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Utopia Bagels has been busy–they just opened their first-ever Manhattan location earlier this month and now, just a few days later, we’ve come to learn that they already have eyes on a third location!

The news was first reported by Commercial Observer, who found out from tenant broker Winick Realty Group. According to the broker Utopia Bagels has signed a 15-year lease for a 6,800 square foot space in Long Island City at Rockrose Development’s 26-11 Jackson Avenue.

Utopia Bagels was founded in 1981 in Whitestone, New York, and has been implementing the old world process of individually hand-rolling their bagels and kettle boiling them before baking them (in a 1947 carousel oven, might we add) ever since.

Over the years the bagel shop has grown to become a NYC staple with generation after generation of New Yorkers coming to love them dearly–that’s why they’re obviously one of our favorite bagel spots in NYC.

And once you’ve tried it for yourself–if you haven’t already–you’ll understand why. Their bagel and roll options are plentiful, they have tons of spreads to choose from like their Walnut Raisin Cream Cheese or Lox Spread, and there’s also so many other sandwiches and platters that are bound to leave you drooling.

As of now we’re not sure when Utopia Bagels plans to open their LIC location, but while we wait we can at least still grab a bagel at their Whitestone or Midtown locations.

Learn more about Utopia Bagels and see their full menu here.

The post Queens’ Beloved Utopia Bagels To Open Third Location In LIC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Artists Gillie and Marc have opened a brand new exhibition in NYC that invites all to come and party with some of the world’s most endangered animals.

The duo can be accredited for their previous works in NYC like King Nyani, the 5,000-pound gorilla statue that once lounged in Hudson Yards, and A Wild Life for Wildlife, depicting whimsical animal sculptures partaking in quirky human activities at the World Trade Center.

The newest exhibition, titled The Wild Couch Party features an expansive bronze couch, seated with Rabbitwoman and Dogman as the host, along with 12 of the most endangered animals in the world. An African elephant can be spotted in between the hosts with a Masai giraffe to the left of Rabbitwoman and even an Arabian red fox all the way on the far side of the couch. All animals are seen sharing coffee and cake, amidst what appears to be a fabulously engaging party.

The entire scene touches on the simple pleasures of human activities (as effortless as resting on a couch with those you care about) through the representation of beautifully threatened creatures at the hands of our actions. “Rabbitwoman and Dogman have… invited all these the animals as a symbol of love and support, welcoming them into their family and promising to protect them in every way they can,” explains the press release.

You can see The Wild Couch Party now on display at Fosun Plaza – 28 Liberty Street in Lower Manhattan. It will remain there through May 28, 2025.

Moreover, additional works from Gillie and Marc can be found nearby including Paparazzi Dog and Paparazzi Rabbit, as an artistic reminder to seize opportunities and embrace our talents, along with Friends Forever Bench that showcases acceptance of complete opposites. Learn more on Gillie and Marc’s website here.

The post Sit Among The World’s Most Endangered Animals At This ‘Wild’ Couch Party In NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Capital One is diving into the airport lounge world, opening its first-ever location at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in the near future (no exact opening date has been revealed yet). Travelers will find the 13,000-square-foot destination inside the Retail Hall at Terminal 4, where they will get to relax before a flight and perhaps eat some food as well. 

Although specifics regarding pricing and access have yet to be announced, an official press release mentions that the brand’s Venture X or Venture X Business card will “unlock unlimited, complimentary access” to the space. 

The space as a whole functions as a tribute to the city around it: a specially-trained cheesemonger will be on site to serve local cheeses from artisans from the nearby Hudson Valley and New York region, plus cured meats, house-made accompaniments and paired wine and beer selections.

Classic offerings also include the bagels and coffee drinks available at the in-lounge bodega: there’s nothing more New York than a cup of java and a properly prepared bagel, after all.

Expect partnerships with local breweries, mixologists, bakeries and coffee pros to yield some pretty outstanding culinary options as well.

In-lounge design elements also nod to New York, with many features works sourced from local artists. Case in point: the hanging glass sculpture by Brooklyn-based Shakúff Custom Lighting that is the central focal point inside the lounge.

“The piece features small glass stones suspended in a cascading form to symbolize the varied and colorful experiences throughout Manhattan and, above the main bar, another glass fixture will feature a combination of hand-blown glass and brass elements that emulate branches and vegetation inherent to New York City,” reads an official press release. 

Basically, the new lounge will function as a microcosm of New York—which sounds awesome to us.

* This article was originally published here

If you find yourself around Union Square any time soon, head over to the park’s center lawn to see a brand new interactive sculpture by artist Pasha Radetzki. There is a catch, though: you have to complete the statue yourself, with your own body.

The public installation consists of three eight-foot-tall interlocking letters made of colored plywood that spell out “LOV” and invites New Yorkers to form the letter “E” at the end to complete the word. Can you contort your body that way? 

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The latest addition to the park is part of a series called “Love-Ego=LOV,” which is inspired by notions of egoless love, unity, freedom and the bond between all humans in a chaotic and violent world. 

From the artist’s perspective, the letter ‘E’ represents one’s self and ego, which is in juxtaposition with the meaning of the sculpture’s completed word. 

The public art piece also features a miniature garden called “The Three Sisters-Americas,” which is inspired by the concept of Abya Yala, a term used by some Indigenous communities to refer to the interconnectedness of the American continent, including its plants. 

Together with the garden, the interactive sculpture explores several themes that will invite you to pause and reflect on your surroundings in a hectic city.

“Creating ‘Love-Ego=LOV’ has been a deeply personal exploration of unity in the lively tapestry of our urban NYC environment,” Radetzki said in an official statement. “This project represents my journey as an artist and a first-generation American to find connection and collaboration in my new home.”

Union Square has hosted several avant-garde works of art in recent years, including “N.Y.C. Legend,” a bronze statue that paid homage to a beloved folktale at Triangle Park, street murals by Queens-based artist Talisa Almonte, Vanesa Álvarez, Ji Yong Kim, and the street artist team GERALUZ and WERC.

The latest work of art will be on display for the next six months. 

* This article was originally published here