Sant Ambroeus turns 90, new galleries, and more.
Welcome to the first edition of our monthly cultural column, where we spotlight the moments shaping May in New York. From Sant Ambroeus celebrating its 90th anniversary to exciting new gallery openings in SoHo and Midtown to a buzzy new restaurant in East Williamsburg, consider this a primer on what you need to know across the worlds of food, art, and wellness.
Sant Ambroeus Celebrates Its 90th Anniversary with New Plates
To mark one of New York’s most iconic restaurants’ 90th anniversary, Sant Ambroeus hosted a celebratory event at their Soho location with cocktails and signature bites. For the occasion, the restaurant tapped illustrator Tess Ramirez to redesign their iconic plate wall. When asked what inspired her designs, Ramirez tells us: “A combination of menu staples and beloved dishes, including the iconic princess cake and paninetti, early restaurant and coffee bar locations, and of course, the integral team members behind the scenes, including creative director, Alireza Niroomand, director of hospitality and brand experience, Fernando Federici, and general manager/managing partner at Casa Lever, Antonio Colombani.”
Image courtesy of the Artist and Andrew Dubow. Paul Becker – Boy, 2023, pencil on paper, 23.2 x 16.5 inches
Andrew Dubow Opens His Gallery with a Paul Becker Show
Art dealer and advisor Andrew Dubow has opened his own gallery with his first exhibition being the works of Paul Becker, a London-based painter and writer. Becker draws on fin de siècle themes and early 20th-century aesthetics, creating haunting figures using delicate pencil strokes and soft pastel hues. With an opening night that welcomed a dynamic art and design crowd including fashion designer Colleen Allen and interior designer Martin Brûlé (who created the latest Chanel Cruise show set), it’s a gallery worth keeping an eye on. The Paul Becker exhibit will run until June 6th.
Lore Bathing Club’s Grand Opening
After months of anticipation, Lore Bathing Club, the NoHo-based spa has finally opened its doors. The space officially launched this week, with grand opening programming taking place from May 15–17, featuring sound baths, partner sessions, and community-led experiences. Designed around rituals, social recovery, and intentional return, the spa offers a restorative sanctuary in the heart of the city. From sauna sessions to cold plunges, it’s set to become a go-to reset spot for New York’s busiest and buzziest crowd.
Soho Welcomes a New Immersive Art Space
Another exciting new gallery to note is Studio 2M. Founded and curated by Abby Caulkins, the Mercer Street space launched with the exhibition Ad Hoc, showcasing works by Marie Hazard and Constança Entrudo. Hazard and Entrudo met while studying at Central Saint Martins, and though their practices have since diverged, they draw parallels through ongoing dialogue. The former approaches textile through weaving, photography and painting, while the latter creates statement garments and vibrant textiles. The expansive loft allows both bodies of work to exist in a symbiosis, creating a conversation throughout the space. Ad Hoc runs until June 12th.
Comité Colbert Presents Hidden Treasures
Founded in 1954 in Paris, Comité Colbert is an association that aims to promote, transmit and develop French savoir-faire. It’s coming to New York with Hidden Treasures, an exhibition celebrating 250 years of cultural exchange between France and the United States. Running from May 26–31, 2026, you’ll find exceptional objects and archival materials, spanning an over two centuries long artistic exchange. 65 maisons and institutions, such as Baccarat, Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gaultier and Van Cleef & Arpels, will each unveil an object, or “hidden treasure”, symbolizing the journey across the Atlantic.
Belmond Introduces Writers on the Rails
For anyone who loves glamorous journeys by rail. Belmond’s infamous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has released a book compiling six short stories by celebrated authors inspired by their journeys onboard. Elizabeth Day, Ottessa Moshfegh, Bernardine Evaristo, Rebecca F. Kuang, David Nicholls, and George the Poet all reflect on the special moments lived on this iconic route. Meant to be a literary companion to guests aboard the train, it offers moments of reflection and indulgence as best exemplified by slow travel through European landscapes.
New York Design Meets Venice Artisanry
Just in time for New York Design Week, the studio In Common With unveiled the Lido Series in collaboration with Venetian glass atelier Laguna~B. Consisting of four lighting designs and two accompanying drinking glasses, the collection merges centuries-old craftsmanship with a distinctly contemporary sensibility. While Murano glass goblets have become an obsession appearing in nearly every concept store and curated interior, this iteration feels genuinely fresh. In particular the sconces and orb pendant bring a welcome vitality to the design scene, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them featured in the next issue of Architectural Digest.
Image Courtesy Canal House
A New Restaurant Opens Amongst the Amant Art Campus
Houseman’s chef Ned Baldwin opens the long-awaited Zoli in East Williamsburg. The new restaurant is a welcomed addition to the complex, which aims to promote contemporary art and already includes exhibition and performance spaces, residencies, a café, and a bookstore. With a menu inspired by local everyday food (local meaning New York) there’s a focus on fish as a nod to Baldwin’s history as a longtime fisherman. Located on the ground floor of the former warehouse, you’ll find a 35-seat restaurant and 18-seat bar separated by a grand installation: “Satellite,” an artwork by artist Pierre Huyghe featuring three big aquariums dividing the bar and main dining area.
Josh Safdie Reissues a Book About New York City
This week marks the reissue of At the Bottom of the Harbor featuring a new introduction by Josh Safdie along with original illustrations by Joana Avillez. The iconic collection of stories centered on life along New York’s waterfront is newly reimagined through Avillez’s drawings, bringing Mitchell’s tales of the city vividly to life. Serving as a tribute to the city itself, the book tells us what it means to be a New Yorker by bridging the legacy of Joseph Mitchell (one of The New Yorker’s most celebrated writers) with Safdie’s distinctly NYC-tinged filmmaking, and Avillez’s lifelong connection to the city as an artist and contributor of The New Yorker.
Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses
The Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t the only cultural institution worth visiting if you’re a fashion lover. Fans of avant garde design take note: The Brooklyn Museum will be showcasing an expansive collection of Iris van Herpen’s haute couture pieces. Called Sculpting the Senses, you’ll find runway looks and one-of-a-kind creations alongside contemporary artworks by Philip Beesley, Rogan Brown, Casey Curran, Kim Keever, and Nick Knight as well as natural artifacts that have inspired van Herpen’s creations. From May 17 to December 6, visitors will be able to dive into the extraordinary world of the designer and her visionary exploration of the body’s place in space, its relationship to clothing, technology, and environment.
