Daily Front Row

2011 August 29

From The Daily Dan! Whatever Happened to Fabian Basabe?

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Fabian Basabe
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(NEW YORK) New York nightlife hasn’t been the same since its prodigal son-about-town, Fabian Basabe, moved to Miami. Because you care (and you know we love you for that!), The Daily hunted him down to discuss his grown-up life (and Hamptons memories). You can take the boy out of the party, but can you take the party out of the boy? BY EDDIE ROCHE 

You’re a happily married father living in Florida. Say what? 
I love it! I’ve been here for three years now. I love taking care of people. But I’m young at heart, and I hope I always stay that way.

How old is your son?
He’s two years old, and he communicates in three languages. I speak to him in Spanish and Italian; my wife only uses Italian. We’re trying to save English just for school. 

Are you going to have more kids?
We decided early that we only wanted one, but if he wants a sibling, we’ll revisit the idea. 

How old are you now? 
I’m 33. I’m not aging, though. 

What have you been doing since you left New York?
I owned two restaurants, my attempt at entrepreneurship. I’ve recently retired. It’s kind of what I do best. But I just started a position as a correspondent for the Plum Daily for Plum TV in Miami.

Did owning a business make you a grown-up?
I’ve certainly evolved, but I don’t think it’s changed who I am at all, because that’s not the way I’m built. I’m just adding more elements to my life.

Are you tan all year long now?
I’m always tan! I don’t even fake bake. Well, I did it once. I always refer to that year as the one where I was more tan 
than everyone else. Except maybe George Hamilton. 

What are the main differences between Miami and New York? 
In both places, you can find a party. The main difference is the freaking humidity. 

How was your recent trip to the Hamptons? 
I didn’t go as crazy as you’d expect. I stayed with Jonathan Morr, who owns Bond Street. On Sunday, we went to Lauren Bush’s Moët & Chandon event for FEED at Navy Beach. I got to see some friends who I haven’t seen in forever like Lauren, David (Lauren), Leyla (Marchetto), and Ric Pipino.  

Anyone say, ‘Where have you been?’
Not really. I stay in touch with my friends.  

You sound like such a goodie-goodie. 
Not at all! I still have a 5 a.m. curfew. My lovely wife came up with it over a decade ago after a wild birthday party I had at the old Lotus. She made me sign a contract where if I’m even one minute late after the hour, there was a penalty, which was a gift. I don’t even remember signing the contract, but she’s still holding me to it.

We read somewhere that, at one point,  you wanted to become the male Paris Hilton. Is that true? 
No. I’ve never made that comment, but I don’t take it as an insult. I find it to be a compliment, really. Paris created an empire, and I’m a fan. 

Why are you so confident? 
I don’t think I am! I’m more on the simple side. I come from good stock.

Do you get annoyed when people nose around your finances?
No. People say, ‘Why don’t you get a job and support yourself? Why is your family always taking care of you?’ I’m grateful and appreciative, and live my life to the fullest. I’m not wasteful. I don’t have to justify anything to anyone.

Back to the Hamptons: did you just go for the nightlife?
Well, I went out Monday through Friday in the city, so the weekends were a time to sleep and order Chinese food and be with friends. We’d have cinnamon buns freshly made and delivered every morning. Eventually, I was always able to be convinced to go to one of the many different parties that were happening simultaneously at 10 different houses and 14 different nightclubs. Fun happens. It’s not that difficult to persuade me to take things to the next level. 

Why does trouble after dark always seem to find you?
I don’t know. I guess I just go with the night and see where it takes me. Sometimes I never get tired. My mother always said, ‘Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.…’ When I was younger, I would say, ‘Mom, it’s not true! It’s so much fun. I don’t remember it, but it’s so much fun.’

Talk us through your all-time favorite party in the Hamptons.
There was that Calvin Klein party, in the haunted house in Southampton, with the shark tank.… And I’ve always loved the ACRIA parties. I went to one of the first ones at Sunset Beach, and somehow, by the end of the night, I ended up wearing one of the Hello Kitty sarongs from the gift bag because I lost all my clothes.   

What’s the best hangover cure?
It depends on where you were and what you were drinking. This, I am certain, is the number one cure: a Bloody Mary made with pepper-infused vodka, like Absolut Pepper. But I don’t like tomato juice, so I just order Chinese food and drink Diet Coke.

Do you get hangovers often?
Rarely. Unless I go to one of the parties where the drinks are all fruity. I’m usually a Patron on the rocks kind of guy. I’m a superhero.

Would you be keeping Page Six on its toes if you still lived here?
I’m pretty sure I’m still as interesting.