Hippo Ballerina

Bjorn Skaarup's Hippo Ballerina.

I love Bjorn Skaarup's adorable Hippo Ballerina. Inspired by Degas’ “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen” and the dancing hippos of Walt Disney’s “Fantasia,” the Hippo is a copper tutu-clad bronze sculpture standing over fifteen feet tall by the Danish artist. The piece "vividly illustrates the artist’s ability to reinterpret subjects and themes found in ancient myths, art history, modern animation, and contemporary popular culture in playful ways that engage the viewer." The Hippo is at Dante Park near Lincoln Center through July 31, 2017. Go on. Dance with the Hippo. People won't stare too much.

Our New Italian Outpost

Puglia, a southern region forming the heel of Italy’s “boot," is famous for its whitewashed hill towns, old farmland, and miles of beautiful Mediterranean coastline (the most coastline of any region in mainland Italy). Alberobello, picture here, and the Itria Valley feature many “trulli,” white-washed stone huts with those distinctive conical roofs. Lately we've been thinking that perhaps it would be a good idea to open up a location abroad, and so I took it upon myself to look for potential new office spaces. Think this might be a good place? Before you answer have another glass of red wine, some homemade orecchiette with cime di rapa (broccoli rabe) and garlic, and, to finish it off, a pasticciotto, a traditional regional dessert with a flaky outer crust filled with creamy custard. Yes, this would be a good place. 

Gulliver's Gate

A mix of our old and new neighborhood.

Gulliver's Gate, located in Times Square, is a fascinating new $40 million miniature exhibit featuring scenes from fifty nations around the world. The miniatures include iconic landmarks, monuments, and world wonders, all brought to life with a blend of modern technology that includes self-driving cars, trains, and moving trams, coupled with stunning attention to old-fashioned model craftsmanship. Top artists from around the world came together to create the buildings and scenes that include 1,000 trains, 10,000 cars and 100,000 tiny people. The New York City section, titled "Metropolis," took nearly a year to make.

"Gulliver's Gate is both tiny and fascinating and overwhelming all at the same time," Jason Hackett, the attraction's chief marketing officer, tells CNet. "A big theme for us is this idea of reveal and how scale can help you understand the world better." While not geographical correct, we enjoyed the part of the New York City scene that mixed buildings from our old neighborhood in the Meatpacking District (hello, Standard Hotel and Whitney Museum!) with our new neighborhood (hello, Penn Station!). Also check out the rooftop party and that one hotel room in the Standard which may or may not feature exhibitionists!