Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Double chocolate chip cookies. Get there early as there's always a line.
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Levain Bakery - 74th Street
167 W 74th StDouble chocolate chip cookies. Get there early as there's always a line.
Great little Italian spot, very cosy. Great for an intimate dinner or brunch.
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Piccolo Cafe
313 Amsterdam AveGreat little Italian spot, very cosy. Great for an intimate dinner or brunch.
Robert
2 Columbus CirService is terrible at the best of times, but the setting more than makes up for it. Go there for brunch (and make sure you've visited the bathroom beforehand, as the cafe shares with the rest of the park). This spot is outdoors and closes when it gets too cold.
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Le Pain Quotidien
861 Lexington AveService is terrible at the best of times, but the setting more than makes up for it. Go there for brunch (and make sure you've visited the bathroom beforehand, as the cafe shares with the rest of the park). This spot is outdoors and closes when it gets too cold.
Ippudo Westside
321 W 51st StI'm addicted to their ramen noodles. Say no more.
Joe Coffee Company
514 Columbus AveStarbucks has gone ... but this place is WAY better!
Starbucks
154 N 7th St... if you must!
Loud, brash, all around American favourite. Tip - download the Opentable app to book a table. There's always one available within 15 - 20 mins ... however, if you walk-in they'll make you wait half an hour at least (while running up a huge bill at the bar)!
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The Smith
1900 BroadwayLoud, brash, all around American favourite. Tip - download the Opentable app to book a table. There's always one available within 15 - 20 mins ... however, if you walk-in they'll make you wait half an hour at least (while running up a huge bill at the bar)!
Very fine dining for that special occasion ... or just a bit of indulgence.
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Dovetail
103 W 77th StVery fine dining for that special occasion ... or just a bit of indulgence.
Personally, not a favourite of mine. But there are many other who believe the hype.
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Shake Shack
Madison AvenuePersonally, not a favourite of mine. But there are many other who believe the hype.
Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker StNot good to have this on the doorstep ... not good!
Boulud Sud
20 W 64th StThe tagine is a MUST!
I'm from London. In London they do Thai food well. In New York they generally don't. At Land Thai, they do Thai food as well as London. Don't be put off by the B rating! (Also try Pure Thai Chopshop in Hell's Kitchen, it's the same owner).
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Land Thai Kitchen
450 Amsterdam AveI'm from London. In London they do Thai food well. In New York they generally don't. At Land Thai, they do Thai food as well as London. Don't be put off by the B rating! (Also try Pure Thai Chopshop in Hell's Kitchen, it's the same owner).
Italian restaurant. Great for dinner, even better for brunch and excellent wines.
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Tarallucci e Vino - Upper West Side
475 Columbus AveItalian restaurant. Great for dinner, even better for brunch and excellent wines.
Parks & Nature
Nice place to hang out for a coffee, light lunch or evening drink while watching the sun set over the Hudson River.
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PIER i CAFE
500 West 70th StreetNice place to hang out for a coffee, light lunch or evening drink while watching the sun set over the Hudson River.
Entertainment & Activities
Standby tickets are often available on the day. In the summer months shows are live-streamed from outside of the opera house.
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Indlu ye-Opera yeMetropolitan
30 Lincoln Center PlazaStandby tickets are often available on the day. In the summer months shows are live-streamed from outside of the opera house.
Excellent adult dance classes catering from all levels - from ballet to zumba. Gorgeous studios.
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The Ailey Studios
405 W 55th StExcellent adult dance classes catering from all levels - from ballet to zumba. Gorgeous studios.
Free exercise classes with Jack Rabbit running store. Check in store for details.
JackRabbit - West Side
140 W 72nd StFree exercise classes with Jack Rabbit running store. Check in store for details.
Essentials
The lines can be infuriating, so the best time to go is early in the morning OR 9pm on a Saturday evening.
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Trader Joe's
715 River RdThe lines can be infuriating, so the best time to go is early in the morning OR 9pm on a Saturday evening.
Great range, plus lots of international products.
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Fairway Market 74th Street
2131 BroadwayGreat range, plus lots of international products.
Gourmet groceries with gourmet prices. Nice for those special occasions or the occasional splurge on top quality produce and ingredients.
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Citarella Gourmet Market - Upper West Side
2135 BroadwayGourmet groceries with gourmet prices. Nice for those special occasions or the occasional splurge on top quality produce and ingredients.
100,000 square feet of fitness. Lap pool, outdoor elevated running track, classes galore, spa, Kiehl's on tap, indoor basketball courts, barre studio, boxing studio, cycling studio and cafe. This is a 'destinations' club - which basically means they can get away with robbing you on a daily basis with the inflated monthly membership dues!
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Marquee New York
289 10th Ave100,000 square feet of fitness. Lap pool, outdoor elevated running track, classes galore, spa, Kiehl's on tap, indoor basketball courts, barre studio, boxing studio, cycling studio and cafe. This is a 'destinations' club - which basically means they can get away with robbing you on a daily basis with the inflated monthly membership dues!
Space is a little crowded, but some great instructors and reasonably priced membership.
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YogaWorks Westside
37 W 65th StSpace is a little crowded, but some great instructors and reasonably priced membership.
The most unpretentious Equinox I've been to thus far!
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Equinox West 76th Street
344 Amsterdam AveThe most unpretentious Equinox I've been to thus far!
Drinks & Nightlife
The Dakota
1 W 72nd StNice cocktails!
Mandarin Oriental, New York
80 Columbus CirWith this view, it's hard not to impress.
Service isn't great, but a perfect spot for a date. If the weather is mild sit outside. A good option for drinks, never been impressed with the food.
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Tavern On the Green
West 67th StreetService isn't great, but a perfect spot for a date. If the weather is mild sit outside. A good option for drinks, never been impressed with the food.
Arts & Culture
Iziko Lomuzi wezolimo laseMarekhiya
200 Central Park WestIMusem we-Art we-Metropolitan
1000 5th AveIziko Lomuzi wezobuciko nezobuciko
2 Columbus CirNew York City Ballet
20 Lincoln Center PlazaProbably one of my favourite work spaces in NYC. Enter at the Lincoln Center Plaza entrance and settle in on the 2nd floor. (The top floor does not allow bags, so be prepared to leave them with security).
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
40 Lincoln Center PlazaProbably one of my favourite work spaces in NYC. Enter at the Lincoln Center Plaza entrance and settle in on the 2nd floor. (The top floor does not allow bags, so be prepared to leave them with security).
Shopping
Anything you could possible need, plus stuff you didn't even realise you needed!
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Bed Bath & Beyond
1932 BroadwayAnything you could possible need, plus stuff you didn't even realise you needed!
rag & bone
182A Columbus AveMaje Columbus
211 Columbus AveApple Upper West Side
1981 BroadwayNever crazy lines like you see elsewhere in NYC!
Believe the hype, this gear is good ... but you'll pay for it. They offer free exercise classes. Check in store for details.
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lululemon
114 5th AveBelieve the hype, this gear is good ... but you'll pay for it. They offer free exercise classes. Check in store for details.
Kiehl's Since 1851
124 Montague StMAC Cosmetics
202 W 125th StUGG
600 Madison AveA mixed bag, but there are bargains to be had ... especially around holiday time, when further discounts are available.
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Bloomingdale's Outlet
2085 BroadwayA mixed bag, but there are bargains to be had ... especially around holiday time, when further discounts are available.