Feeds 4 people

Ingredients

• 1 pounds cubed day old bread
• X Virgin Olive oil
• Sea salt to taste
• Cracked Black Pepper to taste
• 1 tsp dried red peppers
• 3 hard boiled eggs
• 4 ounces grated Pecorino cheese
• 2 diced ripe pears
• 1 head leafy green or red lettuce
• The juice of 1 lemon

Method

• Place diced bread on a cookie tray and coat with olive oil, salt, pepper and dried red peppers.
• Put the bread in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees and toast for about 7-8 minutes.

You want the bread to be hot and chewy, not crispy, through and through.

• In a small bowl. Make your vinaigrette- 3 parts olive oil, 1 part lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Take all of your other ingredients (minus the bread) and place in a large bowl and toss together.
• Add the vinaigrette and then place warm bread on top of the salad and serve-

YUMMY!

What does a company that shows you how to install a car seat have to do with Real Estate? Everything!

Last week my wife sent me an email (yes, that is how we communicate) and said that it was my job to know how to install the car seat into a cab and our car prior to bringing Baby Z home from the hospital. Of course I got a touch nervous as my handyman skills are not so great.

I posted on Facebook about my task and I received a  bunch of ideas. The easiest one was contacting, The Car Seat Lady. Emily, one of the partners quickly emailed me back and told me where to meet her on Saturday morning, 9am in front of the fire hydrant, between Broadway and Riverside drive.

On my way to learn how to put a car seat into the car, properly!

We met promptly and the minute I met Emily, I knew I was in good hands and she would teach me the best ways to protect our baby in a car, by installing the car seat properly.
So what does this post have to do with real estate and working with professionals that know what they are doing? EVERYTHING!
I could have easily watched a few You-Tube videos and figured it out myself or read a few instructional manuals. Sort of like going to the multiple real estate websites for data on whats on the market, what’s sold and closed..............(*Data is great, but it does not have the human component)

If your tooth hurt and it needed to be removed, would you pull it yourself or go to some cheap dentist? I think you know that answer..................Go with a pro.

315 West 86th Street, 7EF - Upper West Side

$1,399,000

Generous Living Room~

What do you mean you cannot afford a 3 Bedroom on the Upper West Side?

The Master~

Move right into this Classic Prewar Beauty! This spacious, Mint, Two-Bedroom (Convertible Three-Bedroom) Two Bath home is ideal for those needing space and room to grow!

Our 1^st Open House is this Sunday March 11^th from 11:30am-1pm

If you cannot make the open house, please email me for a private showing:

pzweben@elliman.com

Chefs Kitchen~

The flexible layout allows for easy conversion to a proper Three-Bedroom home, or enjoy a third bonus room off of the living room, ideal for a den or formal dining room. The well-designed kitchen has been fully renovated with honed granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, clean modern subway tile, excellent storage, and a granite breakfast bar open to the grandly proportioned living room featuring a through-the-wall HVAC heating/cooling unit. The generous Master Bedroom boasts a walk-in closet and beautiful ensuite bath with pedestal sink, wainscoting, and original cast iron soaking tub. The second full bath is also renovated with a clean and fresh design including lovely sea glass tile. Enjoy the charming prewar details throughout with high beamed ceilings, richly stained hardwood floors, and picture frame moldings in the convenience of a modern home including the possibility of a washer/dryer. Don't miss out on this elegant, fully renovated home on one of the most beautiful blocks on the Upper West Side only moments away from Riverside Park, public transportation, and all restaurants and amenities of this vibrant neighborhood. 315 West 86th Street is a handsome 17-story cooperative built in approximately 1920 and features a part-time doorman, private storage and bike storage, central laundry and excellent live-in Super. Pets are welcome!

As some of you may or may not know, not only is this   The Year of The Dragon and almost everyone is pregnant in Asia, but we are about to have our 1st Dragon baby. For now, we call her Baby Z!  We are elated and cannot wait to meet our little miracle.

My wife, aka, Mrs. Z is 39 weeks pregnant and we are now submerged in the classic Upper West Side baby world. How do those stores already know that we are having a baby? There is even a Baby Z store in California. Of course, we think they named it after our Baby Z....

In anticipation of bringing our little peanut to some Upper West Side restaurants, where we know she can make a complete mess of herself, scream out loud with joy, flirt with the waiters, we decided to hit 3 places and give you our quick, straight forward thoughts:

Carmines- It has been a staple for 20 years on Broadway. The portions are enormous, yet the food is mediocre. If you go with 5 or more people, it is tough to spend more that $30 per person.
The place feels tired and almost every employee seems to be on auto pilot. All of these negatives just don’t seem to matter as the B&T continue to make the original investors rich.

Big Daddy’s- The exhaust from the kitchen blows onto Broadway and honestly, I cannot believe the neighbors do not make a stink out of it, cause it stinks.
The service is solid, the food is straight forward and it seems to be a great place to bring a toddler. It is not cheap.

Blockheads- as someone who has invested in many restaurants in my life, I know what start ups cost. Usually a restaurant can spend up to $500 or more per square foot just to get open. My guess on Blockheads? $100 or less per square foot. That can add up to a quick pay back to the investors, Bravo! The service is actually very attentive, the beers are cold and the food is fine. Cheesy bubble gum music is blaring  in the background and the chairs are super uncomfortable.
And yet, I would return. The prices are super inexpensive and Baby Z will love this joint. I mean, she is 50% Latina~
This post may seem a touch negative, but I was trained to never be happy with mediocrity in the restaurant business or the real estate business! So, Carmines, tighten it up, Big Daddy's and Blockheads, keep doing what you are doing!

 SOLD & CLOSED~

Your private outdoor heaven!

215 East 24^th street #605

The Penny Lane

Please email me for a private showing pzweben@elliman.com

Chef~

STUNNING BUCOLIC OASIS! Move right into this bright, south-facing duplex home with 2 private outdoor spaces! This warm and welcoming One-Bedroom, One-Bath apartment will make you forget you are in the city with beautiful and peaceful outdoor space, ideal for outdoor dining and entertaining. A gorgeous private, decked TERRACE awaits you on the second floor and a charming balcony on the first floor. Be the envy of your friends with your generous, renovated, eat-in-kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a large pass-through opening to the Living Room. The serene bedroom has a deep walk-in closet and is secluded and private from the rest of the apartment. 215 E.24th Street, Penny Lane is a Full-Service Coop with 24-Hr Doorman, Gorgeous Roof Deck, Bike Storage, and Laundry on every floor. Don't miss out on this special home at on the border of Murray Hill and Gramercy and moments away from transportation and all amenities of these vibrant neighborhoods!

http://www.elliman.com/new-york-city/penny-lane-215-east-24-street-unit-605-manhattan-tapsoxs

 You want a flip tax in your co-op!

You want a flip tax~

It amazes me that when I bring a buyer to a co-op in NYC and they ask the seller’s agent, “Is there a flip tax?”

Usually, if applicable, the seller’s agent proudly says that the building does not have a flip tax, which is a great thing…………………..WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!

*note- most buildings do have a flip, just not all of the co-op in NYC.

I know as a co-op owner that the dreaded day will come when we go to sell and we will have to write a giant check to our beloved co-op for the privilege of living there. But you know what? It is really a good thing. The flip taxes go directly into the reserve fund and can be used when and if there is a problem with the elevator, roof, boiler or other capital improvements.

If there is not a flip tax imposed in the building and the reserve fund does not grow magically, as some would hope. Then when there is a capital improvement, guess what? You will be assessed in addition to your maintenance or your maintenance will increase due to theses projects. The current average maintenance cost is now around $1.60-1.65 per square foot in NYC. If you are creeping up over the $2.10 or north of $2.10 per square foot and don’t have a flip tax, don’t say I never told you. GET IT FIXED NOW!

Flip Taxes are a good thing and if your co-op does not have one, get on the board of directors and make it happen.

I have seen so many building where the maintenance is well over the city average and it directly negatively affects the sale price of the units.

After finishing 4 open houses yesterday at

194 Riverside dr #6B

230 Riverside Drive #16B

2025 Broadway #17F

240 East 35th street #5B

……………………………….and the Super Bowl about to begin, I needed to come up with a quick refreshing pasta dish for my 8 month pregnant wife and hungry little baby in mommy’s tummy.

I zipped over to the local fine food store and picked up the following:

• 1 pound dried spaghetti
• 2 lemons
• 16 ounces chicken stock
• 1 pound peeled garlic
• 1 bunch chives
• 1 head of watercress
• 4 ounces of parmesan cheese
• Sea salt, cracked black pepper and a pinch of crushed red peppers
• 1 loaf of sourdough bread

Method

• In a large sauce pot, caramelize the garlic pearls in olive oil
• Add the chicken stock or vegetable stock to the garlic and reduce the broth by 50%
• Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente.
• Once the pasta is cooked perfectly- add the watercress and chives to the garlic broth and heat until the greens wilt and then add the pasta.

Your simple sauce

• Mix thoroughly and serve pasta bowls. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper and serve with crispy hot sourdough bread!

Congrats to the Giants!!!

240 East 35th Street, 5B | THE MURRAY HILL -

1 Bedroom Co-Op

Please email for a private showing pzweben@elliman.com

Your Living Room~

Don't miss out on this perfect One-Bedroom, One-Bath opportunity for the savvy buyer! Live in the heart of Murray Hill in a bright, North-facing home that is in good condition with open views. Your well laid-out home features a welcoming entry foyer, spacious living room, separate galley kitchen and comfortable bedroom. The kitchen has been updated with modern appliances. 240 East 35th Street is a coveted Full-Service Cooperative boasting a 24-Hour Doorman, Roof Deck, On-Site Garage, Private Storage, Common Laundry, Bike Room, and excellent Live-in Super, all moments away from transportation and all neighborhood amenities. Pets are Welcome.

http://www.elliman.com/new-york-city/manhattan/murray-hill/240-east-35th-street--5b---the-murray-hill/dssoaie

Your view from the bedroom!

2025 Broadway, 17F | THE NEVADA - Upper West Side

BEAUTIFUL TURN- KEY HOME!
This Luxury One-Bedroom, One Bath Coop is the ideal New York City apartment for the discriminating buyer. Perched atop the 17th Floor, your Sunny new apartment has Quintessential City Views looking East across Broadway with Stunning Architectural Vistas. Move right in and enjoy the Renovated Kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and modern cabinetry as well as the sleek marble bath. The Nevada is a Pet-Friendly White Glove Cooperative catering to a luxury lifestyle boasting 24-Hour doorman, Stunning Roof Deck, Private Storage, Bike Storage, and Common Laundry ideally located in the heart of the Upper West Side, just above Lincoln Center, moments away from all public transportation, shopping, and the finest restaurants including Café Luxembourg, Lincoln, Ocean and many more.

The living room~

http://www.elliman.com/new-york-city/manhattan/upper-west-side/2025-broadway--17f---the-nevada/2025-broadway/lnhcfbe

Start cooking!