Despite possibly the world's ugliest drive from airport to city, horrible hedge-fund guys and publicists who have exploited any last sign of cool and originality from the city, it is still possible to find some magic in New York. With Barneys, the best theatre, restaurants and shopping, it's easy to be flash with your cash.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
NY time for social appointments is about 30 minutes later than stated, but for business meetings, show up 10 minutes early. |
| 02 |
Contrary to popular belief, New Yorkers are generally friendly. |
| 03 |
The subway is usually faster than a cab but avoid using it in summer at all costs. |
| 04 |
Central Park is great for sports and fitness. Jog around the Reservoir, rollerblade along the vast network of paths, or play Frisbee on the Great Lawn. |
| 05 |
Avoid other taxi services. New Day (+ 1 212 228 6666) is the most reliable ($45/€33 to JFK/Newark). |
| 06 |
Take the subway if you need to get anywhere between 16.00 and 17.00 (when the taxi drivers change shifts). |
| 07 |
The Upper East Side is the place to view women who have overdone the plastic surgery. You’ll think you’ve landed on another planet. |
| 08 |
Remember you’ll never need to cross a bridge or tunnel when going out in the evening. |
| 09 |
Make reservations. |
| 10 |
Do as the locals. Steal someone’s cab and then flip them the finger when they scream at you. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Soho Grand
310 West Broadway
+ 1 212 965 3000
sohogrand.com
Dependable
Four Seasons
57 East 57th Street
+ 1 212 758 5700
fourseasons.com/
newyorkfs
Premium
St. Regis
2 East 55th Street
+ 1 212 753 4500
starwoodhotels.com/
stregis
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
City Bakery
3 West 18th Street
+ 1 212 366 1414
thecitybakery.com
Business breakfast
Balthazar
80 Spring Street
+ 1 212 965 1414
balthazarny.com
Mid-morning coffee
Cowgirl
519 Hudson Street
+ 1 212 633 1133
cowgirlnyc.com
Working lunch with colleagues
Bill Pell
729 6th Avenue
+ 1 212 989 3373
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
La Grenouille
3 East 52nd Street
+ 1 212 752 1495
la-grenouille.com
Lunch on your own
Kelley and Ping
127 Greene St.
+ 1 212 228 1212
eatrice.com
Afternoon tea/drink
Pegu
77 West Houston Street
+ 1 212 473 7348
peguclub.com
Dinner on your own
Hasaki
210 East 9th Street
+ 1 212 473 3327
Dinner with colleagues
MAS (farmhouse)
39 Downing Street
+ 1 212 255 1790
masfarmhouse.com
Private dinner
Lupa
170 Thompson Street
+ 1 212 982 5089
luparestaurant.com
Big dinner with partner clients
MASA
10 Columbus Circle, 4th floor, Time Warner Center
+ 1 212 823 9800
masanyc.com
Drink after dinner
Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street
+ 1 212 995 0099
thestantonsocial.com
Late drinks
Sway
305 Spring Street
+ 1 212 620 5220
Late bite
Les Enfants Terribles
37 Canal Street
+ 1 212 777 7518
On the tiles
The Back Room
102 Norfolk Street
+ 1 212 228 5098
04
Reading
News
Universal News
484 Broadway
+ 1 212 965 9042
universalnews
usa.com
Bookshop
Twelfth Street Books
11 East 12th Street
+ 1 212 645 4340
05
Thank yous
Flowers
Castle Pierpont
353 West 39th Street
+ 1 212 244 8668
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Gourmet treats from Zabars
80th and Broadway
+ 1 212 787 2000
zabars.com
Lost luggage - where to buy dress shirts, socks and undies
Barney's
660 Madison Avenue
+ 1 212 826 8900
barneys.com
Something for the kids
Sweets from Dylan's Candy Bar
1011 3rd Avenue
+ 1 646 735 0078
dylanscandybar.com
Something for someone you love
Lingerie by Kiki de Montparnasse
79 Greene Street
+ 1 212 965 8150
kikidm.com
Something for yourself
Cheese from Murray's
254 Bleecker Street
+ 1 212 243 3289
murrayscheese.com
07
Two hour tour
08
Limousine/car
Precision Limousines
+ 1 718 784 7755
precisionlimo.com
09
Transport
Buy a pass
MetroCards are the cheapest way to travel (daily, $7/€5; weekly $24/€18).
Rent a bike
In Central Park, but only for recreation. Only ride a bike through the streets of New York if you want to get killed.
10
Fitness
Good Gym
Equinox
Great classes and equipment and locations and good-looking clientele.
equinoxfitness.com
Alternative diversion
Cycle along the West Side Highway, through Brooklyn Heights and all the way to Coney Island. Try the rides before hitting the beach.