2022HMP_Sept_Oct_96+_rgb.indd

HAMPTONS • SEPTEMBER 2022

@AFLOATUSA

MADE IN ITALY PARDOYACHTS–THE ULTIMATE IN TIMELESS LUXURY

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AFLOAT USA

IN THIS ISSUE

Hamptons • September 2022

GRACE, POWER AND THRILL-SEEKING ADVENTURE.

EXPLORE THE TARGA RANGE

64 MADE IN ITALY

15 YACHT HAMPTON BOAT RENTAL This fall, don’t be left on the dock

Pardo yachts are the ultimate in timeless luxury

38 LEARNING TO FLY

72 CAPTAIN OF CREATIVITY Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle agency produces unparalleled events on an international scale

Writer Sarah Azarra takes us along for her lesson in Fliteboarding

60 THAT’S THE SPIRIT Welcome to cocktail heaven as dreamed up by some of our favorite mixologists

44 THE REEL DEAL Fish the Fork offers anglers a unique way to cast around the East End 50 TAIL OF A FISHERMAN WITH A GIFT Savio Mizzi shares his amazingly inspired art, both from his boat and Long Island studio

80 RGNY WINERY

A wine-making family puts their reputation on the vine

56 FARM TO NORTH FORK Rising star Chef Noah Schwartz serves up regional fare at Noah’s Restaurant in Greenport

86 TIME OUT Holzkern timepieces are a beautiful reminder to take a time out

AUTHORIZED DEALER | WARRANTY SERVICE | 631.298.4770

SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE

Contributors

Founder and Publisher Debbie Allen Co-Publisher & Head of Sales Joanna Froschl Editor-in-Chief Lynn Rosen-Bright Contributing Writers Sarah Azzara Erin Bishop Rosen Nicole Teitler Contributing Photographers Andrew Agcaoili Quin Bisset Shawn Connell Randee Daddona Rachel Herbst Christian Oth Judith Rae Kenny Sheinberg Ryan Streveler Cover Photography Cover: Courtesy of Pardo Yachts Back Cover: Ryan Streveler Copy Editor Joss Richman Cyril LeMaire Production and Printing Gregg Ward Hartley Press Distribution Maria Reininger Digital Advertising Virtual DBS Special Advisor Jenny Princer, Esq. For advertising inquiries, please contact joanna@clipmediagroup.com @afloatusa afloatusa.com ©Clip Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Jenny Princer, Esq. Creative and Design Clip Media Group Sales Beth Roth Nancy Hellmrich AFLOAT USA

RYAN STREVELER Ryan is a commercial photographer based in Detroit with a well-worn passport. For the past 18 years, he has been working with multiple brands including Hatteras Yachts, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Regal, Lexus, Yeti, Irwin, and others. His goal is to show beauty, grace, strength, and enthusiasm in his work. Focusing on shape and place, and exaggerated situations that highlight key aspects of a product, he looks for a sense of defiance and fortitude in his work.

LYNN ROSEN-BRIGHT Lynn spends time on both coasts where she channels her love of the ocean to bring marketing magic as Editor of AFLOAT USA. With over thirty years in theater and television, and refining brands for every indus- try under the sun, Lynn brings her life experiences together in her latest work, DM Butler Inspirations. You can find her @dm.butler on Instagram.

QUIN BISSET Originally from New Zealand, Quin grew up on an avocado orchard by the beach. After studying film and commercial production at the University of Canterbury and traveling through Africa filming wildlife documentaries, Quin decided to switch paths. He found himself working on feature films such as The Frighteners , Vertical Limits , Cold Mountain , and Black Hawk Down and has worked with legendary filmmakers and directors like Peter Jackson and Ridley Scott. Quin hit a professional stride with aerial cinematography. In addition to capturing some of the most iconic yachting imagery in the industry. He holds three world off-shore sailing records including the Trans-pacific and Newport-Bermuda records.

NICOLE TEITLER Nicole grew up on the shores of Long Island. An award-winning writer, her trademark, Nikki On The Daily®, has become synonymous with community and brand driven storytelling. When she doesn’t have a book or coffee in hand, Nicole can be found hiking, kayaking, or scavenging vintage shops. Email her at NTeitler@gmail.com . All handles: @NikkiOnTheDaily

SARAH AZZARA Sarah Azzara holds multiple degrees in the humanities and currently teaches writing at Stony Brook University. A writer, songwriter, visual artist, and award-winning poet, her work has appeared in numerous publications including The Southampton Review , The Santa Ana River Review , The GW Review , and POST:Stranger . When not teaching, tenting, or rocking out with her band Miss Vicious, Ms. Azzara resides in New York, where she takes care of an array of animals both human and otherwise.

ERIN BISHOP ROSEN Erin is an award-winning TV writer, screenwriter, copywriter, and creative consultant. After raising two entertaining humans, she spends her time writing, biking to the beach, and learning to surf.

AFLOAT USA

Editor’s Letter

And Boom, It’s Autumn We are coming to the end of another summer presenting a glorious view of all that’s happening in the East End—and we’re still sailing between shores catching the wind of everything not-to-be-missed in the Hamptons. It’s just that kind of place where something new is always on the horizon… If you don’t know Noah’s, read about this farm-to-table restaurant and owners Noah and Sunita Schwartz’s latest culinary venture. Then work up an appetite again for a Mediterranean feast by Sofia Crokos, event planner extraordinaire. Top it off with an introduction to the lovely RGNY winery in the North Fork. This time of year we know a lot of you are fishing for charters, and we’ve got you. Take a look at the luxury line-up of Pardo Yachts, a Savercool way to fish, and then get better acquainted with fisherman and artist, Savio Mizzi, who’s inspired paintings and fishing expertise have us absolutely hooked. One of our own takes to the water on a Fliteboard, but I’ll let her tell you all about it. And if you’re wondering whether we’re dishing on local recipes and cocktails in this issue, you won’t be disappointed. All of us at AFLOAT USA wish you and yours a happy, healthy rest of 2022. Catch you next summer!

Lynn Rosen-Bright, Editor-in-Chief

™

Series 2.2

ESCAPE YOUR ORDINARY WELCOME TO THE LARGEST AND NEWEST FLEET IN THE HAMPTONS

It ’ s a new dawn

Innovation continues. Meticulously crafted. Exquisitely designed. The ultimate ride, refined.

fliteboard.com

631-500-7777 YACHTHAMPTON.COM

MAKE THIS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SUMMER YET WELCOME TO THE LARGEST AND NEWEST FLEET OF LUXURY BOATS & YACHTS IN THE HAMPTONS

TWO WAYS TO ENJOY OUR FLEET OF BOATS AND YACHTS

LUXURY BOAT & YACHT RENTALS FOR DAILY ADVENTURE

Whether you are a native or just looking to feel like one, there is a boat with your name on it, a captain to steer you every knot of the way, and a rental price to keep your trip budget afloat.

ENJOY OUR IMPRESSIVE FLEET ALL SUMMER LONG

As a Yacht Hampton Boating Club member, you’ll gain VIP access to our large fleet of impressive new luxury boats and yachts in the Hamptons for enjoying the most stunning locations and sought-after experiences of summer. Visit yachthampton.com to join the Yacht Hampton Boating Club today.

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

FAVORITE DOCKSIDE DINING DESTINATIONS

INDULGE THE PERFECT PAIRING OF GREAT SERVICE AND DINING Take a Yacht Hampton charter to your favorite waterfront restaurant this summer and be seen at the hottest dining spots.

Ask about our special day charters to Duryea’s Orient Point Beach Club, Sunset Beach and Navy Beach.

Duryea’s Lobster Deck, Montauk & Duryea’s Orient Point

SALT Waterfront Bar & Grill, Shelter Island

Sunset Beach, Shelter Island

Le Bilboquet, Sag Harbor

Ram’s Head Inn, Shelter Island

Claudio’s Waterfront, Greenport

Gurney’s Star Island Resort, Montauk

Navy Beach, Montauk

EHP Resort & Marina, East Hampton

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

GO OVERBOARD WE’VE GOT THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF FUN WATER TOYS ON THE EAST COAST Play with a wide array of yacht toys on your own private island; a fully-equipped floating dock, tied up just for you. *

AUTHORIZED FLITESCHOOL

Learn the art of Fliteboarding with your Yacht Hampton Charter.

* Boat club members enjoy complimentary use of watersports equipment and activities on weekdays. Photo by Andrew Agcaoili.

Photo by Phil Gallagher

MOTORIZED LUXURY WATER TOYS

GROUP PADDLEBOARDING

JETSKIING

WATERSKIING & WAKEBOARDING

TUBING

VIP FISHING EXPERIENCES

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

EXPLORE HIDDEN COVES AND BEACHES

Free yourself from crowds and drop an anchor on your summer routine. Explore and experience the Hamptons in a whole new way. Find your own beach, a cove to call your own and show your family all the Hamptons has to offer.

SIGHTSEEING

SUNSET CRUISES

HIDDEN COVES AND BEACHES

OVERNIGHTS

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

ESCAPE MAKE YOU A PRIORITY

Nothing soothes the soul more than the salt and sun and a Yacht Hampton charter. Let our experienced team show you undiscovered gems of the East End while you relax and unwind.

ELEVATE YOUR DAY ON THE WATER

Take your Yacht Hampton charter to the next level with our delicious food offerings. Packaged, chilled, and hand-delivered to your captain prior to departure. All orders are full-service, stress-free, and benefit a great cause. 100% of the profits go directly to Cocoon Project, Inc., a newly founded non-profit delivering home furnishings to survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Photo by Quin Bisset

SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH FRIENDS

ENJOY FAMILY TIME

SIMPLY UNWIND

GET AWAY FROM IT ALL

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

CELEBRATE HOST AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY ON THE WATER A luxury boat or yacht is the perfect venue for any type of celebration including graduations, birthday parties, anniversaries/ engagements, kids’ parties, family reunions and more!

HAVE A LARGE GROUP? A yacht charter can transform any occasion by adding unmistakable glamour and pure enjoyment to your event. Special itineraries can be designed per request, special surprises and entertainment can all be arranged.

CHOOSE FROM THESE OPTIONS

40-PASSENGER 75’ SAILBOAT A modern classic schooner with large and wide spacious decks, wonderfully comfortable seating arrangements to entertain up to 40 guests. 90-PASSENGER EVENT YACHT Cruise the waters of the Hamptons in the summer months, and the Florida coast in the winter with this impressive classic 122 foot Winslow yacht for up to 90 people.

TWO BOAT TIE-UP Take any two of our boats and tie-up in your own lagoon for your very own boat party.

WATER TOY BIRTHDAY PARTIES

CORPORATE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

BACHELORETTE AND BACHELOR PARTIES

GRADUATIONS

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

WELCOME TO YACHT HAMPTON BOATING CLUB

Enjoy the benefits of owning a multi-million dollar collection of luxury boats and yachts.

MEMBERS ENJOY: • The boating lifestyle without the hassle of ownership • 22% savings on a package of 5 or 10 charters • A selection of 12 new luxury boats and yachts based on your mood • An enormous collection of water toys–complimentary on weekdays • VIP access–priority choice of boats and yachts • Best pricing with no hidden fees or monthly dues • Complimentary sunset cruise • A dedicated captain and crew catering to your every need THIS SUMMER, DON’T BE LEFT AT THE DOCK Yacht Hampton Boating Club is for those who want to be sure they don’t miss the boat and is the centerpiece to a memorable summer in one of the hottest destinations in the world. From a 22’ Bayliner bowrider to our sleek 62’ Pershing yacht that looks and feels as if it were custom-made for James Bond, we have a boat to match every budget and occasion.

PACKAGES START AT $9,000 To view your collection of boats and yachts, visit yachthampton.com

Photo by Ryan Streveler

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

LIVE THE YACHTING LIFESTYLE SPEND YOUR SUMMER ON THE WATER WHILE SPENDING LESS

Presenting your multi-million dollar collection of luxury boats and yachts.

YOUR MEMORABLE SUMMER STARTS HERE

All charters include a licensed captain.

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

SAG HARBOR

EAST HAMPTON

27’ 2021 YAMAHA

22’ 2021 BAYLINER

SPRING 2022 PRICING*

4 Hours Sunset $2,000 $3,000 $1,500 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

4 Hours Sunset $2,700 $3,900 $1,900 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

1 BATHROOM

27 FEET

10 PEOPLE

1 CAPTAIN

22 FEET

8 PEOPLE

1 CAPTAIN

SAG HARBOR

EAST HAMPTON

22’ 2021 BAYLINER

29’ 2022 SEA RAY SDX

SPRING 2022 PRICING*

4 Hours Sunset $2,000 $3,000 $1,500 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

4 Hours Sunset $2,700 $3,800 $1,800 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

22 FEET

8 PEOPLE

1 CAPTAIN

29 FEET

1 BATHROOM

10 PEOPLE

1 CAPTAIN

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

MAKE LOCATION BIGGER 10%

SAG HARBOR

EAST HAMPTON

28’ 2021 YACHT HAMPTON ESCAP E

36’ 2021 AQUILA CATAMARAN + SEABOB

SPRING 2022 PRICING*

4 Hours Sunset $2,600 $3,800 $1,800 6 Hours *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% .

4 Hours Sunset $4,000 $6,000 $2,800 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

1 BATHROOM

28 FEET

10 PEOPLE

1 CAPTAIN

36 FEET

12 PEOPLE

1 CAPTAIN + 1 CREW 2 BATHROOMS

OVERNIGHTS

2 BEDROOMS / SLEEPS 4

EAST HAMPTON

SAG HARBOR

43’ AZIMUT + SEABOB

32’ 2020 SUNDANCER + SEABOB

SPRING 2022 PRICING*

4 Hours Sunset $3,490 $4,790 $2,400 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

4 Hours Sunset $4,500 $6,500 $3,200 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

43 FEET

32 FEET

1 CAPTAIN

12 PEOPLE

1 CAPTAIN + 1 CREW 2 BATHROOMS

1 BATHROOM

OVERNIGHTS

2 BEDROOMS / SLEEPS 4

OVERNIGHTS

2 BEDROOMS / SLEEPS 4

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

SAG HARBOR

SHELTER ISLAND/SAG HARBOR

43’ 2021 PARDO + SEABOB

SPRING 2022 PRICING*

4 Hours Sunset $4,500 $6,500 $2,200 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

12 PEOPLE

43 FEET

1 CAPTAIN + 1 CREW 1 BATHROOM

OVERNIGHTS

2 BEDROOMS / SLEEPS 4

EAST HAMPTON

50’ AZIMUT ATLANTIS + SEABOB

62’ PERSHING + 2 SEABOBS

SPRING 2022 PRICING*

4 Hours Sunset $10,800 $13,000 $7,000 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

4 Hours Sunset $5,500 $7,500 $3,500 *Visit yachthampton.com for most current pricing. Boating club members save 22% . 6 Hours

12 PEOPLE

62 FEET

1 CAPTAIN + 1 CREW 2 BATHROOMS

50 FEET

1 CAPTAIN + 1 CREW 2 BATHROOMS

12 PEOPLE

OVERNIGHTS

2 BEDROOMS / SLEEPS 4

OVERNIGHTS

2 BEDROOMS / SLEEPS 4

www.yachthampton.com • Email: captain@yachthampton.com • Call/Text: 631-500-7777

LEARNING TO FLY

Writer Sarah Azarra takes us along for her lesson in Fliteboarding.

By Sarah Azzara Photography by Andrew Agcaoili and Debbie Allen

PERHAPS YOU’VE SEEN THEM...

...gliding soundlessly over still water or levitating above the surface like water-sport magicians: Fliteboarders are captivating the attention of onlookers all over the world. What seems like an impossible feat of physics or a skill that requires endless discipline and practice is startlingly accessible, safe, and easy. So how do you get off the shore and on that oh-so-cool board? Get yourself to a Fliteschool, and you’ll be flying in under an hour. Fliteboard, a state-of-the-art electric hydrofoil, is designed with safety and ease- of-use in mind. And with over 100 Fliteschools operating in luxury destinations all over the world, you can get your Flite on here in the Hamptons or wherever your travels might take you. From our own Hamptons Fly to Efoil New England near Boston to Fliteschool Miami Beach, or as far-flung as Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, the South of France, California, and the British Virgin

Adrian Pia, owner of Hamptons Fly

Islands, there’s a Fliteschool to get you cruising. With its unibody fuselage and complete user control of the motor, Fliteboard stands alone as the premier eFoil craft. As Rudi Miklosvary, head of Fliteboard’s US Operations explains, “Fliteboard has built in a safety mechanism into our system that ensures that you’re never going to be in the water with a large prop; you have to arm the hand controller with a conscious choice to be able to start the propeller spinning. And this is a unique design to Fliteboard.” When asked if it requires any extraordinary skill, experience, or natural grace, Miklosvary is unequivocal: “If you have enough balance that you can ride a bike, you can Fliteboard.” As a balance-challenged, middle-aged woman with sciatica and a wonky hip, I found it hard to believe that anyone could achieve this miraculous feat. So I contacted Adrian Pia, founder of Hamptons Fly, to arrange a lesson. Pia first discovered Fliteboard on a trip to Croatia with his husband. Not only was he Fliteboarding within minutes, he was soon engaging his acrobatic prowess to do handstands and back flips on the board as he cruised around the Mediterranean. “I thought it was a perfect product for the Hamptons,” “If you have enough balance that you can ride a bike, you can Fliteboard.”

40 • AFLOAT USA Hamptons September 2022

AFLOAT USA Hamptons September 2022 • 41

“Yesterday, I was teaching an 8 year old. He was incredible. Last summer, a 72 year old. She was having so much fun.”

Pia says. “It’s great for the environment, they’re electric, no noise, didn’t create waves…what else is going to be the toy of the future?” The water is choppy, and Pia mentions that this will present “a little challenge.” After I confess my natural clumsiness and general lack of athleticism, he reassures me that I will be soon tasting the freedom of Fliteboard. “I will call it a go-cart in the water,” he says, “or a magic carpet.” Encouraged, I don a wetsuit, life vest, and helmet, and get ready for my first ride. We start by checking the equipment and battery levels to make sure everything is ready to go. He then explains how to use the controller, which is simple and failsafe – I will definitely be in charge of this machine. We wade out until the water is about chest height, and I scramble onto the board. I start on my belly, getting a feel for the speed and learning to steer by shifting my weight. It’s thrilling. And less than fifteen minutes later, I’m up on my knees, arms spread like an airplane or great heron, turning and accelerating as I please. It’s exhilarating, and for this klutz (who has never successfully waterskied or snowboarded), it feels like a triumph. “It is not an extreme sport,” Pia says. “Yesterday, I was teaching an 8 year old. He was incredible. Last summer, a 72 year old. She was having so much fun.” A wonderful teacher, Adrian is there coaching and encouraging me at every stage and instructing me on how to take it to the next level. He even gets some video of my ride, and I have to admit, I look pretty cool. When the lesson is over, I can’t wait to do it again. Curious? Check out the instructional video at fliteboard.com to get a sense of what a lesson is like. When you want to try it, check out any of the Fliteschools under “Locations,” or book a lesson with Adrian at hamptonsfly.com, and you too will be soaring in no time.

Adrian Pia, Owner of Hamptons Fly

10:56

10:35

10:45

10:53

42 • AFLOAT USA Hamptons September 2022

AFLOAT USA Hamptons September 2022 • 43

Ben Savercool, 24-year-old captain, is taking the Long Island waterways by storm. The reel deal, his charter fishing business Fish the Fork offers anglers a unique way to cast around the East End. The Reel BEN SAVERCOOL

Deal

Based out of Mattituck, Fish the Fork began as a side job when Ben graduated from high school, with his 100-ton master license. Young and hungry, Ben pursued his dream of a full- fledged boating business while simultaneously working full-time as captain on private yachts, from a Hinckley to a 55-foot Zeelander. “This is where I really learned to interact with all different types of people and personalities and have used these skills in my everyday life guiding,” Ben explained. But Ben had a few years of experience under his belt by then, having worked at Strongs Marina starting at just 14 years old. “The best thing I did for my career was working at Strongs Marina. I got to dock so many different styles and sizes of boats and was put in many different situations. The experiences and lessons I learned working at this marina were very beneficial when I started captaining.” At 21, Ben launched Fish the Fork as a full-time business. There were only about 10 charters in the first season, but Fish the Fork made waves as Ben’s name and

reputation spread throughout the community. Today, Ben may be one of the younger charter boat captains out there, but it’s his distinctive fishing technique that sets him apart. While Fish the Fork conducts charters for all ages and skill levels—fly fishing, light tackle—during the spring and summer months, the more experienced anglers will be enticed by the sight fishing trips that seek out striped bass and bluefish in roughly one to three feet of water, where you can see the fish before you catch them, a common type of fishing trip in tropical destinations. Another special charter option is bottom-fishing, where sailors of all skill levels catch a variety of fish—porgies, Black Sea bass, blowfish, weakfish, kingfish—perfect for the novice angler. “Not many people know you can catch striped bass and bluefish like this. It is my favorite style of fishing!” Meanwhile, in the fall season, Ben uses a bigger boat in the Long Island Sound for

Fish the Fork specializes in sight fishing trips that seek out striped bass and bluefish in roughly one to three feet of water, where you can see the fish before you catch them.

In June, Ben hosted a single-day kids’ camp to give children an opportunity to learn fishermen’s skills.

striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore as they migrate through the North and South Fork. “They chase the bait to the surface and start feeding on them. It creates a blitz. It’s an amazing sight to see. Thousands of fish crashing bait on the surface.” Fish the Fork sets sail in all three of Long Island’s major waterways—the Long Island Sound, the Peconic Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s all dependent on what a client wants and their skill level. “Nothing compares to the east end of Long Island.

It’s such a diverse fishery.” The white sand flats are idyllic for striped bass and bluefish to roam, white the Peconic Bay is perfect for bottom-fishing.” In June, Ben hosted a single-day kids’ camp to give children an opportunity to learn fishermen’s skills—knot tying, types of fish, what bait to use, how to fillet a fish, etc. It’s a program he plans to conduct annually as the demand grows. “A lot of kids haven’t had the opportunity to ever fish before especially kids that grew up in NYC. I wanted to do my part

“Ben may be one of the younger charter boat captains out there, but it’s his distinctive fishing technique that sets him apart.”

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and help pass on the fishing tradition to the next generation.” Fish the Fork hosts fishing charters on the East End from May through the middle of November. February through May Ben will charter his flats boats out of Destin, Florida. “I have always dreamed of fishing for a living ever since I was young. Although I don’t get to personally fish much anymore, I get just as much enjoyment watching my clients catch the fish. Seeing the excitement people get catching a fish is just awesome.”

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48 • AFLOAT USA Hamptons September 2022

the

BEING ARTSEA

A FISHERMAN WITH A GIFT Tail of

Some days he holds up his latest canvas, others another ten-pound fluke.

By Sarah Azzara

24 H x 36 W The Chase / Watercolor / 2010

BEING ARTSEA

36 H x 24 W Off the Beach / Mixed Media / 2012

24 H x 36 W Hooked on Bucktail / Concept Sketch / 2021

rtist Savio Mizzi confesses, “I get very bored very easily.” Perhaps this is what drove him to become a virtuoso of so many trades. As a surrealist painter, Mizzi incorporates stunning skill with a gorgeous, untamed imagination to produce remarkable works that could come from no one else. A master carpenter, he builds exquisite craftsman furniture. And as captain of Fishooker Charters, he helps anglers land massive catches including 60-pound striped bass and fluke the size of serving platters. His connection to the sea began in his childhood in Gozo, sister island of Malta, where fishing is a way of life. He first visited the East End from Manhattan, where he had an immensely successful career in illustration and special effects, working in advertising and designing book covers for St. Martin’s Press. So what lured him from the glamour of New York City’s high life? The teeming sea life beneath the shimmering waters of Montauk. “So I go to Montauk fishing, and the fishing was insane. I mean, like you've never seen in your life: fish between my legs under the surf—It's crazy... I remember I called my wife I told her listen, I think A

I died and went to fish heaven.” And that was it. Although he continued to do freelance illustration work and started a profitable handyman business, the siren call of the ocean had ensnared him, and he could not stay off the water. “If it wasn't for fishing, I’d be a multimillionaire because I was doing well,” he says. Although it’s clear as he spends his days

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BEING ARTSEA

on the deck of his 23’ Parker, reeling in gargantuan catches and sighting hammerheads, he’s still doing quite well indeed. Marine life is also central to Mizzi’s art. And like fishing, his love of creating art began at an early age. His father was a painter and makeup artist who worked on movies shooting in Malta, where his mother also worked as a wardrobe mistress. Savio has been drawing and painting as long as he can remember, resulting in his unparalleled skill as a draftsman. His keen understanding of anatomy, both human and otherwise, has enabled him to create staggeringly powerful compositions that nod to legends like Dali while remaining unmistakably Mizzi. Outlandish, mind- blowing figures that morph from sea creature to nude seem to erupt effortlessly from his skilled hands. His work comprises impeccable precision with a wild, surrealist sensibility to create unforgettable images that unfold more secrets the longer one gazes at them. Although Mizzi possesses the skill level of a photorealist, such approaches do not interest him. “If I decide to do a fish, whatever, I like to incorporate things into it, because it gets boring to Even his more naturalistic pieces vibrate with color, energy, and his lifelong love of experimentation.

Mizzi creates unforgettable images that unfold more secrets the longer one gazes at them.

24 H x 36 W Bluefin / Mixed Media / 2019

coffee on it. So then I kept going with the coffee. That’s cool.” Mizzi enjoys the properties and limitations of the materials he uses: the inherent motility of watercolors, the long play of oils, the fast- drying intensity of acrylics. Not one to be restricted in his choices, he’ll mix mediums that are not traditionally

me…” His work is provocative and brimming with story, taking the viewer to unexpected, forbidden places. “Anything goes with art,” he explains. Even his more naturalistic pieces vibrate with color, energy, and his lifelong love of experimentation. “I did a self-portrait, and believe it or not, I dropped

both disciplines have run through his veins since his Mediterranean youth. Having left the prescriptive confines of the corporate art scene, Mizzi lives a life of adventure and expression, fearlessly chronicling his rich inner world through stunning art works that benefit all who are fortunate enough to experience them.

used together to produce astonishing, arresting works that draw the eye and pierce the soul. He also produces both monochromatic and multicolor pencil works, filling over twenty sketchbooks. There are those who do and those who are. Savio Mizzi is the epitome of an artist and a fisherman:

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Pan Roasted Striped Bass with Shaved Summer Squash, Cherry Tomatoes, Snap Peas, and Basil Oil.

Photo by Rachel Herbst

ising star Chef Noah Schwartz and his wife, a certified sommelier, Sunita Schwartz, serve “farm-to-fork” regional fare at Noah, their restaurant located in the heart of historic Greenport. Fresh from an appearance on Good Day New York and on-site at his new venture, The Chequit on Shelter Island, Chef Noah shared his passion for cooking what he refers to as “a California Mediterranean style and just generally pretty simple and overall healthy." After New England culinary school, Noah spent eight years perfecting his cuisine in Napa and Sonoma, California. He says, “The style of cuisine in California was very farm to table and super R By Erin Rosen Photography by Rachel Herbst FARM -TO- (NORTH) FORK

this year because we had a cold spring, and it’s just the way it goes sometimes.” For one of his most popular local dishes, he knows when the squash blossoms are around and how long their season lasts. And since his relationship with farmers has evolved to the point that they know he likes to serve them on his menu, they reach out to him, “Hey Chef, blossoms are ready. Just to give you a heads up if you wanna get them on your menu!” For an incredible farm-to- fork experience, head to Noah’s, 136 Front Street, Greenport, NY, 11944, call 631-477-6720 or visit chefnoahs.com.

seasonal.” When he opened Noah's restaurant in 2010, he brought that plan with him and cultivated his own relationships with farmers, fishers, and vintners for sourcing local fresh produce, cheeses, meats, poultry, and seafood. Sunita pairs the menu with wines sourced locally within Long Island’s famous wine country and abroad. Chef Noah explains, “I know when asparagus starts and ends. I know when peas are sweetest and when strawberries are in. I know I will have local corn by the 4th of July weekend. It’s also based on the weather. Mid-April, we’ll see asparagus, but everything was late

Chef Noah Schwartz, Noah’s Restaurant Photo by Rachel Herbst

NORTH FORK STUFFED SQUASH

by Chef Noah Schwartz Serves 4 Ingredients 1 container of Satur Farms squash blossoms (Available July–September)

1 lb Catapano Farms goat cheese 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 tbs aged balsamic vinegar Tempura Batter 2 cups ice cold sparkling water 3/4 cup cornstarch 3/4 cup all purpose flour

Tempura Batter Preparation Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Add more sparkling water or more cornstarch as needed to bring the mixture to the consistency of heavy whipping cream. Squash Blossom Preparation Whip goat cheese and finely chopped basil until smooth in a food processeor. Fill blossoms with goat cheese mixture. Pour 2 tbs oil into a sauté pan and place over medium heat. Dip filled blossoms into the tempura batter and let excess batter drip off. Place battered blossoms in the pan and pan fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides (Approximately 1-2 minutes on each side). Place on a baking rack or paper towel lined platter to remove excess oil. Drizzle with aged balsamic vinegar and serve over your favorite greens. Photography by Rachel Herbst

Stuffed Squash Blossoms at Noah’s

AFLOAT USA Hamptons September 2022 • 59

SPECIAL PROMOTION

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

THE GARDENER'S ‘REPOSE’ Lulu Kitchen & Bar, Sag Harbor

THAT’S THE SPIRIT Welcome to cocktail heaven as dreamed up by some of our favorite mixologists.

Muddle the blackberries in a shaker. Add all the ingredients to follow. Shake + pour with the ice (known as a “dirty pour”) into a Collins glass. Garnish with a thyme sprig and skewered blackberry.

2 Muddled Blackberries 2 oz Don Fulano Reposado 2 oz Fresh Watermelon Juice

1/2 oz Cointreau 1 oz Lime Juice 1/4 oz Simple Syrup

MJP MARGARITA Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, Montauk

Shake all ingredients and pour over fresh ice. Garnish with dehydrated lime and jalapeño salt and tajín rim. Recommended Glassware Margarita or double old-fashioned glass.

2 oz Casamigos Jalapeño infused Tequila 1/2 oz Cointreau 3/4 oz Lime Juice 3/4 oz Pineapple Juice 3/4 oz Mango Purée 1/2 oz Agave Nectar

BLACK MAGICK Coche Comedor, Amagansett

Shake all ingredients and strain over fresh ice; garnish with orange wedge dipped in salt. Recommended Glassware Double old fashioned or 12 oz+ Barrel Rocks glass.

2 oz Union Uno Mezcal 1 oz Lime Juice 1/2 oz Combier Orange 1/2 oz Blackberry Purée 1/2 oz Agave Syrup 1/4 oz American Fruits Black Currant Cordial Credit: Choche’s Summer Tender Team

SPECIAL PROMOTION

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

CUCUMBER MARGARITA Rita Cantina, Springs

4 oz Spanish Rosé (or any Rosé) 1/2 oz Giffard Pamplemousse 1/2 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao 1/4 oz POM Juice 1 Strawberry 1 Small Wedge Orange and Lemon Approx. 1 oz Carbonated Water (seltzer, club, or sparkling mineral water) ROSÉ SANGRIA Rowdy Hall, East Hampton

In a shaker, muddle fruit, spirits, and POM juice. Add Rosé to shaker and pour ingredients over ice in wine glass. Pour carbonated water to the rim. Stir gently to combine.

2 oz Blanco Tequila 1 oz Cucumber Juice 1 oz Lime Juice 3/4 oz Simple Syrup

Juice fresh lime and fresh cucumber. Make a 1:1 simple syrup with cane sugar. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake. Strain over fresh ice to eliminate any pieces of fruit. Garnish with cucumber wedge. Recommend Glassware Double old fashioned or 12.5 oz Rocks glass.

Credit: Honest Man’s Beverage Director, Chimene MacNaughton

Created by Beverage Director Adam Miller & Rita Cantina Beverage Team

1.5 oz Green Chartreuse 1.5 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice 1/2 oz House-made Coconut Cream PIÑA VERDE Nick and Toni’s, East Hampton

CAMPFIRE SOUR The Pridwin Hotel, Shelter Island

Shake all ingredients vigorously to combine; strain over crushed ice or small cubes of ice; Garnish with mint sprig. Recommended Glassware Decorative 10 oz highball or tall Tiki glass.

Shake vigorously. Double strain, serve up. Garnish: angostura bitters design. Lemons zested and discarded.

1 oz Cinnamon Whiskey 1/2 oz Demarera 1 oz Brandy 3/4 oz Lemon 3 dashes Smokey Pear Bitters

(substitute Coco Lopez) 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice

Credit: Honest Man’s Beverage Director, Chimene MacNaughton

SUNSET COSMO The Pridwin Hotel, Shelter Island

2 oz Casamigos Mezcal 1/2 oz of Organic Light Blue Agave 1 oz of Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice SMOKEY SPICY MEZCAL Maidstone Inn, East Hampton

Add all ingredients, shake over ice, pour into a Rocks glass & garnish with a roasted lime wheel & roasted jalepeño. Try adding a dash of fresh watermelon juice! Recommend Glassware Rocks glass rimmed with Tajin.

Shake all ingredients vigorously, strain in martini coup. Garnish with a splash of cranberry juice It will sink to the bottom of the glass to create the “sunset” .

2 oz Tequila 3/4 oz Pineapple Juice 1/2 oz Lime Juice 1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Credit: Maidstone bar team

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Italian made and obsessed with details, Pardo Yachts are the ultimate in timeless luxury. VA BENE, LO PRENDE *

*Okay, I’ll take it!

BY ERIN ROSEN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TAIT YACHTS

PARDO 43

PARDO 50

fter making a huge splash at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in 2020, Tait Yachts of Sag

Harbor got right on board with the Italian company that was new to the market but not to the art of boat building. Blade Hovekamp, a broker for Tait Yachts, explains the excitement surrounding Pardo Yachts, a line crafted in Cantiere del Pardo’s boatyard in Italy that has over fifty years of experience in the construction of over 4000 boats. “They were originally sailboat builders, so this was their first endeavor into powerboats. Now there’s a lot of competition in this space, but we think Pardo has the edge because of its ability to separate itself with their exterior entertainment spaces.” The Pardo Yacht is a fantastic weekender boat known not only for its gorgeous aesthetic, but its walkaround design guarantees extra space for maneuverability and safe access to the bow deck. The gunwale is high and wide, so there’s an exceptional amount of seating. And with the amount of high freeboard, they offer a remarkably dry ride. The Pardo 38 is their sportiest model. Of the three walkaround models with sleep formats, there’s surprisingly excellent headroom down below. It sleeps four. There’s

A FANTASTIC WEEKEND BOAT

Luxurious ITALIAN SUMMERS Right here in the Hamptons.

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Tait Yachts is a boutique-style brokerage specializing in local and worldwide yacht sales, charters, new construction projects, and private yacht management.

a junior stateroom and one with two single births. Next up, the Pardo 43 and Pardo 50 offer even more space for sunning and entertainment. Both the 43 and 50’s hulls were explicitly designed to equip an IPS driving system making the boats extremely user-friendly, so handling and docking is a much easier task. An exciting recent addition to the line is the new Pardo 52GT which has the same hull as the Pardo 50, but this model has a pilothouse and salon (or you can customize it with a galley). Excited about this model in particular, Blade explains, “We do have a short season up here. The prime months are July and August. In any month, June to September, while they can be very beautiful, they can also get cold and windy. So having the GT52, which has the same hull as the 50 but with an enclosure, allows you to extend the season. You could easily be out in October during its handful of really nice weekends, and if it gets a little colder, you can go inside and run the heat. Perfect boat for the northeast.” The largest of the models is the Pardo E60. With the same comfort and sophistication of its smaller versions, it clearly can go the distance with its long-range navigation. Pardo Yacht’s exceptional value is evident in every boat they build, including advanced technologies, design, elegance, quality, customization; the attention

PARDO 60

PARDO 50

PARDO 43

PARDO 60

PARDO 52gt

PARDO 60

to long-term charters in the Med and the Caribbean, so we cover all the bases.” Tait Yachts is a family-owned business that is happy to have people call, send an email, or walk in – located on the waterfront in Sag Harbor at 1A Bay Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963, call 631-725-4222 or visit taityacht.com.

all the way down there. Some of the 50s, you can head over to the Bahamas and have a really fun weekend.” Tait Yachts, a boutique-style brokerage specializing in local and worldwide yacht sales, charters, new construction projects, and private yacht management, includes a Pardo 43 in their charter lineup. “We do anything from short-term

given to creating a superior experience. Blade confirms the market is solid for these unique boats. “Specifically for our client base in Florida as well as Sag Harbor. We’ve had a lot of clients who will come up here for the summer and then head down to Florida for the winter, so it’s a good boat you can run

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AT THE HELM

CAPTAIN OF CREATIVITY

SOFIA CROKOS

Sofia Crokos, founder of the events & lifestyle agency that bears her name, is indeed captain of creativity aboard her production company known for unparalleled event execution on an international scale.

By Nicole Teitler // Photographed by Shawn Connell

AT THE HELM

ased in New York City and the Hamptons, Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle agency has been creating

her signature Mediterranean-style experiences for private, high-end clients since its launch in 1998. “I love anything on the water or near the water. Water to me is so serene and gorgeous,” Sofia explains regarding her penchant for coastal elegance. Although born and raised in Brooklyn, New York her family’s origins are rooted in Evia and the Peloponnese Islands In southern Greece. It’s this connection to her birthright that has inspired her work that’s led to features in fashion magazines like Harpers Bazaar and Vogue. Sofia combines her New York business sense and Greek heritage to curate one-of-a-kind experiences for each private client, with high regard for their individual tastes and privacy. It’s a skillset nearly 25 years in the making. Sofia has produced coastal events around the world—from the Hamptons and the tropical regions of Florida to Nevis, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. She’s thrown fêtes in Paris and the French Riviera, Istanbul and returned to her Greek cultural roots in Mykonos, Santorini and around the Aegean Sea. “There’s something very tranquil about the water for many people. Even when it’s on the rougher side, it has a special energy that comes out of it.” The creative process begins with a blank slate; a white canvas gradually fashioned through the various layers of production. “It starts with music. Color comes through the food and the surround- ings….and textures are very “Our clients come to us primarily because we love to travel whether it’s on the West Coast or somewhere in New York, clients want a destination feel.”

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AT THE HELM

important.” Bougainvillea flowers, blues, and classic lines are some signature touches added to a nautical-styled event. Each experience represents a special moment for her, as well as her clients, conveyed in every detail. It’s an opportunity to tell a client’s story through the five senses, one they hope will be revisited again and again—through memories, photographs, and video. Her most unique event on the water was a seven-figure wedding production near the beach in East Hampton that featured a black tent instead of an archetypal white tent. “We brought the outside inside.” When it comes to event produc- tion it is always best to expect the unexpected. But Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle’s years of experience are unparalleled with their resources,

created over decades, that make the ability to adapt, for them, business-as-usual. Sofia recalled an August wedding she engineered in Santorini, a time that’s typically chaotic to produce events in the area. A month and a half prior to the wedding date, the original venue couldn’t provide the final permits and the agency was forced to re-evaluate the situation. Sofia and her team acted quickly to find a change of venue, and through their network, they were able to transition all of the plans to a stunning villa on the island. Envision long tables overlooking the Calderas of Santorini. A common thread between Sofia’s New York City and Hamptons’ clients is they both yearn for a journey with tented events, even if those journeys don’t necessarily require a passport. Responding to their request, a sense of travel in the mind is created for clients, even if they cannot take flight physically. “They come to us primarily because we love to travel,” Sofia explained. Whether it’s on the West Coast or somewhere in New York, clients want a destination feel. “The Hamptons is a destination, whether they grew up here or came on a trip.” Sofia prides herself on going a step beyond the quintessential New York productions. Each of her events cre- ates a setting that transports guests to another location or different era, as if they have stepped into a scene from Mamma Mia or Zorba the Greek. While Sofia hasn’t brought her talents out to sea yet, she reveals

“It would be thrilling to host an event on a boat. I’d love that opportunity. I see something very chic and elevated, but also tasteful and understated.”

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