thezwebenteam#grateful the award winning #thezwebenteam just closed 250w89th #11/12F! It's great when you love your clients! #tcob @douglaselliman

250 West 89th Street, 11/12F - Upper West Side, New York

DRAMATIC RENOVATED DUPLEX Move right into this stunning, beautifully designed duplex at the highly sought-after Savannah, perfectly located in the heart of the Upper West Side. This truly unique home boasts a dramatic, double-height living room with 17'4" ceilings and striking floor-to-ceiling windows, which showcase quintessential architectural city views to the north. This spacious home, with 2 floors of living space, has 1.5 baths and is an ideal layout for both entertaining and for privacy. The lower level of the apartment features a powder room and deep coat closet in the entry foyer, followed by a renovated kitchen with sleek granite countertops, Calcutta marble tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances and has a pass-through to the expansive living and dining room. With rich, double-espresso oak plank floors and custom automatic blinds, the stylish living room also has a Juliet balcony ideal for planters or just taking in the iconic city views. The spacious bedroom suite with full-bath and excellent storage is discreetly located on the second floor, up a newly built staircase with custom shelving. Both baths have new lighting, mirrors and hardware.Don't miss out on this beautiful home with a loft-like, downtown feeling, perfectly located in the full-service Savannah condop on the Upper West Side. Residents of the Savannah enjoy an exceptional staff, including 24-hour doorman, live-in superintendent, landscaped roof deck, laundry on every floor, recently updated fitness center, bike storage, on-site parking garage as well as flexible condo-like rules. Pets are welcome!

Ingredients for curing

• 7-8 pound Brisket
• Salt 5 ounces
• Sugar 5 ounces
• Mustard seed- 2 ounces
• Garlic powder 1 ounce
• Ground ginger 1 ounce
• Crushed red pepper ½ ounce
• 4 ounces of rice wine vinegar

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and then coat the entire brisket.

Place in a casserole dish, cover with saran wrap and place in the fridge.

Cure for 1-2 days.

Ingredients for braising

• 1 bottle prosecco
• 2 quarts water
• 1 whole piece of ginger sliced in half
• 10 cloves of whole garlic
• 10 ounces of Kimchi- I prefer the chunks of kimchi-*note- depending on your heat threshold, you can rinse the kimchi in cold water. If you like spice, use everything form the jar.
• 4 ounces of honey
• 5 ounces of rice wine vinegar
• Two heads of green cabbage, cut into eighths

Methods

• Rinse all of the dry rubs off of the brisket
• Place brisket in a large pot-
• Add all of the ingredients to the pot.
• Bring mixture to a boil and then simmer.
• Cook the brisket for approx., 3.5 hours or until tender.
• Season with salt and pepper, when the meat is tender.
• Serve with Garlic mashed or potato latkes
• Serve with chopped kimchi on the side.

Two different careers- same apprenticeship

Almost every week, Carolyn and I get emails, texts and phone calls from agents, to join our team.

Yesterday was no different. I met a young man, who I have admired from afar for quite some time.

He has consistent drive and focus and he is a one man show. His qualities are similar to a self-taught chef, that runs a teeny tiny restaurant, eights tables, where his wife runs the front of the house.

Don’t get me wrong; I have the utmost respect for anyone that works in the restaurant biz, especially the mom and pop shops.

He asked me, what The Zweben Team could do for him.

The first thing I said was how could our team benefit from him being on our team and vice versa.

I told him that our team is consistently improving our craft (just like a chef), focused (just like a chef) and passionate, (just like a chef).

I explained to him with a kitchen analogy, what makes good cooks great.

I told him that in the late ‘80’s, you either worked at The River Café or you worked at Gotham Bar and Grill.

I chose the River Café. Both restaurants were similar to going to Wharton business school.

Every cook, every Sous Chef, every Pastry Chef and of course David Burke was better than me. At least at the start. We all pushed each other. We all grew together. We will strived to be faster, more precise, more imaginative, and more successful. We were colleagues, competitors, friends and family, (just like real estate agents)

 It was one of the best periods of my life.

The same goes for real estate. When I stared, 10 years ago, I had the luxury of joining my wife, Carolyn Zweben as her partner. She told me for the first year, just learn, don’t do any deals; learn your craft. She mentored me and helped me grow. Making a mistake under Carolyn’s watch was like sending out an overcooked piece of fish under David Burke’s watch. Not fun.

The moral of this story, whether you want to be a chef or a real estate agent:

• Surround yourself with people that are more talented than you.
• Surround yourself with people that are more driven than you.
• Surround yourself with people that are fearless.
• Surround yourself with people that care about you and want to help you grow.

As we are getting ready for Douglas Elliman’s 2016 Ellie’s Gala Award Event, I pause. I look back to thank Carolyn for helping me make my career change.

I look at 2016 for another successful award winning year for The Zweben Team!

And I look forward to crushing 2017 and beyond!

Photo credit goes to Rich Caplan

12 West 96th Street, 2A - Upper West Side, New York

1^st Open house: Sunday 2.26.17 11:30am-1pm

PARK BLOCK ELEGANCE. This spacious Classic 7 home is both traditional in design and yet contemporary in its open, expansive layout. While still retaining its charming prewar details, including stunning herringbone floors and high, beamed ceilings, the side-by-side living and dining rooms have been combined to create a truly grand and special room with 4 oversized windows spanning its width. This dramatic space is ideal for entertaining or just stretching out and relaxing for a quiet evening. Quietly separated from the living areas of the home, the bedroom wing consists of 3 generously-proportioned bedrooms, plentiful closets, and 2 full bathrooms with original subway tiles, cast-iron tub, and a separate shower in the master bath. The spacious, windowed, eat-in-kitchen features granite counters, excellent cabinet space as well as a large pantry, and modern white appliances including a Subzero refrigerator. Off of the kitchen, an office with a renovated half bath and full-sized, vented washer and dryer add convenience to this special home. 12 West 96th Street is a beautifully maintained, boutique Cooperative with 24-hour elevator operator, live in super, playroom, central laundry, bike room and storage. Residents love its convenient location just off of Central Park with easy proximity to Whole Foods, public transportation and all neighborhood amenities. Pets are welcome!

There is currently an assessment of $156.60/month running through 3/2018.

This listing courtesy of Douglas Elliman

519 East 86th Street, 6A - Upper East Side, New York

Open House Details

• 
• Sunday, February 26^th, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
• This Upper East Side south-facing spacious and bright two-bedroom, two-bath apartment is in excellent condition and conveniently located on a quiet residential stretch of 86th Street. The apartment features lovely prewar accents, hardwood floors, crown molding, washer/dryer and excellent closet space. The windowed eat-in kitchen has granite countertops, white subway tiled backsplash, plenty of counter space, stainless steel appliances and a paneled refrigerator which seamlessly blends with the white cabinetry. Just off of the kitchen is a dining alcove accented with beautiful hardwood floors with inlaid wood border. Across from the dining area is a sunken living room with southern exposure and enough room for a home office. The hallway leads you to the bedroom wing.The king sized master bedroom has oversized south and west-facing windows, a walk-in closet and an en-suite windowed bathroom with a tub and linen closet. The second bedroom has oversized windows facing north and west, and a renovated windowed en-suite bath with pedestal sink and shower.Built in 1939, this charming, boutique pre-war coop features a part-time doorman, live-in superintendent, common laundry, storage and bike room. The building is conveniently located just half a block away from Carl Schurz Park, the East River Promenade, and short walk from the Second Avenue subway. Pets are welcome!

• This listing courtesy of Douglas Elliman
• 519 E 86 ST TENANTS,

OPEN HO-- -- USE DETAILS
• Sunday, February 12th, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
194 Riverside Drive, 5B - Upper West Side, New York

PREWAR ELEGANCE This grandly proportioned 2-Bedroom, 2-Bath apartment is a seamless blend of stunning prewar architecture and sophisticated modern updates creating the perfect Upper West Side home. Move right in to this renovated home in excellent condition with lovely prewar details throughout, including original woodwork, transom windows over many of the doors, an elegant arched doorway leading into the living room and all new hardwood floors, including stunning herringbone floors with inlaid wood border in the living room. The windowed, eat-in-kitchen boasts granite counters and island, stainless steel appliances including a vented Wolf Range, and beautifully preserved, original wooden cabinetry. Both full baths are freshly renovated; one with white subway tile, basket-weave tiled floors and a decadent deep-soaking tub and the other with white subway tile and serene sea green glass accent tiles. With no stone left unturned, your new home even includes a washer and dryer. Bright and serene, the south-facing, master bedroom boasts generous, outfitted closets and is grandly proportioned, easily accommodating a king-sized bed and even room for a desk or sitting area. The tranquil second bedroom is spacious and features 2 closets. 194 Riverside Drive is a coveted turn-of-the century boutique building, built by famed New York architect, Ralph S. Townsend at the turn-of-the-century. It is located on the quiet stretch of Riverside Drive between West 91st and 92nd Streets, highly sought-after for its intimate, cul de sac feel, elegant apartments, and bold Neo-Renaissance façade. This well-maintained cooperative features a 24-hour doorman, stunning new landscaped roof deck, playroom, common laundry and bike and private storage. Pets are welcome and enjoy playing across the street in Riverside Park!
This listing courtesy of Douglas Elliman

575 Sixth Avenue, 4B - Chelsea, New York

STUNNING CHELSEA LOFT! Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind 2-bedroom, 2-bath sunny, beautifully renovated loft in the heart of Chelsea and just blocks away from Union Square, the Village, and the Flatiron district. This spacious and dramatic corner apartment has lofty, 10+ foot ceilings, charming exposed brick and an open and airy layout with over-sized windows lining the walls of each room. The double-sized, combined living and dining room boasts quintessential city views to the south and east, filling the apartment with beautiful light. There are excellent closets throughout the home and both bedrooms are generous in size. The 2-full baths are fully renovated with the master bath boasting a deep-soaking Jacuzzi tub and the 2nd bath, a standing shower. With no stone left unturned, this mint-condition, gorgeous home even has a washer/dryer. 575 Sixth Avenue is a well-maintained, intimate coop with just 16 units and 9 floors built at the turn-of-the-century. Move right in to your downtown, dream home!

This listing courtesy of Douglas Elliman

Ingredients feeds 6-8 people

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• 1 sweet, white onion, chopped
• 3 large shallots, chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes,
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice
• 1 bottle dry white wine
• 64 ounces vegetable stock
• 1 pound cockle clams
• 1 pound mussels, scrubbed, debearded
• 1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ¾ pound salmon with the skin

Method

• Sweat the fennel, garlic, shallots and onions until tender and translucent, in olive oil
• Add, white wine and simmer for 10 minutes
• Add, crushed red peppers, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
• Then simmer for 20 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• 30 minutes before you are going to serve your guests, take all of the fish out of the refrigerator.
• The most important part of this stew is to NOT overcook the fish.
• When you are ready to serve your guests, bring the broth up to a boil.
• Season the fish with salt and pepper and add the fish to the broth.
• Simmer the stew for approx., 6-8 minutes and then serve in bowls.
• A crunchy sour dough bread for sopping up the broth.