One of my most frequented areas of the city is Murray Hill. The neighborhood is part of lower midtown Manhattan located in the 20′s and 30′s on the east side. It’s populated mostly by young professionals (and many friends of mine) and boasts several must-try places to eat.
TO SEE: The view from Rare Bar & Grill. There’s a reason why it’s called “Rare View” Rooftop at Lexington. Also a great place to dine.
TO LUNCH: Stop by 2nd Ave Deli for New York’s favorite Kosher food. Pastrami sandwiches to die for.
TO BRUNCH:Penelope is one of the top places to brunch in the city. The place is extremely small so be prepared for a long (well worth it) wait. Nutella french toast anyone?
TO DRINK:Banc Cafe is a popular bar and date spot great for dancing.
TO DESSERT: La Delice Pastry Shop is known for its rainbow cookies. Who can pass those up?
As part of our District PRofile series, we tapped one of our good girlfriends and fellow PR girl Nicole (@nbrigagliano) to provide insight into the southernmost section of Manhattan, the Financial District. Here are her musts of the area:
When most people think of the Financial District, Wall Street and power suits are top of mind, but the Financial District has so much more to offer. Moving to NYC in Summer `10, I was unsure of where to live and moved into an apartment on Wall Street. I quickly fell in love with the area and all it had to offer. It’s been almost a year and a half for me in FiDi, as the locals call it, and I am still happy to call it home.
Below are some of my FiDi favorites:
TO SEE: After 10 years, the World Trade Center Memorial is now open to the public and has proved to be a big attraction among locals and tourists alike. I recommend seeing the memorial at night when the red, white & blue lights of the Freedom Tower are gleaming bright. If you plan to check out the WTC Memorial don’t forget to reserve tickets ahead of time!
TO DRINK: Among the windy streets of the Financial District sits Stone Street, a cute cobblestone street dating back to the 1600s. Upscale restaurants and pubs line both sides of street including Adrienne’s Pizzabar, Beckett’s Bar & Grill and Ulysses Folk House. Stone Street is the perfect place for grabbing a beer with friends during your favorite sports games or wine & dining with a date. Make sure to stop by during the warmer months (May-October) and see the street lined with tables for some outdoor fun!
TO EAT: While you are in FiDi, don’t forget to stop by the South Street Seaport. Situated at Pier 17, the South Street Seaport is home to numerous shops, restaurants and attractions offering everyone something to do. Some of the best restaurants can be found on Front Street located right in the middle of the action. My personal favorites are Il Brigante for trattoria-style Italian cuisine and SuteiShi for fresh sushi and Japanese specialities.
TO DO: My favorite thing to do in NYC is wander through Battery Park. It proves to provide amazing views of the Statue of LIberty and Ellis Island as well as Downtown NYC. As a fan of the water, I can sit down and take in that view for hours. If you are seeking some adventure hop on board the Circle Line Cruise for a sail around the city or rent a bike and pedal around lower Manhattan.
Where are your favorite places to go in the Financial District?
The Upper West Side never ceases to surprise me. It holds a bit of nostalgia for me, since a branch of my university was located at Lincoln Center and I spent my first year of New York living exploring this area of Manhattan almost exclusively. Once you make your opinion of the UWS as being a stuffy, old-school part of town, it blasts back with a new lunch spot, date-worthy restaurant or dance party to change your mind.
Below are some of our favorite places that are classically Upper West Side:
TO SHOP:Time Warner Center is about as close to a mall as you can get in Manhattan (the Manhattan Mall itself kind of scares me). The first two floors are all shops and art displays, the basement has a Whole Foods (perfect for a quick dinner of fresh sushi while shopping) and the top levels are home to The Landmarc and The Stone Rose – both with breathtaking views of Columbus Circle.
TO DRINK DATE: Yes, I included a chain in this one. But the AMC Loews Lincoln Center location is the center of one of my favorite parts of the Upper West Side. It’s the cleanest movie theater I’ve ever been in, and the place is surrounded by great dining options. If you really are craving the hard stuff or need a place to meet with the girls, try Stone Rose in the Time Warner Center or PJ Clarkes.
TO SEE: The Museum of Natural History is a great place to get lost in for a day. Not as overwhelming as the Met, and another great location for stunning views of the park. Plus if you’re a giant dork like me you love Natural History Museums. Also cannot leave out Lincoln Center in this one. The new home of Fashion Week, Lincoln Center also hosts the New York City Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera. A and I were blown away by the beauty of this theater, and suggest you attend a ballet as soon as humanly possible (and psst… Swan Lake is coming back for select performances this weekend after selling out earlier this year).
TO EAT: Mary Ann has written about her love of the Boathouse before. Another great date spot (so classically New York) and one of the best truffle pasta dishes I’ve ever had.
Where do you like to go on the UWS? Tweet us at @nycPRgirls.
If you’ve been reading our blog, we’ve been profiling different districts in the city including the Upper East Side, Flatiron and Meatpacking. One of our Twitter followers offered to profile for SoHo and we had to share their suggestions. Thanks to the ladies of Brew PR!
TO SEE: Catch an independent film at the Angelika and take a walk around the district. SoHo in itself is a solid place to see – the cobblestone streets, shopping and architecture is completely different than the rest of the city.
TO EAT: For seafood, absolutely Lure Fishbar. The raw bar serves up the best oysters on the half shell imaginable and their lunch specials are always solid- feels like you’re on a boat also, awesome. If you want something outside, definitely Soho Park (best chicken sandwich ever).
*nyc PR girls suggestion, Kelley and Ping for Malaysian Curried Noodles
TO DESSERT: Too many dessert options. Caffe Falai serves up an unbelievable Crepe Cake. And, let’s be serious, The Best Chocolate Cake shop is right around the corner. No more to say!
TO DRINK: For vodka, Pravda, bottom line – you may feel like you’re in Russia. We also love Merc Bar for their awesome infused cocktails and open window/door setup.
TO SHOP: SoHo is unfortunately, or very fortunately, the heart of the best shopping in the world. A favorite of Brew PR’s is hands down Brandy Melville. Plus UNIQLO is a must stop for some solid basic attire.
The Meatpacking District is one of my favorite areas in the city – great shopping, amazing food and the best nighclubs. What more could a PR girl want? Located on the west side from West 14th Street to Gansevoort Street, MePa quickly became one of New York’s most fashionable neighborhoods.
TO DO The High Line: The spectacular elevated park starts on Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District and runs to West 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. Take a stroll during the day or at night to catch amazing views of the Hudson River and city skyline.
TO EAT Pastis: A classic Sex and the City landmark restaurant, this French bistro has the best outdoor seating and a creme brulee worth every calorie.
TO STAY The Standard Hotel: One of the trendiest boutique hotels in the city with a restaurant (The Standard Grill), beer garden (Biergarten) and coveted nightclub (Boom Boom Room). It’s unique architecture also makes it a must see of the district.
TO DRINK Hotel Gansevoort’s Plunge: The 14th-floor penthouse of Hotel Gansevoort is a must-see spot to grab a drink next to an outdoor pool and gorgeous view.
TO SHOP Diane Von Furstenberg: The Meatpacking District is filled with the best designer stores (Alexander McQueen, Catherine Malandrino, Stella McCartney, Rebecca Taylor) but no store makes you feel as classic and fashionable as Diane’s.
Have a favorite place in the Meatpacking District? Please tell us!
Last month, we started PRofiling different districts in the city. First was the Upper East Side which is where both M and I live. This month, we’re taking a look at the Flatiron District, a small area in Midtown named after the Flatiron building. If you’re ever in the area, consider stopping by these places…
TO SEEThe Flatiron Building: The triangular must-see on 23rd and 5th is conveniently located across from Madison Square Park, home of the infamous long-lined Shake Shack. Plus, the park always has a new art exhibit.
TO EATEataly: A one-stop market, restaurant and bar all in one. Whether you’re craving fish, cheese, pizza, pasta, meat or veggies, each food group is divided into a different restaurant, plus a formal dining eatery Manzo and a now open rooftop brewery Birreria.
TO DESSERT City Bakery: Known for its hot chocolate and pretzel croissants (yes, pretzel croissants).
TO DRINK Flatiron Lounge: Take a break from dive bars and grab a martini at the Flatiron Lounge. Just don’t go hungry.
TO SHOP ABC Carpet and Fishs Eddy:Beyond shopping your typical mall shops (the strip on 5th Ave starting around 21st St.), consider checking out these home furnishing stores.
Have a favorite place in the Flatiron District? Please share.
As some of you may know from peeking in our “About” section or following us on Twitter, A and I live on the Upper East Side just one block from one another. Though I’m currently looking for a new apartment, I can’t seem to tear myself away from this neighborhood. It’s the ideal place to come home to at night – a safe distance away from the stereotypical bustle of the city, while still keeping that New York charm. Below I’ve listed some of my “must-see” places on the Upper East Side:
FOODJ.G. Melon: One of the best burger joints in New York. Don’t second guess yourself when you’re there – it is absolutely worth the wait behind young families and prepsters impressing their dates. The waffle fries are to die for, and the burger might as well be made of butter. Fantastic lunch or early dinner spot.
TO DOMetropolitan Museum of Art: An obvious must-see when on the Upper East Side. Early this summer, the Met is hosting Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty among other exhibits. After taking in the culture, there is an entrance to Central Park next door for a mid-day stroll.
DESSERT Two Little Red Hens Bakery: According to Bethenny Frankel, the red velvet cake cannot be beat. Grab a slice with a friend when walking back from the Met on 85th street.
TO DRINK Dorrian’s or Jones Wood Foundry: A and I went back and forth on this one. It really depends on your taste. A likes Dorrian’s for this list because of its Upper East Side infamy (used to be a go-to bar for the Yankees after home games. Now it’s a go-to for entry-level finance boys and their gal pals). I would highly suggest trying out Jones Wood Foundry, a modern british pub in the area with cute bartenders and great appetizer list.
