March 2025 Highlights
End of Q1 Already!
Is this the end of the first quarter of 2025? The news, economy, even the weather continues to be tumultuous and times like these is when we should focus on moments that bring us joy. One of my life’s mottos is that work will always happen, but the fun, you have to plan for it to happen. Here’s some of my highlights from March although the best part was going to the Arctic Circle which I will cover in a separate article.
Best wine event
I attended the Vinous Icons event, and if you've been following my travels, you've probably noticed my love for visiting wine regions. I enjoy wine not only for its taste but also because I find the wine world endlessly fascinating. This includes the science of winemaking, the traditions involved, the subjective judgments often presented as objective ratings, and the passion that generational winemakers bring to their craft.
During this tasting event, I did my best to take small sips, but it was impossible to resist the incredible selection of fabulous wines from some of the world's top producers. They will be returning with Italian wines in May, so if you're in NYC, be sure to check out the event’s lineup!
Best restaurants of March
I dined out quite a bit this month, as it's a great way to beat the winter blues. Two restaurants that stood out were Manhatta and Kiko. Manhatta boasts one of the best restaurant views in the city, and the wine pairing was exceptionally well-curated to complement each dish perfectly. One common critique of wine pairings is that the wines are often chosen to be standalone stars; however, Manhatta's selections truly enhanced the flavors of the dishes. In addition, each course was so exceptionally designed that even the heavier courses, such as foie gras, felt delightfully fruity and light, which is impressive!
As for Kiko, I initially thought it served northern Spanish cuisine based on the perfectly presented razor clams; however, the absence of basque cheesecake was a clue that I was mistaken. We tried over ten dishes, ranging from Holstein dry-aged striploin to Maine lobster crispy rice, with each dish cooked to perfection and deserving all the "oohs" and "aahs" from our table.
Manhatta views! 
Top professional event
I attended the annual Bloomberg Investor event at the Brookfield Center in Battery Park City. It was a large conference featuring panels on niche investment areas, such as longevity (which I focused on), as well as broader topics like growth equity investment funds. I had a wonderful time connecting with like-minded investors and reconnecting with some old colleagues. However, I can't help but wonder how relevant the discussions are given the current volatile economic environment, where it's difficult to predict future policies or market conditions. Perhaps we should find comfort in experiencing this uncertainty together, rather than trying so hard to rationally anticipate and plan our participation in the market.
Favorite lecture
My version of watching television is attending seminars in the city. There are endless options for expert-led lectures covering topics ranging from classical music and mainstream pop culture to more obscure and esoteric subjects like The Neuroscience of Episodic Memory in Food-Caching Chickadees. One memorable seminar I attended was about the Modernization of Opera. This field faces challenges due to its accessibility, which needs improvement to attract new patrons. It’s a delicate balance between maintaining tradition— which gives opera its meaning— and embracing innovation to adapt to changing preferences. Next month, I have an exciting lineup of seminars, including topics like Cremona luthiers and AI models in love language! It feels like my own version of a "White Lotus" lineup.
New NYC experience
I've been living in NYC for 13 years now, and this was my first Knicks game! I don't know much about basketball, but I love the energy, people-watching, and the stadium hot dogs. I would definitely go back, especially now that I own a Knicks hat, courtesy of my basketball game host picking out my perfect springtime cap.
Wedding celebrations
Love is in the air! Not much to share here other than my fabulous wedding guest outfit :)
