Feast at Beefbar, learn watchmaking secrets and other NYC events this week

Rima Suqi
·4 min read
A collage of Beefbar, a bird statue, and a copy of
Don't miss the NYC debut of Beefbar, a dazzling rare edition of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and an exhibition of wild, whimsical sculptures.
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Each week, Alexa is rounding up the buzziest fashion drops, hotel openings, restaurant debuts and celeb-studded cultural happenings in NYC. It’s our curated guide to the very best things to see, shop, taste and experience around the city.

What’s making our luxury list this week?

House of Matouk’s dreamy flagship alights on the Upper East Side, a diamond-encrusted edition of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” wows at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair and famed meat importer “Beefboy” makes his New York City debut.

MEAT CUTE: Beefbar opens in Tribeca

Beefbar boasts a cavernous dining room (Nobu’s former Tribeca location) and a menu that includes homemade wagyu bolognese. Photos by Frances Amiand
Beefbar boasts a cavernous dining room (Nobu’s former Tribeca location) and a menu that includes homemade wagyu bolognese. Photos by Frances Amiand

Attention carnivorous connoisseurs: Riccardo Giraudi (aka “Beefboy”) has landed in New York City.

The much-lauded meat importer and founder of Beefbar — a super-buzzy eaterie with over 30 locations in a dozen countries worldwide — has finally debuted stateside, with a 6,000-square-foot lavish space (formerly occupied by Nobu) in Tribeca.

Designed by Humbert & Poyet, it’s billed as “a reflection of cosmopolitan culture, serving prime meat cuts created by founder Riccardo Giraudi.”

Highlights include French-inspired street foods such as the croque sando (a dry-aged ribeye ham with mozzarella and La Sauce Beefbar), comfort foods like a homemade wagyu bolognese with 101-month-aged parmesan, and a tuna rib-eye with shiso chimichurri.

Plenty of seafood and a selection of plant-based options are also on offer. 105 Hudson St.; Beefbar

ANIMAL PLANET: “Les Lalannes” sculptures at Kasmin Gallery

The “Grand Chat” is one of a number of Lalannes sculptures on view at Kasmin Gallery in Chelsea through May 9. Courtesy of Kasmin, New York. Photo by Charlie Rubin.
The “Grand Chat” is one of a number of Lalannes sculptures on view at Kasmin Gallery in Chelsea through May 9. Courtesy of Kasmin, New York. Photo by Charlie Rubin.

Yves Saint Laurent was a huge fan of Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne.

So were Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Reed Krakoff and a host of other boldface names who collected the couple’s (known as “Les Lalannes”) delightful, surrealistic sculptures.

A new exhibition of their works, from the collection of their eldest daughter, just opened at Kasmin Gallery in Chelsea.

“Les Lalanne: Zoophites” includes 35 pieces — most notably, François-Xavier’s rare “Grand Chat” polymorphe.

It combines a cat’s head with a fish’s tail, a bird’s wings, and a female pig’s belly and hooves, which open to reveal a functioning bar cart.

The exhibition is on view through May 9. 509 W. 27th St.; KasminGallery

BETWEEN THE SHEETS: House of Matouk debuts UES flagship

Matouk’s new flagship on the Upper East Side is a one-stop shop for luxury linens, throws and cozy items. Photo by Read McKendree
Matouk’s new flagship on the Upper East Side is a one-stop shop for luxury linens, throws and cozy items. Photo by Read McKendree

For more than nine decades, Matouk has been the ultimate IYKYK source for exquisite bed and table linens.

But as of this week the secret is out, with the family-owned company’s full offerings  — including those aforementioned linens, along with towels, throws, robes, and pajamas — on display in a dreamy 2,300-square-foot boutique on the Upper East Side.

This “immersive experience” was designed by Mindy Matouk, creative director of the company, to feel like a residence, complete with luxe finishes, fittings and displays, including a gorgeous marble shower and sumptuous soaking tub.20 E. 67th St.; Matouk

PAGE-TURNER: New York International Antiquarian Book Fair plots its return

One of the foremost treasures on offer at the 64th New York International Antiquarian Book Fair is a signed and bejeweled first edition of Truman Capote’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” — Holly Golightly would approve. Photos: Courtesy of the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair
One of the foremost treasures on offer at the 64th New York International Antiquarian Book Fair is a signed and bejeweled first edition of Truman Capote’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” — Holly Golightly would approve. Photos: Courtesy of the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair

The Olympics of rare books returns for its 64th year, with more than 200 dealers from around the world descending on the Park Avenue Armory for the four-day fair (through April 7).

They bring a lot more than just books, including photography, maps, ephemera and the like.

This year’s highlights include a signed first-edition copy of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” that was rebound and bejeweled with more than 1,000 white diamonds ($1.5 million at Lux Mentis) and Paul McCartney’s original handwritten lyrics to the Beatles song “Lovely Rita” (price upon request at Biblioctopus).

Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave.; New York International Antiquarian Book Fair

TIME TRAVEL: Watchmaking classes at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s boutique

191 years of excellence are evident in every touch at Jaeger LeCoultre’s new Madison Avenue boutique, where watchmaking classes demonstrate the fine craftsmanship in each timepiece. Courtesy of Jaeger LeCoultre. Photo by Charles Roussell.
191 years of excellence are evident in every touch at Jaeger LeCoultre’s new Madison Avenue boutique, where watchmaking classes demonstrate the fine craftsmanship in each timepiece. Courtesy of Jaeger LeCoultre. Photo by Charles Roussell.

The “watchmaker’s watchmaker” debuted a reimagined boutique on Madison Avenue last week.

Fans of the 191-year-old brand will appreciate the focus on craftsmanship — from enameling and engraving to gem-setting — as well as the display of rare timepieces and, naturally, new introductions.

There’s also an interactive “strap wall” to help navigate pairing your watch case with choice of strap material, color and stitching, plus a now-requisite cafe.

One of the more unique offerings is experiential: themed Discovery Workshops are hosted by a watchmaking expert and limited to six participants at a time.

Topics include a watchmaking master slass and the Reverso Discovery Workshop, which explores archives of the iconic model.

701 Madison Ave.; Jaeger-LeCoultre