New York City
EAT
*Favorites
Breakfast + Lunch
Balthazar - Classic bistro in Soho, great for a breakfast meeting, drink at the lively bar or a festive meal
Buvette - Coffee + croissant or wine + bites in the West Village
Café Select - Weekend lunch or late dinner popular among an International crowd
Gotan - Popular for lunch in Tribeca
Jack’s Wife Freda - American-Mediterranean breakfast, lunch or with multiple location
Los Tacos No. 1 - Weekday breakfast burritos
Pastis - Classic Bistro by restauranteur Keith McNally in Meatpacking
*Ruby’s - Popular, affordable spot in Nolita and East Village
*Sadelles - Elevated brunch known for their decadent bagels + spreads
Sant Ambroeus - Great breakfast, lunch or dinner - solo, group of with clients/friends - with amazing service and many locations throughout the city (Favorite is on Lafayette in Soho)
Two Hands - Consistently good and healthy lunch with multiple locations
Yves - Great for weekend breakfast/lunch in Tribeca
Dinner
Manhattan
4 Charles - Decadent meat-oriented menu in an intimate clubhouse feel with excellent wines and people watching. Burger is a must!
ABC V - Jean Georges’ veggies done right
L’Artusi - Date night with consistently delicious Italian and an impressive wine list. Highlights: Scallop crudo, branzino, mushroom garganelli
Bab’s - Sexy dining room with creative Spanish cuisine and great cocktails
Bar Pitti - Mushrooms, buratta, fiesolana, salmon, insalta pitti!
Barrio Chino - Tacos and grapefruit Margs in the Lower East Side
Blue Hill - Their NYC location re-opened with Family Meal after COVID and it’s the best for a special meal
Cafe Mogador - Simple, fresh and flavorful Moroccan food in the East Village & Williamsburg
Casino - Beautiful dining room with a great front bar perfect for aperitivo in the Lower East Side
*Cervo’s - Lively seafood spot in Lower East Side with Portugese/Spanish influences
*Chambers - Absolute hidden gem in Tribeca, with great food and the best wine list around
*Charlie Bird - Excellent American-Italian fusion with beautiful people and fun music, and fantastic wine
Crown Shy - Delicious, creative dishes with a fine dining-feel in FiDi
Demo - Standout “wine bar” who’s food is as good as the wine
DOMODOMO Sushi - Great sushi spot on Houston with outdoor seating
Estela - Grab a glass of vino + the black rice and whatever else sounds good. Perfect for a catch up with a friend at the bar or date spot.
Gem Wine - Girls night, date night, any night for yummy, fresh food + wine
*Il Posto Accanto - Fantastic homemade pasta + veggies in this hidden East Village gem.
*Joe & Pats’s - Personal favorite pizza in the city, similar to the popular Rubirosa (thin, not greasy) but more flavorful and less of a scene
Loring Place - Great for dinner with your parents
Los Mariscos - Tiny spot off of Chelsea Market with excellent tacos, Aguachile + ceviche
*Fish Cheeks - Delicious inventive and a (big) step above your typical Thai
Fiaschetteria Pistoia - Authentic Italian with two locations and amazing homemade pastas
*Four Horsemen - Inventive, delicious cuisine with a recently acquired Michelin star. Incredible wine (mostly natural) and music
Frenchette - Tribeca-spot for French food and a quality scene
Hasaki - Serving some of New York’s best Sushi since the 80s. Recently opened a back garden for dining!
*Houseman - Delicious off-the-beaten-track spot, recently recognized by the NY Times with creative plant-focused dishes, and a standout steak frites & burger
*Indochine - A New York Staple where the food (Asian) is just as good as the ambiance and people watching (Highlights: spring rolls, baby back ribs, and sea bass)
I Sodi - Delicious Italian in their new location with a pretty backyard. Try for a res, otherwise go for weekend lunch and sit at the beautiful bar!
Juku - Hidden gem serving Japanese with a cool downstairs bar in Chinatown.
*Kikis - Fun Greek spot, be prepared to put your name down and wait (stop by to Nine Orchard, Parcelles or Bar Belly for a drink while you wait!)
King - Female run, daily-changing menu that’s delicious
La Lanterna - Old school Italian on Macdougal with a covered terrace and fireplace
*Lucien - Best French in NYC (Filet mignon with extra au poivre!)
Malaparte - Cozy Italian spot with great fish and pasta in the West Village
Malatesta - Similar to Malaparte, a classic, lively Italian spot in the West Village
Manhatta - Best view in NYC with a destination-worthy cocktail program and celebratory lunch or dinner
*Mr Taka - Awesome Ramen in LES
Noortwyck - A great option with excellent food in the West Village
*Odeon - New York staple for any time of day
*Pasquale Jones - Tried this one too late in life… tasty pasta, pizza and really good wine in beautiful Zalto glasses
*Raf’s - Fun spot with high quality food + wine in heart of Noho/Nolita
Raouls - Cassic New York bistro in the heart of Soho
Rin Tin TIn - Drinks or dinner (dood seafood) with a great outdoor set up
Rubirosa - VERY popular Pizza in Nolita
Sant Ambroueus Soho - Weekday coffee or after-dinner drinks (food is overpriced but consistent in my POV)
*Shabu Tatsu - East Village spot with the best Japanese/Korean BBQ with grills and hot pots at your table - great for groups of friends or with kids!
*Sushi Katsuei - High quality sushi in the West Village and Park Slop
Sushi by M - A fun, somewhat affordable and always delicious Omakase
*Takahachi - Consistent, sushi and Japanese plates with two locations, Tribeca + East Village
*Taverna Kyclades - Casual greek spot on a not-so attractive corner (14th and 1st) with some of the best fish & Greek vino
The Commerce Inn - Lovely West Village spot for drinks or din, in a British-pub x tavern setting
*Thirteen Water - Solid ~$75 Omakase in East Village - go!
Waverly Inn - West Village hot spot for an elevated weekend brunch or celebratory dinner
Wayan - Great asian food in a sexy setting in Nolita
Wayla - Thai in a great courtyard
Westville - Healthy, affordable and consistent food
Wildair - Innovative wine bar in LES serving fresh and often unexpected ingredients
Yves - Quality Tribeca neighborhood spot with great modern French dishes and wine
Brooklyn
Aldama - Elevated Mexican in a well-designed setting
Bar Vinazo - Excellent spanish tapas, sandwiches and wine in Park Slope
Bricologe - Vietnamese in Park Slope
Cecily - Adorable spot in Greenpoint with a great wine list and menu
Claro - Oaxacan-style dishes with excellent Mezcal cocktails in Gowanus
*Eyval - Amazing Persian in East Williamsburg that is worth the trek
*Fausto - Elevated Italian on border of Park Slope and Prospect Heights
*For All Things Good - Authentic and delicious Mexican with locations in Williamsburg and Bed Stuy
*Gertrudes - Delicious local Prospect Heights spot, great for dinner or weekend lunch!
Lalou - Wine bar with great food in Prospect Heights
Llama Inn - Peruvian in Williamsburg
Lilia - Put a Resy alert for a chance to dine at this popular Italian spot
*Lighthouse - Excellent food in a casual but charming atmosphere
*Misi - Amazing pasta & creative veg dishes in a chic Brooklyn setting
Miss Ada - Favorite spot in Fort Greene feat. Israeli Mediterranean food
Radio Kwara - West African cuisine in charming Clinton Hill
Red Hook Tavern - Cozy space with excellent food in Red Hook. Put your name down and grab a drink at nearby Sunny’s, an old-school saloon
Sailor - Excellent, elevated, cool
Sofreh - A fabulous Persian spot in Prospect Heights/Park Slope
St Anselm - Delicious steakhouse in Williamsburg
Suzume - Ramen and sake carafes in Williamsburg
Budget Friendly Bites & Snacks
Café Gitane - Aperitif al fresco, across from a pretty church
Dimes - Healthy choice in LES/Chinatown, with great bowls and breakfast tacos!
Frenchette Bakery - Quick croissant and coffee spot in Tribeca
Joes - Best “dollar” slice pizza in the city
La Esquina - Grab-and-go taco joint (Shrimp or fish tacos!) in the heart of Soho/Nolita (street level taqeuria vs basement dining room)
L’Industrie - Amazing pizza by the slice in Williamsburg
Lodi - Espresso or panini break in Rockefeller Center
Los Tacos - Best tacos in the city with multiple locations
Lovely Day - Best spot for catching up with a friend over Thai (Highlights: Chow Fun noodles, Chinese broccoli)
Lupes - Go-to for mex and margs
Madhufalla Organic - Best smoothies & juices in all of NYC (Highlight: the Raw Super with peanut butter).
Naruto Ramen - Delicious Ramen in Park Slope
Nom Wah Nolita - Great, to-go dumplings (Highlight: Edamame dumplings)
Pi Bakerie - Greek bites in Soho + FiDi
Taïm - Delicious to-go falafel
Taqueria Ramirez - Authentic Mexican street tacos in Greenpoint
SPECIALTY SHOPS
Appartement 4F- New York’s best croissants
Boisson - Excellent selection of non-alcoholic beverages
Café Integral - Favorite coffee in the city
Citerella - Best fish selection in the city
Eataly - For all your dinner party needs… cheese, product, meat, fish, etc
Grand Daisy - Amazing Bakery in Tribeca, try a selection of flatbreads for lunch and a sourdough loaf to go
Mah Ze Dahr - Bakery with the most amazing chocolate cake
Magnolia - Vanilla cake for the (birthday) win!
Sant Ambroeus Gelateria - Best gelato in the city and the perfect stop from the Soho crowds
The Tin Building - Incredible food court & restaurants by Jean Georges
Union Square Greenmarket - A must visit farmers market occurring every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Villager - Best coffee in Brooklyn! Right by Prospect Park
Winner - Butcher and sandwich spot with multiple locations throughout Park Slope and Prospect Heights
Markets
Arthur Avenue - New York’s real Little Italy in the Bronx
Boisson - Non-alcoholic beverage shop
Citarella - Produce, meats Citerella+ fish
Convive - Amazing wine shop in the East Village
Di Palo’s - Italian specialty shop in Little Italy/Nolita
Down to Earth Park Slope Farmers Market - Sundays in Park Slope
Duane Park Patisserie - Original Tribeca bakery
East Village Organic — Solid organic market
Eataly - Great spot to stock up for a dinner party
Frankly Wines - Favorite wine shop in Tribeca
Grand Army Greenmarket - Saturday market at entrance to Prospect Park
Grand Daisy - Bread and sandwiches in Tribeca
Health & Harmony - Health food heaven on Hudson in West Village
Japan Premium Beef - Best butcher in NoHo
LifeThyme - One of few organic markets in NYC
Russo’s - Italian specialty shop with amazing homemade pasta, prosciutto, etc in East Village
Simple Loaf - Best (buckwheat) loaf and pastries in Park Slope
Union Market - Preferred grocery store with locations throughout Brooklyn and Lower East Side
Union Square Farmers Market - Best farmers market in town, open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Tribeca Farmers Market - Wednesday + Sunday. Good but limited vendors
Tompkins Square Farmers Market, East Village - Sundays
Murray’s Cheese Shop - Cheese heaven.
Union Market - Amazing grocery stores with several locations
SHOP
Adaptations - Vintage furniture in Greenpoint
Alex Mill - Great basics for men + women
Beacons Closet - Consignment clothes with multiple locations
Blue New York - Gifts + treasures
Bonberi Bodega - All things healthy
Clic Bookstore & Gallery - Art, books and colorful home goods
Credo - Clean beauty shop
Club Vintage - Vintage clothes and design on a cobble stoned street in the Seaport
Dana Foley - Made in NYC dress line with a store on Ludlow in LES
Dobbin Street Vintage Co-op - Awesome furniture and decor with locations throughout Brooklyn.
Front General Store - Great spot for vintage Levis in Dumbo
Ina - Luxury consignment with a few locations
Humble House - Great vintage furniture and design shop in Boerum Hill
John Darien - Beautiful home goods
Love Adorned - great gifts, dried flowers, etc.
McNally Jackson Books - Best bookshop in NYC (avoid weekends for the lines)
Package Free - Sustainably-minded gifts
O.N.S. - Great Men’s store in Nolita
Otte - Always a great selection of strong feminine pieces, sweaters & denim
Save Khaki United - Great Men’s basics
Tin Building - Gourmet food hall in South Street Seaport
Tiny Jungles - Small plant shop in Cobble Hill
Tokio 7 - Luxury consignment in East Village
The Real Real - Brick and mortar store with the best luxury consignment site (Soho & Upper East Side)
Ulla Johnson - Clothes for an occasion in a beautiful boutique on Bleecker
DRINK + Dance
Manhattan
Acme - A classic for dancing on Great Jones
Apotheke - Cocktail lounge in Chinatown
Attaboy - Date spot with excellent cocktails
Bad Roman - If you find yourself in Columbus Circle/Lincoln Center, grab a drink and the Roasted Garlic Babka at their beautiful bar
Bar Belly - Girls night out, date drinks, oysters, jazz… great for most occasions that involve a drink
Bemelman’s Bar - Drinks at the Carlyle
Bowery Hotel - Drinks by the fire
The Box - Exclusive club with a burlesque show that is always a good time
Decibel - Good first date underground sake bar with Japanese bites
Dream Baby - Drinks in East Village or dancing
Gospel - Exclusive nightclub, good for a night of deep housen
Happiest Hour - Lively drinks and a solid burger (leans a younger crowd)
Home Sweet Home - Dive bar on Chrystie
Le Dive - Hip bar with small plates that feels like you’re in Paris
Little Branch - Drinks and jazz in West Village
Marlton Hotel - Afternoon coffee or drinks by the fire
Mister Paradise - Great for pre- or post-dinner drinks and birthdays (intimate back red room)
Monkey Bar - Martinis in Midtown
Outer Heaven - Very fun deep house lounger
Skin Contact - Awesome wine bar with yummy bites (LES).
Standard East Village - Drinks on the patio or back garden.
The Nines - Elevated piano lounge in Noho with fancy cocktails + bites.
Paul’s Baby Grand - dancing although crowd skews young.
Parcelles - Great wine bar in Dimes Square
Brooklyn
Bar Beau - Drinks or bar bites
Black Flamingo - Drinks on the ground floor with dancing in the basement
Maison Premiere - Serious oysters & martinis
Night of Joy - Cozy space with rooftop
Night Moves - Disco next to Four Horsemen in Williamsburg
St Mazies - Live music with outdoor patio
William Vale - Cocktails with a view
SEE + Do
Art Fairs - Armory Show (March), FRIEZE (May)
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens - The best in Spring! Hit Villager for a coffee after and a Prospect heights stroll
Brooklyn Grange - Beautiful rooftop gardens with two locations in Brooklyn (check out their programming here)
Brooklyn Heights Promenade - Beautiful spot to enjoy fresh air and catch views of Manhattan
Brooklyn Museum - Strong exhibits and permanent collection in a gorgeous building and area
Central Park - Reservoir, Bethesda Terrace
Chelsea Galleries - David Zwirner, Hauser & Wirth, Gagosian, Pace Gallery… 20th, 21st, 24th streets between 10th and 11th ave are the best
Chinese Massage - Treat yourself to an affordable massage at one of my favorites: Water Lily, Zu Yi, or 88 Spa
Christies - Check what’s on view at this global auction house in Rockefeller center.
Elizabeth Street Garden - the best escape
The High Line - For a sunny stroll
Hudson River Park - Favorite spots are Pier 26, Robert Wagner Park and Rocekfeller Park
Frick Collection - Amazing private collection. Weds, 2pm-6pm is FREE!
Little Island - Incredible landscaping along the West Side Highway
Lincoln Center - Check what’s on
Lower East Side Galleries - Canada Gallery, James Cohan, Salon 94, Sperone Westwater
Guggenheim Museum - Check what’s on
Metropolitan Museum of Art - Goes without saying
MoMA - Modern art in Midtown
MoMA PS1 - Great destination for art + culture in Long Island City
New Museum - Cool museum in Soho
Public Theater - Check what’s on
Prospect Park - Favorite park in NYC, maybe the world
Sotheby’s - Another global auction house worthy of a visit
Tribeca Galleries: R & Company, James Cohan, Patrick Parrish, Bortolami, David Zwirner, James Cohan, Luhring Augustine (NYTimes article)
Wellness
Brooklyn Flow - Great yoga in a light-filled space in Park Slope
CorePower Yoga - Try their Sculpt class for a real sweat
Forward Space - Dance your heart out at this awesome studio in Soho
Kula - Favorite, authentic yoga studio in Manhattan
*The Class - Fitness x mindfulness, my absolute favorite
Day Trips
Arthur Ave - Street in the Bronx famous for it’s Italian offerings, don’t miss a sandwich from Mike’s Deli
Bear Mountain State Park - Hike with pretty Hudson River views
Cold Spring - Closet small town to NYC that’s worth checking out
Dia Beacon - Museum in Beacon NY accessible by train
Governors Island - Take the ferry from the Seaport for a great summer/fall adventure. Rent bikes and grab a snack at Island Oysters before you head back
Magazzino Italian Art - Beautiful museum upstate near Cold Spring
Rockaways - Get your beach fix and swing by The Rockaway Hotel for a drink
Storm King - Amazing outdoor sculpture park ~1.5 hours from the city