece of New York lore — Bulova Watches began in New York City in 1875, and they’ve clearly stood the test of time, in more ways than one. –Charlie Davidson

→ SHOP: Bulova Sea Hunter • $280.

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The Skinny: In April, chef Kevin Finch (formerly of Atelier Crenn in SF) recast Greenpoint’s Fulgurances into Arthur. Finch has preserved some of the space’s Parisian wine bar DNA and seasonal small-plate cooking, while shifting to a more approachable à la carte menu format that’s ambitious enough to make for an exciting night out, but relaxed enough for repeat dining.

The Vibe: The restaurant’s bones remain largely unchanged from its Fulgurances days: a long, narrow shoebox of a dining room anchored by an open kitchen counter running nearly the length of one wall, with a scattering of tables behind it. New high-backed leather bar stools, reupholstered mid-century-inspired wood chairs, and vintage lighting lend a warmer, lived-in feel. On a recent evening, every seat was occupied.

The Food: The hallmarks of wine-friendly cooking are still very much present, albeit in dishes that feel a bit heartier and more substantial. Finch cooks with a global touch. A small bowl of sweet-and-sour málà peanuts arrives finished with fresh lime zest, while a refreshing kohlrabi salad pairs crisp batons of the vegetable with parsley, dill, mint, toasted hazelnuts, and a vibrant herb-packed fish sauce dressing made from juiced parsley, cilantro, chives, and mint.

There’s a perfectly flaky butter pastry shell loaded with mushroom duxelles, poached asparagus, roasted maitakes, and glazed morels, all blanketed in a creamy Brillat-Savarin cheese sauce. But the standout is the brioche à tête. Made with Catskills-sourced grains and pulled from the oven moments before serving, the buttery loaf arrives hot and steaming alongside a pat of salted house-cultured butter. It’s a contender for one of New York City’s best bread service debuts of the year, perhaps reason enough to return.

Also excellent is the chicken, which hides a mousse made from the thigh, beneath crackling crisp skin. It’s served over dirty crispy rice, studded with offal and confit leg meat, alongside porcini mushrooms and mustard greens. The amazake-cured steak is also a hit, sliced for sharing and paired with beef-fat-cooked pea leaves and lovage, plus a savory XO-style sauce built from green garlic, sherry vinegar, and tuna bloodline. For dessert, madeleines are baked to order and served warm atop crème anglaise and finished with a snowfall of powdered sugar.

The Drinks: The tightly edited wine list, which prioritizes European regions and small, low-intervention producers, contains some gems. Ulysse Collin Les Maillons (a personal favorite for a rich, oxidative, mousse-y Champagne) is sold below retail at $350. As for cocktails, the concise menu of just three drinks features New York-made spirits and riffs on classics, including a clever Plugra-butter-fat-washed gin “brioche martini” made with barley tea and Castelvetrano olives, alongside a seasonal strawberry negroni.

The Verdict: Finch has wisely retained much of what worked at Fulgurances — the bistro vibe, seasonal cooking, fair prices, and a cheffy touch — while creating a restaurant with a clearer identity and broader appeal. –Kat Odell

→ Arthur (Greenpoint) • 132 Franklin St • Tue-Sat 5-11p • Reserve.

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RESTAURANTS • First Word

On point

The Skinny: In April, chef Kevin Finch (formerly of Atelier Crenn in SF) recast Greenpoint’s Fulgurances into Arthur. Finch has preserved some of the space’s Parisian wine bar DNA and seasonal small-plate cooking, while shifting to a more approachable à la carte menu format that’s ambitious enough to make for an exciting night out, but relaxed enough for repeat dining.

NYC RESTAURANT LINKS: As the JGV turns: drama rages on at Bryant Park Grill • More on George McNally’s forthcoming Faux: French not Parisian, opening this summer • Lure Fishbar will live on after Prada respite • In Flatiron, Korean chef Jiho Kim plans new restaurant Jiho • On Atlantic Ave., Montero Bar & Grill sets sail into new era • All the ways to add tomato to your cocktail.

YOUR BRAND HERE: 93% of FOUND subscribers recommend products, services, and/or experiences to friends and family. Hit reply or email sales@itsfound.com, and we’ll get to work on your next great sponsorship campaign.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Watch

Nautical mile

I usually look for a combination of elegance and utilitarianism in my watches, which I’ve recently found in the Vintage Caravelle Sea Hunter from Bulova. At 39mm, it’s a Goldilocks size (i.e., fits most wrists) and as light as any automatic watch I’ve worn. I forget it’s there until I look at its elegant arrowhead and sword hands and clean numbers.

As the name suggests, the Sea Hunter is a dive watch, with a unidirectional bezel, large screw-down crown, subtly lumed indices and hands, and 200m water resistance. However, its low profile and understated features make it dressy enough for nearly any occasion.

There are a few color options, all with the same features and date window. I’ve been wearing a gold-tone version with blue face and bezel and have loved its versatility, pairing it with jeans and a T-shirt by day, and in something dressier for evening events, too. The Japanese movement keeps excellent time, and while the Sea Hunter variations tend to be listed for as much as $375, they’re currently on sale for less than $300 on the Bulova site. If you need a daily-wear watch whose price won’t make you sweat every scratch, consider a sturdy piece of New York lore — Bulova Watches began in New York City in 1875, and they’ve clearly stood the test of time, in more ways than one. –Charlie Davidson

→ SHOP: Bulova Sea Hunter • $280.

GOODS & SERVICES LINKS: Japanese antiques store Makari closing in East Village • The Rivian R2 is America’s next great SUV • Do you speak watch? • The Hamptons’ $200K lawns.

WORK • Tuesday Routine

All the feels

ALLIE HOFFMAN • founder • The Feels
Neighborhood you work and live in: Lower East Side

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I run a business that aims to remake modern dating, so my work life is a mix of selling tickets to live events, matchmaking, coaching, research, reading, writing, and recording videos.

I’m far more focused in the morning, so I’m usually at my computer by 730 or 8a. I work until I get hungry, which is typically around 10. From then until noon or 1p, it’s usually calls — with the team and with potential matches for my matchmaking clients.

On Tuesdays I often leave the house between 10-1045a, walk down Ludlow Street, and meet our director of communications, Alexis, to co-work at Ludlow House. I got a membership back in 2016 because I happened to be living next door at the time and the construction noise was unbearable. Perhaps tired of our complaints, they offered memberships to me and my roommates. Well worth it.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Today is quite full: two team calls, one prep call for an event I’m hosting tomorrow, and eight matchmaking calls for clients. Then a break, followed by dance class.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, or this weekend?
I deliberately keep calls off my schedule on Thursdays, and take myself out to lunch in my hood. My faves are: Shopsin’s, Dimes, Russ & Daughters, and Golden Diner.

How about a little leisure or culture this week?
This week, I have a Monday dance class I love hosted by Nico; I’ll host a Q&A on compatibility with a matchmaker named Amy on Tuesday; and I’ll see the Met’s Costume Art exhibit with Michelle on Thursday. Then (and this is gonna sound more loaded than it is) I go to Middle Church every Sunday. To me, it’s a really pure expression of community.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
Dimes Deli for the best homemade almond milk lattes and Formaggio Essex for the best hand-sliced prosciutto. Sky Ting Yoga in Noho is my favorite studio; Ally Bogard’s classes will change your life. I love popping in for a hand-poured matcha at Setugekka on Sundays. The Tompkins Square Park Farmers Market on Sundays is also a vibe.

Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m involved with a family foundation, and through it, donate yearly to: the Culinary Careers Program, THREAD, the Yellowhammer Fund, Central American Legal Fund, and Books Beyond Bars.

WORK LINKS: Manhattan subleasing space disappearing thanks to AI firms • Soho most active retail trophy market in US • Claude Code can do everything that made OpenClaw go viral • In Tokyo, permission granted to wear shorts to work • Passive income is the new American dream.

RESTAURANTS & BARS • The Nines

Martini riffs

The Nines are FOUND’s distilled lists of the best in NY and surrounds. Paid subscribers access the complete Nines archive.

• Chez Fifi, Blue Cheese Martini (Upper East Side), Roquefort-washed Ketel One vodka, Japanese Sake Bermutto, olive brine, reserve

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• Connolly’s, post-beach go-to for cult-classic piña coladas, local crowd, live music on patio

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→ 8 Brander Pkwy (Shelter Island) • 4BR/4BA, 3160 SF home • Ask: $5.795M • private peninsula w/ water views from almost every room, includes dock for boating and water access • Days on market: 3 • Agent: Robert Evjen, Douglas Elliman.

→ 33 Dinah Rock Rd (Shelter Island) • 6BR/4BA, 4875 SF home • Ask: $6.995M • 186’ of natural beachfront w/ private dock near Gardiner’s Bay Country Club, plus guest house and art studio • Days on market: 13 • Agent: Hedgerow Exclusive Properties.

→ 6 Harbor Ln (Shelter Island, above) • 7BR/5.1BA, 4500 SF home • Ask: $19.995M • regal oceanfront in Dering Harbor w/ multiple parcels for compound-making potential, including 245 SF of waterfront • Days on market: 24 • Agent: Michael Brennan, Douglas Elliman.

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Three for-sale houses on Shelter Island with oceanfront access:

→ 8 Brander Pkwy (Shelter Island) • 4BR/4BA, 3160 SF home • Ask: $5.795M • private peninsula w/ water views from almost every room, includes dock for boating and water access • Days on market: 3 • Agent: Robert Evjen, Douglas Elliman.

→ 33 Dinah Rock Rd (Shelter Island) • 6BR/4BA, 4875 SF home • Ask: $6.995M • 186’ of natural beachfront w/ private dock near Gardiner’s Bay Country Club, plus guest house and art studio • Days on market: 13 • Agent: Hedgerow Exclusive Properties.

→ 6 Harbor Ln (Shelter Island, above) • 7BR/5.1BA, 4500 SF home • Ask: $19.995M • regal oceanfront in Dering Harbor w/ multiple parcels for compound-making potential, including 245 SF of waterfront • Days on market: 24 • Agent: Michael Brennan, Douglas Elliman.

WORK • Friday Routine

If there are waves

MICHAEL KOLOLYAN • founder & owner • Locals Surf School, Locals Collective, Connolly’s
Neighborhood you work & live in: Rockaway Beach

It’s Friday morning, how are you rolling into the weekend?
Usually I’m either closing out a long week at the shop, or getting ready for a busy weekend down at the beach. I run a surf school and cafe, so once the weather’s good, it’s pretty much go-time. Weekends are a mix of surf lessons, making coffee, and just being around the beach community. Outside of that, I’m a new real estate salesperson at Corcoran. I’m always juggling a few things: showings, calls, trying to line up the next deal. It all kind of overlaps, in a good way.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, or this weekend?
If I’m in Rockaway, I keep it pretty dialed: Seany Pizza or Super Burrito, no overthinking it. Simple, consistent, and always hits. If I make it into Brooklyn, I’m usually bouncing around Williamsburg trying whatever’s new. I’m always down to check out a new Italian spot. I’m a big pizza and pasta fan. I just went to Balera and it was unreal. The service, atmosphere, food, all 10/10. They even had Peroni 0’s, which is my favorite.

How about a little leisure or culture?
Leisure for me is simple: if there are waves, I’m in the water. Surfing’s always the go-to. If not, I’m probably at the skatepark, trying to keep my body in one piece. I’m also very much into carpentry and building stuff — good thing I have a house that always needs something rearranged or fixed. Lately, I’ve also been getting into playing the drums. I’m very much a beginner, but it’s fun learning something new and being bad at it. Other than that, it’s just being outside, being around good people, and keeping things moving.

Any weekend getaways?
Honestly, my version of a weekend getaway is just getting out of Rockaway and heading into Brooklyn for a change of pace. I’m trying to be better about actually doing more with it, stuff like going bouldering at Vital Climbing Gym or hitting a bathhouse and slowing things down for a minute.

What was your last great vacation?
Barbados. It was exactly what I needed: just a full reset. Got to surf, check out a new place, be in the sun all day, get plenty of steps in and slow things down a bit. The water’s unreal, people are super friendly, and it’s just an easy place to settle into for a few days. Honestly, it was the perfect mix of doing a little and doing nothing: surf, eat, tan, explore beaches.

What store or service do you always recommend?
I recently bought the Meta glasses. It’s been fun filming skate clips at the skatepark, or just getting a fun new perspective for my videos (I make a ton of reels, mostly surfing, drumming, skateboarding, and lifestyle.)

What store or service do you always recommend?
The best service is my buddy Paul’s surfboard ding repair shop in Rockaway, called Godette Surf Works, which is located in Marina 59. He does high-quality work, always with a fast turnaround and very fair pricing. I always respect seeing locals building something of their own.

Where are you donating your time or money?
I volunteer a fair amount through surfing, which means a lot to me. I work with organizations like A Walk On Water, where I help out as a surf therapist, and Wheeling Forward, which runs adaptive surf events for people with disabilities. Those days always remind me why I got into surfing in the first place. It’s not just about the waves, it’s about what being in the ocean can do for people. Seeing someone experience that for the first time, build confidence, or just have a moment of freedom out there, sticks with you.

I love showing up for the neighborhood, as well. I’ll host beach cleanups on the first Saturday of every month. We meet at our cafe at 10a, make a game plan and tackle all kinds of trash. It’s a good way to bring the community together, meet new faces, and care for the place we all spend so much time in.

BARS • First Round

Fire water

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s premier stationary mariners, Crew, have opened another bar on the East River this season. Fireboat is docked at Pier 6, after a presumably less boozy few decades as a maritime vehicle for the FDNY. And it’s one of the city’s most delightful new destinations, on or off the shore.

The boat’s decor — cannons, portholes, those super boaty wheels like you see on low-carat-weight necklaces — is immersive without being theme-y. The upper level is particularly fun: climb up to sink into Adirondack chairs like you’re the alarmingly laid back captain of this ship. The most obvious reference point for Fireboat is another Crew bar/boat, Pilot, which was also docked at Pier 6 before leaving for repairs. I loved that operation, but it came off as somewhat starchy. This successor isn’t a party boat, exactly — it’s still more or less in Brooklyn Heights, after all — but Fireboat feels more relaxed.

The boat’s restoration converted hose connectors into taps, behind a surprisingly roomy U-shaped bar on the main deck. Unexpectedly generous seating is arranged around the sea level, too, including some particularly intimate little corners. To be fair, Fireboat, which opened to the public on June 10, has been blessedly uncrowded when I’ve visited, so the coziness of those nooks may vary.

Fireboat’s Tropicalia — a mix of vodka, watermelon, and lime — ($16 per) is the platonic summer sipping ideal. There are also (perhaps too) ambitious efforts like the gin-based matcha-green Mariner, as well as situationally appropriate beers for $10 and under, wine, and zero-ABV options. Snacks like ceviche with chips, barbecue prawn skewers, and French fries with seaweed salt make it even easier to spend an afternoon on board. –Amber Sutherland-Namako

→ Fireboat (Brooklyn Heights) • Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6 • Mon-Fri 4p-12a, Sat-Sun 12p-12a • Walk-ins only.

GETAWAYS • Upstate

Hudson soaked

Last month, the baths and spa at Pocketbook Hotel in Hudson, NY, which started welcoming guests last fall (early intel), finally opened.

RESTAURANTS • The Nines

Rockaway Beach

Our 9 favorites in the neighborhood. Paid subscribers access all of our neighborhood Nines.

• Connolly’s, post-beach go-to for cult-classic piña coladas, local crowd, live music on patio

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Water world

Crossing the red-carpeted gangplank into the floating dining room at The River Cafe, it’s impossible not to be instantly reminded how completely, overwhelmingly, and thrillingly water is the show here. Nearly a decade ago, celebrating a January birthday, I thrilled to view the icebergs of all sizes sailing past the restaurant toward New York Harbor. This month, back inside The River Cafe on a bright June Saturday night, the water’s show was just as delightful: early evening sunlight, dancing across churning currents as a sailboat here, a motorboat there, and lots of ferries cruised past.

For a city so closely connected to water, New York City lacks for true waterfront dining. The River Cafe has fit that bill since 1977, when the restaurant opened on what was then an industrial swath of Brooklyn waterfront. Nearly five decades later, the scene outside has shifted dramatically. On the night we rolled up, World Cup fans overflowing from a big FIFA activation nearby mobbed the entrance to the restaurant’s stately cobblestoned driveway (we had received a courtesy call that afternoon to advise that, should we be driving to dinner, our GPS couldn’t be trusted given local road closures).

The very idea of driving one’s own car to dinner in New York City is as delightfully anachronistic as many of The River Cafe’s trappings. Jackets are required for men, and a piano player tickles the ivories in the lounge area adjacent to the dining room. The service is also evidently hierarchical, though not stiff (we particularly enjoyed our interactions with the jovial sommelier).

The three-course, prix-fixe menu ($205 per) also feels held over from another era, but the food pleasantly surprised us. A three-piece amuse set with bites of smoked trout, crispy falafel, and earthy mushroom consomme were all winners. My soft-shell crab appetizer arrived in dramatic fashion, the fried crustacean practically leaping off the plate, one of the best I’ve enjoyed during this year’s season (I am an enthusiast). And while they didn’t break any new culinary ground, our mains — roasted Colorado rack of lamb and char-grilled Niman Ranch strip steak — were nothing if not extremely solid. We finished with the chocolate Brooklyn Bridge, still one of the city’s best gimmick desserts.

By that point in the evening, the sun had dropped below Wall Street’s skyscrapers, and shadows played on the water of the East River as we continued to stare, rapt, out the window. What is it about the dance of water that causes our eyes to alight on it, again and again? That elusive magic is what continues to make The River Cafe an absolutely worthy NYC special occasion destination. –Lockhart Steele

→ The River Cafe (Dumbo) • 1 Water St • Wed-Sun 5-930p • Reserve.

RESTAURANTS • Intel

CLEVER TWIST: In perfect timing for Water Week, The Eighty Six, the steakhouse in the old Chumley’s space in the West Village, takes water service a step beyond the usual “still or sparkling” binary. Instead, guests are invited to choose their garnish. Presented tableside is a tray of spa-like accompaniments for your water, including mandarin orange, cucumber, fresh lemon, and lime — an elevated touch that transforms a simple glass of water into part of the dining experience. –Lee Pitofsky

RESTAURANTS & BARS • First Person

Liquid refreshment

New York City has water, water everywhere, but only a smattering of great places to drink amid its waves. The best of those are actually on the water, not just looking out over it. Concrete Shoals, which opened near Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 5 last fall, is about as far out as you can get without a kayak.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Beauty

Makeup game

Ciele is the first SPF makeup line that actually performs like makeup — no separate sunscreen step, no chalkiness, no white cast, no grease. LA-based makeup artist Nikki DeRoest and beauty industry veteran Cerre Francis launched Ciele in 2023 around the premise of making cosmetics that take sun protection as seriously as skincare. Every product in the line is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF and clean ingredients.

The standout is the Tint & Protect SPF 50+, a skin tint that evens out your complexion without looking like you’re wearing makeup. As someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin who already layers SPF under my makeup, finding a product that seamlessly folds both steps into one without any tradeoff was the kind of thing I immediately needed to tell everyone about. It’s the only complexion product I plan to wear all summer. The blush is worth noting, too, for its SPF in a product that almost never has it. –Loren O’Neill

→ SHOP: Tint & PROTECT SPF 50+ (Ciele Cosmetics) • $44 per.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Objects

Elevated water accessories, 3 ways

ON THE WATER: Boat days are fun, in theory. And for those who are simply guests on a seaworthy vessel, perhaps in practice, too. But, for the host, they can be chaotic and stressful. Yes, there are the practical elements: Do we have enough gas? Are we stocked with life vests? But then there are the essentials: Do we have enough snacks and drinks packed in appropriate containers? Junedays (above) makes coolers for life on the water, helping take some of the work out of pre-voyage planning.

Unlike traditional, popular coolers, which are hard, bulky and heavy, Junedays’ water-repellent and lightweight coolers are designed with lugging in mind: up and down a dock, back and forth from the beach, to and from a park picnic. They’re also made with food-grade material and feature a modular storage system, so lots of different snacks and sodas fit in separate compartments, all in one cold bag. I’m a particular fan of the Winnie 2 Bottle Wine Cooler, which I pack with a bottle of bubbles and plenty of cups. It’s water days made easy.

→ SHOP: Winnie 2 Bottle Wine Cooler (Junedays) • from $34.

MAKE IT SPARKLE: Many people stock their wedding registry with high-thread count sheets and Ginori 1735 china sets, but when I got married, all I wanted was the Aarke Carbonator 3. Having lived many years with a hand-me-down SodaStream, I was ready for an upgrade from this Swedish home brand that defines elevated essentials, transforming mundane moments around the house (like carbonating water) via eye-catching sleek accessories.

I’m not sure I can say with full confidence the Carbonator’s (very fizzy) bubbles are any fizzier than my previous machine, but the bubbles was never the issue — it was the ugly, plastic office-looking device that had to sit on my counter. Aarke’s models are composed of stainless steel and in addition to plastic bottles, they also sell stainless steel and (for other models) glass water vessels. As soon as my Aarke arrived, I happily put my Sodastream on the Brooklyn stoop — still totally usable for someone who was blissfully unaware of this superior option they could display with pride on their kitchen counter.

→ SHOP: Carbonator 3 Kit Stainless Steel (Aarke) • $275.

COME FLOAT AWAY: As the saying on the needlepoint pillow says: “Any day on the water is a good day.” But it’s an even better day with the right pool float. In the category of elevated pool floats, the Frontgate Lazy Day Pool Seat reigns supreme. Shaped like a classic chair, legs dangle freely in the water, while bottoms are fully submerged, torso and arms completely free to hold drinks or books. The floats are insanely durable, capable of surviving summers going from pool to ocean and back again. They’re the buoyant upgrade to those plasticky Amazon-specials currently deflating in your pool. –Sylvie Florman

→ SHOP: Lazy Day Pool Seat (Frontgate) • from $77.

BARS • The Nines

Bars, on the water

The Nines are FOUND’s curated lists of the best in NYC and surrounds. Paid subscribers access the complete Nines archive.

• Fireboat (Brooklyn Heights), new floating bar from team behind Grand Banks, featuring fresh salads, seafood, tropical drinks, walk-ins only

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SARAH MEYER SIMON • partner, Lucky’s & The Butcher’s Daughter • founder, The Simon Collective
Neighborhood you work in: Soho/Nolita
Neighborhood you live in: Soho/Nolita

It’s Friday morning, how are you rolling into the weekend?
I love the ritual of observing a casual Shabbat dinner on Friday, either at home or at a local place that feels like home. Truthfully, if I’m not at home, I’m usually at Lucky’s, Jack’s Wife Freda, or The Butcher’s Daughter. As a restaurant partner, I enjoy going into my spots as a customer and dining. It is also helpful to understand how customers experience our spaces.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight or this weekend?
One of my favorite spots is Simple Cafe in Williamsburg. French-Algerian cuisine and natural wines. The chef, Samia Behaya, is incredible. Also, the Apotheke Nomad penthouse is spectacular and provides incredible cocktails (and mocktails depending on my mood). And Casino is an all-around great option.

How about a little leisure or culture?
I love to see live music, especially if one of my favorite groups or artists is playing the Bowery Theater or Mercury Lounge. As a lifelong Pacers fan, I always attend if they are playing at the Garden or Barclays.

Any weekend getaways?
I love driving up to Livingston Manor in the Catskills. I have gotten to know that town over the years and they have great food and beautiful stores. I love browsing at Nest and grabbing a slice at the Kaatskeller. Main Street Farm has spectacular sandwiches for lunch.

What was your last great vacation?
I have a deep love affair with Palm Heights in Grand Cayman (intel). The sea in front of the property is the perfect setup. The food options are incredible and the spa is a 10/10.

What store or service do you always recommend?
I am a huge fan of my Mill. It’s a food recycler that makes no noise and doesn’t smell. It works great for the city, especially with leftovers. It creates soil for all of my plant life.

What store or service do you always recommend?
Oroboro does a great job of curating beautiful home goods and incredible clothing.

Where are you donating your time or money?

The Elizabeth Street Garden is hugely important to me. I consider it to be my backyard, so preserving it is always top of mind.

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Sitting 23 stories up, gazing across an open early-evening view of the New York skyline stretching from Wall Street to Midtown, I found myself living the city summertime dream earlier this week. A civilized rooftop scene? In Manhattan?

Indeed, the secret isn’t yet out (and the masses not yet in) at Guardian, the new rooftop bar opened this spring at the remade W Union Square. Rooftop bars have an obvious allure, but almost all such spots in NYC end up some combination of overcrowded, loud, and bro-y. Not Guardian, where access is managed via reservation (with occasional walk-ins allowed, space and vibes permitting).

Most of the rooftop space here sits inside a glassed-in, greenhouse-esque room, but arriving early, I snagged one of the two-tops on the narrow patio running along the western side of the roof. It was a sublime perch from which to take in the skyline while sipping a Queens Gambit (Bombay gin, Aperol, melon, and egg white). Behind me, on an open patio that’s the other outdoor option at Guardian, the giant W of the hotel’s sign loomed, almost close enough to reach out and touch. In moments like this, it’s hard not to be romantic about New York City.

After a round, I retired to the half-filled bar inside, where I enjoyed the tuna poke tostada, spiced up with a salsa macha, from the short menu of bites. (One strong move: Combine a visit to Guardian with dinner at Seahorse on the hotel’s ground floor.)

A note on access, which the venue says is still a bit of a work in progress: Entering the hotel, I was directed up the lobby staircase to the second floor, where a host handed me an elevator access card. From there, by elevator to the 22nd floor, then down a hallway to another elevator, this one carrying me just one more floor up to the roof. A bit of a trek for a chill, refined Manhattan rooftop situation? Worth it. –Lockhart Steele

→ Guardian (Union Square) • 201 Park Ave South • Sun-Thu 4-10p, Fri-Sat 4-11p • Reserve.

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→ 310 W 113th St #PH801 (South Harlem, above) • 3BR/2BA, 1590 SF condo • Ask: $2.59M • full top floor at The Parkmor w/ 626-SF terrace • Days on market: 15 • Monthly cc: $1954 • Monthly tax: $2308 • Agents: Vie Wilson & Dianne Howard, Compass. Open house Sun, 12-1p, by appt only.

→ 371 W 123rd St #PHA (South Harlem) • 4BR/2.1BA, 2072 SF condo • Ask: $3.35M • full 12th floor at 99 Morningside w/ 884-SF of private outdoor space • Days on market: 10 • Monthly cc: $2678 • Monthly tax: $2604 • Agents: Anne Prosser & Cameron Stewart, Compass.

→ 32 W 120th St #1 (South Harlem) • 4BR/4.1BA, NA SF townhouse • Ask: $4.85M • restored landmarked townhouse w/ potential to add roof deck • Days on market: 16 • Monthly tax: $1247 • Agents: Mackenzie Kyle & Marlene Hamad, Platinum Forbes.

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Have you tried Ask FOUND, our new recommendation engine? It’s powered by three years’ worth of on-the-ground intelligence from the FOUND team. Use it to firm up dinner plans, or find inspiration from the FOUND archives. With your help, we’re fine-tuning it every day, but if you don’t get the answer you need, hit us up directly at found@itsfound.com.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Sponsor

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Whether you’re sleeping, working, or simply enjoying a slower summer day, NatureWind Studio helps create a calmer, more comfortable home inspired by the outdoors.

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YOUR BRAND HERE: 93% of FOUND subscribers recommend products, services, and/or experiences to friends and family. Hit reply or email sales@itsfound.com, and we’ll get to work on your next great sponsorship campaign.

REAL ESTATE • First Mover

Three for-sale houses in South Harlem that came to market in the last 30 days:

→ 310 W 113th St #PH801 (South Harlem, above) • 3BR/2BA, 1590 SF condo • Ask: $2.59M • full top floor at The Parkmor w/ 626-SF terrace • Days on market: 15 • Monthly cc: $1954 • Monthly tax: $2308 • Agents: Vie Wilson & Dianne Howard, Compass. Open house Sun, 12-1p, by appt only.

→ 371 W 123rd St #PHA (South Harlem) • 4BR/2.1BA, 2072 SF condo • Ask: $3.35M • full 12th floor at 99 Morningside w/ 884-SF of private outdoor space • Days on market: 10 • Monthly cc: $2678 • Monthly tax: $2604 • Agents: Anne Prosser & Cameron Stewart, Compass.

→ 32 W 120th St #1 (South Harlem) • 4BR/4.1BA, NA SF townhouse • Ask: $4.85M • restored landmarked townhouse w/ potential to add roof deck • Days on market: 16 • Monthly tax: $1247 • Agents: Mackenzie Kyle & Marlene Hamad, Platinum Forbes.

REAL ESTATE LINKS: One year after broker fee ban, city has clawed back $27K in penalties • (The other) Grand Army Plaza shows off its makeover in Midtown • The endless renovation on West End Avenue.

BARS • First Round

Sky high

Sitting 23 stories up, gazing across an open early-evening view of the New York skyline stretching from Wall Street to Midtown, I found myself living the city summertime dream earlier this week. A civilized rooftop scene? In Manhattan?

CULTURE & LEISURE • The Vikings

• Goose • MSG (Midtown South) • Sat @ 730p • sec 107, $292 per

• Norway v Senegal • MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) • Mon @ 8p • sec 113, $1900 per ($929 lowest avail)

• Wilco • Forest Hills Stadium (Flushing) • Sat @ 6p • sec 8, $135

WORK • Friday Routine

Lucky streak

SARAH MEYER SIMON • partner, Lucky’s & The Butcher’s Daughter • founder, The Simon Collective
Neighborhood you work in: Soho/Nolita
Neighborhood you live in: Soho/Nolita

It’s Friday morning, how are you rolling into the weekend?
I love the ritual of observing a casual Shabbat dinner on Friday, either at home or at a local place that feels like home. Truthfully, if I’m not at home, I’m usually at Lucky’s, Jack’s Wife Freda, or The Butcher’s Daughter. As a restaurant partner, I enjoy going into my spots as a customer and dining. It is also helpful to understand how customers experience our spaces.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight or this weekend?
One of my favorite spots is Simple Cafe in Williamsburg. French-Algerian cuisine and natural wines. The chef, Samia Behaya, is incredible. Also, the Apotheke Nomad penthouse is spectacular and provides incredible cocktails (and mocktails depending on my mood). And Casino is an all-around great option.

How about a little leisure or culture?
I love to see live music, especially if one of my favorite groups or artists is playing the Bowery Theater or Mercury Lounge. As a lifelong Pacers fan, I always attend if they are playing at the Garden or Barclays.

Any weekend getaways?
I love driving up to Livingston Manor in the Catskills. I have gotten to know that town over the years and they have great food and beautiful stores. I love browsing at Nest and grabbing a slice at the Kaatskeller. Main Street Farm has spectacular sandwiches for lunch.

What was your last great vacation?
I have a deep love affair with Palm Heights in Grand Cayman (intel). The sea in front of the property is the perfect setup. The food options are incredible and the spa is a 10/10.

What store or service do you always recommend?
I am a huge fan of my Mill. It’s a food recycler that makes no noise and doesn’t smell. It works great for the city, especially with leftovers. It creates soil for all of my plant life.

What store or service do you always recommend?
Oroboro does a great job of curating beautiful home goods and incredible clothing.

Where are you donating your time or money?
The Elizabeth Street Garden is hugely important to me. I consider it to be my backyard, so preserving it is always top of mind.

CULTURE & LEISURE LINKS: City’s oldest museum, New York Historical, gets Robert Stern refresh • Christie’s opening wine store in Rockefeller Center • Why are festival lineup posters so hard to read?

GOODS & SERVICES • The Nines

Summer associate lunches, below 23rd

The Nines are FOUND’s distilled lists of the best in NY and surrounds. See also above 23rd.

• Hawksmoor (Flatiron), for ‘ultimate mid-week lunch’ at top-notch London steakhouse import, reserve

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The Skinny: Standing on Perry St. around 9a one weekday morning a few weeks ago, I suddenly smelled that most heavenly of scents: good bread, leaving the oven. Like a Disney character tempted by the tendrils of something delicious, I looked up and sniffed, turning my head from east to west. Was it that pastry van delivering tonight’s dessert to St. Ambroeus? Couldn’t be.

A glance in the other direction showed a new small green awning. A bicycle delivery, exiting the small new door with a bag of loaves. Inside, I spied a wild cloud of flour and rising dough on the marble counter slab. Hello, Richaud Petite Bakery, just-arrived, and already very welcome.

The Vibe: Sole proprietor and baker Richaud whirls behind the counter back and forth to his new oven, greeting customer feedback exuberantly and with an impish smile. He was an actor in France and here, where he’s lived for 15 years and picked up baking in his apartment during the pandemic. Several friendly staff were working the various stations as the morning sun streamed through the front window.

The Food: Perfect baguettes (hot out of the oven most mornings around 840a), pain au raisin (perfect), minis of everything, and a great double espresso. There are also jams from Alain Milliat (are the nectars next?) and other deliciousness. (Richaud: demi-baguette, please!)

The Verdict: Exactly the right fit at exactly the right time. In two seats outside, surrounded by hand-tended herbs and greenery, you feel a French flag planted on this already magical block. Enjoy it and tell your friends, but maybe keep this to the FOUND community and neighbors for a while. Bienvenue, Richaud and team, we love you already. –NL Johnson

→ Richaud Petite Bakery (West Village) • 41 Perry St • Tue-Sun 6a-6p.

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ALEXANDRA TANGEN • owner • KABIN
Neighborhood you work in: Hudson Square
Neighborhood you live in: West Village

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Mornings at KABIN are special. We originally opened as a cocktail bar nearly two years ago, but have since evolved into an all-day concept. During the day, we’re a Nordic café serving specialty coffee, matcha, waffles, and lunch, and by night we transition into a cocktail bar with a full food and cocktail program.

Right now, the bar is draped in Norwegian flags. We originally put them up for Norway’s National Day on May 17, but decided to leave them up since Norway has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and we’re showing all of the matches. I love having them around. They bring a sense of pride, nostalgia, and excitement to the space.

The weather has finally warmed up, so our front windows and doors are open, letting a breeze roll in from the Hudson River. The espresso machine is running, regulars are stopping in for coffee, laptops are out, and there’s a steady hum of conversation throughout the room. It’s one of my favorite times of day.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Right now, the focus is entirely on the World Cup. We’re launching a series of Norway and Sweden watch parties, special food collaborations, large-format cocktails, and some very Scandinavian traditions for New Yorkers to experience. Norway’s World Cup debut for this year’s tournament is tonight against Iraq, 6p kickoff — come join us!

One thing I’m particularly excited about is our partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council. We’ve developed a Norwegian salmon and chips dish featuring Norwegian salmon, Icelandic pale ale batter, skyr, dill, and seaweed. And if that wasn’t enough, I’m also getting married in Oslo in three weeks. So at the moment my life consists of bouncing between running a café, running a cocktail bar, planning World Cup events, and planning a 200-person wedding in Norway.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
When I venture out, I have a few favorites. Kiko, right across the street from KABIN, is one of my go-to spots in Hudson Square. The food is fantastic, the team is great, and we have a really nice relationship with them. Their staff comes over for coffee at KABIN, our staff heads there after work, and everyone knows each other. If you go, get the chicken wings.

For a special meal, I love Cosme for upscale Mexican food. And in the West Village, I have to give a shoutout to Sushi 456, which I think is one of the most underrated sushi spots in the entire city. It’s unassuming, consistently excellent, and somehow still feels like a hidden gem. For something a little more relaxed, I love sitting outside at Dante West Village with my fiancé and our dog, Nala, on a warm summer day or evening.

How about a little leisure or culture this week?
I’m not naturally a sports-driven person. That said, the Knicks playoff run has been one of the coolest things I’ve experienced in New York in a long time. It feels like the entire city rallied around something together. I think the World Cup is going to create that same feeling on an even bigger scale. And also, I try to carve out an hour most days for exercise, usually a Solidcore class.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Our wedding. We’re incorporating a lot of very Norwegian elements throughout the weekend, including floating saunas on the Oslofjord, boat rides, and long summer evenings by the water. In many ways, it’s everything I’ve always wanted to bring to New York through KABIN, just on a much larger scale.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
I know this isn’t exactly a groundbreaking recommendation, but I’ve recently fallen in love with the Citi Bike. It’s cheaper than an Uber, faster than sitting in traffic, and somehow always manages to make me feel like I have my life together, even when I absolutely do not.

My second recommendation is a little less conventional, and perhaps a bit random: the 10- to 15-minute massages you can get at many nail salons across the city. Sometimes I don’t need a full spa day, I just need someone to spend 15 minutes convincing my shoulders to relax. It’s one of the most underrated services in New York and a luxury that somehow still feels affordable.

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In response to our recent query, “Can you recommend a good lighting designer for my apartment?” FOUND readers write:

• James Cherry (above), who designed the fixtures for Ha’s Snack Bar.

• David Weeks. He’s sort of an icon in the lighting world — check out his Instagram. Also see their awesome Germantown, NY project!

• Stacy Ruiz. An interior designer friend recommended her — when I reached out to Stacy for ideas on lighting a large new rental apartment we’d just moved into, she offered tons of specific, actionable advice about lightbulbs, tones, and such without charging us a cent. Hope to work with her on a larger formal project someday.

• I have a few lighting designers and brands to recommend, some high-end, some lower-end:

  • Pern Baan. Thai-based designer created sconces and pendants with NY-based designers such as Christopher Merchant and Hannah Bigeleisen.

  • Coil + Drift. The Catskills-based furniture and lighting brand produces everything from sconces to chandeliers, all made in upstate NY.

  • Fern. Designer Jason Roseky of Fern recently launched his first-ever lighting collection, all produced in and around the Hudson Valley, using materials like as wood, bronze, and goat parchment.

  • Ceramicah. LA-based design studio recently launched their first-ever wood lighting collection called Cuadra.

And now, three fresh PROMPTS for which we seek your response:

• What’s your favorite specialty bookstore in NYC?

• I need a caterer for a casual summer party in Manhattan. Who you got?

• We’re looking for a new management company for our building. Can you recommend any that are good for boutique co-ops?

Hit reply or email found@foundny.com with more answers or questions. And don’t forget to give our new recommendation engine a whirl.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Sponsor

Summer is here! Meet NatureWind Studio

Bring the soft natural breeze indoors without opening a window.

NatureWind Studio by BALMUDA uses patented dual-blade technology to recreate gentle airflow found in nature.

Soft, comfortable, and remarkably quiet, it delivers refreshing air while operating at sound levels as low as 9 dB. Designed and made in Japan, it combines thoughtful engineering with a deep appreciation for everyday comfort.

Whether you’re sleeping, working, or simply enjoying a slower summer day, NatureWind Studio helps create a calmer, more comfortable home inspired by the outdoors.

→ Learn more [spon]

YOUR BRAND HERE: Do you own or represent a FOUND-worthy brand that might benefit from heightened exposure to our very attractive audience? Hit reply or drop us a line at sales@itsfound.com, and we’ll get to work on your next great sponsorship campaign.

WORK • Tuesday Routine

Catch the fever

ALEXANDRA TANGEN • owner • KABIN
Neighborhood you work in: Hudson Square
Neighborhood you live in: West Village

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Mornings at KABIN are special. We originally opened as a cocktail bar nearly two years ago, but have since evolved into an all-day concept. During the day, we’re a Nordic café serving specialty coffee, matcha, waffles, and lunch, and by night we transition into a cocktail bar with a full food and cocktail program.

Right now, the bar is draped in Norwegian flags. We originally put them up for Norway’s National Day on May 17, but decided to leave them up since Norway has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and we’re showing all of the matches. I love having them around. They bring a sense of pride, nostalgia, and excitement to the space.

The weather has finally warmed up, so our front windows and doors are open, letting a breeze roll in from the Hudson River. The espresso machine is running, regulars are stopping in for coffee, laptops are out, and there’s a steady hum of conversation throughout the room. It’s one of my favorite times of day.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Right now, the focus is entirely on the World Cup. We’re launching a series of Norway and Sweden watch parties, special food collaborations, large-format cocktails, and some very Scandinavian traditions for New Yorkers to experience. Norway’s World Cup debut for this year’s tournament is tonight against Iraq, 6p kickoff — come join us!

One thing I’m particularly excited about is our partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council. We’ve developed a Norwegian salmon and chips dish featuring Norwegian salmon, Icelandic pale ale batter, skyr, dill, and seaweed. And if that wasn’t enough, I’m also getting married in Oslo in three weeks. So at the moment my life consists of bouncing between running a café, running a cocktail bar, planning World Cup events, and planning a 200-person wedding in Norway.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
When I venture out, I have a few favorites. Kiko, right across the street from KABIN, is one of my go-to spots in Hudson Square. The food is fantastic, the team is great, and we have a really nice relationship with them. Their staff comes over for coffee at KABIN, our staff heads there after work, and everyone knows each other. If you go, get the chicken wings.

For a special meal, I love Cosme for upscale Mexican food. And in the West Village, I have to give a shoutout to Sushi 456, which I think is one of the most underrated sushi spots in the entire city. It’s unassuming, consistently excellent, and somehow still feels like a hidden gem. For something a little more relaxed, I love sitting outside at Dante West Village with my fiancé and our dog, Nala, on a warm summer day or evening.

How about a little leisure or culture this week?
I’m not naturally a sports-driven person. That said, the Knicks playoff run has been one of the coolest things I’ve experienced in New York in a long time. It feels like the entire city rallied around something together. I think the World Cup is going to create that same feeling on an even bigger scale. And also, I try to carve out an hour most days for exercise, usually a Solidcore class.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Our wedding. We’re incorporating a lot of very Norwegian elements throughout the weekend, including floating saunas on the Oslofjord, boat rides, and long summer evenings by the water. In many ways, it’s everything I’ve always wanted to bring to New York through KABIN, just on a much larger scale.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
I know this isn’t exactly a groundbreaking recommendation, but I’ve recently fallen in love with the Citi Bike. It’s cheaper than an Uber, faster than sitting in traffic, and somehow always manages to make me feel like I have my life together, even when I absolutely do not.

My second recommendation is a little less conventional, and perhaps a bit random: the 10- to 15-minute massages you can get at many nail salons across the city. Sometimes I don’t need a full spa day, I just need someone to spend 15 minutes convincing my shoulders to relax. It’s one of the most underrated services in New York and a luxury that somehow still feels affordable.

WORK LINKS: First office tenants sign at 1 St. Marks • AmEx to break ground on 2 World Trade Center next month • It’s still a good time to be a lawyer • RTO has stalled out • Hybrid work makes employees happier, fully remote lonelier.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Bakery

Bienvenue, Richaud

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The Nines are FOUND’s curated lists of the best in NYC and surrounds. Here, the restaurants landing on law firm corporate cards this recruiting summer.

• Electric Lemon (Hudson Yards), ‘food is really good and has a nice view,’ one associate tells us, reserve

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→ JFK: Here now, as promised, the reveal of Peach Palace, opened last weekend by the Momofuku Group just after security at T8. With a wraparound bar, and plenty of tables, it’s the biggest Momofuku ever opened in NYC. Espy the full menu below, featuring Momo classics like the pork bun, but also, breakfast, as well as a very compelling new spin on sweet and spicy wings.

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IAN SCHAFER • president & co-founder • Ensemble, a HOORAE Media Company
Neighborhood you work in: Newark & Meatpacking
Neighborhood you live in: Westfield, NJ

It’s Friday afternoon. How are you rolling into the weekend?
I’m still recovering from Game 4 at MSG, one of the most incredible events I’ve ever witnessed in person. It’s definitely a work/life balance Friday; having just launched the most popular microdrama in the world (SCREEN TIME on TikTok), there’s a ton of interest from brands for sponsorship, so will be working into the night to respond to the demand. But not to bury the lede, I’m fixing to fly to San Antonio for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. #Knicksin5

Where are you drinking or dining this weekend?
After game 4 in NYC, I celebrated with Knicks legends at the iconic Sei Less on 38th/7th. This weekend? I plan on returning to Acenar on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, which was excellent when I stopped in before Game 1.

How about a little leisure or culture?
If I wasn’t in San Antonio, I’d be hopping between Sei Less and Knicks superfan Shaun Geddes’s Game 5 watch party at Diamante’s in Midtown.

Any weekend getaways?
Chalfonte Hotel in Cape May, NJ, is a wonderfully quaint and peaceful stay in one of my favorite resort towns within driving distance, and within walking distance from some fantastic local restaurants and (literal) haunts.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
NBA Finals Game 5 tickets. I hope it ends well!

What store or service do you always recommend?
It’s summertime, so I’d suggest following whatever Siegelman Stable has planned for NYC and the Hamptons, but I’ve fallen so hard for the brand that I invested in the company. They bring together some of the most interesting people for some of the most clever retail pop-up activations.

Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m currently on the board of The Rialto Center for Creativity in my hometown of Westfield, NJ, as we renovate a historic movie theater and turn it into a much-needed multimedia center for the arts for our community and the region.

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