The fashion and beauty industries are filled with interesting people from all over the world who have great taste — the types you can rely on for excellent travel recommendations. So, we’re asking them about their favorite food, shopping and wellness spots in their cities. Consider this series your fashion and beauty person’s guide to travel.
New York City is often referred to as “the greatest city in the world,” and for team Fashionista, the reasons why that’s true abound. There’s the top-notch tap water that fuels world-renowned pizza and bagels, the opportunities that come with being at the center of every major creative industry and, most importantly, the unmatched diversity that gives the city its great restaurants, strong communities and unique multiculturalism. As Fashionista Beauty & Style Director Steph Saltzman puts it, “Whenever I’m not here, I feel like I’m missing out.”
While all of these features make New York thrive year-round, there’s one event in particular that can make the already electric metropolis feel even more exhilarating. That is, of course, the biannual New York Fashion Week (NYFW) shows.
“Since I no longer live in NYC, my favorite part of NYFW is getting to see everyone, especially team Fashionista,” says Dhani Mau, Fashionista’s editor in chief. “I also love spotting all of the ‘off-duty’ models running around to castings and fittings, and just seeing what showgoers are wearing in general. I always leave feeling inspired.”
Since we’re officially in the throes of the runway shows and presentations (mostly) taking place in Manhattan and Brooklyn, Fashionista’s editors and writers came together to list out our top recommendations for the best New York travel experience possible. Our team includes born-and-raised New Yorkers, newly settled Midwestern transplants and decade-plus dwellers, as well as a couple of former New Yorkers who are now L.A. expats, so we have lots of opinions on the city we’ve all been able to call home. From favorite bagel joints across Manhattan to must-see shopping and tourist attractions that are actually worth tackling the crowds, there’s plenty here to add to your next itinerary. Read on.
Photo: Christian Vierig/Getty Images
What’s one dish everyone who goes to New York should try?
Brooke Frischer, Associate Editor & Social Media Manager: “New York bagels are known as the best for a reason. I love Sable’s Smoked Fish on the Upper East Side. If you want to get fancy, I highly recommend the lobster salad.”
Catie Pusateri, Staff Writer: “You can’t come to NYC without grabbing a bagel complete with a hearty slab of schmear. You can find a decent one on just about every corner, but I frequent Bo’s Bagels.”
Dhani Mau, Editor in Chief: “Pizza is the obvious answer here. I like Joe’s for a classic thin-crust slice.”
Janelle Sessoms, Staff Writer: “A chopped cheese! It’s not even my favorite food, but it’s such a bodega staple.”
Steph Saltzman, Beauty & Style Director: “Bagels, duh. Ess-A-Bagel is my favorite, but go on a weekday to avoid lines.”
Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Sernivo
What’s your favorite place (or places) to get breakfast in New York?
Brooke: “I’m not the biggest breakfast person these days, but a (turkey) bacon, egg and cheese on a roll at pretty much any food cart on any corner in Lincoln Square was my go-to in high school.”
Catie: “In Common NYC makes one of my favorite breakfast sandwiches (the secret is a dab of chipotle mayo).”
Janelle: “As a born and raised Floridian, Harlem Biscuit Company definitely scratches that itch whenever I’m craving Southern-style biscuits.”
Steph: “Sadelle’s for breakfast or brunch. Everything is amazing, you can’t really go wrong on the menu.”
Favorite place (or places) to get lunch?
Brooke: “The turkey sandwich (featuring pickled onions, avocado, crispy ciabatta and more) from Ground Support in Soho has been a staple in my life for several years at this point.”
Catie: “Harlem Shake consistently delivers a delicious burger, and its chocolate milkshake is one of the best (and thickest) I’ve found in the city.”
Janelle: “Westville‘s mac and cheese is my lunchtime comfort meal.”
Steph: “John’s of Bleecker for a slice of pizza. There may be a bit of a line, but it’ll go fast and is fully worth it.”
Best place for coffee?
Brooke: “I have to shout out Ground Support again, especially for a mocha. But I also love The Jolly Goat Coffee Bar in Hell’s Kitchen — amazing vibes, even better espresso.”
Catie: “Sogno Toscano — the coffee is served in wine glasses!”
Steph: “Birch on the Upper East Side is my go-to, and the baristas are the best. I also love Isle of Us for its homemade syrups, seasonal flavors and many dairy-free milk choices.”
Photo: Mark Peterson/Corbis via Getty Images
What’s your favorite spot to get dinner in New York?
Brooke: “Raoul’s always has incredible specials, especially in the summertime (they have an unbelievably tasty soft shell crab entrée). During the warmer months, a visit to the Pier I Café on the Hudson River is extremely underrated. I love the fish tacos paired with a frozen blueberry lemonade.”
Catie: “Canto on the Upper West Side has some of the best pasta I’ve ever had. Parla is a close second.”
Dhani: “The Odeon is a classic, reliable NYC establishment that I always enjoy (and fashion people love it). I love that eating here feels both elevated and casual, and cool but not scene-y.”
Janelle: “Fumo. You can’t go wrong with any of their pastas.”
Steph: “My go-to for my birthday is an old-school New York burger at JG Melon (I highly recommend the turkey burger). I also love Polo Bar for everything, Sfoglia for pasta and Soledad for modern Mexican.”
If you were to plan a staycation for yourself, where would you stay?
Catie: “The Beekman. It’s in the heart of downtown Manhattan for easy access to the city’s exciting happenings, but the rooms are also luxuriously comfortable (and quiet) if you’re looking for a leisurely getaway.”
Janelle: “In an ideal world, I would stay at The Plaza. But I’m just a girl on a budget, so realistically, Hilton Inn it is.”
Steph: “The Greenwich Hotel: It’s luxurious, but also cozy, charming and full of character. I’ve never gone there without spotting a celebrity casually hanging out in the bar or restaurant.”
Photo: Torsten Blackwood/AFP via Getty Images
What’s one tourist attraction you think is well worth the visit in New York?
Brooke: “‘Wicked’ on Broadway. There’s simply nothing like it. I’ve seen it several times in my life, and it just keeps getting better. A trip to the New York Botanical Garden is always a good idea, too.”
Dhani: “Central Park — it’s just so beautiful. Every time I go I still think, ‘I can’t believe this is here.’ I’m also obsessed with the South Street Seaport, which actually isn’t as tourist-filled as one might expect.”
Steph: “Go to a show on Broadway! The excitement of live theater never gets old. And a long walk through Central Park is an obvious must.”
If you only had time to visit one museum or gallery while in New York, which would you pick?
Brooke: “I’m a sucker for the American Museum of Natural History. I love seeing the dinosaurs, giant whale and basically all of the animal-centric exhibitions.”
Catie: “You’ll always find me at The Met. I easily spend hours walking through the exhibits and discover something new each visit.”
Dhani: “The Guggenheim. It’s just so cool to spend time inside this architectural masterpiece.”
Janelle: “The Met, hands down. It gets a lot of hype, but it’s well deserved.”
Steph: “The Met. For a truly classic experience, head to the Temple of Dendur and reenact the “pepper on my paprikash” scene from ‘When Harry Met Sally.'”
Best way to get around the city?
Brooke: “I’m partial to an electric Citi Bike most of the time, but Blacklane has been a lifesaver lately — especially during fashion week. The whole team uses the luxury chauffeur service to get from show to show without stress. Plus, you can charge up your tech and get work done during commutes (a major bonus, in my opinion).”
Photo: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Where do you shop? What do you think are the most unique stores/boutiques?
Brooke: “Bergdorf Goodman is a must for the ultimate classy and timeless NYC department store experience.”
Catie: “I love browsing the racks at Reclectic (on the lower level of the Herald Square Urban Outfitters), which has discounted pulls from Nuuly, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People and more.”
Dhani: “Assembly on the Lower East Side is a longtime favorite multi-brand boutique. Let’s pray it continues to thrive and stay open, unlike just about all of my other favorite NYC shops.”
Steph: “The new Staud, Ganni and Tuckernuck stores on upper Madison Avenue. I also like to just window shop up there (and see what all the fancy Upper East Siders are wearing).”
What’s a good place to buy souvenirs?
Brooke: “For endless scouring of everything from antique sellers to independent designers, head to the Chelsea Flea or the Grand Baazar on the Upper West Side.”
Catie: “I love snagging a Broadway show shirt from Theatre Circle. The store also stocks programs, sheet music, magnets and other trinkets.”
Steph: “ABC Carpet & Home and Fishs Eddy (located right near each other in the Flatiron district) are always fun for meandering around and great for gifts.”
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What’s your top wellness experience in New York?
Brooke: “I love a Purifying Facial at Joanna Vargas.”
Catie: “I got a full-body massage at Spa Diane Barrière in Fouquet’s New York, and I still think about it to this day. My shoulder tension (courtesy of hunching over my laptop for eight hours a day) instantly melted away, and my perpetually sore joints felt rejuvenated.”
Steph: “The Shibui Spa at the Greenwich Hotel is absolutely beautiful and so relaxing; I also love The Well and Elite Healers for deep tissue massages; Sofie Pavitt for facials when I’m breaking out (she has locations in both Manhattan and Brooklyn); and Raquel NY for lifting and sculpting facials before a big event. I’m also a huge fan of Russian manicures (there are plenty of great spots to get them now in the city) and The Tox’s lymphatic drainage treatments — you feel amazing after you go.”
What’s your favorite day trip to take from New York?
Brooke: “Montauk. It’s my favorite place in the world, aside from NYC. Go to Joni’s for the best shrimp tacos, then lounge on the beach or go for a swim at Solé East. Then head back to the main road for dinner and have the best lobster roll and caesar salad with croissant croutons at 668 The Gig Shack.”
Catie: “Touching grass in Cold Spring. It’s a little over an hour outside the city by train, and it’s the perfect small town escape to soothe my Midwestern heart. There are delicious cafés, book stores and enough vintage shopping to get lost in for hours.”
Steph: “In the fall, I love to head up to Cold Spring for a beautiful hike and lunch in town (so cute). In the summer, I do love Montauk, but Greenport is also an amazing Long Island getaway. I went there for my bachelorette party a few years ago and it was a big hit with all of my friends.”
What’s your favorite recent discovery in New York?
Brooke: “Temple Bar. I love a tiny menu of perfected classics, plus it’s in Noho, so super convenient during NYFW specifically. There’s grilled cheeses, hamburger sliders, parmesan fries and chocolate chip cookies — what more do you need?”
Janelle: “I came across this hole-in-the-wall taco shop in West Harlem called Frijolitos. It has some of the best tacos I’ve tasted in the city so far.”
Related: New York Fashion Week Street Style Merged the Best of Summer and Fall Dressing
What’s your favorite part about New York during fashion week?
Brooke: “The theatrics. Since we’re also in the greatest city for theater, New York creatives tend to have a particular knack for putting on an extraordinary show. Wiederhoeft is always a great example of that.”
Catie: “There’s an infectious buzz in the air that inspires me to step outside my sartorial comfort zone and try something new in the name of fashion. Since photographers flood the streets during fashion week, I also love watching the best-dressed people I’ve ever seen pose on the sidewalks.”
Janelle: “Seeing the different street style looks throughout the week. People are so creative with their outfits. It makes such great inspiration for my own wardrobe choices.”
Anything else you’d like to add?
Brooke: “Visiting New York doesn’t have to be as much of a chaotic ordeal as it may seem. There are so many peaceful pockets — like The Ramble in Central Park — to enjoy that are just as special as the buzzier spots.”
Dhani: “Walk! Explore the city on foot; it’s free and you’ll get an insane number of steps in without even realizing it. (Wear comfy shoes, though.)”
Janelle: “New Yorkers aren’t rude, they are just busy and have places to be!”
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Source: Fashionista.com