New York, The Big Apple, The City that Never Sleeps; this incredible destination is known by many names. And rightly so, for it is a vibrant and varied city.
From incredible pizza in Little Italy, to bagels in Brooklyn, the vast number of cultures cohabiting in New York has resulted in a dynamic culinary scene. That being said, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the number of options available. So, we got in touch with an extended member of the Add Then Multiply family, Sophie Perkins. Assistant Buyer at Brown’s Fashion, Soph spent a year living in NYC. Here we share her tips on what to eat, where to drink and what to do in New York. Over to you, Soph!
Locals have a famously no-nonsense attitude, so I’ve mirrored this in my city guide by streamlining my suggestions into three categories: Eat, Drink and Do. I’ve collated a list of my favourite haunts in the hope that you will stray away from the well-trodden path, and experience the city like a native New Yorker!
EAT
Five Leaves, Brooklyn. Conceptualised by the late Heath Ledger, Five Leaves in Brooklyn has an understandably American/Aussie influence. Best for brunch and burgers, Five Leaves boasts a cool interior and fantastic cocktails.
Saxon and Parole, Bowery. Serving up American cuisine with a twist, Saxon and Parole is great for brunch. Featuring a DIY Bloody Mary bar and home-made Nutella French Toast, you’ll be guaranteed to start your day with a bang.
The Rabbit Hole, Brooklyn. With a meticulously designed interior and home-made pastries, this Brooklynite favourite offers two different dining experiences. The rear of the restaurant and garden provide a more formal setting, while the front of the space feels more like a café. Food is of the modern European variety, served with a twist. As well as good food, the team are passionate about their coffee. If you’re are a fan, try their espresso from Stumptown.
St Maizie Bar and Supper Club, Brooklyn. You can tell I lived in Williamsburg with the number of bars and restaurants in the borough that I recommend! But even if you’re staying on Manhattan Island, Brooklyn is an easy subway ride away so is well worth the trip. St Maizie is more of a bar than a restaurant, but offers incredible Oysters and small plates which is why I put it under the food section. Stay on for cocktails and live music, they even have a Flamenco Night! Pre-book in advance to avoid disappointment, for this is not one to be missed.
Bouvette, Grenwich Village. Open till 2am, this restaurant is emblematic of New York’s insomniac lifestyle. Bouvette offers small French plates and have locations in Paris, Tokyo and NYC, although the New York branch is the original. The team claim to combine ‘the elegance of an old world café with the casual nature of a neighbourhood eatery’ and to be honest, this is a pretty accurate description of this bijoux café.
DRINK
Death & Company, East Village. If you’re a fan of cocktails, this name might ring a bell. Winner of Best American Cocktail Bar in 2010, Death & Co has received worldwide recognition. Also boasting the award of Best Cocktail Menu, their extensive offering will delight even the most discerning patron. Push the boat out, and try one of their ‘luxury’ cocktails.
Please Don’t Tell, East Village. Hidden behind a hot dog shop, this speak-easy bar is accessible only through a phone booth. Decorated in prohibition era style, this cosy bar is well worth a visit. They accept reservations, so make sure to call ahead.
Output, Brooklyn. I had to include a club, as New York’s night life is not to be missed. A converted warehouse featuring big names in dance music, they also have an incredible rooftop where you can dance until the sunrise. Overlooking the Manhattan skyline, it is certainly the best view from a dance floor that I’ve ever seen!
Blue bottle coffee, Williamsburg. For locals, a good cup of Joe is arguably as important as the stronger stuff! Hence why I’ve included a coffee house in my list. Head to the Berry Street branch for coffee that is sold less than 48 hours after it comes out of the roaster. That is, if it tastes best that way. Their Hayes Valley Espresso apparently comes into its own between days 4 and 7. So they serve it this way. The guys at Blue Bottle are fanatic about they coffee. If you are too, head down to one of many the city. I’ve suggested the branch on Berry Street because it also features an extended food menu.1
DO
I love art so this is a slightly biased list. I’ve tried to steer away from the obvious galleries to hopefully offer you something new.
The Neue Gallery, Upper East Side. Featuring early 20th Century German and Austrian art and design, this is a fascinating gallery. Currently hosting a pay-what-you-wish Klimt exhibition, it is a treasure trove of creativity.
MoMA PS1, Queens. An outpost of the infamous Museum of Modern Art, MoMA PS1 is one of the biggest galleries in the world, that only exhibits contemporary art. The space is dedicated to displaying the ‘most experimental art in the world.’2 If you are lacking inspiration, be sure to visit this space. If nothing else, you’ll be guaranteed to see something completely new.
The Whitney, Chelsea. The ‘New Whitney’ opened in 2015. Designed by Pritzker Prize winning Renzo Piano, this incredible building boasts 50,000 square feet of interior exhibition space, and 13,000 feet outdoors!3 Currently exhibiting Grant Wood’s iconic American Gothic, the Whitney is full of amazing American art.
NYC Ferry Service. A cheap and enjoyable way to see the city, the ferry service offers a fun way of exploring the different waterfront communities of New York. There are six routes, covering 60 miles and tickets start at $2.75.4
Brooklyn Bazaar. Part flea-market, part food festival, this buzzing night time spot hosts live bands, serves great beer and has Ping-Pong tables. What more could you want!
There are hundreds more amazing things to see and do in New York, but these are my favourites. Eat, drink and be merry!
Soph
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